Volume 22, Issue 2 Spring 2013 Troopers form lasting
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www.statetroopers.org Volume 22, Issue 2 Spring 2013 Troopers form lasting bonds with Newtown families Compassion, professionalism displayed “ Today, I firmly believe family liaison trooper is a new role for law enforcement in all death scene investigations for all law enforcement organizations. -TFC Orlando Mo, Connecticut State Police ” Soon after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December, Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy and Col. Danny Stebbins, commander of the Connecticut State Police, assigned a trooper liaison to each victim’s family, a first-ofits-kind decision. Based on the families’ deep appreciation, it was absolutely the ideal move. As the family of slain school psychologist Mary Sherlach mourned her death, Tpr. Orlando “Lonny” Mo was the one who brought back her personal belongings. He escorted her husband TFC Orlando Mo serves as the trooper liaison at the Sherlach funeral following the Sandy Hook massacre. © American Association of State Troopers, Inc. 2013. All Rights Reserved. and daughters to a meeting with the president. He answered the door at the family’s house, and at the funeral he embraced her husband, who says Mo is now like a brother. Mo’s detail with the family ended after the funeral, but only officially. Like many of his fellow troopers who aided the families of the Newtown massacre victims, he stays in close contact with the family. A trooper was assigned to each victim’s family following the Dec. 14 massacre of 20 first-graders and six women in Newtown. The troopers were told to assist the families as needed, which often involved long hours at the families’ homes, helping with logistics for traveling family members, and being good listeners and comforters. The families claim “their” troopers as family members. They expressed deep appreciation for the care the troopers showed them during their darkest hours. In many cases, the troopers cried with them. While the troopers provided unparalleled compassion and support for affected families, let us not forget the other side of their job. CSP troopers were among the first to arrive at the gruesome scene and thereafter assumed full investigative responsibility. Their work in Newtown will stretch into months, and likely years. The department provided sessions for the troopers to decompress and to deal with their own issues following a tragedy of this magnitude. As we all saw on national media coverContinued on page 3 Keith Barbier Fellow Troopers, Highway Patrol Officers, and State Police Officers: It is my pleasure to introduce to you the newly appointed staff members who handle the daily operations at AAST. Our director of operations is no stranger to AAST. Joan Breeding joined the AAST staff in 1997 as part of the accounting department and was promoted to the position of finance director in 1999. Joan has a strong working knowledge of every aspect of AAST, and has been in charge of the office since Ken Howes’ retirement as executive director in the spring of 2012. She will be responsible for the operations of the Association and the AAST Scholarship Foundation. Joan is the daughter of Lt. Col. John Carmody, who retired in 1993 as deputy director of the Florida Highway Patrol. She and husband, Dru, have two children. Angela Fortunas fills the newly created position of director of development. Her primary duty is to create and implement a marketing and fundraising program to support the Association and the AAST Scholarship Foundation. Angela is the granddaughter of Wesley Slappey, a graduate of the first class of the Florida Highway Patrol in 1939. Slappey served the FHP for 20 years. State troopers have a special place in Angela’s heart and she is excited about working with the members of AAST to build an even stronger membership and base of community support. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her master of arts from the University of Central Florida. She has worked in the non-profit sector for 20 years, developing programs and fundraising initiatives for the arts, education, and healthcare. Angela resides in Lakeland, Fla., with her husband, Tim Shellabarger Sr., and their four cats. Christine Brasher, a part of the AAST staff since 2000, will continue serving as our membership and benefits administrator. Christine’s husband, Scott, retired from the Alabama Highway Patrol in February and they have relocated to Tallahassee. Ada Hagler is our part-time administrative clerk. Ada’s husband, Don, retired from the Florida Highway Patrol in 1997. Angie Ishee, who has been with AAST since 1992, serves as public relations manager on a consultant basis and is editor of the Trooper Connection. Angie and husband, Jeff, a U.S. probation officer, have three sons. All of our staff are friendly and eager to help with any of your membership needs. Please do not hesitate to contact them if you have questions or need assistance. If you would like to be more involved with AAST, please be in touch with our staff. The HQ toll-free number is 800-765-5456, and e-mail addresses are as follows: Joan Breeding, Director of Operations: [email protected] Angela Fortunas, Director of Development: [email protected] Christine Brasher, Membership and Benefits Administrator: christine@ statetroopers.org Ada Hagler, Administrative Clerk: [email protected] If you have photos or stories to submit for the Connection, please contact Angie Ishee, 800-477-9860 or [email protected]. I can honestly say this is the most competent, responsible, and effective group of people to handle the daily activities of AAST, and to also move us in a positive direction that benefits our members. Always remember: Every day’s a holiday, and every meal’s a feast. Fraternally, AAST staff members include, front row left to right: Public Relations Manager Angie Ishee and Director of Development Angela Fortunas. Back row left to right: Membership and Benefits Administrator Christine Keith Barbier Brasher, Administrative Clerk Ada Hagler, and Director of Operations Joan Breeding. President Follow AAST on Facebook! Get important news feeds and interesting links on our Facebook page, and stay connected with troopers around the country. Become a fan today! www.facebook.com/statetroopers 2____________________________________________________________________________ AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 NEWTOWN Continued from front page age, the department handled itself with utmost professionalism and tact, primarily spokesperson Lt. J. Paul Vance, CSP public information officer and an AAST member. They made us proud to be fellow troopers, the thin blue line of brotherhood that stretches across the nation. Agencies interested in details of the CSP Family Liaison Trooper program can contact the CSP Training Academy, who has developed training curriculum for this program, 203-238-6505. Lt. J. Paul Vance did an outstanding job when he was thrust into national limelight following the Newtown tragedy. Troopers train tough Relics from the Road Members