Click on the link below to watch a Public Service Announcement made in the UK regarding the dangers of texting while driving.
WARNING: THE VIDEO IS GRAPHIC....VIEWER DISCRECTION IS ADVISED
Dangers of Texting and Driving
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
DURHAM OFFICERS WOUNDED IN LINE OF DUTY
OFFICER RECALLS DAY HE WAS SHOT
October 27, 2009
By KEITH UPCHURCH
kupchurch@heraldsun.com;
DURHAM -- A police officer who was shot on duty in July said his will to live, support from the community and faith in God helped pull him through."I've been told that I almost didn't make it, so to be here at this point right now -- I'm really pleased about that,'' Officer Damon Youmans, 32, said at a press conference Tuesday at Durham police headquarters. "I feel very fortunate and blessed.''
Youmans, a former New York City police officer who joined the Durham force this year, was shot in the abdomen July 2 while responding to a call about gunfire and a break-in at South Square Townhomes at 3300 Shannon Road.
Doctors at Duke University Hospital used more than 60 units of blood to save his life. Youmans said he knew he had been shot the instant it happened. "I felt the pain. I felt the burning. I didn't see blood and couldn't quite figure out where I was hit, but I knew I was hit somewhere.''
"I remember being transported in the back of a police car to a waiting ambulance, and the coldness of the emergency room,'' Youmans said. ''They're there to help, but it's a cold place. I was sedated and taken up to the [operating room].''
Youmans said he never thought about dying. "It wasn't even a thought, really. I knew once they got me to Duke, I would be alright.''
Three months later, Youmans, looking fit and alert Tuesday, said he's ''not 100 percent, but pretty close.'' He's still undergoing physical therapy and has lost 10 to 15 pounds, but some of the weight is returning. He's back at work on light duty, and his goal is to return to street duty by year's end or the first of next year.
Youmans said he has no hard feelings toward the man accused of shooting him. The suspect, Thomas Rashawn Monroe, 23, is awaiting trial in the shooting.
Youmans said he's been "surprised and grateful'' for the outpouring of support from the community. "I just want to say 'thank you' for all your support. I think it's part of the reason I'm up and about and recovering so well, so quickly, because of all the prayers from the citizens.''
He said the episode hasn't changed his desire to stay with the Durham Police Department and has no plans to retire. "I'm just getting started. ''
Youmans said he's wanted to be a police officer since he was a kid, and his injury hasn't changed that. "It hasn't changed my desire to serve the community,'' he said. "If anything, it's made it even stronger.''
When misfortune strikes, Youmans said, ''you stay focused and get back on your horse and ride. That's my attitude.''
WOUNDED DEPUTY RECALLS SHOOTOUT
September 9, 2009
By KEITH UPCHURCH
kupchurch@heraldsun.com
DURHAM -- He calls it "the scariest time of my life."
But Durham County Sheriff's Investigator Morial Whitaker knows that the bullet he took in his foot last week in the line of duty could have been worse. And he's grateful to his family, friends and co-workers for their support since that painful, dramatic night last Wednesday.
Whitaker, 34, a gang investigator, was shot during an exchange of gunfire outside Cracker Barrel restaurant at 3703 Hillsborough Road during the culmination of a drug investigation, which ended in the arrest of three men.
A single bullet lodged in Whitaker's right foot. "They tried to get the bullet out the night of the incident with a minor procedure when I was still awake," Whitaker said in an interview Tuesday. "But the bullet was too far in, so they couldn't get it.
They said it's not considered an emergency," so he's set for surgery today at Duke University Hospital to remove it.
"It was the scariest time of my life -- to look at a gun barrel and actually have it pointed at you, and you can see the fire coming from the barrel, and you know that the bullet is for you," he said. "And then immediately, I tried to get cover. I got down and did a crab crawl, and unfortunately, one of the bullets hit me in the foot."
At first, Whitaker said, the bullet felt like "debris or a rock had hit me.""I didn't think anything of it. I didn't know what was going on. I just heard a lot of gunfire. I didn't know if this guy was just dumping the bullets toward me. I didn't know what was going on, because I was crouched behind the vehicle."
After the gunfire, he said, "I kind of sat there for a bit to get my composure, and that's when I felt my foot kind of tingle. Then it started burning, and I stood up to try to walk it off. I couldn't walk on it, because it felt like I stood on a nail."
He said he fell back to the ground, "and then it started throbbing real bad, like I was being hit by a hammer on the side of my foot."Whitaker said he looked at his boot and saw a small hole in it.
"I was trying to figure out if I had gotten grazed. And then I kind of limped toward the other detectives. They saw me, and asked if I was OK, and I said: 'I think I might have been shot in the foot.'
"By Tuesday, he said, the pain was nearly gone."But unfortunately, [after today's outpatient surgery,] I'll have to start over with the healing process."
Whitaker wants to return to work by the start of next month, although he concedes that may be pushing it. But mentally, he said, he's doing well.
"I don't think it's hit me yet 100 percent. I sit back and think: 'Wow, I got shot.' It's kind of surreal."
But what stands out in his mind isn't just the pain or drama, but the support he's gotten. "My family and friends are pretty much what's keeping me going right now -- the support that I'm getting. And that includes my co-workers in the sheriff's office."
Three men face charges stemming from the incident.Olvin Alexander Arenda Hernandez, 24, of 1506 Bungalow Ave., has been charged with trafficking in powder cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver more than a pound of the drug, maintaining a vehicle for the sale of cocaine, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer.
Victor Oscar Olguin-Bravo, 21, of 917 Virgie St., Apt. A, and Richanel Sala Sala, 19, of 2816 Ross Road, Apt. 10G, face the same drug offense charges.
October 27, 2009
By KEITH UPCHURCH
kupchurch@heraldsun.com;
DURHAM -- A police officer who was shot on duty in July said his will to live, support from the community and faith in God helped pull him through."I've been told that I almost didn't make it, so to be here at this point right now -- I'm really pleased about that,'' Officer Damon Youmans, 32, said at a press conference Tuesday at Durham police headquarters. "I feel very fortunate and blessed.''
Youmans, a former New York City police officer who joined the Durham force this year, was shot in the abdomen July 2 while responding to a call about gunfire and a break-in at South Square Townhomes at 3300 Shannon Road.
Doctors at Duke University Hospital used more than 60 units of blood to save his life. Youmans said he knew he had been shot the instant it happened. "I felt the pain. I felt the burning. I didn't see blood and couldn't quite figure out where I was hit, but I knew I was hit somewhere.''
"I remember being transported in the back of a police car to a waiting ambulance, and the coldness of the emergency room,'' Youmans said. ''They're there to help, but it's a cold place. I was sedated and taken up to the [operating room].''
Youmans said he never thought about dying. "It wasn't even a thought, really. I knew once they got me to Duke, I would be alright.''
Three months later, Youmans, looking fit and alert Tuesday, said he's ''not 100 percent, but pretty close.'' He's still undergoing physical therapy and has lost 10 to 15 pounds, but some of the weight is returning. He's back at work on light duty, and his goal is to return to street duty by year's end or the first of next year.
Youmans said he has no hard feelings toward the man accused of shooting him. The suspect, Thomas Rashawn Monroe, 23, is awaiting trial in the shooting.
Youmans said he's been "surprised and grateful'' for the outpouring of support from the community. "I just want to say 'thank you' for all your support. I think it's part of the reason I'm up and about and recovering so well, so quickly, because of all the prayers from the citizens.''
He said the episode hasn't changed his desire to stay with the Durham Police Department and has no plans to retire. "I'm just getting started. ''
Youmans said he's wanted to be a police officer since he was a kid, and his injury hasn't changed that. "It hasn't changed my desire to serve the community,'' he said. "If anything, it's made it even stronger.''
When misfortune strikes, Youmans said, ''you stay focused and get back on your horse and ride. That's my attitude.''
WOUNDED DEPUTY RECALLS SHOOTOUT
September 9, 2009
By KEITH UPCHURCH
kupchurch@heraldsun.com
DURHAM -- He calls it "the scariest time of my life."
But Durham County Sheriff's Investigator Morial Whitaker knows that the bullet he took in his foot last week in the line of duty could have been worse. And he's grateful to his family, friends and co-workers for their support since that painful, dramatic night last Wednesday.
Whitaker, 34, a gang investigator, was shot during an exchange of gunfire outside Cracker Barrel restaurant at 3703 Hillsborough Road during the culmination of a drug investigation, which ended in the arrest of three men.
A single bullet lodged in Whitaker's right foot. "They tried to get the bullet out the night of the incident with a minor procedure when I was still awake," Whitaker said in an interview Tuesday. "But the bullet was too far in, so they couldn't get it.
They said it's not considered an emergency," so he's set for surgery today at Duke University Hospital to remove it.
"It was the scariest time of my life -- to look at a gun barrel and actually have it pointed at you, and you can see the fire coming from the barrel, and you know that the bullet is for you," he said. "And then immediately, I tried to get cover. I got down and did a crab crawl, and unfortunately, one of the bullets hit me in the foot."
