Voodoo and the River “Rescue”

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Voodoo and the River “Rescue”
By: Dale Gabriel

January 7, 1995. I was working midnight shift. This one REALLY sticks out in my mind because I was going to my first Steelers playoff game that day against our biggest rival at the time, the Cleveland Browns.

I was hoping for a nice and easy, quiet, peaceful shift. Maybe I could even sneak out a little early, which would allow me to get home right away, since I was only going to get a couple of hours of sleep before going to the game, if that. One thing those of us in law enforcement know is that you cannot always count on making it home right at the end of your shift. You don't punch a time clock. And or course, another thing we knew was not to plan for anything, because things often don't work out the way you plan.  Most people don't realize how difficult law enforcement can be for the families, how many things you are forced to miss out on because you never know what a shift is going to turn into.

Now, back to the story!  Right around 0400 hours (That’s 4 a.m. for you regular folks!), we got a call about “a body.” For those of you NOT in the law enforcement profession, that is about the worst call you can get. The report came in that this particular body was hanging from a high bridge over a local river right at the edge or our patrol area.

This may sound cold and callous, but to be honest, I try to tell these PSP memories as truthfully as I can.  On a call like this, your first thought is: “How is it going to affect ME?” As a police officer, you always try to stay one step ahead and prepare for your next move, especially when you want to get out of there as quickly as you can.  On the way to the call, I am thinking about everything I would need to do once I got there and assessed the situation.

Who would I need to call? Fire Department? River Rescue? Coroner? Criminal investigators? I was really dreading it, knowing these types of calls always take time. I was worried I was going to have to miss the Steelers playoff game. Would I be eating my tickets? Could I find someone to call to use them? So many thoughts going through my mind, both professional and personal.

We arrived at the scene. There was a rope tied to the bridge. It was hanging down with a body far below. It was a LONG way down. What exactly did we have? Was this a suicide? Could it be a homicide? We called out to the person, just hoping for a miracle that they would respond. But there was no answer.

Fire Department and River Rescue were already en route. I had my dispatcher contact the on-call criminal investigator and get him on his way. Sometimes, these guys take a while to even get here. This was going to be a bit of a tough one. There were so many thoughts running through my mind.  What was the best way to handle this? How were we going to get this body? We could not just cut the rope and let it fall into the river. We could not just pull it up. I couldn't tell from my vantage point just how far it was above the water, if River Rescue would even be able to get to it easily. Would they be able to lower a ladder down to get it? I had no clue. This was the kind of incident where all you can do is stand back and let the other professionals do their job. I kept watching the time, just hoping they could do it quickly so I could make the game. I know bad sounds bad, but it was reality.

The Fire Department and River Rescue arrived on scene. With the help of the firemen, we shut down traffic on the bridge completely. Thank goodness it was early on a Sunday, because the alternate route made people go far out of their way. See, I WAS still thinking of others!

The River Rescue team put a raft into the water. I remember thinking how thankful I was for them. Throughout my career, I always appreciated the other first responders. They did so many things that I did not WANT to do and would never be ABLE to do. I especially would never want to be on the frigid water like they were on this particular night.  More often than not, the ones locally are volunteers and do not even get paid. THAT is dedication. Thank you to ALL the volunteer firemen out there!

Anyway, they made their way out to the middle of the water, just below the body. With high visibility spotlights on, it was freaky seeing it hanging there, just above them, like a scene out of a scary movie.  I personally focused on the body with spotlight shining directly on it.  I was watching from the warm patrol car.  I have to admit.  At this point, I was thinking mostly about the football game and calculating how late I could get home and still make it, or who I could call, and when, to go in my place.

After a short time, I could see the firemen start to pull the rope up to the bridge. From my perspective, this was really bad news. I could not imagine them pulling the body up in that way, if there were any chance the person was still alive. I guess I knew in the back of my mind there was no way he was alive, anyway, but you always hold out hope till there is no more left. I had my dispatcher contact the coroner to get him rolling.

The end of my shift was quickly approaching. As shameful as it sounds, I was still trying to do what I could to get out of there as quickly as I possible. Our dispatcher told me on the radio that the criminal investigator would be here shortly. A supervisor was called out and was on his way, too.  It's not every day we have what could possibly be a homicide. I was still hoping I could pass on all the preliminary information I had and still make it home early.  Once the supervisor arrived, along with the criminal investigator and coroner, all they really would need was my preliminary report, and I could get out of there.

As I could see the firemen pulling the body up, it was nearly to the top of the bridge. I figured it was time for me to make my presence at the scene more obvious, to take control of the crime scene.  I got out of my nice toasty patrol car and went to the top the bridge, just as the body was almost there. I was standing back a little, giving the firemen room to do their job. They knew what they were doing. They knew to preserve any evidence as best they could while doing all they can to help the person. Medical personnel were standing by.

Just as they pulled the body over the top, they literally threw it on the road. What the hell?  I could not believe they would handle a body that way. None of them started working on the body, even checking for vitals. I was hoping it was cold enough to slow the body functions down, so that there could be some kind of miracle, and he would have survived. Seeing how they were treating it, however, I guess I knew that really was not possible. I took control of the scene and moved in, right to the body, to do my own personal inspection, to gather and subsequently document my own observations and evidence.

OH MY GOD!!!  What the hell????  I could not BELIEVE my eyes!! The body was a life-size mannequin dressed in full Vinny Testaverde Cleveland Browns uniform. Game on!!

I quickly canceled the criminal investigator, supervisor and coroner, and I made it to the game in time to watch the Steelers’ defense pulverize the REAL Vinny Testeverde.

Maybe it was actually a voodoo doll... Vinnie went 13-31 as the Steelers killed the Browns (well, maybe KILLED is the wrong word!)

Dale Gabriel is a retired patrol and community services officer with the Pennsylvania State Police. After 25+ years of service, in retirement, he has been working on a book of his many PSP memories. He also coaches a baseball team in a Miracle League for those with special needs. He holds a communication degree with English minor from Saint Vincent College in Western Pennsylvania.

A HILL TO DIE ON

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A HILL TO DIE ON
By: Monica Eaton Crawford

One morning driving into work to report to another day of the police academy, I noticed a pain in my chest, in the middle of my sternum. At the time, the drive to work was around 30-40 minutes and I had plenty of time to have my thoughts to myself at 6 a.m. before the sun came up. That dark drive into work, riddled with anxiety, in fear of another day of being in physical pain with the shoulder injury caused by the same academy.

I knew I had the mental toughness to get through whatever bullshit they wanted to throw at our academy class that day, like making up shit to "smoke" us for (extra running, PT and the like), but each day it got harder and harder to keep that mental toughness. Each day, the emotional stress and the physical pain wore on me.

I spent many mornings in the parking lot, being the first one to arrive, contemplating driving back home and never looking back. I was miserable.

I had zero control over anything going on in my life at the time, other than my sleep. The stress and anxiety limited my appetite and I had the stress shits and night sweats daily. The insane level of physical activity limited my ability to control my own workouts and activity outside work. I did all I could to keep my mental health intact on my off days, but it just wasn't enough down time to recover during those 6 months of hell. But that was only the beginning.

Fast forward to five years later and my mind and body are still paying the price for the chronic stress I endured over a three-and-a-half-year span.

If there's one hill I could die on, it would be advocating for self-care and ongoing mental health care.

I can't tell you all how many conversations I've been having lately with others where the topic of chronic stress, toxic work environment, anxiety and panic attacks comes up. I just had another one at the gym this morning with another female who has never been a first responder. Doesn't matter, though, it can exist in any career and in any work environment.

Looking back at that academy, I honestly don't know if there's anything I could have done differently to mitigate the trauma I endured. I think all of us are tough enough to make it through a 6-month academy stint that is less than pleasurable. It's a big part of training in a first responder field and really just what we do.

But I think this story makes a good argument to look inward in times of high stress and doing what we can to prioritize self-care to not only survive during hard seasons, but to tip the scales back into balance so we are not always enduring chronic stress from one event to the next. We can't live that way long-term. It will literally kill us from the inside out.

So I'll keep dying on this hill to always take a step back and encourage other first responders to put themselves first. To fill your own cup so full you can pour onto others versus draining yourself empty and having nothing left to give.

Here are a few ideas to help you prioritize your own self-care and mental health:

1. Schedule 10-15 minutes each day to have to you. This can be first thing in the morning or right before you go to bed. You can find silence and be present in the moment, read a book, or do any other activity you can find some peace in doing.

2. Journal. Any time of day is great for a mind dump. To get things out on paper that are directly on your mind.

3. Meditate. Meditation helps to bring you to the present moment without thinking forward or behind. I recommend using the Calm app. It will guide you through how to start. (If you'd like a free trial, respond to this email and I can send one over to you.)

4. Go for a walk. Getting outside in nature and in the sunlight has so many great benefits. You're getting in movement, you're getting in vitamins from the sun, and it can be very relaxing.

These are just a few ideas to help get you started. Self-care can look different for everyone, but ultimately it can be anything that relaxes you, gives you joy or gives you peace.

If this resonates with you, I would love to hear from you!

Stay safe out there,
Coach Monica

Monica Eaton Crawford is the owner/ CEO of Five-0 Fierce and Fit which creates online nutrition and fitness programs designed to help female first responders lose fat, gain strength and take back their confidence in 90 days because “your family depends on you to be fit for duty.” Using her six-year Oklahoma law enforcement experience along with her 15-year background in fitness and nutrition she helps female first responders reach their full potential in life and career. Look her up on Instagram @five0.fierce.and.fit.

