‘Extreme Makeover’ clock’s ticking as injured Dallas officer’s new home takes shape

The homebuilders spread architectural plans across a pallet of stones – a makeshift desk.

“Make sure that by 12 o’clock, everything is moved out of the way, because we’re pouring the flatwork,” Bryan Jeffery of Cheldan Homes told a man in a hard hat.

“OK,” the man said. “So I’ve got an hour and a half.”

On Saturday, the Dallas police SWAT team helped demolish the Lancaster home of fellow officer Carlton Marshall, who suffered disabling injuries after being shot in the neck during a 2007 drug raid.

By Monday morning, the skeleton of a new home stood to take its place. Cameras for the ABC reality TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition filmed the progress of dozens of volunteers busy like ants on an anthill.

“We’ve got to be done and hand them the keys Wednesday at 2 p.m.,” explained Joey Goss, owner of local building company Cheldan Homes, which volunteered to lead the construction.

Goss has headed building companies for 27 years, and this is the fastest he’s ever put up a home. During one building boom, he built a home in 10 days, he said.

“But that wasn’t nothing like this.”

Thirty Dallas police officers formed lines in the near 100-degree heat to pass sandstones – 65 tons of them – one by one to masons crafting the home’s exterior.

The construction hasn’t gone without snags. Framers failed to appear Sunday, putting things behind schedule.

“It just got so hot yesterday and one of our crews, for whatever reason, didn’t show up,” Goss said Monday. “But we think we’ve got the cavalry coming on that one.”

Marshall and his family are at Disneyland, flown there by the show for a vacation. They’ll return to a spacious new home with wheelchair-accessible features to help Marshall get around better.

GreenWatt Energy Systems of Fort Worth has installed a 40-foot-tall wind turbine, as well as several solar panels, to help keep down the home’s electricity bills.

As workers put on the roof of the home Monday morning, the show filmed the action.

On-screen talent Ed Sanders stood by them, mugging for a camera attached to the end of a small crane.

“Well, friends, I’ve got some good news for you: We’ve got a fresh bunch of framers that have just started sheeting out the roof!” he said to the camera.

“The bad news is, we’ve still got a load more roof to go!”

HOW TO HELP

Organizers are still collecting donations to help pay off the Marshall family’s previous home’s mortgage. For more information, visit extremecheldan.com.

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Assault injuries force K-9 to retire

A Kalamazoo police K-9 dog was forced to retire early due to injuries he suffered while apprehending a suspect.

It was September 2007 when Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Marc Rifenberg and his K-9 Ranger were tracking a suspect that had assaulted paramedics and fled on foot in the 1800 block of Humphrey Street.

K-9 Ranger located the suspect who then charged the officers and viciously struck the dog over the head with a large 2×4 board. Ranger was knocked to the ground and momentarily dazed from the assault. He regained his footing and apprehended the suspect.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Marc Rifenberg and K-9 Ranger (courtesy KDPS).

Ranger has been able to work since the assault. But he has developed frequent seizures and was forced to retire in June.

Ranger is 8 years old and has been with KDPS since 2002.

On June 26, Officer Rifenberg and Ranger were presented awards at the national seminar in Northbrook, Ill. Officer Rifenberg received the Exemplary Service Award for his actions during the 2007 incident and Ranger received the K-9 Valor Award for his actions that night as well.

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Hamburg gets it’s first K-9 team

Derek Gee/Buffalo News Town of Hamburg Police Officer Nick Borowski and partner Endy, a German shepherd from Hungary.

The newest addition to the Hamburg Police Department is still getting used to the patrol vehicle and isn’t officially on the force yet, but when 3 o’clock rolls around, he’s itching to get going.

Like many of his counterparts in other police departments, he’s from Eastern Europe, and he responds best to the German language.

Endy, an 18-month-old German shepherd, will be on duty after he and his handler, Officer Nick Borowski, pass a certification test later this month.

“It’s a great tool for law enforcement,” Chief Carmen Kesner said.

