A peace officer's job carries the same risks whether that officer works in a big city or a rural county. This was proven once again on Friday, October 2, 2013 in the small town of McCamey here in West Texas.
On that particular night Deputy Billy Kennedy, Upton County Sheriff's Office (Rankin, TX), responded to a disturbance at a convenience store in McCamey. At some point the suspect produced a weapon and began firing. The officer returned fire. As many as eleven shots were fired by both men. The officer was hit first but returned fire and wounded the suspect. A short time later Deputy Kennedy died of his wounds. The suspect survived and is hospitalized as of this writing.
Deputy Kennedy was a 14-year veteran. He left behind his widow and two sons. I have heard many people over the years talk about the safety of "policing" in a small town, where everyone is friendly, everyone knows you, etc. But officers, of whatever size jurisdiction, know this sentiment is not borne out by reality. Often, criminals are emboldened in small towns and on lonely country roads because they know that the peace officer they confront may be miles away from the nearest aid. Criminals that are "passing through" a small town may believe that if only one officer stands between them and freedom, they have nothing to lose by killing that one officer and making good their escape.
Recently, in another small town not far from Midland, a young deputy, a lifelong resident of his hometown, was shot and killed by another longtime resident of the same town. That particular resident was also a lifelong crook, and finally decided to take the ultimate step. So a police officer faces life or death in the performance of his duties, no matter the size or location of his jurisdiction.
I offer my praise to Deputy Kennedy and my thanks for his service, to which he paid the highest loyalty - his own life, in exchange for the safety of the people in his county. For his family, I pray the comfort that only the Good Shepherd can offer them, both in the form of friends and relatives, and in the form of that mysterious loving care that surrounds those who have lost loved ones and offers solace when no one else can help.
And I pray for the safety of the officers that must go on with their duties even in the shadow of the death of their fallen colleague.
Rest in Peace, Deputy Kennedy...your watch is over now.
On that particular night Deputy Billy Kennedy, Upton County Sheriff's Office (Rankin, TX), responded to a disturbance at a convenience store in McCamey. At some point the suspect produced a weapon and began firing. The officer returned fire. As many as eleven shots were fired by both men. The officer was hit first but returned fire and wounded the suspect. A short time later Deputy Kennedy died of his wounds. The suspect survived and is hospitalized as of this writing.
Deputy Kennedy was a 14-year veteran. He left behind his widow and two sons. I have heard many people over the years talk about the safety of "policing" in a small town, where everyone is friendly, everyone knows you, etc. But officers, of whatever size jurisdiction, know this sentiment is not borne out by reality. Often, criminals are emboldened in small towns and on lonely country roads because they know that the peace officer they confront may be miles away from the nearest aid. Criminals that are "passing through" a small town may believe that if only one officer stands between them and freedom, they have nothing to lose by killing that one officer and making good their escape.
Recently, in another small town not far from Midland, a young deputy, a lifelong resident of his hometown, was shot and killed by another longtime resident of the same town. That particular resident was also a lifelong crook, and finally decided to take the ultimate step. So a police officer faces life or death in the performance of his duties, no matter the size or location of his jurisdiction.
I offer my praise to Deputy Kennedy and my thanks for his service, to which he paid the highest loyalty - his own life, in exchange for the safety of the people in his county. For his family, I pray the comfort that only the Good Shepherd can offer them, both in the form of friends and relatives, and in the form of that mysterious loving care that surrounds those who have lost loved ones and offers solace when no one else can help.
And I pray for the safety of the officers that must go on with their duties even in the shadow of the death of their fallen colleague.
Rest in Peace, Deputy Kennedy...your watch is over now.
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