 |  |  | |
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
S/PTL Donald Meaders (1982-Present)
Wewoka Police Department
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 I really don't know why I chose law enforcement. From my earliest memories, I knew I wanted to be in law enforcement and I lived my live for that end. I made sure I was not involved in any activities that would hinder that goal as well as making sure I did not associate with individuals who would hinder that goal. I joined the Air Force to be in law enforcement but due to an injury that never happened.
During my childhood years, I never missed an opportunity to watch TV shows about cops such as Adam 12 and my best friend as a child was the son of a constable and the nephew of the Chief of Police in the town we grew up in.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I joined the Air Force to be in law enforcement but an injury kept that from happening. While on active duty, I was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department in Little Rock, Arkansas and with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department in Gulfport, Mississippi.
After my  separation from the Air Force, I was a dispatcher for Oklahoma City Police Department and the with the Ada Police Department in Oklahoma as well as Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Department in Ada, Oklahoma. I then became a full time Police Officer with the Ada (OK) Police Department. After a 5 year break in service, I became a Police Officer with the Konawa (OK) Police Department, going on to become a Compliance Officer with the 22nd District Drug Court and then a Deputy Sheriff with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office in Wewoka, Oklahoma.
I am now a Police Officer with the Wewoka (OK) Police Department. I was a K9 handler for a short time with the Seminole County Sheriff's Department and am working on becoming a K9 handler again with the Wewoka Police Department.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
I was in the Air Force for just short of 14 years. While in the Air Force, I received training multiple firearms as well as training in security systems associated with nuclear facility security and training in final line of defense at forward operating bases with emphasis on locations in the Middle East as my unit's area of responsibility.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
My fondest memories are with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department mostly. This was my first experience in law enforcement and I made many friends there and one of my most admired and trusted friends is from that department named Mike Coffman. He was my supervisor and mentor who taught  me more about law enforcement and professionalism than any other person in my career. Mike has finally retired after well over 30 years of service and probably closer to 40 years of honorable service.
I also have great memories with the Seminole County Sheriff's Department working with Marvin Williams and Chase Whitebird, both of whom were taken away from us during a warrant service in 2009 where they were murdered by the suspect on the warrant. I know that is a sad memory but it also reminds of the great friendship I had with both of these men and the great times we had together both and off the job and I miss them so much. The good memories certainly overshadow the loss I feel after their sacrifice.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
The incident that had the greatest impact on me took place on July 26, 2009 when my two good friends, Deputies Marvin Williams and Robbie Chase Whitebird, were murdered by the suspect as they were serving a warrant on him. The suspect shot the two as they were entering his  residence, causing the wounded Chase Whitebird to fall into the home. Other deputies entered the home and pulled him to safety but he died of his wounds at the scene. Whitebird had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office for 15 months. Marvin Williams was airlifted to a hospital in Oklahoma City but before the helicopter could get there, he died from his wounds.
Ezekiel Holbert, the 26-year-old suspect in the case, barricaded himself in his home but after a short standoff, gave himself up. A bystander, Jennifer Bowen, 22, of Seminole was also shot twice with one bullet went through her left arm and into her chest where it remains.
 Three months earlier Holbert was released from the Seminole County jail but since he was stranded 20 miles from home in the rain with no shoes, Seminole County Sheriff Shannon Smith offered to drive him home. When he learned who the suspect killer was, he shook his head saying he had no way of knowing he was doing a good deed for a man who would later be accused of gunning down two of his deputies.
At his hearing Holbert was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of deputies Robbie Chase Whitebird, 23, and Marvin Williams, 43. Throughout the hearing, he chuckled, yawned and stared at the ceiling. Twice, Smith tapped him on the shoulder and cautioned him to listen to the judge. He whined as he left the courtroom about his shackles being too tight and refused to walk upright.
On March 12, 2012, Holbert pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and several other charges. Seminole County District Attorney Chris Ross had pushed for the death penalty but with a plea deal Holbert was sentenced to three consecutive life-terms with no possibility of parole.
