Generally, the Bremerton PD updates are filled with interesting and sometimes funny anecdotes from the previous week. Not much happened this last week that was lighthearted and, following Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel McCartney’s funeral, my heart was not into taking the newsletter in that direction.

The Jan. 17 funeral was heart-wrenching, solemn and majestic — steeped in tradition and symbolism. More than 1,500 officers from all over the Northwest converged on Pacific Lutheran University to honor Deputy McCartney. As so often happens on occasions like this, the skies were leaden and rainy.

The dress uniforms of the attending officers were colorful, ornate and immaculate. I saw officers from the Boston Police Department, the New York City Police Department, a large contingent from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, to name a few. The vast majority did not know Deputy McCartney.

As I sat there in the auditorium, I reflected on a question once posed, “Why do we do this? Why would someone fly 3,000 miles from the East Coast or travel from another county to honor someone they never met?”

Two things come to mind. First, we are honoring the memory of our fallen brother and embracing his family.

The second is for the living, for the officers who remain to carry on with that most honorable of professions — protecting others. It helps instill in them a belief system of honor, duty and sacrifice. It conveys the message to the next generation of officers that, though your job is difficult, dangerous and sometimes thankless, you must persevere. You do this for your community and because you are part of a legacy. You understand that you may die in the course of performing your duties but you know, as reinforced by these ceremonies, that someone understands what you stand for, values your sacrifice and that you will never be forgotten.

During the funeral, they presented a slide show of Deputy McCartney’s life. From these snapshots, it was clear that Deputy McCartney loved his wife and three boys. It was clear he loved CrossFit and helping others improve their fitness. It was clear he was a man of faith who loved God and had the assurance of eternal life in heaven. It was clear his faith was the loadstone which guided his interaction with others.

What struck me about these slides was that the vast majority had nothing to do with law enforcement. A eulogizer brought clarity with an anecdote:

Deputy McCartney asked another officer, “Who are you?”

The man replied he was a police officer.

Deputy McCartney corrected him. “No, you are not. Your job is a police officer but that’s not who you are. You are a husband, father, son … .”

It can be difficult for some in our world to look past the uniform. Depending on your perspective, it generates feelings of respect, confidence, fear or mistrust. The uniform overshadows the human side of your officers, who are really just like you. They love and are loved, have hopes, fears, weaknesses, goals, failures, disappointments and triumphs — just like you.

Bremerton PD officers actively participated in the funeral and assisted in covering 911 calls in Pierce County so their deputies could attend the funeral service.

Some BPD members attended the funeral, some were in the honor guard and some were in the procession. Those that patrolled the streets partnered up with Fircrest PD and other officers from the region who were familiar with the area.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office was extremely grateful for this assistance.

Crisis averted

From Corporal Vertefeuille: “On [Jan. 16], we started getting multiple calls of a person on the outside of the railing on the Warren Avenue Bridge. Officers responded and contacted a distraught man on a utility box. PSNS Police also responded with their boat.

“A cigarette and some genuine human kindness went a long way in resolving this. Officer Guiney offered the man a cigarette and Lt. Olan engaged him in conversation, finally offering him a hug when he decided to come back over the railing. He was taken to Harrison [Medical Center] for mental health assistance/treatment.”

Our officers have interrupted bridge-jump suicide attempts on numerous occasions over my career. On many of those occasions, the person later expressed gratitude for the intervention. Their depression and sense of hopelessness was momentary. Once they crawled back over the bridge rail and were given help and resources, they were able to live productive lives.

These interventions are impactful for the officer as well. Officers remember every person they ever talked off the bridge, even several decades later. We do care.

Burning desire

On Jan. 17, a man threatened to burn down the Bremerton Police Department because he was angry about the way a report was handled. While there may be some who agree with his sentiments, we take exception to his plan. Additional reports began to come in about the man’s escalating behavior, including statements that he intended to kill a BPD officer. The man was located on Jan. 18 and taken into custody.

Update: Word now comes that this gentleman failed the courtroom decorum test when he threatened to follow the judge home and kill her in front of her children. It’s a dangerous world.

Bad roommates

On Jan. 21, a man who was tired of his roommates arranged to have two other men and a woman come to the apartment to “take care of it” — i.e. rob and assault them. When the thugs arrived, the assaulting commenced. The beatings were accompanied by one man displaying a handgun. The victims fled and called police. Excellent police work led to the capture of all except John Oleary, who is wanted for first-degree armed robbery. The firearm has not been recovered and Oleary should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, call 911.

— Jim Burchett is interim chief of the Bremerton Police Department. Contact him at James.Burchett@ci.bremerton.wa.us.