AUGUST 2023. Blues Vol 39 No 8
FEATURES 88 MEET SEAN ‘STICKS’ LARKIN FORMER TULSA POLICE LT., & REALITY TV STAR 100 VISIT GALVESTON ISLAND, WHERE TO SEE & DO, STAY, AND EAT DEPARTMENTS PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS EDITOR REX EVANS THOUGHTS GUEST COMMENTARY - DOUG GRIFFITH GUEST COMMENTARY - DANIEL CARR BREAKING NEWS NEWS AROUND THE US TEXAS ISD PD JOB LISTINGS THE ABC’S OF UAS PRODUCTS - AEROCLAVE PRODUCTS - CARDINAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES WAR STORIES AFTERMATH HEALING OUR HEROES DARYL’S DELIBERATIONS RUNNING 4 HEROES BLUE MENTAL HEALTH DR. LIGHT BULB AWARD ADS BACK IN THE DAY PARTING SHOTS BUYERS GUIDE NOW HIRING BACK PAGE
FEATURES
88 MEET SEAN ‘STICKS’ LARKIN
FORMER TULSA POLICE LT.,
& REALITY TV STAR
100 VISIT GALVESTON ISLAND,
WHERE TO SEE & DO,
STAY, AND EAT
DEPARTMENTS
PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS
EDITOR REX EVANS THOUGHTS
GUEST COMMENTARY - DOUG GRIFFITH
GUEST COMMENTARY - DANIEL CARR
BREAKING NEWS
NEWS AROUND THE US
TEXAS ISD PD JOB LISTINGS
THE ABC’S OF UAS
PRODUCTS - AEROCLAVE
PRODUCTS - CARDINAL
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES
WAR STORIES
AFTERMATH
HEALING OUR HEROES
DARYL’S DELIBERATIONS
RUNNING 4 HEROES
BLUE MENTAL HEALTH DR.
LIGHT BULB AWARD
ADS BACK IN THE DAY
PARTING SHOTS
BUYERS GUIDE
NOW HIRING
BACK PAGE
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The BLUES 1
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yrs.<br />
yrs.<br />
VOL. <strong>39</strong> NO. 8 <strong>AUGUST</strong> 2023<br />
FEATURES<br />
DEPARTMENTS<br />
88 MEET SEAN ‘STICKS’ LARKIN<br />
FORMER TULSA POLICE LT.,<br />
& REALITY TV STAR<br />
100 VISIT GALVESTON ISLAND,<br />
WHERE TO SEE & DO,<br />
STAY, AND EAT<br />
COVER:<br />
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‘STICKS’ LARKIN AND GET TO<br />
KNOW THE MAN BEHIND<br />
FOX NATION’S NEW CRIME<br />
CAM TV SHOW.<br />
PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS<br />
EDITOR REX EVANS THOUGHTS<br />
GUEST COMMENTARY - DOUG GRIFFITH<br />
GUEST COMMENTARY - DANIEL CARR<br />
BREAKING NEWS<br />
NEWS AROUND THE US<br />
TEXAS ISD PD JOB LISTINGS<br />
THE ABC’S OF UAS<br />
PRODUCTS - AEROCLAVE<br />
PRODUCTS - CARDINAL<br />
CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES<br />
WAR STORIES<br />
AFTERMATH<br />
HEALING OUR HEROES<br />
DARYL’S DELIBERATIONS<br />
RUNNING 4 HEROES<br />
BLUE MENTAL HEALTH DR.<br />
LIGHT BULB AWARD<br />
ADS BACK IN THE DAY<br />
PARTING SHOTS<br />
BUYERS GUIDE<br />
NOW HIRING<br />
BACK PAGE<br />
06<br />
08<br />
16<br />
18<br />
22<br />
26<br />
66<br />
68<br />
102<br />
104<br />
108<br />
114<br />
126<br />
130<br />
134<br />
136<br />
138<br />
140<br />
142<br />
144<br />
148<br />
150<br />
156<br />
222<br />
134<br />
A BADGE OF HONOR<br />
126 130<br />
140<br />
DR. TINA JAECKLE, SENIOR EDITOR<br />
BLUE MENTAL HEALTH<br />
The BLUES 3
4 The BLUES
FOUNDER, PUBLISHER, EDITOR-N-CHIEF<br />
Michael Barron<br />
OUR TEAM<br />
OUR CONTRIBUTORS<br />
EDITOR-AT-LARGE<br />
Rex Evans<br />
SENIOR EDITOR<br />
Dr. Tina Jaeckle<br />
CREATIVE EDITOR<br />
Jessica Jones<br />
COPY EDITOR<br />
Lt. John King (Ret)<br />
OUTDOOR EDITOR<br />
Rusty Barron<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Daryl Lott<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS<br />
Sam Horwitz & John Salerno<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Bill King<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Doug Griffith<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Daniel Carr<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Brandon Karr<br />
WARSTORY<br />
Stacy Moser<br />
AFTERMATH<br />
James Jefferson<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Steve Litz, Brian Hamache - WTVJ-TV<br />
Emily Shapiro - ABC News<br />
Lenah Allen, Seth Feiner - Gray News<br />
Harriet Ramos - Fort-Worth Star Telegram<br />
Rio Yamat - AP<br />
David Hammer - Times-Picayune,NOLA<br />
Tony Marrero, Michael Mulligan -<br />
Tampa Bay Times<br />
Juliana Kim - NPR News<br />
Danial Egitto - Times-Herald<br />
Patrick Orsagos, Bruce Shipkowski,<br />
Samatha Hendrickson, Collen Slevin - AP<br />
The BLUES is published monthly by Kress-Barr, LLC, PO Box 2733, League City Texas 77574. The opinions expressed in some articles,<br />
op-eds, and editorials are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of The BLUES or its parent company.<br />
Rebuttals or submission of news articles and editorials may be submitted to: The BLUES @ bluespdmag@gmail.com.<br />
The entire contents of The BLUES IS copyrighted© and may not be reprinted without the express permission of the publisher.<br />
The BLUES 5
FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK<br />
yrs.<br />
Will the upcoming elections<br />
mean more turnover among<br />
police chiefs?<br />
Troy Finner, a 34-year veteran<br />
of the Houston Police<br />
Department, became HPD’s<br />
newest leader in April of 2021.<br />
That made Finner the fourth<br />
new big-city police chief appointed<br />
in Texas since January<br />
2021. Finner was preceded by Al<br />
Jones in Arlington, Eddie Garcia<br />
in Dallas and Neil <strong>No</strong>akes in<br />
Fort Worth.<br />
At his swearing-in ceremony,<br />
Finner told members of<br />
the press he felt like “the most<br />
blessed man in this world right<br />
now.”<br />
But after spending a couple of<br />
minutes thanking God, his family,<br />
the citizens of Houston and<br />
the city’s leadership for the opportunity,<br />
Finner cut his speech<br />
short saying that Mayor Sylvester<br />
Turner told him before the<br />
ceremony that he ‘didn’t want a<br />
long press conference today.’<br />
Turner reportedly told Finner,<br />
‘Troy, you’re on the clock now<br />
as the chief of police and it’s<br />
time to go to work.’<br />
Finner’s repeating of Turner’s<br />
comment during the ceremony<br />
was played as a joke, a way to<br />
break the ice. But the mayor’s<br />
comment to Houston’s new<br />
police chief speaks to a larger<br />
trend seen in major cities<br />
across the country.<br />
“There is a shortening of time<br />
when you compare the tenure<br />
of a police chief nowadays to a<br />
tenure of a police chief back in<br />
the 80s,” said Alex Del Carmen,<br />
a police chief trainer and the<br />
associate dean of the School of<br />
Criminology at Tarleton State<br />
University. “<strong>No</strong>w, in terms of<br />
what leads to that [shortening<br />
of time], I would argue that<br />
like everything else in life it’s<br />
not just one answer. It’s many<br />
answers.”<br />
Criminologists like Del Carmen,<br />
and many former police<br />
chiefs, agree that when it<br />
comes to turnover there are<br />
several factors that contribute<br />
to chiefs leaving their organizations.<br />
However, the most<br />
common reasons are stress and<br />
friction between the chief and<br />
local governing bodies.<br />
“They’re in an impossible<br />
position,” said Mary Dodge, a<br />
professor of criminology at the<br />
University of Colorado who has<br />
studied police chief turnover<br />
and tenure. “Ultimately, your<br />
police chief is the person who<br />
is making all of the decisions, is<br />
taking all of the heat for anything<br />
that might go wrong in<br />
that department and it could<br />
be that they’re working 19 hours<br />
a day.”<br />
SGT. MICHAEL BARRON RET<br />
Dodge’s research has shown<br />
that the stress of the job tends<br />
to lead to health concerns like<br />
high blood pressure and heart<br />
attacks. But she added that the<br />
stress isn’t only brought on by<br />
the tough decisions and long<br />
hours, it’s also caused by the<br />
long list of people the chief is<br />
accountable to.<br />
“Imagine them in the middle<br />
of a circle and they’re surrounded<br />
by politicians that they<br />
have to please, the rank and<br />
file that they have to deal with<br />
[and the] community,” she said.<br />
“Then added on top of that you<br />
have police unions, the ACLU,<br />
and in some cases, you even<br />
have the Department of Justice<br />
looking over their shoulder.”<br />
Gary Peterson, a former<br />
police chief from California,<br />
thinks stress is a big reason a<br />
police chief might leave their<br />
post, but he also pointed out<br />
that police executives don’t<br />
have contracts that guarantee<br />
terms.<br />
6 The BLUES
“You’re being appointed by<br />
other folks whose positions<br />
are temporary, like the mayor,<br />
city managers, police commissions,”<br />
he said. “Their positions<br />
are tenuous as well.”<br />
That sentiment was echoed<br />
by Brian Higgins, a former<br />
police chief from New Jersey<br />
and a professor at the John Jay<br />
College of Criminal Justice.<br />
Higgins believes policing has<br />
been politicized and that pushing<br />
out a police chief is often<br />
a tactic used by city leaders to<br />
save face after a controversial<br />
incident.<br />
As an example, Higgins pointed<br />
to Seattle where former police<br />
chief Carmen Best abruptly<br />
announced her departure after<br />
a tumultuous few months when<br />
intense protests against racial<br />
injustice and heavy-handed<br />
police practices drew national<br />
attention after the killing of<br />
George Floyd in 2020.<br />
“As soon as an issue occurs<br />
the chief is the one who goes<br />
as if the whole issue goes,”<br />
Higgins said. “Even though the<br />
mayor’s the one who brought<br />
in the chief and the mayor was<br />
leading the municipality during<br />
that time.”<br />
More often than not, when<br />
elected officials have a critical<br />
incident, they very quickly<br />
try to show that they have the<br />
situation under control and that<br />
they’re not going to tolerate it.<br />
So, what do they do? They get<br />
rid of their chiefs.”<br />
Mayors and city managers<br />
who hire and fire police chiefs<br />
based on politics are doing<br />
themselves, their community,<br />
and their police departments<br />
a disservice. This practice of<br />
mayors and city managers<br />
ditching their chiefs “just to say<br />
they did something” is not only<br />
a leading cause in police chief<br />
turnover but also the number<br />
one reason that tenures are<br />
shrinking for police executives.<br />
Time will tell what’s going to<br />
happen in the upcoming elections.<br />
Many of the big cities in<br />
the US will elect new mayors<br />
and if the current chiefs fail<br />
to implement changes fast<br />
enough or struggle to deal<br />
with controversial incidents<br />
— history has shown us that<br />
they’ll be out of a job quickly.<br />
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The BLUES 7
FROM THE EDITOR-AT-LARGE<br />
yrs.<br />
Times are Changing.<br />
8 The BLUES<br />
CHIEF REX EVANS<br />
Times change. People<br />
change. The whole world has<br />
in fact, changed. That means<br />
our profession has to change<br />
as well. Some would argue<br />
the changes in law enforcement<br />
have not been good.<br />
Others would say that change<br />
needed to happen. I say both<br />
sides have a point. To a point.<br />
Friends, being a cop has<br />
never ever been easy. The pay<br />
has never been that great. <strong>No</strong>r<br />
has the schedule or the demands<br />
of the job. <strong>No</strong>t to mention,<br />
people will literally try<br />
to kill you for no other reason<br />
than the fact that you’re wearing<br />
a badge. This culmination<br />
of factors tends to make some<br />
folks pause for a moment or<br />
two about making such a career<br />
selection.<br />
Social evolution is a real<br />
thing. Entire communities,<br />
even entire states, have completely<br />
evolved from one social-economic<br />
level to another.<br />
<strong>No</strong>t to mention, the whole<br />
shift in political ideologies.<br />
Stands to reason, police work<br />
must change too.<br />
Change isn’t always bad, you<br />
know. For instance, the old<br />
“Widow Maker” holsters many<br />
of us began our careers with.<br />
<strong>No</strong>t only was I issued that holster,<br />
but my dad’s Colt Python<br />
was the weapon of the day.<br />
(Still deadly today as it was<br />
then) Our old flashlights were<br />
made of solid steel and our<br />
old Motorola MX 350 handheld<br />
was ejected from a converta-com.<br />
(just Google it).<br />
I am not saying that all the<br />
changes in this world are<br />
good. <strong>No</strong>r am I saying all<br />
the changes in law enforcement<br />
are good. For example,<br />
our police vehicles look<br />
more like fighter jets on the<br />
inside. Stuffed with computers,<br />
screens, radios, sirens,<br />
etc. Our uniforms have gone<br />
from a simple leather belt<br />
with speed loaders, holster,<br />
dual nightsticks, flashlight<br />
rings and a cuff case, to pretty<br />
much anything you can carry.<br />
We must be mindful of the<br />
communities we serve. It is<br />
incumbent upon us as law<br />
enforcement officers to remember<br />
the original motto<br />
was “Serve and Protect” not<br />
the other way around. We are<br />
here to serve our communities<br />
and those who live and work<br />
there. <strong>No</strong>t only are we sworn<br />
to this solemn duty, its just<br />
the right thing to do. It’s the<br />
very core of our profession.<br />
<strong>No</strong> matter what your religion,<br />
race, gender, sexual orientation,<br />
or social economic<br />
status might be, every cop out<br />
there today must treat everyone<br />
respectfully and with a<br />
higher level or professional<br />
standards. Even higher standards<br />
than our predecessors<br />
were held to. Why? Because<br />
society, the people whom we<br />
work for, expect it. And to a<br />
very real extent, they deserve<br />
it.<br />
Times change my friends. I<br />
have in fact, honestly enjoyed<br />
many of the changes our<br />
profession has seen over the<br />
years. Like a working A/C in<br />
my patrol car is quite amazing.<br />
My radio actually works<br />
when I key it up. And the list<br />
goes on. <strong>No</strong>t every change is<br />
bad. Just keep a clear head<br />
and a true heart. You’ll be fine.<br />
We’ll all be just fine. And I’m<br />
waiting patiently for the flying-patrol<br />
cars to arrive in the<br />
near distant future.
The BLUES 9
10 The BLUES
The BLUES 11
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The BLUES 13
TRY THAT IN A SMALL TOWN<br />
By Michael Barron<br />
The CANCEL MOVEMENT has<br />
once again targeted a patriotic<br />
member of our society. Yes, I’m<br />
referring to Jason Aldean and his<br />
most recent song and video “Try<br />
that in a small town.” These radical<br />
left-wing activists, want you<br />
to believe Jason is white-racist<br />
singer. The truth is quite the opposite.<br />
What Jason is, is a proud<br />
American who is sick and tired of<br />
all the bullshit that has wrecked<br />
our country. The video simple<br />
shows all the violence groups like<br />
Black Lives Matter have rained<br />
down on cities across America.<br />
The clips were taken from actual<br />
news clips over the past 3 years.<br />
Yes, the images are heart<br />
breaking and disturbing. Yes, the<br />
images show people of color, and<br />
yes include black people, setting<br />
buildings on fire and fighting<br />
the police. He didn’t create these<br />
images, he just replayed them in<br />
a video. That does not make him<br />
raciest. It just highlights the illegal<br />
activities of a group of people<br />
hellbent on destroying America.<br />
And before anyone dare say this<br />
magazine or anyone affiliated<br />
with it, supports racism or accuses<br />
us of being raciest…. you<br />
can stop that bullshit right now.<br />
<strong>No</strong>t a single member of our staff<br />
including myself, have a single<br />
ounce of racism in our blood.<br />
Over the 40-year history of this<br />
magazine, we have highlighted<br />
14 The BLUES<br />
the careers of hundreds<br />
of police officers<br />
that are black,<br />
brown and every<br />
color in between.<br />
We are brothers and<br />
sisters of one color<br />
and one color only -<br />
BLUE.<br />
What we do see<br />
is groups like Black<br />
Lives Matters starting<br />
riots in cities<br />
across America,<br />
destroying businesses<br />
and injuring<br />
police officers. Many<br />
of which are black.<br />
Business owned by<br />
blacks, burnt to the<br />
ground. Families<br />
of young black kids in Chicago<br />
and major cities across America,<br />
killed by bullets in drive by’s.<br />
That’s not raciest, that’s the sad<br />
reality of the world we live in.<br />
And Jason Aldean, like most of<br />
America, is sick and tired of the<br />
bullshit and wrote a song that<br />
said, don’t bring that shit to our<br />
small town.<br />
In Jason’s words, “In the past<br />
24 hours I have been accused of<br />
releasing a pro-lynching song …<br />
and was subject to the comparison<br />
that I was not too pleased<br />
with the nationwide BLM protests.<br />
These references are not only<br />
meritless, but dangerous,” he<br />
wrote.<br />
“There is not a single lyric in<br />
the song that references race or<br />
points to it- and there isn’t a single<br />
video clip that isn’t real news<br />
footage — and while I can try and<br />
respect others to have their own<br />
interpretation of a song with music<br />
— this one goes too far.”<br />
The BLUES Magazine supports<br />
Jason Alden 100%. Next month,<br />
we’ll feature him on our cover<br />
and let him tell his side of the<br />
story. Until then, we invite you to<br />
listen to the song here, watch the<br />
video and buy the hell out of Jason’s<br />
music. Prove to the radical<br />
left, we are proud of America and<br />
we’re proud of people like Jason<br />
Aldean who aren’t afraid to stand<br />
up for what they believe in. GOD<br />
BLESS AMERICA!
COMING IN SEPTEMBER<br />
The BLUES 15
GUEST COMENTARY<br />
Doug Griffith<br />
yrs.<br />
Professional Standards.<br />
I still remember my first few<br />
weeks in the academy. Spit<br />
shined shoes, crisp uniform,<br />
and those goofy bus driver<br />
hats. There was an incredible<br />
sense of pride when I put that<br />
white shirt on and went to<br />
learn whatever useless information<br />
was on tap for the<br />
day. Then that day of graduation….<br />
the thrill of putting<br />
on that baby blue uniformed<br />
shirt that fit perfectly with the<br />
polished boots and shiny gun<br />
belt. That time in my career<br />
I felt proud to be part of this<br />
noble profession that is Law<br />
Enforcement. I did my best to<br />
always look professional even<br />
if I had just chased someone in<br />
the 100-degree heat of summer<br />
and rolled around on the<br />
ground with the dirty sweaty<br />
suspect.<br />
Over the last few years, the<br />
department has seemed to<br />
have relaxed the professional<br />
standards to help accommodate<br />
those with tattoos,<br />
beards, and those who like<br />
to wear hats and shorts. I<br />
can remember very distinctly<br />
many of the older officers and<br />
those from the military upset<br />
with the new looks and felt it<br />
“unprofessional”. I can somewhat<br />
agree, but also know<br />
that times change and so must<br />
we. The current grooming and<br />
standards policy is somewhat<br />
lax compared to the days of<br />
old and should be sufficient to<br />
make ALMOST everyone happy.<br />
But like most things in life, the<br />
few screw it up for the rest of<br />
us. I have done my best to get<br />
the Chief to continue to allow<br />
beards, but it is becoming<br />
harder and harder to convince<br />
him when we have officers<br />
walking around with long<br />
unkept beards. I have tried to<br />
explain that this is a supervisor<br />
issue. We need supervisors to<br />
make sure that their officers<br />
are in compliance with current<br />
policy. <strong>No</strong>w this does not<br />
mean that we drop paper on<br />
officers, but we need to have<br />
those conversations with the<br />
troops who continue to violate<br />
the policy. At any minute,<br />
the Chief can prohibit facial<br />
hair, hats, shorts, or anything<br />
else he wants and there is no<br />
recourse for that. Grooming<br />
standards are not protected<br />
except for religious exemptions.<br />
This leads us into the next<br />
area, the uniforms. There are<br />
so many variations of the current<br />
uniform that it makes my<br />
head spin. We have a Uniform<br />
Committee with a union representative<br />
on it. The entire<br />
function of this committee is<br />
to develop a professional and<br />
DOUG GRIFFITH, HPOU<br />
workable uniform for officers<br />
from every division. Let<br />
me be very clear when I say<br />
this… we are a para-military<br />
organization! The department<br />
can dictate what you wear as<br />
a uniform. There are a ton of<br />
“security” companies out there<br />
who try to look like us. Our<br />
uniform and patch should not<br />
be copied, and the citizens<br />
should be able to take one<br />
look and know that you are<br />
a Houston Police Officer. <strong>No</strong>t<br />
only because we are a professional<br />
organization, but for<br />
the safety of our officers. We<br />
need to work together to keep<br />
the perks that so many enjoy.<br />
Let’s be honest, no one wants<br />
to see what’s under these<br />
beards, which is why I have<br />
one. It is clear if we do not<br />
stay within policy on grooming<br />
and uniforms, the few will ruin<br />
it for the rest of us.<br />
Doug Griffith is the president<br />
of the Houston Police Officers<br />
Union and a 33 year veteran of<br />
the Houston Police Department.<br />
16 The BLUES
The BLUES 17
GUEST COMENTARY<br />
police law news<br />
yrs.<br />
Daniel Carr<br />
A case in LA County that has it all.<br />
Including the magic catchphrase ‘I can’t breathe.’<br />
There is a case in LA County that<br />
has it all: a misdemeanor offense,<br />
young white cops, elderly black<br />
suspects, a questionable use of<br />
force, and a magic catchphrase<br />
that cannot be unheard.<br />
This mess in LA County checks<br />
all the right boxes necessary to<br />
trigger a massive protest against<br />
police and edge an already unsafe<br />
community into total chaos.<br />
WHAT HAPPENED<br />
On June 24, 2023 deputies with<br />
the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department<br />
(LASD) were dispatched to a<br />
WinCo grocery store in Lancaster,<br />
Ca. The call to police dispatch<br />
was from store employees who<br />
reported that two individuals had<br />
shoplifted and “were assaulting<br />
loss prevention employees”. It was<br />
also reported that there was a<br />
“robbery in progress”.<br />
The suspects were described by<br />
the caller and it was reported that<br />
one of the items that was stolen<br />
was a cake.<br />
INITIAL CONTACT<br />
Deputy # 1 arrived on scene and<br />
observed a male and a female in<br />
the parking lot of the WinCo store<br />
that matched the description of<br />
the suspects. The male suspect<br />
was holding a cake.<br />
Deputy # 1 made initial contact<br />
with the suspects and stood by his<br />
driver’s side door. Deputy #1 gave<br />
multiple commands to “put your<br />
hands on the hood” and to “sit<br />
down” prior to making physical<br />
contact and/or approaching either<br />
18 The BLUES<br />
suspect.<br />
The commands given by Deputy<br />
#1 were not followed by either<br />
suspect. The suspects were uncooperative.<br />
The fact that Deputy # 1 utilized<br />
time, distance, and verbal commands<br />
are all evidence of deescalation<br />
tactics in action. Deputy # 1<br />
employed these strategies instead<br />
of immediately going hands on<br />
and/or utilizing force to gain<br />
compliance. This is an important<br />
mitigating factor.<br />
Also, had the suspects complied<br />
with the lawful commands - using<br />
force to detain may have been<br />
unnecessary.<br />
DECISION TO DETAIN<br />
Once Deputy # 2 arrived on<br />
scene the deputies approached<br />
the male and informed him that<br />
he was being “detained”. Each<br />
deputy held onto an arm and he<br />
was placed into handcuffs. The<br />
male suspect verbally objected<br />
but did not physically resist. At<br />
one point he threatened to overpower<br />
the deputies and escape as<br />
he ended an abrasive soliloquy by<br />
stating, “I could bust loose!”.<br />
While the male suspect was being<br />
placed in handcuffs the female<br />
suspect approached and began to<br />
record with her cell phone.<br />
Deputy # 2 then walked towards<br />
the female suspect with the intent<br />
of also placing her into handcuffs.<br />
Since there was reasonable suspicion<br />
to detain both individuals -<br />
there exists no legal issue with the<br />
detention of the suspects.<br />
THE USE OF FORCE<br />
As Deputy # 2 approached the<br />
female suspect she backed away<br />
and became physically resistant.<br />
She stated, “You can’t touch me!”<br />
and did not allow the deputy to<br />
place her into handcuffs.<br />
Deputy # 2 then utilized force in<br />
an effort to gain her compliance.<br />
Deputy # 2 performed an empty<br />
hand take down and tossed the<br />
female to the ground. Once on the<br />
ground the female suspect still<br />
did not cooperate and actively<br />
resisted. She attempted to stand<br />
up and refused to place her hands<br />
behind her back. The deputy did<br />
touch his knee to her back as she<br />
tried to roll over. He also gave her<br />
a warning that force would be utilized<br />
if she did not cooperate as<br />
he stated that he would “punch”<br />
her in the face. Deputy # 2 also<br />
deployed pepper spray into the<br />
eyes of the female suspect as she<br />
continued to resist.<br />
(Link to body cam footage)<br />
WHERE WAS THE DEPUTY’S<br />
KNEE? THE MAGIC PHRASE<br />
During the use of force the female<br />
suspect complained that the<br />
knee of Deputy # 2 was on her<br />
neck and then stated the magic<br />
phrase,<br />
“I CAN’T BREATHE!”<br />
As she muttered the controversial<br />
statement the body camera of<br />
Deputy # 2 clearly showed that his<br />
hands, feet, knees, and toes were<br />
nowhere near her neck. So, this
CLICK TO LEARN MORE<br />
The BLUES 19
appeared to be a disgusting lie.<br />
It is possible to both: 1) have<br />
sympathy and demand justice for<br />
those who are truly the victims of<br />
excessive force by police officers<br />
and 2) express disdain towards<br />
those who exploit tragedies for<br />
personal gain.<br />
CHARGES<br />
Deputies then completed the<br />
criminal investigation for the malfeasance<br />
that occurred inside of<br />
the WinCo store.<br />
The male was arrested and then<br />
cited and released for: resisting<br />
arrest, attempted petty theft, and<br />
interfering with a business.<br />
The female was then arrested<br />
and then cited and released for:<br />
assaulting an officer and battery<br />
against loss prevention personnel.<br />
2020 HINDSIGHT<br />
It is important to remember that<br />
even prudent and ethical police<br />
officers can make mistakes when<br />
thrown into dynamic, stressful,<br />
and violent situations - that they<br />
often did not create but are forced<br />
to respond to - involving uncooperative<br />
suspects.<br />
The absolute easiest thing for<br />
anyone to do is to harshly criticize<br />
the actions of police officers,<br />
especially without the benefit of<br />
actual experience, from the safety<br />
of home. If you have that privilege<br />
- enjoy it.<br />
However, that sentiment must<br />
be balanced with honest criticism<br />
of police actions in an effort to<br />
improve policing.<br />
DEPUTIES<br />
DE-ESCALATION, COMMANDS,<br />
AND WARNING OF FORCE.<br />
Deputy # 1 made a good effort<br />
to give commands and allowed<br />
both suspects significant time to<br />
comply. However, after the male<br />
was in handcuffs and Deputy # 2<br />
approached the female suspect<br />
he did not specifically inform her<br />
that she was being detained and<br />
20 The BLUES<br />
did not give a warning that force<br />
would be utilized prior to the take<br />
down.<br />
Since the female suspect was<br />
elderly, did not appear to be<br />
armed, and had remained on<br />
scene - a command to comply<br />
and a warning of force appeared<br />
to be feasible.<br />
LEVEL OF FORCE<br />
Again, the female was elderly,<br />
appeared to be unarmed, and was<br />
backing away from Deputy # 2<br />
(not actively attacking him).<br />
It is reasonable to ask whether<br />
or not it was necessary to conduct<br />
a take down and deploy pepper<br />
spray.<br />
From the available video evidence<br />
(which does not tell the<br />
entire story) although the use of<br />
some force was likely necessary<br />
to effect the detention - the take<br />
down and pepper spray did appear<br />
to be a tad excessive.<br />
HANDCUFFS<br />
Police officers can detain suspects<br />
without placing them in<br />
handcuffs. Police officers can<br />
certainly utilize handcuffs if the<br />
reasonableness of such an act can<br />
be articulated.<br />
Since the suspects were elderly,<br />
did not appear to be armed, and<br />
had remained on scene (when<br />
they could have fled) - I would be<br />
curious to know why the deputies<br />
felt the need to handcuff while<br />
they investigated this case.<br />
To be clear - the use of handcuffs<br />
was likely not a violation<br />
of policy or law in this case. And<br />
perhaps even asking the question<br />
only exposes my personal style<br />
when I worked as a patrol officer.<br />
SUSPECTS<br />
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE<br />
The female suspect yelled at<br />
Deputy # 2, “You can’t touch me!”<br />
as he approached.<br />
This is incorrect as the deputies<br />
had reasonable suspicion that a<br />
crime had been committed and<br />
therefore had legal authority to<br />
use objectively reasonable force<br />
to effect a lawful detention.<br />
“I CAN’T BREATHE!”<br />
I’ll leave this noted as an outright<br />
and disgusting lie.<br />
This makes it difficult to believe<br />
anything that the female suspects<br />
says.<br />
CRIME<br />
Don’t shoplift from a store and<br />
then assault employees.<br />
Practice basic human decency.<br />
If the allegations from store employees<br />
are true - the suspects are<br />
far too old to be this awful.<br />
FINAL THOUGHTS<br />
In this case the male suspect<br />
was detained and handcuffed<br />
without incident. The deputies did<br />
not utilize any force against the<br />
male. However, a deputy did utilize<br />
force against the female suspect.<br />
It is important to understand<br />
why. What was the difference<br />
between the male and the female<br />
suspect? Active resistance. That’s<br />
it.<br />
The male suspect cooperated<br />
and no force was utilized. The<br />
female suspect did not cooperate<br />
and force was utilized. Under the<br />
pesky lens of reality - who was<br />
really at fault for what happened?<br />
I think everyone objective knows<br />
the answer to that question.<br />
All opinions on this case should<br />
evolve as more evidence becomes<br />
available. I would attach some<br />
weight to the official statements<br />
from the involved officers. I would<br />
give nearly zero credibility to any<br />
statement made by either attorney.<br />
Also, I am curious as to<br />
whether the actions of the deputies<br />
complied with department<br />
policy and delivered training.<br />
*As of the writing of this article<br />
the involved deputies (as well as<br />
the male and female suspects)<br />
have not been publicly identified.
