In a ceremony held on Friday at the Clarksville police department, the City of Clarksville recognized the contribution and sacrifices made by our police officers in the line of duty. Five Clarksville Police Officers have died in the line of duty. Kermit L. Nipple, Kenneth L. Browning, Aaron Doug Glenn, David Scott, and Yamil Baez-Santiago. In addition to the five human officers, one K-9 died in the line of duty and was recognized at the memorial along with his fellow patrolmen.
This year, the names of 324 officers killed in the line of duty were to be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 324 officers include 116 officers who were killed during 2009, plus 208 officers who died in previous years but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now. “The 116 officers killed in the line of duty in 2009 was the lowest number of officer deaths in five decades. Still, for the families, loved ones, colleagues and communities of these fallen heroes, the loss is devastating and the sorrow is profound.”
Clarksville Chief of Staff Vince Camacho
The ceremony kicked off with the reading of an official proclamation from Mayor Johnny Piper, read by Clarksville Chief of Staff Vince Camacho.
On Behalf of Mayor John E. Piper
Whereas, the Congress and President of the United States has designated May 15th 2008 as Law Enforcement Memorial Day, and the week in which it falls as Law Enforcement Week; and
Whereas, the members of the local law enforcement agencies play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and the freedoms of the citizens of Clarksville and Montgomery County; and
Whereas, it is important that all citizens know and understand the problems duties and responsibilities of law enforcement officers and that member of our law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, and by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception, and the weak against oppression and intimidation.
Now therefore, on behalf of John E. Piper Mayor of the City of Clarksville Tennessee, do hereby proclaim the week of May 9th – 15th 2010 as
Law Enforcement Week
and, call upon all citizens and all patriotic, civic, and educational organizations to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers past and present who by their faith and loyal devotion to the responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their community, and in doing so have established an enviable and enduring reputation in preserving the rights and security of citizens.
In remarks after reading the proclamation, he said “…It reminds us of the high cost it takes to protect our citizens, and I think that Billy Ray Cryus said it best when he said, “All Gave Some, and Some Gave all,” and today’s event and many like it is the time for us to honor those that gave it all. Next time as you see a law enforcement officer take the time and shake his hand, shake his hand and thank him for what he is done and continues to do for all of us. Let us not forget additionally the families of these fallen brave men and women of our law enforcement…”
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Among those also speaking were:
John Carney the Montgomery County District Attorney General
DA Carney said “…Those who give tribute recognizing those sacrifices can never have the eloquence to fairly describe the dedication, the service, and the sacrifices of their lives. Towards that service that each of the fallen have given, those sacrifices speak for themselves for which are far above my power to add or detract from them…”
Montgomery County Sheriff Norman Lewis
Sheriff Lewis was brief but heartfelt, where he said “Today we gather here and across our nation to honor those who have made the supreme sacrifice, to those we owe a great debt of gratitude. To their families we grieve with you. We who remain must carry the torch of freedom forward, I challenge each one to remain vigilant in protecting society from the ravages of the criminal activity. Crime in Clarksville, crime in across the nation means less freedom for everyone of us. Its our duty to work towards protecting our citizens, and I congratulate each and every one of you who wear the badge for working to that end… ”
Police Chief Al Ansley
Chief Ansley recognized the family members of the fallen officers who attended the ceremony. He then read a commendation issued to two officers for an incident on April 27th of this year in reference to a armed suicidal woman at Billy Dunlop park.
4/27,8:45am, officers faced a potentially lethal situation.They were trying to prevent a woman from harming herself after discharging a 45 caliber handgun two times. A 35 year old woman discharged a handgun left the scene.Officer were given information the woman was going to a park and kill herself; she was located at …Billy Dunlop Park. She fired a round, sped away,and collided with a vehicle. Officers Salyer and Sager alternated talking with the woman and after 41 minutes convinced her to give up the gun and exit the vehicle.
The officers who were honored:
Patrolman Kermit Leonard Nipple
Tour of Duty: 2 Years 6 months
End of Watch: Sunday, September 9, 1945
Age: Not available
On or about February 5th, 1943, Leonard Nipple was appointed patrolman with the Clarksville Police Department under Chief John Balthrop. Officer Nipple came here from Kansas. He was considered a good officer, fearless, dependable and had the respect of the entire police force, receiving the nickname of “Cowboy”.
The morning of August 9th, 1945, a fire broke out at the Clarksville Laundry which became so intense it melted and shattered windows of a number of other businesses across 3rd Street. Officer Nipple responded with firefighters to the scene. He was standing with the firefighters in the doorway of the laundry’s boiler room when a wall collapsed and Officer Nipple and Firefighter Marshall Hodge were struck by falling brick. Officer Nipple succumbed to his injuries and died. Firefighter Hodge was taken to the hospital, treated and released.
In an editorial from The Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, it was said of Officer Nipple: “His last act was typical of him, a willingness to do his duty, regardless of risk to life.”
He was buried in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. One of the first acts under new Chief Al Ansley, the family of Leonard Nipple received recognition of this officer’s last act as a police officer.
Kenneth Lee Browning
Tour of Duty: 3 years
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 13, 1974
Age: 35
On the morning of February 13th, 1974, FBI Agent Frank Christian came to the police station to report seeing a black male carrying a shotgun walking south on 2nd Street. Officers Kenneth Browning and Joe Mixon left headquarters to locate the individual. Joe Mixon had been with the Department about a year and Browning had left the Dickson Police Department with 3-4 years of service and had only been with the Clarksville Police Department a few months.
