Well, it is time to write about the Police shooting experience. Now that the County Attorney has issued his findings, we can express our feelings and opinions about the situation.
I remember the night of September 22. The back door was open and I could hear sirens – one after another. After hearing what seemed like four different series of sirens, I thought I ought to call dispatch and ask what was going on. As I moved to get out of my chair, I heard another siren. I knew that dispatch was still busy and I would be hearing from someone soon. I was right.
Detective Mike Copple called a few minutes later with the news that there had been an “officer involved shooting.” I am not sure whether I verbalized my thought or not but the first questions was the safety of our officers. At that point hundreds of crisis management questions begin to kick in.
My first action was calling Mayor Joe Jindra. I think one of the first rules of any city manager is that no matter how bad the situation, call the Mayor first and alert him/her to what is happening. There is nothing worse than finding out from someone else about a problem. As I called Joe, he was hearing about the event from his son who was listening on a scanner.
The next step was to pack up my laptop and head to the Police Station. I knew I would be in the Public Information Officer role as well as the City Manager role. Mike and I went to the scene. I didn’t see anything except for a large number of people standing about the police lines that were set up. After conferring with the other Sheriff Deputies we brought our officers back to the station. What I saw impressed me regarding the professionalism of these men.
The attention to detail that I heard and learned about in the military was evident. The weapons were cleared and placed in evidence cases. KBI was present, interviewed each officer and secured the weapons.
As we sat waiting for the KBI agent to arrive, we talked. Some of it was small talk other times it related to some of the cases they were working on. What was obvious was we didn’t talk about. As I watched and gathered my own impressions, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in the minds of these two guys. Moments earlier a gun was in their face, they responded as they had been trained, a man dying at the hospital.
After they were interviewed by KBI, the officers were taken home. They, more than likely, hugged their wife and kids a little tighter and wondered how the world would treat them when the sun came up.
I asked questions about their care in the next few days. We had been talking about it all night but now that the officers were on their way home, it was time to be frank. In these situations, crisis teams are brought in to work with the officers. We requested the State Highway Patrol team to come and assist.
In my next posting, I will talk about the press relations side of this event.
Before I sign off here, I did want to reflect upon an observation about the police profession. I think every officer joins a department with that vision of making a difference in the community where he or she works. From before they fill out their job application, through their time at the police academy and after they get out on the street, there is this understanding that someday they might have to use their firearm in a combat situation. I don’t think they want to use it. However, being trained and prepared is part of the toolkit.
Having to fire your weapon is a situation that all of us who are not in the law enforcement business will not understand. It is something you plan for but you hope never happens. Our Police Department puts their life on the line every day to protect our community. We need to pause and reflect upon that responsibility for awhile. I am pleased our department has people who are willing to put themselves in harms way as a means of providing community protection. Our thanks need to go out to those who provide our safety. If you are inclined, pray for their continued safety as they insure ours.
