Before he died, Chad Walker bought a pickup truck for his son, Ethan, and planned to fix it up. But then tragedy fell upon the family and Trooper Walker’s friends showed up to help.
To read the full heartfelt story visit:
https://www.wave3.com/2021/09/27/friends-finish-what-trooper-walker-started-surprise-son-with-revamped-dream-truck/?fr=operanews
A warm welcome back for a very brave Trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. He is returning to work today after being badly injured on duty in July 2020. Trooper Adolfo Lopez-Alcedo was hit while responding to a deadly multi vehicle crash that left five people dead.
The trooper was out of his patrol car on 485 when another car crashed into him. He was badly hurt and spent 84 days in the hospital. When you see a law enforcement officer has pulled someone over, get as far over as possible to allow them to do their job. It’s the law for a reason.
The driver was charged with felony failure to move over causing serious injury.
To read more about the story visit…. https://www.fox46.com/news/local-news/nc-trooper-hit-by-vehicle-on-i-485-returns-to-duty-after-over-year-of-recovery/
Wisconsin state trooper Dan Stainbrook, 42, died Monday, November 15th, 2021 from complications from COVID-19, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced on Facebook Tuesday.
According to a GoFundMe page to help pay his medical bills, Stainbrook was hospitalized Oct. 27 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids, where he was later placed in a coma and put on a ventilator. Shortly before his death, Stainbrook was airlifted to Madison, according to updates on the GoFundMe page.
Stainbrook was a 20-year veteran of the Wisconsin State Patrol, where he worked in the north-central region, primarily Waushara County, the Facebook post said. He was a master trooper and served as an instructor for sworn personnel in the division.
A photographer captured heroic moments Thursday as a Pennsylvania State Police trooper rescued a family from flooding in Chester County.
Mark Walsh, known as @IrishEyezPhotog on social media, took video and pictures as Trooper VanHart helped a woman, her two children, and their dog in Caln Township.
CBS3 has learned the family was stuck under an Amtrak overpass. Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the trooper responded after another rescue call.
There were no injuries reported from the rescue.
A letter from Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol:
For nine decades, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has answered the call to serve and protect the citizens of this great state. In 1931, a superintendent, six captains, 49 troopers, and a few civilians launched the legacy of exceptional service and protection that remains. From these humble beginnings evolved the full-service law enforcement agency you know today. Our employees have embraced each additional responsibility--the crime laboratory, driver testing, criminal records, commercial vehicle enforcement, motor vehicle inspection, criminal investigation, gaming enforcement, and marine operations, to name a few. Numerous natural disasters and serious incidents, increasing social unrest, and most recently, the coronavirus pandemic inspire us to continue being Missouri's beacon of integrity, professionalism, and compassion. Throughout our history, the Patrol has endured crises, emergencies, and challenges that consistently revealed the true quality of our people and our mission.
Patrol employees have shown the public we are ladies and gentlemen who serve and protect one contact, one stakeholder at a time for 90 years. Our employees have been and will continue to be connected to the community in which they live. We are your neighbors, school board members, and local volunteers.
As we recognize how far we've come since 1931, we are creating a vision for our future. Our vision is simple: We are committed to being professional, courteous, compassionate, resourceful, and responsible. We will hold ourselves to the highest degree of integrity and show respect to all people. We will excel as a criminal justice leader and to help ensure Missouri is a safe place to live or visit. The Patrol's 1,191 members, 524 uniformed civilians, and 544 civilians are living examples of its vision, mission, and core values. We are honored to serve and protect the people of this great state.
Charles Black 1936-1964
Twelve Maine roadways will be dedicated to Maine State Police troopers who have died in the line of duty.
The dedicated roadways for each trooper will be marked with memorial signs in both directions along the road. The signs will be located as close as possible to the patrol area of the fallen officer.
On Wednesday, two of the families of the fallen troopers will unveil their signs along their respective routes.
Family members of Trooper James Drew Griffith will unveil his sign in Thomaston at 10:00 a.m. Griffith was killed on April 15, 1996, when a car struck his cruiser as he was attempting to make a U-turn to pursue a speeding car in Warren. The memorial signs will be placed on Route 1, starting at the intersection with Dexter St. and extending south one mile.
At 3:00 p.m. the family of Trooper Charles Black will unveil his sign in York. Black was shot to death on July 9, 1964, outside the Maine National Bank in South Berwick during an armed robbery. The memorial signs will be placed on Route 1 starting at the intersection of Animal Park Rd and stretching north on Route 1 for one mile.
