April 2026. Blues Vol 42 No.4

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VOL. 42 NO. 4 APRIL 2026

FEATURES/COVER

82 5.11 : PURPOSE BUILT GEAR

WE WELCOME OUR NEWEST SPONSOR

PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS

EDITOR REX EVANS THOUGHTS

WEST COAST EDITOR - JESSICA

WORDS OF FAITH - JOHN KING

OFFICER INVOLVED - DANIEL CARR

GUEST COMMENTARY - CHIEF CHARLES E. HUMES

GUEST COMMENTARY - VINCENT BOVE

NEWS AROUND THE US

BREAKING NEWS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES

WAR STORIES

AFTERMATH

NEW** BLUEPRINTS OF RESILIENCE

HEALING OUR HEROES

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FOUNDER, PUBLISHER, EDITOR-N-CHIEF

MICHAEL BARRON

OUR TEAM

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Chief Rex Evans(Ret)

SENIOR EDITOR

Dr. Tina Jaeckle

WEST COAST EDITOR

Jessica "JJ" Jones

COPY EDITOR

Lt. John King (Ret)

OUTDOOR EDITOR

Rusty Barron

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Lt. Daryl Lott (Ret)

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Sam Horwitz & Det. John Salerno (Ret)

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Doug Griffith

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Art Woolery

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Daniel Carr

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Emmanuel Gonzalez Sosa

FEATURE STORIES

Michael Barron, Nick Pope

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

WAR STORY

W,D. Ford, Retired NM Trooper

AFTERMATH

Captain R.L. Smith

GUEST COMMENTARY

CHIEF CHARLES E. HUMES

VINCENT BOVE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Joanna Putman, Police 1

Jenna Curren, Law Enforcement Today

Greg Hoyt, Law Enforcement Today

Sara Roebuck, Police1

Cheval Pryce, Roni Jacobson

Jonathan Mallisa, Olivia Diaz

Aileen Wingblad, David Goodhue

Brian Rokos, Alexa Coultoff

Aaron Besecker, Sierra van der Berey

Sandra Diamond Fox, Briana Leonard

James Queally

Our Thanks to:

Fox News, Associated Press,

Police Magazine

The Law Officer, Police 1.com

& Law Enforcement Today

The BLUES is published monthly by Kress-Barr, LLC, PO Box 2733, League City Texas 77574. The opinions expressed in some

articles, op-eds, and editorials are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of The BLUES or its parent company.

Rebuttals or submission of news articles and editorials may be submitted to: The BLUES @ bluespdmag@gmail.com.

The entire contents of The BLUES IS copyrighted© and may not be reprinted without the express permission of the publisher.


FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

To Our Brother Tom

There are moments in this job that

test our courage. Then there are moments

in life that test our very soul.

From day one, you knew being a cop

was going to be dangerous. You knew

there would be long nights, missed

holidays, and the weight of responsibility

that comes with standing between

order and chaos. And you accepted that

risk without hesitation. You’ve walked

into dark alleys, family disturbances,

active scenes, and unknown threats

with a steady heart because that’s what

we do. We run toward the danger so

others don’t have to.

But nothing — absolutely nothing —

prepares a parent for the words you

just heard.

“Your daughter has cancer.”

In an instant, every pursuit you’ve

ever been in, every fight you’ve ever

faced, every close call you’ve ever

survived feels small compared to the

helplessness of sitting in a hospital

room watching your child face a battle

you can’t fight for her.

And that is a pain no academy, no

field training officer, no veteran partner

can truly prepare you for.

You are used to being the protector.

The fixer. The one who shows up when

everything is falling apart. You are used

to bringing calm into chaos. Now you

are standing in the middle of a storm

where your badge, your gun, your vest,

and your experience cannot shield the

person you love most in this world.

I know that you feel lost, you’re angry

and you’re afraid for your little girl.

We spend our careers being told

to stay strong, to keep it together, to

push through. We learn to compartmentalize

tragedy. We learn to bury

emotions so we can finish our shift. But

this isn’t a call you can clear. This isn’t

a report you can submit and move on

from. This is your heart walking outside

your body, and suddenly that heart is in

danger.


You may feel like you are supposed

to be the rock for your family. And you

are. But rocks can crack under pressure.

Strength does not mean silence.

Strength does not mean pretending

you’re not hurting. Strength sometimes

means allowing yourself to lean on

the very brotherhood and sisterhood

you have spent your career supporting.

And most of all leaning on God and the

power of prayer.

Across this country there are thousands

of officers who would stand

shoulder to shoulder with you without

hesitation. Men and women who understand

sacrifice. Who understand fear.

Who understand what it means to love

something more than your own life. The

same thin blue line you have helped

hold for others is now wrapping itself

around you and your family.

Your daughter’s fight is not just her

fight. It is your fight. It is your family’s

fight. And whether she realizes it or not,

she already has something incredibly

powerful on her side — a dad who has

built a life on courage.

She has watched you put on that

uniform. She has watched you carry

the burdens of strangers. Now she will

watch you carry hope.

There will be hard days ahead. Days

filled with uncertainty, exhaustion, and

moments where the future feels terrifyingly

unclear. But there will also be

moments of unbelievable strength. Moments

where you see just how resilient

a child can be. Moments where a smile,

a small victory, or a good test result

will feel like winning the lottery.

Hold onto those moments and celebrate

them.

And remember that this journey, as

brutal as it is, will reveal the depth of

love that exists within your family and

within this profession.

We always say policing is more than

a job — it’s a calling. Part of that calling

is standing with our own when life

delivers the kind of blow that no vest

can stop.

So, my brother, know this: You are

still a warrior. But right now, your battlefield

is different.

Your mission is to be present. To be

patient. To be hopeful. To be the steady

voice and safe place your daughter

needs as she faces something unimaginably

difficult.

Your brother and sisters in Blue are

here for you. The entire OPL Nation is

here for you. And most importantly God

is here for you and your daughter.

“God is our refuge and strength, an

ever-present help in trouble.”

— Psalm 46:1

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FROM THE EDITOR-AT-LARGE

PRETTY DAMN GOOD

Don’t just remember the bad or the ugly leaders,

remember the good ones too.

So, we all remember the bad and

the ugly supervisors and department

heads we’ve worked for,

right? My question is—do you remember

the good ones? The good

Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains,

and the like? How about a good

Chief, Constable, or Sheriff?

I remember some really, really

great Sergeants in my time. The

kind who stand up for their troops,

along with Lieutenants and Captains

who did the same. You know

the type—the ones who tell people,

“You did your job, and you did

it by the book.” No matter what

anyone else was saying, these tremendous

supervisors had my back.

Period.

Now look, I am the first to admit

there is no such thing as a “perfect”

supervisor or department

head. That person simply doesn’t

exist. Why? Because they’re human

beings—that’s why. People are

people. We all have off days, make

poor decisions, and sometimes

back the wrong play. It happens.

What I’m talking about are the

supervisors and department heads

who, more often than not, look out

for their people. They come in early,

stay late, and will literally hand

you a radio, Taser, flashlight, cuffs,

or even their coat—whatever you

need to get the job done. They’ll

help you with a report or an accident

report without judgment or

calling you a dumbass while doing


it. They’ll do whatever they can to

help you learn—and learn the right

way.

Of course, these same supervisors

and department heads get

called all kinds of names when

they can’t give you a day off or

whatever it is you’re asking for—

because sometimes, they just can’t.

That, too, comes with the job.

I’ve had Sergeants and others

help me, hurt me, guide me, stab

me in the back, and even try their

absolute best to save me. Because

at one time or another, I needed all

of the above to move me where I

needed to be. Life, people, circumstances—or

all of the above—play

a role in our trajectory. Much like

a rifle round, a ball hit by a bat, or

an arrow shot from a bow, there’s

a path that projectile is going to

take. Period.

I’ve been a Sergeant, Lieutenant,

Captain, Assistant Chief, and

Chief. I can tell you from experience—none

of those were “gimme”

or easy positions to hold. Some

days were good. Some days…

not so much. In fact, some days

were absolute hell on Earth. I’ve

had to make decisions that were

no-brainers, and others that were

heartbreaking and mind-numbing.

Throughout all those positions

and years, I was never—ever—a

perfect supervisor or department

head. I wasn’t. That said, I’m pretty

sure a few people could tell you I

never failed to make sure our people

had good uniforms, equipment,

and vehicles. I always did my best

to get them the best radios and

computers available. I tried to lift

people up every moment I could. I

sent folks to schools—leadership

and supervisory training—to help

them learn and grow in their craft.

Some took to it like a duck to water.

Others… well, some sank like

a rock. The point is, good supervisors

of all ranks and titles do exist.

They do.

This whole post is for those we

remember who weren’t perfect,

weren’t exemplary, and weren’t

everything we thought they should

be—but were, in fact, pretty damn

good in their own way. And that,

my friends, makes them worth

their weight in gold. By far.

In closing, don’t just remember

the bad or the ugly leaders

throughout your career. Remember

the good ones, too. They may not

have been perfect—true enough—

but they did what they could with

what they had, more often than

not.

And that, my friends, ain’t half

bad. Not at all.

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FROM THE WEST COAST

Community Policing Crossing the Line:

It’s all about the clicks, likes and viral moments.

There was a time when community

policing meant something

simple and powerful. It meant

officers walking a beat, knowing

shop owners by name, tossing

a football with kids in the park,

attending neighborhood meetings,

and showing up not just

when something went wrong —

but when everything was going

right. It was about building trust.

Visibility. Professional presence.

It was about reminding the public

that behind the badge stood

human beings committed to protecting

their communities.

Today, however, we are living in

a very different world.

We live in a culture driven by

social media validation — a nonstop

competition for attention,

clicks, likes, and viral moments.

Every holiday, every awareness

campaign, every trending topic

becomes an opportunity for individuals

and organizations to perform.

Costumes get louder. Videos

get more exaggerated. Messaging

becomes less about substance

and more about spectacle. It often

feels less like civic engagement

and more like a global reality

show where everyone is trying to

outdo one another.

And now, increasingly, that

culture is bleeding into American

policing.

Let’s be clear: community policing

is essential. In fact, it has

never been more important. Law

enforcement faces unprecedented


skepticism, hostility, and misinformation.

Winning back public

confidence is not optional — it

is mission critical. Departments

that isolate themselves from their

communities will fail. Officers

who cannot communicate effectively

with the public will struggle.

Chiefs who refuse to modernize

outreach efforts risk losing

legitimacy in the eyes of those

they serve.

But somewhere along the way,

in the race to appear relatable and

progressive, some agencies have

crossed an important line.

Community policing has begun

to morph into community performance.

We now see police departments

staging elaborate social media

skits, participating in viral dance

trends while in uniform, dressing

in cartoonish costumes for public

relations campaigns, and producing

content that resembles influencer

marketing more than professional

public safety messaging.

What may begin as harmless

fun can quickly turn into a daily

circus act — one where the badge

becomes a prop and the uniform

becomes a costume.

This raises an uncomfortable but

necessary question: when does

engagement become erosion of

professionalism?

The badge represents authority,

responsibility, and sacrifice. It

is worn by men and women who

respond to shootings, fatal crashes,

domestic violence, and unimaginable

tragedy — sometimes

all in the same shift. It represents

discipline and command presence.

It represents the ability to bring

order to chaos. That image matters,

not because officers need to

appear distant or unapproachable,

but because public confidence in

law enforcement is deeply tied to

perceptions of competence and

seriousness.

When the public begins to see

police, leadership engaging in antics

that appear unserious, overly

theatrical, or self-promotional, it

risks undermining that perception.

Should a chief of police participate

in viral dance videos while

in uniform? Should command

staff routinely appear in gimmicky

holiday productions designed

primarily to generate social media

engagement? These are not

questions about whether officers

should have personalities or connect

with their communities. They

are questions about department

dignity and leadership example.

Leadership sets the tone.

When chiefs and sheriffs blur

the line between outreach and entertainment,

they send a message

— both internally and externally —

about what the profession values.

Officers on the street take cues

from the top. If command staff

treats the badge as a branding

opportunity, younger officers may

begin to see policing through the

same lens. Meanwhile, segments

of the public who already question

police professionalism may

feel validated in their skepticism.

Ironically, the very efforts meant

to build trust can sometimes

weaken it.

This is not an argument for

returning to the cold, detached

policing models of decades past.

Communities do not want robotic

officers. They want approachable

cops who understand modern culture

and communicate effectively.

Social media, when used responsibly,

can be a powerful tool for

transparency, crime prevention

messaging, recruitment, and humanizing

the profession.

Real community policing happens

in quiet moments that will

never go viral. It happens when an

officer spends extra time explaining

a report to a crime victim.

When a patrol unit checks on

an elderly resident during a heat

wave. When officers mentor atrisk

youth consistently — not just

for a photo opportunity. These

acts build lasting trust because

they are rooted in service, not

optics.

The danger of the “daily circus”

approach is that it prioritizes visibility

over impact.

Departments may begin measuring

success in views, clicks and

shares instead of reduced crime,

improved clearance rates, stronger

neighborhood partnerships,

and officer safety. Public relations

teams may gain influence while

operational excellence becomes

secondary. In the worst cases,

agencies risk appearing more

concerned with image management

than patrolling the streets of

their community.

There is also morale to consider.

Many veteran officers question the

need for dozens of social media

posts a day for fear it trivializes

the dangers and realities of the

job. When an officer spends the

morning handling a child abuse

case and then is expected to participate

in a choreographed social

media video that afternoon, the

disconnect can feel jarring — even

disrespectful to the gravity of the

work.

So where is the line?

The line exists where outreach

begins to diminish the authority,

credibility, or seriousness of being

a cop. It exists where engagement

becomes self-promotion. It exists

where leadership participation in

theatrics overshadows leadership

presence in crisis.

Community policing should look

like a partnership, not a performance.

It should reflect confidence, not

insecurity. It should be grounded

in service, not spectacle. Departments

must remember that trust

is built through consistency, competence,

fairness, and courage

— not costumes and Face Book

posts.

In a world obsessed with attention,

policing must resist the

temptation to become just another

act in the show.

Because when the cameras are

off and the music stops, the public

still expects professionals to answer

their call for help.


WORDS OF FAITH

Chaplain's Corner

The Real Power of Prayer

Greetings fellow Blues readers!

If you have not read the editorial

on page 8 of this month’s edition

I strongly encourage you to do

so. It was written by our Founder

and Editor-in-Chief, Michael

Barron. It is well written. The

article is addressed to Tom

Rizzo, a member of our First

Responder community. A trial of

unthinkable magnitude has entered

Tom and his family’s lives.

There’s two things I can say

with certainty concerning Tom’s

situation: First, and most importantly,

God is still God and He is

still on His throne! Second, Tom

and his family are not alone.

There are those amongst our

community who may be called

to help Tom, and there are those

who are walking a parallel path

and are in equally dire circumstances.

For those of us who believe

and trust in the God of the Bible,

and His Son, Jesus Christ, it’s

common that one of our first

responses when we receive

bad news is that we pray, and

that’s good. We hear and talk

about the power of prayer, and

that too is good, but I want to

interject that we MUST always

remember that God is actually

the power behind the power of

prayer. Our prayers are like a

light switch, which has no power

in and of itself, but when it is


flipped to the ON position it connects

the source of the electric

power to the light and makes

the light come on. So, when we

pray we trust that we are flipping

a “switch” that connects

and concentrates God’s power

to the situation we are praying

for. But what happens if the

“light” doesn’t come on? Jesus

himself had that happen to him

once. Let’s look at the Scriptures

that recount that time:

“And they went to a place called

Gethsemane. And he said to his

disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

And he took with him Peter and

James and John, and (he) began

to be greatly distressed and

troubled. And he said to them,

“My soul is very sorrowful,

even to death. Remain here and

watch.” And going a little farther,

he fell on the ground and

prayed that, if it were possible,

the hour might pass from him.

And he said, “Abba, Father, all

things are possible for you. Remove

this cup from me. Yet not

what I will, but what you will.”

(Mark 14:32-36 ESV)

As incredulous as it sounds,

Jesus was actually asking God

the Father if it was possible for

him to NOT be crucified! But

His last statement says it all,

“Yet not what I will, but what

you will.” Christ knew who He

was and what His purpose was.

When we pray and the “light”

we desire to turn on by way of

that prayer comes on we must

be careful and certain to give

God the glory and the thanks.

But, on those occasions when

the light doesn’t come on, as

hard and seemingly impossible

as it may be we must still give

glory and thanks to God. As

Christ said, “. . . not what I will,

but what you will.”

“For I know the thoughts that

I think toward you, saith the

LORD, thoughts of peace, and

not of evil, to give you an expected

end. Then shall ye call

upon me, and ye shall go and

pray unto me, and I will hearken

unto you. And ye shall seek

me, and find me, when ye shall

search for me with all your

heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV)

If you are a Chaplain for your

department, or know a Chaplain

who would like to contribute an

article for The Chaplain’s Corner

please contact our office at:

bluespdmag@gmail.com


GUEST COMMENTARY Y

Police Law News

Daniel Carr

OFFICER INVOLVED :

Da'quain Johnson

Anti-police activists and civil

rights attorneys really think they

have something here. They are

publicly gloating like inevitable

lottery winners.

But, after even a cursory review

of this case it is clear that

their ambition has outpaced the

objective facts.

Da’quain Johnson was a convicted

felon and on parole for a

gun charge.

Start with those facts and

work backwards.

WHAT HAPPENED

This incident occurred in Grand

Rapids, Michigan on February 18,

2026.

Police received reports of a

man riding a bike…armed with

a gun.

An officer on patrol observed

that Da’quain was riding a

bike in the area of the call and

matched the description of the

suspect. The officer attempted to

stop him.

The officer did have reasonable

suspicion to initiate the stop and

detain Da’quain.

Instead of cooperating like

a rational member of society,

Da’quain fled from the officer

on his bicycle. Da’quain then

ditched the bike and fled on foot.


The officer gave chase and also

allowed his K9 partner to participate.

The K9 quickly caught the

fleeing Da’quain.

Da’quain continued to resist

arrest as the K9 latched on. Two

officers attempted to gain control

and Da’quain was given a

command to “show” his hands.

Officers observed that Da’quain

was “reaching” and saw that he

was had successfully grabbed a

gun that he had concealed. An

officer generously gave Da’quain

three commands to “Drop the

gun!” - before deadly force was

utilized.

LOOKING FOR A PAYDAY

Civil Rights attorney and Ben

Crump protege (Lee Merritt) has

also chimed in and claimed that

this was an “execution”.

TACTICAL ACTIVISM

Here is the tactic being used by

anti-police activists:

1. Ignore Da’quain’s criminal

history.

2. Ignore the fact that Da’quain

ran from police and resisted

arrest.

3. Ignore the fact that Da’quain

was unlawfully carrying a gun.

4. Focus ONLY on the theory

that…the K9 and officers arresting

Da’quain forced his hand

near the gun and that his grabbing/touching

the gun - was an

involuntary act.

5. Demand “justice”…..and tons

of cash.

6. Reiterate that Da’quain had

cousins.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Da’quain Johnson was a convicted

felon on parole for a gun

charge…when he fled from police

& pulled a gun while resisting

lawful arrest.

The Johnson family either:

1: Taught Da’quain that this

behavior is acceptable; or

2: Knows that this disgusting

behavior is unacceptable…but

desperately wants to profit from

his death

*Given the evidence presented

thus far…it is appears that this

was a reasonable/lawful use of

deadly force. But, it looks like

they are going to dig in and we

must be ready to combat the inevitable

disgusting and dishonest

narratives.

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GUEST COMMENTARY

Brain-Power Vs. Fire-Power:

What is The Final Weapon?

Chief Charles E. Humes, Jr.

“This is the law. The purpose

of fighting is to win. There is

no possible victory in defense.

The sword is more important

than the shield, and skill is more

important than either. The final

weapon is the brain, all else is

supplemental.” –John Steinbeck,

from his last and unfinished

work, The Acts of King

Arthur and His Noble Knights.

This quote has survived the

test of time, yet some of our

present-day warriors question

its validity. They say, “It’s old and

no longer relevant.” Or: “That

brain thing is way overrated.

Modern weapons don’t require

much thought to use effectively.”

Not to mention the somewhat

prevalent attitude of: “It might

have been true when we only

fought with swords, but now I

have my mega-caliber-thunder-blaster,

which is loaded

with kryptonite tipped bullets. It

makes me invincible!”

If you understand Mr. Steinbeck’s

logic, you probably don’t

need to read any further. However,

if you think that John

Steinbeck is just some old dead

guy, and that his classic quote

doesn’t apply anymore, read on.

I’m not going to change your

mind; you are going to do that


all by yourself. All I’m going to

do is give you a little food for

thought. The bottom line: Mr.

Steinbeck’s quote wasn’t only

applicable the first time two humans

violently clashed. It’s just

as applicable today, and it will

be as long as interpersonal human

conflicts exists. “OK, prove

it,” you say.

It’s simple. We’re going to

conduct a somewhat realistic

combative test. Although this

is hypothetical, remember that

similar gunfight situations—

non-avoidable, close-quarter,

no-holds-barred—occur daily.

Pick the largest retail store,

mall, or warehouse in your jurisdiction.

This will be the venue

for our test of Steinbeck’s quote.

We’ll bar the windows and weld

the doors closed, so there will

be no choice but to engage your

opponent. You will start at the

northwest corner of your chosen

location, carrying your off-duty

firearm and whatever spare ammunition

you normally carry. (If

you stake your life on it regularly,

then it’s good enough for our

test).

At the southeast corner of

the location, there will be two

opponents. However, you only

have to face one, and you’ll even

get to choose which one will

be your opponent. The rules of

the game are easy. We’re going

to lower the lights so you can

barely see, and whichever opponent

you choose, will be coming

after you with the goal of

killing you. Sooner or later, you

will meet somewhere within

the store, and you’ll be forced

to engage your opponent. (In all

reality, you’ve played most of

the elements of the game during

previous building searches).

LET’S LOOK AT YOUR POTEN-

TIAL OPPONENTS.

Opponent No. 1 will be armed

with the 9mm, .40, or .45

semi-auto pistol of his choosing,

fully customized to fit him

(regardless of cost, he will

get the best that money can

buy). It will have night sights,

a rail mounted flashlight and

a red dot sight. Additionally, it

will be loaded with the nastiest,

flesh-eating man-stopper

hollow points known to exist.

Opponent No. 1 will also be

equipped with as many spare

magazines as he wishes to carry,

a state-of-the-art combat

knife, and the backup handgun

of his choosing.

Opponent No. 2 will have a

1970s-vintage, two-inch, .38

caliber, five-shot revolver. However,

it will be loaded with only

three rounds, of .38 +P+ hollow

point ammunition. He will have

no additional ammo or other

weapons.

Now for the big question,

which of the two opponents do

you choose to face?

Do you wish to face Opponent

No. 1 and his high-tech

semi-auto? Or Opponent No.

2 with his outdated revolver?

When I present this scenario

to inexperienced individuals,

I invariably get an immediate

chorus of, “Opponent No. 2!

Two please!” However, when I

present this scenario to experienced

individuals, I usually get a

totally different answer, usually

a question: “Who’s carrying the

weapons?”

Opponent No. 1 is Uncle Bud.

Uncle Bud spends most of his

free time watching car racing

and drinking beer. He works at a

vehicle assembly plant, screwing

on lug nuts as his primary

job. Uncle Bud has never had

any firearms or tactical training,

other than plinking behind the

barn. He can change a magazine

in just under ten seconds.

On a good day, at a distance of

12 feet, he can hit a beer can

six out of ten times. If you face

Uncle Bud, he will be equipped

with the high-tech semi-auto

with unlimited magazines.

Opponent No. 2 spends his

free time competing in IDPA and

IPSC matches. He’s currently

employed as a SWAT team leader

and has performed hundreds

of drug raids and other highrisk

deployments into the lairs

of America’s most undesirable

inhabitants. Oh, I almost forgot,

before joining the police department,

he spent ten years as

a Navy SEAL. Five of those years,

on SEAL Team Six.

Does knowing who is behind

the guns change your mind

about which opponent you want

to face? And what’s the deciding

factor? Is it the opponent’s highly

trained brain that suddenly

makes a lesser firearm far more

dangerous than its high-tech

sibling? And if so, does that not

prove that John Steinbeck was

right, not only when he wrote

that classic quote, but today as

well?

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman wrote

what is probably the best modern-day

equivalent of John

Steinbeck’s quote. It’s in the

forward to Ken Murray’s highly

acclaimed book, Training at The

Speed of Life. Col. Grossman

writes: “Amateurs talk about

hardware, or equipment. Professionals

talk about software, or

training and mental readiness.”

So, if you’ve ever questioned

Mr. Steinbeck’s philosophy, give

this article some time to sink in.

When you make attending quality

training a higher priority than

purchasing high-tech toys, you’ll

soon realize that your brain is

your primary and final weapon,

and skill is far more important

than any gadget or gun.

About the Author

Chief Charles E. Humes, Jr. (Ret)

IICI

A 40-year veteran of law enforcement,

Charles E. Humes, Jr.

served over 3 decades on a large

urban Police Department, as a

Special Deputy with two Sheriff’s

Departments; and ultimately

retired as the Chief of Police of a

small rural agency. Humes was

the recipient of the 2016 Ohio

Attorney General’s Distinguished

Law Enforcement Training Award.

