Headline Could Be “Lynchburg Police Officer Dies in Line of Duty”

Dear Editor,

I am writing this as a citizen of Highland County and the Mayor of the Village of Lynchburg. The Lynchburg Police Operations levy is coming up in the Special election that will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. The passage of this levy is extremely important. Levies in support of law enforcement have failed in the past and, quite frankly, I’m worried. One need for this levy is, of course, budget problems, lack of funding for services is on everyone’s agenda these days. However, and more importantly, this levy is about more than just money, it is about safety, and not just the safety of the community of Lynchburg. Community is often times used as an indifferent word to categorize grandparents, parents, children, neighbors, property, schools, churches and even police officers. The words “community” and “safety” mean different things to each individual person. I would like to tell you about one frightening situation, a true story that could easily happen again.

A few years ago on a snowy road in southern Highland County, an Ohio State Patrol Officer made what was thought to be a routine traffic stop. The stop was initiated when a truck pulling an enclosed trailer went left of the center line several times within just a few minutes. Once the vehicle was stopped, an altercation began between the officer and men in the vehicle. The driver fled on foot, and two passengers stayed behind, threatening the officer. The passengers sprung from the vehicle and were ordered several times to return to the vehicle. They continued to threaten the officer, moving towards him again and again. Several times the confrontation became physical, two assailants against one officer. Again and again the OSP officer directed them to return to their vehicle. One of the assailants was informed that he was under arrest after the first physical altercation. The second man then attacked the officer and then he, too, was informed that he was under arrest. The officer ordered him to place his hands behind his back. At that point the two men converged on the officer, threatening him again. The assailants told the officer that they weren’t done and informed the officer that they would not be going to jail. The officer was finally able to break away and ran back to his car to locate his taser, which he hoped would assist him in defending himself against the assailants, incapacitating them without actually harming them. This exchange lasted nearly 15 minutes before any assistance could reach the officer. The poor road conditions slowed the Sheriff’s response time, that and the fact that there was no other law enforcement near by. Fifteen minutes is an eternity when you are fighting for your life. Statistically, an officer’s life is in danger if he cannot gain control of a violent situation and assistance does not arrive within a few minutes. Highland County Sheriff deputies did show up, and the Hillsboro Police K9 was able to assist with tracking the driver who fled on foot. All assailants were eventually taken into custody.

In this situation the Officer was not injured, however, what if backup had not shown up? What if they were farther away, delaying response times even longer? What if budget constraints had not allowed for backup at all? Law enforcement officers rely on each other to protect you and me, as well as to keep themselves safe. I never want to see a newspaper headline read “Lynchburg Police Officer Dies in Line of Duty”. Quite frankly, I never want to be put in the position as Mayor, to tell the family of a Lynchburg Police officer that he has been injured, or worse, killed while serving this community, especially if it could have been prevented. It is our responsibility to assure that back up is available and that all officers have been provided the tools they need to protect and keep safe all the grandparents, parents, children, neighbors, friends, and fellow officers who bravely put themselves between our citizens and danger. Police Departments have been the victims of cut backs across Highland County, so maintaining our current level of safety is in the best interest of, and affects, each and every member of the community of Lynchburg and all the citizens of, and Law Enforcement throughout, Highland County.

Jeremy Shaffer