Category Archives: Officer Down

Windermere Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

Windermere Police Officer Robert German was murdered at 4 a.m. today while on a suspicious persons stop.  He was apparently shot to death by two subjects he had stopped walking on Conroy-Windermere Road and Horizon Circle in Orange County. After Ofc. German radioed for assistance, several Orange County deputies, an Orlando officer, and an Ocoee officer found Ofc. German wounded at the scene.  Deputies and officers heard more shots fired in the area and they used a police car as cover while they moved Ofc. German to waiting OCFRD paramedics.  Ofc. German was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center. A male suspect and female suspect ran about a block … Continue reading

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Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Slain

Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine was apparently ambushed and murdered during a foot chase last night.  Dep. Pine was pursuing an auto burglary suspect that had fled from him, when the suspect shot Pine in a backyard.  Dep. Pine, a three year veteran of the OCSO, leaves behind a wife and three children. The murderer was violent felon who had been released from prison in 2012 after serving just three years of a seven year sentence for two bank robberies in Maryland.  He committed suicide several houses away from Dep. Pine’s shooting. Our condolences to Dep. Pine’s family and co-workers. Randall

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Tactical Medical Solutions Uniformed Medical Kit

Tactical Medical Solutions, Inc. provides products and training resources for both combat and tactical medical applications.   Their Uniformed Medical Kit allows a police officer to carry vital medical supplies beneath his or her uniform shirt.  The pouch attaches with hook side Velcro™ to the loop field on the adjustable strap area of concealed body armor.  More loop material on the front of the UMK is available for the strap ends to affix. Tactical Medical Solutions gives the following benefits to the UMK: Central placement provides the officer instant, ambidextrous access to

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Tampa Police Department’s Fallen Officers Memorial

I was in downtown Tampa over the weekend and I just had to stop at the Tampa Police Department’s Fallen Officers Memorial in front of One Police Center at 411 N. Franklin Street.  I took a few quick photographs. I am always humbled by the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers.  I know a memorial is just a dedicated place, but I am proud that the memorial lives on in our hearts and remembrance.  I have a special feeling for this memorial and the one in St. Petersburg because I knew some of the men whose names are engraved on each plaque. There are a total of 31 names … Continue reading

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An Officer Down

Twenty years ago today, I responded to locate a missing police officer in a neighboring town.  He went to a possible prowler call, but was no longer answering his radio.  I knew the young man.  I had backed him up frequently since his agency had only one officer on duty during the Midnight watch.  We shared some arrests, a bit of chewing tobacco, and some laughs in a few short years. My K9 partner found the missing officer within minutes of our arrival, but he had been shot by the suspect and had already bled to death.  I was in shock.  But I did my job.  I tracked south and … Continue reading

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Polk Deputy Killed in Cruiser Crash

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Joseph “Shane” Robbins was killed in a single vehicle cruiser crash this morning. Dep. Robbins was westbound on Bomber Road nearing U.S. 17, when his marked car went off the roadway on a curve.  The cause has yet to be determined and PCSO is asking for information from anyone who may have witnessed the crash. Dep. Robbins, 40, was a 15 year sworn deputy with Polk County.  He had served as a Special Victims Unit detective and a Homicide detective.  He is survived by his wife and their five children.  Funeral arrangements will be announced by PCSO.  Thoughts and prayers for his family… Randall … Continue reading

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OIS

I was the supervisor on scene when a gunfight broke out between the suspect and an officer at a wanted subject call two nights ago.  All the officers reacted appropriately and the incident eventually came to a successful conclusion.  I was proud of our troops and of the troops from the two assisting agencies that responded to help. Following the volley of gunshots (and after ducking), I had been moving some of our guys around on the perimeter, adjusting fields of fire, when I asked one of the officers to take up a position further east.  He was proned out behind a tree with his AR.  As he went to … Continue reading

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St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Sergeant Murdered

Yesterday morning, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Gary Morales was shot to death on a traffic stop in Fort Pierce.  Sgt. Morales was in his patrol vehicle when suspect Eriese Alphonso Tisdale exited the stopped car and shot Morales.  Morales later died at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center. According to SLCSO, the suspect is in custody and is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, assault on an officer/firefighter/EMT, fleeing and eluding and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a felon. Sgt. Morales was a former U.S. Air Force K9 handler.  A 13 year veteran of the SLCSO, he had served as an SRO, SWAT Sniper Team Leader, and Special Investigations … Continue reading

