09/07/2019
The tragedy in Odessa has fallen from the headlines of the media, but it will live forever in the minds of the citizens of Odessa and the law enforcement officers who are called to Serve and Protect. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
"When I got the police department, I took a moment to compose myself. I prayed to God and thanked Him that I lived through this horrific day."
Sincere and sobering words from an officer (James Kiper) in Odessa, TX:
"For my entire adult life I have served for the protection of others. Four days after graduating high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Army where I served as a military policeman for 13 years. In that time, I was on active duty during 9-11. I was part of the transition from a peacetime army to an army at war. While I was deployed to Afghanistan during the massacre at Fort Hood, my heart was heavy as it was my home duty station. For those 13 years, my duty to the defense of my country came first. After being honorably discharged from the military, I moved back to my hometown of Odessa, Texas where I continued my service. I was hired by the Odessa Police Department and served my community. During that time, I worked busy days and was involved in several critical incidents and high profile investigations.
"However, the darkest day was yet to come and it did on August 31, 2019. I was on patrol that day working an overtime shift because our department was understaffed. Getting people to work law enforcement in an oilfield boomtown was tough and with a shortage of officers, overtime was plentiful. I won’t go into details about the incident, but we had an active shooter. This was different though. Most active shooter incidents are concentrated in a single location or area, but this monster was driving all over the city in a shooting rampage. We were going from one side of the city to the other and back trying to catch him, but he seemed to be one step ahead of us. Multiple victims in multiple locations with our resources running thin. It was every cop’s worst nightmare. Our dispatchers worked to keep up with calls and the radio traffic. They were a key element in our communication and performed well under pressure. In the end, 7 people were dead and 22 wounded, including three of my brothers in blue.
"We ended up getting him though. He was killed behind a movie theater just as I was arriving on scene. I can’t imagine how many more lives would have ended if he made it in there. As I evacuated the people out of that theater, I realized how crowded it really was. Families and couples enjoying a Saturday afternoon matinee filed out scared and confused of the danger that lay right behind the building only moments before. I remained there securing the scene as numerous local, state, and federal agencies conducted the investigation. As I looked over, I saw the officer that stopped the shooter standing by, ready to be interviewed by the Texas Rangers. You, brother, are my hero. Your actions saved countless lives and we owe you more than words can ever express. More officers, detectives, troopers, and agents continued to show up. Every cop in our department was mobilized and several other jurisdictions came to assist. If you wore a badge in West Texas, you were working that day.
"After I was relieved at the scene, I headed back to the police department to end my shift. A 12-hour shift became a 16-hour shift just like that. As I was driving back to the station, it hit me. All the emotions I felt that day rushed me like a linebacker blitzing the quarterback. I cried. I cried for those that lost their lives. I cried for those that were wounded and would forever carry the scars of this trauma, both physical and emotional. I cried for the fact that despite our best efforts, we couldn’t stop this monster before the rampage.
"When I got the police department, I took a moment to compose myself. I prayed to God and thanked Him that I lived through this horrific day. I prayed for the victims and asked that he give us the strength to overcome this tragedy. As I walked in the building, I saw so much food and drinks that were brought by local businesses for us. They knew that we were running on empty and needed fuel to replenish ourselves. The amount of support from the community brought another tear to my eye. There is a lot of people that don’t like cops, but the majority of the community backed the blue. I was thankful I lived and worked in such a town that supported us.
"When I got home, I kissed my wife and hugged my children. I pray that they never have to see the things I’ve seen. After about 4 hours of restless sleep, I put my uniform and duty belt back on and headed out again. The sun wasn’t even up yet and I was getting ready to do it again. Why? Because it was not only my job, it was my duty. I chose this profession and I have dedicated my life to it. I stand ready with my other brothers and sisters in blue, ever vigilant and prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect others from harm. I just hope that today the sun shines a little brighter on a dark spot in the West Texas desert."
- James Kiper, Odessa, TX
Photo credit: NY Post
