NO 3 THINGS FOR ME TODAY: A TRIBUTE TO TROOPER 2
Good morning. It is with a sad heart that I post this this morning. Yesterday morning, I was awoken by a 6:30 a.m. cell phone call from a Trooper friend of mine. Chris wanted to let me know, before I heard it on the radio, that a Maryland State Police Med-Evac helicopter, Trooper 2, based out of our section at Andrews Air Force Base, had crashed just after midnight in Prince George's County.
Four of the five individuals on board were killed: Pilot - Corporal (Retired) Stephen Bunker, Medic - Trooper First Class Mickey Lippy, an additional ground EMT-Paramedic, and a patient. I worked with and knew Steve, who had been on the job when I joined back in 1985. Steve probably had over 5000 hours of flight time in the helicopter and WOULD NOT have flown had he thought it was unsafe. I can only assume that they got socked in by fog after takeoff, but at this point, the NTSB is still investigating, and I'm sure the official report will take weeks.
I know Steve had at least 2 children, both of whom are teenagers now, and apparently, TFC Lippy had an infant daughter.
My heart goes out to their families and their co-workers. MSP is known for rallying around the families of their fallen heroes, and I'm sure this will be no different. One of my best friends is the Commander of the Aviation Command, and I KNOW he's grief-stricken this a.m., but hiding it to provide for the needs of the families and his personnel.
The fleet is now grounded, for how long, who knows. I have the ultimate trust in the men and women who operate and man these helicopters - the number of lives saved because Maryland has this valuable resource is HUGE. Although not all of the pilots are Troopers, ALL of the medics are - these men and women take a risk every day in order to get critically injured patients to a trauma center within the "Golden Hour," the time determined by Dr. R Adams Cowley (for whom the Shock Trauma Center is named) to be the most critical in saving lives.
So please say a prayer for these men and women, the patients on board, their families, their friends, and their co-workers. We are about to embark on one of the saddest weeks in the history of the Maryland State Police in 20 years.
Thanks,
Teresa
Four of the five individuals on board were killed: Pilot - Corporal (Retired) Stephen Bunker, Medic - Trooper First Class Mickey Lippy, an additional ground EMT-Paramedic, and a patient. I worked with and knew Steve, who had been on the job when I joined back in 1985. Steve probably had over 5000 hours of flight time in the helicopter and WOULD NOT have flown had he thought it was unsafe. I can only assume that they got socked in by fog after takeoff, but at this point, the NTSB is still investigating, and I'm sure the official report will take weeks.
I know Steve had at least 2 children, both of whom are teenagers now, and apparently, TFC Lippy had an infant daughter.
My heart goes out to their families and their co-workers. MSP is known for rallying around the families of their fallen heroes, and I'm sure this will be no different. One of my best friends is the Commander of the Aviation Command, and I KNOW he's grief-stricken this a.m., but hiding it to provide for the needs of the families and his personnel.
The fleet is now grounded, for how long, who knows. I have the ultimate trust in the men and women who operate and man these helicopters - the number of lives saved because Maryland has this valuable resource is HUGE. Although not all of the pilots are Troopers, ALL of the medics are - these men and women take a risk every day in order to get critically injured patients to a trauma center within the "Golden Hour," the time determined by Dr. R Adams Cowley (for whom the Shock Trauma Center is named) to be the most critical in saving lives.
So please say a prayer for these men and women, the patients on board, their families, their friends, and their co-workers. We are about to embark on one of the saddest weeks in the history of the Maryland State Police in 20 years.
Thanks,
Teresa
Yes, i add my prayers as well. I caught the reports of this over the weekend and immediately thought of those involved and their families. Loss is always hard. Sudden loss is extremely hard. God bless all of those who are injured or lose their lives in public service. Thanks to all who selflessly serve others, often at great risk to themselves.
I am saddened by this tragedy and extend my sympathy and prayers to all those who lost family members. Members from our Volunteer fire department where I am an auxiliary member worked a Canteen Unit from the Prince Georges County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association and were there yesterday. The other paramedic was Tanya Mallard, 39 of Waldorf, an EMT-B with the Waldorf Rescue Squad.
Terri F."The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you"
Tia:
WOW, I hadn't heard about this. I've been so busy with moving and packing. My heart and prayers go out to all the families of those lost in the crash. These men and women give so much to help everyone else and we don't realize how much they put their lives on the line everyday to save someone else.
WOW, I hadn't heard about this. I've been so busy with moving and packing. My heart and prayers go out to all the families of those lost in the crash. These men and women give so much to help everyone else and we don't realize how much they put their lives on the line everyday to save someone else.
Lisa Z.
When we believe, all things are possible!
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