While I'm collecting officer involved domestic violence news, every day there are also countless articles out there about law enforcement officers getting killed or wounded answering a domestic violence victim's call for help. In my own past I have called them - and they came. They come to take on our monsters, too often paying for it with their own blood or lives. I know it's a part of the job - butthank you.
Bond set at $400,000 in assault on West Orange officer Beaumont Enterprise, TX
By Fred Davis fdavis@hearstnp.com
and Kyle Peveto kpeveto@hearstnp.com
06/17/2008
[Excerpts] ...West Orange Patrol Officer Dennis Hankins said he will be more cautious in handling future domestic disturbance calls... "It's the worst officer injury I've seen," said Assistant Chief Jessie Romero, who's been in law enforcement 26 years... More than 4,364 officers were assaulted in the line of duty in Texas in 2006... Hankins, a 20-year law enforcement veteran, who's been with the West Orange Police Department 14 years, said days like Sunday have to be expected. "There are times when nothing's going on, and then there's days when there's call after call after call," Hankins said. He thanked the West Orange community for all its support as well as his fellow officers who were at his side after Sunday's attack. But there is the lesson he will take with him every time he hits the street again. "I'll wait a little bit longer for backup"... [Full article here]
As a resident of West Orange, I have known Officer Hankins for several years - he is a good and fair man. I hate that this has happened to him and pray for he and his family. We are all grateful that there are men and women like him willing to answer the call.
ReplyDeleteI've posted this on myspace too. I keep thinking that it was his face instead of whoever was originally threatened. I can't help but think
ReplyDelete"HERO."
I could go on and on (with tears in my eyes) but I won't. I'll leave it with that one word.