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KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 07:21:39 By David Steger
IT IS WITH DEEP REGRETS THAT I AM INFORMING YOU THAT A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY; AND HIS PARTNER IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

AS A POLICE LIEUTENANT MYSELF I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES IN MY CAREER.

LIKE THE BROTHERS OF STAGS THIS IS ALSO A FRATERNITY OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EACH AND EVERY DAY.

I DID NOT KNOW THIS OFFICER BUT IT STILL HITS HOME BECAUSE MANY I DID KNOW AND WILL MISS.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF STAGS WHO ARE IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD AND JUST WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW. THERE MAY ALSO BE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE POLICE OFFICERS, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, FEDERAL OFFICERS WHO MAY HAVE KNOWN SOMEONE WHO WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

EVERYDAY WE GO TO WORK WE NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL BE OUR LAST DAY ON EARTH.

WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS WHEN YOU HAVE THOSE LITTLE FIGHTS WITH LOVE ONES, LET IT GO, TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM. YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL BE THE DAY YOU WONT COME HOME OR THAT THEY WILL NOT RETURN HOME TO THEIR LOVE ONES.

CALL THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS THAT YOU HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO IN YEARS AND TELL THEM YOU MISS THEM AND LOVE THEM. IT MIGHT BE A DAY YOU REGRET NOT TELLING THEM.

I WISH ALL YOU THE BEST IN LIFE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

DAVID STEGER




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 08:32:47 By Herb Stebbins(68)
David, that was one hell of a post.
I feel the bond because my brother Tom is in law enforcement.
You guys are so vulnerable.
That's the problem of being in a defensive position.
I worry about my brother every day.
When your dealing with an element that has no respect for human life then your always at a disadvantage.
My heart and prayers go out to the family of this fallen officer.
Herb




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 10:15:41 By john Scopetta 68
Great post David, I have always been amazed at the strength of character and discipline it requires to put yourself in harms way for the benefit of others. Most of whom you don't even know and many do not appreciate what is being done for them. It takes unfortunate situations like the shooting of two police officers that were attempting to apprehend a pornography vender to shed some light on the courage and risk that the job involves. I personally bow in appreciation to those that serve to protect our loves ones and this great country in which we live.



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 03:08:56 By Gaston Ruiz (1968)
David , well said and I agree with you 100%...We are either too tired , too busy or can't find the time to reach out and that is not a good excuse at all... We don't realize how fast time goes by ...We need to stop and smell the roses ,before they wilt.....I for one believe there is always time to reach out and touch someone...BNO's -Gatherings -Get togethers all are important and necessary in our lives ,life is short and tomorrow brings us no guarantees....Hug your children ,kiss your wife or husband, love your parents and those friends that have been around at times in your life...go out of your way ,try a little harder to communicate and let someone know you care...it will make you a better person and believe me it does feel good ...Just in the last year so many great moments I have had, sharing time with old and new friends , my personal family and my Stags family ....I cherrish every opportunity that involves both...my respect for people like yourself, who put their lifes on the line every day cannot be put in words to describe my appreciation.....thanks ,you make our lives safer while putting yours in harms way....to the fallens officers family ,I thank you ...my prayers will always be there for you....



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 03:30:54 By
GEORGE, GASTON AND HERB

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS SUBJECT WHICH IS HARD TO DEAL WITH. I CAN NEVER I SAY AGAIN NEVER SECOND GUESS A POLICE OFFICER ON HOW THEY HANDLED THIS MATTER OR OTHERS LIKE IT.

IN THE BACK OF OUR MINDS THE OTHER OFFICERS WHO WERE THERE WILL ALWAYS WONDER IF THEY COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO PREVENT THIS TRAGIC EVENT.

THEY WILL LIVE WITH THIS THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!


HERB, WHEN YOU DO CHANGE THE BY-LAWS, LET ME KNOW. I WOULD VERY MUCH PLEDGE FOR THE CLASS OF 2004.

STAGS IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION AND WISHED I COULD HAVE GONE BACK IN TIME WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HAD A CHANCE TO PLEDGE MY JUNIOR YEAR.





Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 03:32:02 By DAVID
I AM SORRY GEORGE I MEANT JOHN.



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 03:53:42 By DAVID
CORRECTION:

I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO PLEDGE, IT WAS AN INVITE TO A MEETING TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE MEMBERS. I HOPE I AM SAYING IT RIGHT, FORGIVE ME IF I AM WRONG.

HERB DO YOU KNOW A PILOT AT DELTA BY THE NAME OF HORTON WHO USED TO BE WITH AIR FLORIDA?




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/20/2004 04:21:53 By Herb Stebbins(68)
David, I can't say that I do. Most of the guys I know at Delta are the PanAm guys that went over with the North Atlantic sale.
Stay safe and have a great weekend.
Herb




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/23/2004 06:13:29 By Kay Spitzer
If there is a new pledge calss -- will there bee a hell night?
Kay




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/23/2004 06:21:45 By Herb Stebbins(68)
Kay, go to the 66-70's thread.