of the 118th New Jersey State Police Recruit class enjoy PT in 1998 in the sand of Sea Girt, home of the training academy. NJSP Academy training lasts 25 weeks. National Officers Keith Barbier President Trooper Connection® is the official publication of the American Association of State Troopers, Inc. and is published quarterly as a service to AAST members in conjunction with American Graphics & Design, Inc., www.agad.com President: Jenny DeBack Graphic Designer: Cindy Chic Bylined articles contain opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect AAST policy. AAST Trooper Connection AAST Headquarters 1949 Raymond Diehl Road Tallahassee, FL 32308 (800) 765-5456 Angie Ishee, Editor We want to hear from you! Trooper Connection® welcomes your comments, articles, and article ideas. We also encourage you to send photographs along with your articles. Please contact the Public Relations Department: AAST Public Relations Dept. (800) 477-9860 E-mail: [email protected] Visit AAST online: www.statetroopers.org © Copyright American Association of State Troopers, Inc. 2013 Jeff Lane First Vice President Chris Ricks Second Vice President Bubba Blue Third Vice President Kenneth Musick Secretary J.D. Johnson Treasurer Spring 2013____________________________________________________________________________ 3 Troopers tackle Disney marathon The weekend of Jan. 13 took state troopers – and about 25,000 other runners – to Orlando, Fla., for the 20th annual Walt Disney World Marathon, including five troopers and one dispatcher from the Connecticut State Police, a trooper from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and a few Florida troopers. The marathon course of 26.2 miles began at the Epcot theme park, ran to and through the Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Speedway, Animal Kingdom, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and then back to Epcot, finishing just outside Spaceship Earth. “With temperatures in the low 60s at the start, and finishing temperatures that exceeded 70 degrees with bright sunshine, our runners were challenged not just by the course, but by the unseasonably warm temperatures as well,” said Maj. Alaric J. Fox of the CSP, who marked his sixth marathon with the completion of the Disney event. Other CSP members who completed the marathon included TFC Juan Morales, TFC Bill Rochette, Sgt. Shannon Belcher, TFC David Allen, and Dispatcher Patrick Scully. Belcher took on the added tribulation of completing the Goofy Challenge, completing the half-marathon on Saturday and the full-marathon on Sunday, totaling 39.3 miles over two days. First Sgt. Jeff Gordon of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol completed his first marathon at the Disney run. Also, this event marked the first full marathon for Cpl. Daphne Yuncker of the Florida Highway Patrol, although she has run in several half marathons. Yuncker runs in memory of a young relative who recently died of leukemia. Tpr. Shaun R. Lattinville, also of the FHP, has run five full marathons and five half marathons. Capt. John E. Lynch of the FHP Auxiliary also completed the Goofy Challenge, along with his wife and son. “While the evening included some considerable aches and pains, as well as stories as to the day’s events, a considerable state police pride was quite evident as well,” Fox said. First Sgt. Jeff Gordon of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, foreground, is followed closely by his wife as they run through the Magic Kingdom castle in the January 13 Disney marathon, which was Gordon’s first marathon. Cpl. Daphne Yuncker, a Florida state trooper, TFC Juan Morales, TFC Bill Rochette, Sgt. Shannon Belcher, TFC David Allen, completed her first marathon and ran in mem- Tpr. Shaun Lattinville of the Florida Highway Maj. Alaric J. Fox, and Dispatcher Patrick Scully of the Connecticut State Police, ory of a relative. left to right, celebrate the completion of the Disney marathon in Orlando. Patrol took on his fifth marathon. 4____________________________________________________________________________ AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 Louisiana troopers from Mandeville surprised pediatric patients with Christmas gifts. Annually, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Highway Patrol deliver Christmas toys to hospitalized children in Kansas City-area hospitals. The toy drive honors Michael L. Newton, a Missouri trooper killed in the line of duty in 2003. A spirit of giving A Tennessee trooper bonds with a Jonesborough boy during a Shop with a Cop event. Maine state troopers salute the grave of the only Maine trooper buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Tprs. Kristjan Helgoe and Luke Hendrickson of the North Dakota Highway Patrol participated in the Salvation Army’s Law Enforcement Kettle Day on Dec. 3. Tpr. Charles Dysart of the Alabama Highway Patrol dons a mask prior to visiting one of the hospital’s young patients during the annual visit to deliver trooper teddy bears. AAST Trooper Connection AAST salutes the state troopers who volunteer their time year after year to help bring joy to those who might not otherwise have a happy holiday season. Your kindness and compassion go far beyond the smile you put on the faces of those who are less fortunate; you make a difference in people’s lives. Shop with a Cop events are growing in popularity across the country, while many departments also collect toys for the Marine’s Toys for Tots programs. Troopers often volunteer their time to visit hospitalized children or to deliver food to the needy. Some departments participate in other types of Christmas events to help the communities they serve. Thousands of Christmas wreaths made their way to Arlington National Cemetery in December to decorate the graves, as part of the Wreaths Across America program. Maine troopers were part of the delivery convoy to the cemetery and then saluted the gravesite of the only Maine trooper buried at Arlington – Lewis Howard who was killed in World War II. Department leaders also got involved in community holiday events. In Illinois, Director Hiram Grau rang the Salvation Army bell during the popular Red Kettle Drive. Christmastime is special for members of the Alabama State Trooper Association as they visit children in hospitals around the state each year and present the young patients with specially made trooper teddy bears. Each year Nevada troopers use their own money to bring Christmas cheer to hospitalized children and to purchase blankets for the homeless. Kids and adults alike love Trooper Claus (Sr. Tpr. Denny Garner) of the Georgia State Patrol, who donned his sporty blue Santa suit and helped collect over 200 toys for Toys for Tots. The smile says it all! A Kentucky trooper shares the joy with a child during the annual Shop with a Trooper event. California Highway Patrol officers collected over 650 toys for homeless children during the CHiPs for Kids toy drive. Pennsylvania state troopers visited 6-year-old Nathan Norman in Virginia in December and delivered his very own PSP campaign-style hat. Nathan was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and it was his wish to receive holiday cards from police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel. AAST was proud to activate law enforcement officers across the country to send gifts and cards to Nathan. Spring 2013____________________________________________________________________________ 5 News from ohio k Philharmonic musician also patrols highways Viola player Kimberly Trout also a state trooper by Marc Katz State trooper is one of Kimberly Trout’s careers. She also plays viola in the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. When she was 4½ years old, Kimberly Trout told her parents she wanted to play the violin. “My mom said, ‘you’re crazy,’ ” Trout said. “ ‘You’re 4½. You don’t know what you want.’ ” She really wanted to play the violin, although by the time she was 9 she moved on to the deeper-toned viola and now plays in the Dayton, Ohio, Philharmonic Orchestra. That is her day job. After most concerts, Trout rushes home, changes into her Ohio State Highway Patrol uniform and begins her 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift on Dayton-area highways. DPO conductor Neal Gittleman says his musicians have a variety of jobs, although maybe none as unusual as a highway patrolperson. “That doesn’t mean somewhere along the line there hasn’t been a cowhand,” Gittleman said. “But that (patrol work) is a completely different world. I don’t think any of us (at the orchestra) have any idea of what it’s like to be a police officer.” Trout grew up in Dayton, graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, where she received scholarships for academics, basketball, and music. She earned a master’s in music from Northwestern in 2002, played in a civic orchestra in Chicago, and eventually went to Hawaii with her husband on a parttime philharmonic job offer. “My husband said, ‘How many times do you get the opportunity to work there?’ ” Trout said. “We went, but only stayed about nine months. It was too expensive.” Back in Ohio, a flood of jobs followed. “Most musicians have several jobs,” Trout said. “I was teaching (and playing in a chamber orchestra in Columbus) and playing in the DPO. You do like 50 jobs to make one paycheck.” In the DPO, Trout plays in the back, but Gittleman says that’s no indication of her ability. “She’s a very strong player,” Gittleman said. “She’s good enough to audition for bigger orchestras if she wants. It boggles my mind she works with us, then works with the highway patrol. It takes a tremendous amount of responsibility to do both.” Trout said her intentions were to teach music in college, and is obtaining a doctorate of musical arts at Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music in case that happens. But she wanted something else as well. “I was working on my degree, playing and teaching,” Trout said. “It was time for something different. I got burnt out. “I always had respect for law enforcement. It was something I was always interested in.” Trout attended the patrol academy in Columbus for seven months. When she graduated in December 2009, she was assigned to Dayton. Reprinted with permission, the Dayton Daily News. Intense cadets AAST Membership Discount AAST Members Save 20% on every order – DISCOUNT DEDUCTED AUTOMATICALLY 10% of every order will be donated to the AAST Scholarship Foundation. Call 1-800-838-8853 REFER TO DISCOUNT CODE “08B” The 81 members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol 153rd Academy Class graduated Feb. 8 after 22 weeks of intense paramilitary training. Pictured, cadets complete a challenge at the Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center. 6____________________________________________________________________________ AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 Troopers converge on D.C. for inauguration security Colorado State Patrol Kentucky State Police Illinois State Police Tennessee Highway Patrol Florida Highway Patrol Virginia State Police New Jersey State Police Hundreds of state troopers were sworn in as deputies of the U.S. Marshal Service in Washington D.C. on the days surrounding the Jan. 21 inauguration of President Barack Obama. Troopers from across the country joined 2,800 law enforcement officers to provide security as part of the joint operation mission of the Presidential Inauguration Rhode Island State Police Task Force in Washington, D.C., as over half a million people gathered to witness the oath being taken. Officers provided security for the inauguration parade, the swearing-in ceremony, balls, and government dignitaries. The parade down Pennsylvania Avenue dates back to the first inauguration for President George Washington in 1789. Numerous state police and highway patrol agencies sent representatives, with the Illinois State Police, the Kentucky State Police, and several other state police agencies providing the full-time services of 40 troopers. According to reports, reimbursement for the cost, including personnel costs, salaries, overtime, and fringe benefits were made by the federal government. Visit us online! www.statetroopers.org See interesting trooper news and photos from around the country, and also track news within AAST. AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013____________________________________________________________________________ 7 News from indiana P Indiana Pacers recognize troopers for lifesaving actions Three Indiana State Police troopers were special guests at the Jan. 2 Indiana Pacers basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to publicly recognize the men for their lifesaving actions at a Notre Dame Football game this past October. Three troopers were in the right place at the right time Oct. 13 as thousands of fans made their way on to the Notre Dame campus for the football game. Tprs. Brian McCall, Gary Runde, and Ryan Purkiser had just finished their pregame traffic direction assignments Tprs. Brian McCall, Gary Runde, and Ryan Purkiser and were on foot patrol when they are honored on the basketball court with Pacers mascot Boomer as Pacers fans cheered the troopers’ service to Hoosiers. News from new hampshire entered the campus bookstore. The troopers were soon notified of a male subject lying on the floor, unresponsive and not breathing. The troopers quickly notified the Notre Dame Emergency Command Center and began CPR. Within a few minutes medical personnel from local fire departments arrived to relieve the officers and tend to the man, age 47, who was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The troopers were also applauded by local media for their lifesaving actions. e New Hampshire State Police celebrates 75th anniversary July 1, 2012, marked the 75th anniversary of the New Hampshire State Police. Formed by an act of legislation in 1937, it was the 15th organization of its type in the United States. The first members of the NHSP were comprised of the uniformed branch of the New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Department and criminal investigators who were employed by the State Attorney General’s office at the time. The first headquarters were in the State House in Concord, when Harley-Davidson motorcycles and a few Chevy sedans were the primary modes of transportation for those first troopers. Today, over 300 dress in traditional green and tan uniforms and patrol the state in many different vehicles, including the Dodge Charger and still, Harley-Davidson motorcycles. On October 13, an open house event at headquarters, the specialty units demonstrated their tactical maneuvers and displayed their equipment for the general public. Over 400 men and women gathered to pay tribute to all who have played an important role in the creation, growth, and continued success of the NHSP. Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice were also honored at the event. While many things have changed over the years within the division, including cruisers, gear, and equipment, the legacy of the brave, loyal, and caring people who stand together in the NHSP mission remains the same: Dedicated to providing the highest The New Hampshire State Police celebrated 75 years of service at a ceremony degree of law enforcement service in October. throughout the state of New Hampshire while maintaining the traditions of fairness, professionalism, and integrity. With the continued support of the citizens, local and state representatives, and the governor and commissioner, the men and women of the NHSP will continue to work tirelessly to provide law enforcement services to its citizens with the same commitment and dedication they have taken a solemn Motorcycle troopers in 1939 rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and New Hampoath to provide. shire troopers still ride Harleys today. 8____________________________________________________________________________ AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 News from arizona D Military veteran, trooper honored for service Ofcr. Nathan Borquez of the Arizona DPS kisses his daughter during a Veterans Day parade in November. News from Connecticut Arizona DPS motor officer Nathan Borquez was recently honored at one of Arizona’s largest Veterans Day parades. Because he received two Purple Heart Awards during his military career, Borquez was among the most decorated military veterans in the event that attracted thousands of spectators. Borquez was deployed to Iraq as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2004, where he participated in combat patrols in the Al Anbar Province. On Sept. 17, 2004, he suffered a traumatic brain injury when his vehicle was blown up by an improvised explosive device. He recovered at an Army hospital in the Al Anbar Province and returned to duty. On Oct. 24, 2004, his vehicle struck another IED, causing a second traumatic brain injury and a ruptured eardrum. Borquez returned home in midNovember 2004 and was assigned to the Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego to convalesce for eight months before receiving a medical discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2010 doctors cleared him to re-enlist, and today Borquez serves his community through his service as an officer with DPS and through his participation in the U.S. Army Reserve. In addition to his Purple Heart Awards, Borquez has been the recipient of several other military honors, including a Combat Action Ribbon, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Expert Rifleman Badge, and an Expert Pistol Badge. Borquez joined DPS in 2006 and is currently assigned to a motor squad in the Phoenix area. He is the son of DPS Capt. Pete Borquez and the husband of DPS Sgt. Jennifer Borquez. AAST salutes the hundreds of state troopers nationwide who serve our country through their military duty. Please send your military/state trooper stories and photos to AAST Military Troopers, 1949 Raymond Diehl Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, or [email protected]. H Cyclists ride for those who died To keep alive the memory of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, Tpr. Andrea Cloutier O’Donnell of the Connecticut State Police pedaled hundreds of miles last spring as part of the Police Unity Tour, a nationwide bike trek that commences from various points around the U.S. and ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The ride serves two purposes: to raise awareness of those officers who have died in the line of duty and to raise funds for the national memorial and museum. “It’s important for me to remember my fellow brothers and sisters killed in the line of duty,” O’Donnell said. “I never want them to be forgotten.” This was the third year that O’Donnell participated in the bike tour, donning a jersey bearing the patch of the Connecticut State Police. Each time she has pedaled in memory of Tpr. Russell Bagshaw, killed in the line of duty on June 5, 1991. The 2012 ride attracted nearly 1,600 riders from across the country, raising more than $1.65 million. Please e-mail your photos or news from National Police Week 2013 to the AAST Public Relations Department for print consideration in the Connection, [email protected]. AAST Trooper Connection Tpr. Andrea Cloutier O’Donnell displayed the CSP patch as she rode hundreds of miles in memory of a fellow Connecticut trooper. Spring 2013____________________________________________________________________________ 9 Shots from Around the Country Special ops train Troopers graduate The Colorado State Patrol welcomed 25 new troopers into its ranks on Dec. 14 following 22 weeks of training and preparation. Massachusetts State Police Public Order Platoons underwent training by the Special Emergency Response Team in November. Father/son troopers Troopers plunge Tpr. Derek T. Shikles accepts his diploma from his father, Sgt. Roger D. Shikles when the 95th Missouri State Highway Patrol Recruit Class graduated on Sept. 21. The class included 26 graduates. The Maryland State Police 139th Trooper Candidate Class participated in the Polar Bear Plunge in February, raising $16,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. The 50 new troopers graduated Feb. 8. 10A�������������������������������������������������������������������������� AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 Nebraska State Patrol awarded Trainees inspected Class Coordinator and Academy sergeant T.M. Atwell checks the fit of a trainee’s shirt during a Class A uniform inspection of the Virginia State Police 119th Basic Session, scheduled to graduate June 28. Col. David Sankey, right, and Lt. Col. Thomas Schwarten of the Nebraska State Patrol display the International Association of Chiefs of Police Challenge Award for having the best overall traffic safety program for state police and highway patrol agencies with 251-500 sworn personnel. Troopers never forgotten New Georgia troopers The Georgia State Patrol 90th Trooper School graduated Oct. 26. Tpr. Dana McKee of the Michigan State Police salutes after placing a state of Michigan flag on a gravesite. For the last 10 years, the 23-year veteran trooper has been placing state of Michigan flags on the 80+ graves of MSP enforcement members buried in the Lansing area. Other MSP members place flags on graves in other parts of the state, including those who served as motor carrier officers, state properties security officers, and troopers. More than 700 graves receive flags in the state on Memorial Day, a tradition established in 1957. Storm rages Troopers control riots Kansas troopers work in the midst of a February snowstorm. The storm was blamed for at least three deaths as it dumped deep snow on Central Plains states, posing added hazards for state troopers. Miles of roads were closed, and thousands of people were without power. AAST Trooper Connection Members of the Mississippi DPS Special Operations Group practice armed line-ups. The team, consisting of 60 troopers highly trained in riot control and civil disturbances, is deployed when smaller departments need reinforcement. The Motorcycle and Air Operations Units and the Bomb Squad are included in SOG. Spring 2013___________________________________________________________________________ 11 News from washington w Badge celebrates centennial trooper class Troopers of the Washington State Patrol changed their look recently to commemorate a milestone. Starting Dec. 14, 2012, troopers were authorized to wear a specially designed badge for one year to commemorate the historic graduation of the 100th Trooper Basic Training Class. The 37 trooper cadets graduating Dec. 14 were also wearing the new badge. “Graduating our 100th class of troop- commemorate Washington state’s 150th ers is an amazing milestone,” WSP Chief anniversary of becoming a territory. John Batiste said. “In the entire history of our agency, only about 3,000 people have ever served as troopers. This badge is intended to honor every one of them.” The badge was designed by WSP trooper Eric Handley who incorporated the history of the agency, the blue and gold uniform colors, as well as WSP’s motto: “Service With Humility.” The last time a nontraditional badge was authorized to wear by troopers was in 2003 when a special badge was designed toThe state of Washington welcomed 37 new troopers in December. Anti-terrorism training Members of Washington State Patrol SWAT Team, along with local and national law enforcement agencies, participated in a large-scale anti-terrorism exercise aboard the Washington State Ferry, M.V. Salish, last fall. Troopers help fellow trooper during cancer battle Strength in the Thin Blue Line nosed in May 2012 with a rare form of cancer called multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells. From a young age, Renee knew she wanted to be a police officer, and she fulfilled that dream in 1991 when she became a Washington state trooper. She has a love of health and working out, but the most important part of her life is her two children, ages 10 and 7. AAST State Director Sgt. Brian George, left, and Lt. Debby Renee has undergone numerous intense Jacobson, right, present checks to Tpr. Padgett from AAST medical procedures since her diagnosis, members and friends of AAST as she battles cancer. including vertebroplasty, radiation, chemoWhen AAST learns of a trooper with an therapy, and most recently, a stem cell transplant. The cost for treatment not covered by extreme need, we take action. And we enlist insurance will be compounded by the loss of the help of our members. income because of time off work for treatThis is what brotherhood is all about. In 2011 AAST enacted an e-mail program ments and hospitalization. AAST notified its membership via e-mail whereby we notify members of financial needs within the brotherhood of state troop- of Padgett’s situation, and within two weeks, ers nationwide. Recently it was a Washington you had sent $2,200 in checks to the AAST trooper that we learned had a pressing need, office. On March 14 AAST Washington State Director Sgt. Brian George and Lt. Debby and you responded with great generosity. Trooper Renee Padgett, a 21-year veteran Jacobson personally delivered the checks to of the Washington State Patrol, was diag- Padgett on behalf of AAST members. She was extremely touched and thankful. This post on Padgett’s Facebook page shows her deep appreciation for your assistance: “Each day is a blessing for each one of us, and Padgett feels truly blessed from all the support from her family and friends, her fellow WSP family, and other troopers and police officers across the nation. The American Association of State Troopers is supporting Padgett’s cause and getting her story out which is nothing less than amazing. She is so thankful to her brothers and sisters in blue!” Thank you, AAST members and AAST friends across the U.S., for keeping the Thin Blue Line strong. If you would like to donate, please send your check, payable to Renee Padgett, to Trooper Renee Padgett Support, AAST, 1949 Raymond Diehl Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Tpr. Padgett prepares AAST will send all checks for a stem cell transto Padgett. plant in November. 12A�������������������������������������������������������������������������� AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 News from pennsylvania n Troopers honored for rescuing kidnapped boy Two Pennsylvania state troopers were honored – one of them posthumously – at the White House on Feb. 20 for rescuing a 9-yearold Nazareth boy kidnapped at gunpoint by his father. Miller Tprs. Robert Lombardo and Joshua Miller received the Medal of Valor, the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer, during a ceremony with Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. On June 7, 2009, a subject threatened his estranged wife with a handgun before abducting his 9-year-old son. Lombardo and Miller were involved in the consequent high speed, 40-mile pursuit before Miller employed the PIT maneuver to bring the vehicle to a stop. Recognizing that the child was in extreme danger, the troopers approached the driver’s nearby hospital where he was pronounced side in an attempt to arrest the subject and dead. Lombardo was treated for his wounds rescue the child. Using their collapsible and recently returned to duty. batons, the troopers shattered the driver’s Miller gave his life and Lombardo side window before the subject fired three risked his life to rescue the 9-year-old shots from a 9mm Taurus, striking Lombardo boy. They exemplify a true spirit of seronce in the left shoulder and Miller in the vice and valor. right thigh and neck. The troopers returned fire, striking the assailant eight times. The force of the impact of being shot spun Lombardo to his left. Despite knowing Miller was wounded and his own left arm was now paralyzed, Lombardo did not seek cover; he chose to continue to engage the assailant with one arm. Only after the threat was neutralized did Lombardo seek treatment for his wounds. The suspect’s son was Tpr. Robert Lombardo of the Pennsylvania State Police, center, receives the rescued uninjured. Public Safety Medal of Valor from Vice President Joe Biden, right, and U.S. Miller was flown to a Attorney General Eric Holder. Scholarship deadline approaches Members are reminded that your college-age children may be eligible to receive a scholarship from AAST to be used at an accredited post-secondary institution. Applicants’ trooper parent must be a member of AAST for a minimum of two years before applying for an AAST scholarship. 