At first, Whitaker said, the bullet felt like "debris or a rock had hit me.""I didn't think anything of it. I didn't know what was going on. I just heard a lot of gunfire. I didn't know if this guy was just dumping the bullets toward me. I didn't know what was going on, because I was crouched behind the vehicle."
After the gunfire, he said, "I kind of sat there for a bit to get my composure, and that's when I felt my foot kind of tingle. Then it started burning, and I stood up to try to walk it off. I couldn't walk on it, because it felt like I stood on a nail."
He said he fell back to the ground, "and then it started throbbing real bad, like I was being hit by a hammer on the side of my foot."Whitaker said he looked at his boot and saw a small hole in it.
"I was trying to figure out if I had gotten grazed. And then I kind of limped toward the other detectives. They saw me, and asked if I was OK, and I said: 'I think I might have been shot in the foot.'
"By Tuesday, he said, the pain was nearly gone."But unfortunately, [after today's outpatient surgery,] I'll have to start over with the healing process."
Whitaker wants to return to work by the start of next month, although he concedes that may be pushing it. But mentally, he said, he's doing well.
"I don't think it's hit me yet 100 percent. I sit back and think: 'Wow, I got shot.' It's kind of surreal."
But what stands out in his mind isn't just the pain or drama, but the support he's gotten. "My family and friends are pretty much what's keeping me going right now -- the support that I'm getting. And that includes my co-workers in the sheriff's office."
Three men face charges stemming from the incident.Olvin Alexander Arenda Hernandez, 24, of 1506 Bungalow Ave., has been charged with trafficking in powder cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver more than a pound of the drug, maintaining a vehicle for the sale of cocaine, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer.
Victor Oscar Olguin-Bravo, 21, of 917 Virgie St., Apt. A, and Richanel Sala Sala, 19, of 2816 Ross Road, Apt. 10G, face the same drug offense charges.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Emergency Chaplains Board of Directors
J. Clay Stevens
Clay is the Lead Pastor of Cross Culture Church in Raleigh, NC. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. A native of Florida, Clay is married to Cindi and they have three adult sons plus they are the proud grandparents of Wyatt and Dakota. Pastor Clay likes to play a little golf in his spare time and his favorite verse is Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Jay Veasey
Jay is a native of Durham where he graduated from Northern High School. He has an MBA from Campbell University and is employed by BB&T in Cary as a Commercial Banking Officer. He is married to Jenny and they have two children, Jacob and Jordyn. Jay and his family attend Colonial Baptist Church in Cary.
Kimberle Walker
Kimberle's commitment to the public sector is grounded in 1st Timothy 2:1-4. As Senior Public Affairs Specialist for the City of Durham Police Department, Kim has more than 20 years experience in municipal government, community affairs and media relations having also worked in the offices of the Durham City Manager and Durham County Manager in the area of public Information/public relations. An active member of North East Baptist Church (Durham), Kimberle is a facilitator of the Leadership Development Ministry and a Music Ministry vocalist. She and husband, Freeman, reside in Durham, NC and are the parents of one daughter, Taylor.
Michael Perra
Michael is Vice President of Bugman Exterminators, Inc. in Durham. He is married to Edie and they have two daughters, Morgan and Skylar. Michael and his family attend Southbridge Fellowship. He is also a leader in Bible Study Fellowship. His desire is to live a life that is pleasing to God and to introduce others to the life changing power of Jesus Christ. Some of Michael's favorite verses are Numbers 6:24-26, Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 23:12 and Mark 12:32-34.
Mike Smith
Mike grew up in Northeast Durham and is a graduate of Southern High School. He has been married to Nell for 27 years. They have a son and a daughter and five grandchildren. He started in emergency medical response as a Hospital Corpsman during the Vietnam Era and joined the Durham Fire Department in 1969. Today, Mike serves as the Director of Durham County EMS. He loves spending time with his grandchildren and thanks God for being able to serve the citizens of Durham for over 40 years now. Mike and Nell are members of Red Mountain Baptist Church in Rougemont, NC.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Bond Lowered to $75,000 for Monroe
Bond slashed for alleged cop shooter, set for killing suspect
BY JOHN MCCANN (Durham Herald Sun)
DURHAM -- Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson this week slashed the bond for a man accused of shooting and wounding a Durham police officer from $250,000 to $75,000 and approved bond terms for an accused murderer who had been held without bond.
Thomas Rashawn Monroe, 23, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He'd been in jail under the $250,000 secured bond after allegedly wounding Officer Damon Youmans in July. Youmans had joined the police force in May.
Monroe's lawyer had been seeking to get his client's bond reduced to $20,000, but Hudson decided on $75,000. Monroe remained in jail Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday, Hudson gave accused killer Randy Tyson Bledsoe, 51, a $500,000 secured bond. He'd been jailed with no bond on a first-degree murder charge for allegedly killing his ex-wife's husband in June. Bledsoe also remained behind bars Wednesday evening.
Police believe Bledsoe kicked in a door at a West Markham Avenue residence and shot and killed 44-year-old Edward William Riddle, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested Bledsoe at his Redwood Road home about 20 minutes after officers responded to the murder scene.
Meanwhile, in the Monroe case, Youmans was among several officers who responded to a call at Monroe's address in the South Square Townhomes apartment complex on Shannon Road. As officers arrived, shots were fired from inside Monroe's apartment, one striking Youmans in the abdomen. Doctors went through more than 60 units of blood to save Youmans' life.
The incident generated support from the law-enforcement community as well as the general citizenry, many pitching in to help Youmans, a police officer in New York before coming to Durham. Youmans, 32, has still not returned to work, police spokeswoman Kammie Michael said.
BY JOHN MCCANN (Durham Herald Sun)
DURHAM -- Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson this week slashed the bond for a man accused of shooting and wounding a Durham police officer from $250,000 to $75,000 and approved bond terms for an accused murderer who had been held without bond.
Thomas Rashawn Monroe, 23, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He'd been in jail under the $250,000 secured bond after allegedly wounding Officer Damon Youmans in July. Youmans had joined the police force in May.
Monroe's lawyer had been seeking to get his client's bond reduced to $20,000, but Hudson decided on $75,000. Monroe remained in jail Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday, Hudson gave accused killer Randy Tyson Bledsoe, 51, a $500,000 secured bond. He'd been jailed with no bond on a first-degree murder charge for allegedly killing his ex-wife's husband in June. Bledsoe also remained behind bars Wednesday evening.
Police believe Bledsoe kicked in a door at a West Markham Avenue residence and shot and killed 44-year-old Edward William Riddle, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested Bledsoe at his Redwood Road home about 20 minutes after officers responded to the murder scene.
Meanwhile, in the Monroe case, Youmans was among several officers who responded to a call at Monroe's address in the South Square Townhomes apartment complex on Shannon Road. As officers arrived, shots were fired from inside Monroe's apartment, one striking Youmans in the abdomen. Doctors went through more than 60 units of blood to save Youmans' life.
The incident generated support from the law-enforcement community as well as the general citizenry, many pitching in to help Youmans, a police officer in New York before coming to Durham. Youmans, 32, has still not returned to work, police spokeswoman Kammie Michael said.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Hometown Heroes--Durham 911, Durham PD, Durham FD, Parkwood EMS, Duke ED
July 16, 2009
60 units of blood.
One bullet, not even as big as the tip of my little finger, caused the damage.
Officer Damon Youmans was struck in the lower abdomen by the .25 caliber slug. The doctors at Duke used more than 60 units of blood during the emergency surgery.
District 3 officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on Shannon Road about 4am on Thursday morning, July 2nd. Without warning, shots were fired from inside the apartment. One shot hit Officer Youmans in the lower abdomen, just below his protective vest.
The 911 center was still on the phone with the original caller when the shots rang out. Before any radio traffic indicated that an officer had been shot, telecommunicators already had Fire and EMS in route to the scene. The quick thinking of the folks at the 911 Center saved Officer Youmans' life.
According to the Durham Herald Sun, Cpl. T.D. Bobbitt and Officers D. Horton and A. Brown took Youmans away from the scene in a patrol car. They met Fire and EMS units at a safe location a few blocks from where the shooting occurred. The quick thinking of those 3 officers saved Officer Youmans' life.
The crew from Durham Engine 11 and Parkwood Medic 62 treated and transported the wounded officer.
Captain Glenn Cooper was in charge of E-11 and he had Cleve Sorrell and Larry Perdue with him. Zane Jones and Chris Taylor were on M-62. The quick response, care and transport by E-11 and M-62 saved Officer Youmans' life that night.
A Herald Sun article on July 7th mentioned that Dr. Gregory Georgiade performed the emergency surgery to stabilize Youmans and Dr. John Scarborough was in charge of the second surgery that took place on that Friday. The quick action and skill of those doctors and nurses at Duke saved Officer Youmans' life.
There are a couple of things that I can tell you for sure right now. First, a lot of people from several agencies all worked together to save Damon Youmans' life. You probably figured that out already.
The second thing that I can tell you for sure is this: Damon Youmans is eternally grateful.
I met Officer Youmans for the first time last Tuesday. He has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from his fellow officers and from the Durham community.
