Nov 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 11
FEATURES 62 Alan Helfman: 40 Years of Support and Friendship 78 Working for Harris County SO in 1984 80 Is a New Home in Your Future PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS EDITOR REX EVANS THOUGHTS COMING NEXT MONTH GUEST COMMENTARY - DOUG GRIFFITH GUEST COMMENTARY - DANIEL CARR NEWS AROUND THE US SURVIVING THE STREETS - TOURNIQUETS SURVIVING THE STREETS - BYRNA LE ISD PD JOB LISTINGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES WAR STORIES AFTERMATH HEALING OUR HEROES DARYL’S DELIBERATIONS BLUE MENTAL HEALTH DR. LIGHT BULB AWARD ADS BACK IN THE DAY PARTING SHOTS BUYERS GUIDE NOW HIRING BACK PAGE
FEATURES
62 Alan Helfman: 40 Years of Support and Friendship
78 Working for Harris County SO in 1984
80 Is a New Home in Your Future
PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS
EDITOR REX EVANS THOUGHTS
COMING NEXT MONTH
GUEST COMMENTARY - DOUG GRIFFITH
GUEST COMMENTARY - DANIEL CARR
NEWS AROUND THE US
SURVIVING THE STREETS - TOURNIQUETS
SURVIVING THE STREETS - BYRNA LE
ISD PD JOB LISTINGS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES
WAR STORIES
AFTERMATH
HEALING OUR HEROES
DARYL’S DELIBERATIONS
BLUE MENTAL HEALTH DR.
LIGHT BULB AWARD
ADS BACK IN THE DAY
PARTING SHOTS
BUYERS GUIDE
NOW HIRING
BACK PAGE
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
The BLUES 1
Firearms and Tactical Equipment for Law Enforcement Professionals<br />
800-367-5855<br />
Supplying Equipment and Accessories<br />
to Law Enforcement Agencies!<br />
SPOTLIGHT ON<br />
Since coming to market in 1998, PepperBall<br />
has been deployed by more than 10,000<br />
state, county, municipal, and federal law<br />
enforcement agencies across the globe.<br />
The PepperBall system gives officers the<br />
ability to deliver a non-lethal option that<br />
reduces risk while enhancing the capability<br />
of police and corrections officers to limit or<br />
control escalation, to repel or temporarily<br />
incapacitate threats, and to keep<br />
themselves and the public safe.<br />
CALL US TODAY FOR PRICING!<br />
800-367-5855<br />
>> PRODUCTS & SERVICES
VOL. <strong>39</strong> NO. <strong>11</strong> NOVEMBER 2023<br />
FEATURES<br />
DEPARTMENTS<br />
62 Alan Helfman: 40 Years of<br />
Support and Friendship<br />
78 Working for Harris County<br />
SO in 1984<br />
80 Is a New Home in Your<br />
Future<br />
ON THE COVER<br />
Alan Helfman Throws Out the<br />
First Pitch at an Astros Game.<br />
PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS<br />
EDITOR REX EVANS THOUGHTS<br />
COMING NEXT MONTH<br />
GUEST COMMENTARY - DOUG GRIFFITH<br />
GUEST COMMENTARY - DANIEL CARR<br />
NEWS AROUND THE US<br />
SURVIVING THE STREETS - TOURNIQUETS<br />
SURVIVING THE STREETS - BYRNA LE<br />
ISD PD JOB LISTINGS<br />
CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES<br />
WAR STORIES<br />
AFTERMATH<br />
HEALING OUR HEROES<br />
DARYL’S DELIBERATIONS<br />
BLUE MENTAL HEALTH DR.<br />
LIGHT BULB AWARD<br />
ADS BACK IN THE DAY<br />
PARTING SHOTS<br />
BUYERS GUIDE<br />
NOW HIRING<br />
BACK PAGE<br />
06<br />
08<br />
12<br />
14<br />
16<br />
20<br />
54<br />
58<br />
84<br />
88<br />
90<br />
100<br />
104<br />
108<br />
<strong>11</strong>0<br />
<strong>11</strong>2<br />
<strong>11</strong>4<br />
<strong>11</strong>6<br />
120<br />
122<br />
176<br />
196<br />
108<br />
A BADGE OF HONOR<br />
100 104<br />
<strong>11</strong>2<br />
DR. TINA JAECKLE, SENIOR EDITOR<br />
BLUE MENTAL HEALTH<br />
The BLUES 3
4 The BLUES
FOUNDER, PUBLISHER, EDITOR-N-CHIEF<br />
Michael Barron<br />
OUR TEAM<br />
OUR CONTRIBUTORS<br />
EDITOR-AT-LARGE<br />
Chief Rex Evans<br />
SENIOR EDITOR<br />
Dr. Tina Jaeckle<br />
CREATIVE EDITOR<br />
Jessica Jones<br />
COPY EDITOR<br />
Lt. John King (Ret)<br />
OUTDOOR EDITOR<br />
Rusty Barron<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Lt. Daryl Lott (Ret)<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS<br />
Sam Horwitz & John Salerno<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Doug Griffith<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Art Woolery<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Daniel Carr<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
Brandon Karr<br />
WARSTORY<br />
Sgt. Michael Barron<br />
AFTERMATH<br />
Sgt. Michael Barron<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Robert Moorgan<br />
Jake Hutchison<br />
David Sharp<br />
Joanna Putman<br />
Chris Palmer<br />
Rodrigo Torrejon<br />
Shira Moolten<br />
The BLUES is published monthly by Kress-Barr, LLC, PO Box 2733, League City Texas 77574. The opinions expressed in some articles,<br />
op-eds, and editorials are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of The BLUES or its parent company.<br />
Rebuttals or submission of news articles and editorials may be submitted to: The BLUES @ bluespdmag@gmail.com.<br />
The entire contents of The BLUES IS copyrighted© and may not be reprinted without the express permission of the publisher.<br />
The BLUES 5
FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK<br />
Alan Helfman, on<br />
the cover AGAIN!<br />
Trying to figure out why<br />
someone wearing an Astros<br />
Jersey, in a wide windup pose,<br />
is on the cover of this month’s<br />
BLUES?<br />
That someone is none other<br />
than Alan Helfman, president<br />
of River Oaks Chrysler, Dodge,<br />
Jeep, and Ram in Houston. If<br />
you’ve been in law enforcement<br />
in Houston for any length of<br />
time you know or<br />
have heard of Alan.<br />
He’s donated and<br />
raised literally millions<br />
of dollars to<br />
help the families of<br />
fallen officers and<br />
those injured in the<br />
line of duty. He’s<br />
earned the title Mr.<br />
Philanthropy by<br />
numerous groups<br />
in Houston for his generosity<br />
and support over the years,<br />
Back to the question. Why is<br />
he on the cover? Again? This is<br />
the second of our three-part<br />
anniversary issues and as we<br />
celebrate those that made our<br />
40 years possible. In this issue,<br />
we honor Alan Helfman and<br />
River Oaks for supporting The<br />
BLUES with their advertising<br />
dollars for every one of those<br />
6 The BLUES<br />
40 years. In fact, River Oaks is<br />
The BLUES longest running supporter.<br />
Over the years, Alan has not<br />
only placed ads in the magazine,<br />
he has also supported us<br />
in nearly every project we’ve<br />
brought his way. His unwavering<br />
support for law enforcement<br />
over the years is quite remarkable.<br />
And trust me, if you’ve<br />
ever visited the dealership, Alan<br />
has given you the tour of the<br />
upstairs hallway, with dozens<br />
of photos and awards lining the<br />
walls to his office.<br />
On that wall you’ll find a few<br />
bits of history from The BLUES.<br />
The first is a framed copy of<br />
our first issue from December<br />
of 1984. (There are only<br />
3 in existence today, the one<br />
on his wall, one in my office<br />
SGT. MICHAEL BARRON RET<br />
and one in a safe.) Then there<br />
is a framed copy of the first<br />
ad River Oaks ever placed in<br />
The BLUES and finally the issue<br />
when we awarded him a Lifetime<br />
Achievement<br />
Award.<br />
Then of course,<br />
there’s the Board<br />
Room that’s more<br />
of a collection<br />
point for all the<br />
memorabilia Alan<br />
gives away to<br />
customers, as well<br />
as donations to<br />
organizations of<br />
all kinds who use the priceless<br />
pieces to raise money for their<br />
events and fundraisers.<br />
And one of those groups he<br />
has given so generously to over<br />
the years is the Astros Foundation<br />
and therefore afforded<br />
him the opportunity to throw<br />
out the ceremonial first pitch at<br />
several games including the one<br />
on the cover when the Astros<br />
played the Chicago Cubs.
And while the rest of world<br />
might call him Mr. Philanthropy,<br />
I simply know him as a friend<br />
and a fellow law enforcement<br />
officer. Fact is, I’ve known Alan<br />
since we were both teenagers.<br />
My uncle worked for his dad for<br />
over 25 years at the dealership<br />
and I remember Alan when I<br />
would stop by on the weekends.<br />
Soon after I graduated high<br />
school, I applied for the Harris<br />
County Sheriff’s Department<br />
and went to work for Sheriff<br />
Jack Heard, while Alan went to<br />
college. A few years later, Alan<br />
enrolled in the Houston Community<br />
College Police Academy<br />
to become a Reserve Peace Officer.<br />
(Much to the dismay of his<br />
father if I remember correctly.<br />
He said I was a bad influence<br />
on his son.) I don’t recall the<br />
reason, but he had to complete<br />
his training at the University of<br />
Houston Downtown, and he has<br />
been a Peace Officer ever since.<br />
In fact, Helfman is one of only<br />
25 individuals that continue to<br />
hold a SPECIAL RESERVE peace<br />
officers license in Texas and is<br />
currently a captain for the Harris<br />
County Constables Precinct 7<br />
office.<br />
So, congratulations to my<br />
good friend and Brother in Blue,<br />
Alan Helfman for all you do for<br />
police officers and their families.<br />
Thank you for supporting<br />
The BLUES for the last 40 years<br />
with your advertising dollars<br />
and thanks for over 40 years<br />
of friendship. I’m proud of the<br />
accomplishments we’ve both<br />
made and continue to make<br />
even today. God bless you, my<br />
friend.<br />
The BLUES 7
FROM THE EDITOR-AT-LARGE<br />
TCOLE 2023<br />
Well over a thousand cops<br />
have just returned from the<br />
annual TCOLE Training Conference<br />
in Corpus Christi. (One<br />
of my personal favorite spots<br />
in Texas-very laid back and<br />
lots of good food)<br />
The 2023 conference was<br />
a bit better than in previous<br />
years. We weren’t standing in<br />
endless lines being bar coded<br />
in and out of classes. This<br />
year, at the end of each class,<br />
a bar code was displayed on<br />
the screen, and we all raised<br />
our phones like at a Willie<br />
Nelson concert and “click”, we<br />
were on the road again.<br />
As for the subject matter, I<br />
have to say I was a bit disappointed<br />
that there wasn’t more<br />
open dialogue from TCOLE,<br />
especially with so many<br />
Chiefs in attendance. I thought<br />
for sure we would discuss<br />
upcoming expectations, rules<br />
and or at least changes from<br />
TCOLE. Flip side, we did get to<br />
see the Commission’s Board<br />
of Directors conduct an actual<br />
Business Meeting, which<br />
was pretty cool. Except for the<br />
part whereby an elected Texas<br />
Sheriff was a bit belittled in<br />
front of a whole lot of people.<br />
Most in attendance thought<br />
that was in pretty poor taste<br />
8 The BLUES<br />
of the Board to put the Sheriff<br />
out there like that. But hey, we<br />
did get to see how the Board<br />
functions and their thought<br />
processes when dealing with<br />
Law Enforcement leadership.<br />
So, there’s that.<br />
The Vendors…Lots of cool<br />
stuff. Lots of new Vendors<br />
who were pretty friendly this<br />
time. (Sometimes, they’re not<br />
such a fun-loving crowd. But<br />
this time, they were all nice)<br />
As for all the “stuff” they had<br />
for sale. I don’t know who or<br />
what Department can afford<br />
all those amazing things, I just<br />
know, where I’m at, we can’t<br />
afford any of them. There is<br />
some amazing technology out<br />
there though, that can seriously<br />
reduce the risk of injury<br />
to our Officers. At a cost of<br />
course.<br />
Also, for the Vendors, they<br />
are only there to what equates<br />
to about a day and a half.<br />
That’s it. So, if you do find<br />
something you’re seriously<br />
interested in, you better have<br />
some really fast dialogue<br />
because they are all gone<br />
by the end of day two of the<br />
four-day conference. Perhaps<br />
TCOLE might add an additional<br />
day for vendors to allow<br />
more floor time and give them<br />
CHIEF REX EVANS<br />
additional time to sell their<br />
wares.<br />
<strong>No</strong>w to a very important<br />
part of any conference - the<br />
people and the food. The<br />
people were great. Corpus<br />
Christi NEVER disappoints.<br />
The service was excellent and<br />
the food…OMG. Whether it<br />
was seafood, Tex-Mex or even<br />
Italian, it was absolutely on<br />
point. The group I ran with (all<br />
awesome people by the way)<br />
ate mostly at a little place<br />
called U & I. This is an older,<br />
well-established restaurant<br />
which was directly behind our<br />
hotel, which was also very<br />
convenient. I can honestly say,<br />
no matter where I’ve dined in<br />
Corpus, I’ve never had a bad<br />
experience.<br />
Last take away and perhaps<br />
the most important. FINALLY,<br />
the conference was a buzz<br />
with classes and honest dialogue<br />
about a critical problem<br />
affecting ALL Law Enforcement
- The Recruiting and Retention<br />
of officers. Recruitment<br />
is a very real challenge and at<br />
times, a battle. I assumed my<br />
current role as a Chief with<br />
nine officer openings and 5<br />
tele-communicator openings.<br />
I just hired and filled my last<br />
open position. It took eighteen<br />
months. Eighteen. And I’m the<br />
lucky one. Many departments<br />
are struggling to find officers<br />
wherever they can.<br />
And the competition for new<br />
hires is FIERCE. Like, I can’t<br />
tell you how many people I<br />
was able to get pay raises for.<br />
They would turn in their twoweek’s<br />
notice and their current<br />
Chief would beat my rate<br />
by a dollar or more an hour<br />
just to keep their employee.<br />
This has happened to us at<br />
least a half a dozen times. It<br />
is a serious endeavor to get<br />
people hired with your department.<br />
The idea of retention is also<br />
at the forefront of my mind,<br />
as I am writing this morning.<br />
<strong>No</strong>w that our department is<br />
at full staff, how do we keep<br />
them. After all, every time<br />
an Officer leaves your department<br />
for another, that’s<br />
roughly $25,000.00 walking<br />
out of the door with them. The<br />
Background. The L-2 and L-3.<br />
The uniforms, body armor,<br />
belt, handheld radios, sidearm,<br />
ammo, qualification, FTO<br />
Training Period, etc. It’s more<br />
than just the loss of an employee,<br />
you’ve lost a chunk of<br />
your budget when they leave.<br />
It’s very serious business<br />
when people walk out. Retention<br />
is a very critical part of<br />
any Chief’s strategic planning.<br />
If it’s not, that Chief is letting<br />
everyone down.<br />
Parting thought here with<br />
the Holidays fast approaching.<br />
I want to mention how<br />
thankful I am for my life, my<br />
career (even the tough parts),<br />
my family and friends. I am<br />
thankful for The <strong>Blues</strong> and<br />
how it has been instrumental<br />
for many years in helping<br />
Officers just maybe feel not<br />
quite so alone as they did<br />
before.<br />
God bless. Stay safe and<br />
please watch over each other.<br />
The BLUES 9
10 The BLUES
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>
COMING IN DECEMBER<br />
The magazine we’ve been waiting 40 years to produce - our 480th issue. The journey<br />
began in 1984 when a group of sheriff’s deputies decided they needed a newsletter<br />
of some sort in which to share ideas and vent their frustrations. They met on<br />
a cold rainy day in <strong><strong>No</strong>v</strong>ember at the Humble City Cafe and the idea for The County<br />
<strong>Blues</strong> was born. A month later, the first edition hit the streets just before Christmas.<br />
In this special issue, we’ll look back on 40 years of publishing of what became,<br />
The Largest Police Magazine in the World.<br />
12 The BLUES<br />
12 The BLUES
YOUR PREMIER ONLINE<br />
TACTICAL GEAR STORE<br />
• TACTICAL CLOTHING<br />
• TACTICAL FOOTWEAR<br />
• PISTOL AND RIFLE MAGS<br />
• HOLSTERS<br />
• DUTY GEAR<br />
• FLASHLIGHTS<br />
• PLATE CARRIERS<br />
• BODY ARMOR<br />
• TACTICAL EYEWEAR<br />
• PEPPER SPRAY<br />
• TACTICAL PACKS<br />
• IFAK KITS<br />
• FIREARM PARTS<br />
• OPTICS<br />
300K+ PRODUCTS<br />
600+ BRANDS<br />
LOW FLAT RATE SHIPPING<br />
Lorem Ipsum<br />
RETAIL LOCATIONS IN TEXAS:<br />
SAN ANTONIO & HOUSTON<br />
The BLUES 13<br />
The BLUES 13
GUEST COMENTARY<br />
Doug Griffith<br />
Mental State of Mind is Everything<br />
I know that it has been a while<br />
since I was out on the streets<br />
chasing crooks, but I still get<br />
in uniform from time to time,<br />
and not just for the discount at<br />
Lubys. But when you put that<br />
uniform on there are things you<br />
think about that will never leave<br />
you. Be it the good time you had<br />
with other officers like I did in<br />
the Gang Unit at Southeast, or<br />
the bad times at the funerals of<br />
friends lost. All of these things<br />
play into who we are as individuals.<br />
There are other things that<br />
play into who we are, like the<br />
responses we have to certain<br />
events. We have all been somewhere<br />
and noticed that something<br />
just isn’t right. Our senses<br />
heighten, we pay attention to<br />
everyone around us, and making<br />
sure we have a plan if something<br />
does go down. This is who<br />
we are, the vigilant who see<br />
things before anyone else notices<br />
something is wrong. But with<br />
this innate ability to know when<br />
something is not right, we have<br />
a higher level of stress, both on<br />
and off duty.<br />
There have been several times<br />
when I have been out with family<br />
and suddenly feel anxious. I am<br />
sure that I am not alone in the<br />
fear of being out with family<br />
when something goes wrong,<br />
and we find ourselves needing<br />
to act. But thanks to my years<br />
at Southeast, and my training<br />
with the Tac and Gang units, I<br />
feel very confident in my ability<br />
to handle most situations. It is<br />
not that I am some super cop,<br />
or some kind of bad dude, but<br />
because I am mentally prepared.<br />
Police work is truly a mindset.<br />
One that allows you to push<br />
aside fear in time of complete<br />
chaos and handle the situation.<br />
Sadly, there are also times<br />
when this mindset works against<br />
us. This is especially true in<br />
our personal relationships. This<br />
mindset can cause us to keep<br />
others at a distance, especially<br />
after a traumatic event. <strong>No</strong>ne of<br />
us want to be the person who<br />
“breaks down”. I will be the first<br />
to tell you, I have broken down<br />
after a bad scene. I never told<br />
anyone, I just sucked it up and<br />
moved on. <strong>No</strong>t saying that it is<br />
right or wrong, but just how I<br />
handled it. The job is emotionally<br />
and physically draining from<br />
time to time, and we need to<br />
DOUG GRIFFITH,<br />
PRESIDENT, HPOU<br />
find ways to release the tensions<br />
that we often feel. So many<br />
times, we look to self-medicate<br />
through one of the vices like<br />
alcohol, gambling, pornography,<br />
but there are better ways.<br />
We need to find activities<br />
outside of work that will help<br />
mitigate the anxiety that we can<br />
feel from the job. One of the best<br />
ways to relieve stress and anxiety<br />
is to take up a hobby, play<br />
golf, fish, find a good church, go<br />
to psychological services, find a<br />
therapist, whatever fits you best.<br />
We are always expected to take<br />
care of others, but you must also<br />
take care of yourself. Remember,<br />
you not only have the community<br />
counting on you but more<br />
importantly, your family. The<br />
mindset is everything!<br />
We are ready for 2024!<br />
Experience the only first responder owned<br />
and operated THEME studio in the Country!<br />
10 years strong! We are Family!<br />
We look forward to seeing you soon!<br />
14 The BLUES
The BLUES 15
GUEST COMENTARY<br />
police law news<br />
Daniel Carr<br />
Officer Involved: Leonard Cure.<br />
<strong>No</strong> cure for a deadly threat!<br />
Leonard Cure was shot and<br />
killed by a Camden County Georgia<br />
deputy during a traffic stop<br />
on October 16, <strong>2023.</strong><br />
To save the suspense - this is<br />
an example of a justified officer-involved-shooting<br />
(OIS).<br />
In fact, this one is not close.<br />
Anyone who is remotely honest<br />
can watch the unbiased body<br />
and dash camera footage and<br />
come to the quick conclusion<br />
that the deputy faced an immediate<br />
deadly threat at the exact<br />
moment that deadly force was<br />
utilized.<br />
The point of highlighting this<br />
case is to examine and document<br />
the dishonest narrative being<br />
pushed by lying attorneys and<br />
the mainstream media as well<br />
as the vicious effort to demonize<br />
the deputy who acted within the<br />
law and responded with measured<br />
self-defense as a violent<br />
manic tried to kill him.<br />
LEONARD CURE<br />
Up until this traffic stop Leonard<br />
Cure was a person that we<br />
should all feel sympathy for.<br />
Mr. Cure was someone who we<br />
should all want to succeed. This<br />
is because Mr. Cure was released<br />
from prison in 2020 after serving<br />
16 years for a crime that he did<br />
not commit. He was exonerated<br />
and had been spending a lot of<br />
time speaking to community and<br />
16 The BLUES<br />
student groups about his experience.<br />
WHAT HAPPENED<br />
On October 16, 2023 Deputy<br />
Buck Aldridge was traveling in<br />
the right lane on Interstate 95. A<br />
pickup truck driven by Mr. Cure<br />
passed the deputy in the left lane<br />
traveling in excess of 100 mph. In<br />
many jurisdictions traveling that<br />
much above the speed limit is<br />
considered “reckless driving” and<br />
is accompanied by an arrest.<br />
Deputy Aldridge initiated a<br />
traffic stop with the intent to<br />
arrest the driver.<br />
INITIAL CONTACT<br />
It would be dishonest to ignore<br />
how Deputy Aldridge initiated<br />
the contact with Mr. Cure. Deputy<br />
Aldridge started by yelling at<br />
Mr. Cure as he approached. He<br />
yelled, “Step out! Get out! Step<br />
out!”<br />
The deputy did not introduce<br />
himself or announce the agency<br />
that he worked for. He did not<br />
explain the reason for the traffic<br />
stop or explain why Mr. Cure<br />
was being arrested (at least<br />
initially, he did later).<br />
So, this is not my style. In my<br />
opinion an officer should start<br />
with a “normal” traffic stop<br />
introduction or conduct a felony<br />
stop. Perhaps, the manner in<br />
which the deputy made initial<br />
contact was abrasive, rude, and<br />
possibly even a minor policy<br />
violation. However, the actions by<br />
the deputy were not illegal and<br />
I should also acknowledge the<br />
possibility the deputy had a valid<br />
reason for this approach/introduction<br />
that we are unaware of.<br />
Mr. Cure did exit the vehicle<br />
and Deputy Aldridge continued<br />
with, “Put your hands back here!”<br />
and Mr. Cure then said, “I ain’t<br />
doing shit!”.<br />
As you can predict - the interaction<br />
went to shit from there.<br />
USE OF FORCE<br />
The actual use of force by Deputy<br />
Aldridge was reasonable and<br />
measured.<br />
Deputy Aldridge gave verbal<br />
commands and then verbal<br />
warnings that force would be<br />
utilized to Mr. Cure.<br />
Deputy Aldridge initially started<br />
with empty hand tactics as he<br />
tried to move Mr. Cure’s hands<br />
behind his back. He then warned<br />
that Mr. Cure would be tased.<br />
These efforts were successful<br />
in gaining the compliance of Mr.<br />
Cure.<br />
Eventually Deputy Aldridge did<br />
deploy the Taser - which did not<br />
have the desired effect of neuromuscular<br />
incapacitation.<br />
Mr. Cure swung and swatted<br />
his arms to combat the Taser<br />
probes and quickly advanced<br />
towards Deputy Aldridge. Even-
The BLUES 17
tually the two men were embattled<br />
in a standing wrestling<br />
match with their arms wrapped<br />
around each other.<br />
DEADLY FORCE<br />
Mr. Cure was able to overpower<br />
Deputy Aldridge and wrapped<br />
his hand around the law officer’s<br />
throat and pushed his head back<br />
while he eerily taunted, “Yeah<br />
bitch. Yeah bitch.”<br />
It was from this position of<br />
extreme disadvantage, with a<br />
violent maniac’s hand wrapped<br />
around his throat - Deputy Aldridge<br />
was able to unholster his<br />
handgun and fired one shot at<br />
Mr. Cure - killing him.<br />
ANALYSIS<br />
Police officers can utilize deadly<br />
force if faced with a deadly<br />
threat. Being choked by a man<br />
who is resisting a lawful arrest<br />
is a deadly threat. There is no<br />
question. The use of deadly force<br />
in this case was objectively reasonable.<br />
BEN CRUMP AND THE CURE<br />
FAMILY DEFAME THE DEPUTY -<br />
DISHONEST CRITICISM<br />
Due to the fact that the use of<br />
deadly force was obviously legal<br />
- anti-police activists and their<br />
mainstream media partners have<br />
lowered themselves to personally<br />
attack Deputy Aldridge. They<br />
are combing through his Internal<br />
Affairs file and personnel history<br />
with a different law enforcement<br />
agency from a decade ago.<br />
This is how you know that they<br />
have nothing.<br />
“If the facts are in your favor<br />
- argue the facts. If the law is<br />
in your favor - argue the law. If<br />
neither the law or the facts are in<br />
your favor - pound the table.”<br />
The fishing expedition of Deputy<br />
Aldridge is an example of<br />
“pounding the table”.<br />
They will attempt to combine<br />
all of the imperfect aspects of<br />
Deputy Aldridge’s life. This is a<br />
way to hide from and bury the<br />
relevant facts of this specific<br />
case.<br />
FINAL THOUGHTS<br />
Imagine if the roles were reversed?<br />
And Deputy Aldridge had his<br />
hands wrapped around Leonard<br />
Cure’s throat as he creepily<br />
taunted, “Yeah bitch. Yeah bitch.”<br />
I am guessing that Ben Crump<br />
and other anti-police activists<br />
would be spreading a different<br />
narrative about this case.<br />
How many police stations,<br />
businesses, and cities would be<br />
burned to the ground if the roles<br />
were reversed?<br />
Instead, in this case, it was<br />
Deputy Aldridge that played the<br />
role of George Floyd gasping<br />
for breath - opposite to Leonard<br />
Cure doing his best Derek Chauvin<br />
impression.<br />
18 The BLUES
The BLUES 19
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
RICHLAND CNTY, SC.<br />
Richland County Deputy Jacob Eric Salrin died from a fatal<br />
vehicle collision that occurred on September 29th.<br />
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. – The<br />
Richland County Sheriff’s Department<br />
announced Saturday<br />
one of their deputies died in a<br />
car crash while on duty.<br />
23-year-old Deputy Jacob Eric<br />
Salrin was killed in a crash on<br />
Friday, September 29.<br />
Salrin was hired by the Richland<br />
County Sheriff’s Department<br />
in 2022 and graduated from the<br />
South Carolina Criminal Justice<br />
Academy in January of <strong>2023.</strong><br />
According to the South Carolina<br />
Highway Patrol, the crash<br />
occurred on Bluff Road. Salrin<br />
was the driver of a 2017 Ford<br />
that was traveling west when it<br />
collided with a tractor-trailer<br />
traveling east.<br />
Troopers said Salrin died at the<br />
scene.<br />
“As the Richland County Sheriff’s<br />
Department mourns the loss<br />
of their brother, we thank the<br />
community for their support,”<br />
deputies said.<br />
After Richland County Deputy<br />
Jacob Salrin died, his family and<br />
friends found themselves encouraging<br />
each other in texts to<br />
be more like Jake.<br />
That means trying to smile like<br />
Jake, laugh like Jake, be humble<br />
like Jake, work like Jake, draft<br />
20 The BLUES<br />
fantasy football picks like Jake,<br />
eat bacon like Jake — the list<br />
goes on and on.<br />
“Through it all, be like Jake,<br />
and, of course, serve like Jake,”<br />
Chris Salrin said during his cousin’s<br />
funeral Oct. 5.<br />
Law enforcement officers<br />
from across the state crowded<br />
into The Meeting Place Church<br />
in northeast Columbia, where<br />
representatives from Charleston<br />
to Greenville and everywhere in<br />
between paid their respects.<br />
Salrin died early in his career.<br />
Originally from Springfield, Ill.,<br />
Salrin decided to join the Richland<br />
County Sheriff’s Department<br />
in March 2022. He trained at the<br />
South Carolina Criminal Justice<br />
Academy, graduating in January<br />
<strong>2023.</strong><br />
There, Salrin earned the Clifford<br />
Moyer Marksmanship Award,<br />
which goes to the highest-scoring<br />
shooter of each class.<br />
At the sheriff’s department,<br />
Salrin patrolled southeast Richland<br />
County, which was where<br />
he struck a tractor trailer attempting<br />
to make a left turn on<br />
Broad River Road. “Our brother<br />
was unafraid and a true guardian<br />
of the Lower Richland community,”<br />
Sheriff’s Department<br />
OFFICER JACOB SALRIN<br />
Chaplain Chris Hutnyak said.<br />
“Rest easy, crimefighter.”<br />
By Skylar Laird slaird@postandcourier.com<br />
Salrin loved his family, particularly<br />
his older sister, Allie Salrin-Zammuto,<br />
who was his best<br />
friend and biggest supporter,<br />
Chris Salrin said. Allie and Jacob<br />
were so close, it was rare to<br />
hear one name without the other.<br />
“Allie and Jake, or Jake and<br />
Allie, ranked up there with other<br />
famous duos, like Batman and<br />
Robin, Han Solo and Chewbacca,<br />
peanut butter and jelly — you get<br />
the idea,” Chris Salrin said.
The BLUES 21
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
FORSYTH, GA.<br />
Georgia Correctional Officer Robert Clark died after being assaulted<br />
by an inmate at the Georgia Dept. of Corrections.<br />
FORSYTH, GA. - A Georgia correctional<br />
officer has died after<br />
an assault by an inmate at Smith<br />
State Prison, according to the<br />
Georgia Department of Corrections<br />
Office of Public Affairs.<br />
The release states Correctional<br />
Officer Robert Clark was escorting<br />
two offenders from the<br />
dining hall when one offender<br />
assaulted him from behind with<br />
a homemade weapon. The other<br />
offender stepped in to assist<br />
Clark and was also assaulted.<br />
The Georgia Department of<br />
Corrections says both Clark and<br />
the offender who assisted were<br />
transported to local hospitals.<br />
Clark, 42, began his GDC career<br />
at Smith SP in April of this<br />
year, and has tragically succumbed<br />
to his injuries at the<br />
hospital, according the agency.<br />
The offender who assisted remains<br />
hospitalized with injuries<br />
that are not life-threatening.<br />
“The entire GDC team is<br />
mourning the loss of one of our<br />
own and we collectively express<br />
our deepest condolences to Officer<br />
Clark’s family and friends,”<br />
said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver.<br />
“We will support them as<br />
they navigate this tragedy over<br />
the coming days, weeks and<br />
months.”<br />
According to the Georgia<br />
Department of Corrections,<br />
Offender Layton Lester, GDC#<br />
1000168433, will be charged in<br />
the assault and resulting death<br />
of Officer Clark, as well as the<br />
OFFICER ROBERT CLARK<br />
assault of offender Marko Willingham,<br />
GDC# <strong>11</strong>37040.<br />
Further details of the incident<br />
will be made available as soon<br />
as they are confirmed.<br />
22 The BLUES<br />
Experience the only first responder owned and operated THEME studio in<br />
the Country! 10 years strong! We are Family!<br />
We look forward to seeing you soon!
