Honoring

Detective Joseph Paolillo

New York City Police Department, New York

EOW: Sept. 9, 2019 | Age: 55 | Tour: None

Detective Joe Paolillo died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. Detective Paolillo is survived by his wife, three sons, and sister. His brother, Battalion Chief John Paolillo, served with the New York City Fire Department and was killed in the line of duty when the World Trade Center's North Tower collapsed on September 11th, 2001.

Honoring

Investigator Dornell Cousette

Tuscaloosa Police Department, Alabama

EOW: Sept. 16, 2019 | Age: 40 | Tour: 13 Years

Investigator Dornell Cousette was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant at a home near the intersection of Short 17th Street and 33rd Avenue at 6:25 pm. The subject was wanted for failing to appear on prior felony charges and had been located at his home by a bondsman. When Investigator Cousette arrived at the scene to assist the man ran inside the home. Investigator Cousette pursued him inside where the man opened fire. Investigator Cousette was struck in the face. Despite being mortally wounded he was able to return fire and wounded the subject. Investigator Cousette was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The subject was arrested after showing up at the hospital as a result of his gunshot wounds. Investigator Cousette was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for 13 years. He is survived by his two daughters and fiancée.

Honoring

Captain Vincent Liberto, Jr.

Mandeville Police Department, Louisiana

EOW: Sept. 20, 2019 | Age: 50 | Tour: 30 Years

Captain Vinny Liberto was shot and killed at the intersection of Causeway Boulevard and La. 22/U.S. 190 following a vehicle pursuit. He and another officer had pursued the vehicle until it crashed with other cars at the intersection. One of the men in the vehicle exited the car and opened fire, killing Captain Liberto and wounding the other officer. Both men in the vehicle were taken into custody. The man who shot Captain Liberto was charged with first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, and numerous other charges. Captain Liberto was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Mandeville Police Department for 25 years and had previously served with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office for five years. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He is survived by his wife and seven children.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Chris Hulsey

Meade County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky

EOW: Sept. 21, 2019 | Age: 46 | Tour: None

Deputy Sheriff Chris Hulsey suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling with a subject while executing a search warrant at 1299 Greer Road in Payneville, Kentucky. He collapsed shortly after becoming engaged in the struggle at 6:30 pm. Two detectives who were on scene performed CPR until he was transported to Harrison County Hospital. The suspect he struggled with was charged with manslaughter following the altercation. Deputy Hulsey formerly served as an Assistant Chief with the Meade County Fire Department, was a former Brandenburg City Councilman, and was a paramedic with Meade County EMS. He is survived by his four sons, his father who served as a local fire chief for 40 years, his sister, and other family members.

Honoring

Trooper Tracy Vickers

Florida Highway Patrol, Florida

EOW: Sept. 27, 2019 | Age: None | Tour: 4 Years

Trooper Tracy Vickers was killed in a vehicle crash on Route 408, near Conway Road, at approximately 5:50 am. His patrol car struck the rear of a truck carrying construction equipment and became trapped underneath it. Trooper Vickers was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for four years.

Honoring

Captain Michael Bell

Farmington Fire Rescue, Maine

EOW: Sept. 16, 2019 | Age: 68 | Tour: None

Employees inside of a recently renovated two-story administrative office for Life Enrichment Advancing People (LEAP) Inc., a nonprofit that helps adults with developmental, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities, made an emergency call reporting that they smelled propane. No patients were inside and all employees inside of the building evacuated immediately. Captain Michael Bell responded with the Farmington Fire Rescue to the emergency call. Soon after firefighters arrived on scene and began to investigate, there was an explosion that leveled the building. Captain Bell was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the explosion. Six other firefighters, including the fire chief, and a maintenance worker were reportedly injured and transported to hospitals around the state.

Honoring

Captain Claud G. Messer

Jonathan Creek Fire and Rescue, North Carolina

EOW: Sept. 20, 2019 | Age: 74 | Tour: None

While operating a fire department vehicle, Captain Claud Messer was involved in a vehicle accident on Jonathan Creek Road (Highway 276 North) as he responded to another emergency traffic accident call. Messer passed away as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.

Honoring

Firefighter Edward Nulton

Kunkle Fire Company Pennsylvania

EOW: Sept. 19, 2019 | Age: 60 | Tour: None

On September 21, 2018, Firefighter Edward Nulton was directing traffic at the scene of a vehicle accident when he was struck by a dump truck. He suffered critical injuries, including traumatic brain injury, from which he was unable to recover. Nulton passed away as a result of his injuries on September 19, 2019.

Honoring

Firefighter Kenneth Stavinoha

Houston Fire Department, Texas

EOW: Sept. 21, 2019 | Age: 36 | Tour: None

While on duty at Houston Fire Department’s Station 27, Firefighter Kenneth Stavinoha suffered a medical emergency and did not survive. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.