The Weekly Briefing 🇺🇸
Salute to Veterans
Miami-Dade Deputy Shot and Killed
According to NBC News, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Deputy Devin Jaramillo, 27, was shot and killed Friday afternoon with his own service weapon during a traffic stop that escalated into a struggle. Investigators said Jaramillo was responding to a minor crash when 21-year-old Steven David Rustrian attacked him, disarmed him, and fired multiple shots before taking his own life. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said the incident was not an ambush but a sudden altercation that turned violent. Jaramillo, described as a “home-grown hero” and University of Central Florida graduate, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Officer Killed in Emergency Room
A police officer was shot and killed Saturday morning during a struggle inside the emergency department of WakeMed Garner Healthplex, near Raleigh NC, according to NBC News. Officer Roger Smith, 59, was on duty when the incident occurred around 9 a.m. Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Benji Martin Jr. of Garner, who has been charged with murder. Garner Police Captain David Casteline said Smith was shot once and described him as a hero whose actions likely prevented further loss of life. Governor Josh Stein and local officials praised Smith’s courage and service, calling the event a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence. 🖤💙 More here
Chief Reflects on First Year
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell marked his first year in office by navigating multiple crises — from devastating wildfires and federal immigration raids to a presidential deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. McDonnell, who took over the department in November 2024, said the early challenges revealed strong leadership within the ranks as more than 700 officers were deployed daily during the Palisades Fire. Tensions later grew when the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts led to local protests and Guard deployments, prompting jurisdictional clashes between LAPD, ICE, and federal authorities. Despite staffing shortages — the department is down roughly 1,400 officers — McDonnell said he remains confident LAPD can handle upcoming global events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, though “we’ll have to do it differently.” With crime trending downward, he described the year as both demanding and deeply rewarding. 👮♂️ More here
Deepfakes Fuel New Threats
According to The New York Times, law enforcement agencies are confronting a surge in A.I.-generated threats that make online harassment and swatting incidents far more realistic. Offenders are using generative tools to create lifelike images, voices, and videos depicting victims in violent or compromising situations—sometimes prompting real emergency responses. Experts warn that the technology’s accessibility allows almost anyone to weaponize A.I. for intimidation or misinformation, complicating police efforts to distinguish hoaxes from genuine threats. Officials also note growing concern that state and local agencies lack the resources and legal authority to manage this emerging dimension of public safety. 💻 More here
Online Exploitation Network
Federal prosecutors have, for the first time, applied terrorism charges to an alleged member of the online predator group known as “764.” ABC News reports that 21-year-old Baron Martin of Tucson was indicted for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, among other offenses, for his role in a network accused of coercing teenagers into acts of self-harm, sexual exploitation, and violence. The Justice Department says 764 and its affiliates operate globally, using encrypted chats and social media to target vulnerable youth while promoting extremist propaganda and chaos. The FBI now considers the group a form of “modern-day terrorism,” with more than 300 open investigations across the country. The case signals a broader shift in how federal authorities view digitally organized violence—blurring the line between traditional terrorism and online exploitation. 🛜 More here
Car Fleeing Police Kills Four
According to the Associated Press, a speeding car fleeing police early Saturday morning slammed into a crowded bar in Tampa’s Ybor City district, killing four people and injuring 11 others. Police said an air patrol unit first spotted the vehicle street racing around 12:40 a.m., prompting pursuit by the Florida Highway Patrol. Officers attempted a PIT maneuver to stop the car but disengaged when it sped toward the nightlife area. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, lost control and struck a group of pedestrians outside Bradley’s on 7th. Sampson was later arrested and charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and aggravated fleeing. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw called the crash a “senseless tragedy,” while Mayor Jane Castor said the entire city “feels this loss.” 🔗 More here
Shots Fired at Border Patrol Agents
According to ABC7 Chicago, Border Patrol agents came under fire Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation in the city’s Little Village neighborhood, part of a wider federal initiative called “Operation Midway Blitz.” The Department of Homeland Security said an unknown gunman in a black Jeep opened fire on agents before fleeing, while several agitators allegedly threw objects at Border Patrol vehicles. No agents were injured, but a responding Chicago police officer was accidentally struck by a pickup truck and hospitalized with minor injuries. The confrontation drew large crowds and sparked clashes between federal agents and community members, with local officials and immigrant advocates accusing authorities of using tear gas and excessive force. DHS said the shooting reflects a “growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction” against federal law enforcement. 🔗 More here
Troopers Granted ICE Powers
According to KNWA Fox24, all Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have now been credentialed under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) program, giving them limited federal authority to detain, question, and process undocumented immigrants encountered during enforcement operations. Oklahoma Department of Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton announced the move at a recent Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program meeting in Oklahoma City, calling it a step toward greater collaboration with ICE. The program, which operates under three models—Jail Enforcement, Task Force, and Warrant Service Officer—delegates specific immigration duties to local and state officers under ICE supervision. Oklahoma joins more than a dozen other law enforcement agencies across the state participating in 287(g), part of a broader federal effort to expand state-level involvement in immigration enforcement. 🔗 More here
Officers Shot and Killed
According to the National Fraternal Order of Police’s latest report, 285 officers have been shot in the line of duty so far in 2025—a 5% decrease from this time last year and down 12% from 2023. Of those, 38 officers were killed by gunfire, an 11% drop from 2024. The FOP also recorded 58 ambush-style attacks this year, resulting in 78 officers shot and 19 killed. This trend shows improvement from record highs in 2023, when 324 officers were shot by this point in the year. 📈 Full report
Veterans Day Special
In honor of Veterans Day, The Briefing Room looks back on one of our most powerful conversations — with Chief Bryan Rippee of the Texas Highway Patrol. A U.S. Army veteran and career law enforcement leader, Chief Rippee shared a thoughtful, unfiltered perspective on service, leadership, and the evolving mission of modern policing. This Veterans Day, we honor leaders like Chief Rippee whose dedication to both country and community continues to inspire.
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