stclairheroes

Lamont Reid

These new decals were placed on all SCCSD squad cars today in honor and memory of Lamont Reed! RIP 248! Such a great way to remember such a great man and Deputy!

Photo by Angela Brown

126 Officers lost in 2012

Convicted Centreville Cop Killer sentenced to 53 years in prison

Convicted Centreville cop killer sentenced to 53 years in prison

Lemuel Houston is escorted from a St. Clair County courtroom after being sentenced for the 2009 shooting of Centreville Police Lt. Greg Jones. STEVE NAGY

By GEORGE PAWLACZYK NEWS-DEMOCRAT — News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE — Assistant State's Attorney Steve Sallerson argued that life without parole was the right sentence for cop killer Lemuel Houston, who murdered Centreville Police Lt. Gregory Jonas in 2009 by shooting him four times in the head.

Defense attorney Tom Q. Keefe III argued that life and the high end of a second option -- 20 to 60 years -- were inappropriate, given a finding by two mental health professionals that his client was mentally impaired to the extent he ranks in the bottom 0.5 percent of the general population in mental acuity.

On Tuesday in St. Clair County Court, Circuit Judge John Baricevic dipped below the maximum, but not by much, sentencing the 25-year-old Houston to 53 years in prison.

Even as Violent Crime Falls, Killing of Officers Rises

A vigil for four police officers from Buchanan County, Va., who were shot in March 2011. Two were killed, and two were wounded.

By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT and JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN

WASHINGTON — As violent crime has decreased across the country, a disturbing trend has emerged: rising numbers of police officers are being killed.

According to statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 72 officers were killed by perpetrators in 2011, a 25 percent increase from the previous year and a 75 percent increase from 2008.

The 2011 deaths were the first time that more officers were killed by suspects than car accidents, according to data compiled by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The number was the highest in nearly two decades, excluding those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

read more at The New York Times

James W. Brown, possible Line of Duty Death

 

James W. Brown was a Railroad Agent for the M&O Railroad when he was murdered on October 29, 1901 in Cahokia, Illinois.

Brown was born in 1850, in Marion County, Illinois. His family moved to Will County, Illinois in 1860. At Age 15 he joined the Union Army as part of the 15th Illinois Infantry. He joined in March 1865, only a few weeks before the end of the war. He mustered out in July of 1865.

In 1890 he was in East St. Louis, Illinois, with his family and working as an Night watchman. Later in the decade he was an East St. Louis Police Officer. He was working for the M&O Railroad in 1901 at the time of his murder.

On October 29, 1901, Brown and his partner, J. C. Combs, were investigating the theft of brass items from box cars along a siding in Cahokia, Illinois. The officers were ambushed. Brown was shot. One of the thieves was killed but the others escaped during a running gun battle with Combs.

Returning to the scene, Combs discovered that Brown's wallet had been looted by the thieves and his watch was gone. The dead thief was clutching Brown's gun in his hand. Brown was buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Belleville, Illinois.

Read his Civil War service record after the break

Law Enforcement Fatalities Spike Again in 2011

A Closer Look:

The research and analysis conducted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund helps to bring widespread attention to the dangers officers continue to face and, as importantly, helps point to areas where we need to do a better job in protecting our officers.

You can help us conduct more of this type of vital officer safety research by making a donation today of $20.00 or more to help us start 2012 in a position of strength.

Law Enforcement Fatalities Spike Again in 2011

According to preliminary data released today by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 173 officers have been killed during 2011 — up 13 percent from 153 line-of-duty deaths in 2010.

For the first time in 14 years, firearms deaths outnumber traffic-related fatalities, perhaps signaling a positive impact training has had on law enforcement.

Total Fatalities: 1961-2011

Especially troubling, 68 officers were shot and killed during the past year, an increase of 15 percent over the 59 killed by gunfire in 2010. A majority of these fatalities occurred as police officers were attempting an arrest, responding to domestic disturbance calls, or investigating suspicious persons or circumstances.

“Drastic budget cuts affecting law enforcement agencies across the country have put our officers at grave risk,” declared NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd.

More information is available in the full 2011 Preliminary End of Year Report at www.LawMemorial.org/ResearchBulletin.