The BLUES 23
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
KNOXVILLE, TN.<br />
Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Tucker Blakely was<br />
shot and killed while responding to a domestic call.<br />
KNOXVILLE, TN. (WATE) —<br />
More information about the night<br />
that Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy<br />
Tucker Blakely was shot has<br />
been revealed.<br />
Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler<br />
announced on Oct. 3 that<br />
Blakely, 29, had died after he was<br />
shot while responding to a domestic<br />
call in the Hardin Valley<br />
area around <strong>11</strong>:30 p.m. Sunday.<br />
While speaking at Blakely’s Celebration<br />
of Life, Spangler shared<br />
more details of what happened<br />
that night.<br />
Blakely and a fellow officer<br />
were clearing a house looking<br />
for a man who had reportedly<br />
been in an argument with his<br />
spouse all day and evening. The<br />
complaint came from a neighbor,<br />
according to Spangler.<br />
While searching for the man,<br />
Blakely was struck by gunfire<br />
and “immediately incapacitated”<br />
said Spangler. The other officer<br />
exchanged gunfire with the<br />
man, who was killed. He has<br />
been identified as Matthew Logan<br />
Rose, 30. The officer attempted<br />
aid to Blakely before he was taken<br />
to UT Medical Center, where<br />
he later succumbed to his injuries.<br />
“Tucker’s final service was<br />
his wish to be an organ donor.<br />
Today, people that we may never<br />
know are alive because of Tucker,”<br />
said Spangler.<br />
Several non-profits have raised<br />
money and payed off the mortgage<br />
for Deputy Blakely’s family.<br />
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation<br />
is investigating the<br />
circumstances that led to the<br />
shooting.<br />
“Throughout the process,<br />
investigative findings will be<br />
shared with the District Attorney<br />
General for her review and consideration.<br />
The TBI acts solely as<br />
fact-finders in its cases and does<br />
DEPUTY TUCKER BLAKELY<br />
not determine whether the actions<br />
of an officer were justified<br />
in these types of matters; that<br />
decision rests with the District<br />
Attorney General requesting TBI’s<br />
involvement,” reads a release<br />
from the TBI.<br />
24 The BLUES
Stay like a HERO.<br />
EXPERIENCE GALVESTON ISLAND’S<br />
#1 CONDO RENTAL<br />
Our First Responders and Law Enforcement protect and serve every day. Let us serve you!<br />
Use our discounted “HERO” rates—and relax on Galveston Island for less!<br />
BOOK DIRECT AT CASADELMARTX.COM & USE PROMO CODE : HERO<br />
20% OFF SUNDAY – THURSDAY*<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Private Gulf View Balconies<br />
All Suites with Kitchen Amenities<br />
Fun Packages with Popular Attractions<br />
On the Beachfront Across from Babe’s Beach<br />
Book direct with our on-site team at casadelmartx.com or call 409-572-0371<br />
*Advance reservations required, based on availability.<br />
The BLUES 25
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA.<br />
Manhattan Beach Solo Officer Chad Swanson was killed on<br />
Wednesday Oct. 4th in a crash on the 405 Freeway in California.<br />
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA. - A<br />
funeral procession and service<br />
were held Wednesday for Chad<br />
Swanson, a Manhattan Beach<br />
Police motorcycle officer who<br />
was killed in a crash on the 405<br />
Freeway.<br />
The funeral procession began<br />
at 8:30 a.m. in Manhattan Beach<br />
and was followed by a church<br />
service in Cypress.<br />
Manhattan Beach Police Department<br />
personnel and city<br />
staff joined the procession to<br />
“show unity and respect,” according<br />
to a police press release.<br />
Community members who<br />
wanted to attend the procession<br />
were encouraged to wear red,<br />
white and blue.<br />
Swanson, 35, was a 13-year<br />
veteran police officer. He died at<br />
Harbor UCLA Medical Center in<br />
Torrance, the police department<br />
reported. According to Manhattan<br />
Beach Police Lt. Kelly Benjamin,<br />
Swanson was married with<br />
three young sons.<br />
Manhattan Beach officials<br />
said Swanson was on his way<br />
to work Oct. 4 when the crash<br />
occurred.<br />
According to the CHP, the officer<br />
was in a crash that involved<br />
three other vehicles. The driver<br />
26 The BLUES<br />
of one of those vehicles may<br />
have been speeding and made<br />
a possibly unsafe lane change,<br />
striking another vehicle that careened<br />
out of control, according<br />
to the CHP.<br />
The officer’s motorcycle was<br />
struck by one of the vehicles,<br />
knocking him to the ground. He<br />
was taken to Harbor UCLA Medical<br />
Center, where he was pronounced<br />
dead. One other person<br />
suffered minor injuries and was<br />
also taken to a hospital.<br />
The other motorists remained<br />
at the scene and cooperated<br />
with investigators, the CHP reported.<br />
It was unclear which vehicle<br />
struck the officer.<br />
Manhattan Beach police Chief<br />
Rachel Johnson said Swanson<br />
joined the department 13 years<br />
ago and became a motorcycle<br />
officer in 2017. He previously<br />
worked as a civilian parking<br />
enforcement employee at the<br />
Hawthorne Police Department,<br />
Johnson said.<br />
“Chad lived a life of service to<br />
the community,” the chief told<br />
reporters. “His love for his work<br />
was evident each time I saw him.<br />
I last spoke with Chad on Sunday<br />
at the canine car show, and<br />
OFFICER BRIAN HOLLEY<br />
OFFICER CHAD SWANSON<br />
I watched as he lifted one kid<br />
after another kid onto his motorcycle<br />
to let them see what it was<br />
like to sit astride a police motor.<br />
He never tired of it. And I think he<br />
would have done it until sunset if<br />
that’s what it took to make every<br />
kid’s day.<br />
“Chad was a bright star in a<br />
world that wasn’t always the<br />
same. Chad was what I refer to<br />
as a seriously good dude. His<br />
infectious smile and laugh lit up<br />
every room he entered. To know<br />
Chad was to love him. If you<br />
weren’t laughing when he was<br />
in the room, you simply weren’t<br />
listening.”
The BLUES 27
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
PHILADELPHIA, PA.<br />
Philly Police Officer Richard Mendez was shot and killed in a parking<br />
garage at the Philadelphia International Airport.<br />
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Officials<br />
have identified the two officers<br />
who were shot in a parking garage<br />
at the Philadelphia International<br />
Airport on Thursday night,<br />
one of them fatally.<br />
Officer Richard Mendez, 50,<br />
was pronounced dead at the<br />
hospital shortly after he was<br />
shot multiple times in the upper<br />
body.<br />
Mendez was married and had<br />
a daughter. He had been on the<br />
force for nearly 22 years.<br />
The other officer, identified as<br />
Raul Ortiz, 60, was shot in the<br />
arm and is currently hospitalized<br />
in stable condition.<br />
Ortiz is also married and has<br />
three children. Police say Ortiz<br />
has 20 years on the force.<br />
The shooting happened just<br />
after <strong>11</strong> p.m. Thursday as the two<br />
officers, who were assigned to<br />
the airport unit, were coming<br />
into work at parking garage D.<br />
Interim Police Commissioner<br />
John Stanford said the officers<br />
saw several people breaking into<br />
a vehicle in the parking garage<br />
area.<br />
As the officers approached,<br />
“the suspects opened fire,” hitting<br />
Mendez several times in the<br />
upper body and Ortiz in the arm,<br />
Stanford said.<br />
28 The BLUES<br />
OFFICER BRIAN HOLLEY<br />
OFFICER RICHARD MENDEZ<br />
“Oh my God, we got an officer<br />
down, officer down first level,”<br />
a voice can be heard on a police<br />
radio call.<br />
Police say the suspects fled in<br />
a stolen black Dodge Durango<br />
after the shooting, and police say<br />
that same vehicle dropped off an<br />
18-year-old man with gunshot<br />
wounds at Children’s Hospital of<br />
Philadelphia at <strong>11</strong>:29 p.m.<br />
That 18-year-old has been<br />
identified as Jesus Herman<br />
Madera-Duran of Camden, New<br />
Jersey. He had gunshot wounds<br />
to the chest, abdomen, and left<br />
arm, police say. He was pronounced<br />
dead at <strong>11</strong>:37 p.m.<br />
Police believe he was shot<br />
in the same incident that left<br />
Ofc. Mendez dead and Ofc. Ortiz<br />
wounded.<br />
Authorities released surveillance<br />
video showing one of the<br />
suspects dropping off Madera-Duran’s<br />
body at CHOP.<br />
Police say the Durango was<br />
later found torched in South<br />
Brunswick in northern New Jersey<br />
around 1:30 a.m. Friday.<br />
The Durango will be processed<br />
by members of the ATF, FBI and<br />
the Philadelphia Police Crime<br />
Scene Unit for evidence.<br />
Police have since learned the<br />
Durango had been reported stolen<br />
in Philadelphia about a week<br />
ago.<br />
Officials said Friday afternoon<br />
that Ofc. Mendez’s gun is missing.<br />
It’s not yet known if anyone<br />
fired the weapon during the confrontation.<br />
It wasn’t clear if any other<br />
suspects were wounded in the<br />
shooting, authorities said, or how<br />
many of them had fired weapons.<br />
“It’s devastating to this city to<br />
know that this is the type of behavior<br />
that’s occurring, the type<br />
of individuals that are out there<br />
on the street to take someone’s<br />
life over a vehicle,” Stanford<br />
said.
Backing the BLUE<br />
and your family too.<br />
Nationwide Group Health Insurance for<br />
First Responders, Police, Fire and Emergency by<br />
BlueCross BlueShield.<br />
www.FirstRespondersUS.com<br />
(800)236.4782 — Individuals<br />
(832)541.8842 — Groups<br />
The BLUES 29
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
SAN BENITO, TX.<br />
San Benito Police Lt. Milton Resendez was fatally shot after he joined<br />
an hours long pursuit and the suspects fired at his patrol vehicle.<br />
SAN BENITO, TX (AP) — A South<br />
Texas police officer was fatally<br />
shot after he joined an hours<br />
long pursuit of two men who<br />
fled a traffic stop, authorities<br />
said.<br />
San Benito Lt. Milton Resendez<br />
was fatally shot as his vehicle<br />
crossed paths with the suspects’<br />
vehicle late Tuesday night, police<br />
Chief Mario Perea said at a news<br />
conference Wednesday. Perea<br />
said it wasn’t known how many<br />
rounds were fired at Resendez’s<br />
vehicle but one round struck his<br />
front bumper and another went<br />
through the driver’s side door,<br />
hitting him just below his body<br />
armor in the abdomen. He was<br />
later pronounced dead at a hospital.<br />
“He cared about everyone, he<br />
got along with everyone,” Perea<br />
said.<br />
Cameron County District Attorney<br />
Luis Saenz said the pursuit<br />
began around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday<br />
on South Padre Island when a<br />
truck carrying the two men, two<br />
women and two small children<br />
was pulled over for speeding<br />
on the beach. As the driver was<br />
being questioned outside of the<br />
truck, a passenger started the<br />
truck, the driver jumped into the<br />
bed and they sped off, he said.<br />
At one point, the two women<br />
and the children got out of the<br />
vehicle, Saenz said. The women<br />
were detained and questioned.<br />
The two suspects — Rogelio<br />
Martinez Jr., 18, of Brownsville<br />
and Rodrigo Axel Espinosa Valdez,<br />
23, of Mexico — are facing<br />
multiple charges including capital<br />
murder, aggravated assault<br />
with a deadly weapon and evading<br />
arrest, Saenz said. Online jail<br />
records do not list attorneys who<br />
can speak on their behalf.<br />
Saenz said that after the men<br />
were pursued into Brownsville,<br />
located on the Mexico border, an<br />
exchange of gunfire made officers<br />
stand back and lose sight of<br />
the truck around 5 p.m. After the<br />
truck was found disabled, the<br />
suspects were then spotted in a<br />
sport utility vehicle in San Benito<br />
around 10:30 p.m. The confrontation<br />
in San Benito is where<br />
Resendez was shot.<br />
The pursuit then returned to<br />
Brownsville, where the men<br />
were arrested after fleeing from<br />
their sport utility vehicle after<br />
officers disabled it by performing<br />
a PIT maneuver where a vehicle<br />
LT. MILTON RESENDEZ<br />
is intentionally bumped, Saenz<br />
said.<br />
Perea said that Resendez spent<br />
about 30 years working as a<br />
police officer, with most of that<br />
time with the San Benito police.<br />
“It’s hard right now,” Perea<br />
said. “We lost one of our own.<br />
He worked with us for so long<br />
he’s not just a coworker, he’s<br />
part of our family now.”<br />
Gov. Greg Abbott said in a<br />
statement that “hearts across<br />
Texas grieve with the family and<br />
loved ones” of Resendez.<br />
The Texas Rangers are investigating.<br />
30 The BLUES
The BLUES 31
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
NASHVILLE, TN.<br />
The estranged son of Nashville’s police chief, wanted for<br />
shooting two officers, apparently committed suicide after being<br />
cornered in a shed after fleeing from officers in a stolen car.<br />
NASHVILLE, TN. — The estranged<br />
son of Nashville’s police chief, who<br />
was wanted in the shooting of two<br />
police officers, was found dead of a<br />
self-inflicted gunshot wound after<br />
leading police on a chase in a stolen<br />
car, authorities said.<br />
Police had been searching for<br />
John Drake Jr., 38, since Saturday,<br />
when two officers were shot and<br />
wounded outside a Dollar General<br />
store in La Vergne, a city about 20<br />
miles southeast of Nashville.<br />
Metro Nashville Police spokesman<br />
Don Aaron said Drake stole a car at<br />
gunpoint from a home southeast<br />
of downtown Tuesday night, WS-<br />
MV-TV reported. Drake asked a man<br />
and woman in front of a home for<br />
a ride and when they were unable<br />
or unwilling to give him a ride, he<br />
pulled out a gun and demanded the<br />
car in the driveway, Aaron said.<br />
Officers spotted the car a short<br />
time later and followed it to the<br />
Edgehill area south of downtown,<br />
where it crashed. Drake fled to a<br />
shed behind a home and when officers<br />
surrounded the area, a gunshot<br />
was heard, Aaron said.<br />
Officers found Drake dead with a<br />
gunshot wound that was apparently<br />
self-inflicted, the Tennessee Bureau<br />
of Investigation said in a statement<br />
posted on social media. Drake, who<br />
had been wanted on two counts of<br />
These images provided by the City of La Vergne shows La Vergne Police<br />
Officers Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern.<br />
attempted first-degree murder, was<br />
the son of Metro Nashville Police<br />
Department Chief John Drake. The<br />
chief issued a statement Saturday<br />
confirming his son was the suspect<br />
in the shooting. He said his son has<br />
not been part of his life for some<br />
time.<br />
“Despite my efforts and guidance<br />
in the early and teenage years, my<br />
son, John Drake Jr., now 38-yearsold,<br />
resorted to years of criminal<br />
activity and is a convicted felon,”<br />
Drake said.<br />
Officers Ashely Boleyjack and<br />
Gregory Kern were investigating a<br />
stolen vehicle outside the Dollar<br />
General store when they struggled<br />
with the suspect, who pulled<br />
a handgun and shot them, said La<br />
Vergne Police Chief Christopher<br />
Moews. Both officers were treated<br />
and released from Vanderbilt University<br />
Medical Center.<br />
Reprinted from Police1.com<br />
32 The BLUES
Stuff Happens<br />
Things Change<br />
Handwritten citations<br />
citations<br />
Call for an online demo. Only takes a few minutes.<br />
A Flexible, Comprehensive system from Citation to Court.<br />
The<br />
Tracking product suite of integrated public safety solutions<br />
<br />
800-285-3833 sales@cardinaltracking.com<br />
ultimatecitation.com<br />
The BLUES 33
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
NEW ORLEANS, LA.<br />
“Super Fog” to blame for massive 158 vehicle,<strong>11</strong>-mile pile up<br />
on I-55. At least 7 fatalities were reported at the time.<br />
NEW ORLEANS, LA. – Seven people<br />
died and at least another two<br />
dozen were injured in a massive<br />
chain reaction crash that backed up<br />
traffic for <strong>11</strong> miles on a Louisiana<br />
interstate, according to reports.<br />
“Super fog” creating near zero<br />
visibility conditions was a major<br />
contributing factor to the 158 vehicle<br />
pileup on Interstate 55 Monday<br />
morning, according to Louisiana<br />
State Police.<br />
State Police cautioned that more<br />
fatalities could be discovered as the<br />
entanglement is cleared, Fox News<br />
Digital reported.<br />
After the Louisiana Department<br />
of Traffic Development reported an<br />
<strong>11</strong>-mile backup, law enforcement<br />
authorities later said a long stretch<br />
of I-55, a 24-mile-long highway<br />
near New Orleans, is expected to be<br />
closed “for the foreseeable future.”<br />
First responders and emergency<br />
crews worked for hours after the<br />
crash to clear debris from both<br />
northbound and southbound lanes,<br />
state police said.<br />
Police confirmed that a portion of<br />
the large scene caught fire shortly<br />
after the initial chain reaction collision.<br />
Louisiana State Police showed<br />
photos of the pileup, which resembled<br />
a war zone due to the fire and<br />
destruction.<br />
One survivor said she heard the<br />
sound of metal crunching and tires<br />
34 The BLUES<br />
popping as cars wrecked into one<br />
another for a considerable amount<br />
of time.<br />
“It was ‘Boom. Boom.’ All you kept<br />
hearing was crashing for at least 30<br />
minutes,” Clarencia Patterson Reed<br />
told The Times-Picayune/The New<br />
Orleans Advocate.<br />
Another driver told the outlet that<br />
a pickup truck crashed into his vehicle<br />
“and took me for a ride” after<br />
he hit the brakes to slow down.<br />
Christopher Coll, 41, had to kick<br />
open his passenger door to crawl<br />
out of his mangled automobile.<br />
Once outside, he ran to assist others<br />
stuck inside their vehicles and<br />
pulled one person out through their<br />
car window, he said, according to<br />
the New York Post.<br />
Authorities erected a large tent<br />
with portable restrooms and a<br />
communications center to stage the<br />
recovery and cleanup, Storm Chaser<br />
Brandon Clement told FOX Weather.<br />
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards<br />
said that he and his wife are “praying<br />
for those hurt and killed” in the<br />
crash.
The BLUES 35
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
PHILADELPHIA, PA.<br />
Former Philly Officer Patrick Heron,charged with more<br />
than 200 counts of sexual crimes pleads guilty.<br />
By Robert Moran,<br />
The Philadelphia Inquirer<br />
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — A former<br />
Philadelphia police officer was<br />
sentenced to 15 to 40 years in<br />
state prison after he pleaded<br />
guilty Friday to sexually assaulting<br />
vulnerable women and girls<br />
— often in the back of his police<br />
vehicle and while in uniform.<br />
Patrick Heron, 54, of <strong>No</strong>rtheast<br />
Philadelphia, agreed to a plea<br />
deal with the District Attorney’s<br />
Office to avoid a fast-approaching<br />
trial on more than 200<br />
counts that included child sex<br />
assault, child pornography, kidnapping,<br />
and related offenses.<br />
Jane Roh, spokesperson for the<br />
District Attorney’s Office, said<br />
the guilty plea was welcomed by<br />
victims who are now spared the<br />
trauma of a trial.<br />
Heron’s defense lawyer, Anthony<br />
List, said he hoped the plea<br />
would allow the victims to avoid<br />
the anguish of having to testify,<br />
and added: “hopefully, everyone<br />
can move on.”<br />
Heron, who retired from the<br />
force in 2019, was initially arrested<br />
last year and accused of<br />
posing as an active officer to<br />
36 The BLUES<br />
lure girls, including some of his<br />
daughter’s friends.<br />
Investigators later uncovered<br />
dozens of photos and videos<br />
showing that Heron’s predatory<br />
behavior spanned years and<br />
included dozens of young women<br />
and girls — often targeting<br />
victims who had run away, been<br />
arrested, or struggled with addiction.<br />
At a hearing last month, prosecutors<br />
shared a video that they<br />
said showed Heron encouraging<br />
a young woman to use heroin in<br />
the back of his cruiser. He then<br />
videotaped himself assaulting<br />
her while she lay unconscious<br />
in the back of his car, said Lyandra<br />
Retacco, chief of the Special<br />
Investigations Unit of the District<br />
Attorney’s Office.<br />
Before forcing one girl to perform<br />
sex acts on him, Heron told<br />
her that “It would help you in<br />
court to have a police officer on<br />
your side,” testified Sgt. Gerald<br />
Rocks, the investigator on the<br />
case.<br />
Heron met many of his victims<br />
while on the force, Retacco said,<br />
and prosecutors say his crimes<br />
occurred over a roughly 17-year<br />
span, from 2005 through 2022.<br />
Investigators have identified<br />
48 victims, though many of their<br />
identities remain unknown, Retacco<br />
said. There are likely more<br />
who haven’t come forward, she<br />
said.<br />
Once detectives searched his<br />
phone and other devices, they<br />
found numerous videos taken<br />
in 2016 and 2017, which showed<br />
Heron assaulting girls, some who<br />
appeared semiconscious, in his<br />
cruiser.<br />
Some victims contacted the<br />
District Attorney’s Office after<br />
seeing his photo in the news.<br />
EDITOR: Let’s hope this piece<br />
of garbage gets the justice he<br />
deserves from his fellow inmates.<br />
Karma!
ALL FIRST RESPONDERS & VETERANS<br />
10% OFF A NEW INTERIOR<br />
FOR YOUR CAR,TRUCK OR SUV<br />
12722 Hwy. 3 Webster, Texas • 281-486-97<strong>39</strong><br />
CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE<br />
The BLUES 37
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
CORNING, CA.<br />
CHP officer shot, cruiser destroyed after man tries to<br />
flee traffic stop.<br />
By Jake Hutchison,<br />
Chico Enterprise-Record<br />
CORNING, CA. — A traffic stop<br />
on Interstate 5 took a violent<br />
turn Sunday when a man shot a<br />
California Highway Patrol officer,<br />
took his patrol vehicle, then<br />
crashed it.<br />
Upon investigating a vehicle<br />
stopped at around <strong>11</strong>:40 a.m.<br />
near the Chard Avenue overpass<br />
in Corning, a CHP officer ended<br />
up in a gunfight. The officer sustained<br />
injuries as a result of the<br />
shooting, CHP said.<br />
The suspect proceeded to enter<br />
the patrol vehicle and head<br />
southbound on I-5. Continuing<br />
southbound, the vehicle eventually<br />
collided with a semi-truck,<br />
which caused both vehicles to<br />
head off the west shoulder and<br />
ultimately overturn.<br />
Law enforcement officers arrived<br />
at the scene and arrested<br />
the suspect, whose name has<br />
not yet been released, without<br />
further incident. The officer,<br />
the driver of the semi and the<br />
suspect were all taken to local<br />
DON’T MISS THIS MONTH’S<br />
WAR STORY ON PAGE <strong>11</strong>0<br />
hospitals with injuries.<br />
Because of the incident, CHP<br />
closed two lanes of I-5 at Chard<br />
Avenue and further south at<br />
Thomes Creek.<br />
CHP said there are ongoing<br />
investigations regarding this incident,<br />
with the Tehama County<br />
Sheriff’s Office taking the lead,<br />
and that additional information<br />
will eventually be released regarding<br />
this incident.<br />
TEHAMA COUNTY FIRE STATION 9<br />
Our thoughts and prayers are<br />
with our CHP family. The CHP<br />
officer who was struck by gunfire<br />
is expected to survive. The<br />
suspect was taken into custody<br />
by local law enforcement after<br />
shooting one CHP officer and<br />
stealing his patrol vehicle, then<br />
wrecking it on I-5 into a semi<br />
truck. The patrol vehicle caught<br />
on fire after the suspect exited.<br />
The suspect later died from his<br />
injuries.<br />
We are a small community,<br />
and when one hurts, we all hurt.<br />
We are thankful for swift action<br />
of our law enforcement partners<br />
to quickly apprehend the person<br />
who chose violence over reason.<br />
38 The BLUES
LEARN MORE<br />
ATR<br />
528<br />
1000W MOTOR<br />
DUAL BATTERY<br />
REINFORCED<br />
FRAME<br />
UPGRADED<br />
COMPONENTS<br />
The BLUES <strong>39</strong>
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
MONTGOMERY CNTY, MD.<br />
MD. Officer loses use of legs after driver ‘intentionally’ hit him.<br />
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD. —<br />
A Maryland officer has lost the<br />
use of his legs after being intentionally<br />
struck by a suspected<br />
drunk driver this morning, WTOP<br />
reported.<br />
Montgomery County Police<br />
Sgt. Patrick Kepp, 36, remains in<br />
“critical condition” and has “lost<br />
the use of both of his legs,” Chief<br />
Marcus Jones said in a news<br />
conference.<br />
The driver, Raphael Mayorga,<br />
19, was speeding at rates of up<br />
to <strong>11</strong>0 mph leading up to the incident.<br />
Officers decided to pursue<br />
him when he ran another driver<br />
off the road, according to the<br />
report.<br />
Kepp parked in the crossover of<br />
the interstate before getting out<br />
of his car to deploy spike strips.<br />
“The vehicle is observed actually<br />
intentionally moving from<br />
the middle lanes to the far-left<br />
lanes and Mayorga came directly<br />
at Sgt. Kepp as he was deploying<br />
the ‘stop sticks,’” Jones said. “He<br />
intentionally struck Sgt. Kepp in<br />
the main lanes of I-270.”<br />
Mayorga kept driving until he<br />
was stopped further down the<br />
interstate with spike strips by<br />
another officer, according to the<br />
report.<br />
Mayorga is being charged with<br />
first-degree attempted murder,<br />
as well as other charges. He has<br />
Sgt. Patrick Kepp (left) and Chief Marcus Jones (right) at an awards<br />
ceremony in 2021. (Montgomery County Police)<br />
been known to “provoke officers<br />
into chasing him” in the past.<br />
“He does this intentionally to<br />
bait officers into chasing him<br />
as if this is some sort of a video<br />
game,” Jones said.<br />
“This should not be treated as<br />
a regular traffic incident and we<br />
should talk to our legislators<br />
about a way of criminalizing<br />
(provoking officers to pursue) in<br />
a different way,” County Executive<br />
Marc Elrich said.<br />
Kepp has worked for the department<br />
since 2014, according<br />
to the report. He’s been acknowledged<br />
in the past for his efforts<br />
to prevent impaired driving and<br />
has received awards for his work<br />
with the alcohol initiatives unit<br />
twice in recent years, according<br />
to the police department.<br />
REPRINTED FROM POLICE1.COM<br />
40 The BLUES
Under 65 Healthcare Options?<br />
We have you covered.<br />
Nationwide Group Health Insurance for<br />
First Responders, Police,<br />
Fire and Emergency by Low<br />
BlueCross BlueShield.<br />
Deductibles<br />
Low Out of<br />
Pocket<br />
www.FirstRespondersUS.com<br />
ENROLL TODAY!<br />
(800)236-4782 — Individuals<br />
(832)541-8842 — Groups<br />
The BLUES 41
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
SAN ANTONIO, TX.<br />
Two San Antonio police officers are now reported to be in stable<br />
condition after being shot October 19th when they responded to<br />
the report of a domestic disturbance.<br />
SAN ANTONIO, TX. - Two San<br />
Antonio, Texas, police officers<br />
are now reported to be in stable<br />
condition after being shot<br />
Thursday, October 19th when<br />
they responded to the report of a<br />
domestic disturbance. Including<br />
these two officers, the San Antonio<br />
Police Department reports<br />
seven officers have been shot in<br />
the line of duty in the last two<br />
months.<br />
Chief William P. McManus<br />
provided details of the shooting<br />
during a media briefing Thursday<br />
night and said the two officers<br />
were responding to a family<br />
disturbance call and arrived at<br />
about the same time.<br />
“These types of calls are very,<br />
very volatile, very dangerous,<br />
because of the emotion involved<br />
in many, many cases,” the chief<br />
said. “And this was one of those<br />
cases where the officers were<br />
very luck they were not killed.<br />
The chief said a man had come<br />
to the home to retrieve his children<br />
and at some point, became<br />
involved in an altercation with a<br />
female and started dousing the<br />
house with gasoline and threatened<br />
to set it on fire.<br />
42 The BLUES<br />
Upon arrival, one officer was<br />
standing in the middle of the<br />
cul-de-sac and communicating<br />
with dispatch when he was shot<br />
three times. That officer went<br />
down in the cul-de-sac, the<br />
chief said. The other officer was<br />
also shot, once.<br />
After wounding the two officers,<br />
the suspect went inside,<br />
headed to the second floor, and<br />
began firing out of a window<br />
with a long gun.<br />
The second officer retrieved<br />
his rifle from his vehicle and<br />
returned fire while taking cover<br />
behind a vehicle next door.<br />
While returning fire at the suspect,<br />
the officer was able to<br />
move and create more distance.<br />
Other officers arrived, responding<br />
into what the chief called “a<br />
very hot zone.”<br />
“They were able to extract the<br />
officer who was down in the<br />
cul-de-sac, and they were able<br />
to extract the other officer, who<br />
was pinned down under another<br />
vehicle,” McManus said. “By the<br />
time they got them out, the suspect<br />
came out and gave himself<br />
up and was taken into custody.”<br />
Jesus Prado, 40, was arrested<br />
and charged with two counts of<br />
attempted capital murder of a<br />
police officer and one count of<br />
deadly conduct, reported KSAT.<br />
His bonds total $3 million.
