K9 Down

K9 Rocco
Vernal Police Department, Utah
End of Watch Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Age 7
Tour 5 years

K9 Rocco was struck and killed by a vehicle in the area of 4500 South Vernal Avenue at approximately 6:00 am.

K9 Rocco had been let out of the vehicle for a break when he ran across the road and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

K9 Rocco had served with the Vernal Police Department for five years as a patrol and narcotics detection canine.

Rest in Peace Rocco…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!

In Memory of all Police Dogs

They handled themselves with beauty & grace

And who could ever forget that beautiful face

Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test

They always worked hard; and did their best

They were real champions; at work or at play

But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day

While working on the job with their partner one day

They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way

They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give

They gave up their life; so someone could live

The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say

Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way

Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze

The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees

The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall

Off in the distance they can see a waterfall

As they look over the falls; down through the creek

The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek

Far up above; in the deep blue sky

They see the birds soar high; as they fly by

They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall

Chasing each other; and just having a ball

They play all day; from morning to night

There's no more rain; just warm sunlight

Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow

Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow

The harps would play and the angels would sing

As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings

We remember that they died; in the line of duty

And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty

Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free

With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree

No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take

Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake

A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore

Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more

These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above

They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love

We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night

In loving memory of all; these very special knights

By John Quealy

The Warthog lives!

In spite of the Air Force's best efforts.

In 1948, the heads of the armed focus, with the end of World War II behind them, and the Cold War ahead of them, met in Key West FL. Durning this conference, they set up the responsibilities of the various services, particularly the roll of the now separate US Air Force in relation to the Army. One of the critical points was the Army wouldn't have armed fixed wing aircraft, those would be the purvue of the USAF. Fast forward three decades, the Air Force has fielded a new close air support (CAS) aircraft, the A-10. Ugly, slow, not hi-tech, and it did only one thing, but better than any other aircraft. It supported the troops on the ground.

Since the 1990s, the USAF has tried to retire the A-10, saying the F-16/F18 could do the CAS mission. No, it could not. The GAU-8 Gatling Gun cuts through tank armor like it's paper. And the Army has said, if the USAF retires the A-10, they will take them. And then the Air Force says, "No, we'll keep it..."

Well, in spite of it's best efforts, the Warthog still flies.

The A-10 Warthog Is America's Phoenix: It Won't Die, It Just Gets Reborn Stronger

Congress blocked the Air Force's latest effort to retire the A-10.

The U.S. Air Force has all but given up on retiring the A-10 Warthog close-air-support jet. Instead, the flying branch is upgrading the tough ground-attackers so they can fight and survive in high-intensity combat.

The Air Force had hoped to begin retiring its 281 A-10s starting in 2015. But Congress blocked the effort. Now the A-10 is safe even as the Air Force considers retiring other plane types.

“Acting Air Force Secretary Matt Donovan stoked speculation that the service will retire the A-10 after announcing that its FY21 budget request will include ‘controversial changes’ such as the divestment of legacy aircraft,” Valerie Insinna reported at Defense News.

But speaking at the conference later that day, Lt. Gen. Timothy Fay, deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements, confirmed that the A-10 is not one of the aircraft under consideration for divestment and will stay in service until the 2030s.

“Short answer: No,” Fay said, when asked whether the Warthog is on the cutting block. "I will tell you, I wish the response had been that the Air Force is actually bold enough to get after the threats that we’re facing.”

The Air Force acquired the subsonic, twin-engine planes in the 1970s and 1980s in order to destroy Soviet tanks. The stubby Warthog with its powerful 30-millimeter cannon proved effective as a close-air-support aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Despite its popularity with ground troops, the Air Force wanted to retire the A-10 early in order to free up around $5 billion for other investments. Now that retirement is off the table, the service is moving ahead with a wide range of upgrades meant to keep the Warthog relevant into the 2030s...

...“The new upgrades come after the completion, at the end of July 2019, of a first re-winging program that saw the installation of new wings, built by Boeing, on 173 A-10s,” Stefano D’Urso reported at The Aviationist...

...According to the Air Force Materiel Command, the upgraded wings should last for up to 10,000 flight hours without requiring a depot inspection. One month later, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a second contract, worth up to [$999 million], that will provide up to 112 new wing assemblies, completing the re-winging of all 281 A-10s currently in inventory.

The A-10s also are getting new weapons, avionics and sensors, D’Urso explained.

The Air Force, in fact, has recently started fielding a new improved version of the Thales Visionix Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display System, used by A-10 pilots following the Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting program in 2012. The main modification is the replacement of the original magnetic tracking sensor with a new sensor known as HObIT (Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker), which should track pilot head movements more accurately. ...

A second major upgrade is the integration of the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb in the A-10’s arsenal. Until now the A-10 was limited to carry only a single weapon on each pylon; by using the BRU-61/A rack, the A-10 will be able to carry four SDBs on each weapon pylon, becoming a “bomb truck” that can release these stand-off weapons to neutralize threats as far as 50 miles in the target area before starting to provide close air support to ground troops.

Warthogs finally are getting Link 16 datalinks, too,” D’Urso explained. “With the integration of Link 16, the A-10 will be able to communicate and exchange data with all other legacy air assets, namely tactical jets, electronic warfare aircraft, bombers and AWACS, as well as the F-35.”

Finally, there’s a new radar -- a first for the type. “The last known upgrade is the integration of a synthetic aperture radar pod to supplement the existing targeting capabilities provided by the Sniper and Litening targeting pods. While not officially confirmed, the pod in question could be the AN/ASQ-236 “Dragon’s Eye” active electronically scanned array radar pod, already operational on the F-15E Strike Eagle...”

