User Panel
Posted: 12/12/2007 3:53:06 PM EDT
For those of you haven't heard. Last night one of our own was brutally attacked while working an off-duty security detail at Kroger. Sgt Gail was stabbed/cut at least 7 times and is currently at St. Mary's in critical condition.
Two other officers and myself chased him for a while and he was caught after chasing him on foot for a while after he was sprayed with OC. Any prayers or well wishes would be greatly appreciated for all of us that are having a tough time dealing with one of our own getting hurt. Especially pray for the family of Sgt Gale. A fund has been set up at a local Suntrust branch for those willing to make a monetary donation to help in Sgt. Gale's recovery. She has a long road ahead of her and by no means is she out of the woods yet. SunTrust Bank Attention: Heidi Spratlin 1022 Prince Ave. Athens, GA 30606. News Article RAFFLE THREAD I editted the title, Kyle. We need everyone to read this and donate whatever they can. - Mark |
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read about that on Metrotech today, Prayers sent and I also read they were needing blood donors, do you know what type they need.
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Dang, there are some sadly wacked out people in this world. I was pretty surprised by the convienence store shooting the other day too. That just not the kind of stuff my brain associates with Athens, GA. Best wishes and prayers to your fellow officer.
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Myself and the other officer that caught the suspect were working undercover doing Robbery Suppression so we were in an undercover car so one of the other officers had to transport. From what they told me earlier while I was at the hospital, they said that had to give her 16 units of blood since they brought her in last night. I know a lot of the other officers, friends, and family were donating blood right and left. I'm not sure what kind of blood she needs, but I'm sure if you were willing to give, if it wasn't used for her, then it would go to someone else in need. |
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She's now on my prayer list, and I'll put a check in the mail tomorrow. I wish it could be bigger, but it's unfortunately the wrong time of year for me to have pockets full of $$$.
Here's our chance to help a HERO Georgia Gang. I'm betting we can make a difference if we all pray and give together. A little from each of us could mean a big difference! If I send a get well card along with the donation would it likely get to her??? Or do you think it would be better to send it to her, care/of St. Mary's? |
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Officer Gail is one of the best officers I have ever worked with. Her work on one of my first cases was instrumental in the successful prosecution of a serial rapist in Athens. She is also one of the most pleasant people to work with. Make no mistake though; she is not a softy and what happened to her does not in any way reflect her ability as an officer. It reflects the brutality and danger posed by the perpetrator.
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I see no reason for a trial unless its an really quick one with a excecution waiting. It kills me how people in cases like this aren't charged with attemted murder, but assualt. The prosecutor has to show he meant to kill somebody when he stuck a knife in them. The prosecurtors are actually lucky when the victom dies. I pray this officer is out soon enough to enjoy Christmas with her family. God bless her.
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What is attempted murder? |
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Prayers sent and I'll send some $$ that way too. She have family (husband, kids)?
And this is why I couldn't be a cop. That perp would have been delivered to the county lockup in two or three garbage bags. Mark |
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FWIW, the news reported that an officer tackled the suspect. No one tackled the suspect. We chased him and he turned around at which point he was sprayed with OC. He dropped the knife and went to the ground where he was handcuffed.
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I started to follow up on your post, but then I decided that you said all that needed to be said. |
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Maybe it was wishful thinking? Personally, I'm amazed anyone took the risk of trying OC when he had a knife out and had already used it on one officer. |
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Sure hope the officer gets through this o.k. Too bad somebody decided to use OC rather than some 180gr. hp ammo, center mass! Wonder what the cost to society will now be? When I first saw that the attack happened in Athens, I just assumed that the perp was a drunk frat boy.....NOT!
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That's because you have the potential to get more time with Agg. Assault/Battery than Criminal Attempt of Murder as well as it being easier to prosecute. Read the code section for Agg. Assault, I'd say it fits a little more properly than going for Criminal Attempt to commit Murder.
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Heard about this at roll call last night. You never know what these nutty homeless people are going to do when you approach them. He'll probably get off lightly with an insanity plea (well he would if it was Fulton Co).
