Thread: HONORING AMERICANS LOST ~ Memorial

It's most valuable to get these to the American people.

Americans have been shielded from the truth and we're the ones that will make change.

Every American lost at the hands of an ILLEGAL cannot have been lost for naught - cannot be forgotten.

Thanks Faye! I can understand a need to catch ones breath. I think it is important to get these to our officials too. It's just that it's been a few days since the last post, and I'm rarin' to go again.

Driver Gets Max Sentence In Crash That Killed Officer
Skip directly to the full story.
By ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune
Published: Mar 7, 2007






TAMPA - To Jose Luis Espinoza, the death of city police Detective Juan Serrano last year was just an accident.
To Judge Ronald Ficarrotta, the accident was a horrible crime.
Ficarrotta on Tuesday sentenced Espinoza to 30 years in prison, the maximum. Espinoza was convicted in January of driving-under-the-influence manslaughter for the February 2006 car crash that killed Serrano, who was Mayor Pam Iorio's bodyguard and driver.
"I'm really sorry for what happened," Espinoza, 36, an illegal Mexican immigrant, said through an interpreter before he was sentenced.
"I'm very sorry. I'm not a bad person. I don't have a record. I've never done anything like this. … We all make mistakes. Nobody's perfect."
Espinoza drove a 1996 Pontiac that crushed the city-issue Ford Taurus Serrano drove that day after driving Iorio home from the Gasparilla Distance Classic.
"This was a tragic, tragic accident," the judge said Tuesday. But this accident was a crime, he told Espinoza, pointing out that he was intoxicated, chose to drive and fled after the crash.
"Everyone in this courtroom makes mistakes," the judge said. "To characterize your actions that day in February as a mistake is to grossly underestimate it. You committed a crime. You took the life of another human being … who by all accounts was an outstanding police officer, an outstanding family man, an outstanding human being."
Assistant State Attorney Kim Seace said Espinoza's apology was worthless. She said Espinoza was given an opportunity to show remorse when interviewed for his presentence report and instead invented a new story, claiming he was a backseat passenger in the car that hit Serrano's.
"He has no remorse, and this apology today, I think, is an empty one," Seace said, asking Ficarrotta to impose the maximum sentence.
Serrano's widow, Mylin Matos Serrano, told Ficarrotta her husband was important to a lot of people.
"My husband's watch ended tragically on Feb. 25, 2006, as he made his way home to the family he loved, after doing the job he loved," she said. "He will be forever missed. The void in my life will never be filled."
Juan Serrano protected foreign dignitaries visiting Tampa, infiltrated drug-trafficking organizations and helped start the department's gang-suppression unit. Serrano worked as a police officer in Puerto Rico for several years before joining the Tampa police in 1989.
After the hearing, Mylin Serrano was asked whether she accepted Espinoza's apology or agreed with the prosecutor that it was not sincere. A little bit of both, she said.
"I'm pretty sure he had time to remorse," she said. "I can't judge him, but he might be remorse, and I hope he was."
Police Chief Stephen Hogue attended the hearing and later said, "It's kind of a sad day, but by the same token, I think justice was serviced." Hogue said he came to court to represent law enforcement and be there for Serrano's family.
"We also lost a family member of our own," he said.
Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.
WIDOW'S REMARKS
Mylin Matos Serrano read this statement to Judge Ronald Ficarrotta:
Juan Serrano was a quiet and humble man, a family man, a father to his children and mine, an attentive son to his parents, a loving man all around. He was my best friend, my soul mate and partner in life. Juan paid attention to all the details, and I never had to. Now, at times, they overwhelm me.
He also belonged to the Tampa community. He was first and always a police officer, and I knew and understood that. He was completely dedicated to the job that he loved and was so proud of. He was fiercely protective of Mayor Iorio and was so honored to be not only her bodyguard, but also her friend.
My husband's watch ended tragically on Feb. 25, 2006, as he made his way home to the family he loved, after doing the job he loved. He will be forever missed. The void in my life will never be filled.
From my heart, I thank you for your time and consideration, and I have complete faith in your discretion.
http://news.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBNBQP9ZYE.html

picture:
http://www.tampagov.net/dept_Police/mem ... errano.asp

llegal Alien Arrested In Connection With Fatal Hit And Run
POSTED: 7:50 am EST November 29, 2005
UPDATED: 9:16 am EST November 29, 2005




A man is now under arrest in connection with the hit and run that killed a 14-year-old boy in Bucks County.Police said Carlos Reyes, 37, is an illegal alien.
The accident happened on Sunday night on Street Road at Kingston Way in Bensalem.
Reyes entered district court Monday night in Bristol borough.
Police said he ran down 14-year-old Rasheen Newkirk, then took off.
The teenager was run over by a second vehicle, but that driver stopped.
The family said Rasheen was a special needs child, who was going to the store at the time of the accident.
"He loves school. He loves to sing. He just love to dance," Rasheen's aunt Sharon Newkirk said.
Police found Reyes' car early Monday morning in Bensalem.
They said he bent the license plate to elude authorities, because he did not have a driver's license.
"He is very sorry of the accident. He really feels bad about the family. He doesn't know what to do," translator Esthella Forget said.
"He is remorseful. He's afraid understandably so," Officer Tim Clark said.
A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 7.
Bail was first set at $100,000, but was increased to $500,000 after Reyes couldn't remember where he lives.
NBC10.com
http://www.nbc10.com/news/5424555/detail.html

picture:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?secti ... id=3674964

Charges Filed In Wreck That Killed Ex-Coach
16-Year-Old Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter
POSTED: 1:20 pm CDT April 5, 2006




KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Wyandotte County, Kan., prosecutors filed charges Wednesday in a wreck that killed a former football coach at Olathe North High School.
David K. Bassore, 51, of Liberty, was driving home from work Monday on Interstate 35 near the 18th Street Expressway exit when his pickup truck was clipped by a Dodge Neon. Bassore's pickup went off the road, rolling twice before it stopped on its side. Bassore was thrown from the vehicle. He died at the scene.
Prosecutors charged the driver of the Neon, 16-year-old Raul Cabrera, of Shawnee, Kan., with one count of involuntary manslaughter in juvenile court.
Officials said Cabrera is an illegal immigrant, and the judge decided the teen should remain in custody.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is still investigating the fatal wreck, but they suspect Cabrera was drag racing with another car.
KMBC's Maria Antonia reported that Cabrera's mother said her son was not racing; he was being chased by another driver and that he had been followed for several days.
Officials said they are considering charging Cabrera as an adult or upping the charge to second-degree murder.

Vigil Held For Coach

Bassore had recently resigned from his coaching position at Olathe after being at the school a year.Wednesday night, Olathe students held a vigil for their former coach.
"He'd probably say, 'What are you guys crying over me for? I want you guys to be positive and happy,'" football player Jarod Milo said.
"Really made you feel at home, at school, and made it a fun thing and brought a smile to everybody," student Kim Burnell said. "We just want to get people involved and let them know who he was and if they didn't know him, let them know what a great person he was."
"He loved every player on his team and we loved him back," football player Raymond Due said.
KMBC 9
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/new ... etail.html
William Jewel College


"Our previous head coach, the late Dave Bassore, committed William Jewell football a few years ago to help teach football fundamentals to hundreds of children throughout the Della Lamb organization and Kansas City," said head coach Fran Schwenk. “It is our privilege to carry on this tradition of teaching the skills and fundamentals of the sport of football to the kids.” Coach Bassore’s son Aaron will be one of the many players helping to carry out the tradition that his father and the Della Lamb organization started a few years ago.

picture:
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/new ... etail.html

On June 3, 1998, Border Patrol Agent Alexander Kirpnick was assigned patrol duties at Ephraim and Mariposa Canyons in the Nogales area of the Tucson Sector during the midnight shift. He and his partner responded to sensor traffic. About an hour after setting up, they heard foot traffic approaching and spotted five individuals carrying what appeared to be illegal contraband. When the suspects came closer, the agents identified themselves as Border Patrol Agents and moved forward to contact the suspects. Agent Kirpnick moved toward two suspects close to him and his partner moved toward three in his area. Agent Kirpnick’s partner heard Agent Kirpnick order the two suspects to sit down and soon after heard a gunshot. He then went to Agent Kirpnick’s position and found him prone with a wound in the head. Agent Kirpnick passed away at the University Medical Center in Tucson. Agent Kirpnick, an immigrant from Ukraine, was a graduate of the 322nd session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Charleston, South Carolina.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
www.cbp.gov

picture:
http://illegalaliensrunningamuk.blogspot.com/

Welcome to ALIPAC friends. This is a hell of a way to meet for a hell of a reason, but we are honored to have you here with us.

William Gheen

William,

I think it hits a note with our elected officials to pass these on to them. It helps inform them on things they may not be aware of. And I'm very appreciative to those who provide the links and stories.

But a big thank you to you also Sir for providing us all a place "to" meet, from all over the country.

