Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of each of these brave officers.

Deputy Sheriff Eddie Wotipka, 51

Harris County Texas Sheriff’s Department

June 10, 2010 – Deputy Eddie Wotipka drowned while attempting to rescue his English Bulldog that had fallen into a canal. Deputy Wotipka’s wife tried to save her husband but was unsuccessful. Bystanders had to use ropes attached to a pickup truck to pull her to safety. One witness said that during his struggle to survive the deputy never let go of his dog.

The bodies of Deputy Wotipka and his dog were later recovered by a dive team.

Deputy Wotipka is survived by his wife and two children.

Officer Thomas P. Coleman, 33

California Highway Patrol

June 11, 2010 – Officer Thomas Coleman was pursuing a traffic violator when his motorcycle crashed into a tractor trailer. He died at the scene.

Officer Coleman leaves behind his wife, two-year-old son, and an eleven-month-old daughter.

Detective Michael Perry, 43

White Plains New York Police Department

June 12, 2010 – Detective Michael Perry suffered a fatal heart attack after chasing, subduing, and arresting a larceny suspect.

Detective Perry is survived by his wife and two sons (pictured above looking on as their father’s casket passes by).

Images – RedlandsDailyFacts and LoHud. Thanks to ODMP.