America's Fallen Officers: Compassion, Respect, Honor

America is the land of the free and home of the brave.

This is only possible because of those who serve and protect our cherished way of life.

Service for America includes those making sacrifices in our armed forces, and all law enforcement officials protecting our communities.

We must appreciate all of them, as well as the sacrifices of their families and communities.

Also, we must have unconditionally willingness to renew the nation, and prevent the horrific unleashed violence.

The antidote to this violence in our communities requires compassion, respect, and honor.

Alarming Statistics: Perilous Times

Whenever a police officer offers the ultimate sacrifice, I pause to pray, and to express condolences through a published work, or a social media post.

Tragically, condolences are necessary too often over the years.

According to statistics documented on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), these are indisputably perilous times for law enforcement.

As of Dec. 2, the preliminary 2020 law enforcement officer fatalities have a 33 percent increase of fatalities – with firearms and traffic related fatalities compounded by coronavirus deaths.

This sobering statistic is not only a challenge to law enforcement throughout America, but a grave concern to their families.

It must also be a concern to all of us as we are mystically united through the human family.

Our law enforcement personnel are the ethical protectors of civilized society, separating us from chaos, anarchy, and turmoil.

We must appreciate their service and stand united with them.

The dangers they face are further exacerbated by the devastating spike in ambush-style attacks.

When law enforcement officers are shot to death, assassinated for wearing their uniform, it is a horrific commentary on our society.

Police Officers are Community Members

Statistics can become sterile, cold, and impersonal if we fail to remember that they represent Americans who have grieving families, friends, colleagues, and communities.

Here are just a few fallen law enforcement heroes from 2020, with details from the NLEOMF website, whose dedication to their communities represents the best of all of us:

Sgt. Sean Rios, Houston (TX) Police Department, End of Watch: November 9, 2020

Sergeant Sean Rios was shot and killed after responding to a call for help as he was in route to work. Sergeant Rios is the 44th law enforcement officer to be shot and killed this year and the 30th officer fatality from the state of Texas in 2020.

Chief Art Acevedo of the Houston Police Department posted these sentiments to his Twitter account in response to the death of Sgt. Rios:

“Our hearts are broken over the death of Sergeant Sean Rios who was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire this afternoon. We will never forget him and will see his 4 children, family and friends through this painful loss. RIP”

Police Officer Marshall Waters, Jr., Mangham (LA) Police Department, End of Watch: November 5, 2020

Police Officer Marshall Waters succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained on October 17, 2020 while conducting a traffic stop. Officer Waters is the 43rd law enforcement officer to be shot and killed this year and the twelfth officer fatality from the state of Louisiana in 2020.

Deputy Corporal Daniel Abramovitz, Leavenworth County (KS) Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: October 30, 2020

Deputy Corporal Daniel Abramovitz died in an automobile crash when his department vehicle collided with a school bus. The bus driver and students survived the incident. Deputy Corporal Abramovitz is the 43rd officer to be killed in a traffic-related incident this year and the second officer fatality from the state of Kansas in 2020.

Sergeant Conley Jumper, Greenville County (SC) Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: October 20, 2020

Sergeant Conley Jumper was killed during a traffic stop when a suspect attempted to flee the scene. The suspect got into a physical altercation with Sergeant Jumper and another deputy. At some point during the altercation, the suspect’s vehicle accelerated and collided with a tractor-trailer causing injuries to two deputies and the suspects. However, Sergeant Jumper later succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital. Sergeant Jumper is the 41st law enforcement officer to be killed in a traffic-related incident and the sixth officer fatality from the state of South Carolina in 2020.

Sergeant Harold Lloyd Preston, Houston (TX) Police Department, End of Watch: October 20, 2020

Sergeant Harold Lloyd Preston was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call, just two weeks before his retirement day, after 41 years of service.

Sergeant Preston is the 42nd law enforcement officer to be shot and killed this year and the 26th officer fatality from the state of Texas in 2020.

Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo spoke at the funeral while awarding him the medal of valor: “He will be remembered as a calm steadying supervisor, never lost his enjoyment for the job .. His extraordinary bravery and selfless efforts to protect the community, the Houston Police Department is honored to present the most prestigious award.”

Preston was a father, son, and a fiancée looking forward to retirement.

Sergeant Alvin R. Sugrañes-Lebrón, Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, End of Watch: September 16, 2020

Sergeant Alvin R. Sugrañes-Lebrón was shot and killed by a correctional officer that worked at another facility. The correctional officer was denied access to the facility and demanded to see other officers assigned there. The suspect later committed suicide. Sergeant Sugrañes-Lebrón is the 38th law enforcement officer to be shot and killed this year and the second officer to be killed by gunfire from a U.S. Territory in 2020.

Senior Police Officer Sharon Williams, New Orleans (LA) Police Department, End of Watch: July 26, 2020

Senior Police Officer Sharon Williams succumbed to complications of COVID-19 on July 26, 2020. The NLEOMF recognizes that our officers on the front lines are increasingly vulnerable to contracting the COVID-19 virus, and we are committed to performing the research required to determine how COVID-19 is impacting line-of-duty deaths.

These officers, along with all the fallen, and all of their families, deserve our unwavering compassion, respect, and prayers. They are not only those dedicated to protect and serve, but members of our families and communities.

Final Reflections

Beginning in 1999, after the Columbine High School tragedy, I began presentations throughout America to prevent school, campus, and university violence.

During these presentations, I addressed the culture of violence taking place nationwide. It was my concern, shared with many audiences that incidents of violence would not only increase, but America would lose its outrage.

The tragedy being witnessed in America is that school, campus, and university incidents became the norm, and violence also was manifested through senseless mass shootings at every imaginable venue including houses of worship.

This reprehensible violence, is now exacerbated with the senseless killing of our police officers.  It is a sobering commentary of violence in America.

Only when America realizes that law enforcement is critical to the security of our communities, and that they are indeed our community members who deserve our support, will we be on the path to reawakening the nation.

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America.  Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, former confident of the New York Yankees, and has given numerous leadership presentations at West Point. He served as spokesperson for a coalition of victim’s families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries. For more information see www.vincentbove.com or twitter @vincentjbove 

Note Well: This article was published in The Chief of Police, Fall 2020 edition, Vol. XXXVII, Number 3.

Photos

1. Chicago Police Officers Shot/Shot At Graph, (Chicago Police Department)

2. Sgt. Sean Rios (Courtesy Houston (TX) Police Department)  

3. Sgt. Harold Lloyd Preston Funeral (Credit: Death Obituary) 

4. Senior Police Officer Sharon Williams (Courtesy New Orleans (LA) Police Department)