Category Archives: Officer Down

Baton Rouge Police Murders

Posted on July 17, 2016 by Randall

Three Baton Rouge area police officers were murdered in an ambush this morning. At this time, at least three other officers have been wounded, one black male suspect is dead, while two suspects are at large. The last fallen Dallas police officer had just been laid to rest this weekend and now more LE families have been tragically struck. My agency worked this week to prep for a BLM rally in a local park. A large thunderstorm quashed the protest, but it was a good practice run for our newer officers, who have not yet had to stand a line. Still, it added to the workload for all of us … Continue reading →

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Dallas Ambush Shootings

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Randall

In the past 24 hours, there have been ambush shootings of police officers in Dallas, Texas, Valdosta, Georgia, and Ballwin, Missouri. Five officers are dead and at least 9 are wounded. Some in the law enforcement community are in shock, others are very angry. Family, friends, and concerned citizens have been reaching out to those in our profession with support. Food arrived at our station today, donated by sympathetic locals in appreciation for what we do. A retired officer called and asked that we be careful out on the street. My cousin, an officer in New Jersey, Facebooked me a “watch your back” message. The conversation as my guys arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Down, Officer Safety, Street | 12 Comments

National Police Week and Heroes Plaza in Tampa

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Randall

This week is National Police Week and the National Peace Officers Memorial Day was Sunday, May 15. The 35th Annual Memorial Service was held yesterday in Washington, D.C. It was fitting that I was able to visit Heroes Plaza along the Tampa Riverwalk over the weekend. The Heroes Plaza was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2009. It honors all those in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country–soldiers, airmen, sailors, police officers, fire fighters, and emergency responders. It was paid for by the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County. Inscribed on granite plaques are the names of law enforcement and firefighters who have lost their lives on duty … Continue reading →

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Hillsborough Deputy Killed by Wrong Way Driver

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Randall

Hillsborough Sheriff’s Deputy John Robert Kotfila, Jr. lost his life overnight when his marked cruiser was struck head-on by a vehicle driven west in the eastbound lanes of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway early this morning.  Dep. Kotfila is the first Florida law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty in 2016.  The errant driver also died as a result of the crash. Sadly, Dep. Kotfila was just 30 years old.  He had been on the job at HCSO for six years. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the agency. Randall

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Five Police Officers Shot to Death in Four Days

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Randall

A Riverdale, Ga. police officer was shot and killed this morning around 11:15 a.m.  He is the fifth officer to be slain by gunfire since Monday.  Although the total number of LEO’s killed thus far in 2016 is down, this week’s deaths mark an increase of 600% over firearms-related deaths from the same period last year. On Monday, Deputy David Greer of the Mesa County, Colo. Sheriff’s Office stopped out with an armed juvenile, who shot Greer to death before back-up officers could arrive.  Deputy Greer is survived by a wife and two children. Yesterday, Harford County, Md. Deputies Mark Logsdon and Patrick Dailey responded to a wanted subject at … Continue reading →

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Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Down

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Randall

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bill Myers was murdered on a domestic violence injunction call this morning.  After serving the injunction, Dep. Myers was shot and killed from behind by the suspect.  The press release below is from OCSO’s public information officer. A longtime veteran of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office who rejoined the agency to serve part-time after retiring in 2013 has died at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center following an early morning shooting in Shalimar. Sixty-four year old Deputy Myers retired from the OCSO in November 2013 after nearly 25 years with the agency. He was re-hired on a part-time basis in January of this year to assist … Continue reading →

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Tourniquets for Police Patrol

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Randall

There was an officer-involved shooting in the City of St. Petersburg last week.  In the exchange of gunfire, an officer was hit in the leg by a bullet from the suspect’s pistol.  Unfortunately, the officer’s Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T®) was in his cruiser.  He attempted to fashion a field-expedient tourniquet from a garden hose to help staunch the flow of blood.  I am glad to report that he survived.  The suspect did not. This shooting caused SPPD to examine their issuance of the C-A-T tourniquet.  Some officers complained that the C-A-T is difficult to carry on a crowded gun belt.  SPPD Chief Tony Holloway, in turn, approved the purchase of … Continue reading →

