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Lawman Steven Seagal--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Steven Seagal: Lawman New Series PremieresWednesday December 210/9c 7th degree black-belt martial artist expert Steven Seagal will be the primary focus of a brand new television series produced by A&E. At age 57, with a 20 year history with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’'s Office (JPSO) in Louisiana, Seagal, a Deputy Chief, will lead you up and down the streets of Jefferson Parish (joined by Colonel John Fortunato, Captain Alex Norman, Sergeant Lawrence Matthews and Sergeant Larry Dyess) riding shotgun as he and his posse of deputies respond to crimes in progress.As a patrolman, an expert in Aikido and an expert marksman, Deputy Chief Seagal has worked with the JPSO SWAT division, as well as instructing officers in firearms and hand-to-hand combat. Beginning his adult life as an Aikido Instructor in Japan, he became the first foreigner to operate an aikido dojo in Japan, known by the name: Chungdrag Dorje, Takeshigemichi. And to the amazement of many, besides his acting talents, Steven Seagal is also a recording artist and guitarist. With a mixture of Pop & World, but mostly Blues, he has recorded two albums to date: Songs from the Crystal Cave & Mojo Priest. My favorite "“Somewhere In Between"” from his second album, depicts Seagal in a different light altogether from his television tough image personae we have all come to identify him by. His sultry bluesy voice no doubt has its influence from the streets of Louisiana. Not only will "Steven Seagal: Lawman" introduce viewers to the law enforcement side of Seagal, but off duty the cameras will give viewers a look into some of his musical performances, as well as his philanthropic efforts. Although the show does not air until December 2nd, viewers can get a sneak preview during A&E advance on-line screening on November 18th by logging on to the website: Advance Screening at 8pm EST/5pm CST. Deputy Chief Steven Seagal Jefferson Parish Sheriff’'s OfficeP.O. Box 327Gretna, LA 70054 Ph. 504-363-5500

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Lt Walkabout
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Steven Seagal: Lawman on A&E

The Demings

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Sheriff Jerry L. Demings and Police Chief Val B. Demings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the heart of Central Florida is the “"Renowned Land,”" the City of Orlando; the busy hub of Orange County. At the command of the City'’s and County’'s Law Enforcement Agencies are the Demings: Sheriff Jerry L. Demings of the Orange County Sheriff’'s Office and wife Police Chief Val B. Demings of the City of Orlando Police Department. Dubbed by Kops Korner as the “"Dynamic Duo,"” both have their respective responsibilities and strengths to Central Florida, yet, they work as a team not only in matrimony, but also in enforcing the Law…; sort of like your modern day “Batman and Robin!” As natives of the City of Orlando, Sheriff Demings is the first elected African-American to the office of Sheriff in the history of Orange County; as wife Police Chief Demings is the first appointed female to the office of Chief of Police in the history of the City of Orlando. Chief Val was appointed by the city’'s Mayor in December of 2007, while Sheriff Jerry took office on January 6, 2009. Val Demings was beat out as the first African-American Chief of Police in the history of the City of Orlando only by her husband Jerry, who was appointed Police Chief on December 30, 1998. He retired as Chief of Police in September of 2002 only to be appointed as Director of Public Safety for the County in October of that same year!Have you ever heard the phrase “partners in crime,” well the Demings would be “partners in ‘fighting’ crime,…” a true romancing the law story; a good pilot for a new law enforcement television series. The proud parents of three successful sons whose combined interests are Agriculture and Architecture, the Dynamic Duo have a long history with the community in which they serve as well as a personal interest in keeping it safe for the next generation.It is no doubt that the Demings'’ values, personal integrity, commitment, dedication, sacrifices and love for “protecting and serving” have gotten them this far in life. Not only have they been fortunate to meet each other having the same caliber of character, but they have also instilled their commitment to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” into the next generation! Without hesitation it is commensurate to say that this husband and wife team have been a positive role model for their community for a long time…, they are the epitome of a representation of hard work, staying focused and reaching your goals! We salute them on a job well done.*Photo courtesy of Sheriff Jerry DemingsSheriff Jerry Demings Orange County Sheriff’'s OfficeP.O. Box 1440Orlando, FL 32802Ph. 407-254-7000 Police Chief Val DemingsOrlando Police DepartmentP.O. Box 913Orlando, FL 32802Ph. 407-246-2470