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Of course. No room in the jail, the victim was white, and why would they reduce the main political base? (I haven't lived in Fulton County since I was in college, and wish I could stay out of it now, at least the parts I usually go to aren't under the control of the Fulton County Commission or City of Atlanta). |
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Thanks for the info. I think the sentences are too light myself, but thats just my opinion. Its obvious to me that if somebody sinks a knife into somebody's chest that they intended to kill them but in our courts you have to prove it. Even if you do kill somebody, big deal if it was in a fit of rage. My buddies dad is dead because a girl he knew came to his house high on crack, she asked him for cash, he said no so she killed him (shot him) and left. She confessed to all of it. The DA told my buddy that if she does good time she'd be out in 10 years, I guess thats good to know if you ever want to kill somebody. That happened in Ohio about 16 years ago. Pisses me off that the sentences are that light. |
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Easy way to look at it. Murder is aggravated assault with one more piece of evidence, a dead body. Conversely Aggravated Assault is murder incomplete.
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Prayers are sent from all Creekside Firing Range staff. If we can do anything just give us a call.
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Guys, I just got an e-mail from a good friend who happens to be a LEO, although not with Athens. I cannot give details of the e-mail because I'm not at liberty. My friend is a member of the board here and I'll let him post whatever he thinks is appropriate.
What I can tell you is that this officer is in bad shape and money is an issue. Since she was working a part-time job (to help pay bills!) and was not on duty... Well, you figure that one out. This officer needs money in the worst way. Her family needs the financial help like you cannot believe. What I am asking each of you to do is think about this season and what it means. It is about giving from the heart. It is about helping others. How much moeny do we all spend on our guns and ammo? We can all spare a little. Please, give what you can in this woman's most urgent time of need. Keep the prayers coming too, but also dig into your wallet for what you can spare. Skip that next meal out and donate what you would have spent. Every penny counts! And get the word out. Make others aware. Thanks. Mark |
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I cross-posted info in the Brothers of the Shield area. Kyle, please let me know if you think any of this should be removed.
This was part of the e-mail I got from a LE friend: "Last night, I spoke with Det [name removed] who has been updating me on Sgt Gale's condition. The Det told me that the doctors discovered that Sgt Gale has suffered 5 strokes. The ramifications of those strokes are unknown at this time due to her induced coma. Det said that Kroger has been supplying the family with plenty of food and what they need most is money to cover the expenses of her treatment and staying by her side. Sgt Gale must use all her accrued leave, then use short term disability. She is not covered by the Athens-Clarke County workers compensation because she was injured working a part-time job. Some of Sgt Gale's family live out of state and are paying for rooms at the local Hampton Inn. The closest relative lives 20 miles from the hospital and is having to take leave without pay to be by her side. If you can, please donate to the Courtney Gale fund by visiting any SunTrust bank (more information is below)." Then this e-mail was forwarded to me by the same friend. He got it from a LEO who is very close to Sgt Gale and is at her side now. So sad. ***************** As I sit here tonight typing this email, a friend that is very dear and close to me is lying in a hospital intensive care unit fighting with all of her might to survive a brutal attack, and I cannot sleep. Some of you have already heard her story, but many of you haven't. I can't keep up with everyone that I've talked with in the past 24 hours. Some of you I don't know very well, and I'm not sure how you ended up in my address book other than we must have had some correspondence in the past. I've tried to filter this email so it goes to fellow law enforcement and my close friends only, but it's okay if you don't fall into either category. The story that follows is about a hero's need. Sgt. Courtney Gale, an Athens-Clarke County police robbery homicide sergeant that I work very closely with, was working an extra duty job at a local supermarket when she encountered a man with a knife. On Tuesday December 11th at about 9:20 in the evening, that man stabbed Courtney repeatedly with a the large "butcher like" knife - the blade was shoved into her body ten times. I know Courtney well - I imagine that everyone in the store was trying to get away from the man with a knife while Courtney was running towards him. Courtney lost a massive amount of blood in the attack. A nurse who saw the scene unfold estimated that Courtney lost 2 to 3 litres of blood as she lay on the floor bleeding to death. The average human body contains only 2.7 to 3 litres, and Courtney is small -- that estimate may be a little high. But that nurse was certainly in a better position to estimate than me. Like I said, it was a very brutal attack. Some of the wounds punctured Courtney for the entire length of the blade. Courtney suffered substantial injuries to her left