Quilt Recipients December 2020

Quilts were sent in December 2020 to the following first responders injured on duty.

First Responder, Date, & Location	Quilt	Story
Officer (name withheld) Clayton County Police Department October 9, 2020 – Jonesboro, Georgia		An Officer was responding to a 911 call of shots fired at the Fieldstone Glen Apartments, located on Mount Zion Parkway. When Officers arrived, a witness said they had a dispute with the suspect. Officers began to canvas the apartment complex looking for the suspected shooter. As one of the Officers shined a flashlight into an apartment, they were fired on by someone mistaking them for an intruder. The Officer was shot in the arm and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. We send this quilt to let this Officer know we care. **Quilt courtesy of Margo Johnson, Pennsylvania.
SWAT Officer Kalispell Police Department December 11, 2020 – Sanders County, Montana		Around 12:30am a suspect entered the Naughty Pine Saloon near Trout Creek armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. A deputy with the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene first and began to negotiate with the armed subject, who had barricaded himself and a small number of patrons inside the building. When the subject refused to cooperate with the deputy, the Missoula County and Flathead County sheriff’s offices were contacted and deployed their negotiation and SWAT teams. After some period of negotiation, most of the patrons were able to exit the saloon safely although the suspect and a member of his family remained inside. Law enforcement deployed tear gas to draw the suspect outside the building. When the suspect exited the bar, he was brandishing a firearm and law enforcement used non-lethal rounds to attempt to stop him. Those rounds were ineffective, and the subject fired at officers pursuing him as he attempted to flee, striking one of them. (Information courtesy of a Press Release from the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation) We delivered this quilt to the Officer today to let her know we care and to give her some comfort while she recovers.
Officer Stephen Aprile Stoneham Police Department November 9, 2020 - Stoneham, Massachusetts		Around 11am Stoneham Police responded to a report of a possible shoplifting incident at Famous Footwear. When Officers arrived, they spoke to a clerk who told them that the suspect entered the store and walked up to the counter with several items. After a verbal altercation with the clerk, the suspect fled from the store with several pairs of shoes and accessories. The vehicle fled south on Main Street towards Montvale Avenue. Two Stoneham Police officers working an area on Montvale Avenue attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck and dragged Officer Stephen Aprile a short distance down the street. We provide this quilt to Office Aprile to let him know we care.
Firefighter (name withheld) Muskegon Firefighters November 15, 2020 – Muskegon, Michigan		Eight firefighters were swept into Lake Michigan during a dramatic rescue attempt on the south pier at Pere Marquette Park. The first rescuers on scene saw a man clinging to rocks on the north side of the pier at the Muskegon channel. Two firefighters approached from the beach while four others got into a rescue boat. Waves pummeled the pier as firefighters on shore made their way out. They made several tries to reach the victim before one of them was swept off the pier into the water. The firefighter was injured but managed to get back to the pier. Muskegon firefighters reorganized with Norton Shores firefighters. That “crew made valiant efforts to reach the victim, but they, too, sustained injuries after being swept off the pier twice,” Muskegon Professional Firefighters Union - IAFF Local 370 said on its Facebook page. Muskegon firefighters on the rescue boat “faced deadly conditions” and were not able to rescue the man from the water. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City Air Station responded but conditions were too rough for an air rescue, firefighters said. The Coast Guard and North Muskegon firefighters, backed by Muskegon and Norton Shores firefighters, then tried another land rescue before five of them were swept into the water. (Story courtesy of mlive.com) One of them was taken by ambulance to the hospital while eight others suffered less serious injuries. We provide this quilt to the Muskegon Firefighter who was taken to the hospital.
Firefighter Aaron Donohue Irving Fire Department December 5, 2020 - Irving, California		Firefighter Aaron Donohue was in a working zone in the westbound lanes of Texas 183 where he and other rescue personnel were responding to a drunken-driving crash. During this time westbound lanes of 183 were closed and a driver entered the working zone in the wrong direction and struck FF Aaron Donohue. As the car plowed through the crash scene, FF Donohue was struck and thrown high up and away from his original location. Fellow firefighters rushed to his side and found him unconscious and not breathing. FF Donohue was rushed to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury but no broken bones. He was recently released to his home to recover. We provide this quilt to let him know we care and to provide comfort while he recovers.
Officer (name withheld) Rialto Police Department November 6, 2020 - Rialto, California		Around 6:15am Officers responded to USA Gasoline on Foothill Blvd after a male reported he had been shot by an unknown subject. As Officers remained on scene to conduct the investigation, a male approached one of the Officers while he was seated in his patrol car and violently attacked him while armed with a knife. Two additional officers ran over to assist, deploying a taser two times, which was ineffective. The male suspect continued to attack the Officers while armed with the knife and stabbed one of the Officers in the abdomen. Two Officers were transported to a local hospital after receiving injuries; one Officer remains in the hospital and is expected to recover from his stab wound. We provide this quilt to the hospitalized Officer to provide comfort while he recovers.
Officer Adam Gebert Wasilla Police Department December 17, 2020 – Wasilla, Alaska		Around 5pm Officer Adam Gebert attempted to pull over a vehicle at Bogart Road. The vehicle failed to stop and Officer Gebert gave chase. When Officer Gebert caught up to the vehicle, where it had stop at the Valley County Store, the suspect began to fire at Officer Gebert. Officer Gebert was struck by the gunfire and transport to a local hospital for his injuries. We present this quilt to Officer Gebert to provide comfort while he recovers. **Quilt was made by Joy Heasley and quilted by Kim Medlock in Wasilla, Alaska.
Officer (name withheld) Dallas College Police Department November 5, 2020 – Dallas, Texas		Around 6:30pm a Dallas Police Officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle in the 700 block of Elm Street. They Officer contacted the suspect who had a warrant for his arrest. When the Officer went to arrest the suspect the Officer and the suspect became engaged in a struggle. That is when gunfire erupted, and the Officer was shot. The officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment. We send this quilt to this Officer to provide comfort while he recovers.
K9 Dennis Phoenix Police Department December 3, 2020 – Phoenix, Arizona		Around 3:30am Officers responded to a report of shots fired at an apartment complex near Dunlap and 19th avenues. When Officers arrived there, they found a man who was dead in the common area of the complex. K9 Dennis was the first to enter the suspect's apartment and was shot by the suspect. Officers retreated from the apartment and then the suspect came out armed. K9 Dennis received serious injuries. He was transported to an area animal hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. He is being credited with saving the lives of the officers who first responded to the suspect's apartment. We send this quilt to K9 Dennis to give a nice place to rest while he recovers.
Trooper (name withheld) Connecticut State Police October 22, 2020 – I-84 East, Connecticut		Around 11pm a DUI driver was driving the wrong-way on I-84 East near Exit 23 in the left lane. Connecticut State Troopers found the DUI vehicle and tried to stop it, but then the vehicle collided head-on with one of the State Police patrol vehicles. The Trooper was sent to the hospital for injuries sustained in the head-on collision. We provide this quilt to give some comfort to this Trooper while he recovers.
Officer Joe Willis Harrison Police Department October 28, 2020 – Harrison, Ohio		Around 2:30pm Officer Joe Willis was directing traffic outside William Henry Harrison High School on West Road when he was struck by a vehicle. After the vehicle hit Officer Willis, the vehicle continued on without stopping. Officer Willis was transported by the Harrison Fire Department to UC Medical Center. We hope this quilt will provide a little comfort to Officer Willis while he recovers.