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The BLUES 21
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
BREAKING<br />
yrs.<br />
MIAMI-DADE, FL.<br />
Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy”<br />
Ramirez offered his resignation to the mayor<br />
before shooting himself.<br />
By Steve Litz and Brian Hamacher,<br />
WTVJ-TV (Miami, FL)<br />
Miami-Dade Police Director<br />
Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez offered<br />
his resignation to Mayor Daniella<br />
Levine Cava before he shot himself<br />
in an apparent attempted<br />
suicide over the weekend, the<br />
mayor said.<br />
Levine Cava held a news conference<br />
Wednesday where she confirmed<br />
she spoke with Ramirez<br />
over the phone before he shot<br />
himself near Tampa Sunday night.<br />
“Freddy told me he had made a<br />
mistake, that he was prepared to<br />
resign,” Levine Cava said.<br />
The mayor said Ramirez expressed<br />
remorse over an incident<br />
involving his wife at a Tampa<br />
hotel during their brief conversation,<br />
telling her he “had made<br />
mistakes.”<br />
“He was very remorseful, and I<br />
reassured him we would talk the<br />
following morning,” Levine Cava<br />
said. “He told me he was driving<br />
back to Miami at that time, and I<br />
told him we would talk the next<br />
day.”<br />
Ramirez had been attending<br />
the Florida Sheriff’s Association’s<br />
22 The BLUES<br />
annual summer conference in<br />
Tampa on Sunday when he had<br />
been involved in some sort of<br />
domestic dispute with his wife at<br />
a hotel, authorities said.<br />
Ramirez left the hotel and was<br />
driving somewhere along I-75<br />
in the Riverview neighborhood,<br />
toward the southern end of Hillsborough<br />
County, when he pulled<br />
over and shot himself, officials<br />
said.<br />
Levine Cava said Ramirez remained<br />
hospitalized but was<br />
“alert, awake and responsive”<br />
Wednesday. She said she’s optimistic<br />
he’ll continue to recover.<br />
“I’m glad that we were able<br />
to be by his side in this time of<br />
darkness as together we hope to<br />
see some light,” Levine Cava said.<br />
“I love Freddy, he is an amazing<br />
human being. He is the best, the<br />
best of law enforcement, what<br />
law enforcement means, I have<br />
total trust in his leadership,”<br />
South Florida Police Benevolent<br />
Association President Steadman<br />
Stahl told NBC6 Tuesday that<br />
he met with Ramirez’s family<br />
and was told the police director<br />
was speaking. He said the family<br />
“is very emotional” but doesn’t<br />
believe Ramirez has severe brain<br />
damage at this point.<br />
“It’s a very somber time for the
family, but they’re standing by<br />
his bedside, and we wish him<br />
the best,” Stahl said. “From the<br />
reports I have read, it looks like<br />
the bullet went through and out<br />
the eye, but it doesn’t look like it’s<br />
going to be any brain damage.<br />
Ramirez, 52, was rushed to a<br />
Tampa-area hospital and underwent<br />
surgery Monday. Miami-Dade<br />
Police said he was in<br />
stable condition.<br />
“Director Ramirez continues to<br />
positively recover post-surgery.<br />
He continues to receive outstanding<br />
medical care in Tampa surrounded<br />
by his family, loved ones,<br />
and MDPD brothers and sisters,”<br />
the Miami-Dade Police Department<br />
said in a statement Tuesday.<br />
“Thank you to our community<br />
and law enforcement family for<br />
all your prayers, support, and<br />
strength.”<br />
Sources told NBC6 that<br />
Ramirez’s wife was with him at<br />
the time of the shooting. <strong>No</strong> one<br />
else was injured in the incident.<br />
According to Tampa Police, officers<br />
had responded to a report<br />
of a man with a gun outside the<br />
Marriott Waterside, where the<br />
conference was being held.<br />
Officers arrived and were given<br />
third-hand information alleging a<br />
man had pointed a gun at himself,<br />
but there were no first-hand<br />
witnesses or security camera<br />
footage capturing the alleged<br />
incident, police said.<br />
Officers found Ramirez in a<br />
12th-floor room with a woman<br />
who Ramirez said he’d been involved<br />
in an argument with.<br />
Ramirez said he had not displayed<br />
a firearm and had no intention<br />
to harm himself or others,<br />
police said. The woman corroborated<br />
that they had an argument<br />
and that she did not have any<br />
concerns about her safety being<br />
in danger, police said.<br />
Since there was no evidence<br />
of a crime or immediate danger,<br />
Ramirez was released at the<br />
scene, police said.<br />
The Florida Department of Law<br />
Enforcement and the Florida<br />
Highway Patrol have launched a<br />
joint investigation into the incident.<br />
Ramirez had announced earlier<br />
this year he would run for sheriff<br />
in 2024 to try to keep his position<br />
as head of the police department.<br />
He first joined Miami-Dade Police<br />
in 1995 and worked his way<br />
up through the ranks. He became<br />
police director in 2020 and then<br />
received a further promotion to<br />
Miami-Dade County chief of public<br />
safety.<br />
“Freddy is the type of leader,<br />
the type of man, who bears the<br />
burdens of those around him, he<br />
carries the weight of his department<br />
and he’s always willing to<br />
take on more,” Levine Cava said<br />
Wednesday. “This incident is also<br />
a tragic reminder of the critical<br />
role that mental health plays in<br />
our law enforcement officers’<br />
well-being. The reality is that<br />
these jobs are very demanding,<br />
they’re stressful and they’re<br />
emotionally taxing.” Reprinted from<br />
WTVJ-TV (Miami, FL)<br />
The BLUES 23
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
BREAKING<br />
HOUSTON,TX.<br />
Detention Officer J. Valdiviez was brutally attacked by an inmate<br />
as Harris County Jail deals with staffing shortages in its jails.<br />
HOUSTON, TX. – Detention Officer<br />
J. Valdiviez was injured during an<br />
attack at the Harris County Jail on<br />
July 21, according to court records.<br />
Christian Miguel Dillard was<br />
charged with aggravated assault on<br />
a public servant, which is one of<br />
many charges on his record.<br />
Court documents show Dillard<br />
struck Officer J. Valdiviez multiple<br />
times with his hand.<br />
Valdiviez reportedly sustained<br />
serious injuries after the attack, the<br />
county jail stated. He was listed to<br />
be in fair condition and recovering<br />
at home with bruised ribs, several<br />
facial lacerations, and a broken<br />
nose.<br />
“Mentally, I’m still recuperating,”<br />
the detention officer said in a phone<br />
call to KPRC’s Rilwan Balogun.<br />
“We’re still trying to figure and process<br />
it out. Physically, I’m okay. I’m<br />
doing good. I’m getting better. I’m<br />
healing day by day. But you know it’s<br />
kind of hard to talk with the stitches<br />
in my mouth. The stitches on the<br />
side of my head.”<br />
Valdiviez said he was on the<br />
“double lock down” floor which<br />
houses serious violent offenders.<br />
The 28-year-old said he was<br />
walking downstairs as Dillard was<br />
walking up.<br />
“That’s where he snuck me from<br />
behind and I ended up turning<br />
around immediately, I guess, trying<br />
to like swing back or fight back, in<br />
general, defending myself.”<br />
“Typically, in this pod, it’s always a<br />
24 The BLUES<br />
three-man pod,” Valdiviez said. “To<br />
be short-staffed in a double door<br />
lock down pod in general, that’s<br />
just unacceptable.”<br />
The Harris County Deputies Organization<br />
President David Cuevas<br />
echoed his sentiments.<br />
“We don’t have enough personnel<br />
out on the streets to protect the<br />
citizens or in our detention facilities<br />
and we’re seeing firsthand,” Cuevas<br />
said.<br />
He said Commissioners Court<br />
needs to increase detention officer<br />
pay by 23% to 25% to be competitive<br />
with surrounding areas.<br />
“We’re going to continue to go to<br />
work and do our job,” said Cuevas.<br />
“We are in desperate need of better<br />
finances so we can hire, retain better<br />
personnel.”<br />
Meanwhile, the sheriff commended<br />
Valdiviez.<br />
“I want to commend DO Valdiviez,<br />
yrs.<br />
his colleagues who intervened<br />
within seconds to stop the attack,<br />
and everyone who bravely reports<br />
for duty each day in Texas’ largest<br />
county jail,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez<br />
said on Twitter.<br />
According to court records, Dillard<br />
has a long and violent criminal<br />
history dating back to 2016. Before<br />
the recent attack, he’s been charged<br />
with assaulting an officer or peace<br />
officers three different times since<br />
2021.<br />
According to County records, in<br />
2023 alone, there have been 673<br />
assaults on staff by inmates, 2153<br />
assaults on inmates by inmates,<br />
2419 fights, 425 resisting restraints,<br />
1678 threats to staff, 927 unauthorized<br />
contact with staff, 137 simple<br />
assaults, 4355 threats against staff<br />
and 328 instances of conduct that<br />
disrupts. Bottom line, they need<br />
more officers in every jail.
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The BLUES 25
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
TELL CITY, IN.<br />
Tell City Sergeant Heather Glen was shot and killed while responding to a<br />
disturbance at Perry County Memorial Hospital.<br />
By Emily Shapiro<br />
26 The BLUES<br />
TELL CITY, IN. – Beloved Indiana<br />
Police Sgt. Heather Glenn was<br />
shot dead while responding to<br />
disturbance at a local hospital.<br />
The incident began on Sunday<br />
July 2nd, at about 12:50 a.m.,<br />
when Sgt. Glenn and other officers<br />
responded to a disturbance<br />
at Perry County Memorial Hospital<br />
in Tell City, located near the<br />
Indiana-Kentucky border.<br />
An altercation unfolded at the<br />
hospital between the officers<br />
and 34-year-old Sean Hubert,<br />
and shots were fired, according<br />
to State Police Sgt. John Davis at<br />
a local press conference.<br />
Glenn and Hubert were shot in<br />
an exchange of gunfire and both<br />
died at the scene, Davis said.<br />
The incident began on Sunday<br />
when Glenn investigated<br />
a domestic dispute between a<br />
woman and Hubert, state police<br />
said. After the woman went<br />
to the hospital to be treated for<br />
injuries, Hubert also headed to<br />
the hospital, and Glenn tried to<br />
arrest him at the scene, police<br />
said.<br />
Glenn had worked for the Perry<br />
County Sheriff’s Office and the<br />
tight-knit Tell City Police Department<br />
for nearly 20 years,<br />
Davis said.<br />
“We’ve lost a dear colleague,<br />
dear friend,” Tell City Police<br />
Chief Derrick Lawalin said. “Sgt.<br />
Glenn, she’s a cornerstone of our<br />
department. We’re extremely<br />
heartbroken.”<br />
Lawalin praised the courage he<br />
said all officers displayed at the<br />
scene. He asked for the public’s<br />
thoughts and prayers not only for<br />
law enforcement, but also for<br />
the family of the suspect.<br />
Secretary of State. Diego Morales<br />
twitted “It’s been a heartbreaking<br />
and very tough week<br />
DON’T MISS THIS MONTH’S<br />
BLUE MENTAL HEALTH,<br />
WITH DR. TINA JAECKLE<br />
ON PAGE 140<br />
SERGEANT HEATHER GLENN<br />
for our law enforcement and<br />
communities across Indiana.<br />
Another officer paid the ultimate<br />
sacrifice protecting Hoosier lives.<br />
Sidonia and I are praying for Sgt.<br />
Heather Glenn’s family, friends,<br />
colleagues and officers across<br />
our state.”<br />
Emily Shapiro. @EmilyShapiroABC,<br />
Reprinted from ABC News
The BLUES 27
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
ST. THOMAS, V.I.<br />
St. Thomas Police Detective Delberth Phipps was shot and killed by<br />
a heavily armed suspect at a local hospital.<br />
ST. THOMAS, V.I. – Flags across<br />
the territory were flying at half<br />
mast last month in honor of<br />
42-year-old V.I. Police Detective<br />
Delberth I. Phipps Jr., who was<br />
gunned down in the line of duty<br />
on St. Thomas, Tuesday July4th.<br />
The suspect in the shooting,<br />
Richardson Dangleben Jr., 51, was<br />
already awaiting trial for the Feb.<br />
24 murder of Keith Jennings, and<br />
had been released from jail in<br />
March after a judge reduced his<br />
bail.<br />
The latest case began at around<br />
7:53 a.m. on July 4th, when 911<br />
dispatchers received a report of<br />
a man, later identified as Dangleben,<br />
wearing a bulletproof vest<br />
and carrying a gun in the “Jah<br />
Yard” area of Hospital Ground,<br />
according to police spokesman<br />
Glen Dratte.<br />
“Upon officers’ arrival, the<br />
suspect fired upon them with<br />
a high-powered assault rifle.<br />
Responding officers immediately<br />
engaged the suspect,” according<br />
to the statement from police.<br />
Police said Dangleben “was<br />
wearing a bulletproof vest and<br />
armed with an assault rifle,<br />
handgun, and several hundred<br />
rounds of ammunition.”<br />
“During the exchange of gunfire,<br />
Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., a<br />
7-year veteran and the suspect<br />
28 The BLUES<br />
were injured. Both were transported<br />
to Roy Lester Schneider<br />
Regional Medical Center for<br />
treatment where Detective Phipps<br />
succumbed to his injuries,” police<br />
said in the statement.<br />
Phipps is the first member of<br />
the V.I. Police Department to die<br />
in the line of duty since 2012.<br />
His death marks the 23rd homicide<br />
in the territory so far this<br />
year, including 12 on St. Croix and<br />
11 on St. Thomas.<br />
“Today is that day no department<br />
wants to experience. The<br />
loss of our Detective, Officer, and<br />
Brother has sent ripples through<br />
the Department,” Police Commissioner<br />
Ray Martinez said in<br />
a statement. “Detective Phipps<br />
made the ultimate sacrifice to<br />
Protect and Serve his community,<br />
our community! Detective Phipps<br />
a second-generation Police Officer<br />
was a rising star and will be<br />
sorely missed. I extend heartfelt<br />
condolences to his family as well<br />
as our VIPD family.”<br />
VIPD Police Chief Steven Phillips<br />
said Phipps’s death represents<br />
a “tremendous loss” for the<br />
agency, I am completely lost for<br />
words. “We’ve lost a dear colleague”<br />
Phillips said. “Detective<br />
Phipps, was truly an outstanding<br />
Detective and Individual. We are<br />
truly heartbroken.”<br />
DETECTIVE DELBERTH PHIPPS<br />
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said he is<br />
“incensed and deeply saddened<br />
by the loss of Detective Delberth<br />
Phipps Jr, who was killed in the<br />
line of duty. This tragic incident<br />
reminds us of the risks our law<br />
enforcement officers face daily<br />
in their unwavering commitment<br />
to keeping our community safe<br />
and is a devastating blow not only<br />
to his family, friends, and colleagues<br />
but to the entire Virgin<br />
Islands community.”<br />
According to a written statement,<br />
“My prayers and heartfelt<br />
condolences go out to his family<br />
and loved ones as they try to get<br />
through what I am sure is an unimaginably<br />
difficult time,” Bryan<br />
said.
The BLUES 29
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
CORDELE, GA.<br />
Crisp County Deputy Tyee Michael Browne was shot and killed after he stopped a<br />
stolen vehicle on Highway 280 in Cordee, Georgia.<br />
By Lenah Allen, Seth Feiner,<br />
Gray News staff<br />
CORDELE, GA. - A deputy with<br />
the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office<br />
in Georgia has died after being<br />
shot on Wednesday July 5th.<br />
The suspect, who was arrested<br />
after a multi-county chase, is<br />
facing multiple charges including<br />
murder.<br />
The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office<br />
deputy that died has been<br />
confirmed to be Tyee Browne,<br />
according to Sheriff Billy Hancock.<br />
He was reportedly a deputy<br />
for Crisp County for less than<br />
a year.<br />
Browne was making a traffic<br />
stop on a suspect who was<br />
wanted for burglaries on Highway<br />
280 West in Cordele around<br />
3:40 a.m. As the deputy was<br />
approaching the suspect, Croshawn<br />
Cross, 25, reportedly shot<br />
Browne and fled the scene, per<br />
the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.<br />
The GBI says other deputies<br />
shot at Cross as he fled the scene<br />
in Browne’s patrol car.<br />
The Monroe County Sheriff’s<br />
Office said they were alerted<br />
around 4 a.m. that the deputy<br />
had been shot and a multi-county<br />
chase involving other deputies<br />
and the suspect, who was<br />
reportedly in the stolen deputy’s<br />
vehicle, had begun.<br />
The suspect was later arrested<br />
by the Monroe County Sheriff’s<br />
Office near the Bibb-Monroe<br />
County line.<br />
Cross is charged with malice<br />
murder, felony murder, two<br />
counts of aggravated assault,<br />
theft by receiving stolen property,<br />
carjacking, three counts<br />
of possession of a firearm by a<br />
convicted felon, three counts of<br />
DEPUTY TYEE MICHAEL BROWNE<br />
possession of a firearm during<br />
the commission of a crime and<br />
two counts of theft by taking.<br />
The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office<br />
confirmed Browne died from<br />
his injuries at Crisp Regional<br />
Hospital. Reprinted from WALB.<br />
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30 The BLUES
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operated THEME studio in the Country! 10 years strong! We are Family!<br />
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The BLUES 31
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
RUTLAND, VERMONT<br />
Rutland Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, a 19-year old part time<br />
officer, was killed when her patrol car was struck head-on by a suspect.<br />
RUTLAND, VT. – Officer Jessica<br />
Ebbighausen, who was killed in a<br />
multi-vehicle crash during a pursuit,<br />
was one of the Rutland City Police<br />
Department’s newest officers.<br />
Ebbighausen, 19, had joined the<br />
department in May and was introduced<br />
to the Board of Aldermen last<br />
month alongside fellow new hire<br />
Arun Dangal. She was a level 2-certified<br />
officer and was scheduled to<br />
begin her full-time training at the<br />
Vermont Police Academy in August.<br />
“She had a long and bright career<br />
ahead of her,” Lt. Col. Jim Whitcomb<br />
of the Vermont State Police<br />
said during a press briefing at the<br />
Rutland City Police Department<br />
Friday night.<br />
Earlier that day, Whitcomb said,<br />
Ebbighausen was on duty with<br />
a supervising officer when they<br />
responded to support another city<br />
officer engaged in a pursuit.<br />
A call had initially come in at<br />
around 2:30 p.m. that Tate Rheaume,<br />
20, was trying to break into an<br />
East Washington Street residence.<br />
The responding unit encountered<br />
Rheaume’s vehicle, Whitcomb said,<br />
and chased him to Stratton Road,<br />
from which he turned left onto<br />
Woodstock Avenue.<br />
Whitcomb said Ebbighausen’s<br />
cruiser was heading east on<br />
Woodstock and Rheaume’s vehicle<br />
32 The BLUES<br />
crossed the center line and collided<br />
with Ebbighausen’s cruiser before<br />
hitting a second eastbound cruiser.<br />
Whitcomb said the pursuing cruiser<br />
was not involved in the collision.<br />
Ebbighausen was pronounced<br />
dead at the scene, Whitcomb said,<br />
and her body was taken under escort<br />
by state and local police to the<br />
Vermont Medical Examiner’s office<br />
in Burlington. Her supervising officer,<br />
Richard Caravaggio, remained<br />
hospitalized as of Friday night,<br />
according to Whitcomb. <strong>No</strong> additional<br />
information on his condition<br />
was available Monday. Whitcomb<br />
said the driver of the second cruiser<br />
involved in the crash, Officer Kelsey<br />
Parker, was treated and released.<br />
Whitcomb said Rheaume was<br />
taken to the University of Vermont<br />
Medical Center, where his injuries<br />
were believed to be non-life-threatening.<br />
A candlelight vigil had been<br />
planned for outside the police<br />
department Sunday night, but was<br />
rescheduled to Wednesday due<br />
to the weather, according to city<br />
officials. A GoFundMe established to<br />
create a memorial for Ebbighausen<br />
had raised more than $43,000 on a<br />
$10,000 goal as of Monday afternoon.<br />
Rutland City Police Chief Brian<br />
Kilcullen said he was grateful for<br />
DON’T MISS THIS MONTH’S<br />
WAR STORY ON PAGE 126<br />
OFFICER JESSICA EBBIGHAUSEN<br />
the degree of support the department<br />
was receiving from the community.<br />
“We’re hurting right now,” he<br />
said Friday. “With the events of this<br />
week, you can imagine that.” He<br />
also said Ebbighausen, who was<br />
the granddaughter of former Police<br />
Commission Chairman Robert Ebbighausen,<br />
had wanted to be a police<br />
officer since the age of 9 and had<br />
done an internship with the department<br />
as a high school student.<br />
“She always had a smile on her<br />
face,” he said. “We were looking<br />
forward to having her as part of our<br />
family.”
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The BLUES 33
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
INDIANAPOLIS, IN.<br />
Marion County Deputy John Durm was attacked and strangled<br />
by an inmate trying to escape custody.<br />
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. (AP) — A jail<br />
inmate accused of killing a sheriff’s<br />
deputy who was transporting<br />
him in a van used the chain<br />
of his handcuffs to choke the officer<br />
during an escape attempt in<br />
Indianapolis, according to court<br />
documents released Tuesday.<br />
Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy<br />
John Durm, 61, died Monday at<br />
a hospital following the attack,<br />
which Indianapolis police are<br />
investigating as an “intentional<br />
act of homicide,” Officer Shane<br />
Foley said.<br />
Durm’s cause of death was<br />
“ligature strangulation” and has<br />
been ruled a homicide, the county<br />
coroner’s office announced<br />
Tuesday. Durm, a 38-year veteran<br />
of the sheriff’s department,<br />
was married with four children.<br />
Police said inmate Orlando<br />
Mitchell, 34, assaulted Durm<br />
on Monday while the van was<br />
inside the sally port, or fortified<br />
entrance, of the Adult Detention<br />
Center on the city’s south side.<br />
Mitchell has not been charged<br />
in Durm’s death, and the Marion<br />
County Prosecutor’s Office said<br />
34 The BLUES<br />
DON’T MISS THIS MONTH’S<br />
WAR STORY ON PAGE 134<br />
OFFICER KIMBERLY SICKAFOOSE<br />
DEPUTY JOHN DURM<br />
Tuesday that a charging decision<br />
was not expected “prior to<br />
Thursday afternoon at the very<br />
earliest.”<br />
But a probable cause affidavit<br />
released Tuesday states that<br />
video shows Durm arriving at<br />
the detention center about 11:30<br />
a.m. Monday in a Marion County<br />
Sheriff’s Office van after returning<br />
from taking Mitchell to a<br />
hospital visit.<br />
The video shows Durm exit the<br />
van and open its rear door, at<br />
which point Mitchell opened the<br />
van’s inner door and is seen raising<br />
his hands above Durm’s head<br />
and placing them around Durm’s<br />
neck, according to the affidavit.<br />
“Mitchell then uses the chain<br />
linking his handcuffs to choke<br />
Deputy Durm,” it states, adding<br />
that while Durm tried to get the<br />
chain off of his neck, both he and<br />
Mitchell fell to the ground.<br />
“Mitchell stays on top of Durm,<br />
continuing to choke him until<br />
Durm quits moving,” the affidavit<br />
states.<br />
Mitchell then found Durm’s<br />
handcuff key, unlocked his handcuffs,<br />
got into the van, backed<br />
it up and exited the sally port<br />
of the detention center while<br />
smashing into a gate, officials<br />
said. He then drove the van a<br />
short distance and crashed into<br />
a wooden pole before other<br />
deputies re-arrested him.<br />
Mitchell has been jailed since<br />
September 2022 awaiting trial<br />
for the killing of his ex-girlfriend,<br />
Krystal Walton.
The BLUES 35
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
FARGO, ND.<br />
Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin, was shot and killed while<br />
investigating a traffic accident on Friday, July 14th.<br />
FARGO, ND. – Jake Wallin was<br />
once a small boy who sought comfort<br />
in the arms of family, terrified<br />
of fireworks that lit up the sky. On<br />
Saturday, the Fargo police officer<br />
was remembered for growing up to<br />
be a military veteran and dedicated<br />
officer whose “final act of valor”<br />
was staring down the face of a man<br />
intent on bloodshed.<br />
Wallin, 23, was killed July 14<br />
when a man armed with 1,800<br />
rounds of ammunition, multiple<br />
guns and explosives ambushed<br />
officers responding to a routine<br />
traffic crash. Two other officers and<br />
a civilian were wounded before a<br />
fourth officer returned fire, killing<br />
gunman Mohamad Barakat. Police<br />
said the actions of the fourth officer<br />
likely spared the city a bigger,<br />
bloodier attack.<br />
Wallin, who had been sworn in<br />
as a Fargo police officer in April<br />
and was still in field training, was<br />
cremated in his uniform. On Saturday,<br />
the Fargo Police Department<br />
escorted his cremains to Pequot<br />
Lakes, Minnesota, for his funeral<br />
service, which was attended by<br />
loved ones, dignitaries and law<br />
enforcement agencies from across<br />
the country.<br />
Wallin previously served in the<br />
Minnesota Army National Guard and<br />
was deployed to Afghanistan and<br />
Iraq from <strong>No</strong>vember 2020 to July<br />
2021, according to a spokesperson<br />
36 The BLUES<br />
for the Minnesota National Guard.<br />
He received final military honors<br />
at a private interment.<br />
“He served his country, came back<br />
here and wanted nothing more but<br />
to serve in a position with purpose<br />
and meaning — his exact words<br />
— and he did that,” Fargo Police<br />
Chief David Zibolski said at a media<br />
briefing after the shooting.<br />
Zibolski on Saturday recounted<br />
Wallin’s impressive quality as a<br />
candidate in his officer interview<br />
last fall, how he excelled in the police<br />
academy, and strived for a job<br />
with meaning and purpose.<br />
The chief shared that body-camera<br />
footage of the shooting showed<br />
Wallin “hurried to create distance,<br />
intuitively” after his fellow officers<br />
were hit, pulled his gun out<br />
and was taking aim at the gunman<br />
when he was fatally struck.<br />
“His final act of valor was to selflessly<br />
face the shooter and attempt<br />
to neutralize him to save others,”<br />
Zibolski said. “His actions were<br />
valorous and exemplify the highest<br />
standards of the profession.”<br />
Wallin had recently purchased a<br />
house for himself and his fiancée,<br />
and “was so proud of becoming a<br />
new homeowner that he ran right<br />
out and bought himself a lawnmower<br />
and mowed his new lawn,”<br />
his aunt said.<br />
“I remember him as a small boy<br />
with his little arms wrapped so<br />
OFFICER JAKE WALLIN<br />
tightly around my neck, burying<br />
his face into me to try to avoid the<br />
fireworks that he hated so much at<br />
that age,” she said. “From that timid,<br />
small boy, he grew to be a driven,<br />
ambitious, brave young man.”<br />
Chaplain Jordan Helming, who<br />
served with Wallin in Iraq, recalled<br />
his dedication as a soldier and his<br />
positive personality amid a changing<br />
mission as well as restrictions<br />
of the coronavirus pandemic.<br />
“Jake could see the big picture<br />
in life, and he realized that it took<br />
long, disciplined, steady efforts to<br />
get you to the top of the mountain,”<br />
Helming said.<br />
Wallin’s parents received two<br />
Fargo police awards and the Minnesota<br />
Distinguished Service Medal in<br />
honor of their son at the service.
The BLUES 37
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
ALAMOGORDO, NM.<br />
Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson was<br />
shot and killed by a suspect fleeing from a chase.<br />
ALAMOGORDO, NM. (KRQE)<br />
– Services for the Alamogordo<br />
police officer who was killed<br />
in the line of duty were held on<br />
Thursday afternoon, July 20. The<br />
funeral for 41-year-old Anthony<br />
Ferguson took place at 2:00 p.m.<br />
at the Tays Special Events Center<br />
in Alamogordo.<br />
The shooting happened around<br />
2:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15. Officers<br />
tried to stop a vehicle driven<br />
by a man identified as Dominic<br />
De La O, 26, of Alamogordo,<br />
for driving without headlights or<br />
taillights. Police say the suspect<br />
fled from the officers, crashed<br />
into a light pole near Delaware<br />
Avenue and First Street, and fled<br />
the scene foot.<br />
‘His bravery is unmatched’ said<br />
Friends who remembered the<br />
fallen Alamogordo officer.<br />
Authorities chased the man,<br />
and he reportedly fired a<br />
“sawed-off shotgun” at the officers.<br />
Ferguson was hit by the<br />
gunfire. A different officer fired<br />
his weapon toward De La O and<br />
struck him in the leg and he was<br />
taken into custody.<br />
Officer Anthony Ferguson was<br />
an 11-year veteran of the Alamogordo<br />
Police Department<br />
and served in the Patrol Division<br />
as a Field Training Officer. The<br />
police department said he is<br />
survived by his mother, father,<br />
four brothers, daughter, and son.<br />
A procession was held for Ferguson<br />
on Monday, July 17.<br />
“The unimaginable tragedy<br />
of losing one our own has happened<br />
again. The violence directed<br />
at our men and women<br />
in uniform all over the country<br />
must end,” said David Kunihiro,<br />
Alamogordo Police Chief.<br />
Friends of Officer Ferguson<br />
said he was a good policeman<br />
whose bravery was unmatched.<br />
“A good example for him is the<br />
night he was shot. How many<br />
people do you know are going<br />
to chase someone down a dark<br />
alley,” said Adam Prenecio.<br />
POLICE OFFICER ANTHONY FERGUSON<br />
Another friend of Ferguson’s<br />
said the officer always strived<br />
to do the right thing and follow<br />
his training. Ferguson was also<br />
described by friends as being<br />
a loyal and courageous person<br />
who sometimes was a prankster.<br />
“You are never going to find<br />
another one like him. His bravery<br />
is unmatched. You’ll never find a<br />
brave officer like him.”<br />
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The BLUES <strong>39</strong>
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
EASTLAND, TX.<br />
Eastland County Sheriff’s Deputy David Bosecker was shot and<br />
killed Friday, July 21 as he responded to a family disturbance.<br />
By Harriet Ramos<br />
Fort Worth Star-Telegram<br />
EASTLAND, TX. — An Eastland<br />
County Sheriff’s deputy was<br />
killed in the line of duty Friday<br />
night when he responded to a<br />
domestic disturbance, officials<br />
said.<br />
Deputies from the Eastland<br />
County Sheriff’s Office responded<br />
to a domestic fight in progress<br />
around 9 p.m. at a home on<br />
Highway 183, according to the<br />
news outlet Eastland County Today.<br />
Deputy David Bosecker was<br />
the first to arrive at the scene.<br />
The suspect opened fire immediately,<br />
killing Bosecker.<br />
Other deputies took the suspect<br />
into custody before anyone<br />
else was injured. The suspect,<br />
42-year-old Cody Douglas<br />
Pritchard, is being held in<br />
the Stephens County Jail and<br />
charged with capital murder<br />
of a peace officer, according to<br />
Stephens County Jail records.<br />
Bosecker served in law enforcement<br />
for more than 21<br />
years. He began his career as a<br />
deputy in Wise County. He also<br />
served with the Texas Alcoholic<br />
Beverage Commission, as a<br />
game warden for Texas Parks<br />
and Wildlife and as an officer<br />
for the Comanche Police Department.<br />
The Texas Rangers are investigating<br />
the shooting, according to<br />
Eastland County Today.<br />
Eastland County is located in<br />
central Texas and is about 100<br />
miles west of Fort Worth.<br />
DEPUTY DAVID BOSECKER<br />
Reprinted from the Fort Worth<br />
Star-Telegram.<br />
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The BLUES 41
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
HALL COUNTY, GA.<br />
A Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy lost his wife and two children in a<br />
wreck involving a corvette traveling at 150mph.<br />
HALL COUNTY, GA. – The wife and two children<br />
of a Hall County (GA) Sheriff’s deputy were<br />
killed Sunday afternoon in a wreck on Highway<br />
365.<br />
Deputy Patrick Holtzclaw’s family was T-boned<br />
by a Corvette traveling more than 150 mph at an<br />
intersection. Both vehicles burst into flames.<br />
Deputy Holtzclaw’s wife Avonlea and two<br />
young children, ages 5 and 6, were killed, as<br />
were the driver and passenger of the Corvette.<br />
Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch issued a<br />
statement on Monday, pledging his support to<br />
Deputy Holtzclaw in the coming days, weeks,<br />
and months.<br />
A fundraiser has been established with the<br />
approval of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Donations<br />
can be made at https://app.moonclerk.<br />
com/pay/1uwy4p6xij4n. All funds will go to<br />
Deputy Holtzclaw.<br />
42 The BLUES
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The BLUES 43
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
PHOENIX, AZ.<br />
Phoenix Police Officer Morgan Bullis, who was shot in the line of duty in an<br />
“ambush-style” attack in March, has made a full recovery and is back on patrol.<br />
PHOENIX,AZ. – Phoenix police<br />
officer Morgan Bullis, who was<br />
shot in the line of duty in an<br />
“ambush-style” attack in March,<br />
has made a full recovery and<br />
is back on patrol, according to<br />
12News in Phoenix.<br />
The department announced<br />
her recovery on Monday and<br />
shared a welcome-back video<br />
on its Facebook page.<br />
Bullis was shot once in the hip<br />
by 29-year-old Joseph Lopez<br />
while responding to reports of a<br />
car crash. Lopez allegedly fired<br />
several shots at Bullis in her patrol<br />
vehicle. She was also struck<br />
in the face by bullet fragments,<br />
police said.<br />
Posted by KEVCOPaz online”<br />
Great to hear! You Officer Bullis<br />
have grit and are a shining example<br />
to others and make you make<br />
me proud as a 33+ year Phx. PD<br />
veteran that police like you have<br />
picked up the mantel behind me<br />
and are there serving and protecting!<br />
God be with you in your<br />
career, as He has been throughout<br />
your ordeal.<br />
Remember my brothers and sisters<br />
the vast majority of citizens<br />
support you, even if the City and<br />
the politicians and the WOKE<br />
left do not. This could happen to<br />
you as well, so be safe, relay on<br />
your training and if tragedy does<br />
strike you can survive that gun<br />
fight!<br />
We are ready for 2023! Experience the only first responder owned and<br />
operated THEME studio in the Country! 10 years strong! We are Family!<br />
We look forward to seeing you soon!<br />
44 The BLUES
The BLUES 45
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
LAS VEGAS, NV.<br />
LVMPD officer found guilty in string of brazen casino heists.<br />
By Rio Yamat,<br />
Associated Press<br />
LAS VEGAS, NV. — A federal<br />
jury convicted a Las Vegas police<br />
officer Friday on all counts of<br />
stealing nearly $165,000 during<br />
a trio of casino heists, including<br />
one where he was armed with a<br />
department-issued weapon that<br />
was loaded.<br />
Caleb Rogers, 35, faces life<br />
in prison upon sentencing because<br />
he brandished a department-issued<br />
weapon during the<br />
third casino heist he carried out<br />
in February 2022. U.S. District<br />
Judge Andrew Gordon set his<br />
sentencing for October.<br />
The jury reached a verdict after<br />
just over three hours of deliberation.<br />
Jurors used common sense to<br />
decide the case, Lloyd Dickerson,<br />
one of the 12, told The Associated<br />
Press.<br />
“Everything kind of added<br />
up,” Dickerson said outside the<br />
courthouse. “It took all of the<br />
evidence and all of the testimony<br />
from everybody to come to this<br />
conclusion.”<br />
Seated next to his attorney,<br />
Rogers showed no emotion<br />
as the verdict was read in the<br />
courtroom. Richard Pocker told<br />
AP they planned to appeal the<br />
conviction.<br />
46 The BLUES<br />
Rogers, who was employed<br />
as an active-duty patrol officer<br />
at the time of the heists, has<br />
been on unpaid leave without<br />
police powers since his arrest. A<br />
spokesperson for the Las Vegas<br />
Metropolitan Police Department<br />
said after the verdict that Rogers’<br />
future at the department “will<br />
be determined at the conclusion”<br />
of an internal investigation. The<br />
department said it had no comment<br />
on Rogers’ conviction.<br />
The case went to the jury<br />
Thursday shortly after Rogers’<br />
younger brother testified against<br />
him for more than three hours,<br />
painting a clear picture for the<br />
jurors of how the two successfully<br />
pulled off the first heist in<br />
the series. Josiah Rogers said he<br />
participated only in that robbery.<br />
Caleb Rogers carried out the<br />
other two heists alone, prosecutors<br />
said.<br />
Throughout the weeklong trial,<br />
prosecutors had portrayed Rogers<br />
as a gambling addict who<br />
had grown increasingly desperate<br />
under a crush of debt when<br />
the robberies targeting casinos<br />
off the Las Vegas Strip began.<br />
They said he had a unique set<br />
of skills and knowledge about<br />
robberies as a law enforcement<br />
officer and used that to his advantage.<br />
Jurors also heard from casino<br />
employees who said they are<br />
still haunted by their encounters
with the robber. A security guard<br />
wrestled with the suspect for his<br />
loaded weapon during one of the<br />
heists. He said he couldn’t stop<br />
thinking about how he might not<br />
have made it home to his family<br />
that day. And a 63-year-old cashier<br />
said she still looks over her<br />
shoulder when she handles cash<br />
at work.<br />
Assistant U.S. Attorney David<br />
Kiebler said in his closing argument<br />
Thursday that the evidence<br />
in all three robberies pointed to<br />
the same man: Caleb Rogers.<br />
But Pocker, the officer’s lawyer,<br />
called the bulk of the government’s<br />
evidence circumstantial<br />
and convenient for a police department<br />
that already had been<br />
trying for months — to no avail<br />
— to solve the other robberies<br />
when Rogers was arrested.<br />
“They tried too hard here,”<br />
Pocker said in his closing argument.<br />
“It’s just too coincidental.”<br />
Rogers’ trial came to a head<br />
Thursday when his brother took<br />
the stand.<br />
Josiah Rogers was granted<br />
immunity from prosecution in<br />
exchange for his testimony. Jurors<br />
scribbled notes and darted<br />
glances between the brothers<br />
as Josiah Rogers recounted the<br />
details. He said they rehearsed<br />
for their casino heist in <strong>No</strong>vember<br />
2021. They used code words<br />
in an encrypted messaging app<br />
to communicate, he said. They<br />
returned home to their shared<br />
apartment after successfully<br />
robbing the Red Rock Casino’s<br />
cashier cage and spread the<br />
money across their dining table,<br />
counting out $73,810.<br />
Josiah Rogers said he took his<br />
$30,000 cut and moved back to<br />
their hometown of Columbus,<br />
Ohio, a week after the robbery.<br />
Before he took the stand, the<br />
government’s evidence had been<br />
mostly focused on the third robbery<br />
in February 2022, when Caleb<br />
Rogers was arrested outside<br />
the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.<br />
Prosecutors said Caleb Rogers<br />
stormed that casino’s sportsbook,<br />
shoved a cashier in her<br />
60s out of his way, and threatened<br />
to use a gun while he shoveled<br />
$79,000 into a drawstring<br />
bag hidden inside his jacket.<br />
Within minutes, prosecutors<br />
said, the robber was tackled by a<br />
group of security guards outside<br />
the casino, sending a wig he’d<br />
been wearing flying off his head.<br />
Police lapel video played<br />
during the trial showed Caleb<br />
Rogers identifying himself as a<br />
police officer as he was folded<br />
into the back of a patrol car outside<br />
the casino.<br />
Casino heists are hard to pull<br />
off, said Mehmet Erdem, a professor<br />
at the University of Nevada,<br />
Las Vegas, whose expertise<br />
includes hotel and casino operations.<br />
“The chances you get caught<br />
and are identified is very high,”<br />
he said, because of a combination<br />
of robust casino security<br />
teams with uniformed guards<br />
and plainclothes officers and<br />
advancements in security technology,<br />
including facial recognition<br />
software and high-definition<br />
cameras.<br />
DON’T MISS THIS MONTH’S<br />
AFTERMATH ON PAGE 130<br />
The BLUES 47
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
WASHINGTON D.C.<br />
Secret Service did not conduct interviews in the White House<br />
cocaine investigation which is just another cover-up by the<br />
White House and the Biden Administration. CASE CLOSED!<br />
48 The BLUES<br />
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Secret<br />
Service announced this week<br />
that the agency has finished its<br />
investigation into the mysterious<br />
baggie of cocaine that was<br />
found in the White House earlier<br />
this month but as it turns out, it<br />
wasn’t much of an investigation.<br />
The agency said that the case<br />
was closed due to a lack of<br />
forensic evidence coupled with<br />
the fact that the cocaine was<br />
found an area in which around<br />
500 people passed through at<br />
the time it was believed to have<br />
been discarded.<br />
Roughly 1 gram of cocaine was<br />
found in a storage locker inside<br />
the West Wing executive entrance<br />
by a Secret Service agent<br />
on July 2.<br />
The locker was not within view<br />
of cameras, members of Congress<br />
and a source familiar with<br />
the investigation previously told<br />
The Post.<br />
But the Secret Service stated<br />
that because the cocaine<br />
amounted to around 0.007<br />
ounces, meaning it would only<br />
be a misdemeanor offense in the<br />
District of Columbia, it would be<br />
a waste of public resources to<br />
interview 500 people as reported<br />
by The Daily Mail.<br />
Secret Service spokesman<br />
Anthony Gugliemi told NBC News<br />
that conducting such a vast<br />
amount of interviews may also<br />
infringe on civil rights and that<br />
without physical evidence, a<br />
confession would likely be necessary.<br />
‘Yes, you could have a consensual<br />
interview. But we have<br />
no evidence to approach them,’<br />
Gugliemi said.<br />
Former US Attorney and acting<br />
administrator of the DEA under<br />
President Barack Obama, Chuck<br />
Rosenberg, echoed Gugliemi’s<br />
remarks telling NBC News that<br />
the agency has to make calls on<br />
what to investigate and what not<br />
to investigate.<br />
‘They could have done the<br />
interviews, but at the end of the<br />
day it’s a long walk through dry<br />
sand. They have finite resources<br />
and it’s OK for them to decide<br />
some things are worth their time<br />
and some things are not worth<br />
their time,’ Rosenberg said.<br />
But Presidential Candidate Nikki<br />
Haley has a different version<br />
according to recent interview<br />
with the New York Post.<br />
Haley disagrees, as the vesti-
ule is located feet from the Situation<br />
Room and a floor below<br />
the Oval Office.<br />
“Everything that they’re saying<br />
is that hundreds of people went<br />
through this area. <strong>No</strong>, I’ve been<br />
to that area. It is the most secure<br />
area anywhere because this is<br />
where I, on the National Security<br />
Council with other members of<br />
national security, met with the<br />
president,” Haley added.<br />
“The Secret Service is covering<br />
up the true origin of the cocaine<br />
found in the White House in an<br />
effort to protect Hunter Biden,”<br />
said former South Carolina<br />
governor and 2024 presidential<br />
candidate Nikki Haley.<br />
“For them to say they don’t<br />
know who this was … don’t tell<br />
me there’s no cameras in there.<br />
There are absolutely cameras<br />
in there,” Haley said during an<br />
interview with Tucker Carlson at<br />
the Family Leadership Summit in<br />
Iowa on Friday.<br />
“I strongly believe this is a cover-up<br />
for either Hunter, or someone<br />
very close to the president,<br />
and they don’t want to say who<br />
it is.”<br />
Hunter Biden, a known former<br />
drug addict, has been staying at<br />
the White House in recent weeks.<br />
EDITOR: According to a confidential<br />
source, the Secret Service<br />
are convinced the cocaine was<br />
a drop for Hunter Biden, who has<br />
been living at the White House.<br />
The source went on to say that<br />
they believe one of the WH Staffers<br />
close to Hunter, purchased<br />
the small bag of cocaine and left<br />
it in the locker for Hunter to pick<br />
up before he left with POTUS for<br />
Camp David. Apparently Hunter<br />
forgot to retrieve the ‘blow’ before<br />
he left and it was found after<br />
he left.<br />
The BLUES 49
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
NEW ORLEANS, LA.<br />
Police officers leaving New Orleans PD in droves could cost the<br />
city millions in fines to cover police pension losses.<br />
By David Hammer,<br />
The Times-Picayune | The New<br />
Orleans Advocate<br />
NEW ORLEANS, LA. — The city<br />
of New Orleans has lost so many<br />
police officers that it now faces a<br />
major fine to cover police pension<br />
losses that could top $38 million<br />
over the next 15 years.<br />
City Council Vice President Helena<br />
Moreno said she was shocked to<br />
learn this week that the Municipal<br />
Police Employee Retirement System<br />
considers the NOPD “partially<br />
dissolved,” for both 2021 and 2022.<br />
That triggered a state law that<br />
requires the city to pay back the<br />
police pension fund for unfunded<br />
liabilities — in other words, money<br />
the city would have been paying<br />
into the system if it hadn’t lost any<br />
officers.<br />
MPERS confirmed the city made<br />
its first monthly payment of<br />
$50,314.10 earlier this month. The<br />
only way for the city to escape future<br />
payments would be to restore<br />
staffing to the 1,119 employees that<br />
participated in the pension system<br />
in June 2021.<br />
“There’s really no wiggle room<br />
here, other than to get the numbers<br />
up,” said Executive Director Ben<br />
Huxen. “We support New Orleans<br />
and want them to get more police<br />
officers and not have to make the<br />
payments.”<br />
A letter by the MPERS’ actuary<br />
in March states that New Orleans<br />
50 The BLUES<br />
partially dissolved its police force in<br />
2021 by losing more than 50 officers<br />
that fiscal year. <strong>No</strong>w, because<br />
it lost more than 50 officers in the<br />
2022 fiscal year, it will owe another<br />
$163,798.57 per month starting in<br />
July 2024, for a total of more than<br />
$214,000 per month. Moreno said<br />
that will add up to a total bill of<br />
$38 million over 15 years.<br />
Moreno said Mayor LaToya<br />
Cantrell’s administration gave the<br />
City Council no warning that it<br />
would have to budget for the fines.<br />
She also said the city made no<br />
effort to change the law governing<br />
the pension system to see if the city<br />
could avoid the fines.<br />
“What I’m very frustrated about is<br />
that I was not, nor were any council<br />
members, alerted to this by the<br />
administration,” Moreno said. “As<br />
to, like, ‘Wait a second, this major<br />
thing is coming our way, we need to<br />
figure out a path here.’”<br />
Police officers rely on the pension<br />
system for their retirement. The<br />
state law was passed to protect<br />
against a loss of funds if a city or<br />
town slashed its department or<br />
farmed out its public safety duties.<br />
Donovan Livaccari, of the Fraternal<br />
Order of Police, said he supports<br />
those protections for the pension<br />
fund but worries the law didn’t<br />
envision what has happened at the<br />
NOPD.<br />
“They put rules like this in place<br />
to keep municipalities from purposely<br />
reducing their contributions,”<br />
Livaccari said. “But the city of New<br />
Orleans is not moving employees<br />
out of MPERS to reduce its contributions.<br />
This is at least partially the<br />
fallout from the pandemic.”<br />
New Orleans has been losing<br />
officers to retirement and other<br />
departments for years. It had 1,600<br />
commissioned officers before Hurricane<br />
Katrina and dropped to below<br />
1,200 over the next decade. The<br />
NOPD never overcame the attrition<br />
it suffered after a hiring freeze<br />
imposed by former Mayor Mitch<br />
Landrieu more than 10 years ago.<br />
But Huxen said 2021 was the first<br />
time that a large city in Louisiana<br />
owed fines for losing more than 50<br />
participating employees in a single<br />
year.<br />
It’s now happened two years in<br />
a row in New Orleans. An actuarial<br />
report released in March by the<br />
New Orleans Employees’ Retirement<br />
System said the city was one of<br />
four Louisiana municipalities that<br />
partially dissolved its police department<br />
in 2022, when the NOPD lost<br />
138 employees.<br />
At the end of the 2021 fiscal year,<br />
the NOPD had 1,119 officers participating<br />
in the pension system. By<br />
the end of June 2022, that number<br />
had dropped to 981. It continued to<br />
decrease steadily throughout fiscal<br />
year 2023 and is expected to fall<br />
below 900 commissioned officers<br />
for the first time.<br />
Reprinted from the Times-Picayune<br />
| The New Orleans Advocate.
