Dwight “Maddog” Maness Veteran Assistance Motorcycle Ride

Residents prepare for Dwight 'Maddog' Maness Veteran Assistance Motorcycle Ride 
Northwest Herald 
Jordyn Reiland 
July 29, 2017

Before his nearly eight-year stint with the sheriff’s office, Dwight Maness spent 20 years with the U.S. Army and saw combat in Iraq from 1990 to 1991. He retired with the rank of sergeant first class.

WONDER LAKE – McHenry County motorcyclists are ready to put up their kickstands and ride in honor of McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Dwight Maness at a charity event this weekend. 

The second Dwight “Maddog” Maness Veteran Assistance Motorcycle Ride will kick off at 11 a.m. Sunday at Horizontals Saloon, 7620 Hancock Drive, Wonder Lake, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Once riders leave the saloon, they will head to The Bunker in Waterford, Wisconsin, for drinks. 

Participants then will ride back to Horizontals between 2 and 2:30 p.m. for food, live music and the chance to win several raffle prizes. read more here

Navy Corpsman Veteran Honors Fallen Officers with Last Call

Local veteran honors fallen officers in viral song
York Daily Record.com
Abbey Zelko
November 7, 2016

Veteran and singer-songwriter Dave Bray, of West Manchester Township, released a viral single this year called "Last Call" in memory of fallen first responders.
(Photo: Submitted)

Three times, the dispatcher called out the officer’s badge number.

And three times, there was no response. Just an empty silence that filled the airwaves.

“There’s nothing. Just that brutal loss, that hollow void that remains on the air,” said Dave Bray, a Navy and Marine veteran from West Manchester Township. “It’s haunting, definitely haunting.”

Bray wasn’t there when 34-year-old police officer and Iraq veteran Bradley Fox was killed in the line of duty outside Philadelphia in 2012. But when he later heard the recording of Fox’s “last call” – an on-air tribute for fallen police officers and first responders – he felt the emotion.

Bray knows what it’s like to put on a uniform and serve, without knowing if he'll come home.

He served in the U.S. Navy as an 8404 FMF Corpsman for the 2nd Battalion/2nd Marines for four years. And while he said he never felt like his life was in imminent danger, he could never know for sure.

“None of us ever know what’s going to happen,” he said.
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Officer Matthew Gerald Laid to Rest

Slain Baton Rouge Police Officer and Veteran Mourned at Funeral
ABC News
By EMILY SHAPIRO
Jul 22, 2016

Matthew Gerald, one of the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sunday, was mourned today at his funeral by family, friends and colleagues.

A Louisiana State Trooper makes his way to a funeral services for police office

Gerald, 41, a husband and father, was an Army and Marine veteran who completed three tours of duty in Iraq. He had been serving the Baton Rouge Police Department for less than a year when he was fatally shot.
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Fallen Police Officer Last Act of Love, Heart to Vietnam Veteran

GIFT OF LIFE: HEART OF SLAIN NJ POLICE OFFICER DONATED TO VIETNAM VETERAN
ABC News
By Dr. Sapna Parikh
Tuesday, July 22, 2014

NEW PROVIDENCE (WABC) -- From one hero to an another, an officer killed in the line of duty gave the most important gift possible after his death: the gift of life.

By allowing his organs to be donated after his death, Jersey City Police Officer Marc Anthony DiNardo gave a Vietnam Veteran a second chance at life.

Officer DiNardo died from wounds suffered in a shootout in 2009. But his family say his legacy lives on and hopes his organ donation will urge other to do the same.

Exactly five years ago, DiNardo lost his life in the line of duty, but the 37-year old husband and father's commitment to saving other lives never ended.

"He's a hero in life and in death," said the officer's widow, Mary DiNardo.

As an organ donor, officer DiNardo's heart went to another hero, Captain Don Zolkiwsky, a Purple Heart recipient and veteran of the Vietnam War.

"It's bittersweet. Sweet in that, yes it happened, bitter in that someone had to die for me to live," said Capt. Zolkiwsky.
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Phoenix Detective John Hobbs' final act of bravery

Phoenix Detective John Hobbs' final act of bravery
AZ Central.com
By Megan Cassidy
March 5, 2014

Heroic. Absolutely heroic.

A colleague used those words to describe the last moments of Phoenix police Detective John Hobbs’ life.

“We’re talking about an officer who got shot and doesn’t give up the fight,” police spokesman Steve Martos said.

Already mortally wounded and with his partner down, Hobbs managed to return fire at the fugitive who’d shot him and is believed to have killed the fugitive.

It was the final act of bravery for a man who’d spent the last seven years of his 21-year career tracking down the worst of the worst violent offenders.

