OCT 2021 Blues Vol 37 No. 10.1

The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 1

OCTOBER 2021 

FEATURES 

On the Cover: 

WE REMEMBER: We say 

good bye to a true hero, Senior 

Police Officer William 

“Bill” Jeffrey. 

FEATURE STORY: Washington 

Politics try and shift 

focus from mistaken drone 

strike to a fake whipping on 

the border. 

82 

48 Remembering Those We’ve Lost 

Hpd Senior Police Officer William “Bill” Jeffrey 

64 Biden Trys To Eliminate Border Mounted Officers 

68 Washington Trys To Shift Focus From Drone Strike 

To Baseless Whipping Story At The Border 

72 Who Wants To Be A Cop Part 6 

DEPARTMENTS 

8 Publisher’s Thoughts Part I 

12 Editor’s Thoughts 

16 Your Thoughts 

22 News Around the State 

38 News Around the Country 

44 Products & Services -Alternative Ballistics 

52 Honoring our Fallen Heroes 

82 War Stories 

86 Aftermath 

90 Open Road-Mustang Mach E Goes to Patrol 

96 Healing Our Heroes 

98 Daryl’s Deliberations 

102 HPOU-From the President, Douglas Griffith 

104 Light Bulb Award 

108 Running 4 Heroes 

110 Blue Mental Health with Tina Jaeckle 

112 Off Duty with Rusty Barron 

116 Parting Shots 

118 Now Hiring - L.E.O. Positions Open in Texas 

146 Last Page -Take Out the Trash 

86 

90 

OUR TEAM 

MICHAEL BARRON 

founder & publisher 


editor-n-chief 

REX EVANS 

contributing editor 

DIANE TRYKOWSKI 

creative editor 

RUSTY BARRON 

outdoor editor 

TINA JAECKLE 


DARYL LOTT 


SAM HORWITZ & JOHN SALERNO 

contributing editors 

DOUGLAS GRIFFITH 

HPOU contributing editor 

DIANE TRYKOWSKI 

sales manager 

OUR CONTRIBUTORS 

T. EDISON 

contributing writer / light bulb 

ANNA GIAITELLI 

contributing writer 

PAUL FARR 


CHARLES RABIN 


PARKER PERRY 


RUBY GONZALES 


LANE DEGREGORY 


BOB PRICE 


BRIAN WHITEHEAD 

aftermath 

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY 


The BLUES Police Magazine is published monthly by Kress-Barr, LLC, P.O. Box 2733, League City Texas 77574. The opinions 

expressed in articles, op-eds and editorials are those of each individual author and do not reflect the opinion of 

The BLUES or its parent company. Rebuttals or submission of news articles and editorials may be su 

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PART I - Cancel Culture 

Sweeps Biden & Washington 

TO LETHAL FORCE 

Thirty-seven years ago, this 

magazine was founded on one 

principal and one principal only. 

To give the employees of the 

Harris County Sheriff’s Department 

a method by which their 

voice could be heard. Was it 

popular with the brass who got 

an earful on a monthly basis? 

No. Was it effective in opening 

up lines of communication between 

the two? Absolutely. 

The First Amendment guarantees 

us freedoms regarding 

religion, expression, assembly, 

and the right to petition. It guarantees 

freedom of expression 

by prohibiting Congress from 

restricting the press or the rights 

of individuals to speak freely. 

The BLUES has always operated 

within the framework our 

ancestors crafted. For 37 years, 

anyone that had something to 

say, good or bad, had the opportunity 

to voice that opinion 

here in the BLUES, and that continues 

to this day. 

But what about national politics? 

Should the BLUES, a magazine 

devoted to serving law enforcement 

and first responders, 

take sides on a national scale? 

For the first time in our lengthy 

history, our cover and feature 

story take us to the dirty side of 

national politics. Now if you ask 

our business consultants, they 

will tell you that the minute you 

choose a side, you’re going to 

lose half your reading audience. 

You could in fact loose ad revenue 

if your political opinions 

clash with the beliefs of your 

sponsors. 

Well, I guess that’s a risk I’ll 

have to take. What’s happening 

in this country is an atrocity 

and to sit back and say nothing 

is exactly what they want you 

to do. And by “they” I mean the 

extreme left, the entire Biden 

administration, Pelosi, and her 

evil bunch in Congress. 

Their entire agenda is to force 

you into silence for fear that 

anything you say will be construed 

as racial bias and therefore 

you are CANCELLED. YOU 

become the problem. YOU are 

the reason for their failures, not 

them. Everything that doesn’t 

fit their agenda is the fault of 

someone else. 

I’m not going to get into voter 

fraud and lost elections or even 

what the world would look 

like if Donald Trump were still 

President. This goes way past 

that. When you see billboards 

on the interstate in California 

promoting the fact that you no 

longer have to choose the sex 

of your child at birth and have 

the option to indicate on their 

birth certificate that the sex is: 


UNDECIDED AT THIS TIME. That is 

what’s wrong with this country. 

At birth, GOD decided your 

sex for you. PERIOD! If you elect 

to change that at a later date, 

that’s a personal choice for you 

to make. When you’re mature 

enough to make that decision. 

The government shouldn’t be 

encouraging young kids to make 

a choice as to what SEX they 

want to continue to be. 

But again, it’s the entire CAN- 

CEL CULTURE. If you don’t agree 

with us, you’re against us. You’re 

the problem, not us. We can 

disagree on this and a million 

other things, but that doesn’t 

mean your opinion, or my opinion 

doesn’t matter. They both 

matter. One doesn’t cancel out 

the other. 

But I’m not writing a book 

here, so I’ll get to the point and 

our feature story: the agenda of 

the Biden administration to do 

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whatever they see fit. And if they 

make a mistake, they find something 

or someone else to blame, 

to shift the focus. Take for instance 

the loss of thirteen brave 

soldiers last month in Kabul, one 

of which was the son of our Blue 

Family in California, the Lopez’s. 

To try and shift the focus of this 

tragedy in Kabul, Biden and his 

inept General Milley, decided 

to launch a last-minute drone 

strike to “take out” an alleged 

ISIS member who was allegedly 

responsible for the bombing that 

killed our soldiers at the airport. 

What they did, was take out an 

innocent family of ten Afghanistan 

civilians, including seven innocent 

children. Biden’s response 

– “OOPS.” 

A few weeks later, our border 

is overrun by thousands of immigrants 

feeling Haiti. Almost 

20,000 packed under a bridge in 

Del Rio and local law enforcement 

and border patrol were 

overwhelmed. What you may 

not know, is that it all started 

with seven hundred Haitians. 

Border patrol and ICE gathered 

them up and took them to the 

airport to fly them back to Haiti. 

But when Biden found out, he 

CANCELLED the flights and said, 

“Just let them stay.” 

Well, those seven hundred 

people took to their cell phones 

and started calling friends and 

relatives that had been gathering 

in Mexico and said, “The U.S. border 

is open, they aren’t sending 

us home, get here as fast as you 

can.” And they did. Thousands of 

them hauled ass to the border 

and joined up under the bridge. 

Now you have a crisis on your 

hands on US soil, in Texas and 

not a damn government official 

in site. So, the governor takes 

over and sends in the troops. 

Border patrol agents, yes some 

on horseback, do their best to 

‘corral’ these folks and stop the 

masses from entering the U.S. 

illegally. And in ONE photo, taken 

by ONE photojournalist from 

New Mexico, Biden and the “left” 

have their smoking gun. They 

have the one thing they need to 

make you stop asking how all 

these people got here in the first 

place. A diversion! 

One piece of leather flying 

through the air suddenly becomes 

the diversion they were 

looking for. These border agents 

are “whipping” immigrants like 

they were slaves from the 60’s. 

These horrible racist agents trying 

to beat these innocent people 

into submission. To punish 

them for coming to America. 

How dare they! 

And if you question what they 

are saying, you’re CANCELLED. 

You are the racist. “This is our 

own people being racist and we 

won’t stand for it.” said Pelosi. 

Yes, we accidentally killed 

seven children and three adults 

in Kabul, but that was an accident 

and a tragedy of war. 

BULLSHIT. Border Patrol Agents 

in Texas and all along the border, 

are some of the bravest men and 

women on this planet. What they 

endure on a daily basis is unbelievable. 

Regardless of what anyone 

in Washington says, all of us 

in law enforcement support the 

men and women of the US Border 

Patrol. You are heroes and no 

one, not even the President can 

take that away. 

Certainly not with one piece of 

flying leather. 

In closing, the bottom line is, 

if you feel that we’ve crossed 

a line that The BLUES shouldn’t 

have crossed and your feelings 

or pride are hurt, I just have one 

thing to say to you. YOU’RE CAN- 

CELLED. Find another magazine 

to read and tell all your friends 

how “un-WOKE” we are. I don’t 

care. We believe…. I believe 

that God gave us all the right to 

believe what we want when we 

want. And the First Amendment 

gave us all the right to make that 

belief known. If you disagree 

with that, well that’s your God 

given right. 

God Bless America and God 

Bless all our Children of God. 

PART II 

Is it a different world today, or is 

it just more of the same? 

When you tell someone, this 

is a different world we live in 

today, they look at you with a 

blank stare. What do you mean? 

Is it better? Is it worse? What? 

What makes today any different 

than yesterday, or for that matter 

last year? 

Take flight for instance. One 

hundred eighteen years ago, 

Orville and Wilber Wright flew 

their glider a total of 852 feet 

in 59 seconds of flight and the 

world of aviation was born. 

Last month, we sent four civilians 

into space for three days 

at over 17,500 miles an hour 

575 kilometers over the planet. 

The achievements by man over 

the previous 125 years are truly 

remarkable. 

But these, as well as the sheer 

magnitude of other advancements 

in our lifetime, should be 

what stands out when someone 

says, “Today is a very different 

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world.” But for me, it’s the staggering 

amount of people dying 

each and every day. It’s overwhelming. 

Our Blue family is shrinking in 

numbers at a very rapid pace. 

Just last week, we laid to rest 

Senior HPD Officer William “Bill” 

Jeffery who was shot and killed 

by a man who should have 

been locked up. His partner, Sgt. 

Michael Vance was also shot 

and only for the grace of God is 

still here fighting for his life. Our 

thoughts and prayers are with 

both families today. 

Then there are literally hundreds 

of police officers that 

have died from COVID, 198 in 

2021 alone. And another 300- 

400 first responders in 2020. 

This is horrifying and truly 

unbelievable. I was told in a 

special task-force meeting in 

January of 2020, that statistically 

speaking, out of the forty-two 

people in the room that 

day, over half would be dead 

within a year. Of course, I didn’t 

believe it. Who the hell believes 

anything this government says? 

I also didn’t believe that schools 

would close, businesses would 

fail, or that our friends and family 

would be locked inside their 

houses for almost a year. But all 

that did in fact come true. 

So, compared to 2019, 2020 

and 2021 are true shit shows. 

But it’s not just the loss of police 

or first responders. Citizens 

are being shot and killed across 

this country every single day in 

ever growing numbers. 

Maybe because of the instant 

news world we live in, it sure 

seems like it’s out of hand. 

Houston is becoming another 

Chicago. There are shootings 

several times a day all over the 

city and the county. A police officer’s 

14-year-old son shot and 

killed in a park in one of the nicest 

neighborhoods in Kingwood, 

by a classmate from his school. 

It used to be that if you stayed 

out of the “bad side” of town 

you’d be OK. Well, that “bad 

side” is everywhere. When a 

NOLO officer is gunned down in 

broad daylight at one of Landry’s 

most expensive restaurants in 

the Galleria, you know “it’s a different 

world.” 

The fact is, you can’t even drive 

on freeways in the greater Houston 

area without getting shot 

and killed. Carry all the guns 

you want; you can’t protect you 

or your family from a threat you 

can’t see. Bullets out of nowhere. 

The truth is the violence in the 

Houston Metro area is exploding 

at an incredible rate. And the 

man who is truly more stressed 

than me, is HPD Chief Troy Finner. 

You can hear it in his voice 

and see it on his face behind that 

mask. He is a man of true compassion, 

and he treats every single 

gunshot victim as if it where 

his own family. A man who 

was raised in this city and rose 

through the ranks to become 

probably the finest police chief 

in the history of the department. 

But one man can’t stop an army. 

So, what is the answer? Honest 

to God, I don’t know. But one 

thing is for sure. The world is 

going to keep changing and I 

don’t think there’s a damn thing 

we can do about it. 

PART III Final Word 

Any finally I can’t help but 

comment on Biden’s attempt to 

control every aspect of our lives, 

starting with mandatory vaccine 

shots. 

Personally, I do not believe the 

conspiracy theorist that the vaccine 

will eventually kill everyone 

who got the shot, nor do I believe 

that the government is embedding 

chips in everyone. 

For me personally, it was the 

better choice to risk long term effects 

vs getting COVID and possibly 

ending up on our “Officer’s we lost 

this year due to COVID” segment in 

my own magazine. 

But if you feel like it’s the opposite 

for you, then you should have 

the right to say no. Since when 

does the government have the 

power to tell you what medicines 

you HAVE to take? Doesn’t HIPPA 

afford you the right to make your 

own personal heath choices and 

ensure that those decisions remain 

private? 

And tell me this, according to the 

CDC, once you’re vaccinated, the 

virus won’t be as severe if you are 

a “breakthrough case” and there’s 

a 90% you won’t die. So basically, 

you’re protected. 

So why in the hell should Biden 

care if you don’t get vaccinated? 

You’re only hurting yourself and 

other unvaccinated Americans. If 

that 20% want to take a chance on 

dying, that’s certainly their right. 

If you haven’t realized this, our 

rights as Americans are evaporating. 

It’s time we unite as a people 

and take a stand to protect our 

rights. 

If your employer demands you 

get vaccinated or be fired, hire an 

attorney, and sue the crap out of 

them. If the companies had any 

balls at all, they would be united 

and suing the government. 

I hope everyone remembers all 

of this come midterms next year. 

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The City of Bryan is an Equal Opportunity Employer

They followed procedure and the 

law, and they still lost their jobs. 

On April 21, 2021, a tragic 

incident occurred in which a 

man, lost his life. This man was 

in a mental health crisis and, 

the Houston Police Department 

responded to numerous 9-1-1 

calls for immediate and urgent 

assistance. 

Upon their arrival, Houston 

Police Officers and an HPD 

Sergeant began the tense and 

traumatic task of trying to reach 

and de-escalate the incident. 

However, the male subject was 

impaling himself with what was 

initially believed to be a knife. 

(Later determined to be a piece 

of rebar). 

Every Officer on the scene 

plead repeatedly with the subject 

to stop, to calm down, to 

peacefully stop and let them 

(HPD Officers) help him. Unfortunately, 

the individual did not 

comply, at any time. Instead, he 

continued to resist any assistance, 

impaling himself and 

acting in a hostile manner. 

Officers deployed a “Beanbag 

Shotgun” and a total of three 

rounds were deployed. All three 

rounds deployed did strike. Unfortunately, 

the effect was not 

enough to stop the aggressive 

and highly traumatic incident 

from continuing. Officers also 

attempted to use Electronic 

Control Devices (ECD’s) in an 

attempt to stop the individual 

from continuing to harm himself 

or escalate into harming others. 

After approximately 16-18 

minutes, this individual reached 

forward for an ECD which had 

been dropped by an Officer 

during the earlier struggle with 

said individual, in an attempt 

to subdue him. It was at this 

time, per Departmental Training, 

Industry Standards and Texas/ 

Federal Laws, Officers with one 

last frantic plea for this individual 

to stop, were forced to deploy 

lethal force, bringing the incident 

to an extremely traumatic end. 

The Houston Police Officers 

who discharged their firearms as 

a direct result of this incident, 

were all FIRED by then Chief of 

Police, Art Acevedo. (Now, the 

embattled Miami Chief of Police) 

At that time, Chief Acevedo 

indicated and stated he “Could 

not defend the actions of the 

Officers.” 

As if the incident, the use of 

lethal force and the ensuing IAD 

and D.A. investigation was not 

enough trauma for these Officers 

and their Families, they 

now faced the very real threat of 

losing their homes, cars, livelihood, 

their families themselves 

and ultimately, their freedom. 

Thus, an extra-ordinary amount 

of trauma, stress, worry, suffering 

and fear was bestowed upon 

these Officers and their family 

REX EVANS 

members. 

Fast forward to September 

2021, the Harris Co. District Attorney’s 

Office presented four 

days of testimony and evidence 

in this case for a duly appointed 

Harris County Grand Jury with 

the very real possibility of criminal 

charges being leveled against 

the now fired Houston Police 

Officers. Those criminal charges 

ranged from criminally negligent 

homicide to murder. All of which 

would have destroyed these Officers 

careers, lives, and families. 

Thankfully, this Grand Jury, 

after carefully listening to and 

reviewing all the evidence presented, 

DECLINED any criminal 

charges against these Houston 

Police Officers because of this 

terrible and tragic incident. 

And so, the Houston Police 

Officers Union will thankfully, 

immediately engage in dialogue 

and efforts to regain the employment 

status for these officers. 

This is something desperately 

needed for their families to 

survive and of course, to right a 

profoundly serious wrong. 


men will have to live with the 

incident itself, watching a man 

impale himself multiple times, 

their pleas for him to stop and 

let them help, going unanswered 

and, being forced into a decision 

to deploy lethal force. None of 

which, is something they’ll ever 

forget. Couple all of that with 

the loss of their jobs, the stress 

of their families grieving and 

hurting along with the very real 

possibility of being sent to prison, 

one can begin to see, these 

men and truly suffered. 

I along with any other sensible 

human being grieve for the 

loss of this man’s life and for his 

family, with all the loss and suffering 

they have had to endure. 

There are never any “winners” 

or “losers” in such terrible situations. 

Only a path of heartache, 

loss, grief, and little hope of 

internal, heartfelt resolution. 

My final thought is this, no 

matter what, there is never a resolute 

ending to any deployment 

of lethal force by an officer, for 

that officer. I live with those moments 

to this very minute, and I 

always will. This profession takes 

a huge toll on those who answer 

the call. Long after we retire even, 

what we have seen and somehow 

managed to endure/survive, remains 

a heartfelt haunting, forevermore. 

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Watch the video above and decide what you would have done, 

had you been faced with this individual. 

I am not writing this from an 

uneducated and inexperienced 

point of view. I am not a person 

who does not have firsthand 

knowledge of the use of and 

deployment of lethal force. In 

my career, I have had no other 

choice but, to do so on more 

than one occasion. 

Now, that alone does not make 

me a “Use of Force Expert.” However, 

the caveat to that statement 

is, I am well versed in the 

trauma resulting in the aftermath 

of such an action. The ensuing 

nightmares, time stopping daytime 

moments and the feeling of 

what I can only describe as the 

absolute weight of the world, 

upon your shoulders, your mind, 

and your heart. 

These Houston Police Officers 

were dealt with in a very unfair 

manner. They were presumed 

“guilty” simply because of the 

badge and had to fight for the 

right to be “innocent” simply 

because of the badge. It’s such 

an awful position to be placed 

in, especially when you’re placed 

there for following your training, 

the Laws of the State and Federal 

Government, and Department 

Policy. 

I do not know the officers and 

Sergeant involved. But I do know 

what it is like to have no other 

choice left but to pull the trigger. 

I know what it is like to endure 

the “walk through,” “debriefings” 

and “legal interviews” along with 

a county grand jury. I assure you, 

no matter how “right” you are in 

the actions you took, you’ll always 

“feel” the weight of the decision. 

You’re left with feeling the 

weight of all the investigators, 

district and county attorneys, 

state, and federal agents and of 

course, the grand jury members 

themselves. For all these eyes 

are looking at you, your life, your 

family, and everything you’ve 

ever done…such weight is soul 

crushing, to say the least. 

No matter the outcome of 

arbitration, these officers should 

at least be free from any further/ 

additional criminal prosecution. 

All of this aside though, these 


IMPORTANT LESSONS TO 

LEARN FROM GABBY’S TRAGIC 

LIFE AND DEATH. 

1. Based on the body camera 

video posted by the officers who 

pulled Gabby and her fiancé over 

for suspicious driving, some 

viewers assumed Gabby was 

suffering from mental illness 

and Brian was the stable one. 

2. Some people may have 

assumed both partners were 

equally abusive and equally at 

fault. The old “it takes two” myth 

that doesn’t really apply to most 

abusive situations. 

3. Some people may have even 

assumed Gabby was the abuser 

and Brian was the victim. 

4. These assumptions are classic. 

Why? Because, in many cases, 

the target manages to keep 

things together until her breaking 

point, at which time others 

may see her crying or hear her 

yelling or see her breaking, and 

then they assume she’s “crazy.” 

5. Meanwhile, the abuser plays 

the part of the poor, patient 

partner who must deal with this 

crazy person. But all the while, 

he’s been acting very differently 

behind closed doors, pushing her 

to this point intentionally and 

feeding on her emotional break. 

He LOVES to see evidence that he 

has hurt her. He LOVES to see her 

pain. 

6. For this reason, “breaking 

her” has been his goal from the 

start. It may take him hours, 

weeks, or months or even years 

to break her, but he won’t stop 

until he gets that reaction, and 

then he’ll point the finger and 

say, “See? She’s crazy. I’m just 

trying to keep her calm.” And 

then he’ll do it again. And again. 

And again. 

7. As a result, some people 

will buy into that false narrative. 

Even the target. Which brings me 

to my next point. 

8. In the video, we see Gabby 

making many excuses for Brian’s 

behavior, and she takes all the 

blame for everything he does. 

9. We also see Brian blaming 

Gabby and saying he was just 

trying to keep her calm. 

10. This is also the norm for 

victims of long-standing abuse. 

A target becomes conditioned 

to believe everything the abuser 

does is her fault. 

11. Also, she clearly doesn’t 

want Brian to be in trouble. 

She’d rather pay the price and 

protect the man she loves. Also, 

remember she honestly believes 

he only acted this way because 

of her, so she doesn’t want him 

to be blamed. This is also the 

norm. 

12. Smart officers see right 

through this. Others buy the 

cover-up story. (And because 

some officers are also abusers, 

they all too frequently side with 

the abuser even when they know 

exactly what’s going on.) 

13. I credit the police in Gabby’s 

situation. They were calm, 

they separated the couple, they 

interviewed them individually, 

they split them up for the night, 

they did everything right. I’m sure 

the officer has tremendous guilt 

about the end result and wonders 

if he could have prevented 

it, but I don’t blame the officers 

in this case. I was pretty surprised 

and impressed with how 

well they treated both Brian and 

Gabby (and, sadly, I was thinking 

how rare it is to see that). 

