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

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Officer Down


Corrections Officer V Jesse Wayne Bolton
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas
End of Watch Friday, May 8, 2020
Age 63
Tour 12 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Corrections Officer V Jesse Bolton died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak at the Eastham Unit in Lovelady, Texas.

Officer Bolton had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and stepdaughter.

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, December 28, 2020

Officer Down


Sergeant Raymond John Scholwinski
Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Age 70
Tour 44 years
Badge 274
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Monday, March 16, 2020

Sergeant Raymond Scholwinski died after contracting COVID-19 during a confirmed exposure to another employee at 7900 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble, Texas.

Sergeant Scholwinski had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 44 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, December 25, 2020

Officer Down


Sergeant Lionel Q. Martinez
Alamo Colleges Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Age 62
Tour 21 years
Badge 0010
Cause Heart attack
Emergency Response, Shots Fired Call

Sergeant Lionel Martinez suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a shooting call on North Main Avenue at about 10:00 pm.

He was responding to the initial call when he suffered the heart attack. His patrol car then struck a parked car on East Dewey Place near McCullough Avenue. Other responding officers immediately started CPR and he was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

Sergeant Martinez had served with the Alamo Colleges District Police Department for 21 years.
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, December 23, 2020

Officer Down


Officer Omar E. Palmer
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, U.S. Government
End of Watch Monday, May 4, 2020
Age 40
Tour 17 years
Badge NY-I-8926
Cause COVID19
Location New York
Incident Date Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Officer Omar Palmer died after contracting COVID-19 after being exposed to an employee at John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York City, who had tested positive. His condition worsened and he passed away on May 4th, 2020.

Officer Palmer had served with the Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field of Operations for 17 years and was assigned to John F. Kennedy International Airport Passenger Operations in Terminal 4. He is survived by his mother.

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, December 21, 2020

Officer Down


Police Officer Michael S. Mosher
Overland Park Police Department, Kansas
End of Watch Sunday, May 3, 2020
Age 37
Tour 14 years, 6 months
Badge 917

Police Officer Mike Mosher was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a hit-and-run suspect.

Officer Mosher was off duty, but in his uniform while en route to work, when he witnessed the hit-and-run at West 143rd Street and Antioch Road. He called dispatchers as he followed the vehicle until it stopped near the intersection of West 123rd Street and Mackey Street.

The driver, whose family filed domestic violence charges against him two days prior, confronted Officer Mosher with a firearm, leading to a shootout. Officer Mosher and the subject were both killed in the shooting.

Officer Mosher had served with the Overland Park Police Department for 14-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife and child.
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, December 18, 2020

Officer Down


Deputy Sheriff Richard O'Brien, Jr.
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, Illinois
End of Watch Sunday, May 3, 2020
Age 53
Tour 25 years
Badge 10483
INCIDENT DETAILS

Cause COVID19
Incident Date Monday, April 6, 2020
Communicable Disease, COVID-19

Deputy Sheriff Richard O'Brien 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.

Deputy O'Brien had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services for 25 years and was assigned to the Skokie Civil Process Unit. 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. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Officer Down


Police Officer Jason Knox
Houston Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Saturday, May 2, 2020
Age 35
Tour 8 years
Badge 2374
Cause Aircraft accident

Police Officer Jason Knox was killed in a helicopter crash in the 17050 block of Imperial Valley Drive at about 2:00 am.

He was aboard the MD 369E helicopter as the tactical flight officer. The helicopter had been requested to search the nearby Greens Bayou after police had received unconfirmed reports that two bodies were in the area. The helicopter experienced an issue during the search and crashed into an apartment complex clubhouse.

Responding fire department units extricated Officer Knox and the pilot from the wreckage.

Officer Knox suffered fatal injuries in the crash and the pilot suffered severe injuries.

Officer Knox had served with the Houston Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, two children, and his parents.
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, December 14, 2020

Officer Down


Officer Richard G. McCoy
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, U.S. Government
End of Watch Saturday, May 2, 2020
Age 60
Tour 23 years
Badge FL-I-1554
Cause COVID19
Location Florida
Incident Date Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Communicable Disease, COVID-19

Officer Richard McCoy died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades Port of Entry in Florida.

Officer McCoy was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field of Operations and the former Immigration and Naturalization Service for 23 years. He was assigned to the Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades Port of Entry. 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. 

Friday, December 11, 2020

Officer Down


Detention Deputy Timothy De La Fuente
Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Thursday, April 30, 2020
Age 53
Tour 27 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Detention Deputy Timothy De La Fuente died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak of the illness at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center Annex where he was assigned.

Deputy De La Fuente had served with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office for 27 years. He is survived by his wife.

