BANGOR, Maine — The Penobscot County Law Enforcement Association had to return all donations it collected recently from other law enforcement officers during a fundraising effort to benefit the cancer-stricken wife of a Penobscot County sheriff’s deputy, Sheriff Glenn Ross said Tuesday.
“The money was being raised for the wife of one of our deputies, and today our deputies are at her funeral,” the sheriff said.
An email sent to law enforcement officers around the state months ago telling them about the ill woman violated Maine’s police solicitations law because it asked for money, Ross said.
“People can give voluntarily, without being asked, and that certainly did occur,” the sheriff said.
Brenda Kielty, a special assistant in the Maine Attorney General’s Office, explained that when the person in charge of the Penobscot County fundraising effort emailed law enforcement officers outside of the department, he or she violated state law.
“Because law enforcement officers, associations, or agencies who are not members of the PCLEA [Penobscot County Law Enforcement Association] or their immediate families are considered members of the ‘general public,’ that solicitation was in violation of the police solicitations law,” she said last week in an email.
At least one local area police officer is upset that the money he gave was returned to him.
“If we can’t take care of each other, that’s wrong,” the veteran local police officer, who asked not to be identified, said recently.
Maine’s police solicitations law prohibits a law enforcement agency, association or officer from soliciting from the general public if the money raised benefits the agency, association or an officer.
“I think that is a good law because people feel pressured to give” when approached by someone in uniform, said Ross.
Law enforcement can raise funds for an officer or an immediate family member who is suffering from a catastrophic illness as long as certain conditions, established beforehand by the Maine Attorney General’s Office, are met. They also may solicit the general public for charitable causes.
Since the Penobscot County email solicitation had already been sent by the time the Attorney General’s Office was asked to look into the matter, it was too late to establish rules, Kielty indicated.
The Attorney General’s Office “offered the PCLEA an informal resolution of this unintentional violation, which included the PCLEA sending a notice to those law enforcement agencies acknowledging its mistake, and returning all funds received to the donors,” she said.
“I understand why the law is in place,” the local police officer said. “But this is within law enforcement ranks. This is the wife of a deputy. This is family.”
There is something very wrong when people trying to help one another can be determined to be against the law.
Perhaps this is a case when the Attorney General’s Office should have advised the PCLEA disassociate themselves from such practices. Seemed to work for Mr Poliquin.
I believe it goes back to someone feeling pressured to donate or the cop may give the person a ticket. Before you say this doesn’t happen I know of a cop expecting to buy meat at wholesale and stating to an employee he would have his eye on the boss of the meat company that wouldn’t allow it. This was in Bangor many years ago.
cannot afford medicaid for the ones we have now let alone everyone…I for one cannot afford to pay any more money for entitlement programs…
You may be assuming that you, and the people you love, will never develop a devastating illness that is not covered (or fully covered ) by insurance.
If and when a catastrophe does strike your family (and I pray it never does), you may suddenly see the value of a national health care system.
You have no idea of what you speak, ask people who are under these programs about rationing…
ask people who don’t have insurance about rationing. My friend’s grandson was hospitalized as a young child with a brain tumor. The EMMC RN’s told the mom MaineCare is the best insurance there is. It’s a welfare program, not an insurance
Up until the point where the quality of care matches the governments ability to handle money.
Get rid of all insurance and we will see the cost of health care go down. Big pharm is running the health care industry, cut the funds to them and we will see much more reasonable health care cost.
Better yet go homeopathic rather than allopathic.
a dr told a family member a long time ago that when insurance was introduced to his office the prices went thru the roof .GREED
Exactly, the HMO was a killer. I cannot believe the ignorance on this, it is the same as MEDICARE, does anyone want to give it up? I just started it, love it and it is the same thing Scott, ask your MD :) Hosptials selfinsure because insurance rates are too high, how’s that?
I think affordable health care for all is the answer, which means lowering the cost of medical care considerably and doing away with insurance.
Meds costing $1200.00 a month for 28 pills is criminial.
