January 2020 End of Watch Monthly Update
December 2019 - 19 Officers Down
The New Year is often a time of reflection on years past. We consider the good times and the bad. We also look forward to the prospect of good things to come in the year in front of us, or in this case, a new decade as well.
Looking back at 2019, December currently shows to have been the deadliest month with 19 officers down. The current count for the whole year is 134 officers down with 47 of those caused by gunfire, 23 due to automobile crashes, 16 due to heart attacks, and 37 as a result of various other felonious acts. While these numbers may change due to continued data collection efforts there is a positive trend in the statistics over the last few years.
Total line of duty deaths (LODDs) are down 19% from 2018. More specifically auto related deaths are down 6%, gunfire related deaths are down 10%, heart attacks are down 16% and all other duty related deaths show 25% down from 2018 to 2019.
The last decade took a staggering 1,617 officers. While this reflects a decrease compared to the 2000s, with 1,736 LODDs, these numbers will cause anyone to stop and catch their breath.
My hope is that discussing these numbers will help make the dangers surrounding the daily life of a law enforcement officer become better understood. That it will bring an even deeper appreciation for those who, in spite of these staggering numbers, still put on the uniform, a vest, and a badge, and leave behind their family to help protect yours.
As part of our ongoing effort to remember and support those who have fallen in the line of duty, we will be rucking 19 miles next Saturday (1-16-2020) for the 19 officers who fell in December 2019.
Join us locally or wherever you are in honoring the fallen officers of December by throwing some weight in your ruck and covering a mile for each officer down. The suggested weight is 20 pounds and represents the average weight of duty gear an officer carries on a daily basis.
The distance is set at one mile per fallen officer. You can adjust your weight and miles to your fitness goals. This month, let the weight also represent the emotional weight carried by the families. You speak volumes through your actions that not only are you willing to help carry the burden for these officers but also for the families left behind.
If you would like to start a monthly EOWMR in your area, please reach out to us by following the link below. We will be in touch with you shortly to see how we can help you get that started.
End of Watch Monthly Ruck Information
Sergeant
Joshua Eli Voth
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Colorado Department of Corrections, Colorado
Agent
Billy Fred Clardy, III
End of Watch: Friday, December 6, 2019
Huntsville Police Department, Alabama
Deputy Chief
Vincent A. DeMarino
End of Watch: Friday, December 6, 2019
New York City Police Department, New York
Police Officer
Stephen Paul Carr
End of Watch: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Fayetteville Police Department, Arkansas
Sergeant
Christopher Charles Lewis Brewster
End of Watch: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Houston Police Department, Texas
Detective
Joseph Seals
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Jersey City Police Department, New Jersey
Sergeant
Kaila Marie Sullivan
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Nassau Bay Police Department, Texas
Constable
Eula Ray “Raye” Hawkins
End of Watch: Thursday, December 12, 2019
Panola County Constable’s Office, Mississippi
Chief Deputy
Bobby Wayne Jacobs
End of Watch: Monday, December 16, 2019
Knott County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky
Private First Class
Michael Shawn Latu
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Marion County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina
Sergeant
Anthony Oglesby, Jr.
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 18, 2019
United States Department of Defense - Naval District Washington Police Department, U.S. Government
Sergeant
Scott Johnston
End of Watch: Thursday, December 19, 2019
New York City Police Department, New York
Police Officer
Jose Humberto Meza
End of Watch: Friday, December 20, 2019.
Burnet Police Department, Texas
Detective
Clifton Martinez
End of Watch: Saturday, December 21, 2019
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department, Texas
Deputy Sheriff
Bryan Charles Pfluger
End of Watch: Saturday, December 21, 2019
San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
Deputy Sheriff
Cooper Dyson
End of Watch: Saturday, December 21, 2019
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Washington
Master Patrol Officer
Spencer Bristol
End of Watch: Monday, December 30, 2019
Hendersonville Police Department, Tennessee
Police Officer
Jerry Clyde Singleton
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Fairfield Glade Police Department, Tennessee
Deputy Sheriff
Chris Dickerson
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Panola County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