14. Many people have been 

shocked by Brian’s family’s refusal 

to cooperate with police. I’m 

not shocked at all. Let’s look at 

that a little more closely. 

15. I’m also not surprised to 

learn that Gabby lived with the 

Laundrie family for a year. We 

all see this family will do anything 

to protect their son, even 

at the cost of an innocent young 

woman who was a real part of 

their family and soon to be their 

daughter-in-law. While most of 

us can certainly understand them 

wanting to protect their child, 

they crossed a moral line when 

Gabby went missing. 

16. But it goes deeper than that. 

It shows them as a system of 

enablers who not only allowed 

Brian to abuse Gabby over a long 

term (which led to her intense 

anxiety) but also a system of gas 

lighters who were always shifting 

the truth to keep Gabby confused 

and make her believe she’s 

the problem. She was caught 

in an entire system of abuse. 

And once you’re in that web, it’s 

exceedingly difficult to see a way 

out. 

17. I imagine they contributed 


to her abuse from the start and 

encouraged their son’s abusive 

behaviors by rewarding him, 

making excuses for him, blaming 

Gabby, flipping the script, 

and keeping her in the fog that 

breaks down a person’s psyche 

and spirit over time. 

18. Gabby and Brian had been 

together since their teens. This is 

also common. These immature 

relationships work beautifully 

when both partners grow together 

and mature emotionally. 

But when one wants to keep the 

other down, naive, and under his 

control…and the other is growing, 

learning, and maturing, it 

doesn’t work. 

19. We hear Gabby tell the 

officer that Brain didn’t think she 

could do her travel blog. It seems 

clear that he didn’t believe in her 

and was trying to make her not 

believe in herself. 

20. She also says he didn’t like 

her working and that he locked 

her out of the van because she 

wasn’t in her seat when he was 

ready to leave. Control issues?! 

He squeezed her face with his 

hand in anger. He cut her down 

and criticized her, verbally abusing 

her until she was a wreck of 

tears. He was breaking her spirit, 

intentionally. 

21. Why? Because her focus 

wasn’t 100% on him. And because 

she had found a job she 

enjoyed and was good at and 

that allowed her to connect with 

other people, when he wanted 

her all to himself. 

22. She now had this one little 

piece of her life that he couldn’t 

completely control, so he wanted 

to get rid of that. It angered 

him. He punished her for it. See 

the pattern? 

23. The overall takeaway? 

When you see someone crying 

like this, don’t assume she’s crazy. 

Don’t buy into the false narrative 

given by the abuser. Don’t 

believe the cover-up story by 

the target who has been conditioned 

to carry all the blame and 

shame. And don’t assume she’s 

going to be okay. She just may 

end up your next recovered body. 

24. If you or someone you love 

are in an unhealthy relationship, 

please don’t assume it will get 

better in time. I haven’t heard 

one single story where it got 

better. Not one. Not with therapy. 

Not with church. Not with prayer 

or forgiveness or complete surrender. 

Nothing works when the 

abuser is determined to destroy 

that target. He will not stop until 

she is erased from this world or 

from her life. And in many cases, 

he’ll walk away without any 

consequences. 

Please don’t let the next Gabby 

be you or someone you love. 

Domestic violence hotline: 

1-800-799-7233 

SHAWNA PRINGLE 

SHE IS CLOTHED WITH 

STRENGTH 

So many of us have been 

gripped by the Gabby Petito case. 

Those of us who have been in 

toxic and abusive relationships 

know all too well how these stories 

can go. As I looked at footage 

of Gabby and her boyfriend 

Brian Laundrie, on their road trip, 

I was reminded of how easily we 

can fool outsiders looking in that 

everything is okay. 

More than that, how we fool 

ourselves. 

I know firsthand, that it is not 

easy to leave. I was in my thirties, 

heading into my forties, 

when I found myself in something 

toxic and dangerous to my 

wellbeing. I had no clue what 

had hit me. It didn’t start off 

abusive. In my case, he started 

as my Knight in Shining Armor. 

Troubled, of course. Battling 

demons of his own. I was the 

perfect empathetic soul to make 

up a recipe for disaster. 

I was going to help him fight 

those demons. 

Only, he didn’t want that... he 

preferred to unleash those demons 

onto me. 

Unapologetically. 

Repeatedly. 

Behind closed doors. 

He made me think it was me. 

I was the cause. 

I was flawed, and he was just 

reacting to what was inherently 

wrong with me. 

As I looked at Gabby and Brian’s 

footage, I saw smiles... laughter... 

playfulness... adventure... affection... 

all of which I remember 

experiencing myself. 

This is what forms those 

TRAUMA BONDS and makes it so 

hard to let go. 

Those aspects are very real, 

and we hang on to them with a 

fierce grip. We are conditioned 

to. However, they hide another, 

much darker side. 

Brian fled to his parents, where 

he returned, alone. He was hidden 

and enabled not to cooperate. 

This lack of accountability is a 

huge part of the problem. I recall 

fleeing to my mother-in-law’s 

house, after having been shaken 

and thrown out of a vehicle earlier 

in the night. I had two black 

eyes, visibly forming. 

She didn’t even let me in. 


I remember calling the pastor 

and friend of my abuser to help 

me hold him accountable on 

other occasions. He did nothing 

but excuse away the behaviors. 

Do we enable out of love? 

What good did that do for Brian 

Laundrie? 

One life is gone, and another 

will be marred for a lifetime, at 

the very least. 

Please remember this: 

Happy photos and social media 

highlight reels do NOT equal 

a happy or healthy relationship. 

You have no idea what is going 

on behind closed doors. Do not 

judge by a snapshot. 

Yes, we need to teach our 

daughters (and sons) to leave 

toxic relationships, but that is 

not as easy as it sounds. It starts 

with modeled behavior, and the 

types of relationships we grow 

up seeing is critical. Emotional 

intelligence is never taught 

in our society. This needs to 

change! 

Yes, we need to teach our 

sons to be respectful, caring, 

loving, empathetic and kind. We 

also need to hold our sons (and 

daughters) accountable, 100% 

of the time. This is a parental 

responsibility. All people who 

care about an individual would 

be holding them to a standard of 

TRUTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY! 

Pay attention to the details. 

Things are not always as they 

seem. If someone is ever distraught 

and asking for help (or 

they aren’t even wanting help) do 

whatever you can to intervene in 

the moment. It may not produce 

the result you are looking for, but 

it should be our duty to act on 

what we know, and feel is right. 

Never disregard a plea for help. 

Do not judge what you do not 

know. I’ve read so many awful 

accusations floating around 

about Gabby, by people who 

don’t know a thing about abuse. 

If you don’t know, be thankful 

that you don’t, and simply be 

kind and compassionate in your 

words. 

A young girl’s life was taken, 

and a family is grieving. 

CONCERNED 

REMEMBERING BILL 

Bill Jeffrey has had my back 

for the last 11 years and he was 

not only a friend but a true hero. 

He was the hardest working officer 

I knew. The city of Houston 

lost a great officer, and he will 

be missed. 

DAN JOHNSON 

BIDEN IS NO COWBOY 

These are called Split Reins. If 

you know anything about horseback 

riding you know what these 

are. This is an agent using split 

reins. Not a whip you liberal idiots. 

Stop listening to everything 

the media tells you. 

TJ WHITE 

BLUE LINE HEROES 

Went for a quick bite to eat 

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each one introducing themselves. 

When I got to the front, they 

asked if they could pray for me. 

Said a quick prayer for me and I 

for them. They then tried to buy 

my lunch which I politely refused. 

Get to the counter to pay 

and the owner told me it was on 

the house. So, I dumped all the 

cash I had in the tip jar. It was a 

pleasant change of pace to feel 

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#TheButchersBBQWellstonOK 

HAROLD BROUSSARD 

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so heavy that it takes your breath 

away and hurts your heart. 

Heavier than a uniform. Much 

heavier than a vest. And each 

time you wear it, it gets heavier 

and heavier. 

DON TAPPER 

Got something to say? 

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Senior HPD Officer William “Bill” Jeffery lost his life and Sgt. Michael 

Vance remains in the hospital. 

HPD officer killed, another wounded while 

executing warrant in NE Harris County. 

HOUSTON - A Houston Police 

Department officer has died, and 

another remains hospitalized 

after they were both shot while 

executing an arrest warrant in 

northeast Harris County on Monday 

September 20th. 

Senior Officer William “Bill” 

Jeffery, who was with the department 

for more than three 

decades, passed away at Memorial 

Hermann hospital. 

“Thirty-one years of service, 

just a few days short of that. 

Most of us know him personally, 

I’ve known him my entire career,” 

Chief Troy Finner said. 

Sgt. Michael Vance, who was 

wounded in the shooting, was 

hospitalized in stable condition. 

The shooting occurred as 

officers with the Major Offenders 

Division were executing a 

high-level felony warrant in the 

5300 block of Aeropark Drive, 

authorities say. 

According to Chief Finner, the 

officers knocked on the door and 

asked the woman who answered 

the door where the suspect was. 

Chief Finner says the suspect 

came to the door and began 

shooting at the officers. The police 

chief says the officers returned 

fire, and the suspect was 

pronounced dead at the scene. 

Both wounded officers were 

transported to Memorial Hermann 

at the Texas Medical Center. 

Officer Jeffery, 54, who passed 

away upon arrival at the hospital, 

had joined HPD in December of 

1990 and was assigned to the Major 

Offenders Division for almost 

13 years. 

Sgt. Vance, 49, who joined HPD 

in June of 1998 and has been in 

the Major Offenders Division for 

the past two years. 

“This has been a tragic day 

today. It is another reminder that 

police work is inherently dangerous. 

And you never know, police 

officers never know what they 

are going to face when they leave 

their homes during their duty. It is 

inherently dangerous,” Mayor Sylvester 

Turner said. “So, I want to 

lift up both of these families. I’m 

going to ask the City of Houston 

to pray for both families. Pray for 

the Jeffery family, and then pray 

for the full recovery for Sergeant 

Vance.” 

The suspect who died has been 

identified as 30-year-old Deon 

Ledet, who was a wanted fugitive. 

The shooting occurred in unincorporated 

Harris County, and the 

Harris County Sheriff’s Office is 

leading the criminal investigation. 

HPD’s Internal Affairs Division and 

the Harris County District Attorney’s 

Office are also investigating. 

The funeral and memorial service 

for Officer Jeffrey was held 

at Grace Memorial Church. 

A fund raiser is currently being organized for the Vance 

Family on November 5, 2021. The BLUES will provided 

all the details as soon as they become available. 


Hundreds come to say final goodbye to fallen 

HPD Senior Officer William ‘Bill’ Jeffrey 

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- 

Family members and brothers in 

blue are came together to say 

their final goodbyes to Houston 

Police Senior Officer William 

“Bill” Jeffrey. 

HPD escorted Jeffrey’s body 

from Klein Funeral Home in Tomball 

to Grace Church in southeast 

Houston ahead of the funeral. 

The Houston Police Department’s 

Honor Guard as well as 

hundreds of officers from around 

the country filled Grace Church 

on the Gulf Freeway to honor this 

fallen hero. 

Jeffrey joined the Houston 

Police Department in December 

1990. He was assigned to the 

department’s Major Offenders 

Division, a unit that routinely 

deals with dangerous criminals, 

including accused murderers. 

Officer Jeffrey is the 120th HPD 

officer to die in the line of duty 

since 1860. He leaves behind a 

wife, who is a recently-retired 

HPD officer, daughter and his 

beautiful grand daughter. 

“I’ve know him my entire career... 

and just as his wife said, 

‘What a great man. What a great 

officer,’” said HPD Chief Finner. 

His daughter lacie vowed to 

keep his memory alive until she 

met her dad at the gates of heaven. 

Here are just some of the 

moments from Officer Jeffrey’s 

Memorial Service. 



Surfside Beach gets a new police chief. 

Does a relatively inexperienced former Town Marshall from 

Santa Fe Texas have what it takes to turn the dept around? 

SURFSIDE BEACH — Back last 

August, after more than 20 years 

of service to the village of Surfside 

Beach, Police Chief Gary 

Phillips headed off for retirement, 

leaving a vacancy at the 

top of the department. 

“He was ready to retire, and he 

headed for retirement the first of 

this month,” Mayor Gregg Bisso 

said. “We all hated to see him 

retire. He’s been the backbone of 

this department for years and it’s 

going to be hard to replace him.” 

Phillips had been the chief of 

Surfside since 2010. Before that 

he was captain under former 

chief Randy Smith. He has served 

on the village force since May 

2000. 

The search was on to find a 

new chief to take the reins and 

guide the police department 

for the near future. Applicants, 

including former Chiefs of Police 

from various other agencies, 

applied for the position, Bisso 

said, and city officials began the 

process of narrowing down the 

list. 

Ultimately, they choose a former 

Town Marshall from Santa 

Fe Texas, Robert Wood, to fill the 

position. 

“We needed change and we 

needed to get someone in here 

who could lead the department 

as it needs to be in 2021,” Alderman 

Bob Petty said. 

A fresh set of eyes could also 

help alleviate some of the problems 

the town has seen in the 

past, Petty said, such as people 

not following rules on the 

beaches. 

The job description posted 

on the village’s website states 

the ideal candidate must hold a 

Master Peace Officer certification 

through the Texas Commission of 

Law Enforcement and at least 10 

years of full-time, executive-level 

experience in law enforcement. 

Also, applicants for the new 

chief’s had to oversee the village’s 

emergency medical responses. 

“Our police officers are both 

police and EMS,” Bisso said. 

“They have to wear two hats 

every day.” 

But by the time Woods took 

over, the department had dwindled 

down to a small handful 

of officers, most of which were 

reserves. 

But before that, things were 

anything but perfect in this small 

town of barely one thousand 

residents. 

Under the former Police Chief’s 

watch, former Surfside Beach 

Sgt. Randy Heckler had been 

suspended for disposing of items 

from the department’s evidence 

room. 

Ultimately, he served a month’s 

suspension with pay after the 

issue came to light. 

To provide background on 

what happened, Heckler took responsibility 

for cleaning out the 

evidence room and eliminate any 

items the department no longer 

needed to keep. In addressing the 

situation with council, Heckler 

admitted he didn’t have experience 

or training for the task but 

did his best based on research 

and consultations with Phillips. 

His misjudgment came in 

how he chose to dispose of the 

obsolete evidence. Instead of 

ensuring all the items had been 

destroyed, Heckler put the items 

in a bag, smashed it repeatedly 

against concrete and tossed 

it in a dumpster near the boat 

ramp, the sergeant told council. 

He never looked inside the bag 

to confirm items had been sufficiently 

ruined, and some items 

were retrieved by a dumpster 

diver. 

For the error of improper evidence 

disposal, Phillips recommended 

Heckler be demoted to 

patrol officer and suspended for 

seven days. The chief is not able 

to demote or suspend an officer 

without pay without council’s 

approval, prompting council’s 

discussion at the end of its July 

13, 2021, meeting. 

Council voted against Phillips’ 

recommendation with the expectation 

members could then discuss 

and institute a punishment 

they considered more fitting. But 

since an official vote had been 

taken, attorney Patton Ritter 

told them, they could no longer 

discuss it. 

Ultimately both Heckler and 

Phillips left the department, 

which was left without a chief 

or for that matter many officers, 

Ready To Serve You 

since last August. 

Robert Woods took over the 

day Hurricane Nicholas rolled 

through Surfside wrecking half 

the structures in the small town. 

The old saying “You have your 

work cut out for you,” certainly 

applies to Chief Woods and his 

mission to rebuild Surfside Beach 

PD. 

If you’re looking for a sleepy 

little to town to call home and 

you’d like to be one of the town’s 

police and paramedics, perhaps 

Surfside is just the ticket for you. 

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Texas troopers credited with retaking 

control of Del Rio border. 

By Anna Giaritelli, Homeland 

Security Reporter 

DEL RIO, Texas — State troopers 

deployed to the border by 

Gov. Greg Abbott are being 

credited for doing the federal 

government’s job and stopping 

thousands more migrants in 

Mexico from illegally crossing 

into the United States after well 

over 15,000 made it through here 

late last week. 

A swarm of Texas Department 

of Public Safety officers, known 

as troopers, descended on the 

riverbank Saturday afternoon as 

a show of force to deter people 

in Mexico from wading across 

the Rio Grande. Approximately 

150 black SUVs were still lined 

up Sunday afternoon on the dirt 

road that runs parallel with the 

river. 

Their arrival on the scene Saturday 

had an immediate impact, 

stopping foot traffic from primarily 

Haitian migrants who had 

been going back and forth between 

the U.S. and Mexico. 

“With our DPS troopers, there 

have not been any crossings 

from that specific area,” Lt. Chris 

Olivarez, spokesperson for the 

department’s South Texas Region, 

said in an interview on 

Sunday. 

The impact DPS’s arrival has 

had on Border Patrol agents has 

been significant. Despite it being 

the responsibility of Customs 

and Border Protection to patrol 

the nation’s borders, virtually all 

agents have been pulled from 

the field to transport migrants to 

and from holding facilities and 

then process and care for them 

once in custody. 

Those under the bridge are in 

an unusual go-between point as 

they are not in custody, but they 

are waiting under the bridge in 

hopes of being taken into custody 

and then released into the 

U.S. They may claim asylum to 

avoid being flown back to Haiti, 

though Homeland Security Secretary 

Alejandro Mayorkas said 

Sunday that most families will 

be released into the country and 

adults will be repatriated. 

Jon Anfinsen, a Border Patrol 

agent who is president of the 

national union’s Del Rio chapter, 

said it was “great” seeing 

the state police officers pull in 

and hold the line because they 

regained control of the land that 

had fallen out of the federal 

government’s control. 

“Literally, we could not have 

any semblance of control down 

here without DPS,” Anfinsen 

said in an interview beneath the 

bridge. “DPS has thankfully come 

out here and helped us out dramatically. 

We literally could not 

control this or have even some 

semblances of control without 

DPS, National Guard, all the other 

local stakeholders that are out 

here.” 

Brandon Judd, a Border Patrol 

agent who is the national union 

president of the National Border 

Patrol Council, estimated 

that troopers outnumber federal 

agents by 3 to 1. He said as many 

National Guard soldiers as troopers 

are also on site. 

The thousands of police and 

military near the bridge are also 

bracing for a worst-case scenario 

as tensions build in the camp. 

Temperatures will hit triple digits 

again on Monday, and water 

and food are already in short 

supply. Those in the camp have 

been living outside for several 

days with little to no communication 

from federal agents 

running the site. 

Desperate, the government 

bought meals at the nearby 

Rudy’s barbecue restaurant and 

A&W fast food restaurant. Before 

troopers arrived on the scene 

Saturday, many migrants had 

been crossing back to Mexico to 

buy food, water, and supplies 

and then bring them back to the 

U.S. while they awaited being 

transported to a processing 

station. When the troopers took 

control, it also meant no more 

supplies from outside the camp, 

though migrants at a nearby part 

of the river were able to sneak 

in some goods. Olivarez also 

confirmed migrants are crossing 

elsewhere. 

“Anywhere we can scramble to 

bring massive quantities of food, 

we’re doing it,” Anfinsen said. 

“That, I think, is probably going 

to be the number one pressing 

concern.” 

Olivarez did not disclose how 

long DPS expects to have its personnel 

on-site. Troopers from the 

north, west, and east regions were 

called in, some driving more than 

five hundred miles to fulfill Abbott’s 

order. 

“We’re here to support our federal 

partners, who is Border Patrol. 

We will be here as a deterrent 

and more as a security presence,” 

Olivarez said. “With the large group 

you have here, potential threats 

are possible. We do know that this 

group right now, they are getting 

frustrated. It is very hot down here. 

There’s not sufficient water or food 

for some of the groups to eat or 

get their water in a timely manner, 

so we’re ready for those potential 

threats with the teams that we have 

in place already.” 

“This, believe it or not, is somewhat 

under control — frankly, 

only because the crowd’s allowing 

it,” Anfinsen said. “I mean, if they 

wanted to make an issue of it, they 

could. What are we going to do?” 


No One is More Professional Than I. 

By Paul Farr, Military Liaison 

Dallas Police Dept. 

Dallas Officer Paul Farr, with State Representative Yvonne Davis and 

Houston Police Officer Maria Cabrera. 

Those words make up the first 

sentence of the Army’s Noncommissioned 

Officer Creed, a 

creed I have lived by since 1993 

and continue to live by even after 

retiring from the Army in 2013. 

When the opportunity arose to 

interview for the Military Liaison 

position with the Dallas Police 

Department, I seized it. As one 

of the largest law enforcement 

agencies in the state of Texas, 

the need for a full-time Military 

Liaison was made clear during 

the surge years of Operation Iraqi 

Freedom, where the Department 

was faced with over fifty officers 

being called to active duty at the 

same time. 

In 2017, I became the second 

full-time Military Liaison which 

was a culture shock. I had been 

a street cop for most of my 

career, and now I had a desk at 

headquarters and assigned to 

the personnel division. I have 

had some great Supervisors who 

have allowed me to constantly 

practice another phrase in the 

NCO Creed, “I will exercise initiative 

by taking appropriate action 

in the absence of orders.” 

In August 2017, just one month 

after assuming the duties of the 

Military Liaison, Hurricane Harvey 

struck the Gulf Coast of Texas, 

prompting Governor Greg Abbott 

to activate the entire Texas National 

Guard, roughly 12,000 personnel, 

which included 20 Dallas 

Police Officers. For many of 

these officers it created a hardship 

in the form of no paycheck 

from the police department or 

the National Guard for weeks. 

Each one of these Officers had 

exhausted the fifteen military 

days afforded to them through 

Government Code, Chapter 437, 

Section 437.202 LEAVE OF AB- 

SENCE FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS 

AND EMPLOYEES. In addition to 

having exhausted those military 

days, most were returning from 

annual training at the beginning 

of a pay period, which meant 

they were not going to be paid 

by the City of Dallas, nor would 

they be paid by the National 

Guard for a week or more. 

Upon return from the call-up, 

many of the Officers expressed 


disappointment in not receiving 

any form of payment for several 

weeks, with many of them having 

families that suffered due to 

lack of money. Hearing their stories 

motivated me to begin researching 

how other states look 

after their constituents who are 

active members of the Guard and 

Reserve. The general consensus 

was fifteen military days were 

provided, with the exception being 

30 days. I drafted a proposal 

requesting an additional 7-days 

in the event of a disaster. 

