CHAPTER 1

OFFICER DOWN!

July 2007; it was a hot summer afternoon and our squadhad began making its way through Fairview when a radiocall came in about a black male wearing a white T-shirt,shooting a gun in Crestberry Apartments. We were lessthan a minute away so we proceeded in that direction.

Once we arrived on scene, we exited our vehicles andproceeded into Crestberry on foot. After observing asuspect fitting our description, I approached him. Thesecond he saw me, he started to run while reachinginto his waistband.

He then made a left between two buildings andheaded out onto Little Hunter, which is where severalmarked units were waiting for him. Seeing that hewas cornered, he turned towards me, holding a silverobject in his right hand. I drew my firearm and pointedit directly at his face. Big Harry, G. Rod and Ruebentackled him to the ground and handcuffed him. Oncethe suspect was handcuffed, G. Rod came runningover to me and saw me shaking uncontrollably and stillholding my gun in my right hand.

My mind was blank. I didn't even know where I wasat but I remember G. Rod standing to my left andrepeating, "Ben, Ben, it's okay, everything's going tobe okay." He then grabbed the barrel of my gun andcontinued to reassure me that everything was goingto be fine as he re-holstered my weapon for me. Iremember him asking me, "Are you all right?" I juststared at him, not realizing what had just happened. G.Rod said, "Man, Ben, Ben, I thought you were going toshoot that kid in the face over a cell phone."

I couldn't understand why this was happening to me.I had never had any kind of problems when it cameto handling volatile situations. I had been involved inMANY critical incidents that had never affected me.

Friday December 22, 2006; and we had just finishedwrapping up roll call. My partner Rolan Carter andI were gathering our gear and preparing to hit thestreets. I thought we were going to be in for anuneventful night due to the weather, which was verycold and raining heavily.

Rolan and I were assigned to the Southern DistrictSupplemental Patrol and my twin brother Dan and hispartner John McArdle were assigned to the NorthernDistrict Supplemental Patrol. We had all chosen towork in this unit (Supplemental Patrol) because it gaveus more freedom to do what we enjoyed the most,which was hitting areas known for guns, drugs, andviolent gang activity. Working in this unit was like a rollercoaster ride and there was rarely a dull moment. Myfather, who is now a retired Camden Police Sergeant,used to say to Dan and I, "This job is like having frontrow seats to the greatest show on earth." And he wasn'tkidding. Dan and I used to take turns at getting hurt onthe job, which was pretty funny. I often wondered whatthe total would be if we ever added how many brokenbones, stitches, dog or human bites we had sufferedtogether. They never slowed us down one bit; but thiswas all about the change.

At about 5:20 PM, Rolan and I were patrolling thearea of 7th & Woodland. This location was on ourspecial attention check list due to the large volume ofcomplaints from area residents with reference to drugsbeing sold in this area. As we proceeded up the streetwith our headlights out, we saw two individuals exitingan abandoned house, so we decided to stop them andinquire what they were doing inside. While speaking tothese two individuals, we began conducting a brief patdown to make sure they didn't have any weapons onthem. Rolan kept his portable radio on south band andI kept my radio on the main frequency so that I couldhear any priority one jobs going out.

As we continued our pat down, I heard policedispatch two patrol units to the corner of Six and Yorkin reference to a black male, wearing a black hoodie,green hat, blue jeans, and armed with two handguns.

(Actual dispatch)

Dispatch: "Unit 213, unit 113."

Unit 213 responds.

Unit 113 responds.

Dispatch: "I just got a 32 call (person with a gun) 6 &York. Black male holding two guns in his hands. He'swearing a black hoodie, green hat, and blue jeans.That case is 169."

Unit 373 (Dan & J. McCardle): "Northern Supplementalis coming over the 10th Street bridge now."

Dispatch: "Okay, unit 213, you can disregard."

Unit 213 responds: "1004, 1008."

Unit 373 responds: "Could I trouble you for thatdescription again please? I got the green hat."

Dispatch: "Black male holding two guns in his hands,wearing a black hoodie, green hat, and blue jeans."

Unit 373 responds: "1004, sir."

Dispatch: "1728." (time)

Unit 113 responds: "23." (in the area)

Unit 113 responds: "Nothing showing at 6th & York. I'mgonna go down to 7th."

Unit 373 responds: "7th & York has a little crowd out thereon both sides."

Unit 113 responds: "1004."

As we continued our investigation, I began relaying theassignment that was just issued for the area of 6th & Yorkto Rolan. Rolan replied, "Do they have enough unitsresponding?" I said, "Yeah."

Unit 373 responds: "We're in the area also."

Unit 171 (Northen Supplemental Sergeant) responds:"Unit 171 to 373, I'm en route to ya, just be careful. Youhave a big crowd out there, so keep your eyes open."

Unit 373 responds: "Unit in front of us, there he is, he'sgonna run 7th & York."

There was the muffled sound of what sounded like abrief foot pursuit.

Unit 373 (J. McCardle) responds: "He's coming around."

Unit 171 responds: "Give them a code 5 for a minute."(Clear the air)

Dispatch: "Code 5 on channel 1."

The next radio transmission would be a life-changingevent that will forever stick in my head.

Unit 373 (Dan) responds urgently: "GET ME ANAMBULANCE! I'VE BEEN SHOT!"

I remember standing straight up with a look of shock onmy face. Rolan looked at me and said, "Are you okay,V?"

I replied, "I think Dan just got shot." Just as Rolanswitched his portable radio back to the main frequency,he heard the rest of this incident unfolding.

There was a muffled scream, followed by Unit 373responding: "1033 (emergency), I've been shot! Getme an ambulance, get me a unit to get me to thehospital!"

Officer L. Alicea responds: "Where you at?"

Unit 373 responds: "Right here, carry me to a car, I'vebeen shot!"

Unknown unit responds: "What's the location?"

Officers L. Alicea and A. Ramos respond: "We got him7th & Bailey."

Unit 171 responds: "All right, Danny, we're coming forya, Danny."

At this time, units began setting up a perimeter tocommence their search for the suspect.

Rolan told the two individuals we had been pattingdown to leave the area as we ran to our vehicle.

As we proceeded on to 676, Officer L. Alicea radioedthat...