A damn good cop How better to remember a great friend and officer
Transcription
A damn good cop How better to remember a great friend and officer
O S P O A M O N T H L Y T R O O P E R N E W S V O L . 2 6 , N O . 1 1 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 A damn good cop How better to remember a great friend and officer? Page 3 Wonder Woman Things looking good at the Hall of Justice............... 3 Service recognition Lots of folks, lots of awards.................................4, 5 Slaying of Seattle officer in cruiser reminds police of dangers of service By Jackson Holtz Herald Writer MARYSVILLE — Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick said the shooting Saturday that killed Seattle police officer and Marysville resident Timothy Brenton was an attack on the entire community. “I just hope that there’s a point in life when we can come together as a community and stop having these senseless acts of violence,” Lovick said. He visited the Seattle corner on Monday where Brenton died. The officer’s trainee also was injured in what’s being called a drive-by assassination. Lovick called the gunfire cowardly and despicable. “It’s a tremendous assault,” the sheriff said. “It’s an assault on all of us.” Brenton, a veteran Seattle officer, was working in a patrol car Saturday night with Britt Sweeney, a rookie officer who recently graduated from the state’s police academy. The officers were parked in the Leshi neighborhood debriefing after a traffic stop when a car pulled alongside and someone opened fire. Brenton was killed and Sweeney injured. Sweeney was able to return fire, but the suspects got away. On Monday, the hunt for suspects continued and no arrests were made. Flags were lowered to halfstaff in Mar ysville, where Brenton lived with his wife and two children, 8 and 11. “Anytime you lose a life it’s a tragedy,” Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall said. Snohomish County deputies and Mar ysville police officers were working with Seattle investigators to provide protection and support to Brenton’s family. “We’re all on high alert,” Marysville police Cmdr. Robb Lamoureux said. Police around the county p l a n t o a t t e n d B r e n t o n ’s funeral. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Brenton’s family and all of the Seattle Police Department’s officers and staff during this extremely difficult time,” Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said. “We will be there for them in any way that we can.” FBI: Police officer deaths fell sharply in 2008 By Devlin Barrett Associated Press WASHINGTON — The number of police officers slain in the line of duty fell sharply last year, according to FBI data released Monday. Bureau statistics list 41 law enforcement officers killed in 2008, down from 58 in 2007. The list includes one FBI agent, Sam Hicks, who was shot and killed during a drug raid outside Pittsburgh. Felony killings of police officers haven’t been that low since 1999, when 42 were killed, the FBI said. Police officer support groups — which use different standards to count officer killings — say the number of officers killed V i s i t O S P O A’ s hasn’t been this low since the 1960s. In addition to felony killings, the FBI said 68 law enforcement officers were killed in accidents last year, most of them involving car crashes. “Certainly the greater use of body armor, bulletproof vests, has had a big impact, after firearms-related fatalities peaked in the 1970s,” said Kevin Morison, spokesman for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The fund keeps its own numbers on law enforcement deaths, and by its count 53 officers died in felony incidents in 2008, and another 80 in accidents. The discrepancy is based in large part on the FBI only counting those deaths W e b P a g e : that occur as line-of-duty incidents, and if the officer had arrest powers. Overall, Morison said, the trends show officer killings haven’t been this low in four decades. However, the group’s data also show that for the first half of 2009, officer killings rose 20 percent. Suzie Sawyer, executive director of Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS, said that in addition to bulletproof vests saving lives, medical advances and better training are also keeping more cops alive in dangerous situations. “Police officers are being shot and still living. It’s a trend and we just wish it would continue to keep coming down,” she said. w w w . o s p o a . c o m T o The killing is the first assassination-type slaying of a police officer in the region in recent memory. “Anytime that something like this occurs to a law enforcement officer who appears to have been a target, it causes all of us to look back on how we’re deployed,” Marysville Police Chief Rick Smith said. He said he’ll work with commanders to ensure his officers are aware of all potential threats. Lynnwood Police Chief Steven Jensen said the killing demonstrates “the callousness and cowardice of individuals who threaten a civilized society.” “Heinous acts of this sort clearly show the necessity of a police force to protect the larger society from criminals such as these and the very real sacrifice that being a police officer may entail,” Jensen said. Officers try to be aware of ever-present dangers, Jensen said. There is little that can be done to prevent a random criminal attack. The sheriff’s office command staff plans to discuss the incident this week, Lovick said. “What could they have done differently? I just don’t know,” the sheriff said. Seattle police on Monday were looking for the driver of the car who fled the shooting scene Saturday, officials said. They also were chasing down every lead possible to find the killer. They interviewed a 25-year-old man who had made threats against police Friday. The man was released on bond Saturday from the King County Jail and was arrested again Saturday night after the shooting. Before Brenton transferred to the Seattle force, he worked as a Skagit County sheriff’s deputy in La Conner. Residents there remember Brenton from days when he would park his patrol car in front of the town’s school complex, protecting children as they walked to class. “He’s a very well-thought-of officer up here in this county,” Anacortes Police Chief Bonnie Bowers said. “We all have fond memories of Tim. Our hearts go out to his family.