A 2018 inductee into the National

Law Enforcement Officer Hall

of Fame; he is also an IADLEST

International Certified Instructor.


GUEST COMMENTARY Y

The Vigilant Protector:

Ethical Leadership In The NYPD

Vincent Bove

Within the New York City

Police Department—one of the

world’s most renowned police

services and long regarded as an

inspiration to many—where the

eyes of the nation and often the

world are watching, one decisive

act captured the spirit of

the Vigilant Protector and lifted

morale across the ranks.

Reflecting the chief’s own

humility, the moment represents

not one officer alone but the

shared courage, character, and

quiet resilience of countless protectors

throughout the NYPD—

and among exemplary law enforcement

professionals serving

their communities around the

world.

THE MOMENT THAT SPEAKS

FOR THE PROFESSION

In every generation of policing,

there are moments when the

true character of the profession

reveals itself—not in words or

ceremony, but in the instinctive

courage of those who move toward

danger to protect others.

When a chief of the New York

City Police Department vaulted

a barricade and moved decisively

toward a dangerous threat in

the heart of New York City, the

moment captured more than a

dramatic image—it revealed the


living spirit of the profession.

Yet the moment captured in

that image represents something

far greater than a single act of

courage—it reflects the quiet,

unseen bravery of thousands of

NYPD officers who, every day

and night, perform countless

acts of protection and service

throughout their communities,

standing shoulder to shoulder

with honorable law enforcement

professionals across America

who uphold the highest ideals

of the profession and carry the

sacred trust of the shield.

For the officers of this great

department—my colleagues

whom I have had the privilege

of encouraging across the city in

my role as the NYPD’s Honorary

Law Enforcement Motivational

Speaker—that moment serves as

a powerful reminder of the profound

responsibility entrusted to

those who wear the badge. The

police officer of the 21st century

is more than an enforcer of law;

he or she is a vigilant protector

of liberty, a guardian of constitutional

principles, and a leader

whose courage, ethical clarity,


and resilience sustain the public

trust upon which democratic

society depends.

THE VIGILANT PROTEC-

TOR: THE ETHICAL HEART OF

21ST-CENTURY POLICING

This is the spirit I have long

described as The Vigilant Protector—the

ethical police professional

who understands that authority

must always be guided by

uncompromising integrity, moral

courage in the face of danger,

and constitutional restraint in the

exercise of power.

The vigilant protector is more

than a responder to crime. The

vigilant protector is a steward of

public trust, a guardian of constitutional

liberty, and a leader

within the community. When

officers embrace this philosophy—anchoring

their actions in

professionalism, compassion,

and accountability—they elevate

policing beyond enforcement

alone and become living examples

of principled leadership.

This philosophy is explored

more fully in my article “Ethical

Leadership for 21st-Century

Policing: Reaffirming the Protector

Role Through Collaboration,

Vigilance, and Moral Courage,”

published in Law Officer, where

the principles of ethical leadership

and community partnership

are presented as essential foundations

for modern policing.

THE WOUNDED PROTECTOR:

STRENGTH THROUGH THE TRI-

ALS OF SERVICE

Another truth I have come to

understand through my work

with law enforcement professionals

is what I describe as The

Wounded Protector. Those who

dedicate their lives to protecting

others are themselves human


beings who carry the burdens of

the profession.

Officers confront danger,

tragedy, and human suffering in

ways few outside the profession

can fully understand. Yet within

those challenges lies a profound

source of strength. The experiences

that test us in life—both

within the profession and beyond

it—can deepen wisdom,

strengthen character, and inspire

greater compassion in service to

others.

Every human life encounters

trials—physical, emotional, spiritual,

and social. For those who

wear the badge, these experiences

are often intensified by the

realities of policing. Yet when

these burdens are faced honestly

and supported through the

fellowship of trusted colleagues,

qualified mentors, and reputable

leaders who understand the realities

of the profession, they do

not weaken the protector—they

refine the protector.

In this way, the wounded

protector becomes a source of

strength not only for the individual

officer and the profession,

but also for the communities

they serve. The trials that test us

can become the very experiences

that deepen empathy, strengthen

leadership, and ignite a renewed

commitment to protecting others.

This philosophy has been explored

in my articles such as “A

Wounded Protector and Beacon,”

published in Law Officer, and

in ongoing conversations with

members of the NYPD Police

Self Support Group—a fellowship

of officers whose shared

experience reminds us that the

profession’s greatest strength

is often found in the courage of

those who support one another

through both visible and unseen

challenges.

When embraced with humility

and purpose, the wounded

protector becomes more than a

personal journey—it becomes a

powerful source of healing, insight,

and encouragement within

the profession itself.

THE LIVING FIRE OF THE

PROFESSION

The living fire of the profession

is not found in titles or recognition,

but in the dedication of

the men and women who wear

the badge and serve their communities

each day with courage,

integrity, and vigilance.

The moment that inspired this

reflection—the chief vaulting

a barricade to confront danger—was

captured in a single

dramatic image. Yet moments

like that occur countless times

each day across New York City,

often unseen and unrecorded, as

officers respond to danger, assist

those in need, and build trust

within the communities they

serve.

Since 2024, there has been the

privilege of engaging directly

with members throughout the

New York City Police Department

in every borough—often not in

formal venues, but in the everyday

places where the profession

lives. These engagements include

advising, counseling, and

training officers, supervisors,

and executives committed to

strengthening ethical leadership,

morale, resilience, and suicide

prevention within the profession.

At the invitation of members

throughout the department,

these engagements have includ-


ed serving as a guest speaker at

precinct roll calls, conducting

training sessions, and offering

remarks at fraternal gatherings

and retreats. Time was also

spent with members of the NYPD

Finest Baseball Team before and

after a game—another reminder

that the bonds of the profession

extend far beyond the patrol

tour.

Many of these conversations

occur quietly—not only during

these gatherings, but also

through daily communications

with members of service across

the department. In each encounter,

the focus is unchangeable:

to listen, encourage, and support

the men and women of the NYPD

in their sacred calling to protect

and serve.

HONORING THE FALLEN

No reflection on policing would

be complete without honoring

those who made the ultimate

sacrifice. Carved upon the sacred

walls of the National Law

Enforcement Officers Memorial

are the names of thousands

of federal, state, and local law

enforcement officers who gave

their lives in the line of duty.

For the men and women of

the New York City Police Department,

that remembrance is

deeply personal. At Police Headquarters

at One Police Plaza—a

place I have entered countless

times over the past two decades

for various events and gatherings—the

names of NYPD officers

who gave their lives in service

to the city stand as a constant

reminder of the sacrifices made

by those who wear the badge.

These names represent generations

of protectors whose

courage, character, and devotion

to duty continue to inspire those

who follow in their footsteps.

They also remind us that the burdens

carried by those who serve

can sometimes leave unseen

wounds—reinforcing the importance

of compassion, trusted

support, and resilience within

the profession.

Throughout New York City, this

remembrance is also reflected

within precinct houses and NYPD

facilities across the boroughs.

Upon entering many of these

historic commands, visitors are

greeted by memorial plaques

and tribute walls honoring officers

from that command who

gave their lives in service. These

tributes quietly set the tone for

all who enter—reminding officers,

visitors, and members of

the community alike that the

profession of policing is grounded

in sacrifice, dignity, and the

enduring nobility of service.

In solemn remembrance and

enduring gratitude, we honor

not only those who were lost,

but also the families whose lives

were forever changed and the

fellow officers who continue

to carry their memory forward.

Together they remind us that the

bonds of the profession extend

far beyond the badge, and that

those who gave everything in

service to others are never forgotten.

THE PATH FORWARD

In every generation, policing

is ultimately defined not by its

critics, but by the character and

courage of those who answer

the call to serve.

When officers embrace the

principles of The Vigilant Protector,

strengthened by the humility

and resilience of The Wounded

Protector, they reaffirm a timeless

truth: ethical leadership,

moral courage, and compassion

remain the enduring foundation

of principled policing.

In this spirit, the men and

women of the New York City

Police Department—standing

shoulder to shoulder with honorable

law enforcement professionals

across America and

throughout the world—continue

to carry forward the sacred

trust of the shield with courage,

humility, and unwavering devotion

to those they are sworn to

protect.

A Comprehensive Chronology

of Vincent J. Bove Articles in Law

Officer

Readers may explore the author’s

full collection of published

articles in Law Officer here:

https://www.lawofficer.com/

author/vincent-bove/


Fighting for Public Safety & The Rule of Law

30+ years of Corporate, Real Estate & Family Law Practice Experience

Board Certified & Nationally Recognized Attorney

Member of the Board of Directors of the Houston Bar Association

Lifelong Conservative Republican

Endorsements

BRAZORIA COUNTY

C O NSERVATIVES

PD POL ADV TODD FRANKFORT FOR JUDGE


AROUND THE COUNTRY

DURHAM, N.C.

Master Trooper Steven J. Perry was killed when his patrol vehicle was struck

head-on by a wrong-way driver on NC-147, near the Swift Avenue exit.

DURHAM, N.C. — A state

trooper was killed in a wrongway

crash on the Durham Freeway

last month by a driver with

at least three DWIs.

Master Trooper Steven J. Perry,

30, was driving northbound

on the Freeway, also known as

N.C. 147, near Anderson Street

when his Dodge Charger was

hit head-on by a 2015 Nissan

Altima, according to a news release.

The Altima was traveling

southbound in the northbound

lanes.

Melshawn Moore, 39, of Kinston,

was behind the wheel of

the Altima, the release said. He

was killed. Investigators said

they suspect he was impaired,

though they didn’t specify what

substance he is thought to have

consumed.

Court records show Moore

had been convicted of driving

while impaired at least three

times in North Carolina : * He

pleaded guilty Jan. 20, 2010, to

driving while impaired in August

2009 in Jacksonville and

received a year of unsupervised

probation. * He pleaded guilty

Jan. 22, 2013 , to driving while


impaired in May 2012 in Lenoir

County and was given a suspended

sentence. Moore then

served five months in the misdemeanant

confinement program

after violating the terms

of his probation in May 2017. *

He pleaded guilty Sept. 25, 2017,

to driving while impaired in

May 2017 in Lenoir County and

was sentenced to 27 days of jail

and a year of supervised probation.

Moore and Perry both died at

the scene. Neither vehicle had

any other passengers, according

to the release.

State troopers responded

about 2:45 a.m., but radio traffic

suggests the crash was first

reported shortly after 2:30 a.m.

“They’re saying two cars

crashed, possible injuries and

possibly a state trooper involved,”

a dispatcher radioed at

2:39 a.m.

Radio traffic indicated the

crash occurred on the northbound

side of the freeway, with

debris blocking all lanes. Police

closed the road near Swift

Avenue just before 3 a.m. , and

the road had reopened by noon

MASTER TROOPER

STEVEN J. PERRY

Sunday, according to the North

Carolina Department of Transportation’s

website.

Perry worked in Durham

County throughout his six years

as a trooper and was a member

of the 148th Basic Patrol school,

the State Highway Patrol said.

“Please stay safe, take care of

one another and keep the family

in your prayers,” Col. Freddy

Johnson Jr., the patrol’s commander,

wrote in the Facebook

post.


AROUND THE COUNTRY

FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C.

Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell was killed in a vehicle crash in the

7400 block of Highway 311 at the intersection of Grubbs Road.

FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — A

Forsyth County sheriff’s deputy

died Saturday morning in a

motor vehicle crash, authorities

said.

Deputy Kaleb Mitchell died in

the crash, the Forsyth County

Sheriff’s Office said. Mitchell died

“while serving and protecting

this morning,” the agency said.

The sheriff’s office didn’t provide

any further details about

the crash.

“We ask for prayers from the

community for his family as well

as Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office

family,” the agency said.

“What greater love than a

man’s service for his community?”

Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr.

said in a statement. “Willing to

lay down his life for others. We

serve. We serve. We serve.”

Mitchell started his law enforcement

career with the King

Police Department in 2022,

according to Ian Tedder, assistant

King police chief. He said

Mitchell began working with the

Forsyth County Sheriff’s office in

the spring of 2025.

“Kaleb was an exceptional

officer who served with integrity

and the desire to serve others,”

Tedder said. “He was very well

respected among his fellow officers.”

Gov. Josh Stein issued a statement

Saturday about Mitchell.

“This morning, Forsyth County

Deputy Kaleb Mitchell died in

a fatal crash while serving and

protecting his community,” Stein

said. “Law enforcement officers

put their lives on the line to keep

us safe.”

DEPUTY SHERIFF KALEB MITCHELL

“Please join me in keeping

Deputy Mitchell’s family in our

thoughts and prayers,” Stein said.

“May his memory be a blessing.”


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AROUND THE COUNTRY

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Corporal Timothy O'Connor was shot and killed during a traffic stop in

West Caln Township, near the intersection of Michael Road and Route

10 in West Caln Township.

PHILADELPHIA — A motorist

who was pulled over after

driving erratically on a Chester

County roadway opened fire on

a Pennsylvania state trooper last

month, killing him, authorities

said. Then, they said, the motorist

turned his gun on himself and

ended his life.

Cpl. Timothy J. O’Connor Jr.

stopped the driver shortly before

8:30 p.m. near Compass Road

and Michael Road in West Caln

Township, said Pennsylvania

State Police acting Commissioner

Lt. Col. George Bivens. As O’Connor

approached the driver’s side

door, he said, the driver shot him.

Moments later, Bivens said,

the driver walked away from his

vehicle and shot himself with a

semiautomatic gun.

By Monday afternoon, authorities

had identified the shooter as

Jesse Nathan Elks, 32, of Honey

Brook in Chester County.

O’Connor called in the stop

before he approached the vehicle,

said Bivens. “That was the

last we heard” from him, he said.

Troopers who arrived to provide

backup discovered the two men.

Paramedics rushed O’Connor


to Paoli Hospital, where he was

pronounced dead.

The shooting unfolded along a

quiet stretch of roadway, where

farm fields and wooded lots line

the two-lane roads. By late Sunday

night, flashing police lights

washed the dark roadside in red

and blue as troopers closed off

the area and investigators began

piecing together what had

happened.

At a news conference early

Monday morning, Chester County

District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe

said little was known

about Elks’ motive. A man who

answered Elks’ father’s phone

Monday afternoon declined to

speak with a reporter.

The district attorney said his

office would work with state

police to investigate the killing.

“We are just starting our investigation

as we speak,” he said.

O’Connor was a 16-year veteran

of the Pennsylvania State

Police. He is survived by his wife,

Casey, and a young daughter.

“Our community is shattered,” de

Barrena-Sarobe said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, who also

spoke at the news conference,

CORPORAL TIMOTHY J. O'CONNOR, JR.

called O’Connor “a hero” who

“died protecting others, and that

is a noble calling. That is something

we’re profoundly grateful

for.”

A procession carried O’Connor’s

body Monday morning from the

hospital to a coroner’s office in

West Chester, where an autopsy

will be performed.

Shapiro ordered flags to be

flown at half-staff across Pennsylvania

in O’Connor’s honor.

Officials across the state offered

condolences Monday after

O’Connor’s death.

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AROUND THE COUNTRY

CALHOUN COUNTY, FL.

Deputy Sheriff Steven Bruner suffered a fatal medical emergency after

assisting people in evacuating from the Mossy Pond Fire..

CALHOUN COUNTY, FL. — A

Florida police deputy has died

in the line of duty after assisting

with evacuations due to a wildfire

on Saturday.

The Calhoun County Sheriff's

Office said Deputy Steven Bruner

suffered a medical emergency

shortly after his shift ended.

Authorities said Deputy Bruner

worked tirelessly helping with

evacuations in the Mossy Pond

Community near Miller Road. The

sheriff's office advised anyone

who lives in the area to evacuate

immediately.

"To know Bruner was to love

him. He was the kind of person

who would step up to help anyone

without a second thought.

Selfless, dedicated and truly one

of a kind," the sheriff's office said

on Facebook.

The Mossy Pond Area Wildfire

has burned over 500 acres, and

at least 12 structures have been

impacted, according to emergency

management officials.

The Florida Forest Service has

multiple tractors on the ground

throughout the fire area working

to contain the fire. Aerial

resources, including drones and

fixed wing aircraft, are flying

over the area to monitor conditions

as well.

Florida is currently experiencing

the worst drought they've

seen since 2001, according to the

FOX Forecast Center. The state

has been in a prolonged dry

pattern since the 2025 hurricane

season.

Some of the worst drought

conditions are across North Florida

and parts of the Panhandle.

Florida's fire season historically

runs from January until the start

of the rainy season in June.

Calhoun County Emergency

Management said utility crews

are actively working to replace

damaged poles and restore power

throughout the area.

DEPUTY STEVEN BRUNER

The sheriff's office is out in the

community conducting welfare

checks throughout the impacted

area. A countywide burn ban is

in place and will remain in effect

until further notice.

"Rest easy, Deputy Bruner. We

have it from here," the sheriff's

office said.

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The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is dedicated to honoring the

fallen, telling the story of American Law Enforcement and making it safer for those

who serve. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Memorial Fund built and

maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the National Law

Enforcement Museum, and life-saving officer safety and wellness programs.

Memorial

Museum

Officer Safety

and Wellness

The National Law Enforcement

Officers Memorial, located in

Washington DC, honors federal, tribal,

state, and local law enforcement

officers who have made the ultimate

sacrifice for the safety and protection

of our nation and its people.

The National Law Enforcement

Museum, across the street from the

Memorial, expands and enriches

the relationship shared by law

enforcement and the communities

they serve through educational

journeys, immersive exhibitions,

and insightful programs.

Officer safety and wellness

programs, partnerships, and

initiatives deliver best practices for

preventing line-of-duty deaths.

LEARN MORE

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By Respecting, Honoring, and Remembering Law Enforcement

Thanks to donors like you, nothing will stand in our way to honor the fallen, tell the story

of American Law Enforcement, and make it safer for those who serve.

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Visit NLEOMF.org for more information and to purchase museum tickets. The BLUES - APRIL ‘26 35

AROUND THE COUNTRY

NEW YORK, NY.

AN AMERICAN HERO - NYPD sergeant ran toward a lit IED as

NYPD chief tackled the suspect.

By Roni Jacobson

New York Daily News

NEW YORK — Two NYPD officers

who played a critical role

in preventing the ISIS-inspired

mayhem outside Gracie Mansion

Saturday from becoming a

potentially deadly terror attack

deserved special commendation,

Mayor Zohran Mamdani

and Police Commissioner Jessica

Tisch said on Monday.

Emir Balat, 18, who lobbed

an improvised explosive device

into a crowd of protesters, was

about to throw another handed

to him by Ibrahim Kayumi,

19, when NYPD Chief Aaron

Edwards jumped over an iron

barrier and tackled him to the

ground in a scene captured on

cellphone video.

Sergeant Luis Navarro meanwhile

ran towards the second

improvised explosive device

dropped on the ground by Balat

as it was lit and smoking, Tisch

said.

Mamdani publicly thanked

the two officers and others on

scene, who “faced a chaotic

situation that very quickly could

have become far more dangerous.”


“That is courage, that is

selflessness, and I am deeply

grateful to both of them and to

every member of the NYPD who

works every single day to keep

New Yorkers safe,” the mayor

said.

He thanked Edwards and Navarro

in private yesterday, he

said.

Balat and Kayumi are facing

federal terrorism charges in the

attack.

Edwards had just been promoted

to borough chief of

Manhattan, North in December

after nearly 23 years as an

NYPD officer. He was inspired

to become a police officer after

witnessing the heroism of NYPD

officers during Sept. 11, according

to Tisch.

“We saw that same spirit

carried forward in the way that

he responded,” at the protest on

Saturday, Tisch said.

Navarro, who has been on

the force for 11 years, grew

up between Puerto Rico and

New York, eventually settling

in Washington Heights in the

Bronx. He joined the NYPD after

a close friend encouraged him

to take the exam, Tisch said.

Navarro risked his life running

for the lit improvised explosive

dropped by Balat on the west

side of East End Avenue, between

East 86th and East 87th

streets, “without hesitation and

without regard for (his) own

safety,” Tisch said.

Edwards, 44, started working

at the NYPD in 2003. Before

he was promoted to Assistant

Chief at Patrol Borough Manhattan

North, Edwards worked

in the NYPD’s office of public

information.

For most of his career he has

worked in Manhattan, including

a stint in the organized crime

bureau in the 17th precinct on

the east side of Manhattan,

which includes Kipps Bay and

Murray Hill, and in the Narcotics

unit in Midtown south, which

encompasses Times Square,

Grand Central Terminal, Penn

Station and Madison Square

Garden.

Last month the NYPD Guardians

Association, a fraternal

organization of black officers,

awarded Edwards the distinction

of being “man of the year.”

Navarro was also promoted to

his current rank last December,

according to police records. Like

Edwards he served in the NYPD’s

office of public information, as

well as on patrol in Manhattan

after starting his career in 2015.


WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THIN BLUE LINE

“Michael sent me an advance copy, and honestly, I couldn’t put it down. I read it in

one day. What a terrific collection of ‘war stories’ recounting not only Sgt. Barron’s

career, but dozens of other officers as well. I would recommend everyone to grab a

copy as soon as they are released.” Andy S.

“This is a must read for anyone with a LEO in their family. It’s a heartbreaking look

at the reality of being a cop and I dare you to finish the book without shedding a

tear. From the very first story in Chapter 1 where a young recruit loses his wife to an

overdose, to the very last chapter where a rookie officer is gunned down in his patrol

car. Sgt. Barron also shares the humorous side to being a cop. Highly recommend.”

Libby A.

“It’s a raw and unfiltered view of the traumas in the life of a police officer. Thin

Blue Line is heartbreaking one minute and hilarious the next. It’s one of the best

books I’ve read in a long time. Thumbs up.” Brad H.


AROUND THE COUNTRY

DALLAS, TX

Dallas SWAT Kills Fugitive Who Impersonated Officer and Guarded

Congresswoman

A man who had been operating

for years under aliases while impersonating

a law enforcement

officer and placing off-duty police

in security jobs across North

Texas was fatally shot by Dallas

SWAT officers Wednesday night

after pulling a gun on officers

during a standoff at a hospital

parking garage. The case

has exposed significant gaps in

how private security personnel

are vetted, particularly after it

emerged the man had served

as a security guard for a sitting

member of Congress.

The man, known publicly as

Mike King, was killed Wednesday

night after a standoff with Dallas

police SWAT officers. Police say

he fled into a hospital parking

garage, barricaded himself

inside a vehicle, and was forced

out by tear gas before pulling a

gun on officers. He was struck by

police gunfire and pronounced

dead at the scene. Authorities

have not released his legal

name, citing ongoing investigative

procedures.

King was being tracked by the

Dallas Police Department’s fugitive

unit Wednesday night when

he barricaded himself inside a

car in the parking garage at Children’s

Medical Center Dallas at

TRUE LOSERS

around 11:40 p.m., officials said

at a press conference Thursday

morning.

Sources say King was wanted

for impersonating a law enforcement

officer and had claimed

to be one while operating Off

Duty Police Services, an online

platform connecting North Texas

officers with off-duty work. Law

enforcement sources also say

King drove a replica undercover

police vehicle and used license

plates stolen from cars outside

a military recruiting office. His

background, which sources say

includes a criminal history, raises

questions about how he managed

extra-duty jobs for police

officers and secured a high-level

security role for a sitting member

of Congress.

That member of Congress is

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of

Texas. Images obtained by CBS

News Texas show King standing

close to Crockett at events and

on the campaign trail during

her recent run for a U.S. Senate

seat. Documents obtained by

CBS News Texas show a person

named Mike King received payments

for security services from

Crockett as recently as last year.

Crockett’s office has declined to

answer questions.

The Dallas Police Department

has not provided additional

comment beyond the press

conference held Thursday morning.

Dallas Police Chief Daniel

Comeaux confirmed the fugitive

task force had tracked King to

the location based on an active

warrant for impersonating a law

enforcement officer.


NEW RELEASE * RELENTLESS Hoodie

There really is no way to put into

words the devastation left behind

by the floods in the Texas Hill

County. The loss of life, especially

those lost from the camps along

what was the peaceful Guadalupe

River, is just incomprehensible. If

you’re the sheriff or police chief

of the town in the center of the

disaster, you are obligated to hold

daily press conferences. You share

what you know and when you

knew it. That’s what Kerr County

Sheriff Larry L. Leitha tried to do.

But each time he stood in front of

the cameras, the idiots from the

mainstream media, launched into

their blame-game questions.

Owning a police magazine

means you must wear two hats,

one of a First Responder and

another as a representative of the

media. While I am proud to be a

member of the first, I am embarrassed

to admit I have anything

to do with the latter. The outright

disrespect I witnessed from the

media towards the officials in Kerrville,

just trying to do their jobs

in unimaginable circumstances,

was unbelievable.

Sheriff Leitha showed great

restraint in dealing with these

lowlife reporters. Most I assume

were not from Texas. His job was

hard enough without Monday

Morning Quarterbacks criticizing

him for his every move. I wish my

good friend Sheriff Grady Judd

from Florida could spend a day


SPECIAL MEMORIAL ON PAGE 229


AROUND THE COUNTRY

NORFOLK, VA.

ROTC students subdue and kill gunman at Old Dominion University.

By Jonathan Mattise, Olivia

Diaz and Michael Biesecker

Associated Press

A former Army National Guard

member who had spent eight

years in prison for attempting to

aid the Islamic State opened fire

on a classroom at Virginia’s Old

Dominion University on Thursday

before ROTC students subdued

and killed him, authorities said.

