Sunday, November 29, 2009

Yet Another Dark Day For The Thin Blue Line


I'm numb, speechless, shocked.

The tragedy of the Oakland Police Department when Motor Sergeant Mark Dunnigan, Sergeants Erv Romans, Dan Sakai and Motor Officer John Hege were murdered is still fresh in my mind. I wanted to believe that this was a tragedy which would never happen again. Yet it has.

Four Lakewood, Washington PD Officers, Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owens, Officer Tina Griswold and Officer Greg Richards were gunned down at a local coffee shop, working on their laptops. A whole shift murdered. Four families suffering the pain and loss of a loved one. The holidays will no longer be such a festive season for these unfortunate families.

A person of interest has been named, Maurice Clemmons. It's not clear at this time why, but he is being sought for questioning.

A "calling" is what brought me and many others to wear the badge. When a tragedy like this strikes, our chosen profession takes a hard hit. We try to make sense of the "why". I know there are those in our society who hate the uniform and badge for what it represents, and not the person in the uniform.

I pray that the person responsible for the murders of these four Law Enforcement Officers is caught quickly before he is able to cause more loss and sorrow. We try to make good of our "hard lessons" on how to be safer and to do our jobs better. What little if any consolation it is to the families of the fallen.

Although the Thin Blue Line has taken another tragic hit, we will continue to handle our beats and sectors without fail.

We will remember those who have fallen, and we will honor them. Their names will be added to the list of other fallen heroes on our State and National Peace Officer Monuments. Tragedy does not weaken what we do, it only strengthens our resolve and dedication.

To the Lakewood, Washington Police Department and the families of the fallen four, you have my sincerest condolences and sympathies for a loss of which there are no words to express.

To those of us who wear the badge, stay safe.

5 comments:

  1. Amen, brother. I've been out for more than 20 years, but this kind of thing is still a shock.

    One news source here in Maine is reporting that the "person of interest" -- who apparently has an extensive and violent history -- had his sentence commuted several years ago by Mike Huckabee. It's hard to retain almost any sense of faith in "rehabilitation" when this happens.

    Much as I try to keep my faith in humanity, some people just need to be locked up and have the key flushed down the crapper.

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  2. Well said brother. I have shared many cups of coffee with you in the town to the north. Never once would I have imagined this happening. We never looked over our shoulders while telling stories, laughing, and catching up. I am guessing coffee will continue, but the mood will definately never be the same and we will always be looking around and wondering. Be safe my brother to the south.

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  3. There is no why to this tragic slaying. The only why was them belonging to the blue race.

    May the families find peace in their time of sorrow. May GOD watch over the Brothers and Sisters in Blue who are hunting this coward down.

    RIP Officers, Your Tour is Done, We will Stand Guard as You RIP.

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  4. The Oakland PD massacre rocked the depths of my soul. I know we can lose an LEO or maybe 2 LEOs, but 4? NEVER! And then for it to happen again? I'm usually never surprised by the criminal element, but both of these incidents shocked me. God bless ALL of our LEOs AND their families.

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