Mourning the loss …

Frontiersman editorial board

The fatal shooting of an Alaska State Trooper at the Best View Motor Home Park brought home the reality that law enforcement officers face uncertain violence every time they respond to an emergency.

Our hearts go out to the family of 17-year trooper veteran Hans Roelle, as well as to Amy Cordell, the mother of two children Roelle was trying to help when their father apparently shot them to death before taking his own life.

We also send our condolences to the Alaska State Trooper B detachment and Palmer and Wasilla police departments as they come to terms with losing a fellow officer.

To be sure, losing 12 troopers since 1974 sounds like a considerable blow to Alaska's foremost law enforcement team.

Six troopers in Alaska died in helicopter or plane crashes in stormy, remote places and five more were killed in the line of duty by suspects. Only one trooper, Sgt. David Churchill, died of so-called natural causes -- he suffered a heart attack while on a hunting patrol mission near King Salmon.

Palmer Trooper Capt. Simon Brown said 12 officers down in 26 years isn't a bad record. Some law enforcement agencies in the Lower 48, he said, routinely lose that many in a single year.

Overall, the troopers have lost a dozen men in their 60-year history -- indicating an impressive record that no doubt means they are well-trained and doing a good job.

Yet, when one considers that this is the second Valley officer in two years to be fatally shot (and the third in the greater Anchorage area to die a violent death), the numbers are too high.

Investigating domestic-violence cases, as was the case last Saturday, takes a great deal of caution. A number of factors, including alcohol use and the fact that many residents own guns, contribute to potential dangers each officer faces upon entering or approaching a private home.

Valley residents learned from Saturday's events how quickly a situation can go bad. Officers stand ready to lay their lives on the line to enforce our laws and our liberties.

We offer our solemn salute to each and every one of them.