Back when I was in Korea, we had an Air Force captain with our headquarter, the Fighter Liaison Officer. We were discussing the A-10, and he mentioned to some of the armor officers there he had video of what Warthogs do to tanks. My buddy Mike Lemond said, "No, I don't want to watch them. Makes me a bit uneasy..." :)

Here to another few decades of the Warthog on the battlefield.

De-Escalation as a Noun

An interesting look at the issue.

Over most of the last decade, the usual suspects (Department of Justice lawyers, internet "experts," and community activists) have called for more "De-Escalation" training to prevent use of deadly force, or force at all. It is a cure all for all that ails the American public in general, and law enforcement specifically. When I ask a social media "expect" exactly how it's done, I generally get words like "de-escalate," "Officer, you need to calm down!", etc. But for some reason the suspect doesn't need to calm down, or if I lower my voice, they will stop trying to run, or come at me with a knife.

Well, just found this interesting article, and it explains the issues very well. I believed it's impossible for an officer to calm a person down, the person must calm themselves down. I'm not saying we can't encourage it, by lowering our voice, etc. But unless the person is ready to "bring it down," nothing will change.

With that as an introduction, here is an excellent article for review.

Why Police Officers Can’t De-Escalate Anyone

Thinking of de-escalation as a verb, an action the police can do to a suspect, fails to account for the two things required of the suspect for de-escalation to be successful.

Scott Savage February 17, 2020

Why Police Officers Can’t De-Escalate Anyone

No doubt “de-escalation” is a buzzword in law enforcement and in the media. It’s usually discussed as a verb, meaning it’s an action that police can take. Conventional wisdom says as a law enforcement officer, I am supposed to “de-escalate” a suspect in the same way I act other verbs such as when I question a suspect, handcuff a suspect, etc.

De-Escalation as a Noun

I, however, believe thinking of de-escalation as verb is a mistake. I believe “de-escalation” is more like a noun. It is something that I can offer a suspect but not something I can do to a suspect. Certainly, there are actions an officer can perform to try to defuse a crisis, but those actions usually can be summed up as the officer controlling his or her own behavior (e.g. speaking calmly). If de-escalation were a verb, that would mean that in a crisis situation, the police either did or did not perform the act of de-escalation. But recognizing that de-escalation is more like a noun, the true test is whether or not I offered de-escalation and whether or not a suspect accepted my offer.

The Suspect Must Agree and Participate

In a crisis situation, offering de-escalation is a viable tactic that is sometimes appropriate in the same way that using force is at other times appropriate. Consider a suspect barricaded in his home refusing to exit and submit to arrest. A crisis negotiator can call the suspect and offer de-escalation by saying, “We’d like you to walk out the front door. When you do, I need you to lay down so we can handcuff you. As long as you follow our directions and don’t resist, we are not going to use any type of force on you.” That is an offer of de-escalation. But for that de-escalation to be successful it requires two things from the suspect, their agreement and their participation. The suspect must first accept our offer and agree to the de-escalation. Secondly, the suspect must actively participate in the process. If the suspect were to agree but then for whatever reason refuse to submit to arrest or drop his weapon, the offer of de-escalation is voided due to the suspect’s lack of participation.

War story, I was called by one of my units after they arrested a suspect for trespass, and the suspect's mother wanted to talk to me. Well, I get there, I explain to the mother as the DA has already accepted charges, he must be booked, etc, and she took it fairly well. I then explained the facts to the suspect, who was already in the back of the officer's SUV. And the man started his reaction, slamming his head against an inside barrier, and claiming her was mentally ill. So we pull him out of the SUV, and he starts to scream and slam his head against the concrete. At that moment, I screamed at him, "Stop this s%^&, you're on video, we know what you're trying to do, and Freddy Gray did it better!" And guess what, he stopped slamming his head against the ground. Hey, it was successful "de-escalation," but it was also a negotiation technique, I cut off his hope. He had hope that by trying to injury himself, he would not be booked for this charge. I made him acknowledge it would not work, and he cooperated.

A Diminished Capacity to Accept the Offer

Consider a mentally ill man, armed with a metal pole, roaming through a downtown neighborhood while threatening passersby. Perhaps because of his illness or concurrent substance use, he is suffering from what is known as diminished capacity. His capacity to both agree and participate with the responding officer’s offer of de-escalation is diminished. Regardless of the negotiation and tactical skills of the responding officers, if the suspect is completely unable to agree and participate, then the offer of de-escalation is likely not a viable tactic. Instead, the use of decisive and reasonable force may become necessary.

The Superhuman Power to Control Others

I am all for law enforcement officers handling incidents with the utmost skill and professionalism. As a matter of fact, I have devoted the better part of my police career to helping officers do just that. De-escalation is an important tactic to understand but it requires an accurate understanding. If law enforcement officers possessed the super human power to control suspects behavior through simply choosing to de-escalate them, the world would be a safer place for suspects and officers alike. In reality though, officers can only offer de-escalation and in order for that offer to be successful, the suspect must first agree and then participate in the process.

Another war story, stopped a man laying on a railroad track. He got up, took a crutch out (he was not injured, just had it) and started to swing at me. I used half a can of Mace on him, didn't work, and this is before we had Tasers. I am thinking this is gonna get ugly soon. Thankfully two other officers arrived, we used batons and after almost two minutes of beating him to death, we got him under control And we were exhausted, but we got him under control.

I guess the suspect wasn't going to "agree and participate."

Mr. Savage, excellent article, thank you.

Officer Down

Trooper Moises Sanchez
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas
End of Watch Saturday, August 24, 2019
Age 49
Tour 4 years
Incident Date Saturday, April 6, 2019

Trooper Moises Sanchez succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained on April 6th, 2019, in McAllen, Texas.

