Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

Officer Kenneth Santucci, 33

Belleville New Jersey Police Department

 

Officer Santucci was killed on September 6, 2008 when his patrol car was hit by another vehicle that had run a stop sign. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Deputy Sheriff Marty M. Martin, 35

Franklin County Ohio Sheriffs Department

 

Deputy Martin was killed in an automobile accident on September 6, 2008 during an undercover operation.

He leaves behind a wife and one child.

Sergeant Paul Starzyk, 47

Martinez California Police Department

 

Sergeant Starzyk was shot and killed on September 6, 2008 while responding to a shots fired complaint at a hair salon. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Trooper Andrew Stocks, 43

North Carolina Highway Patrol

 

Trooper Stocks was killed on September 9, 2008 when a garbage truck collided with his patrol car. He leaves behind a wife and one child.

Sergeant Dario Apante

New Haven Connecticut Police Department

 

Sergeant Apante was killed in an automobile accident on September 10, 2008. He was responding to a domestic complaint when his patrol car collided with another police vehicle.

Officer Grant Jansen, 42

St. Charles Missouri Police Department

 

Officer Jansen was killed in an automobile accident on September 10, 2008. He leaves behind a wife, a son, and a daughter.

Officer Isabel Nazario, 40

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Police Department

 

On September 5, 2008, Officer Nazario’s vehicle was struck by a drunk driver who was involved in a pursuit with marked police units. Officer Nazario was killed instantly. She leaves behind a daughter, her fiancee, her mother, and a sister.

16 replies
  1. Les Edgerton
    Les Edgerton says:

    Great post, Lee. Amazing, in fact. Just about every one of those was on my own list when I was in “the life.” Many still are. My wife still knows when we go to a restaurant or a bar or anywhere in public, I have to sit with my back to the wall and be able to see people coming and going. The first thing I still do today when entering a room is to look for something to use as a weapon–an ashtray, a bottle, whatever. Also, when I drink beer, I won’t let the bottle go until I get a new one.

    It’s amazing how criminals–even ex-criminals–and police officers think alike.

    Blue skies,
    Les

  2. Paul Kendall
    Paul Kendall says:

    Well, I’m an officer in training. Still in the basic academy. But those three things plus what you said in the blog have been ground into us from day one, officer safety.

    Also, you are always on camera!!!

  3. Lee Lofland
    Lee Lofland says:

    Terry – 70’s here tomorrow. Hurray!

    SZ – Beats me. I’m still amazed that my wife puts up with me.

    Ron – You’ve only noticed a few out of shape cops??? 🙂

    Seriously, staying in shape could very well save a cop’s life. But they’re so used to having to eat on the run (mostly crappy fast food because cops don’t get lunch hours), riding in a car for 8-10 hours a day, and only getting a little exercise in short bursts while responding to complaints, that it’s easy to pack on extra weight.

    Most departments don’t have a lot of regulations in place that govern fitness. However, many departments do have in-house gyms. Still, the fitness situation is much, much better today than it was just a few years ago.

  4. Lee Lofland
    Lee Lofland says:

    Elena – It’s indeed sad that some people in this world other than cops and soldiers have to rely on survival skills to…well, survive.

    Paul – Good ones. We covered “watch the hands” yesterday in the Southland post. But these are three great tips. And yes, always cuff behind the back. I take it that you, like me, have seen the negative aspect of each of your tips. Thanks for stopping by.

  5. Elena
    Elena says:

    A very disturbing list, as well as a very good explanation of why several of my closest buddies are retired cops. It has less to do with my background in law enforcement than it has to do with the survival skills I had to teach myself growing up – except for #14 they all apply to my childhood.

    It makes me very sad to know my buddies and so many others can never relax, can never have “civilian” friends, can never emotionally ‘put down the gun’.

    I don’t have any answers, just deep abiding sadness.

  6. Ron Estrada
    Ron Estrada says:

    Stay in shape. I’ve noticed a few terribly out of shape cops and have wondered how the hell they perform their duties. There’s even been a couple of them on The Biggest Loser. Do some departments have fitness tests or standards that have to be met to remain on the force?

  7. SZ
    SZ says:

    Suspect everyone and trust no one. Lee how on earth did you ever get married ? ! heh heh

    A lovely 74 in San Francisco today.

  8. Terry Odell
    Terry Odell says:

    Great post – and helpful for showing the ‘normal’ life side of a cop when writing — there’s more to show than just working a case.

    Update from Colorado – temps should hit 70 today, then 28 will be the high tomorrow. With snow. Spring in the Rockies!

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