St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Line of Duty Deaths Policy 41.16 PDF

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Line of Duty Deaths Policy 41.16 Effective Date: 06/30/2006 Amended Date: 01/20/2023 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 22.1.4, 22.1.5, 22.1.7 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: FMJS: Discussion: In the event of an employee’s death or critical injury in the...

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Line of Duty Deaths Policy 41.16 Effective Date: 06/30/2006 Amended Date: 01/20/2023 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 22.1.4, 22.1.5, 22.1.7 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: FMJS: Discussion: In the event of an employee’s death or critical injury in the line-of-duty, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office provides support for the affected employee’s family / survivors. The serious injury or death of an employee is a very difficult time for their family / survivors. The agency is committed to assisting the family / survivors during this time of need. [22.1.5] DEFINITIONS Agency – Refers to St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office GENERAL [22.1.5].1 This policy is to be followed in cases of critically injured employees with poor prognosis or obvious line-of-duty deaths.  For the purpose of this policy, “line-of-duty” death includes any action, felonious or accidental (i.e., vehicle crashes, training accidents, etc.), which claims the life of an employee who was performing Law Enforcement / Corrections functions while on or off duty.  The Sheriff, at their discretion, may put certain parts of this policy into effect for cases of natural death of an employee..2 The family / survivors should hear of the death from an agency representative first and not from the media or secondhand source..3 It is incumbent upon any employee who has been made aware of the death, not to divulge information about the matter until proper notification has occurred.  Communications regarding notifications should be restricted to the telephone wherever possible..4 The name of the deceased deputy must never be released to the media before immediate family / survivors are notified. If the media already has the employee’s name, the media should be requested to withhold this information, pending notification of next of kin. Line of Duty Deaths 41.16 Page 1 of 4 ASSISTANCE FOR AFFECTED PERSONNEL [22.1.7, e].5 The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Victim Advocate(s), agency Chaplain, and SHIELD personnel shall be responsible for providing assistance to agency personnel and their families following serious injuries or line of duty deaths. See policy 22.10 Personnel Actions. NOTIFICATION [22.1.4] [22.1.5].6 Upon a confirmation of death, a death notification must be made to the immediate family / survivors shortly after or coincidental with normal command staff notifications.  Timeliness takes precedence over protocol in the death notification process..7 The senior ranking deputy on the scene is responsible for ensuring timely notification is made to the affected Lieutenant or Captain so the family is notified immediately. The responsibility for making the notification or for designating a notification deputy remains with the Lieutenant or Captain.  Notification shall be made in person. The affected Lieutenant or Captain may assign at least one (1) other employee or personally accompany the notification deputy.  The notifying deputy should be accompanied at the time of the notification. [22.1.4] [22.1.5]  The Sheriff or designee, Chaplain, psychologist, and / or Victim Advocate could also be utilized as appropriate and as circumstances permit. [22.1.4] [22.1.5]  The Honor Guard Coordinator should be notified as soon as possible. A Black Watch will be established and continue through the funeral.  If these persons are not readily accessible, the Media Relations Officer will be utilized as appropriate.  Notification – see also policy 41.15 Death Investigations and Notifications. NOTIFICATION OUTSIDE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.8 Any notification to immediate family / survivors beyond the St. Johns County area should be made through a request from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office for the local law enforcement agency to make a personal death notification..9 The affected Captain, Lieutenant, or the notifying deputy obtains the names of relatives to contact (from immediate family / survivors or from agency records) and passes this information on to the Communications supervisor or contacts the jurisdiction personally by phone..10 Communications sends a teletype message to the jurisdiction requesting a personal death notification. Line of Duty Deaths 41.16 Page 2 of 4 DEMEANOR OF THE NOTIFYING DEPUTY.11 Conduct should be professional, compassionate, businesslike, and never matter-of-fact..12 As soon as the family sees you, they will know something is wrong.  Ask to be admitted to the house  Never make a death notification on the doorstep  Gather everyone in the home and ask them to sit down  Inform them slowly and clearly of the information you have on the incident, making sure you use the employee’s name during the notification.13 If the employee has already died, relay that information using words like “died” and “dead,” rather than “gone away” or “passed away.” Never give the family a false sense of hope..14 The notifying deputy can be seriously affected by the death.  It is not unusual for them to show emotions  Reactions of the family may include hysteria, anger, fainting, physical violence, shock, etc..15 Offer to assist with arrangements and inform the family the agency will assist as support, if needed. [22.1.5] ASSISTING THE FAMILY AT THE HOSPITAL [22.1.5].16 If the opportunity to get the family to the hospital prior to the demise of the employee presents itself, the affected Captain, Lieutenant, or Shift Leader should make the necessary arrangements without delay.  The family should be transported via a law enforcement vehicle  It is highly recommended the family not drive themselves to the hospital. Should there be serious resistance and the family insists on driving, a deputy should accompany them in the family vehicle.  The affected Captain, Lieutenant, or Shift Leader will notify the senior ranking deputy at the hospital the family is enroute..17 The first ranking deputy to arrive at the hospital becomes the hospital liaison deputy. The hospital liaison deputy is responsible for coordinating the arrival of immediate family / survivors, law enforcement officials, the media, and others. These responsibilities include:  Arranging with hospital personnel for appropriate waiting facilities. There should be segregated areas reserved for the following: (1) Immediate family / survivors, the Sheriff, the notification deputy, and any others as requested by the immediate family / survivors (2) A separate area or room for other employees and friends (3) A media staging area  Ensuring medical personnel relate pertinent information on the employee’s condition to the family first.  Notifying the appropriate hospital personnel that all billing for medical services shall be directed to the agency. Line of Duty Deaths 41.16 Page 3 of 4   (1) The family should not receive any of these bills at their residence address (2) This may require the hospital liaison deputy to contact the hospital later during normal business hours to ensure proper billing takes place. Arranging transportation for the immediate family / survivors and others from the hospital back to their residence. If it is possible for the family to visit a critically injured deputy prior to death, depending on hospital policy, they should be afforded that opportunity without delay. (1) Medical personnel should make the family aware of hospital policy about visiting a trauma patient or visitation with the remains (2) Medical personnel should also explain why an autopsy is required.18 Those present at the hospital should be aware of the following when dealing with the immediate family / survivors:  Do not be overly protective of the family. This includes the sharing of specific information on how the employee met their demise, as well as allowing the family time with the deceased remains of the employee.  Idle promises should not be made to the family at this time. (i.e., “We’ll promote them posthumously.” “We’ll retire their badge.”)  Do not suggest a family member / survivor be sedated unless medication is requested by that individual.  The expression of raw emotion by anyone, including employees under these circumstances is perfectly understandable..19 The Lieutenant will ensure a support person is present the entire time the family is at the hospital to arrange whatever assistance the family may need at the time. [22.1.5] RISK MANAGEMENT [22.1.5].20 Risk Management shall be responsible for the coordination of any benefits to the family / survivor. See policy 22.7 Workers’ Compensation, Disability and Death Benefits. FUNERAL COORDINATION [22.1.5].21 It will be the responsibility of the funeral liaison to work with the family / survivor to ensure the funeral concerns are addressed. Decisions regarding the funeral services are to be made by the family / survivor with the assistance of the liaison..22 Funeral protocol in the event of a non-line-of-duty death involving an active or retired sworn or civilian employee, the agency, at the Sheriff’s discretion and at the request of the family / survivor, may provide services for the funeral ceremony. ____________________ Robert A. Hardwick Sheriff Line of Duty Deaths 41.16 Page 4 of 4