TO THE LATE DEARBORN HEIGHTS POLICE CPL. JASON MAKOWSKI
DEARBORN HEIGHTS POLICE SGT. ALFRED NASON, CPL. TERRY BEAUDRIE, CPL. BRUCE COTTON, CPL. MARK MEYERS, CPL. KIRK MYERS, CPL. JOHN OBLAK, CPL JEFFREY ROSS, OFFICER COREY SMITH AND OFFICER RUBEN GONZALEZ
GARDEN CITY POLICE SGT. ERIC ZIMMER

When officers responded to 911 reports of trouble in a Dearborn Heights residential neighborhood, it was broad daylight. Little did they know that one of their own would tragically be among the dead before daylight broke again.

The incident began about 6 p.m. on May 24, 2006. Two different 911 callers had described the same terrifying scene: A handgun-wielding man was ordering his neighbors to get inside their homes. "There's going to be some killing soon," he warned.

Dearborn Heights officers had just begun interviewing witnesses at the scene when the gunman in question appeared at the front door of his modest ranch home and, without warning, fired a single .45-caliber bullet. The bullet blasted the windshield of a parked vehicle less than a foot away from Sgt. Alfred Nason.

As Nason and the other officers scrambled for cover, the suspect again began firing at them. Nason called for reinforcements, reporting that the gunman was shooting at them and had them pinned down behind a parked car.

Reinforcements from Dearborn Heights and from neighboring Garden City, Inkster and Westland promptly flooded the neighborhood. Among the first officers on the scene were Cpl. Terry Beaudrie and Cpl. Jason Makowski. Makowski quickly made his way through the neighboring backyards, stopping only when he reached the home directly across the street from the gunman. There he positioned himself beside the home, where he could watch the suspect's front door and provide the other officers, who had less strategic views, with ongoing updates about the suspect's actions. Makowski didn't have to wait long before the suspect, who had momentarily ducked into his house, reappeared at the front door � and began firing directly at him.

Seconds later, Dearborn Heights 911 received a disturbing call. "An officer is down in my driveway," reported the caller, who lived directly across the street from the gunman. "He's bleeding badly."

Immediately, Sgt. Nason conducted an on-air roll call of all officers on the scene. Cpl. Makowski was the only one who failed to respond.

Fearing the worst, Nason ordered officers to advance toward the backyard of the house where Makowski had stationed himself. Cpl. Kirk Myers, the first officer to reach Makowski, found him bleeding profusely in the driveway, within easy shooting range for the gunman. Disregarding his own safety, Myers attempted to help Murkowski, putting himself directly in the firing line.

Now the suspect had two uniformed targets � and he wasted no time shooting at both of them. Despite the imminent danger to his own life, Cpl. Myers tried to drag his fallen comrade to a safer spot, where he could better tend to him. But Cpl. Makowski's size and the lethal, non-stop rounds the gunman was firing directly at them made the task impossible. Returning the gunman's fire with his M-16, Cpl. Myers managed to temporarily halt the assault. That allowed Cpl. Terry Beaudrie, who had just joined them, to also risk his own life by helping Myers pull Makowski to the rear driveway.

As the two officers tended to Makowski, the gunman again began shooting at the three officers, repeatedly striking the adjacent garage and the house. At this point, Cpl. Mark Meyers, Officer Corey Smith and Officer Ruben Gonzalez arrived to help with Cpl. Makowski's rescue. Cpl. Kirk Myers advised Nason that the only way to rescue Makowski and get him the help he desperately need was to have someone provide cover fire.

At Nason's command, Garden City Police Sgt. Eric Zimmer, armed with an AR-15 rifle and stationed close to the suspect's home, stood ready. Officers Smith, Gonzalez, Kirk Myers and Mark Meyers began carrying Makowski to the rear fence.

As soon as the gunman moved toward his front door, Zimmer fired several rounds through the front door and front picture window of the gunman's home, driving the gunman deeper inside. That gave the officers tending to Makowski time to hand him over the rear yard fence to Cpls. Jeffrey Ross, Bruce Cotton and Beaudrie, who carried the wounded corporal to a waiting Dearborn Heights Fire Department rescue unit.

