THIN BLUE LINE
The Thin Blue Line is a colloquial term for police forces.
The blue refers to the typical blue of the police uniform, and refers to the police forces in general. It may refer to the police as a "line" standing between good and evil (citizens and perpetrators), or may refer to the "line" that separates the police as an in-group from everyone else (with positive, negative or mixed connotations, depending on the person using the expression).
In the United States, the blue line is used on mourning bands to signify the loss of a fellow officer.
Today, in the United States, some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement.
That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 160 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, over 19,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The blue refers to the typical blue of the police uniform, and refers to the police forces in general. It may refer to the police as a "line" standing between good and evil (citizens and perpetrators), or may refer to the "line" that separates the police as an in-group from everyone else (with positive, negative or mixed connotations, depending on the person using the expression).
In the United States, the blue line is used on mourning bands to signify the loss of a fellow officer.
Today, in the United States, some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement.
That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 160 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, over 19,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 160 officers
a year have been killed in the line of duty.”
Gang Enforcement Officers Killed and/or Law Enforcement Officers
Killed in the Line of Duty at the Hands of a Gang Member
* This list is not all inclusive as these statistics are not readily available as reporting is limited on gang member involvement. Names will be added as we receive them.
Killed in the Line of Duty at the Hands of a Gang Member
* This list is not all inclusive as these statistics are not readily available as reporting is limited on gang member involvement. Names will be added as we receive them.
Challenge: The primary challenge we face is that many agencies do not go as far as categorizing an officers death as "gang related" "gang motivated" or "gang involved" when an officer is killed in the line of duty by a gang member so it is difficult for us to identify those officers accurately and completely.
If you have information pertaining to an gang officer killed in the line of duty and/or an officer killed in the line of duty by a gang member and you do not see their name included on this page, please e-mail [email protected] with additional information.
If you have information pertaining to an gang officer killed in the line of duty and/or an officer killed in the line of duty by a gang member and you do not see their name included on this page, please e-mail [email protected] with additional information.
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Name: Alfano, James Rank: Police Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 08-16-1970 Name: Boyer, Keith Rank: Police Officer Agency: Salt River Police Department State: Arizona End of Watch: 05-24-2014 Name: Ceriale, Michael Rank: Police Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 08-21-1998 Name: Elmore, Ted Cephus Rank: Lieutenant Agency: Catawba County Sheriff's Office State: North Carolina End of Watch: 04-27-1983 Name: Giniewicz, Anthony A. Rank: Police Officer Agency: Signal Hill Police Department State: California End of Watch: 12-07-2011 Name: Gonzalez, Mauel Rank: Correctional Officer Agency: California Department of Corrections State: California End of Watch: 01-10-2005 Name: Jacobs, Allen L. Rank: Police Officer III Agency: Greenville Police Department State: South Carolina End of Watch: 03-18-2016 Name: Loftus, Terrance E. Rank: Police Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 10-10-1976 Name: Orozco, Kerrie Rank: Gang Detective Agency: Omaha Police Department State: Nebraska End of Watch: 05-20-2015 Name: Rappaport, Frank G. Rank: Correctional Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 11-13-1969 Name: Sanders, Jerry Rank: Correctional Officer Agency: California Department of Corrections State: California End of Watch: 11-27-1973 Name: Smith, Norman Rank: Police Officer Agency: Dallas Police Department State: Texas End of Watch: 01-07-2009 Name: Wright, Gerald L. Rank: Police Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 08-07-1993 |
Name: Brownlee, Sam K. Rank: Deputy Sheriff Agency: Weld County Sheriff's Office State: Colorado End of Watch: 11-23-2010 Name: Cabrera, Jair Rank: Police Officer Agency: Whittier Police Department State: California End of Watch: 02-20-2017 Name: Clements, Tom Rank: Executive Director Agency: Colorado Department of Corrections State: Colorado End of Watch: 03-19-2013 Name: Frazier, De'Greaun Rank: Special Agent Agency: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation State: Tennessee End of Watch: 08-09-2016 Name: Gilhooly, John J. Rank: Police Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 11-13-1969 Name: Holder, Randolp Rank: Detective Agency: New York Police Department State: New York End of Watch: 10-20-2016 Name: Lee, Eric D. Rank: Police Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 08-19-2001 Name: McGuinn, David Rank: Correctional Officer Agency: Maryland Department of Corrections State: Maryland End of Watch: 07-25-2006 Name: Ortiz, Jerry Rank: Deputy Agency: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office State: California End of Watch: 06-24-2005 Name: Redelfs, Arthur Rank: Senior Corporal Agency: El Paso County Sheriff's Office State: Texas End of Watch: 03-12-2010 Name: Santiago, Melvin Rank: Detective Agency: Jersey City Police Department State: New Jersey End of Watch: 07-13-2014 Name: Strouse, Brian Rank: Police Officer Agency: Chicago Police Department State: Illinois End of Watch: 06-30-2001 |
