Constable Brian Bachman, the elected constable of Brazos County, Precinct 1, was shot and killed on Monday by a gunman who was later killed by other officers, but only after the gunman continued shooting policemen and civilians. Also killed was a passer-by, Chris Northcliff. Two other officers and a woman were shot by the gunman. Constable Bachman was attempting to serve an eviction notice at the time he was shot. My deepest sympathy to his family, including his wife and three young children, as well to the family of Mr. Northcliff. I also wish a speedy recovery to those injured in this incident.
As peace officers know, even the most routine civil or criminal matter can suddenly turn deadly. An eviction notice, for instance, requires nothing more than the signature of the person being served. After receiving the notice from a constable or sheriff, the person has several methods of recourse available before he can be forcibly evicted from his residence. Yet eviction service is one of the more common incidents in which sheriffs, constables, and their deputies often find themselves in deadly circumstance.
Texas peace officers know that law enforcement in this state can be, and often is, a deadly occupation. In fact, as of Constable Bachman's murder, the number officers killed in Texas rises to 6. At the national level, the total number of officers killed in the United States currently stands at 65. By the end of 2011, 173 officers had been killed, including 67 killed by gunfire. Of note for 2011 is the fact that by the end of the New Year holiday period 11 officers had been murdered in what was probably the deadliest twenty-four hour period in United States law enforcement history. While 2012 has turned out to be a more "average" year, as far as duty-related deaths are concerned, officers are still being murdered at the rate of nearly ten per month across the nation.
According to the people who knew Constable Bachman, and worked with him on a daily basis, or worshipped with him, he was a very active member of the community, not only with his enthusiasm for law enforcement and public service, but also as a member of his church and a doer of good in the community. As one of his deputies noted, Constable Bachman volunteered to serve the eviction notice for this particular deputy so that the deputy would not have to do it. Mr. Bachman was active in his church mission efforts, including taking his children on mission trips each summer. As is always the case, I am baffled as to why someone with these talents and with such a heart of service is so often taken from us by another person who offers no service or charity to the community, who has often turned down opportunities to improve his life or to help others, who is a scourge to his own family, and who has no desire to minister to people in any way, but only to do harm. I am full of wonder and a lot of anger that the criminal or anti-social person is not somehow removed from the picture, instead of those who strive to help others and to bring out the best in people, and themselves. It seems so unfair that a woman was robbed of her mate, that three children had their father stolen from them, and that the police and the community lost a brother and a friend at the hands of someone such as this particular gunman.
My prayers go out for Mrs. Bachman, her children and family, and for the members of law enforcement who lost a brother. I also include the family of Mr. Northcliff, as they suffered a great loss as well. And I pray also for the family of the gunman. They were thrust helplessly into this situation by their loved one, and are innocent victims too. I pray that the Good Shepherd comforts all of these people, and I pray for the safety of the law officers left behind, who continue to do their work in spite of the death and the danger around them.
As peace officers know, even the most routine civil or criminal matter can suddenly turn deadly. An eviction notice, for instance, requires nothing more than the signature of the person being served. After receiving the notice from a constable or sheriff, the person has several methods of recourse available before he can be forcibly evicted from his residence. Yet eviction service is one of the more common incidents in which sheriffs, constables, and their deputies often find themselves in deadly circumstance.
Texas peace officers know that law enforcement in this state can be, and often is, a deadly occupation. In fact, as of Constable Bachman's murder, the number officers killed in Texas rises to 6. At the national level, the total number of officers killed in the United States currently stands at 65. By the end of 2011, 173 officers had been killed, including 67 killed by gunfire. Of note for 2011 is the fact that by the end of the New Year holiday period 11 officers had been murdered in what was probably the deadliest twenty-four hour period in United States law enforcement history. While 2012 has turned out to be a more "average" year, as far as duty-related deaths are concerned, officers are still being murdered at the rate of nearly ten per month across the nation.
According to the people who knew Constable Bachman, and worked with him on a daily basis, or worshipped with him, he was a very active member of the community, not only with his enthusiasm for law enforcement and public service, but also as a member of his church and a doer of good in the community. As one of his deputies noted, Constable Bachman volunteered to serve the eviction notice for this particular deputy so that the deputy would not have to do it. Mr. Bachman was active in his church mission efforts, including taking his children on mission trips each summer. As is always the case, I am baffled as to why someone with these talents and with such a heart of service is so often taken from us by another person who offers no service or charity to the community, who has often turned down opportunities to improve his life or to help others, who is a scourge to his own family, and who has no desire to minister to people in any way, but only to do harm. I am full of wonder and a lot of anger that the criminal or anti-social person is not somehow removed from the picture, instead of those who strive to help others and to bring out the best in people, and themselves. It seems so unfair that a woman was robbed of her mate, that three children had their father stolen from them, and that the police and the community lost a brother and a friend at the hands of someone such as this particular gunman.
My prayers go out for Mrs. Bachman, her children and family, and for the members of law enforcement who lost a brother. I also include the family of Mr. Northcliff, as they suffered a great loss as well. And I pray also for the family of the gunman. They were thrust helplessly into this situation by their loved one, and are innocent victims too. I pray that the Good Shepherd comforts all of these people, and I pray for the safety of the law officers left behind, who continue to do their work in spite of the death and the danger around them.
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