Officer (name withheld) x4 Chicago Police Department July 17, 2020 – Chicago, Illinois		Chicago Police Department press release: At approximately 4:20 pm on July 17, 2020, a large group gathered at 301 S. Columbus for a protest. The group moved southbound into Grant Park with Chicago Police Officers providing security and protecting their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble. As the group approached the Christopher Columbus statue, some members of the crowd turned on the police and used the protest to attack officers with fireworks, rocks, frozen bottles, and other objects. At this time, there are approximately 12 individuals who were arrested and who could potentially face charges. Approximately 18 officers were injured as a result. Some of the officers were treated on the scene by paramedics while others were transported to area hospitals for further treatment. We previously sent 6 quilts out to the most seriously injured that required hospitalization. We are now sending 4 more quilts to officers that were injured and required longer care. We hope all our quilts are and will provide much needed comfort to these officers.
Officer (name withheld) Rochester Police Department October 23, 2020 – Rochester, New York		Around 3pm Officers responded to a report on N Clinton Avenue. Once they arrived on scene, they encountered a man who was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. Officers said a brief struggle took place before placing the man in custody. During the time Officers were engaged with the man with the gun, another man threw an unknown object that struck an Officer in the face. One Officer sustained some injuries and was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. We provide this quilt to this Officer to let them know we care.
Deputy Stephanie Metcalf Taylor County Sheriff’s Office November 18. 2020 – Merkel, Texas		Deputy Stephanie Metcalf was on County Road 405 near Farm to Market Road 1235 responding to a medical call around 4pm when it encountered a school bus and a pickup that was pulling a trailer. Deputy Metcalf moved to pass the bus and the pickup, the school bus also moved to pass, at which point the Deputy Metcalf tried to move back into the right lane and overcorrected. Deputy Metcalf’s patrol vehicle went into a ditch and the airbags deployed. She was taken to a local hospital for her injuries. We provide this quilt to Deputy Metcalf to let her know we care.
Officer (name withheld) Meridian Police Department November 25, 2020 – Meridian, Idaho		Meridian Police first pulled over a driver around 11:00 pm on suspicion of DUI near Locust Grove and Chinden Boulevard. The driver would not cooperate and hit an officer with her car as she tried to flee. She took off, leading police on a chase south on Locust Grove. Officers ultimately used spike strips to stop her vehicle, and she was forced to stop near the Fred Meyer on Locust Grove Road and E. Loop Lane when an officer rammed into her car. A Meridian Police officer was taken to the hospital for multiple injuries. We provide this quilt to this Officer to let him know we care.
Firefighter (name withheld) x2 Orange County Fire Authority October 26, 2020 – Irvine, California		The Silverado fire in Irvine broke out shortly after 6:45 am near Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon roads. The fire, which was burning in a hilly area above homes, had grown to 7,200 acres by 4:30 p.m. Two Firefighters were hurt battling the fire. Both were intubated after suffering second- and third-degree burns over half their bodies and were transported to Orange County Global Medical Center. We provide these quilts to these injured Firefighters to provide comfort during their recovery.
Firefighter (name withheld) Frederick County Fire and Rescue November 10, 2020 – Wolfsville, Maryland		Around 4:30 pm in the area of 12900 Stottlemyer Road a large group of motorcyclists had crashed. While Frederick Country Department of Fire and Rescue Services and other assisting motorists were providing aid, a motorcycle approached from north bound Stottlemyer Road. That motorcyclist failed to control his speed and collided with a fire engine. The impact threw the motorcyclist from his motorcycle. That vehicle then slid into emergency personnel, and two bystanders that were assisting at the scene. (Information courtesy of News Release from Frederick County Sheriff’s Office) A Firefighter was transported to Shock Trauma but was in stable condition. We provide this quilt to this firefighter to let him know we care.
Corporal Ralph Hunnefeld New Smyrna Beach Police Department November 21, 2020 – New Smyrna Beach, Florida		The incident started around 4pm at the intersection of Nova and Spruce Creek roads, where a Port Orange officer conducted a traffic stop. The suspect led officers on a high-speed chase. Officers followed at a distance as the car headed toward New Smyrna Beach. Stop sticks were deployed at Turnbull Street and Industrial Park Avenue which caused the suspect to crash. The suspect then opened fire at police and shot Corporal Hunnefeld in the leg. He was transported to Halifax Medical Center. A Quilt for Cops volunteer hand delivered the quilt, to let Corporal Hunnefeld know we care. **Quilt courtesy of Quilts for Cops volunteer Lynn Lewis of Port Orange, FL.
