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Post by hcsodale on Dec 20, 2014 20:41:03 GMT -5
There is nothing polite or constructive I can say right now.....
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Post by bluepride on Dec 22, 2014 17:24:44 GMT -5
I understand completely.
In the last couple of days, in addition to posting the initial stuff regarding this homicide I haven't been spending as much time as I'd wanted to here. Because of rage, a bad cold and family obligations. But I do thank you guys for the contributions you have made. And in addition to all of this, I'm struggling with the fact that I may have to ban someone from BP because said person is angering a lot of people with his now virulently anti-cop, racially charged, smuggly ignorant rants on another site. I think he knows better than to try that sh*t here. Someone who always has to make things about him. He has intensely pissed off a lot of people who have propped him up for 20+ years and have made him what he is today. Just a heads up that I may be giving the boot to someone who has been here since just about the beginning of Blue Pride. As much as it pains me to do it, I will.
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Post by bluepride on Dec 26, 2014 19:03:58 GMT -5
We've all seen the coverage for almost a week now. There is no point, right now, to post any links. Most of us have been living with this entire situation since it happened. As I type this, I'm home and trying to relax enough so that I can get a decent night's sleep. The funeral is at 1000 hours and I only live about 10-15 minutes away. But with the expected approximately 25,000 Police Officers coming from all over the United States, Canada and even England, I'm planning on being at the front of the church by about 0730. I know of guys and girls who are coming from all over but I'm betting I don't get to even catch a glimpse of them due to the volume of people expected. But that's OK. Just the fact that they're there is good enough for me.
The politicians have been leeching on to this incident, as expected...and old "hair plugz" himself, Joe Biden is going to be there. It is going to be one long day but a small sacrifice, everything considered.
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Post by bluepride on Dec 27, 2014 19:40:50 GMT -5
Today was the first of two funerals for the two officers assassinated one week ago. I left my place just as the sun was beginning to rise at approximately 0630. For a 10-15 minute ride, just so I could get some sort of reasonable parking. Mission accomplished. A subway ride and about 10 blocks later, I was directed to an area where cops would be assembling. It was lucky for me that there were port-o-sans and canteens with food and coffee. Lucky me. Little by little, what had been about 100 officers scattered about soon became thousands. From all over the country. I mean ALL over the country. It was great to run into old co-workers and hang out with them during the services. We were about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the church but there were jumbo-trons and sound systems all over. And having attended more Police funerals that I care to count, I have to say that this was by far the one where I felt the most solidarity, comradeship and "love" than ever before. This (these) murder hit Police Officers all over the country, Canada and even England very hard. (Yes, Greg, there were RCMPs and other Canadian cops there. Warmed my heart.)
The service was very nice. Excellent, in fact. There were the political hacks, of course. Joe Biden was actually pretty good but when he started to get political, I tuned him out. He didn't know when to shut up, I guess. The so-called governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, blathered on saying things that anyone with half a brain knows he didn't mean. Boilerplate all the way. Now comes the fun part.... The cretin who poses as the Mayor of New York City, read his speech from a paper but he still couldn't get it right. A 7 year old could have done it better. After a short time, without being told to by anyone, thousands of Police Officers turned their backs on him. Cops from all over the country turned their backs on him for his belittling, lying, imflammatory statements about cops and his not so tacit approval of the violent anti-cop demonstrations that have been taking place lately. He further made a fool of himself by attempting to speak spanish. He butchered the language so badly that we were actually laughing at what a dolt he is. Commissioner Bratton made a nice, heartfelt speech and did a fine job, even though he seems to have lost most of the rank and file, at least for now. But two good things came out of his speech. Since Police Officer Ramos was scheduled to graduate from the Chaplain's course that he was studying on the same night as he was killed, the Commissioner posthumously appointed him as an honorary Department Chaplain for his former Precinct. A very nice gesture. And then he announced that both officers, Ramos and Liu would be posthumously promoted to Detective, 1st Grade. That will help their families, benefit wise. There was a lot of applause for these gestures.
I didn't see any of the front of church ceremonies as I was so far away, but eventually about 500 motorcycle cops led the procession in front of where I was standing, with the hearse and the family and the long line of family, friends and dignitaries. And then a beautiful flyover by approximately 13 helicopters from NYPD and other agencies. Awesome. It was a long, tiring day but so worth it to pay tribute to a man who was so loved.
Just to show you how it's a small world, I noticed two uniformed guys standing next to me and I thought I recognized their patches and agency. So...I just had to ask. "You guys are from Hillsborough County in Florida?" "Yes, we are!" Ha ha! I had to ask if they knew a certain Blue Pride member and of course, they did! Don't worry, Dale. I didn't lisp or prance. I hope I did you proud. We talked about you a bit and we also talked about the funeral of the officer from Tarpon Springs who was murdered on the same day as Ramos and Liu. Then they wanted a photo of me with them. I can probably assure you that they looked good and I looked horrible but I was touched that they even wanted it taken. Later in the evening they visited the site of the shooting and I saw them on the local news. Very well spoken and very nice guys.
All in all, a very nice tribute to one officer today, while not forgetting his partner. He was talked about and paid tribute too. His family was in attendence. And Police Officer Kondek (Tarpon Springs) was not forgotten either.
I had a brainstorm early this morning and decided to list as many agencies represented as I could. The following is by no means an all inclusive listing but these are who I saw and some are who I heard that friends of mine saw representing agencies from all over.
Chicago PD, Atlanta PD, St. Paul, Minnesota PD, Boston PD, Massechusetts State PD, Woodbridge New Jersey PD, Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, Fairfax Virginia PD, Miami PD, Cape Coral Florida PD, San Diego California PD, Los Angeles PD, Los Angeles County Sherrif's Office PD, Philadelphia PD, Oakland California PD, Redfell North Carolina PD, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario PD, El Paso Colorado PD, Vallejo California PD, Takoma Washington PD, Bethlehem Pennsylvania PD and so many more that I can't list them. Plus, I know that a department in England sent two Officers. Amazing....