Hobbs, who died Monday of gunshot wounds he suffered after trying to apprehend a man on an attempted-murder warrant, was part of a unit described as one of the “special forces” of the Police Department: the Major Offenders Unit.

Another detective, a 43-year-old, nine-year veteran, was shot and underwent emergency surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. His family asked that his name not be released.

Martos said that to test into the offenders unit, an officer must have the ability to conduct surveillance and know how to track people down.

“The entire unit is motivated, and they are certainly knowledgeable and well-respected,” Martos said.

“They want to help … they want to catch the bad guys.”

And that sums up Hobbs, 43, who was married and had three young children.
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Manhunt on for gunman that killed 2 Kansas Police Officers

2 officers shot, killed outside Kansas grocery store
By Maggie Schneider
CNN
December 17, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
A third officer is not hurt
The shooter escapes
120 officers have been killed in the line of duty this year

(CNN) -- Two Kansas police officers responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle were fatally shot in the head outside a grocery store Sunday night.

A third officer who fired back at the shooter was not injured, said Topeka Police Chief Ron Miller.

Police identified the shooter as David Edward Tiscareno, 22. He managed to escape. "The community will help us give this guy up," Miller said, adding that 75 state and local law enforcement officials were working on the case.
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Baldwin County Deputy Killed Served In Afghanistan

Baldwin County Deputy Killed Served In Afghanistan
By: WKRG Staff
WKRG
Published: November 24, 2012

More information is coming out involving a Baldwin County Deputy who died in the line of duty. Deputy Scott Ward served with the department for 15 years and was also in the Coast Guard Reserves. According to al.com, Ward was deployed to Afghanistan a little more than a year ago. He also served at one time as a Prichard Police officer.
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Search for missing boy leaves two Atlanta Police Officers Dead After Crash

Atlanta Police Helicopter Crash Kills Two Officers During Search For Missing Boy
By GREG SCHREIER 11/04/12

ATLANTA — A low-flying police helicopter scanning a bustling neighborhood not far from downtown Atlanta for a runaway 9-year-old boy suddenly plummeted to the ground and exploded, killing both officers on board but leaving those on the ground unharmed.

Federal authorities are investigating what caused the aircraft to descend into power lines, knocking out electricity to some residents nearby in the district filled with shopping plazas, fast food restaurants and homes. The boy was found safely a couple of hours after the helicopter crashed late Saturday night. Atlanta police spokesman Officer John Chafee said Sunday that the boy ran away after being scolded by his mother and was later found wandering on a city street.
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Veteran and Englewood Police Officer killed by hit and run driver

Hit-and-run kills officer
May 30, 2012.
Tom Munds

Englewood Police Officer Jeremy Bitner died from injuries he received when he was hit by an alleged drunk driver in the early-morning hours of Memorial Day.

Englewood Police Chief John Collins’ voice reflected the depth of his feelings at a May 29 press conference where he announced Bitner’s death. He said Bitner had died the day earlier – the same day as the crash – but the announcement was delayed at the request of the family and so Bitner’s desire to be an organ donor could be honored

Bitner served a tour in the Army as a member of the 101st Airborne Infantry and served a tour in Bosnia. He became a law enforcement officer and was a deputy with the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office before being hired by Englewood in December 2004. In his time as an Englewood police officer, Bitner served as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team, was a field training officer for newly hired officers and was an instructor in the Citizen’s Academy.

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New Hampshire Police Chief killed days before retirement

NH police chief killed days before retirement
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 13, 2012

Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney was killed in the line of duty on April 12, in New Hampshire, days before retiring.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS The police chief in Greeland, New Hampshire has been shot to death He planned to retire in a few days
Greenland is a town 3,500 people located just south of Portsmouth
"This is a tragedy for our community," official says

(CNN) -- A police chief from southeastern New Hampshire who planned to retire in a few days has been shot to death while trying to execute a search warrant, authorities said Friday.

Chief Michael Maloney of the police department in Greenland, a town of about 3,500, was killed in a shooting that wounded four other officers on Thursday night at a home in the community, said Attorney General Michael Delaney.

"This is a tragedy for our community," he said. "Our law enforcement community is in mourning."

Two suspects, a man and a woman, were found dead in the home after a long stand off, Delaney said. Investigators believe the deaths came from either a "murder-suicide" or a "double suicide," he said.
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Lakeland Police Officer Crispin's life honored at funeral

Friends Remember LPD Officer Crispin at Funeral
LAKELAND
Thousands of mourners filled Victory Assembly Church this morning for the funeral of Officer Arnulfo Crispin.

Officers from throughout Florida attended the service for the 25-year-old officer who was gunned down in the line of duty last week. Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi also attended.

Police Chief Lisa Womack spoke during the service, recalling Crispin's quiet nature and ever-present smile. She said many people have mentioned to her the ways Crispin touched their lives.

