It's the one call every police officer dreads. The one they hope they'll never hear. Depending on the department it may have a different radio code number. In the San Francisco Police Department the code is "406." In the California Highway Patrol it's "11-99." But no matter the code, they all mean the same thing: "officer down."

Whether you're a hotshot rookie or a tough-as-nails veteran cop, you hear this over the radio and your heart falls into your stomach. Here Officer Alastair and his partner have received that dreaded call over the radio:

"All available units, anonymous 911 call. 406 in the vicinity of Market Street at Hallidae Plaza. Officer down, no further details."

Hearing the call, Officer Alastair, responds over his patrol car radio "3-Adam-16 to dispatch, responding code 3 to 406 from California and Montgomery."

As he and his partner speed to the scene with lights and siren on, a thousand thoughts are going through Alastair's head "What's the condition of the officer? Are there armed suspects? Is this an ambush? What's the fastest way to get there this time of day? How am I going to get us safely there? Get out of the way!" all while trying to maneuver through and around intersections, red lights, pedestrians, and downtown traffic safely. They're no help to anyone if they get in an accident on the way.

Pulling up to the scene, they see no suspects. Just a single CHP traffic officer lying prostrate on the street, his motor unit tipped on it's side. Did he lose control of the bike? Was he in an accident? Did he have a heart attack while he was riding? Was he shot?

Seeing there are no visible suspects or dangers to them, Alastair and his partner rush to the fallen officer. Checking the officer's breathing and pulse, Alastair can find neither. Trying to remain calm and focused he falls back on his training and tells his partner to retrieve the defibrillator from their patrol car while he updates dispatch of the situation:

"3-Adam-16 to Dispatch, code 33. Officer down at 4th and Market. Officer is in cardiac arrest. No suspects, request 408 and 10-25, 4 additional units to our location to set up traffic control, code 3.". The dispatcher replies "10-4 Adam-16, your 10-25 and 408 are 410."

Alastair then opens the officer's shirt and begins CPR as his partner returns with the defibrillator. As his partner turns on the AED and Alastair pumps the unconscious officer's chest, they can hear multiple sirens in the distance and they hope that the ambulance will get there before it's too late.

There are few professions where the solidarity and camaraderie are as close as it is among police officers. Firefighters and service members are comparable. As cops, if another officer dies it's like losing your brother or sister. Here that solidarity is demonstrated as two officers desperately try to save the life of a fellow officer they've never met as if he were their brother.

Dedicated to the four Oakland Police officers who just 2 years before this was commissioned, on 3/21/2009, were killed in the line of duty.

Art by the very talented  eclipsewolf