Two serious questions:
1. What is “affordable health care” and what does it look like?
2. How do you lower “the cost of medical care considerably”?
The goal is admirable but how do we get there?
just a suggestion but you might go to europe and see hpw they do things there. total health care costs are much lower than in the us and outcomes are better
Explain how our healthcare is going to change? The only think that changes is we remove the greed from the insurance companies and you defendd that? I’ll look for how it will change, thanks, working for a large med center I’ll let you know how full of it you are :)
The waste and duplicate effort is obscene, the amount of ppl using ER for MD is obscene, both will be over. Savings right there. If your MD doesn’t give you atleast an annual phycisal he must send the money to you. They get paid whether you go or not in Medicare and so on and it’s great if you don’t show up. Get the money out and the bribes for using particular brands. Our conventions were held in San Fran, DisneyWorld and so on, guess who paid for it? Were you insured? Nonprofit, my arse.
Not sure if I remember what it looks like.
Do you remember when the cost of cereal went up to some like
$6.00 for a little box. Maybe in the 80-90s? People complained
the government made them lower the cost to almost half.
how about not letting dairy farmers charging more for milk? The same
gov said no. That is until they put farmers out of business and they now
control it. So why not medical care? How about releasing cures?
In 1977 I went to an eye doctor for an injury cost me $10.00 .
It would likely cost $400.00 or more now. After my job went to Mexico
I make $75.00 more a week now than I did in 77 So rather then $145.00 now it should be $15.00Cthe government could lower it but they want people to die
when the hospitals stop paying their ceo’s 4,5,6, hundred thousand dollars per year and stop spending foolishly like there is no end to the budget, then maybe you will see a single payer program.
Me either, that is why it is time for everyone to pay. Also, if you know someone screwing the state, don’t be afraid to call it is for those that really need it. I see ppl that put money is safety deposit boxes all summer and collect LIHEAP and food stamps in the winter, WTF?? Time for everyone to pay their taxes as well.
What is an “entitlement program”? Seriously, do people understand the terms they parrot from Fox “News”? The reason we “can’t afford” the programs we need in this country is that our tax dollars are going to at least 5 wars (all “undeclared” of course and being conducted illegally) around the world, wars being fought for no other reason than to rob other countries of their resources, especially oil, to enrich the bottom line of the Kochroach brothers and the rest of the very very small minority of billionaire pigs with no conscience and no end to their greed — those are the people pulling the strings of government now, making the federal government nothing more than an investment brokerage for greed-heads. The real needs of We The People — the 99% — are now irrelevant. Why do those screaming about “entitlement programs” never say anything about the massive and totally unnecessary “defense” budget, which is nothing but a giant giveaway to already wealthy warmonger pigs — on our dime?
No indication this was to pay “direct” medical bills. More than likely to help defray other expenses the family incurred during the ladies illness. A rant ab0ut medical insurance was not called for here.
Liberals can’t help themselves, everything is political..all the time.
That’s not exclusive to liberals.
I agree.
Yeah. This woman would have ended up on a waiting list like my mother in law in Canada and dead in a year due to lack of treatment. Take single payer and stick it where the sun don’t shine cause it killed my wife’s mom.
We are NOT canada and we are not changing to their system just the way it is paid for, sorry about your mother in law. She should have come to the states, we have the best healthcare just not access to it.
How do you think they are going to obtain the cost savings needed to pay for a “national” system?
Rationing.its a way of life with national health care. My wife’s family knows all about it. Broken arm no problem..cancer, forget about it.
My mother was told she was okay at the death house in Hancock county and she was loaded with cancer and it had nothing to do with national healthcare but rather the healthcare in this area outside Bangor. They don’t all graduate at the top of their class and if they do, do you really think they are going to pick a hospital here? LOL
You have lousy healthcare in this state, 51% of Mainers receive Medicaid, I’m sick of paying for you people and your LIHEAP. No wonder they have to life flight you to Boston, they don’t know cancer from a broken arm. Says you.
Then why don’t you move???
Why don’t you Pondscum? Truth hurt? Will you ever make it to this century?
Everything is digitized now, no need to do tests over and over and you know they do it now. Xrays and tests can be shared at a moment’s notice. Who do you think is paying for the uninsured in your premiums? Are you aware that the new plan MAKES your provider pay 85% of your premium on MEDICAL care not their salaries. New vehicles for the top brass every two years, do you get that? Our medical system doesn’t change except for the better. We were trying in the 90s for electronic medical records but ppl were so afraid of others seeing them. Now babies will be checked when born so thay any pblms can be taken care of then. If you think we didn’t pass the cost on to you, you are very wrong, that won’t happen anymore all will pay.
