The shooting of a Ballwin police officer hit close to home for De Soto Police Chief Rick Draper and his department.
Draper said Mike Flamion, 32, who was shot while conducting a traffic stop at about 11 a.m. Friday (July 8), was a nine-year law enforcement veteran who spent his first seven years with De Soto.
“Mike was a good officer for us,” Draper said. “He is well-rounded, funny, a good guy. Very generous. He’s the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, a real team player and a friend to everybody.”
Draper said the news that Flamion was shot affected him and his officers.
“We’re all hopeful that he’s going to get through this,” he said. “They (De Soto officers) are in good spirits, but the news really hit us. This is someone we’re still close to. He’s a friend, he’s someone we’ve shared beers with and laughs with.
“When you hear news like this, you realize that Ballwin isn’t that far away, and that if it can happen to Mike there, it can happen in De Soto, in Festus, in Hillsboro.
“What happened in Dallas (where a sniper killed five police officers and wounded seven others on July 7) is so disgusting that I don’t have any words for it, so the last few days have been painful for the entire police fraternity. What’s especially disturbing in this case is that he (Flamion) didn’t even have a chance. That’s what really makes you angry.”
According to police reports, Flamion was returning to his squad car after making the traffic stop in the 300 block of New Ballwin Road when he was ambushed from behind.
Antonio Taylor, 31, of St. Louis, has been charged by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and being a felon in possession of a weapon. He was being held Sunday (July 10) on $500,000 bond.
Recent reports had Flamion listed in critical but stable condition at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur.
“Quite a few of our officers have been up to see him and his family,” Draper said. “We’ve all remained close to him. The family has been in good spirits, considering the situation, but they know that this is going to be a long, long, long road to recovery. Fortunately, Mike has a phenomenal support system. His family hasn’t left his side throughout this. It’s been very inspiring.”
Draper said Flamion, a graduate of St. Pius X High School in Crystal City, and his wife were living with his parents in House Springs while they planned to build a home.
Draper said he’s spoken with his officers about being vigilant.
“I’ve talked to my officers and stressed that this can happen anywhere, and that they have to stay vigilant. They have to be extra cautious when they’re making traffic stops. For the time being, we’re having two units respond to every call. We can’t be too careful.
“That, unfortunately, is the environment that we live in. There is a lot of hatred of police. But what I’ve also seen is that a silent majority are becoming not as silent – there’s been an outpouring of support. People are going to police stations and bringing food, drinks and thank-you cards. We’ve had our share in De Soto. I can’t say enough about that.
“You know, nobody in this department wants to go out and hurt anyone. We don’t even want to arrest anyone. Arrests come as the consequence of actions by someone else.”