Quilt Recipients September 2019

Quilts were sent in September 2019 to the following first responders injured on duty.

First Responder, Date, & Location	Quilt	Story
Illinois State Police Trooper August 15, 2019 – Wheeling, Illinois		Illinois State Trooper was assisting with serving a search warrant about 6:30pm at home in Wheeling for a person wanted for forceable detention, aggravated assault to a peace officer and aggravated unlawful restraint stemming from a state police traffic stop on I-294 around 1:30 am the previous Thursday morning. During the execution of the search warrant a suspect from inside the home started shooting at officers, hitting the Trooper. The Trooper was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. We send this quilt to surround him in comfort and love while he recovers.
Montana Highway Patrol August 16, 2019 – Helena, Montana		A Montana Highway Patrol trooper was injured in a collision at the intersection of I-15 and Prospect Ave. Helena Police Department Capt. Curt Stinson said the incident occurred at 2:26 p.m. The trooper was responding to assist another Highway Patrol trooper and was driving with her sirens and lights on. When she exited I-15 at the Prospect interchange and was trying to turn onto eastbound Prospect, another vehicle hit her on the driver's side, trapping her in her vehicle. The trooper was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. We hope this quilt let’s her know we care during her recovery. **Completed quilt provided courtesy of Linda Daniels, Hutchinson, Kansas
Deputy Meagan Forsberg San Bernardino Sheriff's Office September 4, 2019 – Victorville, California		Deputy Meagan Forsberg’s gun was taken from her by a suspect and then he fired at her. The incident occurred in the 13000 block of Cabazon Court. Deputy Forsberg was in a brawl with the suspect but was not hit by the gunfire. Deputy Forsberg responded to a home around 8:30 am after a woman called law enforcement repeatedly saying, "My God, oh my God," followed with "Send the police," according to Sgt. Jeff Allison. When authorities spoke with the woman again a few minutes later, she told them she wanted her son removed from the house. But then she told them to "hold on" and stopped communicating with the dispatcher. Deputy Forsberg found the son outside the home, and he became combative with her. The suspect started slugging Deputy Forsberg in the head, forces her to the ground, struggles with the deputy on the ground and manages to discharge one bullet there before taking control of weapon. He then stands up with the gun in his hands, takes aim and fires at the deputy. The shot is fired just as additional deputies are arriving on scene, and the suspect walks toward them with his hands up. We are thankful to hear Deputy Forsberg will recover and was not more seriously injured. We send this quilt to wrap her in comfort during her recovery. **Completed quilt provided courtesy of Linda Daniels, Hutchinson, Kansas
Officer Vanessa Medina New York Police Department September 17, 2019 – Staten Island, New York		Officer Vanessa Medina is on the mend after being shot in the hand while attempting to arrest a domestic-violence suspect in Stapleton. The incident began when the injured officer and her partner responded to a report of a past domestic assault and met the victim on Park Hill Lane at around 8:15 am. After dropping the victim off at a safe distance and calling two additional officers for backup, the four officers then approached the suspect near the intersection of Prince Street and Mickaradan Court. This is when the suspect immediately became combative. Officers deployed a taser, which made the suspect draw his firearm and he fired twice. Officers then fired three times. Officer Medina was struck in the hand, and the suspect was killed. We are glad to see Officer Medina has been released from the hospital and is recovering. We hope this quilt provides some comfort during her healing. **Completed quilt provided courtesy of Linda Daniels, Hutchinson, Kansas
Sgt John Baker Pembroke Pines Police Department August 11, 2019 – Pembroke Pines, Florida		Sgt. John Baker was on patrol when his motorcycle crashed with another car near Sheridan Street and 146th Street, at around 7 am which left him trapped underneath a vehicle. He underwent surgery at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood and was listed in critical condition. We send this quilt in hopes of providing some comfort during his recovery.
Trooper Josh M Tallman West Virginia State Police August 6, 2019 – Marlinton, West Virginia		Pocahontas County Sheriff JP Barlow was investigating a wreck involving one vehicle around 6 pm when he was shot at by a man with a rifle. Police officers from other counties responded to the scene and searched for the suspect. Trooper Josh M Tallman found the suspect in the woods and was shot in the abdomen. Trooper Tallman returned fire and shot and killed the suspect. Trooper Tallman was transported by helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he underwent three surgical procedures. Update: 8/14/19 – Trooper Tallman was released from the hospital to recover at home. We are happy to hear Trooper Tallman is at home recovering and hope this quilt covers him with comfort.
