Officer Down, Code Three

Office Down ...Code Three - Words no Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) wants to hear come over the radio. Yet, in 2010, a staggering number of deaths occurred (162) in the ranks of those wearing the Badge, working to protect us here at home. While every death is sad, the last LEO death in 2010, and the first in 2011, were those of Arlington (TX) Police Officer, Jillian Michelle Smith, and Clark County (OH) Sheriff's Deputy Suzanne Waughtel Hopper, as specially heart breaking. Officer Smith on Dec. 29, 2010, and Deputy Hopper on Jan., 1st, 2011. Both killed by gunfire.


(Before I go further here, I will provide the following Disclaimer: I am a former Police Officer, having served as a patrol Deputy Sheriff, and as a small town Police Officer. I was no super-cop and no hero, and was just a regular Cop on the street. I do not profess to be an expert on the subject. I am only offering my own insight, and food for thought to anyone who reads this.)

Two things strike me with the two LEO deaths noted above -

1.  The Arlington PD Officer, had responded to a call of a domestic dispute, that was believed to be "over", and she was there taking a report. While not a "routine call", most often, we think of these calls as one where the  incident has ended, and the other party has left the area. In this case, while Police Officer Smith was obtaining the information from the Reporting Party (RP), the suspect returned and surprised the Officer, and opened fire on the Police Officer and the girlfriend. It should also be noted, that as the gunman opened fire on Police Officer Smith, Smith shielded an 11 year old girl who was also in the house.

But to my point - This LEO "thought" the incident was over. Everyone "thought" it was over. She was then going about collecting information, when killed by the assailant.

2.  In the case of the Ohio LEO death (As of this writing, many of those circumstances are yet to be made public.), one report indicated that the Deputy was trying to take a photograph of a footprint. She wasn't "confronting a suspect", but rather investigating some incident that may have already occurred. The murderer ambushed Dep. Hopper while she was otherwise distracted. (How many times do LEOs get tunnel vision and miss a sign of impending danger? I sure as hell had, too many times!)

Again - This LEO "thought" the incident was over, at least for that moment, and she was "gathering evidence".

Our men and women in Uniform, wearing their respective Law Enforcement Badges, take a risk EVERY TIME they leave their homes and start their shifts. There isn't a "routine" call. And as we see from the past two LEO deaths, "incidents" aren't always over when they arrive to a call.

For those who have never served in such a capacity, let me ask - Have you ever thought some "Cop" was being a bit too "serious", when you've seen him approach you, or someone else, with their gun-hand at the ready? Have you watched, as LEO's were responding the "another false alarm" at some store or bank you know, and you thought they were being ridiculous? Have you seen and heard them being a bit "over the top", when they authoritatively order people to move back away from a scene or crowd? Ever think they were "badge heavy" arriving at a scene of some disturbance? Have you ever thought that their very life could be at risk, if the right set of circumstances such evolve?

Their training, experiences of other LEOs, or their own person experiences, have taught them that they can't take any circumstance, or person, for granted. Their very lives could be in jeopardy at ANY moment. A LEO must remain constantly vigilant to the "what ifs". Even sitting down in a restaurant to eat their meal, could be their last. Think I'm being over-dramatic? (I'm no longer carrying a badge, and I still try to sit with my back to the wall!) They know, all too well, that sometimes, THEY are the target of someone wanting to take a Cop's life. And that person, could be ANYBODY they meet. ANY BODY. Try living a "normal" life, acting carefree and casual, with that knowledge and experience. The trick in their line of work, is to be THAT vigilant, and not have YOU know it. TO remain "politically correct", while doing all they can to protect you, and themselves!

Next time you get "stopped" by a Police Officer or Deputy, just politely do what the Officer asks you to do. Don't try to be their friend, just be polite and follow their instructions. When approaching a stopped Police car, slow down and give them some space. Most the time, any contact by a LEO goes without incident. Most the time, how any such contact goes, is up to the citizen during contact with a LEO.


We've sure started 2011 off in the worse possible way. The families of those LEOs lost deserve our prayers and condolences. Those who serve us each day, deserve our thanks, our prayers, and our cooperation.

Lastly, try to remember this - Law Enforcement Officers are not paid for what they do. They are paid for what they might have to do. And honestly, it isn't near enough.

For what it's worth, from this ol' broken-down ex-Cop. - Dan

PS. To those who do wear the Badge, if you haven't read it, read the book by Pierce Brooks, Officer Down, Code Three. May you go home, every day.