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 08/31/2004 10:57:51 By Terrence W. Grant
David:

I just noticed this site as I've been off line due to Charley

My best friend and Stags Brother Jerry Christman was killed in the line of duty...Metro Dade Officer...you will note his name on the memorial
His brother Mel (Chris) is also a Stag

Also, Al Teranoni(spelling) was a Gables officer who was working off duty in Dadeland Mall and some bad guys shot and killed him during a robbery. I knew Al thru the various watering holes in the Southwest section




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/01/2004 07:01:30 By
Terry, I knew Al well when he was with the Gables police. I grew up in the Gables and was in the Police Explorers before becoming a police officer myself. Al was a great individual.

I knew many officers killed the line of duty.




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/01/2004 07:32:14 By Terrence W. Grant
Who's this...as your name doesnt show up is it David...if you knew Al you knew J.J. Carroll Major CGPD...Al's best friend along with Charlie Scalaski Chief....I helped all these guys out with their troops when I owned my Outpatient Treatment Centers....

Did you know Nelson Perry...President of PBA...at any one time he had 2 to 3 officers in my program

I helped form an Organization called Officers in Trouble in Washington nationwide for cops who like to drink and drug a little to much




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/01/2004 08:27:28 By david steger
TERRY I KNOW ALL THOSE GUYS. MY WIFE WAS A POLICE OFFICER WITH THE GABLES BEFORE GOING ONTO METRO-DADE POLICE. SHE IS ALSO A POLICE LIEUTENANT.

I MIGHT HAVE MET YOU AT DUFFY'S. I USED TO HANG OUT THEIR ALONG WITH THE NINETEEN HOLE BAR AND GRILL. ALL THE GABLES COPS HUNG OUT THERE, ASLO THE HOFBRA IN THE GABLES.




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/01/2004 10:31:57 By Terrence W. Grant
Have you ever met Dave Tipps MDPD....i wasn't a beer drinker....just the hard stuff and I hung out everywhere from Blue Moon on 8th street to Taurus to 27 Birds to 600 Club...last but not least Yorkshire Inn and Gypsis Pub...Sir John...tell your wife that JJ retired to Flagler Beach as soon as CGPD got really political...she if she knew Chris Vanni CGPD if she did e mail me to my private site listed under Stag Brothers



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/02/2004 07:12:32 By david steger
david tibbs is goof friend of the family. also chris vanni is also a good guy knew him well even throughout the problems. i belive he moved to tampa.

my e-mail is 2stegers@bellsouth.net




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 07/29/2006 10:40:37 By John Dannelly 1957
JEROME R. CHRISTMAN, STAGS CLUB 1955

The following is from The Officer Down Memorial Page website.

Police Officer Jerome R. Christman, Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, December 3, 1960
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Saturday, December 3, 1960

"Officer Christman was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a silent alarm at a bank. As he approached the intersection of SW 112th Street and SW 87th Avenue he observed another car that he thought was going to enter the intersection. He attempted to take evasive action and lost control of his patrol car. The patrol car struck a pole and he was thrown from the vehicle. The pole, which was cracked, then fell onto Officer Christman's body, killing him.

Officer Christman had been with the agency for one year."

Officer Jerome R. Christman Avenue is SW 87th Avenue beginning at SW 104 Street on the north and ending at SW 120th Street on the south. To honor Jerry it is suggested that his brothers and sisters toot their horns to the 00 - 000 (Stags Club Is The Best) as they pass through any of these intersections.

For more information on our brother Jerry, go to the Message Board, click on the "In Their Memory" thread and scroll down to the posts beginning around July 14, 2006.

To view reflections on Officer Christman go to www.goggle.com, enter Jerome R. Christman, and then click on The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.

This site also provides the opportunity to leave a reflection.

We will honor Jerry at Stags Night Out 2006, Miami on August 5, 2006. Click on MESSAGE BOARD, STAGS NIGHT OUT 2006, MIAMI THREAD for details on this event.





Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 07/31/2006 08:27:05 By John Dannelly 1957
There is a new "reflection" on Jerry Christman on The Officer Down Memorial Page website. To read the reflections entries for Officer Christman go to google.com or yahoo.com, type in Jerome R. Christman, click on the Officer Down Memorial, then scroll down to the bottom of the Christman page and click on view the reflections for this officer.





Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/13/2007 04:19:48 By David Steger
Once again in Miami-Dade County, one of our finest has been killed in the line of duty and three others are wounded, unknow condition on them.

Herald.com will have the front page story. I will not reveal the names of the officer killed and the wounded at this time.

God bless them and their families at this time.





Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/13/2007 05:54:44 By Gaston Ruiz (1968)
David and Pam ,thought about both of you today ...I can't tell you how glad I was to know that both of you are no longer in the line of fire.......My prayers are with you and your Brothers and Sisters of our Police Department.....



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/13/2007 07:53:31 By David Steger
Guys, the officer that was killed I trained before he transfered over to Metro. My heart goes out to the family along with the other officers who I hear are in critical condition. It was a crime supression team undercover who pulled him over. The bastard will use this as a defense he did not know they were police. I hope they kill the bastard.

