Sergeant Michael Todd May

Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, West Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, February 18, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: February 18, 2012
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Charged with homicide

Agency Contact Information

Sheriff Al Kisner
Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department
155 Chancery Row
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: (304) 291-7260

Sergeant Michael May was killed while pursuing a vehicle across the West Virginia – Pennsylvania state line.
The vehicle had been involved in a hit-and-run accident shortly before 1:00 am. Approximately 20 minutes later, officers from the Granville Police Department stopped the vehicle and called for assistance from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department. The driver refused to exit the vehicle and then drove away with officers in pursuit.
The pursuit crossed into Pennsylvania and the driver got onto I-79 southbound back towards West Virginia. Approximately one mile north of the state line the driver rammed Sergeant May’s patrol car, causing it to crash. Sergeant May was transported to a hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, where he died a short time later.
The driver of the vehicle was charged with homicide by vehicle in Pennsylvania.
Sergeant May had served with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department for 10 years.

A Monongalia County Sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty early Saturday morning during a pursuit on Interstate 79. Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Michael Todd May was killed when he was involved in a two-vehicle collision on I-79 in Pennsylvania just across the West Virginia border.

“It just makes you sick,” said Monongalia County Sheriff Al Kisner. “He was more than just an employee, he was a friend.”

May was a ten-year veteran of the dept. leaves behind a father, mother, and brother.

At around 1 a.m. West Virginia State Police were called to investigate a hit and run crash along Easton Hill Road near Morgantown where police say 35-year-old Jerod Allen Green of Morgantown had struck another car with his truck.

Police say Green was spotted by officers with the Granville Police Dept. travelling along Route 100. Granville officers pulled Green over while deputies from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Dept. assisted in the stop.

Green, who appeared to be intoxicated, refused to get out of his vehicle and instead Green allegedly sped away initiating a chase with law enforcement. Police chased Green into Pennsylvania on PA State Route 19. Green then turned east toward I-79 and entered the highway head southbound back toward Morgantown.

Sheriff Kisner says Sgt. May was parked along the highway inside the Pennsylvania state line, in front of the pursuit with the goal of getting in ahead of Green to slow him down and end the chase. However, as the chase approached, Green slammed into Sgt. May’s cruiser. May was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he died from the injuries suffered in the collision.

May was 41.

Meanwhile, Green was taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police and is facing multiple charges including homicide of a law enforcement officer. Blood tests to determine Blood Alcohol Content are still pending.

The investigation is ongoing.

Detective David White

Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, February 16, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 6518

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 16, 2012
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Agency Contact Information

Sheriff Rick Beseler
Clay County Sheriff’s Office
PO Box 548
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone: (904) 264-6512

Detective David White was shot and killed during a raid of a suspected drug house on the 4800 block of Alligator Boulevard, in Middleburg, at approximately 6:30 p.m. The home was occupied by six squatters who were using it as a meth lab.
As Detective White and another detective approached the front door one of the occupants immediately opened fire, striking both of them. The subject then ran through the home and tried to flee through a back door, where he encountered another deputy who fatally shot him.
The five other occupants of the home were taken into custody.
Detective White was a military veteran and served with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for nine years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Loving family man. Great neighbor. Devoted patriot. Dedicated public servant. Top-notch cop.

First Coast native David Adam White was that and then some well before a gunman protecting a meth lab took the Clay County detective’s life Thursday night. It was the first death committed by a criminal on a Clay deputy in 99 years.

A review of White’s Sheriff’s Office personnel file tells part of his story. So does neighbor Michele Thompson, who’s known the father of two for about five years. White and his wife, Jennifer, have a 4-year-old daughter and 5-month-old son.

Thompson describes the Whites as "nice, good people who anyone would want as a friend or a neighbor."

"He’s just an all-around great guy," said Thompson, 42, who lives two houses from White on a private, sandy road north of Green Cove Springs. "They’re very family-oriented. I think that was always his top priority, just from the vibes I got from him."

And listen to David Ratliff, who served with White in Iraq in the Army Reserves.

“He was the type of solider who always put the needs of the country first before his own,” Ratliff said. “He was extremely patriotic.”

