THE SENTINEL: America’s Law Enforcement Sacrifices Demand Eternal Gratitude

As I write this article in the shadows of The Fourth of July, these lyrics from America the Beautiful come to mind:

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country love

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness,

And every gain divine!

These uplifting lyrics from one of our nation’s most cherished songs, are applicable not only to our armed forces sacrifices, but to all who serve our communities.

The devotion of these sacred souls, dedicated to safeguarding our nation and communities, must forever inspire us.

American Law Enforcement Sacrifices

During the last twenty-five years, I have focused nationwide presentations and published works focused
on ethical leadership, violence prevention, and public safety.

Inseparable from this dedication is the remembrance of all who have offered the ultimate sacrifice, in our military, and also in our communities.

During the last few months, the heart-wrenching continual reminder of law enforcement sacrifices throughout the nation has been relentless.

As we reflect on a selection of these servants, let us be grateful for their sacrifices.

Let us also ignite leadership, vigilance, and collaborative action for their loved ones, communities, and colleagues.

And let us pray for all hearts broken by tragedies, and for the reawakening of America from our culture of violence.

Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr., Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

End of Watch Thursday, June 27, 2024

“Deputy Sheriff Bill Butler, 51, was shot and killed while assisting another deputy with a traffic stop…

“The driver had warrants out for his arrest and did not cooperate with the deputies. During the struggle, the subject pulled out a gun, striking Deputy Butler before fleeing on foot.

“Deputy Butler was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

“The subject was found about two miles away several hours later. When he fired on troopers, they returned fire, killing the subject.

“Deputy Butler was an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and had served with the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.” [1]

NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack, Suffolk County, New York

Date of Death, June 28, 2024

Although not a line-of-duty death, a remembrance of this NYPD officer, and all who died with her
deserves our remembrance:

“The Suffolk County Police Department released the identities of the four people killed Friday when an SUV crashed into a Long Island nail salon.

“Jiancai Chen, 37, of Bayside, Queens; Emilia Rennhack, 30, of Deer Park; Yan Xu, 41, of Flushing, Queens; and Meizi Zhang, 50, of Flushing, Queens were killed, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a release Saturday.

“Nine people, including a 12 year old girl, were injured in the crash.

“Customers and staff were at Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park when an SUV crashed through the front window, police said.

“Rennhack, one of the victims, was an off-duty NYPD officer who was getting her nails done at the time of the crash.

“She was an officer at the 102nd Precinct in Queens. A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department confirmed her death Saturday.

“The NYC Police Benevolent Association said its “hearts are breaking” over Rennhack’s death. [2]

Deputy Sheriff Bradley J. Reckling, Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

End of Watch Saturday, June 22, 2024

“Deputy Sheriff Bradley J. Reckling, 31, was shot and killed while conducting surveillance on a stolen vehicle in Detroit at about 10:00 pm.

“He and other detectives with the Auto Theft Unit were searching for a car stolen from the Red Oaks Water Park earlier in the day. Detective Reckling located the vehicle with three occupants and started following it as he coordinated with the other detectives. While he continued surveillance of the vehicle the driver suddenly stopped, and the occupants opened fire on Deputy Reckling's vehicle.

“Deputy Reckling was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

“The three occupants of the vehicle fled but were apprehended a short time later.

“Deputy Reckling had served with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for nine years and was assigned to the Auto Theft Unit. He had received numerous awards during his career. He is survived by his expectant wife and three children.” [3]

Detective Ryan So, Scottsdale Police Department, Arizona

End of Watch Thursday, June 13, 2024

“Detective Ryan So, 38, was accidentally shot and killed after serving a search warrant and conducting
an arrest on 78th Street near N Greenway Hayden Loop in Scottsdale.

“At 7:30 p.m., while unloading equipment from a vehicle, a rifle fell out of the bag, hit the ground, and discharged, striking Detective So. Despite fellow officers rendering aid, he succumbed to his wounds at the hospital.

“Detective So was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Scottsdale Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.” [4]

Police Officer Jamal Mitchell, Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota

End of Watch Thursday, May 30, 2024

“Police Officer Jamal Mitchell, 36, was shot and killed after being ambushed while responding to a shooting call.

“Just after 5:00 p.m., officers responded to a shots fired call…near Blaisdell Avenue in Minneapolis. When officers arrived, the suspect fired at officers, and a gunfight ensued.

“Officer Mitchell stopped to render aid to who he thought was a wounded victim when that man shot him multiple times. Two officers arriving on the scene witnessed the suspect shooting Officer Mitchell. The suspect turned and started shooting at them. They returned fire, killing the suspect.

“Two shooting victims were found at the scene. One was pronounced dead, and the other died 11 days later. Another officer and firefighter were wounded with non-life-threatening injuries. An innocent bystander was also shot.

“Officer Mitchell was transported to Hennepin Healthcare where he succumbed to his wounds.

“Officer Mitchell had served with the Minneapolis Police Department for two years. He is survived by his son and fiancée.” [5]

Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut

End of Watch Thursday, May 30, 2024

“Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, 34, was struck and killed by a truck while conducting a traffic stop on I-84 East near Exit 31 in Southington.

“At 2:45 p.m., Trooper Pelletier pulled over a vehicle on the right shoulder of the highway with his emergency equipment activated on his cruiser. While he was speaking with the driver of the car, a truck crossed the dividing line into the shoulder lane, sideswiped his cruiser, and struck him. The driver fled

in the vehicle and was apprehended approximately five miles away in a wooded area.