Officer (name withheld) x2 Los Angeles Police Department October 21, 2020 – Los Angeles, California		Around 10:30pm a crash occurred near the intersection of Vernon and Central avenues between a Police vehicle and another vehicle. Two LAPD Officers and one civilian were injured. Firefighters were at the scene because one of the Officers was trapped in the patrol car and had to be extricated. The front of the Police vehicle was severely damaged and one of the doors was removed. Both LAPD officers were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. We provide these quilts to let these two Officers know we care.
Officer (name withheld) Oak Forest Police Department November 1, 2020 – Oak Forest, Illinois		Around 6am Oak Forest Officers were called to the 4300 block of Frontage Road for a disturbance involving an SUV. The Officers found the SUV unoccupied and determined it to be stolen. At this time, Officers called a tow truck to the scene, but as it was preparing to take the SUV, a person walked up and tried to get in. An Oak Forest Officer walked up to the person to speak with them. The suspect then shot the Oak Forest officer during the interaction. The Officer was taken to a local hospital. We send this quilt to provide some comfort to this Officer while they recover.
Officer (name withheld) Department name withheld October 15, 2020		Around 2pm Police responded to an area of town after receiving calls that a man was walking around with a piece of burning lumber. The suspect walks up to a police vehicle and puts a flaming stick into the vehicle. The patrol vehicle, which was parked, became engulfed in flames. The Officer suffered some burns from the incident. We provide this quilt to comfort the officer and let him know we care. We thank those who assisted us in getting this quilt delivered to this officer. **Quilt courtesy of Rose Parkhill, Amboy, WA.
Fire Captain Roger Smith Lexington Fire Department October 26, 2020 – Lexington, Kentucky		A fire started on West Maxwell across from Joe Bologna’s around 4:30am. Firefighters were able to knock out most of the flames relatively quickly. Fire Captain Roger Smith fell about six feet down some stairs while looking for hot spots in the attic. He suffered broken ribs and a broken ankle and was taken to the hospital. We send this quilt to let Fire Captain Smith know we care.
Firefighter Jerry Lane Bremerton Fire Department October 26, 2020 – Bremerton, Washington		Firefighter Jerry Lane was called to Washington Avenue around 2am to evaluate a driver who had struck a parked car. While reaching into the car to perform an evaluation on the driver, it suddenly lunged in reverse hitting a parked police vehicle. FF Lane was pinned between the cars which caused the breaking of his right leg. He was flown to Harborview Medical Center and underwent surgery. We send this quilt to FF Lane to let him know we care.
Firefighter Matthew Vann San Francisco Fire Department November 2, 2020 – San Francisco, California		Around 3:30pm firefighters responded to a fire on the 19th floor of a building at 55 Spear Street in San Francisco’s Financial District. After the incident was resolved, Firefighter Matthew Vann was inadvertently struck by a hose line and fell to the ground, hitting his head. The blow to the head rendered him unconscious and not breathing. FF Vann was transported by San Francisco firefighters to San Francisco General Hospital and at the time, he was in critical condition. We provide this quilt to give comfort to FF Vann while he recovers.
Officer (name withheld) Revere Police Department November 2, 2020 – Lynn, Massachusetts		A suspect, who was wanted in Revere, following a robbery at Walgreens on Broadway fled in a vehicle. A Revere Police Officer saw the suspect vehicle on Route 107 and attempted to stop the driver, but he did not pull over. About 8:15am, Revere Officers notified the Lynn Police Department the pursuit was headed into Lynn. A Lynn Police Officer working around the corner of Summer and Witt Streets saw the vehicle turn down Witt Street and ran to aid. The Lynn Police Officer saw the Revere Police Officer outside of his cruiser pinned by the suspects’ vehicle. The Revere Police Officer was taken to Mass General Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. We hope this quilt will provide a little comfort to this Officer while they recover.
