I losst a brother today.

[deputycrawford]

     I will make this short because I break into tears when I mention this to anyone. I lost a brother police officer to a murdering 15 year old punk. On Wednesday, February 21 around 0200 hrs. detective Keith Dressel of Toledo Police and two other undercover vice detectives notice two under age looking males out after curfew in a well known drug infested area of central Toledo, Ohio. They jumped out of their vehicle, approached the suspects, and announced themselves a police. The suspects took off running. Two officers ran after a 19 year old male and tackled him with a loaded and cocked weapon in his hand. Detective Dressel chased the 15 year old male and grabbed his clothing to stop him. The 15 year old male turned around and shot detective Keith Dressel in a gang style murder and ran from the scene. Detective Dressel fired 6 shots from his service weapon before he collapsed of his wound. Officer Bill White arrived on scene and received a short description of the known suspect from detective Dressel before detective Dressel died of his wound. The suspect was later apprehended and the murder weapon found.
     I tell you this in tears because I want the world to stop hating me because of the job I perform. Everybody loves a fireman and hates a policeman. I lost a brother I worked with for five years and will never be the same innocent happy person again as long as I live. I can't tell you if I will ever recover from this incident. Nothing in this world seems as important as it used to. Statistics show divorce, suicide and alcoholism rates to be the highest among police. You will never have to wonder why again. I have to go now. I have a drunken stooper to finish and get back to fighting in the trenches tomorrow.

[mally69]

im really sorry to hear that   

[GTX]

Man that's really rough and I'm very sorry to hear it.
I once had a neighbor who was a county Sheriff got shot in a domestic by the wife who called in the first place!
I know it's not the same coming from a non brother in blue but he was really liked in the neighborhood and missed.

By the way, I have great respect for cops and I pretty much do all I can to make their difficult jobs easier and they in turn leave me alone or are actually friends. (Some of my friends now are cops)

Hats off to cops, firefighters, teachers and nurses, the foundation of our society and people who don't get paid nearly enough! 

[firefighter3931]

Damn, i hate to hear these horrible stories. My deepest sympathies to you and all his friends and family. 

Back in the mid 90's i lost a football buddy turned police officer to the same kind of deal. Routine traffic stop and 2 cons unloaded on him in the middle of the street gangland style. As a result of his death, all PO across the province were issued semi auto sidearms...prior to that the std issue was a 38. 10,000 people attended Joe's funeral...something i'll never forget. 


Stay strong buddy....i can definately appreciate what you're feeling right now. 



Ron

[red72chrgr]

So sorry to hear this friend. Please know that not all people hate cops. These punks need to be strung up, plain and simple. Again my deepest sympathies.   

[skip68]

  I'm so sorry to hear that.  The people that hate you are the scum of this world and they only do so because you stand for what's right and protect those that can't protect themselves.   Don't think for one second that he died for nothing.  He put his life on the line just like you do to make our cities and streets more safe for me and my family and for that I thank you.        Be safe and smart deputycrawford.     Chuck...............................

[CB]

Sorry for your lost.
My condolences to all who have to deal with it.
Take care, CB.

[dads_69]

Sorry for such a horrific loss. I wanted to be an officer until recently, my wife talked me out of it. She is not ready to hear this kind of news about me if by chance it happend. I understand what it takes to be a cop, my dad was won and a few others close as well. My condolences to you and his family. Remember, mind - body and strength.
Mark

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Please try to remember that there are many, many people in the world who truly aprreciate what you do as policemen.  We realize that this is a tragedy, and recognize that you guys have a very important job to do, difficult as it often is.  Our thoughts are with you and Detective Dressel.  Hopefully justice will be done.

[tan top]

sorry to hear  the loss of one of your fellow brothers          , .........     by a 15 year old punk kid damn .   what the hell  has happend to the world   

[oldkimmer]

My thoughts+prayers are with u............some of my best friends are police officers..........and believe me they do a great job of trying to make the world a better place to live in......I would not want to be in there shoes, as it takes a very special person to fight crime.....Kim...

