On Wednesday, June 29th, members of the Department gathered at the Texas Canyon Rest Area on interstate 10 east of Benson to re-dedicate the flagstone memorial marker for DPS Officer Noah “Mac” Merrill #695, who was killed in the line of duty on December 11, 1978. In cooperation with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the memorial marker was relocated to the newly remodeled rest area. DPS Captain Dean Chase provided opening remarks.
The ceremony also recognize the efforts of several individuals who were instrumental in the relocation.
James Thomas, Operations Assistant for District 9, DPS Highway Patrol Division
Dan Casmer, ADOT
C.T. Revere, ADOT
Brad Andrews, ADOT
Bobby Wheeler, ADOT
Larry Saunders, KE&G Construction, Inc.
Justin Wilson, KE&G Construction, Inc.
Ross Parker, KE&G Construction, Inc.
AZ Troopers was proud to present a certificate of appreciation to each, as a way of thanking them for their dedication to the project. Sergeant Tim Wiedemann, AZ Troopers District 9 Director, represented the organization during the certificate presentation.
The ceremony was held on the eve of the re-opening of the rest area between Tucson and Lordsburg, NM.
AHPA to Honor 28 DPS Officers Killed in Line of Duty with Memorial Ceremony
Annual event will take place on Monday, May 6th
(Phoenix, AZ) –The men and women of the Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA) will pay their respects to the 28 Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The Annual DPS Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 6th at 9 A.M.
This annual memorial, that arrives one week before the nationally recognized Police Memorial Week, not only honors the officers, but also the sacrifices of their families. This ceremony is a solemn reminder of the dangers DPS officers face every day as they protect and serve the State of Arizona.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), Arizona has lost 251 officers since its statehood. Trends show most law enforcement deaths occurred primarily from gunfire or traffic accidents. The NLEOMF will be adding five names from Arizona to the national memorial walls (in Washington) that were killed in the line of duty during 2011.
Governor Janice Brewer, DPS Director Robert Halliday and AHPA President Jimmy Chavez will speak at the ceremony. Special performances by aviation professionals, DPS officers singing the National Anthem and law enforcement bagpipers will add powerful sounds and visuals to the commemorative day.
The ceremony will take place on May 6th at 9:00 a.m. at the DPS Officer Memorial Statue located at 2102 W. Encanto Boulevard in Phoenix. Media is invited to attend.
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About the Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA): Founded in 1958, the AHPA’s mission is to promote the positive role of Law Enforcement Professionals, and to protect and secure rights and benefits for their members through effective representation with local, state and national governments. You can visit their website at www.ahpa.com.
Related links: Arizona Daily Sun – May 6th, 2013
Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA) members are celebrating its 18th year of bringing Christmas joy to children receiving treatment in various medical centers across the state. These dedicated Department of Public Safety (DPS) employees will begin delivering bears and holiday cheer December 19th through Christmas Day.
The mission of the program is to carry out an activity that demonstrates children are the association’s most important responsibility. Since 1993, the program has expanded to provide the stuffed teddy bears to both children and adults at their bed or road sides. The success is attributed to the efforts and talents of volunteers giving countless hours of their time to make the Christmas Bear Program an overwhelming success.
The tremendous joy that is brought to the hospital patients with the bears is only a part of the benefit that results from the program. “Additionally, AHPA cares to establish a communication mechanism to have children better understand that police officers are helpers and protectors,” state Jimmy Chavez, President of the AHPA. “Witnessing the faces of those receiving the teddy bears is all that one needs to know the program is making a positive difference in many lives.”
AHPA has dedicated the 2011 program to all police officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty. According to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund, as of December 10th officer fatalities have increased 12% over last year, making 2011 one of the most dangerous years in law enforcement history. Arizona alone has lost four police officers.
In 2010, AHPA’s volunteers distributed over 2,000 bears to hospitals throughout the state of Arizona. The 2011 program will give away bears to patients in statewide medical centers, domestic violence shelters and hospice locations.
Below are dates and times that have been confirmed for Christmas Bear deliveries. This list will be updated on the website as we get more confirmations in. Picture and media articles will also be updated as they come in…
December 19, 2011 1:00 pm
Arrowhead Hospital (18701 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, AZ)
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December 19, 2011 3:00 pm
Children’s Emergency Center, Mendy’s Place, John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital (19829 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, Ariz.)
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December 20, 2011 at 1030 am
Banner Thunderbird (5555 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix, AZ)
READ YOUR WEST VALLEY’S COVERAGE ON OUR VISITS HERE
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December 22, 2011 at 10:00 am
Phoenix Children’s Hospital (1919 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ)
CLICK HERE TO READ AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS COVERAGE OF PHOENIX CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL VISIT
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS FROM OUR VISIT SHOWN ON KPHO – CH. 5 IN PHOENIX
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Tucson Medical Hospital (5301 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ)
READ THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR ARTICLE HERE regarding our visit to Tucson Medical Hospital
December 22, 2011 at 1:00 pm
University Medical Center (1501, University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ)
December 23, 2011
Various East Valley Hospitals
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Bob Martin
ROBERT K. MARTIN #474 EOW 08/15/95
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012
MEET AT THE FORT MCDOWELL CASINO PARKING LOT BETWEEN 0830 AND 0900 HOURS.
TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO MP-196 SB SR-87
CLEANUP WILL BEGIN AT THE LT. MARK BROWN MILE
AFTER THAT MILE, WE WILL BREAK FOR LUNCH (SANDWICHES & SOFT DRINKS WILL BE PROVIDED)
CLEANUP WILL CONTINUE SB TO BOB MARTIN’S MEMORIAL.
WE WILL HAVE A FEW SPEECHES AT THE SITE AND TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED BACK TO THE PARKING LOT.
GARBAGE BAGS WILL BE PROVIDED. LONG PANTS AND ADEQUATE FOOTWEAR IS A MUST (NO FLIP-FLOPS). PICK-UP STICKS OR GRABBERS ARE ENCOURAGED.
WE SHOULD BE DONE BETWEEN 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM
LOREN LEONBERGER
MEMORIAL HIKE – WATERMAN PEAK
IN MEMORY AND HONOR OF RETIRED DPS PILOT
AND FORMER MARICOPA COUNTY, LA COUNTY PILOT AND PIMA COUNTY PILOT LOREN LEONBERGER #2384
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 0900 -1230
MEET AT THE STAGING AREA AT THE BASE OF WATERMAN PEAK
IT TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR TO HIKE TO THE ACCIDENT SITE FROM THE STAGING AREA.
THE TERRAIN IS STEEP AND THE FOOTING IS LOOSE IN SOME AREAS.
Please wear hiking boots (tennis shoes are not appropriate), long pants, gloves & water. Hiking sticks are helpful.
DIRECTIONS TO WATERMAN PEAK
TAKE AVRA VALLEY ROAD EXIT OFF I-10
(THIS IS THE SAME EXIT TO MARANA AIRPORT)
DRIVE 18 MILES. TURN LEFT AS A ROAD THAT HAS A LARGE BOLDER ON THE CORNER, AND A BROKEN SIGN THAT SAYS PIONEER ROCK QUARRY (OR SOMETHING SIMILAR).
FOLLOW THIS ROAD A COUPLE MILES TO PARKING AREA.
SILVERBELL MINE IS THE PEAK JUST NORTH OF WATERMAN PEAK, AND IS EASILY VISIBLE.