He said that the dog was purchased using drug seizure funds and that training also is being paid for through drug seizures. The $6,500 dog was born in Hungary, Borowski said. The town is contracting with Police Service Dogs of Western New York to train Borowski and Endy.

Every day they work with Russ Medina, a K-9 officer in the Buffalo Police Department, who teaches them how to work together.

“A lot of it’s new to me. I think I’m the one being trained,” Borowski said.

He said that when he heard Kesner wanted a dog for the department, he contacted the chief and told him why it was a good idea and why he should head the unit.

Endy has been trained in sniffing out narcotics, tracking, conducting building searches, officer protection and crowd control.

Police say that there are drugs coming into the town and through the town and that having the trained dog will help detect them.

Endy also will be another way for police to reach out to the community at various events.

At night, Borowski takes Endy home, where he relaxes and plays with Gunner, Borowski’s 18- month-old boxer.

“When he’s home, he’s goofing around, acting like a kid,” Borowski said. “We’ve been bringing him in the car, getting him used to it. At 3 o’clock every day he starts to whine and cry.”

Purina donated dog food, Lads donated a crate, and Sewing Technology is donating a bulletproof vest for Endy.

He joins other specialized units in Hamburg, such as the underwater rescue team, SWAT team, wave runners for Lake Erie during the summer and the motorcycle unit.

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K-9 officer is living his dream

Shelby Police K-9 Officer Mike Watson

Q: What made you decide to become a K-9 officer?

A: My dream was actually to become a detective. Everyone has a start out at the patrol level. One of my field training officers was a K-9 officer and I had never even thought about K-9. After riding and having a field training officer that had a K-9 dog, I was able to really see what their job was and the asset the K-9 dog is to law enforcement. I said “That’s what I wanted to do.”

Q: How has your job affected your lifestyle?

A: I guess you could say I’m busier because of the hours I put in with the dog. I’m busier now than I was with my other job. But law enforcement is time-consuming, especially if you are in K-9. But you have to enjoy it or you wouldn’t do it.

Q: Do you take care of the dog?

A: Yes. He stays at home with me until we are called in or I have to go on patrol. He has his own little kennel and dog house. I feed him and give him baths.

Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

A: Country. I like soft rock too.

Q: What do you value most in life?

A: My family. My girlfriend is good to me. I finally found a good one. (He smiles and chuckles)

Q: How did you get the position of a K-9 officer?

A: I was very lucky. An opening came up. I had been at the police department approximately two years when I applied for the opening and I think I had a lot of help from my field training officer. You have to love it because the dog is a lot of responsibility.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I enjoy doing yard work. I fool around with the dog and I have two puppies at home so right now I’m trying to train them. But as far as golf or any-thing else, I don’t really have any hobbies besides yard work.

Q: What do you like best about being a K-9 officer?

A: You know the feeling you get when you catch a fish? If you amplify that ten thousand times, that’s the feeling you get when a crime has been committed and you know that there is no way they can find the bad guy; they’ve exhausted every effort, he’s ran, hidden; then that dog comes in and finds him for you. You feel like you make a difference. All the training and the hard work pays off.

Q: If you could do everything over again, would you do anything different?

A: I probably would have done it a little younger. Then I would probably be in the position now where I would be almost ready for retirement. I have no regrets at all.

Q: If the whole world was listening right now, what would you say?

A: Law enforcement has always been overlooked. Just as fire departments and EMS has always been overlooked. You don’t know what the requirement is until you get into it. It’s time the service industry gets recognized for what it really is because they put their lives on the line for people each day and a lot of people take them for granted. Nobody asked me to be a policeman but I do my job because I want to do my job. I’m speaking for all three of those organizations. I wish people would recognize them more for what they do each day.

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Motorcyclists honor fallen police officers

Folks such as Pat and Jane Glasser appreciate any opportunity to climb onto their motorcycles and head out on the highway.

But the ride gets better when they know it’s for a good cause such as the seventh annual Our Fallen Officers Memorial Run.