Durham PD asked me if Emergency Chaplains could assist in raising funds for Officer Youmans and we gladly said yes. He is going to be out of work for a while, his family lives in New York City and there are a lot of unexpected expenses that come up during a time like this.
If you would like to help Officer Youmans, we have established a "10-33 Fund" where every penny given will go directly to him. Info on how to give can be found at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102632288398&s=-1&e=0016Voap1xuyqUKbslwikUt5yCznXfAuRgyEmXLOKFMd9HxZstJ9t8tDUFLIDpDdj_lvMFOb-ecvebSNwaODf7ALt9i2zT5Zxoj
I will keep you posted on his recovery and get you more information on the "10-33 Fund" in later issues. Please pray for Officer Youmans and his continued recovery.
60 units of blood.
One bullet, not even as big as the tip of my little finger, caused the damage.
Officer Damon Youmans was struck in the lower abdomen by the .25 caliber slug. The doctors at Duke used more than 60 units of blood during the emergency surgery.
District 3 officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on Shannon Road about 4am on Thursday morning, July 2nd. Without warning, shots were fired from inside the apartment. One shot hit Officer Youmans in the lower abdomen, just below his protective vest.
The 911 center was still on the phone with the original caller when the shots rang out. Before any radio traffic indicated that an officer had been shot, telecommunicators already had Fire and EMS in route to the scene. The quick thinking of the folks at the 911 Center saved Officer Youmans' life.
According to the Durham Herald Sun, Cpl. T.D. Bobbitt and Officers D. Horton and A. Brown took Youmans away from the scene in a patrol car. They met Fire and EMS units at a safe location a few blocks from where the shooting occurred. The quick thinking of those 3 officers saved Officer Youmans' life.
The crew from Durham Engine 11 and Parkwood Medic 62 treated and transported the wounded officer.
Captain Glenn Cooper was in charge of E-11 and he had Cleve Sorrell and Larry Perdue with him. Zane Jones and Chris Taylor were on M-62. The quick response, care and transport by E-11 and M-62 saved Officer Youmans' life that night.
A Herald Sun article on July 7th mentioned that Dr. Gregory Georgiade performed the emergency surgery to stabilize Youmans and Dr. John Scarborough was in charge of the second surgery that took place on that Friday. The quick action and skill of those doctors and nurses at Duke saved Officer Youmans' life.
There are a couple of things that I can tell you for sure right now. First, a lot of people from several agencies all worked together to save Damon Youmans' life. You probably figured that out already.
The second thing that I can tell you for sure is this: Damon Youmans is eternally grateful.
I met Officer Youmans for the first time last Tuesday. He has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from his fellow officers and from the Durham community.
Durham PD asked me if Emergency Chaplains could assist in raising funds for Officer Youmans and we gladly said yes. He is going to be out of work for a while, his family lives in New York City and there are a lot of unexpected expenses that come up during a time like this.
If you would like to help Officer Youmans, we have established a "10-33 Fund" where every penny given will go directly to him. Info on how to give can be found at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102632288398&s=-1&e=0016Voap1xuyqUKbslwikUt5yCznXfAuRgyEmXLOKFMd9HxZstJ9t8tDUFLIDpDdj_lvMFOb-ecvebSNwaODf7ALt9i2zT5Zxoj
I will keep you posted on his recovery and get you more information on the "10-33 Fund" in later issues. Please pray for Officer Youmans and his continued recovery.
Hometown Heroes
WOUNDED OFFICER ON FAST TRACK TO RECOVERY
By KEITH UPCHURCH :
The Herald-Sun kupchurch@heraldsun.com
Aug 15, 2009
DURHAM -- "Miraculous" is how a chaplain who is handling a fund for a Durham police officer who nearly died after being shot on duty last month describes the officer's recovery.
Ralph Thompson from Emergency Chaplains said on Friday that the fund has raised $1,500 so far to help the officer, Damon Youmans, as he continues to recover at home from his wound.
Youmans, 32, who had just joined the police force in May, was shot in the abdomen July 2 while responding to a call at an apartment on Shannon Road.
Thomas Rashawn Monroe, 23, of 3300 Shannon Road, Apt. 5A, has been charged with the shooting. He was indicted this week on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
"We've had a good response from the community,' Thompson said. "People are sending $20 or $25. All donations, no matter how large or small, are significant, and he appreciates every one of them.'
Thompson said he delivers a check to Youmans at the officer's home every week. He said he got another check in the mail for Youmans on Friday and hopes donations to help the officer with unexpected expenses will continue to come in.
Thompson said Youmans spent about three weeks at Duke University Hospital, then returned home to continue his recovery, which he said has been remarkable.
"The week after he got out of the hospital, he was able to drive himself back for his doctor's appointments,' Thompson said. "He's doing some physical therapy and he hopes to be able to return to work, but he doesn't have a time frame on it,' he said.
"He's in really good spirits right now. From a spiritual side, I can tell you that he is very thankful to Jesus, his Lord and savior, for saving his life and for his miraculous recovery.'
"He's really been blessed by the outpouring of support from the community,' Thompson said. "And he's very thankful for all the people who played a part in saving his life -- from the 911 operator on down the line -- his fellow police officers, fire department, EMS, hospital emergency department and the surgeons. He is so grateful.'
By KEITH UPCHURCH :
The Herald-Sun kupchurch@heraldsun.com
Aug 15, 2009
DURHAM -- "Miraculous" is how a chaplain who is handling a fund for a Durham police officer who nearly died after being shot on duty last month describes the officer's recovery.
Ralph Thompson from Emergency Chaplains said on Friday that the fund has raised $1,500 so far to help the officer, Damon Youmans, as he continues to recover at home from his wound.
Youmans, 32, who had just joined the police force in May, was shot in the abdomen July 2 while responding to a call at an apartment on Shannon Road.
Thomas Rashawn Monroe, 23, of 3300 Shannon Road, Apt. 5A, has been charged with the shooting. He was indicted this week on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
"We've had a good response from the community,' Thompson said. "People are sending $20 or $25. All donations, no matter how large or small, are significant, and he appreciates every one of them.'
Thompson said he delivers a check to Youmans at the officer's home every week. He said he got another check in the mail for Youmans on Friday and hopes donations to help the officer with unexpected expenses will continue to come in.
Thompson said Youmans spent about three weeks at Duke University Hospital, then returned home to continue his recovery, which he said has been remarkable.
"The week after he got out of the hospital, he was able to drive himself back for his doctor's appointments,' Thompson said. "He's doing some physical therapy and he hopes to be able to return to work, but he doesn't have a time frame on it,' he said.
"He's in really good spirits right now. From a spiritual side, I can tell you that he is very thankful to Jesus, his Lord and savior, for saving his life and for his miraculous recovery.'
"He's really been blessed by the outpouring of support from the community,' Thompson said. "And he's very thankful for all the people who played a part in saving his life -- from the 911 operator on down the line -- his fellow police officers, fire department, EMS, hospital emergency department and the surgeons. He is so grateful.'
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Emergency Chaplains: 'Green Berets' of the Pastoral Army
The Work of the Chaplain
By: Ralph Thompson
You may be familiar with the Green Berets of the US Army. They are highly skilled and trained for special operations. They spend much of their time practicing and a lot of time doing ‘routine’ duties….then the call comes in and they spring into action. Green Berets take care of the jobs that no one else can.
Emergency Chaplains are the ‘Green Berets’ of the pastoral army. We may not be in the physical shape as our military counterparts, but we are highly skilled and trained for special operation. We spend time practicing our skills and taking care of routine tasks…and then the call comes in. Emergency Chaplains spring into action and take care of the jobs that no one else can.
Calls can come in anytime…day or night. Sometimes they come in 2 or 3 at the same time. Some days there are no calls at all. No matter how often or when the calls come, we seek to go and help those who are in crisis.
Our estimated cost for providing chaplaincy is about $25 per hour and we are able to offer counseling, comfort and crisis response because of your generous gifts. Let me share a few examples of what your donations have allowed us to do recently:
A monthly gift of $25, (One hour) provided a counseling session for an individual.
A monthly gift of $50, (Two hours) provided care for family members waiting in the Emergency Room while a loved one was being treated for critical injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
A monthly gift of $75, (Three hours) provided ministry care for the family of a 33 year old man who died in his sleep.
A monthly gift of $100, (Four hours) provided two pre-martial counseling sessions for a young, newly engaged couple.
The call for assistance where the young man was found dead came in the early morning. Although I have attended countless families during similar circumstances, the time that I spent on that scene stretched every area of training that I had under my belt.
That call placed me face-to-face with a young widow and a fatherless child who went to bed just a few hours earlier with no thought of waking up a widow or not having a daddy.
Our paramedics had discontinued CPR just prior to my arrival and were waiting for me. They gave me a briefing and took me into the next room and we delivered the death notification to the man’s wife.
For the next three hours I rode the emotional roller coaster with this family. Denial…anger…bargaining…acceptance…back to denial and through the cycle again…and again…and again. If you have ever been through anything like this, you understand. If not, you don’t.
I made phone calls. I greeted neighbors. I took phone messages. I gave family members directions over the phone while they drove. I held her while she cried. I listened to her when she asked how God could let this happen. I stood there while she pounded on my chest and demanded that I call the paramedics back to help her husband.