He had responded to a hit-and-run vehicle crash at the intersection of N 10th Street and W Freddy Gonzalez Drive. He located the suspect approximately one block away, in the 1500 block of South Maltese Street, and attempted to take him into custody. The subject shot him in the shoulder and head during the arrest.

Trooper Sanchez was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. He succumbed to complications of his wounds on August 24th, 2019, following surgery.

The man was arrested following a manhunt. He was charged with capital murder after Trooper Sanchez passed away.

Trooper Sanchez had served with the Texas Highway Patrol for four years. He is survived by his wife and three children.

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. 

What's going on in the World Today 200217

HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:

USA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

AFRICA

Spray planes combat the huge locust outbreak in East Africa

By JOE MWIHIA, JOSPHAT KASIRE and BEN CURTIS

It is challenging work, especially in remote areas where mobile phone signals are absent and ground crews cannot quickly communicate coordinates to flight teams.

The ground crews are in “the most woeful terrains,” Marcus Dunn, a pilot and the director at Farmland Aviation, said Saturday. “If there is no network, then the fellow on a boda boda (motorcycle), he has to rush off now and go and get a network.”

Just five planes are currently spraying as Kenyan and other authorities try to stop the locusts from spreading to neighboring Uganda and South Sudan. The United Nations has said $76 million is needed immediately to widen such efforts across East Africa.

A fast response is crucial. Experts warn that if left unchecked, the number of locusts could grow by 500 times by June, when drier weather will help bring the outbreak under control...

In Libya, Hifter Plays the Oil Card

HIGHLIGHTS

- The recent Berlin peace conference produced few tangible results and no significant progress on resolving Libya's conflict, meaning the country remains months, if not years, away from a meaningful political solution to its civil war.

- In the short term, LNA leader Khalifa Hifter is unlikely to keep Libya's oil exports offline for more than a few weeks, but production outages could become more frequent or longer.

- In the longer term, the closer Libya gets to a more permanent cease-fire, the greater the chance that actors like Hifter could use their power over the oil sector to extract concessions.

Just hours before global powers kicked off a Jan. 19 conference in Berlin to discuss ways to end Libya's conflict, one of the war's major parties, the Libyan National Army, made a major announcement: It was closing the country's five oil export terminals in eastern Libya. Not long after, the LNA shut off a key pipeline connecting Libya's two main oil fields in western Libya to ports. If the closures continue, they could torpedo Libya's oil production from approximately 1.15 million barrels per day to less than 75,000 b/d.

Eventually, the LNA and its leader, Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, are likely to come under enough pressure that they will bring the country's production back online. More crucially for Libya, however, the merely modest progress at the Berlin peace conference shows that the country remains months away from any meaningful political solution to its civil war. And ironically, if the country does edge closer to a peace settlement, its energy exports are likely to become more volatile as the LNA tries to play its most powerful card — control of the country's oil flows — in any talks with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord...

ASIA

Japan: Tokyo Unveils Space Defense Plans Jan 22, 2020

What Happened: Japan has announced plans to create a space defense unit to enhance its ability to detect and counter threats, Defense News reported Jan. 21.

Why It Matters: Japan's decision comes as China, Russia and North Korea have all made strides in their military capabilities. The move also reflects Tokyo's intention to enhance its coordination and interoperability with the United States on space policy.

Background: Japan has been focusing on its space capabilities in recent years, particularly through the establishment of a constellation of electro-optical and radar satellites to improve intelligence collection.

Japan Modernizes Its Air Force, but Will It Be Enough?

HIGHLIGHTS

- Japan is accelerating the buildup of its offensive capabilities as part of its military normalization process, with its air force at the forefront of the effort.

- The newly acquired JASDF offensive capabilities will greatly enhance Japan's flexibility and independence in its defense.

- A multiplicity of threats and a struggling domestic defense industry will continue to pose challenges for Japan.

Japan is accelerating its military normalization process by building up its offensive capabilities, especially those of its Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). As a part of that push, the United States on Oct. 29 granted Japan's request for a major upgrade to its F-15J fighter aircraft. Installing advanced radar and cruise missile capability on 98 JASDF jets will mark a crucial step in Japan's move away from its post-World War II pacifist stance. And while the upgrades will enhance Tokyo's options, maintaining Japanese national defense as the country's aerospace industry declines and the regional threat environment — including an expanding Chinese military — becomes more complex will become increasingly difficult...

EUROPE

European States Plan For Hypersonic Defense

Tony Osborne January 10, 2020

The complex nature of intercepting hypersonic weapons may predicate air-breathing propulsion technologies to provide additional range, speed and energy.

European countries have linked arms to develop a counter to the emerging threat of hypersonic weapons and enhance their ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities.

Twister has been given backing by an EU PESCO initiative MBDA is investing in engagement planning for unpredictable targets

The Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER surveillance (Twister) project, led by France and supported by Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, is one of 13 new multinational programs that were given the backing of the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) initiative in November. It says it aims to develop a European system that can “detect, track and counter” more complex missile threats and give member nations a “self-standing ability to contribute to NATO’s ballistic missile defense.”

Currently, only a handful of European nations can counter ballistic missiles, including European users of the Raytheon Patriot (Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain), as well as France and Italy with the Eurosam SAMP/T. But none of those systems is ready to deal with the new generation of threats emerging from Russia and China, including hypersonic gliders, hypersonic and high-supersonic cruise missiles, and maneuverable next-generation combat aircraft...

A New Gas Transit Deal Won't Keep Ukraine and Russia Together for Long

In the future, gas transit deals between Ukraine and Russia could have less ability to keep the countries' tensions in check.

HIGHLIGHTS

- As part of a new, five-year gas transit agreement, Russia will gradually reduce its use of Ukrainian pipeline infrastructure over ramping up domestic gas production and searching for alternative routes for imports.