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Omaha PD LODD

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Randall

It was very, very sad to read that an Omaha, Neb. Police Department gang unit officer was shot to death today by a wanted fugitive.  Sadder still was that she was to start maternity leave tomorrow, as her daughter, born February 17, was due to come home from the N.I.C.U.  It is an unbelievably sorrowful situation. Ofc. Kerrie Orozco, 29, had been with OPD for seven and a half years, three of which she was assigned to the gang unit.  The unit was serving an arrest warrant at about 1300 hrs. today when the armed suspect engaged the officers.  Both Ofc. Orozco and the suspect died from gunshot wounds. Ofc. … Continue reading →

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Ocala Officer Killed in Training Accident

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Randall

Ocala Police Officer Jared Forsyth, 33, was accidentally shot at the Lowell Correctional Institution range in Marion County this afternoon.  He was rushed to the Ocala Regional Medical Center, but he succumbed to his wound after being rushed into surgery.  The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the training accident.  Ofc. Forsyth had been with OPD since April 16, 2012.  No further details were released at this time. Ocala Police Department will announce service arrangements.  This is very sad. Randall

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Wives Behind the Badge–Florida Auxiliary

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Randall

Wives Behind the Badge is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in California in 2008.   They provide resources and emotional support to law enforcement families and serve as a positive voice for law enforcement in the community.  Florida has recently opened a chapter of WBTB. A sample of Wives Behind the Badge programs includes: Online support forums for LEO wives. Families Behind the Badge:  designed to extend the same support offered the main Wives Behind the Badge forums to family members of law enforcement officers.  All family members are welcome – parent, grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc. HALOS:   (Helping Aid Lost Officers’ Survivors) offers sympathy and support in the event of a … Continue reading →

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Police Lives Matter

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Randall

I was thinking about the two police officers shot in Ferguson this morning when I remembered this homemade sign placed beside the road in the city where I work.  This impromptu road sign was much like a banner I had seen a few weeks ago in Gibsonton on U.S. 41.  It also read, “Police Lives Matter,” and was displayed over a business.  Both made me reflect that there are many law enforcement supporters out there who are our silent majority.  I appreciate the sentiments.  Speedy recovery to the wounded officers and safe shifts to those on watch… Randall

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Tarpon Springs Officer Down

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Randall

A Tarpon Springs, FL police officer was shot and killed overnight.  The suspect is in custody.  Neither the officer’s, nor suspect’s names have been released, but the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Tarpon Springs Police Department said they are both male. I will update this after a press conference is held later this morning. Update:  The murdered officer is Ofc. Charles Kondek, 45, a 17 year veteran of TSPD and five years MOS with NYPD.  He is survived by a wife and six children. No press conference as of 3:45 pm…  It appeared Ofc. Kondek was on a call for service when he was killed, but few other details about … Continue reading →

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NYPD Officers Murdered in Retaliation

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Randall

Today’s assassination of two New York City Police Department officers was reported to be in retaliation for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.  The killer ambushed the NYPD officers as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn.  The killer posted his intentions on Instagram.  He committed suicide after fleeing the scene into a subway station. Criminals have been calling for the killing of officers since Ferguson.  The anti-cop rhetoric has increased since the in-custody death of Garner.  Unfortunately, the murder of police officers was predictable. I urge all officers to step up their situational awareness and team tactics.  We are marked targets.  Do not take your life … Continue reading →

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Updated: Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed, Another Wounded

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Randall

As the greater Tallahassee community healed after Thursday’s FSU school shooting, more tragedy struck.  Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher L. Smith, responding to a house fire, was ambushed and murdered as he arrived at the scene Saturday.  The suspect, Curtis Wade Holley, took the deputy’s gun and began firing it as he walked down the 3700 block of Caracas Court.  Deputy Colin Wulfekuhl was shot and wounded by the suspect. Tallahassee Police Department Officers Mark Lewis and Scott Angulo came on scene.  Ofc. Lewis tried to help Dep. Smith, but was fired upon by Holley.  Tallahassee Fire Department personnel were also shot at and least one fire engine was seen racing … Continue reading →

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Florida Trooper Killed in Crash

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Randall

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Chelsea Richard lost her life in the line of duty today when she was struck by a driver on I-75 in Marion County. While investigating a crash, a second multiple vehicle crash occurred and a pickup truck swerved into the trooper, a tow truck driver, and a bystander.  Trooper Richard and the tow truck driver were killed at the scene.  The third injured person was transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died. Trooper Richard, 30, was a nine year FHP veteran.  She is survived by her four year old son.  The crash is under investigation.  Services for the fallen trooper will be … Continue reading →

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