God gave me a special privilege to minister to this Christian family in Jesus’ Name during the greatest crisis they have ever experienced.
In my follow up with the young widow, she remembered the raw moments of that morning but she wanted to thank me for being there with her. She believes that God sent me there that morning to take care of her. I believe that God sent me there, too.
Thank you for being a part of this important work that the Lord has given us to do.
By: Ralph Thompson
You may be familiar with the Green Berets of the US Army. They are highly skilled and trained for special operations. They spend much of their time practicing and a lot of time doing ‘routine’ duties….then the call comes in and they spring into action. Green Berets take care of the jobs that no one else can.
Emergency Chaplains are the ‘Green Berets’ of the pastoral army. We may not be in the physical shape as our military counterparts, but we are highly skilled and trained for special operation. We spend time practicing our skills and taking care of routine tasks…and then the call comes in. Emergency Chaplains spring into action and take care of the jobs that no one else can.
Calls can come in anytime…day or night. Sometimes they come in 2 or 3 at the same time. Some days there are no calls at all. No matter how often or when the calls come, we seek to go and help those who are in crisis.
Our estimated cost for providing chaplaincy is about $25 per hour and we are able to offer counseling, comfort and crisis response because of your generous gifts. Let me share a few examples of what your donations have allowed us to do recently:
A monthly gift of $25, (One hour) provided a counseling session for an individual.
A monthly gift of $50, (Two hours) provided care for family members waiting in the Emergency Room while a loved one was being treated for critical injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
A monthly gift of $75, (Three hours) provided ministry care for the family of a 33 year old man who died in his sleep.
A monthly gift of $100, (Four hours) provided two pre-martial counseling sessions for a young, newly engaged couple.
The call for assistance where the young man was found dead came in the early morning. Although I have attended countless families during similar circumstances, the time that I spent on that scene stretched every area of training that I had under my belt.
That call placed me face-to-face with a young widow and a fatherless child who went to bed just a few hours earlier with no thought of waking up a widow or not having a daddy.
Our paramedics had discontinued CPR just prior to my arrival and were waiting for me. They gave me a briefing and took me into the next room and we delivered the death notification to the man’s wife.
For the next three hours I rode the emotional roller coaster with this family. Denial…anger…bargaining…acceptance…back to denial and through the cycle again…and again…and again. If you have ever been through anything like this, you understand. If not, you don’t.
I made phone calls. I greeted neighbors. I took phone messages. I gave family members directions over the phone while they drove. I held her while she cried. I listened to her when she asked how God could let this happen. I stood there while she pounded on my chest and demanded that I call the paramedics back to help her husband.
God gave me a special privilege to minister to this Christian family in Jesus’ Name during the greatest crisis they have ever experienced.
In my follow up with the young widow, she remembered the raw moments of that morning but she wanted to thank me for being there with her. She believes that God sent me there that morning to take care of her. I believe that God sent me there, too.
Thank you for being a part of this important work that the Lord has given us to do.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Counseling Center
Grey Stone Baptist Church has graciously agreed to allow Emergency Chaplains to use space on their campus for counseling individuals, couples and families. This offer comes after much prayer for a confidential place to meet with folks that was centrally located. Carter and Ralph will be available for counseling by appointment and we can be reached at 919-280-8908 or by e-mail at ralph@echap.org
Ralph is certified by ICISF (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation) and has a Master's Degree in Biblical Counseling from Master's Divinity School.
Carter has a BA in Psychology/Christian Counseling from Louisiana Baptist University and is currently working on her MA there. Counseling is provided free of charge to First Responders and their family members. More information about our counseling ministry will be included in our next newsletter that will go in the mail next week.
If you do not receive our regular, semi-monthly newsletter in the mail, we want you to.
Just send us an e-mail to ralph@echap.org with your mailing address (that's right...SNAIL MAIL...) and we will add you to our mailing list.
Ralph is certified by ICISF (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation) and has a Master's Degree in Biblical Counseling from Master's Divinity School.
Carter has a BA in Psychology/Christian Counseling from Louisiana Baptist University and is currently working on her MA there. Counseling is provided free of charge to First Responders and their family members. More information about our counseling ministry will be included in our next newsletter that will go in the mail next week.
If you do not receive our regular, semi-monthly newsletter in the mail, we want you to.
Just send us an e-mail to ralph@echap.org with your mailing address (that's right...SNAIL MAIL...) and we will add you to our mailing list.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Hometown Heroes/Durham EMS B Shift
Six Durham EMS Medics were honored by the Durham County Commissioners at their May 26th meeting. The story below, by Keith Upchurch, was published on May 13th in the Durham Herald Sun.
Pictured below are the medics after they were recognized at the meeting. Front Row (L-R) Karin Knight and Valerie Norton. Back Row (L-R) Warren Swanson, Chris Ragan and Donald Fonville. (Rodney Medlin was not able to attend the meeting due to the death of his Grandmother.)
DURHAM -- Paramedics who responded to a fire that killed a man and his elderly mother on Russell Road will be honored by the county for their efforts to save them. The paramedics will be recognized at a future Durham County Commissioners meeting, Assistant County Manager Deborah Craig-Ray said.
"We're so proud of those guys,' she said. "We definitely want to make sure that their heroism is recognized.'
The fire broke out the night of April 30 at a home at 6406 Russell Road in northern Durham County, and claimed the lives of Larry Eddie Laws, 58, and his mother, Catherine Burch Turner, 76. They died at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill after being transported by ambulance.
In an e-mail to Durham County Manager Mike Ruffin, Chief Len Needham of the Bahama Fire Department praised the paramedics' efforts that night.
"All of these teams on Medic 2 and Medic 6 along with the EMS supervisor and new employee riding with him worked tirelessly to treat these patients and give them every chance at life,' he wrote. "I know these patients are not what they see every day, but the skill levels of these medics were like they treated these type of patients daily. We are so lucky here in Durham to have great medics like these to help our citizens when they are in need.'
The paramedics are Donald Fonville, Karin Knight, Warren Swanson, Valerie Norton, EMS supervisor Rodney Medlin and new employee Chris Ragan.
Mike Smith, director of Durham County Emergency Medical Services, said he's proud of all his employees. "They worked hard with the two patients there,' Smith said. "It seems overwhelming sometimes, but that's what they're trained to do. We try to do the best we can. "I'm really proud of them -- all of those who work here, because they're under a lot of pressure, a lot of stress. They're busy, they work hard, and they're trained well for their jobs.'
Pictured below are the medics after they were recognized at the meeting. Front Row (L-R) Karin Knight and Valerie Norton. Back Row (L-R) Warren Swanson, Chris Ragan and Donald Fonville. (Rodney Medlin was not able to attend the meeting due to the death of his Grandmother.)
DURHAM -- Paramedics who responded to a fire that killed a man and his elderly mother on Russell Road will be honored by the county for their efforts to save them. The paramedics will be recognized at a future Durham County Commissioners meeting, Assistant County Manager Deborah Craig-Ray said.
"We're so proud of those guys,' she said. "We definitely want to make sure that their heroism is recognized.'
The fire broke out the night of April 30 at a home at 6406 Russell Road in northern Durham County, and claimed the lives of Larry Eddie Laws, 58, and his mother, Catherine Burch Turner, 76. They died at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill after being transported by ambulance.In an e-mail to Durham County Manager Mike Ruffin, Chief Len Needham of the Bahama Fire Department praised the paramedics' efforts that night.
"All of these teams on Medic 2 and Medic 6 along with the EMS supervisor and new employee riding with him worked tirelessly to treat these patients and give them every chance at life,' he wrote. "I know these patients are not what they see every day, but the skill levels of these medics were like they treated these type of patients daily. We are so lucky here in Durham to have great medics like these to help our citizens when they are in need.'
The paramedics are Donald Fonville, Karin Knight, Warren Swanson, Valerie Norton, EMS supervisor Rodney Medlin and new employee Chris Ragan.
Mike Smith, director of Durham County Emergency Medical Services, said he's proud of all his employees. "They worked hard with the two patients there,' Smith said. "It seems overwhelming sometimes, but that's what they're trained to do. We try to do the best we can. "I'm really proud of them -- all of those who work here, because they're under a lot of pressure, a lot of stress. They're busy, they work hard, and they're trained well for their jobs.'
Rudy Bear at DEMS and BVFD
The generous folks at Bethesda Ruritan Club have donated a supply of 'Rudy Bears' to Bethesda Fire & Rescue and Durham EMS. The bears will be carried on ambulances and will be used to comfort children encountering a traumatic event. Thanks BRC!
Bears delivered to Bethesda Fire and Rescue
Bears delivered to Durham EMS
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Hometown Heroes--Lenoir County, NC
It was a routine night on patrol up until about 10 pm. Monitoring the frequency of the local sheriff’s department, Kent heard a call for assistance. There was a man in the woods firing a high powered rifle and Kent responded to the scene to assist.
