An Order of Protection failed Montgomery, Alabama police officer Tanisha Pughsley when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend whom she had just a month prior to her death obtained a restraining order against.
The restraining order was granted after her ex-boyfriend, Brandon Deshawn Webster, came to her house, and hit her on the head while she was holding her godchild, causing her to drop the child during the attack.
Tanisha, who was only 27 years old, joined the police department in 2016. How is it that even a police officer is not protected from a violent abuser now murderer? Why is it that a restraining order has no validity and is rendered meaningless, worthless and offers no protection whatsoever to the person seeking protection?
Webster is charged with violation of a protective order (REALLY!) He is also charged with murder during a burglary and attempted murder. How staggering, how completely and utterly mind blowing it is that a trained police officer is unprotected by a potential murderer? I am stunned. This young woman took an oath to protect and serve others and those who vowed to serve and protect could not, and obviously did not protect her when a signed order was in place for her protection. That does not leave me with warm fuzzy feelings about restraining orders, when the police are restrained from offering protection to those who fear being abused or murdered. Now, to be fair, I know that the police department does not have funding to provide 24-hour surveillance to those in need of protection, however, Officer Pughsley was one of their own. If you cannot look out for one of your fellow officers, then GOD help the rest of us.
Officer Pughsley, rest in the comfort of GOD’s loving arms and trust me when I say that your passing will not be in vain. I will not rest until Protective Orders protect those who desperately need protection. I will seek to enforce policies that will prevent the abuser from violating a restraining order by every means necessary to prevent violence of this magnitude from reoccurring ever again.