Wanting all of the rescue team members to give their full attention to Makowski's medical aide, Ross himself jumped into the ambulance driver's seat and drove to Garden City Hospital.

But the incident was far from over. Cpls. Mark Meyers and John Oblak as well as Officers Gonzalez and Smith moved toward the gunman's home. As they maneuvered into position, their suspect appeared in his front door, raising his weapon toward them.

At this point, Mark Meyers fired an M-16 round, and Oblak fired three shotgun rounds. Meyers' round caught the suspect in the chest, felling him backwards in the vestibule.

When the officers approached, they found him slumped over in a seated position, his hands near his groin and his gun on the floor near his hands.

Despite massive chest injuries, which would soon prove fatal, he was still trying to move.

Mark Meyers covered as Gonzalez entered the home, securing the suspect and his weapon.

Cpl. Makowski was air-lifted from Garden City Hospital to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Although he fought valiantly for his life, he died less than 10 hours after answering the 911 call that warned of a soon-to-be killing.

The officers nominated for this award, along with more than 15 others who responded to the tragic incident, epitomize what being a "police officer" really means. Without hesitation, they put themselves into a violent situation to protect the citizens of their community. Officers from surrounding communities immediately responded to the call for help from fellow officers in trouble. All of the officers worked as a team, disregarding their own well-being to do everything they could to save a downed brother officer.

For these reasons, the Police Officers Association of Michigan presents the following officers with its supreme honor, the 2007 Police Officer of the Year Award:

From the Dearborn Heights Police Department: a posthumous award to the late Corporal Jason Makowski, as well as to Police Sgt. Alfred Nason, Cpl. Kirk Myers, Cpl. Terry Beaudrie, Cpl. Mark Meyers, Cpl. John Oblak, Cpl. Bruce Cotton, Cpl. Jeffrey Ross, Officer Corey Smith, Officer Ruben Gonzalez.

From the Garden City Police Department: Sgt. Eric Zimmer.

He could have gone home. Jason Makowski had already finished his overtime stint when the call came in. But there was no way to stop this officer from fulfilling his obligation to serve and protect his community.

By the time Dearborn Heights police officers had arrived on the scene of a 911 call about a man out of control, shots had already been fired. The initial shots were random and the first responding officers were encouraging the perpetrator to put his weapon down and come out of the house. Sixty-one- year-old Jeffery Wolf continued to argue with the officers from inside his home. At this point Jason and other officers were securing the perimeter of the house to protect citizens in the neighborhood. Although it was the most dangerous position, Makowski immediately took the point, so he could also keep an eye out for his fellow officers as they began their deployment. As Jason peered a few inches around the corner of a brick chimney he was struck in the head by a .45 caliber bullet.

Wolf continued shooting until the recently arrived SWAT Team ended the siege by firing back and killing him instantly. Officer Makowski succumbed to his wound the next morning at University of Michigan Hospital.

Corporal Makowski served the residents of Dearborn Heights for 11 years. Jason worked for four years in the Special Operations Division which included a fair share of dangerous situations working narcotics and vice. His father Frank had retired from the Dearborn Heights Police Department as a Detective Lieutenant. Jason was recently elected to the position of Vice- President of the Dearborn Heights Police Officers Association because of the respect and confidence his colleagues had in his ability to represent their interests. "His major responsibilities were handling disciplines, and he was always prepared and professional when meeting with the administration," said DHPOA President Jeff Colon. "He was looking forward to attending the POAM Conference the following week in Grand Rapids, especially the seminar that dealt with issues of discipline."

Immediately following the tragedy, department protocol was followed and counselors were called in to meet with police officers and their spouses to encourage them to seek any kind of help necessary. Theseprofessionals also informed friends and colleagues on the range of emotions that can be expected and the appropriate way to deal with them. Dearborn Heights Police Chief Michael Gust knew that each person would react and deal with the situation differently, and allowed the counselors and officers to decide their own healing process, including time off and other considerations. Debbie Beak, wife of Dearborn Heights Police Officer Marty Beak, appreciated being included in grief support. "Spouses have emotional issues, relationships and fears that are unique to the profession our loved one has chosen. Additionally, we can monitor and contribute to our partner's recovery and well being" said Debbie.