- The transit relationship has, in general, kept a lid on tensions in eastern Ukraine, but now that the importance of natural gas is
waning in the Russian-Ukrainian relationship, bilateral tensions could rise once more.

For the short term at least, Ukrainians and Europeans won't have to worry about shelling out more to heat their homes this winter. An eleventh-hour extension to an energy transit agreement will guarantee the continued flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe through Ukraine over the next five years, but there is little indication that the current deal will presage longer-term cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv. Indeed, lingering distrust between the two capitals will lead Ukraine down the path of producing its own natural gas to achieve self-sufficiency in the longer term, while Russia will strive to shift shipments to pipelines in the Baltic and Black seas that don't present as much of a political nuisance. Ultimately, the emergence of other transit routes will reduce the calming effect that natural gas transit deals have had on the two countries' larger political disputes over hot-button issues like Crimea, eastern Ukraine and more...

LATIN/SOUTH AMERICA

Why Don't Mexico's Cartels Use Vehicle Bombs?

Scott Stewart
VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor
Jan 14, 2020

HIGHLIGHTS

- Mexican cartels have the means, motive and opportunity to deploy car bombs, but two main constraints prevent them from doing so.

- The first is the indiscriminate nature of vehicle bombs and the destruction they cause, which would alienate the local populations essential to the cartels' ability to operate.

- The second is a desire to avoid winding up like the late Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, who was tracked down and killed after being labeled a narcoterrorist.

Mexico's cartels have long eschewed using vehicle bombs for fear of the consequences of doing so. And yet many media outlets said they did on Nov. 7, 2019, when a Mexican explosive ordnance disposal unit deactivated a small bomb left on the front seat of a vehicle parked on a street in the city of Apaseo el Alto, in Mexico's Guanajuato state. The bomb was a small, low-explosive charge wrapped in tape and shopping bags. It was round and resembled a commercial firework mortar bomb that, judging from a sports drink bottle left in the vehicle, was approximately 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) in diameter. What appears to be a remote receiver was taped to the top of the ball; a wire led from the receiver into the ball that presumably led to a squib or other electrical detonator...

AFGHANISTAN

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

CHINA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

IRAN

Iran Celebrates Its Revolution. Iran will be holding 10 days of celebrations from Feb. 1 to Feb. 11 to mark the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's return to Iran in 1979 and the Islamic Revolution. For Iran, the annual celebration is chock-full of propaganda and a display of the country's achievements, including its military might. This year's celebration will likely be more over the top than usual given that it is the first since Iran began its aggressive campaign against the United States and increased its nuclear activity last May. Already Iran is planning for an attempted satellite launch, but we should expect it to unveil more new missiles and missile defense equipment and conduct missile tests as a show of force against the United States and its regional partners.

Iran Is Still Playing the Long Game

HIGHLIGHTS

- Iran is caught between two imperatives that have proved difficult to balance: The need to continue its aggressive regional strategy to counter the United States and the need to eventually obtain sanctions relief from Washington.

- Iran had no choice but to overtly respond to the U.S. decision to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani, but it is likely to now return to a strategy of calculated brinkmanship rather than outright attacks on U.S. forces.

- Iran will seek to undermine the U.S. relationship with Iraq, which could culminate with Washington withdrawing forces from the region.

If the Islamic Republic of Iran has had one consistent goal since 1979, it's been survival; since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has essentially existed in crisis management mode, whether it's been fighting Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq War or weathering the latest U.S. sanctions. Today, there are two interlinked issues that Iran views as essential to its long-term survival: Its economic health and its regional strategy in Iraq and the Levant...

IRAQ

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

ISRAEL

Israel: IDF Strikes Targets in Gaza Strip After Rocket Launches

Jan 31, 2020 | 13:41 GMT
What Happened: The Israel Defense Forces have conducted airstrikes against several targets in the Gaza Strip after three projectiles were launched from the region into southern Israel, Haaretz reported Jan. 31. Authorities have not reported any casualties as a result of the rocket fire or the retaliatory strikes so far, and no group has claimed responsibility for launching the projectiles.

Why It Matters: The launches mark the latest in a series of small-scale attacks, which have included incendiary balloons, mortars and rockets, from Gaza into southern Israel since the United States announced its contentious Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. The risk of additional launches remains high over the weekend, which could cause various disruptions in Gaza and southern Israel. Attacks that result in civilian casualties, meanwhile, could set the stage for further escalation.

Background: Israel and Hamas worked to secure a fragile cease-fire agreement over the last year, although the past months included several flare-ups of violence, including a large-scale military exchange in November 2019. Hamas forcefully rejected the U.S.-proposed peace plan and said all options remained available in responding to the suggestions.

KOREAN PENINSULA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

RUSSIA

An Aging Workforce Dims Russia’s Economic Forecast

Sim Tack,Global Analyst , Stratfor, Jan 23, 2020 | 10:00 GMT

People walk down a busy street in Moscow. Russia's aging workforce will greatly suppress the country's economic growth over the next decade.

HIGHLIGHTS

- By 2036, the number of young adults living in Russia is expected to rapidly decline just as the largest segment of its population approaches retirement.

- Moscow's move to extend retirement ages will sustain the size of Russia's labor market in the short term, though it ultimately will make its workforce older, less efficient and less productive.

- In the long term, Russia's aging labor force will severely restrict its potential for economic growth, which could compel Russia to seek out new economic relations, as well as exercise more constraint toward the West.

Russia's population has long been projected to shrink in the coming decades due to high emigration and low birth rates. But recent projections forecast an even faster reduction than previously anticipated, raising new concerns over the severity of the country's demographic decline and the potential impact on the Russian economy. For now, extended retirement ages and an upcoming boom of young workers will help Moscow temporarily manage the effects of its demographic decline — though that won't keep Russia from hemorrhaging the high-quality workers needed to keep its economy chugging in the meantime...