The shooter was Clarence Douglas Phillips, 49, a man with an extensive criminal history. Public records show that Mr. Phillips went to prison for the first time as a 17 year old for breaking and entering and DUI. To be sent to prison as a 17 year old usually indicates that person has been in trouble with the law before then.
Not much had changed in Clarence Phillips life since then. The court system in Craven County had convicted him of punishable crimes at least seven times from 1983 until 2004 with four of those convictions resulting in prison time.
If you look at the NC Department of Corrections website, the offender search will tell you that Mr. Phillips’ last incarceration was in 2004-2005 when he served 20 months of a 27 month sentence for AWDWWITK. If you don’t know what AWDWWITK means, I will tell you…..Assault With Deadly Weapon With Intent To Kill. I don’t know any of the circumstances leading up to that arrest and conviction but I do know that 20 months served doesn’t seem long enough.
It is suspected that Mr. Phillips murdered his girlfriend, Cynthia Tillet Knighten, 49, shortly before driving her car into the woods and starting the stand off.
Isaac Grady called Lenoir County 911 at 9:56pm because someone was shooting near his house on Tick Bite Road in Grifton. It is not known exactly when it happened but Mr. Grady pointed out a spot in his house to a reporter that was hit by a bullet during the shooting. The bullet passed right through the wall and across a sleeping area where some of his family would have been sleeping that night. He is thankful that they were not in the bed at that time.
The arriving officers formed a perimeter around the area where the shots were coming from and with assistance from the NC State Highway Patrol helicopter they were able to pinpoint Clarence Phillips’ exact position.
Two of the deputies that responded to the scene were Detectives Allen Pearson and Ryan Dawson. They moved in with the Special Response Unit (SRU) to close in around Clarence Phillips and do whatever was needed to disarm him and end the danger posed by this renegade and his high powered rifle.
Using infrared night vision, the Highway Patrol helicopter was able to monitor the movement of the suspect and guide the team in to affect the arrest. Clearly outnumbered and surrounded from every side the suspect should have surrendered…..but he didn’t.
In what seems to have been his own death wish, Clarence Phillips sprung up and began firing at the officers as they approached him. The officers fired back and mortally wounded the suspect, bringing the standoff to an end.
Trooper Kent Bennett was on the outside perimeter, probably 100 yards away, when the shooting broke out. He immediately grabbed his medic bag and started toward the area where the shots had been fired.
Arriving at Allen Pearson’s side, Kent began to access his injuries and knew that Allen had been seriously wounded. He transferred Allen’s care to the paramedics who arrived quickly after him and turned his attention to checking for others who were hurt. At first, Detective Ryan Dawson did not realize that he had been wounded. He was too busy caring for Allen Pearson to notice that he had suffered a gunshot wound to his own neck.
Trooper Bennett applied direct pressure to Detective Dawson’s neck wound and kept that pressure applied as an SRU officer drove the ambulance to a landing zone at Dupont to meet the East Care Helicopter. Kent maintained pressure on the wound all the way from the woods on Tick Bite Road until Ryan was loaded into the helicopter and flown to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
Detective Ryan Dawson
Quick thinking and good training put Trooper Kent Bennett into a position to be a hero that fateful night of April 7th, 2009. Kent went above and beyond the call of duty and his actions were instrumental in saving Detective Ryan Dawson’s life.
Detective Allen Pearson was pronounced dead after midnight at Lenoir Memorial Hospital. He had been wearing his body armor but the bullet hit in his shoulder area that is not protected by the vest. Allen was an eight year veteran of the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Department and was serving as a Detective at the time of his death.
Detective Allen Pearson
EOW: April 8, 2009
On May 15, 2010 Allen Pearson’s name will be added to the wall of fallen heroes at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.
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Monday, May 18, 2009
Twenty-Eighth Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service
On Friday, May 15, 2009, Carter and I attended the 28th Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service on the west front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
In 2008, four Law Enforcement Officers from North Carolina died in the line of duty. Those officers were honored during the service and their names added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial.
The names added to the wall included two Troopers from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, David Shawn Blanton, Jr. and Andrew James Stocks.
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DAVID SHAWN BLANTON, JR
NCSHP G-540
EOW JUNE 17, 2008
Trooper Shawn Blanton (G-540) died on June 17, 2008 when he was shot by a suspect during a traffic stop on I-40 in Haywood County. (Click here to see entry on Officer Down Memorial Page)
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ANDREW JAMES STOCKS
NCSHP C-352
EOW SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
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Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
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The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23 (NKJV)
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May God bless the families, fellow officers and loved ones of Shawn, A.J. and all the other officers who have died while serving us.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Hometown Hero--Kevin Keith, Durham EMS
At 3am this past Saturday, I did something that I had never done before in my life. I called 9-1-1…..for me. I’ve called for others in the past, but never for me.
This would turn out to be a day of “firsts” for me, some that I prefer to forget. I desperately want to forget that I screamed at the top of my lungs several times because of the pain that I was in. I want to forget being strapped to a backboard and carried down a corkscrew staircase…while I was screaming.
I also want to forget my first ride ever on a bedpan at the hospital. Bedpans have a way of humiliating you. I was in pain during my bedpan ride….but for some reason I didn’t scream.
Paramedic Kevin Keith from Durham County EMS and Mike Collier from Bethesda Fire and Rescue were on Medic 41 on Saturday. Upon their arrival they found their patient (me) in excruciating pain and unable to move.
Although I was dehydrated, Kevin was able to establish an IV access to re-hydrate me and get some pain medicine on board. He gave me all the morphine that he could, but it still did not touch the pain emitting from my lower back.
I wanted to be able to walk downstairs and get on the stretcher but my back was in spasms that I can’t begin to describe to you. The decision was made to call Durham FD Engine 13-B for assistance in getting me down the steps.
Kevin, I want to say thank you for taking such good care of me on Saturday. Your IV placement lasted for my entire hospital stay. You did everything that you could to alleviate my pain and make my trip to Durham Regional as smooth as possible. You are the Emergency Chaplains “Hometown Hero” for this week.
Special mention also goes to Mike Collier, EMT from Bethesda Fire and Rescue and to the crew
on Engine 13-B. I hated calling you guys out at 3am, but every one of you are professionals at your job and courteous in every way. Thanks for helping me out.
My hospital stay was only 36 hours and it turns out that I was having an allergic reaction to a new medicine that I am taking. We don’t know if the back pain was part of the allergic reaction or maybe the pain was compounded by the reaction. I also had a virus at the same time.
While all of my doctors are still standing around scratching their heads as they try to figure out what was wrong with me, I’ll just sit at home for few days and try to recover. I will also remember what it is like to be a patient. I am always taking care of patients and it is awkward when I have to be taken care of. This past Saturday gave me a whole new perspective on patient care.
Thanks again to Kevin, Mike and Engine 13-B for taking care of me. You guys are the greatest!
This would turn out to be a day of “firsts” for me, some that I prefer to forget. I desperately want to forget that I screamed at the top of my lungs several times because of the pain that I was in. I want to forget being strapped to a backboard and carried down a corkscrew staircase…while I was screaming.
I also want to forget my first ride ever on a bedpan at the hospital. Bedpans have a way of humiliating you. I was in pain during my bedpan ride….but for some reason I didn’t scream.
Paramedic Kevin Keith from Durham County EMS and Mike Collier from Bethesda Fire and Rescue were on Medic 41 on Saturday. Upon their arrival they found their patient (me) in excruciating pain and unable to move.Although I was dehydrated, Kevin was able to establish an IV access to re-hydrate me and get some pain medicine on board. He gave me all the morphine that he could, but it still did not touch the pain emitting from my lower back.
I wanted to be able to walk downstairs and get on the stretcher but my back was in spasms that I can’t begin to describe to you. The decision was made to call Durham FD Engine 13-B for assistance in getting me down the steps.
Kevin, I want to say thank you for taking such good care of me on Saturday. Your IV placement lasted for my entire hospital stay. You did everything that you could to alleviate my pain and make my trip to Durham Regional as smooth as possible. You are the Emergency Chaplains “Hometown Hero” for this week.
Special mention also goes to Mike Collier, EMT from Bethesda Fire and Rescue and to the crew
on Engine 13-B. I hated calling you guys out at 3am, but every one of you are professionals at your job and courteous in every way. Thanks for helping me out.My hospital stay was only 36 hours and it turns out that I was having an allergic reaction to a new medicine that I am taking. We don’t know if the back pain was part of the allergic reaction or maybe the pain was compounded by the reaction. I also had a virus at the same time.
While all of my doctors are still standing around scratching their heads as they try to figure out what was wrong with me, I’ll just sit at home for few days and try to recover. I will also remember what it is like to be a patient. I am always taking care of patients and it is awkward when I have to be taken care of. This past Saturday gave me a whole new perspective on patient care.
Thanks again to Kevin, Mike and Engine 13-B for taking care of me. You guys are the greatest!
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Note to Kevin: Sorry about the picture, but it was the only one that I could find of you.
Note to Readers: Kevin was posing for the camera doing an :Incredible Hulk" impersonation when this picture was taken.
Note to Kevin: Sorry about the picture, but it was the only one that I could find of you.
