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Volume 8 November 22, 2011 A National Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organization
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Greetings!
Welcome! This time of year brings forth memories. My prayer for all of us is that our memories will bring us comfort and joy. A popular Thanksgiving tradition includes sharing what we are thankful for. I am thankful that PursuitSAFETY has united us in a cause to save lives. I am thankful for PursuitSAFETY volunteers and financial donors. I am thankful for police officers. Together, we are paving the way to make our streets safer. People who experience the tragedy of crashes as a result of vehicular police pursuits and response calls are not alone. They refer to PursuitSAFETY as their "lifeline." We are the only national nonprofit organization of its kind, and we reach out to people with the support they so desperately need.
This issue focuses on people. They seek justice, give presentations, host blood drives and speak out on behalf of PursuitSAFETY. Together, we are working to prevent these tragedies from happening to others. I encourage you to leisurely scroll through this edition of "Word on the Street."
Working for a safer way,
Candy Priano, Executive Director
on behalf of PursuitSAFETY's Governing Board and Advisory Board
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Deborah DeWitt describes her son Brian:
Funny and Smart with a Huge Smile and Amazing Hugs
by Deborah DeWitt  | | Deborah DeWitt and her son Brian |
Illinois--I was woken by my husband John who told me Brian was at the hospital. He had been in an accident. We rushed to the hospital. We had to make a detour because they had blocked off the street. We later found out that was where Brian had been killed by a young police officer speeding through the intersection in an unmarked car with no sirens or mars lights. The report indicates that he was traveling 90 mph in a 30 mph zone. This officer used bad judgment, which resulted in my son's death. My son Brian can never be replaced. He died over a traffic stop. I am outraged.
Our lives will never be the same without Brian. My heart is broken and saying goodbye to my sweet son was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. He was such a loving son and brother and friend to all. He was funny and smart and popular and handsome. He always had a huge smile and big cheeks and gave everyone amazing hugs. I wanted him to go to college and become a fireman and raise a family of his own just like he wanted. I would trade places with him if I could. It is not fair that his life was taken nine days after he turned 18. Brian was the innocent victim of an officer's careless mistake, and I have to live the rest of my life without him and it truly sucks.
We will always miss him and love him. Words cannot describe the pain. I can only hope that another family does not have to go through this and that I will see my son again in heaven.
Note: While in Chicago last month, Candy Priano visited with Debbie, and Brian's dad John and sister Cindy. Brian's sister Jessica was away at college. She says, "It was an honor to meet Brian's family and one can easily see why Brian was such a sweet, young man." |
Judge grants man who pleaded guilty
in 2007 murder a seventh continuance
Mother fights for justice
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Cheryl Cooper on NBC News
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Missouri--Cheryl Cooper gave an amazing interview, reflecting the love and voice she gives to her son Christopher. Judge Jack Grate stated in his orders for March 2011 and October 2011 that no continuances would be granted. Yet, the judge granted another continuance!
"These continuances minimize and marginalize the life and death of Christopher Cooper," said Candy Priano, who had planned to be in court with Cheryl. More than 50 people had scheduled time off work to attend the Nov. 18th hearing. Candy was already en route to Missouri and PursuitSAFETY supporters Jim and Suzi Saragusa of Topeka, KS, were in Independence when they received word that Judge Grate granted a seventh continuance. Jim's daughter Kristin, an innocent bystander, was killed by a driver fleeing police in 2007. Days before the scheduled Nov. 18th hearing, Candy had asked Cheryl to write down her thoughts. Here is Cheryl's response:  | |
Christopher with his Mom
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Christopher Cooper
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"I don't know what to say, other than I need this to be over. Two years have gone by since I became aware of this hearing, and it has brought so much fear and dread, the possibility of this man going free is unimaginable to me. I know I need to face him again. I need to be there for Chris, but the thought of seeing him again rips open the wound he bestowed upon me ... again and again. I don't understand his motives. I don't know why he can't accept his responsibility for the part he played in taking Chris from us. All I can do is be there, so he knows we are still standing up for Christopher, and we always will. "This picture of Chris and me (right) was taken in 1996. Chris was in the first grade. We were hiking in the woods that day. He loved being outside, surrounded by nature."
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Two mothers taken
Families and friends seek justice for their loved ones
 | Kimberly & Janice
Click on pictures for the story. |
Lucas Aragon posted these words on PursuitSAFETY's Facebook group page regarding justice for his sister Kimberly Aragon-Nunez and her co-worker Janice Flores. Lucas wrote: Jeremiah Jackson [the fleeing driver] is claiming that life without parole violates the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment. A filing to the response will be made soon to outline the U.S. position and the applicable law. Please pray Jackson gets life in prison for KILLING Kimberly and Janice! We need everyone's support. I'll let you know the day of the sentencing so we can show our support in numbers to the judge!!!