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. The deadliest job in policing The deadliest place to do it JIM DONAHUE Special Topics Contributor Recently, I had the experience of preparing for an inservice class for an agency in South Florida. The subject matter was teaching them the tactical and practical implications of moving from handwritten traffic tickets ...continues next page to using of handheld computers E - m a i l O S P O A : l e i g h t y @ o s p o a . c o m PA G E 2 N O V E M B E R DEADLIEST JOB from page 1 (aka ticket writers). The students were all seasoned cops in the traffic unit. I am not going to name the department because it could be any one of many agencies across the country. Putting the finger on their officers is also inconsequential. I’ve been witness to similar attitudes and behaviors in dozens of departments. These guys could have come from anywhere. So, as cops, they are not unique. They are like most of the rest of us. To be fair, these cops are special to me. They are my friends. I know them now. I have a personal stake in seeing them survive and succeed. They were good students: they showed up on time, they were sober and they stayed awake for most of the class. What more could an instructor ask? So what’s up? The material that I want to cover could easily start looking like a course in statistics that is written by a mathemagician. I will do my best to avoid that outcome. Policing is a craft that is passed from one generation to the next. No matter how many hundreds of hours recruits sit on their collective butts in a classroom at a community college or academy, the REAL learning happens when a veteran officers shows the rookie how it gets done in real life. That’s how I learned most everything that I value today. There are widely-held perceptions in coppery about where the risks are—and where they aren’t. Those perceptions are treated as reality. Training has been built around them. Equally important, we cops have internalized them so that they are ingrained in our behaviors. The facts, numbers and statistics of today indicate that our perceptions don’t match what has become reality. The mismatch is stealing the lives of good cops—needlessly. What are we thinking? Like most cops, I have thought about the possibility of being killed in the line of duty. What picture comes to mind? I imagine being hit by a round in a hail of bullets exchanged with bad guys out on the street somewhere. I’d O S P O A 2 0 0 9 be protecting someone. I’d be fighting the good fight. I would give my life to save the life of a brother officer or an innocent citizen. Who can forget the bank robbery in North Hollywood in 1997? No one will ever forget Columbine High School. More recently, there was the active shooter at the Westroads Mall in Omaha on December 5, 2007. One of my closest friends was the first sergeant to arrive on scene. 2009 gave witness to the horrible killings of four cops on a single incident in Oakland, Calif. Just weeks later, three officers made the ultimate sacrifice in Pittsburgh, Pa. These were widely seen and known by nearly everyone. Each was a classic situation where there was a Blaze of Glory. That’s what we cops generally think about when we consider the risks of our work. It’s the mental image that conjures in our minds when we consider the possibility of our own End of Watch. It is, by definition, a heroic scenario. Training supports that picture We can examine training both at the academy level and ongoing in-service programs. Great amounts of time are spent teaching tactics, i.e. tactical entry, weapon retention, interview stance, physical control / fighting, and the value of using the 1.5 interview position. We stand to the side of a door when knocking. The list goes on. I am a very strong proponent of training hard and using what I’ve learned on the street. When on patrol, I’m all business. Talk nice, think mean, are words learned early that have stuck with me. When in contact with a subject, always be thinking about how you can defeat him, was a shocking notion at first, but has proven valuable time and time again. We are trained to face adversaries who have handguns, shotguns, high-powered rifles and edged weapons. The fortunate ones among us have agencies who regularly train shooting skills. My last agency sent us to the range to qualify twice each year. Once we had qualified, we were done. The bosses consid- ered that training. Hardly. With regard to guns, there are electronic situational simulators, simunitions, scenario-based training with paint-ball guns or Airsoft equipment. We can practice a whole host of shoot / don’t shoot exercises. Heck, for the past couple of years, a vendor has setup such a scenario room for us to use at the FOP tent site during Police Week in D.C. Then there is the gear Most (but not all) of us wear bullet-resistant body armor. Many hours of study, testing, and large amounts of money have led to new standards for body armor that have recently been put forth by the National Institute of Justice. We want the best handguns. We’re being outgunned on the street, so high-powered rifles are becoming the norm. Some agencies, which lack the money to buy them, have enabled their cops to buy them on their own dime and then be trained and qualified to use them on the street. What is reality? My town is safe. Our residents support the police. They know that we are doing our jobs and trying to keep them safe. Bad things don’t happen here. That is an attitude that can lead a cop to his own funeral. It’s called complacency. In preparing for the recent class, I worked with researchers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C. They are the source of the facts and figures used here. Question: do the names of any of the towns listed below stand out in your memory? • Marion, South Dakota– population 825 • Niceville, Florida–population 11,684 • Headland, Alabama–population 3,523 • Centreville, Illinois–population 5,635 • Georgetown, Maryland– population 5,100 Here’s what these tiny towns have in common: each one has experienced the loss of one of their officers in 2009. Each one of the cops was shot to death. There was no national news coverage. There was little attention from the media at any level. Yet, these losses are very, very real. Each one is a father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter to a family who is left behind in great pain. Each one represents an agency whose officers have been cut to the quick. Likely, each one died in a place where many thought, it can’t happen here. I ache when I think of the attention given the death of some famous rock and roll star turned criminal while the real heroes among us die and no once notices or seems to care. Where Are You Most Likely To Die? Of course, the glib answer is: anywhere. The statistics show that in 2009, the most deadly place to be a cop is Florida. Considering the past three years, the state far in the lead is Texas. Coming in nearly tied for second place is California and Florida. Behind them are Louisiana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Since the first recorded LE death in 1792, the stats pile up this way (the top ten are shown—contact me for the remainder of the list): 1. Texas: 1,504 2. California: 1,453 3. New York: 1,305 4. Illinois: 948 5. Ohio: 743 6. Florida: 719 7. Pennsylvania: 704 8. Missouri: 610 9. Michigan: 534 10. Georgia: 526 What are you most likely to be doing? This is where old perceptions get shaken up. You are 190% more likely to die from an accidental event than you are from being shot. Where do most of these accidental events happen? Answer: in or around your police car. There is almost a 2:1 ratio between accidental deaths and deaths from being shot. The next statistic surprised even me. I teach cops how to write tickets using computers. Often, it is a handheld computer. When I first started traveling the country in this work, I was astounded at how many cops were taught to stay outside of their car when actually preparing the ticket form. In a few instances, it was even the subject of their general orders. Originally, I came from Michigan. It gets cold there. Every cop I knew retired to the inside of their car when it came time to write the ticket. While motormen didn’t have a car, they still returned to the vicinity of the motor when it came time to write. As I encountered this out- T R