In 2019, before the convening 

of the Texas Legislative Session, I 

drove all over North Texas to visit 

three State Representative’s to 

pitch my proposal, but my request 

fell on deaf ears. However, 

State Representative from Dallas, 

Yvonne Davis’ office contacted 

me and requested I go to Austin 

and testify in front of a committee 

who took up the proposal 

but wanted to hear more. I went 

to Austin, testified in front of the 

Committee and they voted on 

the spot, 9-0 in favor. However, it 

was at the end of the session and 

there were more pressing issues, 

so my proposal died on the vine. 

Fast forward to March 2021, I 

was again contacted by Representative 

Davis’ Office and asked 

if I was still interested in pursuing 

those additional days off. Of 

course I was interested and this 

time I had an ally who was excited 

to go with me. Police Officer 

Maria Cabrera is my counterpart 

with the Houston Police Department 

and between my testimony 

and her additional examples of 

the need for those additional 

days, the Bill passed unanimously 

both through the House and 

Senate, but was not signed until 

the 1st Special Session. For those 

in Texas who are unaware of this 

particular Bill and have Officers 

who are still active members of 

the Guard and Reserves, please 

share it with them: 

Sec. 437.202. LEAVE OF ABSENCE 

FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EM- 

PLOYEES. (a) Except as provided by 

Subsections (b) and (c), a person who 

is an officer or employee of this state, 

a municipality, a county, or another 

political subdivision of this state 

and who is a member of the Texas 

military forces, a reserve component 

of the armed forces, or a member of 

a state or federally authorized urban 

search and rescue team is entitled 

to a paid leave of absence from the 

person’s duties on a day on which 

the person is engaged in authorized 

training or duty ordered or authorized 

by proper authority for not more than 

15 workdays in a fiscal year. During a 

leave of absence, the person may not 

be subjected to loss of time, efficiency 

rating, personal time, sick leave, or 

vacation time. 

(a-1) In addition to the leave provided 

under Subsection (a), a person 

described by Subsection (a) called 

to state active duty by the governor 

or another appropriate authority in 

response to a disaster is entitled to a 

paid leave of absence from the person’s 

duties for each day the person is 

called to active duty during the disaster, 

not to exceed seven workdays in a 

fiscal year. During a leave of absence 

under this subsection, the person 

may not be subjected to loss of time, 

efficiency rating, personal time, sick 

leave, or vacation time. For purposes 

of this subsection, “disaster” has the 

meaning assigned by Section 418.004. 

“Competence is my watchword. 

My two basic responsibilities 

will always be uppermost 

in my mind-accomplishment of 

my mission and the welfare of 

my soldiers.” I began a mission 

at the beginning of the year to 

bring together Veteran Service 

Organizations and organizations 

who work with the First Responder 

community. The number of 

vendors grows each day as word 

gets out about an event being 

put on in October and I’m excited 

to invite anyone who is able 

to attend as it looks to be the 

first event of its kind here in the 

States. 

The Dallas Police Department 

in partnership with the VA North 

Texas Health Care System, Texas 

Veterans Land Board, and Dallas 

County Veterans Services is 

inviting all Military Veterans, First 

Responders, Active Military Servicemembers, 

and Spouses to a 

one-day Benefits & Resource Fair. 

The Frontiers of Flight Museum 

at Love Field is hosting this event 

on Tuesday, October 26th from 

0845 – 1600. This is an excellent 

opportunity for Military Veterans, 

Active Military Servicemembers 

and their spouses to learn about 

the benefits afforded to them for 

their Military Service. It is equally 

important for our first responders 

and their spouses to learn about 

resources available to them for 

resiliency purposes, healing from 

post-traumatic incidents, and 

alternative counseling/treatment 

programs outside of those provided 

by their agencies. 

Although I am the Military Liaison 

for the Dallas Police Department, 

I am here to advise all law 

enforcement in the State of Texas 

to the best to my ability. I leave 

you with one parting thought, “I 

know my soldiers and I will always 

place their needs above my 

own. I will communicate consistently 

with my soldiers and never 

leave them uniformed.” Take 

Care of Each Other and Be Safe. 

BBQ Fundraiser for: 

Senior Police Officer William (Bill) J. Jeffrey & 

Sergeant Michael W. Vance 

Officer William (Bill) Jeffrey and Sergeant Michael W. Vance were shot in the line of duty on September 

20, 2021, while serving a felony warrant. Tragically, Officer Jeffrey did not survive his injuries. 

Sergeant Vance was critically injured and has a long road to recovery. Please join us in supporting our 

extended family in blue by attending the upcoming BBQ fundraiser. 

What: BBQ Benefit $15 per plate – sponsored by Goya Foods 

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HPOU OR CONTACT: Lt. Jose Rosas 713-308-3170 

Where: HPOU Building, 1602 State Street 

When: November 5, 2021 11am – 2 pm 

Live Auction will take place at NOON 

If you would like to donate an auction item, 

Contact Lieutenant Jose Rosas at jose.rosas@houstonpolice.org 

Or Sergeant Baron Glover at baron.glover@houstonpolice.org 

Live/Silent Auction will be announced at the event. 

Please send all donations to: 

The Assist the Officer Foundation 

1600 State Street, Houston, TX 77007 

All proceeds from BBQ/Auction will be split between the families of Off. Jeffrey & Sgt. Vance 

All donations are tax deductible, please make checks payable to 

ATO fbo Jeffrey/Vance 

However, if you would like to make a personal donation to either officer, please stipulate on the check in 

the memo line. 

ONLINE DONATION CAN BE MADE AT www.assistTheOfficer.com 

Funds raised from this event will go directly to the families of Off. Jeffrey and Sgt. Vance. 


Austin PD to reroute non-emergency calls 

over staffing shortages, COVID protocols. 

Police Chief Joseph Chacon says he is working to determine if a non-sworn unit could be 

used in some situations (Maybe your city council shouldn’t have de-funded your department). 

By Michael Barron 

AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin 

Police Department will be 

changing how it responds to 

non-emergency calls starting 

October 1, according to local TV 

station KXAN. 

Instead, the department will 

ask people to call 311 – not 911 

– to report crimes that are no 

longer in progress and if there 

is no immediate threat to life or 

property, the report says. 

APD officials say the change 

comes amid staffing challenges 

and a review of its COVID-19 

mitigation protocols. Police 

Chief Joseph Chacon says he is 

working to determine if a nonsworn 

unit could be used in 

some situations. 

“We are looking at response 

protocols that are directly related 

to the staffing to determine if 

there are opportunities to have 

either a civilian unit within the 

department go ahead and handle 

it, depending on the criticality,” 

Chacon told reporters on 

Wednesday. “If somebody is in 

danger, we’re still going to send 

a marked unit and a uniformed 

officer to go handle it. But for 

crimes that may have already 

happened and are now being reported, 

we are looking at alternative 

measures.” 

An example might be a crime 

technician who goes to the 

scene to gather evidence, according 

to KXAN. Police said the 

change also better aligns with a 

move toward reimagining public 

safety response, the report says. 

Earlier in the year, the Texas 

Municipal Police Association 

placed billboards around Austin 

warning motorists entering the 

Austin City limits, that the Austin 

Police Department had been 

de-funded by its city council and 

that you should enter the city at 

your own risk. 

At the time, the mayor and 

city council scoffed at the billboards 

and insisted that despite 

the cuts, the city would have an 

enough police officers to protect 

its citizens 

Apparently TMPA was correct 

and now THERE AREN’T ENOUGH 

police officers on duty to answer 

all the calls into 911. So, the 

solution...call 311 instead. Ok yes, 

that sounds like a real solid plan. 

ED-As we went to press, Austin 

PD had stopped responding to 

non emergency calls. 

COPS has a new home on Fox Nation. 

Following the murder of 

George Floyd last year, the 

Paramount Network abruptly 

canceled the law enforcement 

reality TV series Cops. Now the 

show has found a new home. 

Fox Nation, a subscription-based 

streaming service 

owned by Fox News Media, has 

given the green light for the return 

of the controversial series, 

which will premiere its 33rd 

season on October 1, the company 

announced Monday. 

“COPS is one of the most iconic 

brands on television with an 

incredibly passionate fan base,” 

Jason Klarman, president of Fox 

Nation, said in a statement. 

In addition, Klarman said the 

company would be showing 

appreciation to first responders 

by offering them a free one-year 

subscription to the streaming 

service, saying it’s a way to “give 

back in a small way to those 

who place their lives on the line 

every day to keep us safe.” 

The show will start its reboot 

with four episodes at once and 

then have episodes premiering 

every week on Fridays. Fox Nation 

has also picked up an additional 

15 episodes from the 32nd 

season. 

Cops premiered on the Fox 

network in 1989, giving viewers 

a transparent look into the life 

of law enforcement as camera 

crews captured police answering 

calls, going out on patrol and, of 

course, making arrests — all on 

live television. 

In 2013, the Fox network canceled 

the show after 25 seasons, 

but Cops eventually moved to the 

Paramount Network. 

Shows similar to Cops have 

also faced controversy, which 

led to their abrupt cancellation. 

Popular A&E television show 

Live PD was also pulled from the 

air after further details emerged 

from the arrest of Javier Ambler, 

a black man who died while being 

arrested by Austin, Texas, law 

enforcement in 2019. 

“This is a critical time in our 

nation’s history, and we have 

made the decision to cease 

production on Live PD,” A&E 

Network said in a statement last 

year. 

With the return of COPS, maybe 

A&E will see fit to return LIVE 

PD to the air. 

36 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 37

A survey sent to union members comes after a series of gaffes 

and staffing shake-ups by Acevedo. Some say he needs to go. 

Miami police union holds confidence vote 

on Chief Art Acevedo. 

By Charles Rabin 

Miami Herald 

MIAMI — Miami police union 

members are being asked if they’ve 

lost confidence in Chief Art Acevedo 

after just six months on the job and 

want him gone — a vote that comes 

less than a week before a pivotal 

meeting before city commissioners 

that could determine his fate. 

The results could provide fodder 

for a majority of city commissioners 

who say they are fed up with the 

dissension within the ranks caused 

by the chief and the department’s 

low morale. 

Last month, Miami commissioners 

angered after a series of controversial 

moves and gaffes by Acevedo 

called for a special meeting in 

which the only item discussed was 

decisions made by the chief and 

how the city should move forward. 

Commissioners, led by Joe Carollo, 

were particularly upset over 

a statement Acevedo made during 

a morning roll call last month in 

which he said the department was 

run by the “Cuban Mafia.” The chief 

later apologized, said it was intended 

as humor and that he was 

unaware the term was coined by 

Fidel Castro to paint Miami’s exiles 

who opposed his dictatorship 

as criminals. Three of the city’s 

commissioners are either exiles or 

have family members who suffered 

under the Castro regime. 

Since taking the helm in April, 

Acevedo has fired the highest-ranking 

police couple in the department 

for not properly reporting a patrol 

vehicle accident. He relieved a popular 

sergeant-at-arms from duty 

and demoted four majors, including 

one of the city’s highest-ranking 

Black female officers, without explanation. 

He posed for a selfie — unaware, 

he said — that it was with a leading 

member of South Florida’s white 

nationalist group the Proud Boys. 

He’s rankled members of the judiciary 

by repeatedly blasting them 

for early inmate releases from prison 

and jail. He’s also angered commissioners 

by filling at least one 

high-ranking position with someone 

he worked with in Houston and by 

trying to create a post for another 

former subordinate. 

The city’s Fraternal Order of Police 

has taken particular umbrage 

towards Acevedo over the past few 

months. President Tommy Reyes 

was incensed over an interview 

Acevedo did with a Spanish language 

radio personality in which 

the chief warned officers to get 

vaccinated or find another job. 

The poll, which began Tuesday 

September 22 and ended at midnight 

Wednesday September 23, 

is far from scientific. But it could 

offer a peek into the mind-set of 

the city’s 1,300 sworn officers. It 

asks two questions: Do you have 

confidence in Chief Acevedo to lead 

the Miami Police Department? And 

should Chief Acevedo be fired or 

forced to resign? 

The poll is being done through 

email and the questions were sent 

to everyone on Reyes’ email list, 

which also includes hundreds of 

retired officers. Reyes said he has 

requested that only non-retirees respond, 

though that could prove hard 

to quantify because the responses 

are anonymous. 

Just last month, Reyes complained 

that the chief was being 

hypocritical for not filing a report 

on a smudge mark and slight damage 

to a fender on his personal unmarked 

vehicle. Earlier this year he 

fired Deputy Chief Ron Papier and 

his wife, Cmdr. Nerly Papier, for not 

properly reporting an accident Nerly 

Papier had in her city-issued SUV. 

After some high-ranking officers 

claimed to have found nothing 

more than a smudge mark that 

they wiped clean, the city manager 

weighed in. Art Noriega, generally 

shy about using social media 

to express points of view, said he 

personally reviewed the facts and it 

“seems to be another attempt by the 

Fraternal Order of Police to baselessly 

undermine our police chief.” 

The city’s independent Civilian Investigative 

Panel will also look into 

the alleged damage to the chief’s 

vehicle after someone filed an anonymous 

complaint. But that doesn’t 

necessarily mean the chief did anything 

wrong. The panel, which looks 

into potential police misconduct, 

investigates every complaint that 

comes before it. 

Commissioners set to question 

Acevedo are also still a bit steamed 

over the way Noriega and Mayor 

Francis Suarez hired Acevedo. The 

two halted a lengthy search for a 

new chief in March that included 

several internal candidates — some 

supported by commissioners — 

when they announced the surprise 

hiring of Acevedo. He was Houston’s 

police chief at the time and a 

national figure who became popular 

marching alongside Black Lives 

Matter members during last summer’s 

marches. 

Acevedo had not responded to 

interview requests by the BLUES 

before we published this issue. 


Bodycam shows Ohio officer shot in 

head, return fire hitting suspect. 

By Parker Perry - 

Dayton Daily News 

DAYTON, Ohio — A Dayton police 

officer shot in the left side 

of his face Tuesday night who 

returned fire, striking the suspect 

multiple times, was able 

to request help for himself and 

the wounded suspect as well as 

direct bystanders to safety. 

The officer shot was identified 

as Thadeu Holloway, an eightyear 

veteran of the Dayton Police 

Department, said Matt Carper, 

interim director and chief, during 

a Wednesday afternoon news 

briefing. 

The officer-involved shooting 

began with an investigation into 

a fake bill passed at a Dollar 

General store, Carper said. 

Holloway responded around 

6:45 p.m. to Dollar General at 

888 S. Gettysburg Avenue for a 

fraud complaint after a customer 

passed a counterfeit bill earlier 

in the day, Carper said. 

Holloway arrived at 7:26 p.m. 

at the rear of 609 Ingram St. and 

approached 39-year-old Antwyane 

Deon Lowe, who matched 

the description of the suspect 

in the Dollar General fraud call, 

Carper said. 

As Holloway approached and 

addressed Lowe, he ignored the 

officer and began to walk away. 

As Holloway got closer to Lowe, 

he turned and punched Holloway 

in the face without warning, 

Carper said. 

The officer used his taser, and 

Lowe fell to the ground but was 

able to reach into his pocket and 

pull out a handgun, firing one 

round that struck Holloway in the 

left side of his face, Carper said. 

“The officer fell to the ground 

and immediately returned fire 

with five rounds, striking the 

suspect multiple times. Despite 

his injuries, the officer was able 

to effectively request assistance 

for himself and the wounded 

suspect. The officer also provided 

for the safety of witnesses 

and bystanders by directing them 

to a place of safety.” 

Dayton PD played radio traffic 

of the incident during the media 

briefing. 

“609 Ingram. I’ve been shot. ... I 

returned fire. I need medics and 

I need crews, please,” Holloway 

told dispatchers. “609 Ingram. 

Please hurry. I’ve been shot on 

the left side of my head. I can 

barely hear my earpiece.” 

Another Dayton officer took 

Holloway in a marked cruiser to 

Miami Valley Hospital. His left 

temporal artery was torn in the 

shooting, but he was in stable 

condition. 

Dayton police who arrived 

provided aid to Lowe, and Dayton 

Off. T. Holloway was released from the hospital two days after being shot in 

the head in the line of duty. 

medics took him to Miami Valley 

Hospital. Police said he was in 

critical condition Tuesday night, 

but he has improved and on 

Wednesday was in stable condition, 

police said. 

Holloway’s bodycam video, 

which was played during the 

media briefing, showed Holloway 

try to speak to Lowe and 

the point when Lowe suddenly 

turned around and punched the 

officer. Holloway immediately 

used his taser and Lowe fell to 

the ground but the taser appeared 

to have limited effect. 

Lowe ignored Holloway’s commands 

to put his hands behind 

his back and get on his stomach. 

Lowe pulled a gun from his 

pocket and shot Holloway in the 

face; the video showed. 

Holloway returned fire, and 

requested help. He maintained 

contact with police dispatchers 

and asked concerned residents 

to stay inside and assured them 

that help was on the way. 

get your 




Carper said charges that will 

be filed against Lowe include two 

counts of felonious assault on a 

police officer as well as carrying a 

concealed weapon, weapons under 

disability and counterfeiting. 

At the time of publishing, Officer 

Holloway had been released 

from the hospital and was at home 

recovering. 

Our thoughts and prayers are 

with him and his family as he 

recovers from this almost fatal 

encounter with the suspect. 


87-year-old Riverside woman found dead in freezer 

at home is former LA County Sheriff’s Detective. 

By Ruby Gonzales 

RIVERSIDE, CA. —The mystery 

that was Miriam Travis’ life after 

she retired as a Los Angeles 

County sheriff’s homicide detective 

and moved to Riverside more 

than 30 years ago now extends 

to her death. 

Travis, 87, was found dead Sunday, 

September 19, in a freezer 

in the garage of the home where 

she had lived since 1990. Her 

live-in daughter, identified by 

neighbors only as Carol, was 

questioned and released while 

detectives attempted to learn 

how Travis died and what role, 

if any, her daughter played in 

either her demise or the handling 

of her body. 

Both mother and daughter 

were noted for being obsessively 

private. 

“Shocking. Very shocking. Especially 

because she’s little old 

sweet Miriam,” said Randy Hayes, 

63, who has lived next door to 

the Travis home on New Ridge 

Drive next to Sycamore Canyon 

Park for 27 years. 

A relative of Travis, Kerri Nickell 

of Oklahoma, identified Travis 

in a phone interview Monday. 

The Riverside County Coroner’s 

Office was not officially 

announcing the dead woman’s 

name Monday, a spokesman 

said. Deputy Maria Lucero, an LA 

County sheriff’s spokeswoman, 

said Travis was a sergeant at the 

homicide bureau from 1979 until 

she retired in 1990. 

Another relative had called 

police Sunday, asking officers to 

check on the woman, said Officer 

Javier Cabrera, a Riverside 

police spokesman. Officers went 

to the home in the Mission Grove 

neighborhood at about 9:35 a.m. 

They questioned the daughter, 

whose statements on the whereabouts 

of Travis were inconsistent, 

Cabrera said. 

Officers searched the house, 

which Cabrera described as 

“disheveled,” with hoarding-like 

conditions and trash piled high. 

There was a foul odor, and officers 

eventually discovered Travis 

in a working freezer in the garage. 

Her body had not decomposed, 

Cabrera said. An autopsy 

is planned. 

Nickell, who said she was 

Travis’ step-granddaughter, said 

Travis and her husband moved to 

the Riverside home in 1990 after 

her retirement. 

Travis was a “great grandmother,” 

Nickell said, taking Nickell 

and her 11 cousins to Disneyland 

every year at Christmas. 

Travis’ husband died in 1992, 

and suddenly Travis changed the 

locks on the house and cut off 

contact with extended family, 

Nickell said. 

“It was like this is my grandmother 

one day, and then we 

never heard from her again,” said 

Nickell, who described Travis 

and the daughter as “kind of hermits.” 

A cousin would sometimes 

mail pictures of relatives on her 

side of the family to Travis, but 

there was never any response. 

Hayes said that despite being 

decades-long neighbors, he 

knew little about Travis and her 

daughter, such as whether they 

ever traveled or had any hobbies. 

“I cannot overstate enough 

how reclusive they were,” he 

said. 

Hayes rarely saw service vehicles 

come to the house except 

for deliveries by Home Depot. 

Storage units dotted the backyard 

and changes to the property 

drew the interest of city code 

enforcement, he said. A wide, 

wooden gate was erected to the 

left of the garage and behind it, 

a tarp could be seen Monday. An 

awning, storage unit and individual 

cinder blocks, some still 

shrink-wrapped, filled part of 

the driveway. 

There was no discernible path 

to the front door, which was 

not visible from the street, and 

the windows on the two-story, 

2,650-square-foot-home were 

covered. 

Hayes would have brief conversations 

with Travis over the 

years, ones that became less and 

less frequent. Travis, if she left 

the house, would work in the 

garden out front or quickly get in 

a car and leave. 

Travis appeared to be in failing 

health, Hayes said. She was 

stooped and was moving slower 

and slower. Hayes said he last 

saw Travis in November. 

Cedric Valentin, 63, who landscaped 

Hayes’ home, said he 

would stop to talk with Travis 

as well. He last saw her four 

months ago. 

About a month ago, he saw 

Carol out in front of the house. 

“I asked Carol, ‘Where’s Miriam?’ 

She said, ‘She’s in the 

house.’ I didn’t think anything of 

it. … It’s sad. Especially because 

she’s little, sweet Miriam. She’s 

in my heart, you know?” Valentin 

said. 

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alternative ballistics 

Bridging the Gap Between Less Lethal and 

Lethal Force. 

Officers confront a man with a knife, moments later he’s dead. 

Justified? Yes…but necessary? The debate Continues. 

It’s 11:23 pm. Two officers get a 

call of a report of a man with a 

knife acting erratically. They arrive 

within minutes and confront 

the suspect who is standing in 

the middle of the street with no 

shirt on and no shoes, yelling at 

no one in particular. They believe 

he may be high on drugs or simply 

mentally unstable, but they’re 

not sure. 

Following their department’s 

protocol and because he has 

a knife, they both draw their 

firearms. They tell the suspect to 

put down the knife…he ignores 

them as if he didn’t even hear 

them. They get his attention by 

shining their flashlights at his 

face and repeat their demands 

to put down the knife. He doesn’t 

comply. 

The suspect begins to walk in 

circles. They yell louder, “Sir, put 

down the knife and get on the 

ground!” He stops and stares at 

them. This standoff lasts about 

30 seconds as the police officers 

repeat their demands. 

The officers keep their distance, 

as the suspect turns and 

begins to walk toward one of the 

officers, who emphatically tells 

him to stop and put down the 

knife, but the suspect continues 

walking forward, and the officer 

fires three rounds. 