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AG’s Office Announces State Officers of the Year

Press release from the Attorney General’s Office: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi today named St. Petersburg Police Department Sergeant Karl Lounge and St. Petersburg Police Department Officer Douglas Weaver the Attorney General’s 2012 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year. Sergeant Lounge and Officer Weaver were joined by seven fellow officers from around the state at a ceremony recognizing them for their dedication to law enforcement and public safety. “Each nominee is a hero who selflessly serves their communities,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I am proud to name Sergeant Lounge and Officer Weaver as the 2012 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year. Their courage in the face of danger and … Continue reading

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Spyderco NLEOMF Commemorative Knife

Spyderco’s OpFocus division shows this knife in its 2013 catalogue: “In the year 2000, the United States Congress and President Bill Clinton authorized the establishment of a National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C. The goal of this museum is to tell the story of American law enforcement through exhibits, collections, research and education. Designed as a natural extension of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, it will be the largest and most comprehensive museum to honor the duty and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. Building and exhibit designs for the museum are currently in progress and countless artifacts are being collected and catalogued to document the contributions and … Continue reading

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Lakewood, CO Blue-on-Blue is a Safety Reminder

I read a CNN news report of a Blue-on-Blue shooting in Lakewood, CO yesterday where one officer accidentally killed another.  Lakewood officers had surrounded a house where shots were reportedly fired by a suspect.  After assisting in detaining three subjects on the front porch, Ofc. James Davies went to the backyard as a rear cover.  Another officer in an adjoining yard could see Davies through a fence, but in the dark did not visually identify him as a police officer.   After giving Davies commands to drop his gun, the other officer fired and killed Davies. Ofc. Davies was in full uniform at the time of the shooting and apparently did … Continue reading

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New Memorial To Fallen St. Petersburg Police Officers

I had the honor of attending yesterday’s unveiling of the new memorial dedicated to fallen St. Petersburg police officers.  A few hundred citizens, law enforcement officers, and dignitaries stood in solemn tribute to the fifteen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting and serving the citizens of St. Petersburg since 1903.  The memorial proudly stands near the bay in Demens Landing, the waterfront park dedicated to city founder, Peter Demens. A piper from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office began the proceedings with Amazing Grace.  Speakers included St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster, Councilwoman Leslie Curran, representatives of the non-profit Heroes of the St. Pete Police foundation, … Continue reading

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Broward Motor Deputy Killed in Crash

Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Schaub was killed yesterday in an on-duty motorcycle crash.  Dep. Schaub, a 22 year BSO veteran, was pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center after emergency surgery. Dep. Schaub’s motorcycle collided with a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan at West McNab Road and North Andrews Avenue in Pompano Beach on Wednesday.  He was airlifted from the scene, but died of his injuries.  The driver of the Mercedes was treated for minor injuries. Dep. Schaub was one of BSO’s fifty motorcycle officers.  He joined the Motorcycle Unit several years ago after long service as a detective. Dep. Schaub is survived by a daughter and his son Deputy Timothy … Continue reading

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Jupiter PD Officer Killed in Presidential Motorcade

Jupiter Police Ofc. Bruce St. Laurent was killed yesterday while engaged in a police motorcade escorting President Obama.  Ofc. St. Laurent’s motorcycle was hit by a truck as the officer was shutting down I-95 at 45th Street in West Palm Beach.  The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. Ofc. St. Laurent, 55, was a 20 year veteran of the Jupiter Police Department.  He was a motor officer for the last 18 years.  Ofc. St. Laurent had participated in several past presidential motorcades. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Jupiter Police Department. Randall  

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Mecklenburg Act Brings Murder Charge for Aggravated Fleeing

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott attended a ceremonial bill signing at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for the Deputy John C. Mecklenburg Act.  Deputy Mecklenburg was killed in the line of duty on July 3, 2011 during a high speed pursuit. The act provides for capital or life murder charges when a human being is killed during the commission of a crime involving aggravated fleeing or eluding from law enforcement officers when there is serious bodily injury or death. Mecklenburg, a Hernando County deputy for just over two years, was one of a number of officers and deputies who were attempting to stop a vehicle traveling the wrong way against … Continue reading

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