The 12 troopers being honored are listed below along with the location:
Detective Ben Campbell, (4/3/2019): Hampden, Route 202 Beginning at the Bangor-Hampden town line and extending south one mile,
Detective Glenn Strange, (10/17/1997): Houlton, Route 1 Beginning at the Littleton-Houlton town line and extending south one mile,
Trooper James Drew Griffith, (4/15/1996): Thomaston, Route 1 Beginning at the intersection with Dexter St and extending south one mile,
Trooper Jeff Parola, (11/13/1994): Sidney, Route 104 Begin 0.5 miles north of Lyons Road and extending south one mile,
Lt. Rene Goupil, (1/23/1990): Saco, Route 1 Beginning at the intersection of Route 98 and extending south one mile,
Detective Giles Landry, (3/31/1989): Leeds, Route 202 Beginning at the Leeds/Greene town line extending north one mile,
Trooper Michael Veilleux, (6/17/1986): Dayton, Route 35 Beginning at the Lyman/Dayton town line and extending north one mile,
Trooper Tom Merry, (7/12/1980): Palmyra Route 2 Beginning at the Newport/Palmyra town line and extending west one mile,
Trooper Charles Black, (7/9/1964): York Route 1 Beginning at the intersection with Animal Park Rd and extending north on Route 1 one mile,
Trooper Frank Wing, (7/19/1928): Millinocket, Route 11 Beginning at the intersection of the Golden Rd and extending south one mile,
Patrolman Fred Foster, (8/30/1925): Belfast, Route 3 Beginning at Schoodic Drive and extending west one mile,
Patrolman Emery Gooch, (8/9/1924): Mattawamkeag, Route 2 Beginning at the intersection of Route 157 and extending north for one mile
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol proudly welcomed 65 new troopers at a graduation ceremony held for the 153rd Basic Highway Patrol School. The ceremony ended 35 weeks of rigorous training to prepare the new troopers for a rewarding career of service to the state of North Carolina.
The closed ceremony was held at the Shepherd’s Church in Cary with strict COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Guest speaker Jane Ammons Gilchrist, NC Department of Public Safety Chief of Staff, imparted congratulatory remarks to the graduating class. The oath of office was administered by Judge Jeffrey K. Carpenter of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr., the 28th Commander of the State Highway Patrol, also provided remarks to the newest sworn members of the State Highway Patrol.
“Once you report to your duty station you will face opportunities to form vital relationships with coworkers, partner agencies and those in the communities you serve,” said Col. Johnson. “Those a part of your community will expect the very best of you, and for some it will be expected at the very worst of times.”
These new state troopers reported to their respective duty stations on Oct. 6 to begin a demanding field training program.
Congratulations Troopers!
Michigan State Police troopers rescued three men from a fiery wrong-way crash involving three vehicles on U.S. 127.
A state police trooper driving north on U.S.127 near Barnes Road in Leslie Township spotted the three-vehicle crash shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, police said, two of the vehicles were on fire, police said.
Initial investigation indicates the driver of a Ford F-150 truck was traveling south in the northbound lanes of the highway and struck the other two other vehicles head-on, police said.
The trooper immediately attempted to rescue the driver of the truck, whose vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, police said. The trooper was successful, and the 22-year-old man was taken to Sparrow Hospital by ambulance.
Additional MSP troopers, as well as officers from the Leslie Police Department, Mason Police Department and Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, then responded to the scene, and attempted to extinguish the fire, which was spreading to another vehicle with the driver pinned inside, police said.
The officers were able to slow the spread of the fire and rescue that driver, police said. The 25-year-old man from Leslie was airlifted to Sparrow Hospital.
The driver of the third vehicle, a 19-year-old man from Leslie, was also taken by ambulance to Sparrow Hospital, police said.
“From the first trooper to arrive on-scene whose heroic actions are to be commended, to all the subsequent officers who worked cooperatively together to save lives at this very serious crash scene, I couldn’t be prouder of the courage and bravery on display,” Col. Joe Gasper, MSP director, said in a statement.
“I have no doubt if you asked any of these officers about this incident, they would simply say this act of service and selflessness was merely a part of their job. I, for one, am thankful they were there last night.”
