Most of us instinctively understand that law enforcement is by definition, dangerous. Sometimes, though, we lose sight of the actual cost. That cost is brought home when an officer dies in the line of duty. The cost to society in general, of course, is high - but it is infinitely higher for the families, friends, and coworkers of the fallen officers. Today we're remembering four of the fallen:
- Officer Thomas Philip Coleman, CA Highway Patrol
- Detective Michael Perry, White Plains, NY, PD
- Sergeant Doug Weddleton, MA State Police
- Deputy Caroline Green, Richmond, VA, Sheriff's Office
This diary is written to honor the lives of these officers, and to remember the sacrifice they and their families have made in defending all of us.
Officer Thomas Philip Coleman, a motorcycle officer with the California Highway Patrol, died on duty on June 11. He was pursuing four suspects in San Bernardino County at speeds authorities said reached 100 mph. He was killed instantly when his motorcycle crashed into a tractor-trailer.
A statement released by the Governor’s office says that Officer Coleman, who was 33 years old, is survived by his wife, Jamie Coleman; son Ryan Joseph Coleman, age two years old; and daughter Shaylen Marie Coleman, age eleven months. He also leaves behind his mother, Janice Womack, and a sister, Kathleen Pool.
His memorial service was held on June 17. At the service, his wife Jamie gave a public tribute as she stood feet from his flag-draped casket.
"Love just isn't a strong enough word to express the way I feel about you," she said. "You hold my heart."
About their 11-month old daughter, Shaylen, Jamie said she "will remember the days of endless snuggling and your voice as you ... sang any song." Their two-year old son, Ryan, "will cherish sitting on your patrol bike, trying on your helmet and playing with the lights. He truly enjoyed helping you pull off your boots when you came home from work."
During the service, numerous friends and coworkers remembered his "Tom hugs."
"Everybody talked about it," said John Bibeau, a friend of 20 years. "He gave the best hugs."
"He would come in with that 7-foot wingspan, wrap those (arms) around you and then he wouldn't let go," said Jon Ferguson, another childhood friend. "Sometimes a little too long. But you could feel the heart beating from him straight into you. There were never any half hugs. It was always the same great big Tom hug."
Before joining the CHP, Tom served in the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Sergeant. His duties included embassy duty in Romania and Rome, and he could speak both Italian and Spanish.
The service included a Marine Corps bugler paying Taps and a Missing Man flyover of two CHP planes and a helicopter.
Officer Michael Perry, 43, of the White Plains Police Department, died on June 12 of a heart attack after chasing and apprehending a larceny suspect at a local mall. Soon after taking the suspect to the station for booking, Officer Perry collapsed. He was transported to a local hospital where he died shortly afterward.
Michael leaves behind twin six-year old boys, David and John. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Police Detective.
Public Safety Commissioner David Chong says, "The Detective’s badge is one of the most recognized and coveted honors in Law Enforcement. It is typically rewarded to an outstanding officer who has displayed commitment, perseverance, and dedication over a period of time." All of these qualities exemplify Detective Michael Perry. He will forever be known as Detective in the history of this Department.
Several of Michael’s fellow officers addressed the family during his memorial service on June 16.
"To David and John, your dad was a hero," one officer said to Detective Perry's two 6-year-old twin boys. "Your father was always there for us, and we'll always be there for you."
Another officer said Perry had "a heart of gold, the strength of a lion, and the compassion of a Saint." Others said they would remember him for his trademark fist punch and smile.
"He's always gone out if his way to help others," said Michael Kelly, who has known Perry since they were 11-years-old and described him as his best friend.
White Plains police officer David Camacho said Perry collected donations for officers who were laid off because he wanted to help.
Over 1,000 people from all over Westchester and Long Island attended Michael’s service. He was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Cortlandt, NY.
Sergeant Doug Weddleton, 52, of the Massachusetts State Police, was struck and killed June 18 by two drunk drivers while working a construction detail on I-95 in Attleboro. He and his wife Judy were the parents of four sons - Steve, 26, Mark, 23, Ross, 18 and Matthew, 14. On the day he was killed, Doug had just attended Matthew’s graduation from West Junior High School in Brockton.
"He was the greatest father anyone could want," said Norm Zaleski, who coached each of Weddleton’s sons. "He worked those special details so he could put his kids through college."
Doug’s father, David Weddleton says his son was a proud father of four sons, husband, son, uncle, and friend, who dedicated his life to his family and serving the public. "He was just terrific. I love him so much. A lot of people did. And his family is devastated now," said David.
Doug was buried on June 23 following a service at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. About 3,500 people, including 1,000 state troopers with black bands across their badges, attended the funeral.
Sheriff’s Deputy Caroline Green, 51, died on June 19, of injuries sustained in the line of duty on June 11. Deputy Green had just finished guarding a prisoner at the VCU Medical Center, and was leaving the hospital when her vehicle collided with a wall of the facility. According to the Richmond Times Dispatch Caroline’s vehicle ran into a concrete and glass wall at the Gateway building. The front end of the sedan was visibly crumpled and the air bag deployed. She was hospitalized, and succumbed after several surgical procedures. The exact cause of Caroline’s death is pending the results of an autopsy.
Caroline had served with the Richmond Sheriff’s office for 16 years. Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody said, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Deputy Green. It's just tearing us apart. She was a dedicated and hard working deputy who always came to work with a great disposition and broad smile."
Caroline’s family has been notified of her death, and funeral arrangements are pending. Further details are still very sketchy as of this writing.
When a law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty he or she is traditionally said to be at "End of Watch". So far in 2010, 82 officers have come prematurely to the end of their watches. This diary is one of a series intended to let us honor and respect their service and sacrifice.
Click the Officer Down tag to see the complete series.
As with all memorial diaries, please remember these may be read by friends and family of the officers profiled here. May all of our comments be filled with compassion rather than politics. There is ample room in other diaries for political statements.
Thank you.
Administrative Note: I've had this diary drafted and ready to publish for over a week now. I've been traveling (driving from Virginia to California) and since I was unable to properly acknowledge comments, I decided to wait until my arrival in CA. Just during the course of this trip, five more names were added to the roll of the fallen. That fact alone has reminded me just how important it is for us to thank these men and women.