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.

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.