The BLUES 51
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
ALBUQUERQUE, NM.<br />
BWC video shows shootout between officers,<br />
and a suspect inside a supermarket.<br />
Chief Harold Medina said if he had one word to describe the scene, it would be<br />
“chaos,” and that you could tell the incident “escalated extremely quickly.”<br />
ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL, N.M.<br />
— Albuquerque Police Department<br />
officials released lapel video<br />
and a rundown of a gunfight<br />
that erupted between a man and<br />
officers in a crowded supermarket<br />
last month on West Central.<br />
On June 24, APD Sgt. Gianfranco<br />
Di Paolo and officers Anthony<br />
Trujillo, Brandon Perez and Damian<br />
Dudnow fatally shot Mark<br />
Peter, 41 inside an El Mezquite<br />
market.<br />
The four officers joined APD at<br />
different times between 2015 and<br />
2020 and none had been involved<br />
in a prior shooting. Officials said<br />
none of the officers have returned<br />
to duty.<br />
The department held a briefing<br />
Wednesday on two fatal police<br />
shootings, which happened in<br />
less than a week of each other.<br />
“If I could use one word to describe<br />
both scenes: chaos,” APD<br />
Chief Harold Medina said during<br />
the briefing. “I mean, you could<br />
clearly tell that these incidents<br />
escalated extremely quickly.”<br />
Medina said the department<br />
would be assessing the officers’<br />
52 The BLUES<br />
tactics in the shooting — particularly<br />
that they appeared to<br />
fire in the general direction of<br />
other officers as well as bystanders.<br />
He said the incident also<br />
showed “acts of heroism” in the<br />
fast movements of one officer<br />
to intentionally fire away from<br />
bystanders.<br />
Medina said one of the rules<br />
police have ingrained when it<br />
comes to deadly force is “be sure<br />
of your target and what is beyond<br />
it.”<br />
“Those are questions that we’re<br />
going to have to answer during<br />
the administrative investigation,<br />
like what was in line? What was<br />
the officer’s perceptions? What<br />
was going through their mind<br />
at that time? So we do have to<br />
answer some of those questions,”<br />
he said. “And when the investigation<br />
comes out, we should<br />
have some answers as to what<br />
the officers are observing, why<br />
shots were fired, what they saw<br />
and why it was necessary at the<br />
moment with these individuals in<br />
line.”<br />
Cmdr. Kyle Hartsock, with APD’s<br />
Investigative Enhancement Division,<br />
detailed the June 24 police<br />
shooting and released lapel video<br />
and photo evidence.<br />
Hartsock said police responded<br />
around 3:24 p.m. to a 911 call<br />
about a man asleep in a running<br />
SUV outside a tire shop near<br />
98th and Central NW. Officers<br />
identified the SUV as belonging<br />
to Peter, who had a warrant for<br />
his arrest after Bernalillo County<br />
deputies found fentanyl and<br />
methamphetamine in his SUV.<br />
Hartsock said police laid spike<br />
strips to deflate Peter’s tires if<br />
he fled and started making announcements<br />
for him to surrender.<br />
He said around 20 minutes<br />
later Peter woke up and drove<br />
over the spike strips before going<br />
into the parking lot across the<br />
street.<br />
Hartsock said Peter fled the<br />
SUV on foot and started walking<br />
behind a shopping mall toward<br />
the entrance of the El Mezquite<br />
market. He said police followed<br />
Peter, commanding him to stop,<br />
before he ran into the store with<br />
officers on his heels.
Security video showed one officer<br />
used a Taser on Peter’s back<br />
before he turned around with a<br />
gun in his hand and fires the gun<br />
as he begins to fall into a cash<br />
register. Employees and shoppers<br />
can be seen fleeing to the back<br />
of the store or hiding behind registers<br />
as both officers and Peter<br />
open fire.<br />
Hartsock said the first shot fired<br />
by Peter went right by Officer<br />
Trujillo’s head. Over the next few<br />
seconds, officers can be seen<br />
shooting at Peter — who is laying<br />
on the ground — from at least<br />
three separate directions, with<br />
bystanders and officers apparently<br />
in the line of fire.<br />
Hartsock said Peter fired at<br />
least 12 shots until his gun was<br />
empty, many of them hitting the<br />
ceiling and wall. He said police<br />
fired at least 46 bullets. Hartsock<br />
said the gun fired by Peter<br />
had not been reported stolen<br />
and APD is “still investigating its<br />
origins at this point.”<br />
Medina said Peter created the<br />
scenario that put innocent people<br />
in the path of officers’ bullets.<br />
“Both of these individuals, in<br />
my mind, are individuals that<br />
should not have been out in the<br />
community in the first place,” he<br />
said. “... I’ve said it over and over<br />
again, substance abusers should<br />
be getting substance abuse help.<br />
People with mental health concerns<br />
should be getting a mental<br />
health resources. But when an<br />
individual crosses the line and<br />
becomes violent, it is of the utmost<br />
importance, if we’re going<br />
to make this community safe,<br />
that they are held accountable,<br />
and that they’re removed for the<br />
appropriate amount of time from<br />
the community.”<br />
Reprinted from Police1.com and<br />
Albuquerque Journal, N.M.<br />
We are ready for 2023! Experience the only first responder owned and<br />
operated THEME studio in the Country! 10 years strong! We are Family!<br />
We look forward to seeing you soon!<br />
The BLUES 53
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
TAMPA,FL.<br />
Florida police pursuit of stabbing suspect ends in intense shootout.<br />
By Tony Marrero,<br />
Michaela Mulligan,<br />
Tampa Bay Times<br />
TAMPA, FL. — Crystal Bresnahan<br />
wanted protection from her<br />
husband.<br />
Bresnahan had been with<br />
Michael A. Bresnahan for about<br />
eight years and married for three<br />
of them, said Crystal’s mother,<br />
Amanda Music. But Crystal, 29,<br />
had decided the marriage was<br />
over, Music said.<br />
“She left him and she was<br />
trying to get away from him.”<br />
On Monday, Crystal was at<br />
a domestic violence shelter in<br />
Tampa when Michael Bresnahan<br />
attacked her, stabbing her more<br />
than a dozen times in front of<br />
their three children, according to<br />
Music, court documents and information<br />
released by the Tampa<br />
Police Department.<br />
Michael Bresnahan, 33, died<br />
later that day after a police<br />
pursuit ended in a hail of gunfire,<br />
police said. The department<br />
identified Bresnahan in a news<br />
release late Tuesday night that<br />
included aerial and police body<br />
camera footage of the pursuit<br />
and shootout.<br />
Eighteen officers opened fire<br />
on the SUV Bresnahan crashed<br />
on <strong>No</strong>rth Florida Avenue near<br />
Gladys Street after the pursuit,<br />
54 The BLUES<br />
but investigators suspect he<br />
might have fatally shot himself,<br />
the release said. Autopsy results<br />
were pending Wednesday.<br />
Police did not release Crystal<br />
Bresnahan’s name but Music and<br />
other family members publicly<br />
identified her in a GoFundMe<br />
campaign launched to support<br />
her and her children, who are 2,<br />
5 and 6.<br />
According to information previously<br />
released by police, officers<br />
responded Monday to a call<br />
about a woman stabbed in the<br />
Jackson Heights neighborhood.<br />
Police said Bresnahan stabbed<br />
the mother of his three children<br />
in front of them, then dropped<br />
off the children with his brother<br />
and stole the brother’s AK-47<br />
rifle.<br />
Police spotted Bresnahan’s<br />
SUV about 5:40 p.m. near the<br />
intersection of <strong>No</strong>rth Dale Mabry<br />
Highway and Spruce Street.<br />
A short time later, Bresnahan<br />
pointed the rifle at officers<br />
driving marked patrol vehicles,<br />
police said.<br />
Bresnahan crashed into another<br />
car at the intersection of Florida<br />
Avenue and Gladys Street,<br />
then opened fire on officers with<br />
the rifle, according to police.<br />
Tampa police returned fire,<br />
“believing Bresnahan posed<br />
an ongoing threat of imminent<br />
danger to additional community<br />
members and police officers,”<br />
the Tuesday news release states.<br />
The aerial and body camera<br />
footage shows officers pursuing<br />
Bresnahan through Tampa<br />
streets for several minutes<br />
before crashing into the sedan.<br />
Police fired several gunshots at<br />
Bresnahan’s crashed car, and<br />
after the shooting stopped, body<br />
camera footage shows police<br />
pulling bystanders from cars at<br />
the scene.<br />
The officers who discharged<br />
their weapons were placed<br />
on routine paid leave while an<br />
investigation is underway. The<br />
department on Wednesday cited<br />
Marsy’s Law and an active investigation<br />
for withholding the officers’<br />
names but provided a list<br />
that showed they included two<br />
sergeants, two corporals and 14<br />
officers who had between three<br />
and 24 years with the department.<br />
On Tuesday, Bresnahan’s brother<br />
Thomas filed a petition seeking<br />
temporary custody of his<br />
brother’s three children while<br />
Crystal Bresnahan is recovering<br />
in the hospital.<br />
According to the petition,<br />
Crystal Bresnahan was outside<br />
a domestic violence shelter on<br />
Monday when Michael Bresnahan<br />
arrived and tried to get her and
the children into the SUV. (Music<br />
said the children were already in<br />
the SUV at that point).<br />
By then, the petition states, a<br />
“child protective investigation”<br />
was already underway.<br />
“When the mother refused<br />
to get into the car, the father<br />
stabbed the mother thirteen (13)<br />
times,” the petition states.<br />
Bresnahan called Thomas<br />
Bresnahan to get the children<br />
and they met in the parking lot<br />
of a church, where the brother<br />
took the kids into his care,<br />
according to the petition. When<br />
Thomas Bresnahan returned<br />
home, law enforcement was<br />
waiting for him. At that point,<br />
Michael Bresnahan was on the<br />
Be sure and check out<br />
our updated<br />
BUYERS GUIDE<br />
on Page 150<br />
phone “having suicidal discussions.”<br />
“When the father heard law<br />
enforcement, he hung up the<br />
phone,” the petition states.<br />
The attorney for Thomas<br />
Bresnahan who is listed on the<br />
petition, Gary De Pury, declined<br />
to comment because the case<br />
involves children.<br />
In a phone interview from the<br />
hospital Wednesday, Music said<br />
her son-in-law had plenty of<br />
good qualities but also was “an<br />
angry person” with a short temper<br />
and a history of outbursts, so<br />
she worried about her daughter<br />
when she decided to leave him,<br />
and she feared she would receive<br />
a phone call like the one<br />
Sponsored by<br />
she got Monday after her daughter’s<br />
attack.<br />
The GoFundMe page Music and<br />
another family member created<br />
says Bresnahan cannot work and<br />
will need a new car and a place<br />
to live.<br />
Music said Crystal has had surgery<br />
to repair organs damaged<br />
in the attack but was doing well<br />
Wednesday.<br />
She said her daughter wants to<br />
be open about her own ordeal to<br />
help others in similar situations.<br />
“She wants to do whatever she<br />
can,” Music said.<br />
Reprinted from the©2023 Tampa<br />
Bay Times.<br />
The BLUES 55
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
RIO GRANDE,TX.<br />
Texas builds a floating barrier in the Rio Grande.<br />
By Juliana Kim, NPR News<br />
AUSTIN, TX. – Gov. Greg Abbott<br />
plans to install a stretch of buoys<br />
on the river that divides his state<br />
and Mexico in an attempt to hinder<br />
migrants from crossing into<br />
Texas.<br />
The Rio Grande is considered<br />
one of the deadliest routes for<br />
migrants. Over the years, hundreds<br />
of people, including babies<br />
and children, have died on the<br />
river, mainly from drowning in its<br />
turbulent current.<br />
Steve McCraw, director of the<br />
Texas Department of Public<br />
Safety, described the floating<br />
barrier as a “proactive way” to<br />
prevent migrants from putting<br />
themselves at risk of drowning.<br />
But he also emphasized that the<br />
buoys will act as another layer<br />
of border security.<br />
“What these buoys will allow<br />
us to do is to prevent people<br />
from even getting to the border,”<br />
McCraw said at a border security<br />
bill signing ceremony on Thursday.<br />
But immigrant advocates say<br />
that many people who attempt<br />
to cross the Rio Grande do so<br />
because they know of very few<br />
options to reach the U.S.<br />
“Abbott’s latest stunt will make<br />
this situation even more dangerous<br />
and deadly,” said Mary Miller<br />
56 The BLUES<br />
Flowers, director of policy and<br />
legislative affairs at the Young<br />
Center for Immigrant Children’s<br />
Rights.<br />
Here is what to know about the<br />
upcoming floating border wall:<br />
• The floating barrier will be<br />
placed near Eagle Pass next<br />
month<br />
• Abbott’s plan is to place a<br />
string of 4-foot-high, bright orange<br />
buoys in the middle of the<br />
Rio Grande, according to mock<br />
images shown at Thursday’s<br />
news conference.<br />
The floating barrier will span<br />
1,000 feet — covering a tiny fraction<br />
of the 1,254 miles the river<br />
spans along the Texas-Mexico<br />
border. But the barrier is movable<br />
and it will be “deployed strategically”<br />
in migrant crossing hot<br />
spots, Abbott said.<br />
The first stretch of the buoys<br />
will be situated near Eagle Pass,<br />
which is known for being a busy<br />
migration point, in July. It is expected<br />
to cost about $1 million,<br />
according to McCraw.<br />
It will still be possible to pass<br />
through the buoys as the floating<br />
border wall is not completely<br />
traversable. McCraw admitted<br />
that there are ways to overcome<br />
it with “great effort.”<br />
When asked if it’s possible to
swim under the buoys, McCraw<br />
said, “You can and you can’t”<br />
— adding that there will be<br />
webbing attached to the barrier<br />
underwater. Regardless of<br />
these measures, the Rio Grande<br />
is notorious for its fast-flowing<br />
waters.<br />
Recent Migrant deaths at the<br />
U.S.-Mexico border have hit a record<br />
high, in part due to drownings.<br />
Abbott described the floating<br />
border as mainly designed to<br />
deter large groups of migrants<br />
from reaching Texas lines. He<br />
warned that it is only one of<br />
many barriers to entry.<br />
“When we’re dealing with 100<br />
or 1,000 people, one of the goals<br />
is to slow down and deter as<br />
many of them as possible,” Abbott<br />
said. “Some may eventually<br />
get to the border where they are<br />
going to face that multi-layered<br />
razor wire and a full force of National<br />
Guard and DPS officers.”<br />
McCraw said the 1,000-foot<br />
barrier is only the first installment<br />
of the buoys and the measure<br />
could be expanded in the<br />
future “based upon the threat,”<br />
though he did not explain what<br />
that threat is.<br />
He added that the floating border<br />
is not a new idea, rather one<br />
that has already been reviewed<br />
by the U.S. Border Patrol.<br />
“This was something that Border<br />
Patrol had already looked<br />
at, designed and even tested,”<br />
McCraw said.<br />
Meanwhile, the U.S. International<br />
Boundary and Water<br />
Commission, which oversees<br />
water treaties between U.S. and<br />
Mexico, said the announcement<br />
caught them by “surprise.” It’s<br />
only recently the IBWC has have<br />
been speaking with Texas officials<br />
about what is allowed<br />
under federal law, Frank Fisher,<br />
a spokesperson for the commission,<br />
told NPR.<br />
Fisher said the IBWC is now<br />
looking into Texas’ proposal and<br />
how it may impact international<br />
agreements between the U.S.<br />
and Mexico.<br />
UPDATE: The Biden Administration<br />
ordered the governor to<br />
immediately remove the barriers<br />
or face a Federal lawsuit. Abbott<br />
said he’d “see the President<br />
in Court.” Well he’s going to get<br />
his chance as the Fed’s flied a<br />
lawsuit against Texas saying the<br />
barriers violate Federal Law.<br />
Reprinted from NPR News.<br />
The BLUES 57
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
ACROSS THE US<br />
Latest Breaking News as we go LIVE.<br />
ABDUCTED TX GIRL RESCUED<br />
AFTER ALERTING CALIFORNIA<br />
OFFICERS WITH “HELP ME” SIGN<br />
An allegedly abducted Texas<br />
girl used a “Help Me” sign to<br />
alert police to her plight in Long<br />
Beach, CA, early this month. Long<br />
Beach police rescued her and<br />
arrested a suspect.<br />
Federal authorities say the<br />
13-year-old was kidnapped at<br />
gunpoint in San Antonio. She<br />
was reportedly sexually assaulted<br />
multiple times by the suspect<br />
as he drove her to California.<br />
The suspect Steven Robert<br />
Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, TX, is<br />
charged with one count of kidnapping<br />
and one count of transportation<br />
of a minor with intent<br />
to engage in criminal sexual<br />
activity.<br />
The U.S. Attorney’s Office<br />
of Central California says in<br />
a statement that the girl was<br />
abducted July 6 in San Antonio<br />
while walking down a street.<br />
Court documents say, “Sablan,<br />
driving a gray Nissan Sentra,<br />
approached the victim. Sablan<br />
allegedly raised a black handgun<br />
to his side and told her to get in<br />
the car, and the victim obeyed<br />
Sablan.”<br />
“Sablan allegedly began driving<br />
with the victim in the car and<br />
58 The BLUES<br />
asked her how old she was. The<br />
victim replied she was 13 years<br />
old, and – after later mentioning<br />
she had a friend in Australia –<br />
Sablan allegedly told the victim<br />
he could take her to a cruise ship<br />
to visit this friend, but she had<br />
to do something for him first. He<br />
then repeatedly sexually assaulted<br />
the victim, according to court<br />
documents,” the statement says.<br />
Over the next two days, Sablan<br />
allegedly drove the victim from<br />
Texas to California and sexually<br />
assaulted her at least two more<br />
times, according to authorities.<br />
The girl used the “Help Me”<br />
sign in the parking lot of a Long<br />
Beach laundromat.<br />
A witness telephoned law<br />
enforcement, who upon arrival<br />
saw Sablan standing outside<br />
the vehicle and saw the victim<br />
– who mouthed the word “Help”<br />
– inside the car, court documents<br />
state. During a search of<br />
the vehicle, officers retrieved a<br />
black BB gun, the “Help Me” sign,<br />
and a pair of handcuffs. Law enforcement<br />
determined the victim<br />
was a reported runaway missing<br />
person from San Antonio.
