Some continue to live with the emotional fallout, and the fact that their successful handling of this situation was overshadowed later the same day by the fatal shooting of Tony Robinson by another officer, which has sparked hostility and mistrust toward police by some in the community.

“The date March 6 has forever changed my life, the lives of these officers and our families,” said Sgt. Shannon Blackamore, who led the team that entered the apartment. Going in, he said, nobody expected any weapons to be involved, only a man with possible mental health issues who needed help. “We responded as protectors, caregivers and concerned guardians, trying to provide safety and security to the caller and to reach out and support Tommie Evans.”

Blackamore said he thinks often about the incident, “and I’m thoroughly reminded right now, as I look eyes of Tommie Evans, of how close we came to death.”

Officer Corey Urso said his approach to his job has changed since that night “because of what Tommie Evans chose to do to me, my working brothers and my family.”

“Since then at times I will find myself nervous, apprehensive and sometimes scared,” he said. “I don’t trust certain calls. I definitely don’t trust people nearly as much and often times I feel that what I am doing is just not worth it.”