Heroes of Denton County


	Lancaster Police Officer Craig Shaw was a five-year veteran of the force. The 37-year-old had offered to work on Father's Day, Sunday June 21, 2010 — even though the devoted husband had a seven-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. Shaw was slain as he responded to a report of shots fired at a Lancaster apartment complex on Sunday evening. Shaw also served on a regional SWAT team. The Craig Shaw Trust Fund has been established, and contributions can be made at any local Chase Bank branch. For additonal information, please visit: WFAA-TV

	Arlington Police Officer Craig Gordon Story, a seven-year veteran died in the line of duty in a vehicle crash Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. Officer Story, was 34 years old. "There are inherent dangers that come with being a police officer. We all hope to never have to talk about our officers making the ultimate sacrifice." Officer Story joined the 24th Academy Class of the Arlington Police Department in May 2002. He was nominated for East officer of the Year in 2005. During his seven years with the department, he received 19 commendations, and was also a member of the Tactical Unit. Officer Story is survived by his wife, Danielle, and young son. For additional information, please visit: WFAA-TV

	Dallas Police Officer, Sr. Cpl. Norm Smith, was fatally shot shortly after 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at a southeast Dallas apartment complex. He was the first law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2009. Officer Smith was shot in the head while serving a felony aggravated assault warrant with a team of officers. "They knocked on one of the apartment doors," said Lt. Andy Harvey, Dallas Police Department. "And when they did, they were met with gunfire." Authorities said that Officer Smith was shot through the door. Smith was a longtime veteran of the gang unit. He was once awarded officer of the year and is the father of two teenaged children. He would have celebrated his 18th year as a Dallas Police Officer Wednesday.
"Thank you so much for your generous donation in behalf of my Beloved husband, Norman Smith. He dedicated his life to the Dallas Police Department & he loved serving the citizens. We appreciate your support." - Mrs. Norman Smith to The Heroes of Denton County, 01.26.2009
“He was a warrior, but a warrior who approached people with a great deal of respect… He was passionate about his job.... He had a grace and dignity on the streets that made him stand out from everyone else.” - David Kunkle, Dallas Police Chief, 01.09.09

	Bridgeport Police Sgt. Randy White, 32, was killed in the line of duty Thursday, April 2, 2009. Officer White was one of three Bridgeport officers who responded to a call for help from the Wise County Sheriff’s Office after being alerted that the chase was entering Bridgeport from nearby Decatur, said Amber Fogelman, a city of Bridgeport spokeswoman. As White was pulling over a pickup hauling a flatbed trailer, trying to get it off the road to prevent a potential injury, the suspect’s vehicle approached the patrol car from behind and slammed into it. Bridgeport Police Chief Randy Singleton said it appeared from the preliminary investigation that the driver “intentionally rammed into the officer at a high rate of speed.” White leaves behind a wife and a five-year-old daughter. For additional information, please visit: WFAA-TV
	Dallas Police Officer, Senior Cpl. Victor Lozada-Tirado, 49, a 20-year veteran of the department was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle while escorting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's entourage to a rally on February 22, 2008. He had been with the department's traffic division for five years. Cpl. Lozada-Tirado was married with four children — two boys and two girls. For additional information, please visit: WFAA-TV
	Flower Mound Police Department Motorcycle Officer Kevin Schmidt was severly injured in a collision on July 25, 2007. Officer Scmidt was in pursuit of a another vehicle with his sirens and lights on when he struck an unidentified car and was thrown 70 feet to the pavement. The Flower Mound Police Association has set up a fund to assist with costs associated with Officer Schmidt's tragic accident. Those wishing to donate to the "Kevin Schmidt Fund" may do so through: Denton Area Teachers Credit Union (DATCU)
	TXDPS Trooper Steven Oliver, was critically wounded in the leg with a high powered rifle on August 10, 2005 during a multi agency suspect pursuit throughout the northern DFW Metroplex. The chase ended in a three hour gun battle in Northeast Denton County in which the suspect was shot to death by Denton County Tactical personnel. Trooper Oliver was awarded the Star of Texas in a ceremony held October 28, 2005, in the Texas Capitol. Click here to view a press release for the event. On behalf of Governor Perry, Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams presided over the ceremony, which honored 44 peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty: Trooper Steven Oliver Fund, TXDPS Credit Union, P.O. Box 15346, Austin, TX, 78761
	6-year veteran of the Little Elm Police Department, Officer Jonathan Wayne Irby, was found shot to death December 10, 2004. Little Elm Police Chief Waylan Rhodes indicated that, "Based on what we saw, we confirmed that we had a homicide of a police officer." A memorial fund has been set up for Officer Irby at the First State Bank of Celina in Little Elm, P.O. Box 1149 Little Elm, TX 75068, (972) 294-0050. Please make all donations out to the Jonathan Wayne Irby Fund.
	Lewisville Police Officer Anthony D. Tamayo, 31, was critically injured on Tuesday July 27, 2004 in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 35E in Lewisville. Officer Tamayo has been with the Lewisville Police Department since January 2000, having previously served more than three years as a police officer in Victoria, Texas. A backhoe working at a freeway construction site was traveling southbound on the inside freeway lane and somehow struck Officer Tamayo's police cruiser, spinning it into oncoming traffic lanes where it was broadsided by a tractor-trailer truck. A fourth vehicle also struck the backhoe, its occupants were also transported to local trauma centers. Officer Tamayo is now with his family recuperating from his injuries. Photos Courtesy of NBCDFW.com
	In the early morning of June 2, 2004, Denton Firefighter Michael J. Valentine was killed in a motor vehicle accident. Firefighter Valentine was 29 years old and is survived by his wife and three young children. Mike Valentine started with the Denton Fire Department in August of 1998 and was promoted to Driver in September 2003. He was a certified paramedic and firefighter. A memorial fund for Firefighter Valentine’s family has been established at the Denton Area Teachers Credit Union under the Denton Firefighters Memorial Fund for Michael Valentine, 31314-04. Donations to "The Heroes of Denton County" on the behalf of Firefighter Valentine's family may be made from the "Donations" link found on this page.

For Your Self-Less and Courageous Sacrifice, We Honor the Memory of Our Brothers of the Charleston, South Carolina Fire Department Lost June 18, 2007. Our Thoughts, and Prayers, Are Offered for You, Your Families’ and the Community That You Lived, and Died, to Protect.

Ages & Years of Service: Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48 (30 years) Capt. Mike Benke, 49 (29 years) Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34 (11½ years) Engineer Mark Kelsey, 40 (12½ years) Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37 (9 years) Assistant engineer Michael French, 27 (1½ years) Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 56 (32 years) Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27 (4 years) Firefighter Melven Champaign, 46 (2 years) "We lost over a hundred years of service to the City of Charleston Fire Department, over a hundred years of dedicated service," . . . 'To the families who gave them to us, we protected them as much as we could. They did exactly what they were trained to do' . . . ' They were my friends' . . . ' I lost nine of my best friends.' . . . 'They lost their lives fighting for the safety of our citizens." - Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., City of Charleston, South Carolina This, The Largest Loss of Firefighters in the Line of Duty Since the September 11, 2001 Terror Attacks on This Nation.