Pittsburgh LODD's
First I want to extend my appreciation to all the Law Enforcement Officers from throughout the nation who converged on Pittsburgh following the tragedy last weekend. Three of our police officers were killed while responding to a domestic call. Guys dog pissed on a carpet, momma wants him thrown out of the house. Jerk pulls on a balistic vest, loads his weapons (includng an AK47), and ambuses the officers when they arrived. Yesterday 2 of our officers were laid to rest. Thousands upon thousands of people, LEO's, firefighters, medics, and the general public turned out for the memorial service. It is just such a shame that it takes the death of three police officers to get folks to say "thank you" for the service they provide.

Paderborn, Germany: Aparatus accident (LODD)
An aerial ladder responding to an emergency was strcuk in an intersection by a taxi cab this morning. One passengar in teh cab was killed immediately. One firefighter was critically injured, transported to a local hospital where he later died. Two other firefighters remain in critical condition. Two other vehicles were also involved in this accident, the occupants being injured as well. Our prayers go to all the injured.

Forest Hills, PA
Locally, the Forest Hills VFD and Woodland Hills EMS responded to a local church, where an out of control vehicle struck pedestrians outside of a church. The patients, most elderly, were seated on a bench following waiting for rides following Good Friday mass. 7 persons were injured, including one patient who leg was amputated when she was struck by the vehicle. Mutual aid EMS response from Eastern Area Prehospital Services, Fire Department of North Versailles EMS, Monroeville EMS. The vehicle operator was a retired priest, who states that the "accelerator stuck".

Baghdad, Iraq, LODD
A suicide truck driver detonated a ton of explosives near a police headquarters in the northern city of Mosul on Friday, killing five American soldiers in the deadliest attack against U.S. troops in more than a year. The U.S. military said Iraqi police were the bomber's target and that the Americans were caught up as bystanders.

Midwest City, Oklahoma
A fire Thursday afternoon, which destroyed 50 homes, was intentionally set. Midwest City Fire Marshal Mike Lojka (LOY'-ka) says some teenagers were observed in the area where the fire began Thursday afternoon near a wrecker service and they are believed to have started it. Outside of Medwest City, more then 100 homes have been destroyed and 34 persons injured statewide as a result of fast moving brush fires.

Lenoir County, NC: LODD
Detective Allen Pearson was shot and killed as he and other members of the agency's Special Response Unit attempted to apprehend a suspect who had murdered a woman the previous day in a rural area of Lenoir County.Deputies had responded to the scene after receiving reports of a man shooting a gun on a wooded path. When they arrived, the found the vehicle of the murder victim parked nearby. The suspect was located in the woods, where he was firing his rifle. The suspect refused to surrender and fired at the deputies. Detective Pearson was with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office.

On the lighter side, from New York:
Twenty-six-year-old Jessica Silverman won $25,000 after guessing the exact number of jelly beans in a jar, 7,954 to be exact. She was on her way to meet friends for coffee, when she ran across a booth set up by an insurance company. She was somehow convinced to take a guess, and what a guess it was! (Guess I should not be surprised that an insurance comapny has folks counting beans.) Ms Silverman plans to use her winnings on a downpayment for a house.


For the Public Safety Personnel:
On a critical incident NOBODY will remember what order you arrived if you drove sensibly at the speed limit. However EVERYONE will remember if you drove like an idiot at excessive speed and didn't arrive at all.

Everyone Goes Home
Pete