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, December 9, 2020

Officer Down


Detective Sergeant Randall C. French
Troy Police Department, New York
End of Watch Thursday, April 30, 2020
Age 39
Tour 17 years
Badge 601
Cause COVID19

Detective Sergeant Randy French died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.

Detective Sergeant French had served with the Troy Police Department for 17 years and was assigned to the Special Operations Section. He is survived by his wife. two daughters, father, and sister.

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. 

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

RIP General Chuck Yeager...

You look in the dictionary under “The Right Stuff,” you see his picture.

A few years back, I was listening to Michael Berry, a Houston talk host, discussing a case he was on when he was a baby lawyer. The firm needed an aircraft expert, and they hired Yeager. During voir dire, the lead attorney asked, “General Yeager, can you list to the jury all the aircraft you can be classified as an expert on, and why?” It took an hour.

From The Right Stuff, General Yeager made his movie debut, a cameo as a bartender. Perfect!
 
RIP Sir. Too many records set and broken, too many NASA officials terrified by your many acts. You outlived them all. And I have no doubt St Peter just dodged your entering the Pearly Gates! 

Monday, December 7, 2020

Officer Down


Senior Police Officer Mark Hall, Sr.
New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch Thursday, April 30, 2020
Age 53
Tour 35 years
Badge 1786
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Friday, April 3, 2020

Senior Police Officer Mark Hall died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.

Officer Hall was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the New Orleans Police Department for 35 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

Officer Hall's son graduated from the New Orleans police academy and was sworn in the day after Officer Hall's death. His son was issued his badge number.

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, December 4, 2020

Officer Down


Corrections Officer V James D. Coleman
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas
End of Watch Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Age 53
Tour 20 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Monday, April 27, 2020

Corrections Officer V James Coleman died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Middleton Unit in Abilene, Texas.

Officer Coleman had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and one child.

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, December 2, 2020

Officer Down


Corrections Officer Coy D. Coffman, Jr.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, April 26, 2020
Age 65
Tour 9 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Corrections Officer Coy Coffman died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Telford Unit in New Boston, Texas.

Officer Coffman was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for nine years. He is survived by his wife and one child.

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, November 30, 2020

Officer Down


Deputy Sheriff John Andrew Rhoden
Bell County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, April 26, 2020
Age 31
Tour 10 years

Deputy Sheriff John Rhoden was struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to deploy spike strips during a vehicle pursuit of a stolen car.

The pursuit had started in Williamson County and proceeded into Bell County along I-35 at about 1:40 am. Deputy Rhoden was preparing to deploy the spike strips near Exit 294 when he was struck by a tractor trailer.

Deputy Rhoden had served with the Bell County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
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, November 27, 2020

Officer Down


Lieutenant Glenn Dale Hutto, Jr.
Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch Sunday, April 26, 2020
Age 45
Tour 24 years

Lieutenant Glenn Hutto was shot and killed as he and other officers attempted to locate a murder suspect at a home on the 3150 block of Conrad Drive at about 12:30 pm.

The subject had been involved in a domestic violence-related homicide at a home six miles away three hours earlier. Officers received a tip that the suspect was hiding in a home on Conrad Drive. Lieutenant Hutto and other officers responded to the home to contact the subject.

As Lieutenant Hutto and a second officer positioned themselves in the backyard prior to making contact the man opened fire on them with a semi-automatic rifle, striking both officers. The man then shot Lieutenant Hutto several more times at close range as he lay on the ground. Lieutenant Hutto succumbed to his wounds at the scene. The second officer was gravely wounded and transported to a local hospital.

The man retreated into the home where he remained barricaded for four hours before surrendering. He was charged with capital murder. He had previously made statements to a relative that he would ambush Baton Rouge officers in an attempt to mimic the subject who ambushed and murdered Corporal Montrell Jackson, Police Officer Mathew Gerald, and Deputy Sheriff Garafola on July 17th, 2016.

Lieutenant Hutto had served with the Baton Rouge Police Department for 21 years and had served in law enforcement for 24 years.
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, November 25, 2020

Officer Down


Senior Detention Officer Alexander Reginald Pettiway
Durham County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Saturday, April 25, 2020
Age 55
Tour 23 years
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Monday, April 13, 2020

Senior Detention Officer Alexander Pettiway died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak at the Durham County Detention Center.

Officer Pettiway had served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office for 23 years. He is survived by his brother and sister.

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, November 23, 2020

Officer Down


Agent Miguel Martínez-Ortiz
Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch Friday, April 24, 2020
Age 56
Tour 28 years
Cause COVID19

Agent Miguel Martínez-Ortiz died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.

Agent Martínez-Ortiz had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 28 years and was assigned to a federal Homeland Security Investigations task force.