New Russian Lightweight Air-Launched Missile Revealed

GDANSK, Poland—The Russian Navy displayed a model of a new small missile during a Jan. 9 meeting in Sevastopol attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Joint Small-sized Modular Aviation Weapon, (Mezhvidovoye Malogabaritnoye Modulnoye Aviatsionnoye Sredstvo Porazheniya, or MMM ASP), according to the descriptive plate on the model, is being made to defeat “fuel depots, manpower, various naval surface targets, strongholds, aircraft and helicopters at the base site.”

Russia Takes a Hard Approach to Soft Power

Kseniya Kirillova Board of Contributors Jan 22, 2020

HIGHLIGHTS

- In exerting its soft power, Russia is not only trying to portray itself in a good light but also spread illusory fears, phobias and hatred in countries it sees as a threat.

- Moscow, however, cannot sow discord out of thin air; instead, it seeks to exploit existing divisions in Western countries.

- If Western nations are going to try and popularize their values in Russia, they would do well to consider whether their efforts will be immediately discredited by Kremlin propaganda.

For all its prodigious hard power, Russia's soft power is no trifling matter. In recent years, the Kremlin has resorted to plenty of channels to undermine Western democracies by spreading propaganda — including false-flag operations and other "information operations" — bribing officials and politicians, cultivating corrupt ties through business lobbies and immigrant organizations, targeting specific (often radical) segments of the population with carefully tailored ideologies and making special attempts to sow friction, disagreement and conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his propaganda machine have successfully convinced the population that any intimidation and crimes by authorities are justified by the unprecedented "external threat" facing Russia. They claim that the United States is to blame for all that Russia does today because they have organized color revolutions along the Russian border, developed fifth columns and so on. Russia, accordingly, is merely trying to prove that its actions are a "mirror image" of Western foreign policy. But how does Russia go about projecting its soft power, and how might Western states respond — all while avoiding taking the same path as Moscow?..."

MIDDLE EAST GENERAL

US expands troop, fighter jet presence at Saudi base:

US expands troop, fighter jet presence at Saudi base
Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Saudi Arabia — Across the vast expanse of this desert air base, hundreds of tents have popped up and F-15E fighters from the recently arrived 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron line the tarmac, flying daily missions over Iraq and Syria. Off in the distance, two American Patriot missile batteries are scanning the skies, prepared to knock down any Iranian attack against the Saudi kingdom.

The U.S. troop presence here has grown to roughly 2,500 since last summer, when the U.S. announced it had begun deploying forces to what once was a major U.S. military hub. The return of U.S. forces to Prince Sultan Air Base is one of the more dramatic signs of America’s decision to beef up troops in the Middle East in response to threats from Iran. The Strike Eagles of the 494th, the “Mighty Black Panthers,” deployed from RAF Lakenheath, England, are capable of executing strategic attack, interdiction and counter-air missions.

On Wednesday, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East spent a few hours meeting with his commanders and troops here, assessing what he called a “sweet spot” of U.S. force projection in the region...

CYBER ISSUES

The Growing Power and Threat of Government-Imposed Internet Blackouts

HIGHLIGHTS

- The government of Iran has shut off access to the internet in most of the country amid recent protests, a tactic also used to control civil unrest in India, Ethiopia, Iraq and Sudan.

- Such restrictions are aimed at preventing protesters from organizing, halting the spread of misinformation, quelling communal violence and even obstructing communications among coup plotters.

- Governments are likely to continue to use internet blackouts for the foreseeable future, especially as they gain more control over internet and mobile networks.

Amid the recent bout of nationwide protests in Iran, government-enforced blackouts have taken more than 90 percent of the country's internet offline and blocked most Iranians from communicating with the outside world. The move has drawn substantial international media attention, and #Internet4Iran has been a worldwide trending topic on Twitter. Tehran blocked the internet during protests in late 2017 and early 2018, but the scale of the current blackouts is unprecedented in Iran. The government has been working toward greater control of its networks by building an intranet, similar to what China and Russia have done or plan to do. With it, Tehran can also block external influence. Such internal networks give governments more power when shutting down internet connections — permitting local services to continue while cutting off access to external networks and channels...

INTEL GENERAL

When Espionage Skills Are for Sale, So Is Your Security

Scott Stewart
VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor Oct 22, 2019

HIGHLGIHTS

- Anyone with the intent, interest and budget to buy espionage tools and expertise can now acquire the capability to steal a specific piece of information.
- It can thus be presumed that any national intelligence agency, large corporation or organized crime group can access whatever data they deem valuable enough to pay for.

Reports emerged Oct. 16 that UAE-based cybersecurity company DarkMatter recruited officers who had previously worked for Israel's elite cyber intelligence outfit, Unit 8200. Interestingly, the story also noted that many of the Unit 8200 personnel had first worked at the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group before reportedly departing the company for larger salaries at DarkMatter. Both NSO Group and DarkMatter have generated a great deal of media coverage for allegedly arming governments with intelligence tools to spy on potential dissidents and journalists, among other targets. These cases, however, undoubtedly only scratch the surface of a much larger threat — that is, the increasing proliferation of intelligence tools and skills on the open market. Today, more actors than ever can purchase advanced intelligence capabilities, forcing us to reconsider the way we think about, analyze and protect against corporate espionage threats...

Lessons Learned From a Saudi Spy Case at Twitter

Scott Stewart
VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor Nov 12, 2019

HIGHLIGHTS

- New charges against two former Twitter employees whom Saudi Arabia recruited for spying purposes demonstrate the need for companies to keep tight control on which employees are able to access what kind of information and more.

