Video: Local Police Grieve For Other Law Officers Hurt Or Killed In Line Of Duty

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The week of violence against police began February 5th, with the murder of Seaside Oregon Police Sergeant Jason Gooding.
Three days later, Mesa County Colorado Deputy Derek Geer was shot and killed by a suspect Greer was trying to arrest.
Facebook posts pay tribute to six other officers who lost their lives doing their jobs.

“It’s astonishing, that that’s happening, you read it and can’t believe it’s happening,” said Deputy Chief Allan Gilbert, who has been with the Tupelo Police Department for 23 years.

Since Saturday evening, he has been following developments in the shooting of Clarksdale Police Corporal Derrick Couch. The veteran officer was shot in the head while investigating a robbery. He is clinging to life at a Memphis hospital.

Deputy Chief Gilbert says when one officer is killed or injured in the line of duty, it impacts all law enforcement officers.

“You know what those departments are going through, and the hurting for the families, it really hits home,” Gilbert said.

Tupelo was hit by tragedy two days before Christmas in 2013 when a bank robber ambushed and killed Sergeant Gale Stauffer, and wounded officer Joseph Maher.

Gilbert says the outpouring of support made a big impact.

“We were flooded with calls, just hey, we’re on our way, what do you need and 24 hours a day, until the end, even today, people, hey, what do you need, we’re here to support you and in Tupelo we want to do the same thing for others,” Deputy Chief Gilbert said.

Officer Adam Sanford has been with the Tupelo Police Department for three years now. He comes from a family of law enforcement officers . Officer Sanford says he grieves with his brothers and sisters who wear the badge whenever another officer is injured or killed.

He also says it is encouraging to see support for law enforcement officers on social media and in the community.

“The support is important, you try to focus on the good instead of the bad, if you focus too much on the bad , you lose sight of why you’re really in this job, you’re here to help and knowing that the community is supporting you helps out a lot,” Officer Sanford said.

Last year, 124 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty.