| December 17, 2007 |
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| Donations Sought for Family of
Injured Officer |
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| In light of the
overwhelming response from citizens wishing to help injured officer Martin
Lawing, the Burke County Sheriff's Office announced where donations and letters
of encouragement may be sent. |
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| Lawing, 31, a SWAT team member, was
shot in the neck on December 11th while approaching a mobile home during a
standoff with a woman, who is described as a former mental patient. The
detective has been with the Sheriff's Office since 2002. |
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| Lawing remains
hospitalized in critical condition, according to Burke County Sheriff John T.
McDevitt, and has a long road toward recovery. The sheriff said Lawing's family
has stood a vigil at the hospital since the shooting. |
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| "Martin's family would
like everyone to know how appreciative they are of the prayers, cards, and
financial support they have received thus far," McDevitt said. "It's a
testament to the kind of folks we have in and around Burke County, and their
support of the men and women who protect them." |
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| McDevitt said that
anyone wishing to help the Lawing family may send their checks or money orders
to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), with a notation of "Martin Lawing Fund"
in the memo portion of the check. The address is Post Office Box 1216,
Morganton, N.C. 28680. |
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| "The FOP will make sure
every penny received goes to the Lawing family," McDevitt said. |
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| McDevitt also stated
that his officers are flying blue ribbons on the antennas of their personal and
patrol vehicles, after a caring citizen conceived the idea. |
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| "I encourage the rest of
Burke County to do the same," the sheriff stated. |
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