By Becky Shay, The Billings Gazette (Billings, Mont.)
LAUREL, Mont. -- As soon as Police Chief Rick Musson realized his department had lost an officer last Friday, he called for help. And just as soon, the offers of help started pouring in.
“Lines are not drawn when an officer falls, no matter how he falls - in the line of duty or off duty,” Musson said. “There is still that comradeship where people are going to step forward and go the extra mile.”
Laurel Police Officer Dustin Black sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the early hours of Oct. 8 and died the next morning. Musson said he will not comment on the investigation into Black’s death until the Sheriff’s Office has turned over all the documents, possibly on Thursday.
“It would be nice if life could stand still for a minute, but it can’t stand still,” Musson said. “These officers had to come back to work.”
At daybreak after the shooting, Musson said he called a former sheriff’s deputy who is now a counselor. The counselor spent the day at Laurel Police Department and helped the police department staff, who gathered in the squad room, to help cope with the situation, Musson said.
“Bringing him in early, right off the bat, that was important for me,” Musson said. “We get wrapped up in the investigation issues and we forget about the personal side.”
That, after all, is what officers are trained to do - when they see a horrendous sight, even if the victim is someone they knew, they must go on with their lives.
“We may know people, but it isn’t close like that,” Musson said. “The family has grieving time, but we also have ours.”
“We’re professional, but we’re human,” Musson continued. “A lot of us are together eight hours a day or better. … We’re like a family. It’s real life down here.”
The law enforcement “family” from the Montana Highway Patrol, Billings police and the Sheriff’s Office have all offered their assistance, Musson said. Officers from all the agencies offered to cover calls in Laurel today, so all local officers could attend Black’s funeral. Two dispatchers from Billings trained with their Laurel counterparts and will run the communications center while deputies take police calls, Musson said.
Black will be laid to rest today with full law enforcement honors. Black’s funeral is at 1 p.m. today at the Veterans Memorial Civic Center in Red Lodge. Officers from Laurel Police Department will provide the casket guard and also fold and present a flag to Black’s family. Law enforcement agencies from at least three counties and the patrol will be involved in the procession to Belfry Cemetery, where Black will be buried. A full detail of officers will salute Black as taps and ceremonial bagpipes are played.
Beyond the emotional loss of an officer’s death, there are logistical challenges for the department. There is an effect even in a large department when an officer is out of duty, Musson said, “with our 12-man department, it puts us in real tight quarters.” Because the city is going through budget constraints, it is not clear if a replacement officer will be hired. Musson and Mayor Ken Olson are to meet later this week, he said.
Officers within the Laurel department volunteered to change their shifts and work different hours so police coverage is consistent.
“Fortunately, I have staff that I didn’t have to go to them and say, ‘I need you to move,’ ” Musson said. “They came to me. It was all done by like 3 p.m. on Friday.”