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Post by bluepride on Dec 30, 2014 10:39:21 GMT -5
This is a video taken by one of the motorcycle cops in the procession. It is absolutey amazing. I've never seen as many bikes at any one funeral as I did for this one. It gives a good view of how many attended.
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Post by bluepride on Jan 5, 2015 17:36:00 GMT -5
Yesterday I attended the second of the funerals of the two Police Officers who were assassinated on December 20, 2014. Arriving at about 8:00AM for an 11:00AM funeral, there was already an impressive showing of cops from all over the country and Canada. We talked, joked, drank coffee and posed for photos (including photo-bombing!) while the feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood enveloped us all. I was planning to write down a list of agencies represented but I realized it would be a herculean task so I abandoned that plan quickly. Being the first Chinese NYPD Officer killed in the line of duty, there was an enormous Asian representation of Police Officers. On a cold, rainy New York Sunday morning, there were cops from San Francisco, Fresno, San Mateo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Utah, Montana and so many distant agencies that I couldn't keep up with the names. Places I've never even heard of. And of course, a cross section of departments from the middle, north, west, south and northeastern parts as well. And, again, a fine showing from Canada. It really made a statement of solidarity. It may have even surpassed last week's funeral, which was estimated at about 25,000. I'm sure you've already heard about the thousands of cops who turned their backs when that limp excuse of a mayor started to speak, so I won't go into that. For myself, it was so great seeing people I had not seen in over 20-25 years or even more and hanging out with them as if it had only been 5 minutes since we'd last seen each other. It's amazing how you can pick up where you left off decades ago and feel as comfortable as if you're with your own family. It's almost magical. We clung to each other because we knew and trusted each other after having been in the trenches, so to speak, many times in the past.
The service was solemn and was a blend of Police traditions and Buddhist traditions and they melded seamlessly. PO Liu's father spoke in Cantonese and although we couldn't understand it, we actually could because it was so heartfelt. We cried with him. And PO Liu's courageous wife spoke in English and once again our hearts cried along with hers. She is a special young woman.
So now, PO Ramos and PO Liu are at rest and we go on because we have to. But we don't forget and our resolve is strengthened. As it should be. I'm posting a couple of photos from yesterday. The photo of the formation tells only about half the story because you only see maybe half the amount of the attendees. And I was shown a photo of PO Liu that was taken some time ago. It shows you that he was loved. As you know, we always play pranks on each other. Whether it's talcum powder in the A/C vents, vaseline in the radio car door handles or a myriad of other things most of us have done, or had done to us....it shows the feeling we have for each other. Look at his shield.....It's been done to me more times than I can remember, as well as other stuff. It was done out of love and I'm sure he was a great sport about it.Rest In Peace, Det, Liu and Det. Ramos.
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Post by bluepride on Jun 9, 2015 13:39:32 GMT -5
It just doesn't stop. Canada Police Officer Shot Dead Shooter was a suspect in hate crime probe EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The suspect in a shooting that killed an Edmonton police officer and wounded another had been the focus of a lengthy hate crimes investigation, the city's police chief said Tuesday.
Rod Knecht confirmed the death of 35-year-old Const. Daniel Woodall, an eight-year veteran of the force who worked for the hate crimes unit. He had been recruited from Great Britain and used to serve with the Greater Manchester Police.
Knecht called Monday's shooting "a tragedy of unspeakable proportions," saying Woodall leaves behind a wife and two young children. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent condolences.
A 38-year-old officer was also shot in the lower back but was saved by his bulletproof vest, Knecht said. He's been released from hospital.
A fire erupted at the home soon after the shooting.
Police identified the suspect as 42-year-old Norman Raddatz and said he was known to police but didn't have an extensive criminal history. It is believed he died in the house as it burned. An autopsy is scheduled.
Knecht said police had evidence going back to February of last year.
"The online hatred and bullying of an Edmonton family had become extreme, and the family members were increasingly worried about their personal safety, at which time the Edmonton Police Service became involved," Knecht said.
Police didn't comment on the religion or ethnicity of the family.
Knecht said the two officers had been delivering an arrest warrant for criminal harassment at the suspect's home when they came under gunfire. He said they were pinned down by fire for at least 10 minutes.
"They were breaching the front door and shots commenced," Knecht said.
He said a high-powered rifle was used by the suspect, and over 50 bullet holes were found in a home across the street.
READ ARTICLE HERE: Canada Police Officer Shot Dead
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Post by edmontongreg on Jun 12, 2015 7:35:47 GMT -5
A slight difference between Canada and our US cousins, The city of Edmonton and the surrounding towns are having memorials for the officer. These are people driven, or bottom up. On Sunday, a group I am a part of are having a memorial ride. We will end up at HQ where we will give donations to officers. The last LODD in Edmonton was in the 80's. In the US, the law enforcement community comes together and there is some support from the general public. But either it is not reported on or it is just not as visible as it is in Canada. Canada has a lot less Line of Duty Deaths.
To Constable Woodall, thank you for your service. My heart goes out to his family and to his brother and sister officers at the EPS.
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Post by bluepride on Jun 19, 2015 13:24:10 GMT -5
I was able to watch parts of the funeral online. What an awesome tribute. It's very interesting to see how different agencies in different locales do their line of duty funerals. This was heartbreaking, stoic and so professional. A great tribute to one of our own. RIP.
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Post by edmontongreg on Jun 19, 2015 23:55:02 GMT -5
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