“Everything is digitized now, no need to do tests over and over and you know they do it now.”
Ask you PCP why they order tests. Most PCPs are afraid of being sued by patients if they make a mistake. Ask your PSP what their malpractice insurance premiums are. Look around and ask why are their only 4-6 private practices left in the greater Bangor are and the rest are owned by or “affiliated” with either EMMC, St. Joe’s or Martins Point.
~~~~~
“Xrays and tests can be shared at a moment’s notice.”
Only in some areas and only if you have access to PACS (picture archiving and communication system) in the case of x-rays, etc…for imaging.
~~~~~
“Who do you think is paying for the uninsured in your premiums?”
That isn’t going to change. In fact we may all start paying more in premium dollars.
~~~~~
Are you aware that the new plan MAKES your provider pay 85% of your premium on MEDICAL care not their salaries.”
I have no idea what you are attempting to say here.
~~~~~
“New vehicles for the top brass every two years, do you get that?”
What are you talking about?
~~~~~
“Our medical system doesn’t change except for the better. We were trying in the 90s for electronic medical records but ppl were so afraid of others seeing them.”
Yes and people were right to be concerned then and they are right to be concerned today. Medical records were found in the Machias river last year or the year before. Hospital employees have been fired for viewing electronic medical records of famous people.”
~~~~~
“Now babies will be checked when born so thay any pblms can be taken care of then.”
Babies are being checked today for problems. Again, nothing has changed.
~~~~~
“If you think we didn’t pass the cost on to you, you are very wrong, that won’t happen anymore all will pay.”
Did I say that the cost wasn’t being passed along? No I didn’t think I did. Yes we will all pay and we will all pay more.
You must be living up in Mooseknuckle if you think these aren’t available. I was a financial Programmer/Analyst for a major medical center not the clinics you have here. EMMC is a good hospital but north of there, you are screweed. You can only pray you’ll make it. You think they tell you what is going on with their free vehicles?? I added them in as compensation on their W2’s. Educate yourself. Machias obviously doesn’t have their system set up right, they should be fired for looking at what is none of their business. You are just a thick headed redneck who will love your new healthcare. I;ll bet you’re one of those aholes with a safety deposit box selling lobstah on the side of the road.You sure know nothing about business.
Mainer please note that me response to you contains no insults or name calling.
First off I live in the greater Bangor area not that it is any of your business and I work in healthcare on a daily basis and have worked in healthcare for the better part of my adult life so I am well aware of what is and isn’t available in the area.
Maine has 2 Level II trauma centers and EMMC is one of them. The smaller community hospitals have been designated Critical Care Access Hospitals for one primary reason. Without that desgination they wouldn’t not exist and smaller rural communities would not have access to healthcare.
Those “free vehicles” you keep harping on aren’t “free” if you add them to a W-2. That means the use of the vehicle, upkeep, fuel, etc…are taxed and the party has to report what percent is work related and what part is “personal” use. The person using the vehicle is then taxed on the personal use as a percentage of value of the vehicle.
The example of Machias was used as an example of what happens when paper medical records are improperly disposed of. The other example was not Machias and was used to show how “electronic” medical records can also be abused.
Now, I think I have established that a) I am not a “redneck”, and b) that I am “educated” about not only business but how “free” vehicles are not “free”.
I do not own a safety deposit box and I have hauled very few lobsters and those that I did haul were very tasty.
I am not in favor of the 2013 law commonly known as “Obama”care and I know more about business than you do.
Enjoy the rest of your day Mainer and again, this response was completed without name calling or insults. Adults can have reasonable discussions with resorting to elementary school yard behavior.
You’re forty years behind the times, I’ve seen it firsthand. No one does it the way you guys do, LOL Why do you think they lifeflight them to Boston? EMMC does have a good rep and you get what you give. Enjoy your day, as well.
OK Mainer “no one does it the way you guys do”. Not even sure who “you guys” are but OK.
Mainer, my job takes me to other states and some of those states have been just as rural as Maine and guess what? They have the same CCA hospitals that we do.
Those patients that are LifeFlighted to Boston are normally transferred from one of the CCA hospitals (or the scene) to one of three hospitals, EMMC, Central Maine Medical Center or Maine Medical and then transferred to Boston because that is where the patient is going to obtain the most definitive care.