He had yelled “Allahu Akbar”

before the shooting, which

left one person dead and two

wounded, according to the FBI.

Dominique Evans, special

agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk

field office, said at a news

conference that the Reserve

Officers’ Training Corps students

showed “extreme bravery and

courage” and prevented further

loss of life by stopping the gunman,

Mohamed Bailor Jalloh.

The students subdued him and

“rendered him no longer alive,”

Evans said. “I don’t know how

else to say it.” She confirmed

Jalloh wasn’t shot but didn’t

provide further details.

The campus shooting is being

investigated as an act of terrorism,

FBI Director Kash Patel said

on social media.

Evans said Jalloh aspired to

conduct a terrorist attack like

the 2009 killings at Fort Hood.


Jalloh had pleaded guilty in

2016 to attempting to aid the

Islamic State and was sentenced

to 11 years in prison.

He was on supervised release,

which is comparable to probation,

when he carried out the

attack on Thursday. It wasn’t immediately

clear why his release

from prison had been moved

up. Inmates can get time off of

their sentences for a variety of

reasons, but it isn’t known if that

happened in this case.

Old Dominion University Police

Chief Garrett Shelton said less

than 10 minutes passed between

when officers were called about

a shooting in the university’s

business school building and

when responders determined the

shooter was dead.

Shelton said authorities hadn’t

yet fully determined the shooter’s

cause of death. He did not

confirm whether any officers

fired a weapon.

Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp,

public information officer for

the U.S. Army Cadet Command

at Fort Knox, Kentucky, told The

Associated Press that two of the

people who were shot were part

of the Army ROTC at ODU.

ROTC is a program where

students receive a scholarship

to attend college while training

to become commissioned officers

in the U.S. military. They are

committed to serve as an officer

for a period of time after they

graduate.

Voorhees University in South

Carolina confirmed the victim

who died was Lt. Col. Brandon

Shah, the son-in-law of a Voor-

hees trustee.

Shah attended ODU as an ROTC

student, according to his biography

on the university’s website,

and had returned in 2022 as a

leader for the program. In the

Army, Shah had flown helicopters

over Iraq, Afghanistan and

Eastern Europe as a pilot.

Jalloh was a naturalized U.S.

citizen from Sierra Leone.

The Virginia Army National

Guard confirmed he served as a

specialist from 2009 until 2015,

when he was honorably discharged.

According to a 2016 FBI affidavit

filed in his criminal case, Jalloh

told a government informant

he quit the National Guard after

hearing lectures from radical

cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

A court affidavit recounts a

three-month sting operation in

which Jalloh, then 26, said he

was thinking about carrying out

an attack similar to the 2009

shootings at Fort Hood, which

left 13 people dead. Authorities

launched the 2016 operation

after Jalloh made contact with

Islamic State members in Africa

earlier that year.

Jalloh later told the informant

that the Islamic State group had

asked if he wanted to participate

in an attack. He tried to donate

$500 to the Islamic State, but

the money actually went to an

account controlled by the FBI,

according to court documents.

Jalloh then tried to buy an AR-

15 assault rifle from a Virginia

gun store but was turned away

because he lacked the proper

paperwork. He returned the

next day and bought a different

assault rifle that was rendered

inoperable before he left the

store, prosecutors said. He was

arrested the following day.

The Justice Department in

2017 requested a 20-year prison

sentence for Jalloh, noting that

he had attempted to acquire a

gun to carry out a murder plot in

the United States. Jalloh’s lawyers

requested a 6-year prison

sentence and placement in a facility

with residential drug abuse

treatment.

“By putting the idea of this

murder plot into religious terms,

and by suggesting that murdering

members of the US military

would be a path to heaven, the

defendant showed how strongly

committed he was to the deadly

ideology of the Islamic State,”

prosecutors wrote in a sentencing

memorandum.

U.S. District Judge Liam

O’Grady, an appointee of former

President George W. Bush, sentenced

him instead to 11 years

in prison with credit for time

served and five years of supervised

release. He also ordered

Jalloh to participate in programs

for substance abuse and mental

health treatment. Based on

his release date, he would have

been under supervised release

until 2029.

Inmates convicted of terrorism-related

offenses are not eligible

to reduce their sentences

for good behavior or participation

in a residential drug abuse

treatment program.

In a letter to O’Grady prior to

his sentencing, Jalloh wrote that

he started using drugs after his

girlfriend ended their six-year

relationship.

“I feel deep regret in having

been driven by my emotions

rather than my intellect and

becoming involved with such

an evil organization,” he said. “I

reject and deplore terrorism and

any groups associated with it,

especially ISIL.”

One of the people who was

hospitalized after the shooting

is in critical condition Thursday,

according to Sentara Health.

The other had been treated and

released.

The public university in Norfolk

canceled classes and suspended

operations on its main campus

through Friday.


AROUND THE COUNTRY

DETROIT, MI.

30 Officers treated for smoke inhalation after synagogue attack.

By Aileen Wingblad

The Oakland Press, Sterling

Heights, Mich.

DETROIT — WEST BLOOMFIELD,

Mich. (FOX 2) - The FBI called

the Temple Israel attack in West

Bloomfield Township a "Hezbollah-inspired

act of terrorism"

after a man drove a vehicle into

a synagogue in mid-March.

Federal officials said Ayman

Mohammad Ghazali had purchased

firearms, ammunition,

and gasoline ahead of a planned

attack on the synagogue. He

fatally shot himself after exchanging

gunfire with security

officials.

"We are very grateful that

aside from the assailant, there

were no additional fatalities.

However, this evidence makes

very clear the attacker intended

to cause significant amounts of

harm to the members and the

children present at Temple Israel

that day," said Jennifer Runyan,

FBI Detroit Special Agent in

Charge.

The FBI's special agent in

charge and acting U.S. Attorney

provided new details into the investigation,

including classifying

the attack as an act of terrorism.

"Had this man lived. I am convinced

that my office would


prove beyond a reasonable doubt

that he committed the federal

crime of providing material support

to Hezbollah, a designated

foreign terrorist organization,

under federal law," said Jerome

Gorgon.

Federal officials do not believe

anyone else was involved in the

planning or execution of the

attack. Instead, the suspect acted

alone as a lone wolf.

‘Act of terrorism’

Prior to March 12, when the

suspect drove his truck into the

synagogue, his internet search

history revealed a focus on content

from Iran as well as posting

references to violence on social

media.

He first tried purchasing firearms

from two people before

being turned away. He then

bought an AR-style rifle from a

local gun shop along with 10 rifle

magazines and approximately

300 rounds of .223 rifle ammunition.

He then bought a rifle magazine

pouch and four 5.3-gallon

containers. From there, he looked

up firework vendors.

The next day, he continued

searching for gatherings of

Israeli citizens and concentrations

of Jewish people. Later on

March 10, he visited a gun range

and tested his newly-purchased

weapon before buying over

$2,200-worth of fireworks.

On March 11, his activities

continued online with references

to carrying out "vengeance"

and posting pro-Hezbollah and

pro-Iranian content on social

media. He also shared a photo

with him holding a large rifle

with the caption: "Burn their

world, for we have a vendetta/

revenge that we will never forget."

"His phone and videos were

filled with their terrorist propaganda,

including his deliberate

use of Hezbollah," Gorgon said.

Final Post before attack

Just 10 minutes before the

attack, the suspect two videos to

his sister with a camera view of

the synagogue parking lot, saying:

"This is the largest gathering

place for Israelis in the State of

Michigan in the United States. I

have booby-trapped the car. I

will forcefully enter and start

shooting at them. God willing,

I will kill as many of them as I

possibly can."

In the second video, he sent a

video that was only a few seconds

long that had the message

"A special operation."

The FBI said the suspect also

called his ex-wife in Dearborn

Heights multiple times before the

attack. She then called the Dearborn

Heights police department,

requesting they do a welfare

check.

What you can do

The attack remains under investigation

and if anyone has any

other details they would like to

provide the FBI, they can do so

at this link: https://www.fbi.gov/

westbloomfieldattack

The backstory

Ghazali, 41, was armed and

had a large quantity of commercial-grade

fireworks and several

jugs of flammable liquid believed

to be gasoline at the time

of the attack.

Daycare classes with children 5

years old and younger were being

held at the time. No students

or staff of the synagogue were

injured except for a security

guard who was hit by the truck

and knocked unconscious.

"I would like to commend the

teachers and the staff who successfully

evacuated the children

during this attack," Runyan said.

The Dearborn Heights man sat

in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to

noon, before ramming his truck

into the southeast end of the

synagogue at 12:19 p.m. striking

a security guard in the process,

said Special Agent in Charge

Jennifer Runyan, FBI.

Runyan said that Ghazali's

truck was jammed into the hallway,

and he could not get out.

The man then started shooting

through the windshield. He then

traded shots through the back

window with a security guard.

"At approximately 12:22 p.m., a

second security officer engaged

Ghazali in a gunfight from the

front of the vehicle, and soon

thereafter, in Ghazali's vehicle

the engine compartment

catches on fire," Runyan said. "At

some point during the gunfight,

Ghazali suffers a self-inflicted

gunshot wound to the head.

"In the bed of the truck, we

found large quantities of commercial

grade fireworks and

several jugs of flammable liquid

we believe to be gasoline, some

of which has been consumed in

the fire."

Security video shows the

41-year-old Dearborn Heights

man at the store with shopping

carts full of items twice on

March 10.

Dig deeper

The motivation behind the

attack is still under investigation

but the Dearborn Heights mayor

released a statement last night

that Ghazali had lost several

members of his own family, including

his niece and nephew, in

an Israeli attack at their home in

Lebanon.

Officials said Ghazali was born

in Lebanon in 1985 and entered

the US on May 10, 2011, on an IR1

immigrant visa as the spouse of

a U.S. citizen.

No children or staff were

injured in the incident, which

Bouchard said is “important to

note.” But one security guard

was hit by the truck and knocked

unconscious, and 30 law enforcement

officers suffered

smoke inhalation from the truck

fire inside the building. All were

transported to an area hospital

and expected to survive.

West Bloomfield Police Chief

Dale Young said a 911 call reporting

an active shooter at

Temple Israel came in at around

12:19 p.m. Officers were on the

scene in less than five minutes,

he said, and immediately cleared

the building. Officials said earlier

that approximately 100 people,

many of them children, were

evacuated.

Young said they are “examining

every angle related to this situation.”

The incident resulted in area

schools being locked down and

local residents advised to shelter

in place for hours. The public

was asked to avoid the area even

after the shelter-in-place advisory

was lifted at around 4:30

p.m. as the investigation continued.


AROUND THE COUNTRY

HOUSTON, TX.

South Houston Police Officer shot in head by a suspect after a chase in

Houston on March 27th.

SOUTH HOUSTON, TX – A South

Houston Police Officer is in the

intensive care unit after a suspect

opened fire during a traffic stop

according to South Houston Police.

The suspect was killed in a return

of fire by responding officers.

Surveillance obtained by KPRC 2

community news partner Grizzy’s

Hood News captured the audio

of the confrontation — including

an officer’s commands and rapid

gunfire.

“Driver! Your hands! Move your

hands!” an officer commands on

the footage.

Seconds later, the sound of rapid

gunfire erupts.

“Your hands now!” — followed

by multiple gunshots.

South Houston Police say the

incident began as a traffic stop

before 1 a.m. The driver refused to

stop, leading officers on a slowspeed

chase for several miles

before pulling into a location near

6th Street and Avenue B.

Two of the three responding

officers approached the vehicle —

one on the driver’s side and one

on the passenger’s side. Police say

the officer on the passenger’s side

noticed the man had a shotgun.

Within moments, investigators

body camera footage captured

the suspect opening fire.

“The guy opened fire on the


officer striking him in the head.

The other officers there returned

fire and the opponent is no longer

alive,” a South Houston police

official said.

Witnesses in the area reported

bursts of gunfire before seeing a

large police presence descend on

the area.

The injured officer was transported

to a hospital and remains

in the ICU in stable condition.

South Houston Police said they are

grateful for the medical care the

officer is receiving and wish the

officer a speedy recovery.

The South Houston Police Officers’

Association posted a statement

on social media:

We want to begin by recognizing

our night shift officers for the

outstanding job they did during

CLICK TO WATCH

the officer-involved shooting. Your

professionalism, quick thinking,

and dedication do not go unnoticed.

A special thank you to our dispatcher—your

calm communication,

coordination, and ability to

manage high pressure situations

played a critical role.

We also want to give thanks to

our neighboring agencies for their

swift response and assistance.

Your support and coordination are

greatly appreciated during such

critical moments.

At this time, we ask for continued

thoughts and prayers for

our officer as he recovers. We are

grateful to report they are receiving

care, and we are wishing them

a full and speedy recovery.

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AROUND THE COUNTRY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Why Crucial Funding Is Tied Up in Partisan DHS Standoff.

By Jenna Curren

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday,

March 17, Speaker Mike

Johnson (R-LA) dismissed a plan

backed by House Democratic

Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) to

fund agencies within the Department

of Homeland Security

(DHS) other than U.S. Immigration

and Customs Enforcement

(ICE) and Customs and Border

Protection (CBP), saying it is an

effort to "defund the police."

On Monday, March 16, Jeffries

launched a discharge petition

effort to try to force a vote on

legislation to fund a large portion

of DHS, including the Transportation

Security Administration

(TSA), Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA), Cybersecurity

and Infrastructure Security

Agency (CISA), and the Coast

Guard, as Democrats continue

to seek reforms to immigration

enforcement and refuse to fund

the agency.

The petition needs 218 signatures,

requiring support from a

handful of Republicans, to force

action, the Hill reported. Johnson

noted that Republicans have

passed full DHS funding in the

House multiple times without

support from Democratic leaders.

"Now, instead of doing what’s


right and putting an end to this

charade, Democrats insist on

tearing the bill apart piece by

piece,” Johnson said. "The discharge

petition is really a petition

to defund the police," he

added. “The law enforcement

agencies that are part of the Department

of Homeland Security,

or what they are targeting."

Speaker Johnson then accused

Democrats of refusing to fund

TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard

"unless they can reopen our borders

to illegal aliens."

Johnson was echoing House

Majority Leader Steve Scalise

(R-LA), who earlier in the day,

during a press conference, called

the Democratic proposal a "defund

the police discharge."

"One of the dumbest political

ideas may be in the history

of American politics — but the

Democrats aren’t done with it,”

Scalise said. “Now that you’re

in another moment of Democrat-created

chaos, what is their

answer? To defund law enforcement

again."

The DHS has now been without

funding for more than a month

as Democrats demand immigration

reforms, marking the

third-longest government shutdown

in U.S. history.

The shutdown has forced

workers in the agency to work

without pay, leading to resignations

and absences among

TSA officers, which in turn have

resulted in long lines at airports.































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Morning Quarterbacks

SPECIAL

criticizing

MEMORIAL ON PAGE 229





AROUND THE COUNTRY

ACROSS THE US

The Latest Breaking News as we go LIVE.

CAPITOL POLICE RECRUIT-

MENT SURGE FACES A RETEN-

TION CRISIS

By Law Officer

Capitol Police recruitment became

a major priority after the

January 6 attack exposed serious

security gaps and accelerated

calls for reform. In the years

that followed, the U.S. Capitol

Police worked to grow its ranks,

strengthen operations, and meet

an expanding mission tied to

threats against lawmakers and

their families. But Capitol Police

recruitment alone has not solved

the problem.

Now, the agency is confronting

the harder truth that many

law enforcement organizations

across the country face.

Hiring officers is only one side

of the equation. Keeping them is

the real challenge.

During a recent budget hearing,

Capitol Police Chief Michael

Sullivan made clear that

retention has become one of

the department’s most pressing

problems. The agency continues

to recruit, but it is also losing

officers to retirement, burnout,

and better offers from competing

agencies. That dynamic

creates a revolving door that


weakens staffing stability, drives

up overtime, and puts pressure

on morale.

Sullivan told lawmakers the

department is seeing roughly

24 recruits per month, though

not every recruit completes the

process. At the same time, the

department says it needs around

500 additional staff over current

sworn levels to fully meet operational

demands.

Recruitment is also being hurt

by the same labor market forces

affecting police agencies nationwide.

Officers today have

more choices. Federal agencies

and local departments alike are

competing for the same pool of

qualified candidates. In many

cases, rival employers can offer

signing bonuses, stronger pay

packages, more predictable

schedules, or a better quality of

life. That makes retention especially

difficult for agencies that

rely heavily on overtime or operate

in high-stress environments.

The result is a dangerous cycle.

Staffing shortages create more

overtime. More overtime hurts

morale. Lower morale drives

more attrition. More attrition

then forces the department to



rely even more on Capitol Police

recruitment just to stay in place

rather than move forward.

Doug Larsen, the COO of Safeguard

Recruiting, has successfully

staffed law enforcement

agencies and agrees that retention

is the glue that holds it all

together.

“We talk to our clients about

this, and it’s important they understand

that there are two sides

to recruiting and that includes

retention,” Larsen said.

Larsen said that his company

has partnered with Responder-

Safety to address the retention

issue, and they are seeing more

agencies address this in a positive

way.

JACKSONVILLE POLICE FA-

TALLY SHOOTS MAN AT GAS

STATION

Jacksonville, FL. – A man was

fatally shot by a Jacksonville

police officer Tuesday morning

outside a Gate gas station near

Bowden Road and Interstate 95

after authorities said he threatened

employees, told them to

call police, and then moved

toward responding officers with

a gun raised. The Jacksonville

Sheriff’s Office said officers were

dispatched at about 9:20 a.m. for

what was initially reported as an

armed robbery.

According to the sheriff’s office,

the suspect entered the gas station

while customers and employees

were inside and waited

until other customers had left.

Investigators said he then pulled

out a handgun and ordered employees

to get out of the store.

Police said the man made statements

about wanting to harm


CLICK TO WATCH

himself and told employees to

call law enforcement.

JSO said that while employees

were outside, the man opened

the door and threatened to come

out shooting. After officers arrived,

he repeated that threat to

police, according to Undersheriff

Shawn Coarsey. The sheriff’s office

said the man then closed the

door briefly, reopened it, raised

his handgun, and quickly walked

toward the officers. That is when

Officer Cascante fired several

times with a rifle, fatally striking

him. Police said the suspect did

not fire his weapon before he

was shot.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

publicly identified the officer

who fired as Officer H. Cascante.

The agency said no officers were

injured. JSO also said this was

the sixth officer-involved shooting

involving the agency in 2026.


the State Attorney’s Office responded

to the scene and will

conduct its investigation before

JSO completes its own internal

review.

The suspect was identified as

Michael Krause Jr.

BWC SHOWS FLA. OFFICERS

PULL SUSPECT FROM BURNING

CRUISER AFTER SHOOTOUT

THAT WOUNDED OFFICER

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. — The

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

released body camera footage

showing the aftermath of a

shootout with a suspect that left

a 23-year-old South Daytona Police

officer wounded, Spectrum

News 13 reported.

The March 15 incident unfolded

when officers responded to

reports of a road rage shooting.

Officers received a description

of the suspect vehicle, quickly

located it and pursued it over

a short distance, South Daytona

Police Chief Joseph LaSata

stated. The suspect crashed his

vehicle before getting out and

attempting to flee on foot.

The man fired shots at South

Daytona Police Officer Jake

Fessenden, who then returned

fire. As other officers on scene

worked to pull Fessenden from

the line of fire, the suspect entered

Fessenden’s cruiser.

Body camera video shows

Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies

arriving on the scene as an

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officer helps a limping Fessenden

take cover behind a group of

cruisers.

Officers can be seen ordering

the suspect out of the police

cruiser from a distance.

Video shows the cruiser engulfed

in flames as officers cautiously

approached. Two officers

were able to pull the suspect,

who had also partially caught

fire, from the burning vehicle.

At this time, it is unknown

how the cruiser caught fire,

LaSata told the Daytona Beach

News-Journal.

Fessenden was hospitalized

following the shooting but is

expected to recover, according

to the report. He was shot in the

leg and shoulder and is expected

to be released from the hospital

soon. The suspect was hospitalized

with life-threatening

injuries. He will face charges for

attempted murder of a police officer,

Spectrum News 13 reports.

“We have got so many young

officers, and they responded to

their training, they did exactly

what we expect them to do,”

LaSata said.

Fessenden has served with the

South Daytona Police Department

for three years and is a

field training officer.

“He is a great young officer ...

he has separated himself from

the normal three-year officer, he

has assumed a lot of responsibilities,

just a really fine young

officer,” LaSata said.

OKLA. OFFICER HOPS ON

BYSTANDER’S HOOD TO NAB

FLEEING MINIBIKE RIDER

OKLAHOMA CITY — Body-worn

camera video shows an Oklahoma

City cop hitching a ride on


the hood of a bystander’s vehicle

while pursuing a suspect, KOCO

reported.

The March 6 incident began

when the officer attempted to

stop two individuals riding minibikes

for not using headlights

and failing to stop at a stop sign,

according to the report. The officer

initiated a pursuit after the

riders didn’t pull over.

The two riders separated as

the officer pursued them. The

officer kept up with one suspect

until they drove down a deadend

road and through residential

yards. The officer then got out

of his vehicle and ran after the

suspect on foot.

Video shows the suspect eventually

re-entering a roadway.

The officer ran toward a passing

vehicle with its window down.

The officer “made contact with

the driver” and quickly determined

that they were willing to

assist law enforcement, according

to the police report.

“Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive!” the

officer can be heard saying on

body camera video.

The officer was then able to

direct the driver while clinging

to the hood of the vehicle for

CLICK TO WATCH

approximately two minutes, according

to the report.

The officer eventually hopped

off the car’s hood and tackled

the suspect when they came to a

brief stop, video shows.

The suspect claimed that he

“didn’t see” the officer.

“Yes, you did,” the officer can

be heard saying.

The minibike rider was charged

with eluding a police officer,

failure to maintain liability insurance,

driving without a license,

failure to use a safety signal,

failure to stop at a stop sign and

operating a minibike on a street,

according to the report.

The driver who assisted the officer

stayed on the scene during

the arrest.

“So, that’s the kind of adrenaline

y’all get to deal with?” the

driver said.

LAWSUIT ALLEGES MINNEAP-

OLIS PD OFFICER SHORTAGE

VIOLATES COURT RULING, CITY

CHARTER

By Joanna Putman

MINNEAPOLIS — A nonprofit legal

firm representing four Minnesota

residents has filed a lawsuit

against Minneapolis, claiming



that police recruitment efforts

have not been sufficient to meet

legal requirements, KARE reported.

The Upper Midwest Law Center,

which filed the suit, stated that

the city needs to hire more officers

to meet a legal threshold

set by the Minnesota Supreme

Court in a 2021 suit, according to

KARE.

“This case is about enforcing

the law as written and as already

interpreted by the Minnesota

Supreme Court,” Doug Seaton,

President of the UMLC, said

in a statement. “The Mayor does

not have discretion to ignore the

City Charter. Minneapolis residents

are entitled to the police

protection the law requires, and

after years of noncompliance,

the court must now enforce that

duty.”

The residents named in the suit

feel that their rights are being

violated due to the city’s officer

shortage. The suit claims that

the city must maintain a staffing

level of at least 731 officers,

according to KARE.

SUSPECT VEHICLE CAUGHT

IN GRAPPLER YANKS CRUISER

FORWARD, STRIKING 2 ARIZ.

OFFICERS BEFORE OIS

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police

Department released body camera

video showing an officer-involved

shooting of a man who

attempted to flee in a vehicle

that was tethered to a cruiser by

a Grappler tool.

The Feb. 27 incident began

when Phoenix officers responded

to a request for assistance

to stop a fleeing vehicle from

Arizona Department of Public

Safety troopers, according to the


release. The Grappler had been

deployed by troopers to immobilize

the car, leaving it tethered to

a patrol vehicle.

When Phoenix officers arrived,

a passenger was already being

taken into custody. Troopers had

stopped the suspect’s vehicle using

a Grappler and were working

to arrest him.

Video shows smoke filling the

air as the suspect attempted to

drive away while tethered to the

cruiser. Officers issued instructions

for the man to get out of

the vehicle, but he did not comply.

The suspect’s attempts to drive

away caused the tethered patrol

vehicle to shift, striking both a

Phoenix officer and an Arizona

DPS trooper.

Officers repeatedly ordered

the driver to stop, but he did not

comply. Police then opened fire.

After the shooting, the vehicle

remained running with the

driver’s foot on the accelerator,

causing the tires to spin. Officers

used a 37-millimeter less-lethal

launcher to determine whether it

was safe to approach.

Once it was deemed safe, officers

removed the driver from the

CLICK TO WATCH

vehicle. Phoenix Fire Department

personnel pronounced him dead

at the scene, according to the

release.

MAN FIRES GUN AT CALIF.

OFFICERS DURING TRAFFIC

STOP BEFORE FATAL OIS

SAN MARCOS, CA. — The San

Diego County Sheriff’s Office

released body camera footage of

a traffic stop that escalated to an

officer-involved shooting after a

suspect fired a gun in the direction

of officers.


when a deputy stopped a vehicle

for a code violation, according

to the sheriff’s office. The deputy

can be heard in the video telling

the driver, a 21-year-old woman,

that her brake lights were out

and that her license plate number

was tied to the wrong vehicle.

A man could be seen in the

passenger seat.

