Here is a testimonial from Miami-Dade Detective Jamie Pardinas:
Hello!
I am any one of you: A law enforcement officer, cop, detective. Someone, much like all of you who do our jobs without thought of neither reward nor charity. Who I am is irrelevant to the story, for what transpires in this story is universal to us all. It is a tale of brotherhood and the necessity to remain united in times of extreme distress.
It begins with a pair of detectives, on what by all appearances, is a routine mission to deliver a felon back to a Nevada Federal Prison. In the course of the mission the subject seizes an opportunity to attack one of the detectives. During the attack the subject seriously injures the detective leaving him in critical condition in a jurisdiction not his own and out of contact with family and support. This Detective fights off his attacker who escapes into the night setting off a chain of events that has not been witnessed in many years. The response from State, Federal and local law enforcement was an overwhelming effort that was twofold. First, a four day methodical man hunt ending in the demise of the escaped felon and second, a show of overwhelming support for the injured detective by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
As to the latter, it would not have been possible without the aid of the Police Officers Assistance Trust. While on the scene medical personnel determined that the detective may not survive his injuries. You see, during the battle with the subject the detective suffered a collapsed lung, pierced liver and multiple stab wounds to the neck and back. Within the next few hours the POAT was informed of the events that transpired in another State and immediately sprang into action. Due to the severity of the detective’s injuries the POAT deemed it prudent to fly in every member of his immediate family. They made certain that all costs for transportation and lodging were not a burden to them. It allowed the officer’s family to focus fully on his recovery, which was to be long and protracted.
You see this is not just the unfortunate tale of a dedicated law enforcement veteran. It is your tale as much as it is mine. I cannot tell you how important it is to continue the legacy of the POAT. Mine is just one of the many tales that weave through the fiber of what is the POAT. Without it we are on our own. With it we remain a strong and benevolent brotherhood that takes care of its own.
My name is Detective Jaime Pardiñas and my family and I are grateful for the POAT’s support during what has been for us a time of unimaginable uncertainty. I urge all of us to step up and participate in the POAT any way we can.Thank you for your time and for listening to our story.Thank you for your support and stay safe.