Do you really think that the total depth and breadth of the health care in Boston, New York, etc…will all of a sudden appear in Maine because 2013 and “Obama”care arrives? It will not. In fact it may go in just the opposite direction to control cost.
Right now there are more people over 50 then under 50 and guess who the largest users of healthcare dollars are? Yup, those over the age of 50. So how do you think “cost savings” will be implemented and obtained? By increaseing access to care or scaling back and forcing people to go to “regional” centers for more advanced care? Sure people will be able to keep their PCPs and get their yearly checkups locally but how many MRIs do you think will be supported at $1.5 million each?
I really hope people understand where healthcare in this country is headed. Access to healthcare is great until you have to use it.
Let’s see, so far I’ve had a cordizone shot in the wrong shoulder, two weeks ago they blew my arm up with dye that went into the muscle instead of the vein, ya, this is great. You obviously are not a part of management, you are forty years behind unless you go to Bangor, pretty scary. Retired fromm a major medical center and you would know it if I said it but I won’t. You must be a nurse/technician.
Canada is basically owned by England. Whatever bridge England jumps off we jump behind them,
NO ONE treats the problem, they treat the symptoms. After all why treat something before it’s a problem for a few thousand dollars, when you can make half a million or more after it becomes a serious problem.
My dad had cancer and good insurance but thanks to the pokey MD nothing could be done once it was discovered because getting the tests ordered and getting the test results all took too long. “rationing” is not the issue.
Canada doesn’t have the comparison of national health care that has been discussed here in the states.
I have heard this same story over and over. We do not want that health care system that Canada has. At least with what we do have we do get care.
You need to learn a few things about reality, national healthcare increases costs, just ask the GAO and England…
Here’s a dose of reality — http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8201711.stm
This article by the BBC describes healthcare in the US, UK, France, and Singapore. The US looks pretty shabby by comparison.
Congratulations on once again proving your lack of humanity. Must be very proud of yourself
Nothing changes but how it is paid for, you will have your same MDs and they will be able to streamline the process and save a shatload of money to invest in equipt. I’ll bet they’d find a cure for the common cold if is wasn’t so lucrative. These pharmaceutical companies are out of control and the last admin CONTRACTED with ONE company, no free market there. Outrageous. It can only go down.
You’re correct in saying that as long as it’s lucrative………….cures will not be allowed.
I believe they have cures for a lot of diseases that you will see when the ACA is fully implemented.
As someone who works in sponsored research I can tell you that pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars on research to cure cancer and other diseases. So does the federal government. Saying anything else shows your complete and utter lack of knowledge.
and people get care. think what can be saved just on the paperwork by having a 1 payer system.
As a long time financial analyst for a hospital, I can tell you if we don’t have Medicare for all, only the rich will be able to get healthcare. That’ll thin out the herd. People can’t possibly think we gave out free healthcare, we wouldn’t be in business very long. We did like all companies we passed the cost on to the insured. 20K a year for insurance is insane. Glad I finally got my LBJCARE.
“LBJCare” — I like that! And I, like you, am so relieved to have reached the age where I qualify for such “socialized medicine” after about 6 years of not being able to afford to see a doctor. The myths and misunderstandings about single-payer universal healthcare posted here are evidence of the great job being done on propaganda by the worthless health insurance companies. The United States is the ONLY “first-world” nation in the world without such a system — We The Taxpayers even pay for healthcare in Israel and Iraq, where those people have it. Even so-called “third world” countries have better access to healthcare than we do.
You get it, Lucy, while we will never use it because of our LBJCARE, our children and their children have the right to healthcare. We all pay for roads and so on, healthcare shouldn’t be a for profit business. You wouldn’t believe what goes on. I have been to software conventions all over the country, we had our meetings at the country clug, guess who paid? The propaganda surrounding it is ridiculous and yet people would rather believe that than the truth. Nothing changes but the way it is paid. LBJCARE FOR ALL!
not knowing the law is no excuse – do as you say say as you do officers you are not above the law no excuses-
To the Deputy, family and friends of the deceased: My condolences for your loss.
Glenn Ross tips off Rev. Carlson before his investigation and nearly gets kicked out of the Maine Sheriffs’ Association and now he says that law enforcement personnel can’t donate to a woman with cancer! How out of touch is Ross with the rest of the world? These are the type of people running law enforcement… shows you why no one trusts them!! He needs to resign now.