I am sorry that I feel that way!

I miss being with you guys.

Like I said before PLEASE tell all those who you love and never talk to daily that you love them.

David





Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/14/2007 06:34:36 By Herb Stebbins(68)
David, I'm sorry for your loss. Even a deeper loss, as you knew him. I hear that they caught up with him last night in Pembroke Pines. Sounds like he is at a loss for words.
Your right, if he still had his head, he would be defending himself by saying he didn't know they were police. But somehow in my perverted way of thinging, that doesn't explain the full body armor and the AK-47 with extra clips.
Having a Brother in Law Enforcement I offer a simple but effective solution to the problem...You Kill A Cop...You Die!!!




KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/14/2007 07:42:45 By Tim Yero
David:
They got the sucker... thank God justice has been served swiftly and he got what he deserved. It also is nice to know he is gone permanently (so we don't have to see his stupid face or pay for his food, entertainment and lodging for the rest of his dismal life.)
Tim TDT65




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/14/2007 07:26:15 By Gaston Ruiz (1968)
David , "the bastard is dead"but we still lost a good one and another will be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life........What a price to pay to help and protect us ....I just don't see how you all can do this ???????I know you care and we should too and the majority does.......Thanks again for protecting us from these pieces of "SHIT".......



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 05/13/2008 07:20:24 By David Steger
I thought I would pass this on for anyone who might want to view a clip of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Memorial for all the Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of Duty.

This is only for Miami-Dade County, each county and state is different and might not have the Memorial Wall.

The Memorial Wall in Miami-Dade County, is located at Tropical Park.

Nation wide it is held in Washington D.C. where a Memorial Wall was placed several years back.

All Officers killed in the line of duty from all over the United States will have their name placed on the Memorial Wall.

I am sure that Officer Jerome (Jerry) Christmas, Stags Class of 1955 is on that wall.


Thank You

David



http://stream.miamidade.gov/content/MDTV/blind/PoliceMemorial08_Hi.wmv





Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 05/13/2008 07:27:37 By Terrence W. Grant
Thanks David...Christman not x mas...yes it is on the wall as well as in the halls of CGHS



Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 05/13/2008 07:30:17 By David Steger
Terry, carless mistake. Sorry!




Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 09/06/2008 08:50:11 By JERONIMO
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Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 11/08/2008 11:46:21 By John Dannelly, 1957
THE MOVING WALL IS A HALF SIZE VERSION OF THE VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THE MOVING WALL ARRIVED IN MIAMI'S BAYFRONT PARK EARLIER THIS WEEK. THE MOVING WALL WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING UNTIL 2 PM ON VETERANS DAY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11.

The Moving Wall has 58,256 names, arranged by year of death.

I will be visiting the Wall before it leaves Miami. Adrian "Spanky" Purnell, Stags 1958, is the only Stag I know of that we lost in Vietnam but there must have been others.

IF YOU WANT ME TO LOCATE A NAME ON THE MOVING WALL AND TO SAY A PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF THAT PERSON AND FOR THEIR FAMILY PLEASE CONTACT ME. This is not a "Stags only" opportunity. IF YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH THE APPROXIMATE YEAR OF THEIR DEATH THAT WILL BE HELPFUL. UPON REQUEST, I WILL ALSO ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A PHOTO OR RUBBING OF THEIR NAME.

AN EMAIL NOTIFICATION WOULD BE BEST.
johndannelly@bellsouth.net
(305)/274-0688

ABOUT THE MOVING WALL
John Devitt, a two tour Vietnam Vetran created the concept to bring the Wall out of Washington, D.C. to the rest of the country. The tours began in 1984. Mostly small towns host the exhibit. Miami is the last stop on the 2008 tour. Aaron and Lisa Gray transport the exhibit. The Gray's will transport the exhibit from Miami to their home in Michigan. This year the Moving Wall traveled 40,000 miles with 28 stops in 16 states in 8 months. The exhibit contains 148 six foot aluminum panels. A crew of Miami firefighter recuits built the Wall in Miami.

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE MOVING WALL GO TO
MiamiHerald.com

I did not learn of this opportunity to pay respects to service men and women who died in the line of duty in Vietnam until I read the Saturday, November 8 edition of The Miami Herald. Otherwise, I would have submitted this post earlier.





Re: KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTYPosted at 11/13/2008 11:31:33 By John Dannelly, 1957
Jim Kavney, thanks for getting the Message Board functioning again so promptly.

We visited THE MOVING WALL on Veterans Day, November 11, 2008.

This is the information on Adrian "Spanky" Purnell, Stags 1958.

Adrian Floyd Purnell
1st Lt. USAF
Date of Birth - July 3, 1940
Date of Death - November 26, 1966

Adrian's name is on panel 12 E line 122.

Does anyone out there want me to do the research to locate a name on the Wall? The names of those Missing In Action are also on the Wall. This is not a "Stags Exclusive" offer. If you want me to attempt to obtain that information contact me at johndannelly@bellsouth.net







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