Dallas: Police said the man gunned down a woman outside her office
12:02 PM CST on Wednesday, December 6, 2006
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News


He steps into one elevator after another, trying to appear casual. But when the doors close, he twists toward the panel, punching several buttons at random. Sometimes, before the doors open and he strolls through the hallways, he crosses his arms or draws his face into a momentary sneer. He smoothes his eyebrows, lowers his sunken eyes and runs his bony hands across his buzz cut. At one point, he peers nervously upward.

To the handful of workers who may have seen him Monday evening at the office building in the 6500 block of Greenville Avenue, he probably appeared to be lost, or late for an appointment.

But according to Dallas police, this is what a man looks like right before he kills.

On Tuesday, Dallas police released surveillance video chronicling nearly every step made by the man who would, after eight minutes of elevator surfing, follow a 51-year-old Garland mother outside the building and shoot her dead a few steps from the front door.

Karen Kristina Lafon was shot at 5:26 p.m. Monday. She worked in an office upstairs in the building, where she was a local support manager for the state agency that provides services to the blind.

Robbery may be motive
Authorities said the man shot her several times at close range. She was chosen, police theorize, because she was carrying bags, which her killer probably thought contained valuables. But for some reason, he left her possessions, possibly because he knew the sound of gunfire would soon bring curious ear witnesses.

Workers in the building were alarmed as word spread that any one of them could have been targeted. The surveillance video shows a few who passed the man in the elevator minutes before he pulled the trigger downstairs.

Most of Ms. Lafon's co-workers stayed home Tuesday. "The staff isn't here today," said David Jeppson, field director with the state's Division for Blind Services. Particularly shaken was one of the employees who heard the shooting, he said.

Ms. Lafon was promoted to the Greenville Avenue office about six months ago but had been working in various capacities with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services for 26 years, co-workers said.

"She was a genuinely caring person who was concerned about each member of the staff," said Robert Marx, a regional director who has worked with Ms. Lafon for more than two decades.

"We're in the people-helping business, and anything contrary to that is foreign to us," Mr. Marx said.

Police did not release footage of the slaying. But top brass who viewed it Tuesday were said to be aghast over its grisly contents.

"This was coldblooded," said Lt. Mike Scoggins, head of the homicide unit. "Even people who aren't for the death penalty may change their minds with this one."

It was clear by Tuesday afternoon that Ms. Lafon's slaying – the city's 178th this year – rattled the Police Department.

"He picked a random victim," said Sgt. Larry Lewis, a homicide supervisor. "It could have been anyone. This could well happen again."

Police go all out
The Police Department threw nearly all its assets into the investigation. Detectives flooded the office building, asking everyone they could find whether they had seen the man on the video.

The department's crime analysis team spent all day poring over arrest reports and mug shots, on the off chance that someone fitting the man's description may have robbed someone else, somewhere, sometime. Gang officers scrutinized the man's picture, looking for something familiar.

Operation Disruption – a 60-officer strike team – fanned out across the northeast sector, particularly the problematic Five Points area near Park Lane and Greenville, showing stills from the video surveillance to apartment managers, business owners, store clerks and anyone else who may have encountered the man.

Schepp's Dairy has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the man. Anyone with tips can call 214-671-3654.

Several investigators recognized the role that luck was playing in their nascent investigation: What if there were no images from the video system, which was just installed a month ago? Would they have known to dust the elevator buttons for fingerprints?

But for the video images, detectives may not have known Ms. Lafon was a random robbery victim and not the deliberate target of someone she knew. They might not know what he looks like – 5 feet 7 inches tall, Hispanic, with close-cropped hair, a thin build and wearing a dark or Navy blue jacket with white stripes on the sleeves and sides.

"We want to get this guy," said Sgt. Eugene Reyes, who is supervising the investigation.

Slaying suspect slipped by
He faced probation violation arrest when killing caught on video
11:45 PM CST on Wednesday, December 6, 2006
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News


The man who Dallas police say was captured on surveillance video gunning down a 51-year-old office worker during a failed robbery had violated his probation for an earlier robbery and could have been arrested a month ago.

Jose Heriberto Castro, 24, is a Mexican citizen who came to the U.S. legally, federal officials said. They were unclear about whether he could have been eligible for deportation as a result of the 2005 robbery but added that they never took action and were not asked by local authorities to deport him.

picture:
http://illegalaliensrunningamuk.blogspo ... lafon.html

OK, guys, you're right. We can't slow down. So there's you some more.

I gotta to go to work now to take care of all the druggies the open border has created.

Thanks for the welcome, William Gheen. You did great the other day on television!