The suspect is pronounced 

dead at the scene; another 

officer involved shooting of a 

suspect with a knife. Was lethal 

force justified? Yes… but was it 

necessary? 

The situation we’ve described 

is one that is awfully familiar to 

law enforcement agencies in the 

US, as it seems to happen frequently 

throughout the country. 

In August, Scout Schultz, a 

21-year-old Georgia Tech student, 

who battled depression, 

was reported to police after being 

seen on campus with a knife. 

When officers arrived on scene, 

Schultz approached them holding 

the knife - in reality, it was 

a multi-tool with a small blade, 

which a family lawyer says was 

closed. 

In an amateur video of the incident, 

Schultz is walking toward 

the officers and can be heard 

saying, “Shoot me!” 

“Drop the knife, man, come 

on!” a police officer pleads with 

Schultz. “Nobody wants to hurt 

you,” another officer tells him. 

Schultz ignores repeated requests 

to drop the knife, then 

takes a few steps toward one of 

the officers. The officer opens 

fire, hitting Schultz in the chest. 

The student was transported 

to the Grady Memorial Hospital 

where he died from the gunshot 

wound. 

At a press conference, Schultz’s 

father was asked what he 

would like to say to the officer 

who pulled the trigger. “Why did 

you have to shoot?” Bill Schultz 

said. “That’s the question, I mean 

that’s the only question that matters 

right now. Why did you kill 

my son?” 

It’s this question that goes to 

the heart of a shift in policing 

tactics that is taking place in 

many parts of the country – an 

attempted move away from the 

use of deadly force and toward 

de-escalation tactics, and perhaps, 

toward the use of more 

appropriate less-lethal options 

for certain situations. 

With these examples of recent 

shootings, questions continue 

to be raised over when and why 

police resort to deadly force. 

Reports show that police officers 

in the United States, on average, 

fatally shoot about three people 

per day as reported in a Statista 

Research Report, September 

2021. 

Sergeant Mickey White was 

driving home in his patrol car, 

his shift over, when a call went 

out about a man harassing 

customers at a local grocery 

store in Arlington, Georgia. The 

employee who dialed 911 said 

the man was behaving oddly, 

accosting people, and singing 

strangely, as he walked up and 

down the aisles. 

Sgt. White took the call. When 

he arrived, the man was outside 

of the store sitting in his car, 

the door open and his hazard 

lights on. The suspect was Derry 

Touchtone, a 58-year-old man 

from Headland, just over the 

state border in Alabama. 

As Sgt. White pulled up behind 

Touchtone, the dashboard camera 

in his patrol car was recording. 

In the video, the officer can 

be heard telling Touchtone to 

get out of the vehicle. Touchtone 

complies but then ignores 

repeated instructions to put his 

hands on the car. Instead, he 

walks slowly out of the video 

frame, toward White, and begins 

to sing. 

Sgt. White fires his taser, but 

it fails to stop Touchtone. Off 

camera, a tussle can be heard, 

followed by two gunshots. 

Thirty-five seconds after Sgt. 

White had arrived, Touchtone 

was dead. He was unarmed. The 

dashcam kept recording as other 

officers arrived on the scene, and 

the camera overhears Sgt. White 

talking to another deputy. 

“You know the bad thing about 

it, Brent?” White says, “I could’ve 

fought him.” 

“Don’t second guess yourself,” 

Brent replies. “You did what you 

had to do.” 

These types of controversial 

police shootings have continued 

to raise questions over exactly 

what officers should and must 

do to protect themselves against 

suspects who threaten them 

with fists, knives, bats, or other 

non-firearm weapons. 

Over the past several years, 

many highly publicized police 

shootings have drawn national 

attention to officer-involved 

shootings, some of which may 

be the result of a significant 

amount of police departments in 

the US not having the resources 

or programs in place to properly 

train and prepare their officers 


on how to recognize and engage 

with a suspect suffering from a 

mental health crisis, or exactly 

how to de-escalate a threat from 

a knife, for example, without 

resorting to a gun. 

While additional training will 

be extremely helpful, using 

effective less-lethal technology 

will also help save lives while 

protecting officers. One such 

device is a product known as the 

‘Alternative,’ which is manufactured 

by a Las Vegas company, 

Alternative Ballistics Corporation. 

The Alternative instantly 

mounts onto an officer’s duty 

weapon and acts as a blunt 

force impact device for less than 

lethal situations. It was designed 

to stop a non-compliant suspect 

with a weapon, other than a gun, 

to safely affect an arrest. 

It’s been tested by NTS Chesapeake, 

a company that specializes 

in ballistics testing for a broad 

range of weapons and various 

types of munitions. The testing 

series demonstrated extreme accuracy 

up to 32 feet and AIS levels 

between 2.2 and 2.6, which 

are expected to incapacitate 

an individual with little risk of 

death or critical injury, and once 

the device is fired, the firearm 

instantly reverts to lethal force 

for follow-up shots, if absolutely 

necessary. 

Retired North Las Vegas Chief 

of Police, Alex Perez, has personally 

tested the Alternative. 

“At first, I was skeptical, as in my 

28-year career in law enforcement 

I’ve seen many less-lethal 

devices, some good…some not 

so good. But, after I took the time 

to go through the training and 

personally fired the Alternative, I 

quickly realized the advantages 

and benefits that this technology 

would have in the field as well as 

the numerous situations where it 

could be safely utilized.” 

Chief Perez additionally told us 

that, “It’s highly effective, because 

within seconds, it converts 

an officer’s duty weapon to a 

less-lethal device while instantly 

preserving lethal force if the situation 

warrants it. It’s also lightweight 

and takes up very little 

space on the duty belt, making it 

easily accessible.” 

Retired Detective Tony Lettieri, 

with 20 years of law enforcement 

experience, has investigated 

all types of violent crimes, 

including OIS (officer involved 

shootings). He has also fully 

tested and evaluated the Alternative. 

“The real beauty of this is that 

it’s with me, on my duty belt, 

so there is no reason to return 

to the trunk of my car to get a 

bean bag device, pepper ball or 

rubber bullets and I never have 

to take my eyes off the suspect,” 

explained Lettieri. “Plus, I was 

very impressed with how accurate 

it was,” he added, “and if 

taken from an officer, it can’t be 

used against them, unlike if the 

suspect gets a hold of the officer’s 

taser.” 

The company’s CEO, Steve Luna, 

told us that his company wants 

to bridge the gap in the market 

by providing an effective less-lethal 

option for law enforcement, 

once a duty weapon is drawn, 

and one that can be utilized at 

longer ranges to optimize officer 

safety. 

“When the suspect has a 

knife, bat, broken bottle, or 

anything other than a gun, our 

device gives an officer the ability 

to stop the suspect, so that 

an arrest can be made without 

shots being fired, because the 

Alternative uses a blunt force 

impact projectile that will likely 

incapacitate the suspect without 

the internal damage that a bullet 

causes,” explained Luna. 

He further suggested that 

“Once an officer has the opportunity 

to test fire the Alternative, 

the light bulb goes off, and 

they immediately begin to think 

of situations where the device 

could be used; situations where 

lethal force may be justified but 

not necessary.” 

In these dangerous and challenging 

times for law enforcement, 

we appreciate and empathize 

with the hard work, the 

complexities, and the risks that 

officers face every day, and we 

see that officer involved shootings 

of suspects in possession 

of a knife, or another type of 

potentially lethal weapon (other 

than a firearm), has the public 

continuing to rally against their 

decisions, and in some instances, 

the officers are charged with 

crimes for deploying their service 

weapon. 

These situations beg the question… 

do officers have everything 

they need to effectively protect 

themselves and citizens in complex 

encounters? To answer this, 

we must examine the fact that 

officers currently only have their 

firearms for encounters that rise 

to a possible lethal threat, and 

perhaps, some of these conflicts 

could be resolved in a more effective 

and appropriate manner, 

if an alternative tool provided an 

option that was readily available. 

Perhaps the ‘Alternative’ just 

might be an effective tool. 

For more information, visit 

their website at www.alternativeballistics.com. 


REMEMBERING THOSE WE’VE LOST 

Senior Houston Police Officer 

William “Bill” Jeffrey 

No police officer ever left home thinking, “Today, I’m 

going to be killed in the line of duty.” Yet the memorial 

wall in Washington is filled with the names of thousands 

of officers who did just that. They left home, never 

to return again to those they love. 

End of Watch: Monday, Sept. 20,2021 

What would they say, what would you say, if you were 

allowed one opportunity to send a short note to the significant 

people in your life? What final message would 

you send to your wife, your husband, your son, your 

daughter, or your parents? What would you say before 

you walked out the door one last time? 

What would Bill Jeffrey say to his loving wife Susanne, 

a former Houston Police Officer herself, or his beautiful 

daughter Lacie, or his precious granddaughter Laney? 

I’ve tried to put myself in their shoes and construct 

words for those left behind after their tragic and sudden 

exodus. This poem is dedicated to the memory of Senior 

Police Officer William “Bill” Jeffrey of the Houston Police 

Department as well as all our fallen brothers and 

sisters in blue. 

Bill Jeffrey 


FINAL MESSAGE FROM A FALLEN OFFICER 

To My Partner 

You did all that you could, I fell and yet you stood, 

You know sadness was never my style. 

Those were the cards we drew, nothing else more we could do, 

Except remember me, my friend with a smile. 

To My Wife 

Don’t think of me as gone, but away, though I wish I could have stayed, 

I may not be there, but our love did not end. 

We had faith, we had love, sure as God is above 

I feel your love from here that you continue to send. 

To My Daughter & My Grand Daughter 

I know for you it must be hard to be alone, 

In all the places where we laughed, and we played. 

My sweet baby girl, you know you still give me joy, 

Live your life as I did, brave and unafraid. 

To the Officers I Leave Behind 

Every day that you hit those streets, 

Be sure and watch your six for all the dangers you’ll face. 

Train hard, wear your vest, for you’ll surely be put to the test, 

with all the bad guys, right up to that last chase. 

To the Criminals 

Now that I’m here and God’s plan is so clear 

To you, there is but one thing to say. 

You steal, you rape, you kill and abuse your free will 

Your time will come when there’s Hell to pay. 

To Everyone Else 

I may seem gone from all you now, but I know that somehow 

We will reunite in another place. 

For “The good they die young,” is a song often sung, 

But this verse is flawed on its face. 

You see the good don’t die young, but instead, they live on, 

In memories, and in many a heart. 



Officers Lost Due to COVID in September 2021 


FREDDIE JOE CASTRO 

DEPUTY FIRST CLASS 

WILLIAM DIAZ 

SERGEANT 

DANIEL EUGENE WATTS 

LIEUTENANT 

ROBERT TRAVELSTEAD 

SERGEANT 

WILLIAM JEFFERY YANCEY 

CITY MARSHAL 

MICHAEL ALLEN KEATHLEY 

DETECTIVE SERGEANT 

DEREK E. SIDWELL 

DEPUTY SHERIFF 

JODY SMITH 

INVESTIGATOR 

RICHARD WENDELL HUMPHREY 


EDGAR MORRIS 




DETECTIVE 

TOM BREEDLOVE 


ROBERT TROY JOINER 


MICHAEL NEAU 

SERGEANT 

MATTHEW CHANDLER MOORE 


BONNIE NICOLE JONES 

SERGEANT 

GINO CAPUTO 

SPECIAL AGENT 

DUSTIN SLOVACEK 


STEPHEN JONES 


ROBERT CRAIG MILLS 


NOAH RYAN LEBLANC 




LIEUTENANT 

JAMES GUYNES 

LIEUTENANT 

EARNEST OLDHAM 


MICHELLE GATTEY 

SERGEANT 

RICHARD JOHN FRANKIE 


CARL PROPER 

CAPTAIN 

DAVID EDWIN MACALPINE 

TROOPER 

BRIAN PINGRY 

LIEUTENANT 

BRANDI STOCK 


JOSEPH J. KURER 

SENIOR CORPORAL 

ARNULFO PARGAS 




CORPORAL 

CHARLES WAYNE CATRON 


GREGORY LYNN TRIPLETT 

TROOPER 

ERIC T. GUNDERSON 

PATROL OFFICER 

HOWARD K. SMITH 

SERGEANT 

JOSHUA WAYNE STEWART 


MARLENE INA CLARK 

SERGEANT 

LOGAN DAVIS 

SENIOR DEPUTY 

PHILLIP BARRON, JR. 

CAPTAIN 

JAMES ANTHONY SISK 

SERGEANT 

LOGAN DAVIS 



Lost in the Line of Duty 

Investigator Dusty Wainscott 

Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas 

End of Watch Wednesday, September 8, 2021 

Age 38 Tour 16 Years Badge # 29 

Investigator Dusty Wainscott collapsed and died after chasing and getting into a 

physical altercation with two suspects who fled on foot during a traffic stop near 

Park Place and McGee Street in Sherman. 

Investigator Wainscott had served with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office for 

16 years. He had also served with the Van Alstyne Police Department and Pottsboro 

Police Department. He is survived by his wife and parents. 

Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans 

Independence Police Department, Missouri 

End of Watch Wednesday, September 15, 2021 

Age 22 Tour 2 Months Badge # 1744 

Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans was shot and killed when he was dispatched to the 

2300 block of South Northern Boulevard to check for a wanted subject at a residence 

at about 11:30 am. As officers encountered the wanted subject the man 

opened fire and critically wounded Officer Madrid-Evans. Other officers on the 

scene returned fire and killed the subject. Officer Madrid-Evans was transported 

to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds later that evening. 

Officer Madrid-Evans had graduated from the academy only two months earlier 

and was still in field training. He is survived by his parents and fiancée. 

Lieutenant John Stewart 

Lake City Police Department, South Carolina 

End of Watch Friday, September 17, 2021 

Age 48 Tour 21 Years Badge # N/A 

Lieutenant John Stewart was killed during a vehicle pursuit in the 1000 block of 

North Matthews Road. 

The subject involved in the initial pursuit with Lake City police officers then 

carjacked another vehicle. He was taken into custody following another pursuit 

involving members of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. 

Lieutenant Stewart was a United States Marine Corps veteran. He had served 

with the Lake City Police for 13 years. He had served in law enforcement for 

over 21 years. Lieutenant Stewart is survived by his two sons and seven siblings. 

Senior Police Officer William Jeffrey 

Houston Police Department, Texas 

End of Watch Monday, September 20, 2021 

Age 54 Tour 30 Years 9 Months Badge # N/A 

Senior Police Officer Bill Jeffrey was shot and killed in the 5300 block of Aeropark 

Drive at about 7:30 am while serving a warrant in Harris County. 

He and other officers had gone to the apartment to serve an arrest warrant as 

part of a high-level narcotics case. They made contact with a female subject 

who answered the door. As they spoke to her the wanted man emerged and 

opened fire without warning, striking Officer Jeffrey and another officer. Officers 

were able to return fire and killed the subject. 

Officer Jeffrey had served with the Houston Police Department for 30 years. 

He is survived by his wife, daughter and granddaughter. His wife had recently 

retired from the Houston Police Department. 



Lost in the Line of Duty 

Deputy Sheriff Luke Ryan Gross 

Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Maine 

End of Watch Thursday, September 23, 2021 

Age 44 Tour 20 Years Badge # 2N/A 

Deputy Sheriff Luke Gross was struck and killed by a vehicle investigating a 

crash on Route 3 in Trenton at about 4:00 am. 

Deputy Gross had served with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years. 

He had previously worked for the Sabattus Police Department. He is survived by 

his wife, son, and daughter. 

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Locke 

Hardin County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee 

End of Watch Saturday, September 25, 2021 

Age 30 Tour 7 Years Badge # 565 Veteran 

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Locke was shot and killed while assisting other officers 

during a domestic disturbance at a home in the 3000 block of Nance Bend Road 

in Clifton. An officer from Clifton Police Department and other deputies contacted 

the subject who was armed with a gun. As officers were ordering the man to 

drop the gun as Deputy Locke approached the home. The man suddenly opened 

fire, fatally wounding Deputy Locke. Deputy Locke was transported to a nearby 

hospital where he died shortly after arrival. 

Deputy Locke was a Tennessee Army National Guard veteran and had served 

with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department seven years. He is survived by his 

wife and child. 

Deputy Sheriff Joshua Moyers 

Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Florida 

End of Watch Sunday, September 26, 2021 

Age 29 Tour 6 Years Badge # 1205 

Deputy Sheriff Joshua Moyers succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two 

days earlier while conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of US-301 and 

Sandy Ford Road. During the traffic stop Deputy Moyers was given a false name 

by the driver and learned the tags belonged to a different vehicle. As he opened 

the driver’s door to place the man in custody the subject shot Deputy Moyers 

in the face and back. The man fled the scene over a railroad crossing just as 

the arms were coming down and a train passed, blocking other deputies from 

immediately pursuing him. 

Police Officer Darrell Adams 

Memphis Police Department, Tennessee 

End of Watch Saturday, October 2, 2021 

Age 34 Tour 5 Years 6 Months Badge # N/A 

Police Officer Darrell Adams was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on I-40 

near North Watkins Street shortly after 11:00 am. 

He and other officers were investigating a vehicle accident when he was struck 

and killed. 

Officer Adams served with the Memphis Police Department for 5-1/2 years. 

Deputy Sheriff Moyers had served with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office for 

over six years. He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother. 

62 62 The The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 63

Biden administration stops 

Border Patrol using horses in 

Del Rio amid Dem outrage. 

Democrats falsely accused agents of carrying ‘whips.’ 

The Biden administration is 

prohibiting Border Patrol agents 

from using horses in the Del Rio 

sector amid Democratic outrage 

over images that lawmakers 

falsely claimed showed agents 

using “whips” to stop Haitian migrants 

getting into the U.S. 

White House Press Secretary 

Jen Psaki said at a press briefing 

Thursday that the images, which 

involve a Border Patrol agent 

grabbing one of the migrant’s 

shirts, are “horrible and horrific” 

and noted that an investigation is 

ongoing. 

“I can also convey to you that 

[DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas] 

also conveyed to civil rights 

leaders earlier this morning that 

we would no longer be using 

horses in Del Rio,” she said. 

The revelation comes on the 

fourth day of controversy related 

to the false claims that agents 

used “whips” against Haitian migrants 

on Sunday – a claim that 

was initially debunked by Mayorkas 

and Border Patrol chief Raul 

Ortiz on Monday, who noted that 

agents were wielding long reins 

to control their horses in difficult 

riverines. 

Other Border Patrol sources 

have noted that agents will 

spin or twirl their reins in order 

to move the horse forward as 

a signal to the horse. So far, no 

images have been presented of 

migrants being hit by the reins. 

However, as the White House 

condemned the images, by Tuesday 

Mayorkas had changed his 

stance. 

“I was horrified by what I saw,” 

Mayorkas told CNN. “I’m going 

to let the investigation run its 

course. But the pictures that I observed 

troubled me profoundly. 

That defies all of the values that 

we seek to instill in our people.” 

On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala 

Harris said she supported 

an investigation and was “deeply 

troubled” by the allegations. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck 

Schumer decried “images of 

inhumane treatment of Haitian 

migrants by Border Patrol—including 

the use of whips.” 

The agents involved have since 

been moved to administrative 

duty. 

The narrative that the agents 

used “whips” has continued to 

gather steam among activists 

and left-wing Democrats, who 

have then infused a racial narrative 

into the mix, given that the 

Haitians are Black. 

“What we witnessed takes us 

back hundreds of years,” Rep. 

Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said this 

week. “What we witnessed was 

worse than what we witnessed 

in slavery … cowboys with their 

reins, again, whipping black 

people.” 

As those claimed to continue to 

move forward, without evidence, 

agents expressed anger to Fox 

News about the move, which 

they said will make them less 

safe. 

“It will make patrolling extremely 

difficult along with security. 

This is insane. The agents 

did nothing wrong,” one agent 

told Fox. 


“I Never Saw Agents 

Whipping Anyone.” 

Says the Photographer of Images at 

the Center of Border Patrol Hoax. 

By Bob Price 

The photographer who witnessed 

the incident where horseback-mounted 

Border Patrol 

agents attempted to control 

Haitian migrants crossing the Rio 

Grande last week said he never 

saw agents whipping anyone. His 

photographs led to unfounded 

claims from many officials including 

President Joe Biden that 

agents were whipping or “strapping” 

the migrants with whips. 

In an exclusive interview with 

KTSM NBC9 in El Paso, photographer 

Paul Ratje said he “didn’t 

ever see them (the agents) whip 

anybody. ” He was swinging it 

(the reins), but I didn’t see him 

actually whip someone with it.” 

Ratje said the incident occurred 

when Haitian migrants 

attempted to run around the 

horses. He took the infamous 

photos that have “really been 

misconstrued” from the Mexican 

side of the river. 

Among those who apparently 

misconstrued the images is the 

President of the United States. 

“To see people treated like they 

did, horses running them over 

and people getting strapped, it’s 

outrageous I promise you those 

people will pay,” the president 

said during a press conference 

on Friday. 

One day earlier, the White 

House announced a policy banning 

the use of Border Patrol 

horses in the Del Rio Sector. “[W] 

e will no longer be using horses 

in Del Rio,” White House press 

secretary Jen Psaki told reporters 

during the daily briefing. 

Horse Patrol Units of the U.S. 

Border Patrol have a long history 

of carrying out migrants rescues 

in remote and hazardous terrains 

all along the southwest border. 

Breitbart Texas regularly reports 

on the rescues and apprehension 

of migrants and the seizure 

of drugs carried out by the men 

and women of the Border Patrol 

who serve on horseback. 

KTSM Anchor Christina Aguayo 

and Photojournalist Johnny Munoz 

were in Del Rio investigating 

the incident and found that even 

though most of the headlines say 

that Border Patrol Agents were 

using whips to threaten and 

intimidate the migrants, Ranchers 

and horse experts in Del Rio 

disagree. 

According to a sixth generation 

Rancher, Kerr Wardlaw, the 

Border Patrol Agents were using 

something called split reins in 

order to have more control their 

horse. Wardlaw said that agents 

also use the tail end of the reins 

to help with quickly move the 

horse from left to right. 

The video – which shows 

several border patrol agents on 

horseback blocking migrants 

from entering into a migrant 

camp underneath the Del Rio 

International Bridge – sparked 

strong reactions from the White 

House to across the nation. 

Vice President Kamala Harris, 

who was put in charge of 

the crisis at the southern border 

back in March, condemned the 

agents’ actions saying, 

“What I saw depicted, those 

individuals on horseback treating 

human beings the way they 

were, was horrible.” 