"He brought an enthusiasm and energy that was contagious. He was well respected by his peers and praised by those who worked with him for his passion and his energy. As I talked to those who worked closely with him on Charlie Squad over the past week, it was clear he was a favorite member and was becoming respected as a shift leader," she said. "Charlie Squad is going to miss him greatly."

"It is with great sadness that as the police chief of the Lakeland Police Department that I must call the end of watch of Officer Arnulfo Crispin on Dec. 21st, 2011," she said.
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Police officer killed during pursuit of bank robbery suspects

Veteran Vallejo police officer killed during pursuit of bank robbery suspects

By Tony Burchyns, Vallejo-Times Herald
Posted: 11/17/2011

A 19-year veteran Vallejo police officer was shot to death Thursday afternoon following the high-speed pursuit of a bank robber in North Vallejo.

Officer Jim Capoot, 45, was mortally wounded while running after a suspect who had abandoned the apparent getaway vehicle near the 100 block of Janice Street.

He died later at Kaiser Permanente Hospital Vallejo.

Capoot had rammed the getaway vehicle, shoving it into the sidewalk shortly before 2 p.m.

Reports from the neighborhood indicated that Capoot, who did not have a partner with him, was shot numerous times after the suspect ran from the SUV on Janice Street near Mark Avenue.

He was a well-regarded officer and highly decorate officer, police said.

During his career he received two medals of courage, a medal of merit and was the department's officer of the year in 2000. In 2002 he was honored for giving lifesaving CPR to an injured motorist.
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Cops twice as likely to commit suicide than die in line of duty

Cops have a lot more in common with the troops than any other group. They not only witness traumatic events, they participate in them as well.

Tragic cases like Celina Cass a challenge for investigators
WCAX
Burlington, Vermont - August 3, 2011

"As a trooper, I can remember just about every mile marker where I had a fatal car crash," said Sonny Provetto, a licensed clinical social worker.

Provetto is a former Burlington Police officer and Vermont State Trooper. Now he helps other cops work through job-related trauma. He says the mental images of gruesome crime scenes stay with law enforcement officials long after the incident has passed.

For the hundreds of investigators working on the Celina Cass case in West Stewartstown, N.H., putting the little girl's tragic death out of their minds when the investigation is over could prove challenging. Provetto says incidents involving children rank fourth in job-related stress, behind killing in the line of duty, losing a partner or having a near death experience themselves.

"They will always remember exactly what it was like for them," Provetto said.

Stressors like these-- if left untreated-- can take their toll. Provetto says cops are twice as likely to commit suicide as die in the line of duty; 25 percent abuse alcohol to cope with their experiences and 6 to 14 percent suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. But unlike war, police officers don't get to leave the geographical area that sparks the trauma.
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Tragic cases like Celina Cass a challenge for investigators

Widow, children of fallen officer to finally get benefits

Another case when there was a reporter caring enough to report and caused a wrong to be made right.

Widow, children of fallen Fed Way officer to finally get benefits
By Michelle Esteban Published: Jul 26, 2011

SEATTLE -- After a year of denials for a police officer's widow and a Problem Solvers investigation, the state has made a stunning about-face.

The widow of Federal Way police officer Brian Walsh and her children will now get the financial benefits they desperately need.

The Walsh family is beyond relieved. Yesterday, they didn't know how they would make ends meet. Today's news means financial and medical benefits for Vanessa Walsh and her three young children.

"As a cop's wife, you worry every day what's going to happen if something happens. 'How are we going to do it?'" said Vanessa. "He (Brian) always told me, 'You're going to be taken care of don't worry about it.'"

But shortly after her husband died, Vanessa learned she and her three children were on their own.

"I didn't understand being denied," she said.

Because Brian died of a heart attack while guarding a crime scene, the state insisted he didn't die in the line of duty and denied his widow benefits.

The Problem Solvers were the first to expose Vanessa's struggle and question the denial. Then, Vanessa learned if she could prove Brian suffered from "unusual stress", she could collect a portion of his salary and get medical coverage for her family.

At the time of his death, Brian was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being involved in a prior police shooting. His doctor told the state Brian's PTSD worsened when four Lakewood officers and a Seattle officer were gunned down in 2009 a few months prior to his death.
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Widow, children of fallen Fed Way officer to finally get benefits

Southampton police officer found dead, Police Chief suffers heart attack responding

UPDATED: Township Mourns Loss of Veteran Officer
Officials said Officer Richard Lizzio was found in his patrol car Friday morning, following a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
By Jennifer Mohan
April 15, 2011

Flags around the township are flying at half-mast in honor of an Upper Southampton police officer found dead early Friday morning.

Just after 8:30 a.m., Officer Richard Lizzio, a 24-year veteran of the Upper Southampton police force was found in his patrol car, which was parked at the Jesus Focus Ministry.