THE JOURNEY

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THE JOURNEY
By: Darci Werner

“Back to normal” is how a recent email read.  I chuckled to myself after reading the line.  Normal?  What is that? Civil servant families do not have “normal” in their day-to- day lives.  At least that was my experience as a police family for twenty-two years.

Our journey began on a single day.  The day our son was born was the same day my husband tested for a local department.  He was already serving as a reserve deputy for the county.  That day began a career for him which encompassed the entire family with schedules that constantly rotated. Non-family friendly shifts making relationships a challenge and the hardest one, being on duty 24-7 when you are the police chief of a small community.

We were always on guard; always watching our backs.  Is this a friend or foe?  Our family encountered many distressing encounters from notes left on the door “to get out of town,” a teenager driving a four-wheeler past our home several times repeatedly to annoy us, our house egged and even a volatile drug addict deciding he could just waltz right into our home because he wanted to talk.  One of the most emotionally painful was a dinner at a firehouse to celebrate a holiday.  As we sat down at the table, the firefighter couples already seated stood up and all moved to another table.

 Due to some of the people’s actions and reactions to an officer in their midst, we were reluctant to hire a babysitter, only eating at trusted restaurants and always careful of any location that would cause someone to destroy our reputation, even when my husband was off duty. There were supporters, too.  People that appreciate the duty and mindset involved in keeping them and their own families safe. They were the beacons of light that kept us sane.

Parenting is a full-time job from the onset.  Add a police officer parent and the entire mix of emotions, with worries; complications get tumbled into the mix.  When an arrested drug addict threatened to harm our son, he was never left alone.  Some form of protection device was on hand at all times.  My husband carried his concealed weapon and I had a Mace stick that never left my hand.  Toward the end of the tour, another threat from an arrested person had me working toward a concealed weapons permit to include in my parenting arsenal.  Then the teen years hit, where the complaints from our son included how he was never invited to anyone's house because his dad is a cop.

Having a father as a cop wasn't all bad for him.  He actually wanted to follow in his footsteps. He grew up having a real patrol car to pretend play. Due to budget cuts, my husband volunteered to do routine maintenance on the squad cars, therefore, one was always sitting in the garage.  He rode alongside him in parades, riding shotgun and handing out D.A.R.E items, or badge stickers.

As the wife, there were many days on my knees praying for safety from storms when no man or beast should have been out.  Yet they were! So he had to rescue them from ditches and take them to safety.  News of bank robbers and an officer shot are the worst for any law enforcement spouse.  Is it him?  Pleading for some phone call to confirm or deny the thoughts running through my brain.  Then facing the guilt of gratitude that it was someone else, who now has to face this pain among their own family. A constant stream of people coming by or calling and all having a concern that needed immediate attention even when he was off duty.  They would become his priority and we would take a backseat.

We were proud of our police family.  Even though only one wore a badge, all of us took on the duty of behind-the-scene support.  I say “were” because that hat has been hung up, the duty belt disarmed and set aside.  The badge and stripes from over the many years are now pinned in a shadow box.  Just as this adventure began on a single day, so it also ended.  On one day my husband retired, and the very next day our son graduated from college with a criminal justice degree.

It has not been easy to find normal after twenty-two years.  It has not been easy to flip the switch and change a mindset that has been a daily process for so long.  The job can be negative and therefore distrust slips in from time to time when there really is no need.  The mental release of the job is slowly dissipating.  Questioning the new purpose in your life when you now focus on yourself instead of others can be challenging.  We are still not feeling normal.  We are working on it.  There are still mental, emotional and physical pounds to shed from the arsenal worn around the hips; the hunched shoulders to straighten from a weighted vest; stress to release from city government leaders or even from within the department.  Each day taking a breath and moving one step at a time to find our “back to normal”.

Darci Werner is a police wife residing in Province, Iowa. She thanks Blue Magazine for providing alternative topics for all who support law enforcement and is honored to share police family life stories.

A SAD TRAGEDY

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A SAD TRAGEDY
By: Deon Joseph

Before activists and activated journalists spark flames here, I’m going to give my professional opinion on the shooting of a 15-year-old autistic teen.

My first thought is to offer my deepest condolences to his family. In their grief, I know there are no right answers anyone can give. 

But for the rest of us, the facts based on what we have seen are important.

Contrary to many people’s indoctrinations about cops, the vast majority of police contacts with the mentally ill, even violent ones, do not result in killings. I’m pretty much an expert on this. I work in the mental health capital of the world and dealt with thousands of people with mental illness in varied stages of crisis.

For those wondering why the officers didn’t “De-escalate” and why mental health experts were not called instead:

In fairness to these officers, the individual did not appear to give them time to assess him. He just went on the attack. That’s a key factor. If it were two metal health clinicians he charged at, they would run and call the police, because the situation was dangerous. They will not approach most people on the spectrum of mental illness when in a volatile state.

Even at mental health facilities, they have security and/or hospital police. Also, there is minimal access to potential weapons someone in crisis can harm others with.

I know many will be caught up in the emotionalism of the reporting.

“He’s 15,” “He’s autistic” so automatically it’s the cops’ fault, right? That’s your process, right? The truth is in this rare occurrence, the officers had no time to assess this as they do in many others.

The truth is, officers responded to a call of a disturbance because someone was in fear for their safety. When they arrived, they were immediately charged by a male with a weapon that could cause injury or death.

It was later discovered that he was autistic. But based on the immediacy of his actions, the officers had no time to assess this. They had to act.

Whether the shooting was justified or not will be determined by experts. If the weapon used had the potential to seriously injure or kill anyone, that shooting could very well be justified, even though we all wish it never came to that.

Before you jump to conclusions, before Ben Crump and others exploit this young man and his family, think a bit more critically before you judge.

No, the young man wasn’t a bad person. No, the officers were not trigger-happy and untrained. It was just a situation that got out of control before the officers could even make an attempt at de-escalation. A sad tragedy.

Deon Joseph is a 28 year veteran of law enforcement in Southern California - 24 of those years working in the homeless community to create an environment conducive to change for those in recovery, as a Lead Officer. He’s been recognized for his work locally and nationally, and news stories and documentaries surrounding his work in crime fighting and community relations featured him. www.deonjoseph.org

In a Blink of an Eye

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In a Blink of an Eye
By: Marty Katz

There is a term used in police work — in a blink of an eye — which often refers to how danger happens. For example, “Anything can happen in a blink of an eye,” or “That accident occurred in a blink of an eye.” To drive a point home, I’ve used this term many times in classes I’ve taught. It is a term that has instance recognition. Rookies need to hear about the dangers of their new profession, and the veterans must hear it to remind them not to become complacent.

After a 34-year law enforcement career, the term blink of an eye has taken on a new meaning. There is some truth to the fact that the moments are long, but the years are short. In a blink of an eye, I went from the interview process to get hired into law enforcement to my retirement party. Where did the time go?

From the moment I decided that I would like a career as a police officer, everything I did seemed to take forever. During the hiring process of completing the application, waiting for the testing date, taking the written test, waiting for the results and then waiting for the physical testing date, nothing was ever quick. After the physical test, there was the polygraph test, followed by a psychological one, followed by more interviews with a lot of waiting between each step of the process. Finally, I was hired and had to wait for the next academy class.

The academy took months, 720 hours of classes, testing mental and physical abilities, and waiting for that graduation day. I began my career walking a beat. My shift was eight hours of walking, talking, and handling calls and mounds of paperwork. Every shift seemed to last about a week. I walked in the snow, ran between the raindrops and sweated in the summer heat. I had to wait until there was an opening in a patrol car.

When I finally got a seat in a patrol car, I had to wait for the hot calls. Sometimes, I would find exciting things to fill the time, but for the most part, in the beginning, it was waiting until I was called.

When I decided to relocate to Florida from New Jersey, the entire process started again. The hiring process was a bit shorter but still took weeks. There was endless testing, but luckily, I only had to attend a shorter version of the police academy. As fate would have it, I had to wait until the class was scheduled.

As I gained experience — which, by the way, takes time — I wanted to transfer to other assignments. Some of my assignments were Field Training Officer, property crimes detective, SWAT, undercover narcotics detective and academy instructor — each came with its own brand of waiting. Waiting for the opening, waiting for someone to retire or taking the required classes was always some form of waiting.

Of course, there was also waiting for court — constantly waiting for court. In Florida, every case appears to be tried three times. First, there is the deposition, the defense’s search to find out what you know and what you did. Second, there is the motion to suppress. Did you have all elements of the crime, and was everything obtained legally? Third is the trial itself. At each level, you are subpoenaed, and once you arrive, the waiting begins.

Each waiting period seems like it will never end, like standing in the rain at an accident scene. The hours just seem to hang in midair, in slow motion. For all those classes, a break every 50 minutes, standing around waiting for your turn at the firearms range, if it pertains to police work, then waiting is always included.

For some, there was the occasional disciplinary wait. Time goes slow when you are waiting to see the command staff, knowing it will not end well for you. Even minor meetings take their toll in the minutes running into hours, especially the waiting days before the meetings.

