~Our LOCAL HEROES, a must read by Sgt. Kellems~ Amazing Grace This past Thursday as I was leaving work I heard the call go out over the radio for a multi vehicle crash on I-94. As I made my way home the 911 Center called and asked if I could arrange for a school bus to head to the scene; we were quickly learning that the crash was bad, very bad. A few phone calls later, bus #13, driven by Gail Cains was on the way. In order to access the scene we drove westbound in the eastbound lanes about four miles. When I arrived, I could not believe the scene; two words came to mind~ utter devastation. In 27 years of law enforcement, the closest Ive been to that was a plane crash in Mill Creek several years ago where five people had been killed, Im not even sure that can compare. We were directed by La Porte County EMS Supervisor Andrew McGuire to take the bus around to the westbound lanes and prepare to take on crash victims that were designated as walking wounded. At this point it was roughly 4:00 PM and once the bus began taking on crash victims, I began making my way around the crash site. I would estimate there were 100 emergency services workers at the scene. All were working in concert with each other doing what they could to bring stability to the chaos. My first guess was a dozen semis and a dozen cars involved; I quickly learned the number was double that. Because of the media horde that came to cover the news, there were at least ten satellite trucks, we learned the basic facts; three killed, 30 injured, 46 vehicles involved, interstate closed for hours. As I lay in bed that night I thought about what the media missed. I dont think it is because they dont care, I think it is because this part of the story isnt as glamorous or exciting. To me, after a lifetime of working in emergency service, I believe this is the real story. From Indiana State Police Lt. Jerry Williams, the scenes Officer in Command, to Mick Pawlik, the fire chief leading the rescue efforts, to Gail Cains, the bus driver and Samuel Brown, the 19-year-old that shoveled the sidewalks clean at Saint Anthonys, and everyone in between, dozens and dozens of people came to the rescue that day. Fran Tibbot, our Emergency Management Director sprang into action and worked with the Red Cross to help support the operations. Scores of Michigan City Police and Firefighters that rushed to the scene to lend aid where needed. The Sheriffs deputies that blocked roads to prevent further crashes. Deputy Donald Hicks, who was assigned to Post Command that day and answered hundreds of calls from people seeking information. One of those calls was from the daughter of Jerry Dalrymple. He was one of the victims that died at the scene. Gail Cains, the La Porte school bus driver? Im confident that she has never trained nor has she ever expected to spend her evening transporting wounded to La Porte Hospital. When the bus arrived at the emergency room doors, I was helping one of the wounded through the doors and when I looked inside the hallways were filled with at least 30 hospital staff, standing at the ready. Lets think about our volunteer firefighters. Id say more that two dozen came to the scene. They dropped everything they were doing a rushed into what could only be described as hell on the interstate. They spent the next several hours in freezing temperatures extricating victims. One rescue took more than two hours to complete. Extrication tools broke in the middle of the efforts, it was that cold! Imagine what the human body was going through. Imagine what the volunteers faced when they arrived? Take a moment to consider what the paramedics, police officers, tow truck drivers, Red Cross volunteers and firefighters mustve been witness to that day. My heart goes out to those that were injured and the families that suffered the loss of loved ones. In that same emotional vein, my heart is strengthened when I think about all of the people that came together to do one simple task; help. I take a lot of pride in being a police officer, never more so than on days like Thursday. Ive already run across people, who when they learn where Im from, say oh, that is where the bad crash happened. When I hear that, when I think about that day, I stand a little taller, I square my shoulders a little more and Im grateful for the awesome way in which so many in La Porte County and our surrounding communities came together to make the world just a little better that day. I hope that one day the families that suffered a loss come to know that their loved ones were surrounded by a hundred or more of the best, most loyal and dedicated emergency services workers there are. I hope that brings them a small measure of comfort. Sgt. Mike Kellems
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:58:10 +0000