O O P E R N E W S side the car practice, I asked: why? The answers generally centered on the cop’s ability to better get to cover in the event the stop went sideways. I even had a chief tell me that he ordered his guys to be outside the car because they would be less comfortable and therefore finish the stop more quickly. That would allow them to write more tickets. His priorities were obvious. My gut told me that being outside the car increased the risk of officer injury or death. So again, I turned to the researchers in Washington, D.C., for hard numbers. They examined data from the last 13 years. The identified cops who had been killed while actually writing a ticket/ citation. Here are the cold facts: A cop who is writing a ticket outside his car is 400% more likely to die than a cop who is inside his car. That isn’t a projection or a theory. Those are names on The Wall. They are graves with markers. They are families who struggle without their officers. If you’re a motor officer, I realize that you don’t have the choice of being inside a car, but the risk remains just as great. So what’s the worst? Stand outside your car, writing a ticket. Do it in Texas, California or Florida. You might want to make sure your life insurance is paid-up before you do. Think about this: could you imagine your sergeant talking to your wife at the hospital? Think about how he might explain that you had knowingly put yourself at undue risk. Think about your kids. Think about your current work environment and how well you have adapted your safety practices to it. What do we do? To be blunt, some of this stuff just will not happen. I am going to say it because I want to get you thinking. For every 1 hour spent on the range, you should spend 2 hours on the driving track. For every 1 hour spent on defensive tactics, you should spend 2 hours on studying tactics when you are in/around your car. In-service training should be developed to show you how to safely handle all of the new technology that is being thrust into the patrol car. EVOC training should be ...continues opposite O S P O A T R O O P E R N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 PA G E 3 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Senior Trooper Jeff Leighty How better to be remembered than as a damn good cop? There are times when I find writing my article for the Trooper News challenging. This is one of them. While at the time that I write this there is pertinent information to share with the membership, by the time the Trooper News arrives in your mail, much of it has changed. For example; four days ago the State declared an impasse in contract bargaining. We will be crafting our last offer this week and there is one additional bargaining session on November 2nd, so none of what I could write here will be accurate at the time of printing. Please look to our website, www.ospoa.com, for updates. You should also be electing or reelecting your OSPOA worksite representatives. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact your region rep or me. Most of you should have received your Trooper magazine in the mail. If you didn’t, send an email to Rhonda@ospoa.com to confirm that we have your correct address. This will be important when we send out information and/or ballots on the contract. Speaking of the Trooper magazine, I do hope you will have read Kevin Iverson’s request for articles and photos. This is your magazine and we need your participation to make it great. Once again, I’d like to thank Julie SpringerKrohmer for delivering yet another large box of photos taken by her late husband, Ralph Springer. As many of you know, Ralph was our first Trooper magazine editor. I’ve gone through most of them ...from opposite page altered. Cops should qualify as drivers on a regular basis— just as they must to shoot their guns. EVOC training must be updated to include the active intrusions in the cockpit by all of the technical gadgetry. As it relates to the use of technology in the car, departments must take their heads out of the sand. Telling a cop: do not use it won’t work. It just can’t work any longer. It is incumbent upon us to teach cops how to use it in the safest manner possible. Vehicles should be hardened to better withstand impacts and a rollover. Sensor technology should be installed on vehicles that would tell an officer when someone or something is approaching while their car is stationary. Cars should be built with self-correcting lane tracking systems. We must examine the fact that there is so much equipment inside today’s patrol car that a cop cannot escape. It has become a death trap. The car interior must change in response to the increase in officer deaths. Epilogue I do not intend to diminish the value of training cops to handle assaults. That knowledge is vital to survival. Yet, as and it’s quite a trip down memory lane. I’m always looking for an angle for a Trooper News or Trooper magazine article. As I looked though the photos from the 1989 OSP Softball Tournament, I glanced at a photo of a young woman with her arms full of folding chairs, blankets, a diaper bag and pushing a toddler in a stroller. I put it aside and continued through the stack of photos. I then thought, wouldn’t it be interesting to find out who the child was and what they were doing today? I retrieved the photo from the stack and took a good look at it only to realize… it was my daughter Melissa and wife Kristy (well, so much for the trained observer thing). October 31st will be the end of an era. Senior Trooper Don Campbell is retiring after serving 32 years and vacates the #2 position on the seniority list. Don joined the OSP on Oct. 22, 1977. Sr. Tpr. Bob Gorman, OSPOA’s Roseburg worksite representative, said “Don was one of the most active troops in the Roseburg Patrol Office to the very end. He had an excellent knowledge of the law and was a mentor to all of us... He will be missed.” Sgt. Lynn Withers, of the Roseburg Patrol, stated “Don started his career as a recruit in the Roseburg Patrol Office and spent his entire 32-year career at the same office in the same division! He embraced new technology and learned to use it to his advantage. Don was one of the first troopers in Roseburg to have a camera in his patrol car. He would use the laser while video-recording the vehi- cops we must acknowledge the possibilities while we adjust to the probabilities. It is time to take a fresh look at our city, our section and our community. Is your assessment based on current conditions? If not, it is time to reexamine your surroundings. Has the demographic mix changed? Is your town now being infiltrated by bad guys from neighboring communities that encroach on your borders? Are you consistently applying when/then thinking to driving and to traffic stops? That’s when you are most at risk. Believe it! Statistics prove it. Are you using every resource for cover and concealment when dealing with each situation? I recently ran into an officer who had many years in the business. He had fallen victim (to some extent) to the it can’t happen here thinking. His son works in the same agency— with less than a year on. Dad would not be happy if his son began using some of Dad’s relaxed tactical approaches cles as they passed. Then, for his traffic trials, he would pack up the TV/VCR in his patrol car and take it to court for the judge to view. He