Heffner: Police officers aware of dangers, will continue to serve community

Posted on September 13, 2015
Police Car
Heffner said his department monitors the recent shootings of police officers. (WJBC File Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – As more and more U.S. police officers are killed in the line of duty, Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner said his department is more aware of the the possibility of being in dangerous situations.

“However, these are some of the perils that we face every day,” Heffner said. “When we put on the uniform or other attire to go to work, we are at risk of unprovoked attacks, car crashes and domestic issues.”

Heffner said recent stories of police officers being killed in the line of duty won’t stop his department from serving the community.

“It is disheartening to see the type of crimes that have occurred, but we have to face this,” said Heffner. “We work through it and stick together. We’re still going to be out serving and protecting you.”

More than 80 police officers have been killed while on duty this year in the United States. Police are still searching for three suspects responsible for the shooting death of an officer in Fox Lake, Illinois on Sept. 1. Local police forces have been participating in recent efforts to connect with the public including events such as Ice Cream With a Cop and Coffee With a Cop.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…