End of Watch for J. Miktarian 1974 - 2008

The Greater Cleveland area lost another officer last week. Joshua Miktarian was laid to rest on Friday, July, 17, 2008. He was killed in the line of duty at a "routine" traffic stop early one morning. At the young age of 33; he leaves behind his wife and his daughter only 3.5 months old.

Miktarian was shot in the head area 4 times all close range. He was shot from a 23 year old kid who had a concealed weapon. He did have a license to carry a concealed weapon, but did not have a license to kill someone. Miktarian did not have a chance to call his K-9 partner out. So his K-9 partner witnessed his death. Had his partner been called out I am sure the outcome of this situation of this horrible tragedy would have been much different.

The suspect was apprehended at his mothers house with one handcuff on from the traffic stop. So one would speculate Miktarian started to handcuff him and the kid drew his gun on him.

I watched the live feed of the funeral procession and the funeral ceremony on a local news website while at work. I had a rough day doing my job because I had this all on my mind. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my spouse, let alone in the line of duty. I don't ever want to wake up in the middle of the night to a knock on my door. I know every day my husband walks out the door, there is a chance he will not come back. I realize we all have that chance, but his is greater much like all of us. I have tried talking to my husband about this situation and he is taking it very hard in his own right. He was a fellow brother. We never knew Miktarian but we all "related" through the Thin Blue Line.

I just need to suppress my own personal feelings and put my husbands life in the hands of his platoon. If he trusts them, I trust them.

To Mrs. Miktarian and your daughter... I am so terribly sorry. There is nothing I can write or say to put into words what I am feeling for you and your family. I am sorry I never knew Josh. He seemed like a really great man and your surrounding communities have lost a wonderful man. I know Twinsburg Police Department and the community will be there for you.

God bless you and your family.

New tattoos banned for police officers...

I read an article on FoxNews.com this morning regarding the Des Moines, Iowa police department prohibiting any future tattoos on their current officers and any new hires. Potentially narrowing out excellent officers from the hiring pool because they are inked. This article goes on about this new policy. The officers have filed a grievance saying it is "unreasonable". Any officers with visible tattoos will be photographed. I would presume so there won't be any sleeves being finished.

I can see both sides of this coin...

While I see the point of having the "powers that be" tell you what you can and can't have on your body and where is crossing some sort of fine line, however when you are in law enforcement those markings become almost a liability. If you have a tattoo of a clown on your forearm and you are working undercover in a Vice Unit that becomes a liability. Think about it... If you are on duty and a drug dealer sees your clown tattoo that is one thing, but if he recognizes you in plain clothes doing whatever you do off duty with your family that creates a problem. And one could imagine what would the end result would be.

Some departments also prohibit facial hair. I presume they want to maintain some sort of professionalism. I believe officers need to connect with the public. They aren't working in a suit and tie. They are dealing with criminals. To be quite frank, they need not to be impressed. If you have a mustache, beard or a goatee that's cool. That's who you are.

A problem I see is people are afraid of their officers. I remember growing up our cities officers had trading cards. Yes it's cheesy and I may be a little younger than most, but they were involved with the community.

I wish this was a simple topic, but our officers need to be able to live somewhat freely. They are not "owned" by the government. From what I understand the military has also implemented this [tattoo] rule too. While I am not sure of the reasonings for the military I totally understand for law enforcement.

I guess you just never know what you really will be when you grow up or what promotion will be coming up. So be mindful before you get inked, it could potentially cost you a career you have envisioned since your childhood.