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10 examples of police (and related issues) in horror/thriller movies

By Wade Wainio

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 14: A dead zombie prop lies on the hood of a police vehicle at the Fright Ride immersive haunted attraction on October 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The creative team from the Fright Dome attraction made the new experience after seeing how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was shutting down many Halloween events across the country and decimating the entertainment industry in Las Vegas. Guests are driven through the 75,000-square-foot "research lab" on electric carts in groups of six or less to maintain social distancing. Other safety protocols in place include face coverings required for all guests, staff and actors, enhanced cleaning procedures and visit-specific entry times for all patrons. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 14: A dead zombie prop lies on the hood of a police vehicle at the Fright Ride immersive haunted attraction on October 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The creative team from the Fright Dome attraction made the new experience after seeing how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was shutting down many Halloween events across the country and decimating the entertainment industry in Las Vegas. Guests are driven through the 75,000-square-foot "research lab" on electric carts in groups of six or less to maintain social distancing. Other safety protocols in place include face coverings required for all guests, staff and actors, enhanced cleaning procedures and visit-specific entry times for all patrons. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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10. Halloween II (1981) and 4 (1988)

The cops of Rick Rosenthal’s Halloween II don’t exactly do the greatest job, but whoever said Haddonfield has the greatest P.D. in human history? In fact, throughout the entire franchise’s run, cops have often been in the way of the late, great Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence).  Deputy Gary Hunt (Hunter von Leer)  seems to doubt Dr. Loomis’s expertise and poor Ben Tramer (Jack Verbois) gets needlessly killed by a police cruiser, rendering his corpse identifiable only through dental records (whoopsie!).

In this film, which seems to occur during the same night of Part 1, Dr. Loomis even has to threaten Marshal Terrence Gummell (John Zenda) just so he can track down the murderous Michael Myers (Nick Castle/Tony Moran)! Yes, this is the one where Michael Myers goes to the hospital to further stalk Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), who stubbornly refuses to be murdered. Meanwhile, Dr. Loomis and Haddonfield’s finest search the neighborhood for him.

Of course, Mr. Myers goes around the hospital, killing just about everyone he can, all in his little quest to find Laurie. Myers isn’t the kind to flee the state when the police arrive, so he boldly proceeds during the commotion, hoping he severely injures her and anyone who gets in his way. When an officer shoots Michael several more times, it’s really just more bullets to add to his growing collection. While we can debate how strong Michael’s body really is, it’s obvious that the murder of the girl is the main thing on his mind (presumably because Laurie is actually his sister).

About 6 years later, Michael returns to begin the cycle again, only targeting his niece, Jamie (Danielle Harris), instead, at home or on Haddonfield’s October streets. In fact, in that film, Mr. Myers all but wipes out their police department! Haddonfield’s had many a funeral due to Michael’s handiwork, and all done by a man in an augmented William Shatner mask.

What are your thoughts on the police officers and police-related issues presented in this list?  Let us know in the comments!

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