WATCH: POLICE OFFICER<br />
WRITES CHIEF DEPUTY A<br />
SPEEDING TICKET<br />
An officer on patrol in Georgia<br />
got a big surprise when he<br />
pulled over a Dodge Charger<br />
going 96 mph in a 35 mph zone.<br />
The Henry County officer<br />
walked up to the car and immediately<br />
recognized the Henry<br />
County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy,<br />
Michael Yarbrough, who was<br />
on duty at the time.<br />
Dash camera footage shows<br />
the officer making a call to<br />
another person for guidance.<br />
“Guess who I just pulled over?”<br />
the officer is heard saying.<br />
“Who?” the person replied.<br />
“Yarbrough.” The officer asked<br />
if he should write him a ticket.<br />
“It’s your traffic stop, do what<br />
you think you should do. I’m not<br />
telling you one way or another,”<br />
the person said. “I don’t care for<br />
him, so I’m going to write his ass<br />
a ticket.”<br />
After handing Chief Deputy<br />
Yarbrough a citation, the officer<br />
says “Please slow down and<br />
have a safe day.” The citation<br />
reportedly instructed Yarbrough<br />
to appear in court.<br />
Henry County Sheriff Reginald<br />
Scandrett told local media that,<br />
“Chief Deputy (Yarbrough) reported<br />
to me immediately after<br />
the traffic stop occurred that he<br />
was issued a citation for speeding.<br />
Any questions related to the<br />
citation itself should be directed<br />
to the Henry County Police<br />
Department. After reviewing the<br />
facts of the incident, I suspended<br />
the Chief Deputy for 40 hours<br />
without pay for the severity of<br />
the traffic citation.”<br />
CALIF. CITY DECLARES<br />
STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO<br />
SHORTAGE OF POLICE OFFI-<br />
CERS<br />
By Daniel Egitto,<br />
Times-Herald, Vallejo, Calif.<br />
VALLEJO,CA. — Vallejo has declared<br />
a state of emergency over<br />
its lack of police officers.<br />
A mother grieving her slain<br />
son and other outraged residents<br />
filled Vallejo City Council chambers<br />
Tuesday with cries of alarm<br />
over the Vallejo Police Department’s<br />
slow response times and<br />
evaporating resources. Council<br />
members heeded these calls<br />
for action, along with the recommendation<br />
of Interim Police<br />
The BLUES 59
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
Chief Jason Ta, with a unanimous<br />
vote to give Ta and City<br />
Manager Mike Malone the power<br />
to make unilateral decisions regarding<br />
Vallejo’s public safety.<br />
This means Ta and Malone will<br />
not have to confer with either<br />
the council or the Vallejo Police<br />
Officers’ Association before making<br />
decisions about the city’s law<br />
enforcement.<br />
“I need help,” Ta told officials.<br />
“I need you guys to be aware of<br />
it. I need the public to be aware<br />
of it.”<br />
Potential future actions include<br />
judgment calls on whether to<br />
extend officers’ shifts, pay retired<br />
officers to perform certain tasks<br />
or call in officers from other<br />
law enforcement agencies. The<br />
council will receive updates on<br />
Ta and Malone’s decisions at every<br />
regularly scheduled meeting.<br />
Councilmember Diosdado “JR”<br />
Matulac said his vote was not<br />
only about current public safety,<br />
but also about the very nature<br />
of policing in a city with fewer<br />
and fewer officers patrolling its<br />
streets.<br />
“I think what most people don’t<br />
understand is, if we keep going<br />
down the road we’re going in,<br />
we’re going to get taken over by<br />
another jurisdiction,” he warned.<br />
“And when that happens, we<br />
have no say in this. You will have<br />
no say in this. So we need to try<br />
and stop the bleeding now.”<br />
Staffing shortages have devastated<br />
police dispatch times<br />
in Vallejo, with an average of<br />
almost an hour and a half passing<br />
between the time emergency<br />
60 The BLUES<br />
services receive a call warranting<br />
police response and the time<br />
an officer is sent. <strong>No</strong>where else<br />
in Solano County faces delays<br />
anywhere near this severe.<br />
So few police officers remain<br />
in Vallejo, Ta said police have<br />
collapsed their traffic division<br />
and begun rotating one detective<br />
per week to work a patrol shift.<br />
He said they may also entirely<br />
stop responding to some calls,<br />
such as alarm calls, in the near<br />
future.<br />
OHIO OFFICER FIRED AFTER<br />
RELEASING K-9 ON A SURREN-<br />
DERING TRUCK DRIVER<br />
By Patrick Orsagos, Bruce Shipkowski<br />
and Samantha Hendrickson.<br />
Associated Press.<br />
COLUMBUS, OH. — A police<br />
officer in rural Ohio was fired<br />
Wednesday after he released<br />
his police K-9 on a surrendering<br />
truck driver despite state troopers<br />
telling him to hold the K9<br />
back.<br />
The Circleville Police Department<br />
said Ryan Speakman “did<br />
not meet the standards and<br />
expectations we hold for our<br />
police officers” and his termination<br />
is “effective immediately.”<br />
His firing comes a day after the<br />
department said he was on paid<br />
administrative leave, which is<br />
standard during use-of-force<br />
investigations.<br />
The town’s civilian police review<br />
board has found Speakman<br />
didn’t violate department policy<br />
when he deployed the dog,<br />
Wednesday’s police statement<br />
said, adding that the review<br />
board doesn’t have the authority<br />
to recommend discipline.<br />
Department officials said they<br />
would have no further comment<br />
on the matter “at this time” since<br />
it’s a personnel matter. Messages<br />
seeking comment from<br />
Speakman were not immediately<br />
returned.<br />
The Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent<br />
Association, a police union<br />
Speakman belongs to, said<br />
Wednesday it had filed a grievance<br />
on his behalf and that he
was fired without just cause.<br />
Speakman, who joined the<br />
Circleville department in February<br />
2020, deployed his police<br />
dog following a lengthy pursuit<br />
on July 4 involving the Ohio State<br />
Highway Patrol. The episode<br />
was captured on a police body<br />
camera.<br />
Troopers tried to stop a commercial<br />
semi-truck that was<br />
missing a mudflap and failed to<br />
halt for an inspection, according<br />
to a highway patrol incident<br />
report. The nearby Circleville<br />
Police Department was called in<br />
to assist.<br />
The 23-year-old truck driver,<br />
Jadarrius Rose of Memphis, Tennessee,<br />
initially refused to get<br />
out of the truck and later defied<br />
instructions to get on the ground,<br />
according to the incident report<br />
and the body cam video. Rose<br />
eventually got on his knees and<br />
raised his hands in the air.<br />
The body camera video shows<br />
Speakman holding back the<br />
K9, and a trooper can be heard<br />
off-camera repeatedly yelling,<br />
“Do not release the dog with his<br />
hands up!” However, Speakman<br />
deploys the dog and it can be<br />
seen in the video attacking Rose,<br />
who yells “Get it off! Please!<br />
Please!”<br />
Rose was treated at a hospital<br />
for dog bites.<br />
He was charged with failure to<br />
comply, and hasn’t responded to<br />
an email sent Monday seeking<br />
comment. Attorney Benjamin<br />
Partee, who is representing Rose,<br />
did not immediately respond to a<br />
request for comment.<br />
It’s not clear why he refused<br />
to stop for police. Rose told<br />
The Columbus Dispatch that he<br />
couldn’t talk about why he didn’t<br />
stop. But when asked about the<br />
video, told the newspaper: “I’m<br />
just glad that it was recorded.<br />
What you saw is what, pretty<br />
much, happened.”<br />
LT WOUNDED IN RAMPAGE<br />
THAT KILLED PA TROOPER RE-<br />
LEASED FROM HOSPITAL<br />
A Pennsylvania State Police<br />
lieutenant who was critically<br />
wounded in a multi-location<br />
attack against state troopers on<br />
June 17 in Juniata County was<br />
released from the hospital Monday.<br />
Police say the suspect who<br />
shot Lt. James A. Wagner also<br />
ambushed and killed Trooper<br />
Jacques Rougeau Jr. on the same<br />
afternoon. The suspect was<br />
killed in a fierce gun battle with<br />
police.<br />
Following the shooting, Wagner<br />
was taken to Lewistown Hospital<br />
and then life-flighted to the<br />
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.<br />
The hospital made the announcement<br />
that Wagner was<br />
being discharged after a long<br />
stay, and his next steps in recovery<br />
will be at a rehabilitation<br />
facility.<br />
The BLUES 61
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
CANADIAN K-9 SHOT AND<br />
KILLED DURING ARREST<br />
A Toronto Police K-9 was<br />
killed and an armed man was<br />
shot and injured Tuesday as<br />
officers attempted to arrest him<br />
in connection with a homicide,<br />
Ontario’s Special investigations<br />
Unit (SIU) says.<br />
Police went to an apartment<br />
building around 8 p.m. in order<br />
to apprehend a 44-year-old man<br />
wanted for second-degree murder,<br />
according to SIU spokesperson<br />
Kristy Denette, who spoke to<br />
reporters Wednesday morning,<br />
the CBC reports.<br />
The man fired at police and<br />
then fled through a residential<br />
neighborhood before ending up<br />
in a backyard, Denette said.<br />
K-9 Bingo was part of the<br />
search. The man shot and killed<br />
Bingo, Denette said. That is when<br />
a police officer shot and injured<br />
the man, she added. The man<br />
was taken to hospital for treatment,<br />
where he remains.<br />
Bingo, a two-year-old German<br />
Shepherd, joined the force in July<br />
2022.<br />
TRIAL BEGINS FOR COLORADO<br />
OFFICER WHO PUT WOMAN IN<br />
CRUISER HIT BY TRAIN<br />
By Colleen Slevin,<br />
Associated Press<br />
DENVER — A Colorado police<br />
officer accused of putting a<br />
handcuffed woman in a parked<br />
police car that was hit by a<br />
freight train did not know the<br />
car was parked on the tracks,<br />
the officer’s lawyer said in court<br />
Monday.<br />
62 The BLUES<br />
While evidence will show<br />
Officer Jordan Steinke stood on<br />
the railroad tracks during a night<br />
traffic stop on Sept. 16, 2022,<br />
she did not know that an officer<br />
she was assisting had parked his<br />
patrol car on the tracks, defense<br />
lawyer Mallory Revel said<br />
in opening statements in state<br />
court in Greeley. The woman<br />
inside, Yareni Rios-Gonzalez,<br />
suffered extensive injuries, including<br />
a traumatic brain injury.<br />
The tracks were completely<br />
flush with the road, with nothing<br />
to trip over, and there were<br />
no illuminated crossing signs or<br />
gates at the railroad crossing in<br />
the rural area, just two reflective<br />
signs on either side of the tracks,<br />
Revel said.<br />
Prosecutors will not be able to<br />
prove that she acted recklessly<br />
by leaving the woman in the patrol<br />
car, Revel said.<br />
“You cannot disregard a risk<br />
of which you are unaware, no<br />
matter how obvious that risk<br />
may later seem,” said Revel,<br />
who stressed the case hinged on<br />
what Steinke knew in the moment.<br />
In her opening statement, Deputy<br />
District Attorney Lacy Wells<br />
noted Steinke had walked across<br />
the train tracks several times<br />
during the incident, including<br />
when she escorted Rios-Gonzalez<br />
to the patrol car after<br />
arresting her. She did not lay<br />
out exactly what Steinke knew,<br />
but she said prosecutors would<br />
present evidence about her state<br />
of mind.<br />
“The court will see and hear<br />
evidence from which the court<br />
can infer the defendant’s mental<br />
state at the time she elected to
place Yareni Rios-Gonzalez in<br />
the Platteville patrol car parked<br />
on the railroad tracks, instead<br />
of her own patrol unit that was<br />
safely parked to the west of the<br />
railroad tracks,” Wells said.<br />
Previously released police<br />
video shows officers searching<br />
Rios-Gonzalez’s truck as the<br />
train approaches with its horn<br />
is blaring. Other footage shows<br />
officers scrambling as the train<br />
approaches and slams into the<br />
vehicle.<br />
Steinke, who was working for<br />
the Fort Lupton Police Department,<br />
was following her training,<br />
which taught her to focus on<br />
patting down the suspect, getting<br />
her in the nearest patrol car<br />
and then making sure there was<br />
no one else in Rios-Gonzalez’s<br />
vehicle who could be waiting to<br />
ambush police, Revel said.<br />
The officer from the nearby<br />
Platteville Police Department<br />
who parked the patrol car on the<br />
tracks is also being prosecuted<br />
for misdemeanor counts of<br />
reckless endangerment. Steinke<br />
is being prosecuted for criminal<br />
attempt to commit manslaughter,<br />
a felony; reckless endangerment;<br />
and third-degree assault,<br />
both misdemeanors.<br />
There is no jury for the trial,<br />
which is scheduled to end Friday.<br />
Testimony is being heard by<br />
Judge Timothy Kerns, who will<br />
issue a verdict.<br />
Rios-Gonzalez is suing over her<br />
treatment, after being arrested<br />
when a driver reported she had<br />
pointed a gun at him during a<br />
road rage incident. The lawsuit<br />
accused three officers of acting<br />
recklessly and failing in their<br />
duty to take care of her while<br />
she was in their custody.<br />
HUNTER BIDEN’S LAWYER<br />
PICTURED SMOKING BONG<br />
DURING CLIENT’S VISIT<br />
Kevin Morris, who represents<br />
Hunter Biden, was photographed<br />
by the UK Daily Mail apparently<br />
smoking a substance from a water<br />
“bong” from the balcony of<br />
his Los Angeles, California, home<br />
during his client’s visit.<br />
Hunter Biden visited his ‘sugar<br />
brother’ Hollywood lawyer Kevin<br />
Morris – who was photographed<br />
appearing to smoke from a bong.<br />
The First Son took a trip from<br />
his Malibu pad to the Pacific<br />
Palisades on Thursday to visit his<br />
attorney, after agreeing to plead<br />
guilty to federal tax crimes last<br />
month.<br />
While Hunter was at the house,<br />
Morris was snapped on a balcony<br />
in plain view of the public<br />
street appearing to huff from a<br />
white bong, in photos exclusively<br />
obtained by DailyMail.com.<br />
The photos suggest that the<br />
home is in the seaside neighborhood<br />
of Castellamare.<br />
The alleged “bong” event took<br />
place the same day that Sen.<br />
Chuck Grassley (R-IA) revealed<br />
an FBI FD-1023 form in which<br />
a source alleged that Hunter<br />
and Joe Biden took money from<br />
Burisma, an allegedly corrupt<br />
Ukrainian energy firm.<br />
The funds were allegedly<br />
transferred through a series of<br />
shell companies. The allegations<br />
in the form have not been verified.<br />
Recreational marijuana is legal<br />
in California, though the Daily<br />
Mail did not confirm the substance<br />
smoked was marijuana.<br />
The BLUES 63
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
yrs.<br />
64 The BLUES<br />
LOUISVILLE OFFICER SHOT IN<br />
HEAD DURING BANK MASSA-<br />
CRE EARLIER THIS YEAR GET-<br />
TING RELEASED FROM HOSPI-<br />
TAL<br />
LOUISVILLE, KY. – A Louisville<br />
police officer who suffered a<br />
gunshot wound to the head<br />
while responding to a deadly<br />
April shooting at a bank is set<br />
to be released from the hospital<br />
where he was treated for his injuries,<br />
according to the Louisville<br />
Metro Police Department.<br />
Nickolas Wilt, 26, suffered a<br />
critical gunshot wound to the<br />
head while responding to a mass<br />
shooting at the Old National<br />
Bank in downtown Louisville<br />
April 10, <strong>2023.</strong> During the murderous<br />
attack, five victims were<br />
killed and another eight were<br />
wounded. The gunman also died<br />
during the bloodbath, Law Officer<br />
previously reported.<br />
Wilt was working only his<br />
fourth shift as a police officer<br />
after graduating from the academy<br />
just 11 days before the bank<br />
massacre. The courageous firstyear<br />
officer was one of the first<br />
responders at the scene and ran<br />
toward gunfire without hesitation,<br />
authorities said. Other officers<br />
eventually shot and killed<br />
the gunman.<br />
The critically wounded officer<br />
had brain surgery following the<br />
shooting. He spent roughly a<br />
month on a ventilator, authorities<br />
said.<br />
<strong>No</strong>w, following three months of<br />
both medical and rehab treatment,<br />
Wilt is being discharged<br />
from the Frazier Rehabilitation<br />
institute in Louisville, law<br />
enforcement authorities said<br />
Thursday, Yahoo News reported.<br />
“This is the day we have all<br />
been praying for,” a statement<br />
from Louisville Police said. “The<br />
Wilt family has felt so much<br />
love and support from so many<br />
people and would like to extend<br />
an invite to all LMPD, all first<br />
responders, as well as the entire<br />
community to attend a celebration<br />
of Officer Wilt returning<br />
home!”<br />
TEXAS GOVERNOR SIGNS<br />
PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS INTO<br />
LAW, SPARKING CONTROVERSY<br />
APB Team<br />
In a move aimed at enhancing<br />
public safety, Texas Governor<br />
Greg Abbott recently signed a<br />
series of bills into law, stirring<br />
both support and controversy.<br />
Among the legislation signed<br />
was House Bill 17, which seeks<br />
to crack down on “rogue district<br />
attorneys” by holding them<br />
accountable for not prosecuting<br />
certain crimes.<br />
One such instance involves Travis<br />
County DA Jose Garza, whose<br />
office pledged to not prosecute<br />
minor drug offenses or cases related<br />
to the state’s abortion ban.<br />
HB 17 considers a district attorney’s<br />
refusal to prosecute certain<br />
crimes as “official misconduct,”<br />
potentially leading to their removal<br />
from office by an external<br />
judge.<br />
Proponents argue that this<br />
measure ensures justice for victims,<br />
while critics express concerns<br />
about potential repercussions<br />
on criminal justice reform<br />
efforts.<br />
While some district attorneys<br />
have declined to comment on<br />
HB 17, opponents worry that<br />
this legislation may discourage
eform-minded DAs from assuming<br />
office and contribute to<br />
increased incarcerations.<br />
Austin Justice Coalition Policy<br />
Director Chris Harris expressed<br />
concern over the potential consequences<br />
of the bill.<br />
“This is a step toward catching<br />
our governor up with the governor<br />
of Florida,” Harris said. “Ensuring<br />
that the people that they<br />
go after, the people that they try<br />
to marginalize, whether it’s trans<br />
folks, people seeking abortion,<br />
undocumented folks or Black<br />
people in our community, that<br />
all the elected officials within<br />
their state have to do the same<br />
thing.”<br />
In addition to HB 17, Abbott<br />
signed two laws targeting “street<br />
takeovers” like those witnessed<br />
in Austin earlier this year. These<br />
laws empower law enforcement<br />
to seize vehicles involved in racing<br />
and classify street racing as<br />
a form of organized crime.<br />
Furthermore, Abbott endorsed<br />
stricter penalties for theft or illegal<br />
possession of catalytic converters,<br />
longer prison sentences<br />
for violent criminals causing<br />
paralysis to victims and the classification<br />
of parolees cutting off<br />
their ankle monitors as a felony.<br />
To further support law enforcement,<br />
Abbott also approved<br />
$330 million in funding for<br />
sheriff’s offices in rural counties<br />
such as Llano, Hays, Bastrop and<br />
Burnet. The funds will facilitate<br />
salary increases for sheriffs and<br />
their staff, as well as the recruitment<br />
of additional personnel.<br />
The recent bill signings also<br />
addressed other contentious<br />
issues.<br />
Senate Bill 17 restricts diversity,<br />
equity and inclusion (DEI) programs<br />
on campuses, prohibiting<br />
the establishment of DEI offices<br />
and barring universities from<br />
making hiring decisions based<br />
on race, sex, color or ethnicity.<br />
Additionally, Senate Bill 18, initially<br />
aimed at banning tenure at<br />
universities, underwent revisions<br />
and now requires institutions to<br />
outline specific procedures for<br />
granting tenure and the evaluation<br />
process for tenured faculty.<br />
<strong>No</strong>tably, SB 17 faced opposition<br />
from students who rallied<br />
against the legislation, advocating<br />
for the protection of DEI<br />
initiatives on campuses. Despite<br />
concerns, university leadership<br />
has committed to reviewing<br />
existing practices and complying<br />
with new laws.<br />
Reacting to the bills in a press<br />
release, the office of Senator<br />
Brandon Creighton called SB<br />
17 the “most significant ban on<br />
diversity, equity and inclusion in<br />
higher education in the nation.”<br />
Creighton emphasized the positive<br />
impact of these laws. “<strong>No</strong>w<br />
that these bills are law, institutes<br />
of higher education are better<br />
equipped to prepare the next<br />
generation of leaders, and keep<br />
Texas the economic engine of<br />
the nation,” he said.<br />
The BLUES 65
NOW HIRING<br />
PRIORITY BOLO<br />
yrs.<br />
ISD PD JOB LISTINGS<br />
IS YOUR ISD PD<br />
HIRING?<br />
YOUR DEPARTMENT’S RECRUITING AD<br />
CAN BE LISTED HERE FOR ONLY $250<br />
bluespdmag@gmail.com<br />
66 The BLUES
ALDINE ISD<br />
POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
JOIN OUR TEAM<br />
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Sick Leave<br />
• Paid Vacation<br />
• Paid Holidays<br />
• Personal Days<br />
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TCOLE CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE<br />
• Intermediate PO: $2,400<br />
• Advanced PO: $4,800<br />
• Master PO: $7,200<br />
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be 21 Years Of Age<br />
• Must Hold an Active Tcole Peace Officer License<br />
• Must Complete the Following:<br />
• Pass Physical Agility Test<br />
• Background Investigation<br />
• Psychological Evaluation<br />
• Drug Screening<br />
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT<br />
SGT. HALL AT 281.442.4923<br />
OR VISIT ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
APPLY AT<br />
ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
STARTING SALARY $55,000 WITH NO EXPERIENCE<br />
UP TO $85,000 DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE<br />
ALDINE ISD PD OFFERS<br />
DEPARTMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Uniforms Provided, Including Duty Weapon<br />
• Department Provided Training<br />
• Starting Pay Depends on<br />
Qualifications / Experience<br />
• TCOLE Certification / Education Pay<br />
• Most Officers work Day Shift with Weekends Off<br />
(INCENTIVE PAY FOR DETECTIVES, K-9 HANDLERS, AND<br />
FIREARM INSTRUCTORS.)<br />
SPECIALIZED DIVISIONS<br />
• Criminal Investigations<br />
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• Firearm Instructor<br />
$1,000 SIGNING BONUS<br />
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Montgomery County’s 3 rd Largest Law Enforcement Agency<br />
• $50,363 minimum starting salary<br />
• Certification pay:<br />
Int - $1,600, Adv - $2,400, Mstr - $3,700<br />
FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER<br />
• Competitive insurance & benefits<br />
• Teacher Retirement System (TRS)<br />
• 20 paid leave days & 12 paid holidays<br />
Opportunity<br />
multiple divisions including<br />
Investigations, Patrol, and<br />
K-9 services<br />
Growth<br />
100+ annual training hours,<br />
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Field Training Officer<br />
Balance<br />
overtime pay, comp time,<br />
most weekends off, prior LE<br />
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT<br />
HTTPS://POLICE.CONROEISD.NET/DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION/EMPLOYMENT/<br />
police.conroeisd.net<br />
CISDPolice<br />
@CISDPolice<br />
The BLUES 67
NOW HIRING<br />
PRIORITY BOLO<br />
yrs.<br />
ISD PD JOB LISTINGS<br />
FIND YOUR ISD<br />
POSITION HERE<br />
68 The BLUES
Forney ISD<br />
Police Department<br />
NOW<br />
HIRING<br />
Police Officers<br />
Description<br />
School-based police officers work<br />
with school administrators, security<br />
staff, and faculty to ensure the safety<br />
and well-being of students at various<br />
campuses. This officer works as the<br />
main security arm of a school.<br />
Experience<br />
SBLE Experience preferred<br />
Demonstrate the ability to<br />
teach & engage with youth<br />
Requirements<br />
U.S. Citizen<br />
Accredited High School Diploma<br />
or equivalent<br />
Valid Texas Peace Officer License<br />
Valid Texas Driver's License<br />
Two or more years of college or<br />
advanced training preferred<br />
Positions starting<br />
at $29.89/hr<br />
Retention Stipends<br />
Clothing Allowance<br />
Health/Childcare Incentive<br />
Paid Training<br />
Lateral Entry<br />
APPLY ONLINE TODAY!<br />
www.forneyisd.net<br />
<strong>No</strong>w Hiring<br />
School District Police Officer<br />
Must be TCOLE Certified<br />
www.pfisd.net/police<br />
226 day work schedule with starting<br />
salary between $52,884 and $60,821<br />
depending on experience<br />
Overtime Opportunities Available<br />
Stipends for TCOLE Advanced & Master<br />
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Thanksgiving, Winter, &<br />
Spring Breaks off<br />
Take Home Vehicle Program<br />
Great Insurance & Benefits<br />
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SPRING BRANCH ISD POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
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55 officer department<br />
44 square mile district<br />
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We want you to preserve, protect, and defend our future.<br />
Starting Pay $63,000 (TCOLE Basic Peace Officer certification with no experience)<br />
Language pay<br />
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Intermediate, Advanced and<br />
Master Peace Officer<br />
certificate pay<br />
Paid time off<br />
Ample overtime opportunities<br />
Apply online today. springbranchisd.com/join-our-team<br />
The BLUES 69
the abc’s of<br />
UAS<br />
Brandon Karr<br />
Crash Reconstruction with Drones: The Gateway Drug<br />
to a UAS Program at Your Law Enforcement Agency.<br />
If you were a child of the ‘80s<br />
and grew up during the “War on<br />
Drugs” era of Nancy Reagan’s<br />
“Just say no” slogans and Drug<br />
Abuse Resistance Education<br />
(D.A.R.E.) programs spreading<br />
through schools in the US, then<br />
you are no stranger to what a<br />
gateway drug is. If you are unfamiliar<br />
with the definition of a<br />
gateway drug, I will save you the<br />
Google search. A gateway drug is<br />
a habit-forming drug that, while<br />
not itself addictive, may lead to<br />
the use of other addictive drugs.<br />
So, if you think that by comparing<br />
drones to drugs, I might<br />
be using a gateway drug, you are<br />
right. About the comparison, that<br />
is, there is no drug use going on<br />
here. But now I have your attention,<br />
so hear me out.<br />
When anyone considers starting<br />
a UAS program, many factors<br />
must be evaluated. When a Law<br />
Enforcement Agency wants to do<br />
this, I would argue there is one<br />
more factor that, while it applies<br />
to UAS programs in general, is<br />
even more of a consideration<br />
for Law Enforcement, and that is<br />
public trust.<br />
Quite often, when you mention<br />
Law Enforcement and drones,<br />
you can get a raised eyebrow or<br />
a sideways look from someone. I<br />
understand the concern that the<br />
public has and could probably<br />
70 The BLUES<br />
dedicate an entire article to why<br />
you should be more concerned<br />
about someone with a cellphone<br />
camera or Google Maps than a<br />
camera on a drone at 200’. The<br />
fact remains that we, as Law<br />
Enforcement Officers have to<br />
develop responsible UAS programs<br />
and educate those that we<br />
protect and serve about this new<br />
technology.<br />
Over the past few years, I have<br />
had multiple opportunities to<br />
discuss the UAS program my<br />
agency has created. The audience<br />
has varied and included<br />
other public safety professionals,<br />
drone industry executives,<br />
enthusiasts, hobbyists, and even<br />
members of the public that have<br />
never seen a drone flying before.<br />
When people in the UAS community<br />
ask what my agency is<br />
doing with drones, my response<br />
typically leads to a great back<br />
and forth conversation about the<br />
technology.<br />
Often when the public asks,<br />
“what are you using drones for?”<br />
They will follow up with another<br />
question before I can tell them.<br />
Questions like, “Is that thing<br />
going to give me a ticket? Can it<br />
read my license plate? Are you<br />
going to follow people in their<br />
cars with that?” I always give the<br />
same response, “We are using<br />
drones to map crash scenes. We<br />
can get the road opened much<br />
faster using the drone, so it is<br />
safer for us working the crash,<br />
and you do not have to sit in a<br />
traffic jam.” The response typically<br />
goes something like, “Oh, I
The BLUES 71
the abc’s of<br />
UAS<br />
Brandon Karr<br />
like the sound of that!”<br />
In a Washington Post article,<br />
Look what’s new on the accident<br />
investigation team: Drones by<br />
Jenni Bergal, even the American<br />
Civil Liberties Union was<br />
supportive of drones being used<br />
in crash investigations. Chad<br />
Marlow, a senior counsel at the<br />
American Civil Liberties Union in<br />
New York, said, “Filming a traffic<br />
accident overhead to get a<br />
better view, if it’s strictly limited<br />
to that purpose, is not the sort<br />
of thing we would necessarily<br />
object to.”<br />
In May of 2017, the <strong>No</strong>rth Carolina<br />
State Highway Patrol - Collision<br />
Reconstruction Unit and the<br />
<strong>No</strong>rth Carolina Department of<br />
Transportation Aviation Division<br />
- UAS Program Office conducted<br />
a test crash. The crash was a<br />
demonstration for the Governor’s<br />
Highway Safety Program annual<br />
“Click it or Ticket” media event.<br />
72 The BLUES<br />
The crash was also the perfect<br />
opportunity for the Collision<br />
Reconstruction Unit to map the<br />
scene using their 3D laser scanner<br />
while the UAS Program Office<br />
mapped the scene with their<br />
drone.<br />
It was no surprise that the<br />
drone was faster, almost three<br />
and a half times faster. This<br />
means the time that first responders<br />
are in the road and<br />
exposed to danger is less, traffic<br />
backups are shortened, resulting<br />
in fewer secondary collisions,<br />
and the roadway can be restored<br />
to the normal flow of traffic,<br />
which is of particular interest to<br />
the motoring public!<br />
The data collected by the drone<br />
was processed by a photogrammetrist<br />
with the <strong>No</strong>rth Carolina<br />
Department of Transportation,<br />
and the accuracy was evaluated<br />
and found to be very reliable. If<br />
you are interested in reading the<br />
study and learning more about<br />
its details, you can click the link<br />
to read the NC Crash Scene Mapping<br />
with Drones study.<br />
So, if you are still asking, what<br />
does all of this have to do with<br />
gateway drugs? Crash reconstruction<br />
with drones is the<br />
program that will help you build<br />
a responsible, public trust-building<br />
UAS program at your Law<br />
Enforcement Agency. Once the<br />
public sees this incredibly beneficial<br />
piece of technology being<br />
used to help protect and serve,<br />
you will have their trust, leading<br />
to other uses and expanding the<br />
program in your department.<br />
The <strong>No</strong>rth Carolina State Highway<br />
Patrol has seen the public<br />
embrace the use of drones to<br />
map crash scenes in their State.<br />
Creating a similar program at<br />
your agency may give you the<br />
push needed to get your program<br />
off the ground!
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The BLUES 73
getting to know<br />
BY SENIOR EDITOR, DR. TINA JAECKLE<br />
I had the wonderful opportunity to chat recently with Sean “Sticks”<br />
Larkin to discuss his journey in the policing and media fields and his<br />
current project with FOX Nation’s Crime Cam 24/7. When asked how he<br />
was doing, he summed his current status up with, “Life is good!”.<br />
EARLY BEGINNINGS<br />
Larkin grew up the son of active-duty military parents and attributes<br />
his interest in law enforcement to his structured home life in the Bay<br />
Area during the late ’80s and early ’90s. “That’s when criminal street<br />
gangs manifested into what they turned into,” he said. He then moved<br />
to Oklahoma for college, where he spent two years at Rogers State<br />
University and then transferred to Langston University for night classes<br />
while working full-time during the day. Larkin had planned on just<br />
gaining his degree and then returning to the West Coast to become a<br />
cop, but after he did an internship with the Tulsa Police Department in<br />
1997, he got hired immediately. He spent a total of 25 years in the policing<br />
field.<br />
74 The BLUES
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EMBRACING THE OPPORTUNITY<br />
Larkin, a now-retired lieutenant with the<br />
Tulsa (Oklahoma) police department, has<br />
started a new chapter in his life, and we at<br />
the BLUES Police Magazine are excited to<br />
share his next step in the media field. Larkin,<br />
49, has admittedly been a bit surprised<br />
at his career trajectory as he is a self-proclaimed<br />
simple man who enjoys cross fit,<br />
mountain-climbing, and being a father and<br />
husband. He added, “I say it to everybody.<br />
I’m a regular dude. I don’t have any artistic<br />
talents. I can’t play an instrument. I can’t<br />
sing. It was literally just a fluke deal, right<br />
place, right time. There was an opportunity,<br />
and I capitalized on it, of course. But I<br />
think what has helped with the success is<br />
anytime, whether it was before the television<br />
stuff happened, I supervised our gang<br />
unit here in Tulsa, and Tulsa has a pretty<br />
large police department. I had to do a lot of<br />
media interviews and from day one, when<br />
I spoke with the media or even continued<br />
on to doing the television stuff, I would try<br />
to talk like I was talking to somebody in an<br />
informal setting. I think it helped for people<br />
watching at home”.<br />
76 The BLUES
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THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY<br />
At the heart of Larkin’s media platform is<br />
a focus on the reality of policing and crime<br />
through the lens of a camera. According to a<br />
New York Times article (Underwood, 2020),<br />
Larkin began to highlight the police role on<br />
“Live PD” which premiered on A&E in 2016,<br />
and the Tulsa Police Department was one<br />
of six that initially signed on. Larkin was<br />
one of the officers the cameras followed on<br />
rounds and in the field. Until recently, Larkin<br />
was in the studio, helping to host the show<br />
with Dan Abrams, analyzing the footage on<br />
“Live PD” much like a sportscaster. “Live PD”<br />
would cut between footage of police officers<br />
around the country as they make traffic<br />
stops, respond to calls, and go on highspeed<br />
chases. Larkin viewed “Live PD” as a<br />
tool to let the public see what policing is<br />
like beyond cellphone footage. He further<br />
explained, “I think that if we get the whole<br />
story and the officer was in the wrong, hey,<br />
he was in the wrong,” he said. “Because it’s<br />
live, the public gets to see what happened<br />
in an encounter with police from start to<br />
finish, a chance for the audience to better<br />
understand what the officer had to do.” In<br />
2020, “Live PD” was canceled following nationwide<br />
calls for police reform and was<br />
later revamped as “On Patrol: Live” in July<br />
2022 and is currently broadcasted by Reelz.<br />
78 The BLUES
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BREAKING BLUE: REAL LIFE STORIES<br />
OF COPS FALSELY ACCUSED<br />
Larkin has also been passionate for years about<br />
highlighting the reality of false allegations that<br />
can occur against police officers, as he also experienced<br />
this firsthand. “In 2010, here in Tulsa,<br />
there was a well-documented police corruption<br />
investigation that went on, and my name and the<br />
names of some other officers were thrown into<br />
it, and we hadn’t done anything wrong. Here we<br />
are 11 years later, I was in a trial that became<br />
one of the focal points during the trial: I was accused<br />
of doing something wrong, but I was never<br />
charged with anything. But the accusations<br />
still get thrown out there, so I sympathize with<br />
anybody in any walk of life that has been falsely<br />
accused of something or falsely convicted of<br />
something.” Larkin gathered a series of vignettes<br />
to allow officers to share their stories with the<br />
public. With what’s going on in this country right<br />
now, it is something important to say”. Larkin<br />
released a book in 2021 on this topic titled<br />
“Breaking Blue: Real Life Stories of Cops Falsely<br />
Accused,” and it is available on Amazon.<br />
80 The BLUES
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FAME AND NOTORIETY<br />
There is no question Larkin has gained fame and notoriety<br />
since he began in the media field. “The show was, you<br />
know, the number one cable television show with about<br />
2.1 million viewers every episode,” Larkin said. “So, when<br />
somebody sees me. Yes, they recognized me from the show,<br />
but they also knew I was a police officer and came up and<br />
talked to me. And the way I’ve always looked at it, it’s like,<br />
man, that’s a positive contact that person is having with a<br />
police officer. Because the fact is, most of the time, somebody<br />
is talking to the police, that’s when something bad<br />
happened, whether they’re being pulled over for a driving<br />
violation or involved in a traffic accident. they came<br />
home from work, and their house was burglarized. It’s always<br />
something bad that people call the police out for. So,<br />
whether I was out having dinner, with my guys at lunch,<br />
on a call, and citizens came up and talked to us, they still<br />
knew I was a cop, and it’s always a positive interaction.”<br />
More than 233,000 people follow Larkin on social media<br />
such as Twitter. At the height of the Live PD show’s popularity,<br />
his fans created Facebook pages dedicated to him.<br />
“Some of the names have been pretty funny,” Larkin smiled.<br />
“I think there was one called the Sticky Chicks because you<br />
know my nickname, “Sticks.” I think there were Larkin’s ladies.<br />
So, there are some pretty funny ones out there. I, to<br />
this day, have never been on Facebook in my entire life. My<br />
mom is in part of these groups. She’s usually the one that<br />
updates me about things going on.”<br />
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GIVING BACK<br />
Since retirement, Larkin has focused on<br />
his charitable work for years in the Tulsa<br />
community. He is working with such<br />
groups as Best Buddies, which provides<br />
mentorship to special needs children,<br />
and launched his own nonprofit last fall<br />
called STICKS Cares. The acronym plays<br />
on Larkin’s famous nickname, Support<br />
The Inner City Kids.<br />
ADVICE FOR NEW OFFICERS<br />
I asked Larkin what kind of advice or<br />
insight he could offer to a new officer<br />
starting in the field. He explained, “Because<br />
of my unique position of being a<br />
recognizable face in law enforcement<br />
due to my TV work, I get contacted by<br />
many younger people, typically college<br />
students or somebody looking to make a<br />
career change and choose to become an<br />
officer. I say it to everybody: I loved this<br />
profession, and despite everything that’s<br />
going on right now, I would still do it<br />
again, without a doubt. I try to tell people<br />
that from my own experience, I think<br />
people should try to work for a larger<br />
agency. It is not right for everybody;<br />
however, for an officer who goes in and<br />
works for a larger agency, you obviously<br />
have more opportunities to do different<br />
things because you get burned out. You<br />
get burned out, whether you’re in patrol,<br />
you get burned out, whether you’re a<br />
detective, I was on SWAT for seven years,<br />
I got burned out on SWAT. I was ready for<br />
something different. Working for a larger<br />
agency gives you many opportunities to<br />
do things. You also have more opportunities<br />
for advancement and promotion.<br />
Before I was promoted to supervisor,<br />
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there were supervisors I worked for that I<br />
thought were fantastic leaders. I was like,<br />
I want to be like this guy”. Larkin also emphasized<br />
the importance of spending time<br />
with others outside of law enforcement. “In<br />
going to a CrossFit gym. I was around or<br />
still am around people who are in the medical<br />
field, people who are attorneys, and<br />
people who are in oil and gas here in Oklahoma.<br />
I got to meet all these other people<br />
away from the job. Those are the majority<br />
of the people that throughout my life I have<br />
spent time outside of work with. It was a<br />
way for me to detach and be away from the<br />
job and not constantly talk about the same<br />
stories that happened over and over again.”<br />
FINDING BALANCE<br />
Larkin is clearly embracing more balance<br />
in his life now. He offered, “With me turning<br />
50 this year and my father having had<br />
a major heart attack out of nowhere last<br />
year and surviving it, I realized there’s only<br />
so much time in life and your profession.<br />
We know that there’s a reason why many<br />
police pension systems are the best in the<br />
state, like they are here in Oklahoma. They<br />
stay fully funded because we have guys<br />
that put in money for 20, 25, and 35 years,<br />
and then they live only four years after retirement.<br />
I want to try to enjoy this portion<br />
of life, so I’m cutting back from On Patrol<br />
Live. I will still be on there, but that show<br />
runs 48 weekends a year live. I’ve worked<br />
weekends my whole career. I live in Oklahoma,<br />
and I travel there. I enjoy the show<br />
and love everybody I work with. But this is<br />
the time for me to enjoy life more. I’ve got<br />
adult children now, am newly married, and<br />
this will allow me to spend some time on<br />
other projects”.