never lost a trial that way.” What I meant by “the end of an era” is that Don Campbell is the last of the original members who formed the OSPOA in 1984. It’s very difficult to explain in this forum, or for many of you to understand, what those original SEC members went through. They literally risked everything fighting for the wages, benefits and working conditions that, unfortunately, many of us take for granted. I wonder how many of us today would run the risk of losing our careers for benefit of the membership. This is what Don Campbell and others did, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. Over the years Don and I had our disagreements, but I always respected him and will continue to respect him for his knowledge and contributions to the greater good. In the end, I’ll remember Don Campbell the way that I hope to be remembered... as a damn good cop. We currently have one group grievance and one termination arbitration pending. The next OSPOA SEC meeting will be January 13th and 14th at the OSPOA office. Until next month, stay safe! to situations. So, I ask: would you be comfortable to see your child use the same tactics that you do? If the answer to that question is NO, then it’s time for an update. I’m not here to tell you how to be a cop. I believe that you know your situation best. What I do hope is that you’ll take a fresh look. Make sure that your practices have kept pace with the times. It’s all about saving just one life and that life may be yours. Be safe out there. As always, I welcome comments and thoughts. Jim Donahue is a native of the Midwest, getting his education at Michigan State University. He is a certified police officer in Florida and veteran police trainer with over twelve years of instructional experience. His training focuses on safe tactics for officers using in-car computers. In the process of delivering that instruction he’s logged over 12,000 hours of patrol time (equates to more than five years) riding shotgun. During his years in Michigan law enforcement, Jim worked with U.S. Customs & Immigration at the Detroit/ Canada border in the year following the attacks of 9/11. He has also worked as a reserve patrolman on the streets of a suburban Detroit community. Jim has been named an Ambassador for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, DC Jim is a competitive bodybuilder, with six contests to his credit. Recently the OSP was able to make contact with Wonder Woman at Fort Stevens State Park... seems as though everything is good at the Hall of Justice! PA G E 4 N O V E M B E R O S P O A 2 0 0 9 T R O O P E R N E W S Wallowa county DA receives “2008 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year” award Coalition, consisting of numerous volunteer outdoor enthusiast groups opposed to the unlawful and unethical taking of wildlife, sponsored the “2008 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year” award in partnership with the OSP Fish and Wildlife Division. Nominations received from fish and wildlife troopers around the state and forwarded to and reviewed by coalition groups before the selection and presentation of the award. Capt. Walt Markee, Fish and Wildlife division director; and ODFW Director Roy osp photo The Wallowa County District Attorney was selected recently to receive the second presentation of an award to a prosecutor in Oregon for their support, hard work, dedication, and prosecution of those who violate the state’s fish and wildlife laws. Sponsored by the Oregon Sportsmen’s Coalition, the award was presented July 31, 2009, by the OSP and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) at the Oregon District Attorney’s Association (ODAA) 2009 Summer Conference in Bend. The Oregon Sportsmen’s From left: OSP Capt. Walt Markee, DA Mona Williams, ODFW Dir. Roy Elicker Elicker, presented the award on behalf of the Sportsmen’s Coalition to Wallowa County District Attorney Mona K. Williams in front of her peers at the ODAA conference. “Ms. Williams is an advocate for Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and natural resources, beneficially serving the public through her dedication and persistence in prosecuting those who disobey state laws,” said Markee. “We sincerely appreciate the coalition’s sponsorship of this award and acknowledging the state’s prosecutors who work diligently to bring those to justice who blatantly disregard our laws.” OSP nominations from those who work with the Wallowa County District Attorney’s Office praised Ms. Williams for her work. “Mona K. Williams has worked tirelessly for the citizens of this county since taking office in 2007,” said OSP Sr. Tpr. Mark Knapp. “She has vigorously prosecuted cases ranging from homicides and sex abuse to domestic violence and assaults while working as the sole prosecutor for the county. In addition to prosecuting those crimes, Ms. Williams has prosecuted fish and wildlife crimes with the same passion that she has for the other major crimes. Whether the fish and wildlife crime involved the use of DNA and ballistic forensics or new case law, she has never shown any shyness for the courtroom or litigation if the case warranted full prosecution.” Listed are some cases recently prosecuted by Ms. Williams: • An elk case in which the defendant shot an elk on private property. This case involved complicated tribal law as well as state law. This case went to trial where the defendant was found guilty. He was sentenced to two years probation, 40 hours of community service, and $1,820 in fines and restitution. • The case of a Portland hunter who shot three bull elk in the Snake River Unit. He wasted two of the elk, yet he managed to retrieve the heads of all three. This case never went to trial, as Ms. Williams was able to successfully argue the case at a suppression hearing. In addition to two elk heads being seized, the defendant was subsequently sentenced to two years probation, 40 hours of community service, two years suspension of hunting privileges, and $2,083 in fines and WE SHALL NEVER FORGET they shall neither shun responsibility nor shrink from duty in the face of danger restitution. • A Portland area hunter was successfully prosecuted who had shot two big horn sheep in the Snake River Unit (the defendant had a valid tag for one sheep). The defendant was subsequently sentenced to 40 hours of community service, two years suspension of hunting privileges, and $6,800 in fines and restitution. • A case involving a local resident for felon in possession of a firearm. This resident, a repeat offender and game violator, was sentenced to 14 months in prison, two years post-prison supervision, and fines. • A local rancher was prosecuted for selling Landowner Preference tags. The rancher claimed his hunters were family members in order to get bull elk tags and buck deer tags. This rancher, a repeat game violator, pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges of False Application for Landowner Preference Tags. In his plea agreement, the defendant was sentenced to two years probation, 80 hours community service, three years suspension of hunting privileges, and $1,016 in fines and restitution. • A current case is being prosecuted in which DNA and ballistic forensics were used to link two Portland-area hunters to an extra, illegally taken bull elk in the Chesnimnus Unit. The defendants have been charged with two felony counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree and Theft in the First Degree, as well as numerous misdemeanor game charges. ELMER R. PYLE • RALPH BATES • DONALD T. WELP • HOLLY V. HOLCOMB ELMER R. PYLE Service: McMinnville October 20, 1931–November 7, 1937 RALPH BATES Service: Arlington May 1, 1962–November 8, 1962 DONALD T. WELP Service: Gold Beach July 1, 1959–November 16, 1967 HOLLY V. HOLCOMB Service: Salem January 1, 1939–November 25, 1975 Elmer Pyle was shot November 7 near Terrebonne. Pvt. Pyle and Sgt. Arthur Tuck drove to the isolated chicken ranch of Gust Olson to check on a report that Olson had killed his 70 year-old partner. Olson was standing near a truck in the front yard when the officers arrived. They asked him about his partner and as Pyle walked toward him, Olson grabbed a shotgun from the truck and shot him in the face. He then fired the other barrel at Tuck who returned fire, Olson died in the gun fight with Sgt. Tuck. Pyle clung to life for 7 months and died on August 17, 1938, from his wound. Ralph Bates was fatally shot near Arlington as he approached a car he had stopped for an unknown reason. The person who fired the fatal shot was in possession of a stolen vehicle and was subsequently arrested. The suspect was committed to the Oregon State Hospital and died there in 1963. Donald Welp of Gold Beach, appointed July 1st, 1959, drowned on November 16th, 1967, when returning from a boat patrol on the Rogue River accompanied by Officer Wayne Krieger, the boat swerved suddenly, throwing both men into the water. The officer’s body was located the following day. Holly V. Holcomb of Salem, appointed January 1, 1966. On November 25, 1975, in front of the Public Service Building in Salem, Superintendent Holcomb was shot after having a confrontation with a former member, Robert H. Wampler. The accused was taken into custody, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was paroled less than ten years after the incident, in 1984. The department of State Police established the Holly V. Holcomb Award in 1988. This award is presented to officers who, while serving in an official capacity, distinguish themselves by reacting to a situation in a heroic or positive and professional manner to reduce the risk of loss of life or injury to another person. “Ms. Williams has always made herself available to answer questions and discuss pending investigations with the local Fish and Wildlife troopers despite her busy schedule,” said Knapp. “She has accompanied the local troopers on several ride-along patrols in order to better understand the lay-out of the fish and wildlife crime in which she is prosecuting.” During the presentation, Captain Markee and Roy Elicker presented Williams with a wildlife print by artist Frank Miller acknowledging the Coalition’s appreciation for her professional achievement in this area. The Oregon Sportsmen’s Coalition is comprised of numerous volunteer groups including: • Oregon Hunters Association • Oregon Federation for North American Wild Sheep • Izaak Walton League • Oregon Duck Hunters • Oregon Mule Deer Foundation • Oregon State Shooting Association ...continues opposite O S P O A T R O O P E R N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 PA G E 5 Shikar-Safari Club International honors Springfield Fish & Wildlife trooper The Shikar-Safari Club International honored an OSP trooper out of the Springfield Area Command office as the state’s top conservation enforcement officer for 2008. Tpr. Marc Boyd was awarded the “Shikar-Safari Club Wildlife Officer of the Year,” given annually for more than 25 years to recognize outstanding game enforcement officers. The presentation was made recently at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commis- Troopers receive “Looking Beyond Traffic Ticket” awards Two people were arrested and lodged on drug-related charges. Bennett, age 52, is a 26-year OSP veteran. Tpr. Brian Jewell was recognized for another speed-related traffic stop on I-5 which, with the help of a drug-detection canine, led to the recovery of about 111 lbs. of marijuana in a covered pickup bed. One of the pickup occupants was arrested on numerous drug charges. The other fled on foot and is currently wanted on charges related to the stop. Jewell, age 26, is a 3-year OSP veteran. Tpr. Matt Bowersox w a s recognized for a traffic stop related to an equipment lighting violation during which he found roughly $250,000 cash concealed in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and lodged on a money laundering charge. Bowersox, age 39, is a 11-year OSP veteran. The ODOT annual award program recognizes Oregon law enforcement officers for their active enforcement of traffic laws and a commitment to traffic safety. The award demonstrates a correlation between traffic enforcement and the detection and apprehension of criminal violators. Questions regarding the awards can be directed to Steve D. Vitolo, Program Manager - Traffic Law Enforcement and Judicial Programs, ODOT Transportation Safety Division, at (503) 986-4446. From left: Tpr. Brian Jewell, Tpr. Matt Bowersox, Sr. Tpr. Kevin Bennett ...from opposite page • • • • • Safari Club International Oregon Falconers Association National Wild Turkey Federation National Rifle Association Oregon Guides and Packers • • • • Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Oregon Bow Hunters Traditional Archers of Oregon Oregon Association of Shooting Ranges osp photo Three troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office received the ODOT Safety Division’s “Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket” awards during the Annual Safety Conference in Hood River. Troopers, deputies and officers were honored for their commitment to traffic safety. OSP Supt. Timothy McLain extended his congratulations to the three troopers whose work reflects the commitment of all troopers each day. “The work recognized by these three troopers is representative of the excellent work of what we do each day. Now that our department has been elevated back into a 24/7 work environment in six offices around the state, we should see more routine traffic-related contacts leading to the detection and apprehension of criminal offenders who use our state highway system,” said McLain. The following troopers were honored Oct. 28 in the “Routine Stop-Motorist Assist” category, recognizing officers who performed a routine traffic or motorist assist stop and developed probable cause that uncovered evidence of a more serious crime: Sr. Tpr. Kevin Bennett was recognized for a speed-related traffic stop on Interstate 5 north of Roseburg, during which he uncovered 30 kilos of cocaine. sion meeting in Salem by Shikar-Safari representative Lynn Loacker. The annual award from the conservation-based organization honors the officer whose efforts during the previous year show outstanding performance and achievement among the state agency’s sworn Fish and Wildlife law enforcement personnel. Trooper Boyd’s selection by the Shikar-Safari Club is for his commitment to fish and wildlife enforcement and protection, placing him with a “distinguished group who have earned this recognition for their outstanding performance and dedication to duty.” Tpr. Boyd, age 44, joined OSP in September 2004. He was first assigned in the Fish & Wildlife Division at the Newport Area Command office and