O/T National Police Officers Memorial Week

[AJ01]

Here in the States, we have what is known as National Police Officers Memorial Week.
This was established by President Kennedy in 1962. The week runs from the 9th of May thru the 15th of May.
This is to HONOR the officers that have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

In 2021 458 Officers were killed in the USA in the line of Duty. The MOST in any one-year span.
84 of those were from Texas.
Unfortunately, I have buried many friends in the 27-year career that I had. One was too many.



I hope that sometime during this week, you pause to think about the job they did. They had friends and families just like you do. They have loved ones who miss them. Spouse's with empty arms that cry themselves to sleep each night. Children who will never sit in Dad's lap again. Parent's who had to bury their adult kids.
We sometimes forget it's actually a VERY brutal world outside of our locked doors. They will never forget.

Thank you for your time...

[janesy]

Andy, what are the stats behind that number ? 458.
That number is horrendous.
Does that number include accidents, murders, vehicle related?
Very curious. I'd be shocked if Canada has had that in the last 50 years combined. (Obviously the is a per capita situation there, but for that sake of conversation)

[xcaliber]

Chris, it's really bad here in the large cities in particular. That number is nation wide officers in one year, disgusting that one party here was chanting to de fund the police, and some even calling for harm to them.
Thanks AJ for recognizing the issue, and making others aware!

[AJ01]

Chris the 485 reflects those killed in the line of duty at work.
Some are indeed vehicle accidents. However, most of those were either shot or stabbed. Bullet-proof vest, well, aren't. They are bullet resistant. Soft body armor usually will not stop a knife.
Most soft body armor can be easily penetrated with a rifle round. More and more in our "Big Cities" cops are facing high-powered weapons.
I remember arguing with "higher ups" years ago about being "outgunned". They looked at me like I was crazy. Made us ALL carry the same type and caliber of sidearm. Their reasoning? If you and I get in a gunfight and you spend all your rounds, I can give you more ammo.
Well...if you have blasted thru ALL your ammo and ain't hit jack chit, you ain't wasting mine!! Sorry! You sit over there and watch how it's done!!

I taught "Officer Survival" for many years in several academies. I use to tell recruits the 1st day I had them, "This is NOT the movies, and YOU ain't John Wayne"!

Unfortunately, young officers and those with lots of "street experience" all get complacent. Complacency gets you killed.

But Dan is correct. Our big cities are sewers!!

[AJ01]

Chris to give you an idea...
New York City alone had 101 Officers shot in 2021. In JUST NYC!! That's roughly one every 3.4 days!! You wanna work there??
Chicago...70

in just the first two (2) months of 2022, 67 officers have been shot nationwide.

These are FBI stats.

It has been determined that most "big city cops" suffer from PTSD. Something I argued with "The Brass" 20 years ago after we had a "rash" of suicides.
Cops have the highest suicide rate of ANY profession. Rates of alcoholism and divorce also lead the list. You're supposed to be Saint living in a Sinner's World.

Many years ago I read a novel by Joseph Wambaugh, a veteran Los Angeles, Ca. Police Sergeant called "The Choir Boys". It's a pretty accurate description of a big city street cops life!

Someone once said that "police work can best be described as 7 hours and 45 minutes of mind-numbing boredom interspersed with 15 minutes of sheer terror."

I spent the last 15 years of my adventure running a SWAT Team. Boy, am I a glutton for punishment, or what??

Welcome to The Jungle!!

[Normous]

I offer a heartfelt salute to the men and lady officers who respectfuly died in the line of duty

May they rest in peace.

[OhioXBowhunter]

AJ know exactly what your talking about.

[janesy]

Those are some sombering numbers Andy, thanks for sharing and posting this.
I had no idea

[AJ01]

Those are some sombering numbers Andy, thanks for sharing and posting this.
I had no idea

Chris don't think that you missed the information somewhere. It's never talked about. The evening news might give it a 10 second spot when an officer is killed on duty.
But in the same token, let a cop shoot someone, and that same news channel will talk about "police brutality" for a week.
You never get a "fair spin" from the news. I've been at incidents and seen the news afterwards and thought to myself, "Where'd that happen?"

