Unshelved by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

It happened a few days ago

but I felt I should include this news story from Pineville, KY (the actual article is from the Lexington Herald-Leader. I'm linking it at another site since articles at the H-L go into archives after 7 days and are no longer available for free).

Side by Side, Forever

Deputy Sean Pursifull, 31, and his K-9 drug sniffing dog, a German Shepherd named King, were killed when two teenagers who drove away from a gas station without paying led police on a chase. Deputy Pursifull was parked, waiting to join the pursuit, when the teenagers ploughed into his cruiser going about 100 mph. Neither of them were hurt seriously, but the deputy and King were killed. They were laid to rest next to each other to full honours.

Someone at work who has contacts in Pineville told me that some time ago he and King were both shot in the line of duty. Apparently a suspect shot the dog, and was going to again, when Pursifull put himself in the line of fire and took the bullet meant for the dog. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly shows loyalty to his canine companion. Also, he has two young daughters and another child on the way, she told me.

The teenagers, David Poppiti, 17, of Delaware, who was driving, and Eric Gerren, 16, of Pennsylvania may be tried as adults if the authorities get their way. I'm all for it. But it's a shame that two lives were cut short--and two teens became murderers--over $38 worth of gas.

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