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Post by TheBear on Mar 22, 2009 8:38:36 GMT -5
Let us all pause to honor the three Oakland police officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty yesterday, March 21, 2009. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their fellow officers and the families of the men who have fallen. The long road of grieving has only begun for them.
"Bear"
Mark Hartness
MS, Grief and Bereavement Counseling
MS, Pastoral Thanatology
Thanatology / Traumatology
The CARE is in the CARING
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Post by bluepride on Mar 22, 2009 11:05:32 GMT -5
Three Police Sergeants Dead, Suspect Killed In East Oakland Gun Battles OAKLAND — In the most horrific day in Oakland Police Department history, a parolee shot to death three police sergeants within two hours of one another Saturday afternoon. When officers tracked down the suspect, a fourth officer was shot and was in critical condition Saturday night. The three veteran officers killed were sergeants: Mark Dunakin, 40, of Tracy, a traffic officer with the department since 1991; Erv Romans, 43, of Danville, a 13-year veteran with the force; and Dan Sakai, 35, a nine-year veteran, police said. Romans and Sakai were SWAT team members. It was the first time any sergeant in the department had been slain. Officer John Hege, 41, of Concord, was on life support at Highland Hospital. A bullet grazed a fifth, unidentified officer. He was treated and released from the hospital. The suspect was identified as Oakland resident Lovelle Mixon, 26. He was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, police said. He had a no-bail warrant for his arrest on charges of violating parole. He had previous convictions in Alameda County for grand theft and possession of marijuana. "I wouldn't wish this on any of my colleagues in the United States," said acting police Chief Howard Jordan during a news conference Saturday night. "This is very daunting for us, but we are very resilient. We are a big family and we rely on each other for support." Three Police Sergeants Dead, Suspect Killed In East Oakland Gun BattlesThis mind numbing tragedy reminds us all of how tenuous our lives are and how our jobs can turn to tragedy in a split second. Police Officers all over the country and around the world feel this loss. We're all in mourning today for three of our own and we pray for the Officer on life support. We're at least thankful that one Officer was treated and released after a graze wound. He will never be the same. And I'm glad the vermin who shot these brothers was killed. He deserves no sympathy or understanding. |
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Post by TheBear on Mar 22, 2009 17:18:44 GMT -5
Let us all pause to honor the three Oakland police officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty yesterday, March 21, 2009. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their fellow officers and the families of the men who have fallen. The long road of grieving has only begun for them. "Bear" Mark Hartness MS, Grief and Bereavement Counseling MS, Pastoral Thanatology Thanatology / Traumatology The CARE is in the CARING __________________________________ The fourth officer who was shot in the tragedy in Oakland has now died. We honor all four officers who have been killed. May they rest in peace. Our deepest expressions of love and condolence goes out to the slain officer's comrades in blue and their families. Bear ________________ |
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Post by bluepride on Mar 23, 2009 7:01:58 GMT -5
Oakland - It's Time To Back The Badge The deaths of four Oakland police officers gunned down in the line of duty Saturday afternoon are undisputable, immutable, irrevocable proof of the chaotic level of predatory violence on the streets of this city. Even as crime dipped in the first three months of the year, gun violence has continued largely unabated - and now it has claimed the lives of four police officers. The shootings of Sgt. Mark Dunakin and Officer John Hege during a seemingly routine traffic stop in East Oakland, and Sgts. Daniel Sakai and Ervin Romans two hours later as they burst into an apartment looking for the killer, will have lasting repercussions for a city already regarded as one of the most violent in the country. It can't help but worsen already sky-high tensions between police and people who live in the city's toughest neighborhoods. Officers will be more wary than ever in dealing with everyday confrontations and routine incidents, like traffic stops - and that raises the danger level for everyone involved. Link to article: Oakland - It's Time To Back The BadgeIt never wasn't time to back the badge in Oakland or anyplace else....but interesting article anyway. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2009 12:49:54 GMT -5
I can't find the words to expres my grief at the loss of those officers.