Then there is the dead time of investigations and stakeouts — long hours of doing nothing but waiting. Have you ever been assigned to a wire tape? That is like a slow motion moving slower. In other words, it appears that if it is related to this job, the minutes tick by slowly. Well, not if you are involved in a chase or a critical incident. That has the tendency to move quickly until the moment it is over, and then the endless paperwork, court, explanations or things even worse, such as getting injured on the job, which now creates a super-slow day. Usually, the wait at the hospital is not very long, not as long as others have to wait. The actual wait comes as the required paperwork must be completed before you finish your shift.

There is the wait for a promotional exam and then the wait for the list to be posted. The wait as the department moves until you finally get the nod.

Unfortunately, the ultimate wait is that of the funeral procession. I have attended far too many, and the wait for the pain to ease never really seems to end.

So, as you can see, the entire career is made up of periods of waiting for this or waiting for that.

The strange thing about all of this waiting is that it seems like I began this career just yesterday. It seems like yesterday I was excited about the upcoming entry test. It was like yesterday that I’d been nervous about completing that first application. Now, looking back, I wondered where the time went. It seems to have flown by, and the years all melted together. I don’t remember the change from being a 21-year-old man pinning on the badge for the first time to a 55-year-old man thanking everyone for attending my retirement party.

It seems like just the other day, I was learning how to shoot my handgun, write a report and shine my shoes. Now, I’m writing about all my memories since that day.

Take a moment to stop and think about each moment. No matter what you are doing — responding to calls, writing a report, cooling your heels outside the courtroom or waiting to get your ass chewed by the captain — at the time, it might seem forever, but at the retirement party, you will wish you had just a few more minutes of those times.

Marty Katz is a retired sergeant with the Broward Florida Sheriff’s Office. During his 34-year career, his assignments included FTO, SWAT, narcotics, crime suppression, and supervisor of recruitment, investigations, and patrol. Marty is a certified instructor, expert witness for Use of Force issues, and past Florida Chapter Director for the International Association of Ethics Trainers In addition, Marty has trained with the Tokyo Metropolitan Riot Police and is a martial arts instructor. He is the owner of Crimewave Solutions, a training company for officer survival and common sense self-defense and the author of the books Past the Uniform, and Hot Potato.

Waiting For the Other Shoe to Drop

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Waiting For the Other Shoe to Drop
By: Chris Amos

Recently, videos went viral of two of NYPD’s finest being assaulted by a large group of illegal aliens. The suspects were arrested and immediately released from custody. The firestorm that ensued resulted in the re-arrest of several of the suspects. They are currently in jail, pending their trials. That is unless they have been released a second time. Am I confident that justice will be served in this case? Not hardly.

I always thought the blindfold on Lady Justice represented an unbiased justice system in which, in theory, justice was to be served regardless of race, sex, nationality, religion, etc. I’m beginning to think I was wrong. It appears in recent years the purpose for the blindfold has become more of a kind of see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing, do nothing system of justice in which crimes can be caught on camera, smoking guns can be recovered and even confessions given, and yet little, if any, price is to be paid by the guilty. As one entrusted with the dangerous, ugly, at times messy work of enforcing the law, such a system can break an officer’s or deputy’s spirit, rendering him or her absolutely indifferent to “protecting and serving”. 

I’d like to share an observation and then two Biblical truths that I hope will bring a level of sanity and hope to you, the men and women on the front lines in this battle for justice.

First, an observation. I am amazed by your sense of duty, honor and service, or maybe it’s just your need for a steady paycheck, but whatever the reason, you continue to show up, stand up, and put up day after day, night after night, shift after shift. You show up at your respective department or agency despite the current state of insanity sweeping much of the country. You stand up for what’s right, and just, and true despite the concerted effort to completely redefine what is right, just, and true. And you put up with all the garbage previously mentioned, day after day, night after night, shift after shift. Amazing, absolutely, unbelievably, mind-blowingly, amazing that you continue to do what you do!

As a pastor and retired police officer, let me try now to give you a Biblical perspective that I hope will bring a little sanity, peace, even encouragement as you strive do the impossible, under the most challenging of circumstances. Take hope in knowing God has the final say. He is not impressed nor persuaded by money, elections, special interests, politicians, district attorneys, or their woke policies.

As a young police officer, back in the late 1980s and ‘90s, I would get so angry as suspects would skate with a slap on the wrist, while their victims were left struggling to pick up the pieces and move on with their lives. All of that changed after I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. God opened my eyes and mind to two great Biblical truths. The first filled me with tremendous gratitude, appreciation and humility. The second gave me a much-needed dose of peace.

What were these truths? First, and hear me on this friends, the Bible makes it clear that we have all sinned or broken God’s law and as such we are all guilty. In other words, in God’s eyes, we are in the same boat, spiritually speaking, as most of the knuckleheads we arrest as guilty and deserving of condemnation and punishment. The great news is God loves us so much He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty of our sins [John 3:16] that we might experience the unearned, undeserved, gift of forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven. Simply put, Jesus jumped on the proverbial hand grenade intended for you and me. He died that we might live. That kind of unconditional love continues to blow my mind, 37 years later. One can’t help but be filled with gratitude, appreciation and humility in light of God’s love for us.

The second great truth is simply this: God is the final judge, and His judgment is holy, righteous, just and true. Though our current justice system is inundated with injustices and miscarriages of justice, this second truth assures us every wrong will be made right. I don’t care who they are or how well-connected they may be, everyone will stand before God and give an account for his or her actions. Criminals may be able to evade justice in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Austin, or a thousand other places but trust me, their victory over the justice system will be short-lived. The other boot will drop soon enough and when it does, they will find themselves answering for their actions; no exceptions. They will stand before the Lord of lords and King of kings, and might I add Judge of judges. Justice will be achieved.

So friends, keep doing that which is right, just, and true. God sees. God knows, and with God we can rest assured that righteousness, justice, and truth will have the final say, if not on this side of eternity, then most assuredly on the next.

See you at the finish line!

Chris Amos is a retired officer and former spokesperson for the Norfolk Virginia Police Department. He is currently the pastor at Chr1st Fellowship Church in Norfolk. He is married for over 30 years and is the proud father of three children, two of whom are police officers. He serves as the volunteer Chaplain for Norfolk Police Dept. and Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.

WESLEY WISE: A LIFE WELL-LIVED

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WESLEY WISE: A LIFE WELL-LIVED
By: Joel E. Gordon

We have lost one of our own. Frequent BLUE Magazine contributing writer Wesley Wise passed away peacefully early on the morning of January 19, 2024. He was a wonderful husband to Margaret, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to so many. He was a published author, and a well-respected law enforcement professional, earning the rank of Major within the Baltimore City Police Department. He was a coach and mentor to so many during his career of 36 years.

Wes retired in 2006 as the Police Commander of the city’s 911 System. While recovering from a stroke in 2014, he wrote three books, all of which are available on Amazon.com:

·         A Blue and White Life: Policing Baltimore in the 1970s & 1980s

·         A Life in Blue

·         Wise Musings: A collection of Essays

Wes also assisted in the self-publishing of fourteen books for other writers.

He was a prolific writer of books, articles and Facebook posts and was never one to mince words. He was a master of the art of writing, expressing his thoughts succinctly and devoid of double meaning. His teachings and opinions were always well thought out with logical thought behind them. Who would have known that his final published article in the BLUE Magazine would be titled IN THE END, where Wes reflected on a life well-lived while encouraging us all to live life to its fullest. But that was Wes, on-point and timely.

A life well-lived and an impactful legacy that will be remembered serving as an example to all. His written words left behind will be everlasting. He is missed. May he rest in eternal peace.

POLICE K-9 PARTNERS: The Largely Unsung Heroes of Law Enforcement

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POLICE K-9 PARTNERS: Law Enforcement’s Unsung Heroes
By Marcelo Hagopian and the BLUE Magazine Staff

K-9 Police Prayer and Bible Verse

I will lay down my life for you and expect nothing but love in return.
I will protect my officer with my life, and would gladly take a bullet in his place.
I am sent in to find lost children and fugitives on the run.
I find drugs and weapons and even bombs.
I am the first sent in and sometimes the last to leave.
I am the nose and ears of my officer.
I protect and serve him.
I would die for him and for you.
I only ask for compassion and a kind word.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go” - JOSHUA 1:9

A police officer and their K-9 partner share a special bond of trust and friendship. It is a bond that is based on loyalty, respect, and commitment to one other. The officer must trust the K-9 to perform their duties in the best way possible, while the K-9 must trust their handler to provide them with strong direction and support. This bond is essential for both parties ensuring that they are able to work together in a safe manner.

The relationship between a police officer and their K-9 partner begins with basic training. During this time, officers learn how to properly handle their canine companion, as well as how to read the dog’s body language. This helps establish a mutual understanding between the two so that they can work together seamlessly in any situation.

Dog’s have an uncanny olfactory sense, possessing up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses as compared to about six million in humans. Being attracted to new and interesting odors, once detected, a part of a dog’s brain is devoted to analyzing smells 40 times greater than humans. Every drug, person, arson accelerant, explosive or other target for locating has a unique scent.

