BETSY BRANTNER SMITH JOINS DAWN LIVE.... BETSY EXPANDS ON THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN PHILA UNDER CHERELLE PARKER.... BETSY ALSO RESPONDS TO THE POLICE TRENDS NATIONWIDE... AND THE PROMPT BELOW ADDRESSING VIOLENCE AGAINST POLICE... 

"The final weekend of 2023 has been a deadly one for law U.S. law enforcement officers.
 AP: An Oakland, California, police officer was shot and killed Friday while answering a report of a burglary at a marijuana dispensary, authorities said.

Tuan Le, 36, was one of several who responded to a report of a burglary in progress at the cannabis business near Jack London Square at about 4:30 a.m., about 3 1/2 hours after an earlier burglary was reported at the same business, authorities said.

The arriving uniformed and plainclothes officers saw several people leaving the business and one opened fire several times, hitting the officer, who was in plainclothes and driving an unmarked car, interim Police Chief Darren Allison said at a news conference.  

 AP: A Georgia sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot Friday while responding to a report of a domestic disturbance at a home in Spalding County, officials said.

Sheriff Darrell Dix said at a news conference that a man fired a shotgun from a window of the home as two deputies crossed the yard, hitting one of them in the head. The deputy was taken to a hospital but died. Read more.

Greensboro News & Record: An off-duty Greensboro police sergeant was fatally shot around 4 p.m. Saturday at (a) convenience store...

The officer had seen a crime taking place inside the store and approached the suspects when he was shot.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 45 officers have been fatally shot in the line of duty this year.

For perspective on the challenges and dangers cops are facing, turn to a retired officer with 29-years of experience, including at combating domestic terrorists.

Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (Ret.) is spokesperson for National Police Association, a non profit that supports law enforcement officers across the U.S. She began her career as a police dispatcher at age 17 and has held positions in patrol, investigations, narcotics, juvenile, hostage negotiation, crime prevention, K-9 and field training. She has been a law enforcement trainer for over 20 years."