Tag Archives: Police Officers

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The BackStoppers! A Commitment Worthy of Investing!

Important Update:

On Sunday we had our meet, greet, and practice session for the World Record Baseball for BackStoppers at T.R. Hughes Ball Park. (July, 3 – 5) I got to meet the guys and we discussed what our 60 hour baseball game will look like logistically and otherwise. It’s going to be a great event in of itself. Not to mention the Heritage Festival and 5K run event that will be going on just outside the ballpark during the 4th of July week.

What was most significant however, is that we got to meet some of the people whom BackStoppers assist.

Officer Officer Matt Crosby with Chief Ron Battelle

First there was Matt Crosby. Matt was a police officer in Rock Hill who was shot while investigating a domestic disturbance in 2010. That shooting has left him paralyzed and wheel chair bound. Matt told us about how Chief Ron Battellle (Exec. Dir. of BackStoppers) came to the hospital to present him with a $50,000 check shortly after he was injured. Since the incident BackStoppers has been in lock step with Matt and his family so that he has not had to worry about medical and living expenses..

Second there was Julie Weinhold and her four children. Julie’s husband Officer Eric Weinhold was killed in the line of duty in 2000. The BackStoppers allowed Julie to raise her children at home. This has been such a blessed investment as the two older boys are now in college and the girls thriving in high school.  BackStoppers has been so committed to this family, that even after Julie got remarried and her husband was laid off, they continued to assist assuring that their family continues to move forward.  This is what I call COMMITMENT to the sacrificed.

As excited as I was to play this game and support this cause, meeting these great people just fired me up all the more.  Chief Battelle (a retired 40 year police officer) couldn’t even introduce Matt and Julie without breaking down in tears.  Helping these officers and their families is a serious mission for this man.  His compassion is contagious and his spirit strong.  He told us that there are 56 other cases right now just like Matt and Julie’s that are being supported.

I share this because I want to let you know how much BackStoppers has done for our community.  Police, firefighters and EMT workers are vital to our safety and security.  To know that there is a community organization that supports those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is heartening. 

I noticed something else too by the way.  Of all of the players and organizers that I saw on Sunday, I was the only person of color.  This is especially significant because BackStoppers does not discriminate against those in need.  All who are served within our community should give back and support those who serve us.  I have no problem representing my community.  I would like to ask those who look like me especially to help contribute to this case by donating something to The BackStoppers for this event.  It doesn’t have to be a large amount.  (Contact me via email c_mac220@yahoo.com or inbox me if on Facebook)

This is not just about the money either.  Personally, I won’t have health insurance until September.  Though there will be a medical staff on site, I have already signed the forms to be responsible for my own health risk.  My family fully supports this decision as we believe in what we are doing.

After the game, I plan to find out how I can help The BackStoppers in the future.

This is a great organization!  Let’s come together and support it!

Family Julie Weinhold and her children

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Don’t Just Apologize, Get to Firing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I have a few friends who are police officers.  This one give all the good one’s a bad name.

I don’t see what there is to apologize about.  The sad thing is that if it’s anything like it is here, they could fire him but he will probably end up in someone else’s police uniform.

 This is the exchange that Powell had with Moats as he was trying to see his dying mother in law before she passed.  Thanks to this a-hole, it was too late!  He is the epitome of what Eddie Murphy said years ago that jerk cops must have been teased and called “buckethead” when then when they get the badge they get all bad assed.  Seems he really wanted Moats to know that he was in charge.  He needs to be in charge of looking for another job!

Excerpts from Officer Robert Powell and Ryan Moats: 

Moats: You really want to go through this right now? My mother-in-law is dying. Right now! … I got seconds before she’s dying, man!

Powell: If my mom was dying I’d probably be a little upset too, but when I saw flashing red and blues, I would stop.

Moats: Did I not stop at the red light?

Powell: You stopped, then you drove through the red light.

Moats: I stopped, I checked the traffic, I waved the traffic off, then I turned.

Powell: This is not an emergency vehicle. You do not have the right to control the traffic.

Moats: OK. All right … just go ahead and check my insurance so I can go ahead and go. If you’re gonna give me a ticket, give me a ticket. I really don’t care, just …

Powell: Your attitude says that you need one.

Moats: I don’t have an attitude. All I’m asking you is just to hurry up. Cause you’re standing here talking to me…

Powell: Shut your mouth and listen.

Moats: Shut my mouth? Is that how you talk to me, too?

Powell: Shut your mouth and listen. If you want to keep this going, I’ll just put you in handcuffs, and I’ll take you to jail for running a red light.

Moats: OK. All right.

Powell: I can do that.

Moats: OK.

Powell: State law says I can.

Moats: Yes, sir. Go ahead.

Powell: If you don’t settle down that’s what I’m gonna do.

Moats: Yes, sir.

Powell: All right, If you don’t settle down, your truck’s illegally parked – I’ll tow that as well.

Moats: Yes, sir.

Powell: OK, I can screw you over. I’d rather not do that. Your attitude will dictate everything that happens, and right now, your attitude sucks.

Moats: Yes, sir.

Powell: OK, I turned my red and blues on as you were going over the bridge …

Moats: You think I’m gonna stop when my wife’s mother is dying?

Powell: You are required to stop. What you’re doing does not matter. Red and blues, you have to stop. I can charge you with fleeing right now.

Moats: Yes, sir. …

Powell: I can take you to jail. I can tow your truck. I can charge you with fleeing.

Moats: Yes, sir, you can. I understand.

Powell: I can make your night very difficult.

Moats: I hope you’ll be a great person and not do that.

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Showing Some Love for the Fallen Innocent Servants

Leonard Riggins

For those who don’t live in the St. Louis area, you may or may not have heard of the tragedy of this St. Louis Firefighter who was shot and killed by a carjacker on Wednesday the day after the election.  Leonard Riggins was in his fire department vehicle as he approached an accident.  Though off duty he stopped anyway.  Unfortunately the accident was caused by a car jacker who then shot Riggins in the chest. 

Later that suspect was shot and killed by police.  (I ain’t mad about it either… though it doesn’t bring Riggins back…. not saying thats right, just being real about it.)

Many thoughts and prayers to Rigginn’s family as well as his brothers and sisters with the Fire Department.

Also a week ago University City Police Officer Sgt. Michael King 50, was also shot and killed while sitting in his partrol car.  A suspect has been arrested and we hope they get the right person so justice can be served.  King was buried on Tuesday, November 4.

These senseless killings need to stop!

 casket of Sgt. Michael King