Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

You gave your all to protect and serve us, and for that we are eternally grateful.

Officer Bruce Daniel Jacobs, 35

Jackson Mississippi Police Department

July 20, 2013 – Officer Bruce Jacobs was struck and killed while placing roadway debris into the trunk of his patrol car.

Officer David Vanbuskirk, 36

Las Vegas Nevada Metropolitan Police Department

July 22, 2013 – Officer David Vanbuskirk was part of a helicopter rescue team attempting to hoist a hiker who was stranded on a rock ledge above a canyon. Officer Vanbuskirk was lowered from the chopper to the ledge and, after attaching the hiker to the hoist line, both the officer and hiker were raised from the site. On the way up to the helicopter, Officer Vanbuskirk somehow became detached from the hoist line and fell to his death on the canyon floor. He is survived by his wife.

Trooper Winston I. Martindale, 40

New York State Police

July 24, 2013 – Trooper Winston Martindale succumbed to injuries he received in 2011 after responding to the scene of a plane crash involving two planes. While working to free the pilots from the wreckage, Trooper Martindale suffered severe internal injuries. Still, he continued his rescue efforts until the pilots were pulled to safety. In the years afterward, Trooper Martindale underwent several surgeries, but eventually passed away as a result of the injuries. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, sister, and brother.