Lawman Seagal
The Demings
Deputy Buenaflor
Chief Harrell
Lt Walkabout
Chief Rigsby
Lt Walsh

Deputy Buenaflor

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Deputy Jan Buenaflor - Seminole County, FL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deputy Jan (pronounced Yawn) Buenaflor hails originally from Waukegan, Ill (a northern suburb of the Windy City Chicago.) He has been a Law Enforcement Officer with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office in Central Florida since 2003. A recent Newlywed with an infant daughter, Buenaflor is a conscientious Deputy with a compassionate heart. During a recent ride-along with Deputy Buenaflor, his assiduous efforts to observe human behavior and deter crimes from occurring proved to be a proactive role in policing the communities in which he serves. Undoubtedly, this was an obvious collective mentality of attentiveness and diligence, reflective of the entire Seminole County Sheriff's Office! As a citizen riding along, I came to the understanding that one must think like a Kop in order to identify potential threats and subsequently prevent them. A lot more goes into fighting crime than what meets the eye, and it was clear that Deputy Jan Buenaflor has what it takes!I got to see both the law enforcer and compassionate side of Buenaflor. I am an avid animal lover and pride myself in being the Florence Nightingale of the Animal Kingdom. I have been known to carry plastic bags and rubber gloves in the trunk of my vehicle for the purpose of removing and bagging small animals who have become victims to road modernization; in an attempt to prevent further damage to their bodies. We were riding along when Deputy Buenaflor came upon a bird of some sort walking in the middle of the road. After turning his cruiser around and approaching the bird, who had by that time settled against the curb, Deputy Jan walked up to the bird and gently scooped it up into his hands as though it were a baby.He began to walk back towards the cruiser, I opened the door and Buenaflor placed the bird into my hands; I wrapped him in my jacket and cuddled him to my bosom. As I looked down to get a better view of our un-expected guest, I couldn't believe my eyes;. it was a juvenile Mourning Dove! I immediately recognized its species only because I spent a year writing a column called Dove Tales in which I researched the various different members of the Columbidae Family of Birds. Eleven years after beginning my column, I finally got to see a live Mourning Dove, made possible all due to Deputy Buenaflor's diligence to his commitment to serve and protect even those in the animal kingdom. He drove the Dove to an emergency animal hospital. It turned out that our little friend had received a superficial wound to his back (possibly from the nearby Hawk who had been stalking him) and was only just briefly stunned and disoriented. He was later released back into his natural habitat. But en-route to the hospital, we happened upon a young man pushing his disabled vehicle along the road. Making another u-turn to turn back Deputy Buenaflor went back to assist the motorist in pushing his vehicle onto a safer roadway where he could safely call for road assistance. Later, Deputy Buenaflor made a felony arrest and it was off to the county jail. After booking, processing the evidence lock-up and touring the jail, it was midnight and we were hitting the streets again! One scenario after another, Buenaflor met each challenge with a positive attitude and Im sure that I detected a personal mentality in him that he felt that it was his responsibility as an Officer to leave the streets at the end of his shift just a little safer for the community and its citizens. Overall, I had no doubt that Deputy Jan Buenaflor was fully capable of protecting and policing the community in which he serves. But what was most impressive to me as a citizen was the level of pride in which he took in being a Deputy Sheriff with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. This was something which seemed to ring out as a sentiment of each Deputy Sheriff and Corrections Officer I met that night. Buenaflor also struck me as being just your basic good hearted person; he is very enthusiastic about sharing his work and he is a good conversationalist. Spending seven hours riding in a cruiser with a LEO will afford you the opportunity to get to know them. Deputy Buenaflor taught, he learned, he answered questions and he asked questions. Not only did he answer my questions about his work, but he showed interests in what my personal goals were. And he invited conversation by asking if I had any questions.The night seemed to serve as a friendly reminder that Law Enforcement Officers are simply citizens under oath with the power and authority to enforce the law. Deputy Sheriff Jan Buenaflor proved that LEO have the same hopes, dreams, concerns and passions as any non sworn citizen. Buenaflor is living out his dream as a Deputy Sheriff. He is enjoying life as a Newlywed and life as a new father. His wife Yoli, whom I also got to meet, serves her Sheriff's Office as a Booking Clerk at the county jail. Deputy Jan Buenaflor Seminole County Sheriff's Office jbuenaflor_seminolesheriff.org Ph. 407-665-1410

