May 15: Salute To Officers Who Put Lives On The Line
On May 17, 2007, Henderson County sheriff's deputies Paul Habelt and Tony Ogburn had just attended the Henderson County memorial service when they responded to an assistance call.
Both were gunned down while trying to assist. The fatal shooting of Habelt, 63, a 13-year veteran, and Ogburn, 61, with the department five years, shocked us. Nobody would think such a horrible tragedy could occur so close to home.
Unfortunately, a police officer never knows when that life-threatening moment may come, but it could come on the very next call.
FBI statistics show there were 59,373 assaults against law enforcement officer in 2004 (latest figures available), resulting in 16,565 injuries. Ambush-style assaults, like the one that cost Habelt and Ogburn their lives, occurred 189 times in 2004 and have resulted in more than 400 names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Disturbance calls tend to be most dangerous, resulting in 18,234 assaults against officers in 2004, nearly a third of the total. Next are attempting arrests (9,674); handling, transporting, custody of prisoners (7,748); traffic pursuit/stops (6,568); and investigation suspicious persons/circumstances (5,532).
In 2007, 181 law enforcement officers lost their lives protecting and serving our nation, an average of one officer killed somewhere in America almost every other day. The numbers emphasize that for law enforcement professionals there is no such thing as a "routine call." With addition of the 2007 names there will be 18,274 on the honor wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Every week, names of more fallen heroes are added.
As a nation we are duty bound to provide our officers every safety advantage possible. That means better training, less lethal weaponry, bullet-resistant vests and safer automobiles. We are making advances. During the 1970s, an average of 236 law enforcement fatalities occurred each year, compared to 181 last year. But more can and must be done to keep our officers safe.
William J. Bennett in a U.S. Naval Academy address said: "Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death.
The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for?" Henderson County deputies Habelt and Ogburn knew the answer.
The week of May 12-16 is National Police Week. It is a time to honor the more than 800,000 sworn federal, state and local officers who put their lives on the line for our safety and protection. It is also time to rededicate to ensuring they have resources needed to do their job effectively and safely.
Ron Duke
Grand Saline
Grand Saline
FAQ
Search Forums
Log in
Register