Officer Robert Stewart Newport News Police Department August 17, 2019 – Newport News, Virginia		Officers were dispatched to a shooting at the Circle K gas station off Kiln Creek Parkway just before 3:35 pm. When police arrived, they found a woman shot to death. Approximately two hours after the woman was killed, officers found the suspect’s car in a nearby apartment complex parking lot. After police surrounded the area, the murder suspect began shooting at the officers. The suspect’s gunfire struck an Officer Robert Stewart and an individual who was with the officer at the time. Officers returned fire and the suspect was struck. We send this quilt to provide healing comfort while Officer Stewart is recovering. **Completed quilt provided courtesy of Amanda Brumbaugh.
Sgt Thomas Agredano Walker County Sheriff’s Office August 11, 2019 – Walker County, Georgia		Sgt Thomas Agredano was shot during a dispatch response to a Rossville domestic call around 9:30 pm. Officers were called to the scene about an unwanted party at the residence off Claire Street. When deputies arrived, the man was sitting on the porch and he had a weapon in his lap. Sgt Agredano engaged the suspect in conversation, but the suspect told the deputy to leave before suddenly brandishing his weapon and opening fire upon him. As the officers retreated for cover, Sgt Agredano was shot in the leg during the exchange of gunfire. We hope this quilt will provide Sgt Agredano some comfort during his recovery.
Captain Anthony Duff New Haven Police Department August 13, 2019 – New Haven, Connecticut		The shooting occurred around 9:30 pm at the intersection of Dixwell Avenue and Henry Street. Captain Duff, the department’s public information officer, was in the area and saw the shooting take place before him so he attempted to intervene. Captain Duff began to chase the suspect, who turned around and shot him several times. He was taken to a local hospital for surgery but is expected to make a full recovery. We send this quilt to Captain Duff to surround him with our very best while he recovers.
Deputy C. Drake and P. Zelaya Harris County Sheriff’s Office July 23, 2019 – Houston, Texas		Deputy C. Drake and Deputy P. Zelaya were going eastbound on the Westpark Tollway at Synott around 11:30 pm when a driver slammed his vehicle into their patrol vehicle. The driver, who was intoxicated, drove by at least two 'Do Not Enter' and four 'Wrong Way' signs. Toll road officials say the wrong-way system detected his vehicle and two other drivers called 911, but the calls did not make it in time. The deputies were transporting a person to jail. That individual died from the accident. Deputy Drake had a broken foot, numerous bruises and cuts, and Deputy Zelaya suffered a concussion. We present these quilts to them in hopes it will provide some comfort while they recover.
Officer Derek Nunn DeKalb County Police Department August 1, 2019 – DeKalb County, Georgia		Officers responded to a domestic disturbance call between a boyfriend and girlfriend at about 12:30 am on Hodgdon Corners Cove where they were immediately met with gunfire. Gunfire came from the suspect as he hid between two residences. Officer Derek Nunn of the DeKalb County police was shot multiple times and transported to a hospital for treatment. We are happy to hear Officer Nunn is recovering at home and send this quilt to provide comfort.
Deputy Keith Schultz Costilla County Sheriff’s Office August 7, 2019 – Costilla County, Colorado		Deputy Keith Schultz arrived at a home at Sangre de Cristo Ranches around 4 am in response to a burglary call at a home. He was shot multiple times by the burglary suspect. The suspect fled but was captured several hours later. We are thankful Deputy Shultz survived and we send this quilt to provide comfort during recovery.
Deputy Aaron Blais Seminole County Sheriff’s Office June 29, 2019 – Seminole County, Florida		Deputy Aaron Blais pulled over a vehicle for an illegal window tint but smelled marijuana in the car. Body cam and patrol vehicle footage shows the suspect arguing with Deputy Blais before driving away while Deputy Blais was holding onto the window. Deputy Blais was dragged twice at 40 to 50 mph, for a total of 100 yards on the interstate. During the incident, Deputy Blais fired into the suspect’s car, striking him in the leg but he escaped and was later arrested and facing charges of attempted murder. We send this quilt to Deputy Blais to let him know we care and are happy he was not injured worse.
Trooper Caleb McCoy Missouri State Highway Patrol August 16, 2019 – Carter County, Missouri		Deputy Brigg Pierson and Trooper Caleb McCoy were shot while they were serving an eviction notice. The suspect then barricaded himself inside his home. Deputy Pierson sustained injuries to his leg, groin, and chest, and had to be taken to a St. Louis hospital for treatment after being airlifted from the scene. Trooper McCoy was hit in the vest, was treated at the hospital and released. We send this quilt to let Trooper McCoy know we care.
