Thursday, December 16, 2010

Sacrifice on the Border: 36 Line of Duty Deaths in 10 Years

Agent Brian Terry
With the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry overnight on December 14th, national attention has been focused on the war that is occurring along our borders. Although Agent Terry's death has been the most high profile this year, sadly his is the fifth death of a Customs and Border Protection law enforcement officer this year.

Protecting the American border is a complex task that involves a web of federal law enforcement agencies who have all experienced true tragedy. In the past 10 years a total of 36 law enforcement officers from seven  different federal agencies tasked with border or customs enforcement have been killed in the line of duty.

Tuesday's murder of Agent Terry is a perfect example of the ruthless criminals and inherent dangers CBP and ICE agents face every day. Agent Terry was one of four agents on an elite BORTAC team - Border Patrol Tactical Unit - that was tracking a group of subjects who were preying on illegal immigrants, robbing them of whatever money or meager belongings hadn't already been taken by the cartels.

In a remote, mountainous area miles from anything, a gun battle ensued in which Agent Terry was reportedly shot in the back with rounds from an AK-47. Of the five suspects involved in the battle, four were apprehended, including one who was wounded. The fifth suspect and one was able to evade immediate capture and, as of the time this article was published, is still on the run pursued by hundreds of local, state, and federal officers.

As the border wars continue, mostly along our southern border, please keep in mind the agents and officers who have fallen, their families, and their fellow agents who keep on fighting to keep drugs and terrorists out of our country.

Since 2000, the following 36 federal law enforcement officers from seven different agencies responsible for border protection, customs enforcement, and/or immigration enforcement have been killed in the line of duty:

Senior Customs Inspector Richard Anthony Forde United States Department of the Treasury - Customs Service, US 2000-09-12
Border Patrol Agent Daniel Miles James Jr. United States Department of Justice - Border Patrol, US 2001-03-03
Border Patrol Agent Jason Christopher Panides United States Department of Justice - Border Patrol, US 2001-04-04
Petty Officer Scott Chism United States Coast Guard Office of Law Enforcement, US 2001-03-24
Seaman Christopher Everett Ferreby United States Coast Guard Office of Law Enforcement, US 2001-03-24
Inspector Thomas Murray United States Department of the Treasury - Customs Service, US 2001-10-30
Border Patrol Agent Eloy Hernandez United States Department of Justice - Border Patrol, US 2002-01-16
Border Patrol Agent Roberto Javier Duran United States Department of Justice - Border Patrol, US 2002-05-06
Senior Patrol Agent Catherine Mary Hill United States Department of Justice - Border Patrol, US 2002-10-25
Enforcement Agent Lorenzo Roberto Gomez United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, US 2003-11-08
Border Patrol Agent James Paul Epling United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2003-12-16
Senior Patrol Agent Jeremy Michael Wilson United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2004-09-19
Senior Patrol Agent Travis Wayne Attaway United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2004-09-19
Senior Patrol Agent George Brian DeBates United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2004-12-19
Assistant SAC David Gray Wilhelm United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Investigations, US 2005-03-11
Senior Patrol Agent Nicholas D. (Nick) Greenig United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2006-03-14
Senior Patrol Agent David Norman Webb United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2006-11-03
Border Patrol Agent Ramon Nevarez Jr. United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2007-03-15
Border Patrol Agent David Tourscher United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2007-03-16
Petty Officer Ronald Gill United States Coast Guard Office of Law Enforcement, US 2007-03-25
Air Interdiction Agent Clinton B. Thrasher United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine, US 2007-04-25
Border Patrol Agent Richard Goldstein United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2007-05-11
Air Interdiction Agent Robert Smith United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine, US 2007-05-22
Border Patrol Agent Eric N. Cabral United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2007-07-26
Air Interdiction Agent Julio E. Baray United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine, US 2007-09-24
Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis Alberto Aguilar United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2008-01-19
Border Patrol Agent Jarod C. Dittman United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2008-03-30
Border Patrol Agent Intern Nathaniel A. Afolayan United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2009-05-01
Border Patrol Agent Cruz C. McGuire United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2009-05-21
Border Patrol Agent Robert Wimer Rosas Jr. United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2009-07-23
Border Patrol Agent Mark Van Doren United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2010-05-24
Officer Charles Collins United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US 2010-07-11
Border Patrol Agent Michael V. Gallagher United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2010-09-02
Officer John Zykas United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US 2010-09-08
Petty Officer Shaun Lin United States Coast Guard Office of Law Enforcement, US 2010-10-13
Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Border Patrol, US 2010-12-15
Posted by Chris Cosgriff at 10:04 AM
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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Helping Survivors Survive the Holidays

Last night I had the privilege of having dinner with two very good friends, who happen to have very important jobs they never wanted: President of Concerns of Police Survivors, Linda Moon Gregory (surviving sister of Officer James Moon), and Director of National Outreach, Jennifer Thacker (surviving spouse of Investigator Brandon Thacker). You see, they never wanted their jobs because you have to be a survivor of a fallen officer in order to have them.