The driver cooperated with the

deputy’s requests and provided

identification. The officer then

requested identification from the

passenger.

The deputy could not hear the

passenger’s answers from the

driver’s side and also wanted


to look at the vehicle’s steering

column after noticing possible

damage that could indicate the

car was stolen, according to the

sheriff’s office. He walked to the

passenger’s side before continuing

with the stop.

Video shows the passenger at

first appearing to cooperate with

the deputy, providing a name.

As the deputy continued to ask

questions, the suspect suddenly

rolled up the window and moved

around inside the vehicle.

More deputies, along with a

Palomar College Police officer,

then approached the vehicle, instructing

the man to stop reaching

and pulling the woman from

the vehicle.

As officers drew their weapons

and continued to issue instructions,

several officers can be

heard saying that the suspect

had his hand on a gun.

As the suspect continued to

ignore instructions, an officer

began to break the passenger’s

side window.

The man then reached down

and picked up the gun before

raising it toward officers at the

same time as an officer deployed

a TASER. A muzzle flash can be

seen coming from the man’s

weapon. Officers then fired multiple

shots, striking the man.

Officers rendered aid to the

man, but he did not survive, according

to the sheriff’s office.

FLORIDA DEPUTY ARRESTED

AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRACKING

WOMAN HE MET ON TV SET,

PULLING HER OVER AFTER

PURSUIT

By David Goodhue

Miami Herald

MONROE COUNTY, FL. — A


Florida Keys deputy fired and

arrested this week is accused by

investigators of illegally searching

sheriff’s office databases for

information on an actress he met

while moonlighting as security

on the set of “Bad Monkey”

and then pulling her over to flirt

with her, according to his arrest

report.

Internal affairs detectives also

say the deputy’s in-car video

shows him nearly causing a

head-on collision when he drove

into oncoming traffic on U.S. 1 so

he could catch up to her vehicle

last month.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s

Office fired Lamar Eliseo Roman,

28, on Tuesday and also arrested

him on a felony charge of misuse

of law-enforcement computers,

computer networks and electronic

devices. He was released

Wednesday. Information on his

bond was not immediately available.

Roman joined the sheriff’s

office in May 2025, and his annual

salary until he was fired was

$74,474. He could not be reached

for comments, and information

on his legal representation was

CLICK TO WATCH

not immediately available.

According to his arrest report,

Roman was working a security

detail on Feb. 3 on the set of

“Bad Monkey,” an Apple TV show

that stars Vince Vaughn and is

filming its second season in the

Keys. Roman saw the woman,

whom the Herald is not naming

because she is a possible victim

of stalking, get off a bus for

extras on Long Beach Road in

Big Pine Key in the Lower Keys

and began whistling at her, the

report states.

The 27-year-old woman told

detectives that Roman approached

her several times that

day, to the point where other

extras noticed and tried to pull

her away from him, according to

the report. She told him she had

a boyfriend. Roman joked with

her that he would find her on the

road and pull her over, the report

states.

Detectives say Roman immediately

started looking for information

about the woman using

several sheriff’s office databases.

He even added her car’s information

into a “hotlist” system that

would alert him whenever she


drove past an electronic license

plate reader, according to the

report.

Detectives pouring through

records of Roman accessing the

systems to search for information

about the woman found he

did so several times, sometimes

several times a day, from the

day he met her through Feb. 19.

That’s the day he pulled her over,


Detectives watched Roman’s

patrol-car camera and observed

that the pursuit that preceded

the traffic stop, which he never

logged as is required, was extremely

dangerous. He began

following her in the Lower Keys,

where the speed limit on U.S. 1

ranges between 45 and 55 mph.

There were several vehicles in

between Roman’s patrol car and

the woman’s car, including two

large dump trucks, according

to the report. Camera footage

showed Roman speeding up to

70 mph and passing each truck

in a no-passing zone, the report

states.

Roman again passed more

vehicles, driving into oncoming

traffic, forcing the driver of a

truck heading toward him to veer

off the road, detectives wrote

in the report. Even during legitimate

pursuits, the sheriff’s office

has a strict policy when deputies

are allowed to exceed the speed

limit and chase drivers.

He then got behind the woman’s

car with his emergency roof

lights flashing and pulled her

over in the turning lane of the

highway at mile marker 10, the

report states. The in-car camera

showed him approach her

car from the passenger’s side

and talk to her, according to the


report.

The woman told investigators

that when she rolled down the

window, Roman said, “I told you

I’d find you and pull you over,”


He also told her, “I was hoping

your boyfriend was in the car so

I can pull him out and give him a

hard time,” the woman told detectives,


When questioned by detectives,

Roman acknowledged that

he used the sheriff’s office’s databases

to search for information

about the woman. He said soon

after meeting her, he sent her a

direct message on Instagram, but

she did not respond, according

to the report.

Regarding the traffic stop, Roman

told detectives he knew he

erred in judgment as soon as he

began talking to the woman. He

said he had “a tough month,” and

“I saw a shiny thing,” referring to

the woman.

“And that’s why I just like I

stopped right after and nothing

else,” Roman said, according to

the report.

When the detective asked

Roman if he pursued the woman

that day “just to say hey,” he

responded, “Yeah, I know it’s stupid,”


CALIF. PD CHIEF PLANS TO

FIRE 3 OFFICERS SUSPENDED

FOR USING DISABLED MILITARY

VETERAN LICENSE PLATES

By Brian Rokos

The Press-Enterprise

RIVERSIDE, CA. — The Riverside

Police Department plans to fire

three patrol officers who were

discovered with disabled military

veteran license plates on their

personal cars in 2025, Police

Chief Larry Gonzalez said Friday,

Feb. 27.

The officers were all rated

100% disabled by the Veterans

Administration — which certified

that they were eligible for the

DMV-issued license plates — according

to a lawsuit filed against

the department on their behalf in

July 2025.

The lawsuit states that when

the officers were suspended on

May 21, 2025, department offi-

cials told them they were being

accused of making false claims

about their physical limitations in

order to obtain the plates, which

provide parking privileges and

reduced fees. Those suspensions,

the lawsuit says, discriminated

against the officers based on

their status as disabled veterans.

The officers — Timothy Popplewell,

Raymond Olivares and

Richard Cranford — were summoned

to department headquarters

on Wednesday afternoon,

where they were handed discipline

notices.

Saku Ethir, an attorney for the

union that represents Riverside

police officers, met with the

three officers outside the station

on Wednesday. She declined to

comment on Friday.

Matthew McNicholas, the attorney

who filed the discrimination

lawsuit, has said they did nothing

wrong. The Riverside City Council

on Tuesday rejected a proposed

settlement of the lawsuit.

The officers, who remain

on leave, are entitled to what

is known as a Skelly hearing,

where they can review and respond

to evidence.

“I tell them, ‘Tell me something

I don’t know that I didn’t read

in the investigation,’ ” Gonzalez

said. He declined to say why he

believes the officers should be

terminated.

Popplewell served in the military

from 2008 to 2011 and, like

the other two officers, joined the

department in 2019, according

to the lawsuit. He has served in

the SWAT unit. Olivares was in

the military from 2013 to 2019. He

was in the department’s Honor

Guard at the time of his suspension.

Cranford was in the military

from 2010 to 2014. He has also

been a SWAT officer.

A veteran is eligible for a plate

when a doctor, an optometrist,

a chiropractor or another health

care professional certifies that

he has a severe mobility issue,

has lost the use of a limb, has

suffered permanent blindness

or has been certified as 100%

disabled by the U.S. Department

of Veterans Affairs.

The VA considers several

illnesses, injuries and mental

health issues in calculating a disability

rating, which is also used

to determine monthly compensation.

The DMV must accept a VA certification,

according to the DMV

website. The decision to issue

plates does not take into account

a person’s current employment.

McNicholas said in a previous

interview that how the VA determines

disability is misunderstood.

“Their disability ratings are

not the same as saying, ‘You are

disabled for work,’ ” McNicholas

said

CLICK TO WATCH

The condition must have been

developed during a veteran’s

service, from a pre-existing

condition that was aggravated

by the service, or be a condition

that did not appear until after

the service member was discharged

but was presumed to be

caused by the service.

BWC SHOWS SAN ANTONIO

COP PULL WOUNDED COL-

LEAGUE TO SAFETY DURING

SHOOTOUT

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio

Police Department honored

multiple officers involved

in a harrowing standoff with

an armed man, releasing body

camera footage to highlight the

brave response, the San Antonio

Express-News reported.

Seven officers were wounded

in the incident, which unfolded

as officers responded to reports

of a suicidal man on Jan. 22,

2025. The newly-released body

camera video highlights a rescue

and evacuation performed by

Officer Matthew Medina.

The video begins with body


camera footage from the perspective

of Officer Jesus Hilaro-Marquez

as he entered the

parking garage where the confrontation

was unfolding. Another

officer can be heard yelling

an abrupt warning just before

gunshots can be heard.

Hilaro-Marquez was struck in

the leg.

The video from Medina’s body

camera shows him rushing to

aid Hilaro-Marquez. Medina

pulled Hilaro-Marquez to shelter,

where another officer can be

seen applying a tourniquet to

“I got you, buddy,” Medina can

be heard saying.

Medina then brought Hilaro-Marquez

to his cruiser and

rushed him to a hospital. Video

shows him pulling Hilaro-Marquez

out of the cruiser and

taking him into the emergency

room. He stayed with him

through the night, according to

the report.

“He’s a really good friend of

mine. He’s a classmate of mine.

So when I saw him, I just shifted

to, ‘Let me do what I can to get

you out of here.’ And that’s exactly

what I did,” Medina told the

San Antonio Express-News.

Officers shot and killed the

armed suspect after an hourslong

standoff. Six officers were

honored for their service during

the ceremony on March 6.

FLORIDA OFFICER SHOT

DURING CONFRONTATION

WITH HOMICIDE SUSPECT BE-

FORE OIS

By Alexa Coultoff

Tampa Bay Times

PASCO COUNTY, FL. — A Pasco

County sheriff’s deputy was shot

Monday after a man suspected


of shooting two people — one

fatally — pointed a gun at him,

Sheriff Chris Nocco said.

The suspect was shot by other

deputies. Both the deputy, who is

expected to be OK, and the suspect

were taken to the hospital.

The chain of events began

around noon at the intersection

of Davista Avenue and Sawtell

Street in New Port Richey, Nocco

said at a news conference Monday

afternoon.

A man and woman, who have

not yet been identified by the

sheriff’s office, were using tools

to clear a lot of land when the

suspect, Aaron Rodriguez, 32,

“got irate and upset and started

yelling at the victims,” Nocco

said.

The sheriff’s office wrote in a

Facebook post that preliminary

information suggests the dispute

was about property use.

Rodriguez shot the man, who

then collapsed at the intersection,

Nocco said.

The woman was also shot

and started running away from

Rodriguez, Nocco said. Fire rescue

arrived and took her to the

hospital. The man who was shot

died at the scene.

CLICK TO WATCH

When deputies arrived, they

found Rodriguez inside the garage

of a house across from the

lot of land, Nocco said.

Three deputies, one with a K-9,

started approaching the house.

The K-9 deputy saw the suspect

holding a gun, Nocco said.

Deputies told Rodriguez to

drop the gun, and he didn’t, Nocco

said.

Nocco did not say who fired

first, but the deputy fell to the

ground and put a tourniquet on.

The other two deputies continued

shooting and then moved

into the garage to make sure Rodriguez

was neutralized, Nocco

said.

The department posted a portion

of a deputy’s body camera

footage on Facebook.

“We tell people if you put your

hand on something hot like a

boiling pot, your hand is going to

burn; if you play with glass, it’s

going to cut; if you point a gun

at a Pasco deputy, you’re going

to get shot,” Nocco said. “There’s

no apologies, there’s no sympathy,

he got shot.”

The deputies who fired at

Rodriguez have been placed on

standard administrative leave.

MAN HOLDS AMBULANCE

CREW AT KNIFEPOINT,

CHARGES AT N.Y. COPS BEFORE

FATAL OIS

By Aaron Besecker

The Buffalo News, N.Y.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 58-year-old

man died Thursday night after

he was shot by a Buffalo police

officer who responded to call of

a man in a mental health crisis

who was holding three people at

knifepoint, Buffalo police said.

The shooting happened at

about 10:58 p.m. at 54 Minnesota

Ave. , between Main Street and

Cordova Avenue , according to

the Buffalo Police Department

. The man, whose name was

withheld, died during surgery at

Erie County Medical Center, Interim

Police Commissioner Craig

Macy said Friday.

Three police officers, whose

names were also withheld, have

been placed on paid administrative

leave following the incident.

Those officers are the officer

who fired his gun, the officer

who deployed his Taser and a

third officer. It was not immediately

clear what the third officer’s

role was.

The third officer had “close

involvement” in the incident, the

Commissioner’s Office said.

The incident began with a 911

call at 10:26 p.m. from a man

who wasn’t at the scene who

reported a mental health crisis

in the residence on Minnesota. A

second call about the incident

was received at 10:38 p.m. , Macy

said.

An ambulance crew arrived at

the scene at 10:43 p.m. That crew

reported to its dispatchers that

a man at the scene was threatening

to kill them, as well as a

neighbor, Macy said.

The call was initially given

a priority ranking that did not

immediately deploy officers to

the scene. Once police learned

three people were being held at

knifepoint, which happened at

10:52 p.m., officers were dispatched

to the scene.

At 10:53 p.m., the first Buffalo

police officer reported heading

to the scene, and the first police

vehicles arrived at 10:55.

At 10:57 p.m., officers at the

scene asked the dispatcher and

other officers to limit radio

transmissions.

At 10:58 officers reported shots

were fired.

“In this very, very brief timeline

that we’ve had to look at and

what we’ve been able to uncover,

or what we know right now,

there is a very significant level of

threat that escalated against the

officers in a very short period of

time,” Macy said. “In those few

seconds that we’re looking at,

there is a deployment of a Taser,

which multiple times the Taser

was deployed, verbal commands

were issued and then one officer

fires his service weapon two

times.”

CLICK TO WATCH

The man, who was shot in the

torso, had two knives in his possession,

he said.

The case is being investigated

by the Buffalo Police Department’s

Homicide Unit and the

State Attorney General’s Office .

Macy said body camera footage

may be released late next

week. The family of the man

who was shot will be given a

chance to review the footage

first, he said.

The shooting happened in the

vestibule of the house, which

contained multiple residential

units, police said.

Buffalo police at the scene initially

reported that the man was

shot once, but later said he was

shot three times, according to an

archive of police radio communications

on broadcastify.com.

“The suspect was lunging at

the officers with a knife and

refusing to put the knife down,”

one of the officers at the scene

reported to dispatch.


CONN. OFFICER FATALLY

SHOOTS MAN APPROACHING

COPS WITH KNIFE HE REFUSED

TO DROP

By Joanna Putman

HARTFORD, CN. — A man died

days after being shot by Hartford

police officers responding to a

mental health crisis call, according

to a preliminary report from

the Connecticut Office of the

Inspector General.

Police were dispatched on

Feb. 27 to a home after a family

member called 911 reporting that

a man was experiencing a mental

health crisis, had cut himself

and was holding a knife.

Officer Josue Charles arrived

first and encountered the man

standing on the front stoop of

his apartment holding a large

knife, according to the Inspector

General. The man then moved

onto the sidewalk and walked

toward the officer while ignoring

commands to drop the weapon.

The officer deployed his TASER

several times, but it was ineffective.

Additional officers arrived and

attempted to persuade Jones

to surrender the knife. Police

said the man chased one officer

around a patrol vehicle before

slowing and continuing to hold

the knife as officers maintained

distance.

Officer Joseph Magnano arrived

shortly afterward and

repeatedly ordered the man to

drop the knife while backing

away. When the man continued

advancing in the intersection,

Magnano fired nine rounds.

The man was struck multiple

times and fell to the ground.

Officers began providing medical

aid until emergency medical


personnel arrived and transported

him to a hospital, according

to the Inspector General.

The man died March 3 from

complications of gunshot

wounds to the torso, according

to the Office of the Chief Medical

Examiner.

The Office of Inspector General

and the Connecticut State Police

Central District Major Crime

Squad are continuing the investigation.

CLICK TO WATCH

CALIF. OFFICER RESPONDING

TO DOMESTIC CALL SHOOTS

MAN CHASING AFTER WOMAN

WITH KNIFE

By Sierra van der Brug

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin,

Calif.

CHINO, CA. — Bodycam footage

released this week shows a man

who was threatening a woman

with a knife in Chino responding

“shoot me,” after police ordered

him to drop the weapon. Moments

later, as he pursued the

victim, they opened fire.

A witness called police to report

a woman screaming coming

from 16250 Homecoming Drive in

Chino around 9 p.m. on Nov. 16,

2025, according to a critical incident

video Chino police released

on Monday, March 9.

“My neighbors are having a

domestic dispute and he’s hurting

her. It’s really bad and there’s

yelling and screaming,” the witness

told a 911 dispatcher.

“He’s hitting her. She’s crying

for help,” said the witness, who

could see the altercation through

a window.

Another neighbor also called

911, telling dispatchers that

“some kind of abuse” was going

on and they could hear a woman

saying “Don’t stab me,” “Don’t

kill me” and something about a

knife. The caller said it was their

second time calling within about

a week, according to audio of

the call.

The bodycam footage shows

Chino police arriving at the home

and entering through the garage

shortly after 9 p.m. Inside, they

found 29-year-old Royce Johnson

of Anaheim “holding a large

knife aggressively towards the

female victim,” police said.

As a police officer walks up

the stairs, a woman can be heard

on the bodycam footage yelling

stop. The officer says, “Drop the

knife” and Johnson responds,

NEW RELEASE * Liberty Bell































was unbelievable.






Morning Quarterbacks criticizing





SPECIAL MEMORIAL ON PAGE 229


“No.” The officer tells the woman

to get back before ordering

Johnson to drop the knife again.

With his arms spread out, Johnson

says, “Shoot me” before

turning away from the officer.

He then chases the victim, who

is trying to go to a bedroom,

down the hallway with the knife,

police said.

Video shows the officer firing

several shots at Johnson, who

falls to his knees at the end of

the hallway.

Officers gave Johnson medical

aid at the scene and he was

brought to a hospital. His injuries

were not life-threatening, police

said.

Johnson was charged with

assault with a deadly weapon

other than a firearm and battery

by the San Bernardino County

District Attorney’s Office on Nov.

20. Court records show Johnson

pleaded not guilty to both

charges.

SUSPECT’S GUN FIRES

DURING STRUGGLE WITH

PHOENIX PD, INJURING OFFI-

CER AND FATALLY WOUNDING

SUSPECT

By Joanna Putman

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police

Department released body camera

video alongside details of an

encounter that ended with the

death of a man during an arrest

attempt.


when officers responded to an

aggravated assault call of a man

had pointing a gun at bystanders

in a park, according to police.

When officers arrived, witnesses

directed them to a suspect

leaving the park on a bicycle. Officers

followed the man in their


patrol vehicles while waiting for

additional units.

The man soon abandoned his

bicycle and ran toward a nearby

house. Officers exited their vehicles

and pursued him on foot,

video shows.

One officer deployed a 40-millimeter

less-lethal launcher, but

police said it was ineffective. A

second officer then attempted

to detain the suspect by tackling

him.

During the struggle, the man’s

firearm discharged, striking both

the suspect and the officer. Additional

officers arrived and took

the man into custody.

Officers rendered aid until

CLICK TO WATCH

CLICK TO WATCH

Phoenix Fire Department personnel

arrived. The man was

transported to a hospital, where

he later died from his injuries,

according to the release. The officer

was also taken to the hospital

for a minor gunshot injury

and later released.

POLICE RESCUE MAN BE-

NEATH VEHICLE WITH CAR

JACK FROM STORE

Webster, MA - A Webster

police officer’s fast action in a

parking lot saved a man’s life

after a car jack failed and a

vehicle collapsed onto the man’s

chest, leaving him unresponsive

and not breathing. The rescue

unfolded in minutes and ended

with the victim recovering

in a Worcester hospital with

non-life-threatening injuries.

Webster Police Officers on

the evening shift responded at

approximately 3:43 p.m. to Advanced

Auto Parts on East Main

Street for a report of a man

trapped under a vehicle, according

to the Webster Police Department.

Webster EMS and the

Webster Fire Department also

responded.

When Officer Nicholas Caruso

arrived at the scene and assessed

the situation, he went directly

into the store and retrieved

a car jack from the shelf. The

victim’s upper body was pinned

beneath the vehicle. He was unresponsive

and showed no signs

of breathing. Time was critical.

First responder personnel used

the store jack to lift the vehicle.

Officers then pulled the victim

free from underneath it. According

to police, the victim began

breathing again as soon as he

was clear of the vehicle. Webster

EMS transported him to

UMASS Webster, then to UMASS

University Hospital in Worcester

for further treatment.

Webster Police Detectives also

responded to the scene. The

investigation determined that

the victim had positioned his

own jack under the vehicle in the

parking lot to examine what appeared

to be a mechanical issue.

The jack gave out under the vehicle’s

weight, causing it to drop

directly onto the man’s chest and

trap him underneath.

Later that evening, Webster

Police confirmed that the victim’s

injuries were not life-threatening

and that he was recovering at the

hospital.

FEDS WARN LAW ENFORCE-

MENT ABOUT POSSIBLE IRA-

NIAN MESSAGE TO SLEEPER

OPERATIVES

By Sarah Roebuck

An encrypted communication

believed to have originated in

Iran may have been intended to

activate “sleeper assets” outside

the country, according to a federal

alert sent to law enforcement

agencies.

The alert cites preliminary signals

analysis of a transmission

“likely of Iranian origin” that was

relayed across multiple countries

shortly after the death of Ayatollah

Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme

leader. Khamenei was killed in

a U.S.-Israeli attack on Feb. 28,

ABC News reports.

The federal alert says the

transmission was encrypted and

likely intended for “clandestine

recipients” who already possess

the encryption key. Officials noted

that messages sent this way

can be used to pass instructions

to “covert operatives or sleeper

assets” without relying on internet

or cellular networks.

The transmissions could possibly

be “intended to activate or

provide instructions to prepositioned

sleeper assets operating

outside the originating country,”

the alert said.

The alert says the exact contents

of the transmission remain

unknown, but officials said the

sudden appearance of a new

station with international rebroadcast

characteristics raised

concern.

“While the exact contents of

these transmissions cannot currently

be determined, the sudden

appearance of a new station

with international rebroadcast

characteristics warrants heightened

situational awareness,” the

alert said.

The alert does not identify a

specific operational threat tied to

any location, but it instructs law


enforcement agencies to increase

monitoring of suspicious

radio-frequency activity.

MAN WIELDING MACHETE,

WEARING BALLISTIC ARMOR

RUNS AT MD. OFFICER BEFORE

FATAL OIS

By Chevall Pryce

Baltimore Sun

WHITE PLAINS, MD. — The

Charles County Sheriff’s Office

released footage from

a fatal police shooting last

month, where an officer killed a

36-year-old in White Plains.

On Feb. 11 at 2:30 p.m., Sgt. Andrew

Coulby and Officer Brennan

Kunz responded to Newport Circle

and Cobbler Place in White

Plains to arrest a man with an

active warrant and a protective

order stemming from a domestic

violence incident, according to

authorities.

In body camera footage of the

encounter, officers approached

the man — 36-year-old Demarcus

Irish — when he pulled out a

large machete and began walking

toward Coulby. Coulby and

Kunz discharged their firearms,

killing Irish.

Officers attempted to provide

CPR and render aid until emergency

medical services arrived,

but Irish was pronounced dead

at the scene. Irish was wearing

a tactical vest and body armor,

which officers discovered while

removing his clothing to provide

medical aid.

Irish had a warrant issued for

his arrest in February for destruction

of property and theft.

Authorities also said a protective

order had been filed against him

related to domestic incidents.


SUSPECT’S BULLET STRIKES

CALIF. OFFICER’S BASEBALL

CAP DURING STRUGGLE

By Sarah Roebuck

FRESNO, CA. — A Fresno police

officer narrowly avoided injury

after a suspect fired a handgun

at him during a struggle in

an alley, striking the top of the

officer’s baseball cap and knocking

it off his head, according to

a critical incident video released

by the Fresno Police Department.

The shooting occurred Dec.

7, 2025, near West Clinton and

Northwest avenues.

According to the department’s

briefing released on Feb. 27, an

officer, identified as Officer No.

1, was patrolling the area when

he saw two men standing in

an alley near a warming fire.

He recognized one of the men

as 41-year-old Bradley Nicholson,

whom he knew to be on

post-release community supervision.

The officer got out of his

cruiser and walked up to Nicholson.

When contacted, Nicholson

identified himself as “Jason” and

denied being on parole.

Body-worn camera video

CLICK TO WATCH

shows the officer asking Nicholson

to put his hands behind

his back. Nicholson resisted,

repeatedly saying he was not on

parole. The officer warned that

a TASER would be used if he did

not comply.

During the struggle, Nicholson

pulled a handgun.

Video shows Officer No. 1 backing

away as Nicholson points

the firearm at him twice before

firing. The bullet struck the top

of the officer’s cap, knocking it

from his head.

In the video, the officer later

describes feeling a burning

sensation as the round passed

through his hair.

“Shots fired, shots fired,” an

officer can be heard saying over

the radio.

Officer No. 1 returned fire and

pursued Nicholson as he ran

westbound through the alley.

