Officer Jason Ellis Essay Example

When an officer is killed, it is always a difficult idea for a community to accept. These are the individuals who protect us; they are supposed to be impenetrable. If they are killed, what is protecting us from being killed? Bardstown, Kentucky’s worst fears came to fruition in 2013 when one of their own, in their tight knit community fell under these very circumstances. A valiant officer, off duty, picking up litter on the side of the road, was murdered. Seemingly, the action was perpetrated in cold blood. The media reports it as a random act of violence, while the police force believes one of the officer’s former convicted criminals had a score to settle. Regardless of the reason, Bardstown is one faithful civil servant short, and no leads have been found allowing any peace in the hearts of townspeople or the officer’s family.
On May 25, 2013, Officer Jason Ellis was killed, seemingly in an ambush by attackers . Beloved by many, he died in what is now deemed a random act of violence. It is postulated Ellis stopped to pick up trash on the side of the road as he was on the way to his Kentucky home one evening when the ambush took place. While there is much civil unrest between police officers and citizens in some parts of the country, it appears Ellis never engaged in such antics, making his death a particularly heavy blow to his family, as well as the force he worked for.
A dedicated K-9 officer working with a Bardstown unit, his wife, Amy Ellis, remembered it was Jason’s dream to rid their town of illegal drug use . It was a problem he had managed to make a formidable dent in. His K-9 partner was not present at the time of the shooting, but will most likely be retired and given to Ellis’ family to live out his days in relaxation with those who will love him. “He’ll always be my hero,” Ellis’ wife stated. “I thought he was a Superhero; I never thought anything would happen to him . Admittedly, Ellis was too young to face anything as grim as death. At just thirty-three years old, he was sure to have a long career ahead of him. Prior to becoming a police officer, Ellis was a baseball player at the University of the Cumberlands. Earning notoriety, he played in the minors from 2002 to 2005 in the Cincinnati Reds system before trading in his glove for a badge in his twenties. . He was making a constant effort to keep his little town clean for his family, friends, and the police force he worked with. It was no different the night he stopped to pick up debris on the side of the road; most are sure Ellis simply considered it another part of the job.
Ellis stopped his cruiser to pick up debris at a ramp located in Nelson County off the Bluegrass Parkway in Kentucky; it was where he breathed his last . It is now assumed the thirty-three year old officer received multiple shotgun blasts as he exited his cruiser to pick up the debris. No suspects have been caught or convicted in this case, though a reward has been offered, increasing from $10,000 to $50,000 for those who have any information in the crime . At the time of the murder, investigators were speculating on every arrest made by Ellis, assuming somebody had a debt to settle. Since, nothing has turned up any leads, much to the chagrin of Ellis’ colleagues, and his family. Experts on the force were last quoted still believing it was a former criminal caught by Ellis, however, because the murder was too precise to have been a “random act of violence” as reported by the press . Even more curious is that Ellis was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of the shooting, creating for an even more difficult investigation. The force’s chief remains nervous for his officers, and has urged them to stay vigilant after the attack, but still encourages them to investigate the murder, stating, “I want who did this in prison where they belong .”
When somebody as committed to fighting crime disappears from the Earth, as Ellis did, it is difficult to believe. Not only was he committed to his job, but he was also a good person. Having cultivated a loving family with his wife, whom he had been with for twelve years, he left behind two sons who, at the time were only six and seven years old. He was beloved by many family and friends, but his dutiful service to his community triggered an outpouring of support from the entire community, even those who did not know him personally. Over 400 people attended a candlelit vigil in the fallen officer’s honor two nights after his murder . His cruiser, which served as a makeshift memorial for mourners, began being covered in balloons, American flags, flowers, cards, and baseballs in honor of his love for the game. Sadly, the following week would have marked his seventh year anniversary with the Bardstown police force
Ellis is remembered as an officer who tried to remain fair, but always followed the rules. His wife is quoted as saying he went, “by the book .” However, she and the members of the force also remember him as a likable man who knew how to joke around and unwind. He is remembered for making people laugh both on and off the clock. Particularly, he is remembered for being one of the more caring officers on the force, despite his by-the-book attitude. The police force is doing everything they can to solve Ellis’ murder, even today, so not only they can honor his memory and allow he and his family to rest peacefully, but also so they can create a restful environment for the town they protect. They knew Ellis would not want an environment for his community where everybody was constantly looking over their shoulders, but rather one where people could relax and enjoy their lives. Ellis’ family, friends, and coworkers continue to miss him and work toward resolution, but they honor his memory and try to remember him and the likable police officer with the soft by-the-book attitude.

Works Cited

Foreman, Kelly. "Mourning a Hero." Kentucky Law Enforcement Magazine June 2014: 20. EbscoHost.
Galafaro, Claire. "Officer's ambush slaying still a mystery a year later." USA Today (2014): 56-59. Article.
Kocker, Greg. "One year later: The slaying of Officer Jason Ellis." 24 May 2014. Kentucky.com. 12 March 2015.
Noll, Jessica. "Exit 34: What happened to Bardstown Police Officer and Cincinnati's Jason Ellis?" 14 September 2014. WCPO Cincinnati. 12 March 2015.