The Boardman couple joined hundreds of other local residents Sunday, including Jane’s brother, Skip Campbell of Columbiana, who participated in the event honoring Michael Hartzell — Youngstown’s most recent fallen police officer.

Hartzell was shot and killed in April 2003. Officials said he was ambushed downtown in his cruiser.

“It’s a good day to remember our officers and the people who put their lives on the line every day,” said Pat Glasser. “And it’s a great day to ride and live life and to appreciate it. There’s nothing better than a nice ride on a beautiful day. When you can put that with doing something good, it’s a great day. This is one of those days.”

At least 1,000 motorcycles departed from the Covelli Centre parking lot downtown around noon for a 90-minute run through numerous parts of Mahoning County including Campbell, Struthers, Lowellville, New Middletown and Springfield and Beaver townships. They made their way back downtown to Federal Plaza for food, drinks and entertainment.

The ride, sponsored by the Blue Knights of Youngstown XXVII and Lodge 28, Fraternal Order of Police, typically draws a few thousand people including motorcycle operators and their passengers, said Marilyn Davis, an event organizer.

“Every year, it gets a little bigger,” she said. “As more people become aware of it, more and more join in. It’s a good time, but it’s also a way to remember our fallen officers. That’s what it’s all about, to remember them and to do something in their honor.”

She explained the motorcyclists are escorted by city police and officers representing the municipalities that the participants pass through along the run.

“We try to keep it nice, enjoyable and safe for everyone,” she said. “We want to make a statement and let people know we haven’t forgotten Officer Hartzell and other fallen officers. But we also want it to be a good experience for everyone involved.”

She said money raised for the event is divided between the Blue Knights and the FOP to allow each organization to donate to charities its members choose to support. For example, thousands of dollars has been generated for the Michael Hartzell Scholarship Fund, she added.

City Patrolman Russ Davis said the local chapter of the Blue Knights recognizes any officers killed in the line of duty. The chapter was chartered April 24, 2003, and, along with FOP Lodge 28, took over the Fallen Officers Memorial Run in July 2004.

“We just want to show our appreciation and keep the work going,” he said. “Several of us ride and try to participate when we can, when we’re not working. It’s a way to show respect and let people know we haven’t forgotten.”

City officials including Mayor Jay Williams were on hand to see the riders off and to pray for their safety during a brief ceremony before the run.

“We do events like this to keep the memories of our officers alive,” said Phil Rogers, retired police officer and president of the local Blue Knights chapter. “That’s important. That matters.”

Douglas Orr of Boardman said events such as Sunday’s memorial run provide bikers an opportunity to make a statement to the public about who they really are.

“You just want to show you care,” he said. “I’ve been riding a long time, at least 25 years, and it used to be when people saw a bunch of bikers like this riding together, they thought of biker gangs and bad news and stuff. But there are a lot of good people on bikes, and they want to do good things. They do a lot of good things. Something like this is one of them. It’s a good day for a run. It’s a good day to do something good. It’s a good day to recognize our police officers. They’re the ones out there with the dangerous jobs, doing their best for us. This is something we can do for them.”

For more information about future events, visit the Blue Knights Web site at www.bkoh27.com.

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Fla. police officers want Segways

Police in one city on Florida’s east coast have told the U.S. Department of Justice they need help fighting crime: Segways.

Police in Cocoa have applied for $44,000 from the department to purchase seven of the two-wheeled scooters. They would be used to police riverfront events and the city’s business district.

Cocoa officers tried out the Segways earlier in the month at a Fourth of July celebration.

“They absolutely loved it,” police Lt. John Hankins said.

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APD Officer’s bullet proof vest saves him during knife attack

An Albany (GA) Police officer’s bullet proof vest saves him from a knife wielding assailant.

The officer was stabbed five or six times in the chest with a kitchen knife. But he wasn’t hurt thanks to his bullet proof vest.