Note to Readers: Kevin was posing for the camera doing an :Incredible Hulk" impersonation when this picture was taken.
ret
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Hometown Hero--Justin Garner, Carthage PD
Cop Who Shot Active Shooter was Only Cop on Duty
On Sunday mornings in Mayberry, Andy and Barney would close down the courthouse and head to church with Aunt Bea, Opie, Gomer and even an occasional prisoner.
Carthage is a lot like Mayberry. Sure, times have changed...but Carthage is still a quiet little place. So quiet in fact that only one police officer is on duty on any given Sunday morning. Justin Garner was that officer on March 29th.
Sunday mornings are usually slow in Carthage. Folks that aren't in church are either asleep or quietly working around the house. No one would have ever suspected that an armed gunman had gone into Pinelake Rehab looking for his estranged wife and shooting anyone that he came in contact with.
Justin Garner answered the call. Some may call him foolish for entering the nursing home without backup. There is no doubt that he put his own life at risk--he has three wounds to prove that.
Robert Stewart had already shot and killed seven elderly patients and one employee when he was confronted by Corporal Garner. Although he was drawing fire from the gunman, Garner held his ground and returned fire, critically wounding Stewart and bringing the carnage to an end.
I believe that Robert Stewart was prepared to kill every person inside the nursing facility that day. Eight dead is too many...but the heroic actions of Justin Garner saved everyone else there.
Corporal Justin Garner of the Carthage Police Department is a hero in every right.
Thank you, Justin, for giving your life in service for the people of Carthage.
Chaplain Ralph
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March 31, 2009
CARTHAGE, N.C. (AP) — Justin Garner turned down a chance to join the state highway patrol so he could stay on his small hometown’s police force. In just five years, he’d already been named Officer of the Year. And when a call came in that a gunman was shooting up a nursing home, Garner was the only one on duty when seemingly everyone else in this town of 1,800 was at church.
The clean-cut outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing raced to the Pinelake Health and Rehab Center. Armed with a .40-caliber Glock pistol, he entered the building to confront Robert Stewart, 45, in the hallway. Garner fired his weapon once, hitting Stewart in the chest, even though Garner had already been shot three times in his foot and leg.
A day later, Garner was being praised as a hero in this small town in North Carolina’s Sandhills region, about 60 miles southwest of Raleigh, for forging into the nursing home without waiting for backup to stop a man authorities say shot and killed eight people — many of them elderly and frail — inside.
“If that’s not heroism, I don’t know what is,” said Police Chief Chris McKenzie, who later added: “You can train all you want to, but it comes down to whether you have what it takes.”
Experts also took note. Nick Minzghor, whose business trains police and military personnel in Seattle, said a quick response to mass shootings is crucial, but that it’s not common for an officer by himself to be successful.
“This is one of the few instances nationwide where the lone officer took care of the bad guy,” said Minzghor, who’s also a police officer.
Garner, 25, grew up in the Carthage area like most of the town’s 18-officer police force, said McKenzie, who’s also a native. Garner, who is married, has been on the force for less than five years but already has been honored as the town’s Officer of the Year.
At one point, though, Garner nearly joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol before ultimately deciding to stay in Carthage, said the Rev. Tom Herndon, the chaplain for the police and fire departments. Herndon, who also is pastor of First Baptist Church of Carthage, described Garner as “a real clean-cut, handsome young fellow” who is fair to the people he serves.
“He’s one of the individuals who will give you a break if you happen to be speeding one mile an hour over the speed limit,” Herndon said, adding that his wife once received a warning from Garner though he didn’t know who she was.
McKenzie said Garner hunts and fishes whenever he gets the chance, and that he’s not surprised the officer stayed close to home.
“You don’t find too many country boys heading to the city (to become police),” McKenzie said. “They stay here to take care of their own.”
Seven nursing home residents and one of their caretakers were killed and three others, including Garner, were wounded. Stewart was charged with eight counts of first-degree murder.
McKenzie said Garner isn’t yet ready to speak publicly about the shootings. He was released from the hospital, but will need outpatient surgery, McKenzie said.
“He wants to sit at home with his family and rest. He almost died yesterday,” McKenzie said.
On Sunday mornings in Mayberry, Andy and Barney would close down the courthouse and head to church with Aunt Bea, Opie, Gomer and even an occasional prisoner.
Carthage is a lot like Mayberry. Sure, times have changed...but Carthage is still a quiet little place. So quiet in fact that only one police officer is on duty on any given Sunday morning. Justin Garner was that officer on March 29th.
Sunday mornings are usually slow in Carthage. Folks that aren't in church are either asleep or quietly working around the house. No one would have ever suspected that an armed gunman had gone into Pinelake Rehab looking for his estranged wife and shooting anyone that he came in contact with.
Justin Garner answered the call. Some may call him foolish for entering the nursing home without backup. There is no doubt that he put his own life at risk--he has three wounds to prove that.
Robert Stewart had already shot and killed seven elderly patients and one employee when he was confronted by Corporal Garner. Although he was drawing fire from the gunman, Garner held his ground and returned fire, critically wounding Stewart and bringing the carnage to an end.
I believe that Robert Stewart was prepared to kill every person inside the nursing facility that day. Eight dead is too many...but the heroic actions of Justin Garner saved everyone else there.
Corporal Justin Garner of the Carthage Police Department is a hero in every right.
Thank you, Justin, for giving your life in service for the people of Carthage.
Chaplain Ralph
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March 31, 2009
CARTHAGE, N.C. (AP) — Justin Garner turned down a chance to join the state highway patrol so he could stay on his small hometown’s police force. In just five years, he’d already been named Officer of the Year. And when a call came in that a gunman was shooting up a nursing home, Garner was the only one on duty when seemingly everyone else in this town of 1,800 was at church.
The clean-cut outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing raced to the Pinelake Health and Rehab Center. Armed with a .40-caliber Glock pistol, he entered the building to confront Robert Stewart, 45, in the hallway. Garner fired his weapon once, hitting Stewart in the chest, even though Garner had already been shot three times in his foot and leg.A day later, Garner was being praised as a hero in this small town in North Carolina’s Sandhills region, about 60 miles southwest of Raleigh, for forging into the nursing home without waiting for backup to stop a man authorities say shot and killed eight people — many of them elderly and frail — inside.
“If that’s not heroism, I don’t know what is,” said Police Chief Chris McKenzie, who later added: “You can train all you want to, but it comes down to whether you have what it takes.”
Experts also took note. Nick Minzghor, whose business trains police and military personnel in Seattle, said a quick response to mass shootings is crucial, but that it’s not common for an officer by himself to be successful.
“This is one of the few instances nationwide where the lone officer took care of the bad guy,” said Minzghor, who’s also a police officer.
Garner, 25, grew up in the Carthage area like most of the town’s 18-officer police force, said McKenzie, who’s also a native. Garner, who is married, has been on the force for less than five years but already has been honored as the town’s Officer of the Year.
At one point, though, Garner nearly joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol before ultimately deciding to stay in Carthage, said the Rev. Tom Herndon, the chaplain for the police and fire departments. Herndon, who also is pastor of First Baptist Church of Carthage, described Garner as “a real clean-cut, handsome young fellow” who is fair to the people he serves.
“He’s one of the individuals who will give you a break if you happen to be speeding one mile an hour over the speed limit,” Herndon said, adding that his wife once received a warning from Garner though he didn’t know who she was.
McKenzie said Garner hunts and fishes whenever he gets the chance, and that he’s not surprised the officer stayed close to home.
“You don’t find too many country boys heading to the city (to become police),” McKenzie said. “They stay here to take care of their own.”
Seven nursing home residents and one of their caretakers were killed and three others, including Garner, were wounded. Stewart was charged with eight counts of first-degree murder.
McKenzie said Garner isn’t yet ready to speak publicly about the shootings. He was released from the hospital, but will need outpatient surgery, McKenzie said.
“He wants to sit at home with his family and rest. He almost died yesterday,” McKenzie said.
Life Lessons from the Family Dog
3-31-09
New York Times editor Dana Jennings writes every Tuesday about coping with an advanced form of prostate cancer.
Bijou, the family dog of Times editor Dana Jennings.
Our family dog started failing a couple of months ago. Her serious health problems began at about the same time I was coping with my own — finishing my radiation and hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
Since last summer, I’ve learned that my cancer is shockingly aggressive, and the surgery, radiation and hormone treatments have left me exhausted, incontinent and with an AWOL libido. These days I’m waiting for the first tests that will tell me the status of my health.
Even so, as I face my own profound health issues, it is my dog’s poor health that is piercing me to the heart. I’m dreading that morning when I walk downstairs and … well, those of us who love dogs understand that all dog stories end the same way.
Her full name is Bijou de Minuit (Jewel of Midnight) — my wife teaches French. She is a 12-year-old black miniature poodle, and she is, literally, on her last legs. Her hind quarters fly out from beneath her, her back creaks and cracks as she walks, she limps, she’s speckled with bright red warts the size of nickels, her snore is loud and labored (like a freight train chugging up some steep grade) and she spends most of the day drowsing on her pillow-bed next to the kitchen radiator.