Police engage in a deadly shootout when<br />
a gunman takes over a city bus. A convenience<br />
store owner fights fire with fire.<br />
Three dumpster divers make a shocking<br />
discovery.<br />
Episode 102: Dine & Crash:<br />
A shocking hit and run at a fast-food<br />
restaurant. A local teen steps in to save a<br />
young mother and her children from a violent<br />
attacker. The U.S. Coast Guard stops at<br />
nothing to keep millions of dollars’ worth<br />
of cocaine from entering the country.<br />
Episode 103: Fighting Back:<br />
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Larkin has started a new chapter as host for a show titled “CrimeCam<br />
24/7,” which tells the story of true crime events captured on surveillance<br />
cameras, with video from those events factoring heavily in the show’s coverage.<br />
The series builds on Fox Nation’s library of true crime content, including<br />
the reboot of the iconic Fox show “Cops.” “After green-lighting the<br />
iconic series Cops back in 2021, we saw how engaged our subscribers are<br />
in the realm of true crime, and we are thrilled to offer new content from<br />
this genre to meet the strong demand,” Jason Klarman, the president of<br />
Fox Nation, said in a statement. “As a former member of law enforcement,<br />
Sticks is the perfect voice to bring this show to life.”<br />
CrimeCam 24/7 won’t be the same as Live PD: Instead of relying on real-time<br />
video feeds from law enforcement encounters, the series will see<br />
Larkin guide viewers through various video clips from surveillance cameras<br />
that capture actual crimes in progress and the aftermath of those<br />
crimes. The series began streaming on Friday, July 7, with Fox Nation serving<br />
as the exclusive distributor of the program. New episodes of the show<br />
will stream every Friday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. An episodic breakdown is<br />
as follows:<br />
Episode 101: Shootout:<br />
A mother and daughter protect their<br />
business, and each other, from a gun<br />
wielding assailant. Sin City police bring<br />
an out-of-control carjacker to justice.<br />
Security cameras, police officers and<br />
handcuffs can’t keep a suspect from escaping.<br />
Episode 104: Ride Scare:<br />
An enraged Uber passenger sinks her<br />
teeth into her driver. Air traffic control<br />
is shocked when an unauthorized commercial<br />
passenger plane takes to the sky,<br />
with a baggage handler at the helm. Bullets<br />
fly when a car thief gets desperate.<br />
Episode 105: Spring Broken:<br />
A group of spring breakers turn the tables<br />
on two gunmen at a gas station. An<br />
all-out manhunt ensues when a crazed<br />
assailant attacks officers in a California<br />
police station. One thief’s plan goes up in<br />
smoke at a fireworks shop.<br />
Episode 106: Seattle Standoff:<br />
Police are forced to make a life-ordeath<br />
decision when a rogue gunman in<br />
Seattle drives his car through a building’s<br />
garage door. Multiple police units are<br />
required to stop an out-of-control driver<br />
on the warpath. A porch pirate gets a<br />
severe dose of instant karma.<br />
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Episode 107: Triggered:<br />
Dozens of officers engage in cross city<br />
pursuit of an armed and dangerous,<br />
wanted fugitive. A close-range gas station<br />
shootout puts suspects and innocent<br />
bystanders in the crossfire. A vicious<br />
brawl breaks out between the Parkland<br />
School shooter and a prison guard.<br />
Episode 108: Desperate Measures:<br />
A father uses his infant baby as a shield<br />
in a standoff against police. A brazen<br />
thief attempts to steal a pizza delivery<br />
truck. A massive, organized robbery of a<br />
Houston gun shop puts dozens of weapons<br />
in the hands of criminals.<br />
Episode 109: Line of Duty:<br />
An unarmed security guard goes toe to<br />
toe with an AR-15 wielding gunman. Police<br />
pull out all the stops as a speeding,<br />
five-ton RV rampages through a suburban<br />
neighborhood. Security cameras capture<br />
the moment a prescription pill thief gets<br />
a double dose of punches to the face from<br />
the boyfriend of a pharmacist.<br />
Episode 110: Taxi Cab Transgressions:<br />
A cabbie with a gun to his head sees an<br />
unlikely ray of hope in his rearview mirror.<br />
Police bring a car chase to an end with a<br />
little-known secret weapon. A safe stealing<br />
thief is in for a big surprise.<br />
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Episode 111: Home Security:<br />
An unsuspecting man defends his home<br />
and his family against armed home invaders.<br />
An angry girlfriend turns her minivan<br />
into a weapon with deadly consequences.<br />
An arsonist plays with fire and gets burned.<br />
Episode 112: Road Rage:<br />
The morning commute in Miami turns violent<br />
when a furious driver opens fire. Police<br />
chase an unstoppable vehicle wreaking<br />
havoc on downtown Los Angeles. A wanted<br />
suspect on the run finds out the hard way<br />
that a K9 unit has a bite even worse than its<br />
bark.<br />
FOX Nation is a direct-to-consumer<br />
on-demand streaming service designed to<br />
complement the FOX News Channel experience<br />
with a members-only destination for<br />
its most passionate and loyal super fans.<br />
Featuring more than 5,000 hours of content,<br />
the subscription service includes conservative<br />
opinion programming, lifestyle,<br />
and entertainment content, as well as<br />
historical documentaries and investigative<br />
series from a multitude of FOX News personalities<br />
at a cost of $5.99 a month/$64.99<br />
a year. Launched in 2018, FOX Nation is<br />
available at foxnation.com and via app for<br />
iOS devices, Android devices, Fire TV, Apple<br />
TV, Google TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One,<br />
FuboTV, Vizio TVs, and Samsung TVs, as<br />
well as DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, You-<br />
Tube TV, Comcast Xfinity, Cox Contour and<br />
The Roku Channel.<br />
Some of this story was included in previous<br />
articles on Sean Larkin and information<br />
provided by FOX News Nation.<br />
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What to Do This Summer?<br />
Head Down to<br />
Galveston Island<br />
Welcome to Galveston Island – the Playground of the South!<br />
If you’re looking for the perfect spot for your next vacation, you’ve come to the right<br />
place! Being less than an hour south of downtown Houston, Galveston Island is Texas’<br />
friendliest and most accessible portal to the Gulf.<br />
There are 32 miles of beaches in Galveston, whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon<br />
soaking up the sun or an adventure through the waters as you swim, fish or sail.<br />
Galveston Island may be small, but offers a wide variety of things to do, no matter the<br />
season or interests; adventure, amusement parks, water parks and other water activities,<br />
sports, thrift and boutique shopping, a vast array of restaurants, biking, sports, history,<br />
and more tours than most can imagine. The possibilities are truly endless on your Texas<br />
coastal vacation!<br />
With Galveston Island’s friendly community of locals and its sub-tropical weather, the<br />
island has become a favored home-away-from-home for tourists from around the world.<br />
90 Go The to BLUES visitgalveston.com to plan your trip today.
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Head Down to<br />
Galveston Island<br />
Plan Your Stay!<br />
Galveston Island boasts a tremendous variety of accommodations for every budget<br />
and preference. From luxury hotels and resorts to elegant bed & breakfasts, and from<br />
vacation rentals and condos to RV parks, you will find just the place to suit your needs.<br />
And if you’re cruising from the Island? A number of hotels on the Island offer parking<br />
and transfer packages with an overnight stay, so guests can leave their car at the hotel<br />
and catch a ride to the cruise ship terminal. Spend a night or two in one of the Island’s<br />
beautiful resorts or bed and breakfasts, or find a condominium on the beach for a relaxing<br />
view. Bon voyage!<br />
Casa del Mar Beachfront Suites<br />
Seawall & 61st, Galveston • 409-572-0371<br />
The BLUES recommends:<br />
Casa del Mar offers 2 pools, a<br />
BBQ area and several meeting<br />
rooms ideal for small groups<br />
and family reunions. Centrally<br />
located to all of the Island attractions,<br />
each suite has a small<br />
private bedroom, a living area<br />
with fully stocked kitchen amenities,<br />
a sofa sleeper, and bunks<br />
ideal for small children. Casa<br />
del Mar is perfect for a family<br />
vacation or weekend getaway,<br />
so let their friendly staff help<br />
you plan a vacation that’s relaxing<br />
and fun!<br />
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Head Down to<br />
Galveston Island<br />
Beach Time Vacation Rentals<br />
Book Online at: beachtimevacationrentals.com<br />
Attention all Heroes!! Are you looking for a well-deserved break? Beach Time Vacation Rentals in Galveston<br />
has the perfect getaway for you and your family.<br />
Our vacation homes and condos are located on beautiful Galveston Island, close to all the local attractions<br />
and activities that make Galveston a popular vacation destination. Whether you’re looking for a<br />
quiet, secluded retreat or a fun-filled family adventure, we have something for everyone.<br />
Our properties offer a comfortable “home-away-from-home,” providing all the amenities you need to<br />
relax and recharge. From fully equipped kitchens to comfortable sleeping arrangements, we have everything<br />
you need to make your vacation as stress-free as possible.<br />
At Beach Time Vacation Rentals, we understand the importance of taking time off to rejuvenate your<br />
mind, body, and spirit. That’s why we offer special discounts to all law enforcement personnel and their<br />
families.<br />
Whether you want to spend your days soaking up the sun on the beach or taking a stroll in the Historic<br />
Strand District, Galveston is the perfect vacation spot. And, we have everything you need to make<br />
your stay unforgettable.<br />
Book your stay with us today and experience all that Galveston has to offer. Contact us directly to<br />
learn more about our vacation rental properties and special discounts for law enforcement officers…<br />
OUR HEROES<br />
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Call and mention your law enforcement affiliation for our<br />
Hatmaker’s Heroes Discount!<br />
(409)9744598<br />
1021 61st St., Galveston, TX 77551<br />
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Head Down to<br />
Galveston Island<br />
What to See & Do.<br />
Making the Most of Island Time.<br />
Galveston Island is home to some of the best attractions Texas has to offer, including Moody Gardens<br />
as well as Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier<br />
amusement park. Galveston also offers a plethora of unique museums, including The Bryan Museum,<br />
Texas Seaport Museum, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum and Galveston Railroad Museum.<br />
Having one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country,<br />
Galveston allows visitors to explore the island’s interesting history by touring one of its popular historic<br />
mansions.<br />
Cruise Ships<br />
The Port of Galveston is the fourth busiest<br />
home port in the United States with<br />
departures from Carnival, Royal Caribbean<br />
and Disney Cruise Lines. Need an itinerary?<br />
We’ve got suggestions no matter<br />
how much time you have before that ship<br />
sails.<br />
Historic Homes<br />
Although most of the original structures are long<br />
gone, the stories of early islanders live on in renovated<br />
structures and new establishments created in<br />
memory of the past. Visit the Homes Tour during the<br />
month of May.<br />
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Head Down to<br />
Galveston Island<br />
What to See & Do.<br />
Making the Most of Island Time.<br />
Galveston Beaches<br />
With 32 miles of shoreline and a variety of<br />
parks, Galveston Island offers something for<br />
every kind of beach goer. And with warm Gulf<br />
waves from spring through October, there’s<br />
plenty of time to explore each beach’s unique<br />
personality. Whatever your sun seeking fancy,<br />
Galveston has a beach for you.<br />
Tours & Sightseeing<br />
Whether you prefer to stroll down quaint<br />
alleyways by foot or trot through the<br />
streets in a carriage, all paths can lead<br />
you on an unforgettable journey back in<br />
time. You’ll be entertained and enlightened<br />
by knowledgeable guides giving tours on<br />
foot, carriage, shuttle or even boat. If you<br />
prefer to do you own thing, we’ve assemble<br />
self-guided tours of popular sights<br />
with maps designed for mobile devices.<br />
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Galveston Railroad Museum<br />
2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston • 409-765-5700<br />
The Galveston Railroad Museum,<br />
2602 Santa Fe Place, a living<br />
history museum, allows visitors to<br />
step into exhibits and participate<br />
in interactive displays. Located<br />
the restored 1932 train depot, the<br />
museum sits on 5 acres of railyard<br />
in the heart of the Strand Historic<br />
District.<br />
The centerpiece of the museum’s<br />
exhibits are restored railcars<br />
that include dining and baggage<br />
cars, post office, military transport,<br />
and more. The museum is also<br />
home to a unique RailHotel that<br />
hosts guests overnight accommodations<br />
on restored luxury railcars.<br />
For a virtual tour or to make a<br />
reservation go to www.galvestonrrmuseum.org.<br />
“Ghosts of Travelers Past” in<br />
the Train Depot give a face to rail<br />
travelers from the past. Lift the<br />
handset in a phone booth to overhear<br />
their conversations. Adjacent,<br />
visit the Map Room to view a new<br />
exhibit. The Orphan Train, a quiet<br />
part of American history that some<br />
looked upon as a tragedy, and others<br />
as a godsend. America’s first<br />
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supervised welfare program, the<br />
trains operated from 1854 – 1929,<br />
transporting more than 200,000<br />
children from the East Coast to the<br />
West Coast in search of adoptive<br />
families. Galveston was one of<br />
the last stops on the Orphan Train<br />
journey. The exhibit tells the story<br />
through photographs, and testimonials.<br />
Continue your tour through the<br />
Exhibit Hall adjacent to the depot<br />
to visit Dining in Style - the largest<br />
collection of 20th Century Railroad<br />
Porcelain China and Silver serving<br />
pieces. America’s romance with<br />
rail travel spanned a century and a<br />
half, during which time enjoying a<br />
meal in the dining car as the scenery<br />
rushed by was the epitome<br />
of luxury travel. The fundamental<br />
characteristics of quality manufacture<br />
and design endured until the<br />
end of privately owned rail passenger<br />
service.<br />
Coming soon: “Traveling the<br />
World on a City at Sea: The Story<br />
of the Battleship Texas”. A collaboration<br />
of Texas Parks and Wildlife,<br />
Battleship Texas, and the Center<br />
for Transportation and Commerce,<br />
this is the story of the last dreadnought<br />
battleship that fought I<br />
both World War I & II, the Atlantic<br />
and Pacific theater, D-Day, Okinawa,<br />
Iwo-Jima, Operations Torch,<br />
Overlord-Neptune, Detachment,<br />
Iceberg and Magic Carpet Ride.<br />
Learn of Her illustrious career as<br />
seen in graphics and artifacts.<br />
Groups welcome. July 1 – January<br />
31, 2024.<br />
Never travel by rail? Experience<br />
the thrill of rail travel by hopping<br />
aboard the Harborside Express for<br />
a train ride. Available on weekends<br />
weather permitting, or by group<br />
reservation during the week. Tickets<br />
required to board.<br />
A family friendly attraction,<br />
there’s lots to do for all and kids<br />
enjoy free Blue Bell Ice Cream<br />
all summer. Military veterans and<br />
first responders receive admission<br />
discounts year ‘round.<br />
For information, membership,<br />
student field trips, group tours,<br />
and admission go to www.GalvestonRRMuseum.org.<br />
(409) 765-<br />
5700. All Aboard!
The Orphan Train: <strong>No</strong>w thru <strong>No</strong>vember 15<br />
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Head Down to<br />
Galveston Island<br />
When You’re Hungry.<br />
Best Places to Eat.<br />
Shrimp ‘N Stuff Downtown<br />
2506 Ball Street, Galveston • 409-974-4609<br />
Since 1976, Shrimp ‘n Stuff’s<br />
<strong>39</strong>th Street location has been<br />
“the place where the locals<br />
love to eat.” This downtown<br />
location features many of<br />
the same delicious po-boys,<br />
gumbo, and salads but they’ve<br />
also added broiled versions of<br />
Snapper, Flounder, Salmon,<br />
and several other fish. The<br />
downtown spot also ups the<br />
ante with full, tableside service,<br />
and custom table ware<br />
made in Mexico.<br />
List Your Restaurant Here<br />
email us: bluespdmag@gmail.com<br />
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Katie’s Seafood House<br />
2000 Wharf Rd., Galveston • 409-765-5688<br />
For more than 20 years, Katie’s Seafood<br />
Market has provided the highest quality<br />
seafood to Galveston locals and visitors.<br />
In September of 2019, Katie’s husband,<br />
Buddy, opened Katie’s Seafood House right<br />
next to the store. The market supplies the<br />
restaurant with its fresh seafood, which is<br />
a unique attribute among restaurants and<br />
takes each dish to the next level. Stop in<br />
for a delicious shrimp platter and enjoy a<br />
house cocktail next time you in Galveston!<br />
The Spot<br />
3204 Seawall Blvd., Galveston • 409-621-5237<br />
Rudy & Paco<br />
2028 Post Office Street, Galveston • 409-762-3696<br />
When visiting Galveston Island, you simply<br />
can’t miss the Island’s most unique<br />
dining experience, Rudy & Paco. Awarded<br />
Top 100 Restaurants of 2017 and Top 100<br />
Romantic Restaurants of 2018, Rudy &<br />
Paco features grilled seafood and steak<br />
with a South and Central American sabor.<br />
Relax and unwind with your favorite<br />
cocktail while enjoying delicious Antojitos.<br />
Whether you’re dining for a special<br />
occasion or just grabbing a drink at the<br />
bar, coming to Rudy & Paco will surely<br />
be an experience like no other.<br />
Island Famous: Five Venues, One Spot: The<br />
Spot, Tiki Bar, SideYard, Rum Shack and<br />
Squeeze! You can’t go wrong at The Spot, Galveston<br />
Island’s premier beachfront dining and<br />
entertainment destination. Dive into a mouthwatering<br />
burger or fresh seafood, grab a beer<br />
and find a sweet spot to relax inside or out on<br />
our multi-level beachfront patios. Whether you<br />
want to catch the game on one of our many<br />
HDTVs or enjoy the sparkling views of the Gulf<br />
of Mexico, every seat’s the best seat in the<br />
house. It’s the perfect setting to hang out with<br />
your friends and meet new ones.<br />
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AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
new products<br />
Top Contamination Issues Facing Law<br />
Enforcement in 2023<br />
yrs.<br />
By Dr. Ron Brown<br />
<strong>No</strong> public servants are faced<br />
with more unpredictable<br />
pathogenetic exposures than<br />
those working in law enforcement<br />
and corrections. Constant<br />
invisible hazards threaten the<br />
health and wellness of personnel,<br />
including biological hazards<br />
sent by mail, casual exposure<br />
to common illnesses like<br />
the influenza virus, and mass<br />
transmission of pandemic-level<br />
diseases.<br />
Over the past several years,<br />
these dangers have never been<br />
more clearly emphasized as a<br />
real threat within the workplace.<br />
The COVID-19 pandemic<br />
exposed key obstacles for law<br />
enforcement in communication,<br />
resource management,<br />
and changes to crime and service<br />
patterns. Airborne threats<br />
spread rapidly through direct<br />
contact and can contaminate<br />
patrol cars, fitness and locker<br />
rooms, K-9 kennels, booking<br />
areas, correctional lodgings,<br />
locker rooms, and evidence<br />
labs. If a threat isn’t immediately<br />
isolated, a single individual<br />
could infect and cause the<br />
death of thousands.<br />
HIGH-RISK SCENARIOS<br />
Law enforcement officials<br />
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deal with a variety of highrisk<br />
areas and physical contact<br />
that dramatically increase<br />
the risk of infection.<br />
Officers face numerous risks<br />
with higher potential for<br />
transmission, including crowd<br />
management at large events,<br />
transporting prisoners to jails,<br />
interviewing people within<br />
their community, or monitoring<br />
thousands within a correctional<br />
facility. It’s impossible<br />
to determine if a prisoner<br />
sitting in the back of a patrol<br />
car or holding cell has an<br />
infectious disease, and crime<br />
scenes can be filled with<br />
potentially dangerous biohazardous<br />
fluid. Communal<br />
spaces like locker rooms and<br />
gyms can also be high-risk<br />
areas for contagions like MRSA,<br />
staph, ringworm, and more.<br />
Any contact with an unknown<br />
civilian can become a potentially<br />
life-threatening scenario<br />
for a police department.<br />
Paid sick leave is limited,<br />
and many departments cannot<br />
afford a staffing shortage<br />
that can add a severe burden<br />
on those still working. According<br />
to a 2022 study published<br />
by the International Journal<br />
of Environmental Research<br />
& Public Health, more than<br />
nine respondents out of ten<br />
(92%) prison officers reported<br />
working while unwell at least<br />
sometimes, with 43% reporting<br />
that they always did so, potentially<br />
endangering the rest of<br />
their department.
A National Academy of<br />
Sciences case study details a<br />
2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto,<br />
CA, wherein an infected<br />
employee came to work sick<br />
and exposed 49 people within<br />
a single day. Their colleagues<br />
were quarantined and thus<br />
rendered unable to perform<br />
their duties for 10 days to<br />
limit infection with family<br />
members and close contacts.<br />
While many within the profession<br />
strive for a level of<br />
perfection and feel a moral<br />
duty to continue working<br />
through an illness, this can<br />
cause an immediate threat<br />
to those they work with and<br />
serve.<br />
RISK EDUCATION & MITI-<br />
GATION<br />
Recent circumstances have<br />
created a higher demand for<br />
an effective all-hazards disease<br />
control plan for any type<br />
of epidemic or bioterrorist<br />
attack. Departments across<br />
the country are expected to<br />
uphold new standards for<br />
routine education and institute<br />
detailed plans for the<br />
inevitable next public health<br />
threat. Correctional facilities<br />
and agencies alike need to<br />
better address regular cleaning<br />
practices and create a<br />
robust training regimen for<br />
on-the-job exposure, use of<br />
personal protective equipment<br />
(PPE), and guidelines<br />
for identifying, containing and<br />
treating infected individuals<br />
within their care.<br />
Regardless of rank, officers<br />
need basic education about<br />
infectious disease biology,<br />
modes of transmission, and<br />
points of entry for diseases (including<br />
the eyes, nose, mouth,<br />
etc.). Hand sanitizing (including<br />
hand washing, using antibacterial<br />
gels and antimicrobial<br />
wipes) is the simplest, easiest<br />
and most effective form of personal<br />
protection. Even in an epidemic,<br />
constant hand washing<br />
can slow the spread of disease.<br />
PPE<br />
Providing the proper PPE<br />
(including but not limited to<br />
gloves, gowns and masks)<br />
is one of the most necessary<br />
components of minimizing<br />
high-risk events. Anyone who<br />
might come in contact with<br />
another person’s body fluids<br />
should be wearing latex or vinyl<br />
antimicrobial gloves. Many<br />
departments prohibit officers<br />
from responding to a potentially<br />
contaminated scene unless they<br />
wear department-issued PPE.<br />
DECONTAMINATION<br />
<strong>No</strong>-touch decontamination<br />
(NTD) processes are integral<br />
to any monthly maintenance<br />
program, as well as its ability<br />
to neutralize immediate threats<br />
from a biological contaminant,<br />
or other carriers exhibiting<br />
signs of illness or even a cold.<br />
NTD systems that utilize aerosolized<br />
disinfectant or ultraviolet<br />
radiation remove or reduce<br />
reliance on physical operators<br />
to improve the efficacy of disinfection<br />
with a hands-off approach.<br />
Many law enforcement clients<br />
proactively use no-touch decontamination<br />
(NTC) systems<br />
to clean vehicles in minutes<br />
between patrols and transports.<br />
Safe around firearms, radios,<br />
computers, and tactical gear,<br />
law enforcement employees<br />
can rest assured that their<br />
work environment and critical<br />
gear are decontaminated and<br />
ready to go. Correctional facilities<br />
leverage area fogging<br />
decontamination machines<br />
to clean multiple prison cells,<br />
common areas, and offices<br />
during a single cycle.<br />
BALANCING SAFETY &<br />
PROTECTION<br />
Balancing the safety and<br />
protection of staff, while<br />
maintaining safe management<br />
of a facility is an incredibly<br />
challenging task. Many correctional<br />
facilities lack telework<br />
capabilities, face preexisting<br />
staff shortages that are compounded<br />
by pandemic absenteeism,<br />
and have limited<br />
employer-provided resources<br />
to cover new or existing staff<br />
without available paid leave.<br />
However, the officers feel<br />
better protected against all the<br />
unseen biological threats they<br />
face each day, knowing that<br />
they are less likely to contaminate<br />
their friends and family<br />
at the end of their duty shift.<br />
New advancements and better<br />
institutional practices can positively<br />
contribute to the health<br />
and morale of our police force,<br />
in turn providing better protection<br />
for the communities they<br />
serve.<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr.<br />
Ron Brown, is the CEO of<br />
AeroClave and former EMS<br />
Medical Director of Seminole<br />
Co., FL<br />
The BLUES 105
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
new products<br />
yrs.<br />
MobileCite: Revolutionizing E-Citation Solutions<br />
to Address the Challenges for Law Enforcement<br />
In law enforcement, efficiency,<br />
accuracy, and officer safety<br />
are paramount. The process of<br />
issuing citations, from traffic,<br />
stops to courtroom proceedings,<br />
can be plagued with challenges<br />
that hinder the seamless flow of<br />
justice.<br />
Cardinal Tracking, a leading<br />
provider of innovative law<br />
enforcement solutions, has<br />
responded by introducing MobileCite,<br />
a cutting-edge e-citation<br />
solution.<br />
Designed through meticulous<br />
research and understanding of<br />
the needs, priorities, and emotions<br />
experienced by key stakeholders,<br />
MobileCite revolutionizes<br />
the citation process for police<br />
chiefs, court clerks, judges, and<br />
enforcement officers. By addressing<br />
these hurdles head-on,<br />
MobileCite strives to streamline<br />
operations, enhance officer<br />
safety, and improve the overall<br />
efficacy of the justice system.<br />
UNDERSTANDING THE<br />
CHALLENGES<br />
To develop a solution that truly<br />
meets the requirements of the<br />
diverse user groups, Cardinal<br />
Tracking conducted extensive<br />
research through interviews and<br />
focus groups with existing citation<br />
issuers, processors, and administrative<br />
staff. This research<br />
106 The BLUES<br />
identified three key customer<br />
groups: police chiefs, court<br />
clerks and judges, and enforcement<br />
officers. Each group has<br />
unique pain points and priorities<br />
to address to make the process<br />
successful.<br />
POLICE CHIEFS<br />
• Worry of injury or death of<br />
officers during traffic stops from<br />
passing cars or angry drivers<br />
• The need to establish credibility<br />
with officers and city<br />
leaders and be perceived as a<br />
responsible steward of the city’s<br />
resources<br />
• A desire to secure citizen<br />
safety by reducing traffic accidents<br />
• A determination to prevent<br />
tickets from being dismissed in<br />
court due to avoidable mistakes<br />
COURTS<br />
• The accurate and timely processing<br />
of tickets requires legible<br />
and accurate data<br />
• Streamlining operations to<br />
handle ticket processing quickly<br />
and effectively<br />
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS<br />
• Safety concerns when making<br />
traffic stops.<br />
• A dedication to performing<br />
the job well and accurately<br />
• Efficiency to minimize the<br />
time of a traffic stop
Still Handwriting Tickets?<br />
Everything you want in a citation<br />
minus the pen.<br />
(There is a better way!)<br />
TM<br />
A Flexible, Comprehensive System<br />
Cross Platform - Apple, Android, or Windows devices<br />
Multiple Courts and Date Scheduling<br />
Seamless Integration with Your Court and RMS<br />
Accurate and Reliable from Citation to Court.<br />
It’s easy to get started...let’s talk.<br />
TM<br />
by<br />
Over 35 years of experience in Parking and Public Safety<br />
800-285-3833 sales@cardinaltracking.com<br />
ultimatecitation.com<br />
The BLUES 107
ADDRESSING THE NEEDS<br />
OF PUBLIC SAFETY<br />
Cardinal Tracking has implemented<br />
several key strategies<br />
within the MobileCite solution<br />
to address these challenges and<br />
effectively address the identified<br />
challenges.<br />
ENHANCED USER INTER-<br />
FACE AND USER EXPERIENCE<br />
Cardinal Tracking recognized<br />
that the usability of the e-citation<br />
solution is pivotal for law<br />
enforcement professionals in<br />
the field. By prioritizing an intuitive<br />
and user-friendly interface,<br />
MobileCite ensures officers can<br />
efficiently complete the citation<br />
process, minimizing the time<br />
spent on each traffic stop. By<br />
reducing the duration of interactions<br />
with motorists, officers are<br />
less exposed to potential dangers<br />
from passing cars or agitated<br />
individuals.<br />
The ability to quickly scan a<br />
driver’s license bar code or a vehicle<br />
registration sticker reduces<br />
data entry error and time - getting<br />
the violator on their way<br />
faster.<br />
STREAMLINED CITATION<br />
PROCESS<br />
MobileCite’s design centers<br />
around maximum ease of use,<br />
providing law enforcement<br />
professionals with a seamless<br />
experience during the citation<br />
process. The solution streamlines<br />
data entry, automates calculations,<br />
and minimizes the risk<br />
of errors. By offering real-time<br />
validation of required fields, MobileCite<br />
significantly reduces the<br />
likelihood of tickets being dismissed<br />
in court due to avoidable<br />
mistakes. This validation feature<br />
not only saves time for police<br />
108 The BLUES<br />
chiefs and enforcement officers<br />
but also enhances the overall<br />
credibility of the law enforcement<br />
agency. The user interface<br />
is designed for instant familiarity<br />
and intuitive flow for a mobile<br />
application.<br />
ENHANCING OFFICER<br />
SAFETY<br />
MobileCite focuses on speed<br />
and efficiency during traffic<br />
stops and minimizing the duration<br />
of interactions with motorists.<br />
Officers are exposed to<br />
fewer potential dangers from<br />
passing cars or agitated individuals.<br />
The user-friendly interface<br />
enables officers to complete<br />
citations swiftly, reducing their<br />
exposure to potentially hazardous<br />
situations. By empowering<br />
officers to efficiently and accurately<br />
issue citations, MobileCite<br />
promotes their safety and<br />
well-being, fostering a safer<br />
working environment for law<br />
enforcement personnel.<br />
FEATURES<br />
Mobilecite was designed from<br />
the ground up to provide the feature<br />
set needed by both officers<br />
and administrators.<br />
DATA ACCURACY<br />
For court clerks, judges, and<br />
police administration, the accuracy<br />
and legibility of citations is<br />
crucial. It’s not just about being<br />
able to read the data; it’s making<br />
sure the data is correct and complete.<br />
MobileCite’s streamlined design<br />
ensures that data is entered<br />
accurately, calculations are automated,<br />
and required fields are<br />
validated in real time. Officers<br />
are prompted before completing<br />
the citation if mandatory data<br />
is missing or general or violation-specific<br />
rules still need to<br />
be met. With the distractions of<br />
a stop, the officer must focus on<br />
the vehicle occupants and not<br />
on the rules and regulations for<br />
every violation.<br />
MULTIPLE HARDWARE<br />
CHOICES<br />
MobileCite works with the<br />
hardware platform you choose<br />
- or the one you already own.<br />
With support for Windows, Apple,<br />
and Android - all with the<br />
same user interface design- an<br />
officer can move from one vehicle<br />
or device to another and use<br />
the software without additional<br />
training.<br />
TIMELY ACCESS TO DATA<br />
Real-time data transfer is a<br />
game-changer for court clerks<br />
and judges who need access<br />
to citation data promptly. MobileCite’s<br />
ability to transmit<br />
data in real-time enables court<br />
personnel to review and process<br />
citations without delay. By<br />
eliminating the need for manual<br />
paperwork transfer, MobileCite<br />
expedites the adjudication process,<br />
resulting in faster resolution<br />
of cases, enhancing customer<br />
satisfaction by reducing<br />
waiting times, and ensuring that<br />
the justice system operates efficiently.<br />
Furthermore, MobileCite’s<br />
real-time data transfer empowers<br />
court clerks and judges to<br />
handle a higher volume of cases<br />
accurately, improving overall<br />
courtroom productivity.<br />
OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY<br />
Unlike other mobile applications,<br />
MobileCite performs in offline<br />
conditions as well. If you’re<br />
out of wireless communications<br />
range, MobileCite will store the<br />
data on the device and allow<br />
the citation issuance process to
continue. As soon as connectivity<br />
is restored, all citations are<br />
automatically transferred to the<br />
court.<br />
THE DATA GOES WHERE YOU<br />
NEED IT<br />
With MobileCite back office,<br />
citation data is imported directly<br />
into Cardinal’s Badge RMS<br />
and Court systems. If you’re not<br />
using Cardinal’s RMS or Court<br />
solutions (we think you should<br />
take a look!), you can easily<br />
export citation data into various<br />
formats supported by other RMS<br />
and Court vendors.<br />
Citations can also require<br />
supervisor review and approval<br />
before entering the system or<br />
being exported.<br />
RACIAL PROFILING DATA COL-<br />
LECTION<br />
When appropriate, Mobilecite<br />
guides the officer through the<br />
data collection of required racial<br />
profiling data and information on<br />
searches and consent with each<br />
stop.<br />
FAST MULTI-TICKET SUPPORT<br />
Need to issue multiple citations<br />
to the same vehicle/violator?<br />
Issuing citations to multiple<br />
violators in the same location?<br />
MobileCite makes it simple to<br />
issue new citations requiring the<br />
officer to only enter information<br />
that changes.<br />
LETS INTEGRATIONS<br />
Wired directly into MobileCite,<br />
person and vehicle searches are<br />
automatically processed when<br />
entering a plate, VIN, or driver’s<br />
license. The data is returned<br />
directly to the device providing<br />
details on any active alerts or<br />
warrants.<br />
USEFUL TOOLS AND THE<br />
PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT<br />
THEM<br />
Cardinal’s top-ranked customer<br />
service is the team that<br />
provides fast solutions when you<br />
need them. When you call, you<br />
speak to a live operator who<br />
directs you to a technician who<br />
knows you on a first-name basis<br />
and your system.<br />
<strong>No</strong> one likes to call a technical<br />
help desk; we understand<br />
you have more important things<br />
to do. We strive to solve your<br />
problem quickly and efficiently<br />
and get you back on track to<br />
serving the community.<br />
To learn more about MobileCite<br />
and Cardinal Tracking, Please<br />
visit our website at Ultimatecitation.com<br />
or call to speak to<br />
someone (yes, really speak to<br />
someone) at (800)285-3833.<br />
It’s Never Been Easier To Get From<br />
Here . . . to . . . Here.<br />
Cross platform - Apple, Android, or Windows devices<br />
Multiple Courts and Date Scheduling<br />
Seamless integration with your court and RMS<br />
Accurate and Reliable from Citation to Court.<br />
A Flexible, Comprehensive System.<br />
TM<br />
by<br />
800-285-3833 sales@cardinaltracking.com<br />
www.ultimatecitation.com<br />
Highlight your company’s products here.<br />
just click here...we’ll be in touch.<br />
The BLUES 109
yrs.<br />
<strong>AUGUST</strong><br />
1-4 Reid Technique of Inv. & Advanced Interrogation Kileen, TX<br />
2 De-Escalation #1849 Texas City, TX<br />
7-11 Interview & Interrogation for New Detectives BY LLRMI Georgetown, TX<br />
7-11 Rolling Surveillance presented by LCI Services Texas City, TX<br />
8-11 Reid Technique of Inv. & Advanced Interrogation Dallas, TX<br />
14-16 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Galveston, TX<br />
14-18 Detective and New Criminal Investigator *BY PATC League City, TX<br />
15-18 Chop Shop Investigations presented by LCI Services Texas City, TX<br />
16-17 Leadership for Front-Line Supervisors Denton, TX<br />
18 Statement Analysis® Interviewing Techniques Dallas, TX<br />
22-23 Overdose Investigations Course Georgetown, TX<br />
28-31 National Internal Affairs Investigators Assoc (NIAIA)<br />
Annual Training Conference<br />
Fort Worth, TX<br />
SEPTEMBER<br />
10-13 VA Chiefs Conference <strong>No</strong>rfolk, VA<br />
12-14 AACOP Annual Training and Vendor Expo Laughlin, NV<br />
11-15 Force Science Certification Course Houston, TX<br />
18-22 40 Hr Court Security Specialist - By Court Security Concepts Tahlequah, OK<br />
19-21 WZ Criminal Level I Investigative Interviewing Techniques McKinney, TX<br />
19-22 Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing Denton, TX<br />
21-22 Homicide Investigations Seminar Denton, TX<br />
22 WZ Criminal Investigative Interviewing Techniques McKinney, TX<br />
22 WZ Criminal Level II - Advanced Interviewing Techniques McKinney, TX<br />
25 Bulletproof Courtroom Testimony by Blue to Gold Fort Worth, TX<br />
25-27 Proactive Leadership Waxahachie, TX<br />
25-29 Detective and New Criminal Investigator *BY PATC Crowley, TX<br />
26 Advanced Search & Seizure by Blue to Gold Denton, TX<br />
27 Advanced Traffic Stops by Blue to Gold Denton, TX<br />
28 Advanced Criminal Investigations by Blue to Gold Denton, TX<br />
OCTOBER<br />
2-3 SLR15 AR15 / M16 / M4 / AR308 Armorer Course Waxahachie , TX<br />
2-4 FTO for today’s recruits and Pgm. Mgr. McKinney, TX<br />
3-6 Reid Technique of Inv. Interviewing & Advanced Interrogation Ft Worth, TX<br />
4-5 Extracting the Truth-Advanced Interview and Interrogation Denton, TX<br />
4-5 SLR15 Law Enforcement Shotgun Armorer Course Waxahachie , TX<br />
5 Forensic Statement Analysis - Deception Detection McKinney, TX<br />
6 SLR15 1911 Pistol Armorer Course Waxahachie , TX<br />
9-11 LPVO Operator Course Dallas, TX<br />
10-12 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Lufkin, TX<br />
14-17 IACP Conference & Expo San Diego, CA<br />
16 TrapMate* Hidden Compartment Training (Dynamic Interdiction) Burleson , TX<br />
16-18 Interview & Interrogation for New Detectives BY LLRMI Beaumont, TX<br />
16-18 Leadership 101 - Professionalism Defined (TX New Supervisor) McKinney, TX<br />
16-20 5 Day New Detective and New Criminal Investigator By LLRMI Pharr, TX<br />
16-20 Detective and New Criminal Investigator *BY PATC Rockport, TX<br />
19-20 Advanced Forensic Statement Analysis - Deception Detection McKinney, TX<br />
22-26 TCOLE TRAINING CONFERENCE CORPUS,TX<br />
23-24 Advanced Field Training Officer Course Pharr, TX<br />
23-24 Covert Surveillance *BY PATC Texas City, TX<br />
24-26 Inside the Tape Homicide Investigation & Crime Scene MGT Training Rio Grande , TX<br />
31-1 Death Investigation: Cause, Manner and Mechanism By LLRMI Ft. Worth, TX<br />
31-3 Reid Investigative Interviewing & Advanced Interrogation Rockport, TX<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
1-3 Sexual Deviant Offenders *BY PATC Texas City, TX<br />
5-10 National Honor Guard Academy Texas City, TX<br />
6 High Risk/Profile Trial Operations 7 Planning By Court Security Concepts Denton, TX<br />
6 Bulletproof Report Writing by Blue to Gold Denton, TX<br />
6-8 Background Investigator Training by ProFirst Training Pharr, TX<br />
6-9 Tactical Training for Narcotics & Vice Units Cedar Park , TX<br />
6-10 Hostage Negotiations Phase 1 By LLRMI Pharr, TX<br />
7 Bulletproof Courtroom Testimony by Blue to Gold Denton, TX<br />
7-9 Reid PEACE Method of Investigative Interviewing Dyess , TX<br />
13-17 GST Defensive Tactics Instructor Course Seguin, TX<br />
13-17 Methods of Instruction - Training Practical Professional Policing Skills McKinney, TX<br />
14 Mastering Search & Seizure (In-Person & Live-Online) by Blue to Gold San Antonio, TX<br />
14-15 Protests, Demonstrations and Civil Unrest Operations By LLRMI Georgetown, TX<br />
15-16 Bulletproof Report Writing Blue to Gold (In-person & Live Stream) San Antonio, TX<br />
16 Duty to Intervenes (In-Person & Live-Online) by Blue to Gold San Antonio, TX<br />
16 Real World De-Escalation (In-Person & Live-Online) by Blue to Gold San Antonio, TX<br />
28-30 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Jourdanton, TX<br />
DECEMBER<br />
1 High Performance Leadership - By Leading Blue Cincinnati, OH<br />
4-6 Advanced Homicide Investigation by IPTM Jacksonville, FL<br />
4-6 Effective Strategies for Staff Inspections by IPTM Altamonte Sp., FL<br />
4-6 Officer Involved Shooting-3 Day *BY PATC Columbus, OH<br />
4-6 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Billings, MT<br />
4-6 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Lafayette, LA<br />
4-6 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Marysville, WA<br />
4-6 Penn State - Grant Writing - Virtual University Park, PA<br />
4-6 Recovery of Human Remains by Suncoast Forensics St. Cloud, FL<br />
4-6 Tactical Breaching Instructor Course Warrensburg, MO<br />
4-7 PRW Police Sniper BASIC Nunn, CO<br />
4-8 Advanced Undercover Techniques and Survival Westminster, CO<br />
4-8 Covert Entry Specialist I & II Course (5-Days) San Marcos, TX<br />
4-8 Criminal Investigations Using Cellular Technologies SME 40 hour Palm Beach, FL<br />
4-8 Death and Homicide Investigation *BY PATC Corpus Christi, TX<br />
4-8 Detective and New Criminal Investigator *BY PATC Baytown, TX<br />
4-8 Force Science Certification Course Sacramento, CA<br />
4-8 Hostage Negotiations, Phase III *BY PATC Pearland, TX<br />
4-8 Methods of Instruction - Training Practical Professional Policing Skills Sanford, FL<br />
Send your calendar listings to:<br />
bluespdmag@gmail.com<br />
28-1 Reid Investigative Interviewing & Advanced Interrogation San Antonio, TX<br />
110 The BLUES
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112 The BLUES
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114 The BLUES
The BLUES 115
HONORING OUR<br />
POLICE OFFICER CARLOS TAYLOR<br />
116 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE<br />
MONTGOMERY POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALABAMA<br />
END OF WATCH FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023<br />
AGE: 29 TOUR: 2 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Police Officer Carlos Taylor succumbed to complications of injuries sustained in a vehicle crash on February<br />
17th, 2017, at the intersection of Spring Valley Road and Woodley Road. He was responding to a needs<br />
assistance call of officers pursuing two men with a gun. He was traveling south on Woodley Road in an unmarked<br />
patrol car when he attempted to avoid hitting another vehicle. His patrol car crossed into another lane<br />
and collided with another vehicle. He suffered a traumatic injury to his brain stem that resulted in him being a<br />
quadriplegic and unable to verbally communicate. He remained under constant care until succumbing to his<br />
injuries on June 30th, <strong>2023.</strong><br />
Officer Taylor had served with the Montgomery Police Department for two years.