Officer No. 2, who had just

arrived with a third officer, exited

his patrol vehicle and saw

Nicholson running armed with

a handgun. In a post-incident

statement, Officer No. 2 said he

saw Officer No. 1’s hat fly off and

believed Nicholson had shot and

possibly killed him.

Officer No. 2 discharged his

service weapon as Nicholson

ran behind vehicles in a carport

while still armed.

Officers established containment

and attempted to de-escalate

the situation, repeatedly

ordering Nicholson to drop the

gun and surrender.

At one point, Officer No. 1 reported

over the radio that Nicholson

was lighting and smoking

from a methamphetamine pipe.

Officers could also see that Nicholson

had been injured.

The Fresno Police Department’s

SWAT team and crisis negotiations

unit responded and took

over communications.

Approximately 1 hour and 20

minutes after Nicholson initially

fired at Officer No. 1, he dropped

the firearm and surrendered. He

was taken into custody without

further incident.

Nicholson sustained a gunshot

wound to his left cheek and

was transported to a hospital in

critical but stable condition. He

survived his injuries.

Officer No. 1 was not physically

injured.

Nicholson was armed with a

Lorson .380-caliber semi-automatic

handgun, according to the

department.

No officers or uninvolved community

members were injured.

‘I WOULD HAVE KILLED THEM

ALL': FLA. SHERIFF SAYS SUS-

PECT WHO WOUNDED DEPUTY

RAN OUT OF AMMO

By Sarah Roebuck

DELTONA, FL. — A suspect who

opened fire on Volusia County

deputies investigating a vandal-

CLICK TO WATCH

ism complaint later told investigators

he intended to kill them

and would have done so if he

had not run out of ammunition,

Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.

Deputies had responded to a

home on Candler Drive on March

2 after a woman reported that a

man jumped on her vehicle and

damaged it earlier that morning.

Instead of a property crime

investigation, deputies were met

with gunfire.

Deputy Jose Rivera was shot

once in the arm and once in the

leg. Authorities say the suspect

fired 12 rounds.

According to the sheriff, the

incident began around 5 a.m.

when a woman arrived at the

residence to pick up the suspect’s

mother for work. An

altercation followed, and investigators

say the suspect jumped

onto the hood of her vehicle and

vandalized it.

The woman reported the

incident later that afternoon,

prompting deputies to respond.

Body camera footage released

by the sheriff’s office shows

deputies approaching the home

and making contact. Within moments,

shots ring out.

Sheriff Chitwood said shell

casings recovered from the front

door down the driveway indicate

the suspect fired at deputies and

followed their movement as they

repositioned.

“We have an officer shot. One

in the leg, one in the arm,” a

deputy can be heard saying in

the footage.

The body camera video shows

deputies immediately shifting to

casualty care.

“We have a tourniquet on,” one

deputy says as others move Rivera

toward a patrol vehicle.

Rather than waiting for air

transport, deputies drove Rivera

to a hospital less than half a mile

away.

“There’s a hospital less than a

half mile away. Get him in that

car and get him to the hospital.

And they did that,” the sheriff

said.

Deputies secured the scene and

took the suspect into custody.

During the investigation, authorities

learned that on Feb.

14, the suspect used an AI platform

in Spanish to ask, “Can I kill

someone if they visit my property?”


According to Chitwood, the

platform provided information

about Florida’s stand-yourground

law and advised against

such action.

After being read his rights, the

suspect gave a statement, the

sheriff said.

“When the deputies came

up to the house, he had every

intention to shoot them. Shoot

them in their vest. And if I didn’t

run out of ammunition, I would

have killed them all,” the sheriff

said, recounting the suspect’s

statement.

The suspect also allegedly

said he does not like taking his

medication.

The sheriff said Rivera was

struck in the upper body area

where his body-worn camera

was mounted. He said the

camera’s placement appears

to have affected the path of

one round, directing it through

Rivera’s shoulder instead of

directly into his chest.

He emphasized that ballistic

vests are bullet-resistant — not

bulletproof — and that rounds

can deflect unpredictably.

Investigators are working with

Axon to determine whether

Rivera’s body camera footage

can be recovered.

The sheriff said when he visited

him, Rivera told him that

he was eager to return home to

his family.

“What those deputies did was

absolutely outstanding,” the

sheriff said. “It was bravery.

There was restraint involved.

They did everything you could

ever ask a law enforcement

professional to do.”

BWC SHOWS AUSTIN OFFI-

CERS STOP MASS SHOOTING

SUSPECT IN UNDER A MINUTE

AUSTIN, TX — Newly released

police body camera footage

shows bar goers and pedestrians

fleeing and ducking for cover in

the moments after a gunman

began firing outside a Texas bar,

leaving three dead in what is

being investigated as potential

terrorism.

“Everybody down!” one officer

yells. “Where is he?”

The terrifying moments captured

on video by officers and

surveillance cameras that were

released Thursday show how

the shooting that wounded more

CLICK TO WATCH CLICK TO WATCH

than a dozen others unfolded

quickly early Sunday in downtown

Austin’s entertainment

district.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis

said officers arrived within

56 seconds of the first 911 call,

shooting and killing the suspect

after he fired at police.

Davis said the investigation is

ongoing and would not discuss a

possible motive for the shooting

that erupted a day after the U.S.

and Israel launched an attack on

Iran.

The FBI has said it’s investigating

the shooting as a potential

act of terrorism and a law enforcement

official told The As-



sociated Press that the gunman

was wearing clothes with an

Iranian flag design and bearing

the words “Property of Allah.”

Police have identified the

gunman as 53-year-old Ndiaga

Diagne and say he legally bought

the pistol and rifle that he used

in the attack outside Buford’s

Backyard Beer Garden. The venue

is on Sixth Street, a nightlife

destination filled with bars and

music clubs close to the University

of Texas at Austin.

Authorities now know 19 people

were hit by gunfire, including

the three who died, Davis said

Thursday. One person remains in

critical condition.

Most of those who were shot

were outside the bar, including

one victim who was waiting for

a ride, she said.

Screaming and shouts of “get

down” can be heard on a 911 call

released Thursday. “There has

been a shooting at Buford’s,” one

caller said. “There are people

dead over here. We need help

right now.”

Diagne was not on the radar of

authorities before he opened fire

early Sunday. Davis said investigators

have found he was the

subject of a mental health-related

welfare check, possibly in

2022, by an agency elsewhere.

He fired the first shots from his

SUV then parked his vehicle and

emerged with a rifle, police said.

He shot another person before

officers rushed to the intersection

and shot and killed him,

Davis said.

Jorge Pederson, 30, an aspiring

mixed martial arts fighter, died

from his gunshot wounds Monday.

He had just moved to Texas

from Minnesota. His former gym,


the Academy Martial Arts Gym,

said in a Facebook post that he

brought “light and joy into the

grueling work of training.”

Also killed were 21-year-old

Savitha Shan and 19-year-old

Ryder Harrington.

Shan, a business student at

the University of Texas at Austin,

had a job waiting for her at a

consulting firm, her family said

in a statement released through

the university. It said she was

an only child and described her

death as “profoundly unfair.”

Harrington had attended Texas

Tech University through last fall,

and his former fraternity brothers

at Beta Theta Pi recalled in

an Instagram post his ability to

“make ordinary days unforgettable.”

BYSTANDER HELPS PER-

SUADE FLEEING SUSPECT TO

SURRENDER TO ATLANTA OF-

FICERS

By Joanna Putman

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police

Department released body

camera footage showing a community

member helping officers

locate a fleeing suspect and

CLICK TO WATCH

working to persuade the suspect

to surrender to police.


when officers stopped an

18-year-old driver who was not

wearing a seatbelt. As officers

spoke with the man, they reported

a smell of marijuana

Body camera footage shows

the man resisting and struggling

with officers as they worked to

detain him. The fight caused one

officer to suffer a broken leg,

according to the release.

The suspect fled on foot but

was later located with the help

of a community member who

assisted an officer. The officer

and the resident spoke with the

suspect and convinced him to

surrender without further incident.

A search of the vehicle led officers

to recover about 6.7 grams

of suspected marijuana. The

suspect was charged with seatbelt

violation, no insurance, possession

of marijuana, obstruction,

aggravated battery against

a law enforcement officer and

simple assault against a law enforcement

officer, according to

the release.


MAN FLEES OHIO POLICE

IN SEMI-TRUCK, OFFICER

BREAKS LEG AFTER BEING

THROWN FROM CAB

By Joanna Putman

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio

— The Springfield Police Department

released body camera

video showing a man injuring

officers while fleeing in a semitruck,

News 5 Cleveland reported.


when officers responded to a

disturbance report after a man

got into a verbal altercation

with an IHOP employee. Officers

eventually located the man inside

a semi-truck in a Walmart

parking lot.

The man refused to follow

officers’ instructions to get out

of the truck, police said. Video

shows officers stepping onto the

truck’s running board in an effort

to pull the man from the vehicle.

As officers attempted to get

him out, the man began to drive

away, causing the officers to fall

from the truck. Two of the officers

sustained injuries, including

one who broke his leg, according

to the report.

Officers initially pursued the

suspect as he fled in the truck,

but ultimately called off the

pursuit due to safety concerns.

The man eventually connected a

trailer to the rig before encountering

Akron Police officers and

Summit County Sheriff’s Office

deputies.

The suspect hit two cruisers

as well as two other vehicles

during the encounter. Officers

then fired shots, striking the

man.

The suspect was transport-


ed to a hospital. He has since

been charged with aggravated

menacing, obstruction of official

business, willful fleeing and

felonious assault on a police

officer, according to the report.

SOUTH DAYTONA OFFICER

SHOT DURING FOOT CHASE

South Daytona Beach, FL – A

South Daytona officer shot is

recovering from two gunshot

wounds after a Sunday morning

pursuit on Interstate 95 ended

in a violent foot chase and an

exchange of gunfire.

Officers with the Port Orange

Police Department were first dispatched

around 6 a.m. on March

15, 2026, to a reported shooting

near Country Lane. No one was

injured in that initial shooting,

but officers identified a suspect,

later named as Todd Anthony

Martin, 31, who got into a vehicle

and drove away before he could

be detained. A multi-agency

pursuit followed, with the South

Daytona Police Department joining

the chase.

The pursuit continued onto

I-95, near the interchange at I-4

CLICK TO WATCH

CLICK TO WATCH

and Beville Road, where Martin’s

vehicle was involved in a crash.

Martin fled on foot. During that

foot chase, he spun around and

opened fire on Officer Jake Fessenden,

striking him twice.

Officer Fessenden was shot in

the shoulder and the leg.

South Daytona Beach Police

Chief Joseph LaSata said the

bullet struck just above Fessenden’s

body armor, saying, “God

was on his side today.”

While officers were attending

to Fessenden, Martin managed

to reach an unoccupied South

Daytona patrol vehicle. He reportedly

electronically altered

the vehicle, causing it to catch

fire. Martin then remained inside

the burning vehicle for several

minutes before finally jumping

out.

Lasata confirmed that Martin

refused to exit the vehicle for

nearly one minute as it burned.

Officers took him into custody

after he jumped out and immediately

rendered medical assistance.

Martin was transported to

Halifax Medical Center, where he

remains in critical condition


Fessenden is the second law

enforcement officer shot in

Volusia County this month alone.

According to data from the National

Fraternal Order of Police,

nearly 350 officers were shot in

the line of duty across the United

States in 2025, and 21 of those

were in Florida. In just the first

two months of 2026, 62 officers

have already been shot nationwide,

including three in Florida.

LIBERAL TEXAS LOCALS SLAM

POLICE COOPERATION WITH ICE

HOUSTON, TX – A number of

Houston locals reportedly demanded

that more changes

be implemented regarding the

manner in which Houston Police

cooperate with Immigration

and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

during a city council meeting

earlier in March, arguing in favor

of illegal immigrants during the

public comment portion.

Earlier in March, Houston Police

Chief J. Noe Diaz announced

an update to the policy regarding

cooperative endeavors with

ICE, namely that police officers

who encounter individuals with

administrative immigration warrants

must contact a supervisor

and wait no longer than 30 minutes

for federal agents to pick up

the individual.

The updated policy came in the

wake of alleged incidents where

Houston Police officers directly

transported suspects with immigration

detainers to federal

authorities, which was at the

time reportedly against HPD policy

and caused a stir with local

immigration activists.

On March 17th, local immigration

activists attended the city

council meeting where demands

were articulated that more

should be done to limit any sort

of cooperation between local

police and federal immigration

authorities. One such activist in

attendance was attorney Randall

Kallinen, who indicated a potential

lawsuit she would entertain

against the city for cooperating

with ICE.

“I make money suing city governments

for civil rights violations,”

Kallinen stated during the

city council meeting, adding, “I

don't have a client right now, but

there are apparently 17 of them

out there,” which the mentioned

17 potential clients alluded to

alleged incidents where local

Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz

police hand-delivered suspected

illegal aliens over to ICE.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire

had previously admonished the

Houston Police Department over

these alleged incidents involving

illegal aliens being directly

transported over to ICE facilities

and agents, saying such incidents

“will be corrected” by his

administration.

However, Mayor Whitmire is

not looking to completely abolish

working relations with the

federal agency over concerns

that federal funding will be

impacted over an adoption of

sanctuary city policies.



CHUCK NORRIS, THE STAR

OF WALKER, TEXAS RANGER,

DEAD AT 86

Chuck Norris, the martial arts

icon and longtime star of Walker,

Texas Ranger, has died at 86.

His family confirmed his death

after a medical emergency in

Hawaii, closing the life of one

of America’s most recognizable

action stars. For millions, Norris

was more than an actor. He represented

toughness, discipline,

justice, and an old-fashioned

belief that right still mattered.

Norris built a career playing

characters who stood for order,

courage, and accountability, but

his connection to policing was

not just fictional. Before Hollywood,

he served in the U.S. Air

Force as an air policeman, a role

now known as Security Forces.

That early experience reflected a

genuine interest in law enforcement

long before he became a

household name.

Norris became forever linked to

policing through Walker, Texas

Ranger, the television series

that turned him into a cultural

force. As Cordell Walker, Norris

portrayed a lawman who was

relentless in pursuing violent

criminals yet guided by principle,

restraint, and moral clarity.

The show did more than entertain.

It elevated the image of

the Texas Rangers and made the

badge, the mission, and the mythology

of law enforcement part

of popular culture for an entire

generation.

In 2010, the Texas Public Safety

Commission made Chuck Norris

and his brother Aaron honorary

Texas Ranger Captains, an honor

later formally bestowed by Governor

Rick Perry. His support for


law enforcement did not stop

with the show or honorary titles.

In 2022, Texas Governor Greg

Abbott and the Texas Department

of Public Safety launched

an iWatchTexas public safety

campaign featuring Norris. In

the PSA, Norris directly encouraged

Texans to report suspicious

activity so that law enforcement

could respond more effectively

to criminal, terrorist, and

school-safety threats.

HANDCUFFED SUSPECT

FATALLY SHOOTS HIMSELF IN

BACK OF PATROL CAR, SAN AN-

TONIO PD SAYS

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio

Police Department is investigating

an in-custody death after

a suspect fatally shot himself

while handcuffed in the back of

a patrol vehicle, Chief William

McManus said.

According to McManus, officers

began pursuing a driver on

March 19 after identifying a vehicle

with stolen license plates on

the city’s South Side. The pursuit

continued to the North Side, with

SAPD’s EAGLE helicopter helping

track the suspect.

McManus said the suspect

eventually pulled into a parking

lot and ran from the vehicle. Officers

caught him, placed him in

handcuffs and secured him in the

back of a patrol car.

While officers were speaking

nearby, the cuffed suspect was

able to access his own firearm

and shoot himself in the head,

McManus said. He was pronounced

dead at the scene.

When asked whether officers

had conducted a pat-down

before placing the suspect in

the patrol vehicle, McManus said

that question would be part of

the investigation.

“That will all be looked at in

the investigation, so I don’t know

at this point,” McManus said.

Police have not released the

suspect’s identity.

McManus said the two officers

involved have four and five years

of service with the department.

Their names have not been released.

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TUNNELS TO TOWERS FOUN-

DATION PAYS MORTGAGE FOR

FAMILY OF FALLEN CONN.

TROOPER

By Sandra Diamond Fox,

The Middletown Press

SOUTHINGTON, CN. — The

Tunnel to Towers Foundation has

paid the full mortgage for the

family of fallen Connecticut First

Class Trooper Aaron Pelletier,

the foundation said in a statement.

On May 30, 2024, Pelletier, 34,

was struck and killed on I-84

East while conducting a traffic

stop in Southington. He was a

nine-year veteran of the state

police and leaves behind his

wife, Dominique Pelletier, and

their two sons, the statement

said.

“Aaron was a first responder,

husband, and a father, and the

center of his family’s world. He

put on the uniform to protect

others, but his greatest pride

was being there for his boys. By

paying off this mortgage, we’re

protecting his family the way he

protected all of us,” said Tunnel

to Towers Chairman and CEO

Frank Siller in the statement.

Pelletier was driving east on

I-84 in Southington, looking

for traffic violators through a

“high visibility motor vehicle

enforcement” grant to reduce

deadly crashes when he spotted

someone who wasn’t wearing a

seatbelt, state police said.

He pulled the person over and

was outside of his patrol car,

talking to the driver, when a red

pickup sideswiped his cruiser

and struck him, police said.

The man who struck him, Alex

Oyola-Sanchez, was later sentenced

to 18 years in prison after

pleading guilty to first-degree

manslaughter.

Weeks before he died, he received

a life-saving award for

being the first to arrive at the

scene of a serious crash involving

a motorcyclist, where he applied

a tourniquet and saved the

person’s life, the statement said.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation

pays off the mortgages for

the families of law enforcement

officers and firefighters killed in

the line of duty or who die from

9/11-related illnesses, and leave

behind young children, the statement

said.

This year marks the 25th anniversary

of the September 11 attacks.

In tribute to the 343 members

of the New York City Fire

Department who lost their lives

on that day, Tunnel to Towers is

paying the mortgage of 343 families,

the statement said.

Additionally, the new Mae and

George Siller Tunnel to Towers

Foundation Scholarship will provide

full scholarships for undergraduate

degree programs and

certified and accredited trade

programs for the children Pelletier

left behind, the statement

said.

“College may be a long way

away for my children, but I can

already see the cost rising in the

next 10 years. By paying for my

boys to attend college, it will

keep up with their father’s legacy

of academics and work ethic ...

both boys want to become state

troopers, just like Aaron,” Dominique

Pelletier said in the statement.

For more information on the

Tunnel to Towers Fallen First

Responder Program and the Mae

and George Siller Tunnel to Towers

Foundation Scholarship, visit

T2T.org.

Delivered TO YOUR

INBOX EVERY MONTH FOR

FREE

CLICK HERE FOR

FREE SUBSCRIPTION


POLK SHERIFF’S HELICOP-

TER MAKES PRECAUTIONARY

LANDING WHILE RESPONDING

TO BOMB THREAT

By Brianna Leonard

POLK COUNTY, FL. (WFLA) — A

Polk County Sheriff’s helicopter

made a precautionary landing

while responding to a scene

Sunday afternoon.


the Robinson R-66 was responding

to a reported bomb threat at

Posner Park when Deputy Sheriff

Pilot Dustin Johnson received a

warning indicators within the

aircraft.

Johnson made a precautionary

landing on dry ground in the

area. After landing, deputies said

the county had a deluge of rain,

which filled the area around the

helicopter with water.

The PCSO Agricultural Crimes

Unit loaded the chopper onto a

trailer and took it back to the

hangar.

The helicopter was not damaged,

and the pilot was not

injured, according to the sheriff’s

office.

LAS VEGAS SHERIFF REJECTS

JUDGE’S ORDER TO RELEASE

35-ARREST REPEAT OFFENDER

By Sarah Roebuck

LAS VEGAS — A dispute between

the Las Vegas Metropolitan

Police Department and a

local judge over the release of

a repeat offender with 35 prior

arrests is headed to the Nevada

Supreme Court, raising questions

about who decides whether a

defendant is too dangerous to be

released on electronic monitoring.

The case centers on Joshua

Sanchez-Lopez, 36, a convicted


felon whose criminal history

includes dozens of arrests and

prior prison time for drug and

involuntary manslaughter convictions,

according to records

cited by KLAS.

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge

Eric Goodman ordered Sanchez-Lopez

released on electronic

monitoring if he posted

$25,000 bail after his January

arrest on a charge of grand

larceny of a motor vehicle, KLAS

reported.

But Metro declined to release

him into the program, citing

prior bench warrants, failures to

appear in court and past violations

of the department’s monitoring

program.

“We have to take a look at that

and say, ‘Is this somebody who

our electronic supervision program

can monitor safely in the

community?’” Mike Dickerson,

LVMPD assistant general counsel,

told KLAS. “This is an issue of

public safety.”

After Metro refused to release

Sanchez-Lopez from the Clark

County Detention Center, Goodman

ordered the department to

comply and warned it could face

contempt sanctions if it did not,

according to KLAS.

In response, Metro attorneys

filed a petition with the Nevada

Supreme Court on March 9, seeking

a writ of prohibition against

the Las Vegas Justice Court.

In the department’s petition,

Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated

that supervisors determined

Sanchez-Lopez posed a serious

risk if released on electronic

monitoring:

“Based on the totality of the

circumstances, including Sanchez-Lopez’s

unsuccessful prior

history in the Program and his

multiple parole violations, ATI

supervisors as my designees

determined that Sanchez-Lopez

poses an unreasonable risk to

public safety if placed on High

Level Electronic Monitoring. Sanchez-Lopez’s

prior participation

in the Program demonstrates a

clear and repeated unwillingness

to comply with even the most

basic conditions of electronic

supervision, and ATI supervisors

could not reasonably conclude

that High Level Electronic Monitoring

would mitigate the foreseeable

risk to public safety or

to law enforcement personnel

tasked with supervising San-

chez-Lopez.”

The department argues state

law gives the sheriff authority

to determine whether a defendant

can safely participate in the

electronic supervision program.

“The safety of our officers is

paramount,” Dickerson told KLAS.

“The safety of the public is key,

and the key here is Sheriff Mc-

Mahill will not violate the law to

appease the Las Vegas Justice

Court and let out people who he

deems to be dangerous. We have

a system that’s set up so people

can get out of jail quickly, and

sometimes, there just needs to

be a little bit more thought given

to it because lives are on the

line.”

EX-CHP OFFICER CHARGED

WITH MURDER FOR 130 MPH

PATROL CAR CRASH THAT LED

TO 4 DEATHS

By James Queally,

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — A former

California Highway Patrol officer

was charged with murder

on Monday for his role in a

chain-reaction crash that left

four people dead on the 605

Freeway near Norwalk last summer,

authorities said.

Angelo Rodriguez, 24, allegedly

slammed his patrol car into a

Nissan Versa near the Rosecrans

Avenue exit of the 605 Freeway

South on July 20, disabling the

car, authorities have previously

said. Rodriguez was driving at a

speed of at least 130 miles per

hour and was not responding to

a call for service, according to

Los Angeles County District Attorney

Nathan Hochman.

Instead of rendering aid to the

people he hit or turning on lights

and sirens to warn other motorists

of the accident scene, Rodriguez

instead chose to move his

damaged cruiser to the side of

the road, Hochman said Monday.

Minutes later, a second car

driving at speeds of more than

100 miles per hour crashed into

the Nissan, causing an explosion.

The driver of that car, Iris

Salmeron, was allegedly drunk

and has also been charged with

murder, Hochman said.

Julie Hamori, 23, Armand Del

Campo, 24, Jordan Partridge and

Samantha Skocilik all died at the

scene.

“This horrible tragedy could

have been prevented had this officer

not been driving at ridiculously

high speeds for no reason

whatsoever,” Hochman said.

Salmeron had been drinking

at a restaurant and a friend’s

house, and sent a text message

that night proclaiming she intended

to get “f---ed up,” Hochman

said.

A criminal complaint had

not been filed as of 10:45 a.m.

on Monday, but Hochman said

both defendants are expected

to be arraigned in the Bellflower

Courthouse on Tuesday. Rodriguez

has been fired by CHP,

Hochman said.

Information about defense

attorneys for Rodriguez and

Salmeron was not immediately

available. A CHP spokesperson

did not immediately respond to

questions from the Los Angeles

Times.

The four victims were driving

home from a concert on the

night of the wreck and several

contacted their families after

the initial crash, according to

attorney Darren Aitken, who

represents the families in a civil

lawsuit against the CHP.

None of them were seriously

injured after the first crash,

according to Aitken, who said

the victims were alive at the

time Salmeron hit the Nissan

and caused the fire. Hamori and

Del Campo were engaged, said

attorney Tom Feher.

“It’s incomprehensible,” Atiken

said. “CHP officers know to secure

scenes. They know the risk

of drunk drivers on the freeway.”


Policing in the 21st century demands versatility. Officers must be

prepared to transition seamlessly from routine calls for service to

high-risk situations requiring rapid decision-making and physical

endurance. Weather conditions, terrain, operational tempo, and

evolving threats all place extraordinary demands on the men and

women behind the badge.

Gear failure in such environments is not merely inconvenient — it

can be dangerous. Recognizing this reality, 5.11 has built its reputation

around designing equipment specifically tailored to the needs

of professionals operating under pressure. Their philosophy centers

on creating products that enhance performance while maintaining

comfort and adaptability. The result is a comprehensive

ecosystem of tactical clothing, footwear, load-bearing solutions,

accessories, and training equipment engineered to support officers

throughout their careers.