Patrolman McKinley Windom said he was lucky, but obviously his training and quick thinking showed when a man suddenly attacked him with a steak knife inside a crowded room at a Nursing Home. He and a fellow officer were able to arrest him without anyone but the assailant suffering any injury.

Patrolman McKinley Windom, on the left, and Patrolman Jerry Franklin are all smiles today, after their teamwork kept them safe. They were called to Palmyra Nursing Home yesterday afternoon, to remove an unwanted guest. Without warning 47 year old Marion Sweet pulled a steak knife from his pocket and attacked Windom.

Windom said “He stabbed me several times. It hit my vest more than it hit me.”

It turns out Sweet was wanted for probation violation, and the Officers told him he was under arrest.

Patrolman Jerry Franklin said “So he said he wasn’t going to jail. We would have to shoot him.”

Windom pulled his gun, but he was in a small room with three other people and the attacker.  Too crowded to shoot, so he holstered his gun and fought for his life.

Windom said “He actually touched my skin, but it didn’t penetrate because during the struggle I was pushing him back to keep him from stabbing me. But I’m just lucky. My vest did help, but it could have gone the other way at anytime. I thank God it didn’t go that way.”

Windom and Franklin disarmed and handcuffed Sweet, and said it’s all just part of their job.

Windom said “Hopefully you can do the best you can to protect yourself and protect the community, the people who are around.”

Franklin said “Our motto everyday is to go home, because we have family. And these people we are serving have families. They want to be protected.”

Even after the attack, both Officers Windom and Franklin said they love their job, and not even something like this would make them think about leaving law enforcement. Both are Albany natives, and are proudly protecting their hometown.

Marion Sweet suffered scuffed knees as he fought the officers as they put him in the Patrol Car.

He was treated at the scene by E.M.S. and is in the Dougherty County Jail tonight charged with aggravated assault.

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Dallas police officer hospitalized for dehydration, blood clots at Colorado event

A Dallas police officer was in intensive care Saturday at a Denver hospital after suffering severe dehydration and brain hemorrhaging during a Police Explorers competition in Colorado.

Alex Garcia, 22, who joined the department in 2008, underwent two surgeries to remove blood clots and was breathing with the help of a respirator. But doctors at Swedish Medical Center hope to take him off the respirator soon.

“He’s not out of the woods yet, but he’s stable,” said Dallas Officer Chris Grall, who has remained by his side. “He is now giving a thumbs-up and waving like he wants the respirator out.”

Garcia and other Dallas police officers drove to Colorado last week to take part in a nationwide competition. On Wednesday afternoon, Garcia suffered severe dehydration and began vomiting during the competition.

“Between the high altitude and the heat, he dehydrated and a blood clot formed,” said Grall, a 19-year veteran. “The blood clot got into his jugular vein and backed up the blood flow leaving the brain, causing a hemorrhage.”

HOW TO HELP

Contributions for Officer Alex Garcia may be sent to the Assist the Officer Foundation (Alex Garcia) at 1412 E. Griffin St., Dallas, Texas, 75215, or made online at www.atodallas.org by requesting that funds go to Garcia. Contributions also may be made to an account for Explorer Post No. 3194 at Regions Bank.

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K-9 hero remembered at final farewell

Rest in peace, Lando, “Forever and always a guardian of the night.”

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“Lando” was more than man’s best friend. He was an officer’s best partner.

Cancel Herald/CATRINA RAWSON Harker Heights Police Chief Mike Gentry speaks as Gabrielle Guerra, Lando’s handler, wipes away a tear during a memorial for the dog Friday at the Harker Heights Police Department. Lando died June 28 at Guerra’s home.

Lando, a black Belgian Malinois, did more than change the life of fellow Harker Heights officer Chris Villella. He saved it.

Lando was remembered Friday at a memorial service attended by Villella, almost 60 mourners and Lando’s owner/handler, Officer Gabrielle Guerra.