You can help get him out by voting for someone else this fall!
Who’s running against him? Tim Richardson???
We get it, you don’t like Sheriff Ross.
But you cannot blame him for an INDEPENDENT group called the “Penobscot County Law Enforcement Association” for raising money.
Oh, and Sheriff Ross didn’t “nearly” get kicked out of the Maine Sheriffs Association (another INDEPENDENT group). One Sheriff raised a concern, the association formed an investigative committee, they issued their findings and Washington County Sheriff resigned because he “didn’t get his way”.
By hey, why let facts get in the way of a good rant.
Did the Sheriff raise money for bob carlson family”
I couldn’t find any reference in the above article that Sheriff Ross raised funds for anyone, could you?
Not in the Article.. you are right, my mistake.. I hate the woodshed. Thanks again JD.
My prayers to the Family, sorry for your loss.. I have had 3 in my family with cancer, one passed on one is fine and another in treatment. Never any fun..
Having said that and understanding the illness, I am curious, if I get pulled over by an Officer can I hand him/her a donation toward any cause they are collecting for…
It’s a good law, yet if they collect in house without any sense of favor to people who donate then who does it harm?
Can’t everyone who has their donation returned just end it back since it would now be non solicited?
Logic and common sense will prevail. I think I’ll send money now.
You are one of the very few here that is on topic and making sense! Your comment was my first question. People are sometimes blind to what appears to be the obvious solution. :)
It’s okay for a fireman to beat you over the head with a boot for your spare change while they block the Hogan Rd during the holiday season though. Doesn’t make sense to me….
First of all my sympathy goes out to the husband and family. I cannot believe we take such a sad situation and turn it into a political discussion on healthcare. We should be allowed to help a fellow human being in the time of such a devastating illness that his family is being affected by, why should this family be any different just because he wears a uniform!
So so true..I find this quite saddening.
Where is the heart and human compasion? This man lost his wife. Stop making it about insurance. Someone was trying to do a good thing and made a small mistake and did not get the email okayed. My heart goes out to the officer and his family. I think I will be stopping in to making a voluntary donation tomorrow. Maybe some of you should think about what you are writting here and go else where to complain about insurance or Sheriff Ross. I don’t think it has any thing to do with matter.
So that everyone gets the respect of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness they deserve, everyone should be family. We are all in this country together. For that matter, we are all on this planet together.
We the people of the United States of America should mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor, as stated in the Declaration of Independence. It is not just for the people you work with.
I think the law makes sense but it doesn’t. Since military should not be separate or superior to civil power, according to the Declaration of Independence, I do not think our law enforcement should be either, and that would also mean since they are not to be separate to civil power, I think they should not be inferior to civil power either. We are all equal and endowed certain rights…. Was it?
Sorry to hear about Mr. Ross’ loss.
I think it was a charitable cause. If there is money left over, if people want it to be given can it be turned to cancer research or some sort of program to help others with similar need?
I strongly believe in helping others. That is a law that should be recinded and never thought of again! Everybody needs help at one time or another. Good people give, bad people force them to give it back.
This always bothers me.. Please they are Police Officers, The term cop isn’t fitting or respectful for people who keep us safe… Police or Officer when addressing them personally…. They deal with the hard core everyday, they don’t need the average person to disrespect them. Thank you Officers for all the hard work you do for us.
First of all my sympathies to the deputy and family. While I agree that there is good reason for laws such as these to be in place, there needs to be some common sense applied as well. They were not appealing to the general public – they were talking to their fellow law enforcement officers. If they cannot help each other out in a time of crisis who can they count on?
Does Penobscot County pay for the gas that takes Glenn wife back and forth to work I can remember seeing her in the county’s car during the week riding for free. Wow Glenn nothing better to do. Policy is policy live up to it and pay for your own gas like rest of us do. So everyone just take the money and give it to cop and keep Glenn out of it. This mess with Bob got him on the edge. He does not want Sheriff Smith from Washington county on his backside and that would his a*s.
Well Eastbrook I have seen MSP driving around with family members too. I have seen Brewer Public Works pickup trucks with unbuckled children in them. Does it make it right? May yes, maybe no (well in the case of the unbuckled child no since they are supposed to be buckled). It all depends on what the departments policies say.