Bijou’s medicine chest is impressive for a 23-pound dog: A baby dose of amoxicillin for chronic urinary tract infections; prednisone and Tramadol for pain; phenobarbital for seizures; Proin for incontinence – all of it wrapped in mini-slices of pepperoni.
She is, I realize, “just” a dog. But she has, nonetheless, taught me a few lessons about life, living and illness. Despite all her troubles, Bijou is still game. She still groans to her feet to go outside, still barks at and with the neighborhood dogs, is willing to hobble around the kitchen to carouse with a rubber ball — her shrub of a tail quivering in joy.
I know now that Bijou was an important part of my therapy as I recovered from having my prostate removed. I learned that dogs, besides being pets, can also be our teachers.
Human beings constantly struggle to live in the moment. We’re either obsessing over the past (”Gee, life would’ve been different if I’d only joined the Peace Corps.”), or obsessing over the future (”Gee, I hope my 401K holds up”). We forget that life, real life, is lived right now, in this very moment.
But living in the moment is something that dogs (and cancer patients) do by their very nature. Bijou eats when she’s hungry, drinks when she’s thirsty, sleeps when she’s tired and will still gratefully curl up in whatever swatch of sunlight steals through the windows.
She’d jump up onto my sickbed last summer, nuzzle me and ask for her ears and pointy snout to be scratched. It made both of us happy as she sighed in satisfaction. And she was the subject of one of our favorite family jokes as I recuperated: “You take the dog out. I have cancer.”
In spending so much time with Bijou, I began to realize that our dogs, in their carefree dogginess, make us more human, force us to shed our narcissistic skins. Even when you have cancer, you can’t be utterly self-involved when you have a floppy-eared mutt who needs to be fed, walked and belly-scratched. And you can’t help but ponder the mysteries of creation as you gaze into the eyes of your dog, or wonder why and how we chose dogs and they chose us.
Dogs also tell us – especially when we’re sick – of our own finitude. And, partly, that’s why we cry when they die, because we also know that all human-being stories end the same way, too.
Good dogs – and most dogs are good dogs – are canine candles that briefly blaze and shine, illuminating our lives. Bijou has been here with us for the past 12 years, reminding us that simple pleasures are the ones to be treasured: a treat, a game of fetch, a nose-to-the-ground stroll in the park.
Simple pleasures. As I lazed and dozed at home last summer after surgery, there was nothing sweeter to me in this world than to hear Bijou drinking from her water dish outside my door. It was if her gentle lap-lapping ferried me to waters of healing. I’ll miss her.
New York Times editor Dana Jennings writes every Tuesday about coping with an advanced form of prostate cancer.
Bijou, the family dog of Times editor Dana Jennings.
Our family dog started failing a couple of months ago. Her serious health problems began at about the same time I was coping with my own — finishing my radiation and hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
Since last summer, I’ve learned that my cancer is shockingly aggressive, and the surgery, radiation and hormone treatments have left me exhausted, incontinent and with an AWOL libido. These days I’m waiting for the first tests that will tell me the status of my health.
Even so, as I face my own profound health issues, it is my dog’s poor health that is piercing me to the heart. I’m dreading that morning when I walk downstairs and … well, those of us who love dogs understand that all dog stories end the same way.
Her full name is Bijou de Minuit (Jewel of Midnight) — my wife teaches French. She is a 12-year-old black miniature poodle, and she is, literally, on her last legs. Her hind quarters fly out from beneath her, her back creaks and cracks as she walks, she limps, she’s speckled with bright red warts the size of nickels, her snore is loud and labored (like a freight train chugging up some steep grade) and she spends most of the day drowsing on her pillow-bed next to the kitchen radiator.
Bijou’s medicine chest is impressive for a 23-pound dog: A baby dose of amoxicillin for chronic urinary tract infections; prednisone and Tramadol for pain; phenobarbital for seizures; Proin for incontinence – all of it wrapped in mini-slices of pepperoni.
She is, I realize, “just” a dog. But she has, nonetheless, taught me a few lessons about life, living and illness. Despite all her troubles, Bijou is still game. She still groans to her feet to go outside, still barks at and with the neighborhood dogs, is willing to hobble around the kitchen to carouse with a rubber ball — her shrub of a tail quivering in joy.
I know now that Bijou was an important part of my therapy as I recovered from having my prostate removed. I learned that dogs, besides being pets, can also be our teachers.
Human beings constantly struggle to live in the moment. We’re either obsessing over the past (”Gee, life would’ve been different if I’d only joined the Peace Corps.”), or obsessing over the future (”Gee, I hope my 401K holds up”). We forget that life, real life, is lived right now, in this very moment.
But living in the moment is something that dogs (and cancer patients) do by their very nature. Bijou eats when she’s hungry, drinks when she’s thirsty, sleeps when she’s tired and will still gratefully curl up in whatever swatch of sunlight steals through the windows.
She’d jump up onto my sickbed last summer, nuzzle me and ask for her ears and pointy snout to be scratched. It made both of us happy as she sighed in satisfaction. And she was the subject of one of our favorite family jokes as I recuperated: “You take the dog out. I have cancer.”
In spending so much time with Bijou, I began to realize that our dogs, in their carefree dogginess, make us more human, force us to shed our narcissistic skins. Even when you have cancer, you can’t be utterly self-involved when you have a floppy-eared mutt who needs to be fed, walked and belly-scratched. And you can’t help but ponder the mysteries of creation as you gaze into the eyes of your dog, or wonder why and how we chose dogs and they chose us.
Dogs also tell us – especially when we’re sick – of our own finitude. And, partly, that’s why we cry when they die, because we also know that all human-being stories end the same way, too.
Good dogs – and most dogs are good dogs – are canine candles that briefly blaze and shine, illuminating our lives. Bijou has been here with us for the past 12 years, reminding us that simple pleasures are the ones to be treasured: a treat, a game of fetch, a nose-to-the-ground stroll in the park.
Simple pleasures. As I lazed and dozed at home last summer after surgery, there was nothing sweeter to me in this world than to hear Bijou drinking from her water dish outside my door. It was if her gentle lap-lapping ferried me to waters of healing. I’ll miss her.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Bethesda Bluegrass Boys
Carter, Carl and I had the pleasure of attending Angier Avenue Baptist Church on March 29th. Our friends, The Bethesda Bluegrass Boys led the worship service.
Mark (the old guy in the picture) taught himself to play the guitar a few years ago. He later taught all three of his boys to play one or more instruments. When congratulated for teaching the boys to play so well, he tells me that he evidently taught them everything that he knew....because he doesn't know anything anymore.
The boys
are Caleb, Jackson and Connor. For years I have told the Hagwood boys to continue eating their Wheaties and stay away from cigarettes and coffee---do that and one day they would be as tall as me. Judging by this picture it looks like they took my advice.
Holly is the only non-Hagwood in the group. She plays fiddle and adds vocals.
Karen is the mom. (Not-pictured) She is the brains behind the boys.
I love you guys. Keep using your talents to honor the Lord.
Mark (the old guy in the picture) taught himself to play the guitar a few years ago. He later taught all three of his boys to play one or more instruments. When congratulated for teaching the boys to play so well, he tells me that he evidently taught them everything that he knew....because he doesn't know anything anymore.
The boys
are Caleb, Jackson and Connor. For years I have told the Hagwood boys to continue eating their Wheaties and stay away from cigarettes and coffee---do that and one day they would be as tall as me. Judging by this picture it looks like they took my advice.Holly is the only non-Hagwood in the group. She plays fiddle and adds vocals.
Karen is the mom. (Not-pictured) She is the brains behind the boys.
I love you guys. Keep using your talents to honor the Lord.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Hometown Hero--Andy Barringer
For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
Colossians 1:4-6 NLT
When Andy Barringer was a child he had visions of being a hero. He could see himself rushing into a burning building to save a helpless child. He probably pictured himself bringing that child out of a smoke filled house while giving rescue breaths. He collapses to the ground, barely able to breathe himself, with the child in his arms.
Suddenly—the child begins to cough. An oxygen mask is placed on the young boy as he is loaded into a waiting ambulance. Andy returns to his duties—life saved—now we need to put out that fire.
For 29 years, Andy risked his life to help others. He joined Parkwood Fire Department as a teenager. He later became a full-time firefighter. At the time of his death he was an Assistant Chief—still serving at the same department where he started.
From the first time that Andy put on the turnout gear, his life was on the line. Every firefighter knows that. However, a firefighter not only puts his life at risk to save others, he dedicates his life to the service of others. On call, 24 hours at a time, waiting for someone to call out for help.
On Sunday, March 1st, Andy was the one who called out for help. While serving as a chaperon on a ski trip for a group that included his son, he began to experience chest pains. When the paramedics arrived, Andy walked to the ambulance and climbed in under his own power.
No one would have ever expected that on the way to the hospital Andy would go into cardiac arrest. The medics did everything they could do. So did the doctors and nurses at the hospital. It seems tragic that a man who had dedicated his life to helping others could find no help on his day of trouble. There were lots of people that tried to help—but to no avail.
As I talked with Andy’s wife, Amanda, I struggled for the words to say that might bring comfort to her and to Colton. As we talked, her words were the ones bringing comfort to me.
