"in the breeze"

local and recent news of our alumni

Patrolman Chad Spicer Georgetown Police Department Delaware End of Watch: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 Biographical Info Age: 29 Tour of Duty: 4 years Badge Number:Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type Suspect Info: At large Patrolman Chad Spicer was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to stop a vehicle that had been involved in an shooting a short time earlier. All three suspected exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot. One of the suspects immediately opened fire on the officers, fatally wounding Patrolman Spicer before he was even able to exit the patrol car. His partner was also shot and critically wounded. Two of the suspects were apprehended, but the suspect who fired the shots remains at large. Patrolman Spicer had served with the agency for one year and had previously served with the Bridgeville Police Department for three years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Agency Contact Information Georgetown Police Department 335 N Race Street Georgetown, DE 19947 Phone: (302) 856-6613   Friday, Sept. 4 - A candlelight vigil for slain Georgetown Patrolman Chad Spicer will be held Friday on  the Circle in Georgetown from 6 to 7pm.  The area will be blocked off to traffic and detours set up for drivers.   CHAD ERNEST SPICER August 23, 1980 - September 1, 2009 Patrolman Chad Spicer joined the Georgetown Police Department on September 2, 2008.  Prior to joining Georgetown, Officer Spicer had work for the Laurel Police Department (June 17, 2008 - August 24, 2008); Bridgeville Police Department (March 1, 2004 - June 15, 2008); and the Delaware Department of Corrections (2000 to 2004). Officer Spicer was a native of Georgetown having graduated from SussexCentralHigh School, and Delaware Technical and Community College in 1999. Officer Spicer was tragically killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 during a traffic stop.  Chad was an outstanding police officer and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and his fellow officers. Officer Spicer is survived by his parents Norman and Ruth Ann Spicer of Georgetown, and a three (3) year old daughter, Aubrey. A trust fund has been established for his daughter and contributions can be directed to:             Aubrey Spicer Trust             c/o Norman E. Spicer             Wilmington Trust Bank             139 S. State Street             Dover, DE  19901             Or any Wilmington Trust Branch Please keep Officer Spicer and his family in your prayers.   SHAWN M. BRITTINGHAM Corporal Shawn Brittingham has been employed with the Georgetown Police Department since February of 2003. Corporal Brittingham is currently assigned to Patrol where he is responsible, along with other patrol officers, for a long list of duties including, but not limited to, responding to emergency calls for service and enforcing the criminal and traffic laws of the State of Delaware. Corporal Brittingham is Georgetown Police Department's K-9 Officer, a position that he has held since July of 2005. In addition to being a K-9 Officer Corporal Brittingham is a member of the Georgetown Police Department's Emergency Response Team and is a shift supervisor. Corporal Brittingham and his wife, Melissa and one (1) year old daughter, Olivia, reside in Millsboro, Delaware

Chad Spicer

Shawn Brittingham

Article from Thursday, July 23, 2009 News Journal.

Jan Colmery did a special tribute to Wally when she had this tombstone made.  She incorporated everything that was important in Wally's short life.  Unfortunately the small image hides many of the images. In the left hand corner is a NCCPD Corporal's badge.  In the right corner is Bugs Bunny (Bugs).  On the bottom is a beach scene with a boat, motorcycle, and a Corvette.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 purchased a plaque in the memory of Lt. Ralph Dangello.  The plaque was placed at the foot of an oak tree purchased and planted at Carousel Park by the Dangello family.  Ralph's wife wanted to do something remembering Ralph's dedication and commitment to the Mounted Patrol Unit.  The oak tree and plaque are on the roadway entering Carousel Park going towards the OK Corral..

The passing of Harry Hitch

On Tuesday evening June 27, 2006 at the New Castle County Council meeting,

one of our own Alumni members was honored for his work

with Lodge 5, the Alumni, County Council and the Community in general..

The below Resolution was read before

the entire Council,  News Media and attending citizens

....as well as a very surprised recipient.

