The last twenty-four hours have left several law enforcement agencies across the United States reeling.  ResponderSafety.com said this was the worst day they have seen.  An Essex County, NY Sheriff’s Deputy and a Missouri State Trooper were both killed and a Sherriff’s Deputy from Ohio remains in critical condition in “struck-bys”  .  Essex County Deputy Eric Loiselle was conducting a traffic stop when he was hit by a tractor-trailer.  Deputy Loiselle died at the scene.  Missouri State Trooper Corporal John Anthony ”Jay” Sampietro was directing traffic around other troopers who were reconstructing an accident scene when he was struck by a SUV.  An ambulance escorted by Highway Patrol cars was escorted to the hosptial, but doctors were unable to save Corporal Sampietro.  Officials said Franklin County, Ohio Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Williams was completing paperwork from an unrelated crash when his cruiser was hit by a dump truck.  He remains in critical condition.

If this is not heart-breaking enough, Corporal Sampietro’s wife, Jennifer, was also on duty when her husband was killed.  She is a dispatcher for the Missouri Highway Patrol.  Today Jennifer will have to explain to her two children that Daddy will never come back home.  Several states away, another law enforcement officer’s wife will hold her two-year-old son and pray that he will have some memory of his father Deputy Eric Loiselle.

These tragedies do not include the seventy-second North Carolina State Trooper to be hit in less than three years who was injured last week when he was struck by a motorist.  Trooper Michael McLamb will be recovering for weeks.

According to the Officer’s Down Memorial Page (http://www.odmp.org), automobile accidents, including vehicular assault, are the leading cause of death for law enforcement officers nationwide in 2005.  Before your husband, wife, son or friend becomes the next statistic, please take the time to tell everyone you know to MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES!  Send a copy of this e-mail to everyone in your address book, print it and hang it up at your workplace or in your church, print it, copy it and post it in your neighborhoods.  Whatever it takes, we all have a responsibility.

Currently, FORS has raised 5% of our $30,000 goal.  Please help us with the other 95%.  Lives do depend on it.  Please mail your tax deductible donations to FORS 141 Spirea Drive Waynesville, NC  28785.  Today, we can only offer our thoughts and prayers to the Sampietro’s and the Loiselle’s.  There is nothing more we can do to bring their husbands and fathers home.  For the tens of thousands of law enforcement officers, emergency workers and tow truck drivers across the country we can do something.  Please help us before another tragedy occurs.  No, we cannot stop them all, but if we can prevent one, it could be the one that you love.

Please mark your calenders with the following informaiton…

The 4th annual CALVIN TAYLOR TOY RIDE will be held on September 10!  Visit webpages.charter.net/calvintaylortoyride/ for more information!

2005 TROOPER AG COGDILL MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Saturday, October 8, 2005

12Noon

Waynesville Country Club

Captains Choice…make up your own foursome by registering together.

Golf, Social & Hors D’oeuvers $90

Mulligans $5

Red Tees $5

Social & Hors D’oeuvers $25

HOLE SPONSOR $125

CART SPONSOR $125

Registration Deadline: Sept. 24, 2005

Checks Payable to: AG Cogdill Scholarship Fund

Send to AG Cogdill Golf Tournament

c/o Stan Cogdill

345 Allens Creek Road

Waynesville, NC  28785

Any questions, contact Stan Cogdill 828-246-3442

I was out of town to send out our July Update and will be out of town to do an August update.  Today’s update will cover both.  However, if any other pertinent information becomes available I will happily share that information with you.  In the meantime, please be safe and pay attention when you drive.  Lives depend on it.