On Monday DHS Secretary 

Alejandro Mayorkas said that the 

long reins used by the agents 

were to ensure control of the 

horses, but then said on Tuesday 

that the pictures “horrified him.” 

Wardlaw explained that the 

agents who appeared to be swinging 

their reins in the air were actually 

using their reins as a tool, 

to quickly move the rear end of the 

horse from left to right. He said that 

the agents were using non-lethal 

force by using their horses as tools. 

Wardlaw also said that one of his 

friends who works in Border Patrol 

revealed that the agent in the video 

reached for the migrant only after 

that migrant tried to gain control 

of the horse, which if gained, could 

have been very dangerous. The 

rancher asserts that the agent could 

have been seriously hurt. 


Pentagon acknowledges 

that a drone 

strike in Afghanistan 

was a tragic mistake 

that killed 10 

civilians, including 7 

children. 

children. 

Want to know why the Biden White House is spinning 

a tail of Border Agents allegedly whipping Haitian 

immigrants trying to cross the border illegally? 

So, you’ll forget that only weeks earlier they mistook 

a white Toyota Corolla for a terrorist vehicle and 

launched a missile that killed 10 innocent civilians 

including 7 children. 

By Marcus Yam 

KABUL, Afghanistan – After a day at work, Ezmari 

Ahmadi was just arriving at his home Sunday in 

Khwaja Burgha, a working-class neighborhood a 

few miles west of Kabul’s airport, when calamity 

struck. 

As he pulled into the driveway about 4:30 p.m., 

children — his own as well as those of his brothers 

and other relatives — swarmed around Ahmadi’s 

Toyota Corolla. His 12-year-old son, Farzad, asked if 

he could park the car. Ahmadi obliged, put Farzad in 

the driver’s seat and switched to the passenger side. 

That’s when what the family says was an American 

missile fired moments before from a drone buzzing 

nearby drilled through the car, slammed into the 

ground below and detonated. 


In an instant, 10 people were 

killed, including at least seven 

children, Ahmadi’s brother Emal 

said Monday. Among the dead 

were Ahmadi, 40, who the family 

said worked for a Southern California-based 

charity; a 25-yearold 

nephew who was about to 

be married; and five kids who 

were 5 years old or younger. 

In the driveway, what remained 

of the Corolla was a blackened, 

incinerated heap of metal, melted 

plastic and scraps of what 

appeared to be human flesh 

and a tooth. Somewhere near 

the passenger’s side was a hole 

where a projectile had punched 

through. Two Los Angeles Times 

journalists who visited the site 

examined metal fragments consistent 

with some kind of missile. 

U.S. forces, who pulled out 

of Afghanistan on ???, say they 

launched a drone strike that destroyed 

a car loaded with explosives 

and suicide bombers heading 

for Kabul’s airport, where a 

terrorist attack killed more than 

180 people, including 13 U.S. service 

personnel. 

It remained unclear whether 

the drone strike was linked to 

the blast that hit Ahmadi’s car. 

In an initial statement after the 

strike, U.S. Navy Capt. Bill Urban, 

a spokesman for the U.S. military’s 

Central Command, said the 

strike had hit its intended target 

and that there were no indications 

of civilian casualties. 

But in a subsequent statement, 

Urban said the Pentagon 

was aware of reports of civilian 

casualties and was investigating. 

“We would be deeply saddened 

by any potential loss of innocent 

life,” he said. 

He said the U.S. strike “disrupted 

an imminent ISIS-K threat,” 

a reference to the Afghan affiliate 

of the militant Islamic State 

group, which claimed responsibility 

for the deadly bombing on 

the outskirts of the Kabul airport. 

In the wake of that attack, the 

Pentagon launched an airstrike 

in eastern Afghanistan that it 

said killed both the “facilitator” 

and “planner” of the bombing. 

Urban said there were powerful 

secondary explosions from 

Sunday’s drone strike, which he 

said indicated a large number 

of explosive materials inside the 

targeted vehicle. Those secondary 

explosions “may have caused 

additional casualties,” he said. 

In Khwaja Burgha, members of 

Ahmadi’s family said there had 

been only one explosion and that 

the resulting fireball had partially 

burned a crimson Toyota SUV 

that was also in the driveway. 

“We heard a loud bang, and the 

whole house shook,” said Abdul 

Khalil, the Ahmadis’ neighbor. 

One of the rooms in his house is 

adjacent to the Ahmadis’ driveway; 

the blast had dislodged 

large chunks of plaster from the 

wall. 

The outside walls of the Ahmadis’ 

home were spattered 

with bloodstains that had begun 

to brown. 

If the deaths of Ezmari Ahmadi 

and his family members are 

determined to be the result of 

an errant U.S. drone strike, the 

horrific tragedy would lay bare 

the dangers of the Pentagon’s 

long-term plans for so-called 

over-the-horizon attacks as a 

centerpiece of its counterterrorism 

mission. Even when U.S. 

troops were fully deployed in 

Afghanistan, with CIA operatives 

and American special forces 

working alongside Afghan security 

forces, mounting civilian 

casualties soured many Afghans 

on the U.S. presence and boosted 

the Taliban’s popularity. 

Family members insisted there 

was no way Ahmadi was involved 

with ISIS-K. If anything, 

they would have been considered 

targets by the extremist group, 

which counts all who worked 

with the U.S.-backed Afghan 

government and its foreign allies 

as spies, traitors, and collaborators. 

The family said Ahmadi had 

worked for the last 16 years with 

Nutrition & Education International, 

a nongovernmental 

organization based in Pasadena. 

Ahmadi’s business card identifies 

him as a technical engineer, and 

it bears the logo of the organization, 

whose homepage carried 

this message Monday: “Due to the 

security issues in Afghanistan, 

our website is temporarily disabled.” 

Ahmadi had applied for a special 

U.S. immigration designation 

that would allow him to leave 

Afghanistan and go to the U.S., 

his brother Emal said. Thousands 

of Afghans who worked 

with Western organizations have 

fled since the Taliban took over 

Afghanistan earlier this month, 

but thousands more are in danger 

of being left behind as the 

U.S. wraps up its airlift at Kabul 

airport Tuesday. 

Ahmadi’s nephew Nasser, who 

was also killed in the explosion, 

had worked with U.S. special 

forces in the western Afghan city 

of Herat, and had also served as 

a guard for the U.S. Consulate 

there before joining the Afghan 

National Army, family members 

said. The 25-year-old, who relatives 

said was to be married this 

week, had come to Kabul to see 

if he could push along his own 

application for a special immigrant 

visa. 

Sitting on a pile of sandbags 

outside the family compound, 

Ezmari Ahmadi’s other brother, 

Ramal, could barely speak 

through the grief of having lost 

three children in the explosion: 

Binyamin, 5; Arwin, 3; and Aya, 

just 1. 

He had been in his room when 

the missile struck. “There was 

just this big explosion. I was totally 

in shock. I didn’t understand 

what happened,” he said, his 

eyes red from crying. 

For two hours after the blast, 

he remained dazed, but then 

began to understand that his 

three children had piled into the 

car with their uncle Ezmari and 

cousin Farhad and had been 

killed. 

Mohammad Fawad, a relative, 

stood enraged in front of the 

incinerated Corolla. 

“I want Joe Biden to know 

about this. Why do you attack 

these people and say it’s Daesh?” 

he said, referring to Islamic State 

by its Arabic acronym, which is 

considered a pejorative by the 

group. 

“All of these kids were martyred,” 

Fawad said, furiously 

scrolling through pictures of 

those killed on his phone. “Look 

at them. Which one of these 

people is Daesh? These people 

worked with the government — 

with the U.S. And look at these 

kids. Do you think they’re Daesh?” 

Emal Ahmadi was also distraught. 

“They shouldn’t do this kind of 

action, killing civilians,” he said. 

“I lost my family.” 


WHO WANTS TO BE A COP? 

New series takes deep dive into St. Petersburg Police Academy 


PART 61 

The Run 

“Get him to the grass!” 

By LANE DeGREGORY, 

Times Staff Writer 

The Shoot House 

You’re having a bad day. You’ve gotten punched, you’ve gone down, and some bad guy, much 

bigger than you, is sitting on your stomach, grabbing for your gun. 

“Just 

“What do you do?” 

like 

a coach asks 

that: 

the cadets. “What?” 

Bang. You’re Dead.” 

They’re working in pairs today, the first day after winter break, spread around the mat room 

practicing defensive tactics. One recruit plays the officer, the other the suspect. They take turns 

with the roles, as coaches call out commands and questions. 

“Pull them in with your legs, don’t keep your knees tight, so you’ve got room to punch. Don’t 

panic. Don’t gas yourself.” 

Go with what the guy gives you, the coach says. 

“If you can still reach your mic, call for backup. When he goes for your gun, that’s when you go 

for it. He’s got to let go of something. As soon as he reaches, that’s when you escape. 

“Posture up. Play with it. Ready? Go!” 


The cadets look like they’re 

waging an aggressive game of 

Twister, everyone climbing on 

each other, pushing, and shoving, 

trying not to fall, fighting 

to gain control. 

One of the woman recruits, 

held on the ground in choke 

hold by another, looks at the 

instructor, standing above, 

showing with his hands how 

she should respond. 

Brittany Moody gets instruction 

on how to escape an attacker. 

The biggest guy in the class 

tackles KeVonn Mabon. He’s on 

top of the former football player, 

pushing his head into the 

blue mat. “He’s going to break 

your wrist!” shouts the coach. 

“He’s going to crush your trachea. 

He’s going to crack your 

jaw.” 

Mabon is struggling, sweating. 

“Try the excavator, Mabon! 

Use your legs!” 

Mabon grimaces. “He’s very 

energetic, sir!” 

At St. Petersburg College’s 

police academy, recruits learn 

defensive tactics based on Jiu 

Jitsu, By LANE moves DeGREGORY, they have to master 

Times and Staff demonstrate Writer during an 

exam. They learn how to “hip 

They can’t get over the wall. 

out” and “shrimp out” of a 

It’s 6-feet tall, made of smooth 

take-down; how to cup a suspect’s 

on. chin so they can’t turn 

wood. Nothing to hold or stand 

their Even head; the tallest how to men drive are struggling. 

into someone’s face. 

their 

shoulders 

“Run “The at only it. Get escape a grip. is Haul to fight yourself 

up,” shouts the coach a coach shouts. in a red 

harder,” 

“What shirt. “Don’t are they give on? them Drugs a huge and 

alcohol. target.” They’ll start tapping 

out, You and never when know they when do, you’re don’t 

disengage. 

going to have 

De-escalate. 

to chase a suspect 

That’s 

over a wall. 

the only way to control that. 

It’s a drizzly day in late September. 

The police recruits are lined 

You have an audience. They’re 

watching you. Be professional. 

Don’t just go for your gun. 

That’s what officers do when 

they panic.” 

“Use this,” the coach says, 

tapping his head. “And this,” he 

taps his mouth. 

Mabon is still on his back, 

rolling from side to side, trying 

to force a space below one of 

the big guy’s elbows. But the 

guy keeps pushing back. 

“Man, hey, you’re choking me!” 

Mabon gasps. 

The coach stands over them. 

“Disengage!” 

He stops the other recruits in 

their scenarios. “What’s going 

on with the neck there?” he 

asks Mabon’s partner. Silence. 

He shouts across the room, 

“What’s in the news now? 

C’mon! 

“Your arm is not around their 

neck. It’s between the side and 

shoulder. Don’t squeeze. It will 

look like a chokehold.” 

Florida’s police academy curriculum 

includes a chokehold. 

But the St. Petersburg school 

had stopped teaching that tactic 

up behind long before St. Petersburg a Minneapolis College’s 

cop Allstate killed Center, George between Floyd. the The rifle 

range and shoot house. 

coach tells the recruits, “We 

Three weeks into training, 

don’t do that here.” 

they’ve learned to keep their eyes 

on 

“If 

the 

they’re 

door, do 

coming 

push-ups 

at you 

on cadence, 

tell force, reasonable you’re allowed suspicion to 

with 

deadly 

choke. from probable You can cause, do anything frisk someone, 

search the coach a car says. and carry “But that’s coffee 

at 

all,” 

always in their left the hand last resort.” 

they can grab 

their Pairs gun of with recruits their practice right. 

holds Brittany on each Moody other. is first woman 

Cadets in her class have to conquer master the 28 

defensive obstacle course. tactics. She Here, played Mabon five 

sports growing up and works out 

subdues a suspect during an 

every morning. 

exam. 

This morning, they’re starting the 

obstacle course that’s designed to 

Over the holidays, the recruits 

didn’t get much of a break. 

Agencies sponsoring them 

made them keep working. 

Hannah Anhalt, who loves 

dogs, worked with K-9 handlers 

from the Clearwater Police 

Department, hiding in the 

rafters of a house until a dog 

found her. She learned that it’s 

harder for dogs to find people 

who escape on concrete than 

it is if they run through a field. 

Grass holds the smell of sweat 

and fear. 

Mabon and Brittany “Mama” 

Moody reported to the Pinellas 

County Sheriff’s Office, where 

they worked out every day. Mabon 

loved it. 

At the academy, he had started 

leading drills during the 

lunch break, pushing classmates 

to do more sit-ups, 

squats, side-straddle hops. 

Faster. Trying to prepare them 

to pass the physical assessment. 

Pumping them up with 

his positivity. 

“Slow down, hotshot,” called 

Coach Joe Saponare, who 

works out with the recruits half 

predict his age. their “No perils: one can crawl keep under up a 

fence, with you!” slither through a tube, hoist 

yourself 

The academy 

into a make-shift 

walls are 

attic. 

filled 

They’re slick with sweat, covered 

with framed photos of officers 

in dirt, cheering each other on. 

riding 

“You 

horses, 

got it! Come 

steering 

on! Keep 

boats, 

going!” 

charging If you with fall, SWAT you have shields. to start 

over. Recently, someone hung a 

new “You one have in three the hall chances,” by the the cafeteria: 

says. Mabon running past the 

coach 

parking In the real lot, world, far ahead you might of his only 

get classmates. one. 

Class One of 219 the is mostly recruits white uses and a lint 

male, roller but on it his is slacks. the most diverse 

yet, 

Coaches 

said Joe 

call 

Saponare, 

Mabon 

who 

“a Greek 

oversees 

recruit training at St. Petersburg 

College’s Law Enforcement 

God.” Here, he makes sure his 

Academy: seven women, five Black 

pants are lint-free between 

classes. 

“A Greek god.” That’s what 

Coach Sap calls Mabon: 6-foot- 

2, 223 pounds, broad shoulders, 

bulging biceps, sculpted calves. 

He’s lost weight since COVID 

canceled people, his two professional Latinos. Half went foot-tball 

college. career, Six but were that in only the military. made 

The youngest, age 19, lives with 

him faster. 

his parents. One of the oldest is 

“He’ll be great in the community,” 

raising a son. She’s already earned 

a nickname, 

Coach 

Mama 

Sap said, 

Moody. 

“connecting 

Some with registered other athletes for the academy and 

African last spring, Americans, before inspiring George Floyd 

kids. was He’ll killed, get before out there people in took the to 

trenches, the streets break demanding down the that barriersernments 

help change defund perceptions.” 

the police. They 

gov- 

Mabon decided grew to attend up in anyway. St. Louis, 

just Others him applied and his because mom. of those 

Dad outcries. “wasn’t really in the picture 

much,” he said. His mom 

They know they will be insulted, 

targeted, hated — some critics 

worked double shifts at a ca- 

are openly hostile. But 30 young 

people signed up for the first class 

sino, bowling alley, jail. Sometimes, 

his uncle came around. 

His uncle, Keith Brown, played 

for the New York Giants, then 

became a police officer in a 

“super dangerous area” of St. 

Louis. since the pandemic closed the 

academy. Mabon started playing peewee 

Saponare, football who at 6; cadets his coach call became 

his mentor. “He’s always 

Coach Sap, expected applications 

to plummet after the protests last 

been the team captain, a great 

year. Instead, he said, more people 

leader, 

than ever 

very 

applied. 

driven,” said Reggie 

No Crume, agency who tracks now how coaches many at 

Calvary people apply Christian to U.S. High police School academies, 

Clearwater. according “Whatever to the National he 

in 

put Police his Foundation. mind to, he Anecdotal was going ev-tidence 

only from achieve the country’s it, but be 18,000 one 

not 

of law the enforcement best.” agencies is 

contradictory. With seated Some recruits departments on the 

right, are struggling another to stands fill vacancies. against 

And officers are quitting at record 

the wall with a life-sized baby 

rates, many after only a few years. 

In September 2019, even before 

dummy held in his right arm. 

Mabon, who moved in with 

his uncle when he was 14, holds 

a first-aid dummy baby that the 

cadets practice saving. 

When Mabon was 14, he 

moved in with his uncle — and 

a the private protests, school the Police gave him Executive a 

scholarship Research Forum to play released football. a report He 

was about one the of “workforce only 25 Black crisis.” kids It 

in 

said 

the 

the 

school 

job of 

with 

policing 

1,000 

has 

students. 

“I had to drive through a 

become 

more challenging, as officers 

grapple with social issues 

nice 

like 

neighborhood 

mental illness, and 

to get 

new 

there, 

types 

and of criminals, I got pulled like over those at who least deal 10 

times,” in cyberspace. he said. Three of those 

times, St. Petersburg cops made Police him Chief get out Anthony 

searched Holloway, his an car. officer for 35 

and 

years, “So many said last people,” summer he was said, the 

“the first only time experience he questioned they whether have 

with he still law wanted enforcement to serve. is “It negative.” 

like everybody was against us,” he 

felt 

said. 

Mabon 

“I’d 

played 

like to see 

every 

the 

posi- 

naysayers 

see what our officers have to deal 

with every day.” 


tion on the field in high school, 

moved in with Coach Crume 

his senior year. Seven colleges 

recruited him, and he chose 

Ball State, where he majored in 

criminal justice and psychology 

— and never missed a game. 

His sights always were on the 

NFL. After football, he thought 

he might work for the FBI. He 

sees himself as a sort of Derek 

Morgan, the dashing agent from 

his favorite TV show, Criminal 

Minds. 

Three minutes after the NFL 

draft, in 2017, the Tennessee 

Titans called to offer him a free 

agent contract. Mabon played 

wide receiver in the preseason, 

then got picked up by the Indianapolis 

Colts. 

One of the recruits lies on his 

back in a locker room, laughing 

with other seated and standing 

recruits. 

In the locker room, Mabon 

jokes with fellow cadets. He’s 

always pumping up his classmates 

and giving high-fives. 

After the NFL, he played a 

year for a German team. He 

was working out with a Canadian 

team last year when 

COVID-19 canceled sports. He 

thought he had a few years left 

to play pro football and was 

hoping to record recent game 

films to get back to the NFL. 

But by June 2020, sports were 

still shut down, so he moved 

to Florida to live with Coach 

Crume, his wife and two small 

kids. 

Crume introduced Mabon to a 

friend from the Sheriff’s Office, 

where a recruiter told him: We 

need more young men like you. 

Mabon’s mom didn’t want him 

to give up his dream. For days, 

he agonized over the decision. 

How long could the pandemic 

last? What if professional 

sports came back, and he had 

committed to another job? 

What if they didn’t, and he 

was still unemployed? 

A football game on the TV 

screen fills the frame, silhouetting 

a man’s head. 

When a classmate showed 

videos of Mabon’s college 

football highlights, Mabon 

recounted every play before it 

happened. 

A week after the mat training, 

cadets’ jog past the flagpole, 

take one last swig from their 

Camelbacks and line up by the 

obstacle course. 

To graduate from the academy, 

they have to pass the Cooper 

Test. 

The fitness exam standards 

vary depending on age and 

gender, but men under 30 have 

to do at least 33 sit-ups in a 

minute, pump out 22 pushups in 

a minute, run 1.5 miles in under 

17:04, sprint 300 meters in less 

than 66 seconds. 

This morning, everyone 

passed the sit-ups and pushups 

— the youngest recruit just 

barely. 

Now, they have to do the runs. 

They’re on the edge of the 

road, stretching, jogging in 

place. The long run is first — the 

only part Mabon dreads. “You’ll 

never run 1.5 miles for football,” 

he says. 

When they take off, he and 

Moody lead the pack. Anhalt 

is near the rear. By the second 

lap, Moody has fallen into the 

middle of the group, and Mabon 

is walking, clutching his back. 

As he crosses the finish line, a 

coach with a stopwatch calls, 

“11:35!” 

Mabon shakes his head. “Terrible,” 

he says. “I had to stop 

four times because of a stitch 

in my side.” 

As each classmate crosses the 

finish line behind him, he slaps 

their hand. 

When he started at the academy, 

Mabon said he was “as 

single as single gets.” 

But just before the holidays, 

when he moved out of the 

coach’s house and into his own 

apartment, a female classmate 

came to help. Strong and statuesque, 

a Bosnian refugee who 

grew up in Germany, she knows 

the town where Mabon had 

played — and started bringing 

him Gatorade after workouts. 

As she sorted through boxes 

that Saturday, he unpacked 

memories: trophies, magazine 

clippings, fan mail from kids. 

His high school helmet, a glass 

plaque for Ball State’s 2016 

MVP, gloves from his first NFL 

catch. 

A man stands in a living 

room, unpacking items from a 

cardboard box. 

Mabon unpacks the receiver 

gloves he used in the NFL. His 

mom didn’t want him to give up 

his football dream. 

“That’s my whole dream 

there,” he told her. “I did it.” 

He still FaceTime’s with 

former teammates but doesn’t 

watch much pro ball anymore. 

Too painful. “I should still be 

playing football.” 

Once he committed to the 

Sheriff’s Office, he tried not to 

look back. He cut off his long 

braids, shaved his goatee and 

started trying to imagine life as 

a deputy. 

But he can’t picture himself, a 

black rookie cop, out at protests, 

trying to control people 

who might see him as the enemy. 

“To me, that would be more 

stressful than being sent to an 

active shooter call,” he said. 

Over the break, the German 

football team called, asking 

to hire Mabon back. “Football 

was a lot less stressful, a lot 

less dangerous and a lot more 

money than being a cop,” he 

told his classmate. “But I signed 

a two-year contract with the 

Sheriff’s Office, sooo,” he 

paused. 

“If after two years I don’t like 

it, I told Germany I’d be available. 

Of course, they can’t hold 

my spot …” 

A trophy football reading 

At Ball State, Mabon was 

honored as the school’s alltime 

leading receiver. 

The cadets have to leave their 

phones in their lockers at the 

academy, so on January 6, they 

didn’t get the news until later. 

Mabon and Anhalt read it on 

their phones during a break. 