- In this specific case, Riyadh was not chasing critical business secrets, but user data for a specific group of Twitter accounts.
The case illustrates that the threat of old-fashioned human intelligence remains potent, as Riyadh wished to recruit insiders, rather than hack Twitter.

In an age in which cybersecurity is top-notch, sometimes all it takes for hostile intelligence to gain a treasure trove of information is some old-fashioned espionage tradecraft — like finding an insider. In a criminal complaint filed Nov. 5 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, the FBI accused two former Twitter employees and a third man of acting as agents of the Saudi government in the United States without declaring themselves. Two of the men, Ali Alzabarah and Ahmed Almutairi, are Saudi citizens, while the other, Ahmad Abouammo, is a U.S. citizen of Saudi descent. The men are charged with helping the Saudi government identify political dissidents and others on the social media platform who were critical of the government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman...

TERRORISM

'See Something, Say Something' Still Works. Here's Why.

Scott Stewart
VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor Dec 31, 2019

Some have criticized the U.S. government's "see something, say something" program. Citizen reports, however, have helped thwart many would-be massacres over the past year.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Attackers come in all shapes and sizes, but their actions are often predictable and detectable.

- Identifying and reporting these actions, as well as other suspicious behaviors, allows authorities to investigate and determine whether they're innocuous or sinister.

- This is why the "see something, say something" doctrine has proven time and again to be effective in stopping potential attacks in their tracks.

According to a database compiled by AP, USA Today and Northeastern University, more mass killings occurred in the United States in 2019 than in any year since at least the 1970s. While concerning, this record is unfortunately not surprising given the recent uptick of public attacks in the country. But the number of such attacks in 2019 would have been far higher had it not been for citizens adhering to the "see something, say something" principle. Indeed, in December alone, several mass shootings were apparently thwarted by good Samaritans who alerted authorities to the potential attacks...

MISC
What Happens To Space Tourism If There Is A Fatal Accident?

Michael Bruno December 31, 2019

Next year is likely to herald the dawn of routine space tourism, with Virgin Galactic anticipating its first commercial launch in 2020. One goal of billionaire-backed upstarts such as Virgin, Blue Origin and others is to make orbital experiences as common for paying passengers as flying on an airliner.

But as the Dec. 20 timer glitch that kept Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from reaching its intended rendezvous with the International Space Station proves, even an unmanned space mission that goes wrong can generate big headlines these days. So, what happens to a business that provides space tourism if a tragic, fatal mishap occurs, especially in the beginning of operations? Investors want to know and, to a degree, publicly traded and regulated companies such as Virgin Galactic need to have a response ready, because it is a key business risk.

Virgin Galactic has responded, saying balancing risk with shareholder reward is part of the business and investors and customers are being made aware of all the risks (AW&ST Nov. 11-24, 2019, p. 47). Of course, Virgin Galactic’s supplier Scaled Composites already had a fatal crash in 2014 when one pilot died. But that was in a testing phase, and investors want to know about business prospects now as Virgin Galactic prepares for launching commercial service. In turn, financial analysts are weighing in.

Opinions are divergent, with practically all analysts acknowledging that a bad accident with a death toll has the potential to shut down Virgin Galactic. “A major accident could slow or close the business, or cause demand to decline significantly,” Credit Suisse analyst Rob Spingarn and his team said in November. “A catastrophic accident could leave the company valueless, in our view...”

How New B-21 Stealth Bomber Compares To B-2A

A new rendering of the Northrop Grumman B-21A released by the U.S. Air Force Jan. 31 offers a fresh perspective on the overall size and features of the highly secretive stealth bomber, revealing an aircraft that, as expected, broadly resembles the B-2A but with several important differences.

Some analysts have speculated the Air Force wanted a new bomber about two-thirds the size of the B-2A, and the rendering appear to back up those estimates. Tellingly, the images show a single-truck main landing gear for the B-21, indicating an aircraft significantly lighter than the B-2, which requires a double-truck gear.

One of the few movies I did watch in the last few years was The Imitation Game, staring Sherlock Holmes, also known as Benedict Cumberbatch. I've been fascinated by World War II intelligence for years, and the work to break the NAZI Enigma machine. Now it look like someone has been stealing from the estate of the late Mr. Alan Turing.

Mr. Alan Turning, second row center.

US wants to return codebreaker Alan Turing’s seized items to UK school

By COLLEEN SLEVIN | Associated Press | Published: February 2, 2020

DENVER — A U.S. woman who said she was visiting England to do a study of the late World War II codebreaker and computing pioneer Alan Turing walked into the prestigious boys’ boarding school he attended and asked to see a collection of his memorabilia.

She was given a wooden box with items that once belonged to Turing, who helped crack Nazi Germany’s secret codes and whose story inspired 2014’s Oscar-winning film “The Imitation Game.” Inside the box was his Ph.D. from Princeton University, his Order of the British Empire medal and other mementos.

When she left that day in 1984, the box was empty. The only thing left inside was a note asking for forgiveness and promising to return the items someday, according to a recent court filing by government lawyers.

More than 30 years later, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Denver has the items that were seized from the Colorado home of the woman, who later changed her name to Julia Turing.

The Princeton degree was found behind a dresser in 2018. The medal, given for contributions to a field, and a letter from King George VI awarding the honor to Alan Turing was found in a briefcase behind a wall in a bathroom.

Her offer to donate the items to the University of Colorado had launched a lengthy international investigation to sort out the rightful owner of the items, according to a forfeiture action filed Jan. 17 and first reported by BizWest. The action is the first of two legal steps to return the memorabilia to the Sherborne School in England.

Julia Turing had letters from Sherborne’s treasurer, Col. A.W. Gallon, thanking her for previously returning most of the memorabilia and saying she could keep the diploma, according to court documents. They suggested she could show the correspondence to police if she was questioned.

