Police Work, Politics and World Affairs, Football and the ongoing search for great Scotch Whiskey!

Friday, January 29, 2021

Officer Down


Trooper First Class Eugene Kenneth Baron, Jr.
Connecticut State Police, Connecticut
End of Watch Monday, May 25, 2020
Age 56
Tour 18 years
Badge 1280
Cause 9/11 related cancer
Location New York
Incident Date Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Trooper First Class Eugene Baron died as the result of cancer contracted while assisting with rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.

Trooper Baron had served with the Connecticut State Police for 18 years prior to medically retiring. He is survived by three children, parents, two sisters, his girlfriend and her two children.

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, seventy-two officers from a total of eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed when terrorist hijackers working for the al Qaeda terrorist network, headed by Osama bin Laden, crashed four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

After the impact of the first plane into the World Trade Center's North Tower, putting the safety of others before their own, law enforcement officers along with fire and EMS personnel, rushed to the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to aid the victims and lead them to safety. Due to their quick actions, it is estimated that over 25,000 people were saved.

As the evacuation continued, the South Tower unexpectedly collapsed as a result of the intense fire caused by the impact. The North Tower collapsed a short time later. Seventy-one law enforcement officers, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and over 2,800 civilians were killed at the World Trade Center site.

A third hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to re-take control of the plane. One law enforcement officer, who was a passenger on the plane, was killed in that crash.

The fourth hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing almost 200 military and civilian personnel. No law enforcement officers were killed at the Pentagon on 9/11.

The terrorist attacks resulted in the declaration of war against the Taliban regime, the illegal rulers of Afghanistan, and the al Qaeda terrorist network which also was based in Afghanistan.

On September 9th, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed on September 11th, 2001, were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.

The contamination in the air at the World Trade Center site caused many rescue personnel to become extremely ill and eventually led to the death of several rescue workers.

On May 1st, 2011 members of the United States military conducted a raid on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and killed Osama bin Laden.

Please click here to visit the memorials of all of the law enforcement officers killed in this terrorist attack.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Can it be thirty-five years...

Thirty-five years ago, one of my Army ROTC instructors told me, "Thiac, you won't believe this, the shuttle just blew up." We didn't have a TV in our office, but I knew the Air Force did have one in their cadet lounge. I walked down there and watch the repeats with some of the AFROTC cadets. Like 911, it's a day you always remember where you were.

Later that evening, Ronald Reagan gave the country what it needed. In a few minutes and just over 600 words, he soothed a shocked nation, and world, wondering why, and how, this could happen. He included in it a reminder to the young people of risk of going forward, in any endeavor. I recall the words of one of Star Trek-TNG's greatest antagonist, Q, to Captain Picard:

If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid.

The text and video of one of his greatest addresses to the people of this nation. And the world. 

RIP Rawhide. God, we can use you today. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering.

Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.

Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But we've never lost an astronaut in flight; we've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle; but they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.

For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, "Give me a challenge and I'll meet it with joy." They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us.

We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for 25 years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.

And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.

I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don't hide our space program. We don't keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute.

We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.

I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: "Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it."

There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and an historian later said, "He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it." Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, complete.

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."




Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Officer Down


Trooper George Baker
Louisiana State Police, Louisiana
End of Watch Sunday, May 24, 2020
Age 33
Tour 10 years
Cause Struck by vehicle
Incident Date Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Trooper George Baker succumbed to injuries sustained on May 20th, 2020, when he was struck by a Hammond patrol car while removing stop sticks from the roadway during a vehicle pursuit.

The pursuit started when officers from the Hammond Police Department attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle. Trooper Baker and another trooper successfully deployed stop sticks on Wardline Road, near the intersection with Kate Street, causing the vehicle to hit them. As the troopers attempted to remove the stop sticks from the roadway, they were inadvertently struck by a responding Hammond patrol car.

Both occupants in the fleeing vehicle were arrested a short time later.

Both troopers were transported to a local hospital where Trooper Baker succumbed to his injuries on May 24th, 2020. Trooper Baker's organs were donated upon his death. The second trooper suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Trooper Baker was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Louisiana State Police for three years. He had previously served with the Greensburg Police Department for four years and the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office for three years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, and sisters.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Monday, January 25, 2021

Officer Down


Corrections Officer Marshall Lee "Bem" London, Jr.
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Mississippi
End of Watch Monday, May 18, 2020
Age 66
Tour 16 years
Badge L89/J17
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Friday, May 8, 2020

Corrections Officer Marshall London died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff at the Lincoln County Jail.

Officer London had served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for 16 years. He is survived by his children and grandchildren.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Friday, January 22, 2021

Officer Down


Deputy Sheriff Wyatt Christopher Maser
Bonneville County Sheriff's Office, Idaho
End of Watch Monday, May 18, 2020
Age 23
Tour 1 year, 1 month
Badge 341

Deputy Sheriff Wyatt Maser was struck and killed by a patrol car at the intersection of Bone Road and 9th Road South at 5:20 am.