They approached 2nd Street in the area of the US Post Office when they saw the black male, later identified as Howard Gentry, 42 standing at the intersection of Madison and 3rd Street. Gentry had been described as a loner and his mother had sought help for his deteriorating mental state of mind.
Turning on the patrol car’s blue lights, they stopped about ten feet from him. Officer Browning exited from behind the wheel and ordered Gentry to “freeze”. Gentry then pivoted around, pointing the shotgun at Browning and told him to get back in the vehicle. Officer Browning barely managed to do so when Gentry fired four rounds into the car, taking out the back window and striking Officer Mixon in the right hand and shoulder and Officer Browning in the abdomen.
Officer Browning attempted to drive forward but was unable to do so. He opened his car door and fell to the pavement. Officer Mixon radioed for help and an ambulance. By then, Gentry had opened fire on others, hitting two city firemen as they ran for cover, as well as a man exiting the Royal York Hotel. In addition to the shotgun, Gentry also had a revolver which he fired at a woman as she tried to exit the post office parking lot. Witnesses saw him reload both weapons.
At this point, Officers Wade Harris, Billy Poor, and Larry Thrower arrived at the scene and a gun battle ensued, in which Officer Harris was shot in the leg. More gunfire ensured until it was believed that Gentry was no longer a lethal threat. Officer Thrower maneuvered until he came upon Gentry and removed the shotgun from his hands. Gentry was later pronounced dead at Memorial Hospital.
Officer Kenneth Browning, 38 years of age, died on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1974, twenty-eight hours after receiving massive abdominal injuries from his wounds. He left behind a wife and step-children.
It was a tragedy that stunned Clarksville and devastated the Police Department.
Patrolman Aaron Doug Glenn
End of Watch: Tuesday, November 15, 1983
Tour of Duty: Not available
Age: 32
The afternoon of November 5, 1983, Officer “Doug” Glenn, with CPD’s Traffic Unit, was on his motorcycle traveling north on Fort Campbell Blvd to assist another officer on a domestic call. A station wagon pulled from the entrance of Magic Wheels Skating Rink across the road and stopped in the median with part of the vehicle still in the roadway. Although traveling at a normal speed, Officer Glenn was unable to keep from striking the side of the vehicle and was thrown from his motorcycle some 39 feet after the point of impact.
Officer Glenn was rushed to Memorial Hospital where he later was transferred to the Nashville Baptist Hospital’s neurological intensive care unit and placed on life support systems.
For two weeks, police officers, deputies, civilians, and private citizens held onto hope for Officer Glenn’s recovery. On the morning of November 19, 1983, at approximately 10:22 a.m., the 10-year police veteran died at 32 years of age. CPD mourned the loss of a friend, comrade and family member. He left behind a wife and two children.
No charges were filed against the driver of the station wagon.
Patrolman David John Scott
Tour of Duty: 8 years
End of Watch: Friday, June 7, 2002
Age: 42
Patrolman David Scott and Patrolman Yamil Baez-Santiago were killed in an automobile accident during a vehicle pursuit. The two officers were chasing a robbery suspect on the 101st Airborne Division Parkway when their patrol car collided with another vehicle near Peachers Mill Road. The patrol car burst into flames and both officers were trapped inside. The driver of the other vehicle was injured. The suspect fled the scene but was eventually apprehended. Patrolman Scott was a US Army veteran. He was a Field Training Officer and had been employed with the Clarksville Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
On November 4, 2004, the suspect was found guilty of four counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of reckless vehicular homicide. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison.
Patrolman Yamil Baez-Santiago
Tour of Duty: 6 months
End of Watch: Friday, June 7, 2002
Age: 23
Patrolman Yamil Baez-Santiago and Patrolman David Scott were killed in an automobile accident during a vehicle pursuit. The two officers were chasing a robbery suspect on the 101st Airborne Division Parkway when their patrol car collided with another vehicle near Peachers Mill Road. The patrol car burst into flames and both officers were trapped inside. The driver of the other vehicle was injured. The suspect fled the scene but was eventually apprehended. Patrolman Baez-Santiago was a US Army veteran and had been with the Clarksville Police Department for only six months. He is survived by his wife and two children.
On November 4, 2004, the suspect was found guilty of four counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of reckless vehicular homicide. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison.
Police Service Dog King
Tour of duty: Unknown
End of Watch: Monday, May 22nd, 1978
Age: 4-1/2
Police Service Dog (PSD) KING, a 4-1/2 year old German Shepherd assigned to Clarksville Police Department’s Canine Unit made the supreme sacrifice in May of 1978.
On the night of May 22nd, 1978, King was accompanying his partner, Officer Ralph Prost, in responding to a burglary in progress call. As Officer Prost approached the house, a man stepped out with a shotgun. He raised his weapon to fire at the officer and King, true to his training, sprang in front of Officer Prost, taking the shotgun blast to his body that was intended for his partner.
Police Service Dog King was laid to rest with the dignity and honor accorded to all law enforcement officers. He had given his life unconditionally.
During his law enforcement career, King assisted in 1,366 backup calls and 42 apprehensions.
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