Sheriff Hernan Rodelas, 44, who was assigned the Office of the Clerk of Court Cavite City, succumbed to mutiple gunshot wounds as he was ambushed along the Coastal Road, Barangay San Rafael, on 3 September 2010. Police recovered seven empty shells from a .45 cal. pistol at the scene. Police are still conducting investigation to determine motive and track down the killer

This is the second recent incident involving the killing of a Court sheriff.  Last 3 June 2008, Pasig Municipal Trial Court Sheriff Ariel Valero and his clietnt, Rey Max Umandam of Krypton Credit Corporation  were were both shot while in the process of implementing a court order to repossess a vehicle that was subject of a court proceeding in Pasig City. Sheriff Valero was killed while Umandam was seriously wounded by a irate car owner against who the writ of re-possession was being implemented.

This most recent incident has once again raised the issue of the need for personal security among individuals in high risk occupations. Already a number of sheriffs have been calling for their right to carry firearms while in the line of duty. Previously, a petition was sent to the Supreme Court by the Sheriff’s Association, requesting that Sheriffs be allowed to arm themselves.

Court Sheriffs are the field officers of the courts, who implement and make sure that court orders are enforced. By nature of their functions, they are exposed to the front line of the enforcement process, along with the police. It is thus commonplace for sheriffs to be subjected to verbal abuse, threats, and actual attacks by irate litigants.

Lawyers, judges, and prosecutors are also similarly situated. In any litigation, there is a winner and a loser. It is likewise common for the loser in a case to “take it out” in the opposing lawyer, judge or prosecutor, as the cause of the loss. For this reason,  the legal profession rates as among the highest incidences of people possessing concealed carry permits among all the professions.   

The Sheriffs are currently calling for justice. They are also calling for a reduction of the Permit to carry and license fees, which they are are required to pay for out of their own pocket.