The BLUES 43
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
LEWISTON, ME.<br />
22 Killed and 60 Injured in multiple shootings at a bowling alley and a<br />
restaurant in Lewiston has the suspect on the run and hundreds of officers<br />
searching for him.<br />
By David Sharp,<br />
Associated Press<br />
LEWISTON, ME. — Authorities<br />
carried out a multi-state search<br />
on land and water last month for<br />
a U.S. Army reservist who they<br />
say killed 22 people and wounded<br />
60 in a mass shooting at a<br />
bowling alley and bar that sent<br />
panicked patrons scrambling<br />
under tables and behind bowling<br />
pins and gripped the entire state<br />
of Maine in fear.<br />
Schools, doctor’s offices and<br />
grocery stores closed and people<br />
stayed behind locked door in cities<br />
as far away as 50 miles from<br />
the scenes of Wednesday night’s<br />
shootings in Lewiston.<br />
President Joe Biden ordered all<br />
U.S. flags to be flown at halfstaff<br />
as condolences poured<br />
in from around the nation and<br />
at home, including from Maine<br />
native and author Stephen King,<br />
who called it “madness.” The<br />
attacks stunned a state of only<br />
1.3 million people that has one<br />
of the country’s lowest homicide<br />
rates: 29 killings in all of 2022.<br />
The shooting suspect, Robert<br />
Card, is considered armed and<br />
dangerous and should not be<br />
approached, authorities said at<br />
44 The BLUES<br />
a news conference. Card underwent<br />
a mental health evaluation<br />
in mid-July after he began acting<br />
erratically during training, a U.S.<br />
official told The Associated Press.<br />
Police said they have had no<br />
reported sightings of Card since<br />
the shootings at Schemengees<br />
Bar and Grille and at Sparetime<br />
Recreation, a bowling alley about<br />
4 miles away. The Androscoggin<br />
County Sheriff’s Office released<br />
two photos of the suspect walking<br />
into the bowling alley with a<br />
rifle raised to his shoulder.<br />
Eight murder warrants were<br />
issued for Card, 40, after authorities<br />
identified eight of the victims,<br />
police said. Ten more will<br />
likely be issued once the names<br />
of the rest of the dead are confirmed,<br />
said Maine State Police<br />
Col. William Ross.<br />
Three of the 60 people wounded<br />
in the shootings were in<br />
critical condition and five were<br />
hospitalized but stable, Central<br />
Maine Medical Center officials<br />
said.<br />
Authorities launched a multistate<br />
search for Card on land<br />
and water. The Coast Guard
sent out a patrol boat Thursday<br />
morning along the Kennebec River<br />
but after hours of searching,<br />
they found “nothing out of the<br />
ordinary,” said Chief Petty Officer<br />
Ryan Smith, who is in charge<br />
of the Coast Guard’s Boothbay<br />
Harbor Station.<br />
Card’s car had been discovered<br />
beside a boat launch near<br />
the Androscoggin River, which<br />
connects to the Kennebec, and<br />
Card’s 15-foot (4.5-meter) boat<br />
remains unaccounted for, Smith<br />
said. But he added that officials<br />
didn’t have any specific intelligence<br />
that Card might have<br />
escaped aboard his boat. “We’re<br />
just doing our due diligence,” he<br />
said.<br />
The Canada Border Services<br />
Agency issued an “armed and<br />
dangerous” alert to its officers<br />
stationed along the Canada-U.S.<br />
border.<br />
A bulletin sent to police across<br />
the country after the attack said<br />
Card had been committed to a<br />
mental health facility for two<br />
weeks this past summer after<br />
“hearing voices and threats to<br />
shoot up” a military base.<br />
A U.S. official said Card was<br />
training with the Army Reserve’s<br />
3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry<br />
Regiment in West Point, New<br />
York, when commanders became<br />
concerned about him.<br />
State police took Card to the<br />
Keller Army Community Hospital<br />
at West Point for evaluation,<br />
according to the official, who<br />
was not authorized to publicly<br />
discuss the information and<br />
spoke to The Associated Press on<br />
condition of anonymity.<br />
Immediately after the shooting,<br />
police armed with rifles took positions<br />
around Lewiston, Maine’s<br />
second largest city, with a population<br />
of 37,000. The once overwhelmingly<br />
white mill community<br />
has become one of the most<br />
diverse cities in northern New<br />
England after a major influx of<br />
immigrants, mostly from Somalia,<br />
in recent years.<br />
UPDATE - OCT. 31ST<br />
A sense of relief washed over<br />
a grieving Maine community that<br />
endured two days of fear after<br />
authorities announced the man<br />
accused of killing 18 people at a<br />
bowling alley and a restaurant<br />
earlier this week was found dead<br />
on Friday, Oct. 27th.<br />
The body of Robert Card, 40,<br />
was discovered near a river<br />
some 10 miles from the shattered<br />
community of Lewiston<br />
with a self-inflicted gunshot<br />
wound, authorities said.<br />
Card’s body was found inside a<br />
box trailer sitting in an overflow<br />
parking lot of Maine Recycling<br />
Corporation in Lisbon, Maine<br />
Public Safety Commissioner Michael<br />
Sauschuck said at a news<br />
conference Saturday morning.<br />
Card had recently been fired<br />
from the recycling center, a law<br />
enforcement source told CNN.<br />
“Some of those trailers are<br />
locked. Some of those trailers<br />
aren’t,” Sauschuck said. “He<br />
was found inside one of those<br />
boxes that was unlocked from<br />
the outside.”<br />
Two firearms were found<br />
alongside Card’s body, Sauschuck<br />
said, and he was wearing<br />
the same sweatshirt seen<br />
in surveillance video of the<br />
Wednesday night shooting,<br />
suggesting he never changed<br />
his clothes. It is unclear when<br />
he took his own life.<br />
Sauschuck said the facility<br />
was initially searched and<br />
considered clear, but the owner<br />
of Maine Recycling directed<br />
law enforcement to additional<br />
trailers that investigators did<br />
not initially realize were part of<br />
the same recycling center.<br />
The discovery ended a roughly<br />
two-day manhunt that left<br />
many residents in the serene,<br />
picturesque area living on<br />
edge and fearful to leave their<br />
homes.<br />
The BLUES 45
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
ACROSS THE US<br />
The Latest Breaking News as we go LIVE.<br />
KAMALA HARRIS FLOATS GUN<br />
CONFISCATION IN THE UNITED<br />
STATES<br />
WASHINGTON D.C. – Vice President<br />
Kamala Harris lauded gun<br />
control laws in Australia where<br />
citizens do not have a legal right<br />
to gun ownership and where a<br />
mass gun confiscation took place<br />
in the 1990s, during a speech on<br />
Thursday.<br />
Harris said Australian gun laws<br />
proved that mass shootings do<br />
not have to be a regular occurrence,<br />
during her remarks delivered<br />
at a State Department<br />
luncheon earlier in the day with<br />
Australian Prime Minister Anthony<br />
Albanese.<br />
“As we gather details, we must<br />
continue to speak truth about<br />
the moment we are in,” Harris<br />
said. “In our country today, the<br />
leading cause of death of American<br />
children is gun violence. Gun<br />
violence has terrorized and traumatized<br />
so many of our communities<br />
in the United States.”<br />
“And let us be clear, it does<br />
not have to be this way — as our<br />
friends in Australia have demonstrated,”<br />
she continued to applause.<br />
According to a brief on the<br />
Australian Parliament’s official<br />
website, there is no legal right to<br />
gun ownership in Australia.”<br />
Moron #1 or in her case Moron #2<br />
D.C. MAYOR UNVEILS LEGIS-<br />
LATION TO ROLL BACK PARTS<br />
OF RECENT POLICE REFORMS<br />
AFTER CRIME SPIKE<br />
By Joanna Putman,<br />
Police1<br />
WASHINGTON — With D.C.<br />
crime numbers climbing, Mayor<br />
Muriel Bowser introduced new<br />
legislation this week to “give law<br />
enforcement additional tools to<br />
keep the District safe,” WTOP<br />
reported.<br />
The bill, called ACT (Addressing<br />
Crime Trends) <strong>No</strong>w, will<br />
allow police to declare temporary<br />
“drug-free zones,” add<br />
criminal penalties for organized<br />
retail theft and prohibit wearing<br />
a mask to commit a crime,<br />
according to the report.<br />
Bowser said the bill is intended<br />
to address some of the negative<br />
consequences of the Comprehensive<br />
Policing and Justice Reform<br />
Amendment Act of 2022.<br />
“Some of the changes that<br />
were made just don’t match the<br />
daily practice of safe and effective<br />
policing,” Bowser said.<br />
Acting D.C. Police Chief Pamela<br />
Smith called police reform legislation<br />
in recent years “well-intended,”<br />
but said it was “overly<br />
46 The BLUES
oad and jeopardizes public<br />
safety,” according to the report.<br />
“It creates situations where<br />
officers are kind of hesitant to<br />
go hands-on to apprehend an<br />
individual when it is appropriate.<br />
It has created circumstances<br />
where officers’ credibility has<br />
been called into question due to<br />
incidental contact,” Smith said.<br />
Smith said the new bill would<br />
remove limitations on pursuing<br />
suspects in vehicles, to allow the<br />
department to pursue suspects<br />
who pose an “imminent threat to<br />
the community.”<br />
It would also allow officers to<br />
review their own body camera<br />
footage when filing their reports,<br />
which was prohibited in<br />
the reform law, according to the<br />
report.<br />
This year, D.C. has seen a <strong>39</strong>%<br />
increase in violent crime compared<br />
to last year, according to<br />
District statistics obtained by<br />
WTOP.<br />
“IT’S NOT THAT SERIOUS”<br />
18-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT IN-<br />
DICTED IN KILLING OF FORMER<br />
PD CHIEF LAUGHED, ASKED<br />
OFFICER FOR FOOD DURING<br />
ARREST<br />
By Joanna Putman,<br />
Police1<br />
LAS VEGAS — The 16- and<br />
18-year-old suspects in the hitand-run<br />
killing of former police<br />
chief Andreas Probst have been<br />
indicted by a grand jury after<br />
one was seen on video questioning<br />
the seriousness of the<br />
charges, KTNV reported.<br />
Jesus Ayala, now 18, can be<br />
seen in a video laughing about<br />
the situation, seemingly convinced<br />
he would get “a slap on<br />
the wrist” from juvenile court at<br />
A true Hero<br />
the time of his arrest. Although<br />
he was 17 when the crimes were<br />
committed, he and 16-year-old<br />
Jzamir Keys will both be tried as<br />
adults.<br />
Their crime spree began when<br />
they hit and injured a 72-yearold<br />
bicyclist, according to the report.<br />
They went on to hit another<br />
car before fatally striking Probst.<br />
All three incidents were committed<br />
in separate stolen vehicles.<br />
The jury was shown videos the<br />
suspects took while committing<br />
the crimes and later posted on<br />
social media. They can be heard<br />
laughing and shouting encouragement<br />
during all three incidents.<br />
The jury was also presented<br />
with videos of Ayala’s arrest,<br />
when he acted jovial and even<br />
asked the officer for food. Ayala<br />
appears convinced that he will<br />
be quickly released and tells the<br />
officer that “it’s not that serious,”<br />
according to the report.<br />
“Just a fucking hit and run.<br />
Slap on the wrist,” said Ayala.<br />
“Why you got to lie and say it’s<br />
something serious?”<br />
An absolute Thug<br />
Trial dates for Ayala and Keys<br />
have been set for Sept. 16 of next<br />
year.<br />
ED- We’ll see if this asshole is<br />
still smiling when he gets 30 to<br />
life and the other lifers in prison<br />
use him as a sex toy. Then who’s<br />
laughing asshole.<br />
CLEVELAND TAKES HISTORIC<br />
MEASURES TO ADDRESS PO-<br />
LICE STAFFING SHORTAGE<br />
CLEVELAND, OH. - An ongoing<br />
investigation by News 5 into<br />
the dire staffing shortage facing<br />
Cleveland police has revealed<br />
an alarming rate of resignations<br />
and retirements, with 128 officers<br />
leaving the force between January<br />
1 and September 27, <strong>2023.</strong><br />
This trend, which began in<br />
2020, has now seen a total of<br />
648 officers depart the Cleveland<br />
Division of Police since the<br />
beginning of 2020, leaving the<br />
department significantly understaffed.<br />
As of September, there were<br />
only 1,216 officers on the force,<br />
a shortfall of 424 officers compared<br />
to the budgeted strength<br />
The BLUES 47
of 1,640.<br />
Of the 128 officers who left<br />
the department between January<br />
1–September 1, 56% of those<br />
resigned and 40% retired. Three<br />
officers were terminated, according<br />
to department statistics.<br />
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb<br />
acknowledged the severity of<br />
the situation, calling it a “serious<br />
problem,” while Dr. Matt<br />
<strong>No</strong>rdlund, an expert in industrial-organizational<br />
psychology<br />
at Cleveland State University,<br />
attributed increased attrition to<br />
high burnout rates among officers<br />
and a potential vicious cycle<br />
leading to more resignations and<br />
retirements.<br />
“We know that police officers<br />
already have very high rates of<br />
burnout, and I imagine this could<br />
contribute to even higher rates<br />
in the future,” he said. “So you<br />
could have this vicious cycle,<br />
where you have a limited number<br />
of people trying to do more<br />
and more things, leading to more<br />
and more burnout and more and<br />
more resignations and retirements,”<br />
<strong>No</strong>rdlund said.<br />
One officer suffering from<br />
exhaustion and burnout was<br />
Officer Dominic Naples, a patrolman<br />
who was sworn into the<br />
Cleveland Police Department in<br />
September 2019.<br />
Following a car crash in which<br />
he was knocked unconscious,<br />
Naples decided he had enough.<br />
“I woke up in the hospital.<br />
Didn’t know who I was. Don’t<br />
remember any of the calls that<br />
happened that day. It made me<br />
kind of start to rethink everything,”<br />
Naples said.<br />
“It can burn you out really,<br />
really fast, and I feel like that’s<br />
what happened to me.”<br />
48 The BLUES<br />
JUDGE REINSTATES ALL<br />
CHARGES AGAINST EX-PHILLY<br />
OFFICER IN FATAL SHOOTING<br />
By Chris Palmer and Rodrigo<br />
Torrejón, The Philadelphia Inquirer<br />
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — A Philadelphia<br />
judge on Wednesday<br />
reinstated all charges, including<br />
first-degree murder, against the<br />
now-fired city police officer who<br />
fatally shot 27-year-old Eddie<br />
Irizarry in Kensington this past<br />
summer.<br />
The decision by Common Pleas<br />
Court Judge Lillian Ransom<br />
means that the prosecution of<br />
Mark Dial will now proceed to<br />
trial, an outcome that had been<br />
uncertain after another judge —<br />
Municipal Court Judge Wendy<br />
Pew — dismissed all charges<br />
after a preliminary hearing last<br />
month.<br />
Prosecutors charged Mark Dial,<br />
with murder and other charges<br />
for shooting and killing Eddie<br />
Irizarry while a Philadelphia Police<br />
officer.<br />
The development marks the<br />
latest chapter in the controversial<br />
case — one that has led to<br />
rallies and demonstrations at<br />
which Irizarry’s relatives have<br />
called for justice. Dial’s supporters,<br />
meanwhile, have contended<br />
that his actions did not amount<br />
to a crime.<br />
The case has attracted intense<br />
interest from community members,<br />
clergy leaders, and some<br />
elected officials. And after Pew<br />
dismissed charges last month,<br />
there were also numerous instances<br />
of burglaries and vandalism<br />
at businesses throughout<br />
the city — crimes that police<br />
were quick to say had been<br />
committed by “criminal opportunists”<br />
seeking to take advantage<br />
of the uproar over the case.<br />
On Wednesday, prosecutors<br />
told Ransom they believed Pew<br />
erred when she ruled that they<br />
hadn’t presented enough evidence<br />
to substantiate murder<br />
charges against Dial. They also<br />
said Pew was wrong to have<br />
considered the contentions of<br />
Dial’s lawyers that his actions<br />
were justified, saying such issues<br />
should be argued at a possible<br />
trial — not at a preliminary hearing.<br />
”There is no doubt ... that Mark<br />
Dial did something horribly<br />
wrong,” said Assistant District<br />
Attorney Lyandra Retacco, add-
ing that any “disputed facts”<br />
about how and why he shot<br />
Irizarry — and whether he should<br />
be convicted for it — were questions<br />
for a jury to consider.<br />
Dial’s lawyers, meanwhile, reiterated<br />
what they have said since<br />
the shooting happened Aug. 14:<br />
Dial’s shooting of Irizarry — who<br />
was holding a knife inside his<br />
car — was a tragedy, but not a<br />
crime.<br />
“This isn’t a murder case.<br />
It never was,” said Brian Mc-<br />
Monagle, insisting that Dial fired<br />
because he believed Irizarry had<br />
been holding a gun, and he was<br />
afraid for his safety.<br />
Ransom said the dueling interpretations<br />
showed the need<br />
for the case to go to trial. She<br />
ordered Dial jailed without bail<br />
until then, as is typical for people<br />
charged with first-degree<br />
murder. Dial was immediately<br />
taken into custody from the<br />
courtroom.<br />
McMonagle said afterward that<br />
he was “extremely disappointed”<br />
in the ruling but would be<br />
prepared to put the case before<br />
a jury. He said he planned<br />
to ask for jurors to be selected<br />
from outside the city, saying he<br />
believed panelists should be<br />
chosen from a place “where the<br />
governing officials of the city<br />
aren’t speaking out against” Dial.<br />
Irizarry’s relatives, meanwhile,<br />
said they were relieved that the<br />
case had been revived. Irizarry’s<br />
father, also named Eddie Irizarry,<br />
said accountability should apply<br />
to everyone.<br />
”We’re all humans. But when<br />
we make mistakes, we have to<br />
put our chest up and accept that<br />
we have to pay for those mistakes.<br />
Good or bad,” he said in<br />
Spanish.<br />
Zoraida Garcia, Irizarry’s aunt,<br />
said she stepped out before<br />
Ransom announced her ruling,<br />
overwhelmed with the emotion<br />
of dealing with the “hell” of the<br />
past two months. But afterward,<br />
part of the weight was lifted,<br />
Garcia said.<br />
”I’m feeling great,” she said.<br />
“There’s still steps that we have<br />
to take, but as of right now, he’s<br />
where he belongs.”<br />
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE<br />
SHOOTING?<br />
Dial, 27, a five-year veteran of<br />
the force, shot and killed Irizarry,<br />
27, as he sat in his car in Kensington.<br />
Police said Irizarry had<br />
been driving erratically, including<br />
by swerving into a bike lane and<br />
driving the wrong way down a<br />
one-way street. And they initially<br />
said Irizarry had lunged at Dial<br />
with a knife, leading the officer<br />
to shoot him.<br />
But video — including footage<br />
captured on Dial’s bodycam —<br />
showed that wasn’t true: Irizarry<br />
was in his car, with the windows<br />
rolled up and a knife in his hand,<br />
when Dial opened fire within<br />
seconds of getting out of his<br />
police cruiser.<br />
On Aug. 23, then-Commissioner<br />
Danielle Outlaw said she was<br />
suspending Dial with intent to<br />
dismiss him from the force for<br />
refusing to cooperate with the<br />
department’s internal investigation<br />
into the shooting.<br />
About two weeks after that,<br />
District Attorney Larry Krasner’s<br />
office charged Dial with crimes<br />
including first- and third-degree<br />
murder, voluntary manslaughter,<br />
and aggravated assault.<br />
Prosecutors had alleged that<br />
Dial’s partner yelled “knife”<br />
before Dial opened fire, and that<br />
because he emerged from his<br />
police car with his gun drawn,<br />
and then fired within five seconds,<br />
he should be charged with<br />
murder.<br />
But Dial’s lawyers have said the<br />
officer thought his partner yelled<br />
“gun,” and that Dial’s shooting of<br />
Irizarry was justified under state<br />
law, which allows police to use<br />
deadly force to protect themselves<br />
or others from a threat of<br />
death or serious injury.<br />
Pew, the Municipal Court judge<br />
The BLUES 49
who presided over Dial’s preliminary<br />
hearing, said she agreed<br />
with that argument when she<br />
moved to dismiss all charges<br />
against Dial last month.<br />
Prosecutors immediately appealed<br />
that decision, setting the<br />
stage for Wednesday’s hearing<br />
before Ransom.<br />
During the proceeding, Retacco<br />
said it was simply not true that<br />
Dial’s partner, Michael Morris,<br />
had yelled gun. At Dial’s preliminary<br />
hearing, she said, Morris<br />
repeatedly testified that he had<br />
warned Dial that Irizarry was<br />
holding a knife.<br />
It wasn’t until he was<br />
cross-examined by McMonagle<br />
that Morris said it was “fair” to<br />
suggest that an audio recording<br />
of the events made it sound as if<br />
someone had yelled gun before<br />
Dial opened fire.<br />
And in either case, Retacco<br />
said, such a critical factual<br />
dispute was not a matter to be<br />
decided at this early stage of the<br />
case.<br />
Former Lt. Philip Fairchild<br />
50 The BLUES<br />
FORMER LIBERTY POLICE<br />
LIEUTENANT CHARGED WITH<br />
ABUSE OF OFFICIAL CAPACITY<br />
By Bluebonnet News<br />
LIBERTY COUNTY, TX. – Philip<br />
“Chip” Fairchild, a retired lieutenant<br />
for Liberty Police Department,<br />
is facing a charge of Abuse<br />
of Official Capacity.<br />
Fairchild surrendered Friday to<br />
authorities and was booked into<br />
the Liberty County Jail. He has<br />
since been released while the<br />
case works its way through the<br />
court system.<br />
According to sources close to<br />
the case, Fairchild is accused of<br />
running background checks for<br />
local businesses using software<br />
licenses owned by Liberty Police<br />
Department.<br />
Fairchild reportedly performed<br />
the background checks for pay<br />
an amount estimated to be<br />
between $2,500 and $30,000<br />
based on the charge.<br />
The case is being investigated<br />
by the Texas Rangers. <strong>No</strong> other<br />
information is available at this<br />
time.<br />
FLA. DEPUTY SHOT IN HEAD<br />
DURING TRAFFIC STOP HOPES<br />
TO RECEIVE $10M IN LOST<br />
WAGES, MEDICAL BILLS.<br />
By Shira Moolten,<br />
South Florida Sun-Sentinel<br />
BROWARD COUNTY, FL. — Over<br />
sixteen years ago, Maury Hernandez<br />
was shot in the head<br />
while conducting a traffic stop<br />
on a man who was supposed to<br />
be in jail.<br />
This year’s legislative session<br />
will mark the former Broward<br />
Sheriff’s deputy’s fourth attempt<br />
to receive $10 million in lost<br />
wages and medical bills from<br />
the state of Florida, and his<br />
supporters believe that he will<br />
succeed.<br />
“I really believe this is going to<br />
be the year,” said Matt Cowart,<br />
the BSO union president, who<br />
spoke on Hernandez’s behalf<br />
Saturday. “I can feel it from the<br />
dialogue with the legislature. I<br />
know we’re going to right this<br />
wrong after 16 years.”<br />
Though it’s often described as<br />
a miracle that Hernandez survived<br />
the shooting that day in<br />
2007, his past efforts to receive<br />
compensation from the government<br />
have proved less miraculous.<br />
Hernandez has permanent<br />
brain damage and is partially<br />
paralyzed, but his insurance<br />
provider stopped paying for his<br />
medical treatments, according to<br />
Cowart. His workers’ compensation<br />
provider has filed a $1 million<br />
lien against him. And though
Deputy Maury Hernandez, Broward County Sheriff<br />
Hernandez filed a lawsuit against<br />
the Department of Corrections<br />
after a BSO investigation found<br />
that the department was at fault,<br />
a judge decided that he could<br />
not receive the compensation<br />
he requested due to sovereign<br />
immunity.<br />
“It feels like you’re being betrayed,”<br />
Hernandez said in an interview<br />
with the Orlando Sentinel<br />
last April. “Other government<br />
agencies are supposed to be in<br />
your corner, not against you.”<br />
Hernandez’ past attempts to<br />
get a claim bill through the legislature<br />
failed because of a legal<br />
technicality, Cowart said. Last<br />
session, he tried to file a regular<br />
claim bill, but that kind of bill<br />
requires a previous legal judgment<br />
or settlement to go before<br />
a special master, who then<br />
passes it on to committee.<br />
A spokesperson for Senate<br />
President Kathleen Passidomo<br />
said at the time that the bill<br />
“does not meet the requirements<br />
for evaluation by a special master<br />
because there was no legal<br />
finding of negligence for the<br />
special master to evaluate, nor a<br />
settlement or proposed settlement<br />
to consider.”<br />
This year, Hernandez is filing an<br />
equitable claim bill, which seeks<br />
to receive “legislative grace.”<br />
Cowart described it as compensation<br />
that originates more out<br />
of a moral, rather than legal,<br />
obligation.<br />
These types of claim bills are<br />
rare, but Hernandez’s supporters<br />
are optimistic. Cowart and Hernandez<br />
have met with legislators<br />
across Broward and the rest of<br />
the state, from both sides of the<br />
aisle. They just returned from<br />
spending three days in Tallahassee.<br />
State Rep. Alex Rizo, the bill’s<br />
sponsor in the House, said that<br />
the union, IUPA, has “brought<br />
this issue, I believe, before every<br />
single member of the House.”<br />
The bill hinges on the argument<br />
that Hernandez should<br />
never have been shot, had the<br />
state Department of Corrections<br />
done its job. Hernandez, 28 at the<br />
time, was on his way to investigate<br />
a robbery when he saw the<br />
shooter, David Maldonado, run<br />
a stop sign on a motorcycle in<br />
Pembroke Park.<br />
When Hernandez pulled him<br />
over, Maldonado falsely identified<br />
himself as a police officer, then<br />
pushed him and ran away. During<br />
a foot chase, he turned around<br />
and shot at Hernandez twice.<br />
One of the bullets struck him in<br />
the head.<br />
Maldonado was on probation<br />
at this time and told his rookie<br />
probation officer that he was<br />
allowed to carry a gun because<br />
he was an armed security guard,<br />
Cowart said. He was not.<br />
The Miramar man was later<br />
found guilty of attempted murder.<br />
The BSO investigation found<br />
that the Department of Corrections<br />
had notified the state<br />
attorney’s office of repeated violations<br />
of Maldonado’s probation<br />
that should have put him in jail<br />
when Hernandez pulled him over<br />
that day.<br />
“If the DOC, if that person<br />
who’s a parole officer made that<br />
mistake and this is a result of<br />
that mistake, then it should be an<br />
act of legislative grace that we<br />
say, ‘that’s fine,’” Rizzo said.<br />
Added to the fact that Maldonado<br />
should have been in jail<br />
is the fact that he should not<br />
have had a gun when Hernandez<br />
pulled him over.<br />
Lance Block, Hernandez’s attorney<br />
of the last 16 years, said<br />
he would have rather gone the<br />
regular claim bill route, but<br />
“equitable remedies have passed<br />
in Florida before. And this is one<br />
that really calls out for justice.”<br />
“The wrongful act by DOC here<br />
is so egregious that it really can’t<br />
be ignored,” he added. “This is<br />
more than just simple negligence.”<br />
Hernandez was in a coma for<br />
three weeks after the shooting.<br />
<strong>No</strong>w, the entire left side of his<br />
body has muscle weakness and<br />
The BLUES 51
nerve damage. He still has bullet<br />
fragments lodged in his head,<br />
where a shunt is implanted to<br />
drain fluid from his brain.<br />
The 44-year-old is “burnt out”<br />
after his time in Tallahassee, said<br />
Cowart. Despite difficulty walking,<br />
Block said, Hernandez refuses<br />
to use a wheelchair when he’s<br />
going around the Capitol. But<br />
eventually he might need one, on<br />
top of other medical devices and<br />
treatments.<br />
“The state should step in here<br />
and say this is a special case,”<br />
Rizzo said. “In which we should<br />
say, let’s go ahead and let’s pass<br />
this claim and let’s allow him<br />
to live without the burden, the<br />
financial burden that was never<br />
something he went out and<br />
looked for himself. Instead, he<br />
just went out and tried to protect<br />
us.”<br />
TEXAS OFFICER RELEASED<br />
FROM HOSPITAL 2 WEEKS AF-<br />
TER SHOOTING<br />
HUNTSVILLE, TX. – Multiple<br />
agencies came together at the<br />
Huntsville Police Department to<br />
welcome Sgt. Kyle Dockery back<br />
including the Sheriff’s Department,<br />
Emergency Medical Services,<br />
and the Fire Department.<br />
A Huntsville, Texas, police officer<br />
who was shot multiple times<br />
while on duty two weeks ago<br />
was released from the hospital<br />
on Wednesday. The department<br />
held a reception and procession<br />
to welcome Sergeant Kyle Dockery<br />
back to the Huntsville Police<br />
Department on Oct. 25.<br />
Multiple agencies came together<br />
at the Huntsville Police<br />
Department to welcome Dockery<br />
back including the Sheriff’s<br />
Department, Emergency Medical<br />
Sgt. Kyle Dockery released from hospital<br />
Services, and the Fire Department.<br />
After Dockery was shot multiple<br />
times on October 12, the<br />
he was sent to a Conroe hospital<br />
for treatment of his critical<br />
condition wounds. While at the<br />
hospital for two weeks, Sergeant<br />
Dockery went through two surgeries<br />
to aid in his recovery that<br />
were both successful and helped<br />
him make his way home.<br />
“He’s got a way to go, obviously,<br />
with the recovery,” said<br />
Lt. Wade Roberts. “He suffered<br />
some pretty significant injuries<br />
that are going to take a while<br />
to recover from, but I know the<br />
community will continue to support<br />
him, I know we will continue<br />
to support him.”<br />
MAN WHO SHOT, KILLED<br />
CALIF. OFFICER CONVICTED OF<br />
FIRST-DEGREE MURDER<br />
By Joanna Putman,<br />
Police1<br />
SALINAS, Calif. — A Salinas<br />
man has been convicted on all<br />
charges for the killing of Officer<br />
Jorge “JD” Alvarado, KSBW<br />
reported.<br />
Gustavo Morales shot and<br />
killed Alvarado on Feb. 25, 2022,<br />
during a traffic stop. Morales<br />
pulled over, immediately got<br />
out of his car and shot Alvarado<br />
while he was still in his patrol<br />
car, according to the report.<br />
Morales testified that he was<br />
acting in self-defense, thinking<br />
that Alvarado would have killed<br />
him if he had seen the loaded<br />
firearm in his car.<br />
“It was him or me. That’s how I<br />
saw the situation,” Morales said.<br />
“If I didn’t act in that moment,<br />
that was my last chance to save<br />
myself.”<br />
The prosecution testified that<br />
Morales was drunk driving on<br />
a suspended license, was on<br />
probation and was carrying a<br />
loaded gun.<br />
Morales was convicted of<br />
first-degree murder, shooting<br />
at an occupied motor vehicle,<br />
assault on a peace officer with a<br />
semiautomatic firearm, unlawful<br />
firearm possession and carrying<br />
a loaded firearm, according to<br />
the report. He faces life in prison<br />
without parole.<br />
Alvarado’s older brother, Jorge<br />
52 The BLUES
Ernesto Alvarado, served at<br />
the same department. He died<br />
off-duty last month due to a<br />
medical emergency.<br />
IDAHO OFFICER DIES AFTER<br />
ON-DUTY HEART ATTACK<br />
POST FALLS, ID. - Officer Nicholas<br />
McDaniel, 36, failed to<br />
respond to a status check from<br />
Post Falls Communications Center<br />
after completing a call for<br />
service.<br />
A Post Falls, Idaho, police<br />
died while on duty Sunday after<br />
experiencing what officials say<br />
was a massive heart attack.<br />
When officers arrived at Mc-<br />
Daniel’s last known location,<br />
they found him slumped over<br />
the wheel of his police vehicle.<br />
Officers started CPR then Kootenai<br />
County Fire and Rescue took<br />
him to Kootenai Medical Center<br />
where he was pronounced dead,<br />
KREM reports.<br />
Officer McDaniel had worked<br />
for Post Falls PD for a little under<br />
a year, with 13 years served<br />
previously in Hawaii.<br />
Officer Nicholas McDaniel dies from heart attack<br />
Sgt. Eric Kocheran receives Valor Award<br />
OHIO DEPUTY SEVERELY<br />
WOUNDED IN 2022 SHOOTING<br />
RECEIVES VALOR AWARD<br />
By Joanna Putman,<br />
Police1<br />
COLUMBUS, OH — An officer<br />
who was shot in the chest<br />
while on duty last year received<br />
a Valor Award at the Ohio Law<br />
Enforcement Conference, the<br />
Ohio Attorney General’s Office<br />
reported.<br />
Sgt. Eric Kocheran was finishing<br />
his shift when a man knocked at<br />
the window of the Ross County<br />
Sheriff’s Office, according to the<br />
report. The man told him to go<br />
get more officers. When Kocheran<br />
asked him why, he claimed<br />
that someone threatened to hurt<br />
his family if he didn’t come to<br />
the station with a gun, seemingly<br />
to hurt officers.<br />
After Kocheran told him to put<br />
the gun down multiple times, his<br />
body camera footage shows the<br />
man firing at Kocheran. Kocheran<br />
returned fire and killed the man.<br />
The bullet bruised Kocheran’s<br />
heart, punctured his left lung and<br />
ended up in his liver. He underwent<br />
multiple surgeries and was<br />
in a medically induced coma. He<br />
is unlikely to ever return to duty,<br />
according to the report.<br />
Sheriff George W. Lavender Jr.,<br />
who nominated Kocheran, said<br />
the gunman “was intent on killing<br />
someone that day.” And even<br />
though his sergeant “did everything<br />
possible to avoid taking<br />
a life,” he said, “in the end, by<br />
taking a life, he possibly saved<br />
countless others.”<br />
WATCH VIDEO HERE:<br />
https://www.facebook.com/<br />
watch/?v=462187<strong>11</strong>9361588<br />
Have any news you’d like to<br />
see printed in The BLUES?<br />
Email it to:<br />
bluespdmag@gmail.com<br />
The BLUES 53
SURVIVING THE<br />
STREETS<br />
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
THE TWIST THAT SAVES LIVES<br />
<strong>No</strong>t that long ago any police commander who was buying tourniquets for officers<br />
and urging their use when appropriate, would have been thought reckless.<br />
But now more officers are carrying these life-saving devices on duty.<br />
54 The BLUES<br />
On April 15, 2013, two terrorists<br />
placed bombs on the street near<br />
the finish line of the Boston Marathon.<br />
The bombs, constructed in<br />
pressure cookers and concealed<br />
in backpacks, exploded at street<br />
level sending a hail of ball bearings<br />
and nails flying into spectators<br />
crowded on the sidewalks<br />
and participants in the annual<br />
footrace.<br />
That blast killed three people<br />
and wounded more than 260.<br />
Because of the placement of<br />
the bombs, most of the wounds<br />
inflicted on the victims were in<br />
the lower extremities. Sixteen of<br />
the surviving victims lost limbs<br />
to the blast or to medical amputation<br />
because of the severity of<br />
their injuries.<br />
Some emergency medical<br />
personnel were on the scene to<br />
provide support for the race, but<br />
many of the first public safety<br />
personnel to reach the bleeding<br />
victims were law enforcement<br />
officers. Those officers did not<br />
have emergency medical kits, so<br />
they did the best they could.<br />
Former Boston Police Commissioner<br />
Ed Davis told USA Today<br />
that the response to the bombing<br />
was the reason he decided to<br />
buy tourniquets for all of his officers.<br />
“Anybody could see there<br />
was just this enormous need,”<br />
Davis said. “People were ripping<br />
their shirts, pulling off their<br />
belts, and trying to find anything<br />
to help stop the bleeding. [Buying<br />
the tourniquets] wasn’t a hard<br />
decision.”<br />
CHANGING VIEWS<br />
<strong>No</strong>t that long ago any police<br />
commander who was buying<br />
tourniquets for officers and<br />
urging their use when appropriate<br />
would have been thought<br />
reckless. The medical wisdom<br />
of the day was that the use of<br />
tourniquets to stop bleeding was<br />
dangerous and could result in<br />
amputation of the victim’s limb<br />
and even death.<br />
Historians say ancient Macedonian<br />
and Roman armies used<br />
tourniquets to stanch blood flow.<br />
But widespread use of the tourniquet<br />
began in the 1700s, and<br />
they were used by both sides<br />
during the American Civil War.<br />
They were also widely used<br />
in World War I, which is likely<br />
where they started to be labeled<br />
as dangerous. In 1916 the Journal<br />
of the Royal Army Medical Corps<br />
called tourniquets the “invention<br />
of the devil” because soldiers’<br />
attempts to use improvised tourniquets<br />
on the battlefields of the<br />
Western Front often led to tissue<br />
destruction, loss of limbs, and<br />
increased mortality.<br />
Disdain for tourniquets in<br />
emergency medical response<br />
prevailed into the 1990s. Boy<br />
Scouts and Girl Scouts studying<br />
first aid just a few decades ago<br />
were firmly discouraged against<br />
using tourniquets to stop blood<br />
loss because they would result in<br />
the person’s leg or arm being cut<br />
off.<br />
Medical attitudes toward<br />
tourniquet use in first aid started<br />
to change in the late 1990s and<br />
early 2000s. That’s when published<br />
studies of casualties in the<br />
Vietnam War started to reveal<br />
that as many as 2,500 wounded<br />
American soldiers died of<br />
bleeding from extremity wounds<br />
and that a substantial number<br />
of those deaths could have<br />
been prevented if the blood loss<br />
had been stopped in the field.<br />
That research was backed up by<br />
reports coming in from Afghanistan<br />
and Iraq. The Mayo Clinic<br />
reports that blood loss from<br />
extremity wounds accounted for<br />
7.8% of the preventable deaths in<br />
the early days of the Global War<br />
on Terror. As the wars against al
Qaeda and other enemies continued,<br />
the military decided it<br />
was time to try tourniquets, and<br />
the results were impressive.<br />
What the medical community<br />
knew all along about tourniquets<br />
is that the likelihood of<br />
ill effects caused by their application<br />
tended to increase the<br />
longer the blood flow was cut<br />
off. The reputation of tourniquets<br />
started to be revised when combat<br />
physicians in Iraq and Afghanistan<br />
realized that wounded<br />
personnel were reaching trauma<br />
care quickly enough to mitigate<br />
the damage caused to their<br />
extremities by squeezing off the<br />
blood supply.<br />
THE HARTFORD CONSENSUS<br />
Bloody events on the American<br />
home front such as the<br />
Boston Marathon Bombing and<br />
the Newtown, CT, school massacre<br />
led to a push to promote<br />
tourniquet use for first responders.<br />
The definitive emergency<br />
medical statement on the use of<br />
tourniquets by non-EMT public<br />
safety personnel was made by<br />
The Joint Committee to Create<br />
a National Policy to Enhance<br />
Survivability from Intentional<br />
Mass-Casualty and Active Shooter<br />
Events. This was a meeting of<br />
leading trauma surgeons, including<br />
tactical doctors, who assembled<br />
in Hartford, CT, in 2015 to<br />
draft what’s known as “The Hartford<br />
Consensus III: Implementation<br />
of Bleeding Control.” In this<br />
report, the committee concluded<br />
that one of the best ways to<br />
save lives in the aftermath of<br />
accidents and attacks was to<br />
train first responders, including<br />
law enforcement officers, in the<br />
proper application of effective<br />
tourniquets.<br />
The Hartford Consensus specified<br />
effective tourniquets because<br />
devices designed specifically<br />
to squeeze off blood<br />
flow are much safer than the<br />
old leather belt and stick. Purpose-built<br />
effective tourniquets<br />
are easy to slip on the injured<br />
The BLUES 55
56 The BLUES<br />
person’s limb, are wide enough<br />
to properly do the job, come<br />
with a built-in windlass (stick)<br />
or ratchet to tighten them so<br />
they stanch blood loss, and some<br />
have a clip or another device to<br />
keep the windlass in place after<br />
it has been tightened down.<br />
As for training, agencies thinking<br />
of issuing tourniquets to<br />
their officers don’t have to worry<br />
about a lot of time lost to training.<br />
Officers can be trained very<br />
quickly in when and how to use<br />
a tourniquet and what to do after<br />
it is applied.<br />
SAVING LIVES<br />
Thousands of American law<br />
enforcement officers are now<br />
carrying trauma kits that include<br />
tourniquets on patrol, and they<br />
have proven to be lifesavers.<br />
Trained officers can stop blood<br />
loss when civilians or fellow<br />
officers are injured in accidents<br />
or wounded in attacks. The purpose-built<br />
tourniquet is so easy<br />
to use that wounded officers<br />
have even put them on themselves,<br />
saving their own lives.<br />
Last May Philadelphia police<br />
officer James McCullough was<br />
shot through the upper thigh<br />
by a suspect who was trying to<br />
steal a car, according to police.<br />
McCullough realized that he was<br />
bleeding out and needed immediate<br />
intervention to stanch the<br />
flow. He applied a tourniquet to<br />
his own leg and likely survived<br />
the incident because of it.<br />
But perhaps the most widely<br />
known use of a tourniquet<br />
to save an officer wounded in<br />
action occurred in Boston last<br />
October. In that incident, two<br />
Boston officers responded to<br />
a domestic violence call that<br />
was a fight between two roommates.<br />
When they arrived, a man<br />
opened fire on them. Officer Matt<br />
Morris was hit in the leg, severing<br />
a major artery. He survived<br />
because his fellow officers had<br />
been trained in what to do. They<br />
put pressure on the wound and<br />
applied a tourniquet.<br />
The reason a tourniquet was<br />
available to save Officer Morris<br />
was former Boston Police<br />
Commissioner Ed Davis’ post<br />
Marathon Bombing policy. Every<br />
Boston officer is now issued a<br />
tourniquet and trained to use it.<br />
Issuing trauma kits with tourniquets<br />
to law enforcement<br />
officers and training them to<br />
effect emergency medical care<br />
is a revolutionary concept that<br />
once would have been unthinkable.<br />
But when blood is pumping<br />
out of a person’s torn limb, they<br />
may not survive long enough<br />
for paramedics to arrive. Time is<br />
blood is what emergency medical<br />
personnel say.<br />
And as we all know, blood is<br />
life.