Moody saw it on TV in the lobby 

while she and three other 

cadets were heading out to 

take down the flag. 

CNN headline “US Capitol 

secured, 4 dead after rioters 

stormed the halls of Congress 



to block Biden’s win.” 

CNN headline, Jan. 7, 2021. 

That night, they all watched 

footage of a U.S. Capitol police 

officer being crushed by the 

crowd, between riot shields. 

Coaches seldom address 

current events, trying to avoid 

anything political, leaving the 

cadets to talk about the news, 

if they want. 

The next day, a recruit did a 

presentation about bear spray 

used during the riot. 

“Buckle in, guys,” says a 

coach. “You’re going to have a 

wild ride.” 

The siege scared Anhalt. It 

made Mabon mad. 

“It was just stupid,” he said. 

“The officers were outnumbered 

45 to 1.” 

Moody tries to ignore classmates 

who think Joe Biden is 

going to defund the police and 

the coach who talks about QAnon. 

But later, she said the Capitol 

Police seemed complicit. 

“They didn’t take the same 

precautions because these protesters 

were Trump supporters, 

not Black Lives Matter,” she 

said. “They should’ve sprayed 

them with gas and treated them 

like they treated all the other 

protesters.” 

From the shoot house to 

the rifle range, recruits rim 

the road. They’re sprinting in 

groups of six while a coach 

clicks a stopwatch and notes 

their times. 

Mabon is shadow boxing in 

his sneakers. When you’re the 

fastest runner and help your 

team break the obstacle course 

record, a lot is riding on your 

run. He enjoys that; expectations 

fuel him. 

Today, he wants to break his 

own record for the 300-meter 

dash: 35 seconds. 

That means running faster 

than 19 mph. 

“Let’s go, Mabon!” classmates 

call from the grass. They’re 

watching, clapping. 

He crouches slightly, elbows 

back, chin out, and leaps off 

the line. His long strides propel 

him past classmates and quickly, 

he’s yards ahead. He digs in, 

pumps his arms, gains speed. 

Then, more than halfway 

through the sprint, he stops 

and doubles over, clutching his 

sides, his head almost touching 

the pavement. 

A long view of a street with 

several runners, the one in 

front is no longer running, but 

has gone to his knees, head 

down with exhaustion. 

Mabon falls to the pavement 

while trying to break his own 

academy record in the 300-meter 

dash. 

“Finish it, Mabon! You’ve 

worked too hard!” someone 

shouts. If he can’t complete the 

course, he’ll get kicked out of 

the academy. 

His face is contorted in pain. 

A classmate races to his side, 

bends close and says sternly: 

“Finish! You can do this.” 

He offers Mabon his arm, 

helps him stand. Slowly, still 

holding his hips, Mabon limps 

across the finish. And falls 

face-first on the asphalt. 

“Get him to the grass!” calls a 

coach. 

But he can’t get up. When another 

recruit tries to help, Mabon 

shakes him off. One cadet 

puts his hand on Mabon’s back. 

Another gets his water bottle. 

He can’t even lift his head to 

drink. 

“You okay?” asks the woman 

who helped him move in. She 

reaches for him. He slides up to 

his knees and tries to crawl but 

collapses. 

For more than five minutes, he 

lies there, curled by the curb. 

“He was on track to beat his 

own record,” says a coach. 

“At least he finished,” says 

another. 

Mabon had fractured his back 

playing football, and sometimes, 

the injury flares up, 

pinching a nerve. 

While a coach gets a golf 

cart to drive him back to the 

academy, and Mabon struggles 

to stand, over and over, his 

classmates watch, helpless, not 

sure what to do. 

The next week, they start 

first-aid. 


Last call of the day. 

I only had ten minutes left on 

my shift. I worked nights and as 

long as I was at home before 

the sun came up, I was good for 

a peace full 7 hours sleep. Unless 

of course some salesperson 

was unfortunately enough 

to knock on my door and wake 

me up…but that’s another war 

story unto itself. 

At 555am, I received a call to 

see a complaint at the 7-11 on 

Bender Avenue about a person 

being held captive. Great just 

want I wanted at t-minus 9 

minutes until OD. 

“Unit 30D62 show me enroute.” 

I was really only a few blocks 

away and with any luck at all I 

can clear this INFO ONLY and OD 

and get home before the sun 

really starts shining. 

“Unit 30D62 show me out. Reportee’s 

name?” 

“An unidentified female sir. 

They hung up before giving a 

name.” 

“10-4” 

I went inside and before I 

could even ask the clerk if 

someone called 911, a young 

girl stuck her head out from 

around the last row of food, 

and motioned me over. As I 

approached her, I could see 

that she was wearing what 

appeared to be an extra-large 

men’s shirt that was really 

dirty and had what appeared 

to be splatters of dried blood 

all across the front. She looked 

terrified and was trembling 

uncontrollably. 

I walked her over to a few 

tables and chairs at the back 

of the store, git her a bottle 

of water and tried to calm her 

down. 

“What’s your name ma’am?” 

“Susan….Susan Walker” 

“Ok Ms. Walker, are you hurt? 

Is this your blood on this shirt? 

Tell me what’s going on.” 

She blurted out “…They’ve 

been holding me and my boyfriend 

hostage for days, maybe 

weeks. They beat us and tied us 

to a wire frame or something.” 

“How long ago did this happen….how 

did get here? 

She said, “It’s happening 

now…right now. I broke out a 

window in the bathroom and 

ran as fast as I could until I 

saw this store and called 911… 

we need to hurry before they 

realize I’m gone and they’ll kill 

Bobby.” 

“Bobby is your boyfriend?” 

“Yes.” 

“How did you and Bobby end 

up at this house? I assume it’s a 

house, huh?” 

Yes, it’s an old, abandoned 

house…all broken down and 

boarded up…but you can crawl 

through the broken window at 

the back…they grabbed us at 

pool hall on 28th street, threw 

us into an old van or something 

and took us to that old house 

and tied us up…to like an old 

bed or something….and then 

they beat us.” 

By now she is crying uncontrollably 

and I decided to 

move her to my car and call an 

ambulance to check her out. I 

also called dispatch and told 

her to have an on-duty dayshift 

detective call me ASAP. 

The FD medics arrived within 

a few minutes and while they 

were checking her out, Detective 

Williams called and I said, 

“Dude you need to meet me at 

the 7-11 on Bender…I’m really 

not sure what I’ve got going, 

but I’m damn sure I need you 

here.” 

One of the paramedics 

walked over and said she was 

ok, but that I needed to see 

something. I walked over and 

stepped into the ambulance 

and the paramedic lifted up the 

back of her shirt and it was 

clear that she had been hit or 

struck with something…maybe 

a whip or leather strap…dozens 

and dozens of bloody marks 

and tracks all over her back… 

this girl obviously had been 

beaten or tortured just like she 

said. They advised she really 

need to go to the hospital, but 

it wasn’t a life-or-death thing. 

I knew we needed her help to 

find this house, so I asked her 

if she was up to staying and I’d 

take her to the hospital myself. 

She agreed and I cut the paramedics 

loose. 

Detective Williams pulled up 

as the ambo was pulling out 

and I had the complainant sit 

in my car while I ran the deal 

down to Williams. 

“Man, at first I thought this 

was just a domestic gone bad, 

but she’s got bloody marks all 

over her back and she’s obviously 

terrified of whatever or 

whoever did this. So, we agreed 

to drive her in his unmarked 

car through the nearby neighborhoods 

to try and find this 

abandoned house. Problem 

was, this was a shitbox neighborhood 

and every other house 

was abandoned or boarded up. 

Junkies, pushers, pimps, you 

name it, were all squatting in 

these old shacks and it could 

anyone of hundreds scattered 

over a 12-block area. 

“Susan, how long did it take 

you to run to the 7-11? Do you 

remember how many blocks 

you covered or what direction 

or turns you took? 

Before she could answer, I 

spotted an old beat-up black 

Ford Econoline Van parked at 

the end of a long driveway of a 

boarded-up house. 

“Williams, stop, back up…. 

Susan is that the van? Is that the 

house you were in?” 

“Yes…oh my God yes…please 

don’t let them see me”…and 

she dove onto the floorboard 

of his Crown Vic and stayed 

there until we drove around the 

block. 

“Dude, we’re gonna need 

some backup, is this is for 


eal….whoever the hell that is 

inside that house isn’t just gonna 

welcome us into their party…if 

you catch my drift.” 

So, we went back to the 7-11 

and called for backup and a 

female officer to sit with the 

complainant until we could 

sort this shit out. As soon as a 

couple of units arrived, Williams 

and I went back to the 

block where the house was and 

made our way through several 

backyards until we could get 

to the back of the house. One 

of the windows has the boards 

ripped off and that’s the room 

Susan stated they were tied 

up in. So, we made our way 

up the side of an old garage 

and looked in the window and 

holy shit, there against the wall 

was an old wire box spring 

and tied to it was I assume her 

boyfriend, Bobby. He had been 

stripped naked and by the looks 

of his back, had been beaten 

severally as well. 

We both looked at each other 

and without saying a word, got 

needed to get a statement from 

the complainant Susan before 

she went to the hospital. So, I 

told Williams I was staying behind 

and to call me when they 

made entry. 

I sat in the back of the female 

officer’s car and went over every 

single detail of what happened 

prior to and after these 

guys were kidnaped. I knew the 

detectives would get her statement 

once they started working 

the case, I just needed to finish 

my report so I would be free to 

go, whenever this whole shit 

box deal was over. 

Luckily, the SWAT commander 

on duty was a former Ranger 

and he didn’t screw around trying 

to make contact with anyone. 

Someone was in eminent 

danger and they flash banged 

and kicked doors in as soon as 

everyone was in place. Within 

30-minutes, they advised they 

had made entry, two suspects 

were in custody, no shots fired 

and get an ambulance ASAP. 

We had the paramedics sitting 

We decided to let Susan ride 

to the hospital with her boyfriend. 

When I opened the back 

door of the ambo to tell her, 

she jumped straight out of that 

bench and into my arms with 

the biggest bear hug I’ve ever 

had. 

“You save me and my boyfriend. 

I’m soooooo thankful. 

I will never forget this day or 

you. You are my angel and I love 

you and what you do for people 

you don’t even know. Thank 

you, thank you, thank you.” She 

gave me a big kiss on the cheek 

and jumped back into the ambulance 

and off they went. 

The next day, I ran into Williams 

and he told me the whole 

story. How the suspects were 

drug dealers who thought these 

two had ripped them off. The 

bottom line was, they grabbed 

the wrong two people out of 

that pool hall. Mistaken identity 

that almost cost two innocent 

people their lives. And for what 

it’s worth, I never did go to 

sleep that day. 

the fuck out of there. Pretty 

sure we started running once 

we turned the corner and didn’t 

stop until we got back to his 

with us, so we sent them 

on ahead to the house. I cut 

the female officer loose and 

told her I would take over from 

car. He was already on the here. I drove the complainant Have a unique story you’d 

phone with dispatch and called back to the scene and the medics 

had the victim on a gurney 

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and were wheeling him down 

Police Chiefs Association, the East Texas Police Chiefs Association, the High Plains Police Chiefs Association, and the Central Texas Police 

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It took about 30 minutes for the driveway. This poor woman 

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WORDS BY BRIAN WHITEHEAD 

Fallen Marine, Hunter Lopez ‘died a 

hero,’ friend says at funeral. 

One day years ago, Juan Carlos 

Lopez walked into his nephew’s 

bedroom and noticed a day circled 

on his calendar. 

Graduation. 

“Uncle J.C.,” Lopez recalled his 

then-teenage nephew telling 

him, “When I graduate, I’m letting 

you know now I’m going to 

be a Marine.” 

Among the many reasons U.S. 

Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez was 

beloved, he never rescinded a 

promise, family and friends recalled 

Saturday, September 18, 

during a memorial service at the 

Palm Springs Convention Center 

honoring and thanking the fallen 

22-year-old Indio native. 

“Hunter always had a plan 

and was able to execute,” longtime 

friend Nick Conway said. 

“There aren’t many people from 

our generation that have that 

strength and discipline. He was 

the kind of friend you always 

wanted by your side, the kind of 

friend who would do anything 

for you.” 

Heroism marked the final moments 

of Lopez’s life, Riverside 

County Sheriff’s Lt. Tim Brause 

said Saturday. 

The 2017 La Quinta High School 

graduate was one of 13 U.S. 

service-members killed in an 

attack at the Kabul airport last 

month as the U.S was pulling out 

of Afghanistan. Two other Inland 

Empire Marines, Lance Cpl. Kareem 

Nikoui, of Norco; and Lance 

Cpl. Dylan Merola, of Rancho 

Cucamonga, also were killed. 

Brause and others noted that, 

on that afternoon, Lopez was 

rescuing young girls from a rioting 

mob before the blast took 

his life. 

“He died a hero saving the lives 

of those he did not know,” Conway 

said. 

Saturday’s memorial began 

with a prayer and a song. 

The hundreds of family members, 

friends, law enforcement 

officials and service men and 

women in attendance, as well 

as those watching a livestream 

on YouTube and Facebook, then 

watched a slideshow of photos 

chronicling Lopez’s 22 years, set 

to the alternative rock songs, “Mr. 

Brightside,” by The Killers; and 

“Best of You,” by Foo Fighters. 

“There aren’t enough words to 

express how much of a hero my 

nephew was,” Juan Carlos Lopez 

said, “not only to his country, 

but to his extended family and 

friends.” 

Lopez, the eldest of three children, 

was part of a special crisis 

response team sent to provide 

security and help State Department 

officials process thousands 

of people a day at the airport 

gates. His mother, Alicia Lopez, is 

a Riverside County deputy sheriff 

and Riverside Sheriff’s Association 

board secretary. His father, 

Riverside County Sheriff’s Capt. 

Herman Lopez, is La Quinta’s 

police chief. 


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In a statement, the Lopez family 

said news of their son’s death 

was “the news that no parent 

wants to receive.” 

“Our family is overwhelmed 

by the outpouring of love and 

condolences we’ve received in 

the wake of Hunter’s sudden 

passing,” the couple added. 

“Please know that Hunter wore 

the United States Marine uniform 

with love and pride, and it is very 

apparent that the community 

will never forget his sacrifice and 

our family.” 

A history buff who loved the 

burger chain Rally’s, the popular 

video game “Call of Duty” and 

Star Wars, Hunter Lopez always 

wrote his grandparents in Spanish 

because he knew they would 

have difficulty reading English, 

Juan Carlos Lopez said Saturday. 

His nephew always signed 

those letters: Cazadora, the 

Spanish word for hunter. 

“I watched this young man go 

from lightsabers and Nerf guns 

to having his whole life set before 

my eyes,” Juan Carlos Lopez 

said. 

Hunter Lopez was a sheriff’s 

explorer scout with the Palm 

Desert Station and after enlisting 

was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 

1st Marines. He planned to 

join the Riverside County Sheriff’s 

Department like his parents 

after his deployment ended, according 

to a statement from the 

Riverside Sheriff’s Association. 

A procession Thursday, September 

16, drew residents with 

American flags on a route from a 

Cathedral City mortuary, past the 

Palm Desert Sheriff’s station and, 

finally, to St. Francis of Assisi 

Catholic Church in La Quinta. A 

similar procession passed Friday, 

September 17, by three Coachella 

Valley schools that Lopez once 

attended. 

Earlier this month, Indio staged 

a candlelight vigil for Lopez in 

front of Indio City Hall. 

U.S. Marine Cpl. Michael Chambers 

met Lopez at the recruiting 

station in Palm Desert and said 

Saturday the two became inseparable 

in the years that followed. 

Lopez – four years Chambers’ 

junior – could recite war movies 

scene-for-scene, his comrade 

recalled. 

“He idolized men that made 

sacrifices for others,” Chambers 

said. “Those huge men of high 

caliber. I don’t think Hunter realized 

that he became that, and 

that his heroes would become 

his peers.” 



CLICK TO WATCH 

THE OPEN ROAD 

by Michael Barron 

Ford Mustang Mach-E Gears Up for Police Duty. 

EVs make a lot of sense for city services, but stateside departments are a long way 

from adopting them. 

While a number of police 

departments in the US have 

purchased a few Tesla’s—perhaps 

not as fully outfitted patrol 

vehicles with all the gear—yet 

another electric model is showing 

police potential, this time 

with all the trimmings. Ford is 

currently working with a number 

of police agencies in the UK 

that are evaluating the Mustang 

Mach-E for patrol duties, including 

London’s Metropolitan Police 

Force. 

The automaker has brought a 

Mustang Mach-E police vehicle 

demonstrator in standard-range, 

all-wheel-drive guise to the 

Emergency Services Show at the 

NEC in Birmingham, England, 

eager to show off the electric 

crossover to the UK’s finest. Essex-based 

Safeguard SVP outfitted 

the Mach-E to UK police 

specs and livery that, you might 

notice, are designed to increase 

the visibility of police cars, instead 

of intentionally decreasing 

it. 

“The Metropolitan Police Force 

has already appraised the standard 

Mustang Mach-E and has 

now requested a full evaluation 

of the marked concept,” the 

automaker said. “Also waiting 

for an opportunity to try the 

new 999 vehicle are the Sussex, 

Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, 

Devon & and Cornwall, and 

Police Scotland forces.” 

The Mach-E already has a lot 

going for it when it comes to 

police needs, including a 0-62 

mph sprint time of just 3.7 seconds 

offered by the GT version. 

But its range also makes it ideal 

for fleets, as such vehicles tend 

to have fairly set daytime driving 

needs, and can recharge in 

their garages between shifts. 

The interior accommodations of 

the Mach-E are also quite generous 

by UK standards, able to 

carry plenty of gear while offering 

some light off-road ability 

which comes in handy in dense 

cities, when police cars need 

to crawl up on the curb to park 

or turn around when responding 

to calls. Sourcing power for 

the radios, lightbar, and other 

equipment is also fairly straightforward 

and is designed to avoid 

drawing power from the powertrain 

battery. 

A number of police agencies in 

the UK are evaluating the Mach-E 

for patrol use. 

“The vehicle range is uncompromised 

as the blue light equipment 

is being drawn from the 

vehicle’s 12V battery and not the 

drive battery,” said Terry Adams, 

BlueLight Direct sales manager, 

Ford of Britain, and Ireland. 

“In future developments we 

will look to increase this battery 

capacity to allow for additional 

equipment to be fitted.” 

We can’t help but feel that the 

Mach-E could make for a suitable 

police vehicle in the US as 

well, though the vast majority 

of police cruisers tend to have 

pretty rigid equipment requirements, 

including those for a 

perp cage for the rear seats. 

Police agencies in the UK tend 

to use special vans for suspect 

transport, so the bulky partition 

inside is much less of a concern. 

Just how well the Mach-E 

could lend itself to that sort of 

equipment remains to be seen 

if it’s outfitted for regular duty. 

But there’s nothing really that 

prevents it from being used as 

a supervisor’s vehicle in departments 

stateside. 

Even if the Mach-E doesn’t 

quite take off in the US as a 

police vehicle, surely an electric 

Ford Explorer is around the corner 

anyway. So, it probably won’t 

be too long before that model 

will be able to pull off sub-foursecond 

launches as well. 


The Ford Mustang Mach-E Passes the Police Test. 

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E becomes the first EV to pass the Michigan State Police test.. 

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E ferences between the Mustang 

police-ready variant of the Police to see if it has the tests. 

only a matter of time be- 

passed the Michigan State 

Mach-E that Ford sent Mustang Mach-E for the chops to live up to the 

Michigan state police fore EVs start to flood your 

Police test, making it the in for police work and the UK, so it probably isn’t a demands necessary for a evaluate the Mustang local streets. That also 

first battery-electric vehicle 

standard-issue Ford Mus- 

surprise that state police police cruiser. Looking over Mach-E, and every other means police departments 

to live up to the rigors tang Mach-E. 

in the US wouldn’t be far last year’s Michigan State vehicle slated for its 2022 will slowly switch to elec- 

of the test. There’s no word The Ford Mustang Mach-E behind. Even less surprising, 

Police 2021 Model Year Po- 

model year evaluation, tric power. Of course, 

if the police-ready Mustang 

is Ford’s first real jump 

the folks testing Ford’s lice Evaluation, it looks like right now. That should we’ll have to see how well 

Mach-E will roll into into a mass-market EV, latest is none other than this Mustang Mach-E will mean we’ll have the data Ford’s Mustang handles 

the Michigan State Police’s which means it was only the Michigan State Police. run through various tests from the state police soon. these Michigan State Police 

fleet yet, but it at least has a matter of time before it Ford has officially submitted 

ranging from standard 

As companies bow out tests first. 

passed the test. Ford also saw use in the police force. 

the Mach-E to the brake and vehicle dynamic of internal combustion 

has 92 The yet BLUES to mention POLICE MAGAZINE the dif- 

Ford recently debuted a folks at the Michigan State evaluations to ergonomic engine development, it’s The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 93 




Be Your Own Advocate. 

Recently, John Salerno and I 

had the pleasure of interviewing 

a subject matter expert in the 

area of post-traumatic stress. 

The organization she is with 

does a lot of research and connects 

grassroots organizations 

together to fill the gaps where 

treatment for stress, post-traumatic 

stress and mental health 

might not be available for first 

responders. During our discussions 

we talked about the gaps 

that still exist for law enforcement 

officers; The size of the 

agency, the willingness of the 

command staff to provide support 

to its officers, and budget. 

We all agreed on one major 

point. It is still up to us to ask 

for the help when we realize we 

need it or if another officer or 

supervisor approaches us. We 

must rid our vocabulary of the 

word “FINE” and bust through the 

stigma. There is a huge advantage 

here that sometimes gets 

overlooked. The reality is that 

you are not trapped by your 

command staff or organization. 

You can go outside your agency 

for assistance. 

Over the years, the “control” 

that our agencies exercised in 

the area of mental health and 

wellness or the outright “suck 

it up” mentality influenced and 

bolstered the stigma associated 

with asking for help for stuff 

going on in our heads. No one 

wanted to risk being assigned to 

“the rubber gun squad,” or have 

other officers question our fitness 

for duty. The solution - say 

nothing, ever. As the suicide rate 

increased, the need to provide 

assistance of some kind was addressed 

by some agencies. Those 

agencies who took on the battle 

to help officers with their mental 

health sort of figured it out. 

I say sort of because the stigma 

continued to lurk in the shadows. 

Officers were not going to ask 

to “go to the department shrink” 

or the in-house employee assistance 

program. Why? Confidentiality. 

Their “stuff” would be 

known throughout the department. 

Officers were left with a 

no-win, no-way-out solution. 

Again, say nothing, ever. 

