Dozens of Georgia state troopers are in Washington this week to help with security at the inauguration of Donald Trump as president. The Department of Public Safety on Thursday posted a series of photos to social media accounts showing members of the State Patrol in the nation’s capitol preparing for Friday’s swearing-in. The troopers were sworn in as temporary deputy U.S. marshal’s. Many states send law enforcement officers to major national events to help with security. Several Georgia units were in Cleveland and Philadelphia this summer for the Republican and Democratic national conventions.

The Oregon State trooper critically injured in a Christmas Day shootout has taken his first crucial steps, literally, toward going home from the hospital. Nic Cederberg's family on Monday posted a video on YouTube showing the trooper in gray pants and a black t-shirt taking 26 steps with the support of nearby hospital workers. Cederberg suffered multiple gunshot wounds after he chased a homicide suspect in Washington County. "On Saturday, he walked 342 feet using a walker during his five physical therapy sessions," brother Jeff Cederberg wrote Monday on his Facebook page. "And on Thursday, he walked for the very first time since the shooting. He was only able to cover about six to ten feet before taking a short break, but it was much needed progress for him and for us." Jeff Cederberg could not be immediately reached for comment. A GoFundMe page, which also shows the YouTube video, has raised $86,595 out of a $100,000 goal from 1,202 people as of noon Tuesday. His brother was shot seven times at close range, in both arms, his abdomen and spinal canal, Jeff Cederberg wrote on Jan. 9. A bulletproof vest blocked another five bullets that police say were shot from James Tylka, who is suspected of killing his estranged wife, Katelynn Armand, in King City. Cederberg has suffered intense pain and numbness "described as having his right leg wrapped in white hot metal," his brother wrote. "Simply blowing on it would send him up the pain scale." But the pain did not discourage the trooper, and as the suffering subsided, Cederberg's resolve has swelled. He is signing up for as much extra physical therapy his facility will allow. "He always sets the bar higher the next day," Jeff Cederberg wrote, "because the only way he said he is willing to go home is if he can walk through the front door on his own with (wife) Hayley Shelton right beside him."

Source: http://www.officer.com/news/12295975/trooper-takes-first-steps-since-christmas-day-shooting

Working in public safety can often be a thankless task, but after recent tragedies have struck law enforcement agencies across America, now more than ever is an important time to recognize their commitment to serving. Growing up as the son of a firefighter, 5-year-old Connor Marcy knows this firsthand. A family friend and his mother Rebecca contacted WMAZ about their son’s birthday party at Monkey Joe’s in Warner Robins. However, it wasn’t a normal birthday party – it was also a celebration of law enforcement. In lieu of gifts, Connor asked guests to bring a cash donation for the families of fallen Peach County deputies Daryl Smallwood and Patrick Sondron. Rebecca spoke to Peach Sheriff Terry Deese about the party, and he contacted several other local agencies and asked if they’d be guests at Connor’s party. Deputies from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Peach County Sheriff’s Office, officers from the Byron Police Department, and Georgia State Patrol troopers arrived as the guests of honor. The troopers even helped Connor out in a tug-of-war match with the rest of the children at the party. He was allowed to get into the patrol vehicles and speak over the radio to Houston County. All of this was a surprise to employees and the owner of Monkey Joe’s, who publicly announced on Facebook they’d be making a donation in his honor. In total, they raised several hundred dollars with more incoming from people who were unable to attend Connor’s birthday. His mother says they gave him several options, and it was his own decision. She even says he’d tell you he’s giving his money ‘to help with the cops who are in heaven who died from the bad guys.’ She also says that although Connor has a growth deficiency, it hasn’t stopped his huge heart from growing.

A retired North Carolina Highway Patrol lieutenant received the Purple Heart award 27 years after saving himself and a fellow trooper on duty. Maurice Chilton was assisting with a car chase on May 9, 1989. The suspect pulled over on an interstate ramp, and ran off into the woods. When Chilton found him, the suspect had compromised the other trooper's gun and was attempting to shoot him. "This guy had overpowered the trooper, had taken his gun away from him, was sitting on top of him, and was attempting to shoot him in the head," said Chilton. When he saw Chilton, the suspect switched his target. He pulled the trigger and hit Chilton in the forearm. "My badge was right here [on my chest] and it hit right there about an inch from my heart, an inch over and it would have got me right in the heart, and that would have been it I guess,” said Chilton. Chilton found a way to shoot his pistol with his left hand and hit the suspect several times. Chilton recovered and spent 13 more years on active duty before retiring in 2001. The Highway Patrol will honor one trooper each year that shows courage in the line of duty.