The BLUES 57
SURVIVING THE<br />
STREETS<br />
AROUND THE COUNTRY<br />
BYRNA “NON-LETHAL”<br />
SD LAUNCHERS<br />
Galveston police officers used the Byrna SD<br />
to incapacitate a suspect from 40 feet away.<br />
GALVESTON, TX. — Last year<br />
the Galveston (Texas) Police<br />
Department used a less-lethal<br />
chemical projectile weapon<br />
called the Byrna SD to apprehend<br />
a hit-and-run suspect, according<br />
to a press release from<br />
Byrna Technologies.<br />
The Byrna SD is described<br />
as a powerful and non-lethal<br />
self-defense weapon, according<br />
to the company’s website.<br />
Powered by compressed air,<br />
the Byrna SD shoots .68 caliber<br />
round kinetic or chemical irritant<br />
projectiles that can disable<br />
a threat up to 60 feet away, the<br />
company says.<br />
Bodycam video shows an<br />
officer deploying the Byrna SD<br />
launcher from about 40 feet<br />
away. The video shows an officer<br />
firing about five rounds of the<br />
chemical irritant into the suspect’s<br />
open car door before the<br />
suspect surrenders.<br />
The incident began on May 12<br />
when police responded to a call<br />
about a hit-and-run involving a<br />
cyclist. A few minutes later the<br />
suspect was involved in a second<br />
hit-and-run collision. Officers<br />
eventually caught up with<br />
the driver and, after the suspect<br />
failed to comply with orders, deployed<br />
the Byrna SD. The suspect<br />
was arrested and charged with<br />
felony accident involving injury<br />
and felony evading in a vehicle.<br />
Why Byrna for Law Enforcement?<br />
1. NOT ALL SITUATIONS<br />
NEED LETHAL FORCE<br />
Law enforcement agencies<br />
need to be equipped with<br />
different tools to deescalate<br />
life threatening situations.<br />
They need to keep themselves<br />
and the community safe. Byrna<br />
not only offers a range of<br />
pistol and rifle launchers for<br />
different applications, but the<br />
powerful chemical irritant projectiles<br />
can incapacitate threats<br />
on distances up to 60 feet(20<br />
meter) away.<br />
2. INCAPACITATE VIOLENT OR<br />
THREATENING SUBJECTS<br />
Law enforcement agencies<br />
need to be equipped with different<br />
tools to deescalate life<br />
threatening situations. They<br />
need to keep themselves and the<br />
community safe. Byrna not only<br />
offers a range of pistol and rifle<br />
launchers for different applications,<br />
but the powerful chemical<br />
irritant projectiles can incapacitate<br />
threats on distances up to<br />
60 feet(20 meter) away.<br />
BYRNA PRODUCTS CAN EA-<br />
SILY BE DEPLOYED IN VARIOUS<br />
SCENARIOS, MAKING IT AN IN-<br />
DISPENSABLE TOOL FOR LAW<br />
58 The BLUES
Josh Schirard, Byrna’s director<br />
of law enforcement operations,<br />
applauded the officers’ efforts.<br />
“We are extremely pleased that<br />
Galveston PD was able to use<br />
the Byrna SD to great effect in<br />
apprehending a suspect, under<br />
ENFORCEMENT AND SECU-<br />
RITY PERSONNEL. WHETHER<br />
YOU NEED TO SUBDUE A SUS-<br />
PECT OR DISPERSE A HOSTILE<br />
CROWD.<br />
3. CONTROL THE OUTCOME<br />
A law enforcement officer<br />
needs to make quick decisions<br />
and mostly do so under a lot<br />
of pressure. These decisions<br />
can have serious consequences<br />
for the law enforcement officer,<br />
assailants, and bystanders.<br />
Dealing with metal health<br />
issues, old age, adolescent,<br />
drugged individuals are some<br />
scenarios that complicate deci-<br />
dangerous conditions, without<br />
having to resort to deadly force,”<br />
Schirard said in a statement.<br />
“This ‘high-risk stop’ is exactly<br />
what the Byrna SD was designed<br />
for – being able to disarm and<br />
disorient a non-compliant subject<br />
from a significant standoff<br />
distance, without risking serious<br />
injury or death. <strong>No</strong> other less-lethal<br />
device could have been effective<br />
under the circumstances.”<br />
The BLUES 59
sions in the continuum of force.<br />
The Byrna launcher is clearly<br />
colored in Orange and Black,<br />
communicating to the public<br />
and assailant that a less-lethal<br />
system is in use. Byrna<br />
less-lethal systems controls<br />
outcomes as it provides options.<br />
4. ONE TOOL WITH MULTIP-<br />
LE APPLICATIONS<br />
For law enforcement and<br />
security officials seeking a<br />
versatile and effective less-lethal<br />
system, Byrna is the ultimate<br />
solution. With a product<br />
line that can be used in various<br />
scenarios, Byrna products offer<br />
applications for example:<br />
Law enforcement<br />
Grab teams at riots<br />
Riot control<br />
Correctional Facilities<br />
Border Patrol<br />
Public spaces like malls or<br />
stadiums<br />
Private Security<br />
5. TRAINING, PROTOCOLS<br />
AND USE OF FORCE GUIDELI-<br />
NES<br />
Byrna’s close representation<br />
of a firearm allows quick deploys<br />
due to already well-developed<br />
muscle memory. This<br />
resemblance also allows quick<br />
transition between lethal and<br />
BYRNA’s less-lethal platforms.<br />
Byrna products can be used for<br />
real-life simulations, education<br />
as well as tactical training.<br />
THE BYRNA TEAM<br />
The Byrna LE Team has vast<br />
experience with law enforcement<br />
internationally and consists<br />
of retired police officers<br />
that have a mandate to certify,<br />
train, explain and teach the<br />
different applications and uses<br />
of using less lethal.<br />
BYRNA’S TECHNOLOGY<br />
COMPACT AND CONCEALABLE<br />
The biggest challenge in creating the Byrna was to pack enough stopping<br />
power into such a small piece of real estate. If the launcher could<br />
not easily fit in a glove box, purse, or jacket pocket, it might not be available<br />
when it was needed most.<br />
THE BYRNA NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO STOP AN ASSAILANT<br />
The Byrna needed to have ample stopping power. Our goal was to give<br />
ordinary citizens the ability to disarm, disable and deter a would-be assailant<br />
without causing permanent injury or death, in order to give them<br />
and their family time to get out of harm’s way.<br />
ALWAYS AT THE READY – THE BYRNA NEEDS TO BE<br />
READY TO DEPLOY AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE<br />
With most .68-caliber launchers, the CO2 cylinder is punctured when<br />
it is loaded into the launcher. Over the next 24-hours, the CO2 will leak<br />
out, rendering the weapon inoperable. In response, Byrna developed its<br />
patented first-shot, pull-pierce technology. This allows the CO2 cylinder<br />
to remain in the launcher, unpunctured, until needed. Then, when the<br />
trigger is pulled, the CO2 is punctured and the projectile is fired simultaneously,<br />
meaning that the Byrna is always at the ready whether it has<br />
been sitting for a week, a month, a year, or several years.<br />
DISTANCE EQUALS SAFETY<br />
With batons and stun guns, you are in hand-to-hand combat before they<br />
are effective. Even with pepper spray or a Taser, you are range-limited<br />
to 10 to 15 feet. By then, the situation has escalated out of control. The<br />
Byrna SD and EP have a 60’ effective range and the Byrna LE has an 80’<br />
effective range.<br />
MULTIPLE SHOTS<br />
Byrna’s handheld pistols carry up to 7 rounds in a magazine and can fire<br />
multiple magazines from a single CO2 cylinder. Tasers, by comparison,<br />
are limited to just one or two shots. The ability to fire multiple shots<br />
without reloading, allows the user to put multiple rounds on target and/<br />
or confront multiple threats simultaneously.<br />
60 The BLUES
LAW ENFORCEMENT PRODUCTS<br />
BYRNA MISSION 4<br />
BYRNA TCR<br />
BYRNA/FOX ARRAY OF DEFENSE SPRAY<br />
BYRNA PEPPER<br />
PROJECTILES<br />
BYRNA MAX<br />
PROJECTILES<br />
BYRNA 12-GAUGE LESS-LETHAL AMMO<br />
AVAILABLE AT COP STOP / CLICK LOGO FOR WEBSITE<br />
BYRNA SD PEPPER KIT<br />
6831 Broadway, STE F • Pearland, TX 77581<br />
(281) 412-7358<br />
The BLUES 61
ALAN HELFMAN<br />
40 years of friendship and<br />
support to The BLUES.<br />
WORDS BY: DR. TINA JAECKLE, SENIOR EDITOR<br />
MICHAEL BARRON, PUBLISHER<br />
Forty years. That’s how long River Oaks and Alan Helfman have<br />
supported our magazine. In other words, the entire time the magazine<br />
has been in business. Sure, there may have been a few issues<br />
here and there without their ad, but over the years Alan Helfman has<br />
been our Number One supporter. But Alan and his son Blake, have always<br />
been more than just customers of The BLUES, they are more like<br />
family. Our friendship dates to the early 70’s when my uncle worked<br />
for his dad. We met in our teens and have been friends and Brothers<br />
in Blue ever since. The generosity of this man is never ending. His<br />
passion for selling cars is only surpassed by his desire to help those<br />
in need, especially First Responders. <strong>No</strong>t a day goes by that he isn’t<br />
either arranging another fund raiser or donating thousands of dollars<br />
in sports memorabilia to raise money for someone in need. Alan<br />
Helman is a star among stars. His personality and generosity have<br />
earned him the title Mr. Philanthropy. A fitting title if there ever was<br />
one. And my friends as they say, here is the rest of the story.<br />
SGT. MICHAEL BARRON, RET, FOUNDER & PUBLISHER<br />
62 The BLUES<br />
62 The BLUES
Mr. Philanthropy<br />
The BLUES 63<br />
The BLUES 63
RIVER OAKS<br />
CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, & RAM<br />
How it all began.<br />
From grandfather, to father, to son.<br />
BY DR. TINA JAECKLE<br />
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER/EDITOR<br />
Like so many before me, I met Alan Helfman and<br />
was immediately drawn to his kindness and unquestionable<br />
dedication to helping others, especially<br />
law enforcement and first responders. As a<br />
long-term member of this community, Alan has<br />
raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those<br />
who dedicate their lives to protecting others and<br />
for some, made the ultimate sacrifice. When I<br />
asked him about his own law enforcement service,<br />
he shared he has always felt a calling to<br />
give back. That pretty much sums up who Alan<br />
Helfman is. For the better part of his life, Helfman<br />
has dedicated himself to serving others, earning<br />
the nickname “Mr. Philanthropy.”<br />
On most days you’ll find him making deals at<br />
his dealership on Kirby Drive, just off the Southwest<br />
Freeway – River Oaks Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep<br />
& Ram. But what you may not know is that many<br />
of those ‘deals’ have nothing to do with cars. The<br />
big deals going on in that second-floor office of<br />
this full-time salesman and part time cop, are<br />
the deals that will raise hundreds of thousands of<br />
dollars for charities, police and fire departments,<br />
schools, parks and hospitals and long-term care<br />
facilities. Truth is, I don’t think there is a person or<br />
cause that Alan hasn’t raised money for. It’s in his<br />
blood and DNA to help others and he’s damn good<br />
at it. So, last year when The BLUES staff gath-<br />
JACK HELFMAN, FOUNDER<br />
RIVER OAKS CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE & RAM<br />
64 The BLUES<br />
64 The BLUES
In 1959 Samuel Helfman opened a car lot on Washington Avenue.<br />
His son Jack, Alan’s dad, worked side by side with Samuel learning all he could about the car business.<br />
A legacy that would be handed down through the Helfman family for generations to come.<br />
ered to decide who might be the recipient of their<br />
first ever LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, Alan<br />
Helfman was the first name everyone selected.<br />
Here’s how it all got started.<br />
THE HISTORY OF HELFMAN AUTO<br />
The legacy of Helman’s entry into the auto business<br />
dates to 1959 when Alan’s grandfather Samuel<br />
Helfman opened a used car lot in 1959 on Washington<br />
Avenue just south of I-10 (The car lot was<br />
there for the longest time under a variety of different<br />
owners from W&R Auto Sales to Buddy’s Used<br />
Cars). Alan’s dad, Jack Helfman, worked alongside<br />
his father Samuel honing his sales skills while<br />
at the same time helping to build a successful<br />
used car dealership. That experience gained over<br />
13 years working with his dad laid the foundation<br />
to what would become a successful <strong>39</strong>-year<br />
relationship with Chrysler. Fueled by the success<br />
of Helfman Motors, Jack began looking into the<br />
possibility of selling new cars. He had his eyes set<br />
on a small dealership, inside the loop, owned by<br />
a local businessman named Bob Ring. Soon the<br />
papers were signed, and in 1972 the Helfman’s took<br />
control of River Oaks Chrysler Plymouth. Unfortunately,<br />
Samuel Helfman would pass away shortly<br />
after the Helfman’s acquired the dealership.<br />
During Jack Helfman’s years of success as a<br />
dealer, he had been very involved in the community.<br />
For the past 30+ years he had been a major<br />
contributor to the Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care<br />
Services, a nursing home in the Houston area.<br />
Contributing not only money, but his time as well.<br />
Throughout his years of service to Seven Acres, he<br />
donated wheelchairs, walkers, and other supplies<br />
as they were needed. He also encouraged his children<br />
into the service of the elderly, and on many<br />
occasions, they would spend their time reading to<br />
the residents. When it came time for the annual<br />
Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services Gala, he<br />
would donate a car or truck for raffle, and personally<br />
make the calls necessary to sell the raffle tickets.<br />
In 2001 Jack Helfman and his wife Elaine were<br />
presented with the 2001 Sprit of Life Award at that<br />
year’s annual Seven Acres Gala. But that was only<br />
one of many charities he had given to. He annually<br />
contributed to: The United Jewish Federation,<br />
Muscular Dystrophy, March of Dimes, United Way,<br />
The BLUES 65<br />
The BLUES 65
and many others. Seven Acres was simply the one<br />
believed to have been closest to his heart.<br />
Jack Helfman had been honored over the years<br />
for many achievements. In 2004 Jack Helfman<br />
was the recipient of the 2004 Time Magazine<br />
Quality Award. This award is given to new car<br />
dealers for exceptional performance in their<br />
dealership, and distinguished community service.<br />
This award was given to 63 dealers out of nearly<br />
20,000. This is the highest honor achievable<br />
by a dealer. Jack was honored that his son Alan<br />
decided at an early age to follow in his footsteps<br />
into the auto business. Alan earned his business<br />
degree at UT and quickly adopted the strong<br />
work ethic his dad lived his entire work life. “Dad<br />
was very austere but fair,” Alan said. “He taught<br />
you a hard work ethic – work morning ‘til night,<br />
six days a week. Work hard and play hard. He<br />
didn’t have a lot of outside interests. We (the<br />
car industry) went through tumultuous times in<br />
2007 but he was grateful that we had something.<br />
He wasn’t the kind of man to spend money on<br />
expensive hobbies or pastimes.” Jack Helfman<br />
also taught his son to give generously to worthy<br />
causes “as long as they were legitimate.” The<br />
Helfman family made a large contribution toward<br />
the construction of Helfman Football Field<br />
at Emery-Weiner School, where Alan and Renee<br />
Helfman’s three children attended school – Blake,<br />
Eric, and Caitlin. Today, Jack Helfman would be<br />
extremely proud of his son’s generosity and unending<br />
desire to help others.<br />
66 The BLUES<br />
66 The BLUES
The Beginning of:<br />
Mr. Humanitarian & Mr. Philanthropy.<br />
Tom Kennedy, a longtime editor of the HPOU’s<br />
Badge & Gun Newspaper, wrote a great article<br />
about Alan a few years ago. Here is just some of<br />
that article on how Alan came to be known as “Mr.<br />
Humanitarian and Mr. Philanthropy.”<br />
Alan Helfman is the car dealer with a TCOLE Certification<br />
who constantly goes the proverbial extra<br />
mile for HPD Officers and other Law Enforcement<br />
causes, using his sales ability on the auction circuit<br />
to raise funds for Officers in need. The company<br />
chieftain in the well-tailored suit always seems<br />
to have a phone in his ear. He crisply moves from<br />
one call to another, juggling conversations about<br />
his car business or his extra-curricular passion –<br />
auctioning sports memorabilia to raise funds for<br />
injured or ailing Houston police officers. When<br />
soliciting auction items or the bidders for same,<br />
he repeats once, twice, three times the purpose<br />
and the beneficiary, consistently underscoring<br />
all the reasons for a generous donation – say an<br />
autographed J. J. Watt jersey – or an extraordinarily<br />
high bid on it. <strong>No</strong> potential beneficiary is<br />
The BLUES 67<br />
The BLUES 67
off-limits to Alan Helfman, whose fundraising<br />
talents almost always benefit officers in predicaments<br />
encountered off-duty. Ask him and he will<br />
tell you that the men and women in blue routinely<br />
perform dangerous, life-threatening tasks safely<br />
and soundly, only to meet problems beyond their<br />
control when they’re not on Houston streets.<br />
There are an ample number of examples.<br />
A fire in an officer’s house near Baytown caused<br />
him to gut the place and left him and three children<br />
at a total loss of their possessions and keepsakes.<br />
Insurance covered some but not all of this<br />
tremendous loss. Auctioneer Helfman spearheaded<br />
an HPOU-sponsored fundraiser, complete with the<br />
Union’s Barbecue Team and suddenly Officer Kevin<br />
Warren had the necessary funding to begin rebuilding<br />
the charred home.<br />
Retired Officer Vonda Higgins, left paralyzed<br />
when she was shot in 1998 while working undercover<br />
narcotics, underwent several painful surgeries<br />
and years of rehabilitation. Higgins achieved her<br />
independence and was able to drive, only to have<br />
somebody steal her special wheelchair-accessible<br />
van. It was recovered with substantial damage and<br />
deemed unfit for her to operate. Helfman led the<br />
charge to raise funds for a new vehicle. Many of<br />
the items he auctioned at the Breckenridge Porter<br />
Building were pieces of sports memorabilia that<br />
helped bring in more than $90,000. He donated<br />
them!<br />
One June a few years back, HPOU and the Assist<br />
the Officer Foundation pitched in to raise about<br />
$27,000 to help retired Senior Police Officer Karen<br />
Sampson and her family in Sampson’s determined<br />
fight against breast cancer. Again, Helfman was<br />
the auctioneer.<br />
And then, in January 2013, Helfman, HPOU and<br />
ATO set a fundraising record. When totaled,<br />
$104,<strong>39</strong>0 was raised for the wife of Officer Hans<br />
Wagner and the couple’s two children, ages 7 and<br />
13. Wagner suffered severe head injuries when the<br />
family vehicle was broadsided in the summer of<br />
2012. Fortunately, his wife, son and daughter were<br />
not seriously hurt. While recovering, Wagner died<br />
a few weeks after the accident. The fundraising<br />
effort drew unprecedented media attention. Coincidentally,<br />
the record-setting Wagner fundraiser<br />
was Helfman’s 50th benefiting law enforcement<br />
officers or first-responder personnel.<br />
Quite simply, this unconditional money-raising<br />
spirit throbs throughout the bloodstream inside<br />
Alan Helfman. He admits that he’s a salesman who<br />
uses his talent making pitches to help officers in<br />
need. Selling cars also is in his blood. Helfman<br />
owns River Oaks Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram<br />
on Kirby Drive just off the Southwest Freeway, a<br />
location that opened in 1971. His family has been<br />
in the car business since his grandfather opened a<br />
car lot on Washington Avenue in 1959.<br />
68 The BLUES<br />
68 The BLUES
His showroom office is easy to find, off in the<br />
corner on the north side, his desk positioned under<br />
a large photograph of Babe Ruth and Ted Williams<br />
(Williams signed it). That and his University of<br />
Texas Bachelor of Business Administration diploma<br />
(1979) decorate the walls alongside framed declarations<br />
of appreciation from, among others, former<br />
HPOU President Ray Hunt. “He goes above and beyond<br />
on every single fundraiser we do,” Hunt said.<br />
“There has never been a time that I’ve called Alan<br />
Helfman that he hasn’t delivered. He forms the<br />
perfect picture of a person who delivers invaluable<br />
service to each and every police officer.”<br />
For the record, Helfman now has led hundreds<br />
of fundraisers over the last 40 years. Recent years<br />
have seen him step up the number. He now averages<br />
at least one per month but, when pressed by<br />
the Badge & Gun, admits that many months see<br />
him do one every week.<br />
One might wonder: Why does he do this?<br />
The BLUES 69<br />
The BLUES 69
Helfman laughed and said he first knew he had<br />
an inclination toward becoming an officer while in<br />
elementary school when he was selected to be a<br />
student crossing guard. “I loved sticking that badge<br />
on,” he remembered. “You put the stick down – it<br />
had an orange flag at the end. You put it down and<br />
the younger kids could cross the street. I kept trying<br />
to make good grades to keep the badge.” This<br />
badge-and-orange-flag experience happened at<br />
Bendwood Elementary School in the Spring Branch<br />
Independent School District. Later, while a senior<br />
at Memorial High School, Helfman was visiting a<br />
neighbor whose dad had just passed away. It was<br />
late at night when Helfman and another friend<br />
said goodbye. They left, thieves accosted the grieving<br />
family members, taking money from them.<br />
Houston police arrived minutes later. Although the<br />
officers didn’t immediately encounter the robbers<br />
and throw them in jail, Helfman experienced the<br />
impression that has proven to be lasting. “Officers<br />
could come help you in the middle of the night<br />
when someone was breaking into your house,” he<br />
said. “They do this all the time even if it might be<br />
dangerous.”<br />
Early on, Helfman wanted to become active in<br />
charity work with an emphasis on the law enforcement<br />
community. “I had to ask a billionaire<br />
to help me early in life on fundraisers for different<br />
charities,” he recalled. “I told him I’d put a statue<br />
of him on every corner. He turned me down.” So,<br />
he figured out a way to get the job done by himself.<br />
The answer: autographed balls and bats that<br />
bring a lot of money at benefit auctions. He found<br />
that he could easily acquire these sports memorabilia<br />
items with the right sources and auction<br />
them to Houston’s proliferation of sports fans who<br />
regularly demanded autograph material from the<br />
Astros, Texans and Rockets. It can easily be said<br />
that Helfman acquires more pieces of sports memorabilia<br />
than he has new and used cars at River<br />
Oaks on any given day. Back in the day, Helfman<br />
acquired most of his memorabilia from Kent Sessions,<br />
a wholesale dealer in Houston. “I’d sell him<br />
memorabilia. He auctioned it off and donated the<br />
proceeds to officers, depending on their particular<br />
problem,” Sessions said. “He tries to be hands-on<br />
with every single one of the people who need help<br />
and are associated with the police department.<br />
“He has a strong work ethic. One of the things he<br />
takes away from work is the help he gives police<br />
officers. To him it’s like his duty. He’s part of the<br />
city and he knows the importance of police in a<br />
city like this.<br />
“People are struck down that don’t have the help<br />
that some other people have. He wants to help<br />
– it’s a part of the philanthropic attitude that he<br />
has.” “He wants to feel the needs of that individual<br />
person. That’s unique to a philanthropist.”<br />
Helfman’s aforementioned showroom office<br />
70 The BLUES<br />
70 The BLUES
seldom sees a day that he’s not making a car<br />
deal with an officer, lieutenant, sergeant or chief<br />
from police agencies across the state. Retired<br />
HPD Officer Johnny Sessums was driving a Jeep<br />
he bought from Helfman as he was en-route to a<br />
West Texas deer camp. Sessums detailed his work<br />
with Helfman, saying that he and Dr. Al Barringer<br />
took the steps to set up a police academy at the<br />
Houston Community College System in 1988, firmly<br />
establishing the school’s criminal justice program.<br />
A few years passed with Barringer (father of<br />
HPD Officer Jay Barringer) and Sessums wanted to<br />
take the program “to the next level.” They needed<br />
someone who knew both the politics involved and<br />
the ability to create the proper business plan and<br />
a funding mechanism. “Alan devised a business<br />
plan and got support from the community and the<br />
(HCCS) board,” Sessums recounted. “He rolled the<br />
fire training part of it into the plan and designed<br />
the complex that involved SWAT training situations<br />
and paint ball tactics.”<br />
In addition, Helfman helped set up the financ-<br />
The BLUES 71<br />
The BLUES 71
ing and got the right people in the right places to<br />
help Barringer and Sessums. The business plan he<br />
developed enabled HCCS to “make enough money<br />
to pay for it,” Sessums said. The complex is part of<br />
HCC’s <strong>No</strong>rtheast College and entails a gun range,<br />
classrooms, a driving track, and a six-story tower<br />
for firefighter training – all of it with environmentally<br />
sound furnishings such as the use of propane<br />
instead of hay bales for the fire drills and the<br />
recycling of rainwater for other fire training. The<br />
gun range is environmentally sound with its special<br />
lead abatement aspect. “We recycle the brass<br />
on the gun range,” Sessums said. “It’s a pretty cool<br />
setup.” Sessums is now director of the whole outfit,<br />
which is known as the Public Safety Institute of<br />
HCC-<strong>No</strong>rtheast.<br />
“Alan has always been a law enforcement supporter<br />
from the get-go,” the director said. “I don’t<br />
know why but from our standpoint I’m glad he<br />
is.” “He provides total support. We met with him<br />
several times when we were talking about how<br />
fast he was putting his business plans together.<br />
He’s got a great business plan with the right buzz<br />
words and phrases to catch attention. “He really<br />
helped us with the focus and direction to literally<br />
take our dream to the next level.”<br />
Helfman said that the original plan was sketched<br />
out on a napkin at Houston’s restaurant where he,<br />
Sessums and Barringer had one especially productive<br />
meeting. The business vision has brought<br />
to reality not just the police and fire academies in<br />
Sessums’ bailiwick but also the Emergency Medical<br />
Academy.<br />
“Alan’s all about first responders. He has a passion<br />
for that. Any time we would bring it up it was<br />
an all-inclusive discussion. He’s all about training.<br />
He’s TCOLE-certified and we’ve helped him keep up<br />
his certificate.<br />
“His political influence was probably one of the<br />
key reasons that we ended up having Public Safety.<br />
He played a very important part of that – not just<br />
for us but law enforcement in general.”<br />
Helfman has been TCOLE-certified since the mid-<br />
1980s when he went through the law enforcement<br />
school at the University of Houston – Downtown,<br />
while sponsored by Harris County Constable Precinct<br />
4.<br />
“I’ve stayed a commissioned officer ever since,”<br />
he said with pride. “I hold a TCOLE commission<br />
presently at Harris County Precinct 7 as a reserve<br />
captain.” “I have a uniform for Precinct 7. But I’ve<br />
been commissioned by Precinct 5, Precinct 3 twice<br />
and Precinct 7 twice. I’ve been around a little bit.”<br />
His fundraising mindset permeates every day of<br />
business at River Oaks. He has a massive scrap<br />
book of the newspaper accounts of the fundraising<br />
