MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Condolences continue to come in from across the state to the Charleston Police Department and the family of Patrolman Cassie Johnson who was buried Tuesday after she was shot while on duty last week.
Martinsburg Police Chief George Swartwood said his officers know, like Cassie Johnson, there’s no such thing as a routine call.
“All officers know that this can be a very dangerous position at times, but we do it because this is the job we’ve chosen, this is the profession we’ve chosen,” Swartwood told WEPM Radio in Martinsburg.
Officers representing police agencies from across the state were at Tuesday’s funeral at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Swartwood said any time a fellow officer is killed in the line of duty it’s tragic but police officers know they must continue to do their jobs.
“We never let those things overshadow our thoughts in doing good things in this community and treating all persons with fairness and dignity,” Swartwood said.
Swartwood became chief of police in Martinsburg back in June. He has served in law enforcement more than 35 years.