FALLEN HEROES<br />
SERGEANT HEATHER GLENN<br />
TELL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, INDIANA<br />
END OF WATCH MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023<br />
AGE: 47 TOUR: 20 YEARS BADGE: 338<br />
Sergeant Heather Glenn was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a subject at Perry County Memorial Hospital<br />
at 8885 IN-237 in Tell City at 12:50 am. Sergeant Glenn was investigating a domestic violence incident involving<br />
an injured woman who was being treated at the hospital. When the woman notified authorities that the subject was<br />
arriving at the hospital, Sergeant Glenn and officers from Tell City Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office,<br />
and Cannelton Police Department responded. The subject resisted arrest, and despite using an electronic control<br />
weapon, Sergeant Glenn could not subdue the man. The subject pulled out a gun and fatally shot Sergeant Glenn.<br />
Other officers returned fire and killed the subject.<br />
Sergeant Glenn had served with the Tell City Police Department for 20 years.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 117
HONORING OUR<br />
DETECTIVE DELBERTH PHIPPS, JR.<br />
VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPT., VIRGIN ISLANDS<br />
END OF WATCH TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023<br />
AGE: 53 TOUR: 29 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Detective Delberth Phipps was shot and killed when he and several other officers responded to reports of an<br />
armed subject in the Jah Yard area of Hospital Ground shortly before 8:00 am. As the officers arrived they<br />
encountered a subject wearing a ballistic vest and armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The man opened fire on<br />
officers and shot Detective Phipps during the ensuing shootout. The subject was also wounded and taken into<br />
custody. Detective Phipps was transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his<br />
wounds.<br />
Detective Phipps had served with the Virgin Islands Police Department for seven years.<br />
118 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE
FALLEN HEROES<br />
DEPUTY SHERIFF TYEE MICHAEL BROWNE<br />
CRISP COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, GEORGIA<br />
END OF WATCH WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2023<br />
AGE: 26 TOUR: 1 YEAR 5 MONTHS BADGE: 17<br />
Deputy Sheriff Tyee Browne was shot and killed at about 3:40 am after stopping a stolen vehicle in the 1300<br />
block of Highway 280 in Cordele. The subject shot Deputy Browne during the traffic stop and then stole his<br />
patrol car. Other deputies pursued the vehicle through multiple counties before the man was taken into custody.<br />
Deputy Browne was transported to Crisp Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.<br />
Deputy Browne was an Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office for<br />
over one year. He was a Detention Officer before moving to the Uniform Patrol Division ten months earlier. He<br />
is survived by his mother, stepfather, two brothers, stepbrothers, and grandparents.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 119
HONORING OUR<br />
POLICE OFFICER JESSICA EBBIGHAUSEN<br />
Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen was killed when her patrol car was struck head-on by a suspect vehicle<br />
being pursued by other officers at about 3:00 pm. Officers responding to a burglary in progress on East<br />
Washington Street began pursuing the suspect who was driving a pickup truck. Officer Ebbighausen, along<br />
with her training officer, was responding from the opposite direction. As the pursuit entered the intersection of<br />
Stratton Road and Woodstock Avenue, the suspect vehicle crossed the center line and collided with Officer<br />
Ebbighausen’s patrol car head-on. The truck then collided with a second patrol car. Officer Ebbighausen succumbed<br />
to her injuries at the scene. Two other officers and the suspect were injured in the collision. The man<br />
was taken into custody. Officer Ebbighausen was a part-time officer in field training in preparation for attending<br />
the Vermont Police Academy to become a full-time officer the following month.<br />
120 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE<br />
RUTLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT, VERMONT<br />
END OF WATCH FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2023<br />
AGE: 19 TOUR: N/A YEARS BADGE: N/A
FALLEN HEROES<br />
DEPUTY SHERIFF JOHN DURM<br />
MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, INDIANA<br />
END OF WATCH MONDAY, JULY 10, 2023<br />
AGE: 61 TOUR: 38 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Deputy Sheriff John Durm succumbed to injuries he sustained at about 11:30 am when he was attacked by<br />
a prisoner attempting to escape from the Community Justice Campus at 675 Justice Way in Indianapolis. He<br />
was returning the murder suspect from the hospital when the man violently assaulted him in the detention<br />
center’s sallyport. The prisoner wrapped the handcuff chain linking around Deputy Sheriff’s neck, with both of<br />
them falling to the ground during the struggle. As soon as Deputy Durm stopped moving, the prisoner unlocked<br />
his handcuffs, then stole one of the sheriff’s vans but crashed outside the complex during his escape<br />
attempt. Deputy Durm was transported to Eskenazi Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Deputy Durm<br />
had served with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for 38 years. He is survived by his wife, four children, and<br />
parents. His wife and son also serve with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 121
HONORING OUR<br />
POLICE OFFICER JAKE WALLIN<br />
FARGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, NORTH DAKOTA<br />
END OF WATCH FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023<br />
AGE: 23 TOUR: 3 MONTHS BADGE: N/A<br />
Police Officer Jake Wallin was shot and killed while he and other officers investigated a traffic crash at the<br />
intersection of 25th Street South and 9th Avenue South at about 2:45 pm. While officers were on scene a<br />
male subject opened fire on officers, firefighters, and bystanders without warning. Officer Wallin was killed, two<br />
other officers were critically wounded, and a bystander was wounded. Officer Wallin’s field training officer was<br />
able to return fire and killed the subject.<br />
Officer Wallin was a Minnesota Army National Guard veteran. He had served with the Fargo Police<br />
Department for only three months and was completing field training at the time of the shooting.<br />
122 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE
FALLEN HEROES<br />
POLICE OFFICER ANTHONY FERGUSON<br />
ALAMOGORDO POLICE DEPARTMENT, NEW MEXICO<br />
END OF WATCH SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023<br />
AGE: 41 TOUR: 11 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Police Officer Anthony Ferguson succumbed to a gunshot wound he received during a foot pursuit of a<br />
subject who had fled the scene of a vehicle accident at 2:18 am. Officers attempted a traffic stop when they<br />
noticed a subject driving a vehicle without headlights or taillights. When the vehicle sped away, officers did not<br />
initiate a pursuit. About a mile away, the vehicle crashed into a pole at First Street and Delaware Avenue. After<br />
the subject fled on foot, Officer Ferguson pursued the man. The subject pulled out a shotgun and fired, hitting<br />
Officer Ferguson in the face. Another officer returned fire and struck the subject in the leg. Officer Ferguson<br />
was flown to UMC-El Paso where he succumbed to his wounds the next day. Officer Ferguson had served<br />
with the Alamogordo Police Department for 11 years. He is survived by his daughter, son, mother, father, and<br />
four brothers.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 123
HONORING OUR<br />
SERGEANT EDWIN MALDONADO-GARCÍA<br />
PUERTO RICO POLICE DEPARTMENT, PUERTO RICO<br />
END OF WATCH WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023<br />
AGE: 56 TOUR: 37 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Sergeant Edwin Maldonado-García was struck and killed by a vehicle on the Baldorioty de Castro Expressway<br />
near Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, at about 8:15 pm. He was in uniform and diving to work when he observed<br />
several citizens attempting to rescue a kitten from the middle of the highway. He stopped his vehicle to assist<br />
but was struck by an oncoming car as he tried to grab the kitten.<br />
Sergeant Maldonado-García had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 37 years and was<br />
assigned to the Internal Security Division at police headquarters. He is survived by his wife and child.<br />
124 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE
FALLEN HEROES<br />
DEPUTY SHERIFF DAVID BOSECKER<br />
EASTLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, TEXAS<br />
END OF WATCH FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2023<br />
AGE: N/A TOUR: 21 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Deputy Sheriff David Bosecker was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call along Highway<br />
183 between Cisco and Rising Star. As he arrived on the scene a male subject opened fire on him, fatally<br />
wounding him. Other responding officers took the subject into custody. The man was charged with capital<br />
murder.<br />
Deputy Bosecker had served with the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office for two years and had served in law<br />
enforcement for 21 years. He had previously served with the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Alcoholic<br />
Beverage Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Comanche Police Department. He also<br />
worked as a part-time marine enforcement officer for the Cisco Police Department.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 125
HONORING OUR<br />
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL WOOD<br />
NEWBERRY POLICE DEPARTMENT, SOUTH CAROLINA<br />
END OF WATCH WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023<br />
AGE: 48 TOUR: 20 YEARS BADGE: 308<br />
Lieutenant Mike Wood was killed in a vehicle crash at the intersection of Nance Street and<br />
Dixie Drive while responding to a call.<br />
His patrol car collided with a tractor-trailer in the intersection.<br />
Lieutenant Wood had served with the Newberry Police Department for 20 years.<br />
He is survived by his wife and two children.<br />
126 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE
FALLEN HEROES<br />
SERGEANT WILLIAM CHERRY<br />
MACON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, TENNESSEE<br />
END OF WATCH SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2023<br />
AGE: 55 TOUR: 10 YEARS BADGE: 67<br />
Sergeant William Cherry was killed in a vehicle crash on Highway 10, near Long Creek Road, at about 12:30<br />
am. He was traveling southbound when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line and struck his patrol car<br />
head-on, causing him to suffer fatal injuries. The other driver suffered severe injuries. Neither Sergeant Cherry<br />
nor the other driver were wearing their seatbelts.<br />
Sergeant Cherry had served with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office for five years and had served in law enforcement<br />
for more than 10 years. He had previously served with the Red Boiling Springs Police Department,<br />
Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and Celina County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren,<br />
and parents.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 127
WORDS BY STACY MOSER<br />
WU IS NEW: So Everyone<br />
Keeps Telling Him.<br />
This satirical story has proliferated<br />
on Chinese Web sites in various<br />
versions and degrees of scurrility<br />
over the past year or more.<br />
The story’s content and apparent<br />
popularity reflect a deep cynicism<br />
in China toward the guardians of<br />
justice and public order.<br />
Officer Wu, in uniform for just<br />
one week, decided to reward<br />
himself with a movie. Seeing a<br />
long line at the ticket booth, Wu<br />
gave a sigh and took his place at<br />
the end of the line.<br />
“You must be new on the job,”<br />
remarked a man standing nearby.<br />
“How do you know?” asked<br />
Officer Wu.<br />
“Huh! When do you ever see<br />
a cop standing in line!” said the<br />
man.<br />
“Oh!” said Wu, as he finally<br />
understood. He strode up to the<br />
ticket counter, put his money<br />
down and said, “I’d like a ticket.”<br />
“You must be new on the job,”<br />
said the woman behind the<br />
128 The BLUES<br />
128 The BLUES<br />
counter with a smile.”<br />
“How did you know?”<br />
“A cop never takes his wallet<br />
out of his pocket. If you want<br />
something, you just say so, and<br />
no one dares to refuse.”<br />
“OH. “This was another new insight<br />
for Wu. He gave it a try, and<br />
sure enough, he wasn’t refused.<br />
Once inside the theater, Wu casually<br />
located a seat in the lower<br />
auditorium and sat down. His<br />
bottom had barely come to rest<br />
when someone beside him commented,<br />
“New on the job?”<br />
Wu was really astonished and<br />
more than a little suspicious.<br />
“Who says so?” he demanded.<br />
“The old cops all know they can<br />
go upstairs to watch the movie.<br />
Only you knew guys come down<br />
here.”<br />
Wu went upstairs to the balcony<br />
and saw that indeed, quite a<br />
few policemen were sitting there.<br />
He took a seat, and soon afterward<br />
the movie began. A police<br />
officer nearby turned and looked<br />
at him, then coolly commented,<br />
“You must be new on the job.”<br />
“How can you tell I’m new?”<br />
“How many old cops sit there<br />
like a little tin soldier? Most of<br />
them are like me.”<br />
Wu looked at the veteran, who<br />
had propped his legs up against<br />
the neck of the person seated in<br />
front of him. It looked a lot more<br />
comfortable and seemed much<br />
more police-like.<br />
The movie was about half-way<br />
through when Wu felt the need<br />
to relieve himself. At the entrance<br />
to the restroom, the attendant<br />
blocked his way and said, “You<br />
must be new on the job.”<br />
Wu still couldn’t figure it out.<br />
“Do I have it written on my forehead?<br />
How did you know?”<br />
“We never have cops coming in<br />
here. They just pee over the railing.<br />
It’s obvious you’re new.”<br />
Wu felt very embarrassed that<br />
he’d come so close to letting the<br />
side down. He walked over to<br />
the balcony railing and let fly a
stream. “Hey!” Someone yelled<br />
from below! “There’s a new cop<br />
upstairs peeing on me!”<br />
“. . .” Wu looked over the railing.<br />
“See? When the old cops pee<br />
they splatter a whole row – only<br />
a rookie would drop it all on just<br />
one head!”<br />
Red in the face, Wu quickly<br />
zipped up and turned to sit back<br />
down. “You must be new,” said a<br />
fellow cop nearby.<br />
“An old cop would never zip up<br />
that fast. Why not let the little<br />
guy stay out for some air and<br />
maybe shock a girl or two?”<br />
Officer Wu was starting to feel<br />
depressed. Back out on the street<br />
he decided to console himself<br />
with a call girl. After a little<br />
groping, the girl asked, “New on<br />
the job, eh?”<br />
“How did you know?” asked<br />
Wu, feeling rather light-headed.<br />
“Experienced cops are never so<br />
polite, they just barge in and get<br />
it over with.”<br />
Finishing the job with no further<br />
ado, Wu decided that in order not<br />
to disgrace the uniform any further,<br />
he should go without paying<br />
the girl or her establishment. As<br />
he swaggered out the door of the<br />
dance hall, the proprietor gave<br />
him a glance and said, “You must<br />
be new on the job.”<br />
Wu felt he was reaching the<br />
end of his rope. Grabbing the proprietor<br />
by the neck, he demanded,<br />
“How is it that even you can tell?”<br />
“The old cops don’t just go<br />
without paying, they demand a<br />
protection fee as well!”<br />
A new cop is still a cop. Wu<br />
said, “Give me the protection fee!”<br />
The proprietor said, “You’re still<br />
acting new. The old cops always<br />
have us deliver the money to<br />
them—they wouldn’t be caught<br />
taking it themselves.”<br />
After suffering humiliation at<br />
the hands of the dancehall proprietor,<br />
Officer Wu decided to exercise<br />
his prerogative as a police<br />
officer and teach the proprietor a<br />
lesson. Hearing noises from the<br />
next room, Wu kicked down the<br />
door, and finding a naked man<br />
and woman inside, he yelled,<br />
“Don’t move! I’m a police officer!”<br />
The woman sat up drowsily, and<br />
with a sideways glance at her<br />
companion said, “You must be<br />
new on the job.”<br />
The man agreed, “He’s a rookie<br />
for sure.”<br />
Wu barked at the pair, “How do<br />
you know I’m new?”<br />
The woman smirked at the<br />
man next to her. “What old cop<br />
doesn’t recognize his own station<br />
commander?”<br />
The BLUES 129<br />
The BLUES 129
As soon as he heard that the<br />
man was his boss, Wu spun<br />
around and fled. In the doorway<br />
he barreled into a well- dressed<br />
man and stopped to apologize<br />
profusely.<br />
The man laughed, “You must<br />
be new on the job.” “You can tell<br />
too?” snapped Wu.<br />
“I’m the manager here. All the<br />
cops know me.”<br />
Wu fled from the dance hall,<br />
but just outside, under a lamp, he<br />
saw someone stripping a motorcycle.<br />
He ran over and grabbed<br />
the man, intending to take him<br />
into the dispatch station. The man<br />
said, “You must be new.”<br />
“<strong>No</strong>, I’m not! Come with me!”<br />
“Of course, you are! What experienced<br />
cop would bother with<br />
this kind of thing?”<br />
“So, what if I’m new! New cop,<br />
new ways!”<br />
“Oh, I remember hearing your<br />
station commander saying that<br />
back when he was a new cop.”<br />
Officer Wu climbed into his<br />
police vehicle and sped off in a<br />
snit. As he turned a corner, a motorcyclist<br />
suddenly emerged from<br />
the darkness, and despite his<br />
best efforts to stop, Wu crashed<br />
into him. The motorcycle and<br />
its driver both flew into the air.<br />
Wu scrambled out of his car and<br />
hurried over to look. He found the<br />
motorcyclist on the ground in a<br />
pool of blood, his leg bleeding<br />
profusely. Without saying a word,<br />
Wu lifted the man and began<br />
carrying him to his car.<br />
The man moaned, “Comrade,<br />
you must be a rookie.”<br />
Wu sighed, “All day today people<br />
have been telling me I must<br />
be new on the job. It’s like I’m<br />
under a curse.”<br />
The motorcyclist mumbled, “A<br />
130 The BLUES<br />
seasoned cop would have finished<br />
me off. <strong>No</strong>w I’m dying of pain . . .”<br />
And with that, the man breathed<br />
his last.<br />
Officer Wu returned home feeling<br />
very flustered. He logged onto<br />
the “Youth Topics” chatroom and<br />
registered under the ID “He Bian”<br />
[riverbank] Almost immediately,<br />
someone with the ID “007” messaged<br />
him, “You must be a new<br />
cop.”<br />
Wu was flabbergasted. On the<br />
Internet, no one knew you from<br />
a dog. How could this 007 know<br />
that he was a new cop or an old<br />
one for that matter? He quickly<br />
messaged back, “How did you<br />
know?”<br />
007 replied. “The experienced<br />
cops who log on here are all under-cover,<br />
and they use an ID like<br />
‘He Di’ [river bottom].”<br />
Officer Wu resolved that from<br />
now on he would reform himself<br />
thoroughly and start acting<br />
like a seasoned police officer.<br />
One day, as he was passing a<br />
cigarette stand, he walked over<br />
and picked up two cartons, saying<br />
to the peddler, “I’m taking these<br />
two cartons of Zhonghua.”<br />
The peddler looked at him and<br />
laughed. “You must be new on<br />
the job.”<br />
“Damn it! How did you know?<br />
“Wu demanded.<br />
The peddler said, “Old cops<br />
never take the cartons on the<br />
stand—they know they’re fake.<br />
An experience cop will tell me,<br />
‘Give me two of those Zhonghua<br />
behind you.’”<br />
Walking away with the cigarettes,<br />
Wu felt that smoking them<br />
himself would be a waste, so he<br />
decided to get some money for<br />
them. He went to a tobacco and<br />
liquor store and said to the proprietor,<br />
“Boss, I’m returning these<br />
two cartons of cigarettes.”<br />
“How much do you want for<br />
them?”<br />
Wu thought about it and decided<br />
to make sure that he didn’t<br />
look like a new cop again. “A<br />
thousand each.”<br />
He put down the cigarettes,<br />
took the money and turned to go.<br />
The proprietor said, “I can tell<br />
you’re a rookie. An old cop would<br />
take the money and the cigarettes,<br />
too!”<br />
Officer Wu went to get his hair<br />
cut. <strong>No</strong>ticing the comeliness of<br />
the girl washing his hair, he wondered<br />
if she provided any “extra<br />
services.” But having learned his<br />
lesson from before, he simply ordered<br />
her into the back room. As<br />
he was preparing to leave afterwards,<br />
the girl said, “You must be<br />
new on the job.”<br />
“You too?” groaned Wu.<br />
“Old cops always ask me to pay<br />
for the honor,” said the girl.<br />
Soon Wu found himself afflicted<br />
with the AIDS, and he went to<br />
the hospital for treatment. The<br />
doctor took one look at him and<br />
said, “You must be a new cop.”<br />
Wu was flummoxed, but the<br />
doctor replied, “Old cops get<br />
themselves fixed up at a private<br />
clinic—they wouldn’t dare to<br />
come to a hospital.”<br />
Eventually Wu’s sexual activities<br />
led to his demise. As he arrived<br />
at the Pearly Gates, an angel<br />
remarked, “You must have been a<br />
new cop.”<br />
“And how would you know?<br />
“Wu asked. “The old cops all go<br />
to Hell.”<br />
Translated by Stacy Mosher
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BLUES 131
WORDS BY JAMES JEFFERSON<br />
A POLICE OFFICER’S STORY OF<br />
PTSD, SUICIDE AND HOPE.<br />
“After years of simply surviving, I was finally honest with<br />
myself and said the words we fear the most: I need help!”<br />
My trauma journey began in 2008<br />
when I set off on this path of being<br />
a police officer. I spent three years<br />
in uniform patrol and four years in<br />
our Narcotics Unit. Following that<br />
I spent three-and-a-half years off<br />
work as a result of post-traumatic<br />
stress disorder. After years of simply<br />
surviving I was forced to finally<br />
look inward and be honest with<br />
myself and say those words we fear<br />
to utter in this heroic profession: “I<br />
need help.” By uttering these three<br />
powerful words, I was eventually<br />
brought to a crossroads where I had<br />
to make a decision: be defined by<br />
the diagnosis or defy the diagnosis.<br />
In the beginning I was flourishing.<br />
Every aspect of this profession<br />
identified with who I was. I had a<br />
steady partner and I believed there<br />
was nothing I could see, hear, or<br />
experience in this profession that<br />
could affect me. Little did I know<br />
that just after two years on the job I<br />
would face a call that would forever<br />
alter the course of my life.<br />
It was in the early morning hours<br />
on a cold, winter night. My partner<br />
132 The BLUES<br />
132 The BLUES<br />
and I responded to a homicide in<br />
progress. A man called the police<br />
saying that he just killed his roommate.<br />
We broke down multiple<br />
doors to get into the unit. Once<br />
inside, we found that the homicide<br />
was valid and that a murder had<br />
just occurred. The person responsible<br />
for this vile act made the decision<br />
to attack my partner and me<br />
with a knife in hand. He ignored our<br />
instructions and continued towards<br />
us. We were faced with a decision:<br />
use lethal force or gamble with<br />
our lives. As a last resort, we were<br />
forced to open fire.<br />
The smell of gunpowder filled the<br />
air as spent shell casings bounced<br />
on the floor. I could hear the<br />
screams of agony as the bullet rang<br />
through his body. It all seemed to<br />
be happening in slow motion. Our<br />
back up arrived moments after and<br />
we were escorted outside. I do not<br />
remember the walk but the moment<br />
the fresh night air hit my face,<br />
I smiled. I am not really sure why.<br />
I had not yet comprehended what<br />
just happened. I suppose in that<br />
moment, I was just grateful to be<br />
alive and to feel the air on my face.<br />
voices of individuals living with<br />
mental illness. Busting stigma one<br />
essay and ort film at a time. Join the<br />
movement.<br />
We both were separated and<br />
brought to the hospital with the instruction<br />
to not talk to one another.<br />
My partner was brought to a back<br />
room away from prying eyes while<br />
I was brought to a sitting area<br />
directly across from the operating<br />
room and instructed by a superior<br />
to sit and not move. As I sat there<br />
still in denial of what just occurred,<br />
I could hear a commotion to my<br />
right. I looked over to see the man<br />
that I had just shot being wheeled<br />
in by a stretcher and placed in the<br />
operating room right in front of me.<br />
I sat there in dismay as the curtains<br />
were drawn and the medical staff<br />
began the process of trying to save<br />
this man’s life. Minutes later, I heard<br />
the doctor utter the words: time of<br />
death. The ballistic report would<br />
later show my partner fired four<br />
rounds while I fired two, and that
my two shots were deemed to be<br />
the fatal ones.<br />
We had taken a life in the line<br />
of duty in order to save our own.<br />
After the dust settled, I began to<br />
tell myself, “I did as I was trained<br />
to do”; “this is all part of the job”; “I<br />
signed up for this”; “I AM FINE.” But<br />
I wasn’t fine. However, being young,<br />
prideful and ambitious, I refused to<br />
be transparent and show the real<br />
human underneath having an emotional<br />
reaction to a real life human<br />
tragedy. I felt like if I allowed myself<br />
to be human, I would be perceived<br />
as weak or broken by my fellow<br />
officers. I believed emotion and<br />
vulnerability was a sign of weakness.<br />
This attitude was never directly<br />
stated, but you could feel the<br />
stigma in light of this renaissance<br />
mentality of suck it up and do your<br />
job. This is what you signed up for.<br />
So I traded my emotional turmoil<br />
for a smile, a dark sense of humour,<br />
and a competent work ethic.<br />
In the first year following the<br />
event, two monumental things<br />
happened in my life. I became a<br />
first-time parent and I was promoted<br />
into our Narcotics Unit. Although<br />
I was achieving both my family and<br />
career aspirations, I slowly began<br />
to unravel at the seams. I experienced<br />
powerful emotions and<br />
symptoms with complexities very<br />
foreign to me. Within me lived an<br />
incomprehensible level of sadness,<br />
fear, anger, and guilt. Symptoms like<br />
hypervigilance, flashbacks, recurring<br />
nightmares, and even suicidal<br />
ideations. If I was not fueled by the<br />
negative symptomology of PTSD, I<br />
was numb to all things I was experiencing<br />
courtesy of self-medicating<br />
with drugs and alcohol.<br />
My marriage was beginning to<br />
feel the repercussions of my inherent<br />
denial. I was present in body,<br />
but I was absent in mind and heart.<br />
I was unable to enjoy the beautiful<br />
experience of being a parent due<br />
to the fact that my mind was stuck<br />
in a single event and I was unable<br />
to find the present moment. My<br />
demeanour became self-centered<br />
and explosive with a rage that I<br />
have never experienced. I victimized<br />
myself and I allowed self-pity<br />
to become a daily identity. I refused<br />
to let my wife in and I began to put<br />
up walls to keep her out because I<br />
didn’t want her to know how badly<br />
I was hurting out of ego and pride.<br />
I believed I was protecting her by<br />
shielding her from my true self and<br />
my experiences. But I later came to<br />
the realization I was only protecting<br />
myself out of cowardice and<br />
by doing so, I was making her life<br />
unbearable causing new trauma to<br />
form.<br />
Being a part of the Narcotics<br />
Unit created a constant feeling<br />
of hypocrisy with me. I was using<br />
cannabis and alcohol daily to<br />
numb my pain and I was taking<br />
away peoples freedoms who were<br />
simply trying to do the same. As<br />
my trauma grew, it allowed me to<br />
experience and put in motion two<br />
core needs that were developing<br />
within me. The first was the need<br />
for adrenaline. I thrust myself in<br />
any dangerous situation I could find<br />
because the adrenaline was one of<br />
the only things that could offset this<br />
numbness and depression that I was<br />
experiencing. I took unnecessary<br />
risks and pursued undercover work.<br />
I searched for anything that gave me<br />
that emotional high and allowed<br />
me to forget, even for just a moment<br />
what I was going through. The<br />
second was a death wish. I longed<br />
to die in the line of duty because I<br />
was at a point of accepting that this<br />
disorder was the be-all and end-all<br />
of who I was and I felt powerless to<br />
stop its progression. I felt weak and<br />
to die in the line of duty, I would be<br />
perceived as strong. I would be immortalized<br />
as a hero. So I risked my<br />
life time and time again. I was never<br />
willing to risk another officer’s<br />
life, but I carelessly played Russian<br />
roulette with my own. I was always<br />
first in the door or first on the scene.<br />
Making arrests on my own or going<br />
into drug buys blind with minimal<br />
preparation or cover. I was leaving it<br />
up to fate. But as time passed, death<br />
never came. My sheer competence<br />
won out.<br />
As the years went by, I continued<br />
to fool the world. I embodied a<br />
family man and a cop who had his<br />
shit together; all the while, suicide<br />
was on my mind. Daily I thought<br />
about how I would do it, where I<br />
would do it, who would find me?<br />
This all brought me to one fateful<br />
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The BLUES 133
night. The pain from trauma had<br />
won. I felt like I had lost the battle<br />
and had nothing left to give. The<br />
weight of PTSD was crushing and I<br />
had no more fight within me. I was<br />
on surveillance detail when I made<br />
the decision to end my life. I can<br />
still feel the cold muzzle pressed<br />
against my temple as I unloaded my<br />
gun put it to my head and squeezed<br />
the trigger. I then loaded the gun<br />
and slowly held it to the side of<br />
my head. I had tears rolling down<br />
my face, praying to God for the<br />
strength to pull it. In that moment,<br />
my prayer was answered. But it was<br />
not the prayer I asked for, the prayer<br />
I needed. In that very moment I saw<br />
my daughter. I saw my purpose.<br />
Something I saw as being larger<br />
than myself and this disorder. I<br />
began to think about her life. What<br />
effect this act would have on her.<br />
By taking my life, my trauma would<br />
inevitably trickle into her life and<br />
suicide would be forever a prevalent<br />
and painful part of her story.<br />
She would be forced to always refer<br />
to her father in the past tense by<br />
clinging to childhood memories<br />
and never being able to escape the<br />
question of why? I wouldn’t wish<br />
this affliction on my worst enemy<br />
let alone my child. In that moment,<br />
I holstered my firearm and made<br />
a vow to endure this pain, so she<br />
didn’t have to.<br />
I continued to live with the crippling<br />
symptomology of post-traumatic<br />
stress. I clung to my vices,<br />
and was angry and resentful towards<br />
life. But somehow this jaded<br />
behaviour seemed normalized. I<br />
fit in. I knew how to work and live<br />
this police lifestyle far better than<br />
I knew how to ask for help. I would<br />
have continued on this path and I<br />
truly don’t think there would have<br />
been a happy ending. Fortunately<br />
for me, life had other plans. In<br />
the midst of the chaos, I suffered<br />
a physical injury by rupturing my<br />
Achilles tendon.<br />
This was the first time I was off<br />
134 The BLUES<br />
work and life as I knew it stopped.<br />
I found all that was left was silence<br />
and stillness. For someone with<br />
unresolved trauma, that silence<br />
can be deafening and that stillness<br />
can create mania in your mind. I no<br />
longer had the distraction of police<br />
work to keep my mind occupied.<br />
With no distraction, I was forced to<br />
deal with my subconscious. Everything<br />
I had tried to suppress was<br />
now at the forefront of my conscious<br />
mind like a flood. I learnt the<br />
mind is like water; it can flow or it<br />
can crash, and mine crashed.<br />
I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t<br />
leave my home. I alienated myself<br />
and lost touch with everyone<br />
close to me because I felt guilt<br />
and self-pity. I felt guilt for taking<br />
a life, guilt for not being at work<br />
while my brothers and sisters were<br />
putting their lives on the line, and I<br />
felt powerless to help, and guilt for<br />
putting my wife and family through<br />
such chaos. I eventually hit rock<br />
bottom. I had been off work for<br />
years with an endless cycle of drugs<br />
and alcohol. I was losing my marriage<br />
and divorce was a constant<br />
topic during our heated exchanges. I<br />
had lost my friendships, my career,<br />
and myself. But on that rock bottom<br />
floor, I had an awakening. I saw that<br />
there is collateral beauty on that<br />
floor because it is transformative.<br />
It forces you to self-reflect and<br />
decide. It forces you to look deep<br />
inside yourself and find who you<br />
truly are meant to be. It allowed me<br />
to understand that someone with<br />
outward courage dares to die, but<br />
someone with inner courage dares<br />
to live.<br />
On that floor, I made a definitive<br />
decision that I was going to live and<br />
heal. I was willing to lose everything<br />
to endure the pain of growth<br />
in order to save myself. And when<br />
you make a definitive decision in<br />
life that nothing will stop you, it<br />
truly has a redemptive quality that<br />
can carry you through life’s darkest<br />
moments back into the light.<br />
I began in search for the right<br />
mental health treatment. It took<br />
me a handful of doctors until I was<br />
blessed to find the one that had the<br />
skill set to challenge me. I completed<br />
over a year of immersion therapy<br />
completely submersing myself in my<br />
trauma. That was the key. The only<br />
way out is in. It was a painstaking<br />
process that tested my resolve and<br />
my sanity. But the more I invested,<br />
the more honest I became with not<br />
only my doctor but myself. I began<br />
to feel the weight lift and I laid my<br />
first puzzle piece of healing.<br />
Long reads. Short films. Showing<br />
the word what is possible with<br />
mental health challenges. Bust stigma<br />
with us.<br />
I met with a police chaplain. I<br />
have never been a religious person<br />
or affiliated to a particular religion,<br />
but I have always had an unwavering<br />
belief in God. We talked, we<br />
cried, and we prayed. We prayed for<br />
my strength and for my forgiveness,<br />
but not my forgiveness from God,<br />
but for my ability to forgive myself.<br />
I embraced the beauty of the moment<br />
and I was able to feel the love<br />
in the spirituality that was being<br />
bestowed upon me. I let someone<br />
in, and that pure human connection<br />
lifted me and I felt the weight<br />
continue to lift and puzzle pieces<br />
of my healing were beginning to fit<br />
together.<br />
I made a conscious choice to take<br />
massive daily action, to commit to<br />
mastery of my own mind. I fully<br />
embraced fitness and nutrition. I<br />
knew the mind is hard but the body<br />
was easy. I didn’t have to re-invent<br />
the wheel. I could not control my<br />
mind but I could control my body<br />
and what I put in my body. I began<br />
to understand that the body is an<br />
extension of the subconscious mind<br />
and if my body felt good, my mind<br />
would follow suit. Daily, I would<br />
inflict the most possible amount of<br />
physical pain on myself that made<br />
the emotional pain bearable and by<br />
doing so, I began to build a resilient
mindset.<br />
I made it a point to listen to as<br />
much positive content as I could<br />
find. I knew my mind was working<br />
against me so I needed new language<br />
to overthrow my negative<br />
mindset. So I listened to inspirational<br />
and motivational speakers<br />
every single day. Their mindset had<br />
to become my mindset. Their words<br />
had to become my words.<br />
I made a conscious choice to<br />
distance myself from people who I<br />
perceived to be negative. My focus<br />
had to be inward. I was on an uphill<br />
climb and I couldn’t have people<br />
bringing me down. I understood<br />
who you surround yourself with you<br />
reflect. I had to reflect positivity and<br />
growth. I began to seek out people<br />
who I believed embodied these<br />
characteristics.<br />
I learned in this process that selftalk<br />
is the most powerful form of<br />
communication in life because it either<br />
empowers you or defeats you.<br />
I found by embracing positivity<br />
in my life daily, I forced a mental<br />
shift and I began to speak to<br />
myself with compassion, forgiveness,<br />
empathy, and strength.<br />
In completing my puzzle of<br />
healing, I believe I became mindful.<br />
I learned that anxiety is the<br />
future, depression is the past,<br />
and we can’t control either one.<br />
All we have is now and there is<br />
nothing more important than<br />
what you are doing this very moment.<br />
I began to simplify and just<br />
win the moment. I embraced the<br />
momentum of healing and fully<br />
encompass the magnitude and<br />
limitless beauty of post-traumatic<br />
growth.<br />
Today, I am no longer in therapy.<br />
I no longer take any medication.<br />
I made it a point that where<br />
I was going, self-medicating<br />
could not be a part of the equation<br />
and I decided to stop immediately.<br />
I let go of my vices and<br />
my trauma is merely a chapter from<br />
the book of my life and no longer<br />
my prelude. In my healing, all things<br />
around me healed and flourished<br />
once again.<br />
I was able to take my trauma<br />
and use it to transform myself into<br />
someone who is in the position to<br />
educate others. I developed a position<br />
as a wellness coordinator<br />
within my service that has allowed<br />
me to have a voice, to provide peerto-peer<br />
support for those suffering.<br />
It has given me the chance to reach<br />
out and connect in order to give<br />
officers a perspective and a truth<br />
of the hardships of mental health in<br />
policing. I have been able to promote<br />
a message of strength and self-reliance<br />
in vulnerability. A message<br />
that says I have failed time and time<br />
again and that is why I succeeded,<br />
because I never stopped trying to try<br />
and I never stopped hoping for hope.<br />
When nothing is certain, anything is<br />
possible.<br />
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The BLUES 135
A BADGE OF HONOR<br />
healing our heroes<br />
yrs.<br />
LEADERSHIP<br />
Starts With You<br />
“We have the lowest morale ever,”<br />
said a commander from a police<br />
department in a large city.<br />
“There’s no accountability. Officers<br />
are afraid to act because they are<br />
now the target of our city’s politicians,”<br />
he continued.<br />
What do we do when it all seems<br />
to be falling apart? The once coveted<br />
job as a police officer is taking<br />
more from us than ever before. With<br />
our police chiefs caught up doing<br />
battle with local officials, and training<br />
budgets slashed, we are left to<br />
fend for ourselves, relying on supportive<br />
police associations, and the<br />
public to champion our cause.<br />
When it seems that there is no<br />
place to turn, how can we help<br />
ourselves? First, make the choice to<br />
lead. By our nature, we operate with<br />
excellence at our core. Our training<br />
helps build it. Once trained in our<br />
police duties, we sometimes only<br />
rely on that training to solve everything.<br />
There is a famous quote that<br />
says, “You will always fall to the<br />
level of your training.” By making<br />
the choice to lead, you choose to do<br />
more, to be more than what your<br />
training has provided to you.<br />
Next, create a plan to lead yourself.<br />
After all, if we simply try to<br />
be an excellent mom/dad, partner,<br />
spouse, supervisor, wearing lots of<br />
hats every day all the time, overwhelm<br />
and stress are typically the<br />
result because leaders want to be<br />
the best. When we try to wear a lot<br />
of hats all the time, typically we are<br />
not “engaged” or “present” in it. It<br />
136 The BLUES<br />
becomes rote and robotic. So, what<br />
can you do to build a leadership<br />
plan for yourself so you can serve in<br />
all your roles effectively while also<br />
being “present?”<br />
First, go back to the beginning and<br />
define your why. Specifically, why<br />
did you decide to be a police officer?<br />
Author Simon Sinek says it best,<br />
“Your why is the one constant that<br />
will guide you toward fulfillment in<br />
your work and life.” Once you define<br />
it, write it down and put it in all the<br />
places you find yourself each day.<br />
Your office, your patrol car, your<br />
locker, your personal vehicle, and<br />
in a pocket in your uniform. When<br />
times get tough, and they will, you<br />
have your why as reminder of your<br />
excellence and why you chose to<br />
become an officer.<br />
Second, write out what is important<br />
to you right now, in the place<br />
you find yourself. Perhaps you are a<br />
new shift supervisor, and the most<br />
important thing right now is to be<br />
a good listener. Or maybe you are<br />
a veteran officer who has sought<br />
out some help because you cannot<br />
seem to separate job life from home<br />
life. For you, the most important<br />
thing may be to learn how to be dad<br />
or mom again when you walk in the<br />
door from work.<br />
Third, learn a strategy to delegate.<br />
We use control or the feeling of it to<br />
alleviate stress. Control can sometimes<br />
backfire however, often causing<br />
more stress in the end. While<br />
“in the moment” control makes us<br />
feel good, when things get quiet<br />
SAMANTHA HORWITZ &<br />
JOHN SALERNO<br />
and we cannot turn off the control,<br />
however, we often find ourselves<br />
wound tighter than a rubber band,<br />
ready to “snap” at the next person<br />
who asks for something, or worse<br />
at our own family. Ask others to do<br />
certain things at work and at home<br />
which can help alleviate the feeling<br />
that you need to do everything and<br />
be everything to everyone.<br />
Another strategy is, take time for<br />
yourself. Make YOU a priority. This<br />
is one of the most self-LESS and<br />
important things you can do. Whether<br />
it is setting a specific gym time<br />
each day or making time for your<br />
favorite hobby. The more purposeful<br />
you are with things away from your<br />
job the better your brain’s function.<br />
You can “turn off” and be in moment.<br />
A note of caution here. Should you<br />
find yourself unable to “turn off” it<br />
may be a sign of hypervigilance and<br />
uncontrolled “fight or flight.” Please<br />
reach out for help.<br />
Make the choice to lead yourself<br />
first, so you can lead others more<br />
effectively. When things go sideways,<br />
or you get stressed remember<br />
your why. Be more effective at work<br />
and at home by putting yourself first,<br />
and delegate. By implementing these<br />
strategies, you will be able to be<br />
engaged with everything.
