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The total number of officers lost in the line of duty during 2012 now stands at 41. Six officers were lost during the month of May. Each of these losses represents a tragic end to lives that once held such promise. As Chris Cosgriff (founder of ODMP) has said, “When a police officer is killed, it’s not an agency that loses an officer, it’s an entire nation.” How terribly true this statement is.
Despite the loss of 41 officers, there’s some encouraging news. Compared to the losses experienced last year, we’re down more than 50 percent! Perhaps most remarkable is the fact that over the last four months, we’ve seen a trend unlike anything we’ve seen in the last half century. May marks the fourth month in a row that national LODDs have been in the single digits. You have to go back to November 1962 through February 1963 to find four sequential months with single-digit losses. And the last time we had a February through May period this low was 1943—nearly 70 years ago!
Make no mistake, I’m not minimizing the tragedy of our losses this year. I follow them closely, examine every available detail and look for any possible lesson that can be gleaned. I truly believe in honoring the fallen, but we must empower the living to do their jobs as safely as possible. We all have a responsibility to improve officer safety—both individually and across the profession.
On behalf of Law Officer, I extend condolences to every coworker, family member and agency that has experienced a line-of-duty loss. Here are summaries of our losses during the month of May.
Pearl, Miss. PD
EOW: Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Walter was shot and killed during the service of a search warrant at an apartment complex. The subject of the search warrant was found hiding in a bathtub and a struggle ensued during which Walter was shot in the face and two other officers were wounded.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Dept., Ariz.
EOW: Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Wargo died as a result of injuries sustained in 2003 during an off-duty job. Wargo contacted a subject parked in a prohibited area and when the subject tried to flee, he held onto the truck. Wargo fell from the truck as it reached speeds of fifty miles per hour and struck his head. He lingered in a vegetative state for the last nine years.
Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections, Okla.
EOW: Friday, May 18, 2012
Cause of Death: Gunfire
McCoy was conducting a supervision check when a subject answered the door and pushed him off the front porch then attacked him. The subject was able to gain control of McCoy’s service weapon and shot him.
Cleveland, Tenn. PD
EOW: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Cause of Death: Automobile collision
Maples died in a single vehicle crash when his patrol car left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. He was transported from the scene but died less than an hour later.
New York State Police, N.Y.
EOW: Saturday, May 26, 2012
Cause of Death: Automobile collision
Anna died as the result of a single-vehicle crash when her patrol vehicle struck a guard rail in a curve and overturned several times. She died the following morning as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
Englewood, Colo. PD
EOW: Monday, May 28, 2012
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Bitner was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver. He had just made a traffic stop and had the driver exit the vehicle. Both Bitner and the driver were in the roadway when a drunk driver sideswiped the patrol vehicle then struck both Bitner and the subject he had stopped. Bitner died as a result of his injuries. The subject he had stopped was critically injured.
Final Notes
These officers left behind four spouses, one fiancé and a total of 12 children. Having just spent several days in Washington, D.C., for Police Week, I’m acutely aware that the lives of these survivors are irrevocably changed.
When you look at the summaries of our LODDs, it’s clear that cops don’t have to die in the numbers that we continue to see. Even with the brief descriptions provided above, it’s evident that there are areas for constructive change and improvement in safety. Doing this will save lives. We must hold each other accountable. We must have the courageous conversations. Let’s continue improving basic safety awareness and practice common sense so we can send more officers home to their families instead of funeral homes.
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