Bergen County NJ Sheriff Office K9 trainer Officer Marcelo Hagopian has been with the Bergen County Sheriff Office for 22 years and is assigned to its training division.  He told Blue Magazine, so a towel that smells like cocaine, for instance, becomes the dog’s new toy in training. So you throw the towel, the dog brings it back. You play with the dog, you throw the towel, and the dog brings it back. You play with the dog. You do that about a thousand times. Then eventually you hide the towel. Now the dog can't see the towel. Well, he can smell it and he knows it's under the bed and he's got to go under the bed to get it. So when he starts to scratch towards the bed because he can't get it and they don't scratch, you teach them. You reward them with another towel. So he goes, oh, look. The dog thinks to himself, if I scratch where my toy is, the toy appears. So you play with that towel that appears, and then you throw that towel and you hide it again.

Then eventually you take that towel out and you hide the source. You would hide cocaine, let's say, in a dresser, in a bedroom. You can't get to it, but he can scratch through it. So now you give him the word to search. Because, every time you throw that towel you tell them search or find it, whatever the case may be. It comes to the dresser. He smells what he thinks is his towel because this seems like cocaine, but its actual cocaine. He'll start to scratch at the cabinet. So here comes a towel and appears right at the cabinet. So he goes, oh, I scratched out the cabinet where the toy was and it automatically appeared. So now every time these searches and he knows cocaine, he's going to scratch at it. So now you take another towel that you throw as a reward. The only thing he gets is the odor. He doesn't get the drug itself. They'll never come in contact with it. And that's how it's done. And then you do the same thing for explosives. You do the same thing for arson. Everything's a play for the dog. Everything's a play. And the dog works to please you. He just wants to please you. So, when he does a good job, he gets rewarded.

Once the initial training is complete, the bond between an officer and their K-9 only grows stronger over time. As they continue to work together on more difficult tasks, they learn to appreciate each other’s strengths to a greater level. Officers also come to rely on their canine partner’s unique skill set when it comes to search-and-rescue operations or crime scene investigations.

Officer Marcelo Hagopian further spoke to Blue Magazine on breeds of dogs often utilized for police work and the logic behind it. If an aggressive dog is needed that's going to track criminals, usually used are German Shepherds or the Belgian Malinois. They're very aggressive dogs. They're very powerful dogs. So that's mostly for people that have experience with dogs. German Shepherds are more of a companion, but when they need to perform, they will perform. For criminal apprehension, let's say. But then you can get into Labs for more passive work. So if you go to the airport, you see Port Authority has a lot of Labs. They'll use it for explosives or for air sniffs of individuals where it doesn't engage. It's not aggressive and it doesn't bite. So if you see somebody at the airport walking with the Lab, that dog's indication if he sniffs some kind of explosives on an individual is going to be a sin. So if that dog sits by individual, he's kind of indicating that there's a presence of odor of explosives nearby where a German Shepherd or a Belgian, when they indicate for either they could also be used for explosives and narcotics. They're more aggressive. Sometimes they're taught to scratch at the source for narcotics, explosives. You don't want scratching because obviously it's a bomb. You don't want it to be touched.

We also use a German Shorthaired Pointer. Those are almost like a hunting dog. They're like bird dogs. The military started using them a lot for explosives. We've tried it. We have one that detects arson. And then you can get into your Bloodhounds. That's more for tracking suspects. Or let's say, more of lost parties. Because if a Bloodhound gets to you and you're a bank robber, he's not going to bite you. He's probably going to lick you to death. So they'll use that for missing persons. The thing about Bloodhounds is that they can pick up scent that's ten hours old, a day old, and they can still pick it up. So they're totally different work ethics with the Bloodhound.

Officer Hagopian estimates the cost of a police K-9 and equipment at $15,000-$20,000 with an additional investment in police salaries during training and specialized vehicle costs, so agencies that can justify the expense typically make a room in their budgets for the expenditure.

Perhaps you have heard of some famous police K-9’s? According to the Guinness Book of World Records, a golden retriever named Inty (short for Intrepid) has been credited with over 100 arrests and the recovery of more than $63 million worth of narcotics, making him a world record holder.

Then there is the true story of a shelter dog turned K-9 hero depicted in a Netflix movie titled Rescued by Ruby. Ruby, an Australian shepherd and Border Collie mix, ended up in a Rhode Island animal shelter as a puppy because of behavioral problems. Several families adopted her in turn, only for each to return her because she was too difficult and full of pep. Shelter volunteer and dog trainer Patricia Inman repeatedly intervened to keep Ruby from being euthanized. When State Police Cpl. Daniel O'Neil needed a search-and-rescue dog in 2011, and was informed that his department lacked sufficient resources to purchase a police K-9, he was taken by then eight-month-old Ruby's energy and intelligence, and after Inman vouched for her, she was actually trained as a police K-9. In October 2017 a teenage boy got lost for 36-hours while hiking and Ruby succeeded where a human search party failed. She found the boy, who was unconscious and in grave medical condition. He turned out to be Inman's son. Divine intervention? It does not go unnoticed the word Dog is God spelled backward. “Ruby was given a chance at life and ended up saving a life,” the American Humane Hero Dog organization said in a 2018 citation naming her the nation's “Search and Rescue Dog of the Year.”

Police K-9 success stories are plentiful all across the globe. It is not lost on us, however, that because of the dangerous nature of police work, and the willingness of police K-9’s to lay down their own lives for others in a fearless capacity, that not all K-9 careers have a happy albeit a courageous ending.

The bond between a handler and their K-9 partner goes beyond professional collaboration – it is a deep emotional connection. The handler relies on the K-9's acute senses and specialized skills, while the K-9 looks to their handler for guidance and protection. This mutual dependence forms the foundation of their partnership, leading to the successful execution of their duties. It requires dedication from both parties in order for it to be successful, but it also provides immense rewards for both parties. The police canine becomes a part of an officer’s family and officer and K-9 spend more time together than any other members of their family. With a bond of complete trust and respect, officers and their K-9 partners are able to protect each other while working towards a common goal of keeping others safe from harm.

The Blue Magazine is most honored to support the men and woman of police K-9 units everywhere and their brave K-9 partners, Special thanks go out to K-9 handler and trainer Marcelo Hagopian of the Bergen County New Jersey Sheriff’s Office for sharing his own insights and expertise.

Managing Editor’s Message

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Managing Editor’s Message

“The bond between a dog and its police handler is a strong one. It is based on trust, respect, understanding and love.” – Cesar Millan, The Mexican American dog trainer widely known for his Emmy-nominated television series “Dog Whisperer.”

Police K-9s are an integral part of law enforcement. They are fearless, often risking their lives and many have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Having an incredible ability to detect drugs and explosives, as well as track suspects and missing persons, police K-9s are also adept at searching buildings, open areas, and vehicles for evidence or suspects.

Once extensive training is completed, they are a real asset to any law enforcement agency. Each police K-9 is paired with a dedicated handler, forming a close-knit partnership built on trust and cooperation. The handler and K-9 work together seamlessly, relying on clear communication and mutual understanding to accomplish their objectives.

Police K-9s also play a crucial role in fostering positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the community. Their presence at public events and demonstrations helps to engage and educate the public about the valuable contributions of these remarkable animals.

This special issue of BLUE Magazine is dedicated in honor of our K-9 partners in law enforcement. Some of the many best of our canine partners are featured here.

On our cover is Lanzer, the deputized Executive Protection K-9 of Deanna and Caesar DePaco, mega supporters of police K-9 operations globally and owners of Summit Nutritionals International, the makers of Droi-Kon® a specialized, 100% water soluble chondroitin powder supplement that has been shown through scientific studies to play an integral role in the formation and maintenance of joint cartilage specifically in promotion of canine health and vitality. Don’t miss their amazing story of generosity and support.

Please review the other stories of heroic K-9s in our Cover Story and throughout this issue. And don’t miss The History of the Police K9 by: Robert Bowling to see how it all began.

As always, Blue Magazine and Moment of Silence are here for you. Reach out to us whenever you need us. Wishing all a safe and productive 2024!

Joel E. Gordon
Managing Editor

Deanna and Caesar DePaço Remain Impactful in the World of Police K-9’s

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Deanna and Caesar DePaço Remain Impactful in the World of Police K-9’s
By Daniel Del Valle and the BLUE Magazine Staff

Publisher Daniel Del Valle recently had a chance to speak with Deanna and Caesar DePaço who are the proprietors of Summit Nutritionals International, manufacturers of raw materials such as U.S.-made Chondroitin Sulfate (Bovine, Chicken, Porcine & Marine) & Cartilage Powder. Since its inception in 2001, Summit Nutritionals International has been the leader in manufacturing and delivering 100% USA-made and 100% BSE-free Chondroitin Sulfate to the world.

Summit Nutritional International proudly offers Droi-Kon®, a specialized, 100% water-soluble chondroitin powder supplement that has been shown through scientific studies to play an integral role in the formation and maintenance of joint cartilage, specifically in dogs.

Prior to the creation of Summit Nutritionals International, raw nutritional supplements were primarily manufactured in Europe and other parts of the world. Over time, a growing concern of worldwide animal illness and quality control became apparent.

Through their love of dogs and admiration of law enforcement and their K-9 partners, Caesar and Deanna began to generously donate to police agencies beginning with their first K-9 donation to the Hillsborough Police Department in 2013. Officer Chris Engelhardt was the K-9 handler. To date, Caesar and Deanna have since donated a total of 202 K-9s to police departments and sheriff offices nationwide and abroad. The cost donated exceeds a total of $3.5 million in K-9s. This amount does not include other law enforcement equipment donations.