Over the years as some departments 

saw command staff retirements, 

it seemed to usher in 

a new, younger, and more open 

personnel. The discussion of a 

budget for mental health and 

the creation of a Mental Health 

Liaison officer began. However, 

most officers that we have spoken 

to and departments we have 

visited have that liaison officer in 

an office right next to the Chief 

or Assistant Chief. So, while the 

open-door policy to get help 

for mental health was there, we 

were told that officers were not 

going to go to that office simply 

because of the proximity to the 

command staff where a conversation 

might be overheard or 

where questions might linger 

when the officer walked out of 

the liaison’s office. The solution, 

say nothing ever. 

While these changes were 

occurring, the grassroots programs 

started. The realization 

that while the departments were 

trying, it was easier for an officer 

to go outside his/ her agency 

for assistance. The grassroots 

program provided confidentiality, 

which meant that the officer 

could get the help without the 

fear of reprisals or questions. In 

fact, many of the officers I met 

while I traveled to speak at conferences 

confided in me that they 

went outside their agency and 

were on the path to healing, all 

the while successfully maintaining 

their jobs and family life. 

As some departments continued 

their awareness journey to 

aid their officers, the grassroots 

programs continued to grow. 

Some of them with the ability 

to offset department budgets 

which meant the departments 

could rely on them to help their 

officers. The departments were 

on a “need to know” information 

stream. Only if an officer stated 

they were going to hurt themselves 

or someone else was the 

department informed. Confidentiality, 

anonymity, and a comfort 

level were provided to the officer. 

As a result, we started to see 

dents in the stigma. 

When departments created 

Peer Support programs, those 

that were successful saw a 

decrease in suicides and an 

increase in positive outcomes 

for the officers. Supported from 

the top, with an emphasis on 

ZERO reprisals by the department, 

officers could get the help 

they asked for. The result. The 

dents in the stigma grew larger. 

As the command staff’s awareness 

grew about the positive 

outcomes for their officers, the 

indicators showed that the department 

functioned better. And 

a good functioning department 

means a healthy department. 

Are these “successful” departments 

the outliers? Maybe. 

The hope is that the grassroots 

programs and the departments 

work together to continue to put 

dents in the stigma, ultimately 

smashing it completely one day. 

What we still do know for sure 

is you are your best advocate. As 

Help us reach our goal 

of 100,000 subscribers. 

CLICK BELOW for your 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION. 

Please share with 

all your friends and 

co-workers. 

hard as it may be, you must be 

the one to reach out and ask for 

help. The grassroots programs 

like A Badge of Honor are here 

to assist at every level. We allow 

you to be in control of your 

mental health journey, leaving 

behind the one thing that still 

hampers some requests from 

within the department…STIGMA. 

So, find the courage to be your 

own advocate. And remember, 

your journey may help to save 

another brother, sister, and/or 

BLUE family. You are not alone. 

Samantha Horwitz is a regular 

contributor to The Blues Police 

Magazine. She is a 9/11 first responder, 

former United States 

Secret Service Agent, speaker, 

and author. She and her business 

partner, ret. NYPD detective 

John Salerno created A Badge of 

Honor, a 501(c)(3), post-traumatic 

stress and suicide prevention 

program for first responders. 

John and Sam host MAD (Making 

a Difference) Radio each Wednesday 

7pm central live on FB @ 

Makingadifferencetx. For more 

about Sam and the wellness and 

resiliency workshops for first 

responders, visit ABadgeofHonor. 

com. 

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“Family” and Sr. Police 

Officer Bill Jeffrey 

What exactly constitutes a 

“family?” Sociologists, anthropologists, 

and even insurance 

executives have difficulty defining 

the term. Indeed, our culture 

in America is wrestling with the 

nature of familial relationships 

in the light of modern issues 

through the lenses of postmodern 

and traditional world views. 

The distinctions about what 

constitutes a family are blurred 

in a societal milieu that cannot 

even define gender in a way that 

is acceptable to everyone. I was 

approached by an individual I 

see occasionally who said he 

heard a police officer 

on a local radio show 

refer to a slain officer 

as his brother. He was 

puzzled, “Was the officer 

on the radio the 

late officer’s brother?” 

I said, “Yes.” 

The Houston Police 

Department is a large 

organization by anyone’s 

standards. The 

people who work 

there, or worked 

there in the past, are 

connected by a bond 

that transcends the 

understanding of 

most people. It is a 

connection born of 

pressures that are 

better handled by a group than 

by an individual. It has been theorized 

that modern man caused 

the extinction of the Neanderthal 

by working together in groups 

to solve complex problems and 

engage prey or enemies. Cooperative 

endeavors capitalize on 

a diverse set of skills and thinking. 

At the police department 

we rely on each other to help us 

in our workaday world. The job 

is not like working in retail or 

service-based businesses. Most 

police officers work for multiple 

decades and have known 

their peers and co-workers very 

well. The combination of work 

pressures and familiarity with 

one’s co-workers establishes a 

bond that is relied on in ordinary 

circumstances or in moments 

of terror and great 

peril. The hunters 

of our distant past 

have bestowed 

their DNA on their 

modern-day descendants 

who still 

hunt dangerous 

men jointly. This 

is an evolutionary 

trait that cannot be 

turned off or on. 

The cooperative and 

familial bond that 

develops is not only 

natural: it is inevitable. 

Sr Police Officer 

Bill Jeffrey’s wife, 

children, and close 

friends are experiencing 

their own intense grief 

which I cannot pretend to understand 

or even imagine. I do 

sympathize with them and offer 

my heartfelt condolences. My 

thoughts and prayers approach 

the Lord’s Throne each day beseeching 

Him for mercy on behalf 

of these good people. Without 

taking anything away from 

their special grief and place in 

Bill’s life, I would also like to offer 

my condolences to Bill’s Blue 

Family of which I am a part. 

There is a sociological concept 

known as “six degrees of 

separation.” This notion basically 

states that we human beings are 

all connected by six steps in the 

global population network. The 

theory requires that each person 

have at least forty-four contacts 

in their network. In order to 

illustrate the application of this 

concept to “Blue Family,” I will 

use my closest social network 

and how it shares both my biological 

blood and my blue blood. 

As many readers know, my biological 

family is represented in 

HPD by a considerable presence. 

My family is a very typical one 

and is no different than many 

others in HPD. Very many HPD retirees 

enjoy a similar connection. 

Our Blue Family remembrances 

from my network are as follows. 

I knew Bill from the 1990’s 

when I was a lieutenant at North 

Shepherd. I knew him to be a 

pleasant fellow and his significant 

physical presence was 

something that I thought would 

be beneficial in tight spots on 

the north side. It was a rough 

neighborhood and having Bill on 

your side was comforting. I knew 

that as he gained experience and 

knowledge with his job he would 

blossom into an extraordinary 

officer. 

Additionally, I know the father-in-law 

of Sergeant Michael 

Vance who was seriously 

wounded in the same episode. 

Sergeant Vance’s father-in-law 

is Sergeant (retired) Gene Yanchak 

who was a seasoned Homicide 

Division detective when 

I was assigned there. Sergeant 

Yanchak is one of the finest men 

I have ever had the privilege of 

knowing and I am still grateful 

for his patience in showing 

me the ropes of being a new 

homicide detective. My prayers 

for Sergeant Vance accompany 

those for Bill’s family and close 

friends. 

I asked my biological family 

members if they would submit 

their experiences with Bill in a 

brief statement. They mentioned 

that there were other officers 

who were much closer to Bill 

than they were and that those officers 

could share more intimate 

anecdotes. While that is very 

true, my goal is to demonstrate 

to the public that the Blue Family 

is just that--a family. So very 

respectfully, they offered their 

insights on Bill. 

I received my first response 

from my brother, Sr. Police Officer 

(retired) Bobby D Lott: 

“I worked with him when he 

was assigned to the SC TAC unit. 

They did all our take downs from 

our narcotic buys and assisted 

us when we ran our warrants. I 

always liked it when Bill and his 

regular partner Gary Young were 

our arresting unit (the entire 

SC TAC squad were top notch 

people). Everything I saw them 

do was exactly how it should 

be done.... the right way.... Every 

time. No short cuts... hard work.... 


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And they volunteered to assist 

us....... No begging for help... they 

jumped at the chance to do their 

jobs. It was an honor to have 

worked with Bill and his squad.” 

My nephew, Police Officer Travis 

D Lott (Narcotics K-9) and his 

wife, Police Officer Cassie Lott 

offered some information. Travis 

has a classmate, Police Officer 

Paul Lowrey, who was very 

close to Bill. Travis also offered 

that his wife Cassie worked with 

Bill’s wife, Sr Police Officer (retired) 

Susanne Jeffrey, in Internal 

Affairs. They both have fond 

memories of Bill and Susanne. 

Like all of us, they were shocked 

and saddened with Bill’s passing. 

Travis has another classmate, 

his sister, who also happens to 

be my niece, Police Officer Jessica 

Lott Lopata, who is assigned 

to the Major Offenders Division. 

Of course, being assigned to the 

same division, she saw Bill and 

offers this observation. 

“I was in the Houston Police 

Academy with Paul Lowrey, who 

was best of friends with Bill 

Jeffery. Lowrey explained to me 

how Jeffery knew my parents 

and enjoyably worked with both 

of them. Jeffery even pinned on 

Lowrey’s badge during graduation. 

“When I transferred to the 

Major Offenders Division in 2014, 

I had the pleasure of working 

in the same division as Jeffery. 

When I stood next to Jeffery, he 

seemed like a giant, and it felt 

like one of the safest places to 

be. Jeffery was all smiles one 

day telling me how he knew and 

worked with my parents. He also 

told me my voice sounded just 

like my mother’s. 

“I recall one time Jeffery’s 

squad superbly and successfully 

executed an arrest warrant on 

a police impersonator suspect I 

was investigating. Additionally, 

Jeffery saw a shot gun in plain 

view in the suspect’s home, 

which enabled me to file an additional 

charge. Watching them 

in action was a blessing. 

“Warrant squads always have a 

special place in our hearts. Every 

time they go out, they potentially 

encounter someone who will 

refuse to go to jail at all costs. 

“We protected City Hall together 

at least one of the nights 

during the protests and ate our 

boxed lunches together. It was 

so nice having a seasoned officer 

around, I knew he would lead the 

pack if needed and stand up for 

what was right. 

“The morning Jeffery was 

killed is a police department’s 

worst nightmare. Those of us in 

the office gathered in the hall 

as soon as we heard our guys 

were possibly injured. We looked 

at each other with the heaviest 

hearted looks on our faces. Then 

we quickly got our marching orders 

and moved. We were all reminded 

of the ultimate sacrifice 

this job can take and how cherished 

we all are to each other.” 

Travis and Jessica’s mother is 

Sr Police Officer (retired) Diana 

Lott Bocanegra who also knew 

Bill. She was anxious to do anything 

to help cherish and preserve 

Bill’s memory: 

“Bill Jeffrey was always such 

a gentlemen and made sure to 

always acknowledge everyone. 

I worked with Jeffrey and Gary 

Young whenever we (Narcotics 

officers) were doing buy bust 

operations in South Central. It 

was such a pleasure and less 

stressful whenever these guys 

helped us and arrested our suspects. 

We could always count on 

them to be prepared for anything 

and they always handled every 

arrest with precision. For example, 

they gathered all the needed 

information, searched, and found 

needed evidence and protected 

the scene. Bill and his partner 

were the absolute best and we 

could count on them to make all 

the right decisions and handle 

the suspects properly according 

to their demeanor. They were respectful, 

but could chase down 

and catch any suspects that ran. 

When they had to physically 

restrain suspects, they definitely 

could handle that and they did it 

appropriately. What an honor it 

was to have worked with Bill. He 

was the epitome of what every 

policeman should strive to be. 

Anybody that knows Diana 

knows that she doesn’t offer 

positive praise when it’s not 

warranted. 

My cousin, Commander Christy 

Smith, is assigned to the Clear 

Lake Division at this time, however, 

she had worked in Major 

Offenders with Bill prior to her 

promotion. She, too, wanted to 

show the immense respect that 

she had for Bill: 

“I didn’t know Bill as well as 

some who had worked with 

him for years, but I feel like just 

seeing how others interact and 

speak of him says a lot. Everyone 

knew that Bill always wanted to 

be in the front. He is an example 

to others of how to be a leader, 

regardless of your rank or assignment. 

He was a leader in his 

unit. It was beyond obvious that 

other officers knew they could 

count on him. Everyone knew 

him as a cop’s cop, who would 

teach others and lead the way. 

He was a role model to others 

on how they strive to be true 

leaders. 

“After hearing his family speak 

about him, it showed how much 

he loved them, and they loved 

him. It showed that being a 

leader who cared for others was 

who he was both at work and 

home.” 

I have included these remembrances 

to show how police officers 

are bonded to each other. 

Using my own biological family 

as a typical HPD circle of companions, 

the interdependence is 

vividly displayed. There are no 

degrees of separation between 

my brothers and sisters and me. 

When a good man or woman 

falls, we are all diminished. 

Though some hurt far worse 

than others, we all hurt. 

All of us in Bill’s Blue Family 

know his sacrifice on the altar 

of justice is the ultimate act of 

nobility and honor. We, above 

all others, know what it is like 

to serve criminal warrants on 

lifelong violent offenders. We, 

above all others, know that 

sometimes courage, training, and 

the utmost skill are not enough 

to save us. We, above all others, 

know the infinite number of 

things that can and do go wrong 

in an explosive environment that 

includes monsters. Others who 

act as criminal court judges, 

political mouthpieces of “social 

justice,” and biased journalists 

who have been educated by 

college professors who make 

no claim to be objective, can 

never know or possibly understand 

what Officer Bill Jeffery 

and Sergeant Michael Vance 

went through on that infamous 

doorstep in our own community. 

That’s where Bill and Michael’s 

Blue Family intervene. 

The haunting images of Bill 

and our other brothers and 

sisters brought to mind a poem 

written in 2006 by Michael 

Marks. The original setting of the 

poem is military, but it so mirrors 

our Blue Family’s condition 

that I feel compelled to include 

the poem’s conclusion: 

And maybe just remind the 

few, if ill of us they speak, 

that we are all that stands 

between the monsters and the 

weak. 

On that somber day when the 

forlorn and lonely bell rings at 

the church, we will remember 

our brother in like manner as 

we have done so many times in 

the past. Other faces from other 

times and other places will flood 

our memories as we unite Bill 

to that sacred fold in our hearts 

where the loved and lost now 

dwell. 

We will not make that age old 

inquiry, “For whom the bell tolls” 

- we know it tolls for us. 

heelllloo nneeiighboor 

H I N K I N G S E L L I N G ? 

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____________________________________________________________ 

T 

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T I M E 

T O S E L L 

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Kriistiinna Martiinnak 

KMartinak@TheJamieMcMartinGroup.com 

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As the deadline looms, there are 

still no answers from the city 

To 

We have been working very 

hard on the latest “mandate” 

from the mayor. The very first 

time we heard about the mayor 

wanting to have vaccine mandates 

was during a weekly City 

Council meeting when he stated 

that he was looking into all city 

employees get vaccinated. We 

immediately began to research 

if this was legal, and what we 

could do to prevent it. Our attorneys 

reached out to the Labor 

Relations Institute and found 

that there was case law and 

actual Supreme Court rulings on 

this, though the Supreme Court 

case was 1905. I 

believed that there 

must be other 

case law out that 

would prevent this 

from taking place. 

We do have constitutional 

rights, 

right? 

I know we have 

all paid very close 

attention to the 

Methodist Employee 

case. The 

ruling from the court was that 

they can be fired for refusing 

the vaccine. I felt that this must 

have been because they are a 

private business, but its not. The 

Minnesota State Police just lost 

their case against the state of 

Minnesota over a full vaccine 

mandate. I continued to speak 

with the head attorney with the 

LRIS, and he provided case after 

case in which the employer has 

won in court over vaccine mandates. 

We then reached out and 

had a long discussion with the 

mayor and city legal. The mayor 

agreed to give us the option 

of vaccination or testing twice 

a month. As much as we hate 

the testing component, we hate 

being told to vaccinate more. 

We were all surprised by the 

mayor’s mandate came out 

saying that city employees had 

to get the test on their own time 

and at their cost. Obviously, we 

completely disagree with this 

mandate. Our attorneys along 

with the LRIS attorney believe 

that this is a contract issue and 

that we may have to file a contract 

grievance as like any other 

DOUGLAS GRIFFITH 

mandated activity like drug 

testing, it must be on duty and 

free to employees. 

Though, I am involved 

in the Moderna Study 

and have been vaccinated, 

I completely and 

firmly believe that is an 

individual right and no 

one should be forced to 

receive the vaccine. This 

fight is not over, and 

we continue to work 

with the Attorney Generals 

office as well as 

our attorneys to protect 

our members rights. As of 

today, there is still no “portal” to 

upload our information, and the 

city still does not know how or 

where testing will be…. 

To be continued…… 


KPRC 2 Investigates: Suspects charged 

with killing someone while out on bond. 

‘What is the point of having bond conditions when you are not making them accountable?’ 

Houston – Theresa Seck was 

to have celebrated her brother’s 

birthday nearly two weeks ago. 

Instead, she finds herself - like so 

many others - without a response 

to a one-word question, why? 

“I don’t know what the point is 

of having bond conditions when 

you are not making them accountable,” 

said Seck whose brother, 

Patrick Aikens, was gunned down 

on September 20, 2020, outside of 

his apartment in Houston’s west 

side. 

The storyline? A similar one, the 

man charged with his murder was 

out on multiple felony bonds. It’s 

a growing trend causing families 

across our area a lifetime of pain. 

KPRC 2 Investigates highlighted 

Aikens on Monday night as the 

third-worst example of a failure 

in the bond system, according to 

Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers. 

Seck blames the Judge in her 

brother’s case, Lori Chambers Gray 

out of the 262nd Criminal Court, 

“She was the last line of defense 

to protect the public,” said Seck 

who feels judges in these cases, 

“just don’t care.” 

The other two cases we highlighted 

involved suspects provided 

bond by Judge Natalia Cornelio 

out of the 351st Criminal Court 

and Judge Chris Morton out of the 

230th Criminal Court. 

But what about the others? 

To identify who 

made the list and 

who didn’t, Kahan 

spent hours examining 

his nearly 

140 cases where a 

person was killed 

by a defendant 

who was out on 

multiple bonds. 

The takeaway 

for Kahan, the 

Director of Victim 

Services 

and Advocacy at 

Crime Stoppers, 

“I couldn’t do it 

justice if I had to 

do three and that 

is pretty sad,” said 

Kahan. 

Here are the top 

eight who made 

Kahan’s complete 

list of the most 

egregious alleged 

repeat violent 

offenders in Harris 

County who went 

on to be charged 

with murder while 

out on bond. Also 

listed, the judge 

who granted at 

least one bond 

for each suspect 

according to court 

records. 

Judge Hilary Unger, 

248th Criminal Court 

Judge Chris Morton, 


Judge Abigail Anastasio, 


Judge Ramona Franklin, 


Judge Lori Chambers Gray, 

262nd Criminal Court 

Judge Natalia Cornelio, 

351st Criminal Court 

#8 Michael Mosley 

248th Criminal Court, Judge Hilary Unger 

#7 Louis Ybarbo 

338th Criminal Court, Judge Ramona Franklin 

#6 Randy Lewis 

337th Criminal Court, Judge Herb Ritchie (Left Office) 

Michael Mosley’s criminal history spans 

20 years in Harris County. Court records 

show Mosley has been charged with 

several felonies, including felon in 

possession of a weapon. Records show 

Mosley was previously charged with 

capital murder in 2006 and murder in 

2009, but both charges were dropped. 

Mosley was charged with murder in 

the shooting death of 61-year-old 

Larry Lawrence at a convenience store 

in December 2020. Two others were 

charged with capital murder alongside 

Mosley. Detectives said surveillance 

video showed one of the suspects shot 

Lawrence in the back before taking 

items from him. 

Harris County records show 21-year-old 

Louis Ybarbo has been charged with 

several crimes, including assault, aggravated 

robbery with a deadly weapon, 

and murder. Ybarbo was charged with 

the murder of 18-year-old Macario 

DeLeon in December 2020. KPRC 2 

Investigates highlighted Ybarbo’s case 

after reviewing dozens of cases where 

repeat violent offenders bonded out 

only to later be charged with murder. 

Macario’s parents told KPRC 2 Investigates 

that they were still angry and 

not only blamed Ybarbo, but the judge 

who granted him bond. “The judge has 

as much blood on their hands, just as 

the guy who pulled the trigger,” said 

Armando DeLeon, Macario’s father. 

In May 2020, Randy Lewis was shot and 

killed by HPD after stabbing 80-yearold 

Rosalie Cook to death as she was 

getting into her car at a Walgreens. Joe 

Gamaldi, then-Houston Police Officer’s 

Union president, said Lewis had been arrested 

67 times and that he was out on 

two felony personal bonds at the time 

of the murder. Cook’s son said it was 

hard to understand his mother’s death 

after learning Lewis’ criminal history. 

“Yet, on his own personal recognizance, 

with a felony conviction for assault, you 

let him out. Where’s the sense in that? 

The justice system can’t be counted on 

in these situations, clearly,” said Chuck 

Cook in 2020. 


#5 Raul Leon 

262nd Criminal Court Judge Lori Chambers Gray 

#2 Zacchaeus Gaston 

351st Criminal Court, Judge Natalie Cornelio 

Raul Leon has been charged in Harris 

County with misdemeanors and felony 

crimes. His earliest charge, driving while 

intoxicated, dates back to 2018. Leon 

made bond on several charges, including 

evading arrest and carrying a handgun 

in a motor vehicle. Leon is charged with 

the shooting death of 17-year-old Raul 

Zarco in January 2021. HPD investigators 

say it happened when “rival groups” met 

for a drug transaction when an argument 

broke out that ended with shots 

fired. HPD says Leon was out on a felony 

offense bond in Harris County when the 

shooting happened. 

Gaston’s criminal history dates back 

to 2011 in Harris County. Court records 

show his criminal history ranging from 

misdemeanors to felonies, including burglary, 

indecency-child exposure, failure 

to register as a sex offender, and murder. 

Gaston is charged with the murder of 

Layla Steele, the mother of his child. The 

child was also injured in the shooting 

in July 2021. Family members say Steele 

died protecting her son. “I want justice; 

and Harris County, I blame you for letting 

that boy out on seven felony charges,” 

said Shirley Steele, Layla Steele’s mother. 

