In Honor of Officer Osmar Rodarte — A Hard Reminder About Entry Tactics
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Police Officer: Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, California
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
What Happened:
Officer Osmar Rodarte, a member of the Marysville Police Department’s SWAT team and a U.S. Army veteran, was shot and killed while helping serve a high-risk search warrant as part of a multi-agency drug operation. The team was executing one of 20 coordinated warrants targeting a transnational drug trafficking ring tied to Mexico.
When officers made entry on Kestrel Court in Olivehurst, the suspect—already a convicted felon—opened fire. Officer Rodarte was hit in the gunfight and later died at the hospital. The suspect was also killed.
He leaves behind a wife and child.
A Tactical Gut Check:
We talk about bravery in this line of work—and Rodarte had that in spades. But his death also brings something we can’t ignore: the risk that comes every time we cross a threshold. Especially when that door leads to a desperate suspect with nothing to lose.
Even with full SWAT gear, intel, and a team—entry is never guaranteed safe.
The Danger of the Door:
Making entry is one of the most dangerous moments in law enforcement. Whether it's a narcotics raid or felony warrant, once the door swings open, everything changes. In seconds, you're vulnerable to:
Ambush-style attacks
Improvised traps or fortified rooms
Suspects who’d rather die than go back to prison
Tactics Worth Considering:
Not every agency or op allows for it, but here are alternatives that have saved lives:
Surround and Call-Out: Let them come to you. If there's no immediate threat to life or destruction of evidence, contain and negotiate.
Tactical Ruses: Create reasons for the suspect to open the door on your terms—deliveries, maintenance, etc.
Time and Pressure: Extend the timeline. Fatigue, loud distractions, or cutting off utilities can shift control in your favor.
Deliberate Entry: When entry’s a must, slow it down. Methodical clearing with maximum cover and communication.
Final Thought:
Rodarte gave everything for the job. We owe it to him—and every officer still out there—to rethink how we approach the most dangerous moments of our shift. If there's another way to get the mission done with fewer risks, it’s worth talking about.
Rest in peace, Officer Rodarte. We’ll carry the lessons forward.
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