Updated 12/29!
-- I need everyone to take a few moments to pray for a LEO and his family reference a very serious issue they are dealing with. It is about as bad as it can get -- a nightmare in the truest sense.
-- Arapahoe County SO Dep. Brad Ginn's mother is very ill. Please keep her, Brad, and the family in prayer.
-- Vinse Gilliam in Ventura County, CA has asked us to pray for a DA's investigator who apparently shot himself today (unknown if accidental or other). Here's the story: "Police this afternoon are investigating what appears to be an accidental shooting involving a Ventura County District Attorney’s Office investigator, Cmdr. Mark Stadler, of the Ventura Police Department said. Police responded to the 600 block of County Square Drive in Ventura, across the street from the Government Center, after receiving a report about 12:50 p.m.
The investigator may have shot himself either near or in a gray car parked outside of an office building where district attorney investigators work, according to a preliminary investigation. Stadler said the investigator is a man, but did release any additional information about him. No one else was involved in the shooting. The investigator, who was taken to Ventura County Medical Center, apparently was conscious after the shooting and able to talk to people, Stadler said."
-- I've been asked to post a prayer for request for the Arlington (TX) PD and the family of slain Ofc. Jillian Smith. This is the second LODD in the past six months for this Dallas suburb and they are reeling. Here's the story on Jill: http://policelink.monster.com/news/articles/148560-officer-2-others-dead-after-domestic-dispute.
-- While we're at it, let's just prayer for each other and go the extra mile in our cover tactics -- we're up forty percent over last year's totals and the last week alone has been horrendous.-- Please pray for wounded Polk County (WI) Deputy Mike Seversen who has been undergoing treatment at Craig Hospital in Englewood. Also check out his CaringBridge site and leave him a word of support and encouragement (Mike's story is there as well): http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikeseversen1.
-- One of our own was laid to rest on Tuesday (12/21): retired Colorado State Trooper Marvin Weese (a believer). Please be in prayer for his family and colleagues. See http://www.timescall.com/News_Story.asp?id=24630 for more.
-- Let's be in prayer for the wounded Chicago firefighters and the families/colleagues of those who gave all on Dec. 24th.
-- Please pray for New Zealand Constable Bruce Mellor who was viciously attacked with a machete while on a traffic stop. Mellor and his NZ police colleagues work unarmed (insane).
-- Pray for two colleagues who are recovering from injuries.
-- The Colorado Law Enforcement Officers Association (CLEOA) just sent out the following (below). Please be in prayer for our brother's family and colleagues.
We want to let our supporters know that Steamboat Springs PD lost one of their officers to cancer: Dale Vance Coyner. Dale graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1980 after helping his football team win the 1979 State Football Championship. Dale was also an accomplished wrestler in high school. Dale received his Bachelor’s Degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1984. When Dale returned to Steamboat Springs he began a Law Enforcement career by going to work with the Routt County Sheriff’s Department in 1997. He joined the Steamboat Springs Police Department in September of 1998 as a Patrol Officer. In 2004 Dale was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. Dale had an exemplary career and was known for taking pride in his work. He believed that kindness, strength, and integrity were paramount in handling the difficult situations that Police Officers encounter, and he demonstrated each of those qualities in his career. On December 4, 2010 Dale succumbed to cancer after a courageous 4 month battle with the disease. Dale passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Dale leaves in this life his wife, Judy – his mother, Patricia – his son, Daniel Vance Coyner – his daughter, Rebekah Grace Coyner – his sister, Connie Jerene and her husband, Darrell Davis. He also leaves in this life a large number of relatives and friends. Our prayers go out to the Coyner family during this difficult time
-- We are asking everyone to say a prayer for the "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan & they have lost 9 marines in 4 days. Semper Fi, God Bless America and God Bless the United States Marine Corps...Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever.
See http://www.facebook.com/pages/3rd-Battalion-5th-Marines/129302720460021?v=wall for more.
-- Pray for a colleague who is dealing with some very serious back issues and is in a great deal of pain.