[Plumcrazy]

You're friend did not die in vain.  I sure as hell appreciate what you guys do for the rest of us.

My deepest condolences.   

[Mopar440+6]

I know simple words cannot begin to change how you feel right now but know that not everyone hates police. Granted I get nervous when I see a Crown Vic in the rearview but I full and damn well appreciate you guys keeping scum like that off the streets. I don't know what state you live in but I hope that the laws allow that worthless kid to spend the rest of his life in a jail cell. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Detective Dressel's family. Thank you for all you do for us!

[RECHRGD]

I'm very sorry for you and the fallen officer's loved ones.  My best friend was a Sheriff in the L.A. area.  Luckily he made it to retirement a couple of years ago.  I could never be a cop.  I have no patience or compassion for gang bangers and the like.  I would probably just get myself put in jail.  Hang in there, your doing a much needed and appreciated job.   Bob

[jackel440]

DC,  You are in our prayers and that of your friend.I understand what it is like to lose someone special.I hope you can get through this hard time,but please don't be afraid to ask for help.It took me a couple of yrs ,but i got help and now I am so much better.
cowboy up

[chargerboy69]

Deputy,

I heard about this on our local news. They said it was the first time in many years a Toledo Police officer had been killed. I am sorry to hear that he was a friend of yours. It sucks when you lose someone close to you. You, and the family of your friend will be in my prayers. Take care.

Tim

[bull]

Sorry for your loss. It seems very senseless when someone dies the way your friend died, I understand how you feel.

[firefighter3931]

Godspeed detective Dressel 

http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=18718 

[PocketThunder]

My spouse and i have a 2 year old boy and we make sure to teach him that the police are nice people and they are here to help us.  Thanks for what you do. 

[TruckDriver]

I like a few others, get nervous when I'm followed by a cop. Especially because I like to drive a bit over the speed limits. But I always respected the police even when I was a young punk. I have known a lot of police officers over the years, and have always gotten along with them very well. If the world didn't have people like you patrolling the streets, this country would be a total anarchy. Take this and make into something positive, make your self stronger. Do it to honor your fallen friend. Make your self a better person. Help your friends legacy live on. There are a lot of people here for you. We feel for you.
                Rest In Peace detective Dressel
 

[Charger-Bodie]

that really sucks to hear , hang in there , my hats off to you people that go out and protect us from these morons in this world nowadays my uncle has a saying " the world would be a lot better place if it wasnt for all the stupid people" thanks to all of the brave men and women in our country and around the world for all that you do for the rest of us THANK YOU

[Brock Samson]

I'm Very, Very Sorry...

[deputycrawford]

     Thank you all for the kind words. I have been going through the many stages of grief. I had been angry, and in disbelief over the incident. The moment I started this post I was IM-ing my friend Bill White from Toledo Police. He was the first responding officer on the scene that night and listened to Kieth give a short description of the suspect and a direction of travel before he finally expired. It was that moment I entered the next stage of grief. I broke down let my emotions out and started this post in tears.
     I worked, what we call, three and four sector in downtown Toledo as a 1500 unit for five years before I was moved to the outlying areas of Lucas County for patrol duties. I knew him well and it hit home.  It has been 36 years since the last officer was murdered. I may never recover.
      I feel odd that I even started a post like this. I feel I am needlessly dumping my grief on everyone here but needed to tell the world, in my way, the daily dispair I try to turn off when I get home. I am only called when things go bad. I only see the worst in people. Many times I can shrug it off. This one will never go away. Thanks again all for letting me do this.



Kieth, you partol the streets of gold above. We'll take it from here. We love you brother.

[Charger_Fan]

  I could never be a cop.  I have no patience or compassion for gang bangers and the like.  I would probably just get myself put in jail. 

Same here, I can just about guarantee it.

The job of a police officer is one that only a select few have the fortitude to do, you included.
I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope that in time, you will be able to make peace with yourself from this sensless act. I also hope they try that kid as an adult & fry his nads! 

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I feel I am needlessly dumping my grief on everyone

Don't be hesitant to talk about it.  You may not ever "get over" it, but you can certainly feel better with time and effort.