Post by Sheila on Mar 11, 2024 15:52:21 GMT -5
Last Call is used in many law enforcement departments. This tradition has long been a part of the funeral services for the men and women in law enforcement who have died in the line of duty. But I'd be forgetting many other men and women who have served and protected their communities if I left out that Last Call is now also used when a law enforcement officer has died of natural causes, due to disease, or by accidents while off duty. Any officer can be memorialized in this way whether they have served only a short time or after a long, distinguished career.
There are no requirements for what is to be said other than the announcement that a Last Call is about to be put out over the radio. This is done so that any officers on duty will keep the radio channel clear except for in the cases of emergencies. Each department has it's own form it follows and the words can vary depending on that alone, because the dispatcher is given freedom to create his or her own eulogy, or for various other reasons. That said, most Last Calls follow a format similar to that provided below.
1. The officer's badge number is called as if the dispatcher is trying to contact the officer.
2. After a brief pause, the dispatcher makes another attempt by calling the badge number and possibly the officer's name.
3. When no contact is made, the dispatcher announces to all units that he or she is unable to contact the officer.
4. After another pause, the dispatcher announces that the fallen officer is 10-7 (out of service). They may then add statements about how and when the officer died, thank the officer for their service, and other comments.
I can't speak for everyone, but I believe Last Call is a moving tribute to any fallen or deceased officer.
End of watch is the time an active law enforcement officer signs off duty at the end of their scheduled shift. This term is also used after the death of an officer. The date and time of the officer's death is recorded as their End of Watch. I invite you to list any deceased law enforcement officer you want to memorialize and tell us something about him or her.
There are no requirements for what is to be said other than the announcement that a Last Call is about to be put out over the radio. This is done so that any officers on duty will keep the radio channel clear except for in the cases of emergencies. Each department has it's own form it follows and the words can vary depending on that alone, because the dispatcher is given freedom to create his or her own eulogy, or for various other reasons. That said, most Last Calls follow a format similar to that provided below.
1. The officer's badge number is called as if the dispatcher is trying to contact the officer.
2. After a brief pause, the dispatcher makes another attempt by calling the badge number and possibly the officer's name.
3. When no contact is made, the dispatcher announces to all units that he or she is unable to contact the officer.
4. After another pause, the dispatcher announces that the fallen officer is 10-7 (out of service). They may then add statements about how and when the officer died, thank the officer for their service, and other comments.
I can't speak for everyone, but I believe Last Call is a moving tribute to any fallen or deceased officer.
End of watch is the time an active law enforcement officer signs off duty at the end of their scheduled shift. This term is also used after the death of an officer. The date and time of the officer's death is recorded as their End of Watch. I invite you to list any deceased law enforcement officer you want to memorialize and tell us something about him or her.
Copyright © 2024 by Sheila Rae Myers