5.11 GEAR THAT

ANSWERS THE CALL

BY MICHAEL BARRON

In law enforcement, gear is more

than equipment — it is survival. It is

confidence in motion. It is the silent

partner riding shotgun on a midnight

traffic stop, the steady support when

sprinting across wet pavement, and

the trusted companion standing firm

during moments when hesitation

simply isn’t an option.

For decades, officers have relied on

purpose-built tools to help them perform

in unpredictable environments.

Among the brands that have risen to

meet that demand, 5.11 has firmly established

itself as a premier provider

of high-quality, mission-driven tactical

gear. From its humble beginnings

designing purpose-built pants for

several federal agencies, to its current

status as a global leader in tactical

innovation, 5.11 has grown into

a brand synonymous with durability,

functionality, and reliability.

For today’s law enforcement professionals

— whether working patrol,

tactical operations, corrections, or

specialized investigative assignments

— the right gear can mean the difference

between success and setback.

In a profession where performance

is measured not just in efficiency but

in safety and survival, investment in

high-quality tactical equipment is not

a luxury. It is a necessity.


The The BLUES BLUES - APRIL ‘26 ‘26 85

FROM HUMBLE

BEGINNINGS

In many cases, the terms innovator and

industry leader are often thrown around

as almost cliches.

Companies award themselves these titles

at times to try to separate themselves

from their competitors. However, some

companies in our industry are given these

titles by those of us who recognize their

accomplishments. Many companies present

a humble face and focus on producing

exceptional products. One of the worthiest

of these titles is 5.11. Not only are they the

leader in the industry, but they also created

the industry. 5.11 is with-out question a

household name here at home and around

the world. Their name has been associated

with quality, and as they approach their

23-year anniversary, it is a good time to

take a deeper look at this powerhouse.

RUGGED BACKSTORY

The origin of 5.11 gear comes directly

from the climbing world—and specifically

from Royal Robbins himself.

Back in the 1960s–70s, Robbins was a

pioneering rock climber in places like

Yosemite National Park. Climbers there

used the Yosemite Decimal System to rate

difficulty. A climb rated 5.11 was considered

extremely difficult at the time—near

the upper limits of what climbers thought

possible.

HOW THE IDEA TURNED

INTO GEAR

Robbins wasn’t just climbing—he was also

frustrated with the clothing available. It didn’t

hold up to the abuse of granite, friction, and

long climbs. So he started designing his own:

• Durable, heavy-duty pants

• Reinforced seams and knees

• Material that could withstand rock abrasion

This led to the creation of the original “5.11

pant”, named after that elite climbing grade.

Robbins and his wife Liz owned a boot and

clothing company, Royal Robbins LLC, and

began manufacturing specialty pants by the

name of “5.11” in 1979, which had a trademarked

strap-and-slash pocket design.

When asked how 5.11 was introduced into

the law enforcement word, the story goes

that 2 FBI agents wore the 5.11 Pant climbing

and eventually brought them on as their

'work' pant as well. As they moved jobs

throughout their careers, they continued to

introduce the pant to new agencies, and

eventually the pant became the official pant

of the FBI Training Academy in Quantico.

From this adoption, 5.11 Tactical was born. A

move that would define product development

for 5.11 moving forward. As news spread, the

demand began to grow. While there were

traditional uniform companies, nobody was

really making clothes for true training and

86 The BLUES APRIL ‘26 ‘26

Royal Robbins

The The BLUES BLUES - APRIL APRIL ‘26 ‘26 87 87

tactical applications.

In 2023, Francisco Morales, who is one of

the 5.11 founders and was CEO at the time

of 5.11's 20th anniversary, shared with Tactical

Life Magazine writer Fred Mastison,

what he believed to be one of the core

components of their success. “We innovate

by customer demand,” he said. “By working

closely with end users, we develop products

to fit real needs.” Sometimes this takes

time and a great deal of work. The XTU

uniforms, for example, were two years in

the making.

Francisco was more than just a board

member, as he personally held five of the

more than 40 patents associated with

product design. He also shared something

that made me do a double take. “We work

closely with agencies and end users around

the world to develop products for their

specific needs. With that, only about 50% of

our products are listed on the website.”

As someone who works heavily in the LE

world, this immediately turned a light bulb

on in my head. There have been many occasions

where I would see a specific uniform

or piece of gear that I knew was 5.11,

yet I had never seen it before on their site.

Francisco was quick to share that the

success they have enjoyed over the last two

decades is because they have an exceptional

team behind the scenes.

THE GENESIS OF

SOMETHING UNIQUE

In today’s on-line shopping world, you

can find 5.11 products just about everywhere.

Google 5.11 and you’re likely to find

thousands upon thousands of products, at

thousands of retailers. Large retailers like

Bass Pro, Academy and Dick’s stock a variety

of 5.11 products. On the law enforcement

side, Galls, Cop Stop, and GT Distributing

all stock 5.11 products. Of course 5.11

has more than 124 company-owned stores

in the US, locations in 130 countries, and

they are still growing.

More importantly, 5.11 stores are more

than just a shop with gear. Associates at

the stores are passionate about the product

and lifestyle. Because of this and their

knowledge, they can provide solutions to

customer’s needs in a very personal way.”

From 2013 to 2016, the company reimagined

retail with rapid store expansion

across the globe and entered the functional

fitness industry. Following that line,

5.11 began a partnership with CrossFit,

wherein the appearance of the 5.11 TacTec

Plate Carrier on Josh Bridges in the Cross-

Fit Games is what brought the brand into

functional fitness.

5.11's CEO Troy Brown says, "5.11 was born

on the sheer granite walls of Yosemite and

built alongside law enforcement professionals

who operate under pressure and

live with purpose… this is our foundation.

We have deep respect for the responsibility

carried by those who serve and protect…

and we don’t take that lightly. This

mindset doesn’t belong to one profession…

it belongs to anyone who chooses to step

forward when it matters most. Our role is

simple… build purpose-built gear that performs

without compromise, and stand with

those who protect, serve, and push beyond

what’s expected… every single day."


5.11 Co-founder,

Francisco Morales

Troy Brown, 5.11 CEO


“Built for Those Who Serve”

In a profession where the margin for error is razor thin, the tools an officer

carries are not taken lightly. Every stitch, every seam, every pocket and

panel serves a purpose. It must perform without question—because the

men and women who rely on it are asked to do the same.

From the granite faces of Yosemite to the streets, highways, and communities

across this nation, 5.11’s journey is rooted in one simple principle:

build gear that works as hard as the people who wear it. That commitment

has not only stood the test of time, it has helped define an entire industry.

Today, as law enforcement continues to evolve in complexity and challenge,

one thing remains constant—the need for reliability, adaptability, and

trust in the equipment carried into every shift. 5.11 has answered that call

for more than two decades, not by chasing trends, but by listening to those

on the front lines and building solutions around real-world demands.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the brand name on the gear.

It’s about the badge behind it—and the unwavering commitment to come

home safe.






FROM FIRST CALL TO FINAL REPORT.

FROM PREPARATION TO RESPONSE TO

RESET, OUR SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED

TO PERFORM THROUGH THE ENTIRE

RHYTHM OF THE JOB — AND THE

HOURS AROUND IT. PURPOSE-BUILT.

PROFESSION-DRIVEN.

SHOP OUR

READY FOR THE SHIFT.

511TACTICAL.COM

UNIFORMS



CALENDAR OF EVENTS



20 Years.

Still Running.

An Official Event of the Officer

Down Memorial Page

For 20 years, the Officer Down Memorial Page has produced the National Police Week 5K

as part of its mission to honor fallen law enforcement officers and support their families.

Held each May in Washington, D.C., the event brings participants together in a shared act of

remembrance—grounded in the same purpose that has guided ODMP for three decades.

As ODMP marks its 30th year of honoring the fallen, we also recognize two decades

of running together—continuing a tradition built on remembrance, community, and

commitment to those who serve.

Register tODAY

national police week 2026 schedule of events

National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026

• Annual Blue Mass

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026

• The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) National

Police Week 5K

MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026

• National Police K-9 Memorial Service

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026

• Annual Candlelight Vigil

• Police Week Tent City (through the 15th)

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

• Annual Steve Young National Honor Guard and Pipe

Band Tribute

• Police Vehicle Display and Shine

• C.O.P.S. National Police Survivors’ Conference Day 1

• C.O.P.S. Blue Honor Gala

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026

• Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026

• C.O.P.S. National Police Survivors Conference Day 2

Beyond the events listed here, all are welcome at the Memorial which remains open to the public 24/7. If you are interested in attending

the museum, you can get more information at nleomf.org/museum/.

2026_ODMP-NPW5K_PrintAd.indd 1

2/13/26 10:43 AM



***BOOKING 2026/2027*** PRESENTED BY: CAPTAIN TOM RIZZO

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This course focuses on an investment strategy of

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ourselves by enacting transformational behaviors, so

that we can compound our efforts into getting the best

version out of those we lead. Based upon various

theories, this course offers a unique perspective shift

compared to what traditional leadership training within

our industry has provided in the past. This course incites

a self-reflection on morale from multidimensional views;

private individual, officer, leader.

A leader can and should assist their people in furthering

their careers by properly utilizing performance

management, discipline, and buy-in theories, but all too

often are not trained in the art of their implementation.

This course provides the student with an abundance of

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COMING TO YOUR STATE

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This course will focus on the significance of candidly

addressing officer wellness and career

enhancement/fulfillment with innovative techniques that

serve the student regardless of rank. Students will be

tasked with analyzing their own inner circles and how

they can impact their effectiveness as leaders and

human beings alike. The ability to

receive/interpret/utilize constructive criticism has

become rare amongst law enforcement leadership. If we

form our circles with healthy components, we can

extend our reach and effectiveness. The empathetic

understanding of the current difficulties faced by

officers must be seriously internalized by the leader if

they are to be genuine in their efforts. This course helps

students with this internalization, to be readily

translated into action, therefore avoiding the tragic

escalation into THE IVORY TOWER.

This groundbreaking course is tailored to be beneficial

for all ranks of an agency from Patrolman to Chief,

both as an officer and a person. While offering the

opportunity to reinvent the spirit, the content covered

will have you engaged from beginning to end. Captain

Thomas Rizzo is one of the profession’s most

acclaimed speakers. He has been an inspirational

presenter on leadership theories for several years at

police academies, universities, symposiums, and most

notably for the Command & Leadership Academy

based upon the U.S. Military Academy - West Point.

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***SPOUSES/SIGNIFICANT OTHERS ARE WELCOMED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST***


BLUE HONOR

Join us for a formal evening of honor

and tribute to our fallen heroes

during National Police Week.

Thursday, May 14th

6:00 PM

Washington Hilton

$150/Ticket - $1,400/Table

Must be purchased by May 1, 2026.

Blue/Black formal attire is expected.

Uniforms are acceptable.

Purchase tickets by scanning

the QR code or visit:

concernsofpolicesurvivors.org

Musical guest will be announced at a later date.

GALA


National Police Week 2026

General Sponsorship Opportunities

May 13th Sponsorships:

- Helping Hand Sponsor // $5,000


- Healing Sponsor // $15,000

- Hope Sponsor // $10,000

- Helping Hands Sponsor // $5,000

- Support Sponsor // $2,500






Kids and Teens Sponsorships:





Blue Family BBQ Sponsorships:



- Critters for Kids // $6,000


Blue Honor Gala Sponsorships:

- Platinum Sponsor // $25,000

- Blue Sponsor // $15,000

- Gold Sponsor // $10,000

- Silver Sponsor // $5,000

- Bronze Sponsor // $2,500

General Conference Sponsorships:

- Outreach Sponsor // $20,000

- Speaker/Singer Sponsor // $2,500

- Blue Ribbon Sponsor // $1,000

- Partners in Law Enforcement // $250+

All law enforcement organizations at the $250 level or above will receive recognition.

- Chapter Sponsor // $250+

All Chapters at the $250 level or above will receive recognition.


CLICK HERE

TO

REGISTER

CLICK HERE FOR

EXHIBITOR

INFORMATION


THE LA MARQUE POLICE DEPT. PRESENTS

THE WARRIOR WITHIN!

MENTAL HEALTH AND

WELLNESS SUMMIT 2026

SEPTEMBER 23RD AND 24TH, 2026

DOYLE CONVENTION CENTER

2010 5TH AVE. N, TEXAS CITY, TEXAS 77590

FIRST RESPONDERS ARE IN CRISIS!

Law enforcement, fireman, and EMS are more likely to die

by Suicide than in the line of duty.

Between 17% and 24% of Dispatchers have symptoms of

PTSD and 24% have symptoms of depression.

60-75% of first responder marriages end in divorce.

The La Marque Police Department is hosting a free 2-day

summit geared towards helping our Police, Fire, EMS, and

Dispatch focus on their own mental health, relationships,

and physical wellness.

This FREE event will feature industry experts, experienced

first responders, and clinicians providing tools and resources

to first responders and their families. The BLUES - APRIL ‘26 105




TUNNEL TO TOWERS

HONORS AMERICA’S HEROES

IN THE

LINE OF

DUTY

Providing mortgage-free

homes to Gold Star and

Fallen First Responder

families with young

children and building

specially-adapted Smart

Homes for our most

severely injured.

WORKING TO ERADICATE

VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

MORE THAN 3,300 RECEIVED HOUSING

AND SERVICES IN 2023 ALONE;

THOUSANDS MORE ARE BEING HELPED.

NEVER FORGET

FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller

gave his life while saving

others on September 11, 2001

THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN SUPPORTING OUR

NATION’S HEROES EVER SINCE.

OUR EVENTS INSPIRE

AMERICA TO REMEMBER.

THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS 9/11 INSTITUTE

EDUCATES FUTURE GENERATIONS.

DONATE $11/MO TODAY T2T.ORG


HONORING OUR

MASTER TROOPER STEVEN J. PERRY

NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL, NORTH CAROLINA

END OF WATCH: SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2026

AGE: 30 TOUR: 7 YEARS BADGE: C730

Master Trooper Steven J. Perry was killed when his patrol vehicle was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver on NC-

147, near the Swift Avenue exit, at approximately 3:00 a.m.

The wrong-way driver was also killed in the crash.

Trooper Perry had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for nearly 7 years. Survivors include a 9-month old

daughter.


FALLEN HEROES

DEPUTY SHERIFF KALEB MITCHELL

FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, NORTH CAROLINA

END OF WATCH: SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2026

AGE:24 TOUR: 4 YEARS BADGE N/A

Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell was killed in a vehicle crash in the 7400 block of Highway 311 at the intersection of

Grubbs Road around 6:00 a.m. A driver was traveling south on Highway 311 at over 100 mph in a 55 mph zone

when he crossed the dividing line, colliding with Deputy Mitchell. Deputy Mitchell was pronounced deceased after being

transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. The 19-year-old driver was charged with second-degree

murder, reckless driving, speeding, and driving left of center.

Deputy Mitchell had served with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office for about a year and a half and previously served

with the King Police Department. Survivors include his expectant wife, 2-year-old child, parents, and four siblings. His

brother also serves with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.


3

HONORING OUR

CORPORAL TIMOTHY J. O'CONNOR, JR.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, PENNSYLVANIA

END OF WATCH: SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2026

AGE: 40 TOUR: 151/2 YEARS BADGE:11189

Corporal Timothy O'Connor was shot and killed during a traffic stop in West Caln Township, near the

intersection of Michael Road and Route 10 in West Caln Township, at approximately 8:24 p.m. While

responding to a complaint about an erratic driver, Corporal O'Connor located and pulled the vehicle

over. When Corporal O'Connor approached the vehicle, the driver shot from inside the vehicle, fatally

wounding Corporal O'Connor. The driver was found near the vehicle, deceased from a self-inflicted

gunshot wound.

Corporal Timothy O'Connor had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for over 15 years. He also

served with the West Chester Fire Company. Survivors include his wife, daughter, mother, father, broth-


FALLEN HEROES

DEPUTY SHERIFF STEVEN BRUNER

CALHOUN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FLORIDA

END OF WATCH: SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

AGE: N/A TOUR: N/A BADGE: N/A

Deputy Sheriff Steven Bruner suffered a fatal medical emergency after assisting people in evacuating from the Mossy

Pond Fire.

The fire has ravaged over 500 acres, evacuating over 100 people, destroying 15 dwellings and 7 outbuildings, leaving

at least 43 displaced people.

The The BLUES - APRIL ‘26 113

WORDS BY AN UNKNOWN PATROL OFFICER

The Night the Alley Tried to Kill Us.

The shift had already begun to

unravel before midnight, and I

could feel it in the way the radio

traffic sounded and in the way

my partner kept scanning every

intersection like he expected

something to jump out at us. We

had handled a handful of routine

calls that evening, including a

domestic disturbance that turned

out to be nothing more than

shouting and a noise complaint

that ended with an apology and

a handshake, but the atmosphere

across the district felt tense and

unfinished, as if the city itself

was holding its breath.

At 11:47 p.m., the calm finally

broke.

Dispatch’s voice came over the

radio with a sharp urgency that

immediately changed everything

across the district. She advised

units to respond to multiple

reports of shots fired behind a

row of vacant apartment buildings

near the north side of town.

As she spoke, my partner was

already flipping on the lights

and siren, and the engine surged

forward before the location had

even fully registered in my mind.


The siren echoed off buildings

as we sped toward the call,

weaving through sparse traffic

and past shuttered storefronts.

In moments like that, time does

not slow down the way people

imagine it does. Instead, it compresses

into a series of vivid

snapshots. I remember the glow

of our overheads reflecting off

the glass in nearby buildings,

and the feeling of my vest pressing

heavily against my chest. If

it weren’t for the siren, I’m sure

I could hear my heart beating a

mile a minute.

We turned into the narrow access

road behind the apartments

and saw the suspect almost

immediately.

Standing in the middle of the

alley, pacing back and forth beneath

a flickering security light,

holding a handgun loosely at his

side as though it were an ordinary

object rather than an instrument

of irreversible violence. For

a brief second, all of us seemed

frozen in place, suspended between

recognition and reaction.

Then he raised the weapon and

fired multiple shots in our direction.

The muzzle flash erupted in

the darkness before any of us

could shout a command. I heard

the crack of the gunshot and

felt something hot slice past my

head so closely that I instinctively

ducked and staggered sideways.

Later, someone would tell me

that the round had likely missed

me by inches, but in that moment

the only reality that mattered

was survival.

I heard my own voice yelling

into the radio that shots had

been fired as my partner and I

returned fire and dove for what

little cover we could find in the

alley. The suspect did not hesitate.

He turned and ran, disappearing

through a broken fence

that led into a maze of overgrown

backyards and abandoned

lots.

We chased him on foot, driven

forward by a combination

of training, adrenaline, and the

unspoken understanding that

letting an armed suspect vanish

into the night could have deadly

consequences for someone else.

The chase was chaotic and

exhausting. My boots slipped on

loose gravel as we vaulted fences

and pushed through narrow

passages cluttered with trash

and debris. My lungs burned and

my gear felt impossibly heavy,

yet I barely noticed the physical

strain because every sense was

focused on the possibility that

he might suddenly stop and fire

again.

Just ahead, a young female

was getting into her car to drive

to her job at the hospital when

the suspect spotted her and

successfully hijacked the car

and drove straight towards us.

The sound of the engine at full

rpm and tires squealing filled the

dead of night, he was intent on

using that car to kill as many of

us as possible to try and make

his escape.

But the six officers that had

caught up with us in the foot

chase, all unloaded their weapons

towards the speeding car,

sending it crashing into the back

of an empty warehouse. Suddenly

the only sound we hear

was the constant blaring of

the crashed cars horn. We approached

the vehicle, everyone

screaming ‘hands, let’s see your

hands.”

But the suspect was slumped

over the wheel, still holding

a Glock handgun in his right

hand. As we approached the car,

my partner grabbed the suspect

around the neck and body

slammed him onto the ground

through the open car door. The

gun went flying and landed 5

feet away. Within seconds, the

suspect was handcuffed and

medics were called. But despite

their best lifesaving efforts, the

suspect had two gunshots to the

chest and didn’t make it.

As anyone that has ever been

involved in an OIS knows this

is just beginning of a very long

night for everyone that fired their

weapon. Crime scene detectives

were called along with the

DA shoot team. Everyone turns

over their weapons and we all

head downtown for what they

call a “after action debrief.” But

let’s call it what it really is. An

interrogation that doesn’t start

until your union rep and attorney

arrive and last for hours. Then

you’re on paid leave until the

Grand Jury decides not to indict

you for doing your job.

It’s been years since this shooting.

I’ve been on the job for nearly

20 years and that’s the one and

only OIS I’ve been involved in.

The crazy thing is, there were six

officers involved in the shooting.

All six of us fired at the suspect.

Two of those rounds struck and

killed the suspect. But we’ll never

know who fired the fatal rounds,

because in our state they don’t

release that information when

multiple officers are involved and

all are cleared. Go figure.

The The BLUES BLUES - APRIL ‘26 ‘26 115

WORDS BY MATT SAINTSING

WHEN THE WAR FOLLOWED A

YOUNG MARINE HOME

On a four-hour helicopter

ride, Lenny Dolshenko left the

life he knew and entered a

war that was just beginning.

The 400-mile inland mission,

launched from the USS Peleliu,

aimed to seize and secure

a desert airstrip in southern

Afghanistan.

It was just two months after

9/11.

“We were the first conventional

troops in Operation Enduring

Freedom,” Dolshenko

said. “We pulled off the longest

Marine Corps amphibious

raid in history.”

The Marines landed at night,

cleared their objective and secured

the airfield that became

known as Camp Rhino—a critical

foothold for forces moving

deeper into the country.

The mission itself was brief,

but the intensity lingered long

after it ended.


“It was almost

like I

couldn’t turn it

off,” Dolshenko

said, recalling

the constant

nervous anxiety

he felt while

deployed.

That tension

followed him

home.

For many

veterans, the

transition from

service to civilian

life brings

battles that

aren’t immediately

visible.

Trauma and

service-connected

injuries—physical

and psychological—c

Lenny Dolshenko in full

combat gear during his unit’s

pullout from Afghanistan. He

deployed just weeks after 9/11.

“There were work situations

that brought me back to Afghanistan,”

he added. “The

post-traumatic stress disorder

snowballed the further I went

in life.”

Recognizing Dolshenko was

struggling, fellow veterans on

the force encouraged him to

attend a meeting at DAV Chapter

42 in Plymouth. There, he

met DAV benefits advocate

John Rodriguez, who helped

him file claims for tinnitus,

hearing loss and PTSD. Like

many veterans in law enforcement,

Dolshenko was initially

apprehensive about seeking

his earned VA benefits, citing

long-standing cultural and

career concerns. “It took me

a few months to really pursue

my benefits,” he said.

That hesitation is common

among police officers who

served in uniform. DAV’s 2024

Disabled American Veteran

of the Year, Terry Hillard, has

spoken candidly about waiting

nearly five decades to file a VA

claim out of fear that documenting

a disability could

jeopardize his police career.

A Vietnam veteran and fellow

Marine, Hillard now uses

his credibility to educate

police officers, firefighters and

other first responders about

the benefits they earned.

“We don’t want what happened

to me to happen to

anyone else,” Hillard said in

2024. “If you were in Afghanistan

or Iraq—any war or no

war—and you feel you have a

legitimate

claim, we

want you

to talk to

the DAV

national

service officers

here

who will

guide you

through the

process.”

For Dolshenko,

the cost of

waiting became

painfully

clear.

After 14

years with

the department,

he was

medically

retired

following

an accident,

but

his partial

pension wasn’t enough to cover

his mortgage or support his

family.

“The most important thing

was getting him [the VA disability

compensation] he already

earned,” Rodriguez said.

“And we succeeded in that.”

The VA approved those benefits

last year.

“I didn’t know how I was

going to pay my bills,” Dolshenko

said. “Because of John,

his team and their hard work, I

was able to keep my house.”

While Dolshenko was initially

uneasy about seeking his

earned VA benefits—particularly

as a police officer—he

now recognizes that veterans

of all backgrounds should ask

for help when they need it.

“There’s a lot of that Marine

mentality—being the tough

guy, being in control of everything,”

he said. “I knew Marines

who had it much worse

than I did, so I compared

myself to them. But John, his

team and other guys I worked

with really opened my eyes to

what I’ve earned.”


BLUEPRINTS OF RESILIENCE

Emmanual Gonzalez Sosa

When Leadership Promises Falter

and Politics Reshape Policing:

Officers, Morality, and Organizational Integrity

Law enforcement in democratic

societies is more than a set of

technical tasks. It is a profession

rooted in moral obligations. Officers

are entrusted with significant

authority, the power to restrict

liberty, to use force and to

make discretionary judgments

that profoundly impact individual

lives and community wellbeing.

This trust depends not

only on individual integrity but

also on organizational structures

that support ethical practice.

Yet many officers today find

themselves at the intersection of

broken promises by leadership

and shifting political priorities

that reshape agency roles and

expectations. These conditions

can erode morale, strain officers’

moral frameworks and

challenge the very legitimacy of

policing as a public institution.

The reality of policing is that

officers do not operate in isolation.

They work within complex

bureaucracies and in systems

influenced by public policy, civic

leaders and community pressures.

