Essay by slain officer's wife could win Antioch firefighting crew $100,000

[JakeLock]

Also done. I only have one email addy tho...

[SteveRay]

Essay by slain officer's wife could win Antioch firefighting crew $100,000
By Cassandra Braun

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Article Launched: 05/11/2007 03:56:13 PM PDT

Related
May 11:
Here is the text of Jo Ann Lasater's essay: It began as a routine call.

A white Toyota Camry had crashed into a fence. Engine 83 was rolling to the scene when the crew's Nextel cell phone began to ring.

Capt. John McNamara knew to answer it -- dispatch almost always communicated on the radio, unless it was a major emergency.

They now had a report of an officer down.

Pittsburg Officer Larry Lasater had been shot while chasing robbery suspects on the Delta De Anza Regional Trail shortly before 6 p.m. on April 23, 2005. The three-man Contra Costa Fire District crew of McNamara, James Gallagher and Christopher Freyler were the first medics on scene. Amid gunfire and with one gunman still on the loose, the fire fighters began working to save Lasater's life.

"They could have waited for the scene to be cleared or for the (police) officers to bring Larry out," Lasater's wife, Jo Ann, later wrote in an essay, "but they went in with the knowledge that there may be another suspect still hiding in the bushes. Their main concern was to help Larry, while they were risking their own lives."

Lasater died of his wounds two days later. In addition to Jo Ann, he left behind an unborn son, Cody, who came into the world two months after his father left it.

"Because of everyone's efforts," Jo Ann said from her home Thursday, "I was given a few extra days with Larry." She recently nominated the Contra Costa Fire District crew in the Firedog Across America contest, a national essay competition seeking stories

about firefighters who have gone above and beyond to serve their communities.
Among thousands of tales of heroism submitted, Engine 83 was chosen as one of 10 firestation finalists. The winner with the most votes will receive the $100,000 grand prize.

"I wished it would have had a happier ending," she said, "But I would have written it regardless."

The tragic ending of Larry Lasater's life began when Alexander Hamilton and Andrew Moffett robbed the Wells Fargo bank inside Raley's Supermarket on Buchanan Road. They had wrecked the Toyota while trying to flee, so the pair ditched the car and darted through backyards. Lasater was on their heels. He stumbled on Hamilton hiding in some tall grass off the DeAnza trail. Hamilton fired four rounds at the three-year Pittsburg police department veteran.

By the time Engine 83 arrived at the pathway, police had Hamilton in custody, but Moffett was thought to still be hiding in nearby brush. Typically fire and paramedics don't enter a crime scene until police deem it safe. But Lasater was losing a lot of blood from shots to his neck and leg.

A fellow officer, gripping an assault rifle in one hand, hoisted the bleeding ex-Marine onto his back to carry him closer to the firefighters. McNamara, Gallagher and Freyler crouched behind a patrol car and scrambled down the paved path to reach Lasater and begin CPR.

"I likened it to an urban combat zone," said Capt. McNamara. "It's one of those situations where there is a calculated risk, but I know all of us felt it was a good call."

In the months following his death, Jo Ann says her husband's buddies recounted that night in detail. She sent letters of thanks to all the emergency responders and officers who had helped her husband, but she wanted to do more.

Then one day in March, while listening to a country music station in her car, Jo Ann caught the end of an ad for a Firedog technology company contest honoring firefighters. It was modest, but something tangible she could do. If there were contests for paramedics and officers she would have written to those too.

"I tried to think of so many things to do for them," Jo Ann said. "When I heard about this, it was the perfect way for me to express my gratitude."

Nearly two years had passed, but the recounted scene was still fresh in Jo Ann's mind. The words flowed.

"I find comfort in the knowledge that my husband was never alone out there," she wrote. "He was surrounded by his friends and fellow officers, paramedics and firefighters; all of them going above and beyond the call of duty."

It was difficult to write, for sure, particularly with Hamilton and Moffet's upcoming murder trial scheduled to begin in June. But Jo Ann felt good knowing the essay could possibly benefit Engine 83. She hadn't imagined for a minute that her essay would be chosen as a finalist among thousands of other compelling stories.

Because Engine 83 is in the top 10, the station will be awarded $20,000, even if it isn't voted the winner. The crew hopes to overhaul the cramped office at their Gentrytown Drive station or to buy some new equipment.

