Talk:New York City Sheriff's Office
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[edit] Isaac Smith
Obviously I'm not disputing that he existed or even that he was the first law-enforcement death. I'm just scratching my head how he is connected to the NYC Sheriff's Office if he was deputized by Westchester County before there was a NYC, even if the limits of the city later incorporated that area. --Dhartung | Talk 07:36, 23 January 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Response
I can understand the confusion. I found several references to Isaac Smith and one even claimed that another individual was the first law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty, however, I felt compelled to use the source listed. The National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. lists Isaac Smith as the first to fall and they list him as a New York City Deputy Sheriff. This group, the Memorial, has more resources and this is who they felt was first and where he worked. This is why I placed him here. There may never be a satisfactory answer, but it seems pretty reliable to me.
Link to Important dates page: http://www.nleomf.com/TheMemorial/Facts/impdates.htm
Pertinant passage:
May 17, 1792
New York City Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith becomes the first recorded law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty. Deputy Sheriff Smith is the first of more than 2,300 Deputy Sheriffs to die in the line of duty.
Craig Floyd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NLEOMF stated on August 3, 2000: http://www.nleomf.com/TheMemorial/tributes/ISmith.htm
His name was Isaac Smith. He was a man of many talents: war hero, farmer, doctor, and politician. He was also a New York City deputy sheriff. When he got the call that another officer needed backup with an unruly drunk, Deputy Smith was quick to respond. While attempting to arrest the man for disturbing the peace, Deputy Smith was shot and killed.
His story, like so many others who have worn the badge, is about heroic service and selfless sacrifice. But, Isaac Smith's death is unique in one respect. He was killed on May 17, 1792. For more than 200 years his death was never mentioned nor acknowledged. Isaac Smith, and the death he had suffered so others could be safe from harm, had been forgotten.
But, on May 14, 2000, Isaac Smith was forgotten no more. Thanks to researchers for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and a retired New York City Police Sergeant named Michael Bosak, Deputy Smith's story was discovered this past year and his name was one of the 280 new names that we officially added to the Memorial in May. Isaac Smith is now officially recognized as the first law enforcement officer in the history of the United States to be killed in the performance of duty.
Isaac Smith is also part of a rich heritage of courageous lawmen and women who have served in county law enforcement across our nation. Since his death in 1792, nearly 2,800 county officers have been killed in the line of duty--most of them with the title of sheriff (459), or deputy sheriff (1,511).
Emphasis is mine.
I don't know how to do better. SGT141 (talk) 04:25, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
- I guess part of the answer is that he's "claimed"/honored by both[1], although oddly only Westchester County has him on their website[2]. Hmm. --Dhartung | Talk 21:07, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Fallen Officers
I had originally included a Fallen Officers section listing the 7 Deputies killed in the line of duty and another editor removed them stating that they were non-notable individuals and should not be listed. This editor claimed that they could not be listed unless they qualified for a stand alone article.
I disputed this and have waited patiently for his justification. It has not come, so I have returned the original section that includes links to any outside source with additional information.
I would appreciate any comments regarding this practice.SGT141 (talk) 02:40, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
