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May 14, 2010
Deputy Police Chief Leonard Papania
Introduction address delivered at the police memorial on May 14, 2010
Good morning. On behalf of Chief Alan Weatherford, and the men and women of the Gulfport Police Department, I would like to welcome all of you to our memorial ceremony. We thank all the dignitaries for being with us today during our time of reflection. I would like to extend a special welcome to the families of our own fallen officers. Chief Weatherford was unable to be present today.
As we contemplate our fallen officers we must remember to only allow time to help us deal with their absence, but not forget the person. Over one hundred and ten years ago Gulfport experienced its first loss of a law enforcement officer. Walter Richardson, the town marshal, was killed just before Christmas in 1900.
What a tragedy that was for his family, and our city. But not for this memorial service each year, his life and his sacrifice might easily fade and be forgotten. It is an honor and a duty for us as a department, and a city, to keep Town Marshal Richardson and our other seven fallen officers forever a part of the Gulfport police family. They are our own.
As one of the administrators of this department, I look at our officers each day and contemplate the adversity they face. Each one them goes to work with the desire to serve the city with dignity and professionalism, while understanding the reality that their next call to service could lead to extreme indifference to their life. I could give you a list of national statistics to demonstrate the reality of these concerns. But, I do not need to go any further than to tell you about what our own officers face in the City of Gulfport.
It is unfortunate, but true, I do not know each of our officers. I know faces, and most of the names, but I do not know all of them personally. I did, however, get the opportunity to spend some time with one of our new officers recently.
Jeffrey Duffield was hired in February 2009. On the night of March 18, 2010, at about 10 p.m. I was home, safe, and in bed. I received notification from dispatch that we had just had an officer assaulted and he was at the hospital. I asked which officer, and when told, Duffield, I could not associate a face.
This troubled me. I called and spoke to his supervisor and was given an overview of the assault. I was told the suspect had gotten on top of Duffield and tried to get his weapon from its holster. At this point, it hit me that we could have lost an officer, and I did not know him.
I got dressed and went to the hospital. I met with Officer Duffield in the emergency room. Physically, he had scrapes and bumps. I could see in his eyes that the encounter was serious.
He and I went to Waffle House after he was released. He told me about how he was responding to a drunk and disorderly complaint. When he arrived, he observed the suspect. He got out of his police vehicle and approached the male suspect, who was showing signs of intoxication and aggression.
As Officer Duffield attempted to engage the suspect in conversation, he realized that the suspect’s verbal aggression was escalating. Officer Duffield attempted to physically take the suspect into custody. This was resisted. Officer Duffield sprayed the suspect with pepper spray. This did nothing to stop the suspect who charged Officer Duffield and struck him in the face.
Officer Duffield fell backwards with the suspect on him. The suspect grabbed Officer Duffield by placing his fingers in his mouth and grabbing his lower jaw. Officer Duffield’s head was on a concrete curb. Officer Duffield tried to press an emergency button on his radio. This did not work.
The suspect was running his loose hand on the officer’s belt as if to locate his pistol. The suspect then moved his hand and grabbed Officer Duffield by the throat.
At this point, Officer Duffield knew he had limited choices and very little time. He was losing the battle. He drew his weapon in order to stop his impending murder. Right before, he pulled the trigger, he saw an arriving back up officer, and for fear of shooting the officer, Duffield did not shoot. Officer William Riddle, managed to deploy his Taser and subdue the suspect.
Today, this monument could have easily contained yet another name. The story I just told you could have been read as a tribute. Officer Duffield managed to last on his own, during a horrific fight, so that Officer Riddle could apprehend the suspect. Had I not told you this today, most of you would have never known about Officer Duffield’s experience.
It is unfortunate, but this story is more common than you think; and more probable to occur again than any of us would like. So, as we listen to the stories of the fallen officers today, also understand that the officers you see every day, doing what they do, live with the understanding that they too could be a name on this monument.
Yes, danger is part of their job. Yes, they knew it when they became a police officer. However, it does not change the fact that each day all officers want is to do their job and make it back to their families at the end of the shift.
Please keep all our officers in your thoughts and prayers so that they may continue to perform professionally and make it to the end of the shift.
On behalf of the Gulfport Police Department, I thank you all for spending time with us today.
Office of Public Information - rlafontaine@gulfport-ms.gov - Phone: 228-868-5782
P.O. Box 1780 Gulfport, MS 39502-1780 - FAX: 868-5800