Tables adorned with Lando’s leash, his vest, photos, awards and memorabilia encircled a crowd inside a meeting room at the Harker Heights Police Department. Outside everyone gathered around a memorial stone that read “Forever and always a guardian of the night.”

Lando, a community icon and award-winning detector dog, died June 28 in his sleep at Guerra’s home. He served more than 10 years with HHPD. He died two days before his 13th birthday and a few weeks before his July 14 retirement.

Villella experienced love at first bite with Lando, even though he belonged to Guerra. Villella joined HHPD five years ago to be a K-9 unit handler. Villella was hooked when Lando bit him the first time during a training exercise.

A little over a year later, Lando saved Villella’s life. Guerra, Villella and another officer stopped two men in a car outside a night club. Villella stood next to the passenger door, unaware that inside the passenger fumbled with a knife.

Lando sensed trouble. He barked loudly when Guerra released him from the patrol car. Lando barked so loud he frightened the passenger who dropped the knife beneath the seat, which saved Villella from being stabbed.

“We were close back then, but after that, it made us permanent,” he said.

Lando possessed impeccable discipline, said Rick Opperud with the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. Lando developed a rare ability to be perfect in competition and on the streets, where he seized more than $400,000 in narcotics. Opperud was joined by law enforcement from across Central Texas and the state Friday.

“I told her (Guerra) she’ll never have another dog like him. He was a once-in-a-life time dog,” Opperud said.

Guerra, with tears in her eyes, shared stories of a canine partner that became a family member. Guerra’s husband, Tim Palma, described Lando as “the son I never had.”

Lando’s death left an irreplaceable hole in their home, they said. Lando was the big brother for their daughter, Ashleigh Palma, 8. Lando followed Ashleigh everywhere, and in return she played ball with him. When tired from playing ball, he became her pillow and they slept, Palma said.

“I think what I miss the most is the twinkle in his eye and his warm smile whenever he greeted everybody,” Guerra said.

Lando’s loud bark no longer greets Guerra when she arrives at her Falls County home, but she knows he will wag his tail for her again someday.

“When it’s my time to leave this world for the next, a beautiful black Malinois will be sitting at the gates of heaven,” Guerra said. “Thank you for being the best partner I could ever ask for.”

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Police dogs show off skills at Ohio Law Enforcement K9 Association’s Top Dog’ competition in Parma

Parma — With a nod they’re off, officer and police dog, marching side-by-side through the course.

They hug cone-marked corners, ignoring the bowl of food and the sleeve the dog is trained to bite.

“It’s just neat to see how well-trained they are,” said Shanna Obugene of Grafton, one of dozens of fans at the Ohio Law Enforcement K9 Association’s “Top Dog” competition.

Some more than others: A few dogs bounded away from their partners, sampled the food or gnawed at the sleeve. But, still, they were awe-inspiring compared with most pets.

“Everything revolves around obedience,” said Gerald Bemis of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, who put his German shepherd, Ace, through the paces. “You have to have control of your dog.”

Northeast Ohio has more than 120 police dogs, which are trained to sniff out drugs and bombs, track missing people and bite and bring down people running from police.

They’re usually born in northern Europe and cost about $6,500 each, said Bill Karolyi, a judge at Saturday’s contest. They are sent to the United States, where they learn police commands during a 12-week course and train each week with the partners they live with. They serve for about eight years.

Saturday’s competition at Padua Franciscan High School – which included a drug search and pursuit of a suspect – served as practice for the eight K9 contestants, while showing off their skills and raising money for the K9 association.

“The general public doesn’t realize how talented these dogs really are,” said organizer Ed Ripepi, an association member who has volunteered with his dog on searches. Richmond Heights Patrolman Tim Casto, the overall winner, called his dog, Kubo, invaluable. “That dog is there to give up its life so an officer doesn’t have to,” he said. “They do so much – tracking, trailing, apprehension. It’s a tool you can never get out of a human.”

They’re also way cuter than humans, transforming from militarylike obedience to frisky playfulness the moment their partners clip on their leashes.

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