Weekends? Gone. Birthdays? Gone. Thanksgiving? Christmas? Gone. Normality? Gone.
This is the life of any law enforcement officer, a loss in normality and a life driven by duty and service to one’s community. Your morning starts with your standard breakfast of eggs and toast; maybe some bacon if you had time, by 9PM you’re in a fight for your life against a man you’ve never met but all you know is that it’s you or him. Sacrifices come in many forms, some minute a missed lunch break or an extra five minutes finishing paperwork. Others come with great cost. The missed birthday, the going away party, the end of a normal life. The year of 2018 has begun to be one of many sacrifices, fifteen men and two K9 are dead not more than forty-two days into the year. Sacrifice is growing up without a mother, or a father because they did the job they were called to do and gave their life while doing it. Sacrifice is burying your son, your daughter, your husband, your wife, or friend.
Sacrifice comes with the job.
Trooper Michael J. Anson
New York State Police, NY
EOW: Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Cause: 9/11 related illness
Lieutenant Christopher Robateau
Jersey City Police Department, NJ
EOW: Friday, January 5, 2018
Cause: Struck by vehicle
Monroe Police Department, LA
EOW: Sunday, January 7, 2018
Cause: Automobile crash
Deputy Sheriff Daniel A. McCartney
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, WA
EOW: Monday, January 8, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
York County Sheriff’s Office, SC
EOW: Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher David Hill
United States Department of Justice – United States Marshals Service, USEOW: Thursday, January 18, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Deputy Sheriff Heath McDonald Gumm
Adams County Sheriff’s Office, CO
EOW: Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Police Officer Glenn Anthony Doss, Jr.
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: Sunday, January 28, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, CO
EOW: Monday, February 5, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Deputy Sheriff Steven Belanger
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, CA
EOW: Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Reserve Officer Jarate Dewayne Condit
Asher Police Department, OK
EOW: Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Cause: Automobile crash
Richardson Police Department, TX
EOW: Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Locust Grove Police Department, GA
EOW: Friday, February 9, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Westerville Division of Police, OH
EOW: Saturday, February 10, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
Police Officer Anthony Morelli
Westerville Division of Police, OH
EOW: Saturday, February 10, 2018
Cause: Gunfire
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, MD
EOW: Thursday, January 18, 2018
Cause: Training accident
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, NY
EOW: Thursday, January 18, 2018
Cause: Asphyxiation