Photo: Getty Images
Minnesota troopers helped make a critical delivery that helped save a new mother's life. Jenapher Blair was at the Hutchinson Hospital in Minnesota giving birth to her daughter, Adalyn. While giving birth, Blair started bleeding excessively due to complications. Unfortunately, the hospital didn't have enough blood on hand for her. The blood the doctors needed to help Blair was 80 miles away. That's when five Minnesota State troopers jumped into action. They formed a relay between several different locations. One trooper rushed from a blood bank to a State Patrol flight crew at the St. Paul Downtown airport, the flight crew then took it to Hutchinson Airport. The Hutchinson Airport flight crew then handed the blood off to two troopers who rushed it to the hospital. Despite all of the different locations, it took all of the individuals just 65 minutes to get the blood to Hutchinson to help Blair. Blair recently recalled the whole situation to KTSP, "Everything was going so smoothly - until it wasn't. If you guys weren't there and hadn't received that call, who knows what would have happened? Thanks to you, my kids have their mom." Head of the State Patrol Col. Matt Langer shared similar sentiments saying, "Today, it's a deep moment of pride."
An Indiana State Police trooper used a tourniquet to save the life of a motorcyclist while he was off duty over the weekend.
Trooper Matt Hatchett was driving home in his patrol vehicle after completing his training commitment from the Indiana Army National Guard when he was flagged down by a group on motorcycles on Sunset Drive near Sweetwater Lake shortly before 4 p.m. on Aug. 14, according to a news release.
A female motorcyclist had crashed and was lying in the grass off the side of the road struggling with injuries and losing consciousness. Hatchett quickly grabbed his medical gear and began assessing the rider when he noticed severe damage to one of the victim's lower legs which caused heavy bleeding. Trooper Hatchett applied a tourniquet to the leg to stop blood loss from the injury. The woman was then flown by medical helicopter to an Indianapolis Hospital.
“Even though he was off-duty, Trooper Hatchett put his training into action without hesitation. His efforts no doubt saved a life. Our thoughts are certainly with the crash victim and her family,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day said in a statement.
Hatchett has served as an Indiana State trooper for nearly four years and resides in Brown County with his family. All Indiana State troopers are issued tourniquets as part of their duty gear and are trained annually on the benefits and proper application of tourniquets.
This crash is being investigated by Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
"Man, thanks to you, I have my life back,” Sgt. Darrell Smith said. “I'm able to spend time with my family."
Two state troopers are sharing their story after one was able to help save the other by donating an organ.
Darrell found out last year his kidneys were shutting down. For about a year, he was on dialysis and was told he needed to get a kidney transplant. But doctors said it could take more than a decade for him to find one.
After posting to social media for his need of a kidney, a former trooper wanted to step up to the plate. John Dorroh got tested and found out he was a perfect match. Back in May, the two had their surgery and are both doing well today. While they've considered themselves brothers for a long time, they say their bond is even tighter.
"We got in together, went in together, come out together and spent some time prior to the surgery and after the surgery in the same motel area,” John said. “I'm not going to say we both didn't go through a lot of pain. That's nothing to hide, but it was well worth it. No doubt."
"It was an emotional moment. I have a lot of moments like that. When I first got out the hospital, I went to connect to my machine because I'm used to connecting there and it was a routine thing,” Darrell said. “He's definitely changed my life and gave me my life back and because of that, I'm going to start helping people more.”
The families would like you to check out the Medical University of South Carolina Living Donor Program so you can find out how you can help others in need.
A New Hampshire State Police trooper died early Thursday, October 28, 2021, when a tractor trailer collided with his cruiser on Interstate 95.
Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill was working at the site of an overnight paving project when the crash happened just north of Exit 3 northbound, Col. Nathan Noyes said. The driver of the tractor trailer was treated at a hospital and released; Sherill was pronounced dead at the hospital.
“Staff Sgt. Sherill was known as a trooper’s trooper, a consummate, dedicated professional and a true family man,” Noyes said.
Sherill started his law enforcement career in Hooksett in 2001 and became a state trooper in 2002. He was promoted to assistant troop commander in August.
The crash is being investigated by Maine State Police, Noyes said. The truck driver’s name was not released.
Gov. Chris Sununu ordered flags lowered to half-staff until Sunday in Sherill’s honor.
“He was an individual who noble answered that call to service and who was steadfast and devoted to the safety and wellbeing of all of his fellow Granite Staters,” Sununu said.
Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, announced recently that 91 cadets graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey and have been assigned to troops across the Commonwealth. The men and women represent the 161st graduating cadet class.
The ceremony at the State Police Academy was held outside on August 6th, 2021 and included a limited amount of family members. Friends and family were also afforded the opportunity to view the event via live stream on the academy Facebook page and YouTube channel.
“Today we celebrate the dedication and hard work of the men and women obtaining the most important rank, the rank of Trooper,” said Colonel Evanchick. “The first step in their career is complete as they have met the department’s standards of honor, integrity and respect. The duty of providing the finest police services throughout the commonwealth is now bestowed upon them.”
