GANG ENFORCEMENT | The Thin Blue Line
The Thin Blue Line Memorial Wall Gang Enforcement Command
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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.
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.
Recently Fallen
Officer Boyer had served with the Whittier Police Department for 28 years and was preparing to retire. He is survived by three adult children and his parents.
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Police Officer
Keith Boyer Whittier Police Department, California End of Watch: Monday, February 20, 2017 Police Officer Keith Boyer was shot and killed as he and another officer investigated an accident near the intersection of Colima Road and Mar Vista Street.
Unbeknownst to the officers, the vehicle that caused the crash was stolen and being driven by a gang member who had just been paroled. The parolee had just committed another murder hours earlier. As Officer Boyer attempted to conduct a pat down on the subject, the man suddenly pulled a handgun from his waistband and opened fire. Officer Boyer was killed and a second officer was wounded. Despite the wounds, the officers returned fire and wounded the subject. Officer Boyer was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. |
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.
* 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.
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Officer Name
Alfano, James
Brownlee, Sam K. Boyer, Keith Cabrera, Jair Ceriale, Michael Clements, Tom Elmore, Ted Cephus Frazier, De'Greaun Giniewicz, Anthony A. Gilhooly, John J. Gonzalez, Mauel Holder, Randolp Jacobs, Allen L. Lee, Eric D. Loftus, Terrance E. McGuinn, David Orozco, Kerrie Ortiz, Jerry Rappaport, Frank G. Redelfs, Arthur Sanders, Jerry Santiago, Melvin Smith, Norman Strouse, Brian Wright, Gerald L. |
Title
Police Officer
Deputy Sheriff Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer Executive Director Lieutenant Special Agent Police Officer Police Officer Correctional Officer Detective Police Officer III Police Officer Police Officer Correctional Officer Gang Detective Deputy Correctional Officer Senior Corporal Correctional Officer Detective Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer |
Agency
Chicago Police Department
Weld County Sheriff's Office Salt River Police Department Whittier Police Department Chicago Police Department Colorado Department of Corrections Catawba County Sheriff's Office Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Signal Hill Police Department Chicago Police Department California Department of Corrections New York Police Department Greenville Police Department Chicago Police Department Chicago Police Department Maryland Department of Corrections Omaha Police Department Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Chicago Police Department El Paso County Sheriff's Office California Department of Corrections Jersey City Police Department Dallas Police Department Chicago Police Department Chicago Police Department |
State
IL
CO AZ CA IL CO NC TN CA IL CA NY SC IL IL MD NE CA IL TX CA NJ TX IL IL |
End of Watch
08-16-1970
11-23-2010 05-24-2014 02-20-2017 08-21-1998 03-19-2013 04-27-1983 08-09-2016 12-07-2011 11-13-1969 01-10-2005 10-20-2016 03-18-2016 08-19-2001 10-10-1976 07-25-2006 05-20-2015 06-24-2005 11-13-1969 03-12-2010 11-27-1973 07-13-2014 01-07-2009 06-30-2001 08-07-1993 |
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 command@gangenforcement.com with additional information.
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