Sergeant Ronald L. Lampe
Incident
Sergeant Lampe was attempting to serve a narcotics warrant with five other officers when he was shot and killed.
Two plain clothes officers tried to gain entry into the house as party goers, but the suspect would not let them in. The two officers returned down the street and apprised Sergeant Lampe of the situation. Sergeant Lampe and two officers went to the back door at the same time three additional officers went to the front door.
After knocking on the back door with no response, the officers entered the house and identified themselves as police officers. As they searched the house, the suspect opened fire with a .22 caliber rifle striking one officer in the chest and striking Sergeant Lampe several times.
The suspect claimed he did not hear the officers knock and announce themselves and said he fired in self defense. He was acquitted during a trial.
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Tributes
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Yes Jan. 9,1980 was Sergeant
Ronald Lampe's "End of Watch".Ron left this world the same way he lived in it,as a true hero. When I say a hero I don't mean the way the good citizens see the Police as hero's because we put on the uniform and dedicate ourselves to something greater than us, but a true hero someone who has given his life for another.
As the situation unfolded on that cold January night, one of the raid team members was a young inexperienced rookie, who rushed into to the interior of a Darkened house only to be met by gunfire. As this young Deputy lay on the floor moaning and in pain from a chest wound, Ron left his position of cover to attempt a rescue only to be cut down. I'm sure Ron knew he was putting himself in harms way by running to his comrade and friends side, but his heart wouldn't allow him to leave his friend to die. As both officers lay wounded and dying on the floor, and looking at each other, Ron had almost an apologetic look on his face, as if to say I'm sorry I couldn't save you. Even then his radio traffic to Communications told of this man's idea of duty and loyalty," We've been hit, officers down". Still trying to save his friend!!!As all of us in Public Safety I have had many times when I could have been taken
from this world as I'm certainly nothing special.The difference is I have a friend that I believe continues to watch over me. I can only hope he believes I've done my best to bring credit and "tribute" to his sacrifice. God bless my friend.