leg, right arm, back and shoulder. Courtney didn't have an opportunity to use her radio to call for help. As she fought for her life, all she could do was push the panic button on her radio. Some brave people in the grocery store went to Courtney's aid, fought the attacker off, and chased him until responding police officers could catch up to him. They chased him across a busy roadway with five lanes of traffic, behind a shopping center, and into a dimly lit parking lot. While this chase was underway, that nurse that I mentioned earlier took charge of tending to Courtney's wounds. The nurse used a customer's belt to put a tourniquet on Courtney's severed femoral artery. A severed femoral artery can kill in mere minutes. The nurse directed customers to retrieve supplies off the store shelves to use in the heat of the moment. She slowed the flow of blood down enough to keep Courtney alive. You can imagine the chaotic scene that was unfolding. While the nurse was trying to hold Courtney's life together with paper towels, a belt and the other implements she had at hand, every police officer in the jurisdiction was racing into the area not really knowing what had happened. They knew little more than a fellow officer was down. Observant responding officers saw silhouettes running through a dark parking lot. The silhouettes were those of some supermarket customers chasing the suspect. In an incredible display of professionalism, three Athens-Clarke County patrol officers, all of them thinking that Courtney might be dying at the hands of the suspect they saw before them, used the minimum force necessary to take the suspect into custody. The human condition in me wishes they had killed him, but I'm very proud of the professionalism those officers displayed. They controlled their emotions and did the job they are sworn to do. That's exactly the way Courtney would have wanted it done. I talked to that heroic nurse in a lengthy conversation tonight. She said that when she bent down to assess Courtney's condition, her eyes were open, glazed over, and she didn't look conscious. Courtney had her radio up to her mouth and she uttered one word that the nurse could barely make out, "ambulance." She didn't move or say anything else that made the nurse think she was conscious until a fellow police officer bent down in a recognizable blue uniform a few minutes later. Courtney articulated one word perfectly, "muscular." That's all she had left in her, and she was trying to describe her attacker. In her mind she may have said a complete sentence, but all that came out was "muscular." A pair of paramedics was close by when the call went out that a police officer was down. The two paramedics raced to the supermarket and did a "snatch and run" -- they quickly delivered Courtney to a hospital that was close by, St. Mary's. An awesome emergency room staff was ready for her arrival. To everyone that reacted on Courtney's behalf, you are my heroes! Those of us that heard about the incident raced to the hospital. We may have broken a few traffic laws in our haste to get to Courtney's side -- I'm sorry Chief Lumpkin, I felt guilty when I did it, but I couldn't help myself. There wasn't anything we could do but stand outside the emergency room entrance by the ambulance and pray. Hospital staff were congregating at the windows of the hospital tower watching us in bewilderment. There must have been about a hundred of us holding hands in a circle praying together. It was a terrible thing to experience, but it must have been an awesome sight to behold and I'm sure God was listening. Courtney's surgeon gained control of her vascular system over the course of 3 tenuous surgical sessions. Her blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and circulation stabilized over the course of the next 24 hours. Tonight, she is critical but, by the account of every medical professional I've talked to, stable. Courtney still has some surgery ahead of her. The surgeons will have to open her up again and clean up some of her wounds, but the initial hurdle of keeping her alive was overcome with a lot of heroism, skill, and miraculous intervention. You don't have to be a medical professional to know what the recovery risks are. Her attendants say that if she continues along a path of improvement, she is going to keep all of her limbs, but the doctors say that she may have suffered brain damage as a result of the trauma. Courtney is a strong young woman with a lot of fight in her. Everyone that spends any amount of time with Courtney quickly realizes that she rarely succumbs to other people's predictions for her -- she almost always exceeds the expected. She's taken on this attack in the same "Courtney style" that we all respect and love her for. The RN sitting by her side last night said, "I've never seen anything like it. I'm monitoring the circulation and temperature of her injured leg, and that leg might be doing better than the uninjured one -- it's like she's trying to show off." Courtney has a long recovery ahead of her, but today I'm confident she is going to survive and recover. Despite the confident attitude I displayed, I wasn't so sure Tuesday night. She has a tremendous physical battle to fight. And she's got a tremendous mental battle ahead of her. It's going to be a LONG, LONG process. Everyone that I've talked to has asked, "What can I do?" There are three things you can do for Courtney: 1. Pray for her. 2. Put together some substantial words of encouragement. The medical staff says Courtney is going to be in a drug induced coma for a while. She won't be able to take any calls, have any visitors, watch tv or read. She cannot receive flowers in ICU. She can hear, and she seems to respond to familiar voices. Her mom asked that we put words of encouragement in writing so that she can read them to her. Email me your words and I'll see that they are placed in her mom's hands. 