another LEO KIA- UPDATE!!!!!

[Rusty]

This is the 3rd officer St. Pete has lost in the last 30 days.

http://www.970wfla.com/pages/news/secti ... le=8202852

AS OF 11 PM EASTERN A 16 YEAR OLD SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY AND HAS GIVEN A CONFESSION.

[86er]

Prayers for the family and the Department. He is the 29th LEO to die in the line of duty since New Years 2011. A horrible two months for the profession. Thank you, LEO's - keep up the good work! Be ever vigilant in these trying times.

[jkbrea]

25 years on the job. Hope they catch this puke soon.
My prayers out to his family and co-workers.

[Old Ironsights]

Not enough info, but my mind yells "Matix & Platte"...

From the reading of it, it's too bad he didn't think enough of his family to wear body armor...

Very sad.

[Rusty]

The 5 O' clock news on www.myfoxtampabay.com is showing video of the suspect they think. The reward is now up to $100K.

[Thunder50]

Hate hearing about another officer losing their life protecting us (1*). Hope they catch the thing that did it.

[RIHMFIRE]

personnally I am getting real sick and tired of this BS....
I bet any amount of money this little #$%^&* has been arrested
numerous time...and let out by another liberal judge.....

The officers should just band together...and refuse to patrol these crappy
neighborhoods.....until these punks are put away for ever or fried.....

and I bet these are hate crimes.....but you will never hear of it...

[RIHMFIRE]

PS.........
Prayers for his family...

[vancelw]

Not enough info, but my mind yells "Matix & Platte"...

From the reading of it, it's too bad he didn't think enough of his family to wear body armor...

Very sad.

I guess I missed it or didn't read the right article...Where did you see that he wasn't wearing body armor?

[Old Ironsights]

Not enough info, but my mind yells "Matix & Platte"...

From the reading of it, it's too bad he didn't think enough of his family to wear body armor...

Very sad.

I guess I missed it or didn't read the right article...Where did you see that he wasn't wearing body armor?

"Multiple gunshot wounds at close range". In Newspaper speak, that's "torso hits".

Had he been shot in the head, they would have said so. It's more dramatic.

Doesn't make it any more or less sad, but the vibe I get is "no vest".

[vancelw]

Not enough info, but my mind yells "Matix & Platte"...

From the reading of it, it's too bad he didn't think enough of his family to wear body armor...

Very sad.

I guess I missed it or didn't read the right article...Where did you see that he wasn't wearing body armor?

"Multiple gunshot wounds at close range". In Newspaper speak, that's "torso hits".

Had he been shot in the head, they would have said so. It's more dramatic.

Doesn't make it any more or less sad, but the vibe I get is "no vest".

Like you said, you need more info. Body armor will not stop all types of ammunition, nor will it stop projectiles that go in the neck opening or arm holes. I bet if he wasn't wearing it the media would be all over that.
There's a video I have seen of a trooper (wearing armor) getting hit with a single .22 round that just happened to go in his armpit (as he was returning fire) and hit an artery. KIA.

[Old Ironsights]

I think the media would be more likely to make a bigger deal of it if he WAS wearing it because that fits their "guns kill cops wearing vests" template.

But like I said, it's just the vibe I get.

[FWiedner]

Very sad.

Tough job.

I'm glad there are a few honest men up to it.

[kimwcook]

Rest in Peace Brother. Go with Godspeed. Prayers for his loved ones.

[Rusty]

It's good to see the community has come together to bring this to an end.

[Ysabel Kid]

Prayers for the family and the Department. He is the 29th LEO to die in the line of duty since New Years 2011. A horrible two months for the profession. Thank you, LEO's - keep up the good work! Be ever vigilant in these trying times.

29?!? This is going to be a horrid year at this pace. Already horrid for 29 families...

Prayers up...

[AJMD429]

I think the media would be more likely to make a bigger deal of it if he WAS wearing it because that fits their "guns kill cops wearing vests" template.

True.

And BOY does the media make it a big deal if any "mere civilian" even owns, much less wears, a 'bullet-proof vest'; they evidently assume that our lives are not as worthy of protection, or that driving a taxi-cab in an inner-city isn't 'dangerous' enough to merit such equipment...

personnally I am getting real sick and tired of this BS....
I bet any amount of money this little #$%^&* has been arrested
numerous time...and let out by another liberal judge.....

The officers should just band together...and refuse to patrol these crappy
neighborhoods.....until these punks are put away for ever or fried.....

and I bet these are hate crimes.....but you will never hear of it...

Yep...

[RustyJr]

FWIW the officer (25 year veteran) was NOT wearing a vest. Body armor is issued but is optional in St. Pete. If im not mistaken he took 4 rounds to the chest. May he rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers are with the family and brother officers.

RustyJr

[Old Ironsights]

FWIW the officer (25 year veteran) was NOT wearing a vest. Body armor is issued but is optional in St. Pete. If im not mistaken he took 4 rounds to the chest. May he rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers are with the family and brother officers.

RustyJr

Figured. Like I said, Matix & Platte. (look it up)

That was something I never understood. I've known cops who would pass out at the sight/thought of getting punctured by a doctor's needles, but wouldn't wear body armor.

Really no excuse not to, not with as good/light as the stuff is now.

[Blaine]

Now is not the time to accentuate the KIA's judgement....

[Old Ironsights]

Now is not the time to accentuate the KIA's judgement....

I point it out only as a sad reminder.

PPE is vital, whether you are a Firefighter, EMT, HAZWOPR guy or Cop.

It's something they drill & drill and drill into you at Fire Fighter & EMT school.

Never go bare. Never.

[vancelw]

Now is not the time to accentuate the KIA's judgement....

My point exactly.

From the reading of it, it's too bad he didn't think enough of his family to wear body armor...

I thought that statement was uncalled for. It's not like he committed "suicide by street punk". He was doing his job and stuff happened.

RIP and thanks for doing a thankless job. I'm through talking, now.

[RustyJr]

I just read that law enforcement in Bradenton, Fl are now requiring body armor to be worn since this incident occured. While it is sad and unfortunate that this incident occured. Maybe it will cause other departments to adopt similar policies that will save officer's lives in the future.


RustyJr

[kimwcook]

My department has required vest be worn by patrol personnel for years. They're hot, they pinch, they always don't seem to fit right, but to me if it means coming home at end of watch I'll wear it. I wore one today, although I don't wear one most of the time due to the type of work I do and I walked about five miles through sage brush. Served a search warrant on a meth cook. We searched over 200 acres as one of the squatters thinks he's a mole and buries his stuff. Numerous people went to jail. I was a wet mess after the search, but I wore my vest until I cleared.

[Old Ironsights]

I just read that law enforcement in Bradenton, Fl are now requiring body armor to be worn since this incident occured. While it is sad and unfortunate that this incident occured. Maybe it will cause other departments to adopt similar policies that will save officer's lives in the future.
RustyJr

Absolutely.

I've had a couple of jobs where Vest were either Mandatory or "buy your own" Optional.

I ALWAYS wore a vest.

And today's vests are infinitely better than the ones I wore in the 90s.