August 2024. Blues Vol 40 No.8

TENN. ‘BACK THE BLUE

TENN. ‘BACK THE BLUE ACT’ HARSHENS PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO ASSAULT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS By Joanna Putman Police1 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A new Tennessee law, called the “Back the Blue Act,” has been enacted to harshen penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, 10 News reported. Those convicted of assaulting officers, now a Class E felony, will face a ,000 fine and a minimum sentence of 60 days in prison, according to the report. The law differentiates assaults on law enforcement from attacks on other first responders, according to the report Assaulting other first responders is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a ,000 fine and a minimum of 30 days in prison. Some departments in Tennessee have reported an increase of assaults on police officers. For example, in 2022, the Knoxville Police Department stated 63 officers were listed as victims in assault reports, 10 News reported. So far in 2024, 30 officers have reported being assaulted. “They don’t sign up to be shot,” said Phil Keith, a former Knoxville Police Department chief. “They sign up to be public servants. Here in East Tennessee, these most recent ones are just ambush attacks, and that’s where we’ve seen the greatest increase nationwide.” WIDOW OF SLAIN NYPD OFFICER PINS SHIELD ON RE- CRUIT HUSBAND MENTORED The widow of slain NYPD Detective Rafael Ramos welcomed Maritza Ramos, widow of slain NYPD detective Rafael Ramos, pins shield on Officer Mohamad Ghafari. Her husband mentored the 25-yearold rookie while serving as a school officer. a recruit her husband mentored to the force July 2 by pinning on the New officer’s shield. Officer Mohamad Ghafari, 25, says as a young boy he spent every afternoon with Ramos, who was his school safety officer at the time, ABC7 reports. “We would just hang out and talk for hours waiting for my mom to pick me up,” Ghafari said. “We grew to become good friends.” Maritza Ramos wishes her husband was able to be there himself, but she said she is so proud to represent his memory and impact. Detective Rafael Ramos and his partner Detective Wenjian Liu were ambushed and murdered in their patrol vehicle in December 2014. SUPREME COURT OF MARY- LAND SIDES WITH THE NA- TIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION’S AMICUS BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF BALTIMORE COUNTY SWAT OFFICER INDIANAPOLIS – The highest court in Maryland has determined that a Baltimore County officer who inadvertently injured a 5-year-old boy during a standoff with his mother is not liable for violating the child’s due process rights under the 14th Amendment. In August 2016, Baltimore County Police attempted to arrest Korryn Gaines, who was armed with a shotgun and in her apartment with her son, Kodi. Police called for backup and the SWAT Team, including Corporal Royce Ruby responded. Ruby testified that after six hours of the standoff, he saw Korryn Gaines in the kitchen, raising the shotgun into a firing position, prompting him to shoot her. Korryn Gaines did not survive. Corey Cunningham, on behalf of Kodi Gaines, filed suit. The National Police Association (NPA) submitted an amicus brief in the case of Cunningham v. Baltimore County, presenting arguments in support of Corporal Ruby. 62 The Blues - August ‘24

The Blues - August ‘24 63