activities, which over the years has included more<br />
than 50 for Texas Southern University. At one point,<br />
Helfman learned that the school’s golf team had<br />
no way of getting to out-of-town tournaments,<br />
so he donated a $30,000 Chrysler Town & Country.<br />
When pressed a little, he can recall a steady<br />
list of contributions to churches, the University of<br />
Houston and both public and private organizations<br />
in need of funds. “We do a myriad of fundraisers<br />
72 The BLUES
almost every day,” Helfman said. “Every day somebody<br />
asks me for auction items.”<br />
This brings us to the unlisted office upstairs. A<br />
few years ago, one could navigate directly to a<br />
large, executive desk where endless deals have<br />
been reached for Jeeps, Dodge Hellcats and the<br />
other vehicles in the Helfman realm. Today, you<br />
can hardly find a place to sit down or get around,<br />
for there are stacks of boxes containing baseball<br />
bats, football jerseys (all signed with certificates<br />
of authenticity), footballs, baseballs, basketballs<br />
and maybe even an autographed soccer<br />
ball. Framed 16x20 autographed pictures also are<br />
propped up everywhere. Helfman tailors the list of<br />
auction items to his audience. Right now – football<br />
season – he would probably pick through the<br />
The BLUES 73
autographed football items, box them up and load<br />
them in a vehicle bound for the auction venue.<br />
“He’s a promoter extraordinaire,” former 100 Club<br />
executive director Rick Hartley said. “He’s done a<br />
lot of wonderful things to help law enforcement<br />
off and on during the years. He’s a life member of<br />
the 100 Club.”<br />
Other evidence of Helfman’s activism can be<br />
found on both walls of the hallway leading to the<br />
upstairs office. He has plaques from mayors of<br />
Houston recognizing his support, alongside those<br />
from civic and political organizations thanking him<br />
for his dedication to their causes. He always walks<br />
the walk with his talk of support for officers. He<br />
has written op/ed pieces for the Houston Chronicle<br />
advocating progressive changes in policing philosophies.<br />
He has funded two horses for the HPD<br />
Mounted Patrol and shares a special personal experience<br />
about his sponsorship for a canine member<br />
of the Department’s K-9 unit. “I pulled up to<br />
a Mounted Patrol one day,” he remembered, “and<br />
there was one of the K-9 officers standing there.<br />
The officer said he didn’t have a dog. How can that<br />
be? I asked. “I got together with Lt. (Steve) Marino<br />
and got that guy a dog.”<br />
He thrives on providing support for his pet causes<br />
and promptly calls “time out” from a car deal<br />
on the table to traipse upstairs to the supply office.<br />
He plucked out a Pete Rose bat and some baseballs<br />
for a Catholic church and up to a dozen other<br />
auction items for fundraisers planned by smaller<br />
police departments from south side suburbs to<br />
benefit officers. He can’t remember the details of<br />
the very first fundraising auction he championed<br />
but thinks it might have been at Cody’s in the<br />
Village, raising more than $20,000 for a Houston<br />
officer. “We did a fundraiser in a vacant lot across<br />
from a U. S. Post Office,” he said. “A guy had barbecue<br />
pits on a makeshift stage. “One time we had<br />
one at a bar. I got all the people at the bar to buy<br />
Bagwell and Biggio balls. We raised $10,000.”<br />
As you might well imagine, Helfman has written<br />
car deals for hundreds of officers. One was a<br />
sheriff’s deputy severely injured in a recent off-duty<br />
accident, leaving him unable to drive. Insurance<br />
coverage was not as complete as it needed to be.<br />
So Helfman helped him pay off the roughly $2,500<br />
he owed on his vehicle.<br />
LIFETIME A<br />
T<br />
74 The BLUES
CHIEVEMENT AWARDS<br />
HE BLUES & THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, 2021<br />
The BLUES 75
76 The BLUES
The BLUES 77
40 YEARS AGO<br />
Working for Sheriff Jack Heard in 1984<br />
With the announcement of<br />
the 40th anniversary of “The<br />
<strong>Blues</strong>”, Police Magazine, I<br />
thought it would be fun to take<br />
a look back at what it was like<br />
around the Harris County Sheriff’s<br />
office (Houston, Texas) in<br />
1984, the year The <strong>Blues</strong> was<br />
founded. Okay, lets back up a<br />
few years and lay the groundwork<br />
prior to 1984.<br />
The Sheriff at the time was<br />
Jack Heard, former Chief of the<br />
Houston Police Department, and<br />
Assistant Director of the Texas<br />
Department of Corrections<br />
(TDC) The Texas Prison System.<br />
Jack Heard had returned to Houston<br />
to establish residency in<br />
78 The BLUES<br />
Sheriff Buster Kern<br />
By Detective Art Woolery, RET<br />
Sheriff Jack Heard<br />
preparation to run for sheriff in<br />
the 1972 election. He would challenge<br />
Sheriff C.V. “Buster Kern”,<br />
a former Chief of Detective at<br />
H.P.D. Kern had been the Harris<br />
County Sheriff for 24 years. Timing<br />
was right for Heard, it was<br />
time for change, and change we<br />
got. Jack Heard defeated Buster<br />
Kern and became Sheriff on January<br />
1, 1973.<br />
It was an exciting time for all<br />
of us. The old brown and tan<br />
uniform would soon be gone.<br />
<strong>No</strong> more chocolate color patrol<br />
cars, replaced in time by new<br />
blue and gold uniforms and gold<br />
& white Plymouth Gran Fury’s.<br />
Young patrolmen and eventually<br />
patrol women were all fired<br />
up. Applications came in from<br />
all over the country. Some of<br />
those applicants went on to<br />
become leaders of the department,<br />
who would be part of<br />
modernizing what became a<br />
totally self-standing organization.<br />
<strong>No</strong> longer having to call<br />
on other agencies for support,<br />
because their budget allowed<br />
them to have specialized divisions<br />
and equipment. However,<br />
even though the department<br />
had grown, we still had a long<br />
road ahead.<br />
Over the next 10 years, or so,<br />
during Sheriff Heard’s three<br />
terms, the department had cre-
Detective Art Woolery, 1984 Deputy Michael Barron, 1984<br />
(Yes our founder, when he had a full head of hair)<br />
ated four patrol districts. Each<br />
with one Captain, a Lieutenant<br />
and a Sergeant per shift, and<br />
additional patrol deputies.<br />
The new County Jail, a 13-story<br />
facility located at 1301 Franklin,<br />
opened on September 13, 1982.<br />
With the opening of this new<br />
home base, came the opportunity<br />
to restructure how the department<br />
would operate in the future.<br />
The Special Investigations<br />
Unit (S.I.U.) was created and 16<br />
Detectives were reassigned from<br />
general assignments to work<br />
persons crimes, (Homicides,<br />
Robbery, and Sex Crimes) out of<br />
1301 Franklin.<br />
The new headquarters building<br />
was 850,000 square feet<br />
and housed 4000 inmates, along<br />
with S.I.U., Dispatch, I.D., and the<br />
Courts Division.<br />
The Special Operations Unit<br />
was formed and also worked out<br />
of this downtown location.<br />
Fast forward to 1984, election<br />
year and Jack Heard was running<br />
for a 4th term, or so we<br />
thought. Let me explain, there<br />
is no point in asking those born<br />
in the late 60’s and early 70’s<br />
or later what happened in 1985<br />
at H.C.S.O. They don’t know<br />
and really don’t care. Those of<br />
us who were there, are now<br />
in our 70’s and 80’s. Our brains<br />
have lost the key to the memory<br />
room. Most of us can’t remember<br />
or can’t accurately recall<br />
what all happened. So here<br />
is what I know as fact. During<br />
Jack Heard’s 3rd term, he decided<br />
to run for Mayor of Houston.<br />
He lost significantly to Mayor<br />
Kathy Whitmire. After that loss,<br />
he decided he would try to<br />
remain as Harris County Sheriff.<br />
Former Major J.J. Klevenhagen,<br />
Jr. decided he would also run<br />
for Sheriff. He did run and he<br />
did win, ending Sheriff Jack<br />
Heard’s law enforcement career.<br />
Next month, I will pick up<br />
the changing of the guards to<br />
newly elected Sheriff J.J. Klevenhagen,<br />
Jr. on January 1, 1985.<br />
Stay tuned, and stay safe, my<br />
friends.<br />
Art Woolery, H.C.S.O. Detective,<br />
J.V.P.D. retired.<br />
The BLUES 79
IS A NEW HOME IN<br />
YOUR FUTURE?<br />
Follow along as we take you through the entire process of<br />
purchasing a new home from DR Horton.<br />
By Michael Barron<br />
80 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE<br />
ments, and incentives for First<br />
Responders.<br />
Once you’ve decided on the<br />
school district and a community<br />
that has affordable taxes and<br />
reasonable HOA fees, as well<br />
as all the amenities you’d like<br />
in a planned community, the<br />
next step is choosing a home<br />
builder. The logical first step is<br />
finding a home that you like, a<br />
floor plan that fits your needs as<br />
well as your likes. Do you prefer<br />
a one-story or two-story. Are<br />
you looking for a split-floor plan<br />
that accommodates having an<br />
elderly parent living with you,<br />
or a conventional plan with the<br />
Master Bedroom downstairs,<br />
and the additional rooms are<br />
upstairs. Do you need 3, 4 or 5<br />
bedrooms and how many full<br />
baths.<br />
Every builder has a website<br />
with photos of their homes as<br />
well as each unique floor plan.<br />
Plan a visit to the sales office<br />
and tour their model homes.<br />
Many times, a builder will have<br />
homes either completed or very<br />
close in the floor plan you like,<br />
that you can tour. That way you<br />
get a sense of how big or small<br />
the home actually is, the size of<br />
Are you House hunting? If<br />
you’re in the market for a new<br />
home, this 5-part series may<br />
interest you. As it turns out, I’m<br />
doing just that. Selling my home<br />
of 15-years, making a decent<br />
sized profit, and reinvesting in a<br />
brand-new home. Beginning next<br />
month, I’ll take you through the<br />
entire process of buying a new<br />
home from America’s Largest<br />
Home Builder - DR Horton.<br />
But this month, let’s discuss the<br />
options available when choosing<br />
a new community and then<br />
a home builder. If you’re just<br />
starting a family, you probably<br />
already have a home community<br />
picked out that is zoned for the<br />
schools you’d like your kids to<br />
attend. Schools and school districts<br />
are the number one priority<br />
among young home buyers today.<br />
Coming in second, should be the<br />
tax rate for your new home. In<br />
some cases, the taxes, insurance,<br />
and HOA fees may be higher than<br />
your house payment. Combined,<br />
you may find you can afford the<br />
house, but not the taxes. In an<br />
upcoming issue, we’ll discuss<br />
taxes, interest rates, down paythe<br />
bedrooms and bathrooms,<br />
as well as the size of the lot<br />
the house is situated on. Once<br />
you’ve toured all the models,<br />
and looked at the builder’s floor<br />
plans, now you must decide<br />
which builder to go with. There<br />
are dozens, if not hundreds, of<br />
home builders across the country<br />
that offer homes in just about<br />
every price range. In doing your<br />
due diligence, you’ll probably<br />
want to check out the reviews<br />
of each builder. See what other<br />
owners have to say about the<br />
construction and any problems<br />
they have encountered after they<br />
closed on the home.<br />
What you’ll most likely find<br />
is that nearly every builder has<br />
negative reviews. Horror stories<br />
about homes that have water<br />
leaks, roof leaks, poor construction,<br />
etc. In fact, I’ll go as far to<br />
say, EVERY BUILDER has negative<br />
reviews. Whether it’s car<br />
purchases or home purchases,<br />
most people only post negative<br />
reviews, not positive ones. So, it’s<br />
nearly impossible to determine<br />
what the ratio of good to bad<br />
homes are with any one builder.<br />
In my case, I had three builders<br />
to choose from: DR Horton,
The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES 81<br />
81
K. Hovnanian and Castlerock.<br />
After touring all three, comparing<br />
the floor plans and reading<br />
what seemed like thousands of<br />
reviews (most of which were<br />
negative on all three) I chose DR<br />
Horton. First off, I’ve owned a<br />
Horton home, and I don’t recall<br />
having any major issues. Structurally<br />
it was a solid home, and<br />
the appliances and HVAC were<br />
average and lasted longer than<br />
expected. Overall, we enjoyed<br />
living in the home for over 7<br />
years before moving to a larger<br />
home.<br />
Second, Horton had a floor<br />
plan I liked, with a 3-car garage,<br />
larger bedrooms than the<br />
other builders and a game room<br />
and media room upstairs. Overall,<br />
the home is smaller than<br />
my current home, but seemed<br />
roomier in the living area, with<br />
an open kitchen, larger utility<br />
room and did I mention a 3-car<br />
garage. And the greatest feature<br />
82 The BLUES<br />
of all, was choosing an oversized<br />
cul-de-sac lot that was situated<br />
at the end of the street with a<br />
green space on one side and an<br />
oversized driveway. All in all, it<br />
seemed like the perfect house,<br />
on a great lot, on a small culde-sac,<br />
in a great community. At<br />
a price that fit my budget and a<br />
low tax rate.<br />
As far as the negative reviews,<br />
I truly believe the difference<br />
between having a home built the<br />
way DR Horton himself would<br />
want it done vs a shoddy build,<br />
is up to the trades they use and<br />
the Building Superintendent<br />
who oversees them. If the super<br />
is doing his job and overseeing<br />
the build and catching any mistakes<br />
along the way, you’ll have<br />
a home with very few problems.<br />
Having a Super who isn’t doing<br />
his job, well anything is possible.<br />
In my case, in this development,<br />
Horton has some top-notch people<br />
building good homes.<br />
Finally, DR Horton, both the<br />
man and his company, fully<br />
support First Responders. Horton<br />
even offers a $1000 discount off<br />
the home as well as other incentives<br />
depending on the area<br />
you live in. (We’ll discuss incentives,<br />
upgrades, and mortgages<br />
in future segments of during<br />
5-month process.) Since you<br />
have a choice in builders, why<br />
not choose one that supports<br />
First Responders especially police<br />
officers. DR Horton acknowledges<br />
the sacrifices we make<br />
daily and wants to build a home<br />
your family feels safe in. In the<br />
end, it was a no brainer.<br />
I’d like to thank the fine folks<br />
at DR Horton for their hospitality<br />
and cooperation in this project<br />
and my future home. We look<br />
forward to working with their<br />
team as we bring this home<br />
buying and build process to you<br />
each month.<br />
See you in next month.
Follow along as we watch this vacant lot...<br />
... become this finished DR Horton home.<br />
The BLUES 83
NOW HIRING<br />
PRIORITY BOLO<br />
ISD PD JOB LISTINGS<br />
IS YOUR ISD PD<br />
HIRING?<br />
YOUR DEPARTMENT’S RECRUITING AD<br />
CAN BE LISTED HERE FOR ONLY $250<br />
bluespdmag@gmail.com<br />
84 The BLUES
ALDINE ISD<br />
POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
JOIN OUR TEAM<br />
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Sick Leave<br />
• Paid Vacation<br />
• Paid Holidays<br />
• Personal Days<br />
• Teacher Retirement System<br />
TCOLE CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE<br />
• Intermediate PO: $2,400<br />
• Advanced PO: $4,800<br />
• Master PO: $7,200<br />
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be 21 Years Of Age<br />
• Must Hold an Active Tcole Peace Officer License<br />
• Must Complete the Following:<br />
• Pass Physical Agility Test<br />
• Background Investigation<br />
• Psychological Evaluation<br />
• Drug Screening<br />
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT<br />
SGT. HALL AT 281.442.4923<br />
OR VISIT ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
APPLY AT<br />
ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
STARTING SALARY $55,000 WITH NO EXPERIENCE<br />
UP TO $85,000 DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE<br />
ALDINE ISD PD OFFERS<br />
DEPARTMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Uniforms Provided, Including Duty Weapon<br />
• Department Provided Training<br />
• Starting Pay Depends on<br />
Qualifications / Experience<br />
• TCOLE Certification / Education Pay<br />
• Most Officers work Day Shift with Weekends Off<br />
(INCENTIVE PAY FOR DETECTIVES, K-9 HANDLERS, AND<br />
FIREARM INSTRUCTORS.)<br />
SPECIALIZED DIVISIONS<br />
• Criminal Investigations<br />
• Emergency Response Team<br />
• Honor Guard<br />
• Gang Task Force<br />
• Community Outreach Division<br />
• K-9 Division<br />
• Firearm Instructor<br />
$1,000 SIGNING BONUS<br />
<br />
Montgomery County’s 3 rd Largest Law Enforcement Agency<br />
• $50,363 minimum starting salary<br />
• Certification pay:<br />
Int - $1,600, Adv - $2,400, Mstr - $3,700<br />
FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER<br />
• Competitive insurance & benefits<br />
• Teacher Retirement System (TRS)<br />
• 20 paid leave days & 12 paid holidays<br />
Opportunity<br />
multiple divisions including<br />
Investigations, Patrol, and<br />
K-9 services<br />
Growth<br />
100+ annual training hours,<br />
promotion opportunities,<br />
Field Training Officer<br />
Balance<br />
overtime pay, comp time,<br />
most weekends off, prior LE<br />
experience pay<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT<br />
HTTPS://POLICE.CONROEISD.NET/DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION/EMPLOYMENT/<br />
police.conroeisd.net<br />
CISDPolice<br />
@CISDPolice<br />
The The BLUES 85 85
NOW HIRING<br />
PRIORITY BOLO<br />
ISD PD JOB LISTINGS<br />
FIND YOUR ISD<br />
POSITION HERE<br />
86 The BLUES
<strong>No</strong>w Hiring<br />
School District Police Officer<br />
Must be TCOLE Certified<br />
www.pfisd.net/police<br />
226 day work schedule with starting<br />
salary between $52,884 and $60,821<br />
depending on experience<br />
Overtime Opportunities Available<br />
Stipends for TCOLE Advanced & Master<br />
Licenses, MHO Certification, College<br />
Degrees, and Bilingual Proficiency<br />
Thanksgiving, Winter, &<br />
Spring Breaks off<br />
Take Home Vehicle Program<br />
Great Insurance & Benefits<br />
Package with TRS<br />
Retirement<br />
SPRING BRANCH ISD POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
WE’RE<br />
HIRING<br />
Patrol & Onsite Officers (HS/MS)<br />
Gang Officer<br />
Mental Health Officers<br />
Community Relations Officer<br />
Emergency Management<br />
Criminal Investigations<br />
K-9 programs<br />
*All equipment provided including duty weapon<br />
**Training opportunities available<br />
DEPARTMENT<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
55 officer department<br />
44 square mile district<br />
47 schools<br />
35,000 population<br />
24/7 Patrol<br />
We want you to preserve, protect, and defend our future.<br />
Starting Pay $63,000 (TCOLE Basic Peace Officer certification with no experience)<br />
Language pay<br />
Shift differential pay<br />
Intermediate, Advanced and<br />
Master Peace Officer<br />
certificate pay<br />
Paid time off<br />
Ample overtime opportunities<br />
Apply online today. springbranchisd.com/join-our-team<br />
The BLUES 87
1-3 Sexual Deviant Offenders *BY PATC Texas City, TX<br />
5-10 National Honor Guard Academy Texas City, TX<br />
6 High Risk/Profile Trial Operations 7 Planning By Court Security Concepts Denton, TX<br />
88 The BLUES<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
6 Bulletproof Report Writing by Blue to Gold Denton, TX<br />
6-8 Background Investigator Training by ProFirst Training Pharr, TX<br />
6-9 Tactical Training for Narcotics & Vice Units Cedar Park , TX<br />
6-10 Hostage Negotiations Phase 1 By LLRMI Pharr, TX<br />
7 Bulletproof Courtroom Testimony by Blue to Gold Denton, TX<br />
7-9 Reid PEACE Method of Investigative Interviewing Dyess , TX<br />
13-17 GST Defensive Tactics Instructor Course Seguin, TX<br />
13-17 Methods of Instruction - Training Practical Professional Policing Skills McKinney, TX<br />
14 Mastering Search & Seizure (In-Person & Live-Online) by Blue to Gold San Antonio, TX<br />
14-15 Protests, Demonstrations and Civil Unrest Operations By LLRMI Georgetown, TX<br />
15-16 Bulletproof Report Writing Blue to Gold (In-person & Live Stream) San Antonio, TX<br />
16 Duty to Intervenes (In-Person & Live-Online) by Blue to Gold San Antonio, TX<br />
16 Real World De-Escalation (In-Person & Live-Online) by Blue to Gold San Antonio, TX<br />
28-30 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Jourdanton, TX<br />
DECEMBER<br />
1 High Performance Leadership - By Leading Blue Cincinnati, OH<br />
4-6 Advanced Homicide Investigation by IPTM Jacksonville, FL<br />
4-6 Effective Strategies for Staff Inspections by IPTM Altamonte Sp., FL<br />
4-6 Officer Involved Shooting-3 Day *BY PATC Columbus, OH<br />
4-6 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Billings, MT<br />
4-6 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Lafayette, LA<br />
4-6 Pat McCarthy’s Street Crimes - Real World Training for the Real Police Marysville, WA<br />
4-6 Penn State - Grant Writing - Virtual University Park, PA<br />
4-6 Recovery of Human Remains by Suncoast Forensics St. Cloud, FL<br />
4-6 Tactical Breaching Instructor Course Warrensburg, MO<br />
4-7 PRW Police Sniper BASIC Nunn, CO<br />
4-8 Advanced Undercover Techniques and Survival Westminster, CO<br />
4-8 Covert Entry Specialist I & II Course (5-Days) San Marcos, TX<br />
4-8 Criminal Investigations Using Cellular Technologies SME 40 hour Palm Beach, FL<br />
4-8 Death and Homicide Investigation *BY PATC Corpus Christi, TX<br />
4-8 Detective and New Criminal Investigator *BY PATC Baytown, TX<br />
4-8 Force Science Certification Course Sacramento, CA<br />
4-8 Hostage Negotiations, Phase III *BY PATC Pearland, TX<br />
4-8 Methods of Instruction - Training Practical Professional Policing Skills Sanford, FL<br />
28-1 Reid Investigative Interviewing & Advanced Interrogation San Antonio, TX<br />
JANUARY<br />
9-<strong>11</strong> Interview and Interrogation for Investigators *BY PATC Texas City, TX<br />
16-18 Supervising and Managing the Drug Unit *BY PATC Angleton, TX<br />
16-19 Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing Pharr, TX<br />
17-19 First Responder to Death, Injury and Sexual Violence Scene Texas City, TX<br />
22-24 3 Day UAS “Drone” Search and Rescue & Thermal Imaging Trophy Club, TX<br />
22-26 5 Day Use of Force and Officer Involved Shooting by LLRMI New Braunfels<br />
22-26 Covert Entry Specialist I & II Course Dallas, TX<br />
22-26 Covert Entry Specialist I & II Course Dallas , TX<br />
22-26 Death and Homicide Investigation *BY PATC Texas City, TX<br />
23-26 Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing Angleton, TX<br />
FEBRUARY<br />
1 Women in Command by Calibre Press Webinar<br />
1-2 Negotiating Team Leadership *BY PATC Lansing, MI<br />
1-2 SLR15 Law Enforcement Shotgun Armorer Course Defiance, MO<br />
1-2 Tactical Debrief: Intelligence gathering for law enforcement Texas City, TX<br />
2 Geofence Investigations St. Charles, MO<br />
5-6 Homicide Investigations Seminar Las Vegas , NV<br />
5-6 SLR15 AR15 / M16 / M4 / AR308 Armorer Course Lake Zurich, IL<br />
5-6 Tactical Street Enforcement & Violence Wheeling, WV<br />
5-7 Detecting Deception- 2.5 Days *BY PATC Lawrenceville, GA<br />
5-7 Field Training Officer by IPTM Jacksonville, FL<br />
5-7 FTO Certification and Program Managers course Little Rock, AR<br />
5-7 Real World Training for the Real Police Mt. Washington, KY<br />
5-7 Real World Training for the Real Police South Bend, IN<br />
5-8 Force Science Certification Course Dallas, TX<br />
5-8 Mobile Phone Investigations & Cellular Record Analysis Bowling Green, OH<br />
5-9 40 Hour Cellular Technologies Course Gilbert, AZ<br />
5-9 Death and Homicide Investigation *BY PATC Thornton, CO<br />
5-9 Event Data Recorder Use in Traffic Crash Reconstruction <strong>No</strong>blesville, IN<br />
5-9 Hostage Negotiations and Crisis Intervention, Parmus, NJ<br />
5-9 Hostage Negotiations and Crisis Intervention, Lansing, MI<br />
5-9 Internal Affairs Conference and Certification *BY PATC Phoenix, AZ<br />
5-9 Mastering the Leadership Challenges of Law Enforcement New Braunfels, TX<br />
5-9 New Detective and Criminal Investigator *BY PATC Shawnee, OK<br />
5-9 Officer-Involved Shooting and Use-of-Force *BY PATC Greer, SC<br />
6-7 PREA *BY PATC Massillon, OH<br />
6-8 Criminal/Drug Interdiction Techniques and Concealment Angleton, TX<br />
6-8 Supervising and Managing the FTO Unit - by LLRMI <strong>No</strong>blesville, IN<br />
6-8 WZ Criminal Level I Investigative Interviewing Techniques Lake Forest Pk, WA<br />
7-8 Child Death and Homicide Investigation *BY PATC Bentonville, AR<br />
7-9 Social Media, Open Source & Geofence Investigations Ruston, LA<br />
12 Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement Largo, FL<br />
12 SLR15 19<strong>11</strong> Pistol Armorer Course Ottumwa, IA<br />
12-13 Covert Surveillance *BY PATC Ontario, OH<br />
12-13 Force Encounters: Investigation, Somerton, AZ<br />
12-13 Supervising the Toxic Officer *BY PATC Middleton, ID<br />
12-14 3 Day UAS “Drone” Search and Rescue & Thermal Imaging Trophy Club, TX<br />
12-14 Burglary/Robbery Investigations by IPTM Altamonte Sp., FL<br />
12-14 Effective Supervision & Leadership (meets TCOLE 3737) Georgetown , TX<br />
12-14 Hands-On Vehicle Fire/Arson Investigation - by LLRMI Pharr, TX<br />
12-14 Major Case Management by IPTM Myrtle Beach, SC<br />
12-16 40 Hour Criminal Investigations Using Cellular Technologies Largo, FL<br />
12-16 Advanced Field Training Officer Course Savannah, GA<br />
12-16 Bones Bones & more Bones I&DI by Citgroup Miami, FL<br />
12-16 Commercial Vehicle Crash Investigation - Level I by IPTM Jacksonville, FL<br />
12-16 Criminal Investigations Using Cellular Technologies 40 Hour Peachtree City, GA<br />
12-16 Event Data Recorder Use in Traffic Crash Reconstruction - Humble, TX<br />
12-16 Hostage Negotiations, Phase III *BY PATC Hoover, AL<br />
12-16 Injury & Death Investigations (MIAMI) Miami, FL<br />
12-16 Internal Affairs Conference and Certification *BY PATC Franklin, IN<br />
12-16 Training Practical Professional Policing Skills Chandler, AZ<br />
12-23 At-Scene Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigation Albany, OR<br />
12-23 SSGT Vanguard Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification Hoover , AL<br />
13 Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection Largo, FL<br />
13 Mastering Search & Seizure by Blue to Gold Marion, OHnar<br />
13-14 Managing the Property and Evidence Room *BY PATC Hutchinson, KS<br />
13-14 SLR15 AR15 / M16 / M4 / AR308 Armorer Course Ottumwa, IA<br />
13-15 Fugitive Mission Planning & Cellular Investigative Techniques Sacramento, CA<br />
13-15 Inside the Tape Investigation & Crime Scene Management League City, TX<br />
13-15 Investigating Basic Sex Crimes *BY PATC Des Moines, IA<br />
88 The BLUES
The BLUES 89<br />
The BLUES 89
HONORING OUR<br />
DEPUTY SHERIFF SHANNON ERIC “SHANE” LANG, SR.<br />
90<br />
90 The<br />
The BLUES<br />
BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE<br />
MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, TENNESSEE<br />
END OF WATCH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023<br />
AGE: 48 TOUR: 23 YEARS BADGE: <strong>11</strong>9<br />
Deputy Sheriff Shane Lang suffered a fatal heart attack after removing heavy tree branches<br />
from Highway 156 in New Hope, Tennessee. After clearing the highway, he began to feel ill.<br />
The following morning, while on his way to a call, he felt worse and went to Parkridge West<br />
Hospital in Jasper, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be revived.<br />
Deputy Lang had served with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for nine years and<br />
previously served with the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida State Department<br />
of Corrections. He is survived by his wife, two sons, three daughters, two brothers, two<br />
sisters, and eight grandchildren.
