As we kiss our families good-bye each day and come to work, we all know it could be for the last time. But none of us think it's going to happen to us
The Newark Police Department has lost at least 47 Officers in the Line of Duty (LOD) since our beginning. The State of New Jersey has at least 407 LOD deaths. California, New York, and Texas have all lost more than 1,300 officers.
Although the number of Officer deaths have been steadily declining since the 1970's and 1980's when it was not uncommon to see 200 LOD losses each year across America, the 155 deaths per year we currently face is still too high. Did YOU know that
155 Police Officers are dying in the Line of Duty every year.
With better body armor, and more cops wearing it, and the increased usage of seat belts playing a big part in reducing LOD deaths, Officer awareness can reduce the number even more. That's where you come in.
Next time you sit down at your computer, check out the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP.ORG). The site lists every Officer who has lost his or her life in the Line of Duty, more than 18,000 of them. It also gives a brief description of how that Officer died. As you read that description, think to yourself How many times have I done that or How many situations have I been in exactly like that
It will give you pause. It will show you exactly how quickly things can go wrong, even during the most routine of jobs.
Use the site to learn from our fallen Brothers and Sisters. Call for another car before approaching that possible suspect, look out for the other guy when responding to an assignment, put on your seatbelt, even though it's a hassle, start heading in the direction of that in progress job that was dispatched to another unit.
Honor these men and women by learning something from them.
The site also provides a place for Family, and friends, and Cops from all over the world, and strangers, to leave words of condolence. And special memories. And thoughts. Read some of the comments, let them sink in. Then go back to work and do everything in your power to see your family never has to read those words about you.
Honor these men and women by knowing how much you mean to Your Family.
The last thing I want you to do is read the Officer's short biography. Read their badge number, how much time they had on the job, the date of their End of Watch. Then read who they left behind. See how many have left infants and toddlers and small children. See how many leave pregnant wives. Think about the heartache in that Family from the loss of that Brother or Sister Officer. The heartache that never goes away.
Honor these men and women by remembering the day of their last roll call, their End of Watch, they were going to go home to their families, and do the things that we do with our families when we go home. But they never got that chance. Never got to bring that car in, never got to turn the keys over to the next crew. They will never get that chance.
Those of you that have been to Washington DC for the annual National Police Memorial day on May 15th have seen the families of the Officers making that solemn walk up the Capital lawn. You have seen the young children, you have seen the babies who will never know what it's like to sit on Daddy's knee. Its brought tears to my eyes every time Ive gone.
When you leave the site, take something with you. Take a little piece of those Officer's lives with you, take the thoughts of their families with you. Take the circumstances of their deaths with you.
Learn from them. Honor them.
Share this site with other Officers. Share it with your Family. We can lower that number more every year, we can do it together.
As a Newark dispatcher has been known to say-Stay Alert, Stay Alive. You Can Not Render Assistance If You Do Not Arrive.