transferred to the OSP Springfield Area Command office in July 2007. Earlier this year he was also selected as the OSP 2008 “Fish & Wildlife Division Officer of the Year.” “ Tr o o p e r B o y d b r i n g s enthusiasm, professionalism, tenacity, out of the box thinking, and a great work ethic to his job,” said Lynn Loacker, member of Shikar From left: Lt. Steve Lane, Tpr. Marc Boyd, Capt. Walt Markee Safari Club International. “It is for these reasons that Shikar Safari Club International is pleased to present him this award.” Shikar-Safari Club International presents annual awards to wildlife law enforcement officers in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and the territories of both nations. The club is an exclusive organization with a worldwide membership of no more than 200. The club originally formed in 1952 to provide members an opportunity to get together and talk about their hunting experiences, but has evolved into an organization that supports conservation and education through a worldwide foundation. Shikar-Safari is recognized worldwide for its efforts in the protection, enhancement and preservation of wildlife, and has placed particular emphasis on endangered and threatened species through the promotion of enforcement of conservation laws and regulations. Trooper, Malheur County traffic safety coordinator receive ODOT’s “Educational Outreach” award A trooper from the Ontario Area Command office and the Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission coordinator received the ODOT’s “Educational Outreach” awards recently during the Annual Safety Conference in Hood River. Police officer and traffic safety advocates were honored recognizing their commitment to traffic safety in Oregon. OSP Supt. Timothy McLain extended his congratulations to Sr. Tpr. Scott Skinner and safety coordinator Dave Stiefvater for their work reflecting the commitment of OSP and local traffic safety advocates to promote traffic safety in local communities. “Their work reflects our commitment to recognize local problems and work to find solutions beyond enforcement that reach out into our communities. Efforts such as theirs aim to prevent duplication of tragic crashes on area highways. There are very few things that bring more satisfaction than to learn that our troopers are working hand-in-hand with others to save lives. We certainly can’t do this alone.” said McLain. OSP Sr. Tpr. Scott Skinner and Dave Stiefvater of the Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission were recognized for their coordinator efforts to discourage drunken driving in their area. On March 15, 2009, and 18-year old male was killed in a motor vehicle crash after making a poor decision to drink and drive. The vehicle he was driving missed a curve, hit two power poles and caught fire, killing him. Seeing the need to turn this tragedy into a valuable learning tool, Skinner and Stiefvater worked with the victim’s family and local businesses to try and turn a negative into a positive. The result was a memorable public display using the victim’s car, power poles and information to leave a visual impression about the dangers of drinking and driving. Nominated by their peers, thirteen individuals and organizations were selected to receive awards for their work in Community Traffic Safety. These awards recognize outstanding individual, public, and private community traffic safety efforts. Ten police officers also received awards for “Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket.” Questions regarding the awards can be directed to Steve D. Vitolo, Program Manager - Traffic Law Enforcement and Judicial Programs, ODOT Transportation Safety Division, at (503) 986-4446. Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy “When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges.” PA G E 6 N O V E M B E R O S P O A 2 0 0 9 Maine state troopers team largest in cancer fund-raising run Gerry Gregg, AAST Oregon State Director A team of 178 Maine state troopers represented the largest group of the 3,500 participants in a 5K on October 4. Runners helped raise $12,000 for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in Lewiston. Maine state trooper Aaron Turcotte said he helped organize the team because of the strength and determination of Mike Pearson, a former trooper who had to leave the force when he was ren- dered permanently debilitated by the disease. After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 1994, Mike under went a number of surgeries and was eventually left with out movement on the right side of his body. He passed away on October 20 at the age of 46. Aaron Turcotte describes Mike as an inspiration to Maine state troopers and all people affected by cancer. Aaron’s brother, a cancer survivor, joined the team of state trooper runners, as well as Mike’s brother, a pilot with the Maine State Police. Mike Pearson is survived by his wife, Betsy. A fund has been established to help her with excessive medical costs T R O O P E R N E W S FROM THE EDITOR Trooper Dave Rzewnicki associated with her husband’s illness. AAST was proud to make a donation to Betsy from its Brotherhood Assistance Fund. The family deeply appreciates your prayers and your financial assistance. The lost wages as a result of Mike’s illness, along with the inability to acquire life insurance, will leave Betsy in a financial situation beyond her means. If you are able to donate, the address is below. I Have A Great Idea! Since the Department continues to hire new troopers with no consideration that they can’t even afford to continue to pay the current troopers at their current rate (offering furloughs during bargaining and my property taxes went up by 3%), I think we should all just take a 50% pay cut, then we could double the number of troopers that we currently have! Congrats to Jesse Van Meter, who correctly identified Michael Searcy in the latest “Mystery Trooper I.D. photo. Jesse wrote, “The photo in the October 2009 Trooper newspaper is my coach, Michael Searcy. I was his only recruit, therefore his best recruit.” Please make contact with Rhonda for your OSPOA trinket and chance to win a brand new car! I must admit, I am kind of disappointed. We only got four correct answers, and Michael’s name is right there on his desk! Keep those cards and letters and articles coming. Please be safe out there. The Michael Pearson Support Fund Key Bank Attn: Heather Plourde 6 Barra Road Biddeford, ME 04005 If you have questions about AAST’s scholarship program, please call AAST headquarters at 800-765-5456 or visit AAST online, www.statetroopers.org. DO YOU KNOW THIS TROOPER? photo by patrick fleming The first to e-mail TrooperNews@freedomnw.com with the correct answer wins an OSP pin and is entered to win a model patrol car. With 178 runners, the Maine State Police team ran in honor of Tpr. Mike Pearson, seated front, who passed away two weeks after the event. How to beat a speeding ticket: photo radar Photo radar is basically a computer system hooked up to a radar speed gun, with a camera attached. What happens is when the radar gun detects a certain speed the computer triggers the camera to take a picture of the front and rear of the vehicle aiming at the license plate and the driver. Afterwards, the citation is written up and mailed to the driver at their registered address. Its all very neat and simple