This week our county Sheriff's Dept. lost a young deputy (26 years old) when he was shot in the back and his bullet proof vest failed to protect him. The officer had only been with the department for a little over a year, and he had a wife and young child. The shooter was a career criminal and no reason was given for the shooting. He even shot at the police helicopters.
Apparently this was an ambush situation. The shooter called 911 stating that he had been robbed, then he waited for the officer to show up and shot him in the back with a 30/30 rifle. The shooter has a long history of violence that goes back to the age of 12. His most serious crimes up to now have been domestic violence with a weapon. I can't help wondering, knowing how many judges feel about DV, if this guy's potential for violence was underestimated because it was "just DV."
In true scumbag fashion, while every law enforcement agency in the area sped to the scene of the shooting, a whole bunch of opportunists starting robbing stores and banks in town. I guess they figured all the cops were busy, so they could get away with the robberies. Just like the jerks that loot businesses when a riot or local disaster is going on.
The funeral was today, and there were hundreds of law enforcement and corrections officers from as far away as Colorado, Texas, Arkansas. The Patriot Guard were there to help with the traffic and procession...over 300 of them. It was quite something.
RIP Deputy Brian Etheridge
-- Edited by Stuckinahs on Friday 2nd of October 2009 10:32:08 PM
You would think that the widow and family of a Sheriff's Deputy that was killed in the line of duty would not have to borrow money for the officer's funeral. I just assumed that the Sheriff's Dept. would foot the bill for the funeral. Not so. The widow had to borrow money to bury her husband.
The regional office of Papa John's Pizza is contributing a portion of all sales next week to the widow of the slain Sheriff's deputy to cover the costs of the funeral. Way to go Papa John's!
Regional Papa John's are donating their entire sales for Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun to the memorial fund. I am amazed at that. I went to pickup pizza tonight, and they also have donation buckets in the store. While waiting for my pizza, I saw A petition on the counter to protest the parole of a convicted child rapists and murderer, Donald Wacker. I've always liked Papa John's. Obviously they are an organization that cares about justice for victims. I'm really impressed.
A memorial fund has been established. Donations can be made at any Intrust Bank location to the Brian S. Etheridge Memorial Fund.
There's plenty of contact info if you want to make a donation. I can't say how strongly I feel about this,this man was a hero. He watched our backs so we could sleep better,he worked for the greater good of humanity. He was a family man with a wife and child.