FALLEN HEROES<br />
CAPTAIN JOHN ROBERT RANDOLPH, III<br />
RINGLING POLICE DEPARTMENT, OKLAHOMA<br />
END OF WATCH MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2023<br />
AGE: 59 TOUR: 29 YEARS BADGE: 1504<br />
Captain John Randolph succumbed to injuries he received when he fell while working as a school resource<br />
officer at the Ringling High School football game. He was escorting a teacher carrying the gate money at the<br />
school’s varsity football game at about 8:00 pm. He tripped on wood debris and fell forward onto a wood pile.<br />
He was transported to a nearby hospital and ultimately airlifted to Medical City Hospital in Denton, Texas, where<br />
he died from internal injuries three days later. Captain Randolph was a United States Army Operation Desert<br />
Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom veteran. He had served with the Ringling Police Department for two<br />
years and previously served with the Healton Police Department for two years, Carter County Sheriff’s Office<br />
for two years, Lone Grove Police Department for one year, and the Ardmore Police Department for 22 years.<br />
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and brother.<br />
The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 91<br />
The BLUES 91
HONORING OUR<br />
PAROLE OFFICER CHRISTINE GUERIN-SANDOVAL<br />
Community Parole Officer Christine Guerin-Sandoval was struck and killed by a vehicle near the intersection<br />
of W Bijou Street and N Spruce Street while she and two other parole officers attempted to arrest a parolee.<br />
They located the man inside a vehicle parked at a convenience store at the intersection at about 3:45 pm. As<br />
the officers approached the vehicle, the man intentionally reversed into them before fleeing the scene. Officer<br />
Guerin-Sandoval and one of the other officers were both struck. They were transported to UCHealth Memorial<br />
Hospital Central where Officer Guerin-Sandoval succumbed to her injuries.<br />
Officer Guerin-Sandoval had served with the Colorado Department of Corrections for five years and had previously<br />
served with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.<br />
92 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE<br />
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, COLORADO<br />
END OF WATCH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023<br />
AGE: N/A TOUR: 16 YEARS BADGE: N/A
FALLEN HEROES<br />
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER I ROBERT DANFORTH CLARK<br />
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA<br />
END OF WATCH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023<br />
AGE: 42 TOUR: 6 MONTHS BADGE: 1797<br />
Correctional Officer I Robert Clark died after being assaulted by an inmate with a homemade weapon at the<br />
Smith State Prison. He was escorting two prisoners from the dining hall when one of them attacked him from<br />
behind with the weapon. The second prisoner attempted to stop the attack but was also assaulted and injured<br />
before the attacker was subdued. Officer Clark and the wounded inmate were both transported to a local hospital<br />
where Officer Clark succumbed to his wounds. The inmate who attacked him, who was already serving a<br />
life sentence for murder, was charged with Officer Clark’s murder.<br />
Officer Clark had served with the Georgia Department of Corrections for only six months. He is survived by his<br />
mother, two brothers, four sisters, six nephews, and nine nieces.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 93
HONORING OUR<br />
DEPUTY SHERIFF TUCKER BLAKELY<br />
KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, TENNESSEE<br />
END OF WATCH MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2023<br />
AGE: 29 TOUR: 2 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Deputy Sheriff Tucker Blakely succumbed to gunshot wounds he received while responding to a domestic<br />
violence call at the 3200 block of Denver Lane in Knoxville. At <strong>11</strong>:30 p.m., deputies encountered an armed<br />
subject after receiving a domestic violence call. The situation escalated, and a gun battle ensued. Deputy<br />
Blakely was struck twice. The subject was shot and killed by returning gunfire. Deputy Blakely was transported<br />
to UT Medical Center and remained on life support so his organs could be donated.<br />
Deputy Blakely was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for two<br />
years. He is survived by his wife, son, and brother.<br />
94 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE
FALLEN HEROES<br />
POLICE OFFICER CHAD SWANSON<br />
MANHATTAN BEACH POLICE DEPT., CALIFORNIA<br />
END OF WATCH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023<br />
AGE: 35 TOUR: 13 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Police Officer Chad Swanson was killed in a motorcycle crash on the 405 Highway at Del Amo Avenue.<br />
While on his way to work at 5:15 a.m., a vehicle struck his department motorcycle after another vehicle made<br />
an unsafe lane change. The impact threw Officer Swanson off his motorcycle. He was transported to Harbor<br />
Medical Center where he died from his injuries. In 2017, despite being wounded at the Route 91 Harvest<br />
Country Music Festival, he repeatedly ran into the crowd bringing people to safety.<br />
Officer Swanson had served with the Manhattan Beach Police Department for 13 years and previously served<br />
with the Hawthorne Police Department. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and parents.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 95
HONORING OUR<br />
POLICE OFFICER RICHARD MENDEZ<br />
Police Officer Richard Mendez was shot and killed at the Philadelphia International Airport’s Garage D at about <strong>11</strong>:00<br />
p.m. He and his partner arrived in the parking garage, preparing to start their shift, when they observed subjects breaking<br />
into a vehicle. As they approached the men, the subjects fired at them. Officer Mendez was struck multiple times,<br />
and his partner was shot in the arm. Officer Mendez was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he<br />
succumbed to his wounds at <strong>11</strong>:34 p.m. The suspects fled in a stolen vehicle. One of the suspects, who died from<br />
gunshot wounds, was dropped off at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The rest of the suspects remained at large<br />
until October 16, 2023, when an 18-year-old suspect was arrested.<br />
Officer Mendez had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for almost 23 years and was assigned to the<br />
Airport Unit. He is survived by his wife and daughter.<br />
96 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE<br />
PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, PENNSYLVANIA<br />
END OF WATCH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023<br />
AGE: 50 TOUR: 22 YEARS BADGE: 5041
FALLEN HEROES<br />
LIEUTENANT MILTON RESENDEZ<br />
SAN BENITO POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEXAS<br />
END OF WATCH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023<br />
AGE: 52 TOUR: 30 YEARS BADGE: N/A<br />
Lieutenant Milton Resendez was shot and killed during a police pursuit at the <strong>11</strong>00 block of <strong>No</strong>rth Sam<br />
Houston Boulevard in San Benito. At 10:58 p.m., the San Benito Police Department was notified that a fleeing<br />
vehicle being pursued by the Texas Department of Public Safety was entering their jurisdiction. Lieutenant<br />
Resendez was traveling north on <strong>No</strong>rth Sam Houston Boulevard when the fleeing vehicle approached from the<br />
southbound lanes. The subjects fired at his patrol vehicle. One bullet hit the front of his vehicle, and the second<br />
struck the driver’s side door. One of the bullets pierced Lieutenant Resendez in the abdomen below his vest.<br />
He was transported to Valley Baptist Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.<br />
Lieutenant Resendez had served with the San Benito Police Department for 27 years and previously<br />
served with the Brownsville Police Department and Palm Valley Police Department.<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 97
HONORING OUR<br />
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER I KELLY BERNARD ROLANDO<br />
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, MO<br />
END OF WATCH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023<br />
AGE: 34 TOUR: 8 YEARS BADGE: 136<strong>11</strong>5<br />
Correctional Officer Kelly Rolando was killed in a vehicle crash at 7:14 p.m. on the 54 Bypass in Mexico, Missouri.<br />
Officer Rolando was returning to the <strong>No</strong>rtheast Correctional Center in Bowling Green from a temporary assignment at<br />
the University Hospital in Columbia when he collided head-on with a vehicle traveling southbound. He and the driver of<br />
the other vehicle were killed instantly.<br />
Officer Rolando had served with the Missouri Department of Corrections for eight years. He is survived by his mother,<br />
father, grandmothers, grandfather, three sisters, and two brothers.<br />
98 The BLUES<br />
POLICE MAGAZINE
FALLEN HEROES<br />
“When a police officer is killed,<br />
it’s not an agency that loses an<br />
officer, it’s an entire nation.”<br />
Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder<br />
The BLUES POLICE The MAGAZINE BLUES 99
WORDS BY SGT. MICHAEL BARRON, RET.<br />
Apartment 203<br />
I was only a block away when<br />
the call dropped. “Fight in progress,<br />
man fighting with young<br />
female at the Bridgestone Apartments,<br />
Apartment 203, possible<br />
weapon involved.” As soon as I<br />
turned into the complex, I saw<br />
a crowd of people gathered in<br />
the parking lot. Well, I guess the<br />
fight has moved downstairs.<br />
See this wasn’t my first time at<br />
Apt 203. In fact, I knew both tenants<br />
very well. Angelia and Marcus<br />
Smith. Common-law man<br />
and wife, boyfriend/girlfriend,<br />
fightee and fighter. As I checked<br />
out, I thought here we go again.<br />
Same ole bullshit.<br />
As I walked up, the crowd<br />
backed up and there on the<br />
ground in a pool of blood was<br />
Angelia. Her head flattened<br />
against the concrete sidewalk,<br />
her leg twisted and obviously<br />
broken. I felt for a pulse and<br />
found nothing. All the previous<br />
calls I had responded to over<br />
the years, all the drama, all for<br />
nothing. I called for a supervisor,<br />
detectives, ambulance, and a<br />
Crime Scene Unit. “Dispatch, can<br />
100 The BLUES<br />
100 The BLUES<br />
you notify the ME and get them<br />
enroute.” It’s going to be a long<br />
night.<br />
• • •<br />
I first met this lovely couple<br />
about two years ago. They had<br />
moved to Spring Texas from Gulf<br />
Port, Mississippi. I really don’t remember<br />
why, but they were both<br />
Meth heads and nothing they<br />
ever said really made any sense.<br />
Marcus worked construction and<br />
Angelia did a little bit of everything.<br />
When they needed a fix<br />
between paydays, Marcus would<br />
send Angelia out to do tricks so<br />
they could score some crystal.<br />
Then he would beat the crap out<br />
of her when he got wasted for<br />
whoring around. Dude, you sent<br />
her out to get money to score<br />
your dope. <strong>No</strong>w you’re beating<br />
her for doing exactly what you<br />
asked her to do. WTF.<br />
<strong>No</strong>w mind you all this took<br />
place in the early 80’s and Domestic<br />
Violence laws weren’t a<br />
thing yet. The wife/girlfriend had<br />
to appear as the complainant<br />
not the State. And every single<br />
time I took ole Marcus to jail and<br />
filed on him, Angelia would drop<br />
the charges.<br />
“But I really love him, and he<br />
loves me. He says he’s sorry and<br />
that he didn’t mean to hit me.”<br />
Repeatedly, I’d show up, file a<br />
report, and file charges. She’d<br />
either drop the charges or refuse<br />
to go to court. And the ADA<br />
would yell and scream at me<br />
every time. Once, she even asked<br />
if she could ride to the jail with<br />
us so she could bail him out.<br />
“Sure Angelia, get in the back<br />
seat with him. I’ll have to handcuff<br />
you, it’s policy” <strong>No</strong>w I’m<br />
going to book your stupid ass for<br />
PI and whatever the else I can<br />
think of, to put your ass in jail
with him.<br />
Didn’t matter, they were both<br />
out the next day and within<br />
hours fighting again. They moved<br />
to a dozen different apartment<br />
complexes over the past twenty-four<br />
months, as apartment<br />
managers grew tired of the police<br />
kicking in doors to stop their<br />
fights.<br />
On two different occasions, I<br />
actually helped her move out.<br />
I rented her a van, helped her<br />
move what little stuff she had<br />
while Marcus was at work. I<br />
enrolled her in a drug rehab and<br />
signed her up to get help from<br />
the women’s shelter. The first<br />
time she stayed away a couple<br />
of months. Then “she missed<br />
her man” and low and behold<br />
one Friday night I’m back at yet<br />
another apartment complex and<br />
he’s beaten the crap out of her…<br />
again. He goes to jail, she cries,<br />
yada yada.<br />
The second moveout was different,<br />
or so I thought. I checked<br />
her into a new Drug Treatment<br />
Center that had opened in downtown,<br />
and it was locked down<br />
tight. Check-in and you don’t get<br />
out until you’re clean and ready<br />
to move on with your life. Angelia<br />
stayed inside for six months<br />
and according to her counselor,<br />
she was really doing well. She<br />
had met a really nice guy inside<br />
and was ready to start a new<br />
life. BUT. She got released and<br />
he didn’t. I heard she kept visiting<br />
him while staying at a nearby<br />
women’s shelter.<br />
Eight months had passed, and<br />
I was proud that I had taken a<br />
meth head and got her rehabilitated<br />
and stopped a string of<br />
violence between her and Marcus<br />
that would have eventually<br />
ended in tragedy. At least in my<br />
mind anyway. Then early one<br />
Wednesday night, I got a disturbance<br />
call at the Bridgestone<br />
Apartments, Apt. 203. Imagine<br />
the look on my face when I<br />
walked in an open door and saw<br />
Angelia sitting on a couch with<br />
a bloody nose. Are you fucking<br />
kidding me?<br />
What the hell are you even<br />
doing up here Angelia? “I broke<br />
up with Steven (the rehab boyfriend)<br />
and I missed Marcus.”<br />
Holy shit are you kidding me<br />
with this crap. And are you high?<br />
NO, I just took a bump with Marcus!<br />
I’m not HIGH! And where the<br />
hell is Marcus?<br />
“He’s at his brothers around<br />
the corner. He didn’t want to get<br />
popped, he’s on probation you<br />
know.” She says in a slurred,<br />
barely audible drunken voice.<br />
Naw, I didn’t know. Are you<br />
going to file on him this time and<br />
actually GO TO COURT.<br />
“Yes, yes, I will. I’m tired of his<br />
shit.”<br />
So, I drive around the corner<br />
and there in the courtyard of yet<br />
another dirtball complex, was<br />
The BLUES 101<br />
The BLUES 101
Marcus and his dirtball brother.<br />
One thing I will say about<br />
Marcus, was he was never any<br />
trouble. He may have been a<br />
fuck-up, but I never had to fight<br />
him. I cuffed him, went back to<br />
Bridgestone, wrote the report<br />
and transported the boy to jail.<br />
Angelia, I hope this is the last<br />
time I have to come out here.<br />
“I promise it’s the last time. I’ve<br />
learned my lesson. I promise.<br />
I’d sooner die then come back<br />
here.”<br />
Uh huh. We’ll see.<br />
• • •<br />
As soon as the detectives<br />
arrived on the scene, I told the<br />
lead detective I’d be right back.<br />
He looked at me like I was nuts.<br />
“You’re leaving? Do we have any<br />
suspects? Do we have a description?<br />
Where the hell are you<br />
going?”<br />
To arrest a guy for murder,<br />
where else! He looked at me like<br />
I was crazy.<br />
“Hey, bring me back some<br />
Whataburger, I know that’s<br />
where you’re going. Arrest a suspect,<br />
my ass.”<br />
I drove around the corner, and<br />
yep, I was right. There were<br />
Marcus and his dumb ass brother<br />
smoking a pipe in the parking lot.<br />
As soon as I walked up, Marcus<br />
looked me right in the eye and<br />
said “I know, I know, I’m sorry<br />
I didn’t mean to fight with her,<br />
and I didn’t mean to push her.<br />
But she’ll be OK, and she won’t<br />
file on me. She loves me. I’m her<br />
entire world. I’ll go with her to<br />
the hospital, and I’ll take care of<br />
her. I promise officer.”<br />
As I handcuffed him for the last<br />
time, I said, “no Marcus you aren’t<br />
going to the hospital, you’re<br />
102 The BLUES<br />
going to prison… for life. See<br />
this time, I’m filing the charges,<br />
and I don’t need Angelia. And she<br />
won’t ever have to worry about<br />
you beating her again. She’s<br />
finally at peace.” As I finished<br />
reading him his rights, he says,<br />
“Naw, she always comes back to<br />
me. She’ll be back, you’ll see. It<br />
was just a little push, she’ll be<br />
OK.”<br />
<strong>No</strong> Marcus, she won’t. As we<br />
pulled back into the Bridgestone<br />
Apartments for the last time, the<br />
ME was loading Angelia’s body<br />
into their van. Marcus didn’t fully<br />
understand what was going on<br />
until we got out of the car and<br />
the detectives walked up. Detective<br />
Martin, this is Marcus Smith.<br />
I mirandized him and he has just<br />
confessed to pushing his common<br />
law wife Angelia Smith off<br />
the second-floor balcony and<br />
killing her.<br />
Oh, and I’m sorry, I couldn’t<br />
pick up Whataburger for you, I<br />
was a little busy. But I’m headed<br />
there now to finish my report if<br />
you wanna join me, after you<br />
book this moron.<br />
• • •<br />
The following month, The<br />
Texas Legislature passed a new<br />
law that allowed Texas Peace<br />
Officers to file the charges<br />
against an actor in family violence<br />
offence. <strong>No</strong> longer was it<br />
up to the victim to file charges<br />
and they could no longer dismiss<br />
the charges either. Had the law<br />
been enacted only 6-months<br />
earlier, perhaps Angelia Smith<br />
would still be alive. Either way,<br />
Marcus would have still ended<br />
up in jail. The court convicted<br />
him of First-Degree murder and<br />
sentenced him to life in prison.<br />
I heard he was paroled 15 years<br />
later. I guess Angelia’s life was<br />
only worth 15 years.<br />
CLICK OR SCAN HERE<br />
for free Subscription
LEARN MORE<br />
ATR<br />
528<br />
1000W MOTOR<br />
DUAL BATTERY<br />
REINFORCED<br />
FRAME<br />
UPGRADED<br />
COMPONENTS<br />
The BLUES 103<br />
The BLUES 103
WORDS BY SGT. MICHAEL BARRON, RET<br />
My first OIS. The day we made history.<br />
Working day shift is, well<br />
downright boring. Reports,<br />
reports and more reports. Accidents?<br />
Yeah, more reports.<br />
Mail runs, prisoner transfers,<br />
court, you name it. Just boring<br />
same-ole, same-ole. So, when a<br />
chase pops up, you join right in<br />
if you’re close, sometimes even if<br />
you’re not.<br />
Today would be one of those<br />
days when you say enough is<br />
enough and you just go. It was<br />
about 2:45pm on a Thursday<br />
and I had just pulled into the<br />
Humble substation to turn in<br />
some reports. As I walked in the<br />
door, the stations radio was a<br />
buzz with what would become<br />
one of the longest chases in the<br />
history of our department, at<br />
least back in those days anyway.<br />
<strong>No</strong>w this was long before unit<br />
numbers had changed to make<br />
any sense of who was who, and<br />
I have no idea who was really<br />
involved so I’m just making these<br />
up, so please don’t take offense<br />
(I meant to use that word by the<br />
way) if I use your number and<br />
you weren’t a part of this history<br />
making event.<br />
104 The BLUES<br />
104 The BLUES<br />
The chase started at Aldine<br />
Mail Route and Aldine Westfield<br />
at a small grocery store. A unit<br />
passing by observed an old piece<br />
of shit van parked outside with<br />
a white male inside, the motor<br />
running and expired plates. As<br />
the deputy pulled in, the subject<br />
he took off and as they say, the<br />
chase was on.<br />
Half the law enforcement<br />
agencies on the <strong>No</strong>rth Side of<br />
Houston joined in the pursuit of<br />
this broken down, piece of crap<br />
van. Besides the dozens of traffic<br />
violations he was racking up<br />
and fleeing from the police, no<br />
one had any idea this moron was<br />
involved in a much bigger crime.<br />
Seems there was a reason he<br />
was sitting in this particular<br />
parking lot. His common-law<br />
wife was inside robbing the<br />
place. Thirty minutes into the<br />
chase, the dispatcher drops a<br />
robbery in progress call from<br />
that very same grocery store.<br />
The suspect, his wife, ran outside<br />
expecting to get inside the<br />
getaway van. Problem was the<br />
van/getaway car was long gone.<br />
So, she sat on the curb and waited.<br />
Incidentally, she did get a<br />
ride. With a sheriff’s deputy who<br />
kindly arrested her.<br />
As the chase criss-crossed<br />
the north side of Houston , a<br />
good friend of mine Detective<br />
John Hill who was assigned to<br />
my district, walked out of JP<br />
court and wanted to know what<br />
was going on. Why is everyone<br />
standing around the radio Barron?<br />
Listening to what could become<br />
one of the longest chases<br />
in the county’ s history. “Well<br />
hell”, he said, “let’s go be a part<br />
of history.” And just like that, we<br />
headed south on the Eastex Freeway<br />
to join in on the action.<br />
By the time we reached Beltway<br />
8, the chase had centered
itself around the George Bush<br />
Airport and all the side streets<br />
in the area. We exited the freeway<br />
onto the Beltway and low<br />
and behold as we approached<br />
JFK Parkway, the damn van turn<br />
north on JFK right in front of us<br />
and we were the lead vehicle.<br />
What the hell? Holy Shit Batman!<br />
With dozens and dozens of cops<br />
behind us, we began calling out<br />
this idiot’s crazy driving skills.<br />
<strong>No</strong> sooner had we began heading<br />
towards the airport, the suspect<br />
made a U-turn and headed<br />
back south on JFK. Within a few<br />
seconds, it sounded like we were<br />
driving through rocks or gravel.<br />
A metallic sound hitting the<br />
fenders of our car. My partner<br />
says, “what the hell is that?” It<br />
was at that moment we realized<br />
that the mile-long stream of<br />
cops on the opposite side of the<br />
median WERE SHOOTING AT THE<br />
VAN AND BULLETS WERE HIT-<br />
TING US.<br />
WTF. I SCREAMED INTO THE<br />
RADIO, STOP SHOOTING AT THE<br />
VAN! <strong>No</strong>w to the hundreds not<br />
involved in the chase this sounded<br />
stupid. But to those on the<br />
opposite side of the road they<br />
knew exactly what I meant. A<br />
unit behind me was more direct<br />
“Stop fucking shooting you idiots,<br />
you’re gonna fucking hit one<br />
of us.”<br />
At this point the chase was into<br />
its second hour and supervisors<br />
were getting pissed. Units were<br />
getting trashed, wrecks were<br />
popping up everywhere, and<br />
news helicopters were starting<br />
to arrive along with HPD’s fox.<br />
(<strong>No</strong>t sure why it took so long for<br />
either to arrive, but if I remember<br />
correctly, some larger news<br />
story was breaking on the opposite<br />
side of town)<br />
We had now traveled up and<br />
down Beltway 8 several times<br />
in both directions. DPS had tried<br />
several times to shoot out his<br />
tire, with no success. Mind you<br />
this was before we had ‘stop<br />
sticks.’ This guy was all over<br />
the road, curbs, driveways, you<br />
name it. By this time, we were<br />
no longer the lead vehicle. Our<br />
brakes had faded to the point<br />
they were useless. As we approached<br />
JFK for the like the<br />
20th time, we needed gas and<br />
decided to pull into a Circle K on<br />
Aldine Bender.<br />
By the time we gassed up and<br />
taken potty breaks, it was nearly<br />
5:30. The chase had lasted almost<br />
3 hours at this point. As we<br />
pulled out of the Circle K, I heard<br />
“Unit 4205 we are now Eastbound<br />
on Aldine Bender from<br />
Aldine Westfield. WTF. They are<br />
headed our way AGAIN!<br />
At this point, I guess from<br />
having watched way too may<br />
cop chases on TV, we decided<br />
to block the intersection with<br />
our car. STUPID MOVE!! We both<br />
got out and stood behind the car<br />
with guns drawn, just like in the<br />
movies. SECOND STUPID MOVE.<br />
<strong>No</strong>w here we are, two stupid<br />
The BLUES 105<br />
The BLUES 105
cops, hiding behind a stupid car<br />
in the MIDDLE OF THE STUPID<br />
ROAD. As this caravan of cops<br />
appeared in the distance with<br />
what seemed like hundreds of<br />
flashing lights I remember saying<br />
“uhhhh, maybe this isn’t such<br />
a good idea.”<br />
It was at about that moment,<br />
we both started to run towards<br />
the ditch on the opposite side of<br />
the road. Just as we reached the<br />
ditch, I looked over my shoulder<br />
and the damn van was headed<br />
straight for us. The SOB was<br />
going to run right over us at 100<br />
mph. I will never forget the terrified<br />
look on the drivers face as<br />
he drove straight for us. They say<br />
I fired 4 times. I don’t even remember<br />
that. I do remember his<br />
wind shield being all fractured<br />
with bullet holes. I remember it<br />
passing so close to me I could<br />
feel the force of the air push me<br />
backwards into the ditch. What<br />
I didn’t see was my partner. One<br />
minute he was beside me and<br />
then he wasn’t. I remember hearing<br />
gunshots, but I didn’t know<br />
where they were coming from.<br />
As the van hit the ditch, it<br />
sailed right over us. My partner<br />
was already at the bottom of<br />
the ditch. As it crossed the ditch,<br />
it rolled onto its side throwing<br />
mud and water everywhere. As it<br />
slid to a stop, I remember seeing<br />
dozens of cops running past me<br />
with guns drawn. All screaming<br />
something. I turned around saw<br />
John there in the ditch, exactly<br />
where that van had just been.<br />
OMG, John are you alright?<br />
“Yeah, the asshole went right<br />
over the top of us.” <strong>No</strong> shit.<br />
We both ran towards the van<br />
as officers were handcuffing<br />
106 The BLUES<br />
the suspect. It was obvious that<br />
he had been struck by multiple<br />
rounds and was bleeding profusely.<br />
As I looked into the van,<br />
I swear there was no less than<br />
a hundred bullet holes in the<br />
side of that smoking piece of<br />
shit. What happened next, I will<br />
never forget as long as I live. The<br />
sound of a baby crying coming<br />
from inside the van. One of the<br />
officers opened the back doors<br />
and there inside the back of the<br />
van was an 18-month-old baby<br />
girl. Bleeding but alive. Thank<br />
God.<br />
I remember yelling into my<br />
radio – send me LIFEFLIGHT. We<br />
have an injured baby. Almost<br />
instantly an ambulance pulled<br />
alongside us and took the baby<br />
and began treating her. Miraculously<br />
the baby wasn’t severely<br />
injured. The suspect was<br />
transported to a local hospital<br />
and survived. As we all stood<br />
and stared at the smoking van,<br />
I remember a Sgt. walking up<br />
and asking, “OK I need to see<br />
everyone who fired their weapon<br />
during this chase.” Suddenly<br />
dozens of cops were GONE. Only<br />
John and I were left standing<br />
there.<br />
I looked at the Sgt. and said<br />
“Wait a minute!!! <strong>No</strong> fucking way<br />
we were the only ones firing<br />
rounds into that van. There’s like<br />
a hundred fucking holes in it!” He<br />
said, “son I wouldn’t say another<br />
word until your union rep gets<br />
here.”<br />
Suddenly this became a nightmare.<br />
Union Rep? Within a few<br />
minutes, the DA’s shooting team<br />
arrived, took our guns, put us<br />
in separate cars and drove us<br />
downtown. I took the Sgt’s advice;<br />
I didn’t say a word until my<br />
union attorney arrived. That was<br />
the first time that I had ever had<br />
my rights read to me. To say I<br />
was sacred shitless, would be an<br />
understatement. But I knew we<br />
hadn’t done anything wrong. We<br />
were clearly in danger and were<br />
acting to protect ourselves. And<br />
thank God the asshole admitted<br />
he had every intention of mowing<br />
us down. He should have<br />
waited for his union rep.<br />
At 10pm, John and I exited separate<br />
interview rooms at the DA’s<br />
office and were told we were<br />
free to go. We both looked at<br />
each other with a sign of relief.<br />
“WTF just happened I asked.”<br />
John says, “we just made history<br />
son, we just made history.”<br />
Hey! Where the fuck is my car?<br />
• • •<br />
The suspect was charged with<br />
evading arrest; attempted capital<br />
murder of two peace officers;<br />
endangering the life of a minor;<br />
robbery and about ten thousand<br />
traffic fines. The female was<br />
charged with robbery and child<br />
endangerment for leaving the<br />
child with a wanted fugitive. The<br />
child fully recovered and was<br />
turned over to relatives. The deputy<br />
that started the chase was<br />
stopping by the store to purchase<br />
a loaf of bread and milk<br />
for his wife on his way home. He<br />
had no idea the store was being<br />
hijacked nor did he have any<br />
reason to question the suspect<br />
other than the expired plate. Had<br />
the subject not run, most likely<br />
the two would have escaped and<br />
the chase would have never hap-
pened. Crime scene investigators<br />
found 107 bullet holes fired from<br />
various weapons all over the<br />
van’s exterior. The fact the baby<br />
survived all those rounds was<br />
an absolute miracle. When the<br />
detective returned my revolver,<br />
I had fired 4 rounds, John had<br />
fired 5. The identity of those who<br />
fired the other 98 rounds remains<br />
a mystery. Oh yes, my patrol car<br />
had one round through the front<br />
left fender. It remained there<br />
until the car was sold at auction.<br />
HISTORY!!<br />
CLICK OR SCAN HERE<br />
for free Subscription<br />
The BLUES 107<br />
The BLUES 107
A BADGE OF HONOR<br />
healing our heroes<br />
Some Tough Love<br />
For many of us Post Traumatic<br />
Stress can become a way of life, it<br />
normalizes our actions. Over time,<br />
it changes our mental mindset and<br />
our way of thinking.<br />
It’s like having chronic back pain<br />
and learning to adjust your lifestyle<br />
to live with the daily pain.<br />
But the real issues are not so<br />
much living with the pain of<br />
post-Traumatic stress, it’s the way<br />
we approach it.<br />
It doesn’t have to be this way. If<br />
we are suffering from an injury, we<br />
seek the proper treatment. Proper<br />
treatment is key, you wouldn’t go<br />
see a heart specialist for a knee<br />
injury?<br />
Many suffer, but few take the<br />
steps to get treated. Many would<br />
rather live with the pain, attempt to<br />
hide it or drown it in alcohol, drugs,<br />
porn or some self-destructive path.<br />
Some even blame the stigma attached<br />
to it. All excuses to deny the<br />
fact we are suffering.<br />
Post-Traumatic Stress is not curable,<br />
but it is 100% manageable. It<br />
does not have to control your life;<br />
it can enrich your life in ways you<br />
never thought of. It’s acceptance is<br />
what heals you.<br />
When you’re suffering from trauma,<br />
your mind begins to close itself<br />
off to new experiences. It stops you<br />
from enjoying life’s activities going<br />
on around you. You find yourself<br />
isolated, even if you do participate<br />
in a function, you lack the emotion<br />
to truly enjoy it.<br />
We begin to push things off, making<br />
excuses about why we cannot<br />
participate. We use work, chores,<br />
and other things to deflect the real<br />
issue. If we fail to see the impact<br />
108 The BLUES<br />
it has, we fail to see the treatment<br />
options that are available. We begin<br />
to believe we are not fixable; we<br />
feel we are just existing. It’s what<br />
Post Traumatic Stress does. It tricks<br />
our mind into thinking negatively.<br />
If we continue down this path,<br />
eventually it will cause irreversible<br />
harm to ourselves and others. Just<br />
like a bucket slowly filling with<br />
water or putting too much air into a<br />
tire, it’s only a matter of time before<br />
it overfills or explodes.<br />
Without acceptance, we can’t<br />
heal properly.<br />
This leads me to what treatment<br />
you need. It varies as each person<br />
copes differently. Many factors go<br />
into the whys. What affects one<br />
person, does not necessarily affect<br />
another. Sometimes it goes deeper<br />
than the actual trauma itself, we<br />
must look at all factors. Childhood,<br />
relationships, financial issues. All<br />
this impacts stress levels in our<br />
brain.<br />
In order to bring your mind back<br />
into a healthy state, you have to<br />
heal all traumas, past and present.<br />
My PTS was elevated due to past<br />
traumas which occurred in my own<br />
childhood, causing unhealthy coping<br />
skills placing me in denial.<br />
I was sexually abused as a child,<br />
keeping it bottled up for more than<br />
4 decades. I was hiding and trying<br />
to bury it deep inside, just stacking<br />
my first responder trauma on top it.<br />
This severely impacted my coping<br />
mechanisms which led to anger issues,<br />
alcohol, relationship problems<br />
and more.<br />
I share this for a reason. Being<br />
transparent and open, I hope will<br />
help others deal with their own<br />
SAMANTHA HORWITZ &<br />
JOHN SALERNO<br />
hidden issues. We can’t heal current<br />
issues without healing some past<br />
ones.<br />
The uniforms we wear help<br />
protect us, but what protects us<br />
when the uniform comes off. We<br />
must take the first steps to a healthy<br />
mental mind set. We must dig deep<br />
within ourselves and accept we may<br />
have changed. We ourselves must<br />
see this. As the Stigma goes, “Just<br />
rub some dirt on it”, well when will<br />
we stop allowing the dirt to be rub<br />
on us. Our lives depend on it.<br />
When we stack work trauma on<br />
top of personal trauma, we end<br />
up striking a match which ignites<br />
a fuse to disaster. I lit that match,<br />
which almost cost me my life. I<br />
tried many traditional couch therapies,<br />
some of which failed me,<br />
some I failed them. Feeling frustrated,<br />
impatient and lost. Then I found<br />
equine therapy. A program I would<br />
have never approached, a program<br />
I would have discarded if not for<br />
some support from my peers and<br />
colleagues.<br />
Proper treatment can douse the<br />
lite fuse. Find the treatment plan<br />
which works for you. Giving up is<br />
not an option, it’s an excuse.<br />
Stop making excuses. You are<br />
worth it.<br />
Ret. NYPD John Salerno
The BLUES 109
DARYL LOTT<br />
daryl’s deliberations<br />
“Don’t!”<br />
Have you ever visited the<br />
Capitol of the United States? It’s<br />
an impressive monument that<br />
serves as a temple to democracy.<br />
The rotunda of the great<br />
complex is topped with a statue<br />
named “Freedom.” It sits so<br />
high that passersby can’t really<br />
see its details. The construction<br />
and extension of the building<br />
was started in the 1850’s. There<br />
was much controversy because<br />
it would cost the taxpayers a<br />
lot of money. In those days the<br />
government didn’t spend money<br />
it didn’t have.<br />
But the building had<br />
a champion who<br />
would navigate<br />
the troubled waters<br />
and provide the<br />
Union with a building<br />
stately enough<br />
to house the entire<br />
Legislative Branch of<br />
our government. The<br />
statue, the rotunda,<br />
the expansion to two<br />
houses, the hallway<br />
between the houses<br />
all owe their existence<br />
to their champion:<br />
Senator Jefferson<br />
Davis (D-Miss).<br />
That’s another story<br />
for another time.<br />
The statue appears<br />
as a three-dimensional<br />
figure atop the<br />
dome, but directly<br />
under the dome are<br />
paintings. The most famous one<br />
is Washington appearing as a<br />
divine figure. Nearby, however, is<br />
our friend, “Freedom.” I took the<br />
photo accompanying this essay<br />