Sheriff Rick Beseler spoke for White’s many co-workers, who consoled each other and White’s family privately.

"He was just one of the finest officers and military men that I’ve ever met," Beseler said. "He was just an unbelievably nice individual that we will sorely miss."

White, 35, was born in Jacksonville and later moved to Clay County. He graduated from Middleburg High School in 1995, a notation made in a memorial on the school’s marquee this morning.

His police personnel file shows he joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1996 and became a military police officer and platoon commander. He spent a short stint serving in Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Guard from August 1997 to April 1998.

He attended St. Johns River Community College and then graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2001 with a criminal justice degree.

He joined the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in 2002, then took leave to serve as a military policeman during the initial stages of the Iraq war during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

While in the Reserves, White received a series of medals and ribbons including the War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sharpshooter badge with a proficiency in the use of rifles and grenades. He served in Iraq and Kuwait from May 2003 to June 2004. He left the Reserves as a corporal.

Ratliff, a staff sergeant with the 351st Military Police Detachment 1 in Jacksonville, served with White in Iraq from 2003 to 2004.  He lost touch with him until just recently, when they both reconnected on Facebook.

Ratliff, 39, said White had good sense of humor and was always upbeat when they served together. He called White a good friend and devoted soldier.

"He was always a treat to be around," Ratliff said.

White rejoined the Sheriff’s Office later that year. He worked in various positions including patrol and the investigations unit, most recently serving in the narcotics section. Beseler said White was a humble deputy who shied away from attention, but always sought to be on the front line in the fight against crime.

"He was so anxious to be out there in the thick of things," Beseler said.

White’s file includes a number of letters of commendation and awards.

Most recently White was named the deputy of the month of the Sheriff’s Office operations bureau in August 2011.

The award, given by Sheriff Rick Beseler, recognized him for his work investigating a pain-management clinic in Orange Park. The lengthy investigation led to a series of arrests and the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Beseler and White’s superiors recognized him for his “professionalism and teamwork” in what was the first investigation of its magnitude for Clay’s narcotics unit.

He also was recognized for his work locating and dismantling meth labs, the 2009 traffic stop of suspects later charged in a burglary and as part of a team that set a new section record for clearing cases, including numerous burglaries, in 2008.

White’s work with the community stands out in an email in 2005 by a man who was having trouble with a prowler in his neighborhood. The writer, Elbert McCall, praised White for acting professionally and being a patient listener.

“He has helped renew my faith in the Sheriff’s Department,” McCall wrote.

Also in 2005 a woman called the Sheriff’s Office to commend White after a neighbor attacked her dog. The victim praised White for staying with her and following up on the incident the next day. And in 2004 a woman wrote a letter thanking White for his kindness in helping her fix a flat tire.

Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Mary Justino said this morning that White’s family is asking for people to respect their privacy. No family spokesperson has been chosen to speak on his behalf.

Cars came and went along the dirt road leading to the house. A sergeant outside the home politely told a reporter "now isn’t the time" for anyone in the family to speak publicly.

Beseler described White’s tight-knit family as very distraught. He met with them at Orange Park Medical Center Thursday night after White was transported there.

"They are absolutely destroyed over this," Beseler said. "This is going to be something they’ll never recover from. It’s hard to describe the pain and anguish that I saw."

Outside Clay County Transmission, a business near White’s home, the marquee read: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the CCSO (Clay County Sheriff’s Office) and the White family." Next door, at the county’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, a group of officers and others gathered outside quietly at 1 p.m. for a remembrance of White. A deputy on the property said no one was ready to talk.

A somber Beseler bowed his head and clasped his hands in front of him during a moment of silence observed at the Sheriff’s Office this morning.

At his afternoon press conference, Beseler noted that White took pride serving as the bugler in the Sheriff’s Office honor guard. He also recalled how his uniform was always immaculate and how he always saluted with perfection. Beseler recalled one salute in particular.

"I told him later on, I said, ‘I can tell the guys who are former military. When you render that salute, you do it the right way.’ He smiled and beamed with pride," Beseler said. "He knew how to give a good salute."

Thompson, the neighbor, said another neighbor told her this morning about White’s death.