3. Send some money to her fund. Courtney is going to have diminished income and extensive expenses as a result of the attack. If we all step up, we can eliminate her financial burden completely. I don't want Courtney or her family to worry about her financial concerns -- I want them to focus all of their efforts on Courtney's physical and mental recovery. Few people get rich in the business of law enforcement, and Courtney is with the majority. She is a woman of limited financial resources. Collectively as her law enforcement brethren we can make a huge difference for her well being. I hope that you will rally behind her. She would never ask for the help, but I will. Everyone should give to her. I would like to see more money than she will ever need arrive in the mail at SunTrust, the bank that has a special fund established for her. In the unlikely event that she gets more than she needs, I'm certain of Courtney's impeccable character -- she will turn any excess funds over to another brother or sister in blue that needs the help. In this season of giving, write a check out for Courtney. And I'm not asking for a little check -- when you are trying to decide how much to send, it's not enough until it causes you to wince a little bit. I know it's a tough time of year to think of giving, but do the right thing and give a little back to a person that has given so selflessly of herself to help protect others. I'm going to make my check out right now. My household will put a little less under the Christmas tree this year, but I'll be blessed for my benevolence and you will too. Donations can be made to "The Courtney Gale Account Fund" at the SunTrust Bank, Attn: Heidi Spratlin, 1022 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30606. Thank you for the tremendous outpouring of goodwill that I know you will show! |
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Has a link to this been posted in GD or TEAM so we can get all of ARFCOM in on this?
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She is still struggling but she's hanging in there. Kroger has really stepped up to the plate in accommodating all the family that had to come down.
Sgt Gales has gone through 16 pints of blood, which if I remember correctly was furnished by the Red Cross. So it is important for everyone to go to their local Red Cross center and give blood. Keep in mind that it probably won't be used for Sgt. Gale, but it will be there for the next person who desperately needs it. The different shifts on the westside of town have arranged it so that there is at least 1 officer there at any time during the day. When we go to work, each officer goes and stays with the family for about an hour when they are relieved by another officer. This continues around the clock. Yes, everyone keeps saying that we should have killed the guy. Trust me, the thought crossed our mind. When we were chasing him, it felt like deja vu all over again from the last shooting that I was involved in. However, we had to be the strong ones and do what was right . We were able to detain him by using OC spray. Just keep praying and keep giving whatever you can. This is the season for giving. Let's show what them the power of ARFCOM. |
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Kyle, you guys did right. You were the bigger people for it too.
Anything else the family needs right now other than prayers and financial aid? Mark |
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The financial aid is the part that they will need the most in the long run. Sgt. Gale has enough leave to get her through until about April. Some of the guys at work have been helping the family at Sgt. Gales house in terms of building a wheelchair ramp and taking care of all the animals. Kroger is helping alot with the hotel expenses and providing food for the family. It doesn't seem like that she will be eligible for any work comp claims through the county since she wasn't on the county's payroll at the time(eventhough she was in uniform). I am considering doing a raffle for an AR or other firearm in her honor, and all proceeds will go to her fund or assist the family in some manner. |
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Thanks for the heads-up on going to any Suntrust! I had been lazy and had not put a check in the mail yet. When I saw that I could go to my local Suntrust I locked the door on the shop and walked the 2 blocks to make the deposit. They knew exactly what I wanted to do, and how to do it. They took my money, deposited it into her account, and gave me a receipt, in less than 5 minutes. It was SO easy!!!!!
Stop at your local Suntrust guys and deposit as much as you can!!!! |
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IM sent. I have this to add if you decide to do this |
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I have a gently used EOTech 551 that I will sell for the cause. It is in great shape and works well. I have the box and the large thumb screw for it.
I will give 100% of the money to her family. If you pay $300, she gets $300 and you get an optic. Who wants it? ...and how much will you pay? |
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If I may also, I have a NIB A.R.M.S. #40 A2 rear flip up sight that's never even been mounted that I bought for $95. Anyone that wants it, make me an offer of at least what I payed and I will Match it.