for the law enforcement agency. However, it is extremely easy to beat this type of ticket in court. Your easiest defense is to simply throw the ticket away. If it does not come with a return receipt that requires a signature, there is no proof that you actually got the ticket and they cannot prosecute you on that. What the legal system wants you to do is just send in the fine and not ask any questions. This can be a big money maker for some communities. One other form of defense to utilize on your behalf is the fact that when you are accused in court you must be faced by your accuser. Obviously the computer cannot appear in court as a defense method for the prosecution. Also, you do not have to identify yourself as the driver of the vehicle because it would violate your sixth amendment rights against self incrimination. There are two ways to beat a photo radar unit, and basically make the photos useless in a court of law. First, remove your front license plate. At the worst you could get a minor repair ticket, which would be very easily corrected. Or you could put a clear coat of paint over the license plate. The coat allows you to read the license plate with the naked eye, but causes an extremely high glare on the camera lens and therefore the num- bers underneath the glare are indistinguishable. Potential sources of defeating the ticket are usually not needed simply because statistics show that most of the radar photo pictures are not legible because either the license number cannot be clearly read, or the make and/or model cannot easily be determined, and the driver is obstructed and therefore cannot be identified. The photo radar speeding ticket is one of the easiest to defend against, most cities and states have abandoned the system all together. Oregon Running Event Calendar November 21, 2009–Saturday 8:00 a.m. 3rd Annual Spokane Jingle Bell Run/Walk, Spokane, Wash., Riverfront Park. 5K Run and Walk. Contact: Kelsey Birnbaum kbirnbaum@arthritis.org or 206-547-2707 x102 December 19, 2009–Saturday 9:00 a.m. Santa Runs Tacoma 5K Run/Walk and 10K Relay. Tacoma, Wash. Contact: Lori Giugler, lori@databarevents.com or 206-255-4044 November 29, 2009–Sunday Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon 2009. Seattle, Wash. Contact: Louise Long, info@seattlemarathon.org or 206-729-3660 June 5, 2010–Saturday 8:00 a.m. Sun Valley Half Marathon. Sun Valley, Id. Sun Valley Resort. Contact: Sun Valley Half Marathon Committee, bkmmitch@cox. net or 208-726-3423 December 13, 2009–Sunday 8:00 a.m. 25th Annual Jingle Bell Run & Walk. Weslake Center, Seattle, Wash. 5K Run/5K Walk & 1K Childrens Run with the Elves. Contact: Kelsey Birnbaum, kbirnbaum@arthritis.org or 206-5472707 x102 If you know of any running events scheduled anywhere within reasonable driving distance from Oregon—either within or outside the state, please send the information to the Trooper News editor by email. Don’t forget to include details, especially the date, time, location and contact information. O S P O A T R O O P E R N E W S N OJ AV N E M BR E R U A Y 2 0 0 9 3 WILL SANTA BE GOOD TO YOU? OSPOA MERCHANDISE A B C, D E F G H, I, J K, L A Short-sleeve pique polo shirt with embroidered OSP logo. (Heather Gray, Navy Blue, Black) S. M. L, XL, M N XXL $29 B Short-sleeve pique polo shirt with embroidered OSPOA logo. (Heather Gray, Navy Blue, Black) S. M. L, XL, XXL $29 C Hanes Beefy-T pocket T-shirt with embroidered OSP logo. (Navy Blue only) M, L, XL, XXL $16 D Hanes Beefy-T pocket T-shirt with embroidered OSPOA logo. (Heather Gray only) S, M, L, XL, XXL $16 E Summer or winter baseball caps with embroidered OSP logo. (Navy Blue only) $10 F Long sleeve Jerzees sweatshirt, fleece lining, zip collar with embroidered OSP logo. (Black or Navy) M, L, XL, XXL $32 G Jacket, Tri-Mountain Mountaineer, fleece lined, Navy w/Navy lining. OSP embroidered logo. M, L, XL, XXL $60 H Ceramic coffee mugs, color OSP logo on one side, silver badge replica inside state outline on the other side. 12oz. $7.50, 15 oz. $8.50 I Ceramic coffee mug w/OSPOA logo on both sides. 12oz. $7.50 J Ceramic 22 oz. stein with color OSP logo on one side. $12.50 K Leading Edge fanny pack/concealed weapon holster. Holster can be used right- or left-handed. Two sizes, large or small frame. (Black only) $40 L Briefcase, nylon, deluxe, expandable, with choice of OSP or OSPOA embroidered logo. $32 M Gold or silver OSP star or OSP patch pin. Specify tie tack or lapel pin backing. $3 N OSP Ford Crown Victoria collector car, 1:24 scale. Personalized license plates available. $52.50 O 16 oz. Stainless steel, double steel wall, insulated travel coffee mug. Price is $11.50. *** Also (not pictured) Leading Edge cordura briefcase with concealed weapon holster (no logo). $60 TO ORDER MERCHANDISE: Call the OSPOA office or e-mail Rhonda at rhonda@ospoa.com. O PA G E 7 PA G E 8 N O V E M B E R O S P O A 2 0 0 9 Oregon State Police Officers’ Association 3905 River Road N., Suite B Salem, OR 97303 Vice President.....Darrin Phillips...........phillips@ospoa.com Secretary................ Ken Snook................snook@ospoa.com Treasurer...........Terri Cassebarth.... cassebarth@ospoa.com Region I Rep............ Tom Hatch................ hatch@ospoa.com Region II Rep............Bill McGill............... mcgill@ospoa.com Region III Rep........ Jeff Johnson........... johnson@ospoa.com Region IV Rep......... Rick Carter................carter@ospoa.com Region V Rep.... Stephanie Gourley....... gourley@ospoa.com Office Mgr.......... Rhonda Lewitzke.........rhonda@ospoa.com Editor, Trooper News Dave Rzewnicki....................TrooperNews@freedomnw.com PAID Salem, OR Permit #178 The Trooper News is an official publication of the Oregon State Police Officers’ Association. It is produced monthly for active and retired ospoa members. Articles and letters appearing herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the ospoa, its officers or its editor. This newspaper is your means of communicating with other ospoa members statewide. Articles and letters that are appropriate and in good taste are accepted from members and nonmembers alike. It is desired that articles be limited to approximately 500 words except by agreement with the editor. Advice and publishing guidelines can be obtained from the editor. The receipt deadline for articles is the 25th of the month that precedes the month in which the article would be expected to appear. Submit articles to: Editor, Trooper News 3905 River Road, Suite B Salem, OR 97303 TrooperNews@freedomnw.com Editor, Trooper magazine Jeff Dickerson................. osptroopermagazine@comcast.net TrooperPAC Political Action Committee of the Oregon State Police Officers’ Association The TrooperPAC Mission: TrooperPAC will provide financial support to state legislative and statewide candidates who are seriously committed to public safety, law enforcement and a strong Department of Oregon State Police. The OSPOA joins a growing number of lobbying organizations who recognize that a well-orchestrated lobbying effort every other year during the session is no longer a guarantee for success in Oregon’s legislative arena. No matter how powerfully a lobbying effort might be waged, it will not be successful if the majority of legislators are already either politically or philosophically predisposed against it. And, the bottom line for candidates is that it