Robert J. Miller (1934 - 2011)

Robert J. "Bob" Miller, 77, of Belleville, Ill., born Nov. 5, 1934, in Leadington, Mo., died Nov. 24, 2011, in Belleville, Ill.

Mr. Miller was a St. Clair County Deputy Sheriff for 40 years before retiring. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing; he formerly was a member of the Mid State Bass Anglers. 

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, William E. Miller.

Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Betty J., nee Richardson, Miller of Belleville, Ill.; his two sons, William (Angela) Miller of Sorento, Ill., and Craig (Jennifer Jarrell) Miller of Shiloh, Ill.; grandchildren, Michelle (Joshua) Kee, John (Trish) Carrico, Kyle Jarrell, and Kristen Maisel; and a great-granddaughter, Bethany Renee Kee.

Memorials are appreciated to the . Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.

LAKE VIEW FUNERAL HOME, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Published in Belleville News-Democrat on November 27, 2011

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/belleville/obituary.aspx?n=robert-j-miller&pid=154756957&fhid=8524#ixzz1evMRhuBU

 

Law Enforcement Fatalities Increase 14% in First Half of 2011; Firearms-related Fatalities Reach 20-Year High

Following an alarming 25% increase in 2010, the number of law enforcement fatalities in the U.S. have continued to rise in the first six months of 2011.

Total Fatalities: Mid-Year 1961-2011

Preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund show a disturbing 33% increase in firearms-related fatalities, up from 30 fatalities during the same time period in 2010 to 40 officers shot and killed in 2011.

Traditionally the leading cause of law enforcement fatalities, traffic-related fatalities declined 17% in the first half of the year, from 42 in 2010 to 35 in 2011.

More information is available in the full 2011 Preliminary Mid-Year Report at www.LawMemorial.org/ResearchBulletin

Alarming Rise in 2010 Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities

Line-of-duty deaths surge nearly 40 percent; firearms-related killings increase by more than 20 percent for second year in a row

December 27, 2010

Washington, DC– The number of U.S. law enforcement fatalities spiked by 37 percent in 2010—an alarming increase that follows two years of declining deaths among our nation’s policing professionals.

A total of 160 federal, state and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 12 months, according to preliminary data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). This represents a dramatic increase over the 117 officer fatalities in 2009, which marked a 50-year low.

Fifty-nine officers have been shot and killed during the past year, which is a 20 percent increase over the 49 killed by gunfire in 2009. Ten of the officers shot to death this year were killed in separate multiple-death incidents in Fresno (CA), San Juan (PR), West Memphis (AR), Tampa (FL) and Hoonah (AK). “A more brazen, cold-blooded criminal element is on the prowl in America, and they don’t think twice about killing a cop,” observed NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd.

Law Enforcement Fatalities Spike in 2010

Following a two year decline, law enforcement fatalities in 2010 spiked to 160. This was an increase of nearly 40 percent compared to last year, when 117 officers were killed in the line of duty.

Preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund show that for the 13th year in a row, traffic fatalities were the leading cause of officer fatalities, with 73 officers killed in the line of duty—an increase of 43 percent from 2009.

Fifty-nine officers were fatally shot this year; an increase of 20 percent from 49 in 2009. Of the 59 officers, 12 were shot in ambush attacks. Ten of the 12 ambush deaths involved multiple-fatality shootings in Fresno (CA), San Juan (PR), West Memphis (AR), Tampa (FL) and Hoonah (AK). “A more brazen, cold-blooded criminal element is on the prowl in America, and they don’t think twice about killing a cop,” observed NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traffic and firearms-related fatalities accounted for over 83 percent of all law enforcement fatalities this year. In addition, nineteen officers died from job-related illnesses, two were beaten, two drowned, two were victims of aircraft accidents, two officers fell to his/her death, and one was killed in a boating accident.

For the fourth year in a row, Texas leads all states and territories with 18 fatalities, 11 percent of all fatalities in 2010. California (11), Illinois (10), and Florida (9), join Texas atop the list of the states with the most fatalities.

More information is available in the full 2010 Preliminary End of Year Report at www.LawMemorial.org/ResearchBulletin.