Officer Ed Pastor Seal Beach Police Department October 10, 2020 – Seal Beach, California		Around 3:15pm Officer Ed Pastor was conducting a traffic enforcement stop in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Mariner Drive. During that time, he was standing near his parked patrol car when it was suddenly rear ended by an unrelated Pickup truck traveling southbound on Pacific Coast Highway. The collision caused Officer Pastor to be knocked to the ground. A passing Seal Beach Police volunteer witnessed the collision, immediately began to render aid, and radioed for assistance. The Pickup truck then lost control and collided with a nearby wall. The driver fled the scene on foot but was located a short distance away and taken into custody without further incident by the Huntington Police Department. Officer Pastor sustained moderate injuries and was transported via ambulance to a local hospital. We provide this quilt to Officer Pastor to let him know we care.
Deputy (name withheld) Los Angeles County Sheriff October 25, 2020 - Westmont area of South Los Angeles, California		Around 2 am a female Deputy, from the South Los Angeles Station, was trying to stop a vehicle at Vermont Avenue and West 97th Street when the suspect attacked her and drove off. The suspect had grabbed her by the arm and dragged her about 10 blocks up Vermont until the Deputy managed to free herself. The injured deputy was transported to a hospital for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries. We send this quilt to this Deputy to let her know we care.
Trooper M Hart Virginia State Police November 6, 2020 – Arlington, Virginia		Around 11:30pm a vehicle entered a work sone on I-66. When it changed lanes, it struck Trooper Hart’s patrol vehicle near exit 69 (Sycamore Street) in the East Falls Church area. The driver drove off after the accident. Trooper Hart was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital and had non-life-threatening injuries. She is recovering at home after being released from the hospital. We send this quilt to Trooper Hart to give her comfort while she recovers.
EMS Lt Joshua Boylan EMS Lt Nick Scull Crozer Health October 6, 2020 – Springfield, Pennsylvania		Pennsylvania State Police said that an ambulance crashed into the charter school bus after the bus stopped on the on-ramp from Chestnut Street to yield for traffic on northbound Interstate 95 in Delaware County late in the morning commute. The school bus driver and three people in the ambulance were given medical treatment, police said. The ambulance passenger suffered a broken femur. The front passenger in the ambulance was trapped in the wreckage. We send these quilt to Lt Boylan and Scull to let them know we care.
Trooper Jordan Stevens Arizona State Police October 31, 2020 – Chandler, Arizona		Around 2pm Trooper Jordan Stevens was parked on the left-hand shoulder of the Loop 202 near Kyrene Road investigating a crash in the area. A vehicle traveling westbound entered the shoulder and rear-ended Trooper Stevens vehicle which he was in. Both occupants of the car suffered fatal injuries during the crash. Trooper Stevens was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. We send this quilt to Trooper Stevens to provide some comfort while he recovers.
Officer (name withheld) Hartford Police Department October 30, 2020 – Hartford, Connecticut		Officers were on scene conducting a vehicle stop on Shultas Place with two suspects inside a vehicle. Police saw a knife and what appeared to be drugs inside of the truck cab and began placing the suspects in custody when one sprinted back to the vehicle and began to drive off. The suspect crashed into one police cruiser, then put the vehicle in reverse and crashed into a second cruiser. Afterward, traveled went west on Shultas Place. Police deployed a stop stick to deflate the vehicle’s tires, which police say proved effective. The suspect’s vehicle then started traveling north on Maple Avenue. The suspect then crashed the vehicle into a third police cruiser with at least one officer inside, then ran on foot before police apprehended him. As officers placed him under arrest, they found a female officer on the ground unconscious. She was then sent to Hartford Hospital for treatment. Police said it was later determined that her injuries were the result of the car collision. Police say she has since been released from the hospital. We provide this quilt to the female Officer to provide comfort while she recovers.