Do they have to report “personal” mileage?
Are they allowed to have family members in the government issued vehicle?
Tell you what, since any policy is a matter of public record why don’t you call the PCSO and request a copy and THEN criticize the use if it is out of policy use.
Don’t you worry about my comment and you feel the way you do so is that right or wrong??? Don’t now and don’t care. You seem to be a pro at it.
We get it, you don’t like Sheriff Ross. Fine.
But you cannot ignore that what you are complaining about is in a policy and that policy is a matter of public record. If you really cared about what the Sheriff does or doesn’t do you would call and request a copy of that policy.
But some people just like complain and do nothing about it. I guess you are one of those people.
They are public vehicles, he shouldn’t be using it for personal use. My father was a mchanic for the SP and he said he would put new tires or a battery in one of the vehicles and next day they had junk tires and an old battery. A lot of them own Crown Vics as their family car.
Do you even realize that this is NOT the place for this conversation?
Had no idea you were in charge.
Worcester Woman
Although Im not a huge fan of Glenn Ross after the whole Bob Carlson disaster. I do know that his wife always worked within a few feet of the old PD. Kind of silly to take 2 card to the same place when you dont have to.
The problem is the entire system. Charlie O’Roak who used to be the Regional Administrator in Bangor had a state issued vehicle. He didnt have a caseload, didnt arrest or transport people. Basically, just drove back and forth to his office and to any and all meeting he would typically have in Augusta. The problem is that he lived in the Searsport/Belfast area. Thats a lot of miles and gas for someone that used it for administration purposes. I used to laugh when I used to meet him on the road every morning…
Everywhere I go in the Summer I see firemen in uniform holding voluntary donation roadblocks in the middle of the street for equipment or whatever. It defies logic that a law enforcement department can’t notify other law enforcement agencies that one of their own is in need. I would imagine this law was designed to keep them from going door to door and maybe people feeling intimidated, but I think this is a gross distortion of the law’s original intent.
So easy, send it from your personal email not the public one.
My condolences to her family and her friends in blue.
Publish his name and address. We can send checks to his doorstep and forget the law!!
National health insurance is not the answer to any dilemma. The Obamanoncare Act is now projected to cost $1.76 trillion over 10 years, but the narcissist in charge had stated it would be $900 billion over 10 years–do the math–more than makes it a catastrophic “illness” for taxpayers, don’t you think?
I’m on LBJCARE and the ACA is the same exact thing, why would you make up such lies? Do you have any proof or links to your assertions??? You do the math, it is unsustainable the way it is now and the ins companies are as big a theif as the oil companies. I’ll look for your proof , thanks :)
Crickets?
A very sad situation.
I don’t really care what the money was for, or who asked for it…the fact is this woman and family were ASKING for help and that convinces me they needed it. My deepest sympathy to her family and just for the record….if a guy in a badge asks me for help…no problem…he’s as human as the next guy. Had I been a donor I would’ve refused to take the money back.
And who’s going to pay for this???? The person that goes to work every day trying to make ends meet and who’s premiums have ALREADY gone up.
Who will pay when you or someone you love develops a devastating illness? You might be among the millions of Americans who discover that their health insurance policy covers very little of the cost of treatment. A large proportion of American bankruptcies are the result of overwhelming medical costs.
Premiums would not need to be so high, if we didn’t have to subsize corporate PROFITS. It’s ridiculous that CEOs’ inflated salaries depend on policyholders being denied reimbursement for legitimate costs, and cherry-picking policyholders to avoid insuring people with pre-existing conditions.
Most people who have insurance through their job would lose it it they get laid off. Then they have to find another for-profit insurer who will accept them–but if you have any pre-existing condition, no matter how minor, you could face huge premiums or perhaps not be able to get a new insurance policy at all.
it is all complete BS and whoever “reported” this should be ashamed of themselves for turning a community of law enforcement providers and others into a political parade for the news. Who gives a dams who and where we donate our money, it is OURS to donate to who we want and when we want!! maybe somebody didn’t understand that but there it is very clear for you! The letter that was sent was advising of a situation that had occured in this persons life, in no way was it suggesting you better send us money or else….. My union gets many letters each week from different agencies, you know what we do with the ones that don’t have significance to us, we throw them away!! To all those who donated I am sure the deputy appreciates it very much and screw the people that can’t understand that it is a close family and we support each other!
