Page 20 - May 2018 FOP Magazine

When are officers most at risk?
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proc- lamation which designated May 15 as Peace Offi- cers Memorial Day and the week in which that
date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from
around the world converge on Washington,
D.C. to participate in a number of planned
events which honor those who have paid
the ultimate sacrifice. The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law
enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attract thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our nation’s capital each year.
I thought it was fitting to discuss the findings of a recent study regarding situations which present the greatest risk of fatal at- tacks for U.S. law enforcement. I am honored to be named for my father’s first partner, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Sept. 20, 1966.
Patrolman Daniel J. Quinnan was shot and killed when he entered a downtown tavern during an armed robbery. Shortly before Patrolman Quinnan arrived on a routine check of 646 South Wabash, a holdup man had lined several patrons against the wall and ordered the bartender to fill a paper bag with mon- ey from the register. Patrolman Quinnan walked in and began
to speak with the bartender, when the gunman appeared and shot the detective in the chest before he had an opportunity to draw his weapon. The gunman stepped over the fallen detective and fled the scene. He was arrested a few hours later at a hotel several blocks south of the tavern. Patrol- man Quinnan was transported to Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The offender
died in prison years later.
My dad was not present that day, as he was checking on
FOP
Legal Report
DANIEL HERBERT
20 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2018
a different tavern while assigned to the Vice Unit as a young patrolman. Before he passed, my dad shared with me the grim details of the event as well as the remarkable story of his partner. My dad defined his qualifications for this assignment in the Vice Unit simply as “he could hold his liquor.” However, I knew it was much more than that. These brave men had nerves of steel and were well equipped to confront the dangers that were present during this turbulent era of vice-related crimes.
Daniel Quinnan died a hero, and I am humbled to bear his name. I was honored to meet his family at a recent police me- morial gathering, where I sat virtually speechless as I listened to the stories of their fallen family member. Certainly, ambush remains a frightening reality for officers today. Below is a look at statistical data concerning situations presenting the greatest risk for fatal attacks.
According to a newly released updated report from the Na- tional Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the feder-