I used to tell recruits that you will have a "love-hate relationship with society". Half will hate you the moment you pin on that badge. The other half will hate you given the right opportunity"!!

I gladly served. but I sure as hell wouldn't do it again. The USA simply doesn't print that much money every year!!
I remember back when cops were called "Pigs". Yes indeed I'll accept that moniker, it's an acronym...Pride, Integrity and Guts!!

I posted this not wanting someone to feel bad for the Officers that serve everyday. I just wanted folks to realize it cost human lives lost to preserve this fragile thing we call a civilized society.

[AJ01]

AJ know exactly what your talking about I was on a large department for 32 years retired over 4 years ago from that chaos. I still do some investigative work for a small local department though.
The stuff you see and go through people would never believe you. I had 7 friends killed in the line of duty and 2 of them I got there too late to do anything. Attended too many funerals and had several friends disabled from being shot or from auto accidents.
I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for the ones that gave the ultimate sacrifice and the ones that sacrifice a little of themselves every day.

Thank you for your service!!
32 years is a long time!

I did some work "way back when" in Rock Creek with Defense Technologies!! Meet some really nice folks while staying in Ashtabula.
But I turned bad and started running around with some guys from LAPD SWAT that I met while there!! As they say, "there goes the neighborhood"!!

[one shot scott]

So may i ask a question to the law enforcement officers both retired and current, would you do it again? Taking into account the ptsd, the friends that you have lost, the changing public perception, current politics etc

My oldest son is considering perusing this as his occupation. My wife is a funeral director and my brother was a paramedic and i see the wear on them

just re-read AJ01's response i guess i know your answer.

[OhioXBowhunter]

[robertyb]

So may i ask a question to the law enforcement officers both retired and current, would you do it again? Taking into account the ptsd, the friends that you have lost, the changing public perception, current politics etc

My oldest son is considering perusing this as his occupation. My wife is a funeral director and my brother was a paramedic and i see the wear on them

just re-read AJ01's response i guess i know your answer.

I worked as a State Revenue Agent for 34 years and yes I would do it again if time could be turned back to the 1970s again but in today's world in the 2020s hell no I would not take the job or recommend it to anyone.

[Hatchet]

I find the entire "defund" movement absolutely hilarious.
First time someone assaults one of these "defunders" or steals their car, or tries to break into their home, who do they call? What a bunch of hypocrites! Even more laughable are the polititurds who call for "defunding" while they live behind high walls and only leave when surrounded by a half dozen armed security guards!
Hmmmmm.......

God bless all those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Bless their friends and families as well.

Thanks for bringing Police Officer Memorial Week to our attention AJ. Also many thanks to you and all our brave Law Enforcement Officers for rushing in when all hell breaks loose. We tip our caps to you all!
Take care and be well
Corey

[AJ01]

Thank you much Corey!

But I think if you ask each of us individually, whether it's me or Ohio or Flint you'd find that we'd tell ya "Thanks" for your thanks, be we did it because we knew as kids what we wanted to do in our lives. I firmly believe it's a "calling", not a job.
Don't get me wrong, there are people who carry a badge that don't need one.
But ask a "good" cop about them, and they'll tell you they are a cancer!!

I used to tell recruits, "You will either love this job or hate it! If you hate it, do NOT stay in it. You'll be no good to anyone... including yourself".

And Corey, you're right! The "defund crowd" are total hypocrites!

And to Scott...I started back in the late 70's in a small Sheriff's Department, then transitioned to a "big city" across the State after about 2 years. Talk about a "culture shock"! Anyway, stayed there until I retired way back in 2007.
I get ask by some of the local officers since I moved back to East Texas, if I miss it. Yes and No. Mainly I miss the camaraderie and "esprit de corps" of the guys on the Team.

But alas, in today's society, I would NOT do it again. I was offered the job as Chief where I now live. In a town of less than 1,000 souls. And I said No Thanks!!
I'm NOT politically correct, and I'm old-fashioned. I still say Ma'am and Sir to everyone I meet. I respect My Flag and My Country with all my heart and will until they bury me.

I've seen my name in the headlines and I've got the scars to prove it. But I DO NOT regret one moment of it!