Now nine months through 2013, the line of duty death toll stands at 79 with 13 of those dying during September. This past month has been the second deadliest of the year, equaling the combined total of July and August.
Of the 13 officers who died during September, seven died as a result of vehicle related incidents, four died due to gunfire and two succumbed to heart attacks or physical collapse.
On behalf of everyone at Law Officer, I extend the most sincere condolences to the coworkers, families and departments who have suffered a loss during the month of September.
In order of occurrence, following are the losses for September.
Sergeant Derek Johnson, 32, Draper, Utah PD, was shot and killed when he stopped to check on a vehicle parked on the side of the road shortly before 6 am. A male subject opened fire on Johnson, shooting him before he was able to exit his patrol car. Despite being mortally wounded, Sergeant Johnson was able to radio a distress call. Responding personnel performed CPR until a helicopter arrived to transport him to a medical center, where he succumbed to his wounds. The subject who shot Johnson also shot a female acquaintance before turning the gun on himself. The two were transients who had been living in the vehicle.
Corporal Van Perry, 49, Carthage, Mississippi PD suffered a heart attack shortly after arresting a shoplifting suspect. He had transported the suspect to the police station and began to interview him when he suddenly collapsed. The suspect alerted other personnel and Perry was transported to a medical center. He was hospitalized for a week before passing away. Corporal Perry was preceded in death by his father, Chief Deputy Willie Perry, of the Leake County Sheriff's Office who had died in the line of duty on July 29th, 2001 after being struck by a vehicle at a roadside checkpoint.
Deputy Sheriff Mike Freeman, 61, Harrison County, Texas Sheriff’s Dept, succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicle pursuit on June 28th, 2007. He was assisting other units during a pursuit when the suspect vehicle, which was being operated at approximately 100 mph, struck the rear of Freeman's patrol car, pushing it into oncoming traffic. Two vehicles struck the patrol car, critically injuring and two citizens. Freeman suffered severe head and neck injuries. His condition worsened and he was bedridden and on a ventilator until succumbing this past month to complications from the injuries.
Trooper Paul Butterfield, 43, Michigan State Police, was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in Mason County at approximately 6:20 pm. A few minutes after radioing in the stop, a citizen called 911 to report a trooper had been shot. Responding units located Trooper Butterfield on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He died during emergency surgery. Using a vehicle description provided by Trooper Butterfield, investigators were able to identify a suspect and located him at a convenience store in a neighboring county approximately two hours later. Gunfire was exchanged and the suspect was wounded before being taken into custody.
Deputy Sheriff David Allford, 37, Okfusgee County, Oklahoma, died as the result of a single vehicle crash while en route to assist a state trooper who was dealing with a combative subject. One of the tires on Alford’s Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicle suffered a blowout and the vehicle overturned twice. Allford was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.
Officer Jamie Buenting, 37, Rockwell City, Iowa PD, was shot and killed during a standoff at a home on Pleasant Street at approximately 1:40 am. Officers had responded to the home approximately four hours earlier after receiving a report that a man wanted for felony domestic assault was at the location. When officers arrived, the man barricaded himself inside and refused to exit. During the standoff, the subject fired a single round and struck Officer Buenting, killing him. The subject surrendered approximately four hours later.
Officer Rodney Jones 49, Detroit, Michigan PD, was participating in a police motorcycle training and skills competition event in Flint, Michigan. He was performing maneuvers on his department motorcycle when he suddenly stopped and fell to the ground. He was immediately treated by nearby paramedics and transferred to Hurley Medical Center, where he passed away.
Investigator Michael Dale Stockwell, 45, Orange Beach, Alabama PD, died as the result of a vehicle crash. He was operating his unmarked department vehicle at approximately 9:00 pm when he collided with another vehicle in an intersection. He was ejected from his car and died at the scene. The other driver was not injured.