The BLUES 137
DARYL LOTT<br />
daryl’s deliberations<br />
yrs.<br />
TWO STAR FLAG<br />
I love our flag of red, white,<br />
and blue. The flag guarantees<br />
freedom and liberty to<br />
all who live under its majesty.<br />
Flags tell the history of<br />
the country. “Old Glory” is the<br />
superior flag that is above all<br />
others as her pennant waves<br />
and snaps in the wind. Each<br />
star represents other flags<br />
that fly beside her. The flag<br />
of Texas and its famous star<br />
tells a story of another flag<br />
that once flew over the broad<br />
expanse of Texas.<br />
When Mexico received independence<br />
from Spain<br />
in 1821, Tejas<br />
was a vast<br />
wilderness.<br />
We all know<br />
the story of<br />
Stephen F.<br />
Austin and<br />
his dealings<br />
with<br />
the Mexican<br />
government.<br />
Although<br />
Tejas was a<br />
state in Mexico,<br />
it lacked the population<br />
to govern itself as any other<br />
independent state in Mexico.<br />
Mexico City linked Tejas to<br />
another state named Coahuila.<br />
The Governor of Coahuila<br />
138 The BLUES<br />
governed Tejas as well as his<br />
own state. The joint statehood<br />
was named “Coahuila y Tejas.”<br />
The Texians as they were<br />
called wanted their state to be<br />
self-governing under the Mexican<br />
national flag. This notion<br />
of a self-governing state under<br />
Mexico’s rule was the Texians’<br />
guiding desire as they did<br />
not want to break away from<br />
Mexico. If one looks at the flag<br />
displayed here, one can see<br />
the problem immediately.<br />
The pictured flag is the state<br />
flag of Coahuila y Tejas. Many<br />
scholars believe this was the<br />
flag that flew over the Alamo<br />
during the battle. Travis<br />
mentioned a flag, but gave no<br />
description of it in his famous<br />
letter. The official painting of<br />
DARYL LOTT<br />
the Battle of the Alamo in the<br />
Capitol shows an “1824” flag.<br />
Regardless, the flag did not<br />
work<br />
for<br />
Texians.<br />
They repeatedly<br />
told the<br />
Mexican<br />
government<br />
they<br />
did not<br />
want to<br />
be under<br />
the<br />
authority<br />
of<br />
the Governor of Coahuila. They<br />
said the two-star flag detailed<br />
their issue-they wanted their<br />
own star. Only a one-star flag<br />
would do! They wanted their<br />
own Lone Star above all else!
After San Jacinto, the people<br />
of Texas voted Sam Houston<br />
into office, but a secondary<br />
straw vote was taken on the<br />
same ballot. Nearly 100% of<br />
the voters wanted to enter<br />
the USA immediately as did<br />
Sam Houston. That desire<br />
took nearly ten years to fulfill.<br />
When that fateful day finally<br />
arrived, Dr. Anson Jones, the<br />
last President of the Republic<br />
of Texas gently lowered the<br />
national flag of Texas amid<br />
flowing tears and thoughts of<br />
those heroes lost in freedom’s<br />
fight. Jones respectfully lowered<br />
the national flag and announced<br />
that the “Republic of<br />
Texas is no more.” He folded<br />
the republic’s venerated flag<br />
and handed it to a man who<br />
stood near the flagpole holding<br />
the new national flag.<br />
The man with the new flag<br />
unfurled the banner and the<br />
assembled crowd counted<br />
the stars - 28. The newest star<br />
was in the lower left corner<br />
of the blue field. The greatest<br />
hero in the pantheon of Texas<br />
heroes, Sam Houston, the first<br />
United States Senator from<br />
Texas attached the new banner<br />
to the halyard and raised<br />
it for the first time on Texas<br />
soil. The crowd’s tears turned<br />
to unmitigated joy as they saw<br />
the new flag rising.<br />
Many of the onlookers and<br />
Houston himself recalled the<br />
old two-star flag that ultimately<br />
initiated the long walk<br />
to American citizenship. Flags<br />
mean something. After the<br />
national colors assumed their<br />
rightful place, the state flag<br />
of Texas, identical to the republic’s<br />
lone star, was raised<br />
at even elevation - but never<br />
higher. <strong>No</strong> governor of another<br />
state would ever give orders<br />
or rule over Texas; the twostar<br />
flag taught everyone that<br />
lesson. Flags have the ability<br />
to convey stories and evoke<br />
emotions that connect people<br />
to their shared heritage and<br />
values. Flags mean everything.<br />
I will never bend a knee or<br />
show any other sign of disrespect<br />
to my flag - ever. God<br />
Bless the Lone Star State and<br />
the United States of America!<br />
Comments? Email: DarylLott.<br />
Texas@gmail.com<br />
The BLUES 1<strong>39</strong>
HONORING FA<br />
“Honoring our fallen heroes<br />
through running while providing<br />
financial support to the families<br />
of our fallen Heroes,<br />
First Responders injured in the<br />
Line of Duty and Safety<br />
Equipment to K9s in need.”<br />
Zechariah<br />
Cartledge:<br />
a True American Hero<br />
140 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE
LEN HEREOS<br />
yrs.<br />
AS OF 6/16/23<br />
Total Grants Awarded to Injured First Responders: 48<br />
Total Amount Awarded: $437,500<br />
Total Funds Awarded to Families of Fallen Heroes: 47<br />
Total Amount Awarded: $317,951<br />
Funds/Equipment Awarded to K9 Officers: $40,150.10<br />
Total Amount of Grants Given: $795,601.10<br />
- - - -<br />
2023 Run Tracker:<br />
Total Miles Run in 2023: (as of 7/22/23): 131<br />
- Zechariah - 56<br />
- Jayden - 11<br />
- Andrew - 16<br />
- Giuliana - 5<br />
- Anthony - 12<br />
- Morgan - 29<br />
- Theresa - 2<br />
Total Miles Run in 2022: 325<br />
Total Miles Run in 2021: 325<br />
Total Miles Run in 2020: 401<br />
Total Miles Run in 2019: 376<br />
Overall Miles Run: 1,557<br />
Overall Miles Run (K9’s): 73<br />
- - - - - - - - -<br />
2022 Run Stats:<br />
Total Miles Run for 2022 Fallen LEO’s (<strong>No</strong>n COVID-19): 135<br />
Total Miles Run for 2022 Fallen Firefighters (<strong>No</strong>n COVID-19): 80<br />
Total Miles Run for <strong>No</strong>n-LODD/Suicide: 13<br />
Total Miles Run for 2022 Fallen Canada LEO’s: 3<br />
Total Miles Run in 2022 for Fallen COVID-19 Heroes: 18<br />
Total Miles Run for 2021 Fallen LEO’s: 21<br />
Total Miles Run for 2021 Fallen Firefighters: 2<br />
Total Tribute Runs by State/Country: 17<br />
States/Cities Zechariah has run in:<br />
Florida - Winter Springs, Lake Mary, Clearwater, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Orlando, Temple Terrace, Blountstown,<br />
Cocoa, Lakeland, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Starke, Melbourne<br />
New York - New York City, Weedsport • Georgia - Cumming, Augusta, Savannah<br />
South Carolina - <strong>No</strong>rth Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Sumter • Pennsylvania - Monaca<br />
Illinois - Springfield, Naperville, Glen Ellyn • Texas - Houston (2), Fort Worth, Midland, New Braunfels, Freeport, Madisonville,<br />
Irving, Sadler, San Antonio • Kentucky - Nicholasville • Arkansas - Bryant, Hot Springs, Springdale, Prairie Grove<br />
Nevada - Henderson • Kansas - Overland Park • California - Mt. Vernon, La Jolla • Arizona - Mesa<br />
<strong>No</strong>rth Carolina - Concord, Raleigh • Virginia - <strong>No</strong>rton, Richmond • Tennessee - Bristol, Bartlett<br />
Oklahoma - Stilwell (2) • Delaware - Milford • Maryland - Towson • Minnesota - Arden Hills • Indiana - Sullivan, Spencer<br />
Mississippi - Grenada, Olive Branch • Missouri - Springfield, Rolla, Joplin • Iowa - Independence, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids<br />
District/Countries/Territories: Washington D.C. • Puerto Rico - San Juan<br />
The BLUES 141
DR. TINA JAECKLE<br />
blue mental health<br />
yrs.<br />
Toxic Public Safety Leadership<br />
and Employee Mental Health<br />
142 The BLUES<br />
DR. TINA JAECKLE<br />
According to numerous<br />
research studies, toxic public<br />
safety leadership is one of<br />
the potential antecedents of<br />
increased turnover intention,<br />
employee dissatisfaction, lack<br />
of commitment, and psychological<br />
stresses such as<br />
anxiety, burnout, depression,<br />
disengagement, low self-esteem,<br />
emotional exhaustion,<br />
and employee silence.<br />
There is no question that<br />
the law enforcement field<br />
is encountering devastating<br />
conditions exacerbated by<br />
recruitment, retention, and<br />
employee mental health challenges.<br />
Although now dealing<br />
with increasingly difficult<br />
community interactions, many<br />
police officers do not actually<br />
cite this as the primary reason<br />
for leaving an agency. Often,<br />
the stressors encountered at<br />
an organizational and leadership<br />
level leave officers feeling<br />
unsupported, ostracized,<br />
and, at times, the focus of<br />
retaliation. I have met countless<br />
officers less impacted by<br />
the lack of adequate pay and<br />
working conditions as long as<br />
they feel a solid and positive<br />
connection to their agency<br />
and are provided opportunities<br />
for growth and advancement.<br />
Sadly, toxic leaders can<br />
impact this in every realm.<br />
Political scientist Marcia<br />
Lynn Whicker coined the term<br />
“toxic leader” in her 1996<br />
book, Toxic Leaders: When<br />
Organizations Go Bad. Toxic<br />
leadership describes an abusive<br />
supervision style that<br />
adversely affects an agency<br />
and its employees. According<br />
to Derrick Jacobus (JEMS,<br />
2020), toxic leaders typically<br />
have perfectionist behaviors,<br />
which causes them to fear<br />
failure and, therefore, not take<br />
any risks. This behavior leads<br />
to a focus on productivity instead<br />
of creativity or initiative.<br />
When you have a productivity-driven<br />
toxic leader continually<br />
pushing for more, it will<br />
eventually lead to provider<br />
stress and burnout.<br />
It is no secret that job satisfaction<br />
is a significant factor<br />
in not being appreciated and<br />
employee turnover. A toxic<br />
leader’s behaviors contradict<br />
the common theoretical traits<br />
of the younger Millennial<br />
(Generation Y) and Generation<br />
Z workforce. For these<br />
generations, the ideal job will<br />
appeal to their core characteristics.<br />
These characteristics<br />
have been defined as multitasking,<br />
engagement, homework-life<br />
balance, individualized<br />
attention, instant reward,<br />
and fostering a team environment.<br />
For them to enjoy a<br />
given job, they must find the<br />
experience exciting and feel<br />
engaged (Brown, 2019).<br />
Toxic leaders participate in<br />
these behaviors in a variety<br />
of ways. When a toxic leader<br />
withholds information from<br />
an employee relevant to a<br />
task or provides regular criticism<br />
and lack of praise, this<br />
is coined “task-related” bullying.<br />
This leader may withhold<br />
information from one employee<br />
and provide it to another,<br />
a sense of favoritism. “Person-related”<br />
bullying is when<br />
a toxic leader spreads rumors<br />
or makes insulting remarks<br />
about a person. This could be
to the person directly or to a<br />
separate group of employees.<br />
“Social exclusion” is the behavior<br />
that excludes an employee.<br />
Despite having a toxic leader<br />
in place, most employees will<br />
stick to an organization’s mission<br />
and values to commit to<br />
the work that they do. Having<br />
a toxic leader at the top negatively<br />
affects the view of the<br />
organization, from the inside<br />
and out, and the leadership<br />
team as a whole. Trust plays<br />
a vital role in constructing the<br />
foundation for cooperation<br />
between the leadership team<br />
and the employees. Employees<br />
who directly report to<br />
a toxic leader typically have<br />
trust issues in the workplace.<br />
Employee trust is a significant<br />
concern for most organizations<br />
seeking a competitive<br />
advantage. When this is lost,<br />
employee satisfaction is lost<br />
as well (Brown, 2019).<br />
Choosing a career as a law<br />
enforcement officer is an<br />
important one and those in<br />
leadership roles must examine<br />
and address those toxic approaches<br />
that are contradictory<br />
to the mental health needs<br />
of their employees. There<br />
are many examples in which<br />
leaders are agents of positive<br />
change within workplace<br />
mental health. Similarly, there<br />
are plenty of cases where<br />
leaders are the cause of mental<br />
health problems. The way<br />
people are led in the workplace<br />
matters – toxic leadership<br />
is likely to be a driver of<br />
mental illness, which is why it<br />
should be changed. In future<br />
columns, I will further address<br />
these issues and offer effective<br />
approaches for improvement.<br />
Brown C. The Employee Perspective:<br />
A Phenomenological<br />
Approach to the After Effects<br />
of Toxic Leadership [dissertation].<br />
[Louisville, KY]: Sullivan<br />
University; 2019. p. 163–80.<br />
The BLUES 143
NOT SO BRIGHT AWARD<br />
Light Bulb Award<br />
Suspended Mo. Officer charged with assault<br />
arrested after applying to N.C. PD<br />
The suspended officer was arrested after he showed up for training with<br />
the Fayetteville Police Department as part of the application process.<br />
NORTHWOODS, MO. — On the<br />
Fourth of July, a woman noticed<br />
a <strong>No</strong>rthwoods police car parked<br />
in a field in neighboring Kinloch<br />
– now, the gruesome discovery<br />
she made after getting a closer<br />
look has led to multiple charges<br />
against a police officer accused<br />
of brutality.<br />
Samuel Davis, 26, was arrested<br />
in <strong>No</strong>rth Carolina Monday and<br />
charged with first-degree assault,<br />
armed criminal action and<br />
kidnapping after police say he<br />
beat a man he arrested at Walgreens<br />
in <strong>No</strong>rthwoods, breaking<br />
his jaw and leaving him bloodied<br />
in that field, according to court<br />
documents.<br />
Before joining <strong>No</strong>rthwoods, Davis<br />
worked for the <strong>No</strong>rth County<br />
Police Cooperative from February<br />
2021 through May 2022.<br />
<strong>No</strong>rthwoods Chief Dennis<br />
Shireff issued a statement late<br />
Monday confirming Davis no<br />
longer works for the department.<br />
He had been placed on administrative<br />
leave during the investigation.<br />
The chief wrote, in part:<br />
“Words can barely begin to<br />
express the disappointment and<br />
the failure of what appears to<br />
be a reckless disregard for the<br />
humane treatment of others<br />
144 The BLUES<br />
and the solemn duties<br />
of a law enforcement<br />
officer...This incident is<br />
directly contrary to the<br />
core values, goals, and<br />
policies of our police<br />
department and of the<br />
City of <strong>No</strong>rthwoods.”<br />
The woman who<br />
spotted Davis’s <strong>No</strong>rthwoods<br />
patrol car July<br />
4 posted a photo of<br />
the victim on Facebook<br />
along with a description<br />
of what she saw.<br />
The photo shows a<br />
young man lying on the<br />
ground with a bruised,<br />
battered and bloodied<br />
face.<br />
The witness wrote<br />
that she saw an officer standing<br />
over the man in the picture. She<br />
said that she walked up to the<br />
victim and he told her the police<br />
beat him in the head.<br />
Michelle Smith is an anti-police<br />
brutality activist, and commends<br />
the woman for coming forward.<br />
“She’s the hero,” Smith said.<br />
“She obviously had the foresight<br />
to understand that something<br />
was amiss and to stop and get<br />
this person help.<br />
“So her social media post kind<br />
of pushed everything forward<br />
yrs.<br />
and people started asking what<br />
was going on?”<br />
Davis handcuffed the man and<br />
put him in the back of the squad<br />
car, and then turned off his<br />
bodycam. Davis then drove to a<br />
remote area of Kinloch without<br />
telling dispatchers, according to<br />
the court documents.<br />
When they arrived in Kinloch,<br />
Davis pepper-sprayed the man,<br />
repeatedly struck him with a baton<br />
and told him to never come<br />
back to <strong>No</strong>rthwoods, according<br />
to charging documents.
CHICAGO The witness found MAYOR,<br />
the victim,<br />
STILL A MORON<br />
called 911 and posted the photo<br />
online. That witness also told<br />
police what she saw, and that<br />
lined up with what the victim<br />
told police, according to court<br />
documents.<br />
Davis did not write a police<br />
report for the incident at Walgreens<br />
that led to the arrest or<br />
the incident in Kinloch, according<br />
to court documents.<br />
St. Louis County Prosecuting<br />
Attorney Wesley Bell released<br />
the following statement:<br />
“What is alleged in this incident<br />
will not be tolerated under<br />
my watch. These actions put a<br />
black eye on all law enforcement<br />
officers who are doing<br />
their jobs the right way and<br />
who are tired of their profession<br />
being dragged through the mud<br />
because of the bad actions of a<br />
few. We intend to hold anyone<br />
who engages in such terrible<br />
and reckless behavior accountable<br />
for their actions, regardless<br />
of their position or title.”<br />
Smith said she’s happy Davis<br />
is charged, but said she’s still<br />
unsure if he will actually be<br />
held accountable. She said she<br />
disagreed with Bell’s office allowing<br />
a former officer to participate<br />
in a diversion program<br />
after the officer shot a woman<br />
with her gun instead of her Taser<br />
following a shoplifting incident a<br />
few years ago.<br />
“Accountability will come at<br />
the end once we know what actually<br />
happens with this officer,”<br />
Smith said. “And that will tell us<br />
if he is actually held accountable<br />
for his actions.”<br />
<strong>No</strong>rthwoods is a town of about<br />
3,600 people. With Davis’s suspension,<br />
the department now<br />
has 13 officers, according to the<br />
chief.<br />
Davis was being held in Fayetteville,<br />
<strong>No</strong>rth Carolina. Once he<br />
is extradited to St. Louis County,<br />
prosecutors have asked that he<br />
be held on a $750,000 cash-only<br />
bond.<br />
Here is Shireff’s full statement:<br />
“The St. Louis County Prosecuting<br />
Attorney’s Office has formally<br />
charged a former <strong>No</strong>rthwoods<br />
Police Department Officer with<br />
1st Degree Assault, Armed Criminal<br />
Action, and Kidnapping. We<br />
appreciate the diligent work of<br />
law enforcement as they have<br />
conducted the independent investigation<br />
as I have requested to<br />
ensure that justice be served. As<br />
reported by various media outlets,<br />
this person was taken into<br />
custody in <strong>No</strong>rth Carolina. These<br />
types of allegations and charges<br />
do not represent acceptable conduct<br />
of law enforcement professionals<br />
who serve appropriately<br />
and honorably.<br />
“The <strong>No</strong>rthwoods Police Department<br />
continues to safeguard<br />
against bias, perceived<br />
bias, or any appearance of bias<br />
that could impact justice being<br />
served. As police officers, we<br />
uphold the ideals of serving and<br />
protecting in our thoughts as<br />
well as in our actions. Words<br />
can barely begin to express the<br />
disappointment and the failure<br />
of what appears to be a reckless<br />
disregard for the humane treatment<br />
of others and the solemn<br />
duties of a law enforcement<br />
officer.<br />
“With ongoing community<br />
support and meaningful partnerships,<br />
our accredited department<br />
continues to work towards<br />
being better every day. Our goal<br />
remains to serve and sustain the<br />
trust of our community. This incident<br />
is directly contrary to the<br />
core values, goals, and policies<br />
of our police department and of<br />
the City of <strong>No</strong>rthwoods.<br />
“The City of <strong>No</strong>rthwoods Police<br />
Department remains committed<br />
to identifying areas of improvement<br />
in the hiring, appointing,<br />
training, and appointing competent,<br />
capable, and compassionate<br />
staff who dedicate<br />
themselves to diligently serving<br />
the community. I appreciate the<br />
community’s trust in the <strong>No</strong>rthwoods<br />
Police Department in<br />
upholding the law, the principles<br />
of due process, and the idea of<br />
fairness for all on behalf of the<br />
citizens we serve.”<br />
The BLUES 145
ADS BACK IN THE DAY<br />
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The BLUES 147<br />
The BLUES 147
ADS BACK IN THE DAY<br />
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THERE ARE<br />
parting shots...<br />
150 The BLUES
NO WORDS<br />
yrs.<br />
... pardon our humor<br />
The BLUES 151
152 The BLUES<br />
152 The BLUES
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The BLUES 153<br />
The BLUES 153
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The BLUES 155
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NOW HIRING<br />
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City of Baytown Get Info Patrol Officers 08/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
GALVESTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE Get Info Telecommunicator 08/22/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Wylie Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ector County ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Hutto Police Department Get Info Lateral Officer 08/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Whitewright ISD Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer 08/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ingram Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ingram Police Department Get Info Police Chief 08/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
West Lake Hills Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/28/2023 - 5pm<br />
Manvel Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/28/2023 - 5pm<br />
Eastland Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Mt. Pleasant ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office Get Info Patrol Deputies 08/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Breckenridge Police Department Get Info Peace Officer 08/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Victoria County Sheriff's Office Get Info School Resource Officer 09/03/2023 - 5pm<br />
Rusk Co. Sheriff's Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 09/05/2023 - 5pm<br />
Saginaw Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/23/2023 - 5pm<br />
Bulverde Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
Sterling Co. Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff 08/31/2023 - 5pm<br />
Blanco Co. Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff 09/05/2023 - 5pm<br />
Harris County Sheriffs Office Get Info LATERAL DEPUTY 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
Mesquite Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Freestone County Attorney's Office Get Info Investigator 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
West Texas A&M University Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/31/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Leonard Get Info Police Officer 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
Beaumont Police Dept. Get Info Police Cadet 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
Beaumont Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
<strong>No</strong>rthside ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/05/2023 - 5pm<br />
Port Aransas Police Dept. Get Info Patrol Officer 09/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Trinity University Police Department Get Info Peace Officer 09/05/2023 - 5pm<br />
Corpus Christi ISD PD Get Info Police Officer 09/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Highland Park DPS Get Info Police Officer/Firefighter 09/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Texas A&M University Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Travis Co. Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff - Facilities 09/08/2023 - 5pm<br />
LCRA Public Safety Department Get Info Ranger II 09/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Colorado City Police Dept. Get Info Patrol Officer 09/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Colorado City Police Dept. Get Info School Resource Officer 09/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ennis ISD Police Dept. Get Info Police Officers 09/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Clute Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/11/2023 - 5pm<br />
Andrews County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Deputy 09/14/2023 - 5pm<br />
Gruver ISD Get Info School Resource Officer 09/12/2023 - 5pm<br />
Brown County Water Improvement District Get Info Lake Patrol Officer 09/08/2023 - 5pm<br />
Hemphill County Sheriff's Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 09/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Seguin Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer 09/20/2023 - 5pm<br />
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Flower Mound Police Dept. Get Info Certified Police Officer 09/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Groveton Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer 09/08/2023 - 5pm<br />
Westover Hills Police Department Get Info Patrol Officer 09/19/2023 - 5pm<br />
Seadrift Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Edwards County Sheriff's Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 09/18/2023 - 5pm<br />
Bryan Police Department Get Info Police Officer 08/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Belton PD Get Info Police Officer 08/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Kingsville Police Department Get Info Alternate Hire Police Officer 08/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Richland Hills Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Sachse Police Department Get Info Police Recruit 08/26/2023 - 5pm<br />
Clifton Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/26/2023 - 5pm<br />
Tarleton State University Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Grand Prairie Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Downtown Courthouse Complex Get Info Canine (K9) Deputy 08/11/2023 - 5pm<br />
Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 09/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Real County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff 09/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Victoria Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Hutto Police Department Get Info Police Cadet 09/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Brookshire Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Farmers Branch Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer - entry 09/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Farmers Branch Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer - lateral 09/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Lindale Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer 09/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Killeen Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Nassau Bay Police Dept. Get Info Patrol Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Bastrop Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/01/2023 - 4pm<br />
Liberty Police Department Get Info Detective 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Liberty Police Department Get Info Peace Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Burnet Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/02/2023 - 5pm<br />
Burnet Police Department Get Info School Resource Officer 10/02/2023 - 5pm<br />
Polk Co. Fire Marshal's Office Get Info Environmental Enforcement Officer 10/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Criminal District Attorney Get Info Investigator 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Chapel Hill ISD Get Info Police Officer 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Lancaster ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/07/2023 - 5pm<br />
Georgetown Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer - Lateral 10/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Katy Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer 09/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Corsicana Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/30/2023 - 8am<br />
Pflugerville ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ellis County Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff 09/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Oak Ridge <strong>No</strong>rth Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Denison Police Department Get Info Police Officer 09/22/2023 - 5pm<br />
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Get Info Chief of Enforcement 08/28/2023 - 5pm<br />
Addison Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Erath County Attorney's Office<br />
Get Info Police OfficerPre-trial Investigator/Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Pflugerville Police Department Get Info Officer 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Bulverde Police Get Info Police Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Richardson Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Schleicher County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Crowley Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
STATEWIDE VACANCIES FOR JAILERS<br />
City of Wylie Get Info Detention Officer 08/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Victoria County Sheriff's Office Get Info Detention Officer 09/03/2023 - 5pm<br />
Rusk Co. Sheriff's Office Get Info Detention Officer 09/05/2023 - 5pm<br />
Harris County Sheriffs Office Get Info Detention Officer 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
Travis County Sheriff's Office Get Info Corrections Officer 09/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Flower Mound Police Dept. Get Info Detention Services Officer 09/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
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Real County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Dispatcher/Jailer 09/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Tarrant County Sheriffs Office Get Info Detention Officer 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ellis County Sheriff's Office Get Info Detention Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Hood County Sheriff Office Get Info Jailer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Richardson Police Department Get Info Detention Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
STATEWIDE VACANCIES TELECOMMUNICATION OPERATOR<br />
University Park Police Dept. Get Info Communications Specialist 08/31/2023 - 5am<br />
City of Wylie Get Info Dispatcher 08/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Dallas Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator 08/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
Rusk Co. Sheriff's Office Get Info Telecommunicator 09/05/2023 - 5pm<br />
Harris County Sheriffs Office Get Info Communications Officer 09/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Austin Get Info Emergency Communications Manager 09/05/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Katy Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator 09/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Colorado City Police Dept. Get Info Telecommunicator 09/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Clute Police Dept. Get Info Telecommunicator 08/12/2023 - 5pm<br />
Manvel Police Department Get Info Telecommunications Operator 09/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
<strong>No</strong>rth Richland Hills Police Department Get Info Public Safety Communications Manager 08/18/2023 - 5pm<br />
Flower Mound Police Dept. Get Info Communications Officer 09/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
<strong>No</strong>rth Richland Hills Police Department Get Info Dispatcher Manager / Supervisor 09/19/2023 - 5pm<br />
Corsicana Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator 09/18/2023 - 4pm<br />
City of Lakeway Get Info Telecommunications Supervisor 08/14/2023 - 5pm<br />
Tarrant County Sheriffs Office Get Info Dispatch 09/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Fort Worth Police Communications Get Info 911 Call Taker 08/11/2023 - 5pm<br />
Richardson Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator 10/08/2023 - 5pm<br />
Crowley Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Police Dept. Get Info Telecommunicator 11/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
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JOIN OUR TEAM!<br />
ARANSAS PASS POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
IS HIRING FOR<br />
TCOLE CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS<br />
The Aransas Pass Police Department is a progressive agency, employing some of the sharpest<br />
minds and equipping them with some of the best technology available. We continue to seek<br />
applications from those desiring to become part of our law enforcement family.<br />
Making a positive dierence in our community is what APPD is all about! Are you in?<br />
Opportunities<br />
Bike Patrol<br />
Crisis Intervention Team<br />
DEA Task Force<br />
Field Training Officer<br />
Gang/Narcotics Investigations<br />
Criminal Investigations Div.<br />
Marine Patrol & Dive Team<br />
Mental Health Officers<br />
School Resource Officer<br />
TCOLE Training Instructor<br />
Salary<br />
Annual Salary:<br />
$44,200.00 Base<br />
$6,600 Retention Stipend<br />
Hourly Incentives:<br />
$1.50 Max for College Degree<br />
$0.50 Per TCOLE License Step<br />
$0.50 Bi-Lingual<br />
$0.50 Special Assignment<br />
Benefits<br />
Paid Bereavement Leave<br />
Cell Phone<br />
Holiday Pay/Leave<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Paid Personal Leave<br />
Sick Leave<br />
TMRS Retirement (2:1 at 6%)<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Vacation Leave<br />
Weapon Purchase Program<br />
Point of contact: Administrative Captain Troy Poe (361) 758-5224 ext. 2421 or tpoe@aptx.gov<br />
For an application or more information visit: police.aptx.gov/jobs<br />
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The City of Aransas Pass is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability.