and I draw your attention to it.<br />
The painting was done as the<br />
Capitol was nearing completion<br />
during the Civil War. Probably<br />
much to Senator Jefferson<br />
Davis’s chagrin, “Freedom” is<br />
on the move. She has no olive<br />
branches or doves in her arsenal.<br />
People are in trouble. People are<br />
dying. Liberty is on the march<br />
DARYL LOTT<br />
as the United States<br />
Army frees more and<br />
more of the enslaved.<br />
“Freedom” is drawing<br />
all those who wish<br />
to be free under the<br />
weapons she does not<br />
bear in vain. The Eagle<br />
soars with “Freedom”<br />
clutching arrows to be<br />
loosed in her name.<br />
“Freedom” has cried,<br />
“Havoc!” The dogs of<br />
war have slipped their<br />
chains.<br />
I don’t think it’s often<br />
that “Freedom” draws<br />
her deadly arsenal<br />
and threatens those<br />
who would murder<br />
and sow mayhem, but<br />
now is one of those<br />
times. As the U.S.S.<br />
Gerald R Ford and her<br />
lethal escorts provide<br />
the cover Israel<br />
<strong>11</strong>0 The BLUES
equires to reestablish safety<br />
for her citizens, I have confidence<br />
in our Navy and Air Force.<br />
I have confidence in the IDF. I<br />
could never have imagined such<br />
depravity as Hamas revealed.<br />
I never thought there was any<br />
mind on earth capable of such<br />
evil. I was wrong. As I look at the<br />
vision of an outraged “Freedom”<br />
painted on the ceiling of our seat<br />
of government, I wish her Godspeed.<br />
I call on the G-d of Abraham,<br />
Isaac, and Jacob to protect<br />
those who fight in His holy name.<br />
I ask Him to give comfort to the<br />
people of Israel and to establish<br />
justice among men and nations.<br />
Amen.<br />
To connect with the author’s<br />
blog and newsletter: www.<br />
faithfultexasfootprints.com<br />
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>1
DR. TINA JAECKLE<br />
blue mental health<br />
The Pain of Media Scrutiny<br />
and Officer Mental Health<br />
I often read national news<br />
stories that are published when<br />
an officer experiences a very<br />
public fall from grace. It seems<br />
such easy fodder for journalistic<br />
organizations to, on one<br />
hand, highlight the vulnerable<br />
side of the individual behind the<br />
badge, then, on the other hand,<br />
promote intense scrutiny for the<br />
mistake. It is important to me to<br />
try to understand the impact on<br />
the officer’s mental health and<br />
subsequent short- and longterm<br />
adjustment. For public<br />
safety mental health professionals,<br />
we clearly know that<br />
there is often more to the story,<br />
and we encourage officers not<br />
to read it, especially the comments<br />
from keyboard warriors.<br />
But they do, and it cuts, deeply.<br />
Please do not misunderstand,<br />
I am not referring to those now<br />
ex-officers who have been<br />
arrested for egregious acts<br />
against others. My focus is on<br />
the officers who have made<br />
mistakes that frequently arise<br />
as symptoms of a larger problem.<br />
Trauma, cumulative stress,<br />
depression, moral injury, alcoholism<br />
and substance abuse.<br />
I have met numerous officers<br />
who do not begin to remotely<br />
consider that their need to<br />
medicate pain is in response<br />
<strong>11</strong>2 The BLUES<br />
DR. TINA JAECKLE<br />
to deeper unresolved issues.<br />
At times, it is, in part, the pain<br />
of seeing the consequences of<br />
their decisions in such a public<br />
forum that brings them to their<br />
knees and opens the floodgates<br />
to finally ask for help.<br />
When these situations arise, I<br />
am blessed to be reminded of<br />
the amazing behind the scenes<br />
network of wonderful professionals<br />
who always pick up<br />
the phone and ask how they<br />
can help. While I utilize several<br />
types of treatment programs,<br />
I wanted to highlight one that<br />
has provided consistently high<br />
levels of care and focuses on<br />
the specific needs of first responders.<br />
The National Law Enforcement<br />
and First Responder<br />
Wellness Center at Harbor<br />
of Grace’s (Maryland) Mental<br />
Health Treatment Program is<br />
a clinically managed, medium-intensity<br />
residential program<br />
for adults, 18 years and<br />
older, with a diagnosed mental<br />
health disorder, needing a safe<br />
and structured living environment<br />
that allows additional<br />
time for stabilization and recovery<br />
skill development. The<br />
program provides 24-hour care<br />
with trained staff for patients<br />
able to tolerate and use an active<br />
milieu or therapeutic community<br />
setting. Daily groups, individual<br />
and family counseling<br />
and education/experiential sessions<br />
are designed to address<br />
physical, mental, emotional<br />
and spiritual aspects of mental<br />
illness. Patients develop a<br />
deeper understanding of themselves<br />
and their disease, laying<br />
the foundation for recovery and<br />
healing. The length of stay in<br />
the HoG Residential Program is<br />
determined on a case-by-case<br />
basis, however most patients<br />
stay a minimum of 14 days. The<br />
treatment team is comprised of<br />
active and retired police officers,<br />
firefighters, SWAT medics,<br />
EMT’s, military veterans and<br />
mobile crisis personnel that<br />
have 500 years of combined<br />
public service experience and<br />
125 years of combined personal<br />
recovery and they are licensed<br />
therapists, professional interventionists,<br />
crisis negotiators
and Critical Incident Response<br />
Specialists.<br />
Co-founders Ken Beyer and<br />
Dr. W. David Hill patiently<br />
assembled a compassionate<br />
team of seasoned professionals<br />
led by Tim Thompson, a 24-<br />
year veteran of the substance<br />
abuse treatment field. As word<br />
spread, Harbor of Grace rapidly,<br />
but purposefully, expanded its<br />
treatment team to effectively<br />
deliver a widening range of<br />
treatment methods including<br />
Ambulatory Detox. They have<br />
grown to a forty-four bed, medium<br />
intensity residential facility<br />
with simultaneous Partial<br />
Hospitalization and Intensive<br />
Outpatient programs. (https://<br />
harborofgracerecovery.com/<br />
first-responders/why-chooseus/).<br />
Lastly, I offer this small bit<br />
of advice. I encourage you to<br />
refrain from judgement and<br />
criticism when a law enforcement<br />
officer has a very public<br />
fall from grace. There is often<br />
more to the story. Trust me, he<br />
or she will have to deal with<br />
the consequences. Every single<br />
one of us will be forced to our<br />
knees by something devastating<br />
in our lives. What is more<br />
important is that you do not<br />
stay down, there is help for you<br />
to stand up and start again. You<br />
must, however, choose to help<br />
yourself before anyone else can<br />
assist you. We live in a world<br />
full of anger and impatience<br />
right now. Offer grace, even if it<br />
only means keeping your negativity<br />
to yourself.<br />
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>3
NOT SO BRIGHT AWARD<br />
Light Bulb Award<br />
REP. JAMALL BOWMAN<br />
Another moron on Capitol Hill. What should<br />
have been a felony is now a slap on the wrist.<br />
By Chris Donaldson<br />
<strong>11</strong>4 The BLUES<br />
The hotheaded “Squad” member<br />
somehow thought that it would be<br />
a good idea to obstruct Congress<br />
when he yanked the lever down on<br />
the distinctive box clearly marked<br />
as a fire alarm and then lied that it<br />
was a mistake but as is always the<br />
case with Democrats, there would<br />
be no real consequences.<br />
CRAZIEST THING IN WASHING-<br />
TON TODAY: Democrat Rep. Jamaal<br />
Bowman of New York pulled the<br />
fire alarm potentially so Democrats<br />
would not vote and shut down the<br />
government. He later blamed ignorance.<br />
pic.twitter.com/B6TLm5Hz-<br />
VN — Simon Ateba (@simonateba)<br />
September 30, 2023<br />
On Wednesday, Rep. Bowman<br />
was charged for the September 30<br />
incident at the Cannon House Office<br />
Building and is scheduled to appear<br />
in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday<br />
morning to be arraigned for one<br />
count of making a false fire alarm.<br />
The misdemeanor charge carries<br />
a maximum penalty of up to<br />
six months behind bars but there’s<br />
virtually no chance whatsoever that<br />
the human time bomb will see the<br />
inside of a jail cell for his actions<br />
that caused a brief shutdown of<br />
Congress, unlike the J6 protesters<br />
who have been rotting in captivity.<br />
“I’m thankful for the quick resolution<br />
from the District of Columbia<br />
Attorney General’s office on this<br />
issue and grateful that the United<br />
States Capitol Police General Counsel’s<br />
office agreed I did not obstruct<br />
nor intend to obstruct any house<br />
vote or proceedings,” he posted to<br />
X, the platform previously known as<br />
Twitter.<br />
Statement from Congressman<br />
Jamaal Bowman pic.twitter.com/<br />
n4NT5k0vjt — Congressman Jamaal<br />
Bowman (@RepBowman)<br />
October 25, 2023<br />
“I am responsible for activating a<br />
fire alarm, I will be paying the fine<br />
issued, and look forward to these<br />
charges being ultimately dropped,”<br />
Bowman added. “I think we all<br />
know that Republicans will attempt<br />
to use this to distract everyone<br />
from their mess, but I look forward<br />
to putting this behind me and to<br />
continue working hard to deliver for<br />
New Yorkers.”<br />
Committee on House Administration<br />
Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI)<br />
called B.S. on Bowman in a statement<br />
posted to X.<br />
Chairman @RepBryanSteil statement<br />
on charges against Rep.<br />
Jamaal Bowman: pic.twitter.com/<br />
s40wQ41D82 — House Admin. Committee<br />
GOP (@HouseAdmin) October<br />
25, 2023<br />
“Rep. Bowman’s excuse does not<br />
pass the sniff test. After pulling the<br />
fire alarm, Rep. Bowman fled the<br />
scene, passed by multiple Capitol<br />
Police officers and had every<br />
opportunity to alert USCP of his<br />
mistake,” Steil said. “I want to thank<br />
U.S. Capitol Police for their swift attention<br />
to this incident, and encourage<br />
the Ethics Committee to further<br />
pursue this matter.”
CHICAGO COFFEE CITY, TX. – MAYOR,<br />
Residents of<br />
STILL A MORON<br />
a small Texas town that is famous<br />
mostly for a robust speed trap<br />
operation are worried after the city<br />
council disbanded the entire police<br />
force.<br />
YOUR PREMIER ONLINE<br />
TACTICAL GEAR STORE<br />
The mass firing came after an<br />
investigation by KHOU, a Houston-based<br />
CBS affiliate, which found<br />
• TACTICAL CLOTHING<br />
• TACTICAL FOOTWEAR<br />
• PISTOL AND RIFLE MAGS<br />
300K+ PRODUCTS<br />
600+ BRANDS<br />
LOW FLAT RATE SHIPPING<br />
that the Coffee City Police Department<br />
was employing 50 police<br />
officers, many with questionable<br />
backgrounds, to police the town of<br />
just 250 residents.<br />
The force brought in more than $1<br />
• HOLSTERS<br />
million in court fees from more than<br />
• 5,100 DUTY traffic citations GEAR last year, which<br />
• is the FLASHLIGHTS<br />
most citations for any town<br />
• in Texas PLATE the size of CARRIERS<br />
Coffee City, the<br />
report says.<br />
According to the outlet, the city’s<br />
now-fired police chief, John Jay Portillo,<br />
who was hired in 2021, quadrupled<br />
the size of the police department<br />
in a span of just two years.<br />
And a lot of those officers had<br />
troubled pasts.<br />
More than half of Coffee City’s cops<br />
had been either suspended, demoted,<br />
fired, or dishonorably discharged<br />
from their previous jobs in law<br />
enforcement, according to personnel<br />
documents obtained by the outlet.<br />
And at least a dozen Coffee City officers<br />
had previously faced criminal<br />
charges, ranging from aggravated<br />
assault with a deadly weapon to endangering<br />
a child, KHOU reported.<br />
Jeff Blackstone, the mayor of Coffee<br />
City, said in a September 1 press<br />
release that the city council had put<br />
Portillo on a 30-day suspension and<br />
would be conducting an internal<br />
investigation into his conduct.<br />
Following that investigation, the<br />
city council on Monday voted to fire<br />
Portillo and temporarily “deactivate”<br />
the entire police department, according<br />
to a local CBS station. The<br />
city’s investigation confirmed allegations<br />
that Portillo had received a DUI<br />
prior to being hired as police chief,<br />
which he did not disclose in his job<br />
Lorem Ipsum<br />
RETAIL LOCATIONS IN TEXAS:<br />
SAN ANTONIO & HOUSTON<br />
• BODY ARMOR<br />
• TACTICAL EYEWEAR<br />
• PEPPER SPRAY<br />
• TACTICAL PACKS<br />
• IFAK KITS<br />
• FIREARM PARTS<br />
• OPTICS<br />
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>5
ADS BACK IN THE DAY<br />
<strong>11</strong>6 The BLUES<br />
<strong>11</strong>6 The BLUES
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>7<br />
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>7
ADS BACK IN THE DAY<br />
<strong>11</strong>8 The BLUES
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>9<br />
The BLUES <strong>11</strong>9
THERE ARE<br />
parting shots...<br />
120 The BLUES
NO WORDS<br />
... pardon our humor<br />
The BLUES 121
122 The BLUES<br />
122 The BLUES
POLICE SUPPLIES<br />
choose the heading<br />
add your logo<br />
add a photo<br />
Starting in 2003, Cop Stop Inc.<br />
Opened with a vision and goal to<br />
service first responders; “Our everyday<br />
heroes.” Catering mainly to Police, Fire,<br />
Military and EMS, but also open to the<br />
public, Cop Stop offers a variety of<br />
products, gear and apparel. Open and<br />
operated by Rick Fernandez, a former<br />
officer of 10 years, he prides himself<br />
on maintaining the highest standards<br />
of customer service. Cop Stop understands<br />
its our customers who drive our<br />
success, and we strive to offer the best<br />
service to everyone who walks through<br />
our doors. At Cop Stop we offer quality<br />
products at great low prices. With<br />
access to over hundreds of brands and<br />
products, and constantly adding more,<br />
we are confident we can fulfill your<br />
needs.<br />
“If you provide good service and a<br />
fair price, customers will talk about<br />
you and come back. It’s that simple!”<br />
Rick Fernandez<br />
up to 250 word to describe your business<br />
The BLUES 123<br />
The BLUES 123
4807 KIRBY DRIVE • HOUSTON, TEXAS • 713-524-3801<br />
RIVER OAKS CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP & RAM<br />
Alan & Blake Helfman are the named<br />
and primary sponsor of The BLUES. For<br />
over 65 years the Helfman’s have supported<br />
local area law enforcement and<br />
supported The BLUES since our first issue.<br />
There is simply no better dealership<br />
in Houston to purchase your Chrysler,<br />
Dodge, Jeep, Ram or Ford product.<br />
The sales team provide honest, no BS<br />
pricing and their service department<br />
ranks among the top in the nation.<br />
Call Alan or Blake Helfman at 713-524-<br />
3801 when you are ready to purchase<br />
your next vehicle. It will be the best<br />
car buying experience you’ve ever had.<br />
AUTOMOTIVE<br />
the ground up to provide a superior<br />
customer experience. Planet offers over<br />
30 acres of new Ford inventory, Certified<br />
Pre-Owned Fords, pre-owned vehicles<br />
of all makes and models, as well<br />
as aftermarket and performance parts,<br />
service, commercial truck services, and<br />
collision repair. Beyond automotive services,<br />
the Randall Reed family and Planet<br />
team support and gives back to the<br />
community, from local charity events<br />
to sponsoring schools and veteran programs.<br />
Learn more at PlanetFord.com.<br />
E-BIKES<br />
Every community deals with contemporary<br />
problems concerning officer<br />
and public safety, such as homelessness,<br />
mental issues, family disputes,<br />
and outright crime. There is the added<br />
burden of reporting to various state and<br />
federal agencies. For over 35 years,<br />
the Cardinal Tracking Suite of Public<br />
Safety products has offered agencies a<br />
cost-effective solution to gather essential<br />
information that increases operational<br />
efficiency, policing effectiveness,<br />
and citizen safety.<br />
With Cardinal Tracking, agencies gain<br />
access to software, hardware, and<br />
services that streamline management<br />
report generation, as well as prompt<br />
and knowledgeable customer service<br />
with real people. Our comprehensive<br />
product lineup includes:<br />
MobileCite – eCitation issuance<br />
MobileLink - Field Reporting<br />
BALLISTICS<br />
PLANET FORD IN SPRING, 20403<br />
I45 NORTH, SPRING TEXAS<br />
Planet Ford on I-45 in Spring, Texas<br />
has been the <strong>No</strong>. 1 Ford Dealer in<br />
the greater-Houston area for over 20<br />
years.* Our Ford dealership earns this<br />
distinction year after year because our<br />
team makes our clients and their vehicle<br />
needs our top priority. Planet Ford is<br />
part of the award-winning World Class<br />
Automotive Group. The dealership has<br />
earned many top honors, including multiple<br />
Triple Crowns, which is bestowed<br />
upon only the best. In order to be recognized,<br />
a dealership must receive<br />
all of Ford’s top awards, including The<br />
President’s Award for customer service.<br />
Planet Ford has been redesigned from<br />
124 The BLUES<br />
124 The BLUES<br />
CLICK HERE FOR MORE<br />
INFORMATION<br />
SAN DIMAS, CA – As law enforcement<br />
agencies strive to enhance their capabilities<br />
and adapt to the evolving needs<br />
of modern policing, one company has<br />
taken a giant leap forward in creating<br />
a purpose-built solution. Introducing<br />
the ATR 528 Law Enforcement eBike, by<br />
American Bike Patrol Services—a remarkable<br />
two-wheeled marvel meticulously<br />
crafted over 18 months with an<br />
unwavering focus on delivering unrivaled<br />
performance, tactical attributes,<br />
and reliability. With its groundbreaking<br />
features and cutting-edge design, the<br />
ATR 528 sets a new standard for police<br />
eBikes worldwide.<br />
Public Safety Software<br />
“Protection... Revolutionized” Law<br />
enforcement agencies need ballistically<br />
capable products that offer mobility and<br />
maneuverability. In tactical situations,<br />
your agency likely utilizes an armored<br />
vehicle. Do you consider it to be ‘fast’<br />
and ‘maneuverable’? TC Burton offers<br />
the LD-1, which will change the face of<br />
law enforcement and security forever.<br />
The LD-1 is a patented, lightweight,<br />
ballistic armor kit for a single-rider ATV<br />
that utilizes a laser cut steel exoskeleton<br />
integrated with NIJ III capable ballistic<br />
panels that can stop up to a 7.62x51mm<br />
round, which includes AR-15 and AK-47.<br />
It is the next generation of ballistically<br />
capable kits for vehicle protection;<br />
offering law enforcement protected maneuverability<br />
and speed in all outdoor<br />
terrain, but also including tight indoor<br />
spaces such as school corridors, malls,<br />
freight elevators and warehouses.<br />
To learn more, visit us at www.tcburton.com
POLICE SUPPLIES<br />
GUNS/AMMO<br />
Starting in 2003, Cop Stop Inc.<br />
Opened with a vision and goal to<br />
service first responders; “Our everyday<br />
heroes.” Catering mainly to Police,<br />
Fire, Military and EMS, but also open to<br />
the public, Cop Stop offers a variety of<br />
products, gear and apparel. Open and<br />
operated by Rick Fernandez, a former<br />
officer of 10 years, he prides himself<br />
on maintaining the highest standards<br />
of customer service. Cop Stop understands<br />
its our customers who drive<br />
our success, and we strive to offer the<br />
best service to everyone who walks<br />
through our doors. At Cop Stop we<br />
offer quality products at great low<br />
prices. With access to over hundreds<br />
of brands and products, and constantly<br />
adding more, we are confident we can<br />
fulfill your needs.<br />
“If you provide good service and<br />
a fair price, customers will talk<br />
about you and come back. It’s that<br />
simple!” Rick Fernandez<br />
Supporting Law<br />
Enforcement in<br />
TEXAS<br />
ProForce’s commitment to providing excellent customer<br />
service is a key element in the company’s success<br />
throughout the western United States. As a relative newcomer<br />
in the state of TEXAS ProForce has been welcomed with open<br />
arms by the law enforcement community.<br />
ProForce’s relationships with top industry manufacturers<br />
and vendors, as well as their sales volume, allows them<br />
to negotiate better pricing to meet the budgetary needs<br />
of law enforcement agencies. While some vendors may<br />
not always have product availability in a timely manner.<br />
ProForce’s industry relationships and direct contact through<br />
vendor representatives, the sales team is able to suggest<br />
and provide alternatives to meet specific requirements of<br />
agencies, ensuring that the agency’s needs are always met.<br />
“<br />
Working with PROFORCE through the<br />
bidding and purchasing of the M&P 2.0’s was<br />
very easy and simple. We added the ACRO red<br />
dot along with the holster and the light. This<br />
purchase was simple and easy.<br />
The troops love the improvement to the 2.0<br />
and the red dot.<br />
Lt. Socha. Austin PD.<br />
“<br />
#X300U-A #13353 #200691<br />
customer service and quality products.<br />
CENTRAL POLICE SUPPLY is<br />
located at 1410 Washington Ave, near<br />
downtown Houston, but you can<br />
purchase everything you need online<br />
at: https://www.centralpolice.com/<br />
Inset: Dan Rooney ProForce President<br />
The company features an excellent selection of high demand<br />
law enforcement firearms, equipment and accessories from<br />
great manufacturers such as:<br />
Axon/Taser, Aimpoint, Beretta, Colt, H&K, Bola Wrap,<br />
Bianchi, Smith & Wesson, Eotech, Daniel Defense,<br />
NightStick, Sig Sauer, Kimber, Otis, Defense Technology,<br />
Shadow Systems, Magpul, L3 Harris, Burris, Mossberg,<br />
Ruger, Streamlight, Safariland, Springfield, Blackhawk,<br />
Holosun, Trijicon, Vortex, Surefire, Us Peacekeeper ,OSS,<br />
Nightstick, FNH USA and UTM.<br />
Proforce takes great pride in distributing high quality public<br />
safety products from top tier manufacturers and this<br />
transaction has set a trend for many other law enforcement<br />
agencies in the State of Texas.<br />
Agency demonstrations, test and evaluation<br />
of products is available upon request. Ask us<br />
about trade-ins! We will buy your agency duty or<br />
confiscated firearms, any model and condition!<br />
First class customer support and quality service<br />
makes PROFORCE the number one choice for first<br />
responder equipment and accessories!<br />
Call (800) 367-5855<br />
Email: sales@proforceonline.com or<br />
visit our website<br />
www.proforceonline.com<br />
SEND US AN EMAIL<br />
SCAN THE QR CODE<br />
CENTRAL POLICE SUPPLY is<br />
your source for the best in police<br />
equipment. Based in Houston,<br />
we supply law enforcement<br />
with the equipment they need.”<br />
CENTRAL POLICE SUPPLY has been<br />
serving Houston law enforcement for<br />
nearly 50 years with the absolute best<br />
The BLUES 125
NOW HIRING<br />
LE job positions<br />
Nassau Bay Police Dept. Get Info Patrol Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Liberty Police Department Get Info Detective 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Liberty Police Department Get Info Peace Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Burnet Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/02/2023 - 5pm<br />
Burnet Police Department Get Info School Resource Officer 10/02/2023 - 5pm<br />
Polk Co. Fire Marshal's Office Get Info Environmental Enforcement Officer 10/04/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Criminal District Attorney Get Info Investigator 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Chapel Hill ISD Get Info Police Officer 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Lancaster ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/07/2023 - 5pm<br />
Georgetown Police Dept. Get Info Police Officer - Lateral 10/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Pflugerville ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Oak Ridge <strong>No</strong>rth Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Addison Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Erath County Attorney's Office<br />
Get Info Police OfficerPre-trial Investigator/Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Pflugerville Police Department Get Info Officer 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Bulverde Police Get Info Police Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Richardson Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Schleicher County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Crowley Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
University of <strong>No</strong>rth Texas Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/13/2023 - 5pm<br />
Dallam County Sheriff's Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 10/17/2023 - 5pm<br />
Dallas County Marshal Service Get Info Deputy Marshal 10/14/2023 - 5pm<br />
Westover Hills Police Department Get Info Patrol Officers 10/20/2023 - 5pm<br />
Eastland County Sheriff's Office Get Info Peace Officers 10/20/2023 - 5pm<br />
Mills County Sheriff's Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Texas State Technical College Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/17/2023 - 5pm<br />
Hartley County Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff 10/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Alabama-Coushatta Police Department Get Info Peace Officer 10/24/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ore City Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
Knox City Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/23/2023 - 5pm<br />
Aransas Pass Police Department Get Info Harbor Safety & Enforcement Officer 10/23/2023 - 5pm<br />
Rollingwood Police Department Get Info Patrol Officer 10/23/2023 - 5pm<br />
Onalaska Police Department Get Info Peace Officer 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Harris County Sheriff's Office Get Info Part-Time Deputy - Bailiff 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
West Orange-Cove CISD Get Info School Police Officer 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Natalia Police Department Get Info Patrol Officers 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
League City Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Bexar County Hospital District Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Round Rock ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Lamar CISD Police Department Get Info Police Lieutenant 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
West University Place Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/20/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ore City Police Department Get Info Police Sergeant 10/20/2023 - 5pm<br />
UT System Police Department Get Info Police Inspector II 10/20/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy 10/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Aldine ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Fate Police Dept. Get Info Municipal Court Bailiff (P/T) 10/08/2023 - 5pm<br />
Grimes County Sheriff's Office Get Info Narcotics Investigator <strong>11</strong>/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Fulton Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Greenville Police Department Get Info Police Officer Exam 10/13/2023 - 5pm<br />
126 The BLUES
Brownwood Police Department Get Info Police Officer Exam 10/13/2023 - 5pm<br />
River Oaks Police Department Get Info Certified / Lateral Peace Officer <strong>11</strong>/09/2023 - 5pm<br />
Waxahachie Police Department Get Info Police Patrol Officer 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Madison County Sheriff's Office Get Info Courthouse Security Deputy 10/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Missouri City Police Department Get Info Police Cadet 10/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - <strong>11</strong>am<br />
Saginaw Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Fate DPS Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Cuero Police Department Get Info Patrol Officer <strong>11</strong>/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Venus ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/10/2023 - 5pm<br />
Kilgore College Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Missouri City Police Department Get Info Police Cadet <strong>11</strong>/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Missouri City Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Fort Worth Police Department Get Info Lateral Entry Officer 10/31/2023 - 5pm<br />
Balch Springs Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Refugio Co. Sheriff's Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 10/12/2023 - 5pm<br />
Goliad County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Patrol Deputy <strong>11</strong>/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Van Alstyne Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/31/2023 - 5pm<br />
Electra Police Department Get Info Police Officers <strong>11</strong>/12/2023 - 5pm<br />
Stanton Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/12/2023 - 5pm<br />
Kyle Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/26/2023 - 5pm<br />
Fort Worth Police Department Get Info Police Trainee 10/31/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Olmos Park Get Info Chief of Police <strong>11</strong>/13/2023 - 5pm<br />
Alamo Colleges District Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/31/2023 - 5pm<br />
Buda Police Department Get Info Patrol Officer <strong>11</strong>/13/2023 - 5pm<br />
Fulton Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/06/2023 - 4pm<br />
Schertz Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/13/2023 - 5pm<br />
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Get Info Probationary Agents 10/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Katy Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
<strong>No</strong>rmangee Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/17/2023 - 5pm<br />
Conroe ISD Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/17/2023 - 5pm<br />
Madison County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Patrol Deputy 10/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of Hurst Get Info Police Officer Test Entrance Exam <strong>11</strong>/03/2023 - 5pm<br />
Selma Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/18/2023 - 5pm<br />
Travis County Sheriff's Office Get Info Sheriff's Deputy - Facilities 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Valley Mills Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/20/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Get Info Bailiff (Deputy Sheriff) <strong>11</strong>/19/2023 - 5pm<br />
Lago Vista Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff (Mental Health) <strong>11</strong>/19/2023 - 5pm<br />
Burleson Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Get Info Deputy Sheriff (Livestock) <strong>11</strong>/19/2023 - 5pmm<br />
Travis County Sheriff's Office Get Info Law Enforcement Deputy 10/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Travis County Sheriff's Office Get Info Sheriff's Deputy 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Sunset Valley Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Manvel Police Department Get Info Patrol Officer <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Mesquite Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Burleson Police Department Get Info Lateral Police Officer 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Carrollton Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/27/2023 - 5pm<br />
Bryan Police Department Get Info Police Officer 10/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
New Braunfels Police Department Get Info Certified Officers, Laterals, and Cadets 10/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department Get Info Police Officer <strong>11</strong>/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Seguin Police Department Get Info Police Officers <strong>11</strong>/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
The BLUES 127
STATEWIDE VACANCIES FOR JAILERS<br />
Tarrant County Sheriffs Office Get Info Detention Officer 10/06/2023 - 5pm<br />
Ellis County Sheriff's Office Get Info Detention Officer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Hood County Sheriff Office Get Info Jailer 10/01/2023 - 5pm<br />
Richardson Police Department Get Info Detention Officer 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Get Info County Jailer - Sergeant 10/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Get Info County Jailer 10/29/2023 - 5pm<br />
Balch Springs Police Department Get Info Jailer <strong>11</strong>/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Jailer 10/19/2023 - 5pm<br />
Burleson County Sheriff's Office Get Info Detention Officer <strong>11</strong>/19/2023 - 5pm<br />
Dallas County Sheriff’s Office Get Info Detention Service Officer <strong>11</strong>/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
STATEWIDE VACANCIES TELECOMMUNICATION OPERATOR<br />
Richardson Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator 10/08/2023 - 5pm<br />
Crowley Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator 10/16/2023 - 5pm<br />
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Police Dept. Get Info Telecommunicator <strong>11</strong>/30/2023 - 5pm<br />
Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office Get Info Dispatch 10/23/2023 - 5pm<br />
Balch Springs Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator <strong>11</strong>/<strong>11</strong>/2023 - 5pm<br />
Lago Vista Police Department Get Info Dispatcher <strong>11</strong>/17/2023 - 5pm<br />
Lago Vista Police Department Get Info Dispatch Supervisor <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
City of University Park Get Info 9<strong>11</strong>/3<strong>11</strong> Communications Specialist <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Kyle Police Department Get Info Police Dispatcher <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Van Alstyne Police Department Get Info Telecommunicator <strong>11</strong>/21/2023 - 5pm<br />
Goose Creek CISD Police Department Get Info Dispatcher 10/15/2023 - 5pm<br />
The Port of Corpus Christi Authority Get Info Surveillance Analyst/Dispatcher <strong>11</strong>/24/2023 - 5pm<br />
Austin Community College District Police Dept. Get Info Dispatcher <strong>11</strong>/25/2023 - 5pm<br />
PLACE YOUR DEPARTMENT’S AD TODAY FOR ONLY<br />
$250 FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR<br />
128 The BLUES
The BLUES 129
130 The BLUES
JOIN OUR TEAM!<br />
ARANSAS PASS POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
IS HIRING FOR<br />
TCOLE CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS<br />
The Aransas Pass Police Department is a progressive agency, employing some of the sharpest<br />
minds and equipping them with some of the best technology available. We continue to seek<br />
applications from those desiring to become part of our law enforcement family.<br />
Making a positive dierence in our community is what APPD is all about! Are you in?<br />
Opportunities<br />
Bike Patrol<br />
Crisis Intervention Team<br />
DEA Task Force<br />
Field Training Officer<br />
Gang/Narcotics Investigations<br />
Criminal Investigations Div.<br />
Marine Patrol & Dive Team<br />
Mental Health Officers<br />
School Resource Officer<br />
TCOLE Training Instructor<br />
Salary<br />
Annual Salary:<br />
$44,200.00 Base<br />
$6,600 Retention Stipend<br />
Hourly Incentives:<br />
$1.50 Max for College Degree<br />
$0.50 Per TCOLE License Step<br />
$0.50 Bi-Lingual<br />
$0.50 Special Assignment<br />
Benefits<br />
Paid Bereavement Leave<br />
Cell Phone<br />
Holiday Pay/Leave<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Paid Personal Leave<br />
Sick Leave<br />
TMRS Retirement (2:1 at 6%)<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Vacation Leave<br />
Weapon Purchase Program<br />
Point of contact: Administrative Captain Troy Poe (361) 758-5224 ext. 2421 or tpoe@aptx.gov<br />
For an application or more information visit: police.aptx.gov/jobs<br />
The BLUES 131<br />
The City of Aransas Pass is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability.