Caesar goes on to say, “Deanna and I both have a passion for dogs. Dogs have always been a source of fascination for us, and our admiration for them only grows stronger with time. Their unwavering loyalty and dedication to their owners or handlers is truly remarkable, and it is particularly evident in the K-9 officers who serve as police / sheriff dogs. These remarkable creatures not only possess incredible physical abilities, but they also possess the remarkable talent of communicating with humans and intuitively understanding their needs. It is truly awe-inspiring to witness the emotional support they provide to humans in need. In light of these qualities, it is no wonder that dogs have rightfully earned the title of ‘man's best friend.’ Their unique bond with humans is a testament to their exceptional qualities and their significant role in our lives.”

Our own K-9 Lanzer, who is featured on the front cover of this special edition of Blue magazine, is our utterly loyal and faithful Executive Protection K-9 who has been deputized and honored by numerous agencies.

In Lanzer, we are able to observe all of the aforementioned characteristics. His training has been exceptional, and it is evident that he has acquired mastery in all the essential aspects required to become the finest K-9 we have ever encountered. His perceptiveness and capacity to process information, along with flawlessly executing his duties, leave me truly astounded. Despite his seemingly robotic approach to performing tasks, he also possesses the ability to display remarkable gentleness and affection, appropriately adapting to different circumstances. It is truly remarkable to fathom that all these remarkable traits coexist within a single creature.

Law enforcement should be informed about the invaluable contributions that K-9 officers bring to their departments. Through my personal observations, we have witnessed the profound astonishment experienced by police officers & sheriff’s deputies when they comprehend the remarkable effectiveness and extensive range of assistance that these K-9 officers can provide in diverse applications. The capabilities of a K-9 officer are virtually boundless, as they offer unwavering support and unwavering dedication to their human police/sheriff officer or handler. Their presence undoubtedly enhances the operational capabilities of law enforcement agencies, making them an indispensable asset in maintaining public safety and combating crime.

The importance of trained police K-9 officers cannot be overstated. These remarkable animals demonstrate not only the unwavering loyalty and dedication that we associate with dogs, but also a remarkable level of skill and intelligence that is truly awe-inspiring. As animal lovers, the K-9 community is well-positioned to understand and appreciate the incredible contributions that these officers make to law enforcement. Witnessing a police K-9 officer in action only serves to reinforce the fact that they are truly exceptional and indispensable members of our law enforcement agencies. Over the years, we have made it a priority to allocate significant resources to provide police departments and sheriff offices across the United States with police K-9 units. However, despite these efforts, there remains an urgent need for additional K-9 officers.

It is our fervent hope that the K-9 community will step forward and offer their support to bridge this gap, ensuring that our law enforcement agencies have the necessary resources to continue their vital work. Together, we can make a difference and further enhance the capabilities of our police departments and sheriff offices with the invaluable assistance of these highly trained and remarkable K-9 officers.

The Blue magazine is honored to have partnered with the DePaços in being able to tell their remarkable story and dedication on their impactful vision and contributions to the police K-9 community. Caesar and Deanna have earned our admiration and respect and the respect of the entire law enforcement community. We are happy to feature their Executive Protection K-9 on our cover of this special K-9 edition of Blue magazine.

Santa's Flight to Paterson: The Spirit of Christmas is Alive

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Santa's Flight to Paterson: The Spirit of Christmas is Alive
By: Daniel Del Valle

On the morning of Dec. 23, 2023, many children were amazed as Santa Claus himself flew the skies above Paterson, NJ. Santa had sidelined his sleigh and reindeer, opting for the sleek New Jersey State Police helicopter, courtesy of Colonel Patrick Callahan. After a memorable morning flight, Santa arrived knowing the children (and their parents) were excited for his arrival on the city streets — because just as years passed — Santa was coming to Paterson with individually wrapped presents for the children!

Santa arrived at our Blue Magazine and Moment of Silence headquarters to meet his helpers — an eager group of volunteers, who waited with stocked truckloads of toys, trucks outfitted with Christmas lights, and speakers blaring Christmas music for all to hear. What unfolded in the hours ahead was a testament that the wonderment of youth is precious and that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well.

We set out for all the neighborhoods in Paterson irrespective of blight conditions and potential safety concerns; we'd known the children were waiting for Santa. And it was our job to get Santa there.

We witnessed so many beautiful experiences. As we saw the joy on the children's faces and big ear-to-ear smiles, we noticed the parents were elated, too. Some were crying, expressing how they'd not even had enough money to purchase a Christmas tree this year. We believe every child and family should experience the magic of Christmas — the love and fellowship of neighbors — the selfless spirit of giving, and the incredible power of kindness.

We were blessed to provide over 8,000 toys this year thanks to Moment of Silence, the DePaco family and the Blue Magazine. These entities worked in unison for this event to be a significant success. It takes a lot of passion from well-intentioned people for this event to occur. I am thankful we have such a wonderful team of selfless and devoted patriots. Special thanks to the New Jersey State Police, the Passaic County Sheriff's Department, PBA 197, the Paterson Police and the many officers nationwide who come to volunteer year after year. We had over 50 volunteers in the streets giving out toys all day. All our volunteers worked very hard, and we were happily exhausted when we finished the tour.

We are very grateful and happy to be able to serve the community. Thank you again to everyone who made this possible. It was a beautiful experience.

Stay connected, because Santa is returning next Christmas for our 14th year of assisting Santa Claus!

Sheriff Clarke Comes to NJ

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Sheriff Clarke Comes to NJ
By Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine

Recently Sheriff David Clarke (Ret.) was in New Jersey as a guest of the Blue Magazine and sponsors Deanna and Caesar DePaço while enjoying camaraderie along with a special dinner at Donald Trump’s Bedminster National Golf Club.

The visit was multi-faceted with a busy three-day itinerary. To meet the DePaços and express appreciation to their generous support of Police K-9 operations throughout the world, become more familiar with some of the officers and some of the sights in New Jersey, and specifically to also learn of the good work of the Avatar Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center which avails itself to a wide variety of individuals including first responders.

Sheriff Clarke got to visit the Paterson NJ Police Department, where he had the opportunity to speak to the administration and some of the staff in the chief's office, as well as the frontline men and women who are assigned to patrol. The police officers in Paterson were enthusiastic to meet him. The sheriff thanked all in attendance for their courage and commitment and encouraged them to keep fighting because without the men and women in law enforcement, the community would fall into chaos. Sheriff Clarke also met the new Paterson PBA president, Angel Jimenez, and took a tour of the police station.

Jimenez took Sheriff Clarke to the Paterson Museum for a private tour, having the opportunity to look at a submarine and some airplane engines that were made. The Paterson Museum is well known for the educational aspects of its interpretive exhibits. A major strength of the museum lies in its varied collections, including local archaeology, history and mineralogy. Paterson has been the birthplace or springboard of many innovators and inventors such as John Holland -"Father of the modern submarine," Sam Colt - who perfected the repeating cylinder revolver, and John Ryle - "Father of the silk industry." Upon leaving the museum, the participants viewed Paterson Falls, which is a historic landmark.

Sheriff Clarke was also taken to meet Pinal Patel, who is the owner of Avatar Rehabilitation and Detox Center in Ringwood, New Jersey, for a tour of the facility. The sheriff met the staff there, including retired police officer from Upper Saddle River, Vinny Syracusa.

Avatar Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Center is dedicated to offering trustworthy drug detox, behavioral, mental, and other special therapies for people suffering from any substance abuse specializing in alcohol, benzodiazepine, hydrocodone, opiates, suboxone, tramadol, valium, vicodin, xanax, and all prescription drug detox. Treatments are supported by multiple mental health and spiritual therapies such as 12-steps, yoga, earthing, oxygen, animal-assisted, wilderness, volcanic, family, group, music, art, and more. A case manager prepares and follows a customized long-term and short-term care approach for each patient.

With 10 acres of beautifully landscaped facility in North Jersey, the center is ideal for rehab treatments. A peaceful, comfortable, and holistic environment is a perfect place to recover from anxiety, depression or any other mental issues. For additional details visit http://www.avatarresidentialdetox.com/

Sheriff Clarke has been a longtime staunch supporter of the BLUE Magazine and law enforcement and we are always honored to be in his presence. Thank you to Deanna and Caesar DePaço for sponsoring these activities.

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com

SNP FOUNDATION GIVES BACK VIA NJ STATE POLICE

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SNP FOUNDATION GIVES BACK VIA NJ STATE POLICE

Stephanie Nicole Parze was a beautiful, caring, 25-year old woman from Freehold, NJ.

She was a student athlete, a talented artist and a compassionate, loyal friend to everyone she met. Her natural-born talent as an artist brought her much joy as a make-up artist. She also loved children and enjoyed spending time on the beach, on the river or on the ocean. 

During the summer of 2019, Stephanie met and became involved with someone new. During this time, she had been extremely sick, and he was very attentive to her.  What started out as an apparently caring relationship soon turned violent.  After enduring physical, sexual and emotional abuse during their on-and-off-again relationship, Stephanie disappeared the night of October 30, 2019.  After 87 days of searching by a countless number of family, friends, community members and law enforcement, her body was found on January 26, 2020.

