CustomsCop
09-25-2001, 12:17
Officer response to 9/11 loss leads to disciplinary action.
"Tampa police Officer Ernie Hedges also was deeply saddened by the attack.
At roll call the morning after, he arrived with a black band across his badge to show respect for the fallen officers.
Immediately after the 6 a.m. roll call, however, Hedges was told by a supervisor to remove the band. It had not been approved by Chief Bennie Holder.
"I couldn't believe it," Hedges, a 15-year veteran, recalled. "I said, 'Do you realize how many officers lost their lives?' I was told it was a matter of protocol."
Protocol or not, Hedges said he told the acting sergeant, he was not taking off his black band. By 10 a.m., Hedges was called in off the street to explain his insubordination to Lt. Mary Walker, who directed him to write a letter explaining his actions.
"I was showing my respect for all who died," Hedges wrote in a letter dated Sept. 12.
By that time, Chief Holder had issued a memo of his own, saying, "In honor of those Americans who were killed in this tragic event, effective immediately, the Department will remain in a state of mourning for seven (7) days. Officers in uniform will wear black bands over their badges during this period."
Holder's memo was too late for Hedges.
On Thursday, department officials issued Hedges his discipline: a letter of counseling to be placed in his personnel jacket. "I was not about to accept an order like that -- to take off the black band that was honoring those who had been killed," Hedges said.
-Robert King and Amy Herdy Saint Petersburg Times 21 September 2001
Chief Bernie R Holder
City of Tampa Police Department
One Police Center
411 N. Franklin Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
Phone: (813) 276-3200
"Tampa police Officer Ernie Hedges also was deeply saddened by the attack.
At roll call the morning after, he arrived with a black band across his badge to show respect for the fallen officers.
Immediately after the 6 a.m. roll call, however, Hedges was told by a supervisor to remove the band. It had not been approved by Chief Bennie Holder.
"I couldn't believe it," Hedges, a 15-year veteran, recalled. "I said, 'Do you realize how many officers lost their lives?' I was told it was a matter of protocol."
Protocol or not, Hedges said he told the acting sergeant, he was not taking off his black band. By 10 a.m., Hedges was called in off the street to explain his insubordination to Lt. Mary Walker, who directed him to write a letter explaining his actions.
"I was showing my respect for all who died," Hedges wrote in a letter dated Sept. 12.
By that time, Chief Holder had issued a memo of his own, saying, "In honor of those Americans who were killed in this tragic event, effective immediately, the Department will remain in a state of mourning for seven (7) days. Officers in uniform will wear black bands over their badges during this period."
Holder's memo was too late for Hedges.
On Thursday, department officials issued Hedges his discipline: a letter of counseling to be placed in his personnel jacket. "I was not about to accept an order like that -- to take off the black band that was honoring those who had been killed," Hedges said.
-Robert King and Amy Herdy Saint Petersburg Times 21 September 2001
Chief Bernie R Holder
City of Tampa Police Department
One Police Center
411 N. Franklin Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
Phone: (813) 276-3200