TRAINING
The year ended in tragedy on the rails
I had just completed writing the article for De-
cember’s issue of NJ COPS feeling pretty good
about our accomplishments in rail safety aware-
ness when my heart sank with the devastating
news of two police officers struck and killed by a
train in Chicago. This event had great significance
to me personally, as I often work in and alongside
THOMAS J. CPD officers on assignment in the Windy City. I
am very familiar with the area in which the inci-
JEDIC
dent occurred, having participated in numerous
surveillance and apprehension details.
Let’s be clear about one thing: Officers Marmolejo and Gary
were, by all accounts, dedicated, smart and well-respected
cops doing what they loved to do in a very active city. In this
case, they were responding to a shots-fired call and searching
for the suspect. We all have the mentality that we must succeed
in catching the bad guy/girl, no exceptions. This article is in
no way, shape or form meant to be critical of these two heroes
who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. On the contrary,
this article is to remind you to pay tribute to their lives by be-
ing mindful of the extreme danger when on, along or near any
railroad tracks, tunnels, bridges, trestles or railyards. Let’s take
a moment to think about some steps you must take when near
the tracks;
1. Unless absolutely necessary, never go onto any railroad
tracks. They are very dangerous on a normal day.
2. If you must do so, never trespass until you have con-
firmed with the rail operator that all train traffic, mean-
ing freight as well as passenger trains, is stopped. Make
certain that your supervisor, dispatch or whoever makes
that call documents who they spoke with and what time
it was halted. Even after confirming that train traffic was
stopped, always remember this is a system handled by
human beings, imperfect for sure. Always place lookout
personnel down line on both sides of any incident-in-
vestigation. These personnel should not be part of any-
thing else and should serve as lookouts only, with no
distractions at all.
3. Remember that trains travel any time on any track in
any direction. Multiple trains can follow quickly behind
one another, and the noise from one train you do see can
easily hinder your ability to hear a second or subsequent
train. Trains are very quiet, and many actually approach
with the locomotive pushing the train, which makes
their sound even quieter, as the car approaching has no
engine or engine noise.
4. Very few, if any, railroad environments are designed for
foot traffic and chases. The area is thick with hazards,
rocks, rail and fluids. Most every day, railroad materials
can cause slips, falls or even be used by an assailant as a
weapon.
You must communicate with one another and with every
police officer or first responder coming to the scene. It is key
to know who is there, how many and account for everyone,
just like any other crime scene. Getting off and away from the
tracks as soon as possible will be your key as well. May Officers
Marmolejo and Gary rest in peace.
So, where do we go from here? The Chicago Police Depart-
ment will never fully recover from their loss; none of us will.
Their families will be affected forever. But we do have an obli-
gation to address the incident and think about what we can do
to ensure that such a tragic event never happens again. In the
last 10 years or so, five officers have lost their lives because of
being struck by a train. We can do better to bring that number
down to zero.
Remember the suggestions in this article — think about how
and where you would approach the railroads in your commu-
nity or one in which you may act as backup or on a special re-
sponse team. Make sure that procedures are in place when de-
ployed to the tracks. Call the right railroads and their dispatch
centers to stop train traffic. Be prepared for just about anything
when working on or along the tracks. Use extreme caution al-
ways, and please take advantage of the numerous agencies
willing to train your personnel, dispatchers and first respond-
ers on coping with railroad incidents and the environment of
trains.
I ask all of you reading this to contact me if you have any
questions or comments or if you want to set up training. If I
can’t answer your question or arrange your training personal-
ly, I will find the right person who can. We are in a profession
that always addresses needs as quickly as possible. Please don’t
hesitate on this one topic. Stay safe and contact me at thomas.
[email protected] or 201-207-1394.
Special Agent Thomas Jedic is a member of Norfolk Southern
Railroad Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT) and
an executive board member of NJ Operation Lifesaver.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ JANUARY 2019 63