He had initially responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash, but when he arrived, he encountered a woman in mental crisis walking away from the crash carrying a machete. Deputy Maser and another responding deputy attempted to talk to her for several minutes as she continued to disobey commands as she walked in the roadway.

A third deputy who was responding to the scene came upon the group on the dark roadway and inadvertently struck Deputy Maser. Deputy Maser was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The woman was taken into custody at the scene.

Deputy Maser was a U.S. Air force veteran and had served with the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office for 13 months. He is survived by his wife, daughter, mother and stepfather, father and stepmother, siblings, and grandparents.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Officer Down


Correctional Officer Berisford Anthony Morse
Washington State Department of Corrections, Washington
End of Watch Sunday, May 17, 2020
Age 65
Tour 17 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Friday, April 24, 2020

Correctional Officer Berisford Morse died after contracting COVID-19 through a confirmed exposure to an inmate during an outbreak at the Monroe Correctional Complex’s minimum security unit.

Officer Morse had served with the Washington State Department of Corrections for 17 years.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Monday, January 18, 2021

Officer Down


Officer Ching Kok "CK" Yan
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, U.S. Government
End of Watch Saturday, May 16, 2020
Age 54
Tour 13 years
Cause COVID19
Location New York
Incident Date Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Officer CK Yan died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the International Mail Facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, New York.

Officer Yan had served with the United States Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Friday, January 15, 2021

Officer Down


Sergeant José García-Vázquez
Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch Friday, May 15, 2020
Age 51
Tour 31 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Sergeant José García-Vázquez died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty during an outbreak in the district police station in Yauco, Puerto Rico.

Sergeant García-Vázquez had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 31 years and was assigned to Yauco District. He is survived by his wife, who serves as a lieutenant with the agency.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Officer Down


Corrections Supervisor 1 Fella A. Adebiyi
Kansas Department of Corrections, Kansas
End of Watch Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Tour 20 years
Cause COVID19

Corrections Supervisor 1 Fella Adebiyi died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak amongst employees and inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility.

Supervisor Adebiyi had served with the Kansas Department of Corrections for 20 years.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Monday, January 11, 2021

Officer Down




Sergeant Charles "Rob" Roberts, III
Glen Ridge Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch Monday, May 11, 2020
Age 45
Tour 20 years
Badge 69
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Sergeant Rob Roberts died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak with the city government building and police headquarters.

Sergeant Roberts had served with the Glen Ridge Police Department for 20 years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He is survived by his wife and three children.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Were did seventeen years go...

I was clearing out my chest of drawers this weekend, and I found this. A plastic case to hold 3.5 inch floppy discs for reports. Back in the old days, we would type our reports out on one computer (usually, a laptop we would have to check out each day), save them to floppy, then download them on another computer at the station. And that was considered high-tech for the time. 

Shouldn't say much. In 1992, when I entered my reserve unit in New Orleans, we had Wang computers with 8 inch floppy drives. For basic word-processing, they weren't bad. 

These days most agencies have laptops (and moving to tablets and smart phone as a base) where you enter and transmit from the same unit, or access a Cloud based report system. This is back when we still had to present a receipt to our sergeant at end of shift (movement to paperless), but we still have paper accident reports to complete. 

I'm tempted to keep this, but I'd better destroy these. There is some sensitive information on it (names, addresses, Social Security numbers, etc), and although someone would not be able to easily access this, I don't need it. Purging old data is something we need to start doing, and that is one of my goals for 2021.

Have a great week.



Friday, January 8, 2021

Officer Down


Corrections Supervisor 1 George "Bernie" Robare
Kansas Department of Corrections, Kansas
End of Watch Monday, May 11, 2020
Age 61
Tour 36 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Corrections Supervisor 1 Bernie Robare died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak amongst employees and inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility.

Supervisor Robare had served with the Kansas Department of Corrections for 36 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Officer Down


Chief of Police Marvin Wayne Trejo
Dumas Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, May 10, 2020
Age 58
Tour 30 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Thursday, April 16, 2020

Chief of Police Marvin Trejo died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak within the Dumas Police Department.

Chief Trejo was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served in law enforcement for 30 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Monday, January 4, 2021

Officer Down


Correctional Officer Antoine J. Jones
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, Illinois
End of Watch Sunday, May 10, 2020
Age 51
Tour 18 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Correctional Officer Antoine Jones died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among inmates and correctional staff at the Cook County Jail at 2650 S. California Avenue in Chicago.

Officer Jones had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections for 18 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. 

Friday, January 1, 2021

Officer Down


Corrections Officer V Maria Mendez
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas
End of Watch Saturday, May 9, 2020
Age 59
Tour 10 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Sunday, April 12, 2020

Corrections Officer V Maria Mendez died after contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure during an outbreak at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Texas.

Officer Mendez had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 10 years. She is survived by four children.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Rest in Peace Sis…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.