When leadership fails to

uphold its commitments and

when political actors intervene

in structural decisions without

adequate grounding in law enforcement

realities, officers may


experience profound stress and

moral conflict. This article examines

these dynamics in depth,

draws on empirical research

from organizational psychology

and policing studies and offers

insights into how agencies can

maintain moral integrity and

operational effectiveness amidst

such challenges.

To understand these issues, it

is first necessary to articulate

what is meant by “morality” in

the context of policing. Morality,

in professions that involve discretionary

judgment and authority,

refers to the internalized

values and principles that guide

decision making beyond mere

compliance with rules. In policing,

scholars describe this as

an interplay between individual

ethical standards and institutional

norms that encourage or reinforce

certain behaviors (Klockars

et al., 2000; Skolnick, 1966).

Officers make decisions about

whom to stop, how to de escalate

conflict and when to use

discretion instead of force. These

decisions are made not simply

by referencing statute but by

drawing on an ethical compass

shaped by training, leadership,

culture and lived experience.

A critical element of moral

functioning in organizations is

trust, especially trust in leadership.

Trust is defined in organizational

psychology as a willingness

to be vulnerable to another

party’s actions based on the

expectation that those actions

will be beneficial or at least non

harmful (Dirks & Ferrin, 2002).

In police departments, trust in

leadership encompasses beliefs

that leaders will fulfill their

commitments, communicate

transparently, act consistently

and protect the interests of

officers alongside those of the

public. When promises are kept,

trust is reinforced; when promises

are broken, trust erodes.

Empirical research shows that

trust in leadership is strongly

correlated with job satisfaction,

organizational commitment and

overall morale among employees

in high stress professions (Brown

et al., 2019). When trust falters,

morale often declines.

One conceptual framework

that explains how unmet expectations

affect employees is the

idea of the “psychological contract.”

This refers to the unwritten

set of expectations and obligations

between an employee

and their organization (Rousseau,

1995). Unlike formal contracts,

psychological contracts are subjective

and based on perceived

promises. For police officers,

these may include expectations

about career progression, access

to training and resources, support

during critical incidents or

consistency in disciplinary procedures.

When officers perceive

that leadership has breached

these implicit agreements, they

experience what is called a

“psychological contract breach,”

which has been shown in organizational

research to lead

to reduced commitment, lower

performance and increased

turnover intentions (Robinson &

Rousseau, 1994; Bal et al., 2008).

In law enforcement settings,

where officers face both physical

dangers and moral dilemmas,

the effects of such breaches can

be particularly acute.

Consider a scenario in a mid

sized agency where leadership

publicly commits to expanding

officer wellness initiatives

and improving access to mental

health resources. Officers invest

emotional energy and hope into

these commitments, believing

that leadership understands and

values their wellbeing. But if

budget constraints or competing

priorities cause these promises

to be downgraded or abandoned

without transparent communication,

officers not only lose

the anticipated support but also

feel misled. The result is often a

profound sense of abandonment

that can deepen cynicism toward

leadership and weaken internal

cohesion.

Another variable that complicates

the moral landscape of

policing is political influence.

In democracies, law enforcement

agencies are accountable

to civilian governance. Elected

officials determine budgets, set

policy priorities and, in many

jurisdictions, influence organizational

structures. This arrangement

reflects a legitimate and

necessary principle of civilian

oversight. However, political

actors often have limited understanding

of frontline policing

realities and may make decisions

driven by electoral considerations,

public pressures or ideological

agendas. When political

influence reshapes organizational

structures without meaningful

consultation with practitioners,

moral and operational tensions

can arise.

Political influence manifests in

several ways. Budgetary decisions

may shift resources away

from core functions or toward

highly visible but less impactful

programs. Mandates may be

imposed that require departments

to adopt new enforcement

priorities without sufficient

training or context. Leadership

appointments may be influenced

by political alignment rather

than professional experience.

Each of these dynamics can contribute

to a sense of role conflict

and ambiguity among officers,

stressors recognized in occupational

psychology as predictors

of job dissatisfaction and burnout

(Bakker & Demerouti, 2007;

Gabriel et al., 2016).

For example, when officers

are directed to prioritize certain

types of enforcement based on

political goals rather than evidence

based needs assessments,

they are placed in a moral bind.

Officers may understand that a

particular strategy will undermine

community trust or divert

attention from public safety

needs, yet they are expected

to comply. The resulting cognitive

dissonance, a psychological

conflict that arises when

one’s actions conflict with one’s

values, can lead to emotional

exhaustion, disengagement or

rationalization of behavior that

contradicts professional standards

(Festinger, 1957; Bandura,

1999).

Moreover, political interference

in structural decisions, such as

eliminating specialized units,

reorganizing ranks, or redefining

missions, can signal to officers

that professional expertise is

subordinate to external priorities.

When structural changes

are abrupt or lack clear rationale,

officers may feel that their

agency’s identity and purpose are

being reshaped by forces that

do not share their expertise or

values. This dynamic can foster

an “us versus them” mentality,

where officers perceive external

actors, including political

leaders, as impediments rather

than partners in public safety

(Paoline, 2003). Such an adversarial

orientation not only damages

internal cohesion but also

undermines the department’s

ability to engage constructively

with the community it serves.

The consequences of leadership

failures and political interference

extend beyond individual

officers. At the organizational

level, low morale and mistrust


can reduce overall performance.

Studies show that morale and

job satisfaction are linked to

patrol effectiveness, complaint

rates and proactive problem

solving (Maguire et al., 2016).

When officers feel unsupported

or coerced, they may reduce

discretionary effort, retreat to

minimal compliance or adopt

defensive policing postures that

emphasize control over community

partnership.

At the level of officer wellbeing,

moral stress contributes to

burnout, anxiety and physical

health issues. A meta analysis in

occupational health psychology

identified moral stress as a key

predictor of burnout in high risk

professions, including policing

(Klotz et al., 2019). Burnout not

only affects individual quality

of life but also impairs decision

making and increases turnover,

compounding staffing challenges.

Perhaps most importantly,

these internal dynamics affect

the external legitimacy of

law enforcement. Procedural

justice research, a robust literature

in social psychology and

criminology, demonstrates that

perceptions of fairness in police

decision making and treatment

of civilians are central to public

trust and cooperation (Tyler,

2006; Sunshine & Tyler, 2003).

Officers under moral strain, who

feel disempowered or distrustful

of their own leadership, may be

less inclined to practice procedural

fairness consistently. Instead,

they may rely on authority

and control in interactions with

the public, a pattern that, over

time, erodes community trust

and undermines public safety.


Faced with these challenges,

law enforcement leaders must

ask not just how to enforce

laws, but how to sustain ethical

practice and organizational

resilience. Moral resilience

(the capacity to maintain or

restore ethical integrity in the

face of stress) is not an abstract

ideal but a practical necessity.

Research across disciplines

suggests several pathways for

fostering moral resilience and

mitigating the negative effects

of broken promises and political

pressures.

First, leadership communication

must be transparent and

accountable. When making

commitments, leaders should

clearly articulate the conditions

under which promises were

made, including assumptions and

constraints. When circumstances

change, leaders need to explain

the changes, acknowledge

disappointments, and engage

officers in finding alternative

strategies. Transparency builds

trust even when outcomes are

adverse, because it respects officers’

need for information and

agency.

Second, officers should have

meaningful opportunities to

participate in decision making.

Organizational participation

increases ownership of decisions

and aligns policies with operational

realities. Studies show that

inclusive governance structures

improve job satisfaction and performance

(Maguire et al., 2016).

When officers can voice concerns,

offer input, and co design

implementation strategies, they

are less likely to feel alienated by

external mandates.

Third, agencies must invest in

ethical training that goes beyond

compliance. Effective programs

encourage officers to explore

moral dilemmas, recognize cognitive

dissonance and develop

skills for ethical reflection under

pressure. Peer support networks,

mentoring and facilitated discussion

groups help normalize

ethical reflection as part of

professional growth. Research

shows that such support systems

reduce moral stress and reinforce

shared values.

Fourth, law enforcement agencies

should proactively engage

with political actors and the

public to build shared understanding.

Rather than reacting

defensively to political pressure,

agencies can educate policymakers

and community leaders

about operational complexities,

evidence based practices and the

consequences of structural decisions.

When political actors are

better informed, mandates can

be shaped in ways that reflect

both democratic accountability

and professional expertise.

Finally, agencies should regularly

assess organizational

climate and morale through

empirical measures rather than

anecdote. Surveys, focus groups

and independent audits can reveal

patterns of distrust, burnout

or ethical conflict before they

become crises. By treating morale

as a measurable indicator

of organizational health, leaders

signal that these issues matter

institutionally, not just rhetorically.

It is important to recognize

that policing will always involve

navigating moral complexity.

Conflicting demands, ambiguous

situations, and public scrutiny

are inherent to the profession.

However, the degree to which

officers feel morally supported

(by their leaders, their organization

and the structures within

which they operate) profoundly

affects how they respond to

these challenges. No agency is

immune to political influence or

organizational tension, but those

that cultivate trust, transparency

and ethical engagement are

better positioned to navigate

them without sacrificing morale

or public legitimacy.

In conclusion, when leadership

fails to keep promises and political

influence reshapes organizational

structures without adequate

grounding in professional

realities, officers face moral

stress that extends far beyond

individual dissatisfaction. Such

conditions can weaken internal

trust, degrade performance and

undermine public confidence

in policing itself. Yet through

transparent leadership, inclusive

governance, ethical training

and proactive engagement

with political stakeholders,

agencies can fortify moral resilience

and sustain the integrity

of their mission. Ultimately, the

moral health of law enforcement

is not merely a human

resources concern, it is central

to the legitimacy, effectiveness

and ethical foundation of policing

in a democratic society.

About the Author

Emmanuel Gonzalez Sosa holds

a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

from the University of Puerto Rico,

along with a Master’s degree in

Criminal Justice with a concentration

in Criminology and Investigation

from Eastern University of

Puerto Rico. In addition, he coursed

a Master’s degree in Psychology

from the Inter-American University

of Puerto Rico. E. Gonzalez Sosa

currently is completing a Ph.D. at

Keiser University in Florida, further

strengthening an academic

foundation that integrates social

sciences, psychology, and criminal

justice. E. Gonzalez Sosa is a Deputy

Sheriff in Harris County Sheriff’s

Department assigned to Patrol

Division.


A BADGE OF HONOR

Healing Our Heroes

IT’S JUST A JOB!

Have you ever found yourself

saying, “Police Work, it’s JUST A

JOB.” It pays the bills. I’m doing

this until something better

comes along! Well, if so, quit

today. Yes, I said Quit Today!

Police work is far from being

Just a job. Police work is a calling.

A career and a dedication to

service which will have shortand

long-term impacts on you

and your family. A job that’s not

made for everyone.

Putting on a uniform and protecting

the public, is one of the

hardest jobs in our nation. If you

have a mindset that It’s just a

Job, you’re on the road to disaster.

There’s trade and construction

jobs, office, retail, hospitality,

sales and transportation, that are

always hiring. These are just a

few options of “Just Jobs.”

Police work, either alone,

with a partner or in a team, will

impact your life, their lives, and

the lives of strangers all in an

instant. Choices you make are

sometimes made in a split second.

Every day you perform your

job, someone’s life hangs in the

balance. Doesn’t matter the size,

population or crime statistics

where you work. Somewhere,

someone is going to call upon

you for help.

Let’s break down some aspects

of the JOB as a Law Enforcement

Officer and take a deep dive into

the things that might impact you


and your family.

First, let’s begin with the shift

work or rotating tours. Our

bodies need adequate rest to

function properly. When rest or

sleep patterns are interrupted,

it knocks our entire system out

of order. It has been medically

proven that shift work can lead

to health issues such as cardiovascular

disease, diabetes,

obesity, and stomach ulcers.

These, along with a multitude of

other health issues, usually come

later in life but are a direct result

of the work you performed as a

cop. Sounds enticing, doesn’t it?

Let’s continue.

Rotating shifts and long hours

also cause collateral damage to

relationships with spouses, children,

friends, and family. Working

holidays, weekends, missing

birthdays, school functions and

other family events take a toll on

the ones we love most and who

don’t wear the badge.

Your protective gear can weigh

over 30lbs, causing back and

knee problems. After a 20-year

career, your retirement insurance

may or may not cover chiropractic

expense or possible knee

replacements.

The media, Oh my god the media.

That’s an article within itself.

Mental Stress comes in so

many different forms. Affecting

each of us differently. The things

we see, hear, smell and taste remain

with us for the rest of our

SAMANTHA HORWITZ &

JOHN SALERNO

lives. Every encounter you face

changes the path or trajectory

of your life. It changes the way

we view and react to things. Our

mind stays in a hyper vigilant

state when many of these senses

are recalled. We can become

cynical, angry, depressed, lonely,

violent, and secluded. We become

a very different person

from the one that graduated the

academy. But it’s just a Job.

The Divorce rate is 50% above

the national average and much

of the damage caused by what

we call just “The Job.”

The average pay scale runs

between $55,000 to $90,000

depending on location and rank.

Is the pay worth the risk? What

is your life worth? What is your

family’s life worth? Add them

together and I am sure it’s 1000X

higher, if you could even put a

price on it.

Let’s talk Benefits. They differ

from state to state, but still

mostly suck. High co-pays and

deductibles. When you retire,

they are even worse if you receive

them at all.

Politics and Policy. There are

people who are sitting at a desk

or in another state, telling you

how to do your job? Making up

rules that benefit the criminals

and end up putting you in the

defendant’s seat.

Death. Well, we are all going

to die no matter what job we

work at, but we hope it to be

much later in life surrounded by

our loved ones where we can

say our final good-byes. Not in a

dark ally at the hands of a harden

criminal.

In the last 5 years, there have

been over 1000 reported suicides

nationwide from current or former

officers. This doesn’t include

those who were re-classified as

accidental overdoses or single

traffic accidents, nor does it

keep accurate counts on retired

officers. But they care about you.

You can see that in the money

they allocate for the smoke

and mirror programs they offer.

That’s why we must hide our

mental trauma or seek outside

help, to keep it from THE JOB.

Sickness/Injury. Think about

the environment you’ll work in

daily. Law Enforcement is not

regulated by OSHA, so many of

the safety rules do not apply.

Yes, we wear gear which kind

of protects us from gunfire, but

how about the other daily hazards

we face. The car and foot

chases through intersections and

heavy traffic, the pursuits up exterior

ladders over rooftops, the

trip & fall hazards in the always

changing terrain, encounters

with wild and/or domestic animals,

excessive environmental

and chemical exposures. The list

goes on and on.

But we can fix all that with our

newfound addictions which help

cure the stress. We find it at the

bottom of a cold beer, glass of

wine or shot of scotch. Maybe

a trip to the casino, scrolling

through some porn or having an

extra marital affair. Anything to

get your mind off or forget about

THE JOB. But there is nothing

to worry about because it’s only

just a JOB.

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DARYL'S DELIBERATIONS

From Prestonpans to

San Jacinto:

A Battle Plan That Crossed Generations

Sometimes the most powerful

weapon in war is not a musket

or cannon, but an idea—one

passed quietly from one generation

of soldiers to the next.

A remarkable thread of battlefield

strategy may connect

three famous victories separated

by nearly a century: the Battle

of Prestonpans, the Battle of

Cowpens, and the Battle of San

Jacinto.

At Prestonpans in 1745,

Jacobite forces led by

Charles Edward Stuart

faced a British government

army commanded

by Sir John Cope. The

Jacobite army consisted

largely of Highland clansmen

rather than trained

regulars. Yet their leaders

understood the power

of surprise and speed.

During the night before

the battle, Jacobite scouts

discovered a hidden route

across marshy ground

that allowed their forces

to approach the British

line from an unexpected

direction. At dawn, the

Highland charge exploded

across the field. The

sudden assault shattered

the British army in min-

utes and delivered one of the

most dramatic victories of the

Jacobite rising.

Thirty-six years later, a similar

principle appeared on an

American battlefield. During the

Revolutionary War, American

General Daniel Morgan faced the

aggressive British commander

Banastre Tarleton at Cowpens,

South Carolina. Morgan anticipated

Tarleton’s impatience and

DARYL LOTT

designed a plan to exploit it. He

arranged his army in three lines:

skirmishers in front, militia

instructed to fire two

volleys before withdrawing,

and experienced

Continental soldiers

waiting behind them.

When Tarleton’s troops

advanced, believing the

Americans were retreating,

they rushed forward

in pursuit. Instead, they

ran directly into Morgan’s

prepared line. At the decisive

moment, American

troops counterattacked,

while cavalry under William

Washington struck

the British flank. Tarleton’s

force collapsed in

one of the most decisive

American victories of the

war.

The lessons of Cowpens

did not disappear


with the Revolution. Among those

who spoke of Revolutionary War

tactics was Samuel Houston, a

Virginia veteran under Morgan.

His son, Sam Houston, grew up

hearing stories of the war and

his Scottish ancestors. The strategies

that started in Scotland

and carried over to South Carolina

had defeated British regulars.

Decades later those lessons

resurfaced during the Texas

Revolution. On April 21, 1836, Sam

Houston’s army struck Antonio

López de Santa Anna near the

marshy plains outside present-day

Houston. Waiting until

the Mexican army was vulnerable

and disorganized, Houston

launched a sudden afternoon

attack. In just eighteen minutes,

Texian forces shattered Santa

Anna’s army and secured independence

for Texas.

Each battle unfolded under

different circumstances, yet the

underlying principle remained

strikingly similar: draw the enemy

forward, disrupt his expectations,

and strike suddenly with

overwhelming force. From the

Highland charge at Prestonpans

to Morgan’s layered defense at

Cowpens and Houston’s lightning

assault at San Jacinto, a thread

of military wisdom traveled quietly

across generations of Scots

and Scotch-Irish soldiers.

Sometimes history’s greatest

victories begin with an idea

carried in memory long before it

appears again on the battlefield.

Happy San Jacinto Day!!

My new book, Isobel’s Song,

describes the Scottish and

Scotch-Irish influence in the

American settlement of the

Carolinas and Tennessee, and,

ultimately, Texas. It’s available

now at Amazon and in audio

from Audible.


ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY



BLUE METAL HEALTH

Law Enforcement Mental Health and the

Consequences of Patrol Officer Shortages

Law enforcement agencies

across the United States are confronting

two interrelated crises:

deteriorating officer mental health

and persistent shortages in patrol

staffing. While these concerns are

often discussed separately, they are

deeply connected in practice. Patrol

officers are the frontline of policing

and are routinely exposed to trauma,

shift instability, public scrutiny,

high workloads, and operational

unpredictability. When agencies

are understaffed, the psychological

burden on remaining officers

intensifies, contributing to burnout,

fatigue, moral distress, and diminished

organizational functioning.

In turn, worsening mental health

contributes to absenteeism, attrition,

and early retirement, thereby

deepening the patrol staffing crisis.

This cyclical relationship presents a

serious challenge for public safety

agencies and underscores the need

for structural, not merely individual,

interventions.

Police work has long been associated

with elevated exposure

to occupational stressors that

increase vulnerability to psychological

distress. Officers regularly

encounter violence, death, human

suffering, family crises, and highstakes

decision-making under

uncertainty. A broad review of

police stress and health found that

cumulative occupational stress is

associated with anxiety, depression,

sleep disruption, substance

misuse, and posttraumatic stress

symptoms, as well as long-term

physical health consequences


(Violanti et al., 2017). More recent

work continues to show that law

enforcement personnel experience

high levels of work-related stress

and that organizational conditions—

such as excessive demands, insufficient

support, and poor recovery

time—significantly shape officer

well-being (Keech et al., 2025).

These findings suggest that officer

mental health is not simply a matter

of individual resilience, but also of

workplace design and institutional

culture.

The patrol function intensifies

these risks because patrol officers

are disproportionately exposed to

repeated critical incidents and unpredictable

workloads. Patrol units

serve as the default response mechanism

for a wide range of calls,

including domestic disputes, suicidality,

substance-related crises,

homelessness-related complaints,

and behavioral health emergencies.

Increasingly, officers are tasked with

managing complex social and mental

health problems for which traditional

enforcement responses may

be poorly suited. National criminal

justice guidance has noted that

behavioral and mental health calls

consume substantial policing time

and often divert officers from crime

prevention and community policing

functions (Bureau of Justice Assistance

[BJA], 2024). As a result, patrol

officers are asked to perform roles

that blend law enforcement, crisis

intervention, social service triage,

and emergency response—often

with limited staffing and insufficient

recovery between calls.

DR. TINA JAECKLE

At the same time, many agencies

are struggling to recruit and retain

sworn personnel, particularly for

patrol assignments. Recent national

surveys indicate that staffing

levels remain below pre-2020

benchmarks in many departments,

despite modest signs of stabilization

in some jurisdictions. According

to the Police Executive Research

Forum (PERF, 2025), overall sworn

staffing in surveyed agencies remained

below 2020 levels, with

many departments continuing to

experience significant hiring and

retention challenges. Similarly, the

International Association of Chiefs

of Police (IACP, 2024) identified

recruitment and retention as ongoing

operational concerns affecting

agencies of varied size and geography.

These shortages are especially

consequential in patrol, where

minimum staffing demands must be

met 24 hours a day. When vacancies

increase, agencies often rely on

forced overtime, cancelled leave,

shift extensions, and reassignment

of specialized personnel back to

patrol operations.

The mental health implications

of these staffing deficits are sub-

stantial. Understaffing increases

workload intensity, decreases time

for decompression, and reduces

officers’ sense of control over

their schedules and personal lives.

Research on shift work and fatigue

in policing highlights that irregular

schedules, overnight shifts,

and sustained overtime are associated

with higher levels of stress,

burnout, and mental strain among

officers (National Policing Institute,

2026). In practice, this means that

patrol shortages do not simply create

administrative inconvenience;

they directly increase the likelihood

of emotional exhaustion and psychological

impairment. Officers

who are already managing cumulative

trauma may have fewer opportunities

for recovery, sleep, family

connection, or treatment engagement.

Moreover, organizational culture

often compounds the problem. Although

awareness of officer wellness

has increased, stigma around

mental health remains deeply embedded

in many law enforcement

settings. Officers may fear that acknowledging

distress will be interpreted

as weakness, instability, or

unfitness for duty. A recent review

of police mental health help-seeking

found that cultural norms of

self-reliance, concerns about confidentiality,

and perceived career

repercussions remain significant

barriers to treatment engagement

(Grumely Traynor & Rydon-Grange,

2024, as cited in Gau et al., 2025).

In agencies already experiencing

staffing shortages, these barriers

may become even more pronounced

because officers may believe they

cannot “step away” for counseling,

peer support, or recovery without

burdening already depleted teams.

Importantly, the staffing crisis

and mental health crisis reinforce

one another in a self-perpetuating

cycle. Officers experiencing chronic

stress and burnout are more likely

to disengage, retire early, seek

employment elsewhere, or leave

the profession entirely. Recent

longitudinal evidence suggests

that resignation patterns in law

enforcement are meaningfully tied

to officer attitudes, motivation, and

workplace strain, especially during

difficult organizational periods (Gau

et al., 2026). Thus, staffing shortages

are not solely a pipeline problem;

they are also a wellness and retention

problem. Agencies that fail to

address the psychological toll of

patrol work may continue losing

experienced officers faster than

they can replace them.

A more effective response requires

agencies to move beyond

narrow wellness messaging and

adopt systemic reform. First, departments

should treat officer

mental health as an operational

readiness issue rather than a private

individual matter. This includes

normalizing confidential counseling,

peer support, clinician partnerships,

and supervisor training in recognizing

cumulative stress and trauma.

Second, agencies should conduct

evidence-based patrol staffing

analyses to align deployment with

actual service demands rather than

relying solely on historical staffing

models. Third, police leaders should

continue expanding co-responder

and alternative response programs

for behavioral health calls so that

patrol officers are not the default

response to every social crisis.

Finally, recruitment and retention

efforts must include wellness-centered

organizational practices such

as predictable scheduling, protected

leave, reduced mandatory overtime,

and leadership cultures that reward

help-seeking rather than silence.

In conclusion, law enforcement

mental health and patrol officer

shortages are not separate policy

issues but mutually reinforcing

dimensions of a broader workforce

crisis. When patrol staffing is inadequate,

the officers who remain

carry greater psychological and

operational burdens. When those

burdens go unaddressed, agencies

lose the very personnel they

need to sustain patrol operations.

Graduate-level analysis of this

issue makes clear that the solution

cannot rest solely on resilience

training or recruitment campaigns.

Sustainable reform requires structural

investment in staffing, organizational

culture, and mental health

infrastructure. Without such reforms,

agencies risk perpetuating a

cycle that harms officers, weakens

patrol effectiveness, and ultimately

undermines public safety.

References

Bureau of Justice Assistance.

(2024, February 6). Employing

mental health clinicians to improve

police outcomes. U.S. Department

of Justice.


NOT SO BRIGHT AWARD

Light Bulb

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA

California Assembly Bill Proposes Mandatory Ankle Monitors

for All Local Law Enforcement Officers 24x7

Sacramento, CA — A newly

introduced California Assembly

Bill is making waves

across the state’s public safety

landscape. The proposed legislation

would require all local

law enforcement officers to

wear state issued ankle monitors

during duty hours, a

move its authors say is designed

to enhance transparency,

strengthen public trust,

and modernize accountability

practices.

