Page 3 - January 2017

Within a very short time, we had mobilized and responded several dozen patrol units, K-9 units, Special Emer-
gency Response Team members, and Special Tactical Operations Team members. We maintained a ready pos-
ture for several hours on the outer limits of the facility, and just as some elements of our force package were
preparing to enter the facility, the disturbance was resolved.

The DOC staff at the prison did an excellent job responding to the situation, and deserve credit for bringing
it to a safe conclusion. But it was reassuring, I’m sure, for the administration and the public safety executive
office to know some of MSP’s finest were on scene, at the ready. It was tremendously impressive to see how
significant a response we were able to deploy in so short a time.

The superb training and organization of you, our boots on the ground at the barracks and troop levels, have
made our department uniquely prepared to be a game-changer in critical incidents across the state.

And just in case anyone thought the major incidents were done for the time being, just two days later, on
Route 95 in Weston, a pickup truck veered into a school bus carrying 22 middle school students. The crash
caused the bus, in turn, to veer into the guardrail, and then to roll over the rail. As we all know, the more fre-
quent school bus crashes we respond to seem to happen when busses are not occupied by students. But this
one was different – it was the real thing.

Troop H patrols, assisted by some from Troop A and the MSP truck team, rushed to the scene and provided
vital assistance to firefighters and ambulance crews in coordinating the transport of every student to area
hospitals. Thankfully – amazingly – the only injuries were minor. Troopers then conducted a typically thorough
investigation and determined that the driver of the pickup failed to take proper care in changing lanes, and
have issued him a criminal summons, finalizing their excellent work on this incident from start to finish.

These incidents, and many more that happen every day and night are a reminder of the vital service that the
men and women of this department routinely provide to the citizens we are sworn to protect. Strong work to
start the year, and I have no doubt it will continue in the months ahead.

-Colonel Rick McKeon

Remembering Kim

Kimberley DeSiata was remembered
by her coworkers as one of the
bravest, strongest women they had
the pleasure of working with. Although
she was battling cancer, she never
complained and reported to work as
much as possible (to the point where
they had to tell her to go home). Kim
had been a part of the GHQ Finance
family since January 2012, and will be
missed dearly. Please keep her and
her family in your prayers.

Members from the Finance
Department went to visit a Rock that
was dedicated to Kim by her friends.

Sweet dreams Kimmy, we love you.

F r en c h·a n d·E le c t r ic·B l ue·J a n u a r y·2017·p a g e·3