Friday’s Heroes: Police Officer Lanny Ash

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

Police Officer Lanny Ash

My mother always told me that people who roamed the streets past midnight were up to no good. I found out just how right she was when I became a police officer working the graveyard shift. When the clock strikes twelve, the crazies of the world definitely begin to creep out of the shadows. Their mission—to do bad things.

Many police officers actually prefer to work the night shift because of all the action. The busiest hours for law enforcement are normally between 10pm and 2am. That’s when nice turns to mean and good switches to evil. Unfortunately, late and lonely nights can bring on bouts of sadness and depression, too. Such was the case for a young Ohio woman who picked the graveyard shift to end her life. Fortunately for her, Officer Lanny Ash was working midnights that month.

Officer Ash received the 2:15 am call about a woman threatening to end her life by jumping off a highway overpass into the traffic below. When he arrived at the base of the highway bridge, another officer was already on the overpass talking to the 140 lb, distraught woman. Before Officer Ash could join his partner in the effort to calm the woman, she jumped. Officer Ash quickly moved into position and caught her, severely injuring both his arms. The woman received a broken elbow – her only injury.

There’s no doubt Officer Lanny Ash saved this woman’s life while risking his own. Of course, he, like most officers, felt his actions were no big deal. That’s what cops do. It’s part of the job.

For his bravery, he was awarded his department’s second highest honor, The Meritorious Service Ribbon.

Officer Ash, you are truly one of Friday’s Heroes.

6 replies
  1. Lee Lofland
    Lee Lofland says:

    Sorry I haven’t been around all day, but I was on the way to St. Louis to speak for an RWA event at their local Barnes and Noble.

    I agree, Dave. Dopers, tweekers, bingers, crack-heads, ho’s, and drunks were the regulars we had to deal with on midnights. You gotta love ’em.

    Joyce is also correct about about the remaining 20 or 25 percent. Some of of those folks just want a little company to get them through the lonely nights after their spouses passed on to better places (I don’t mean Disneyland or Dollywood, either).

  2. Gary T
    Gary T says:

    A job well done, Officer Ash.

    I always preferred the midnight shift. The crimes after midnight are usually of the cut and dry type, not those long paper chase cases. Mids normally has more action and more down time for report writing as most towns settle down after 3 AM. As Officer Ash cited, after midnight the crazies of the world come out to play.

  3. D. Swords
    D. Swords says:

    Congratulations, Off. Ash, on a job well done.

    Lee, I was always of the opinion that about 75-80 percent of the people an officers deals with on the midnight shift are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even the complainants.

    Folks are either in bed asleep, or drinkin’/dopin’. What’s your opinion?

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