Amanda told me that the last few years of Andy’s life had been his best. He had come to understand John 10:10 and what Jesus meant about giving him a full life—abundant life.
She told me that Andy did cry out for help many years ago. He cried out to Jesus and Jesus heard him. Jesus helped him. Jesus saved him from his sin and during the past few years Andy grew in his faith. By leaps and bounds—especially after the family moved to Rolesville.
Moving caused Andy and Amanda to seek out a new church where they met Pastor David Sims, and they all ended up together at Richland Creek Community Church.
The Lord used Pastor David and the church family at “The Creek” to build into Andy’s life and things changed for the Barringer family—to better than ever before. That is not to say that Andy,
Amanda and Colton did not face difficult circumstances over the past few years. Just like any other family they have had their share of hard times.
The big change was this—when looking back over the hard times they faced over the past few years, Amanda sees them as sweet times—because Andy had allowed Jesus to change his life and put things in proper perspective. Don’t miss the point—Jesus changed Andy’s life. Drastically.
Andy was changed and so was his family. Andy was the spiritual leader of his home and Jesus was at the center of everything they did. Together, they came to find out what a life of true “JOY” is all about.
Everybody is looking for joy in this dark and difficult world that we live in. If Andy could speak to you right now, he would want you to know that he found there is only one true source of joy—Jesus Christ. As Andy led his family to understand the proper perspective of life, he understood the word joy and that you can find joy by following the letters—J-O-Y.
J=Jesus: Simply put Jesus first in your life—in everything that you do—give Him first place and honor Him above all else. This comes by understanding the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
O=Others: Honor and serve others. Put the needs of other people before your own needs. Love people and serve them in a way that brings glory to God.
Y=You: That leaves you—last. Honor Jesus first and honor all others before yourself. Most people try to work this model upside down. Doesn’t work that way. I think Andy would want you to know that.
Many of you who are reading this knew Andy Barringer. Some of you are still grieving over his death. Life will never be the same again for some of you because of the void that Andy’s death leaves.
One thing I believe that my brother Andy would want you to remember about him is this—His life was changed forever by his relationship with Jesus Christ. He would want you to know that Jesus can bring you the same joy, peace and hope that he lived with here on earth.
Andy would also want you to know that you should not weep for him. Because of his faith in Jesus Christ, his hope has now become sight. The Savior that he trusted in faith here on earth is now his Savior by sight—forever—in heaven.
Colossians 1:4-6 NLT
When Andy Barringer was a child he had visions of being a hero. He could see himself rushing into a burning building to save a helpless child. He probably pictured himself bringing that child out of a smoke filled house while giving rescue breaths. He collapses to the ground, barely able to breathe himself, with the child in his arms.Suddenly—the child begins to cough. An oxygen mask is placed on the young boy as he is loaded into a waiting ambulance. Andy returns to his duties—life saved—now we need to put out that fire.
For 29 years, Andy risked his life to help others. He joined Parkwood Fire Department as a teenager. He later became a full-time firefighter. At the time of his death he was an Assistant Chief—still serving at the same department where he started.
From the first time that Andy put on the turnout gear, his life was on the line. Every firefighter knows that. However, a firefighter not only puts his life at risk to save others, he dedicates his life to the service of others. On call, 24 hours at a time, waiting for someone to call out for help.
On Sunday, March 1st, Andy was the one who called out for help. While serving as a chaperon on a ski trip for a group that included his son, he began to experience chest pains. When the paramedics arrived, Andy walked to the ambulance and climbed in under his own power.
No one would have ever expected that on the way to the hospital Andy would go into cardiac arrest. The medics did everything they could do. So did the doctors and nurses at the hospital. It seems tragic that a man who had dedicated his life to helping others could find no help on his day of trouble. There were lots of people that tried to help—but to no avail.
As I talked with Andy’s wife, Amanda, I struggled for the words to say that might bring comfort to her and to Colton. As we talked, her words were the ones bringing comfort to me.Amanda told me that the last few years of Andy’s life had been his best. He had come to understand John 10:10 and what Jesus meant about giving him a full life—abundant life.
She told me that Andy did cry out for help many years ago. He cried out to Jesus and Jesus heard him. Jesus helped him. Jesus saved him from his sin and during the past few years Andy grew in his faith. By leaps and bounds—especially after the family moved to Rolesville.
Moving caused Andy and Amanda to seek out a new church where they met Pastor David Sims, and they all ended up together at Richland Creek Community Church.
The Lord used Pastor David and the church family at “The Creek” to build into Andy’s life and things changed for the Barringer family—to better than ever before. That is not to say that Andy,
Amanda and Colton did not face difficult circumstances over the past few years. Just like any other family they have had their share of hard times.The big change was this—when looking back over the hard times they faced over the past few years, Amanda sees them as sweet times—because Andy had allowed Jesus to change his life and put things in proper perspective. Don’t miss the point—Jesus changed Andy’s life. Drastically.
Andy was changed and so was his family. Andy was the spiritual leader of his home and Jesus was at the center of everything they did. Together, they came to find out what a life of true “JOY” is all about.
Everybody is looking for joy in this dark and difficult world that we live in. If Andy could speak to you right now, he would want you to know that he found there is only one true source of joy—Jesus Christ. As Andy led his family to understand the proper perspective of life, he understood the word joy and that you can find joy by following the letters—J-O-Y.
J=Jesus: Simply put Jesus first in your life—in everything that you do—give Him first place and honor Him above all else. This comes by understanding the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
O=Others: Honor and serve others. Put the needs of other people before your own needs. Love people and serve them in a way that brings glory to God.
Y=You: That leaves you—last. Honor Jesus first and honor all others before yourself. Most people try to work this model upside down. Doesn’t work that way. I think Andy would want you to know that.
Many of you who are reading this knew Andy Barringer. Some of you are still grieving over his death. Life will never be the same again for some of you because of the void that Andy’s death leaves.One thing I believe that my brother Andy would want you to remember about him is this—His life was changed forever by his relationship with Jesus Christ. He would want you to know that Jesus can bring you the same joy, peace and hope that he lived with here on earth.
Andy would also want you to know that you should not weep for him. Because of his faith in Jesus Christ, his hope has now become sight. The Savior that he trusted in faith here on earth is now his Savior by sight—forever—in heaven.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Gunman Kills 4 Police Officers in Oakland, CA
Slain Oakland Cops Remembered as Proud Veterans
OAKLAND, Calif. — The shootings of four Oakland police officers on a single day was remarkable not just for its death toll, but for the years of law enforcement experience Mark Dunakin, John Hege, Ervin Romans and Daniel Sakai had racked up between them. Sakai, at 35 the youngest of the three officers killed Saturday by a 26-year-old parolee with two ...READ MORE
Related stories:
Oakland Police Department Stunned By a Day of Loss
Officer Down Memorial Page
.
Related stories:
Oakland Police Department Stunned By a Day of Loss
Officer Down Memorial Page
.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Andy Barringer, Assistant Chief, Parkwood Fire and Rescue, died on Sunday, March 1st.
Andy (pictured--on right) was a dear brother in the Lord. Everytime that we got together, our conversations always centered on serving Jesus and reaching others.
He was a faithful encourager to me and I will miss him. Pray for his family and for his extended family at Parkwood Fire and Rescue.
Barringer
DURHAM - Andy Barringer, 46, passed away Sunday evening in W. Virginia.
Andy was born in Salisbury. He moved in 1965 to Durham where he graduated from Jordan High School. Several years ago Andy moved his family to Rolesville and his life was transformed by Christ! He loved God and being at church with his family.
Andy was a godly and loving father to Colton.Andy was a deacon at Richland Creek Community Church, where he played in the church orchestra. Andy made several mission trips to South East Asia, Greece, W. Virginia, and France to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He enjoyed playing golf, especially with his golfing buddies at Hillandale Golf Club.
Andy served for 29 years at Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department. He has been assistant chief since 1997 and past president of the Durham County Fire Chief's Association.
He is survived by his wife, Amanda Aiken Barringer of Rolesville; son, Colton Barringer; parents, Peggy Eidson Barringer and James M. Barringer of Durham; and brother, Tony Barringer of Hillsborough.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church in Wake Forest with Pastor David Sims and Chaplain Mark Holland officiating. Burial will follow in Rolesville Cemetery.
A visitation is scheduled Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Clements Funeral Service in Durham. Pallbearers will be Keith Edmonds, Duane Webb, Archie Dinglasan, Troy Meachum, Mike Crawley and John Wright.
The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral Service in Durham. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Colton A. Barringer Scholarship Account, Suntrust Bank 401 S. Main Street Rolesville, NC 27571.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Emergency Chaplain's Web Site
Finally...
Our new website is up. Go to http://www.echap.org/ and check it out!
We have more to add---especially pictures. If you have pics I can use, send them to ChaplainRalph@yahoo.com
Many Blessings!
Chaplain Ralph
Our new website is up. Go to http://www.echap.org/ and check it out!
We have more to add---especially pictures. If you have pics I can use, send them to ChaplainRalph@yahoo.com
Many Blessings!
Chaplain Ralph
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