"I said, ‘Damn. Damn, damn, damn.’ I was just in shock," Thompson said. "To lose such a good person is very sad."

Former battlefield companion Ratliff said he was left speechless when he learned about White’s death, also this morning.

"We are losing an outstanding former soldier, and outstanding deputy sheriff, father and husband," Ratliff said. "The world now is a lesser place because of what this [killer] did and took from us."

A viewing for White will be held on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Russell Haven of Rest Funeral Home at 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs. The funeral will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Middleburg at 2645 Blanding Blvd, Middleburg. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at the Russell Haven of Rest Funeral Home.

The Sheriff’s Office plans to provide a map of the funeral route Saturday once it is finalized.

Donations to assist White’s family can be made at the Heritage Bank of Orange Park in the name of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Humanitarian Fund, account number 1520387212.

Reserve Deputy Don Williams

Dale County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 55
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: 26-77

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: February 8, 2012
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Agency Contact Information

Sheriff Wally Olson
Dale County Sheriff’s Office
100 Court Square
Ozark, AL 36360
Phone: (334) 774-2335

Reserve Deputy Don Williams died after being involved in a single vehicle accident on South Union Avenue, near Martin Street, in Ozark.
He had just completed serving civil papers when his patrol car left the roadway and struck several parked cars. It is believed that he may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the accident.
Deputy Williams had served as a reserve deputy with the Dale County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years. He is survived by his wife and six children.

Seventeen years ago, a young Dale County Sheriff’s jailer began working alongside a sheriff’s reserve deputy who would influence his life in several ways.

That jailer is now Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson, and the reserve deputy was Don Williams.

Williams died Wednesday night after his patrol vehicle wrecked while on the way home from work. Ozark Police Chief Tony Spivey said it appeared Williams suffered some sort of medical episode before the vehicle crashed.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no one else was injured, according to Spivey.

Olson said Williams was a reserve civil process server for the department and had just finished serving papers before the incident. As a reserve deputy, most his work for the county was completed for free.

"Don was just an extraordinary individual – the way he made people feel, his energy and the pride he had in the sheriff’s department. He has been through a lot, but the one thing he’s always done was take care of his family and never complained about anything. We’ve literally grown up together as a family in this department," Olson said.

"He will never be able to be replaced."

Williams’ brother-in-law, David Jerkins, said Williams also served as a security guard for Southeast Alabama Medical Center.

“He was well-loved by the family and an all-around nice guy.  He’s known by a lot of people and for ages and ages he’s served,” Jerkins said.

“It’s a tragic loss. No matter how much you prepare for everything, you just never expect it.”

Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams said Williams was a hardworking deputy who was dedicated to his position.

“What is a big loss for the law enforcement community tonight is an even bigger loss to the community in general. (Williams) will be dearly missed,” Adams said.

Police Officer Steven Green

Mobile Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch: Friday, February 3, 2012

Biographical Info

Age:
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 8 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: February 3, 2012
Weapon Used: Edged weapon
Suspect Info: Deceased

Agency Contact Information

Chief of Police Michael T. Williams
Mobile Police Department
2460 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36606
Phone: (251) 208-1700

Police Officer Steven Green was stabbed to death by a prisoner outside of the Mobile County Metro Jail at approximately 3:50 pm.
The subject had been arrested by an off duty police officer earlier in the day when he attempted to rob a dollar store. He had approached the store’s checkout counter, demanded money, then lit the counter on fire after spraying it with lighter fluid. An off duty officer shopping in the store tackled him and took him into custody.
He was processed at the police station and was being transported to the county jail by Officer Green when he attacked and fatally stabbed Officer Green outside of the jail complex. The subject then stole the officer’s service weapon and patrol car. Other officers pursued the suspect to a home off of Dauphin Island Parkway where he engaged them in a shootout, wounding one officer in the arm. The suspect suffered a fatal gunshot wound during the exchange of shots.
Officer Green had served with the Mobile Police Department for 20 months. He is survived by his wife and children.

MOBILE, Alabama –

Video shows Lawrence Wallace Junior hours before he fatally stabbed the police officer. Handcuffed with his arms behind his back, Wallace is very talkative, playing to the news cameras. It’s as though he’s enjoying telling us what he’s getting ready to do.