-- Mesa (AZ) PD Officer Lance Heivilin continues to covet your prayers as he battles cancer. Lance is on Facebook and he and his family would love to hear from you. Here is one of Lance's recent posts and one that epitomizes the Christian's proper attitude to trials:
My family returned from church, tears in their eyes, deeply touched by the Word shared by Paster Zach. I had stayed home today to visit with a friend who was in town on a trip, the timing as if it it was meant for Jennae, Dad, and Bryan to receive a message without me there. They had discussed the message with friends at church. They brought the message home, shared it with tears. The significance was so clear, Bryan carried likely the largest burden in the sharing of the three of them. But the message ended with smiles of understanding. A quietness of acceptance that is difficult to comprehend. I am compelled to share it with you. The reading today was from John 11:1-44. It is the chapter about the death of Jesus's good friend Lazarus. Jesus carries the burden of both God and man in his decision making. I want to focus on Verse 4, "But when Jesus heard about it he said, "The purpose of his illness is not death, but for the glory of God. I, Son of God, will receive glory from this situation." I have learned through this illness that I am not sharing my story for my own reward. It started out that way, but His word has shown me different. I share my story, to show others that God's strength is the source of my strength. That my love for Jesus brings me the comfort that if modern medicine cannot keep me well, that what lies ahead is not the end but only the beginning. Verse 4 brings Jennae security, the kind that makes a husband know that everything will be ok. People see the convoluted chain of events of the past 6 months in my life, which one person could never plan, has brought me to one of the top cancer treatment facilities in the country. There is a greater plan at work here. But please, understand that miracle I hope will come in controlling the cancer is not my testimony. All that I am today, all the incredible blessings beginning with my wife and now family, came after a I submitted to God in a tiny loft apartment one dark night in 2000. My life as it stands today is my testimony. Confronting cancer is another chapter, though I hope it is the strongest chapter in a compelling reformation of a troubled and conflicted soul. Thank you all for being here for me, for Jennae, for my family in our greatest hour of need. It is my hope that my battle with cancer will shine as my brightest success, by helping people understand God's grace. It is my prayer that when the day comes and you need His grace to succeed in your overwhelming challenges, you will ask Him. Reach for Him. Submit to His will. Through this you will find an inner peace you never dreamed possible.
What a great testimony! "Complete calm in the eye of the storm."
-- Please continue to pray and support little Elizabeth Jetton and her parents -- TN Officer Sheila Jetton and husband Matt. Show your support via Elizabeth's Sheila's CaringBridge site (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethjetton). We can be warrior's in many ways, and Sheila and Matt are truly that as they fight for their daughter's life.
-- Laura Lawyer, wife of CSP Trooper Ivan "Gene" Lawyer, sends the following:
My name is Laura, and on July 20, 2010 my husband Gene Lawyer, who is a 10 year veteran of the Colorado State Patrol, was involved in a shooting while on duty. This is any law enforcement officers and families worst nightmare and no one could prepare you for the way this changes your life. Not only the mental issues, but the finances and the way you live your everyday life. This incident as well as the ongoing crisis has turned our lives upside down, as well as our friends, families and even our co-workers lives.Gene has been indicted on multiple felony counts stemming from the incident. His first court appearance was on November 9 and his next appearance will be on January 11, 2011. We have been advised the entire process could take more than a year. At the time of the incident Gene was not a member of the CSPPA (Colorado State Patrol Protective Association) and therefore not protected with legal defense. This has left our family to obtain a private attorney to represent Gene’s case and has placed a HUGE financial burden on our family.I am asking as a wife to please think about your family, friends, loved ones, neighbors, co-workers or even that law enforcement officer you know or possibly have never met. PLEASE, if there is any way you can help us by donating to Gene’s attorney fees, we would GREATLY appreciate it. We ALL realize with the economy the way it is and money being very tight for everyone, the sacrifice it will take from each of you. The outcome in this case can and will affect the way all law enforcement officers do their jobs across the entire nation.
The bank information needed for you to graciously donate to Gene’s attorney fees is as follows:
WELLS FARGO/WACHOVIA Bank
ACCOUNT # 6633784522
ROUTING # 102000076
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DONATION!!!!!!! Always make sure to tell your loved one that you love them before they go on duty, because you never know...
-- Continue to pray for Pastor/Chaplain Manny Hays (retired Denver PD officer) and his wife Angie who is battleing liver cancer and is in need of a transplant. Both are powerful in Christ.
Updated MEETING SCHEDULE for FCPO-Denver:
-- CANCELLED due to blizzard... Thursday, December 30th, 2010. 7 PM, Calvary South Denver in Littleton (http://www.calvarycsd.org/ for directions), High School Room -- last room on your right past the main sanctuary. We'll be taking a look back at we we've been in where we're going in 2011.
-- Thursday, January 6th, 2011. Same time/place as above.
Check back frequently for the latest updates!