Upper Southampton Chief of Police Ron MacPherson said Ofc. Lizzio was a firearms instructor for the department as well as an officer in charge, a position that often required him to substitute for an off-duty sergeant.

“He was a valuable member of our team,” said MacPherson. “He will be sorely missed.”

Lizzio was on duty at the time of the incident, but was not answering a call at the church.

MacPherson said Ivyland Borough Police Chief Nicholas Rosato was out in the street directing traffic around the area of the incident when he suffered a heart attack

read more here

Township Mourns Loss of Veteran Officer

Army man and police officer would have turned 28 Thanksgiving Day

Police Iraq Veteran Killed In Southern California
Riverside : CA : USA | Nov 09, 2010 BY Robert Weller

Ryan Bonaminio had survived two tours as a military policeman in Iraq, returning only last year from his second. His life was ended by an unidentified man he had pulled over while serving as a policeman in his native Riverside, Calif.Bonaminio, 27, would have turned 28 on Thanksgiving Day, the Los Angeles Times reported.“Army man and police officer. That’s all he ever wanted to be,” said his best friend, fellow Riverside policeman John Enriquez. Bonaminio had pulled over a truck with no rear license plate.
Police Iraq Veteran Killed In Southern California

A fundraiser will be held for Officer Ryan Bonaminio on December 3, at the Original Roadhouse Grill restaurant chain.

The owners of the company will host a day-long fundraiser at the company’s Riverside, restaurant in honor of Bonaminio, who died November 7.

Roadhouse will donate 100% of the proceeds generated at the Riverside restaurant on Friday, December 3rd to the family of Officer Bonaminio and the Riverside Police Officers’ Association’s “Officer and Family Assistance Fund.”

The Riverside Original Roadhouse Grill is located at 3838 Tyler Street. The restaurant opens its doors at 10:30 a.m. on December 3 and will remain open until 11:00 p.m.
A fundraiser will be held for Officer Ryan Bonaminio

Undercover drug operation leaves one officer dead and two wounded

Phoenix shootout leaves 1 officer, 2 suspects dead
A shooting during an undercover drug operation in Phoenix has left three people dead, including one police officer and two suspects, authorities said.

The Associated Press

PHOENIX
A shooting during an undercover drug operation in Phoenix has left three people dead, including one police officer and two suspects, authorities said.

Two other officers were wounded in the gunbattle Wednesday night, with one in critical condition at a Phoenix hospital and the other in stable condition.
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Phoenix shootout leaves 1 officer 2 suspects dead

Fallen officers to be honored at national memorial

Fallen officers to be honored at national memorial

Submitted by Molly Shen on Thursday, May 13th, 07:38am


Family members, friends and fellow officers of six slain law enforcement officers from Western Washington are in Washington D.C. today for a ceremony honoring fallen officers from around the country.

The names of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton, Pierce County Deputy Kent Mundell and Lakewood officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens, Mark Renninger and Greg Richards were recently engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial wall.

A formal ceremony marking the addition of the six names and the names of other 318 other officers from across the U.S. will be held Thursday night. About 20,000 people are expected to attend the vigil.
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http://lakewood.komonews.com/content/fallen-officers-be-honored-national-memorial

Police Sergeant Joseph Bergeron killed in the line of duty

Police Officer Killed Was 26 Year Veteran

By KSFY Staff

A suburban Saint Paul police officer shot and killed Saturday morning was a 26-year veteran of the force.

Maplewood police say Sergeant Joseph Bergeron was responding to a carjacking when he was ambushed by two men while sitting in his patrol car at about 6:45 am.
go here for more
http://www.ksfy.com/news/local/92604224.html

Law Suit:"The worst law enforcement tragedy in the history of Washington state, was completely preventable,"

Families of slain Washington state police officers file suit
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 8, 2010 9:05 p.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Four police officers were shot to death in a Washington state coffee shop last year
Families of three of the officers have filed a $134 million lawsuit against Pierce County
Lawsuit says jail didn't heed warnings that should have kept gunman behind bars
Family of fourth officer has filed suit against friends, relatives of suspect in case

(CNN) -- The families of three police officers shot to death in a Washington state coffee shop last year are suing a county in the state, alleging its jail didn't heed warnings that should have kept the gunman behind bars, officials announced Thursday.

"This catastrophe, the worst law enforcement tragedy in the history of Washington state, was completely preventable," the lawsuits said.

The families are seeking a total of $134 million in damages against Washington's Pierce County.

A spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff's Department announced the suits on Thursday.

Investigators identified the man who killed the three Lakewood, Washington, officers as Maurice Clemmons, an ex-convict who had served time in Arkansas before being jailed on charges in Washington state.
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Families of slain Washington state police officers file suit