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The Demings
Deputy Buenaflor
Chief Harrell
Lt Walkabout
Chief Rigsby
Lt Walsh

Chief Harrell

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Chief W. E. "Bill" Harrell - Highlands, NC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AAA Carolinas' Foundation for Traffic Safety awarded Highlands the top Honor as North Carolina’'s most Outstanding Traffic Safety Community. The Foundation has given this award in the past four years in an endeavor to recognize cities that make a strong effort to make their state’'s highways safer. According to the Triple A Foundation, cities are chosen based on crash statistics, the number of law enforcement officers per capita, the presence of a formal traffic safety program and an existence of a special traffic division. Statistical analysis is performed by the Center for Transportation Policy Studies at UNC Charlotte and selection is made by the Foundation. According to statistics, Highlands Police Department, for the town of Highlands, recorded just two crashes for the year with no pedestrian or bicycle crashes. With a now 11 person police force, Highlands has one of the highest ratios of police per capita. For their efforts in working hard and being successful in reducing traffic crashes, the Highlands community was honored as Traffic Safety Community of the Year in its population category. The success of the Highlands Police Department, as noted by Chief W. E. Harrell, has been in part due to the strategic implementation of a higher visibility philosophy and the development of other vehicular operator awareness measures to serve as a deterrent to speeding on heavily traveled roads during the peak and/or rush hour times. The department’s utilization of “Operation Ghost Rider,” which was created with the deployment of its spare car, is the simple tactical placement of this spare cruiser in strategic locations to slow down vehicle operators. The deployment of other measures such as the speed measurement trailer which heightens drivers’ awareness of excessive speed habits, further adds to the successful strategy of reducing traffic crashes in the Highlands area.“To make our community as safe as possible” is the mission statement of the Highlands Police Department. Chief Harrell’'s message to motorists has been: “to simply stay focused with the task at hand when driving on roads.” In determining what constitutes an accident, and whether or not fender benders are included in the police report weekly figures and whether or not these figures are factored in into the numbers which establishes the criteria for the award, the Chief’'s response was: “actually, their are some relevant dynamics which must be factored in, the state does not recognize accidents that have monetary damages less than $1000 unless persons are injured. Minor accidents resulting in damages less than $1000 are considered non-reportable accidents according to the state; however, as you know, the public is still required to make that report to the authorities. We still generate a non-reportable accident form for those who might wish to pursue even small damages to their insurance. Most insurance companies will not even talk to them unless they have a report of some nature.”The Chief of Police conveyed that he is excited and proud that The Highlands Police Department has been recognized for its efforts to provide a better, safer quality of life for its community. A total of fifteen cities received honors in traffic safety for their efforts in this same analysis period, whose public safety officials were honored during a Foundation-hosted awards luncheon held in Durham. Highlands, Huntersville and Tarboro were named the top three safest cities in all of North Carolina within their respective population categories. Highlands was tops in the less than 10,000 population category, while Tarboro was the winner in the 10,000 to 30,000 population category and Huntersville was tops among municipalities with a population greater than 30,000. Other winners within the same population category as Highlands of less than 10,000 were: Laurel Park, Henderson County, Bladenboro, Bladen County, Robersonville, Martin County and Edenton, Chowan County. The awards were presented by Lyndo Tippett, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation and President Tom Crosby of the AAA Carolinas’ Foundation for Traffic Safety.Chief W.E. "Bill" Harrell Highlands Police Department Ph. 828.526.9431

Lawman Seagal
The Demings
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Chief Harrell
Lt Walkabout
Chief Rigsby
Lt Walsh

Lt Walkabout

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Lawman Seagal
The Demings
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Lt Walkabout
Chief Rigsby
Lt Walsh