1st Scholarship- $500 V.J. Johnson Memorial Scholarship- $1,500 This scholarship honoring longtime AAST board member and Florida trooper, Sgt. V.J. Johnson, is available to students whose member parent is an active or retired Florida trooper. Students interested in applying for this scholarship should contact the national office for additional requirements. Deadline for receiving applications: July 31 Students must be high school graduates with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (4.0 scale) and must submit a 500-word essay entitled How My Education Will Advance My Career Plans. 2nd Scholarship- $1,000 Students who maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA during the first scholarship period qualify for the second award. 3rd Scholarship- $1,000 Students who maintain a minimum 3.8 GPA during the second scholarship period qualify for the third award. Students applying for any AAST scholarship must complete and submit an official scholarship application along with the school transcript, letter of acceptance or proof of registration, and other required materials. Applications are accepted January 1 through July 31 each year. All information must be mailed and received at AAST headquarters by 5:00 p.m. EDT on July 31. Incomplete material will be returned to the student. Material submitted by facsimile or the Internet will not be accepted. For details or to obtain a scholarship application, visit AAST online at www.statetroopers.org. Or call AAST Membership Services, 800-765-5456, ext. 201. Follow AAST on Facebook! Get important news feeds and interesting links on our Facebook page, and stay connected with troopers around the country. Become a fan today! www.facebook.com/statetroopers AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013___________________________________________________________________________ 13 News from North carolina News from south carolina i p Survivors share jump of lifetime The U.S. Army’s elite parachute team, the Golden Knights, provided survivors from both the North and South Carolina Highway Patrols the opportunity to experience a jump of a lifetime. During the three-day event in November, a survivor and a representative from their respective agency was attached to a tandem Golden Knights team member and then jumped from 14,000 feet over Scotland County to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol paid tribute to Tprs. Gene DeMuth and David Shawn Blanton who were killed in the line of duty. Both widows were in attendance. Several SCHP survivors have made the jump over the past few years, including Misty Nicholson, whose husband Eric, a South Carolina state trooper, was killed in the line of duty in 2000. “Having the opportunity to tandem jump with the Golden Knights in honor of fallen law enforcement, including my husband TFC Eric F. Nicholson, was a chance of a lifetime,” Nicholson said. “The sense of accomplishment is the best thing I took away from the jump, and I think Eric would be proud.” Survivors were instructed to walk to an open doorway where they jumped before free falling 120 mph towards the ground. Once safely on the ground, these brave survivors described the jump as exhilarating and peaceful, but more importantly, healing. “The tandem jump not only allows family members the oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to jump with the world renowned Golden Knights, but they can also meet other family members of fallen troopers and create a bond with them,” said Col. Mike Oliver, SCHP commander. “This is invaluable. It allows each of them to help each other.” This event is one of the many ways SCHP personnel stay in touch with their fallen trooper family members. “In honoring our fallen brethren, we must also honor their families. We must never forget the sacrifices made, and we will never forget,” Oliver said. Misty Nicholson, bottom, jumps with a member of the Golden Knights in memory of her husband, who was killed in the line of duty. Members of the Golden Knights and their tandem guests prepare for a jump of a lifetime. Trooper all smiles Tarah J. Andre hugs classmates after graduation Dec. 20 to become a South Carolina state trooper. The 36 graduates of Basic Class 91 bring the total number of South Carolina troopers to 771. 14A�������������������������������������������������������������������������� AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 Paying tribute for the ultimate sacrifice AAST pays tribute to the troopers recently killed in the line of duty. We honor those who have given their lives in service to their departments and their community. AAST was proud to make a donation from its Brotherhood Assistance fund to these surviving families. Illinois Tpr. Kyle Deatherage, 32, of the Illinois State Police was killed in the line of duty Nov. 26, 2012, when he was struck by a tractor-trailer on I-55 near Litchfield during a traffic stop. A member of the Illinois State Police since 2009, Deatherage was assigned to District 18 as a motorcycle officer. He is survived by his wife and two young children. Tpr. James Sauter, 28, of the Illinois State Police was killed in a fiery crash just before midnight on March 28. Sauter was on duty in his ISP squad car when his vehicle was struck by a tractortrailer on I-294 outside Chicago. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A member of the ISP since 2008, Sauter was assigned to District 15 as a patrolman. He is survived by his wife and other family members. Deatherage Sauter Tpr. Michael Slagle, 52, of the Tennessee Highway Patrol died following a vehicle crash in Knox County on Jan. 25. His patrol car slid off the roadway after striking a patch of ice. Despite being stuck in his vehicle, he was able to notify dispatchers of the crash. A responding fire truck reportedly slid on the same patch of ice and flipped over on top of his patrol car while he was still inside. At some point during the incident Slagle suffered a fatal heart attack. Slagle had served with the THP for 28 years and was assigned to the State Supreme Court detail. He is survived by his wife and three children. Master Tpr. Junius A. Walker, 63, a 35-year veteran of the Virginia State Police, died March 7 following a shooting incident on Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County. At approximately 1:20 p.m., the VSP responded to a call for shots fired. A responding trooper found a marked VSP patrol car in the woods off I85. The responding trooper witnessed a male subject standing outside Walker’s patrol car and firing a weapon into it. The responding trooper exchanged fire with the suspect, who then fled on foot into the woods. The male suspect was soon apprehended. Walker was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by his wife and two adult children. Russell Brown was charged with capital murder of a police officer, attempted capital murder of a police Walker officer, and use of a firearm