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Post by bluepride on Mar 26, 2009 16:09:26 GMT -5
Can you believe the gall of some people? Dozens March For Mixon, Against Police About 60 people marched and rallied in Oakland on Wednesday to condemn the police and honor Lovelle Mixon, who was killed by Oakland police after he fatally shot four officers Saturday. "OPD you can't hide - we charge you with genocide," chanted the demonstrators as they marched along MacArthur Boulevard, near the intersection with 74th Avenue where Mixon, 26, a fugitive parolee, gunned down two motorcycle officers who had pulled him over in a traffic stop. He killed two more officers who tried to capture him where he was hiding in his sister's apartment nearby. The protest was organized by the Oakland branch of the Uhuru Movement, whose flyers for the march declared, "Stop Police Terror." Many marchers wore T-shirts featuring Mixon's photo, including a woman identified by march organizers as Mixon's mother. The woman declined to comment and gave her name only as Athena. Dozens March For Mixon, Against Police |
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Post by admin on Mar 26, 2009 16:23:38 GMT -5
Many Visiting Police To Attend Funeral For Oakland Cops Oakland police officials said Friday that they are prepared to accommodate up to 18,000 or more people at a funeral service Friday for four officers who were fatally shot by a wanted parolee last Saturday. Capt. Paul Figueroa said officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Boston Police Department and other police and fire departments from around the country are expected to attend the funeral, which will be held at Oracle Arena in Oakland. The service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday and is expected to last at least two and a half hours. "The mission is to honor the fallen officers and their families," Figueroa said. Speaking to reporters at a news conference at Oakland police headquarters, Figueroa became emotional after he said he's spent some time with the families of the slain officers and described them as "the most honorable folks." The officers who will be remembered are Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, of Tracy, Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, of Danville, Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35, of Castro Valley and Officer John Hege, 41, of Concord. Police say that the officers were killed by 26-year-old Lovelle Mixon of Oakland, an ex-felon who was the subject of a no-bail parole revocation warrant for allegedly violating his parole by failing to meet with his parole officer. Mixon was killed at the end of his confrontation with police. The incident began when Dunakin and Hege made a traffic stop on Mixon at 74th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday. A vigil for the slain officers was to be held at that location at 6 p.m. Tuesday night. Figueroa said there are 16,900 available seats at the Oracle Arena and another 1,200 seats on the floor level. There also are options to accommodate more people if there is an overflow of attendees, he said. Many Visiting Police To Attend Funeral For Oakland CopsI'm hoping that the funeral will either be broadcast on nationwide TV or if not, by webcam. Check back to the above link at the time of the funeral, if it's not on TV. Quite possible that it will be on webcam on the TV station's website. If anyone finds a live feed, please post it here on Friday. - Admin |
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Post by TheBear on Mar 27, 2009 17:46:25 GMT -5
BluePride Professionals,
I have just watched the streaming video of the entire funeral service for the four officers of the Oakland Police Department who were killed in the line of duty a week ago.
For those of you who aren't able to watch the live-streaming video or must read about it in regular news articles, please allow me, as a gay man here in northern California, to share what I have just seen and my feeling about the service.
The service was over three hours and was attended by at least 18,000. The entire Oracle Arena in Oakland was filled, with overflow crowds directed to the nearby Colosseum where giant video screens were set up and the reception will be held following the service.
The entire 850 members of the Oakland Police Department attended. Officers from nearby cities came in to take over the OPD so every Oakland officer could attend. I find that extraordinary.
The service was extremely powerful and deeply moving. The recessional and outside ceremonies - the 21-gun salute, the firing of cannon, the placing of the caskets in the hearses - is still going on as I write this four hours after the service began. This truly is an exceptional effort demonstrating the finest of honorary support from police, military and citizen organizations from all over the country, Canada and several other countries.
The service included California Senators Feinstein and Boxer who spoke as well as Governor Schwarzenegger. A personal message from President Obama was read. The Chief of Oakland Police, Oakland Mayor and so many spoke to honor the fallen officers.
