Hurricane Katrina and Mississippi

I, Officer Rob Aker, was one of eight officers from the North Las Vegas Police Department that was asked to go to the gulf states as part of an offer of assistance in the Hurricane Katrina aftermath.

We gathered a large amount of supplies: bug spray, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), uniforms, ammunition, bottled water, generators, police radios, rain coats, air mattresses, and other items. We loaded these supplies up in two patrol cars, one sport utility vehicle and one F-350 truck, and prepared to leave.

We then joined a caravan of numerous vehicles from other agencies within the State of Nevada. The caravan contained approximately 60 vehicles and 110 officers, representing not only North Las Vegas Police Department but Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; Henderson Police Department; Nevada Highway Patrol; Nevada Parole and Probation; Nye County Sheriff; Carson City Sheriff; University Nevada Reno and others. We drove nearly straight through to Mississippi, with only one two-hour stop in Texas.

As we drove to Mississippi, we were greeted at overpasses by Police, Ambulance and Fire agencies from the jurisdictions we drove through. Most displayed banners and American flags for our convoy. One banner read "Thank God for the Nevada Police Department and God Bless". The Nevada response of Police was known as "The Nevada Police Department", so no one agency received sole recognition for their efforts and sacrifices. The banners and flags were very heartwarming and patriotic and meant a lot to the caravan. We were even greeted by local radio stations as we drove through their cities with messages of thanks, prayer and good will. Along with this, we received numerous escorts as we drove through cities and counties, particularly from those agencies that could not afford to send officers to the relief. It was obvious that the brotherhood of "first responders" is on a national level.

We were sent to city of Seminary, when we finally reached the State of Mississippi, Here we gave some minor assistance to the town (containing 350 or so residents and three Sheriffs Deputies). In order to give the Sheriff's Deputies some relief, a few officers from our contingent assisted patrolling one night while we were there. Several of the officers we worked with or relieved during this mission had been working 12-18 hour shifts, for about 20 days straight, when we arrived. This even included those officers who lost their homes or family members and were still heroically at their posts. They are true heroes and give policing a noble name.

While on this mission, since we did not know what our assignment would initially be, we received standardized training in Officer Rescue, Building Clearing/Searching, Body Recovery, Blood Born pathogens, Personal Protection Gear and other areas.

From Seminary we were then sent to Gautier (pronounced Goo-Shay), Mississippi, believe me, you don't want to mispronounce this when you are in their city. We stayed at a large high school there, which was used to house Police, Fire, FEMA, Soldiers and other relief workers. I was told there were approximately 2000 people there at any one time, with 1000 being police officers. Our Gautier High School Camp also contained supplies, helicopters, every type of boat, motorcycle and vehicle you could imagine. This camp is also where we slept, ate, showered and where we obtained and prepared our vehicles and supplies. A large tanker truck was commandeered by F.E.M.A. to fuel the vehicles on sight, directly from the tanker itself. We slept in sleeping bags, on military cots, in the classrooms of the school. There were about 21 of us in our classroom. We ate MRE's or from a mobile catering truck, and eventually, when they finally arrived, showered in mobile showering trucks. After a short time, they even had laundry trucks arrive for us and we did laundry on-sight (and not a moment too soon).

Our days consisted of getting up and prepared about 1600 hours (4:00 p.m.) for the graveyard shift. We showered, gathered our supplies for the day, ate dinner, and left Gautier High School at about 1700 hours (5:00 p.m.) in order to get to one of the command posts by 1800 hours (6:00 p.m.) to receive our assignments. This was about a 45 minute drive. Once at the command post, we received our instructions, partners and equipment and then drove to that assignment.

The assignments were 12 hours in length and consisted of "routine" and "static" patrols. When on patrol we answered calls for service just as if we were in the City of North Las Vegas. One of our assignments was guarding 12 pharmacists and their trucks of medicines, which drove in from around the country. These pharmacists issued approximately 1800 prescriptions a day, from the only pharmacy that was up and running for several hundred miles. We also had assignments like guarding large grocery stores that were commandeered by F.E.M.A. or the Red Cross from looters, and insuring the electricity and utility facilities remained safe. We did numerous other assignments such as patrolling the beach, guarding landmarks, deterring looters, and assisting at checkpoints, especially necessary as all the cities had curfews.