During the course of discussion the topic of the holidays came up, specifically how hard it is for "new" survivors to make it through the season without their loved one. I asked them for a little guidance that I could share with both survivors and law enforcement officers on how to cope during such an emotional period. Here's what they suggested:

 For members of the fallen officer's agency:
  1. Simply send a Christmas or holiday card saying "we're thinking of you."
  2. Invite the surviving family (spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.) to any holiday socials the agency or association is planning, and don't be offended if they decline or don't show up.
  3. Send a gift or gift card.
  4. If you setup a Christmas tree in the lobby or at the FOP/association building, invite the family to decorate it. Ask them to make or buy a special ornament that remembers their officer. Consider decorating the tree with blue lights.
  5. With anything you do, include ALL family members. Losing an officer impacts not only the spouse, but also the children, parents, siblings, grandparents and other close extended family.
For the survivors:
  1. If invited to the department's holiday party, attend if you feel up to it, but don't feel obligated to go if you're not. The officers won't be offended if you're a no-show.
  2. Establish a new tradition to honor your officer like lighting a candle or buying/making a special ornament.
  3. Surround yourself with "safe" people; family and friends who can listen and be there to support you.
  4. Don't feel like you have to decorate for the holidays.
  5. Don't hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to family, coworkers, or other survivors if you need help with something around the house, shopping, or just to talk.
On that last point above, if you have no one else to talk to, call another survivor from COPS. COPS members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The COPS National Office can provide contact information for appropriate points of contact in any state by calling 573-346-4911 during business hours. After hours, you can call a representative from your local or state chapter. If your state doesn't have a chapter, call a rep from a neighboring state.

Lastly, for everyone reading this, you can show your support for all fallen officers and their survivors by participating in Project Blue Light. It's as simple as sticking a blue light in one of your windows throughout the holiday season.

As a fundraiser, COPS sells a special LED candle designed by Streamlight®. Order one (or more) today and display it proudly for all of your neighbors to see. If you have other interesting ways you participate in Project Blue Light, post it in the comments section below so others can get ideas on how to participate as well.
Posted by Chris Cosgriff at 3:02 PM
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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Conservation Law Enforcement: More Dangerous Than You Think

WCO David Grove
Earlier this month Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove conducted a traffic stop of a suspected poacher just outside of the Gettysburg National Military Park. The poacher turned out to be a convicted felon who was determined not to return to jail. As Officer Grove placed handcuffs on the man a struggle ensued and the felon shot him several times, killing him. Officer Grove's murder made national news. After all, how often is a "game warden" killed, let alone gunned down, in the line of duty?

The answer is "too often." Of the five conservation officers killed so far this year, four have been killed by gunfire. In addition to Officer Grove, two rangers with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and an officer with the U.S. Forest Service have been fatally shot.

Because most people live their lives without ever coming into contact with a conservation officer, it is easy to understand the misconceptions the general public has about their duties and the dangers they face. National Geographic's new program 'Wild Justice' does a wonderful job in profiling the extreme dangers that these protectors face. Of particular concern these days is the use of wildlands by cartels to harvest their marijuana crop. These cartels will stop at nothing to protect their crop - even if it means killing a law enforcement officer who stumbles across the grow.

Another major concern: Just about everyone a game warden encounters during hunting season is armed. The overwhelming majority of hunters are responsible, practice appropriate gun safety, and respect both the environment and authorities. But there are those irresponsible hunters, and even criminals like Officer Grove's killer, who are out there and pose a grave danger to officers and other hunters alike.

Officer Chris Upton
C/O James Spignesi
Officer Chris Upton, with the U.S. Forest Service, was fatally shot by a hunter who mistook him for a coyote while on patrol in Georgia earlier this year. In 1998, Conservation Officer James Spignesi, with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, was fatally shot by a poacher who claimed the shooting was an accident. What made Officer Spignesi's death all the more tragic, was that the shooter was an off duty corrections officer.

Whether they're enforcing hunting laws, fishing laws, protection conservation areas and natural resources, or investigating illegal wildlife trade, conservation officers and game wardens have an incredibly tough job. Their backup may be literally hours away. With high profile cases like the murder of Officer Grove bringing attention to the dangers, and programs like 'Wild Justice' promoting the profession in a positive way, my hope is that conservation officers will continue to be acknowledged, recognized, and thanked for the extremely important work they do every day and every night. And for those who few conservation officers and game wardens who never made it home from patrol, we will remember you always.

Since the first known deaths in 1886, 284 game wardens / conservation officers / natural resource officers from 65 different agencies have been killed in the line of duty. They will always be remembered.

Posted by Chris Cosgriff at 11:48 AM
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