Lt. Billy Walkabout - Most Decorated Soldier U.S.A.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Born Cherokee American, died an American War Hero, Billy Walkabout was the Most Decorated Native American Soldier during the Vietnam War. Born March 31, 1949 to Warren and Bobby Jean Chaudoin Walkabout of the Western Band of the Cherokee Nation of the Anisahoni (Blue Holly Clan) in Cherokee County, Oklahoma; he died March 7, 2007 in Montville, Connecticut due to complications of the Agent Orange poisoning. Walkabout was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Company F, 58th Infantry, of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army Rangers. He received his Distinguished Service Cross (the second highest U.S. decoration for gallantry in combat) after his actions in a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines in November of 1968 at the age of 19. Sergeant Walkabout received serious wounds which left him comatose for six months. After recovery, he returned to Vietnam retiring as Lieutenant. His days of retirement were spent on dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant. He died of pneumonia and renal failure while waiting at the age of 57. He left to mourn wife Juanita Medbury-Walkabout (Native Mohegan American,) daughter Summer Dawn Walkabout and sons Justine and Shane Allen Walkabout and Jason Knapp. Lt. Billy Walkabout also received a Silver Star (4 Oak Leaves Cluster, a Bronze Star (10 awards,) a Purple Heart (6 awards,) an Air Medal (numeral 7,) and an Army Commendation Medal (10 awards.) He left us with the quote: "I'm at peace with myself. I've got my dignity and I've got my pride. ... I never lost the war in Vietnam; I never lost a day of it. Even when I was wounded, I didn't lose. When I fought, I won. I won my wars." Billy Walkabout, 1986 Kops Korner salute you Lt., rest well soldier!
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Chief Rigsby

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Police Chief Paul Rigsby - Nolensville, TN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Serving the Nolensville community as Chief of Police for the past year and a half, College Grove native Chief Paul Rigsby age 29, has been with the Nolensville Police Department (NPD) since 2000. Incorporated as a Law Enforcement Agency in 1999, the NPD began with off duty part-time sheriff’'s deputies and officers from other surrounding Law Enforcement Agencies. Joining the department in 2002 as the first full-time officer was Jeff Goforth who joined the department as Chief of Police. After resigning his post in 2005, Chief Goforth’'s successor, Paul Rigsby, filled the position after already being employed with the department as one of their part-time Law Enforcement Officers. Prior to joining the NPD, Chief Rigsby served a year with the Chapel Hill Police Department in Marshall County as a full-time patrolman, then as a field Sergeant.As Chief of Police in a small, but ever growing community, Chief Rigsby’'s duties vary from going out into the field on calls to managing the yearly budget. For a community with a population of about 3,000, Chief Rigsby says: "“juvenile crimes from vandalism to under age drinking” are the most common types of criminal behavior the department sees overall". He says: “"occasionally, thefts and break-ins are a concern, as well as domestic disturbances; and with a fast growing population, traffic control".” Although there has not been much of a change in the volume of crimes committed since his appointment as Chief of Police, yet Police Chief Rigsby does admit that there has been a significant change in the overall size and structure of the Nolensville Police Department. He says: “"I'’ve seen this Department go from a part-time two man Department, to a Department with six full-time paid officers, seven patrol cars and twenty-four hour protection".” Rigsby says: “"the Department has grown in accordance with the demands of the town,"” noting that the town has tripled in size and area, going from a town of three square miles to six square miles. Amazingly, in regards to the volume of crimes committed, Chief Rigsby also has noted that the volume has not increased although the population has. According to residents, the Nolensville Police Department has made its presence known in the community. “"We see the NPD drive by so much that we feel like we'’ve got our own personal police service,”" one resident notes; according to Rigsby, “the response time is much quicker.” New residents who’'ve recently moved into the community from cities or larger towns quickly notice how soon help arrives in a condensed populated community. Without hesitation, when asked the question: Does the Nolensville’s community support its Police Department?... Chief Rigsby answered: "Absolutely"!Being the Chief of Police of a smaller agency such as the Nolensville Police Department requires having: administrative, managerial, supervisory, investigative, janitorial, and yes even patrol car washing skills, besides the usual skills of always being available to take calls. Chief Rigsby admits that this can be a difficult task at times, but he keeps a good balance by realizing that he has to keep himself in check and not allow things to go to his head. He says: “"you have to manage the job and not allow the job to manage you".” In addition to these skills, Chief Rigsby also has training in terrorism, hazardous material handling and firefighting skills. He also has training as a First Responder in medical emergencies. His personal quote in life has always been: “Don’'t make a big deal out of small things; deal with things as they come.” He believes that a person’'s worst enemy can be their own imagination. The one thing that has kept Chief Paul Rigsby rooted and grounded when things were difficult, was his personal philosophy in life: “You’'ve got to make sure you know who you are and have confidence in your own abilities and decisions.” Chief Paul RigsbyNolensville, TN Police Departmentpolice_nolensville-tn.comPh. 615.776.3633

