Posted: 2/7/2011 2:56:57 PM EDT
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On January 24th, 2011 the St. Petersburg Police Department (FL) lost two Officers when a suspect they were attempting to take into custody opened fire killing them. A Deputy US Marshall was also wounded, but will recover. This is the first loss of this nature the Department has had to deal with in 30 years. I apologize that this post comes two weeks after the Officers' deaths, but caring for the family's has been the first priority, which comes to the reason I am making this post. The Sun Coast PBA, through the Sun Coast Law Enforcement Charities is selling t-shirts in honor of the Officers killed, Sergeant Tom Baitinger and K-9 Officer Jeffery Yaslowitz. Sergent Baitinger is survived by his wife and Officer Yaslowitz is survived by his wife and three children. Ace Officer Yaslowitz's partner will remain with the family.
The design of the the shirts are as follows....  
I am not accepting any money, I am only passing on where the shirts can be bought if anyone wishes to buy one. The shirts can be purchased through Sun Coast PBA (Sun Coast Law Enforcement Charities) and cost $20.00 (shipping included). The sale of the shirts will end February 21, 2011. Donations can can also be made. I know times are very tough for many right now, but any help would be greatly appreciated. I am also including a copy of the post I made on the Brothers of the Shield "In the Line of Duty" section. The ARFCOM family has always been very supportive in situations such as these. I would like to thank all if for no other reason than taking the time to read this post and honoring these two hero's, who were also friends of mine. Thank you. Sergeant Tom Baitinger St. Petersburg Police Department Florida End of Watch: Monday, January 24, 2011 
Police Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz St. Petersburg Police Department Florida End of Watch: Monday, January 24, 2011 
Sergeant Tom Baitinger and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a suspect wanted for aggravated battery. Several members of a regional task force had gone to the home to question a family member about the man's whereabouts. After making contact with the woman, the officers were informed that the man was in the attic and possibly armed. Officer Yaslowitz, who served on the department's canine unit, had just finished his shift and was en route home when he volunteered to respond to the call. After unsuccessfully attempting to talk the man out of the attic, Officer Yaslowitz and a member of the United States Marshals Service made entry into the attic and were immediately shot. Another officer was able to pull the deputy marshal from the attic but was unable to reach Officer Yaslowitz. The suspect then fired from the attic, striking Sergeant Baitinger who was providing cover from the main level. A SWAT team used a tactical vehicle to breach a wall of the home and came under fire, but was able to recover Officer Yaslowitz. Officer Yaslowitz and Sergeant Baitinger were both transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead. The suspect was found dead several hours later after the home was partially dismantled using heavy machinery. Sergeant Baitinger had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for 15 years. He is survived by his wife. Officer Yaslowitz had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and three children. We all miss you so much. God Bless Brothers.....you will NEVER be forgotten. 
ODMP Link Sergeant Tom Baitinger ODMP Link Officer Jeffery Yaslowitz News Footage (FOX 13 Web Site) Photographs from Funeral Thank You to Goatboy for allowing me to post this. |
I found out I could've bought a few through my buddies that work here for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office because they were selling them, but the sale was already over. Thanks for the link, I'm ordering at least one for myself this week, just gotta get the money in my checking account since all I have right now is cash. 
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I go to USF St Pete, we had a candlelight vigil for Tom and Jeffery, very moving. It was incredible to watch a little 4 person prayer circle grow to close to a hundred. God bless those two.
"Thank God that in a world where everyone tries to get away from the fire, there are a few who are ready to jump in."
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| My dad's agency (Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office) posted a list to purchase them en masse. I believe that the total order was approximately 150 shirts. I believe that they were told that was the largest out of state order for them. My dad and I are both getting one. |
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I want again to say thank you to all that have ordered shirts, but it is with a deeply broken heart that I must report that I have lost another friend and my Department another Officer. Officer David Crawford was shot and killed while looking for a possible burglary suspect. I will add a link to the new post shortly.
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