Routine patrol in Mississippi consisted of patrolling neighborhoods and answering calls for police service. It was surreal patrolling and policing in Mississippi as we do in North Las Vegas. Routine patrol was mainly done in the Harrison/Jackson county areas, focusing in Biloxi, Bouavier and other adjacent cities. This also included Keesler Air Force base. North Las Vegas Officers were able to complete patrol assignments, often without local agencies being in the lead, thanks to in-car G.P.S. systems and being on the 800 MHz radio frequency. A sincere thanks to Officer Butz and all others who assisted in getting the vehicles and supplies ready, stocked and prepared. We did "piggy back" with other officer's from the local agencies at times and found that policing is pretty standard across the county.

During the shift assignments, we ate MRE's, or from the local hospitalities of churches or supply depots, that were manned by military and civilian volunteers who cooked for us. I think that most of us that went on this mission won't eat baked beans or hot dogs anytime soon, although at the time, a warm meal was welcome anywhere.

We patrolled with soldiers from several different branches and areas of the armed forces and police officers from across the United States. Very special thanks to those soldiers and their Humvees that rescued one of our patrol cars from a damaged road and a sand pile. I'll tell you this story when the statute of limitations is up (hee hee). Some of the other agencies included officers from the states of: New York; California; Pennsylvania; Ohio; Indiana; Illinois; Vermont; Alabama; Florida; Georgia; Michigan; Tennessee; the Carolinas and everywhere in between. One thing that we found from this experience is that a Police Officer is a Police Officer is a Police Officer. It was quite an experience to patrol next to these fine officers and see and share such similarities. A lot of stories, experiences, photos and police patches were exchanged. I think most of us from this mission would agree that officers, no matter where they are from, share similar qualities and traits.

After our 12 hour shift, we would meet at a rally point, debrief, share some experiences from that night briefly, blow off a little steam, and then caravan back another 45 minutes to the Gautier High School camp. On the way back, we passed convoys of law enforcement officers or relief workers. At all hours nothing but semi-trucks, repair trucks and dump trucks in large convoys were on the freeways. It was eerie to not see any civilian vehicles.

Upon arriving back at camp, we fueled our vehicles, broke down our equipment, and prepared for the next day, making this about a 16 hour workday. We then ate, showered and tried to sleep. It was difficult to sleep at times since there were always soldiers in the halls, other relief workers doing their assignments near where we were sleeping, or helicopters and equipment being operated. Luckily, Officer Wadsworth, being previously in the military, brought several pairs of earplugs that truly were lifesavers.

Some of those that went on this mission have never been in the service. Due to this, it was quite an experience to sleep on military cots, eat MRE's, and cohabitate with so many other people in one small space. I did find out that the majority of people (at least those whom I cohabitated with) snored. There were times I thought I was being stalked by a pack of grizzly bears.

All the people we contacted were thankful, hospitable, and hopeful. They generally were amazed that officers from North Las Vegas cared enough to drive there to assist them. Even those that lost everything and were denied their insurance claims were hopeful, positive, polite, and thankful to us. At one place we were even offered a hot cup of coffee, from their portable stove, with one of their few bottles of water. Truly amazing people and may God bless every one of them.

Finally for the environmental conditions we worked in. As you might be able to see in some of the photos, there was ash that fell from the sky at times from various fires. There was also a large amount of dust/ash and other airborne debris from the water, and whatever it contained, that dried up and was kicked up from our vehicles. There were snakes, mosquitoes, crocodiles and other critters and insects that we saw dead and alive regularly. It seemed the entire state had a pungent, moldy, rotten smell. It also seemed as though you could never get away from it. It was hot and humid, not the dry heat we were used to. I found out the value of liberally oiling handcuffs while I was there. It did not rain once the entire length of the mission.

I think that I speak for all of us that went on this mission when I say that it was an honor to represent the City of North Las Vegas/North Las Vegas Police Department in this national tragedy. It was also an honor to serve our Country and not just our Community. It was a mission that I don't think any of us will ever forget.

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