Six cadets received special awards and recognition:
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently signed legislation designating a local state Thruway bridge to honor the memory of Trooper Joseph Gallagher, who died in the line of duty after being struck by a distracted motorist.
Located a short distance away from Thruway Exit 54, the bridge crosses over New York State Route 16 in West Seneca, the Erie County town where the deceased trooper resided.
"Trooper Gallagher dedicated his life to keeping his fellow New Yorkers safe and was actively assisting a disabled motorist when he was gravely injured by a distracted driver," Cuomo said in a release. "His passing early this spring is yet another reminder of the selfless actions our state police and other first responders perform daily. We pay homage to Trooper Gallagher's life and ultimate sacrifice by designating this bridge in his honor."
Gallagher joined the State Police in 2014 and was previously assigned to Troop F and Troop T. He was last assigned to Troop L, working out of the State Police barracks in Brentwood.
In December 2017, Gallagher was assisting a disabled motorist on the Long Island Expressway at the entrance ramp to the Sagtikos Parkway when he was struck by a distracted driver. Though he initially survived the crash, he died of his injuries in March, and is survived by his wife, two children, parents, sister, and brothers.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Gallagher was charged in connection with the crash. He later pleaded guilty to assault with criminal negligence.
Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan said, "Trooper Gallagher grew up in South Buffalo and West Seneca and dedicated his life to helping others. He served our nation as a helicopter pilot with the Coast Guard before becoming a proud member of the State Police. Naming this bridge in his honor is one way to acknowledge his sacrifice and it will stand as a reminder to the community of his hard work and dedication."
Assembly Member Pat Burke said, "Naming a portion of the New York State Thruway after State Trooper Joseph Gallagher is the least we can do to honor the life of a fallen hero. Trooper Gallagher was working to bring the driver of a disabled vehicle to safety when he was struck by a distracted motorist in 2017. Sadly, he succumbed to those injuries this past March 2021. He was 38-years-old, a Buffalo native and Bishop Timon graduate. My condolences go out to Trooper Gallagher's wife, two children, his parents, and the extended Gallagher family in South Buffalo."
Homes for Heroes and the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) have announced a partnership to help Law Enforcement professionals’ save when purchasing, selling, or refinancing a home. AAST members, their families, and their first responder friends will be eligible to take advantage of the Hero Rewards program, which provides discounts, savings, and rewards on real estate transactions.
Through the Hero Rewards program, law enforcement professionals’ and other eligible heroes maximize savings on a home. The average person saves at least $2,400 when buying or selling a home through the program, not including the additional savings available from real estate agents, loan officers, title companies, home inspectors, and other related expenses. To date, the program has saved heroes over $88 million on their real estate transactions.
Homes for Heroes will also make a donation to the AAST Foundation for every professional who utilizes the Hero Rewards program through the AAST’s webpage on the Homes for Heroes web site, located at www.homesforheroes.com/AAST. The AAST Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST). The AAST Foundation initially was organized to raise funds to provide scholarships for the dependents of AAST trooper members. Since it was established, the Foundation has awarded over $3 million dollars to 4,170 students to support their educational endeavors.
“We are excited to partner with Homes for Heroes to offer savings to all state law enforcement officers who purchase, sell, or refinance their homes,” said John Bagnardi, Executive Director of AAST. “Both AAST and Homes for Heroes are dedicated to supporting the state troopers and officers who give so much to our communities. It is a true joy to be able to give back to the incredible officers who selflessly serve and protect their neighbors every day.”
“In our mission to thank every hero in the nation, partnering with the AAST allows both our organizations to work together to give back to those who work tirelessly every day to protect the communities we live in and keep us all safe,” said Greg Cecchettini, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Homes for Heroes. “We are looking forward to working with AAST members on their next real estate transaction.”
To learn more and take advantage of the program, visit www.homesforheroes.com/aast.
About Homes for Heroes
Homes for Heroes, Inc. is the largest nationwide network of affiliate real estate, mortgage, and local business specialists; committed to providing easy ways for heroes to save on a home. Shortly after 9/11, Homes for Heroes, Inc. was established to give back to firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military (active, reserves, and veterans), healthcare professionals, and teachers for all they do. Since 2009, Homes for Heroes, Inc., has helped over 50,000 heroes save over $88 million on their real estate transactions, sold over $11 billion in real estate to heroes, actively partnered with 4,200 like-minded real estate and mortgage professionals who’ve joined in the mission, and donated over $1,000,000 to heroes in need through the Homes for Heroes Foundation. Learn more about Homes for Heroes at www.homesforheroes.com.