WINNEMUCCA — The shooting of four police officers in Seattle may have seemed far away, but for cops here and across the country multiple-fatality shootings are always close to home.

“We’re a tight-knit community,” Jim Loveless, of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, said of the law enforcement departments across the US.  “It really hits home.  Those were brothers and sisters the law enforcement community lost.”

Undersheriff Curtis Kull expanded and noted law enforcement officers are trained to expect trouble on certain calls like traffic stops or domestic violence calls.  They just don’t expect to be targeted while at the coffee shop – as was the case in  Seattle.

“This was different,” Kull said.  “Distinctly different.  You don’t expect to sit on a break and have that space invaded by someone who wants to hurt you or kill you.” 

Troubling to law enforcement was the suspect’s background.  At the time of the shooting, the suspect was out on bail on allegations of sexual assault on a child.  In addition, he was let of prison nine years ago after his sentence was commuted.  At the time, he was serving a 109-year sentence for armed robbery and four other crimes.

EDP’s.  That’s what some cops call them.  Extremely Dangerous People.  Kull said EDP’s have a skewed view of reality and are highly unpredictable.  What makes them so dangerous, he said, is there’s no telling the EDP’s from everyone else.  Not even in a small town are cops and the public insulated from the disturbed, he noted.

“When you read about the guy, the guy with the gun, you have to wonder about the failures within the system that allowed him to be out,” Kull said. “This guy was a danger not only to the police but to the public, as well.”

While nothing good can come of the tragedy in Seattle, Kull noted it was a reminder to law enforcement everywhere.  He said, “There are people out there who want to hurt us just because of what we do.” 

Kull said there have been conversations between the officers about the shooting –conversations that included a reminder not to be complacent. Kull noted the four officers who were killed had nine children between them.  Nine children whose lives would forever be changed. 

For his officers, the shooting was a reminder to be aware, be safe, and make it home to their families.