Stephanie’s fate, while tragic, created an overwhelming desire to develop a unique organization that would bridge the gap in services for people in domestic violence, sexual abuse and missing person’s situations.  That is why the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation was created - to prevent future domestic violence relationships from ending this way. The Foundation aims to provide quality, compassionate and nonjudgmental services to all who need it.

By way of giving back and assisting law enforcement in bringing closure to other families of missing persons, the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation is donating funds of $12,649.00 for a Police K-9 to the NJ State Police as well as additional funding for a portable dental X-ray machine to the Forensic and Technical Services Section to assist with identification.

The Blue Magazine was recently invited and was in attendance at the NJ State Police HQ in Trenton for a special donation ceremony. Introduced at the ceremony were Trooper Tyler Straube and K-9 Sparze. Prior to becoming a trooper, Trooper Straube was in the U.S. Marine Corps with multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan. 

Straube and Sparze are being trained to track live people and to detect human remains (cadaver). Sparze will not be trained to apprehend (bite) criminal suspects. Trooper Straube and Sparze have a long training pipeline ahead of them.

The current training teaches them obedience and how track odor. They are reported to both be performing well in training to date. They are going to graduate the week after the donation ceremony. In March 2024, Straube and Sparze will then begin a 14-week human remains detection training course that will conclude in June 2024.

Straube and Sparze will be fully operational for the NJSP in June 2024. The cadaver detection K-9 teams will also be sent to advance training hosted by the FBI. There are four levels of advanced training, each lasting one week, that take several years to complete. The length of time is due to infrequent class scheduling. Once they complete that training, Straube and Sparze will be used by the FBI to search for human remains across the Mid-Atlantic region of the country.

The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation’s mission is to provide education, intervention and support to families and individuals dealing with domestic violence, sexual abuse and missing loved ones as well as training to learn how to deal with these situations and setting up response teams for missing persons throughout the community. More information can be found at https://www.snpfoundation.org

The Blue Magazine on behalf of law enforcement, the NJ State Police and countless families salutes the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation for their generosity and willingness to provide enhanced tools to help locate and identify those needing to be found.

The History of the Police K9

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The History of the Police K9
By: Robert Bowling

The use of dogs for military purposes dates back to Biblical times, when the armies of Egypt used dogs to carry messages on the battlefield and to guard army encampments. Then, during the fourteenth century, the French used dogs to guard the naval installations at St. Malo-the first known instance of dogs being used for police work. They were used for this purpose until 1770, when their use was discontinued.[1] As for the U.S., the history of police dogs can be traced back to sometime after the Civil War.

Compared to police dogs of today, in which the dog and handler undergo a rigorous training program that didn’t exist with the early police dogs. Police dogs mainly were strays that wandered into the police station, looking for food or a warm place to sleep. The police officers would grow emotionally attached to the dog, quickly becoming the station mascot. The dog would go on patrols with the officers, and before too long, the dog was considered a member of the department.

Because of a lack of formal recordkeeping, most of these dogs have vanished from history. Many of these early dogs performed their jobs heroically. One of the earliest instances of a police dog in the U.S. was in St. Louis in 1866. “Jack,” a terrier, wandered into the Third District station, where he remained for fifteen years. He was a friend of every department member, but he took a particular interest in a few officers. Jack would immediately respond to the sound of the officer’s baton. On more than one occasion, he assisted the officers in apprehending unruly citizens. When an officer was in a fight with a suspect, Jack responded. The suspect stabbed Jack in the side, but he was not deterred. Jack recovered from his wound, and like clockwork, he was back “on duty.”[2] It is unclear when Jack died, but in 1890, another terrier wandered into the same police station. Affectionately, the officers called him “Jack.” He lived up to his name, and quickly his exploits became legendary. Rain or snow, he would go out on patrol at 11 p.m. with the other officers serving the people of the third district unselfishly like his predecessor did before him.[3]

There are many traditions and customs that accompany an officer when they die. Dogs are no different, and they are afforded the same honors. In 1903, “Major”, a Newfoundland, of the Parkland station in Brooklyn, was given a full burial with honors. He had an exceptional service record. He brought a baby in his mouth to the station after he found it abandoned under the pier at Coney Island. He was credited with stopping runaways and burglars. He was killed when he tried to stop a trolley car loaded with unruly passengers. He was found dead in a vacant lot the following day. His body was placed in a box, and with him, his collar decorated with police buttons, his service record, and his Brooklyn police badge. As the box was lowered into the ground, an officer drew his revolver and fired a version of “Taps.”[4]

Ghent, Belgium
During this time, no particular dog breed was used in police work. It was whatever breeds wandered through the door. Although the dogs were credited with saving lives and apprehending suspects, they were not trained for that purpose. They were still using their animalistic instincts to guide them. However, one police department believed it possible to train dogs specifically for police purposes. Ghent, Belgium, established the first K-9 training facility in the world in 1899. They were the first to introduce the dog and handler as a team, and that eventually spread to the United States.[5]

In response to rising crime and a police force inadequate to deal with the problem, Ghent Police Commissioner E. Van Wesemael introduced a plan to use canines to supplement the police force. He bought 10 six-month-old Swiss-Belgian sheepdogs that underwent a rigorous three-month training program. The dogs were housed in kennels, cleaned daily, and subjected to routine veterinary care. The dogs were fed twice daily: bread, rice, meat, and a biscuit for a midnight snack. The dogs went on patrol from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in some of the worst areas of Ghent. They were identified as police dogs by a spiked collar bearing a medal with their number engraved. The program proved to be such a success that the canine corps expanded to twenty-five regular dogs and fifteen reserves.[6][7]

They experimented with different breeds of dogs, but it was found that the Belgian sheepdog was the best. The dog was considered level-headed, tenacious, quick of mind, faithful to a friend, and unforgiving to an enemy. They are strong, can endure long marches, and do not show fatigue. The dogs are selected with the utmost care and must possess a strong pedigree. Their training consists of being able to identify a victim from a suspect and how to follow suspicious-looking people. They are taught to swim in case they need to save someone from drowning.[8]

New York City - First Canine Squad
The success of the police dogs in Ghent spread throughout Europe, and eventually, the United States took notice. In 1907, Arthur Woods, deputy police commissioner for the New York City Police Department (NYPD), persuaded Police Commissioner Theodore Bingham to establish the first canine corps in the U.S. To promote his idea, he referenced the brutal rape and murder of fifteen-year-old Amelia Staffeldt. On May 22, 1907, Staffeldt was found raped and stabbed to death near her home in Queens. A suspect was found the next day, but people questioned if he was the killer. He had confessed to the murder but later recanted. He accused the police of forcing him to confess. Two separate grand juries refused to indict. Staffeldt’s killer was never brought to justice. Commissioner Woods argued that if the NYPD had a bloodhound or similar dog, the killer would have been found within hours.[9]

The first dogs suggested for the new unit were bloodhounds. However, Deputy Commissioner Woods had traveled to Europe to study police dogs in Paris, Brussels, and Ghent. The opinion was that the dogs from Ghent were far superior. Paris used a cross between a mastiff and a St. Bernard, and along with the dogs from Belgium, there was too much of a dependence on the police officer. The dogs from Ghent could operate independently. NYPD Lt. George Wakefield, an expert on dogs, was sent to Ghent to observe and study their operations.[10]

Wakefield liked what he saw and decided to make a purchase. The police chief of Ghent was not willing to sell any of their trained dogs but instead sold Wakefield five six-month-old sheepdogs to be trained by them. One dog was a Groenendael, resembling a sheepdog with a long, silky coat. The other four dogs were Belgian sheepdogs that stand about knee-high when fully grown. They weigh about fifty pounds and have short shaggy coats. (This is not to be confused with the Belgian Malinois. They came to the U.S. in 1911.) The dogs were sold to Wakefield for $10 each.[11]

The first K-9 unit in the U.S. consisted of the all-black Groenendael named Nogi and three Belgian sheepdogs named Max, Donna and Lady. One dog later died in transport and was replaced with an American-born Airedale Terrier named Jim. The dogs were taken to a mansion near Fort Washington Park in Manhattan, considered “America’s first and only police dog college.” The dogs underwent a four-month training course under the direction of Lt. Wakefield and two other patrolmen.[12]

One of the most essential training tips Wakefield learned in Belgium was that the dogs should only recognize the uniform, not the person in it. Only uniformed officers were allowed to interact with or feed the dogs. Officers dressed in civilian clothing would take their food away and engage in other taunting activities to train the dogs to look at the uniform as a friend and disregard others with distrust. Every day, Wakefield would take the dogs out on a leash and have them attack a patrolman dressed in civilian clothes. The dog would continue to attack the “decoy” if they resisted. If they submitted, the dog would stand guard until a uniformed officer arrived.[13]

The dogs could not do any serious damage to a suspect. They can attack the suspect by tripping, jumping or bowling the suspect over, but they were muzzled to prevent them from biting.  Muzzling was to avoid injury to innocent bystanders who might be mistaken for a suspect. The muzzle has a snap catch that allows the officer to instantly unfasten it if the need to bite a suspect arises. The dogs respond to two commands, “Attack” and “Down.” The dogs were also trained to return to the officer at the sound of a whistle.[14]

