End of Watch: Thursday, September 13, 2012

Police Officer Brad Fox, one day short of his 35th birthday,  was shot and killed while involved in a foot pursuit along the Schuylkill River Trail, near the intersection of Conshohocken and Ernest Station Roads.

He and other officers had been investigating an accident when the driver of a vehicle drove around traffic stopped at the scene, prompting the officers to pursue the vehicle. The vehicle, which was later determined to be stolen, struck another car before the driver fled on foot along the trail.

Officer Fox radioed for backup and began searching for the suspect with his canine, Nick. As they walked up a hill adjacent to railroad tracks, the suspect emerged from an ambush position and opened fire, killing Officer Fox and wounding K9 Nick. The murderer then fatally shot himself in the chest twice. Investigation determined that the subject was on felony probation at the time, and was also the prime suspect in the disappearance of his fiancee in 1999.  READ MORE abc 6 Action News 14 September 2012

With all the election hype and Sandy and all the other things in our lives, it is important to remember.

End of Watch: Sunday, June 7, 2009

State Trooper Joshua D. Miller, 34, of Pittston Township, was killed June 7, 2009 during a shoot-out with a kidnapping suspect following a 40-mile, high-speed pursuit that ended on Route 611 in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County. Miller and his partner, Robert Lombardo, were shot, but returned fire and killed the suspect, allowing other officers to free a 9-year-old boy from the gunman’s car. Lombardo attended the ceremony honoring his fallen friend.

A post office in Pittston, Pennsylvania was rededicated to Trooper Joshua D. Miller so they we all can remember what he did and why he did it…to protect and defend us. READ MORE Citizens Voice 25 October 2012

\

End of Watch: Wednesday, June 29, 2011

28 Year Old Deputy Sheriff Berks County Kyle Pagerly was shot and killed June 29, 2011 while serving a warrant as part of a fugitive task force at a home on Pine Swamp Road in Albany Township.

           End of Watch: Sunday, January 19, 1975

Act 58 of 2012    May 29 of 2012   SB 1429

30 year old Corporal Paul Walters Memorial Bridge During a routine arrest, Officer Paul Walters was killed.   READ MORE

Patrolman George Martin
Carlisle Police Department

End of Watch: April 8, 1893

26 year old Patrolman George Martin was shot and killed by a burglar he pursued into a alley near South Street. Two days later the suspect was arrested by police in  Winchester, Virginia.  The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and hanged on March 1, 1894, less than a year later.
Read more: Officer Down Memorial Page Patrolman George Martin April 8, 1893

I included this to contrast the  murder of John Willis Cole, 101 years later, where the defendant’s death penalty is really a life sentence of endless appeals.READ MORE  Attorneys for Harrisburg man facing execution for killing New Cumberland police officer eye more appeals April 10, 2012, JOHN BEAUGE The Patriot-News

End of Watch: August 19, 1994

30 year old Patrolman Willis John Cole   killed by .38 handgun during course of apprehending armed robbers.
New Cumberland Police Department

Officer Willis Cole was shot and killed after responding to a robbery in progress. Officer Cole arrived at the scene and was apprehending one of the suspects when another came around the building and opened fire on him. Officer Cole was shot in the chest, and was not wearing his vest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.  Read more

Both suspects fled but were captured within 45 minutes of the shooting, both were convicted, with one sentenced to life in prison and the other given a death sentence.
Read more: Officer Down Memorial Page Willis John Cole

Donald Cole’s greatest fear is that people will forget about his son, Willis Cole, a New Cumberland police officer shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a coin shop robbery in 1994. READ MORE 19 September 2012 Site Dedicated to Officers Down  Dan Miller Patriot-News

The defendant’s death penalty is really a life sentence of endless appeals.READ MORE  Attorneys for Harrisburg man facing execution for killing New Cumberland police officer eye more appeals April 10, 2012, JOHN BEAUGE The Patriot-News   Compare with consequences to murderer of Officer George Martin on April 8, 1893.

                End of Watch: Monday, December 19, 2011

46 year old John David Dryer, Claysville, died Monday, December 19, 2011, as a result of a gunshot wound suffered in the line of duty. READ MORE Suspect in officer killing shot dead  Post-Gazette 19 December 2011  and Veterinarian turned cop felled by shots Post-Gazette 20 December 2011

An interchange in Washington County has been dedicated to Officer Dryer’s memory  Act 115 of 2012 July 5 HB 2215

Three days after the bloody siege on our consulate in Benghazi, the Taliban waged an intricately coordinated, brutal attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Christopher Raible and Sgt. Bradley Atwell — have not been uttered publicly by the commander-in-chief. Their arrival back in the U.S. was not broadcast on network TV. But their brothers-in-arms did not and will not forget.  READ  MORE 28 September 2012 Deafening silence about the Camp Bastion attack Michelle Malkin

20 Years Old (Nov. 6, 1990 to Jan. 12, 2011)  U.S. Army Specialist Jarrid L. King, of Harborcreek Township near Erie, died in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, after enemy forces attacked his unit with an explosive device on Wednesday, the Department of Defense said. He was 20. (The Army on Friday awarded Mr. King a posthumous promotion to corporal.) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Jan. 12, 2011

READ MORE: Military Wall of Honor Facebook

A bridge in Harborcreek, Erie County, Pennsylvania, has been dedicated to his memory. Act 19 of 2012     HB 1355

    Killed in Action FEBRUARY 23, 1969 – Dau Tieng Base Camp, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of South Vietnam, and home of the 44th Scout Dog Platoon. Born January 24, 1945 - 24 years old when he was killed.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Staff Sergeant Hartsock, distinguished himself in action while serving as section leader with the 44th Infantry Platoon Scout Dogs. When the Dau Tieng Base Camp came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, Staff Sergeant Hartsock and his platoon commander spotted an enemy sapper squad which had infiltrated the camp undetected. Realizing the enemy squad was heading for the brigade tactical operations center and nearby prisoner compound, they concealed themselves and, although heavily outnumbered, awaited the approach of the hostile soldiers.

When the enemy was almost upon them Staff Sergeant Hartsock and his platoon commander opened fire on the squad. As a wounded enemy soldier fell, he managed to detonate a satchel charge he was carrying. Staff Sergeant Hartsock, with complete disregard for his life, threw himself on the charge and was gravely wounded.

In spite of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Hartsock crawled about 5 meters to a ditch and provided heavy suppressive fire, completely pinning down the enemy and allowing his commander to seek shelter. Staff Sergeant Hartsock continued his deadly stream of fire until he succumbed to his wounds.

Staff Sergeant Hartsock’s extraordinary heroism and profound concern for the lives of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army

A bridge in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, has been dedicated to his memory Act 44 of 2012 HB 2045