ALDINE ISD<br />
POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
JOIN OUR TEAMAPPLY AT<br />
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Sick Leave<br />
• Paid Vacation<br />
• Paid Holidays<br />
• Personal Days<br />
• Teacher Retirement System<br />
TCOLE CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE<br />
• Intermediate PO: $2,400<br />
• Advanced PO: $4,800<br />
• Master PO: $7,200<br />
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be 21 Years Of Age<br />
• Must Hold an Active Tcole Peace Officer License<br />
• Must Complete the Following:<br />
• Pass Physical Agility Test<br />
• Background Investigation<br />
• 132 Psychological The BLUES Evaluation<br />
• Drug Screening<br />
ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
STARTING SALARY $55,000 WITH NO EXPERIENCE<br />
UP TO $85,000 DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE<br />
ALDINE ISD PD OFFERS<br />
DEPARTMENT BENEFITS<br />
• Uniforms Provided, Including Duty Weapon<br />
• Department Provided Training<br />
• Starting Pay Depends on<br />
Qualifications / Experience<br />
• TCOLE Certification / Education Pay<br />
• Most Officers work Day Shift with Weekends Off<br />
(INCENTIVE PAY FOR DETECTIVES, K-9 HANDLERS, AND<br />
FIREARM INSTRUCTORS.)<br />
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT<br />
SGT. HALL AT 281.442.4923<br />
OR VISIT ALDINEISD.ORG<br />
SPECIALIZED DIVISIONS<br />
• Criminal Investigations<br />
• Emergency Response Team<br />
• Honor Guard<br />
• Gang Task Force<br />
• Community Outreach Division<br />
• K-9 Division<br />
• Firearm Instructor<br />
$1,000 SIGNING BONUS
The BLUES 133
134 The BLUES
The BLUES 135
NOW<br />
HIRING<br />
BIG SPRING PD IS NOW HIRING POLICE OFFICERS<br />
• 100% PAID ACADEMY TRAINING FOR<br />
NON-CERTIFIED CADETS<br />
• EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS ARE PROVIDED<br />
INCLUDING TAKE HOME VEHICLES<br />
• TMRS RETIREMENT (2:1 CITY MATCH)<br />
• 100% EMPLOYEE MEDICAL AND LIFE<br />
INSURANCE PREMIUM PAID BY THE CITY<br />
• PAID VACATION AND HOLIDAYS<br />
• PAID SICK LEAVE<br />
136 The BLUES<br />
• LONGEVITY PAY FOR YEARS OF SERVICE<br />
• EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM<br />
• PROGRESSIVE ANNUAL IN-SERVICE<br />
TRAINING AND EXTERNAL TRAINING<br />
OPPORTUNITIES.<br />
• OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE<br />
EXPERIENCE IN ASSIGNMENTS SUCH AS<br />
SWAT, NARCOTICS, TRAFFIC, AND CRIMINAL<br />
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION<br />
• $1500 ACADEMY REIMBURSEMENT AND<br />
$2400 RELOCATION PAY FOR CERTIFIED<br />
OFFICERS<br />
$55,900 STARTING ANNUAL SALARY FOR CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS.<br />
ENTRY LEVEL TESTING ON AUGUST 1, 2023<br />
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 26, 2023<br />
APPLY NOW AT WWW.MYBIGSPRING.COM<br />
THE CITY OF BIG SPRING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The BLUES 137
138 The BLUES
The BLUES 1<strong>39</strong>
140 The BLUES
The BLUES 141
Montgomery County’s 3 rd Largest Law Enforcement Agency<br />
FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER<br />
• $50,363 minimum starting salary<br />
• Certification pay:<br />
Int - $1,600, Adv - $2,400, Mstr - $3,700<br />
• Competitive insurance & benefits<br />
• Teacher Retirement System (TRS)<br />
• 20 paid leave days & 12 paid holidays<br />
Opportunity<br />
multiple divisions including<br />
Investigations, Patrol, and<br />
K-9 services<br />
Growth<br />
100+ annual training hours,<br />
promotion opportunities,<br />
Field Training Officer<br />
Balance<br />
overtime pay, comp time,<br />
most weekends off, prior LE<br />
experience pay<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT<br />
HTTPS://POLICE.CONROEISD.NET/DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION/EMPLOYMENT/<br />
142 The BLUESpolice.conroeisd.net<br />
CISDPolice<br />
@CISDPolice
October 15<br />
WATCH FOR NEW TEST DATES<br />
The BLUES 143
144 The BLUES
Cuero Police Department<br />
<strong>No</strong>w Hiring for Patrol Officer Position<br />
Department Benefits<br />
14 Paid Holidays<br />
2 Weeks Paid Vacation<br />
Certification Pay<br />
100% Insurance Paid for Employees<br />
Retirement 2 to 1 match (20yr Retirement)<br />
FSA for Employees<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Equipment & Uniforms Provided Including Duty Weapon w/ Red Dot Sight<br />
Take Home Vehicle Within Surrounding Counties<br />
10 Hour Work Shifts<br />
Membership Paid to Local Gym<br />
Department Provided Training<br />
Off-duty Security Opportunities<br />
Cell Phone Stipend<br />
Starting Pay Depends on Qualifications<br />
Requirements: Must be TCOLE Certified or currently enrolled in an accredited Police<br />
Academy and pass a background investigation.<br />
Email TCOLE Personal History Statement to sellis@cityofcuero.com<br />
The BLUES 145
146 The BLUES
The BLUES 147
Paid academy up to<br />
$70,560<br />
Lateral pay up to<br />
$81,321.70<br />
Additional Pay<br />
Education Pay<br />
Bachelor's<br />
Intermediate Cert.<br />
Advanced Cert.<br />
Master Peace Officer<br />
Shift Differential<br />
FTO Pay<br />
Language Pay<br />
WE'RE<br />
HIRING<br />
300+ NEW OFFICERS<br />
$2,880/yr<br />
$3,600/yr<br />
$600/yr<br />
$4,800/yr<br />
$7,200/yr<br />
3.5%-6.5%<br />
$1,200/yr<br />
$1,800/yr<br />
Benefits<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Pension plan<br />
Compensation plan<br />
15 paid vacation days<br />
12 paid holidays<br />
15 days military leave<br />
Additional 6 weeks paid<br />
parental leave<br />
Health/ Vision/Dental/ Life<br />
Insurance<br />
21-44 YEARS OLD<br />
45 COLLEGE<br />
CREDIT HOURS<br />
MUST MEET ONE REQUIREMENT<br />
19.5-21 YEARS<br />
OLD<br />
60 COLLEGE<br />
CREDIT HOURS<br />
ACTIVE TCOLE<br />
LICENSE<br />
MUST HAVE VALID<br />
TEXAS PEACE<br />
OFFICER LICENSE<br />
3 YEARS<br />
ACTIVE MILITARY<br />
HONORABLE<br />
DISCHARGE<br />
dallaspolice.net/join-dpd 214-671-4409<br />
148 The BLUES<br />
Civilian positions available: (Apply at www.Dallascityhall.com)
The BLUES 149
150 The BLUES
GALVESTON<br />
COUNTY<br />
SHERIFF’S OFFICE<br />
Seeking Individuals Who Are Interested in a Rewarding Career in Corrections<br />
Begin Your Career Today!<br />
GALVESTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT OF ELIGIBILITY<br />
Position: Corrections Deputy I<br />
Bureau/Division: Corrections/Jail<br />
Title/Rank: Corrections Deputy/Deputy I<br />
Reports to: Sergeant - Corrections<br />
Starting Salary: $51,250.00<br />
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES<br />
Maintains the security of the facility by conducting security checks, settling disputes, and performing cell searches and<br />
inspections; conducts outside perimeter checks.<br />
Preparation and proper completion in the documentation of inmate records.<br />
Issues inmate meals, clothing, linens, and personal items.<br />
Supervise inmate programs (recreational, legal, health care, visitation and religious services)<br />
Prepares reports on jail and inmate activities, enforce inmate handbook rules.<br />
Supervises inmates performing such assignments as cleaning and maintaining the jail facility and continuously observe<br />
locations and activities of inmates.<br />
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS<br />
• High School / GED Certificate and must be at least 18 years of age.<br />
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and resident of the contiguous United States for a period of time sufficient to conduct a<br />
background investigation.<br />
• Must be able to work days, nights, weekends, holidays and mandatory shifts when needed.<br />
• Must be able to work during natural disasters and or under declarations.<br />
• Must possess a valid Texas driver's license and an acceptable driving record as determined by the Galveston County<br />
Sheriff's Office in effect at the time of application.<br />
• Must have favorable employment history. All information given regarding past employment will be thoroughly checked.<br />
• Must have a stable credit history.<br />
• Must possess good computer skills and demonstrate comprehensive reading and comprehension skills.<br />
• <strong>No</strong> conviction above a Class B Misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years nor have been on or<br />
currently on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense and no Family Violence<br />
convictions of any level.<br />
• Applicant must pass all phases of the required testing.<br />
• Must be eligible for licensing by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for the position applied for, if not<br />
presently licensed.<br />
TO APPLY<br />
An applicant interested in any of GCSO position shall first download, complete and return<br />
the Application Packet, per the instructions on the downloadable form.<br />
The Application Packet can be found at SHERIFF.GALVESTONCOUNTYTX.GOV<br />
JOIN US<br />
VISIT SHERIFF.GALVESTONCOUNTYTX.GOV TO APPLY!<br />
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer<br />
CONTACT US<br />
The BLUES 151<br />
409.763.7585 : SO.EMPLOYMENT@GALVESTONCOUNTYTX.GOV
152 The BLUES
The BLUES 153
154 The BLUES
The BLUES 155
ARE WE<br />
HIRING<br />
Criminal Background<br />
Pass<br />
proficiently<br />
Type<br />
Nights, Weekends & Holidays<br />
Work<br />
Speaking Preferred<br />
Spanish<br />
<strong>11</strong>th Street<br />
1015<br />
Texas<br />
Hempstead,<br />
Hour work schedule<br />
12-<br />
every other weekend<br />
off<br />
THE CITY OF<br />
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DIVISION<br />
HEMPSTEAD POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
Dispatchers<br />
QUALIFICATIONS<br />
18 years of age<br />
Minimum<br />
Starting Salary: $41,600<br />
B E N E F I T S<br />
BlueCross Blue Shield<br />
Vision & Dental Insurance<br />
Longevity Pay > 1 year<br />
Certificate Pay<br />
Uniform Shirts Provided<br />
77445<br />
156 The BLUES<br />
www.hempsteadcitytx.gov (job opportunities)
JOIN OUR TEAM<br />
Place your department’s recruiting ad<br />
in The BLUES for only $250 for an<br />
BECOME entire A HEMPSTEAD year, only $20 a POLICE month. OFFICER<br />
Hempstead's Finest<br />
Starting Salary: $57,750<br />
- BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD<br />
- VISION & DENTAL INS<br />
- CERTIFICATE PAY<br />
- WEAPONS ISSUED<br />
- OFF EVERY OTHER WEEKEND<br />
- CONTINUING TRAINING<br />
NOW HIRING 3 POLICE OFFICERS<br />
HPD BOASTS:<br />
- Training Provider<br />
- Canine Program<br />
- Narcotics Investigation<br />
- Crash Investigators<br />
- Telecommunications<br />
Division<br />
1015 <strong>11</strong>th St Hempstead, TX<br />
hpdrecruing@hempsteadcitytx.gov<br />
Or call us at: (979) 826-3332<br />
The BLUES 157
158 The BLUES
The BLUES 159
160 The BLUES<br />
LATERAL DEPUTY
The BLUES 161
WE ARE<br />
HIRING!<br />
BENEFITS<br />
• Free basic Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for<br />
employee<br />
• Free basic Life insurance<br />
• Long Term Disability (LTD)<br />
• Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision benefits for<br />
eligible family members<br />
• Flexible Spending Accounts<br />
• 10 paid holidays per year<br />
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) including 10 vacation<br />
days and 13 sick days per year accrued biweekly<br />
• Paid Parental Leave<br />
RETIREMENT<br />
• Harris County matches your investment at 225%<br />
• 7% of your salary is invested pre-tax in your<br />
retirement account<br />
• Retirement Vesting after 8 years<br />
• Eligible upon earning 75 points (age+years of service)<br />
SALARY SCALE<br />
INCENTIVE PAY<br />
CLASSIFICATION SERVICE HOURLY ANNUAL<br />
DEPUTY I 0-47 $26.23 $54,558<br />
DEPUTY II 48-83 $28.07 $58,386<br />
DEPUTY III 84-<strong>11</strong>9 $29.73 $61,838<br />
DEPUTY IV 120-155 $31.23 $64,958<br />
DEPUTY V 156+ $32.78 $68,182<br />
162 The BLUES<br />
TCOLE CERTIFICATION<br />
ANNUAL<br />
Intermediate $1,560<br />
Advanced $3,420<br />
Master $6,000<br />
EDUCATION<br />
ANNUAL<br />
Associate Degree $1,320<br />
Bachelor Degree $3,180<br />
Master/Doctorate $4,500<br />
Bilingual Pay $1,800<br />
Receive up to fourteen (14) years of credit for time served! (Restrictions apply)<br />
LATERAL DEPUTY<br />
REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be a licensed Peace Officer by the Texas Commission on Law<br />
Enforcement (TCOLE) in good standing<br />
• Must be currently employed as a Peace Officer (any break in service<br />
will be considered on a case-by-case basis)<br />
• Must have a minimum of 12 consecutive months experience as a<br />
Peace Office at any one agency<br />
• Must successfully pass the HCSO Physical Abilities Test (PAT)<br />
• Meet HCSO firearms qualification standard<br />
• Must pass a thorough background investigation (criminal<br />
background check, fingerprinting, personal interview, etc.) as<br />
required by TCOLE<br />
• Must pass a physical and psychological evaluation as required by<br />
TCOLE<br />
• Valid driver’s license and liability insurance (Texas by start date)<br />
• Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20, normal color, and peripheral<br />
vision<br />
• Correctable normal audible range in both ears<br />
• A two (2) year minimum commitment to Patrol before being eligible<br />
to transfer to other Bureaus<br />
TO APPLY<br />
SCAN THIS CODE<br />
For additional information contact<br />
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Recruitment Unit<br />
(713) 877-5250<br />
@HCSOTexas<br />
Harris County<br />
Sheriff’s Office<br />
HCSOTexas HCSOTexas @HCSOTexas
<strong>No</strong>w Hiring<br />
OFFICERS<br />
TCOLE Certified Peace Officers<br />
Hutto ranked one of the<br />
safest cities in Texas.<br />
Our fast-growing City shows a trending decrease in crimes based<br />
on four offenses from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting.<br />
Additional Pay<br />
+ Education Pay up to $175/month<br />
+ Specialty/Certication up to $260/month<br />
Highlights<br />
Top-of-the-line Equipment<br />
and Technology<br />
Beards and Tattoos Allowed<br />
<strong>No</strong> Written Test for Most Lateral Officers<br />
Benets<br />
Retirement<br />
2-to-1 City match with TMRS<br />
Take-home Patrol Car<br />
For officers living within 25 miles<br />
Starting Salary<br />
$62K to $81K<br />
Annual Leave Accruals<br />
12 paid holidays, 80 hrs vacation, 96 hrs sick leave<br />
Multiple Positions Available<br />
A wide variety of units and assignments available<br />
To learn more or apply, visit or scan<br />
https: //linktr. ee/huttopd<br />
Questions? Email: PDrecruiting@huttotx.gov<br />
Tenure agreement required.<br />
Sign On Bonus!<br />
$5,000*<br />
The BLUES 163
164 The BLUES
The BLUES 165
THE KILLEEN POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
IS NOW<br />
Hiring<br />
FOR THE POSITION OF<br />
Police Officer<br />
Online Applications<br />
will open:<br />
July 31, 2023<br />
Application Deadline:<br />
September 15, 2023<br />
Civil Service Exam will<br />
be:<br />
September 24, 2023<br />
To apply, go to:<br />
www.killeentexas.gov/16<br />
8/Job-Opportunities<br />
Wear The Badge,<br />
Make a Difference<br />
D<br />
b<br />
th<br />
a<br />
Officer De'Vonte Johnson<br />
Recruiter<br />
254-200-7987<br />
DJohnson@killeentexas.gov<br />
The Killeen Police Department is an<br />
166 The BLUES<br />
Equal Opportunity Employer
Starting pay - $57,889<br />
Paid: Vacation, Holiday & Sick Leave<br />
$15K Sign-on incentive for TCOLE<br />
certified Peace Officers<br />
College Degree pay incentive<br />
7% retirement plan through TMRS<br />
with a 2:1 match ratio<br />
Comprehensive Benefits Package<br />
Opportunity to work in various<br />
specialized units<br />
The Killeen Police<br />
epartment is dedicated to<br />
uilding a partnership with<br />
e community to fight crime<br />
nd improve every citizen's<br />
quality of life.<br />
Follow us at:<br />
KilleenPD<br />
KilleenPolice<br />
JoinKilleenPD<br />
The BLUES 167<br />
Visit www.KilleenPD.com for further details
L A P O R T E<br />
P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T<br />
Lateral Police Officer<br />
Starting Pay $ 62,416. to $73,775.<br />
Effective October 1, 2022<br />
<strong>No</strong> prior experience required. High School diploma or GED required.<br />
Possession of Class C Texas Driver License.<br />
Must possess a TCOLE License or be enrolled in accredited Basic Peace Officer Academy.<br />
Certification Pay (bi-weekly):<br />
$46.15 - Intermediate Peace Officer<br />
$69.23 - Advanced Peace Officer<br />
$92.31 - Master Peace Officer<br />
Education Pay (bi-weekly):<br />
$46.15 - Associates Degree<br />
$69.23 - Bachelors Degree<br />
$92.31 - Masters Degree<br />
Employee Benefits:<br />
Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
TMRS Retirement (2 to 1 match)<br />
ICMA Deferred Compensation/Roth IRA<br />
$1,000 Physical Fitness Program<br />
Weapon Purchase Program<br />
Take-home Vehicles<br />
Specialized Divisions:<br />
SWAT / Bomb Squad<br />
Bike Patrol<br />
Criminal Investigative Division<br />
Crime Scene Unit<br />
Drone Pilots<br />
School Resource Officers<br />
Traffic/DOT Officers<br />
Police Area Representatives<br />
Apply online at<br />
www.laportetx.gov/jobs<br />
Paid Leave Benefits<br />
15 days vacation (Civil Service)<br />
15 days sick leave<br />
Military Leave<br />
9 observed holidays per year<br />
2 employee holidays per year<br />
Bereavement Leave<br />
Comp Time<br />
168 The BLUES
The BLUES 169
170 The BLUES
LEWISVILL<br />
E<br />
Benefits and Additional Pay:<br />
• $2500 Sign - On Bonus<br />
• Lateral Entry Program<br />
• Take - Home Vehicle<br />
$77,314 - $97,679<br />
• Cross Fit G ym<br />
• 24 /7 Private Indoor/Outdoor Range<br />
• Load Bearing Vests<br />
• Tattoos and Beards<br />
• Tuition Reimbursement<br />
• 20 Year TMRS Retirement 7% , 2:1 match<br />
• 457 Deferred Compensation p lan with 3.76% city match<br />
• 3 Weeks Paid Vacation<br />
• 15 Days Paid Sick Leave<br />
• 9 Paid Holidays<br />
• Field Training Officer<br />
• Bilingual<br />
• Longevity<br />
• Education /Certification<br />
GET PAID FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A CERTIFIED OFFICER<br />
• 1 YEAR $83,566<br />
• 2 YEARS $86,877<br />
• 3 YEARS $90,373<br />
• 4 YEARS $93,677<br />
• 5 YEARS $97,679<br />
Specialized Units :<br />
• SWAT<br />
• Street Crimes<br />
• K - 9<br />
• Narcotics<br />
• UAS Drone<br />
• Bicycle Patrol<br />
• Criminal In vestigations<br />
• Traffic<br />
• DWI<br />
• Commercial Vehicle Enforcement<br />
• Training<br />
• School Resource Officer<br />
• Neighborhood Resource Officer<br />
• Co - Care Crisis Team<br />
www .PROTECTLEWISVILLE. com<br />
The BLUES 171
172 The BLUES<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
---
WE’RE HIRING<br />
Join our team and receive:<br />
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance<br />
• Paid vacation, employee days, well days,<br />
sick days and holidays<br />
• Competitive pay (including bilingual pay incentive)<br />
AND MUCH MORE!<br />
APPLY NOW<br />
Scan here or visit<br />
RideMETRO.org/Careers<br />
Call 713-7<strong>39</strong>-4953 or email JoinMPD@RideMETRO.org<br />
for additional information.<br />
METRO I S AN EQU A L O PPOR TUNIT Y E M P L O YER.<br />
The BLUES 173
LONGVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
JOIN OUR<br />
TEAM<br />
2-TIER HIRING<br />
INCENTIVE<br />
STARTING SALARY<br />
$60,085<br />
$3,000<br />
Insurance<br />
120 Hours Vacation<br />
<strong>11</strong> Paid Holidays<br />
80 Hours Sick Leave<br />
20-Year Retirement Plan<br />
2/1 City Match TMRS<br />
174 The BLUES<br />
Beards & Tattoos Allowed<br />
Academy Pay<br />
Equipment Provided<br />
Excellent Training Provided<br />
Speciality/Cerification Pay<br />
Community Support<br />
Plentiful Outdoor Activities
$65,709-$67,685<br />
Based on Population and Experience<br />
25 YEAR STEP PLAN<br />
$60,085 - $84,308<br />
STEP INTO YOUR FUTURE<br />
NEW POLICE STATION<br />
COMING 2023<br />
The BLUES 175
176 The BLUES
MEMORIAL VILLAGES POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
Serving the Villages of Bunker Hill, Piney Point and Hunters Creek<br />
POLICE OFFICER<br />
The Memorial Villages Police Department is currently looking for experienced officers who are<br />
self-motivated, innovative, enthusiastic and love working for a community that supports them.<br />
5+ Years Patrol Experience Required<br />
Hiring Bonus $1,500<br />
Night Shift Differential $3,600<br />
E.C.A $1300<br />
Bi-lingual Pay<br />
Education Pay<br />
Intermediate, Advanced, Master<br />
Peace Officer Certification Pay<br />
Healthcare, Dental and Vision Insurance<br />
100% paid for employee, 75% for<br />
spouse/dependents.<br />
Paid long-term disability and Life Insurance<br />
for employee, additional life insurance<br />
available for spouse/dependents.<br />
Health Savings Account with Department<br />
contributions up to $4,200 annually.<br />
TMRS Retirement 7% w/ 2:1 match (20 yr).<br />
457 Deferred Compensation Plan with<br />
employer contribution of 2.5% of annual<br />
salary.<br />
Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Longevity Pay up to a max of $2,400<br />
annually at 10 years of service.<br />
12 Hour shifts with every other Friday,<br />
Starting at $83,459 up to $94,164<br />
Scan for more<br />
information<br />
W W W . M V P D T X . O R G<br />
<strong>11</strong>981 Memorial Drive – Houston, Tx 77024<br />
713.365.3700<br />
The BLUES 177
178 The BLUES<br />
____________________________________________________________________________
The BLUES 179
180 The BLUES
MAKE A<br />
DIFFERENCE<br />
IN YOUR<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
We are looking for outstanding individuals to<br />
join our team! As a Pearland Police Officer your<br />
mission will be to prevent crime and disorder, build<br />
partnerships within the community, and positively<br />
impact the quality of life for all our residents.<br />
CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS<br />
• Competitive Salary • Outstanding Training<br />
• Career Advancement • Exceptional Benefits<br />
The City of Pearland is one of the fastest growing<br />
communities within the region. Pearland is located<br />
approximately 20 minutes south of Downtown Houston<br />
and the current population is approximately 130,000<br />
residents.<br />
JOIN OUR TEAM<br />
HIRING POLICE OFFICERS AND CADETS<br />
$5,000 Hiring Incentive for T.C.O.L.E Certified Police<br />
Officers who qualify with at least 2 years of experience.<br />
TEST DATE:<br />
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 8:30 A.M.<br />
Register by: April 12.<br />
Pearland Recreation Center & Natatorium<br />
4141 Bailey Road, Pearland, TX 77584.<br />
Doors Open: 7:15 a.m. <strong>No</strong> admittance after 7:45 a.m.<br />
Candidates must park in the north parking lot.<br />
SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES WILL APPLY<br />
• Attendance limited to first 150 arrivals<br />
• Mandatory temperature checks<br />
• Masks required, hand sanitizer available<br />
• Candidates seated 6 feet apart<br />
For additional information and to register for an upcoming Civil Service Exam, visit<br />
pearlandtx.gov/PDCareers<br />
The BLUES 181
PORT HOUSTON<br />
POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
WE ARE<br />
HIRING<br />
SIGN UP TODAY! www.porthouston.com/career<br />
Are you looking for a career with meaning?<br />
Do you want to make a difference in a highly<br />
supportive community?<br />
Join our team at Port Houston!<br />
STARTING PAY*<br />
$60,000 up to $71,000<br />
* Salary depends on experience<br />
182 The BLUES<br />
REQUIREMENTS<br />
• Must be 21 years old<br />
• Must have 2+ years of police officer<br />
experience<br />
• Must have valid Texas Driver’s License<br />
• Must be a U.S. Citizen<br />
• Must have an honorable discharge<br />
from the military (if applicable)<br />
• Must never have been convicted of a<br />
Class A Misdemeanor or above<br />
• <strong>No</strong>t been convicted of a Class B<br />
misdemeanor within the last 10 years<br />
• Must have a GED or high school diploma
s-2<br />
BENEFITS:<br />
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance<br />
eligible first day of employment<br />
• Wellness Program<br />
(can earn up to $600 credit per year if requirements met)<br />
• Enrollment with Calm App for Wellbeing<br />
• Defined contribution plan (401a)<br />
– Employer Sponsored<br />
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan)<br />
– Employee Contributions<br />
• Vacation<br />
• Sick Leave<br />
• Paid Holiday 12 days/year<br />
• Life and Accidental Death and<br />
Dismemberment Insurance<br />
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits<br />
• Flexible spending account (FSA)<br />
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)<br />
• Pet Insurance<br />
• Legal and Identity Theft Protection<br />
• Tuition Reimbursement<br />
Up to the IRS annual limit and a maximum lifetime<br />
reimbursement of $25,000<br />
• Onsite Credit Union – Port of Houston Credit Union<br />
EMPLOYMENT<br />
TESTING<br />
Employment is contingent on passing<br />
any post-offer pre-employment<br />
screening as listed below:<br />
• Criminal background check<br />
• Motor Vehicle Record check<br />
• Drug screening<br />
• Physical exam<br />
• Psychological exam<br />
• Additional as required<br />
SCAN<br />
QR CODE<br />
TO APPLY<br />
The BLUES 183
184 The BLUES
Welcome Aboard<br />
Rowlett Police Department<br />
The BLUES 185
Provide Exceptional<br />
Service to All!<br />
CONTACT<br />
US NOW<br />
NOW HIRING<br />
972-412-6240<br />
kharrelson@rowlett.com<br />
4401 Rowlett Rd.,<br />
Rowlett, TX 75088<br />
Accepting Lateral<br />
Police Officers.<br />
Get paid for your<br />
experience!<br />
CURRENT SALARY<br />
Starting salary is $65,554<br />
Top Out Police Officer salary is $90,861<br />
Lateral Transfer - May be eligible for a starting<br />
salary of up to $75,221<br />
UNITS/ DIVISIONS<br />
Containment Team<br />
SWAT<br />
Bike Unit<br />
Community Services<br />
School Resource Officer<br />
Field Training Officer<br />
Criminal Investigations Division<br />
Traffic<br />
Crisis Assistance Team<br />
Crisis Negotiation Team<br />
BENEFITS<br />
TMRS Pension 7/14<br />
Medical Insurance<br />
Dental Insurance<br />
Vision Insurance<br />
10 paid vacation days during<br />
first year & 10 Paid Holidays<br />
Paid Sick<br />
Beards and tattoos are<br />
authorized<br />
Longevity Pay<br />
Long Term Disability<br />
Life Insurance<br />
Dry cleaning<br />
Three department issued<br />
firearms<br />
186 The BLUES<br />
GROW WITH US!
SEGUIN PD IS<br />
NOW<br />
ORDER - UNDERSTANDING - RESPECT<br />
HIRING<br />
POLICE OFFICERS<br />
UP TO $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS<br />
INCENTIVE PAY FOR TCOLE<br />
CERTIFICATION, BILINGUAL SPEAKERS, &<br />
EDUCATIONAL PAY<br />
WELLNESS PROGRAM PROVIDING ON-DUTY<br />
TIME FOR FITNESS AND FITNESS REWARD<br />
LEAVE<br />
POLICE CADETS CAN APPLY AFTER START<br />
OF ACADEMY, AND BEGIN RECEIVING<br />
CADET PAY OF $52,350<br />
EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS ARE PROVIDED<br />
INCLUDING TAKE HOME VEHICLES, HANDGUN<br />
WITH RED DOT SIGHT & SUPPRESSED PATROL<br />
RIFLE<br />
TMRS RETIREMENT (2:1 CITY MATCH)<br />
100% EMPLOYEE MEDICAL/DENTAL PREMIUM<br />
COVERED BY CITY<br />
PROGRESSIVE IN-SERVICE AND EXTERNAL<br />
TRAINING EXCEEDING NATIONAL TRAINING<br />
AVERAGES<br />
STARTING PAY AT $63,784<br />
ELIGIBLE FOR ANNUAL STEP RAISES<br />
OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE EXPERIENCE IN<br />
SPECIALIZED UNITS AND ASSIGNMENTS SUCH<br />
AS SWAT, K9, NARCOTICS, SPECIAL CRIMES,<br />
MENTAL HEALTH, TRAFFIC, AND CRIMINAL<br />
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION<br />
$ 6 7 , 0 1 3 L A T E R A L S A L A R Y<br />
APPLY NOW AT: WWW.APPLITRACK.COM/SEGUINTEXAS/ONLINEAPP<br />
T H E C I T Y O F S E G U I N I S A N E Q U A L O P P O R T U N I T Y E M P L O Y E R<br />
The BLUES 187
SPRING BRANCH ISD POLICE DEPARTMENT<br />
WE’RE<br />
HIRING<br />
DEPARTMENT<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
55 officer department<br />
44 square mile district<br />
47 schools<br />
35,000 population<br />
24/7 Patrol<br />
We want you to preserve, protect, and defend our future.<br />
Starting Pay $63,000 (TCOLE Basic Peace Officer certification with no experience)<br />
Patrol & Onsite Officers (HS/MS)<br />
Gang Officer<br />
Mental Health Officers<br />
Community Relations Officer<br />
Emergency Management<br />
Criminal Investigations<br />
K-9 programs<br />
Language pay<br />
Shift differential pay<br />
Intermediate, Advanced and<br />
Master Peace Officer<br />
certificate pay<br />
Paid time off<br />
Ample overtime opportunities<br />
*All equipment provided including duty weapon<br />
**Training opportunities available<br />
Apply online today. springbranchisd.com/join-our-team<br />
188 The BLUES
The BLUES 189
190 The BLUES
The BLUES 191
192 The BLUES
The BLUES 193
We are hiring<br />
Police<br />
Officers<br />
now.<br />
Join the Waco ISD<br />
Police Department team!<br />
Pay Grade: 310<br />
Days: 207 and 226<br />
Salary: $42,228 to $55,542*<br />
*Depending on workday calendar<br />
and years of experience.<br />
Sign-on Bonus: $5,000<br />
Qualifications:<br />
Education/Certification:<br />
• High School Diploma or GED<br />
• Texas Peace Officer License issued by TCOLE<br />
• Current valid Texas class “C” drivers license<br />
To learn more or<br />
apply, please visit<br />
Wacoisd.org/apply<br />
Waco ISD Police Department<br />
194 The BLUES
The BLUES 195
196 The BLUES<br />
HUNTER BIDEN