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Posted On: February 17, 2012 by Michael Atter

Condolences to Family of Slain Clay County Detective

As Managing Partner of Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A., I, Michael Atter, want to personally extend my condolences to the family of Detective David White, and to share some thoughts on the vital role played by law enforcement in our society, as well as express an appreciation for the dangers they face every day in their efforts to protect us. In addition, I worked with Clay County Sheriff, Rick Beseler, over 30 years ago in the State Attorney's Office in Jacksonville, and have always held him in the highest regard, personally and professionally. There are none any finer, and I know that his grief is immeasurable and inconsolable. All of the attorneys and staff of Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. were saddened to learn of the tragic death of Clay County Detective David White. Our prayers, thoughts and best wishes are extended to Detective White's family, including his Wife and two children, his friends, and coworkers. We also extend our best wishes and prayers to his colleague, Detective Matthew Hanlin, who was injured in the line of duty and is, thankfully, recovering after surgery. It is fortunate that such tragic losses are rare occurrences in the line of duty in Northeast Florida. However, whenever an officer of the law is slain, the entire community is diminished, and we must renew our resolve, not only to live law-abiding lives, but to do everything that we can to honor our law enforcement officers and cooperate with their lawful demands and efforts to protect us all.
Detectives White and Hanlin, along with other law enforcement officers from the Clay County Sheriff's Office, were investigating a suspected meth lab on Alligator Boulevard, near Middleburg, at around 6:45 p.m. yesterday when tragedy struck. This is a stark reminder to us all that every police officer puts his life on the line every day he or she goes to work. Just as most of us get into a daily routine, bid our "good days" to our families and go to our jobs in a secure work place, law enforcement officers do likewise, with one major and obvious exception: no matter the safeguards taken or the professionalism displayed, there is no truly guaranteed security in their day-to-day jobs. Their's is an inherently dangerous profession, which is a reality they and their loved ones live with every day.
This tragedy is also a reminder that even the most routine and seemingly-innocuous activity of a law enforcement officer can be fraught with danger. This especially includes traffic stops: the officer never knows who or what awaits them in the vehicle they approach; never knows where the vehicle has been or where it is going; and never knows the intent of the occupants or what the occupant's reactions to even simple law enforcement requests will be. Remember this and respect this the next time you are irked at being stopped just for going a few miles over the speed limit, or just "gong with the flow of traffic." Show respect and give the officer a break, not an attitude.
Similarly, responding to a "domestic dispute" call is among the most dangerous of law enforcement activities. Again, the officer is going into an already volatile situation. Often, alcohol or drugs are involved. Are there guns in the house? Is an occupant armed with a weapon? And, once there, most people don't appreciate how often even the so-called "victim" (the one who called the police in the first place) wind up turning on the police once it's apparent that the reported perpetrator is going to be arrested.
As criminal defense attorneys, we are usually on the other side from law enforcement. However, it is never personal, and we always respect the job they have to do and the professionalism with which they do it. Our adversarial system of criminal justice is based upon the dynamic that all of the interested parties (law enforcement; prosecutor; defense attorney; judge; and jury) have a job to do, and that, when each does their job with zealous integrity, most of the time truth and justice will prevail. To that end, we respect and applaud all of the fine law enforcement officers in Northeast Florida, as exemplified by Clay County Detectives David White and Matthew Hanlin.
Detective David White obviously led a life of public service: he was a Veteran of the United States Army as well as a member of the Clay County Sheriff's Office. At Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A., we honor your service, mourn your loss, and pray for your family and loved ones.

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