5 officers die in deadly 3-day period

October 10, 2005 10:15 AM •

The last three days have served as brutal reminders of the wide variety of dangers faced in the field. In that short period of time, five officers have died in different tragedies, making it the second deadliest three-day period this year.

34-year-old Deputy Kevin Elium from Tulare Co. (CA) SO died on October 7 from injuries suffered after the patrol car he and the department’s chaplain were riding in struck a tree on the way to backing another deputy.

That same day, 34-year-old Deputy Shad Bassett from Pulaski Co. (IN) SD, a husband and father of three, was killed when his patrol unit also hit a tree.

The following day, October 8, Patrolman Jose Diaz with Ft. Lauderdale (FL) PD, a 37-year-old husband and father of two, was killed after falling 100-feet off an overpass while backing other officers on a felony stop.

That same day, 45-year-old Officer Michael Saffran with Chesapeake (VA) PD was shot and killed when a hostage-taker fired on officers who pursued him after he robbed a bank. Michael leaves behind his wife and two children.

Yesterday, October 9, Officer Matt Redding with Rocklin (CA) PD died when a drunk driver slammed into him while the officer was picking up cones at a traffic checkpoint.

The thoughts and prayers of the Police1 team go out to the families, friends and fellow officers of these men. Sharing the words of our “officer down” tribute:

“As you remember these fallen officers, take comfort in recalling that they dedicated their lives to the same principles of honor, duty and courage that brought you to the badge. Such a life is truly rich. Take strength in knowing that when an officer falls, our resolve to serve those in need is not diminished. Our dedication to protecting those in danger is not weakened. Our commitment to remembering those with whom we shared the badge does not fade.

“God speed, brothers. You fought the good fight. Now rest in peace…"

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Scott Buhrmaster

Scott Buhrmaster is Vice President of Training and Editorial for Police1.com, which was awarded the “Quill & Badge Award” for Excellence in Journalism by the International Association of Police Unions. He is also the Publisher of Police Marksman magazine and has served as Contributing Editor for Law Officer magazine. He has been a member of the law enforcement training community since 1989, when he began work as Director of Research with Calibre Press, Inc., producers of The Street Survival Seminar.

Throughout his tenure at Calibre, Buhrmaster was involved with virtually every aspect of the company’s officer survival training efforts, from the planning, creation and marketing of the organization’s award-winning textbooks and videos to developing and securing training content for the Seminar. In 1995, he was named Director of the Calibre Press Street Survival Newsline®, an Internet-based officer survival training service he helped found. In less than five years, Newsline readership grew from 25 officers to more than 250,000 in 26 countries, making it one of the most popular training vehicles in law enforcement history. His efforts now focus on providing training and information to the nearly 400,000 officers worldwide who visit Police1.com every month.

Prior to joining Police1, Buhrmaster, who also serves on the National Advisory Board of the Force Science Research Center and stands as an active member of the American Society for Law Enforcement Training and the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, was President of The Buhrmaster Consulting Group, an international consulting practice for the law enforcement training sector and the publishing industry. Scott may be reached at buhrmastergroup@comcast.net.