“Trooper Pelletier was killed instantly. His canine partner, Roso, was in the cruiser when it was struck, but he was not injured.

“The subject was arrested and charged with evading responsibility for a crash causing death, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to drive in the proper lane, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, failure to move over, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle without a driver's license.

“Trooper Pelletier had served with the Connecticut State Police for nine years and was assigned to Troop H in Hartford. He is survived by his wife and two children.” [6]

Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks, United States Marshals Service, Investigator Alden Elliott and Investigator Samuel Poloche of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, and Police Officer Joshua Eyer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

End of Watch Monday, April 29, 2024

“Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks, 48, Investigator Alden Elliott, 46, and Investigator Samuel Poloche, 42, of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, and Police Officer Joshua Eyer, 31, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant in the 5500 block of Galway Drive in east Charlotte.

“At 1:30 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force attempted to serve a felony warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The wanted subject ambushed them with a high-powered rifle and engaged them in a prolonged gun battle.

“Deputy U.S. Marshal Weeks, Investigator Poloche, and Investigator Elliott were killed at the scene. Officer Joshua Eyer succumbed to his wounds several hours later. Three officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and a second Deputy United States Marshal were also wounded.

“The wanted subject was shot and killed, and two subjects were taken into custody for questioning.

“Deputy U.S. Marshal Weeks had served with the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service for 13 years and previously served with the United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection for eight years. He is survived by his wife and four children.” [7]

Master-at-Arms Lyndon Joel Cosgriff-Flax, United States Navy Security Forces, U.S. Government

End of Watch Sunday, April 28, 2024

Master-at-Arms 3rd Class LJ Cosgriff-Flax, 22, died when he fell overboard while conducting training

at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Yorktown, Virginia.

He was conducting familiarization training on the York River with his harbor security boat team when he fell overboard at about 8:05 pm. MA3 Cosgriff-Flax suffered fatal injuries during the incident.

MA3 Cosgriff-Flax had been stationed at NWS Yorktown for two years. He is survived by his mother, father and stepmother, brother, sister, and grandparents.

Deputy Sheriff Christina Musil, DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, Illinois

End of Watch Friday, March 29, 2024

“Deputy Sheriff Christina Musil, 35, was killed when her patrol car was struck by a commercial vehicle on Illinois 23 south of Perry Road at about 10:40 pm.

“She was parked on the shoulder of the roadway when the approaching vehicle struck the rear of the patrol car. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

“The driver was originally cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane usage, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. But, six days later, he was charged with three counts of aggravated DUI and one count of reckless homicide.

“Deputy Musil was an Illinois Army National Guard Military Police Afghanistan War veteran and had served with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office for five years. She is survived by her three children, parents, brother, and sister.” [8]

Detective Jonathan Diller, New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch Monday, March 25, 2024

“Detective Jonathan Diller, 31, was shot and killed during a traffic stop…in the Far Rockaway area of New York City.

“At 5:50 p.m., Detective Diller and his partner approached a vehicle that was stopped in front of a bus

stop. Despite being asked numerous times to exit the vehicle, the subject refused. He pulled out a gun and shot Detective Diller in the stomach, striking him under his vest. Detective Diller was able to get the gun away from the subject, and his partner wounded the suspect.

“Detective Diller was transported to Jamaica Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

“The subject, who had an extensive criminal record, was taken to Jamaica Hospital and is in stable condition.

“Detective Diller had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was assigned to Patrol Borough Queens South Community Response Team. He is survived by his wife and one-year-old son.

“He was posthumously promoted to Detective First Grade and given a new shield number, 110, his son's birthday.” [9]

Police Suicides: Awareness, Compassion, Action

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis, or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988.

As a follow-up to my article in the May 2, 2024 edition of The Chief of Police, it is essential to pause in prayerful remembrance of all who have lost their lives to suicide including:

Patrolman First Class Ramon Goux, 31, Elkins Police Department

Statement from Elkins Police Chief T.C. Bennett

“Yesterday, [June 14, 2024] the Elkins Police Department suffered a devastating loss, as one of our officers took his own life.

“My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Patrolman First Class Ramon Goux.

“To Ramon’s family: Thank you for making him the person he was and thank you for sharing him with us. We are all better people and better police officers for having him as a part of our department family. Also, know that this department is here to stand beside you and support you no matter what.

“To the officers of the Elkins Police Department: We have been through a lot together over the years. We will get through this too and we will get through it together. We will get through it by leaning on each other, supporting, and taking care of each other.

“To the citizens of Elkins and the surrounding communities: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the overwhelming support and love that you have shown us. It is an honor and pleasure to serve and protect you.

“Ramon, We love you and we will miss you every day! Rest easy brother, we’ve got it from here.”

Final Reflections

Every hero who died protecting and serving our communities deserve America’s eternal gratitude, remembrance and honor.

America is the land of the free and home of the brave because of these faithful servants.

We will eternally honor them and forever hold their families, friends and law enforcement colleagues in our prayers.

N.B. This article was published in the August 29, 2024 edition of The Chief of Police Magazine, a publication of the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author. He authored eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police, and 300 additional articles for numerous publications. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for players from two world champion New York Yankee teams.

He developed “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City at sites including:

· Museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

· Corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange

· Hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University

· Properties hosted by The Union Club of New York

· Universities hosted by Columbia University, the New York Athletic Club and Fordham University.

Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide. www.vincentbove.com

“We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship. Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration. Security demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.” Vincent J Bove

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