Friday’s Heroes: Remembering the Fallen
Sgt. Robert Deichman
Youngstown Ohio Police Department
Sergeant Deichman was killed on June 19, 2008 when his unmarked police car collided with a tractor-trailer truck. He leaves behind a wife, two daughters and his parents. Sgt. Deichman was a nine year veteran.
Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr.
North Carolina Highway Patrol
Trooper Blanton was shot and killed with his own weapon during a traffic stop on June 17, 2008. The suspect has been arrested and charge with capital murder. Trooper Blanton proudly served his department for two years. He leaves behind a wife and two-week old son.
Deputy Jose Antonio (Tony) Diaz
Yolo County California Sheriffs Department
Deputy Diaz was shot and killed during a traffic stop on June 15, 2008. The suspect fired at the officer, striking him in th shoulder area. Deputy Diaz had been wearing his vest, but the round penetrated it causing the fatal wound. The deputy was a ten year veteran. He leaves behind three children.
Lee, I think it’s a great thing you’re doing for these fallen officers.
Kendra, I agree with you. I hope that one day we can come to this page on a Friday and it will be blank.
Karen – Thanks for bringing Deputy Diaz’s story to my attention.
Kendra – According to the information I received, the round actually missed the Kevlar portion of the vest. So I’m guessing it hit the officer in his shoulder where the Velcro straps meet the vest. It’s a small unprotected area.
Kendra –
Later news reports corrected their mistake – Deputy Diaz was wearing his vest, but the round hit the shoulder area just above where he was protected.
Lee, thanks for including Yolo Deputy Tony Diaz. His murderer was caught after an hours-long manhunt and has been arraigned for murder with special circumstances. The killer is a two-striker who earned 12 years for attempted murder in 1998 — after being named or convicted in ten cases stretching back to 1996. He was released for good behavior after 8 years 5 months. Had he served his full sentence, he would have been incarcerated until June 2009.
God help our lenient society, huh?
Lee, can you explain how the vest didn’t stop the bullet? I know they aren’t foolproof.
I appreciate your Friday tributes. I always hold my breath, hoping the list isn’t too long. Maybe one of these days it’ll be blank.