Introduced by: Mr. Clark

Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Bell

                                                                                                                Introduced on:  June 27, 2006

RESOLUTION NO. 06-147

TRIBUTE TO MIKE RILEY

WHEREAS, Mike Riley began serving the citizens of New Castle County as a County Police Officer in 1967 and proudly retired as a Senior Sergeant in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Mike coined the motto of the New Castle County Police Department Alumni Association, “Retired, Still Serving”; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the New Castle County Police Department, Mike remained involved in County Government; and

WHEREAS, Mike is well-known for his photography skills and is often seen in Council Meetings taking pictures during special occasions; and

WHEREAS, Mike has unselfishly volunteered his time assisting the Red Kettle, the Basket Brigade and Meals on Wheels; and

WHEREAS, Mike kept Council Members apprised of upcoming charitable events and was always there taking pictures of Council Members giving back to the community; and

WHEREAS, when President Bush signed the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, Mike developed the prototype program, which was adopted by the New Castle County Police Department.  Mike’s program qualified over 60 retired officers as certified firearms specialists.  The New Castle County Police Department was the first department in the State of Delaware and one of the first in the country to enact the federal legislation; and

WHEREAS, Mike has always been an active member with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and the State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police volunteering his time as a webmaster for both Lodges; and 

WHEREAS, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 named Mike “Member of the Year” in 2002; and

WHEREAS, in 2005 when numerous police officers were activated by the National Guard to serve in Iraq, Mike kept our officers in Delaware in touch with their fellow officers serving on active duty through emails and photos from the front; and

WHEREAS, Mike’s unwavering dedication and friendship to Members of Council will surely be missed as he begins a new chapter of his life in Phoenix, Arizona.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Council of New Castle County hereby thanks Mike Riley for his commitment to the citizens and organizations of New Castle County and wishes him well.

Adopted by County Council of

                                                                                                                New Castle County on: June 27, 2006

Paul G. Clark                                                                                    President of County Council

                                                                                                                New Castle County

County Council President Paul Clark, after presenting Mike Riley with the Resolution, explained to everyone that he actually met Mike for the first time when Mike drove his opponent for Council President around from poling place to poling place in the Primary Elections.

But in true fashion Mike rallied around the new President and has become great friends and a staunch supporter of President Clark and all the Councilmen and Councilwomen.

"This was a total surprise Tonight", Mike said. " I came here tonight to offer support for our Active Officers on a subject... or so I was told."

"This is so nice and I really appreciate what Council has done. It has been a real privilege to work with such a professional group. I will miss you all"

(article by: Mike Riley)

Impromptu "4 Squad Squad-Party"

On Friday, June 23, 2006, Olie Slaughter and his new bride

returned to Delaware from his home in Florida

and set up camp at Lums Pond.

It didn't take long for the word to get out and someone suggested an old fashioned "squad Party".

Even though it was the start of a week long rain extravaganza here on the east coast some of the old guard turned out... and boy did we have a good time. I don't think I have laughed so much in years. Some of the old stories that came to light would floor you. Thank god for the "statue of Limitations". We covered everything from "laugh boxes" to repairing damaged patrol cars on midnight shifts to pulling guys out of ditches when they were riding somewhere that they shouldn't have been. That was a brotherhood and I believe it still is. We've been through a lot and as a new department back then we did very well for starting our County Police. We had a lot of talent and a lot of good times.

From left to right...

Mike Riley, Olie Slaughter, Chuck Stirk, Pete Kotowski, Rich Harkness, Mark Sweetman, Bill (OJ) Johnson and (too old to get up) John Haug. Bill Gore had just left when this was taken and Cliff Truitt was parking his car and missed out on this rare opportunity to pose with Olie. Olie is still signing autographs from his long running murder case that you can catch on Court TV.

(same TV case has run 22 times... how does he do it?)

Notice the new wife hiding in the doorway... she really wasn't sure if it was safe to come out with all these crazy people in her yard.