But, to me, the most eloquent messages came from those who are not accustomed to public speaking... the fellow officers who worked with and knew best the men who were killed. No, they were not polished speech makers, but their heart-rending stories and expressions of love were absolutely genuine. Their voices often broke with emotion. And then, a representative of each of the families of the officers gave a farewell eulogy, share favorite stories and said good-bye. All this was followed by the ceremonial bagpipe honor guard playing Amazing Grace. YES... VERY POWERFUL. VERY EMOTIONAL.
One senior Oakland Police Department officer, retired now, offered thoughts and reflections on behalf of the OPD for all four officers. He included terms and phrases that I was especially pleased to hear. Thoughts such as "Protect and Serve ALL citizens of ALL colors, of ALL faiths, and OF ANY SEXUAL ORIENTATION."
Now, some 4 1/2 hours after services started, overhead helicopters are showing scenes of the miles-long funeral procession, including what appears to be perhaps 100-200-? cruisers, hearses, lines of limousines, hundreds of cycle officers, lines of buses carrying uniformed guests and dignitaries. The entire 880 freeway has been closed to regular traffic as these four officers make their final journey.
Rest in Peace, brave officers.
"Bear"
Mark Hartness
Thanatology / Traumatology
The CARE is in the CARING
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 18:25:36 GMT -5
Bear, thank you so much for your posting. So far, I have not seen any coverage of the funeral here in Florida. I hope they include it in the evening news. This is indeed a very sad day for all of us in law enforcement.
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Post by burner on Mar 28, 2009 2:55:08 GMT -5
Bear, let me echo Prydeguy's thanks and appreciation for your sharing the story with us. I just caught a tiny clip on the TV news but your words have brought the entire ceremony to life as though I'd been there. I was choked up simply reading your narrative. Again, thank you.
Burner
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2009 6:55:07 GMT -5
Would you believe that no mention was made of the funeral here on the Florida gulf coast. Nothing on the Tampa, Sarasota, or Fort Myers evening news. I'm very angry about this.
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Post by TheBear on Mar 28, 2009 8:05:29 GMT -5
Bear, let me echo Prydeguy's thanks and appreciation for your sharing the story with us. I just caught a tiny clip on the TV news but your words have brought the entire ceremony to life as though I'd been there. I was choked up simply reading your narrative. Again, thank you. Burner Prydeguys, Burner and all BluePride Professionals, I'm not sure why this story has affect me so deeply. I suppose it is the multiple factors that I am a Thanatologist, working with death, dying, grief and bereavement; that I am a CJ retiree, having worked at California's highest super-max prison; and that I am a licensed psychiatric nurse. The nurse part of me is especially moved by the last part of this message, below. I am glad to be able to share the word, so to speak, on this sad and significant page in LEO history with you for whom your local news agencies have not carried the story. There are some updates since the funeral services yesterday... Figures have been updated to attendance at the arena of 20,000 with the overflow at the Coliseum of an additional 10,000 ... 30,000 who came to honor the brave officers. Among those who came to honor the deceased officers were many members of the Canadian Mounted Police, the "Mounties" who stood out, tall and respectful, in their bright red uniforms among the sea of blue. There were honor units of LEOs who had driven cruisers from Minnesota. Units were reported from Boston and New York and "many other states," according to news reports. There is more information regarding the felon who murdered the brave Oakland officers. I will write a separate message about that. I do not wish to sully reporting the dignity of the brave Oakland officers in this message. Finally, in a mix of emotions for what is certainly a deeply tragic story, there is a ironic and bright outcome. The fourth officer, the last to die, had actually survived for a day in the hospital. He was declared brain dead but his body was kept alive on machines so that his wishes for organ donation could be followed. I've always winced at the term "harvested" for when organs are taken for transplant. But, that is the term and that was the direction by Officer John Hege as noted by the "donor" mark on his driver's license. In case of the unthinkable, he wanted his organs to be used to give others life. Thus, FOUR PEOPLE ARE ALIVE today, having been given the GIFT OF LIFE by receiving Officer Hege's heart, both kidneys and liver. I have heard in another report that up to FIFTY other people have received "tissue donation" as well. I don't know if that is skin, or bone marrow or just what. The fact is, in death, life has been gifted to others. I salute the Oakland officers. May the rest in peace in Eternal Grace. Bear _______________________ |