After months of training, the dogs were first unveiled to the public in February 1908 at the Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) dog show held at Madison Square Garden. An exhibition was held demonstrating how the dogs would be used on the streets of New York City. Donna entered the arena first, followed by Nogi, Lady, Max and Jim. Each dog attacked the decoys by tripping, flipping or jumping at them. The dogs were muzzled just as they would be on the street.[15]

The WKC created a special award for the new police dogs. Jim, the only Yankee in the group, walked away with the award. His performance blew the spectators away. He threw his decoy to the ground so often that he couldn’t get his footing. Jim hooked his legs whenever the decoy could stand and knocked him back over. Lady and Donna took second and third, respectively.[16]

The dogs were assigned to the 172nd precinct station house at Ocean Boulevard and Webster Ave. (now the 70th Precinct). They would be assigned to patrol the Parkville section of Brooklyn. They perform their job admirably and heroically and were a true asset to the NYPD. These five dogs became America’s first canine unit and paved the way for other police departments to create their own canine units.[17]

[1] Handy, W.F, Harrington, M., & Pittman, D.J. (1961). The K9 corps: The use of dogs in police work. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 52(3), 328-337.
[2] “A police dog.” Columbus Sunday Enquirer. March 13, 1881.
[3] “Jack, a police dog.” St. Louis Post Dispatch. March 26, 1893.
[4] “Major, a police dog, buried with honors.” The Standard Union. October 17, 1903.
[5] Handy, W.F, Harrington, M., & Pittman, D.J. (1961). The K9 corps: The use of dogs in police work. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 52(3), 328-337.
[6] “Police dogs used in Ghent.” The Inter Ocean. October 19, 1902.
[7] “Dog custodians of the law.” Buffalo Evening News. August 27, 1904. [8] “How they train dogs now a days to do police duty.” The San Francisco Examiner. July 3, 1904.
[9] “Police bloodhounds to track criminals.” New York Times. August 31, 1907.
[10] “Dog police for New York.” The Washington Post. October 18, 1907. [11] “Four-footed thief catchers.” Arkansas Democrat. June 4, 1908.
[12] “The police dogs of New York City.” The Citizen. February 7, 1908. [13] “The police dogs of New York City.” The Citizen. February 7, 1908.[14] “Five trained police dogs to aid in catching New York Criminals. Detroit Free Press. Jan 21, 1908.
[15] “Fox Terrier crowned.” New York Tribune. February 14, 1908.
[16] “Fox Terrier crowned.” New York Tribune. February 14, 1908.
[17] “After a week’s tryout, police dogs make good.” The Standard Union. February 2, 1908.

Operation BLUE KAYAK

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Operation BLUE KAYAK

Operation Deep Blue is a nonprofit charitable organization that aims to increase awareness of law enforcement officers, first responders and military service members who died on the line of duty. They also raise funds for the surviving family members.

Every year, Operation Deep Blue runs an expedition called “The Expedition To Honor Our Fallen.” The team start at Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, NJ, and paddles 225 miles until reaching its destination, which is Washington D.C. In addition, each team member gets to choose an individual hero who made the ultimate sacrifice to honor throughout the expedition.

The team’s skills, physical endurance, their mental strength, and commitment is put to the test during the expedition as they paddle for 10 hours a day with daily environmental changes.

The team that participates in Operation Deep Blue is comprised of active, retired law enforcement officers and military service members.

OPERATION DEEP BLUE 2023 HONOREES

Remembrance - K-9 Nyx

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K-9 Nyx - Rockford Police Department

On the afternoon of January 28 2024, police in Rockford, Illinois responded to an apartment for a report of a domestic dispute where the suspect had stolen a woman’s cell phone and fled the scene. Just as Rockford Police officer Jon Vargas and his K-9 partner Nyx were able to track the male down, he took off on foot, with the K-9 duo in pursuit. The male jumped over a fence and Nyx quickly caught up to him. Officer Vargas heard three gunshots, and as he got closer, saw his faithful K-9 partner on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. The suspect exchanged gunfire with the officer. The gunman was wounded in his leg and taken into custody at the scene. Nyx passed away a short time later.

Nyx joined the Rockford Police Department in 2018, and was the first female dog in the city’s history. The Belgian Malinois was trained in narcotics detection, evidence recovery, human tracking, and apprehension. She was 7-years old.

MANAGING EDITOR'S POINT OF VIEW

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It's not about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. - Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) from the movie “Rocky”

How much can each of us take, unassisted?

There is no doubt that unnatural biorhythms necessitated through shift work along with the stress of law enforcement operations and navigation of the political landscape are all contributors to self-medication. Caffeine to start your day and a beer or two to wind down after a shift is commonplace for first responders.

When reliance on alcohol, specifically, becomes a necessary crutch to numb the grind of daily negatives and injury is when consumption, often to excess, becomes problematic.

"Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it" points out J.K. Rowling in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (Harry Potter, #4).

In this issue, we explore the issue of alcoholism among the ranks of first responders.

Also in this edition of the BLUE Magazine, Lt. Joseph Bucco, Jr writes about Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Challenges Facing Our Nations Officers. Lt. Robert Spano encourages us to Be the Change You Want to See in Agency Culture and I offer thoughts on law enforcement evolution to the escape by many in The Great Escape: Evolution to Exodus.

How much can we take? The assistance we seek can be found in supporting one another. We must have each other’s best interest as a top of mind awareness endeavor. Both our safety and sanity are dependent upon it.

While facing the many obstacles inherent in our chosen profession, we must remember what brought us to public service and always be guided by our own moral compass. Every generation is called to face hardships. We must stand up and not surrender in our fight for freedom, life and pursuit of happiness!

As always, we are here to help support you. Our sister organization Moment of Silence is here to help as are we. Reach out whenever you need us!

Joel E. Gordon
Managing Editor

ALCOHOL & LAW ENFORCEMENT: MARRIAGE MADE IN HELL

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ALCOHOL & LAW ENFORCEMENT: MARRIAGE MADE IN HELL
By: Joel E. Gordon and George Beck, Ph.D.

Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine share several common features. Being palatable for their mild psychotropic properties, they are the most widely consumed drugs worldwide. As licit psychoactive drugs, they are used mostly by "normal" people, in contrast to Illicit "hard drugs." – Source National Library of Medicine.

Use of Alcohol in Law Enforcement
Caffeine via a cup or two of coffee to start your day. An alcoholic beverage, perhaps a beer or two, to wind down before retiring to end your day. Sound familiar? At what point does this become problematic?

The law enforcement profession is ripe with pitfalls for enthusiastic newcomers soon to experience. Many agencies still run around the clock on shift work, often changing working hours weekly, leaving many officers exhausted. The rookie cop cruising their patrol area at 3 a.m., excited for the job, soon relies on coffee and/or energy drinks to keep from crashing the patrol vehicle. A career initially met with grand ideas of selfless service and sacrifice for the safety and protection of the community recedes slowly into a reality that, all too often, officers are not equipped to handle. Experiencing traumatic situations begins to take its toll in multiple ways. Having a child die in an officer's arms, watching someone burn alive while they can't pull them to safety, seeing lifeless bodies twisted in the carnage of car wrecks or witnessing the endless suicides that frequently were permanent solutions to temporary problems are everyday experiences officers are tasked with on a moment’s notice.

In the high-pressure world of law enforcement, officers routinely face excessive stress and trauma in and out of their departments. Yeah, also inside their departments where officers who are genuine and intellectually honest with their thoughts and words will surely tell you, the internal stress from megalomaniac bosses and cowardly administrators who genuflect nauseatingly to politicians quick to throw a good officer under the bus for personal gain is a battle many cops are also not prepared for. They experience leaderless anxiety-riddled milquetoast bosses/administrators who are insecure loathsome snakes intimidated by the success of another, challenged by their own insecurities, and quick to sabotage.

As the months and years roll by, the officers often become adaptive to their unconventional environment, socializing with other officers in a closed society—because who else could understand what they go through—where they've been, what they've seen, or had to do to perform their duties? The world's evils continue while the officer stems the tide, responsible for everything—nowadays, appreciated for nothing inside and outside their departments.  

This constant exposure to difficult situations can lead some officers to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism—a form of temporary escape. It is, therefore, no surprise that socializing off-duty with alcohol is a professional norm. However, using alcohol as a coping mechanism often exacerbates the problem, leading to a multitude of negative consequences for the officers' mental well-being. The burden of alcoholism further compounds the already challenging nature of police work, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.

Alcohol and law enforcement can become a marriage made in hell.

"Yeah, I drink a lot, but I can control myself." Sound familiar? Too many officers have said this to themselves and others to coach themselves to believe they do not have a problem. 

However, the truth is the frequency of alcoholism within the police force is a deeply concerning issue that affects not only the officers themselves but also their families and the communities they serve.

Police alcoholism can significantly impact an officer's ability to perform their duties effectively. The perplexing nature of this issue is evident in the fact that those tasked with upholding the law may find themselves compromised by their own struggles with alcoholism. This internal conflict can lead to errors in judgment, compromised decision-making and a decline in overall professional performance. It leads to a relentless cycle of drinking, experiencing temporary relief or numbness, and then facing the consequences of their actions. Deteriorating physical health, such as liver disease and cardiovascular problems to depression and anxiety, are all effects of alcoholism that can be extensive and long-lasting. Damaged relationships with loved ones who often bear the brunt of the consequences, experiencing emotional turmoil, financial strain, and strained relationships as a result of their loved one's drinking, are also associated with alcoholism.