Deputy Brigg Pierson Carter County Sheriff’s Office August 16, 2019 – Carter County, Missouri		Deputy Brigg Pierson and Trooper Caleb McCoy were shot while they were serving an eviction notice. The suspect then barricaded himself inside his home. Deputy Pierson sustained injuries to his leg, groin, and chest, and had to be taken to a St. Louis hospital for treatment after being airlifted from the scene. Trooper McCoy was hit in the vest, was treated at the hospital and released. We send this quilt to provide comfort during recovery.
Officer Doug Petersen Idaho Fish & Game August 27, 2019-Caribou County, Idaho		Idaho Fish and Game Regional Conservation Officer Doug Petersen of Idaho Falls was injured in a horse accident Tuesday, August 27. Petersen was on horseback patrolling Brush Creek in Caribou County with another officer when the accident occurred. They were able to use an emergency satellite transmitter to call for help. The Fish and Game office in Idaho Falls received the emergency transmission at approximately 3 p.m. and called for an emergency evacuation. Caribou County Sherriff's Office, Fish and Game and Search and Rescue also responded to the scene. He was evacuated by an Air Idaho medical helicopter and transported to the Eastern Idaho Medical Center. We hope this quilt will provide comfort while he recovers.
Trooper Thomas Burrell Trooper Nicholas Cilli Trooper Roy Sanchez New Jersey State Police July 30, 2019 - West Orange, New Jersey		A multi-vehicle crash involving a dump truck, fire truck, police SUV and an ambulance left several first responders injured and forced the closure of I-280 in both directions in Essex County. The crash happened around 10:22 am, on the eastbound side of Interstate 280. Troopers and the pedestrians were all out of their vehicles at the time. The troopers were investigating an earlier accident in the area, involving the pedestrians, when the dump truck hit the group. None of the pedestrians were seriously injured. Two Troopers and five West Orange firefighters were taken to the hospital following the wreck. University Hospital in Newark received seven patients from the crash, including five people listed in fair condition and two in critical condition. A third Trooper had minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Wow! This scene looked like it was a mess, but we are thankful to hear all first responders survived. We send, our support and hope these quilts offer comfort during their recovery.
Deputy Jonathan Hutchison Henderson County Sheriff’s Office July 24, 2019 - Athens, Texas		Deputy Jonathan Hutchison attempted to make a traffic stop on a suspect, who was driving a motorcycle in the Berryville area at about 3:14 am. A struggle and exchange of gunshots ensued before the suspect fled on foot in the area of County Road 4117. Deputy Hutchison, was hit in the side and was treated at a Tyler hospital before being released. The suspect had last been seen in the Berryville area where he is suspected of stealing a silver 1999 Chevrolet Silverado pickup. He was taken into custody at 10:17 am in a wooded area off of County Road 3213 near Jacksonville in Cherokee County in the Ironton community. We are happy to read that Deputy Hutchison survived and we send this quilt to let him know we care.
K9 Midas Anchorage Police Department August 26, 2019 - Anchorage, Alaska		Officers responded to a report of a suspect with a gun in the 1700 block of Wildberry Loop, near Strawberry Rd, around 2:30 pm. The suspect was under the influence of drugs and threatening suicide and had pointed the weapon at more than one person. After officers arrived, the armed suspect was standing by a vehicle and ignoring commands as he walked up to a house and tried to open a door. When he was unable to open it, he fired into the home, breaking a window next to the door. He then turned around, pointed his gun at responding officers, and fired a shot and then climbed through the broken window. Around 6:35 pm, after failed negotiations, SWAT deployed chemical agents into the residence. The suspect then left the home through a rear window armed with a large sword and approached a team of law enforcement, which included a police K9 Midas. The suspect then attacked K9 Midas with a sword and was shot by the SWAT officer. This situation could have been far worse! We are thankful for K9 Midas and send this quilt to comfort him during his recovery after surgery.
Deputy Walter J Mackel Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office July 25, 2019 - Vidalia, Louisiana		Deputy Walter J. Mackel was shot by a suspect at an apartment complex in Vidalia. Deputy Mackel was airlifted to a hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. The shooting preceded an hours-long standoff with multiple law enforcement agencies that started around noon. The suspect was confined to one apartment. A SWAT team was brought in and a robot was used to find the suspect. We send this quilt to provide comfort during his recovery.
Officer Nathan Daley Dunwoody Police Department August 1, 2019 - Dunwoody, Georgia		Officer Nathan Daley pulled a man over for texting while driving about 11:30 am. The driver stopped but then took off with Officer Daley stuck in the driver’s side window. Officer Daley was dragged onto Interstate 285 where the suspect hit other cars to try to get Officer Daley off his car. He eventually fell onto the road and the pursuit ended when the man crashed into three other cars. We send our best for a quick recovery and hope this quilt provides comfort.