Bad Situation

[Arcey]

It's a wonder something like this hasn't happened before now.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=104868&ran=41988&tref=po

I never did care for the uniform or patrol.  But, this sort of thing was on my mind any time I went to an 'in progress' call in plain clothes.

Sad..........

[Texas Lawdog]

Incidents like this can happen when you have a large Department where officers don't know each other. The officer shot was not easily identified as an officer. I would assume he was black and the area in which the incident was predominately a black area. He was mistakely taken for a prep and not an officer. Officer related shootings are tough, especially when the victim is a fellow officer. This pofession has always been a dangerous one, but nowdays it is even more dangerous.  The offenders are much younger and more violent. They have no regard for human Life itself and no respect for the Law or Law Enforcement Officers. I have almost 36 years as an Officer and incidents like this still make me sad and make me realize how precious life is.

[Arcey]

It's a housing project, Tex.  If something happens, crowds form in a hurry.  Chaotic scenes are nothing new there.  I've been in several, it isn't fun.

Darden was black.  If he was working a burglary detail I'm sure he was dressed for the part.  The uncle, mentioned in the article, and I walked a beat together thru the same neighborhood over thirty years ago.  He and I worked two man units way back when as well.  I'm so sorry for him and his family.

The department is staffed by just short of eight hundred.  I don't know how many there were when I went to work.  At one time I think we probably knew just about everyone else.  But, you're right. Not today.  I retired in '02.  Around that time I'd go to court and see people with hash marks on their sleeves I'd never seen before.

We'd always grab the radio and tell them we'd be at the scene in plain clothes.  But you never knew who got the word and who didn't.  In reality I was fairly safe.  No one but another cop was in a dress shirt and tie.  But some of our guys in Vice & Narcotics were/are pretty grubby looking.  It wouldn't be difficult to mistake one for bad guy.

Darden is dead.  That part is over.  God bless the officer that killed him.  That he'll never get over and it'll follow him the rest of his life.

[Arcey]

Follow up article.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=104949&ran=24273&tref=po

Shelton and I worked together from time to time.  We were never close.  I will say I wouldn't know him from his younger days as compared to the image in the article.  Barely resembles the same man.  Then again, I guess I don't look the same either.

Shelton, my prayers go out to you and the family.

[Griff]

Thanks for the update Arcey.  My condolences for all the members of the Department, for this will surely affect them all. 

[Arcey]

Another chapter to the story, for those interested:

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/man-who-fatally-shot-fellow-norfolk-officer-resigns-57500-city

[Texas Lawdog]

This incident will not go away for the officer, eventually it will surface at his new place of employment.