This hurts my heart more than words can say. This woman was a friend, a beautiful soul who would have done anything for anyone. Last week, she sadly lost her life at the young age of 34. I think what these individuals did to raise money for their family is commendable. These people were trying to do what they could to help and the fact that this would even be published in a newspaper with no regards is absolutely shameful! What do you think her poor husband, her mother, her father, her sister, her whole family is thinking by reading this article. I understand that it may have not been done “by the rules”. I personally would not accept my money back and I am sure that anyone else who gave will also feel the same way. Anyone who gave anything did so because they WANTED to help. There isn’t much that we can do in a situation like this, but they did what they could to lessen the burden in some way. I have written a letter to the State Attorney General, the Governor, and the editor of this paper for being so heartless in such a traumatic time for such a wonderful family. I wonder how some people can sleep at night.
Couldn’t have said it any better myself – well done Jennifer and God Bless You!
I can tell you, I am a police officer and at NO TIME DID ANYONE EVER ASK FOR ANYTHING FROM THE PUBLIC…..this was a genuine attempt on our part to help one of our fellow LE officers…..this was from one LE officer to another to assist him and his needs while he was at home with his wife. Sheriff Ross was just saying…police don’t soliciate money from the public and WE know we can’t and are well aware of this. This DID NOT happen. We in LE were just trying to help one of our own defray some costs….its that simple….he will always have our undying support WITH IN the law…….
juno111….thank you for doing what you could for her family! The support that you and the other officers have shown for the family during her illness, at the funeral, and the support I am sure you are still offering, is amazing. I never had the pleasure of knowing her husband, but I know the family well and was a friend in high school, and I can tell you that one will not find a sweeter, more selfless woman on this earth! I’m sure everyone who knows them joins me in heartfelt thanks!
Jennifer….you are right…I do not know how some people sleep at night…. this should not have been news…..Im glad you wrote to the AG’s, the Governor and the paper….this was strictly between LE…I was at the funeral and saw alot of people I have worked with grieving, especially one…. I will help him how I see fit….
Thank you Jennifer and Im sorry for the lose of your friend….Im sorry there are so many closed minded people in the world who can’t see the positive in anything….Im dedicated to my career in LE as is so many others and when of our brothers or sisters need us…we will be there for them. People dislike us because WE do our job. Thats ok….we are trained to handle people like that…damned if you do and damned if you don’t…all part of our job… make your comments people…in the end we know we were there for our fellow officer and DID NOT break any laws….we take great pride in our work and cherish our relationships.
Editor-in-cheif Michale J Dowd claims he had no idea this tasteless story was run the day of her funeral I quote, ” and today our deputies are at her funeral, ” the Sheriff said. Shame on you Dowd and shame on the BGD!!!!!
Editor-in-Chief Michael Dowd is claiming he didn’t know the story was run on the day of her funeral. Let me quote from line 4 of the story. …”and today our deputies are at her funeral,” the sheriff said.
Dowd you either do not read what written in your paper, which makes you incompetent, or you are a liar. Take your pick!!!
Editor-in-Chief
Michael Dowd is claiming he didn’t know the story was run on the day of
her funeral. Let me quote from line 4 of the story. …”and today our
deputies are at her funeral,” the sheriff said.
Dowd you either do not read what written in your paper, which makes you incompetent, or you are a liar. Take your pick!!!
Editor-in-Chief
Michael Dowd is claiming he didn’t know the story was run on the day of
her funeral. Let me quote from line 4 of the story. …”and today our
deputies are at her funeral,” the sheriff said.
Dowd you either do not read what written in your paper, which makes you incompetent, or you are a liar. Take your pick!!!
For everyone who took this article as an opportunity to hop up on your soapboxes and scream about politics, healthcare, taxes, lousy hospitals, your personal problems with law enforcement etc…. you should be ashamed of yourselves.
This story is about a family who just lost a loved one, a sister, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a cousin. It’s about the law enforcement community reaching out to help this family – one of their own. It’s about the Maine Attorney General’s Office going on a power trip.
It’s also about the Bangor Daily News showing terrible judgement in writing and printing this story. Not only that, but printing it on the day of the funeral.
To the family and friends – I’m sincerely sorry for your loss. I’m also deeply saddened that this tragic mess had to be made public.