In Memory of K-9 Maggie Sheridan, Louisa County (VA) Sheriff's Office

In December 2011, K-9 Maggie Sheridan, an American Kennel Club registered black and tan Bloodhound of the Louisa County (VA) Sheriff's Office, was killed while tracking a suicidal subject. As she neared the suspect's home, a pit bull attacked and bit her; she later died as a result of an infection from the bites.

Maggie's handler, Lt. Patrick Sheridan said, "Maggie was a gem. It takes a lot of training and the right handler, but the results and the benefits of that are just priceless."

According to The Charlottesville NewsPlex, Maggie worked a total of 348 cases in her career. Below is a special tribute video in Maggie's honor.

K9 Maggie from Richard MacDonald on Vimeo.

Visit the tribute page devoted to Maggie on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-LCSO-K-9-Maggie/252842458111355

Six Law Enforcement Officers Shot & Killed in Seven Days

The past week has been especially deadly for law enforcement with seven officers killed while on duty, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.  Firearms-related fatalities account for six of these seven fatalities, as armed and dangerous criminals continue to target law enforcement officers.

Sergeant Abimael Castro-Berrocales of the Puerto Rico Police Department was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop, and Park Ranger Margaret Anderson of the U.S. Department of the Interior - National Park Service, was shot and killed while attempting to stop a fleeing suspect. The third, Ogden (UT) Police Officer Jared Francom, was fatally shot while serving a drug-related warrant on January 4.  Five other officers were shot in the Ogden incident and are currently in critical to stable condition.

Last night, Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO, Craig W. Floyd appeared on ABC World News to discuss the disturbing increase in firearms-related law enforcement fatalities.

“Our law enforcement officers are being asked to do more with less and we must provide them the necessary tools to do their jobs effectively and safely,” said Mr. Floyd. “And we need a tougher criminal justice system that will protect our country’s citizens, including our peace officers, who have become visible and vulnerable targets for criminals,” he added. 

In 2011, 177 law enforcement officers died were killed—a 16 percent increase over the 153 officer fatalities in 2010 and an astounding 45 percent increase over the 122 officer fatalities in 2009. Seventy-one of the fatalities in 2011 were firearms-related incidents, a 20 percent increase over the 59 firearms-related fatalities in 2010.

A Closer Look: Traffic-related Law Enforcement Fatalities

For the past 13 years, traffic-related incidents have been the highest cause of law enforcement fatalities. As of December 14, 2011, traffic-related law enforcement fatalities are down 16% from the same time in 2010.

Seventy law enforcement officers died in traffic-related incidents in 2010, with 49 killed in automobile crashes, 14 struck and killed, six officers killed in motorcycle crashes and one officer killed in a bicycle crash.

So far in 2011, there have been 42 officers have been killed in automobile crashes, nine officers struck and killed, seven killed in motorcycle crashes and two killed when a train struck their vehicle.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund will issue its annual Preliminary Law Enforcement Fatality Research Bulletin on December 28, 2011, which will contain more detailed information about traffic-related fatalities and all law enforcement fatalities.

This blog is part of a series highlighting the risks law enforcement officers face on the road, as part of  an innovative partnership  with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote law enforcement officer safety on the roadways.

Remembering Robert Gordon

Craig Floyd presents Mr. Gordon
with the Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2011.

Today, the Memorial Fund mourns the loss of its close friend and Board Member, Robert Gordon.

Robert (Bob) Gordon was a Founding Board Member of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. During his 27 years with the organization, he served as an original member of the Names and Officer of the Month Committees.

Mr. Gordon served the law enforcement community with distinction for nearly 60 years, starting with his appointment to the Freeport (NY) Police Department in 1952. He was a longtime police labor union leader and lobbyist and the Secretary Treasurer of the United Federation of Police.

Earlier this year, Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO, Craig W. Floyd presented Mr. Gordon with a Lifetime Achievement Award, for his leadership and dedication to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Mr. Gordon will be greatly missed; condolences to his family.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Somprab, Chief of Kota Baru Police Station in Thailand, took the time to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial earlier this week in Washington, DC.

Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO, Craig W. Floyd, guided Lt. Somprab through the Memorial, telling the history of how it was created and highlighting the construction of the National Law Enforcement Museum, right across the street from the Memorial.

At the conclusion of the tour, Mr. Floyd and Lt. Somprab did an etching of Fred Morrone’s name, located on Panel: 10-W: 23 of the Memorial’s walls. Superintendent of the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, Fred Morrone was killed ten years ago during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Lt. Somprab was moved by Fred Morrone’s heroism and plans to frame the etching in his office upon his return to Thailand. 

Remembering America's Military Veterans

Today, the nation pauses to remember and honor its military veterans.

When it comes to honoring and remembering the fallen, nobody does it better than the military and law enforcement. The names of 30 brave men and women killed in the line of duty while serving as law enforcement officers, abroad and at home, are engraved on the marble walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

The line between law enforcement and military service is often blurred. Many veterans of foreign wars turn to policing when they come home. Many police officers are military reservists.

This Veteran's Day, leave a tribute to recognize all the countless contributions military and law enforcement officers make each day to protect our country and ensure our freedom.

An inscription on the Memorial sums up the meaning of the heroic and selfless deeds performed by law enforcement and military professionals. It reads:  In Valor There is Hope.  As long as there are men and women among us who are willing to put their lives at risk for our freedom and safety, there is indeed great hope for the future of our nation and our world.

Honorary Chairman, Clint Eastwood tours the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Early this morning, legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood toured the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. As Honorary Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum, Mr. Eastwood helps raise public awareness and support for the Memorial and Museum with an informative PSA campaign.

Mr. Eastwood was in town to premiere his new movie, J. Edgar, which examines the compelling life of the first FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, portrayed by actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The National Law Enforcement Museum and Warner Bros. co-hosted the film’s DC debut at the Newseum. An event recap and photos are available at http://lawenforcementmuseum.blogspot.com/.

During the tour of the Memorial, Mr. Eastwood was shown Panel: 34-W: 20, which contains the name of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alan G. Whicher.  Asst. SAIC Whicher’s entire protective detail shift was filmed for three months as part of the 1993 movie, In the Line of Fire, starting Mr. Eastwood. Tragically, SAIC Whicher was killed in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK on April 19, 1995. Along with an etching of SAIC Whicher’s name, Mr. Eastwood was presented with a bronze lion statue  to take home with him, as a token of appreciation for his support and dedication to the law enforcement community.