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. 

Sunday, November 22, 2020

I wonder if a real James Bond will use this...

One of the great scenes of Thunderball was James Bond using a jet pack to escape from the bad guys. Looking it over, Bond really didn't have much to worry about from them. The way these dudes fired their pistols, they couldn't hit the side of a barn from inside, to use that old cliche.



Now we have a real flight pack, used in Her Majesty's Service. The navy that is:

The Royal Navy is testing jet pack assault teams
For decades, science fiction has been telling us that jet packs are right around the corner. But, while it seems there’ll still be some time before any of us are using them to get to work, the UK and US have been experimenting with jet suits for a number of applications, including defense.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Gravity Industries’ jet packs have been spotted flying around Royal Navy ships. That’s fitting, seeing as Gravity Industries’ founder Richard Browning served in the British Royal Marines prior to beginning his new life as a jet pack mogul. Last year, he had the opportunity to fly his 5-engine jet pack suit around the pride of the Royal Navy, the HMS Queen Elizabeth.

While the Royal Navy hasn’t announced any plans to adopt these jet packs for military purposes, both the Royal and U.S. Navies have acknowledged that they’ve been in contact with Gravity Industries. According to Browning himself, he’s already met with members of the U.S. Special Operations command — specifically, the Navy SEALs — to discuss what capabilities his jet packs could offer...

Last month, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), a UK-based charity that provides helicopter emergency services, began testing jet suits from Gravity Industries to see if they might allow paramedics to fly directly up to hard-to-reach locations where hikers and mountain climbers find themselves injured.

As GNAAS pointed out, “The undulating peaks and valleys can often mean the helicopter is unable to safely land close to the casualty, forcing travel by vehicle or foot.” That’s not optimal for emergency situations and could potentially even put rescue workers in danger. That’s where these jet packs could come in...
I had to give up my private pilot license a few years back because of a medical issue. But who knows, with this I may be able to get up again, and experience the ...lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God. 

Or just have some fun and hopefully not get myself killed!

Saturday, November 21, 2020

This is not an initiation for an elite unit...

It's a felony.

Most elite groups (military, police, university or high school sports) have formal and informal entry requirements. An American soldier must pass the Special Forces Qualification Course and earn the Green Beret. He will then be assigned to a Special Forces Group, but his fellow soldiers in the group will have "other" qualifications for him.

Frat house hazing is good fun. However, if this is true, it's no joke. It's murder.

Australia reveals slaughter of helpless Afghans

MELBOURNE, Australia — They were the elite of the elite among this nation’s soldiers, with the confidence and competitiveness to match. But on the battlefields of Afghanistan, their win-at-all-costs attitude devolved into a “self-centered warrior culture” that encouraged killing helpless Afghans and covering it up.

Commanders ordered junior soldiers to execute prisoners so they could record their first “kill.” Adolescents, farmers and other noncombatants were shot dead in circumstances clearly outside the heat of battle.

Superior officers created such a godlike aura around themselves that troops dared not question them, even as 39 Afghans were unlawfully killed.

These are among the findings of battlefield misconduct released Thursday in a public accounting by the Australian military in a rare admission of abuses that often remain hidden on the battlefield...

...The inspector general’s inquiry, which examined the period from 2005 to 2016, stopped short of calling the killings war crimes. But the highly redacted report singles out “possibly the most disgraceful episode in Australia’s military history” and calls for the criminal investigation of 19 soldiers.

The country’s military chief, Gen. Angus Campbell, said he accepted the findings and would eliminate an elite unit at the center of the investigation. The report also recommends that the Australian government compensate the families of the Afghan victims...

...The investigation was initiated in 2015 by Jeff Sengelman, the commander of the special operations forces at the time, who commissioned a confidential “cultural review...”

..Disturbing revelations of unlawful killings, “competition killing” and “blood lust” prompted the army chief in 2016 to request that the inspector general conduct a formal inquiry..."


Again, if there is probable cause, present these men to a court martial and upon conviction, punish them. In my years, I’ve learned to not accept what’s in a paper at face value. But if true, this is bad. A disgrace to the men who have served in those units, and Australia in general.

Friday, November 20, 2020

Officer Down


Patrolman Gary Walker
Bloomingdale Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch Friday, April 24, 2020
Age 53
Tour 20 years
Badge 1
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Friday, March 13, 2020

Patrolman Gary Walker died as the result of contracting COVID-19 while on duty.

Patrolman Walker had served with the Bloomingdale Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and one child.

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, November 18, 2020

It’s funny because it’s true...

And I resemble this remark.