Whatever the outcome, the firefighting trio are awed by Jo Ann's gesture. The three men insist they were doing what any person, firefighter or otherwise, would do in their situation.

"We're a little overwhelmed and touched by what she did," McNamara said. "But it's what I do, not who I am."

WHAT: Readers can log onto http://web.firedog.com/acrossamerica until Sunday to vote for their favorite essay.

http://origin1.contracostatimes.com/ci_5874561

[Taz_bb2]

I added my vote today...

[hitnrun]

Whoever changed my title...good call!:D

[Cat_Doc]

Mission completed.

[dnic75]

Voted from emails and passed along. Thanks for posting this.

[canuckofapeach]

I'm in.

[Valor55]

Whoever changed my title...good call!:D

I merged two threads and that's how it came out. ;)

[DigitalFuzi0n]

+3 more votes

[SteveRay]

http://web.firedog.com/acrossamerica/

Contra Costa County Engine 83 Antioch, CA came in 4th. We were able to get them a few more dollars!

[Aussie George]

$11000 plus change!! That's better than a kick in the face with a golf shoe. :D

Shame we didn't get more for them, but glad they got a fair amount.

Thanks for the update Steve.

[freshgirl]

FYI; Officer Larry Lasater's killers were both convicted of his murder a couple weeks ago. One was underage at the time and is facing life in prison, the other was over 18 and is up for the death penalty.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/cont...nty/ci_6619276

Guilty verdict in officer's death
Jury convicts two Antioch men of murder, bank robbery

By Malaika Fraley
STAFF WRITER

Article Launched: 08/14/2007 03:04:46 AM PDT

MARTINEZ --

A jury on Monday convicted two Antioch men of first-degree murder for killing Pittsburg police officer Larry Lasater as they fled from an armed robbery in 2005.

Alexander Hamilton, 20, and Andrew Moffett, 20, were found guilty of all charges, enhancements and special circumstances surrounding Lasater's death, including multiple counts of second-degree robbery and killing an on-duty peace officer.

[Aussie George]

FYI; Officer Larry Lasater's killers were both convicted of his murder a couple weeks ago. One was underage at the time and is facing life in prison, the other was over 18 and is up for the death penalty.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/cont...nty/ci_6619276

Guilty verdict in officer's death
Jury convicts two Antioch men of murder, bank robbery

By Malaika Fraley
STAFF WRITER

Article Launched: 08/14/2007 03:04:46 AM PDT

MARTINEZ --

A jury on Monday convicted two Antioch men of first-degree murder for killing Pittsburg police officer Larry Lasater as they fled from an armed robbery in 2005.

Alexander Hamilton, 20, and Andrew Moffett, 20, were found guilty of all charges, enhancements and special circumstances surrounding Lasater's death, including multiple counts of second-degree robbery and killing an on-duty peace officer.

Thanks for the update. Good to hear they were both found guilty.

great news.

[freshgirl]

Here's the latest update

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../BA4IS4O7V.DTL

Jury calls for death for killer of Pittsburg cop

Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

(09-12) 14:18 PDT MARTINEZ - A Contra Costa County jury opted for the death penalty today for an Antioch man who fatally shot a Pittsburg police officer in 2005 after robbing a bank.

Alexander Hamilton, 20, showed no reaction when the verdict was read in the Martinez courtroom of Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady, who will formally sentence him Nov. 2.

But Kim Kupferer, one of his attorneys, cried and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, as did many relatives of slain Officer Larry Lasater, 35, of Pacheco.

[Aussie George]

Here's the latest update

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../BA4IS4O7V.DTL

Jury calls for death for killer of Pittsburg cop

Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

(09-12) 14:18 PDT MARTINEZ - A Contra Costa County jury opted for the death penalty today for an Antioch man who fatally shot a Pittsburg police officer in 2005 after robbing a bank.

Alexander Hamilton, 20, showed no reaction when the verdict was read in the Martinez courtroom of Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady, who will formally sentence him Nov. 2.

But Kim Kupferer, one of his attorneys, cried and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, as did many relatives of slain Officer Larry Lasater, 35, of Pacheco.

Let me know if they want someone to do it.

i can bring my own rope. :mad: