Vincent Williams was driving down Highway 252 in Brooklyn Center on Jan. 3 when he saw a Minnesota State Trooper wrestling with a man who the trooper was trying to detain on suspicion of driving under the influence. Williams pulled over, with Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic cameras rolling, and helped the trooper control and arrest the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old William Cleve. Cleve was arrested for an alleged assault and suspicion of DWI. Sunday, the organization Backing the Blue Line presented a check to Williams thanking him for assisting the trooper. The money was raised by 280 people connected to Backing the Blue Line. Williams told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he was extremely grateful for the donation and said it could not have come at a better time. “I am going to cry. Seriously, I mean this just came in the nick of time for me,” said Williams. “I am so grateful and want to thank all 280 people who donated because I have faced some tough challenges recently and now I can get my car fixed.” Bethany Danner, president of Backing the Blue Line, told KSTP the people who gave money to Williams did so to show their support and let to let him know how appreciative they are for his heroic act to help the trooper. “It is a human life, a trooper’s life was on the line that night and we are so thankful Mr. Williams stopped to help the trooper,” said Danner. “The fact Mr. Williams did something to help the trooper really, really affected us deeply, truly.”

The California Highway Patrol held their annual ‘CHiPs for Kids’ toy drive event on Christmas Eve morning -- delivering toys to families in need. “The reaction is honestly the best part. Because they’re so thankful, so overjoyed. I’m excited to see what this year brings,” said Jacqueline Quintero, public information officer, CHP. The CHP partnered with local stores and the community donated more than 15,000 toys to make this year’s event possible. Volunteers from ACME Moving & Storage providing the trucks and transportation. “Personally myself, I grew up in a large family and we didn’t have a whole lot. To be able to give back today it’s a blessing,” said Maurice Trudell, owner, ACME Moving & Storage. After a year that’s been incredibly difficult for everyone, families expressed gratitude for the surprise visit, joy and holiday cheer. “It's really special because not everyday people give out gifts. And not everyday can we buy our children gifts,” said Teresa Eliesa, an east valley resident. “It’s been very rough and a little bit uneasy. It’s very nice that our community came together so we can ease their year and help them end with a smile,” added officer Quintero. 

1/4/2021

Jason LaReaux, a trooper with the Nevada Highway Patrol, briefly paused as he was arresting a DUI suspect late last year. The motorist’s young son was a passenger in the speeding car, meaning giving comfort to the child was of equal importance as getting the driver off the road. When LaReaux returned home from work, he relayed the story of the arrest to his wife. His daughter, 17-year-old Allie Hathaway-LaReaux, overheard the conversation and wanted to know more. She never thought of the emotional part of her father’s law enforcement job. Described by her father as inquisitive, compassionate, and “always aware of her environment,” the Basic High School student instantly wanted to help. “I wanted to be able to create something that can comfort kids during that time,” said Allie, a junior at Basic High School. With a newly assigned school project looming based on something she was passionate about, she found a way to consolidate both: children’s blankets to comfort young ones encountered by her father and his police colleagues in the field, especially on cold nights. For the next couple of months, Allie enlisted her loved ones for help to buy fabric in bulk, cut it into squares and fasten the borders, repeating the 30-minute process dozens of times. She picked fabric designs children would appreciate: teddy bears, stars, puppies and hearts. Allie was finally able to deliver the 75 blankets to the Nevada Highway Patrol on Dec. 8, following pandemic-related delivery restrictions. She followed through on the project even though it was canceled by the school because of the pandemic. Patrol spokesman Trooper Travis Smaka said the blankets are a welcome addition to the agency. Typically, troopers use the flimsy, silver thermal blankets, he said. They look more like large pieces of aluminum than blankets. In a photo published on the Highway Patrol’s social media channels, the teen and her father pose next to a Christmas tree inside an agency facility, which is surrounded by white gift bags carrying the blankets. The trooper’s eyes hint at a big, giddy smile hidden underneath his face covering. LaReaux said he’s “super proud” of Allie, who’s “such a caring girl and always wants to help.” The blankets provide an avenue to do so. Asked about what he thinks his daughter will be as an adult, LaReaux said he imagines a professional who always will be involved in the community. “She’s always going to be putting herself out there to help others,” he added. “So proud — proud dad.” Allie said she’s drawn to children, noting that she has seven younger siblings. She would like to explore a career in psychology to maybe become a school therapist. “It’s probably something I picked up over time,” dealing with numerous siblings and cousins, she said. “I’ve always gotten along very well with kids.” Although she set out to help others, Allie is grateful for what making the blankets has meant to her. Her grandmother, a seamstress, taught her how to make them, and her family helped her tie them together, often while watching TV and spending quality time, laughing and being together. Each blanket took about 30 minutes to make. In moments of reflection, while she tied strips of fabric together, Allie sometimes imagined the children, or anyone else, who would find comfort in her creation. It would make her feel “happy,” she said. “It was almost like we were getting something out of doing it for other people,” she said. “It was just super cool.” She’s also learned more about her father and his profession, Allie said. “I got to see more of what he did and how he acted in his work environment and how much he cares.” Since the patrol published the photo, people in the community and Allie’s friends have reached out to thank her and offer to help if she plans on making blankets again. It’s a welcome reprieve and demonstration of humanity in such a trying year. “It can be very easy to get stuck in a cycle of all the bad things and letting yourself think about all the horrible things that are going on,” she said. “But it’s super therapeutic and very good for your soul, from what I experienced, to be able to help other people.”

It's many peoples' worst nightmare: Getting your car stuck in the snow with no heat. "At some point, it became obvious that he was near us but camouflaged. We just couldn't see him and it was a needle-in-a-haystack-type scenario," said New York State trooper Jason Cawley. Kevin Kresen, 58, was driving in Owego when the serpentine belt on his car broke. He went into a ditch, and with rapidly falling snow and passing plows, his car was quickly covered. Kresen made repeated calls to 911, but cell service was bad. "911 from Tioga County advised me that they had one motorist that they didn't have a good location on, and that he didn't have any heat," said Cawley. Trooper Cawley had a difficult time finding the car in the feet of snow. He knew the approximate area where the driver was stranded. With mailboxes covered, it was tough to see what part of the street he was on. "So I found a part of the bank that was maybe 6 inches different than the rest of the bank. I thought it was a row of mailboxes. So to check my location, I started digging in there, and I was surprised when I ran into the side window of a car," said Cawley. The driver had been trapped for 10 hours. "I'm not a doctor, but had he been left there for maybe an hour or two more, I don't believe he would have survived," said Cawley. He was treated for hypothermia and frostbite at Lourdes Hospital. "Every young man and young woman comes on this job hoping to be able to do something and make a change or save somebody, all those things police officers want to do when they come on. And it is, after 22 years of doing this, it's very rewarding," said Cawley.

12/22/2020

A Michigan State Police trooper has been honored with the MSP’s Bravery Award for his heroic effort to save an unconscious woman from a burning home in October 2019. Trooper Adam Whited from the MSP) Houghton Lake Post was honored by Captain Christopher Stolicker, Seventh District Commander, on Tuesday. The Bravery Award is awarded to an MSP member who knowingly performs an act in the line of duty which endangers or exposes him or herself to serious injury and when, because of the nature of the action, a life may be saved, a serious crime prevented, or a person arrested who has committed a serious crime. The rescue occurred on Oct. 2, 2019 when Whited and two Kalkaska Township firefighters responded to a home on North Coral Street in Kalkaska at 4 p.m. to find it filled with smoke and a fire raging in one of the bedrooms. The three men determined that there was someone in the house. They eventually located 62-year-old Denise Schroeter, who was unconscious on the kitchen floor, by crawling through the smoke-filled home, police said. They pulled her from the burning home as additional help arrived, according to police. She was transported to Kalkaska Munson Hospital and later transferred to Munson Medical in Traverse City for further treatment for smoke inhalation. Schroeter has since recovered, police said. Witnesses at the scene said Schroeter would have likely died if not for the quick action of the first responders. Firefighters Kevin and Kyle Jenkins were recognized by the MSP for their actions in an award ceremony in September when they were presented the Distinguished Citizen Award by Houghton Lake Post Commander F/Lt. Travis House.

Recognized for his “heroic actions and leadership abilities” after being shot in the chest inside a home on a rural road in Tioga County’s Nelson Township a year ago, state police Cpl. Adam Kirk has received the 2019 Governor’s Award for Excellence.

“Despite being in a severe amount of pain, Cpl. Kirk actively participated in the securing of the residence. His leadership and direction while severely injured demonstrated actions beyond the normal function of not only a supervisor, but also a human being,” Lt. James C. Warner, commander of staff services at the Montoursville barracks said, according to a news release.

Kirk, a 14-year veteran of the state police, is credited with “diminishing the risk of death or serious injury” to other state troopers and helping to contain the situation, the commander said.

Shortly before noon on Dec. 10, 2019, Kirk and two other state troopers, Justin Fitzwater and Tyler Skelly, were checking on the welfare of 68-year-old Delos Lowe at his home on Barney Hill Road when Kirk was shot in the chest moments after the three men entered the house, Warner said.

“The troopers had knocked on the front door of the home and announced themselves several times as members of the state police who were there to check on the welfare of Lowe,” he said.

“They received no answer,” and there was no sign of Lowe around the outside of the home or at any of the outbuildings on the property, Warner said.

Upon seeing the foundation of the home, “it appeared that it was falling down and uninhabitable,” he said.

“Again, the troopers announced themselves several times while knocking on the door. After receiving no response, a decision was made to enter the home through an unlocked front door,” Warner said, according to the news release.

“The troopers expected to find Lowe either deceased or in serious need of medical attention,” Warner said.

Police had been called by a local restaurant that “regularly delivered free food to Lowe, who lived alone. Employees became concerned about him after not seeing or hearing from him for several days,” he said.

The troopers continued to announce themselves as Kirk made his way down a hallway, Warner said.

“As he approached a blanket that was hanging across a doorway, a gunshot rang out behind the blanket, striking Cpl. Kirk in the center of his chest,” the commander said.

“I’m hit,” Kirk yelled as he immediately began retreating back down the hallway, Warner said.

“The shot came from a 12-gauge shotgun blast which struck Cpl. Kirk’s ballistic vest,” he added.

Unable to reach the front door, Fitzwater kicked out a window, that he and Kirk used to get out of the house.

“As Skelly was seeking better cover and trying to retreat, he saw the blanket from where the shot rang out begin to move. He discharged his handgun towards the threat behind the blanket to provide cover while Kirk and Fitzwater were exiting,” Warner said.

While Lowe barricaded himself in the home, Kirk, “even after being wounded, was instrumental in directing the troopers to set up a perimeter to ensure the containment of Lowe and prevent his escape,” Warner said, adding that Kirk “even had the foresight to provide another state trooper who arrived on the scene with a long gun from his patrol vehicle” before assigning him a position on the perimeter.

As additional troopers arrived and took over the scene, Kirk was loaded into an ambulance and then flown to Robert Packer Hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries and later released, the news release said.

A state police emergency response team arrived at Lowe’s home and took over the situation. “Lowe fired at team members on multiple occasions. Ultimately, he failed to comply with commands to surrender, and appeared with a shotgun in his hand. He was shot and killed,” Warner said.

Warner nominated Kirk to the governor’s office to receive the special award. “He put aside his well-being and persevered during a life-threatening situation to accomplish the mission of the Pennsylvania State police,” he said.

State police Commissioner Col. Robert Evanchick said of Kirk “his life changed in an instant when he was shot by someone he was trying to help. Although seriously injured, his first thoughts were for the safety of his fellow troopers and the public,” according to a state police newsletter.

An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Kirk, married and the father of an 11-year-old girl, is a patrol supervisor at the Montoursville barracks.

Officer Andy Ornelas succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash near the intersection of West Avenue N-3 and North 32nd Street, in Palmdale, nine days earlier.
He was en route to a vehicle crash at about 7:05 pm when another vehicle attempted a U-turn after missing its turn into a driveway. The vehicle turned directly into Officer Ornelas' path, causing a collision. Officer Ornelas was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on December 2nd, 2020.
Officer Ornelas had served with the California Highway Patrol for four years and was assigned to the Antelope Valley Area Office. He is survived by his wife, parents, brother, and sister. His parents, brother, and an uncle all serve in law enforcement.

Just a month ago Illinois State Trooper Joshua Hecht organized and ran a golf tournament at the Chester Country Club, raising money to support the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The event was a huge success, collecting $10,000 for the foundation. Tunnel to Towers is dedicated to helping surviving family members of first responders and military casualties, and catastrophically injured military members.Hecht became deeply involved with the foundation after the death of his friend and fellow trooper, Nicholas Hopkins. Hecht and Hopkins, both former Marines who served two tours in Iraq each, served together as Illinois State Troopers in District 11 in Collinsville. Hopkins was killed in the line of duty Aug. 23, 2019 while serving a warrant. Hecht's great job with the "Holes Fore Heroes" golf tournament in October earned the respect and interest of Jack Oehm, a former New York Battalion Chief with the Fire Department of New York, who called Hecht a "rising star" with the charity. Oehm was off duty on Sept. 11, 2001 when the twin towers in New York were attacked by terrorists. Oehm spent days trying to recover victims, and lost many fellow firefighters. Oehm, now retired, is now on the board of directors of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, spends much of his time traveling around the country speaking about the foundation and raising money to support its mission. He also gets the honor and privilege of presenting mortgage-free homes to the recipients of the foundation's services.Following the Oct. 17 golf tournament and getting to know Hecht as a dedicated, compassionate, supporter of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Oehm asked if Hecht would be willing to go to Springfield, Missouri to present a mortgage-free home to the wife of a fallen Springfield police officer. "When Jack called I was blown away," Hecht said. "I was extremely moved that the foundation would think that highly of me to give me the opportunity to present a mortgage free home to one of the Tunnel to Towers recipient. He told Oehm to just tell him when and where to go. "Jack Oehm is the man," Hecht added. "He is known across the country for his involvement in this organization. All across the country people are raising money to make these mortgage-free homes possible for families of fallen first responders, Gold Star families and catastrophically injured soldiers, and they picked me to present this mortgage free home in Springfield. I am beyond honored."Tunnel to Towers personnel sent Hecht a binder and two boxes of information, which he dove into for the next two weeks. He talked to his supervisor about taking the time off for the trip, who was proud that one of District 11's own had been selected. His only response to Hecht's request was to ask, 'Do you want a marked car or an unmarked car?'" Hecht said. Hecht was going to Springfield Nov. 10 to meet with the widow of Springfield Police Officer Christopher Walsh, who was shot and killed in the line of duty March 16, 2020 when he ran into a convenience store to stop an active shooter. He died trying to save injured civilians. Walsh had been on the department for 3½ years. Prior, Walsh spent a decade in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Altogether Walsh served two tours of duty, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Walsh left behind a wife, Sheri, and their 10-year-old daughter, Morgan. Sheri and Christopher Walsh were high school sweethearts and had been together since they were 16 years old. Sheri, who runs a private business, was worried she'd have to give it up and take a more lucrative job to provide for herself and her daughter and keep the house. The family bought the house three years ago and there was 27 years remaining on the mortgage. With Tunnel to Towers paying off the mortgage, Sheri and her daughter are now secure. "Sheri was very appreciative," Hecht said, and believes now that she can continue her small side business and pay the bills." That same Veterans Day week, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off the mortgages for 11 homes across the country in total, in Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. Hecht was so moved by the experience he hopes it leads to other opportunities with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. "I can't say if I will be asked to make more presentations in the future, but I think that they were pleased with my efforts and that it is a possibility that I may have another opportunity down the road," Hecht said. "I really enjoy reaching out to those who have experienced such terrible tragedies in their lives and if given to opportunity to help improve their situations, I would surely accept the offer to do so." Hecht and his wife Courtney and children, Kinsley, 8 and Karson, 4 live in Chester. The entire family is supportive of his efforts with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and he has the full support and admiration of each of them.

AAST and American Trucking Association support the week of November 9-15, 2020 as;

National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week

This year’s theme is ‘Slow Down, Move Over, Be Safe,’ and we are especially grateful for our law enforcement and first responder partners across the country who help save lives at the scene of traffic incidents. More information about National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week can be found here and here.

American Trucking Associations:

https://twitter.com/TRUCKINGdotORG/status/1325829694877523969

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanTruckingAssociations/posts/10164728850300171

American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI):

https://twitter.com/Truck_Research/status/1325810168500785153

https://twitter.com/ATRIPREZ/status/1325819956903243777

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) congratulates its 77 new officers who were sworn in [recently] during an unprecedented socially distant graduation ceremony at the CHP Academy. The graduating class begins their new career with more hands-on experience than any class in Academy history. As concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, the CHP closed its live-in Academy in West Sacramento on March 20, 2020. All cadets were sent home and assigned to work in CHP Area offices located as close to their residences as practicable. Prior to leaving, the seven women and 70 men of Cadet Training Class (CTC) III-19, who started October 21, 2019, had completed 23 weeks of their 29-week training at the Academy. During the six months spent working in CHP Area offices throughout the state, cadets had an unprecedented opportunity to observe a wide variety of activities and tasks, enhancing their classroom work. On ride-alongs with officers, they experienced a CHP officer’s shift in the field and learned first-hand how to complete crash reports and assist the public. They also learned the administrative side of the job – filing reports, answering the phone, and performing general tasks that may be unfamiliar to many officers. On September 14, 2020, all members of CTC III-19 who left in March returned to the Academy for their final weeks of training with enhanced health and safety protocols. “We are all so proud of this class,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “These cadets faced the uncertainty of the pandemic with resolve and returned to the Academy energized about their new careers, benefiting from a wealth of real-life experience that no other cadets have had.” At the CHP Academy, cadet training starts with nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and cultural diversity. Training also includes mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques. Cadet instruction covers patrol operations, crash investigation, first aid, and the arrest of suspected violators, including those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cadets also receive training in traffic control, report writing, recovery of stolen vehicles, assisting the motoring public, issuing citations, emergency scene management, and knowledge of various codes including the Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and Health and Safety Code. Upon graduation, the cadets are assigned to CHP Area offices throughout the state. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 11/4/2020

Governor John Bel Edwards has named Lamar Davis as the Superintendent of Louisiana State Police. Davis made the announcement in an email to all of the Department of Public Safety at 10:30am. Doug Cain was named the Chief of Staff. Friday, Governor John Bel Edwards issued the following statement on Lamar Davis' appointment. "Capt. Davis has led an exemplary career in law enforcement and has earned the respect of his colleagues. I am confident that he will continue to lead this agency with the utmost professionalism and highest standards in order to protect the public's safety," said Gov. Edwards. "He has accepted this position at a time when our state is facing many challenges including COVID-19, severe weather and the efforts necessary for recovery and rebuilding. I'm grateful that he and his family have agreed to serve the people of our great state, and I look forward to working with him." Friday marked Kevin Reeves last day at State Police. His retirement comes on the heels of a number of controversies exposed by the WBRZ Investigative Unit that Reeves has refused to explain. "Today, starts a new era within the Department of Public Safety," Davis said in an email to staff Friday. "I have learned that change is often difficult. But, sometimes it is the only way to move forward." Davis has been with DPS for 25 years. Captain Davis is from Baton Rouge and graduated from Southern University. He has a masters from SUNO. In a statement the Governor said, "Davis is a member of the U.S. Army who has served active duty and the Louisiana National Army Guard, he joined Louisiana State Police in 1998 and has extensive background in all aspects of law enforcement.His previous assignments include Highway Patrol, Criminal Intelligence, Gaming Enforcement, Criminal Investigations, Legislation, Research and Policy. Prior to being employed by Louisiana State Police, Lamar served as a Department of Public Safety Police Officer, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Deputy and a Louisiana Department of Corrections Officer. Captain Davis is married and they have one son."

11/3/2020

A 4-year-old battling cancer was welcomed into the New Jersey State Police family as an honorary trooper. Sophia Colavito was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor that has since spread to the lining of her brain and her spine, which caused her to lose sight in her right eye. She is an enthusiastic law enforcement supporter who collects police patches. When State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan heard Sophia's story, he immediately invited her to visit the division headquarters in West Trenton. Earlier this week, he was joined by Governor Phil Murphy and a contingent of police officials to welcome the family and surprise Sophia by officially making her an Honorary New Jersey State Trooper. The colonel spent time with Sophia and her family, leading them on a tour of the NJSP log cabin and Regional Operations Intelligence Center. "We were honored to host Sophia and her family today," the department wrote on Facebook. "She continues to inspire all of us in the State Police family. Now that she is officially an Honorary New Jersey State Trooper, she will forever remain a part of our family, because 'Once a Trooper, Always a Trooper.'" He also told Sophia how much her strength, courage and optimism have inspired him. 

You can see the video at: https://abc7ny.com/society/4-year-old-battling-cancer-becomes-honorary-nj-state-trooper/7182979/

Amanda Ray has served on the California Highway Patrol since 1990 and has donned eight uniformed ranks within the department. On Tuesday, she was named the first woman to lead the CHP as commissioner, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday. She will fill the role for Commissioner Warren Stanley, who is retiring Nov. 16. Ray, has served as cadet, officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, chief and assistant commissioner. She was also Special Response Team Tactical Commander at the California Highway Patrol for Superbowl 50 in 2016. "I would like to thank Governor Newsom for the outstanding opportunity to lead this great Department and to continue to work each day with the women and men of the California Highway Patrol," Ray said in a Tuesday statement. "I couldn't be more honored and proud to accept this appointment and further the CHP's mission of providing the highest level of Safety, Service and Security, and ensuring California is a safe place to live, work and travel." "I am confident that Deputy Commissioner Ray will be a crucial partner as we continue the important work ahead to strengthen community engagement in public safety and advance reforms to our criminal justice system that will help foster a more just and inclusive future for all Californian," Newsom wrote Tuesday. Stanley has been with the CHP since 1982 and has held every rank in the department, including Lieutenant of the Border Division Investigative Services Unit and Commander of the California Highway Patrol Academy. "I'm very proud of my career, but what I'm most proud of is the current and past CHP employees who I have had the privilege and honor to work with," Stanley said in a Tuesday statement. "All of you are the primary reason I believe the CHP is one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the world. I also want to thank Governor Newsom for his support of me, the 11,000 women and men of the CHP and for selecting Deputy Commissioner Amanda Ray as the next CHP Commissioner." During his service, Stanley worked on several highway and traffic safety initiatives, including the Impaired Driving Section, which revised enforcement policies consistent with the use of cannabis when it became legal. He also pushed for research on the drug to see how it affected the ability to drive. "As the leader of the fifth-largest law enforcement agency in the country, Commissioner Stanley championed causes to enhance public safety for everyone who travels on California's roads and freeways," Newsom wrote in a Tuesday statement. "We are grateful for his forward-looking vision and pursuit of innovative strategies to prevent injuries and save lives."

10/26/2020

Anne Carpenter has been appointed colonel of the Nevada Department of Safety, Highway Patrol Division, making history as the first woman to hold the position. "I am humbled to be appointed Colonel of the Nevada Highway Patrol, and work alongside the men and women who have dedicated their lives to public safety," said Carpenter in a press release. "I look forward to working together with our partnering agencies and community members to ensure the safety and protection of every life on Nevada roadways." Carpenter will oversee 492 sworn officers and 96 non-sworn personnel, according to a press release. Her career with the DPS began in 1995. She rose through the ranks and served as an officer, sergeant and major.  She recently served as a chief and oversaw 330 sworn officers and 264 non-sworn personnel, according to a press release. The previous colonel, David Solow, announced his retirement earlier this month.