Police Chief Michael Pimentel, head of the Elmendorf Police Department, was killed by a petty criminal whose name will not be typed on this post, but can be seen in the several stories online and in the newspaper regarding this senseless murder. This happened on August 24th, but I chose to hold this blog for several days because of the media frenzy, and general chaos, regarding Ferguson, Missouri. I believed that the murder of an honorable and decent officer needed to be out from under the shadow of all the hysteria stirred up by the media in Ferguson.
Chief Mike, as he was known by many people in Elmendorf, stopped an individual who the Chief more than likely knew personally. As the Chief started to arrest the man for an outstanding warrant for Criminal Mischief (by Graffiti), the individual began wrestling with the officer, and during this struggle, produced a weapon and shot Chief Mike several times. The officer was alive when help arrived but died a few minutes later. Meanwhile, the shooter meekly surrendered when confronted by officers arriving to assist Chief Mike.
Chief Michael Pimentel was not only respected, but was well-liked by many members of the community of Elmendorf. Residents knew the shooter as well, and stated that he had had many confrontations with various officers over the past few years. In an outpouring of grief and support I have never heard of, residents of Elmendorf replaced their porch and yard lights with blue lights, which they illuminated every night this past week in honor of their fallen police chief. This was a very touching and poignant gesture, and I am sure the family and the colleagues of this officer must have very greatly appreciated this most unusual show of support.
Chief Mike served as a peace officer for over forty years; before that he served in Viet Nam. There is no fathomable reason that a person wanted only for criminal mischief would decide that another person's life was worth less than the few days this criminal would spend in the county jail. So many things I would like to say about this man, but I will not. All I will say about him is may he rot in prison.
Chief Pimentel was an older officer who had "seen it all," as we sometimes say. During his years served as a peace officer he saw much improvement in police ideas, tactics, and equipment. For instance, when he started in law enforcement, his patrol car most likely had an AM radio and a long "aerial" that stretched nearly the length of the patrol car. During his later years as an officer he drove a car equipped with a computer, ultra-high frequency multi-channel scanning radio, and satellite navigation and tracking. Chief Mike had also seen the face of law enforcement change as well, from a time when women and minorities were discouraged from the profession to a new age, a time when a woman is the chief law enforcement officer in Bexar County.
Michael Pimentel lived a long life full of the kind of police service that we expect from our officers. I offer my deepest sympathy for his loved ones and friends, and for the law enforcement community. Chief Pimentel, thank you for your service to this nation, the people of Texas, and the community of Elmendorf, to whom you gave your life in their service.
Chief Mike, as he was known by many people in Elmendorf, stopped an individual who the Chief more than likely knew personally. As the Chief started to arrest the man for an outstanding warrant for Criminal Mischief (by Graffiti), the individual began wrestling with the officer, and during this struggle, produced a weapon and shot Chief Mike several times. The officer was alive when help arrived but died a few minutes later. Meanwhile, the shooter meekly surrendered when confronted by officers arriving to assist Chief Mike.
Chief Michael Pimentel was not only respected, but was well-liked by many members of the community of Elmendorf. Residents knew the shooter as well, and stated that he had had many confrontations with various officers over the past few years. In an outpouring of grief and support I have never heard of, residents of Elmendorf replaced their porch and yard lights with blue lights, which they illuminated every night this past week in honor of their fallen police chief. This was a very touching and poignant gesture, and I am sure the family and the colleagues of this officer must have very greatly appreciated this most unusual show of support.
Chief Mike served as a peace officer for over forty years; before that he served in Viet Nam. There is no fathomable reason that a person wanted only for criminal mischief would decide that another person's life was worth less than the few days this criminal would spend in the county jail. So many things I would like to say about this man, but I will not. All I will say about him is may he rot in prison.
Chief Pimentel was an older officer who had "seen it all," as we sometimes say. During his years served as a peace officer he saw much improvement in police ideas, tactics, and equipment. For instance, when he started in law enforcement, his patrol car most likely had an AM radio and a long "aerial" that stretched nearly the length of the patrol car. During his later years as an officer he drove a car equipped with a computer, ultra-high frequency multi-channel scanning radio, and satellite navigation and tracking. Chief Mike had also seen the face of law enforcement change as well, from a time when women and minorities were discouraged from the profession to a new age, a time when a woman is the chief law enforcement officer in Bexar County.
Michael Pimentel lived a long life full of the kind of police service that we expect from our officers. I offer my deepest sympathy for his loved ones and friends, and for the law enforcement community. Chief Pimentel, thank you for your service to this nation, the people of Texas, and the community of Elmendorf, to whom you gave your life in their service.
No comments:
Post a Comment