In a significant development,

the California Commission

on Peace Officer Standards

and Training (CA POST) has

formally announced its support

for the bill. According to

POST leadership, the measure

aligns with the organization’s

ongoing efforts to standardize

professional conduct, improve

data driven oversight, and reinforce

community confidence

in policing.

Under the bill, the GPS enabled

devices would track

officer location during shifts

and off-duty, providing real


time data to agency supervisors

and POST certified compliance

systems. Supporters

argue that the technology

mirrors tools already used

in other public sector fields

to verify duty status, ensure

officer safety, and document

response patterns.

Assembly sponsors emphasized

that the bill is not

punitive but rather a modernization

effort. “This is about

transparency and operational

clarity,” the bill’s author stated.

“Law enforcement professionals

already navigate

high risk environments. This

technology provides an added

layer of safety while giving

communities confidence in

how resources are deployed.”

CA POST echoed that sentiment,

noting that the measure

could streamline investigations,

improve training outcomes,

and support statewide

standards for officer accountability.

If passed, the bill would

require phased implementation

beginning next fiscal year,

with state funding allocated

for equipment, training, and

data management infrastructure.

My eyebrows? I paid a lot of money for them.


ADS BACK IN THE DAY



ADS BACK IN THE DAY



THERE ARE

parting shots...


NO WORDS


THERE ARE

parting shots...


NO WORDS


NOW HIRING

LE job positions

Town of Lakeside Police Officer 04/03/2026

Clyde Police Department Patrol Officer 04/03/2026

Corsicana Police Department Police Officer 04/12/2026

Cisco Police Department Patrol Officer 04/13/2026

City of Lewisville Police Department Police Officer 04/14/2026

Thorndale Police Department Police Officer 04/17/2026

City of Hutto Peace Officers 04/17/2026

City of Starbase Police Department Public Safety Director/ Future Chief of Police 04/19/2026

Lone Star College Police Department Police Officer 04/09/2026

Lone Star College Police Department Public Safety Officer 04/09/2026

Lakeway Police Department Police Officer 04/24/2026

Round Rock ISD Police Department Police Officer 04/24/2026

Tarleton State University Police Department Police Officer 04/24/2026

River Oaks Police Department Police Officer 04/25/2026

San Saba County Sheriff's Office Lateral Deputy Sheriff 04/24/2026

Joshua Police Department Police Officer (Multiple Positions) 04/29/2026

Lancaster Police Department Police Officer 04/02/2026

Bruceville-Eddy Police Department Police Officer 04/26/2026

Bruceville-Eddy Police Department School Resource Officer (Full-Time) 04/27/2026

Elgin Police Department Certified Peace Officer 04/28/2026

Mathis Police Department Patrol Officer 04/27/2026

Moody Police Department Reserve Police Officer 04/30/2026

Blanco County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office Reserve | Part Time Patrol Deputy Constables 05/17/2026

Marlin Police Department Police officer | Recruit 05/03/2026

Glasscock County Sheriff's Office Deputy 05/04/2026

Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Unit Sergeant Investigator 05/05/2026

Alvarado Police Department Peace Officer / Cadet 05/05/2026

Elgin Police Department Patrol Sergeant 05/05/2026

Watauga Police Department Police Officer 04/10/2026

Brenham Police Department Police Officer 04/30/2026

Point Comfort Police Department Peace Officer 05/06/2026

Nassau Bay Police Department Patrol Officer I 05/08/2026

Irion County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sheriff 05/08/2026

Howe Police Department Police officer/Police Recruitment 05/09/2026

Tarrant County College District Coordinator, Law Enforcement 05/09/2026

Blanco County Sheriff's Office Patrol Deputy 05/10/2026

Grimes County Sheriff's Office Investigator 05/10/2026

Prosper Police Department Police Officers 05/11/2026

Blanco County Sheriff's Office Investigator 05/11/2026

New Braunfels Police Department Police Officer 04/30/2026

University Park Police Department Peace Officer 05/10/2026

Ferris Police Department DPS Triple Certified Officer (48/96 shifts) 05/05/2026

Ferris Police Department Police Officer (12 hr. shifts) 05/05/2026

Hemphill County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputy 05/05/2026

Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigator (Jacksonville OR Huntsville) 05/01/2026

Carrollton Municipal Court Bailiff 05/18/2026

Bastrop Police Department Detective 05/18/2026

Fort Worth Police Department Police Trainee 05/19/2026

Pilot Point ISD Peace Officer 05/19/2026

Big Springs Police Department Entry Exam | Police Officer 04/06/2026

Big Springs Police Department Lateral Police Officer 05/19/2026

Archer City Police Department Police Officer 05/04/2026

City of Ferris Department of Public Safety DPS Sergeant 05/05/2026

Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputy 05/19/2026

South San Antonio ISD Police Department Peace Officer 05/23/2026

Sunnyvale Police Department Police Officer (Certified) 04/10/2026

Cuero Police Department Peace Officer 06/01/2026


NOW HIRING

WELCOME OUR NEWEST DEPARTMENT

LE job positions

WELCOME ABOARD PASADENA PD


NOW HIRING

WELCOME OUR NEWEST DEPARTMENT

LE job positions

Cuero Police Department


Now Hiring for Patrol Officer Position

Department Benefits

14 Paid Holidays

2 Weeks Paid Vacation

Certification Pay

100% Insurance Paid for Employees

Retirement 2 to 1 match (20yr Retirement)

FSA for Employees

Longevity Pay

Equipment & Uniforms Provided Including Duty Weapon w/ Red Dot Sight

Take Home Vehicle Within Surrounding Counties

10 Hour Work Shifts

Membership Paid to Local Gym

Department Provided Training

Off-duty Security Opportunities

Starting Pay Depends on Qualifications (Academy Graduates start at $53,400)

Police Academy Tuition Reimbursement opportunity

Requirements: Must be TCOLE Certified or currently enrolled in an accredited Police

Academy and pass a background investigation.


Email TCOLE Personal History Statement to sellis@cityofcuero.com

Your Department's

Recruiting Ad

could be right here!

email us today at



PATHWAYS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Law Enforcement Career Fair Series

Explore careers in public safety at the Pathways in Criminal Justice Career Fair, with two

opportunities to attend. The Career Fairs connect aspiring law enforcement professionals with

local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Enjoy free admission to the Museum and

engage with officers through interactive programs.

Live Programs

In addition to speaking with prospective employers and

enjoying the Museum, join the local community in the

theater for special law enforcement career programs:

9:30am – 10:30am: Coffee and Conversations, with activeduty

officers sharing their lived experiences and honest

reflections from the field.

10:45am – 12:00pm: Forged in Struggle, Empowered

by Strength, Defining Our Future: Celebrating NOBLE’s

50-Year Legacy, celebrating the achievements of

black Americans who have shaped the profession and

commemorates NOBLE’s five decades of leadership and

advocacy.

February 18 and March 18, 2026

9:30am – 4:00pm

National Law Enforcement Museum

444 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Admission is free but registration is highly

encouraged as space is limited!

REGISTER NOW nleomf.org

1:00pm – 2:00pm: Tradition Meets Transformation, a panel

discussion with law enforcement and young adults about

the future of the profession.

2:30pm – 3:15pm: Community Town Hall, a public forum

about community concerns and lived experiences.


ADCRR is Hiring

Correctional Officers

1-888-545-RUSH






WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO

Make a DIFFERENCE

Provide SERVICE to YOUR community!

MEANINGFUL careers

Growing Organization

Career DEVELOPMENT

*Our agency is a certified OJT training agency for qualified Veterans


BUDA POLICE DEPARTMENT

NOW HIRING - POLICE OFFICER

Starting Salary

$64.5K to $74.8K

*TCOLE Licensed Only

We are proud to be one of the safest cities in the State of Texas

and have tremendous support from our community.

Benefits

Retirement

2-1 City Match with TMRS

Medical/Dental/Vision

100% Medical Coverage

Offsetting Copays

Educational Pay

$50- $150 Per Month

Incentive Pay

$75-$150(max) per Month for

assignments such as:

FTO, Bike Patrol, SWAT

Annual Leave Accruals

15 Paid Holidays

80 Hours Vacation

120 Hours Sick Leave

Bilingual Pay

Shift Differential Pay

Lateral Entry Program

On-site Gym

Officer Wellness Program

www.budatx.gov/92/Employment




NOW

HIRING

BIG SPRING PD IS NOW HIRING POLICE OFFICERS

• 100% PAID ACADEMY TRAINING FOR NON-

CERTIFIED CADETS

• LATERAL POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT PROGRAM

• EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS ARE PROVIDED

• TAKE HOME VEHICLES WITH A ONE HOUR

RESPONSE TIME

• TMRS RETIREMENT (2:1 CITY MATCH)

• 100% EMPLOYEE MEDICAL AND LIFE INSURANCE

PREMIUM PAID BY THE CITY

• PAID VACATION AND HOLIDAYS

• PAID SICK LEAVE

• LONGEVITY PAY FOR YEARS OF SERVICE

• EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM

• TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

• PROGRESSIVE ANNUAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING AND

EXTERNAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

• DIVERSE ASSIGNMENTS SUCH AS SWAT, NARCOTICS,

TRAFFIC, AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

• $5,000 ACADEMY REIMBURSEMENT AND

$4,500 RELOCATION PAY FOR CERTIFIED OFFICERS

• CERTIFIED OFFICERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR $800

MONTHLY HOUSING ALLOWANCE FOR ONE YEAR

• FREE DORMITORY HOUSING FOR NON-CERTIFIED

CADETS IN THE ACADEMY

• LATERAL RECRUIT PROGRAM FOR EXPERIENCED

OFFICERS

Cadet Pay: $54,109/year ~ Certified Officer Pay: $65,538/year

ENTRY LEVEL TESTING ON JUNE 18, 2026

The application deadline is June 15, 2026

Testing for Certified Police Officers is scheduled as needed. Certified

Police Officers are strongly encouraged to apply at anytime.

APPLY TODAY AT WWW.MYBIGSPRING.COM


BIG SPRING POLICE DEPARTMENT

JOIN OUR TEAM!

LATERAL ENTRY POLICE OFFICER

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

BENEFITS

• Health/Vision/Dental Insurance

• Paid Life and AD&D Insurance

• TMRS (2 to 1 match)

• Deferred Compensation with a

6.7% match

• Vacation Buy Back (up to 68

hours annually)

• 12-hour shift schedule, every

other Friday, Saturday, and

Sunday off

• Longevity Service Pay

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Uniforms & Equipment Supplied

• Upfront vacation leave:

• 5yrs—80 hours

• 5 to 10 yrs—120 hours

• 10+yrs—160 hours

3 YEARS EXPERIENCE

$70,578

5 YEARS EXPERIENCE

$72,989

7 YEARS EXPERIENCE

$75,479

10+ YEARS EXPERIENCE

$81,282

• Take home patrol car within one hour response radius

INCENTIVE PAYS

Relocation Pay $4,500

1 yr. Housing Allowance $800/mo

Academy Reimbursement $5,000

Firearm Allowance $800

Associate Degree

Bachelor Degree

Shift Differential

FTO Pay

$1,200/yr.

$2,400/yr.

5% Increase

$50 daily

*The BSPD lateral pay scale pays

for 2 to 10+ years of experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Subject to the same hiring process as all other police officer applicants.

• Must have 12 months certified, full-time, law enforcement experience from a comparable size agency.

• Must not have pending disciplinary actions or investigations for misconduct.

APPLY TODAY

www.mybigspring.com

BIG SPRING POLICE DEPARTMENT

3613 West Highway 80, Big Spring, TX 79720

432-264-2347 ▪ sking@mybigspring.com


BRAZORIA COUNTY

CONSTABLE PCT 3

2436 S. GRAND BLVD. PEARLAND TEXAS 77581

Recruiting

deputy constables

Full & Part Time Positions

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Must be 21 years of age

Must hold an active TCOLE Peace Officer License

Pass Background Investigation

Psychological Evaluation

Drug Screen

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Pension & Retirement Benefits (401k)

County Alternate Retirement (SSN Alternate)

TCDRS Transfer

Healthcare, Dental, Vision and other Benefits (+ AFLAC)

Take Home Vehicle Program (If within Brazoria County)

Uniform Allowance

Certification Pay

A Career that Gives You

a lot of Pride & Benefits


Hiring

Police Officers

Annual Salary $57,592 - $62,899 range + Benefits | Certification Pay | Longevity Pay | Bilingual

Certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)

Pay 12 Hour Shift Schedule - Alternating weekends off and good life/work balance

All equipment/uniform provided | Take home patrol car program | Visible tattoo & beard policy

Benefits at NO COST TO EMPLOYEE:

• Education Reimbursement Program

• 80 hours of Vacation (accrued annually)

• 96 hours of sick leave annually (accrued annually)

• 14 Paid Holidays

• Life Insurance 2x annual base salary

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Training Opportunities

Additional Benefits

• TMRS retirement system - 5% employee

contribution - City matches 2:1 at retirement

• Medical Insurance: - United Health Care

† Ask about our Lateral Transfer Program

requirements

Questions? Contact Lt. Kelvin Raven at kraven@cityofbrenham.org | 979-337-7363

jobs.cityofbrenham.org


Cuero Police Department

Now Hiring for Patrol Officer Position

Email TCOLE Personal History Statement to sellis@cityofcuero.com


Department Benefits

14 Paid Holidays

2 Weeks Paid Vacation

Certification Pay

100% Insurance Paid for Employees

Retirement 2 to 1 match (20yr Retirement)

FSA for Employees

Longevity Pay

Equipment & Uniforms Provided Including Duty Weapon w/ Red Dot Sight

Take Home Vehicle Within Surrounding Counties

10 Hour Work Shifts

Membership Paid to Local Gym

Department Provided Training

Off-duty Security Opportunities

Starting Pay Depends on Qualifications (Academy Graduates start at $53,400)

Police Academy Tuition Reimbursement opportunity

Requirements: Must be TCOLE Certified or currently enrolled in an accredited Police

Academy and pass a background investigation.


$

U

T

S

v

e

b

o

w

FRIENDSWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRIDE DEDICATION PROFESSIONALISM

UP

TO

$ 15,000

* FOR QUALIFIED TCOLE-CERTIFIED OFFICERS

HIRING

INCENTIVE

C

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

• Special Weapons & Tactics Team

• Crisis Negotiation Team

• K-9 Program

• Drone Pilot Program

• D.O.T. & Traffic Safety Unit

• School Resource Officers

• Bicycle Patrol

• Marine Patrol

• Honor Guard








Place your department’s recruiting ad

in The BLUES for only $250 for an

entire year, only $20 a month.



LATERAL DEPUTY


WE ARE

HIRING!

LATERAL DEPUTY

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a licensed Peace Officer by the Texas Commission on

Law Enforcement (TCOLE) in good standing

• Must be currently employed as a Peace Officer (any break in

service will be considered on a case-by-case basis)

• Must have a minimum of 12 consecutive months experience as a

Peace Office at any one agency

• Must successfully pass the HCSO Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

• Meet HCSO firearms qualification standard

• Must pass a thorough background investigation (criminal

background check, fingerprinting, personal interview, etc.) as

required by TCOLE

• Must pass a physical and psychological evaluation as required by

TCOLE

• Valid driver’s license and liability insurance (Texas by start date)

• Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20, normal color, and

peripheral vision

• Correctable normal audible range in both ears

• A two (2) year minimum commitment to Patrol before being

eligible to transfer to other Bureaus

For additional information contact

Harris County Sheriff’s Office

Recruitment Unit

(713) 877-5250


TO APPLY

www.harriscountyso.org | www.hcsojobs.com

SCAN

THIS CODE Harris County

@HCSOTexas

Sheriff’s Office

HCSOTexas HCSOTexas @HCSOTexas






THE KILLEEN POLICE DEPARTMENT

IS NOW

Hiring

FOR THE POSITION OF

Police Officer

Online Applications

will open:

July 31, 2023

Application Deadline:

September 15, 2023

Civil Service Exam will

be:

September 24, 2023

To apply, go to:

www.killeentexas.gov/16

8/Job-Opportunities

Wear The Badge,

Make a Difference

D

b

th

a

Officer De'Vonte Johnson

Recruiter

254-200-7987

DJohnson@killeentexas.gov

The Killeen Police Department is an

176 Equal The BLUES Opportunity APRIL ‘26 Employer

Starting pay - $57,889

Paid: Vacation, Holiday & Sick Leave

$15K Sign-on incentive for TCOLE

certified Peace Officers

College Degree pay incentive

7% retirement plan through TMRS

with a 2:1 match ratio

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Opportunity to work in various

specialized units

The Killeen Police

epartment is dedicated to

uilding a partnership with

e community to fight crime

nd improve every citizen's

quality of life.

Follow us at:

KilleenPD

KilleenPolice

JoinKilleenPD

Visit www.KilleenPD.com for further The details

BLUES - APRIL ‘26 177


NOW HIRING

ositions


LEAGUE CITY POLICE

D E P A R T M E N T

RECRUITING

LATERAL OFFICERS

LATERAL INCENTIVES:

Salary Equal to Years of Service (3 - 7 yrs)

$5,000 Hiring Bonus

REQUIREMENTS:

To be Considered as a Lateral Applicant, You Must Meet the Following Qualifications:

Lateral Pay Credit Will be Granted Only for Whole Years of Qualified Experience.

Cannot Have a Break of Service More Than 180 Days to Qualify for Experience Credit.

Must Have at Least Three Years of Qualified Law Enforcement Experience (Commissioned,

Full-time, Paid).

TCOLE Licensed Peace Officer or Equivalent Out-of-State Certification Accepted by TCOLE

will Qualify.

3 YEAR PAY --

4 YEAR PAY --

5 YEAR PAY --

WATCH HERE FOR NEW DATES

6 YEAR PAY --

7 YEAR PAY --

VISIT LCPDJOBS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION!





Patrol Officer

The City of Manvel Police Department is looking to find qualified candidates to fill the ranks of the patrol

division.

The City of Manvel is a rapidly growing and diverse community. The current population is estimated at a

little over 16000 and is located in the northern part of Brazoria County along the State Highway 288

corridor approximately 4 miles South of the City of Houston.

The Manvel Police Department has a competitive pay structure for cities of the same size. Salary is based

on experience and certification levels.

Requirements:

High school diploma or GED

Valid Texas Driver’s License

with good driving record

TCOLE certified OR currently

enrolled in Academy

program

Preference for LE experience

Hiring Process Includes :

Written test

Oral board interview

Physical agility test

Thorough background

investigation

Accelerated Field Training

Program for experienced officers

One year probationary period

Pay and Benefits:

Competitive pay with an employment

improvement step program

TMRS retirement up to 7% with 2:1 match

by city

Retirement vested after 5 years of service

Medical Insurance covered 100% for

employees and 100% paid for employees

and dependent by the city after 3 years

12 hour shifts (DuPont Schedule)

Personal time off - Vacation and Holiday

accruals

Paid sick time

Lateral transfers

For more information you can contact

The City of Manvel Police Department at

281-489-1212

184 Rochelle The BLUES Carr-Lacy APRIL ‘26

rcarrlacy@manvelpd.org

Serving Bunker Hill, Piney Point, and Hunters Creek Villages

Opportunity for Experienced Police

Officers

Benefits:

$89,432 - $108,585

Starting Salary Range DOQ

Requirements:

Strong Community and Department Support

5 Years Patrol Experience

Hiring Bonus $1500

(Night Shift Differential $12,000)

Bi-Lingual Pay

Educational / Certification / Longevity Pay

Health care Insurance 100% for Employee, 75%

for Spouse/Dependents

TMRS Retirement 7% 2:1 match, 20-year

retirement. COLA 50% of retirement

TCOLE Certified

Valid TX Driver’s License

US Citizen

Positive Attitude

Strong Work Ethic

Problem Solver

Desire to Succeed

Department Funded 457 Deferred Compensation

Plan with employer contribution of 2.5% annual

salary

Tuition Reimbursement

Work life balance with 12 Hour shifts every other

weekend off

WWW.MVPDTX.ORG

EOE/M/F/D

11981 Memorial Dr.

Houston, Tx 77024

713.365.3700




SALARY RANGE

$79,201 - $105,716

ADDITIONAL PAY

(MONTHLY)

ASSOCIATES DEGREE

$99-$250

BACHELOR’S DEGREE

$180-$400

MASTER’S DEGREE

$230-$500

TCOLE CERTIFICATES

$60-$150

OTHER INCENTIVES

FIELD TRAINING OFFICER

$700

FIELD TRAINING SERGEANT

$600

TACTICAL UNIT ASSIGNMENT

$200

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

$200

HONOR GUARD

$200

W W W . M I D L A N D T E X A S . G O V / 1 3 1 7 / L A T E R A L - O F F I C E R S


NOW HIRING

ositions



STARTING SALARY $66,497.60 WITH NO EXPERIENCE

BENEFITS

• Competitive pay with scheduled increases every 2 years

• Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday days off

• Flexible work schedules

• Overtime available

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Tuition Reimbursement - $5000/yr

• Paid vacation, employee days, well day, sick days, and holidays

• Uniforms and Equipment

• Department Provided Training

TCOLE CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER POSITIONS

FULL TIME

INCENTIVE PAY

• Bilingual

• TCOLE Certificate

Intermediate $1,560

Advanced $3,420

Master $6,000

• Education

Associate $1,320

Bachelor $3,180

Master $4,500

$8,000.00 HIRING INCENTIVE*

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

21 YEARS OF AGE

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED

MUST HOLD AN ACTIVE TCOLE PEACE OFFICER LICENSE

VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE

MUST PASS BACKGROUND CHECK, PSYCHOLOGICAL,

DRUG AND MEDICAL SCREENING

*$2000.00 after 3 months, $2000.00 after 6 months, $4000.00 after 1 year





MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

IN YOUR

COMMUNITY

We are looking for outstanding individuals to

join our team! As a Pearland Police Officer your

mission will be to prevent crime and disorder, build

partnerships within the community, and positively

impact the quality of life for all our residents.

CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS

• Competitive Salary • Outstanding Training

• Career Advancement • Exceptional Benefits

The City of Pearland is one of the fastest growing

communities within the region. Pearland is located

approximately 20 minutes south of Downtown Houston

and the current population is approximately 130,000

residents.

JOIN OUR TEAM

HIRING POLICE OFFICERS AND CADETS

$5,000 Hiring Incentive for T.C.O.L.E Certified Police

Officers who qualify with at least 2 years of experience.

TEST DATE:

SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 8:30 A.M.

Register by: April 12.

Pearland Recreation Center & Natatorium

4141 Bailey Road, Pearland, TX 77584.

Doors Open: 7:15 a.m. No admittance after 7:45 a.m.

Candidates must park in the north parking lot.

SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES WILL APPLY

• Attendance limited to first 150 arrivals

• Mandatory temperature checks

• Masks required, hand sanitizer available

• Candidates seated 6 feet apart

For additional information and to register for an upcoming Civil Service Exam, visit

pearlandtx.gov/PDCareers



PORT HOUSTON

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Thinking of retiring?

Want a change but still want to serve?

Put on a NEW uniform and JOIN US!

YOUR CAREER

OUR PORT

ONE MISSION

NEW!

• No BMI Requirements

• No Polygraph Required

• No Physical Agility

STARTING PAY*

$71,000 up to $81,000

* Salary depends on experience

EMPLOYMENT

TESTING

Employment is contingent on pass

any post-offer pre-employment

screening as listed below:

• Criminal background check

• Motor vehicle record check

• Drug screening

• Physical exam

• Psychological exam


BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

eligible first day of employment

• Vacation & Sick Leave, PLUS Paid Holidays.

(12 days/year).

• 401a & 457 Plans

• Tuition Reimbursement

(Up to the IRS annual limit and a maximum lifetime

reimbursement $25,000)

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 21 years old

• Must have 2+ years of police officer

experience

• Must have valid Texas Driver’s

• License & be a U.S. Citizen

• Must have an honorable discharge from the

military (if applicable)

• Must never have been convicted of a

• Class A Misdemeanor or above

• Not been convicted of a Class B

misdemeanor within the last 10 years

• Must have a GED or high school diploma

ing

SIGN UP TODAY!

www.porthouston.com/careers-2



SEGUIN PD

NOW

HIRING

POLICE OFFICER

STARTING PAY IS $67,012

LATERAL: UP TO $73,968

UP TO $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS

INCENTIVE PAY FOR TCOLE CERTIFICATION,

BILINGUAL SPEAKERS, & EDUCATIONAL PAY.

100% EMPLOYEE MEDICAL/DENTAL PREMIUM

COVERED BY CITY

EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS ARE PROVIDED

INCLUDING TAKE HOME VEHICLES, HANDGUN

WITH RED DOT SIGHT & SUPPRESSED PATROL

RIFLE

TMRS RETIREMENT (2:1 CITY MATCH)

PROGRESSIVE IN-SERVICE AND EXTERNAL

TRAINING EXCEEDING NATIONAL TRAINING

AVERAGES

OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE EXPERIENCE IN

SPECIALIZED UNITS AND ASSIGNMENTS

SUCH AS SWAT, K9, NARCOTICS, SPECIAL

CRIMES, MENTAL HEALTH, TRAFFIC, AND

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION

APPLY NOW AT:

WWW.APPLITRACK.COM/SEGUINTEXAS/ONLINEAPP



Your Department's

Recruiting Ad

could be right here!

email us today at







A TRUE HERO


April 2026. Blues Vol 42 No.4

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