This morning the news broke of an officer-involved shooting in the Denver metro area. That shooting resulted in tragedy. 

The deputies were responding to domestic violence call just after 5 a.m. at the Copper Canyon Apartments, 3403 East County Line Road, when shots rang out, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Within minutes Douglas County Sheriff sent out an alert.

A Code Red was sent out regarding this incident. Any citizens in the affected area are instructed to shelter in place, avoid windows and stay away from exterior walls. pic.twitter.com/RgutCEqgJA

— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017

UPDATE 0513 this morning deputies responded to he Copper Canyon Apartments for a Domestic Disturbance. During the Investigation, shots were fired and multiple deputies were injured. No status on the deputies and no status on civilian injuries. Please avoid this area.

— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017

Sadly for three families, their New Year will begin in mourning. Two civilians and a sheriff’s deputy from Douglas County were killed. Four other deputies were injured. The fallen deputy, now identified as Zachary Parish, was taken to Littleton Hospital.

DCSO Motorcade for our fallen Deputy #CopperCanyonOIS https://t.co/uU618Xw1qp

— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017

A heartbreaking scene for all.

Lawmakers, law enforcement from around the country, and President Trump have offered their condolences.

My heart breaks for all of those affected by the terrible tragedy in Douglas County. Jaime and I are praying for the citizens and Deputies injured at the scene, and our hearts go out to the family of the Deputy who was fatally wounded.

— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) December 31, 2017

A terrible tragedy unfolding in Douglas County, CO right now. Our thoughts are with the fallen deputy, the injured, and their families. https://t.co/YrB0WpWbQU

— Clackamas Sheriff (@ClackCoSheriff) December 31, 2017

Deepest condolences for the brave deputies of Douglas County Colorado Sheriff's Department. Several Deputies were shot, one fatally. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

— Glenarden PD (@GlenardenPD) December 31, 2017

My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement – God Bless them all! #LESM

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017

Every day law enforcement officers respond to distress calls. Every day, they never know what will happen at the scene.

Twice this weekend, LAPD Officers were shot at, with one being hit. Now tragic news of a deputy in Douglas County, CO shot & killed, with several others wounded. This #NewYearsEve Officers across the nation will be working to keep you safe. Keep them in your thoughts & prayers

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) December 31, 2017

Today, for deputies in Douglas County the distress call they responded to was more dangerous than anyone thought and people died.

Deputy Zachary Parrish, 29 years old, killed in this morning’s shooting in Douglas County, CO. 100 rounds fired by suspect according to @dcsheriff. 4 other deputies shot. 2 civilians also shot. This was domestic call at apartment complex.

— Marshall Zelinger (@Marshall9News) December 31, 2017

Just a few days ago a dispatcher in Wichita, KS received a 911 call regarding a highly dangerous situation. 

A Wichita police officer shot and killed Andrew Finch after a prank caller – suspected to be 25-year-old Tyler Barriss – reportedly told authorities Mr Finch had killed his father and was holding hostages inside the man’s home.

As Kim wrote here, the second-guessing of the police response to the SWATting hoax started almost immediately. However, the Wichita police had exactly ZERO idea that this call was a hoax. They couldn’t read minds. Yet, the second-guessing over the police response went into high gear. However, keep this in mind.

…911 dispatchers have to take everything seriously, as do the police. What if the call was a bona fide shooting/hostage situation, and dispatchers and police brushed it off as bogus?

Law Enforcement has to and MUST respond as if every situation is real. They did so in Wichita, they did so with Patterico, they did so with Brian Krebs, and with far too many other individuals, schools, or government institutions.

Early this morning, sheriff deputies in Colorado responded to a domestic violence call. Now two civilians and a young sheriff deputy have died in what Sheriff Tony Spurlock termed an ambush style of attack.

Was this attack a set up? No one knows at this time. Was the call in Wichita a hoax? Yes, but police didn’t know that when they responded. However, in both cases the deputies and officers responded as if the call was dangerous. One was and one wasn’t. Unfortunately both ended in tragedy.

As we move forward to ring in the New Year, please keep Deputy Zachary Parish’s family, the families of the civilians, Andrew Finch’s family, and all those in law enforcement in your prayers.