The department's critical incident policy also called for a liaison and advocate between the family and department. That person was the Patrol Officers Union President, Jeff Colon. "Having a single person in charge of communicating and helping make arrangements with the family is a good policy. Decisions during a time like this are difficult for the family, and the last thing they need is to be inundated with people and suggestions," said Jeff. The responsibilities were many including lunch for approximately 2,000 people at the Burton Manor following the funeral. Although Jeff worked closely with Chief also Gust, the Chief encouraged the rank and file officers to participate in decisions to memorialize Jason's life. Committees will be planning fundraisers in the future to permanently acknowledge Makowski's sacrifice.

Funeral arrangements for an event of this magnitude are a huge job with countless details to be considered. Dearborn Heights Command Staff met at least two hours for five straight days to make sure these details were handled and every accommodation made. "We couldn't have done it without the help of the Dearborn, Taylor and Livonia Police Departments, amongst others," said Jeff Colon. Livonia provided its Honor Guard, Taylor handled all the traffic from the funeral home as well as securing the UAW hall next door and providing free meals to mourners. The Dearborn Police Department handled Dearborn Heights runs for two days and organized the procession route, parking and staging area. "Dearborn Heights Officers could now mourn Jason's death without all of those additional responsibilities," remarked Colon.

Nearly 2,000 people filled Divine Child Catholic Church for the funeral. The procession took one-half hour from beginning to end. Police officers from almost every state in the Midwest and many parts of Canada were there to pay their respects on behalf of their departments. One of the most heartwarming events during the procession from the church to the cemetery was when thousands of people lined the streets to say a final good-bye to Makowski. Schools along the route allowed students to stand road side to pay their respects. It was very touching to see young people standing at attention with their hands over their heart or holding a salute through the entire motorcade. Business people stopped commerce and shared the sidewalk with other citizens holding up flags, well wishes for the family and signs displaying Jason's badge number. "It was a great tribute to Jason and I'm sure his family appreciated it," added Colon.

In the end, because of the support of city government officials, Mayor Paletko, Chief Gust, the Police Officers Association and local departments from the region, the funeral was handled professionally; giving Jason's family and his life the dignity it deserved. Shortly afterward the Detroit Free Press offered free space to the department to acknowledge Corporal Makowski's contributions. The department took advantage of the opportunity to also thank everyone, especially the Dearborn, Taylor and Livonia Police Departments for their unbelievable support.

In the wake of a critical incident such as this, Chief Gust has met with command staff and conducted a tactical review. More meetings are planned and there may or may not be changes in policy and or procedure. "Every scenario is different and this was not your typical barricaded gunman situation" said the Chief. "This situation was a learning experience and we will conduct a complete evaluation on every facet of the operation." Chief Gust hinted that some range tactics and training scenarios might be added or modified. The department regularly sends officers to Street Survival and Active Shooter Response Training. "In today's society, officers may be reluctant to fire" said Jeff Colon. "Besides civil litigation and criminal charges against the officer, there are many factors to consider including the safety of citizens in the immediate area."

All officers and dispatchers who played an active role in the incident were honored and some awarded a Medal of Valor at a City Council meeting on June 27, 2006. Chief Gust hopes the ceremony will advance the department's healing process a small step. "My administration is committed to helping our employees through this ordeal in the upcoming months," said Gust. "We'll be sensitive to people's needs and work closely with our unions to provide the kind of support that any individual needs."

Makowski will be remembered as a brave and dedicated police officer. Sergeant Rick Suchey added that "Every officer knew that they could count on Jason in any situation. His presence will be missed, but his death reminds us how important we all are to each other."

Corporal Jason Makowski is the second officer to die in the line of duty in Dearborn Heights. He is survived by his mother and leaves behind a three year old son and many loved ones. The Officer Jason Makowski Fund has been established and donations can be made through the Community Bank of Dearborn. The money will be ear marked for the family and his son's education.

~Copied from the POAM Summer 2007 jurnal~