News 5 has shared this video with Mobile police, when we slow it down, Wallace appears to fold the pendant and slide something out of it and slip it in between his fingers. This is what he says afterward, "I’ll be out before I reach down there."

After he gets in the back of the police car, and the door shuts. He smiles for the cameras. Still running his mouth he says, I’ll see y’all in a minute. This is all part of the movie man. I’ll see y’all in a minute".

What we didn’t know about this movie as he smugly called it was the officer you see to the left opening the door to the police car, would be victim to his deadly plot; officer Steven Green.

Wallace stabbed officer green inside the sally port of metro jail. One witness says he never even saw the weapon. "What saw was whenever the police officers bringing him in, take off the handcuffs, the black man stabbed. Took off in the officer’s car, crashed..docking station..all i saw from there".

Armed with a gun Wallace took off for a neighborhood off Dauphin Island parkway in the officer’s car. He ran underneath this house on Daytona drive. Where she shot a second officer. After holding sharpshooters, tactical units, and swat team members at bay for three and a half hours, Wallace’s movie came to silent end, with him in a body bag, and the community with one less officer to serve and protect.

Master Corporal Sandra "Sandy" E. Rogers

Aiken Department of Public Safety, South Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, January 28, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 27 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 28, 2012
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Agency Contact Information

Director of Public Safety Charles Barranco
Aiken Department of Public Safety
251 Laurens Street NW
PO Box 1177
Aiken, SC 29802
Phone: (803) 642-7620

Master Corporal Sandy Rogers was shot and killed while responding to a call for a suspicious vehicle at Eustis Park at approximately 7:50 am. Master Corporal Rogers arrived on scene and radioed that she was approaching a blue vehicle. Another officer called for her one minute later and did not receive a response.
Master Corporal Rogers was transported to Aiken Regional Medical Centers where she succumbed to her wounds.
The subject was linked to another shooting in Richmond County, Georgia, earlier in the day. He was apprehended in Batesville-Leesville several hours later.
Master Corporal Rogers was a 27 year veteran of the Aiken Department of Public Safety and a lifelong resident of Aiken County.

For the second time in just over a month, an Aiken police officer has been killed.

Master Cpl. Sandy Rogers, 48 and a 27-year veteran of the force, was shot while investigating a suspicious vehicle in an Aiken park about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, said Aiken Department of Public Safety Director Charles Barranco. She later died at an area hospital, he said.

State Law Enforcement Division spokeswoman Kathryn Richardson said Joshua Tremaine Jones, 26, was arrested in connection with the shooting about 11:30 a.m. Saturday in a Batesburg-Leesville home. Jones will be charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. SLED has taken over investigation of the shooting.

The Aiken Standard newspaper reports that Jones, of North Augusta, was linked Saturday afternoon to another killing. According to Georgia officials, he is a suspect in the killing of his pregnant 21-year-old girlfriend, Cayce Vice. She was found dead at her apartment about 10:30 a.m. Saturday by officers doing a welfare check because Vice had not shown up for her job. It wasn’t clear Saturday night how long she had been dead or how she was killed.

Jones has been convicted of gun violations in Aiken County and was sentenced to 108 days in prison, according to Aiken County public records. A full criminal record was unavailable Saturday.

Barranco said Rogers had an associate’s degree in business from Aiken Techinical College and was a field training officer. She had received the force’s distinguished service and life saving awards. At a press conference Saturday night, Barranco said he appreciated the public’s support as his department mourns the loss of another officer.

“I’d like to thank this community for standing next to us again,” he said.

This is the third shooting involving an Aiken Public Safety officer in just over a month. Officer Scotty Richardson was shot and killed in a traffic stop at an apartment complex Dec. 20. Scotty Richardson lived in Lexington County, had a wife and three children and was a 12-year veteran of the force. Another officer was shot in that incident as well, but survived. Stephon Carter, 19, was charged with murder and attempted murder in the incident.

For Scotty Richardson’s friends, Saturday’s shooting was especially troubling. Redina Nettles and Angie Holdorff were selling magnetic car ribbons to raise money for the fallen officer’s wife, Amelyn, Saturday at an Aiken community center. Nettles said the shooting put a damper on the day.