Officer Rod Bradway, 41, Indianapolis, Indiana PD, was shot and killed at the scene of a domestic dispute call at an apartment complex. Upon arrival, Officer Bradway heard cries for help and made entry to the apartment. He was immediately fired upon and was mortally wounded. Bradway was able to return fire and is credited with saving the life of a person in the apartment. Bradway succumbed to his wounds several hours later.
Deputy Sheriff Daniel Rivera, 32, Broward County, FL Sheriff’s Office succumbed to injuries sustained 10 days prior when he was involved in a single vehicle crash in Pompano Beach. He had been on his way to the police station at approximately 6:15 am when he lost control of his patrol car during heavy rain and it left the roadway. The vehicle struck a tree, causing Deputy Rivera to suffer severe head injuries. He died after being in critical condition for ten days.
Police Officer Jon Coutchie, 42, Laguna Beach, California PD, was killed when his police motorcycle collided with a pickup truck while Coutchie was looking for a speeding vehicle that had earlier evaded other officers.
Detective Frank Lema, 70, Department of Defense, Naval Station Newport PD, died after being struck by a government truck on the base at approximately 1:30 pm. He was transported to a local hospital before being transferred to Rhode Island Hospital where he died approximately nine hours after having been struck by the truck. He had served with the agency for twenty-one years and previously retired as a captain from the Middletown Police Department.
Deputy Sheriff Dustin Hamilton, 24, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana Sheriff’s Office was killed in a vehicle collision at approximately 7:10 pm. He had just completed an overtime detail when his patrol car collided with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
We Can Change This!
According to our partners at the Officer Down Memorial Page, 25 of the 2013 LODDs have been attributable to gunfire while 34 have been vehicle related. Tragically, this has been the case for 15 of the last 16 years! When it comes to reducing LODDs, consider this: Which of these two categories—gunfire or vehicles—do we have the greatest hope of changing? The answer is obvious.
In general, we control the way we drive and we have little control over those who are shooting at us. While not all of our vehicle related deaths are the fault of the officer, the heartbreaking truth is that a great number of them are single vehicle, lost control and many result in the ejection of an officer who was not wearing his seatbelt. Tragically, we have examples of this during September’s LODDs.
Change doesn’t happen on its own. It needs a catalyst, often in the form of a conversation. For the sake of your fellow officers, have the courage to engage in these lifesaving discussions. If you know someone who works without wearing their armor, who goes without a seatbelt or who drives in a manner that is a problem lying in wait, say something! And, if you don’t know how those you work with feel about these areas, ask them! This is the only way we can change a part of our culture that has already claimed way too many lives.
Ask yourself this question right now: “If I had to predict where the next LODD or serious injury will come from in my agency, where would it be?” If you can answer that (and many of you already have a name in mind), then do something about it! Don’t wait. During Below 100 training sessions we have heard from officers who regret every day not having a courageous conversation with an officer who subsequently lost their life. You can make a difference!
True story from this past month: After presenting a training session, one of our Below 100 trainers received an email from an officer who had attended the class with his wife, who is also an officer. After the class, a conversation took place between the two married officers where the husband asked his wife if she wore her seatbelt at work. When she answered in the negative, he was first astounded and then angry. An argument ensued and he asked her if she put a seat belt on prisoners that she was transporting. The answer, “Of course.” The husband told his wife that her actions made him feel like she cared more for the dirtbags that that she arrested than she did for him and for their child. The email closed with the officer saying that he hoped the training and the conversation were going to change a dangerous situation.
We must honor the fallen by training the living and this also means having the courage to use examples of lives lost to point out that these tragedies really do happen. Of the officers who lost their lives in September, not one went to work thinking that would be their last day. For some, the loss could have been very easily prevented.
It’s time to say enough and do something about it. Please, for the sake of your family, your department and your own life, remember the tenets of Below 100:
- Wear your belt.
- Wear your vest.
- Watch your speed.
- WIN – What’s Important Now?
- Remember: Complacency Kills!
Special thanks to our ODMP partners for the LODD summary information. For more information, go to www.ODMP.org . For more information on Below 100 and where you can get training, go to www.Below100.com.