PLEA Partners
PLEA Recognizes 3 With Partner Awards
Pictured with the Galus family are the PLEA Partner Award recipients: 2nd from left Brenda Fratus and center Max Hiatt. To the right of Max in the back row is Jim Galus whose life Brenda and Max saved. The Galus family from left to right are:Officer Bill Galus, Phyllis (mother - center), Jennifer (sister), and far right Steve Galus (brother).
On Friday August 21, 2009, PLEA presented PLEA Partner Awards to two individuals along with LA Fitness for their cooperative efforts in saving the life of Jim Galus, a former police reserve officer.
Recently, Jim was working out at an LA Fitness facility at the US 60 and Signal Butte Rd. in east Mesa when he suffered a heart attack. Retired fire fighter Max Hiatt along with ER trauma nurse Brenda Fratus who were also at the gym immediately began providing emergency first aid and were also able to use a portable AED device provided by the LA fitness facility to keep Jim alive until the paramedics of Mesa Fire Department E-217 arrived.
Jim 'coded' 3 times enroute to Mountain Vista Hospital. Emergency room personnel credited a myriad of variables and actions for Jim's life being saved. They cited the quick actions of Max Hiatt and Brenda Fratus for providing essential emergency first aid, they cited the fact that the LA Fitness facility had the foresight to have a portable electronic defibrillator on scene and they further credited the professionalism and lifesaving actions of Mesa Fire Department paramedics.
PLEA is proud to be a part of honoring these everyday people who stepped up to the plate without hesitation, and whose actions were critical in saving the life of a citizen in need.
Guests in attendance that honored the PLEA Partner recipients were Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Phoenix Councilperson Thelda Williams, Phoenix Councilperson Mike Johnson, Senator Russell Pearce, Mesa Fire Chief Mike Dunn, Require the Prior President Ann Malone, and Barry Paceley.
CLICK HERE to see the related News 5 video coverage on this story.
PLEA Partners With DLEA
The DLEA board is (from left to right) Sean Pearce (Vice President), Brad Ruehle (Secretary), Chris Osborn (President), and Eric Haarala (Treasurer)
PLEA is excited about working with the newly established board of the Deputies Law Enforcement Association (DLEA). PLEA's goal is to help facilitate common sense solutions as fellow members of the Arizona Police Association.
PLEA Partner Ann Malone Speaks Out
The positive partnerships PLEA has developed within the community and the common sense community ideas that improve police efficiency and save tax-payer dollars are meeting with "a considerable amount of resistance from the administration of the police department.”
Ann Malone, president of Require the Prior, continues to support Phoenix Police Officers and work with members of the City Council. At the same time, on issues such as personal purchase of rifles and civilianizing the wagon/booking process, Ann and PLEA continue to hold Public Safety Manager Jack Harris publicly accountable for poor policies.
CLICK HERE to view the News 5 segment where Ann explains the goal of the Indian School Corridor-CItywids Coalition.
CLICK HERE to read the White Paper written by Ann Malone.
PLEA Partners With Silent Witness
Melissa Vigil was a 16-year old junior at Cesar Chavez High School.
Early in the morning of Tuesday October 7, 2008 at the intersection of Hidalgo Ave. and South Vista Grande, Melissa was treacherously murdered. The truck she was in didn't protect her from the deadly onslaught of bullets.
When one of the rounds struck her in the head, she not only lost her life, she lost her hopes, her dreams, and her future.
Because the days are precious, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is deeply saddened by the senseless loss of this young woman"s life. Justice becomes a reality when three key groups create an effective partnership - the cops, the courts, and the community.
Silent Witness has offered a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers. Today PLEA Charities will donate an additional $5000 to Silent Witness and PLEA Attorney, Michael Napier, is donating another $2000, to bring Melissa’s killers to justice.
CLICK HERE to read a copy of the PLEA press release urging community response.
CLICK HERE to view the Oct. 16, 2008 CBS 5 news story on the increased reward.
CLICK HERE to view the Oct. 16, 2008 Channel 3 news story on the increased reward.
CLICK HERE to view the Oct. 16, 2008 FOX 10 news story on the increased reward and search warrants served today.
PLEA Partner Ann Malone Speaks Out
PLEA partner Ann Malone was recently profiled in an Arizona Republic news article which ran on April 3, 2009.
Ann founded and became the president of the Indian School Corridor Citywide Business and Homeowners Association which is a coalition of numerous Phoenix businesses and homeowner groups.
Ann's group has partnered closely with PLEA on on pushing for solutions to the problems that surround the jail booking process.
PLEA recognizes the value and importance of parnering with citizens groups such as Ann's to solve problems that have an adverse effect on the community as well as police officers.
CLICK HERE to read the Arizona Republic article.
CLICK HERE to read the White Paper report referred to in the article.