“Everybody is in shock,” she said. “It’s the second officer in a month’s time, and I am just at a loss for words.”

Gerry Owens was at the fundraiser as well. He said the news stirs up emotions from just a month ago.

“This opens up a fresh wound once again, and our thoughts and prayers are with the officer who was shot this morning,” he said. “It’s just senseless and unfortunate.”

Senior Police Officer Gail Thomas

Atlanta Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: January 24, 2012
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Charged with vehicular homicide

Agency Contact Information

Chief George Turner
Atlanta Police Department
226 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 614-6544

Senior Police Officer Gail Thomas was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while assisting other officers with a traffic incident on the exit ramp from southbound I-75 to northbound I-85.
She had just exited her vehicle when she was struck. The drunk driver was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, DUI, and reckless driving.
Officer Thomas had served with the Atlanta Police Department for 15 years.

Police have identified the officer who was killed by an alleged drunk driver Tuesday night near the Downtown Connector.

Senior Police Officer Gail D. Thomas, 46, was helping another officer when she was killed., Atlanta police spokesman Mr. Carlos Campos said.

A Zone 5 officer arrived at 11 p.m. to handle a single car accident on the ramp to I-85 north from I-75 south.

The officer called for additional units to assist with traffic control while the investigation was conducted.

Officer Thomas was the second officer to arrive. Shortly after exiting her vehicle, she was struck by an oncoming vehicle, Mr. Campos said.

Officer Thomas had just started her watch when she was killed.

Police have charged the driver, Ms. Chasity Jones, of Stone Mountain, with first-degree vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and reckless driving, Mr. Campos said.The 22-year-old blew a .16 on the scene and refused consent for a state administered blood alcohol reading, Mr. Campos said.

However, a search warrant was obtained and blood was retrieved at Grady Memorial Hospital, he said.

Ms. Jones is expected to have her first court appearance Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, the department mourns the loss of one of their own.

Officer Katie Riester, who lowered the flag outside the police headquarters to half-staff Wednesday morning, remembered her fallen colleague as a “great police officer” who “loved policing.”

“She will be so missed by everyone here,” Officer Riester told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“She was such a sweet person,” Officer Riester said. “Her smile was just infectious; she could just brighten up a room.”

Former Atlanta police Major John Woodard, who once supervised Officer Thomas, agreed. He told the AJC in an e-mail that the officer "always had a smile on her face."

"Gail was one of the nicest people that you would ever want to meet," Maj. Woodard said. "Her death will leave a hole in the hearts of those who knew her."

Officer Thomas had been a city employee for 20 years, 15 of which she served as a police officer.

“I am deeply saddened that one of our police officers lost her life in the line of duty last night,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said.  “Senior Police Officer Thomas was a veteran police officer whose sense of duty and commitment to public safety inspired many of her fellow officers.  The City of Atlanta is quiet as we mourn this terrible loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with her family and colleagues during this difficult time.”

To get updates and to read more local news stories, go to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-Public-Safety-Examiner/195837070474348#!/pages/Atlanta-Public-Safety-Examiner/195837070474348?sk=wall

Deputy Sheriff James I. Thacker

Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky
End of Watch: Monday, January 23, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 53
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 71

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: January 23, 2012
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Agency Contact Information

Sheriff Charles Keesee
Pike County Sheriff’s Department
146 Main Street #204
Pikeville, KY 41501
Phone: (606) 432-6260

Deputy Sheriff James Thacker was killed in an automobile accident on U.S. 460, just past Marrowbone Creek Road, at approximately 9:00 pm.
He was returning to Elkhorn City from Pikeville at the end of his shift when an SUV crossed the center line and struck his patrol car head-on. The SUV then collided with another vehicle. Deputy Thacker succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Pike County Sheriff’s Deputy James I. Thacker died while on duty after a car crash Monday night near Marrowbone on U.S. 460.

Sheriff Fuzzy Keesee says Thacker was serving papers on his way home to Elkhorn City when the wreck happened.

