Heroes Remembered

Law Enforcement Hero	NAME: Master Trooper David E. Rich, Wabash, IN AGE: 41 DETAILS: On July 5, 2007, Master Trooper David E. Rich was fatally shot in the chest by a Michigan man who then reloaded his shotgun and killed himself. The shooting happened along U.S. 24 about 4 p.m., and the shooter was identified as Joseph M. Vultaggio Jr., 21, of Gaylord, Mich. Vultaggio was driving a sport-utility vehicle that his father had reported stolen on Wednesday. Trooper Rich, 41, was an 18-year veteran of the state police and was a detective assigned to the Peru post. He was married with a 7-year-old daughter and twin 3-year-old sons. Trooper Rich was from a law-enforcement family as his father is former Miami County Sheriff Jack Rich, a retired state trooper, and his brother is state police Capt. Bob Rich.
Military Hero	NAME: Army Sgt. Clarence Floyd, Jr., Newark, NJ AGE: 28 DETAILS: Sgt. Floyd died in Taji, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces sniper fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Died on December 10, 2005.
Military Hero	NAME: Army 1st Lt. Joseph D. de Moors, Birmingham, AL AGE: 36 DETAILS: Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.; killed Jan. 7 when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Tal Afar, Iraq. more details...
Firefighter Hero	NAME: FDNY Lt. Howard Carpluk, Engine Co. 42 (Bronx), Yaphank, NY AGE: 43 DETAILS: On August 27, 2006, firefighters responded to a call at 1575 Walton Avenue for a fire in a one-story commercial building. The blaze quickly grew to three alarms. FDNY units entered the building to search for victims when a collapse occurred. Lieutenant Carpluk and Firefighter Reilly became trapped with Battalion Chief Thomas W. Auer, 47, of Battalion 17, a 23-year veteran; Lieutenant John P. Grasso, 45, of Engine 92, a 20-year veteran; and Firefighter Wayne J. Walters, 30, of Engine 75, a 4-year veteran. Lt. Carpluk died on August 28, 2006. more details...
EMS Hero	NAME: Joseph Donald Snow, Paramedic Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services, TN AGE: 32 DETAILS:Memorial Day will never be the same for emergency workers in Clarksville and Montgomery County.  One of their own died over the holiday weekend after trying to recover two drowning victims. more details...
Law Enforcement Hero	NAME: Deputy Sheriff Brian Keith Tephford, Broward County Sheriff's Office, Florida AGE: 34 TOUR OF DUTY: 6 years BADGE NUMBER: 10622 DETAILS: Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Saturday, November 11, 2006 Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type Suspect Info: In custody. Deputy Brian Tephford was shot and killed while conducting a vehicle stop. more details...
Military Hero	NAME: Pfc. Lori Piestewa UNIT: 507th Army Maintenance Unit, a unit assigned to 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade FAMILY: Son, Brandon, 4; daughter, Carla, 3; mother, Terry; father, Percy DETAILS: When her unit was ambushed in Iraq, this mother of two and American Indian soldier fought back, a congressman said. She was buried April 12 in the Hopi Reservation. more details...
Firefighter Hero	NAME: Lieutenant Derrick Harvey, Philadelphia Fire Department, PA AGE: 45 TOUR OF DUTY: 14 years STATION: Squrt 72. DETAILS: Brother Derrick succumbed to injuries he suffered while operating on Box 4465, 9th St. and Lindley Ave., on January 9, 2004. more details...
Law Enforcement Hero	NAME: Officer Melvin Lisojo, Newark Police Department, New Jersey AGE: 35 TOUR OF DUTY: 5 years BADGE NUMBER: 2303 DETAILS: Cause of Death: Vehicular assault Date of Incident: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved Suspect Info: Sentenced to 20 years. more details...
Law Enforcement Hero	NAME: Sgt. Mark Frank Parry, Baltimore County Police Department, MD AGE: 42 TOUR OF DUTY: 16 years DETAILS: Cause of Death: Vehicular assault Date of Incident: Thursday, December 27, 2001 Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved Suspect Info: Sentenced to 14 years in prison. more details...