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Post by admin on Mar 28, 2009 8:40:24 GMT -5
Yesterday I watched a lot of the funeral on a live feed via a local Oakland TV station. The link to it is posted above in this thread. For a while I was considering shutting this site down for the day as a tribute to the Officers but I thought better of it because others might need to post. I decided to stay away and not log on. The turnout was amazing, with Police Officers from all over the country and Canada in attendance. Personally, I was impressed that a group of NYPD members flew across the country on their own to attend and represent us. There is so much to say and so much to be proud of in the last 24 hours. I'm offended that the news coverage across the country or at least certain parts of it, were sparse. Political correctness, you know. In my opinion, the politicians in attendence shouldn't have been given such a place of honor at the funeral seeing that most of them, on any other day, would handcuff and negatively criticize the Police for doing their jobs. And they will again soon, mark my words. It was heartwarming to hear and see the tributes from fellow Officers and family members. I am always struck by the differences in the way Police funerals are done throughout the country. While they all have their basic similarities, each section of the country and most departments have their own stamp on how they're done. This was the first Police funeral where I've heard rock music as an integral part of the service. Go figure! The music was respectful though. Now the four are buried and the members of the Oakland PD gather up, take a deep breath and continue their mission. These four won't be forgotten either by Oakland or by any cop across the country. And something like this incident will happen again somewhere else, unfortunately. It never ends. This is a video with portions of the funeral and the participation of Cops from all over the nation. Click on the link: OFFICERS REMEMBERED |
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Post by TheBear on Mar 28, 2009 8:48:35 GMT -5
Follow-up to the tragic loss of four LEOs in Oakland:
Since it seems there are some areas where news agencies did not carry reports about the enormous support and the 30,000 who attended the funeral of the four Oakland PD officers who were shot and killed a week ago, I am sure the side story would not be reported either.
Being that this is a police story, I wanted to share it with our PB group...
Convicted felon Lovelle Mixon had been recently released from Corcoran State Prison after six years. He had been convicted of armed robbery. He was released last November. Reports are that he failed to meet with his parole officer after release and went back to prison for another month.
Last week he was pulled over by motorcycle officers on a routine traffic stop and, in that process, he shot and killed both officers with an automatic weapon.
Fleeing to his sister's nearby apartment, SWAT officers found him and a gun battle took place. Two more officers were killed. Mixon used an AK47 and shot through the walls of the closet in which he was hiding, before being killed by the SWAT officers.
Now we learn that Mixon had a warrant out for his arrest because he again did not meet his parole officer. And, he was a felon in possession of automatic weapons.
AND, just the day before his traffic stop, the report came back that DNA tests had linked Mixon as the one who RAPED A 12-year-old GIRL recently in the same neighborhood. DNA testing is still being processed on other recent rapes with similar MO to see if Mixon was the rapist.
ALSO, I saw video news footage showing Enjoli Mixon, Lovelle's sister. was arrested on drug charges and appeared in court Friday. Then, it was discovered that there was an warrant already outstanding for her due to her failure to appear on previous drug charges.
The above is a chronicle of facts. My opinion is that these person(s) are among some of the lowest of human trash.
Bear
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2009 9:16:12 GMT -5
Bear, THE SISTER? Oh my God, what the hell is wrong with those people.
Did you also see the photo of the perps mother holding a sign in the protest rally? I don't see how she could have the nerve to even show her face. With two criminal children, she isn't exactly "Mother Of The Year."
You're kind to say they are "Human Trash", I would say they are Human Waste.
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