State police spent most of the Tuesday investigating the three-vehicle crash and say an SUV crossed the center line and hit Thacker’s cruiser. Another vehicle also hit the cars after the collision.

The sheriff says Thacker will always be remembered for his service to Pike County.

“He was kind and compassionate, he treated everyone else like he wanted to be treated, he was that kind of person just an excellent officer,” Sheriff Keesee said.

Keesee says Thacker joined the department just last year but served as a constable for four years before becoming a Sheriff’s Deputy.

A Pike County Sheriff’s cruiser now sits in front of the courthouse, draped in black and a wreath on top in memory of 53 year old James I. Thacker.

Sheriff Charles "Fuzzy" Keesee says Thacker always answered the call of duty to help people.

Monday night, the call for help was for Thacker.
The Sheriff says Thacker was serving papers on his way home to Elkhorn City. He never made it.
State police say an SUV, driven by 47 year old David Childers of Ashcamp, hit Thacker head on.

"The preliminary investigation indicates Childers was traveling westbound, and as he was traveling he lost control of his vehicle, once he lost control, it crossed the center line into the east bound lane of traffic. Deputy Thacker was traveling eastbound, when Childers vehicle crossed the center line, it struck the Pike County Sheriff’s Department cruiser," said Trooper Shaun Little, Kentucky State Police.

The dozens of police who answered the call to help Thacker could not save him. He died at the scene. It was a scene the Sheriff will never forget.
"His family was there. I talked to them, had a prayer with them. We were all saddened," said Sheriff Keesee.

State police are still investigating what caused Childers to allegedly lose control and cause the crash. Troopers are reconstructing the wreck on US-460.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s department is coming together to remember their friend and fallen officer.

"It’s going to be a great loss to the community around us," said Sheriff Keesee.

Visitation for Thacker starts Wednesday night at The Community Funeral home in Coon Creek. His funeral is Friday at 1:00 at East Ridge High School.

State police say David Childers went to Pikeville Medical Center on Monday night after the crash. There is no word on his condition.

Police say the people in the third car involved in the crash were not injured.

State police are investigating what caused the crash, which involved three vehicles.

Thacker was a husband, a father of four, a grandfather and a former road foreman.

Officer Garret Davis

Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii
End of Watch: Saturday, January 21, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 3018

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: January 21, 2012
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Agency Contact Information

Chief Louis Kealoha
Honolulu Police Department
801 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 529-3111

Officer Garret Davis was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car was rear-ended on H-1, near the Kaonohi Street overpass, at approximately 8:20 pm.
He had stopped his marked patrol car behind a stalled vehicle on the left shoulder. Before he was able to exit his car it was struck from behind by another vehicle and burst into flames.
Officer Davis suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Two civilians were also injured in the crash.
Officer Davis had served with the Honolulu Police Department for three years.

Police Chief Louis Kealoha identified the officer who was killed Saturday night while helping stranded motorists on the H-1 freeway as 3-year patrol officer Garret Davis as Kealoha urged Honolulu drivers to drive more carefully.

"People gotta slow down on the highways," Kealoha said today at HPD headquarters, where a memorial to Davis was set up.

Davis, 28, graduated from the HPD academy in 2008 with the 161st cadet class.

He grew up in Folsom, Calif., attended San Francisco State University and moved to Honolulu to join the police department, HPD spokeswoman Caroline Sluyter said.

Davis has a young daughter who lives in California, Sluyter said. Services are pending.

Davis was assigned to the Wahiawa sub-station and was delivering paperwork to the main headquarters on Beretania Street when he stopped in the far, left-hand lane of the east-bound, H-1 freeway at the Kaonohi Street overpass in Aiea to help a 32-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman in a stalled vehicle, Kealoha said.

He had turned on the blue lights to his patrol car when he was allegedly struck from behind by a 41-year-old man driving a Chevrolet Silverado, Kealoha said.

"Officer Davis turned on his blue lights and stopped behind the stalled vehicle to shield it from on-coming traffic and to alert other drivers to the stall," Kealoha said.

Davis’ patrol car was then rammed into the stalled vehicle and caught on fire, Kealoha said.

"He didn’t even have a chance to get out," Kealoha said.