You buy it for $100, the officer's family gets $200. Looks like this. ARMS #40 |
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$300 is too cheap. $400, let me know where to send the $ |
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cross posted on another local forum:
offcamber4wd.org/forum/index.php?topic=5283.0 |
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To all my local Georgia HT members,
I normally don't get to involved in the threads that go on here on the board, until now. It makes me very proud to see the amount of effort that has gone into raising money for Sgt. Gale. This is a very selfless act, and I honor all of you. If you haven't made a donation yet, please consider doing so. I know we are all strapped for cash this time of year, but there is someone out there that needs our help more than you need a new toy. I ask that every one prayerfully consider making a contribution for Sgt. Gale. My prayers go out to Sgt. Gale, her family, and all of the members of Athens- Clarke County. Bookhound, with your permission I will spearhead a separate Raffle thread if there is any interest. |
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WOW! That is awesome! Unless someone wants to go higher, I will close the deal with cohutt and get the money down to Sgt Gale. May God have mercy on her and her family. May He give them the strength and courage they will need to follow this path. May this event serve in some way to elevate God and allow us to know His love and compassion. May we accept Christ's sacrifice as sufficient. |
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If you would like to make a contribution, or donate an item for a raffle please let me know. If it is okay with site staff. I'll set up a paypal account for donations as well, and I'll get it to the family.
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My dear friend, that would be great. Please do so. I will contribute to it. God bless ya and an extra prayer tonight for Sgt Gale. Mark |
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Already done. Link |
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Awesome job. If you need any help with this please let me know. I sent this out to one of the neighborhoods I work a part time in, they made a sizable contribution. I'll be making a deposit in the bank on Monday.
Outstanding job here Georgia Gang!
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I'm not saying that. Revenge has no place with people we place our trust in. You not only did what was right, but you have the right attitude. Almost gives me hope in the system. I told you I wanted to shake the hero's hand, it was because of what you did, and wouldn't have been offered under other circumstances. In my line of thinking even if killing another person is absolutely necessary it is none the less a waste. Your actions saved a life, had it been someone else there may have been more blood shed needlessly. You are a credit to the uniform. You are a Law Enforcement Officer with restraint and pride. Thank you. |
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As of Tuesday evening (121807), Sergeant Gale continues to be listed in "critical, but very stable" condition. Courtney experienced an uneventful night. Monday she was placed on a dialysis scheduled, but her sedation level also has been lowered. The really encouraging news is she has reacted to stimulation and we believe that is certainly a positive sign! We all continue to be encouraged by her resolve. Again, our understanding is that the planned treatment anticipates a significant period of recovery and our support as well as her determination is key to her recovery.
Courtney's loving family continues to express appreciation for the overwhelming outpouring of adoration and concern expressed by her ACCPD family, the ACC family, Kroger, and the general public. We all request that everyone continue to pray mindfully for her recovery. Again, in my opinion we should continue to pray and hope for continuously, daily, and incremental improvements in Courtney’s condition. The notes and email messages from her friends and concerned citizens are encouraging to her family members and also members of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. Sergeant Gale's family is reading those handwritten and email messages to Courtney at her bedside. So, please continue to support her with your encouraging comments that stimulate her brain activity. Courtney remains in excellent medical and familial care! |
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****UPDATE*****
It has been 21 days or exactly three weeks since Sergeant Gale suffered extensive, life threatening injuries. After visiting at the hospital this evening, it is obvious that Sergeant Gale is making timely and encouraging progress! The family reported Courtney was actually rolled down the hall this afternoon in a wheel chair and got to see those on the fourth floor waiting room. Also, her word utterance (three or four at a time) abilities are improving. What a wonderful New Year's gift from Courtney! Please continue your prayers for Courtney and her continuous improvement. Below is a pasted message posted this afternoon by Courtney's family. God Speed TUESDAY, JANUARY 01, 2008 03:55 PM, CST Today the nurses and physical therapist helped get Courtney into a chair, so she could be in a sitting position for awhile. Some discussion of rehabilitation facilities has begun, but dialysis is an issue for the foreseeable future. We hope that the New Year will bring her more healing and continued recovery. |
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