Friday’s Heroes: Remembering the Fallen
Officer Gary Lee Michael, Jr., 37
Clinton Missouri Police Department
August 6, 2017 – Officer Gary Lee Michael, Jr. was shot and killed during a traffic stop for an expired registration. As he approached the vehicle, the driver stepped out of his car and began firing with a rifle.
Corporal Monty Platt, 47
West Texas A&M University Police Department
August 8, 2017 – Corporal Monty Platt died as a result of complications resulting from the bit of an injured feral cat he’d attempted to capture. He is survived by his wife, son, and mother.
Trooper Pilot Burke M.M. Bates, 40
Virginia State Police
August 12, 2017 – Trooper Pilot Berke Bates and Lieutenant Pilot Jay Cullen were killed when their helicopter crashed while monitoring a protest. Trooper Bates is survived by his wife, twin daughter and son. He died one day before his 41st birthday.
Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, 48
Virginia State Police
August 12, 2017 – Lieutenant Pilot Jay Cullen Trooper Pilot Berke Bates were killed when their helicopter crashed while monitoring a protest. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Clark, 50
Quitman County Mississippi Sheriff’s Office
August 13, 2017 – Deputy Jimmy Clark was killed in an auto crash while responding to a shooting call. He is survived by his wife and children.
Correctional Officer David Torres-Chaparro
Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
August 17. 2017 – Correctional Officer David Torres-Chaparro suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in riot control training.
Detective Elise Ybarra, 33
Abilene Texas Police Department
August 6, 2017 – Detective Elise Ybarra was killed in an auto crash when a vehicle struck her unmarked vehicle from the rear. She is survived by her husband and 10-month-old daughter.
Deputy Sheriff Jason Fann, 28
Yoakum County Texas Sheriff’s Office
August 5, 2017 – Deputy Sheriff Jason Fann was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a traffic accident.