Gaston cut of his ankle monitor the 

day of the shooting according to Harris 

County Pretrial Services. He was wearing 

it as a condition of his bond related 

to an aggravated assault charge. 

#4 Frederick Jackson 

184th Criminal Court, Judge Abigail Anastasio 

19-year-old Frederick Jackson’s criminal 

court history goes back to 2020 with a 

misdemeanor charge of evading arrest. 

Jackson has been charged with multiple 

burglary charges, both misdemeanors 

and felonies, aggravated robbery, and 

capital murder. Jackson is one of three 

people charged in connection with the 

murder of New Orleans police detective 

Everett Briscoe and his friend Dyrin 

Riculfy. HPD believes the shootings were 

a result of a “robbery gone bad” outside 

of Grotto Ristorante on Westheimer. 

Jackson’s attorney has previously said 

that the severity of the charges was just 

sinking in and hopes his client will get 

the “fairest trial possible in a place that 

has not had a history of fair trials.” 

#1 Jesus Gallegos 

230th Criminal Court, Judge Chris Morton 

Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers puts 

Jesus Gallegos as number one on his list 

of violent offenders who bond out and 

go on to re-offend. Gallegos criminal 

history in Harris County dates back to 

2009 with burglary of a vehicle. Records 

show his criminal charges escalated 

from misdemeanors to felonies, including 

several assault charges, felon in possession 

of a weapon, and murder. Gallegos 

bonded out at least 10 times over 

a span of 12 years, according to court 

records. Gallegos is now charged in the 

murder of his girlfriend. He’s accused of 

beating her to death last November, just 

two days after failing to get fitted for 

a GPS angle monitor as a condition for 

another bond. 

#3 Deerrian Caraway 

262nd Criminal Court Judge Lori Chambers Gray 

Crimes range from misdemeanors like 

theft and indecent exposure, to felonies 

like evading arrest, aggravated assault, 

and murder. His oldest case in Harris 

County dates back to 2012. Harris County 

court records show he repeatedly bonded 

out or had his bond lowered despite 

being charged with violent felonies. 

Caraway is charged with the murder 

of Patrick Aikens in 2020. Aiken’s sister 

recently spoke with KPRC 2 Investigates 

and said, “I don’t know what the point is 

of having bond conditions when you’re 

not making them accountable.” 


unning 4 heroes 

Total Miles Run in 2021: (as of 10/2/21): 244 

Total Miles Run in 2020: 401 

Total Miles Run in 2019: 376 

Overall Miles Run: 1,021 

2021 Run Stats: 

Total Miles Run for 2021 fallen LEO’s (Non COVID-19): 119 

Total Miles Run for 2021 fallen Firefighters (Non COVID-19): 55 

Total Miles Run for 2021 fallen COVID-19 Heroes: 24 

Total Miles Run for 2021 fallen Canada LEO’s: 2 

Total Miles Run for 2021 Non Line of Duty Deaths: 0 

Total Miles Run for 2020 Fallen LEO’s: 24 

Total Miles Run for 2020 Fallen Firefighters: 6 

Total Miles Run for 2020/2021 Fallen K9’s: 0 

Total Tribute Runs by State for 2021: 14 

States/Cities Zechariah has run in: 

Zechariah 

Cartledge: 

a True American Hero 

Florida - Winter Springs, Lake Mary, Clearwater, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Orlando, Temple Terrace, Blountstown, 

Cocoa, Lakeland, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach 

New York - New York City, Weedsport 

Georgia - Cumming, Augusta, Savannah 

South Carolina - North Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Sumter 

Pennsylvania - Monaca 

Illinois - Springfield, Naperville, Glen Ellyn 

Texas - Houston (2), Fort Worth, Midland, New Braunfels, Freeport, Madisonville, Irving, Sadler 

Kentucky - Nicholasville 

Arkansas - Bryant, Hot Springs 

Nevada - Henderson 

California - Mt. Vernon, La Jolla 

Arizona - Mesa 

North Carolina - Concord, Raleigh 

Virginia - Norton 

Tennessee - Bristol 

Delaware - Milford 

Minnesota - Arden Hills 

Indiana - Sullivan, Spencer 

Mississippi - Grenada 

Missouri - Springfield 

Iowa - Independence, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids 


Challenges and Strengths of Law Enforcement 

Families, Our Unsung Heroes 

According to the IACP resource 

page (2021), the job of a law enforcement 

officer is often stressful, 

demanding, and dangerous. 

The lifestyle and culture of law 

enforcement affects more than 

just officers. Spouses, partners, 

parents. children, and companions 

of law enforcement officers 

play an integral part in an officer’s 

health and wellness. Recently 

I read a posting in a social 

media forum asking for thoughts 

on the greatest challenges encountered 

by law enforcement 

spouses, partners, and families 

and what steps were taken to 

adjust or mitigate the consequences. 

The insight and feedback 

to this post was powerful 

and led me to dedicating this 

month’s article to our unsung 

heroes who support and love our 

law enforcement officers every 

day from the home front. This 

article will provide a very brief 

overview of some of the major 

challenges, strengths, and offer 

a few suggestions for resources. 

FEELING ALONE AND IN FEAR 

Many law enforcement spouses, 

and partners have described 

often feeling alone while their 

loved one is working and during 

rotating or ever-changing shifts. 

One LEO spouse anonymously 

shared the following experience, 

“It is difficult learning to do 

many things alone even though 

you’re married. I can’t tell you 

how many breakfasts, lunches, 

and dinners I have eaten alone 

at a restaurant because he got 

a call after we ordered or just 

never got to the restaurant at all. 

Then there are the missed holidays, 

birthdays, anniversaries, 

and family gatherings. You have 

to get to the point where you 

understand they are aware and 

just as upset or bothered by the 

things they miss. Being married 

to a LEO is not for everyone. It’s 

hard. Then of course there is the 

constant fear a spouse carries, 

worrying about their LEO, which 

has always been there but is 

compounded by the hate mongering 

these days. I had been 

living with the anxiety and fear 

for so long that I never realized 

the level it had gotten to until he 

retired. I was ALWAYS so proud 

of him, but the relief was so vast 

that for a while after I would find 

myself crying from relief at the 

weirdest times. Took me a while 

to figure out what was going 

on and why I was weepy sometimes.” 

LACK OF COMMUNICATION, 

HYPERVIGILANCE, AND PTSD 

It is not unusual to experience 

a change in communication 

patterns in law enforcement 

relationships and marriages. As 

a law enforcement officer becomes 

more ingrained in the 

policing culture and with more 

years on the job, he or she may 

DR. TINA JAECKLE 

become less communicative 

which can decrease intimacy. 

This is frequently a psychological 

and physiological response to 

the biological roller coaster of 

exhaustion and hypervigilance. 

Hypervigilance on a 24/7 basis 

can have profound consequences 

to all areas of an officer’s life, 

including mental health. Furthermore, 

the combination of critical 

incident(s), cumulative stressors, 

and emotional exhaustion from 

hypervigilance can lead to post 

traumatic stress disorder which 

can also have devastating consequences 

for both an officer and 

the family. 

STRENGTHS 

I have met countless law enforcement 

spouses, partners, 

and family members over the 

years. One of the most consistent 

and valuable characteristics 

most possess is resiliency. It is 

without question once of their 

greatest strengths. They often 

learn and grow to embrace that 

becoming a part of the blue 

family requires commitment, 

dedication, and understanding. 

A FEW RECOMMENDATIONS 

EXPAND YOUR IDENTITY 

According to a 2017 Police1 

article on marriage and relationships 

(Olson and Wasilewski), 

officers are often encouraged to 

be “more than a cop,” not because 

there is anything wrong 

with that identity, but it is an 

easy identity to get lost in and 

so is that of spouse or partner. 

Policing can become all-encompassing, 

not just for the ones 

wearing the uniform, but also for 

those who love them. The lifestyle 

can become “who you are” 

instead of just a part of who you 

are. It becomes essential to find 

your own purpose and identity 

outside of the blue family responsibilities. 

COMMUNICATION, TRUST, AND 

FLEXIBILITY 

One of the most central and 

impactful recommendations for 

LEO families is to learn how to 

enjoy birthdays and holidays on 

different days if needed and consistently 

practice flexibility for 

family events. Embrace the moments 

together and make time to 

communicate effectively and establish 

a safe place to build trust 

and intimacy. According to those 

in long term law enforcement 

marriages or partnerships, these 

steps are absolutely instrumental 

in having a solid foundation. 

RESOURCES 

Fortunately, there are now numerous 

resources today to assist 

law enforcement marriages, 

relationships, and families. The 

IACP has published very valuable 

information on their website, 

and I highly encourage you 

to take a deeper look and most 

get your 




importantly please reach out to 

a mental health professional if 

you need help navigating any of 

these challenges. 


A Cool New Boat Emerges 

with Axopar Brand 

Within 30 days of entering my 

retirement, I set out on fulfilling a 

dream I have had for a long time. I 

have always wanted to own a nice 

center-console fishing boat and use 

it to take family and friends out in 

the beautiful waters of the Gulf of 

Mexico. I have been on countless 

charter fishing trips in my life and 

always have been impressed with 

the knowledge of the captain and 

crew on how to find and catch fish, 

regardless of the conditions. It appeals 

to my sense of being a hunter 

and I too want to learn how to read 

the signs given by the open water 

and know I can find tuna, mackerel, 

mahi, grouper, snapper, and all of 

the other great game fish in the Gulf. 

The boat acquisition journey 

began with my usual amount of 

research determining what brand, 

size, equipment package, 

etc. that would 

best suit my area of 

Florida and the type 

of boating I want to 

do. Additionally, my 

wife and I agreed 

that we wanted a 

boat that she would 

enjoy as much as me 

when we take our 

family and friends out 

for cruising, not just 

fishing. Well, I found 

some nice hybrid 

boats that offer a lot 

for both fishing and 

family cruising and 

was almost ready to lock down on 

a boat when I by chance went to an 

in-the-water boat show in Maine 

and discovered a most unusual 

looking boat called the Axopar 37XC. 

The “37” stands for 37-foot long and 

the “XC“ stands for Crossover Cabin. 

When you climb on board this cool 

looking vessel you feel like it is a 

cross between a center-console, a 

cabin cruiser, and a family boat but 

my wife describes it as an RV on the 

water. Axopar is a company based 

in Finland and the boats are built in 

Poland. They are luxury recreational 

boats that serve as family cruisers, 

offshore fishing boats, and commercial 

charter boats. Their unusual 

look comes from their sharp bow 

that cuts through waves and chop 

and the pilot house that totally encloses 

the helm. I am going to outfit 

an Axopar 37XC for fishing along the 

Florida Coast, complete with outriggers, 

live well, and a rigging table 

but will also have full AC in the pilot 

house and cabin below and wet bar 

at the stern. Axopar really wants to 

be known as the adventure company 

so they also equip their boats 

with a rack on top of the pilot house 

to allow for a kayak and a couple 

of bikes for those day trips to local 

ports where you can explore both 

onshore and offshore. Sounds like a 

perfect day on the water to me. 

There are just some many cool 

features I have discovered about 

Axopar that if you are in the market 

for that boat of a lifetime, you 

must experience an Axopar. While 

my boat is going to fit my retirement 

lifestyle in Florida, the 

Axopar 28 that won the 

2020 boat of the year 

would be great for the 

many lakes around the 

US, and for 2022 they 

are introducing a 25’ 

model. Go check out 

their website (axopar. 

fi) for full videos and 

press releases. My boat 

will not be ready until 

March of next year, so 

for now I just have to 

dream so more, but 

soon it will become a 

reality. 

For local inquiries, contact Jordan 

Thomas Nurse at Nautical Ventures, 

jordan@nauticalventures.com or (727) 

518-5021. 


ADS BACK IN THE DAY 




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Bryan, Texas 

The Bryan Police Department, a Civil Service Department, is currently accepting applications for Police Officer (Non- 

Certified or Certified). We are seeking individuals with integrity who are committed to public service, dedicated and 

professional, with a willingness and compassion to work together with the citizens of Bryan to maintain a healthy 

and safe community. 

Starting Salary: 

$57,000 (as non-certified Cadet) up to $82,762 (depending on certification) 

*Range pending approval 10/4/21 

Application Deadline: 


Written Exam Date: 


(For those who successfully pass the written exam, the physical fitness assessment will be immediately following.) 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• U.S. Citizen; 

• High School Diploma or have a high school equivalency certificate/GED; 

• At least 21 years of age and not more than 44 years of age at the time of hire; 

• Valid Texas driver’s license with good driving record at the time of hire; 

• Good moral character, stable employment record and no history of any conduct which may affect suitability for 

law enforcement work; 

• If applicable, military service discharge must be under honorable conditions as stipulated on DD-214 form; 

• No felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions; no Class B misdemeanor convictions within the past (10) years. 

Application Instructions: 

To apply and/or to view more information regarding the application and testing process click here and follow the 

instructions provided. You will receive an online confirmation number upon successfully submitting your application. 

You will also receive a confirmation email from Human Resources within a week of submitting your application. 

The City of Bryan is an Equal Opportunity Employer 


JOIN OUR TEAM 

WALKER COUNTY 

SHERIFF’S DEPT. 

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS 

• Paid Vacation 

• Sick Leave 

• Paid Holidays 

• Personal Days 

• Compensatory Days 

• Certification Pay 

The Walker County Sheriff’s Department is now accepting applications for the position of Patrol Deputy. We are a family based department that is dedicated to 

preserving the lives and property of the citizens of Walker County which is currently around 73,000 residents. As a Patrol Deputy within our department, you would 

be patrolling over 800 square miles of small towns, national forest and East Texas countryside. Our county seat is the town of Huntsville, Texas which has many of 

the comforts and amenities of larger city while still providing a small town atmosphere. 

ALDINE ISD POLICE DEPT. 

now accepting applications for 

Full-Time Police Officers 

MUST HOLD A CURRENT TCOLE 

PEACE OFFICE CERTIFICATE 

Salary starting at $50,000 

with no experience 

TO APPLY VISIT 

WWW.ALDINEISD.ORG 

OR 

Contact the Personnel 

Department at 

281-985-7571 

OR 

Contact Sergeant R. Hall at 

281-442-4923 

HIRING PROCESS 

• Physical Agility Test 

• Written Exam 

• Oral Board Panel Interview 

• Complete Personal History Statement 

• Psychological Evaluation 

• Medical Examination 

• Interview with the Chief of Police 

Perks: 

• Starting Salary: $55,160.00 

• Retirement: Vested after 8 years in TCDRS. Every $1 invested in retirement is matched 210%. 

• Insurance provider: Blue Cross Blue Shield 

• Equipment: Uniforms & Patrol Equipment Provided. Currently issuing Glock 22’s and Colt SBR Rifles. 

• Vehicles: Take home Chevy Tahoe • Schedule: 12 hour shifts, every other weekend off. 

• Time Off: Paid Vacation / Holidays on a yearly basis. • Patrol Style: Proactive /Community Based Policing 

Requirements: Must be TCLOE Certified; Must have a valid Texas Drivers License; 

Must pass a written & physical test; Must complete a rigorous Field Training Program in a timely manner. 


APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED ON THE WALKER COUNTY WEBSITE (WWW.CO.WALKER.TX.US) OR BY CONTACTING PATROL LT. JASON SULLIVAN (936) 435-2400.

Memorial Villages Police Department 

Bunker Hill • Piney Point• Hunters Creek 

Police Officer 

EOE/M/F/D 

5+ Years Patrol Experience Required 

The Memorial Villages Police Department (Located on the West Side of Houston) currently has 

openings for experienced officers who are self- motivated and enthusiastic about community 

policing. We have overwhelming support of our communities and encourage our officers to be 

proactive and innovative. 

$1500 Sign on Bonus 

Starting Salary Range 

$71,179 – $82,808 (DOQ) 

• Healthcare Insurance, DHMO Dental, Vision – 100% paid for employee, 50% for 

spouse/dependents. 

• Paid long-term disability and life insurance for employee, with additional life insurance 

available for spouse/dependents. 

• Health Savings Account with departmental contributions up to $4200 annually 

• TMRS Retirement 2 to 1 match, 7% Employee ,14% Employer Contribution. 

• 457 Plan with employer contribution of 2% of annual salary 

• Bi-Lingual Pay (2.5% of Base salary) 

• Shift Differential Pay $3600 annually 

• Tuition reimbursement 

• Longevity Pay up to a max of $2400 annually at 10 years of service. 

• College Education incentive up to $3000 for a master’s degree 

• LEMIT or FBI NA pay $1200 annually. 

• ECA (Emergency Care Assistant) $1300 Annually, training provided to each employee. 

• 12 hour shifts with every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. 

• Officer certification pay, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master up to 7.5% of Salary. 

To learn more or apply, visit our website at www.mvpdtx.org 

Or contact Sgt. Owens 713-365-3711 or lowens@mvpdtx.org 

Or Commander E. Jones 713-365-3706 ejones@mvpdtx.org 

11981 Memorial Dr. Houston, Texas 77024 


MAKE A 

DIFFERENCE 

IN YOUR 

COMMUNITY 

We are looking for outstanding individuals to 

join our team! As a Pearland Police Officer your 

mission will be to prevent crime and disorder, build 

partnerships within the community, and positively 

impact the quality of life for all our residents. 

CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS 

• Competitive Salary • Outstanding Training 

• Career Advancement • Exceptional Benefits 

The City of Pearland is one of the fastest growing 

communities within the region. Pearland is located 

approximately 20 minutes south of Downtown Houston 

and the current population is approximately 130,000 

residents. 

JOIN OUR TEAM 

HIRING POLICE OFFICERS AND CADETS 

$5,000 Hiring Incentive for T.C.O.L.E Certified Police 

Officers who qualify with at least 2 years of experience. 

TEST DATE: 

SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 8:30 A.M. 

Register by: April 12. 

Pearland Recreation Center & Natatorium 

4141 Bailey Road, Pearland, TX 77584. 

Doors Open: 7:15 a.m. No admittance after 7:45 a.m. 

Candidates must park in the north parking lot. 

SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES WILL APPLY 

• Attendance limited to first 150 arrivals 

• Mandatory temperature checks 

• Masks required, hand sanitizer available 

• Candidates seated 6 feet apart 

 

 

•Be a citizen of the nited tates able to read, 

write, and speak the English language 

• Have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate .E.. certified by 

the issuing agency with: 

0 credit hours with a cumulative PA of 2.0 or higher on a .0 scale from an accredited 

institute of higher learning or 

- Minimum 24 months of active duty service with an honorable discharge authenticated by 

a Member 2 or Member orm 21 or 

15 credit hours with a cumulative PA of 2.0 or higher on a .0 scale in addition to Basic 

Peace Officer Certification from TCOLE or 

An Intermediate Peace Officer Certification from TCOLE 

• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record 

• Must meet all legal requirements necessary to become a licensed Peace Officer by the Texas 

Commission on Law Enforcement TCOLE. 

• Be between 21 and 5 years of age at the time of the examination or 

• Be between 18 and 21 years of age if the applicant has received an associate’s degree or 60 

semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university or has received an honorable 

discharge from the armed forces of the nited tates after at least two years of active service. 

: Cadet $1. hourly Police Officer $2. hourly. 

 

 

 

 

 

April 12, 2021. Applications will not be accepted after this date. 

Submit applications online by visiting pearlandtx.gov/careers. 

THE CITY OF PEARLAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

pecial accommodations are available when necessary to aord equal opportunity to participate 

in testing. Please make request in writing, five business days prior to the test date to City of 

Pearland, HR Department, 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland, TX 77581. 

or questions regarding the application process please contact Terene uddsohnson at 

281.652.1617 or hr@pearlandtx.gov. 

List will remain in eect for one 1 year or until exhausted, whichever is sooner. 

126 The For BLUES additional POLICE information MAGAZINE and to register for an upcoming Civil Service Exam, visit 

The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 127 

pearlandtx.gov/PDCareers

LATERAL DEPUTY 


Come join the Plano Police Department 

Plano Police Department currently employs over 414 peace officers, who are dedicated individuals that 

work with the community to create and maintain a safe, secure environment for our residents and visitors. 

We are a diverse department, which is a reflection of the various cultures within the community, and offering 

many different opportunities to promote the safety of the citizens which we serve. 

Registration Deadline: 

Friday, July 30, 2021 

Register at: 

https://www.plano.gov/1183/Employment 

The Plano Police Department will conduct 

a Civil Service Examination in order to 

establish an eligibility list for the position 

of Entry-level Police Officer. The eligibility 

list is created as a result of this examination 

and application process will remain in effect 

for a period of (6) months (beginning 

on date of test) or until the list has been 

exhausted, whichever occurs first. 

For more information: 

Contact the Plano Police recruiter 

Officer Andrae Smith at: 

andraes@plano.gov 

or go to our website at: 

ppdrecruiting@plano.gov 


Washington County 911 

E-911 Director 

Responsibilities: 

• Directs and administers E-911 operations; 

• Supervises E-911 Dispatchers and other department personnel; 

• Prepares and maintains reports and files for federal, state, and local authorities; 

• Defines goals, sets expectations, and provides performance oversight and guidance to hiring and 

retention plans, quality assurance program(s), budget/purchasing, support service projects, 

department records management and Public Information Requests; 

• Provides administrative presence during emergency management situations. 

Education and Experience: 

• Requires High School graduation or graduate equivalent degree; 

• Valid Texas Driver’s License or acceptable alternative transportation method; 

• Five years of experience in emergency dispatching; 

• Five years progressively responsible experience in emergency communications management 

with broad exposure and practical application of emergency communications systems and 

associated software support systems; 

• Experience in a county governmental entity preferred; 

• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required 

knowledge, skills and abilities. 

Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 

• Must possess a working knowledge of current laws, operations, trends and overall management of a 

911 center; 

• Must be available for emergency call-ins on weekends, holidays, disasters and after hours to support 

mission critical 24/7/365 operations; 

• General management principles, Computer Aided Dispatch Systems, 911 call-taking and 

dispatching procedures; 

• Ability to perform as a telecommunications operator. 

Certifications and Licensure: 

• Certification as an operator of the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications system (TLETS) or 

ability to acquire within one year; 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications or a related field preferred; 

• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials Registered Public Safety Leader (APCO 

RPL), National Emergency Number Association Center Manager Certification Program (NENA 

CMCP), or NENA Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification(s) preferred. 

APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT AND RETURNABLE TO 

Human Resources Office 

Washington County Annex Building 

105 West Main, Suite 101 • Brenham, Texas 

hr@wacounty.com 

Equal Opportunity Employer 



134 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE

OCT 2021 Blues Vol 37 No. 10.1

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