Police Officers Leaving for War Thin the Ranks

Many police departments have had to compensate for shrinking numbers as officers are called to military duty.

February 19, 2003

Many police departments have had to compensate for shrinking numbers as officers are called to military duty.

The call-up of military reservists for duty in Afghanistan, for homeland security, and to prepare for a possible war against Iraq has strained police and sheriff departments nationwide.

The Washington D.C.-based Polie Executive Research Forum says 44 percent of 976 law enforcement agencies it surveyed between September and November reported losing personnel to reservist duty.

To make up for missing officers, sheriffs and police chiefs have been forced to pay more overtime, transfer officers to ensure essential services are covered, borrow officers from other agencies, and speed up plans to put volunteers on the streets.

"It's not a problem that has a really easy answer," said Jim Pasco, executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police.

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Officer Kyle Hicks of the Corpus Christi, Texas, Police Department died Wednesday from wounds he suffered during a Saturday domestic response shooting.

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A white Chevrolet truck was nearing the deputy's patrol vehicle and attempted to swerve to avoid it. Still, the Chevrolet hit the deputy despite the deputy trying to get out of the way, the sheriff said.

Harris County, Texas, Sheriff's investigator John Hampton Coddou was fatally struck at an accident scene Tuesday.

Murder of Chicago Officer Driving Home from Shift Will be Classified Line of Duty

The death of Officer Luis M. Huesca will be classified as line of duty. Huesca was driving home from his shift Sunday when he was slain in an apparent carjacking.

Chicago Officer Luis M. Huesca was murdered Sunday while he drove home from his shift. The department says the murder will be considered line of duty.

New York Officer Shot in the Leg Last Week Faces Long Recovery

“The surgeons had to insert a rod to secure the broken femur, but were unable to remove all of the fragments of the bullet as they were too close to his femoral artery,” a supporter wrote on GoFundMe.

California Motor Deputy Shot in Back at Intersection, Saved by Armor

Deputy Samuel Aispuro was in uniform and was riding a department-issued motorcycle at the time of the shooting. The round did not penetrate the vest, and he is in stable condition at a local hospital.

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Texas Officer Critically Wounded at Domestic, Fighting for Life

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Corpus Christi, Texas, Police Officer Kyle Hicks was critically wounded at a domestic Saturday.

Oklahoma Investigator Dies After On-Duty Medical Event

Investigator Brian Herbert, 56, was on the range during annual firearms qualification when he felt chest pains and lost consciousness.

Idaho Deputy Shot and Killed During Traffic Stop

Boise Police said the suspect fled and was located at a residence in Boise less than an hour later, but was "uncooperative." Shortly before midnight, police said the suspect shot at officers, who returned fire.

Deputy Tobin Bolter of the Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff's Office was shot and mortally wounded Saturday. He died in the hospital Sunday.

Albany Police Say Man who Shot Officer Killed Self

The officer wounded early Wednesday morning was Jonathan Damphier, police confirmed Thursday. Damphier has been with the department since 2021, and is recovering from a successful surgery.

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