But school officials told investigators that giving away any school property would require the permission of its board of governors, which did not consider the matter, according to Sherborne documents...

...The U.S. government is asking a judge to give it permanent custody of the items so it can begin another legal process to return them to the school.

Julia Turing has until March to file an objection to the forfeiture. Her attorney, Katryna Spearman, did not return messages seeking comment. She has not been charged with a crime...

There is a major issue here, and it's not being discussed in this article. The woman, who changed her name to Turning, was a thief of significant historical material. They belong to the boarding school, or Mr. Turning's estate. And she needs to be investigated, charged, and upon conviction, serve time.

Officer Down

Deputy Sheriff Jose Luis Blancarte
Kinney County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Friday, August 23, 2019
Age 47
Tour 20 years
Badge 4

Deputy Sheriff Jose Blancarte suffered a fatal heart attack at the scene of a vehicle fire on Highway 90 four miles west of Brackettville.

He began directing traffic after assisting at the fire scene. A short time later he began feeling ill and requested EMS to his location. Medics began to perform CPR when he became unresponsive while being transported to a local hospital. He passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Deputy Blancarte had served with the Kinney County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, four children, mother, and six siblings.

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. 

K9 Down

K9 Ozzy
Long Beach Police Department, California
End of Watch Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Breed Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd mix
Gender Male

K9 Ozzy died of heat exhaustion after being inadvertently left in his handler's department vehicle.

K9 Ozzy had served with the Long Beach Police Department for five years.

Rest in Peace Ozzy…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!

In Memory of all Police Dogs

They handled themselves with beauty & grace

And who could ever forget that beautiful face

Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test

They always worked hard; and did their best

They were real champions; at work or at play

But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day

While working on the job with their partner one day

They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way

They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give

They gave up their life; so someone could live

The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say

Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way

Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze

The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees

The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall

Off in the distance they can see a waterfall

As they look over the falls; down through the creek

The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek

Far up above; in the deep blue sky

They see the birds soar high; as they fly by

They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall

Chasing each other; and just having a ball

They play all day; from morning to night

There's no more rain; just warm sunlight

Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow

Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow

The harps would play and the angels would sing

As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings

We remember that they died; in the line of duty

And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty

Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free

With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree

No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take

Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake

A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore

Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more

These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above

They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love

We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night

In loving memory of all; these very special knights

By John Quealy

Officer Down

Trooper Nicholas J. Hopkins
Illinois State Police, Illinois
End of Watch Friday, August 23, 2019
Age 33
Tour 10 years
Badge 6141

Trooper Nicholas Hopkins was shot and killed while serving a search warrant at a home at 1426 North 42nd Street and Caseyville Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois.

He and other members of the Emergency Response Team were making entry into the home at 5:30 am when he was shot by an occupant during an exchange of gunfire.

Trooper Hopkins had served with the Illinois State Police for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, children, and brother.

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. 

K9 Down

K9 Windy
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, July 25, 2019
Breed Bloodhound
Gender Female
Age 5
Tour 5 years
Incident Date Wednesday, May 1, 2019

K9 Windy died after contracting Valley Fever while handling a tracking call in a desert area of Riverside County in May 2019.

She ingested Valley Fever fungal spores during a track and became ill. Her condition worsened and she was medically retired from the department. She passed away two weeks later as a result of the illness on July 25th, 2019.

K9 Windy had served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for five years and served as a tracking bloodhound. She had a total of 50 documented finds.

Rest in Peace Wendy…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!

In Memory of all Police Dogs

They handled themselves with beauty & grace

And who could ever forget that beautiful face

Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test

They always worked hard; and did their best

They were real champions; at work or at play

But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day

While working on the job with their partner one day

They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way

They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give

They gave up their life; so someone could live

The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say

Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way

Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze

The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees

The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall

Off in the distance they can see a waterfall

As they look over the falls; down through the creek

The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek

Far up above; in the deep blue sky

They see the birds soar high; as they fly by

They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall

Chasing each other; and just having a ball

They play all day; from morning to night

There's no more rain; just warm sunlight

Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow

Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow

The harps would play and the angels would sing

As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings

We remember that they died; in the line of duty

And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty

Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free

With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree

No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take

Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake

A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore

Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more

These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above

They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love

We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night

In loving memory of all; these very special knights

By John Quealy

Klinger is not the only crazy man in Toledo...

Over the last few decades, police have had to carry more and more stuff on their duty belt, known as the Sam Brown. Recently some departments have allowed officers to use exterior vest over their uniform shirts. The vest carry the body armor that has been a lifesaver for countless officers, as well as allowing the officers to spread their duty equipment around. This saves abuse on your back and hips. Also, for people in hot areas, you can quickly remove the vest to cool off as you are writing a report or taking a break in a safe space :<). Not in Toledo. Thanks chief!

Toledo Police bans tactical vests for officers

By Alexis Means

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - There are a number of tools police officer need to carry to fight crime on the street, and Toledo's top cop is addressing gripes about his new policy to ban a particular vest Toledo police ocers used to wear. Officers have been told they can no longer wear Molle tactical vests. The order went into effect February 1.

"In my opinion, that looks too much like a military soldier," said Toledo Police Chief George Kral.

The chief is big on community policing. The past four police classes have been issued new bullet resistant vests. Some officers don't like the new order. They claim the old vests helped to eliminate back and hip pain.

And rookies generally don't worry about back and hip issues. But that changes over the years. Not to mention the less you have on the belt, the less likely you will loose it in a chase. Chief, with all due respect, you're making you officer's job more difficult. Try using modern equipment. I don't use typewriters for reports now, but computers. Duty gear has evolved. Not to mention, the people who hate your officer's guts, don't care if they are wearing a Sam Brown or outer body armor.

