Published on Monday, January 15, 2007
in the Tallahassee Democrat

Here's why politicians respect police

DEMOCRAT POLITICAL EDITOR : Bill Cotterell

The name of Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Sottile will be called in the Capitol courtyard next spring, and a white carnation will be pinned near Lake Placid on a big map of the state.

The annual ceremony honoring law-enforcement officers killed on duty always draws a large crowd, including the governor and Cabinet officers, legislative leaders, department heads and ordinary citizens. The patrol cars and uniforms of dozens of state, county and city agencies are seen in a slow procession down Monroe Street behind a mounted patrol and an honor guard.

When they reach the Capitol, hundreds of officers close ranks near a huge oak tree bordered by four sloping black walls engraved with the names of slain officers. After the rifles fire their salutes, some friends and family members take home a paper tracing of the new names.

There are dozens of celebrations and demonstrations in the courtyard every legislative session. But if you rush past this one without a second glance, maybe you've been around here too long.

Sottile, 48, was killed on Friday during a routine traffic stop. He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter, Heather, who lives in Orlando; and his son, Nicholas, who works for the FHP in Tampa.

"Our law-enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day for the safety and security of our state," Gov. Charlie Crist said, "and I speak for all Floridians in offering our deepest gratitude for their sacrifices."

This latest case shows why law enforcement, particularly the FHP, is so highly regarded in the Legislature.

The Police Benevolent Association can get special-risk retirement benefits and longevity pay raises for officers because the state doesn't want to lose them to city or county forces - and because the PBA's endorsement confers money and law-and-order credibility at election time.

But there's also a genuine respect in the Capitol for what the officers do.

Those titillating TV shows like "Cops" or any number of "wildest police chase" programs always feature the hair-raising, lurid, fast-paced, sometimes amusing cases that provide what television producers call "good visuals." But most often, these real-life tragedies are more maddening because they're so mundane.

Sottile stopped an erratic driver and was shot to death. Tallahassee Police Officer Ernie Ponce de Leon was killed when he approached a suspect. TPD Sgt. Dale Green rushed to help crime victims and was fatally ambushed.

They were all doing the same thing - protecting us. And hundreds more like them are out there right now, doing the same thing.