Addressing the issue of police alcoholism requires a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the complexity of the problem. Providing access to confidential mental health resources, implementing effective stress management programs and fostering a culture that destigmatizes seeking help are crucial steps in supporting officers struggling with alcoholism. By understanding the multifaceted nature of this issue and offering relevant support, law enforcement agencies can work toward mitigating the impact of alcoholism within their ranks.

Recognizing the signs of alcoholism and seeking help is crucial for individuals and their families. With the proper support and treatment, individuals can break free from the cycle of alcoholism and rebuild their lives.

Blue magazine's sister organization, Moment of Silence, has been saving lives for over a decade. If you have an issue or something you feel you cannot handle, please get in touch with us. And although we might not have all the answers, we have the passion to want to do the best for you. So, we will mentor you, find whatever we can do and help you within our capacity. We get it. When faced with a problem, officers are afraid to say something because many panic, sound the alarm or gossip to everyone. We are different. We've held a retreat, all paid for, where officers stayed at a lake and over 100 acres. It's just a beautiful template where officers find serenity and peace. We hold many events where officers come together to help each other. So, again, if you have any issues, please contact us as an organization. We care about you. We're here for you. Your life and career depend on it.

Mr. Criminal Goes to Washington

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Many of you can remember the 1939 classic movie titled “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” For a refresher, it was a story about a naïve man who is appointed to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat. He enters a Washington, D.C. that is filled with corruption. All the elected people in Congress have been compromised unbeknownst to Smith as he tries to make a difference and clean things up.

I use this backdrop because Washington D.C. remains the same place today that was depicted in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” In Washington, they are narcissists, oblivious to the world of pain and suffering around them. The political class is totally disconnected from the world, or in this case the country around them. They live in a bubble, a cocoon while insensitive to the plight of Americans living way out there dealing with real-life issues that need attention, things like inflation, rising food costs and rising fuel costs. Rent costs are rising, as is household debt. Rising interest rates have put owning a home out of reach. And then there is another crisis that people are experiencing that the political class in Washington has been insulated from, at least until now.

Crime, violence and disorder have ravaged cities all across America, as the D.C. elites live in area full of security and police and described in news stories as swanky neighborhoods. They haven’t had to live with the murder, assaults and armed robberies that go on unabated in every large urban city in America including neighborhoods surrounding the federal district. The neighborhoods surrounding the federal district have always been crime-ridden, but it was contained therein because elites live in neighborhoods that had been immune from real life outside the federal district. They got away with simply expressing faux concern and virtue signaled in front of television cameras when it happened to somebody else, but in truth they didn’t really care. But their arrogant indifference and attitude that those things happen over there, and not here, has caught up with them.

Several recent crime incidents have grabbed headlines. Now, we have the attention of D.C. media and of the political elite. It has been noted that carjackings in D.C. have smashed the total number that occurred in 2022, and that was a record year. Last year there were 360 carjackings in Washington, D.C. So far this year, there have been 757 incidents. Keep in mind that we are only in October so the total will undoubtedly continue to rise. More notably, several members of Congress have been victimized. Democrat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar was recently carjacked outside his Navy Yard neighborhood apartment. Reports indicate that three young, masked males with guns drawn demanded his car along with his phone and luggage. Cuellar went on TV and said that Washington is about two or three times more dangerous than at the border in his district in Laredo, Texas- “and we certainly see it now.” Really? He only certainly sees it now? He even found some humor in recounting the incident by saying that he was more disappointed in losing his sushi that was in the car. This is a perfect example on how oblivious these elites in Washington feel and how disconnected they are from what everyday Americans have been dealing with for the last five or ten years of rising rates of crime, violence and disorder. But as long as crime doesn’t visit D.C. politicians, they whistle past the graveyard. I spent a 40-year career dealing with crime victims. I never saw a victim of a crime of violence joke about it later. Cuellar should get out of the bubble of Washington and visit some crime victim care centers or hospitals where victims of violence are being treated.

There is more indication that we see these elitists getting a dose of reality. Another news story was written that talked about how some D.C. lawmakers are so fearful about crime in the District that they are hunkering down and sleeping in their offices at the Capitol because it has become “very dangerous” after dark. This same U.S. Rep. said, “I don’t want to walk back and forth from an apartment in D.C. at night or in the early morning to get to work. It’s not a safe environment.” Oh really? I have to ask where the everyday citizen goes for respite from the dangers of the streets in their neighborhood that happen in broad daylight? They can’t hunker down in a taxpayer-funded office. The same congressman said that “It’s insane to even own a car in D.C. because it is likely to get broken into and you are likely to get carjacked.” Is this guy just now figuring out what life for the rest of the country is like? Yet another lawmaker said in response to the crime surge that, “Any reasonable person would be afraid of the increase in crime and the danger of being in the capital.” Wait a minute. Is it only important to do something about it because it is happening to them? I want to make something very clear. I don’t wish that crime and violence happen to anybody, but if it has to happen, I can’t think of more worthy people to be victimized than members of the elitist political class, many of them Democrats, who either voiced support for the cop haters after Ferguson, Missouri or after George Floyd that started the movement for defunding police, and if they didn’t say so publicly, their silence in the face of this war on police spoke volumns.

Yes, indeed, Mr. Criminal has gone to the Federal District in Washington. The only difference is that Mr. Criminal is not some naïve guy who doesn’t know what he is up against. Mr. Criminal isn’t there to make things better. He is taking advantage of the naïveté of the political elites. He is there to perpetrate misery and suffering. What political elitists don’t understand is that crime rates are like water. They seeks their own level. You can only put up so many sandbags or walls to protect or insulate yourself from a flood of crime and violence. If it doesn’t stop raining criminals, eventually they will find their way into, over and around any protective barriers.

Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. is former Sheriff of Milwaukee Co, Wisconsin, President of America’s Sheriff LLC, President of Rise Up Wisconsin INC, Board member of the Crime Research Center, author of the book Cop Under Fire: Beyond Hashtags of Race Crime and Politics for a Better America. To learn more visit www.americassheriff.com

The Great Escape: EVOLUTION TO EXODUS

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The Great Escape: EVOLUTION TO EXODUS
By: Joel E. Gordon

What a challenging time we continue to find ourselves in.

During the last many months and years, the trust people have placed in every level of government has greatly diminished. One result is the many new plans and restrictions that are being proposed and implemented in an attempt to hold police accountable. Where however, are the plans to hold those for criminal acts and all of the chaos and destruction accountable? Where are the plans to reduce the violence? Where are the plans to improve community relations instead using such divisive measures that only serve to portray police as the enemy? 

So who are the people that are mostly proposing plans for reform and police oversight? Is it professionals with extensive knowledge of the law, a perspective on the evolution of law enforcement and of the job itself? No, instead in many communities it is comprised of politicians and ordinary citizens with anti-police agendas; facts be damned. Would you want a committee of non-medical people organized to monitor doctors or non-educational persons to educate educators? Maybe there should be a committee of non-aviation people to tell pilots how to fly aircraft? 

Law Enforcement has evolved from a Reactionary Policing model to Proactive Policing to Community Policing to Broken Windows Theory to Intelligence Lead Policing into Evidence Based Policing. What is referred to as Evidence Based Policing is subjective and is the brainchild of academia. It makes judgments on outcomes opening the door to many unresolved contradictory ideas which routinely override long established mandates and opportunity for personal growth and promotion. Since subjective to the whims of political correctness many unintended consequences are resulting in an environment which is untenable to the newer generation of law enforcement leaders who were, in fact, in many cases born of the culture of the importance of the diversity philosophy.

Ever watched dominoes falling in real time? The sad reality is that many in law enforcement are throwing in the towel and just can't take it anymore. The pressure of the job and sudden pivot away from decades old reforms for diversity, increased training with community policing and de-escalation techniques being replaced by a cry for sweeping defunding have resulted in reevaluation of many considering entering the profession along with many resignations of many tenured and highly respected law enforcement leaders, a substantial number many of which who identified as minority professionals that successfully earned their way up in the ranks. From Dallas to Seattle. to an entire command staff in Rochester New York, along with many other chiefs nationwide, the time to move out of law enforcement had come on the heels of their defiance against those with an anti-police mindset, ideology and agenda. 

Will this result in more feckless police leadership remaining in office or in being hired who will be willing to put their officers in unsafe, retreating or defenseless positions at the behest of those lacking sufficient knowledge to make informed or rational judgments? Society can’t reasonably expect law enforcement to succumb to violence without responding in such a fashion as to protect the very lives of the protectors themselves. No one signed up to be physically harmed by becoming a law enforcement officer.

Although the job remains largely one of regulating human behavior, the desire to help others continues to be the driving motivational force and reason that some still answer the calling to keep the peace.

The bottom line appears to be that regardless of the current preferred practiced model of policing, or the high level of professional training implemented, the idea that the police are unwanted (until needed for selfish or individual safety reasons) has become the guiding principle of those politicians holding the power of life and death over our future.

The way forward remains a mystery. I have long professed that we must reject an "us versus them" mentality. In this current environment, through the actions of many others, it seems increasingly difficult to maintain this mindset. The truth remains, however, we are all in this TOGETHER. Unfortunately though, if things continue on their current trajectory this clearly isn’t likely to be ending well for the common good.

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com