Officer Down


Police Officer Joseph Cappello
Melrose Park Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Friday, April 24, 2020
Age 55
Tour 22 years
Badge 138
Cause COVID19
Incident Date Friday, March 20, 2020
Communicable Disease, COVID-19

Police Officer Joseph Cappello died after contracting COVID-19 through a confirmed exposure while on duty at a business in the 8400 block of West North Avenue.

Officer Cappello had served with the Melrose Park Police Department for two years after having retired from the Cook County Sheriff's Office with 20 years of service.

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. 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Suppose I say your an idiot. And suppose I say you’re the mayor of New York City.

But I repeat myself (Apologies to Mark Twain).

In the months since the death and beatification of George Floyd, a chant of "Defund the police" has arisen among several, generally very liberal, areas in America. And others have said to divert funding from cops to "social workers, mental health providers," etc, to get to the root cause of crime. Yo libtards, we found it. It's called criminals.

Now one issue police on the streets have had to handle is people in mental health crisis, And the idiot in New York's Gracie Mansion, HIZONORDAMAER Bill de Blasio, has figured out how to handle this crisis. First, he will put his wife in charge of it. I was interested in what qualifies her for this, so I checked her bio, from Wikipedia:

Chirlane Irene McCray (born November 29, 1954)[1] is an American writer, editor, and activist. She is married to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and has been described as de Blasio's "closest advisor."[2] She chairs the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and leads ThriveNYC.[3] She has also published poetry and worked in politics as a speechwriter...

Yea, sounds like a mental health expert.

Well, they will not send the cops for people in mental crisis anymore. They will send in social workers and EMTs to handle these people. OK...

NYC To Send Social Workers, EMTs Instead Of Cops To 911 Mental Health Calls

New York, NY – New York City police dispatchers will soon be sending social workers and EMTs instead of police in response to some 911 calls that involve mental health emergencies and the unions representing the first responders is angry about it.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a pilot program on Nov. 10 that will launch in two of the city’s communities in early 2021 with a goal of eliminating the need for police response, FOX News reported.

“One in five New Yorkers struggle with a mental health condition,” de Blasio said. “Now, more than ever, we must do everything we can to reach those people before crisis strikes.”

“For the first time in our city’s history, health responders will be the default responders for a person in crisis, making sure those struggling with mental illness receive the help they need,” the mayor added...

...He also announced that he had put his wife, Chirlane McCray, in charge of the initiative, according to a press release from the Office of the Mayor. “This is the first time in our history that health professionals will be the default responders to mental health emergencies, an approach that is more compassionate and effective for better long term outcomes,” McCray said...

Well, my first question would be, "Mr. Mayor, I take it you will stop crisis intervention training for police. I mean, if you are not going to send them, why waste department time and money on unneeded training and skills, right?"

Well, maybe not.

...Police will be called in when there is a weapon involved or threat of harm, but the social worker will be in charge, according to the mayor...

Oh, I'm a 55 year old police sergeant with over 22 years experience. If I get called to a suspect in crisis, I will not be taking orders from some 22 year old just out of college punk on handling a man in crisis. Ain't happening, I am the adult supervision on scene. And the other adults are in agreement.
But the union that represents the EMTs that the mayor and his wife have proposed using to respond to the mental health emergencies has said that its members won’t be participating in the new initiative as it’s currently constructed, WCBS reported.

“This is a highly dangerous situation to our EMTs and paramedics at,” Local 2507 President Oren Barzilay said.

Barzilay that unless New York Police Department (NYPD) officers are also on the scene, he doesn’t plan to allow his EMTs to respond to mental health emergency calls with just a social worker, WCBS reported.

“On a daily basis, our members get assaulted as is, with the police present,” he said...


When I was a rookie officer, I got called to assist an ambulance crew with a man in crisis. I got there and a medic said, "Get in here man, he's kicking our ass!" Four medics on top of him, and he was still going nuts, and almost brook lose. I got on top of him, got one hand cuffed to the gurney, then spent over five minutes getting the second hand cuffed. And we still had to get other officers to get him under control.

I would really love to see a social worker handle a six-foot eight- inch three-hundred pound man in mental crisis under control. Hell, it took four cops and four orderlies at a hospital to get a woman under control, and then took almost thirty minutes for the sedative cocktail to tranquilize her. Again, I want to see that! I'll sit back with popcorn and beer.

NYPD and NY EMTs, stay safe, and God help you.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Officer Down


Chaplain II Akbar N. Shabazz
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas
End of Watch Thursday, April 23, 2020
Age 70
Tour 48 years
Cause COVID19
Communicable Disease, COVID-19

Chaplain II Akbar Shabazz died after contracting COVID-19 while supervising inmates at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Texas.

Chaplain Shabazz had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 48 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.