Community pauses to recognize Peace Officers Memorial Day
May 15—MORGANTOWN — Morgantown Police Department PFC Frank Fidazzo was 44 years old on June 11, 2000, when he died of injuries sustained in the line of duty.
The 11-year veteran initiated the MPD's bicycle patrol. He and his wheels became a fixture in the city's downtown and on the rail-trail in the last years of his watch.
The day before he died, Fidazzo was finishing a one-week training course in White Park with officers from multiple agencies when he was thrown over the handlebars of his bike and suffered severe head injuries.
A little less than 12 years later, Sgt. Todd May of the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department was sitting in his cruiser near the state line watching for an approaching vehicle pursuit that had started in Monongalia County before crossing into Pennsylvania.
Approximately one mile north of the state line on Interstate 79 south, the driver rammed May's patrol car as he waited in the median for the pursuit to reach his location. May was transported to a hospital in Morgantown, where he died a short time later.
May had been a deputy with MCSD for 10 years.
The driver of the vehicle was charged with homicide by vehicle in Pennsylvania. He was convicted of third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while DUI and multiple other counts. He is currently incarcerated in a state prison in Albion, Pa.
Fidazzo and May are two of the 228 law enforcement officers to be killed while serving in West Virginia's history, and among more than 24, 000 to make the ultimate sacrifice nationwide dating back to the late 1700s.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
A small crowd gathered on the Monongalia County Courthouse Square in bright sunshine Thursday morning in recognition.
"It's a somber time for law enforcement this time every year, every year, " MPD Chief Eric Powell said. "It's a time where we honor the service of our fellow officers and remember their sacrifice and get to share in a little bit of that honor and that remembrance with the families of those who sacrificed everything for the sake of doing their job."
The names Fidazzo and May can be seen around town. Certainly, they're both represented within the headquarters of their respective departments. A section of rail-trail carries Fidazzo's name. The Sabraton bridge over Stewartstown Road carries May's.
Sheriff Todd Forbes said he knew both men.
"It's a great thing for the community to come together to honor them, but it's really a great thing nationwide for everybody to recognize the hard work and dedication that goes into law enforcement day-to-day. Often, we're only remembered for the bad things that a few people do as opposed to the good things that so many do, " Forbes said, explaining that much like the families, the departments — friends and coworkers — never forget.
"We have a memorial in our lobby to him. His unit number still appears on our schedule. He's frozen in time with us. He'll always be a treasured member of our department, " Forbes said of May. "He's missed every day."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Milwaukee shootings Friday; 2 dead, 4 wounded
The Brief Milwaukee shootings left two people dead and four others wounded on Friday. Two shootings happened minutes apart on Hampton Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to call MPD at 414-935-7360. MILWAUKEE - A pair of Milwaukee shootings left two people dead and four others wounded on Friday, June 6. What we know Four people were shot around 4:10 p.m. Police said three victims – ages 16, 33 and 46 – were taken to a hospital and are expected to survive. The fourth, unidentified victim died at the scene. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android What we don't know MPD is looking for whoever is responsible. What led to the shooting remains under investigation. What we know Two people were shot minutes later roughly a mile-and-a-half away. A 22-year-old victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, according to MPD, while a 23-year-old victim died at the scene. What we don't know What led to the shooting remains under investigation, and police are looking for whoever is responsible. What you can do Anyone with information is asked to call MPD at 414-935-7360; to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or use the P3 tips app. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News What they're saying Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson issued the following statement on the shooting that happened along Hampton Avenue: "With information from both the fire and police departments, I am monitoring developments related to the shootings along West Hampton Avenue late today. The fire department has provided preliminary information regarding the emergency medical response, and the police have shared early aspects of the criminal investigation. "I am appalled by the senseless use of firearms to settle disagreements. There is no situation in which that is appropriate. "To anyone inclined to shamelessly shoot at another human being, your actions will land you in prison. To everyone in our city, I ask that you take all possible steps that you can to reduce gun violence. "In these most recent incidents, I have every reason to believe those responsible will be brought to justice." The Source The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mom wants answers after Miami rapper gunned downed in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The mother of a rising rapper who was gunned down in Memphis wants to know why he was killed and wants police to catch all the people responsible. Toya Redwing is talking for the first time about her son's death on March 22 near the FedEx Forum. 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting downtown Letorian Hunt, 27, also known as Sayso P, was shot and killed outside the Westin Hotel. Houston Rapper Sauce Walka, whose real name is Albert Walker Mondane, was also wounded when at least three people jumped out of a white Charger and opened fire. Redwing said her son was born and raised in Memphis but lived in Miami. He was in town to visit a sick relative and had been looking forward to coming home. He had only been at the hotel a couple of days before the shooting. 