Emergency Medical Services personnel said the officer’s car was hit at 8:19 p.m., sending it crashing into a pickup truck.

The couple Davis was trying to help was taken to a hospital in guarded condition, Kealoha said.

The driver of the Silverado was arrested for investigation of negligent homicide when he was released from a hospital, Kealoha said.

The collision occurred in clear weather but investigators are trying to determine whether speed or alcohol were factors, Kealoha said.

"Officer Davis was a fine young officer beginning his career in HPD," Kealoha said.

In 2010, Davis received the HPD certificate of merit for helping save a suicidal woman two miles off-shore in Haleiwa while riding on a Honolulu lifeguard personal watercraft.

"Although not a swimmer himself, Officer Davis assisted lifeguards on a personal watercraft and was able to bring the woman ashore safely," Kealoha said. "Last night he was again trying to help others when the fatal collision occurred. … We are devastated by his loss but we send our prayers and condolences to his family. This is the second time in less than six months that an HPD officer has been killed on our roadways. Our officers risk their lives daily to protect our community and I am pleading with all of you to help protect them while driving with care when you see them performing their duties on our highways."

On Sept. 13, James Dorsey Mancao’s pickup truck plowed into police cars stopped beside Farrington Highway near Ko Olina. Officer Eric Fontes was struck and killed, and officer Herman Scanlan was injured.

Emergency workers are pushing lawmakers to pass a bill requiring motorists to give a one-lane safety cushion, or to slow down, when driving around an emergency vehicle stopped on the road.

Sergeant Barbara Ester

Arkansas Department of Correction, Arkansas
End of Watch: Friday, January 20, 2012

Biographical Info

Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: January 20, 2012
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Shank
Suspect Info: In custody

Agency Contact Information

Director Ray Hobbs
Arkansas Department of Correction
PO Box 8707
Pine Bluff, AR 71611
Phone: (870) 267-6999

Sergeant Barbara Ester was stabbed to death by an inmate at the East Arkansas Regional Unit in Brickeys, Arkansas.
She had observed an inmate in possession of contraband pair of sneakers and entered the open barracks to confiscate them. As she approached the inmate he suddenly stabbed her twice in the stomach with a shank.
Sergeant Ester was flown to a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where she succumbed to her wounds.
The inmate, who had was serving a life sentence for murder, was immediately taken into custody and transferred to the maximum security wing of the prison.
Sergeant Ester had served with the Arkansas Department of Correction for 12 years. She is survived by her husband, who also serves as an officer at the same facility.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—A convicted murderer stabbed a female guard to death at an east Arkansas prison Friday while she was investigating whether he had an unauthorized pair of shoes, a prison spokeswoman said.

Sgt. Barbara Ester, 47, was stabbed in the side, abdomen and chest at about 12:30 p.m., said Shea Wilson, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Department of Correction. Ester died about 3 p.m. at a hospital in Memphis, Tenn., about 40 miles away.

Ester, a 12-year veteran of the correction department, was a property officer who investigated whether inmates had contraband items. Wilson said the guard had received a report that Johnson had a pair of contraband shoes.

"This is obviously very difficult for the department when something tragic like this happens," Wilson said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Ester’s family. These officers — it’s a tight-knit workplace. They look out for each other and are there together for a lot of hours of the day, so this is very difficult for everyone."

Wilson said the prison was locked down after the attack and that the inmate, Latavious Johnson, was being moved to the state’s maximum-security unit at Varner. She said all the other inmates have been accounted for. Prison officials haven’t said specifically what Johnson used during the attack, only that it was an object that had been sharpened.

Johnson, 30, was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder out of Jefferson County. He was sentenced in 2000 for killing his father. Prosecutors said Johnson was 18 at the time of the crime.

Wilson said Johnson had had several disciplinary infractions, including one this week for not obeying orders, but hadn’t previously attacked a guard.

"We will move him to the supermax (prison) so he will be out of that environment … He needed to be out of that environment," Wilson said.

Arkansas State Police and the prison’s internal affairs staff were investigating the stabbing. Wilson said authorities would turn over their information to prosecutors, who will determine whether to file charges against the inmate.