takes money to get elected to public office. Organizations with a legislative agenda can no longer ignore the reality of the need to participate in the financing of those campaigns. The OSPOA’s State Executive Committee has determined that the most effective manner for the organization to reinforce its overall government affairs effort is to make, through a political action committee, contributions to candidates sympathetic with the association’s legislative goals. State and federal laws allow individuals, unions and corporations to make campaign contributions to TrooperPAC without any restrictions though they are not tax deductible. Participating in the political process doesn’t cost that much in comparison with the cost to each state trooper if the organization is not involved. Please send your contribution to TrooperPAC today! Your decision to get involved today by supporting TrooperPAC with a donation is critical to Oregon State Police Officers. Electing the right people can make a difference! Guidelines for TrooperPAC Contributions TrooperPAC weighs a variety of criteria to determine which candidates for legislative and statewide office should receive funding, including: • General interest in and commitment to issues concerning public safety and law enforcement. • Past support of OSPOA and its issues. • Incumbency, leadership position and committee assignments. • Prior experience in public office and community activities. • Ability to conduct a viable campaign and likelihood of success. The PAC is non-partisan, affiliated with the Oregon State Police Officers’ Association and is committed to promoting a strong Department of State Police in Oregon through its support of quality legislative and statewide candidates. TrooperPAC Board of Advisors Sr. Tpr. Jeff Leighty, Chair • Tpr. Dan Swift, Treasurer • Sr. Tpr. Ken Snook 3905 River Road N., Suite B, Salem, OR, 97303 • Telephone 503-393-6535 START EARLY FOR 2009 TrooperPac Contribution Form The Oregon Political Tax Credit The Oregon Political Tax Credit is a marvelous device to permit you to provide financial support to political causes of your choice. It is real and it works. Your contribution of $50 per individual or $100 per couple costs you nothing. It is the one way you can actually direct some of your own tax money in the way that you choose! If you don’t use it... you will lose it! Yes, TrooperPAC, I support your efforts on behalf of public safety and law enforcement in Oregon Name Address City Phone Employer Address City Occupation $500 $50 N E W S NON-PROFIT U.S. Postage change service requested President...............Jeff Leighty............. leighty@ospoa.com T R O O P E R State Fax Zip State Zip Enclosed is a contribution to TrooperPAC of: $250 $100 Other Per Oregon state statute, TrooperPAC must report the name, address, employer and occupation of individuals and corporations whose contributions total $50 or more. If you are married and place both spouse names on this form, please provide full information on both spouses. SEND CONTRIBUTION TO: TrooperPAC, 3905 River Road N., Suite B, Keizer OR 97303-4805 Oregon Public Safety Academy graduates 13 new OSP recruit troopers in mid-October Albany, Astoria (3), Coos Bay (2), Newport (2), Oregon State University–Corvallis, Pendleton (2), and Salem (2) were each to receive new OSP recruit troopers following their graduation from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) basic police training program on Oct. 16th. Supt. Timothy McLain noted that with the support of Gov. Ted Kulongoski and legislative leadership during the 2007 and 2009 legislative sessions, the OSP has been working hard to hire and train newly authorized troopers to resume 24-hour coverage at key locations around the state. Last December, the Central Point Area Command office was the first to return to aroundthe-clock coverage. Other OSP office locations in Portland, Albany, Salem, Springfield and Bend have also recently returned to 24-hour coverage with other offices set to change in the coming months. “This graduation marks further progress in returning 24/7 state police coverage for Oregon’s highways and communities,” said Kulongoski. “I congratulate these graduates and I am proud of their willingness to serve their state and local communities.” The 13 recruit troopers—11 men and 2 women—joined 22 city police and 3 county sheriff graduating recruit officers during the morning ceremony in front of family and friends. The 12 Patrol Services Division and one Fish & Wildlife Division graduating recruit troopers report to assignments at the following OSP worksites: • Albany Area Command–Recruit Steve Kenyon, age 40 (Patrol) • Astoria Area Command–Recruit • • • • • • • • • • David Herman, age 29 (Fish &Wildlife) Astoria Area Command– Recruit Andrew Morgan, age 34 (Patrol) Astoria Area Command– Recruit Greg Schuerger, age 33 (Patrol) Coos Bay Area Command–Recruit Josh Mullins, age 25 (Patrol) Coos Bay Area Command–Recruit Ben Looney, age 23 (Patrol) Newport Area Command–Recruit Adam Shimer, age 24 (Patrol) Newport Area Command–Recruit Brian Tucker, age 34 (Patrol) Oregon State University / Corvallis–Recruit Brittany Phelps (Patrol) Pendleton Area Command– Recruit Chelsea Adams, age 24 (Patrol) Pendleton Area Command– Recruit Marcus Burt, age 28 (Patrol) Salem Area Command–Recruit Casey Buckingham, age 32 (Patrol) • Salem Area Command–Recruit James Ward, age 24 (Patrol) Starting January 2007, OSP recruit trooper training has included both OSP-specific training unique to the Department and the 16-week DPSST training program with newly hired city and county officers at the Oregon Public Safety Academy. Following graduation, the recruit troopers’ also go through a two- to threemonth field training program with a trooper. The Basic Police Class No. 314 graduation marks the completion of the fourteenth fully-integrated basic police class facilitated by DPSST— which provides statutorilyrequired basic training to newly-hired city police officers, county sheriff’s deputies and OSP troopers. It took place at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The 220th Anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Statement by Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. For 220 years, stretching back to the birth of our republic, United States Marshals and their deputies have developed a tradition of professionalism and valor. As our nation has changed, so too have the marshals. As the challenges they face have evolved, so too have the skills of these remarkable men and women. Unchanged however, are the qualities President Washington sought as he selected the first 13 U.S. marshals—individuals who would “discharge their respective trust with honor to themselves and advantage to their country.” Their primary mission is to protect the federal courts and ensure the effective operation of the judicial system, and their core values are “justice, integrity and service.” In my experience, there are no finer public servants than the men and women of the United States Marshals Service. As a judge with the District of Columbia Superior Court, as a U.S. Attorney and as the deputy attorney general, I worked alongside and was protected by the fine men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service. Today I am proud to call them my colleagues on this, the 220th anniversary of their founding.