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The Demings
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Chief Harrell
Lt Walkabout
Chief Rigsby
Lt Walsh

Lt Walsh

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Lawman Seagal
The Demings
Deputy Buenaflor
Chief Harrell
Lt Walkabout
Chief Rigsby
Lt Walsh

Lt. Thomas "Tommy" Walsh II - Brentwood, TN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lt. Thomas (Tommy) Patrick Walsh II of the Brentwood Police Department (BPD) has been in Law Enforcement with the department for eighteen years. Since becoming a patrolman in 1988, Lt. Walsh climbed the ranks by receiving the status title of Sergeant in June of 1995, then that of Lieutenant in July of 2006. While serving the Brentwood community as a field sergeant, in May of 2002 Lt. Walsh responded to a 911 Emergency Call that would prove to change his life forever and alter the way he viewed life in general. According to Lt. Walsh, this is the account of that tragic 911 Call. “Five years ago on Monday May 6, 2002, approximately one o’'clock in the afternoon, the BPD received an emergency call of a bank robbery in progress at a local Brentwood bank. I responded to the call immediately, as did Patrol Officer Stephanie Warner and Sgt. Jim Campbell. We had a confirmed armed person in the bank. There was never any mention of an assault rifle. The first time I knew of an assault rifle was when I saw the assault rifle. While responding I heard Officer Warner on the air talk about the location and I knew from Sgt. Campbell’'s transmission that shots had been fired! I turned left onto Franklin Rd from Maryland Way as I responded, then I encountered Sgt. Campbell. I parked my patrol car near the location and got out of the car. No sooner than I got out of the car I saw the suspect. I saw the assault rifle that he was holding in his hand and I knew that I had to respond. I knew that I had to do something really fast because I was in a bad place.”As Lt. Walsh would later discover, that just prior to his arrival at the location where the suspect had fled, Officer Stephanie Warner had been in an exchange of fire with the suspect. He was fleeing the Bank in a motor vehicle when she encountered him at an intersection. As Officer Warner’'s patrol car passed the vehicle, the suspect stopped his vehicle, got out of the car and fired on her through the passenger door of her patrol car. As several rounds went through the door, Officer Stephanie Warner’'s life was saved by a heavy metal clipboard which stood upright in the center console. Only wounded by shell shrapnel to her right arm, Officer Warner bailed out of a still moving patrol car and used it for cover as she returned fire upon the suspect, who was in pursuit of her while crouched behind the same moving patrol car. Heroically and amazingly, without sustaining any further injuries, Officer Warner managed to fire, reload and fire again; wounding the suspect while moving backwards in front of a vehicle rolling towards her. The suspect then fled to the location at Franklin Rd and Maryland Way where he encountered Lt. Walsh. “I was probably thirty to forty feet from the suspect with a 40 caliber handgun, says the Lieutenant. I fired a round at the suspect as he was turning towards me with the rifle. My first round hit the vehicle that he was standing next to. As I fired the second round, he fired a round and struck me just above my left knee. I lost my grip on my weapon, dropping it when the impact of the suspect’s AR-15 Assault Rifle knocked me backwards into my patrol car and I was really incapacitated. The suspect fired several more rounds, luckily none of them hit. The robbery suspect then began to yell: ‘Come and get me, come and get me,’ before approaching the patrol car. The next thing I knew, he was at the door of my patrol car when fellow arriving officers opened fire upon him, fatally wounding him.” The road to recovery for Lt. Walsh, paved by several surgeries, physical and aqua therapy, took several months. Finally, he was able to return to work on light duty in November of that same year. Lt. Tommy Walsh continues to serve his community as a Law Enforcement Officer, believing that he is lucky to be alive. He says that he has forgiven the suspect for what he did. Overall, Lt. Walsh believes that he is a different person. He says that he appreciates his family more, attributing the success of his recovery to wife Gidgette, who stood by his side. Coming so close to his own fatality, according to Lt. Walsh, made him realize that he was not prepared for the devastation and the impact his loss would have had on his kids, wife and parents. He says that he has learned how to appreciate what he has… because you just never know! Lt. Thomas "Tommy" Walsh II Brentwood, TN Police Department walsht_brentwood-tn.org Ph. 615.371.0160

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