Memphis police officer dies from heat

**Radar** · 08-04-11, 04:51 PM

I know the name but will not release it this time until the news media knows it. In fact I knew this morning but didn't say anything until the media was told.

We lost an officer over night due to the excessive heat. He got sick from heat stroke yesterday so they sent him home, and at home he had a heart attack that is being described as complications arrising from the heat stroke he had on duty.

Im hoping for his families sake that the ME's description will mean it will count as a line of duty death as it happened on duty.

Right now our uniforms are dark blue, long dark blue pants, shorts are not an option, vest must be worn at all times on duty, and are worn under our uniform shirt so unlike some agencies we can't take ours off during our shift for a few minutes. Officers with tattoos on their arms are required to wear long sleeve uniforms so many of us are wearing long sleeves in this heat.

Be careful out there. And drink a lot of water and Gatorade even If you don't think you need to. Wear sunscreen. Try and stay cool and out of the sun. And pray for Memphis as it mourns another senseless loss of our brotherhood.

Also I will mention on the same day we lost a city sanitation worker also for medical complications due to heat. We are ready for winter. Bring on the snow.

I'm tired of the 100-120 temps and 100% humidity.

**Jenna** · 08-04-11, 04:53 PM

That's terrible! That definitely sounds like a line of duty death. Rest in peace.

**Radar** · 08-05-11, 09:01 AM

MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - Investigators said 48-year-old Memphis police officer Anthony Rahming died after being exposed to the severe temperatures.

Rahming joined the force last year. Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said Thursday it appeared the heat was a contributing factor in his death.

"At this point, we think he was a contributing factor in that he went home sick," said Armstrong. "Sometime during the night, his condition worsened while being transported to the hospital where he passed."

Rahming was working a deadly crash scene around 7:00 p.m. Wednesday night at I-240 northbound near South Parkway. The officer said he did not feel well and went home.

"We want to express our sorrow to the family of the officer," said Memphis Mayor A C Wharton.

Mike Williams with the Memphis Police Association said heat is a fact of life for police officers, who are in the heat wearing protective gear and dark uniforms.

"You can't expect officers not to be out there, because their job is to be out there and protect the public and also to insure the safety of the public," said Williams. "We accept that."

Armstrong said that while officers might not be able to avoid the heat, he does want them to be cautious.

"We are advising our officers to take extreme precautions," said Armstrong.

The officer worked out of the Airways station. He worked an afternoon/evening shift.
Copyright 2011 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.

Heat may have killed MPD officer - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

**Buttercup** · 08-05-11, 09:27 AM

Rest in peace.

**Cidp24** · 08-05-11, 12:02 PM

RIP

I just sent this article to everybody at work. We all need to be careful.

**BigDawg** · 08-05-11, 01:40 PM

RIP my Brother

**Jks9199** · 08-05-11, 01:56 PM

Damn... Make sure you stay hydrated, guys. And know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and watch for them in each other.

Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms, Warning Signs, and Treatment Information on MedicineNet.com

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps.

**jcsdscott** · 08-05-11, 02:03 PM

RIP

**lewisipso** · 08-05-11, 03:15 PM

Damn!

**Captain America** · 08-06-11, 02:39 PM

Fading Light

Falling Night

Trumpet Call , As The Sun , Sinks In Fright

Sleep In Peace , Comrade Dear

GOD Is Near

Rest in peace, Ofc. Rahming. Condolences to family , friends and colleagues.

**Pudge** · 08-06-11, 03:49 PM

Rest easy, brother.

**Mark7** · 08-06-11, 07:08 PM

Rest In Peace my Brother. May God grant you eternal rest and may He also look over your family and grant them peace now, in their most extreme moment of sorrow.

**Radar** · 08-07-11, 12:57 PM

News media is errantly reporting that his death was not a result of heat. No one told the media that because all the evidence points to heat, so they seem to be making it up as they go along. Chief said he doesn't know why they said that because nothing has been released to the news yet and the autopsy results weren't in. Chief is saying the admin and the coroners office all believe heat was the factor.

He had stood in the middle ofthe interstate directing traffic for a little over three hours in the sun in 116° heat index, without the benefit of water or relief. When he was relieved he felt sick, everyone thought it was the heat then and wanted him to get the fire department to check him out, but he told everyone he hadn't eaten since breakfast and that was all it was. He didn't want medics to check him out so they let him go home and he died shortly after getting home.

ME's office still hasn't released their findings and there has been no word on when where services will be.