'I want to know who did this. I want to know who sent them. This is what I told the detectives. These boys didn't do this on their own, at least I don't think so,' said Redwing. 'I don't think he was the intended target.' Shortly after the shooting, the 2021 Dodge Charger 392 Scat Pack was recovered, and police issued a warrant for Jayden Dandridge, 21, for first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. Last week, Dandridge was found dead in Houston. His death was ruled a homicide. 'I was pretty much numb. I didn't cry or grieve for him. He killed my son, and I still want answers,' Redwing said. 'I can't get to the bottom of it if they are all dead.' Redwing said her son wanted to leave Memphis because of the violence. She said he had opened a recording studio in Miami and recently signed a distribution deal with Sauce Walka's record label. Suspect in downtown Memphis shooting found dead in Houston: MPD She said Hunt was kind and generous, always had a smile on his face, and was finally realizing his dreams. Redwing said her son was her best friend, and the pain of his loss has been unlike anything she has experienced before. 'The fact that he won't ever have children. I won't know what my grandkids look like. I won't know if he will have beautiful little daughters or little boys,' said Redwing. 'Watching his growth from a young boy to the man he had become was amazing.' Redwing said Memphis police are currently outmanned and outgunned. She hopes the FBI will step in, as promised, to help, but believes people in the community also need to get involved to stop the crime. The rapper's mom said she would like to start a foundation to help other mothers dealing with the same kind of grief. She also wants to provide resources to young people who are falling through the cracks and committing these acts of violence. 'I've heard, why do you care about them. Screw them. Those people killed your kid,' said Redwing. 'I can't say that with a straight face and be me. They need to be held accountable, but I do know a lot of these kids want a way out.' Redwing said she wants to do something to keep her son's memory alive and show that his life mattered. Hunt was buried at sea in Miami. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
12 hours ago
Ahead of WorldPride, US Park Police, NPS close off key Pride gathering spot
There are no known credible threats to the nation's capital as tens of thousands gather in Washington this weekend to celebrate WorldPride, Capital Pride's 50th anniversary, officials told ABC News. But despite that, the U.S. Park Police and National Park Service have temporarily closed Dupont Circle Park, long the site of unofficial Pride parties and gatherings in the city, and that decision is drawing objections. Preparations for the international celebration have been years in the making, and at least one party promoter already advertised an event in the park before the closing was announced. After a debate between federal officials, city police and LGBTQ+ activists, the U.S. Park Police announced the park would close from 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, through approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. Closing the park, federal officials say, is part of a broader federal security plan amid what they say are concerns about crowd control and potential disruptions. In recent years, the space has seen several incidents that that officials say prompted concern from law enforcement. According to authorities, in 2019, a person was arrested after gunshots caused crowds to flee. In 2023, the park was vandalized, resulting in $175,000 in damage to the historic fountain. In 2024, a group of minors was found drinking, smoking marijuana and fighting in the park. They later ran into nearby businesses and reportedly stole items. In a letter obtained by ABC News, the U.S. Park Police wrote that the closure is necessary to "secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences." Both the U.S. Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department cited unsafe conditions and property damage during Pride weekend festivities in 2019, 2023 and 2024. MPD initially requested in April that the park be closed for Pride weekend. However, MPD Chief Pamela Smith, the first African American woman to lead the U.S. Park Police in its 200-year-plus history, attempted to get the closure rescinded after public backlash, saying, "D.C. is no stranger to high-profile gatherings. We have a proven track record of hosting them safely and successfully, and this year will be no different." But the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service denied the request. The agencies said the request "does not provide any remedy or solutions to the significant amount of criminal activity and resource destruction that has historically been committed in Dupont Circle Park during DC Pride weekend, or the large strain on law enforcement resources that would be remedied by a park closure with anti-scale fence." MPD will have an increased presence throughout D.C. during WorldPride and Capital Pride. It will coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and activate special units to assist with crowd management and traffic. Police will also increase patrols in high-crime areas starting this weekend through the end of August. "MPD, alongside all of our district agencies and public safety partners, have been working for many months to plan for these large-scale events that are happening this summer, and our joint planning efforts have included site visits, tabletop exercise, intelligence coordination and layered security strategies tailored uniquely to these events to ensure that we can keep our city safe for World Pride 2025," Smith said. "We have been planning for over a year." Days after WorldPride, the nation's capital will host a June 14 military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the Army, though officials said there aren't any known credible threats for that event either. That Army parade will be the sixth National Special Security Event that Washington has hosted this year. "There's no place more experienced than the District of Columbia in executing these large-scale events," Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah said last week.