Be safe Toledo.

Officer Down

Deputy Sheriff Carlos Cammon
Orange County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Friday, August 23, 2019
Age 35
Tour 6 years
Cause Duty related illness
Incident Date Thursday, July 18, 2013

Deputy Sheriff Carlos Cammon passed away on August 23rd, 2019, having never regained consciousness after collapsing during a SWAT training exercise on July 18th, 2013.

He was transported to a local hospital and treated for dehydration and cardiac issues after collapsing at the Sheriff’s Training Facility in Tustin. He was transferred to a rehabilitation center but never regained consciousness before passing away in 2019.

Deputy Cammon had served with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for six years and was assigned to the Stanton Station.

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. 

Officer Down

Deputy Sheriff Stephanie Schreurs
Lyon County Sheriff's Office, Iowa
End of Watch Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Age 60
Tour 24 years
Badge 60-11

Deputy Sheriff Stephanie Schreurs succumbed to injuries sustained four days earlier in a single-vehicle crash on K-52, near Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Her patrol vehicle left the roadway on a sharp curve, entered a ditch, and rolled over. She was flown to a hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she remained until succumbing to her injuries.

Deputy Schreurs had served with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years. She is survived by her four children.

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. 

K9 Down

K9 Jake
Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama
End of Watch Saturday, July 20, 2019
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Age 6
Tour 5 years
Incident Date Thursday, July 18, 2019

K9 Jake died as the result of being exposed to a substance believed to be the synthetic cannabinoid Fluoro ADB while performing a narcotics detection assignment at the Staton Correctional Facility.

They were performing a search for contraband in B Dorm when K9 Jake alerted on a powdery substance. He immediately became unresponsive and was rushed to the prison's health care unit where nurses performed CPR and administered an IV. He was ultimately taken to the Auburn University Veterinary Clinic where he died two days later on July 20th, 2019.

K9 Jake had served with the Alabama Department of Corrections for five years.

Rest in Peace Jake…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!

In Memory of all Police Dogs

They handled themselves with beauty & grace

And who could ever forget that beautiful face

Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test

They always worked hard; and did their best

They were real champions; at work or at play

But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day

While working on the job with their partner one day

They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way

They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give

They gave up their life; so someone could live

The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say

Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way

Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze

The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees

The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall

Off in the distance they can see a waterfall

As they look over the falls; down through the creek

The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek

Far up above; in the deep blue sky

They see the birds soar high; as they fly by

They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall

Chasing each other; and just having a ball

They play all day; from morning to night

There's no more rain; just warm sunlight

Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow

Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow

The harps would play and the angels would sing

As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings

We remember that they died; in the line of duty

And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty

Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free

With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree

No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take

Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake

A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore

Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more

These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above

They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love

We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night

In loving memory of all; these very special knights

By John Quealy

Officer Down

Officer Andre Maurice Moye, Jr.
California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch Monday, August 12, 2019
Age 34
Tour 3 years, 5 months
Badge 21641

Officer Andre Moye was shot and killed after conducting a traffic stop near the junction of I-215 and Eastridge Avenue in Riverside.

As Officer Moye completed paperwork to impound the vehicle the driver retrieved a rifle from it and opened fire. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Moye was able to radio for assistance. Officers from the California Highway Patrol, Riverside Police Department, and Riverside County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and engaged the subject in a prolonged shootout. Two other officers were wounded and the subject was killed.

The subject who shot him was an active member of an outlaw motorcycle gang and had previously served 10 years in prison for attempted murder.

Officer Moye had served with the California Highway Patrol for 3-1/2 years and was assigned to the Riverside Area Office. He is survived by his wife, mother, father, and siblings.

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. 

K9 Down

K9 Verro
Paulding County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
End of Watch Friday, July 19, 2019
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Age 8

K9 Verro was shot and killed after biting a sheriff's deputy in the area of Brooks Road and Trotters Way in Dallas, Georgia.

Deputies had responded to the area to investigate a domestic violence call. They encountered a male subject in a vehicle who fled on foot when they attempted to contact him. K9 Verro's handler responded to the scene but did not deploy K9 Verro because the department's criteria for a canine deployment had not yet been met.

As K9 Verro's handler was assisting other deputies in the foot pursuit, K9 Verro was able to squeeze through an opening in his kennel and entered the front of the patrol vehicle. He was then able to squeeze out of a partially opened window and exited the vehicle. He then mistook a deputy involved in the foot pursuit for a fleeing subject and attempted an apprehension, biting the deputy in the leg. The deputy, not recognizing Verro and unable to break free from the bite, fatally shot him.

Rest in Peace Verro…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!

In Memory of all Police Dogs

They handled themselves with beauty & grace

And who could ever forget that beautiful face

Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test

They always worked hard; and did their best

They were real champions; at work or at play

But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day

While working on the job with their partner one day

They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way

They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give

They gave up their life; so someone could live

The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say

Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way

Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze

The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees

The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall

Off in the distance they can see a waterfall

As they look over the falls; down through the creek

The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek

Far up above; in the deep blue sky

They see the birds soar high; as they fly by

They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall

Chasing each other; and just having a ball

They play all day; from morning to night

There's no more rain; just warm sunlight

Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow

Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow

The harps would play and the angels would sing

As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings

We remember that they died; in the line of duty

And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty

Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free

With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree

No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take

Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake

A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore

Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more

These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above

They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love

We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night

In loving memory of all; these very special knights

By John Quealy

Officer Down

Sergeant Jeffrey Cicora
New York State Police, New York
End of Watch Saturday, August 10, 2019

Sergeant Jeffrey Cicora died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.

Sergeant Cicora had served with the New York State Police for 24 years. He is survived by his wife and son.

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.

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.