Police Officer Paul C. Teel

1971. What turbulent times for our profession. We were still reeling from the shock and horror that had taken place in Newhall almost a year to the night that you and Leonard Christiansen stepped from your patrol car on Ottawa Ave to take a burglary report. In the wake of many a law enforcement officer's death, a lesson can be gleaned or a tactic developed to mitigate or reduce the chance of a repetitively fatal outcome. But your loss, and the that of Leonard Christiansen, reminds us more of a frightening reality than a tactical legacy - the reality of vulnerability. You remind us for all the tactical tweaking we can do, for all of the "don't park in front of the house" procedures we follow, at some point we still have to cross the yard or walk up the driveway to the door. That is the "tactical" legacy you and Leonard Christiansen left our profession. A reminder there will always be that measure of "vulnerability".

On this date of your incident anniversary I thank you Officer Paul Teel for your service to the community and to our profession...and for your willingness to "walk to the door". And to your family I say, thank you for sharing Paul with the rest of us.

NC Officer

April 2, 2021