in committing a felony in connection to Walker’s shooting. Slagle Virginia News from wyoming Tennessee z AAST director awarded Purple Heart Tpr. Carla Nichols of the Wyoming Highway Patrol was awarded the Purple Heart in June for injuries received in the line of duty. On Sept. 21, 2009, Nichols was patrolling I-80 when a tractor-trailer traveling the opposite direction suffered a failure to its left front wheel. The wheel separated from the tractor, AAST Trooper Connection traveled through the median, and impacted the driver’s side door of Nichols’ patrol car. Nichols was extricated and transported to a nearby hospital. She suffered a sore back and sore neck from the crash. Nichols serves as the AAST Wyoming state director. Tpr. Carla Nichols, left, receives the Purple Heart from Col. Jess Oyler. Spring 2013___________________________________________________________________________ 15 New directors take lead of departments AAST proudly introduces the new leaders of the following departments. We wish you the best as you take on the challenges of your new position. Delaware State Police McQueen A 24-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, Nathaniel McQueen, Jr., 46, was appointed superintendent of the department in November. McQueen has served as operations major managing all troops statewide; troop commander; patrol lieutenant; and deputy troop commander at Troop 2 CIU responsible for the Douglas G. Carter, 50, took the oath of office on Jan. 14 to become the 20th superintendent of the Indiana State Police. Carter served with the ISP from 1984 to 2002 and then successfully ran for the elected office of sheriff of Hamilton Major Crimes Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, Polygraph Examiner, and Youth Aid Unit. McQueen worked as a patrol and detective sergeant and served as the DSP sketch artist. He was a member of the DSP Critical Incident Stress Management Team and was the officer in charge of the DSP Honor Guard Unit. He received the department’s Valor Award in 1991. McQueen earned a bachelor of science degree in behavioral science from Wilmington University and a master of science degree in social work from Delaware State University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Before joining the DSP, he served as in the U.S. Marine Corps. Indiana State Police County, serving two terms. He then accepted a position with the an architectural firm specializing in the design of jails and police stations. Carter attended Ball State University and holds a bachelor of science degree with emphasis in management, leadership, and organizational structure. Carter Iowa State Patrol Garrison Dave Garrison, a 23-year veteran of the Iowa DPS, was appointed colonel of the Iowa State Patrol on Nov. 1. Garrison’s lengthy experience in the field includes serving as a road trooper in southwest Iowa and later as a trooper pilot in Des Moines. He has served in numerous roles, includ- John Butler, a 27-year Wyoming Highway Patrol veteran, was named WHP administrator in May 2012 and promoted to the rank of colonel, becoming the 12th person to head the patrol since its formation in 1933. Butler had served as interim patrol administrator since Col. Jess Oyler’s ing the department’s public information officer, commander of the ISP Vehicle Theft Unit, governor’s security detail, district commander for the Capitol complex, and most recently in the department’s Professional Standards Bureau. Garrison, 51, completed Drake University’s Certified Public Manager’s course, Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations training course. Col. Patrick J. Hoye, former director of the ISP, was named head of the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. Wyoming Highway Patrol retirement the end of 2011. Butler, who attended the University of Wyoming, joined the patrol as a recruit patrolman in 1985. In 1998 he was promoted to supervise Division A based in Cheyenne and in 2003 was promoted to captain, assuming duties as commander of WHP District 1. He was soon promoted to major in charge of field operations for the entire state. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 2010 and was second-in-command of the patrol. Butler Follow AAST on Facebook! Get important news feeds and interesting links on our Facebook page, and stay connected with troopers around the country. Become a fan today! www.facebook.com/statetroopers 16A�������������������������������������������������������������������������� AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 News from texas s Patrol vessel hits water The Texas DPS commissioned the Tactical Marine Unit’s sixth and final new patrol vessel in November. The boat is named in honor of Tpr. Scott Burns, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2008. The Scott Burns joins five other 34-foot shallow water interceptors that will ultimately patrol the Rio Grande River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The black and white patrol vessels are equipped with advanced law enforcement technology, including multiple automatic weapons for self-defense, ballistic shielding, and night vision capabilities. The six patrol vessels are funded by the Texas Legislature and federal homeland security grants. Each is named in honor of a DPS officer killed in the line of duty. The other boats previously commissioned are the Bill Davidson, the J.D. Davis, the David Rucker, the Troy Hogue, and the Russell Boyd. News from oregon m Oregon troopers honored for lifesaving actions Four members of the Oregon State Police were recently recognized for their lifesaving efforts in separate valiant incidents. In the early morning hours of Dec. 10, 2011, Tpr. James Koehler and a local deputy responded to a residence to investigate an ongoing domestic assault. The officers entered the home and wrestled with the suspect who had been attacking a woman. Repeated Taser use by the deputy failed to dissuade the suspect. After exhausting all other force options, Koehler began to pull his pistol from his holster. Just as he did, the suspect gave up, and officers took him into custody. The man’s violence would no doubt have left the female victim with serious physical injuries, or worse, and the lifesaving response by the two officers was recognized by the Oregon Peace Officers’ Association when both were awarded with the Medal of Valor in a November 2012 ceremony. On the morning of May 1, 2012, Sr. Tprs. Casey Codding and Dave Kammerman responded as part of the OSP SWAT Team to a lake in Klamath County. The SWAT response followed the discovery of a vehicle at a cabin matching the description of one that had been sought in relation to an ongoing kidnapping investigation nearly 300 miles away. Following over four hours of intense negotiations with the suspect holding the woman captive inside the cabin, Kammerman convinced the suspect to exit and surrender; however, the suspect froze at the doorway, weapon in hand, when he saw SWAT members outside. As the suspect stood in the doorway, using his hostage as a human shield, Codding yelled AAST Trooper Connection at him to let his hostage go free and to surrender. His refusal to follow commands and the imminent danger to the hostage led Codding to shoot the suspect rather than to have him withdraw back into the cabin. The suspect sustained a gunshot to the side of his head and fell to the floor, allowing the young woman to run to safety. The suspect survived and was taken into custody. Codding was awarded the Medal of Valor and Kammerman the OPOA Lifesaving Award. On July 4, 2012, Tpr. Adam Kowing was patrolling U.S. Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast when he heard an “attempt to locate” broadcast about a man threatening to jump from the Yaquina Bay Bridge. The man’s vehicle was spotted, and a pursuit ensued. Keeping in mind the suicidal Sr. Tprs. Casey Codding, left, and Dave Kammerman were man’s specific threats, Kowamong four recipients of lifesaving awards. ing parked his patrol car at the entrance to the bridge to watch for the man and soon spotted the vehicle starting across the bridge. their Medal of Valor. Additionally, he Kowing pursued the driver and as he did, was awarded the Harold R. Berg Lifesavthe driver slammed on his brakes mid- ing Award by OSP Superintendent Richard span, jumped from his car and ran toward Evans, an award named after Lt. Harold R. the bridge’s railing. Berg who died on May 10, 1975, when he Just as the suicidal man was climbing over was washed out to sea while searching for a the bridge railing, Kowing grabbed his waist missing Boy Scout. and wrestled him to the ground, preventing AAST commends these troopers for their his certain death in the Pacific Ocean. courageous, selfless acts to protect and to Kowing was honored by the OPOA with serve the citizens of Oregon. Spring 2013___________________________________________________________________________ 17 With Thanks Dear Board of Directors: I am writing to thank you for the generous $500 scholarship I received from the American Association of State Troopers Scholarship Foundation. I recently started nursing school and with this scholarship my financial burden has been lightened. This will allow me to focus more on my schoolwork, and will help me get closer to my goal of becoming a registered nurse with a specialty of pediatric oncology. The American Association of State Troopers is truly a blessing to all who are a part of it. Thank you to all that make this Foundation possible for the students to be able to continue their education. Jamie Leopold Sincerely, Jamie Leopold Daughter of Sgt. B.J. Kennedy-Leopold Georgia State Patrol Unprepared Motorcyclist by Allen Black, age 6 Grandson of Sgt. Charlie Black, Iowa State Patrol (Ret.) 15 motorcycles all in a row Allen counted them, that’s how we know We wondered where they would go They were going fast – not slow Many, their helmets did not wear About their safety they must not care Without their helmets they did not prepare If their motorcycle flies in the air It was a nice hot, sunny Sunday They had nothing packed away So we knew they were out just for the day We wondered if they would have lunch at Subway Allen was with his family recently when they passed a group of motorcyclists not wearing their helmets. Concerned for their safety, Allen was inspired to write this poem, with his grandparents’ help. Allen Black JOIN US TODAY! AAST invites all active and retired troopers to join AAST and receive valuable benefits and services. AAST offers four categories of membership: Active Trooper Member - $75 per year Retired Trooper Member I - $75 per year Honorable Service Member - $75 per year Full-time currently active troopers and state police officers •AAST ID Card •Insurance Package (after six-month waiting period) •$5,000 term life insurance •$5,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit •$5,000 line of duty benefit •$5,000 seatbelt benefit •$5,000 airbag benefit •Accidental Death and Dismemberment Family Benefits Package •MedEx Travel Assistance Program •Up to $2,500 in scholarships for trooper members’ qualifying dependents •Trooper Connection newsletter Retired troopers and state police officers Application for this category must be received by AAST within 12 months of your official retirement date. Those who have been retired more than 12 months qualify for membership in the Retired Trooper Member II category. •AAST ID Card •Insurance Package (after six-month waiting period) •$5,000 term life insurance •$5,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit •$5,000 seatbelt benefit •$5,000 airbag benefit •Accidental Death and Dismemberment Family Benefits Package •MedEx Travel Assistance Program •Up to $2,500 in scholarships for trooper members’ qualifying dependents •Trooper Connection newsletter •Special optional vision insurance benefit Former troopers with at least 10 years of honorable service Application must be received by AAST within 12 months of leaving employment. •AAST ID Card •Insurance Package (after six-month waiting period) •$5,000 term life insurance •$5,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit •$5,000 seatbelt benefit •$5,000 airbag benefit •Accidental Death and Dismemberment Family Benefits Package •MedEx Travel Assistance Program •Up to $2,500 in scholarships for trooper members’ qualifying dependents •Trooper Connection newsletter AAST is a not-for-profit organization and is not a union. It is a fraternal-type organization providing camaraderie and needed supplemental benefits to help improve troopers’ lives. For more information call 1-800-765-5456 (ext. 201) or visit www.statetroopers.org Benefits are reviewed periodically by the National Board of Directors and are subject to change without notice. Retired Trooper Member II - $35 per year Retired troopers and state police officers who have been retired more than 12 months •AAST ID Card •Up to $2,500 in scholarships for trooper members’ qualifying dependents •Trooper Connection newsletter 18A�������������������������������������������������������������������������� AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013 American Association S tate T of roopers, INC. American Association of State Troopers, Inc. Membership Application To be considered for membership, application must be received by AAST within 12 months of your official retirement date. To be considered for membership, application must be received by AAST within 12 months of leaving employment. Retired for more than 12 months. No insurance benefit offered in this category. 1949 Raymond Diehl Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308 • (800) 765-5456 • FAX (850) 385-8697 • www.statetroopers.org AAST Trooper Connection Spring 2013___________________________________________________________________________ 19 American Association S tate T of roopers, INC. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WI PERMIT NO. 5654 1949 Raymond Diehl Road Tallahassee, FL 32308 Trooper dive teams prepare Members of the New York State Police and Delaware State Police conduct training in Lake George. The dive teams have to be prepared for any situation, including ice-covered water.
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