ALDINE ISD<br />
POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
JOIN OUR TEAMAPPLY AT<br />
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Sick Leave<br />
• Paid Vacation<br />
• Paid Holidays<br />
• Personal Days<br />
• Teacher Retirement System<br />
TCOLE CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE<br />
• Intermediate PO: $2,400<br />
• Advanced PO: $4,800<br />
• Master PO: $7,200<br />
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be 21 Years Of Age<br />
• Must Hold an Active Tcole Peace Officer License<br />
• Must Complete the Following:<br />
• Pass Physical Agility Test<br />
• Background Investigation<br />
• 166 Psychological The BLUES Evaluation<br />
• Drug Screening<br />
ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
STARTING SALARY $55,000 WITH NO EXPERIENCE<br />
UP TO $85,000 DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE<br />
ALDINE ISD PD OFFERS<br />
DEPARTMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Uniforms Provided, Including Duty Weapon<br />
• Department Provided Training<br />
• Starting Pay Depends on<br />
Qualifications / Experience<br />
• TCOLE Certification / Education Pay<br />
• Most Officers work Day Shift with Weekends Off<br />
(INCENTIVE PAY FOR DETECTIVES, K-9 HANDLERS, AND<br />
FIREARM INSTRUCTORS.)<br />
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT<br />
SGT. HALL AT 281.442.4923<br />
OR VISIT ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
SPECIALIZED DIVISIONS<br />
• Criminal Investigations<br />
• Emergency Response Team<br />
• Honor Guard<br />
• Gang Task Force<br />
• Community Outreach Division<br />
• K-9 Division<br />
• Firearm Instructor<br />
$1,000 SIGNING BONUS
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Welcome Aboard<br />
Alvin ISD Police Department<br />
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austin officers
austin dispatch<br />
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NOW<br />
HIRING<br />
BIG SPRING PD IS NOW HIRING POLICE OFFICERS<br />
• 100% PAID ACADEMY TRAINING FOR<br />
NON-CERTIFIED CADETS<br />
• EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS ARE PROVIDED<br />
INCLUDING TAKE HOME VEHICLES<br />
• TMRS RETIREMENT (2:1 CITY MATCH)<br />
• 100% EMPLOYEE MEDICAL AND LIFE<br />
INSURANCE PREMIUM PAID BY THE CITY<br />
• PAID VACATION AND HOLIDAYS<br />
• PAID SICK LEAVE<br />
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• LONGEVITY PAY FOR YEARS OF SERVICE<br />
• EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM<br />
• PROGRESSIVE ANNUAL IN-SERVICE<br />
TRAINING AND EXTERNAL TRAINING<br />
OPPORTUNITIES.<br />
• OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE<br />
EXPERIENCE IN ASSIGNMENTS SUCH AS<br />
SWAT, NARCOTICS, TRAFFIC, AND CRIMINAL<br />
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION<br />
• $1500 ACADEMY REIMBURSEMENT AND<br />
$2400 RELOCATION PAY FOR CERTIFIED<br />
OFFICERS<br />
$55,900 STARTING ANNUAL SALARY FOR CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS.<br />
ENTRY LEVEL TESTING ON <strong>AUGUST</strong> 1, 2023<br />
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 26, 2023<br />
APPLY NOW AT WWW.MYBIGSPRING.COM<br />
THE CITY OF BIG SPRING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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Montgomery County’s 3 rd Largest Law Enforcement Agency<br />
FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER<br />
• $50,363 minimum starting salary<br />
• Certification pay:<br />
Int - $1,600, Adv - $2,400, Mstr - $3,700<br />
• Competitive insurance & benefits<br />
• Teacher Retirement System (TRS)<br />
• 20 paid leave days & 12 paid holidays<br />
Opportunity<br />
multiple divisions including<br />
Investigations, Patrol, and<br />
K-9 services<br />
Growth<br />
100+ annual training hours,<br />
promotion opportunities,<br />
Field Training Officer<br />
Balance<br />
overtime pay, comp time,<br />
most weekends off, prior LE<br />
experience pay<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT<br />
HTTPS://POLICE.CONROEISD.NET/DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION/EMPLOYMENT/<br />
180 The BLUESpolice.conroeisd.net<br />
CISDPolice<br />
@CISDPolice
October 15<br />
WATCH FOR NEW TEST DATES<br />
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Cuero Police Department<br />
<strong>No</strong>w Hiring for Patrol Officer Position<br />
Department Benefits<br />
13 Paid Holidays<br />
2 Weeks Paid Vacation<br />
Certification Pay<br />
100% Insurance Paid for Employees<br />
Retirement 2 to 1 match (20yr Retirement)<br />
FSA for Employees<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Equipment & Uniforms Provided Including Duty Weapon w/ Red Dot Sight<br />
Take Home Vehicle Within City Limits<br />
10 Hour Work Shifts<br />
Membership Paid to Local Gym<br />
Department Provided Training<br />
Off-duty Security Opportunities<br />
Cell Phone Stipend<br />
Starting Pay Depends on Qualifications<br />
Requirements: Must be TCOLE Certified or currently enrolled in an accredited Police<br />
Academy and pass a background investigation.<br />
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Email TCOLE Personal History Statement to sellis@cityofcuero.com
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Paid academy up to<br />
$70,560<br />
Lateral pay up to<br />
$81,321.70<br />
Additional Pay<br />
Education Pay<br />
Bachelor's<br />
Intermediate Cert.<br />
Advanced Cert.<br />
Master Peace Officer<br />
Shift Differential<br />
FTO Pay<br />
Language Pay<br />
WE'RE<br />
HIRING<br />
300+ NEW OFFICERS<br />
$2,880/yr<br />
$3,600/yr<br />
$600/yr<br />
$4,800/yr<br />
$7,200/yr<br />
3.5%-6.5%<br />
$1,200/yr<br />
$1,800/yr<br />
Benefits<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Pension plan<br />
Compensation plan<br />
15 paid vacation days<br />
12 paid holidays<br />
15 days military leave<br />
Additional 6 weeks paid<br />
parental leave<br />
Health/ Vision/Dental/ Life<br />
Insurance<br />
21-44 YEARS OLD<br />
45 COLLEGE<br />
CREDIT HOURS<br />
MUST MEET ONE REQUIREMENT<br />
19.5-21 YEARS<br />
OLD<br />
60 COLLEGE<br />
CREDIT HOURS<br />
ACTIVE TCOLE<br />
LICENSE<br />
MUST HAVE VALID<br />
TEXAS PEACE<br />
OFFICER LICENSE<br />
3 YEARS<br />
ACTIVE MILITARY<br />
HONORABLE<br />
DISCHARGE<br />
dallaspolice.net/join-dpd 214-671-4409<br />
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Civilian positions available: (Apply at www.Dallascityhall.com)
Forney ISD<br />
Police Department<br />
NOW<br />
HIRING<br />
Police Officers<br />
Description<br />
School-based police officers work<br />
with school administrators, security<br />
staff, and faculty to ensure the safety<br />
and well-being of students at various<br />
campuses. This officer works as the<br />
main security arm of a school.<br />
Experience<br />
SBLE Experience preferred<br />
Demonstrate the ability to<br />
teach & engage with youth<br />
Requirements<br />
U.S. Citizen<br />
Accredited High School Diploma<br />
or equivalent<br />
Valid Texas Peace Officer License<br />
Valid Texas Driver's License<br />
Two or more years of college or<br />
advanced training preferred<br />
Positions starting<br />
at $29.89/hr<br />
Retention Stipends<br />
Clothing Allowance<br />
Health/Childcare Incentive<br />
Paid Training<br />
Lateral Entry<br />
APPLY ONLINE TODAY!<br />
www.forneyisd.net<br />
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GALVESTON<br />
COUNTY<br />
SHERIFF’S OFFICE<br />
Seeking Individuals Who Are Interested in a Rewarding Career in Corrections<br />
Begin Your Career Today!<br />
GALVESTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT OF ELIGIBILITY<br />
Position: Corrections Deputy I<br />
Bureau/Division: Corrections/Jail<br />
Title/Rank: Corrections Deputy/Deputy I<br />
Reports to: Sergeant - Corrections<br />
Starting Salary: $51,250.00<br />
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES<br />
Maintains the security of the facility by conducting security checks, settling disputes, and performing cell searches and<br />
inspections; conducts outside perimeter checks.<br />
Preparation and proper completion in the documentation of inmate records.<br />
Issues inmate meals, clothing, linens, and personal items.<br />
Supervise inmate programs (recreational, legal, health care, visitation and religious services)<br />
Prepares reports on jail and inmate activities, enforce inmate handbook rules.<br />
Supervises inmates performing such assignments as cleaning and maintaining the jail facility and continuously observe<br />
locations and activities of inmates.<br />
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS<br />
• High School / GED Certificate and must be at least 18 years of age.<br />
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and resident of the contiguous United States for a period of time sufficient to conduct a<br />
background investigation.<br />
• Must be able to work days, nights, weekends, holidays and mandatory shifts when needed.<br />
• Must be able to work during natural disasters and or under declarations.<br />
• Must possess a valid Texas driver's license and an acceptable driving record as determined by the Galveston County<br />
Sheriff's Office in effect at the time of application.<br />
• Must have favorable employment history. All information given regarding past employment will be thoroughly checked.<br />
• Must have a stable credit history.<br />
• Must possess good computer skills and demonstrate comprehensive reading and comprehension skills.<br />
• <strong>No</strong> conviction above a Class B Misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years nor have been on or<br />
currently on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense and no Family Violence<br />
convictions of any level.<br />
• Applicant must pass all phases of the required testing.<br />
• Must be eligible for licensing by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for the position applied for, if not<br />
presently licensed.<br />
TO APPLY<br />
An applicant interested in any of GCSO position shall first download, complete and return<br />
the Application Packet, per the instructions on the downloadable form.<br />
The Application Packet can be found at SHERIFF.GALVESTONCOUNTYTX.GOV<br />
JOIN US<br />
VISIT SHERIFF.GALVESTONCOUNTYTX.GOV TO APPLY!<br />
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer<br />
CONTACT US<br />
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409.763.7585 : SO.EMPLOYMENT@GALVESTONCOUNTYTX.GOV
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Place your department’s recruiting ad<br />
in The BLUES for only $250 for an<br />
entire year, only $20 a month.<br />
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FOR A LIMITED<br />
TIME.<br />
The Harris County<br />
Precinct 4<br />
Constable’s Office is<br />
accepng<br />
LATERAL DEPUTIES<br />
The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office is searching for lateral<br />
transfer depues to be sworn in on September 14, <strong>2023.</strong><br />
Whether you have recently rered, looking for an opportunity to<br />
expand your current skill set or relocang to the Houston, Texas area,<br />
Constable Mark Herman would like to welcome you to our family.<br />
The physical and wrien test will be waived and up to 14 years of<br />
service will be credited for Lateral Transfer Depues.<br />
To Apply Contact<br />
Recruing at<br />
832-927-6229 or visit<br />
www.constablepct4.com<br />
STARTING SALARY up to $68,184.00<br />
Plus Thousands In Incenves Per Year<br />
Master Peace Officer $6,000.00<br />
Drug Recognion Expert $2,700.00<br />
Bachelor’s Degree $3,180.00<br />
Accident Reconstrucon $2,700.00<br />
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And many more
LATERAL DEPUTY<br />
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WE ARE<br />
HIRING!<br />
BENEFITS<br />
• Free basic Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for<br />
employee<br />
• Free basic Life insurance<br />
• Long Term Disability (LTD)<br />
• Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision benefits for<br />
eligible family members<br />
• Flexible Spending Accounts<br />
• 10 paid holidays per year<br />
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) including 10 vacation<br />
days and 13 sick days per year accrued biweekly<br />
• Paid Parental Leave<br />
RETIREMENT<br />
• Harris County matches your investment at 225%<br />
• 7% of your salary is invested pre-tax in your<br />
retirement account<br />
• Retirement Vesting after 8 years<br />
• Eligible upon earning 75 points (age+years of service)<br />
SALARY SCALE<br />
INCENTIVE PAY<br />
CLASSIFICATION SERVICE HOURLY ANNUAL<br />
DEPUTY I 0-47 $26.23 $54,558<br />
DEPUTY II 48-83 $28.07 $58,386<br />
DEPUTY III 84-119 $29.73 $61,838<br />
DEPUTY IV 120-155 $31.23 $64,958<br />
DEPUTY V 156+ $32.78 $68,182<br />
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TCOLE CERTIFICATION<br />
ANNUAL<br />
Intermediate $1,560<br />
Advanced $3,420<br />
Master $6,000<br />
EDUCATION<br />
ANNUAL<br />
Associate Degree $1,320<br />
Bachelor Degree $3,180<br />
Master/Doctorate $4,500<br />
Bilingual Pay $1,800<br />
Receive up to fourteen (14) years of credit for time served! (Restrictions apply)<br />
LATERAL DEPUTY<br />
REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be a licensed Peace Officer by the Texas Commission on Law<br />
Enforcement (TCOLE) in good standing<br />
• Must be currently employed as a Peace Officer (any break in service<br />
will be considered on a case-by-case basis)<br />
• Must have a minimum of 12 consecutive months experience as a<br />
Peace Office at any one agency<br />
• Must successfully pass the HCSO Physical Abilities Test (PAT)<br />
• Meet HCSO firearms qualification standard<br />
• Must pass a thorough background investigation (criminal<br />
background check, fingerprinting, personal interview, etc.) as<br />
required by TCOLE<br />
• Must pass a physical and psychological evaluation as required by<br />
TCOLE<br />
• Valid driver’s license and liability insurance (Texas by start date)<br />
• Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20, normal color, and peripheral<br />
vision<br />
• Correctable normal audible range in both ears<br />
• A two (2) year minimum commitment to Patrol before being eligible<br />
to transfer to other Bureaus<br />
TO APPLY<br />
SCAN THIS CODE<br />
For additional information contact<br />
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Recruitment Unit<br />
(713) 877-5250<br />
@HCSOTexas<br />
Harris County<br />
Sheriff’s Office<br />
HCSOTexas HCSOTexas @HCSOTexas
<strong>No</strong>w Hiring<br />
OFFICERS<br />
TCOLE Certified Peace Officers<br />
Hutto ranked one of the<br />
safest cities in Texas.<br />
Our fast-growing City shows a trending decrease in crimes based<br />
on four offenses from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting.<br />
Additional Pay<br />
+ Education Pay up to $175/month<br />
+ Specialty/Certication up to $260/month<br />
Highlights<br />
Top-of-the-line Equipment<br />
and Technology<br />
Beards and Tattoos Allowed<br />
<strong>No</strong> Written Test for Most Lateral Officers<br />
Benets<br />
Retirement<br />
2-to-1 City match with TMRS<br />
Take-home Patrol Car<br />
For officers living within 25 miles<br />
Starting Salary<br />
$62K to $81K<br />
Annual Leave Accruals<br />
12 paid holidays, 80 hrs vacation, 96 hrs sick leave<br />
Multiple Positions Available<br />
A wide variety of units and assignments available<br />
To learn more or apply, visit or scan<br />
https: //linktr. ee/huttopd<br />
Questions? Email: PDrecruiting@huttotx.gov<br />
Tenure agreement required.<br />
Sign On Bonus!<br />
$5,000*<br />
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THE KILLEEN POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
IS NOW<br />
Hiring<br />
FOR THE POSITION OF<br />
Police Officer<br />
Online Applications<br />
will open:<br />
July 31, 2023<br />
Application Deadline:<br />
September 15, 2023<br />
Civil Service Exam will<br />
be:<br />
September 24, 2023<br />
To apply, go to:<br />
www.killeentexas.gov/16<br />
8/Job-Opportunities<br />
Wear The Badge,<br />
Make a Difference<br />
D<br />
b<br />
th<br />
a<br />
Officer De'Vonte Johnson<br />
Recruiter<br />
254-200-7987<br />
DJohnson@killeentexas.gov<br />
The Killeen Police Department is an<br />
202 The BLUES<br />
Equal Opportunity Employer
Starting pay - $57,889<br />
Paid: Vacation, Holiday & Sick Leave<br />
$15K Sign-on incentive for TCOLE<br />
certified Peace Officers<br />
College Degree pay incentive<br />
7% retirement plan through TMRS<br />
with a 2:1 match ratio<br />
Comprehensive Benefits Package<br />
Opportunity to work in various<br />
specialized units<br />
The Killeen Police<br />
epartment is dedicated to<br />
uilding a partnership with<br />
e community to fight crime<br />
nd improve every citizen's<br />
quality of life.<br />
Follow us at:<br />
KilleenPD<br />
KilleenPolice<br />
JoinKilleenPD<br />
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Visit www.KilleenPD.com for further details
L A P O R T E<br />
P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T<br />
Lateral Police Officer<br />
Starting Pay $ 62,416. to $73,775.<br />
Effective October 1, 2022<br />
<strong>No</strong> prior experience required. High School diploma or GED required.<br />
Possession of Class C Texas Driver License.<br />
Must possess a TCOLE License or be enrolled in accredited Basic Peace Officer Academy.<br />
Certification Pay (bi-weekly):<br />
$46.15 - Intermediate Peace Officer<br />
$69.23 - Advanced Peace Officer<br />
$92.31 - Master Peace Officer<br />
Education Pay (bi-weekly):<br />
$46.15 - Associates Degree<br />
$69.23 - Bachelors Degree<br />
$92.31 - Masters Degree<br />
Employee Benefits:<br />
Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
TMRS Retirement (2 to 1 match)<br />
ICMA Deferred Compensation/Roth IRA<br />
$1,000 Physical Fitness Program<br />
Weapon Purchase Program<br />
Take-home Vehicles<br />
Specialized Divisions:<br />
SWAT / Bomb Squad<br />
Bike Patrol<br />
Criminal Investigative Division<br />
Crime Scene Unit<br />
Drone Pilots<br />
School Resource Officers<br />
Traffic/DOT Officers<br />
Police Area Representatives<br />
Apply online at<br />
www.laportetx.gov/jobs<br />
Paid Leave Benefits<br />
15 days vacation (Civil Service)<br />
15 days sick leave<br />
Military Leave<br />
9 observed holidays per year<br />
2 employee holidays per year<br />
Bereavement Leave<br />
Comp Time<br />
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LEWISVILL<br />
E<br />
Benefits and Additional Pay:<br />
• $2500 Sign - On Bonus<br />
• Lateral Entry Program<br />
• Take - Home Vehicle<br />
$77,314 - $97,679<br />
• Cross Fit G ym<br />
• 24 /7 Private Indoor/Outdoor Range<br />
• Load Bearing Vests<br />
• Tattoos and Beards<br />
• Tuition Reimbursement<br />
• 20 Year TMRS Retirement 7% , 2:1 match<br />
• 457 Deferred Compensation p lan with 3.76% city match<br />
• 3 Weeks Paid Vacation<br />
• 15 Days Paid Sick Leave<br />
• 9 Paid Holidays<br />
• Field Training Officer<br />
• Bilingual<br />
• Longevity<br />
• Education /Certification<br />
GET PAID FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A CERTIFIED OFFICER<br />
• 1 YEAR $83,566<br />
• 2 YEARS $86,877<br />
• 3 YEARS $90,373<br />
• 4 YEARS $93,677<br />
• 5 YEARS $97,679<br />
Specialized Units :<br />
• SWAT<br />
• Street Crimes<br />
• K - 9<br />
• Narcotics<br />
• UAS Drone<br />
• Bicycle Patrol<br />
• Criminal In vestigations<br />
• Traffic<br />
• DWI<br />
• Commercial Vehicle Enforcement<br />
• Training<br />
• School Resource Officer<br />
• Neighborhood Resource Officer<br />
• Co - Care Crisis Team<br />
www .PROTECTLEWISVILLE. com<br />
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WE’RE HIRING<br />
Join our team and receive:<br />
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance<br />
• Paid vacation, employee days, well days,<br />
sick days and holidays<br />
• Competitive pay (including bilingual pay incentive)<br />
AND MUCH MORE!<br />
APPLY NOW<br />
Scan here or visit<br />
RideMETRO.org/Careers<br />
Call 713-7<strong>39</strong>-4953 or email JoinMPD@RideMETRO.org<br />
for additional information.<br />
METRO I S AN EQU A L O PPOR TUNIT Y E M P L O YER.<br />
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LONGVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
JOIN OUR<br />
TEAM<br />
2-TIER HIRING<br />
INCENTIVE<br />
STARTING SALARY<br />
$60,085<br />
$3,000<br />
Insurance<br />
120 Hours Vacation<br />
11 Paid Holidays<br />
80 Hours Sick Leave<br />
20-Year Retirement Plan<br />
2/1 City Match TMRS<br />
210 The BLUES<br />
Beards & Tattoos Allowed<br />
Academy Pay<br />
Equipment Provided<br />
Excellent Training Provided<br />
Speciality/Cerification Pay<br />
Community Support<br />
Plentiful Outdoor Activities
$65,709-$67,685<br />
Based on Population and Experience<br />
25 YEAR STEP PLAN<br />
$60,085 - $84,308<br />
STEP INTO YOUR FUTURE<br />
NEW POLICE STATION<br />
COMING 2023<br />
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MEMORIAL VILLAGES POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
Serving the Villages of Bunker Hill, Piney Point and Hunters Creek<br />
POLICE OFFICER<br />
The Memorial Villages Police Department is currently looking for experienced officers who are<br />
self-motivated, innovative, enthusiastic and love working for a community that supports them.<br />
5+ Years Patrol Experience Required<br />
Hiring Bonus $1,500<br />
Night Shift Differential $3,600<br />
E.C.A $1300<br />
Bi-lingual Pay<br />
Education Pay<br />
Intermediate, Advanced, Master<br />
Peace Officer Certification Pay<br />
Healthcare, Dental and Vision Insurance<br />
100% paid for employee, 75% for<br />
spouse/dependents.<br />
Paid long-term disability and Life Insurance<br />
for employee, additional life insurance<br />
available for spouse/dependents.<br />
Health Savings Account with Department<br />
contributions up to $4,200 annually.<br />
TMRS Retirement 7% w/ 2:1 match (20 yr).<br />
457 Deferred Compensation Plan with<br />
employer contribution of 2.5% of annual<br />
salary.<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Longevity Pay up to a max of $2,400<br />
annually at 10 years of service.<br />
12 Hour shifts with every other Friday,<br />
Starting at $83,459 up to $94,164<br />
Scan for more<br />
information<br />
W W W . M V P D T X . O R G<br />
11981 Memorial Drive – Houston, Tx 77024<br />
713.365.3700<br />
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____________________________________________________________________________
NOW HIRING<br />
Community Supported Law Enforcement<br />
Advancement Opportunities:<br />
Criminal Investigations - Special Response Team -<br />
Honor Guard - Special Response Group - Swift Water<br />
Rescue Team - K9 - Mounted Patrol - Drone Team<br />
Overtime Opportunities:<br />
STEP - OT Initiatives - Special Teams - DWI<br />
Stipend Pay:<br />
K9 - Specialist - FTO Deputy<br />
Paid Time Off:<br />
Holiday - Vacation - Comp Time - Personal -<br />
Paid Training<br />
Qualifications:<br />
Current TCOLE License - <strong>No</strong> Convictions (including<br />
deferred) Class A or Above - <strong>No</strong> DWI Convictions -<br />
<strong>No</strong> Family Violence Convictions<br />
Salary - Step Pay Slotted Based on TCOLE Full-Time<br />
Years of Service:<br />
Under 2 YRS - $53,788.80 9 YRS - $65,644.80<br />
2 YRS - $56,472.00 12 YRS - $68,536.00<br />
4 YRS - $59,259.20 15 YRS - $71,968.00<br />
6 YRS - $62,171.20 16+ YRS - $75,566.40<br />
License Certification (up to $6,600) and Longevity Pay<br />
Civil Service Protected<br />
Application Process:<br />
1. Pickup and complete applicant questionnaire in<br />
person or apply online.<br />
2. Firearms qualification, fitness assessment and,<br />
written exam.<br />
3. Successfully passing candidates will receive<br />
personal history book.<br />
4. Oral board<br />
APPLY ONLINE: WWW.MOCOPCT4.ORG/APPLY<br />
Constable Kenneth "Rowdy" Hayden - Pct. 4 Constable, Montgomery County, TX<br />
21130 Hwy 59 Ste. C New Caney, TX 77357<br />
www.mocopct4.org - 281.577.8985 - @mocopct4<br />
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MAKE A<br />
DIFFERENCE<br />
IN YOUR<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
We are looking for outstanding individuals to<br />
join our team! As a Pearland Police Officer your<br />
mission will be to prevent crime and disorder, build<br />
partnerships within the community, and positively<br />
impact the quality of life for all our residents.<br />
CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS<br />
• Competitive Salary • Outstanding Training<br />
• Career Advancement • Exceptional Benefits<br />
The City of Pearland is one of the fastest growing<br />
communities within the region. Pearland is located<br />
approximately 20 minutes south of Downtown Houston<br />
and the current population is approximately 130,000<br />
residents.<br />
JOIN OUR TEAM<br />
HIRING POLICE OFFICERS AND CADETS<br />
$5,000 Hiring Incentive for T.C.O.L.E Certified Police<br />
Officers who qualify with at least 2 years of experience.<br />
TEST DATE:<br />
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 8:30 A.M.<br />
Register by: April 12.<br />
WATCH FOR UPCOMING<br />
Pearland Recreation Center & Natatorium<br />
4141 Bailey TEST Road, DATES Pearland, TX IN 77584. 2022<br />
Doors Open: 7:15 a.m. <strong>No</strong> admittance after 7:45 a.m.<br />
Candidates must park in the north parking lot.<br />
SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES WILL APPLY<br />
• Attendance limited to first 150 arrivals<br />
• Mandatory temperature checks<br />
• Masks required, hand sanitizer available<br />
• Candidates seated 6 feet apart<br />
For additional information and to register for an upcoming Civil Service Exam, The BLUES visit 217<br />
pearlandtx.gov/PDCareers
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Welcome Aboard<br />
Pflugerville ISD Police Department<br />
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PORT HOUSTON<br />
POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
WE ARE<br />
HIRING<br />
SIGN UP TODAY! www.porthouston.com/career<br />
Are you looking for a career with meaning?<br />
Do you want to make a difference in a highly<br />
supportive community?<br />
Join our team at Port Houston!<br />
STARTING PAY*<br />
$60,000 up to $71,000<br />
* Salary depends on experience<br />
220 The BLUES<br />
REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be 21 years old<br />
• Must have 2+ years of police officer<br />
experience<br />
• Must have valid Texas Driver’s License<br />
• Must be a U.S. Citizen<br />
• Must have an honorable discharge<br />
from the military (if applicable)<br />
• Must never have been convicted of a<br />
Class A Misdemeanor or above<br />
• <strong>No</strong>t been convicted of a Class B<br />
misdemeanor within the last 10 years<br />
• Must have a GED or high school diploma
s-2<br />
BENEFITS:<br />
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance<br />
eligible first day of employment<br />
• Wellness Program<br />
(can earn up to $600 credit per year if requirements met)<br />
• Enrollment with Calm App for Wellbeing<br />
• Defined contribution plan (401a)<br />
– Employer Sponsored<br />
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan)<br />
– Employee Contributions<br />
• Vacation<br />
• Sick Leave<br />
• Paid Holiday 12 days/year<br />
• Life and Accidental Death and<br />
Dismemberment Insurance<br />
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits<br />
• Flexible spending account (FSA)<br />
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)<br />
• Pet Insurance<br />
• Legal and Identity Theft Protection<br />
• Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Up to the IRS annual limit and a maximum lifetime<br />
reimbursement of $25,000<br />
• Onsite Credit Union – Port of Houston Credit Union<br />
EMPLOYMENT<br />
TESTING<br />
Employment is contingent on passing<br />
any post-offer pre-employment<br />
screening as listed below:<br />
• Criminal background check<br />
• Motor Vehicle Record check<br />
• Drug screening<br />
• Physical exam<br />
• Psychological exam<br />
• Additional as required<br />
SCAN<br />
QR CODE<br />
TO APPLY<br />
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Provide Exceptional<br />
Service to All!<br />
CONTACT<br />
US NOW<br />
972-412-6240<br />
Welcome Aboard<br />
Rowlett Police Department<br />
NOW HIRING<br />
kharrelson@rowlett.com<br />
4401 Rowlett Rd.,<br />
Rowlett, TX 75088<br />
Accepting Lateral<br />
Police Officers.<br />
Get paid for your<br />
experience!<br />
CURRENT SALARY<br />
Starting salary is $65,554<br />
Top Out Police Officer salary is $90,861<br />
Lateral Transfer - May be eligible for a starting<br />
salary of up to $75,221<br />
UNITS/ DIVISIONS<br />
Containment Team<br />
SWAT<br />
Bike Unit<br />
Community Services<br />
School Resource Officer<br />
Field Training Officer<br />
Criminal Investigations Division<br />
Traffic<br />
Crisis Assistance Team<br />
Crisis Negotiation Team<br />
BENEFITS<br />
TMRS Pension 7/14<br />
Medical Insurance<br />
Dental Insurance<br />
Vision Insurance<br />
10 paid vacation days during<br />
first year & 10 Paid Holidays<br />
Paid Sick<br />
Beards and tattoos are<br />
authorized<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Long Term Disability<br />
Life Insurance<br />
Dry cleaning<br />
Three department issued<br />
firearms<br />
GROW WITH The US! BLUES 223
SEGUIN PD IS<br />
NOW<br />
ORDER - UNDERSTANDING - RESPECT<br />
HIRING<br />
POLICE OFFICERS<br />
UP TO $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS<br />
INCENTIVE PAY FOR TCOLE<br />
CERTIFICATION, BILINGUAL SPEAKERS, &<br />
EDUCATIONAL PAY<br />
WELLNESS PROGRAM PROVIDING ON-DUTY<br />
TIME FOR FITNESS AND FITNESS REWARD<br />
LEAVE<br />
POLICE CADETS CAN APPLY AFTER START<br />
OF ACADEMY, AND BEGIN RECEIVING<br />
CADET PAY OF $52,350<br />
EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS ARE PROVIDED<br />
INCLUDING TAKE HOME VEHICLES, HANDGUN<br />
WITH RED DOT SIGHT & SUPPRESSED PATROL<br />
RIFLE<br />
TMRS RETIREMENT (2:1 CITY MATCH)<br />
100% EMPLOYEE MEDICAL/DENTAL PREMIUM<br />
COVERED BY CITY<br />
PROGRESSIVE IN-SERVICE AND EXTERNAL<br />
TRAINING EXCEEDING NATIONAL TRAINING<br />
AVERAGES<br />
STARTING PAY AT $63,784<br />
ELIGIBLE FOR ANNUAL STEP RAISES<br />
OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE EXPERIENCE IN<br />
SPECIALIZED UNITS AND ASSIGNMENTS SUCH<br />
AS SWAT, K9, NARCOTICS, SPECIAL CRIMES,<br />
MENTAL HEALTH, TRAFFIC, AND CRIMINAL<br />
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION<br />
$ 6 7 , 0 1 3 L A T E R A L S A L A R Y<br />
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APPLY NOW AT: WWW.APPLITRACK.COM/SEGUINTEXAS/ONLINEAPP<br />
T H E C I T Y O F S E G U I N I S A N E Q U A L O P P O R T U N I T Y E M P L O Y E R
SPRING BRANCH ISD POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
WE’RE<br />
HIRING<br />
DEPARTMENT<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
55 officer department<br />
44 square mile district<br />
47 schools<br />
35,000 population<br />
24/7 Patrol<br />
We want you to preserve, protect, and defend our future.<br />
Starting Pay $63,000 (TCOLE Basic Peace Officer certification with no experience)<br />
Patrol & Onsite Officers (HS/MS)<br />
Gang Officer<br />
Mental Health Officers<br />
Community Relations Officer<br />
Emergency Management<br />
Criminal Investigations<br />
K-9 programs<br />
Language pay<br />
Shift differential pay<br />
Intermediate, Advanced and<br />
Master Peace Officer<br />
certificate pay<br />
Paid time off<br />
Ample overtime opportunities<br />
*All equipment provided including duty weapon<br />
**Training opportunities available<br />
Apply online today. springbranchisd.com/join-our-team<br />
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Welcome Aboard<br />
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office<br />
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Welcome Aboard<br />
NASSAU BAY Police Department
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“You can’t make this shit up.<br />
It’s like Nixon & Clinton are<br />
back in the White House!”<br />
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HUNTER BIDEN