The loss of these two friends caused me to really reflect on my career, my commitment to continue to serve as a law enforcement  officer and I really had to evaluate my commitment to this job considering the pain this incident caused me and my fellow deputies. This incident hardened my resolve to continue in this job and to give it my all out of respect to my friends and all the other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to make sure my service is honorable and professional so as not to scar the image of law enforcement and the heroes who served before me, with me, and will serve after I am gone.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
Mike Coffman with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mike is a great friend and was my mentor as I started my law enforcement career.  Yes, he covered my tail more times than I can remember but he also showed me the dedication to the job as well as the compassion we must have on the job to make sure we project the best image and service we can to foster the respect and honor of the job. I will never forget the patience and caring he showed me in driving me to be the best I could be at a law enforcement officer.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I will never forget the time while working at the Ada Police Department when there was a double homicide at a local business. The homicide is certainly not humorous but while on scene at the business, we received information that the suspect was hiding in a storage shed about 2 blocks from the scene. Several of us started running toward that location and due to my injuries from my Air Force days, I was not the fastest runner in the group and they left me behind. While running through yards to get there, I did not see some netting made out of very thin fishing line material that was stretched out in one yard and I hit it at a full run. I caught me about waste high and I flipped over and hit the ground. I landed on my right shoulder and rolled back up, never losing grip on my pistol, and tried to make it look like I planned it to happen. I don't know if anyone saw my acrobatics because no one ever brought it up but I was so mad and was laughing so hard inside that I will never forget that. I still laugh when I tell that story to people. We have to be able to laugh at ourselves or this job will destroy you inside. Thank goodness no one was there with a cell phone camera because that would surely be a classic.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
The most important lesson is the requirement to show love and compassion on the job while be strong and authoritative at the same time. That was truly tested when my two brothers in blue were murdered in the line of duty. I was so angry that day while being in  such overwhelming pain. Once the suspect was taken into custody, we were told to go to the Seminole City Jail and block off the access to the jail so the suspect could be taken there. I was within 10 feet of the suspect sitting on the ground surrounded by state troopers whining like he was the victim. It took every ounce of my fiber to not just shoot him right there for taking my friends and brothers away from me. My ethics and integrity were stronger than my desire to destroy that monster and I maintained myself, got in my patrol unit, and drove to the city jail and did my job as I was supposed to do.
Other than burying my friends, that was probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do on the job but I am proud of my commitment to duty and the fact that I did not let my anger and pain take over.
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
The dedication to preserving the image of law enforcement and the commitment to serving with pride, integrity, guts and service has guided me in my life and my service.
I make sure that everything I do is honorable and does not do anything to reflect negatively on my profession or my  brothers and sisters behind the thin blue line. My respect for the job and for those who are committed to it makes me live my life as good as I can.
My Christian faith also guides me in my life and I do not want to discredit my Lord or His church. I am not perfect, I have made mistakes, and will again I am sure but to the best of my ability, I live my life with dignity, respect, and love for my fellow man and especially for my brothers and sisters on the job.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 Slow down, smell the roses, and remember that you cannot serve the citizens if you don't make it there to the scene. Every rookie and person new to the job go through the fantasy phase when they first hit the streets and are gung ho and ready to save the world but remember, one step at a time, because if you get ahead of yourself, your training, and your experience, you will most likely cross that thin blue line and make a huge mistake that may cost you or your partners their lives and that is something no one wants to have to live with.
I remember being the go-getter and wanting to be at every scene, be the frontrunner and catch the bad guys but you just have to slow down and make sure you see the end of your shift each tour of duty and go home to your family because they need you most of all.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
 The camaraderie and fellowship between officers is very supportive and the knowledge we gain from each other's experiences is invaluable. We are here to serve and protect and that not only means for the citizens but for each other too. We can build each other up on this website and help each other to keep moving forward and that is what we are all about isn't it?
Photo is me hugging Shaun Williams at a memorial for his brother Marvin and Robbie Chase Whitebird.
|
| Share this Voices on:
  |
|
TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who currently serve, or who previously served as a US Police or Federal Officer, and conveys how serving their Country and Community has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like your story to be featured in a future edition of Voices, or know someone else who may be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
This edition of Police Voices was supported by:
Police.Togetherweserved.com
For all current serving and veteran Police Officers, Together We Served is a secure, feature rich website enabling Officers to reconnect with lost Brothers and Sisters, share in the camaraderie of other Officers, network for professional purposes and to honor the service of all.
To join Police.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
| |
