Today, Albuquerque Police Officer Daniel Webster was laid to rest.
Police Officer Dan Webster succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on October 21st, 2015, while making a traffic stop.
He had stopped a motorcycle that was displaying a stolen license plate near the intersection of Central Avenue and Eubank Boulevard at approximately 8:00 pm. Officer Webster had placed one handcuff on the subject's left wrist when the man pretended to be injured by complaining that his right shoulder was hurt. The subject then reached for a concealed handgun and opened fire on him at close range. Officer Webster was struck in the face, chest, and arm.
The man, a felon with a prior manslaughter conviction, was arrested a short time later by responding officers who had contained him within a perimeter.
Officer Webster was transported to a local hospital where he remained on life support until succumbing to his wounds one week later.
Officer Webster was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for eight years.
https://www.odmp.org/officer/22640-poli ... tt-webster
It was a very difficult day in Albuquerque today. It was heart-warming to see the outpouring of support for the Officer, his family, and his brothers and sisters in blue by a community that, in recent years, seemed to love to express nothing but hatred and disdain for the department with the local media seemingly at the forefront. The memorial service and the funeral procession was covered live by two of the three local TV stations very tastefully from what little I could watch and maintain my composure. I'm at a loss for words to describe how emotional the sight of a fallen Officer's funeral procession nor how painful it is to hear the sirens. It's the same siren tone you here when Officers are responding to an accident, robbery, etc but during a procession...well, it's like the siren embodies the pain the department is in.
I don't know why I'm so affected by this event. I've always had a healthy respect for LEOs. Perhaps it's because, since I've been back in ABQ (2013), I've gotten to know many of them as more that just a badge and surprisingly few of them have treated me how you'd expect a LEO to treat a Security Officer. My first direct supervisor here at "Goldfinger" was a retired NMSP Lt. Both of Kelly's parents were APD Officers before moving on to other endeavours. My Optometrist is married to a Sunport PD Officer. I also have more than one friend who grew up with a LEO parent, one of whom is now a rookie APD Officer himself.
When I did vehicle patrol for an HOA (my first real post for "Goldfinger"), I interacted with many APD Officers when I'd call in a suspicious vehicle, wildlife (bears), and I'd pick up their "Chief's Overtime" paperwork to turn into HOA management. Most were genuinely concerned with how
I was doing, how
my shift had gone, etc. Some would stop me during my patrol just to check on me. Then there was that time that "a few" US Marshalls were in the area on a protection detail. They were flabbergasted that we weren't armed. Their lead (I think that's what he was called) made sure phone numbers were exchanged. Never once was something like "Don't bother us kid, we're busy" ever said to us. The subject they were on the look out for was to be considered armed and dangerous. He added, "Now that we've got your number, we'll be sure to notify you if one of us spots him. We've got your back." The people with
real badges really are there to serve and protect.
In my duties at the "Hilton," I get the chance now and then to talk with area LEOs when they bring in "guests." I consider it a privilege, because even though I only know a few by name, I get to talk to all of them and hear their stories. Some talk about their kids. Others about the "guests" they have brought in. There's this one Deputy that always has a humorous story to tell, an other that likes to talk flying. Sure, there was that one Officer that did something really stupid (some of you know of that incident), but he doesn't reflect the the majority of the Department.
ANCFlyer, CCD, CaptOveur: I don't know how you guys did it. Yeah, I encounter idiots in my line of work, but nothing on the scale you three saw. Drinks are on me. It's the least that I can do to show my gratitude for you and your brothers and sisters.
Deputy Michelle Carlino-Webster wrote:Dan thought he was Batman, and in a way he really was.
Make Orwell fiction again.