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From the Past
Pursuing justice for 'lost' crime victims
Relevant today as it was in 2004
Crime victims leave behind families who fear that their loved ones will be forgotten. For decades and even today, innocent people killed in police pursuits are considered acceptable collateral damage. Families of pursuit victims don't even have a chance to fear that their loved ones will be forgotten because they quickly learn that their children, siblings, parents, grandparents are the "lost" crime victims. Read the rest of Candy Priano's opinion article published by The Ventura County Star on May 26, 2004.
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Update:
Police Chiefs' International Conference
Risk vs. Reward and PursuitSAFETY's Safer Way Award
by Candy Priano
 | Police Chief
Richard Schardan |
Chicago--It is an honor to share with you that thanks to Police Chief Richard Schardan of Maryville, Illinois, PursuitSAFETY was the subject of at least two sessions at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) October conference in Chicago. More than 100 officers attended Chief Schardan's workshop on the need for safer pursuits and response calls. He provided the officers with a DVD containing video clips of PursuitSAFETY's spokesperson Glenn Morshower speaking about "Risk vs. Reward," comments from families of innocent victims and news stories about the deaths of innocent victims of pursuit and response calls. Chief Schardan, a PursuitSAFETY advisory board member, also promoted PursuitSAFETY's Safer Way Award program. I am thankful for Chief Schardan's continued support of PursuitSAFETY.
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Candy Priano
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I gave a 10-minute talk about our Safer Way Award program during the IACP Highway Safety Committee meeting. After my presentation, I spoke with police commissioners, chiefs, sheriffs and road safety experts. The committee chair asked for an article about the Safer Way Award to be published in The Police Chief magazine. Michelle Toon, a volunteer and niece of Johnny Kallmeyer, an innocent victim of pursuit, submitted the idea for the Safer Way Award. Michelle wrote the award proposal. Chief Schardan is the award program's administrator.
Now is the time for you (civilians and officers) to submit completed nomination form(s) to Chief Schardan. Click on the Safer Way Award logo to download a form.
In April 2011, the organization gave its first Safer Way Award to the St. Louis County Police Department. Click here to watch the April presentation of this award and to download the 2012 nomination form.
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Our public awareness campaign includes a Speakers' Bureau. PursuitSAFETY speakers are Jon Farris, Brenda Ehrensperger, David Ehrensperger, Candy Priano, and Kim Schlau.
Kim Schlau, mother of Jessica and Kelli Uhl, serves as PursuitSAFETY's team leader for the Midwest and speaks during Lifeline Training's "Ultimate Survival Instincts" Training Courses. She gives her presentation during the "motor vehicle and traffic accident" portion of the program, telling the story of Jessica and Kelli. |
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We are so blessed that actor and inspirational speaker
Glenn Morshower
gets the word out about PursuitSAFETY. All of us are thankful for Glenn's continued support of PursuitSAFETY!
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| ALERT International E-Newsletters are designed to help officers train. ALERT president, Capt. Travis Yates, would like to produce a training video on the use of Tire Deflation Devices. This news article tells the story: After five spike strips related-deaths this year, police officers cautious but supportive of devices.
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Memorial Blood Drives Save Lives
PursuitSAFETY has sponsored three blood drives with a fourth scheduled for November 28th:
 Sept 29, Minnesota: The Sanford family held the first blood drive in honor of Mari Plaster & Daniel Sanford (left), innocent bystanders who are permanently injured. Mary Sanford reported that their blood drive went "very well. Our goal was 20 units and we got 19."
Nov. 7, Illinois: The third annual Jessica and Kelli Uhl Memorial Blood Drive took in 24 units. Past blood drives have collected a total of more than 75 units.
Nov. 19, Alabama: David Ehrensperger, father of Steven, wrote on PursuitSAFETY's Facebook group wall: This past weekend we had the second  Steven Ehrensperger Memorial Blood Drive. We had a goal set by the Red Cross of 42 units. We did not meet that goal, but we received 35 units, surpassing last year's count by 3 units!
 Upcoming Memorial Blood Drive
Monday, November 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Champion Christian School 1184 East Avenue, Chico, CA
The second annual Kristie Priano Memorial Blood Drive is set. To donate blood, contact Mark Priano at 530-513-1340. All participants receive a free BloodSource T-shirt and a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. Last year's blood drive collected 31 units.
A special "thank you" to all blood donors!!!!
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When you give financial support to PursuitSAFETY,
90% or more of your tax-deductible donation goes to the mission: victims' advocacy, officer training and education!
We are a 501(c)(3) ... your donation is tax-deductible.
All non-profits need financial support and PursuitSAFETY is no exception. When considering a tax-deductible gift to a charitable organization, please put PursuitSAFETY at the top of your list. PursuitSAFETY's Governing Board and Professional Advisory Board members do not receive compensation. This practice allows us to use your tax-deductible, life-saving donation to fund our programs.
Learn more about our programs and read our annual reports at the link below.
PursuitSAFETY needs your help.
Please Donate Here. Thank you!
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Send Us Your News and Video Clips
Your news is important to us. Please send your written, ready-to-be published announcements and news stories for our publications and our website, pursuitsafety.org. Send completed articles and video clips to candy.priano@pursuitsafety.org.
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