Sunday, July 17, 2011

Dekalb Officer Struck By Vehicle, In Critical Conditon At Local Hospital


Our prayers go out for his speedy recovery and for his battle against the county he will be facing.

God speed brother.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hate to say this but the first thing I would do is get an attorney to sue everyone you can...Cause when your workers comp runs out the County will turn there back on you..Sorry brother but that is the way our County takes care of the injured. Hope your recovery is 100% and God bless you for your sacrifice..

Anonymous said...

My prayers are with you and your loved ones.

Unfortunately, Risk Management and Personnel are the biggest impediments to your return.

When I was injured, they treated me like an adversary ...... hell has wall special place for them.

Anonymous said...

At this point everyone needs to pray for his family and imediate health.

Anonymous said...

I pray that offcr Lecoste gets well soon ! I work with him at the prct and he loves his job. that driver needs to be fully prosecuted !
2nd veteran officer at East this month to have a terrible accident. Lets continue to pray for all officers everyday - we have a dangerous job

Sgt783 said...

Danny was in my squad when I worked East Precinct and was one of my son's FTO's after the academy. I could always count on him when the chips were down. I'll pray for his quick recovery and for his family in this stressful time.

Anonymous said...

Brother Danny, I pray for your full and speedy recovery. It is just not right that you have become yet another victim of a careless motorist failing to abide by the "Move Over Law".

To my fellow DKPD brothers and sisters as well as all other law enforcement officers who may read this. Enough is enough. In my immediate recollection, this is the 3rd major incident of violation of the "Move Over Law" in the past several months. I'm citing first the fatality of the HERO operator, then the GSP Trooper who was struck and injured, and now Danny. And let's not forget about our brother Officer Green whom it happened to several years ago now and is still suffering. It is just madness that there are many in the motoring public who claim to not know, or worse yet willfully fail to obey, the "Move Over Law". It became law in our state on July 1, 2003; over 8 years ago! Before it was law, though, it was just plain common sense. That makes it a "common sense" law in my interpretation. There have been numerous stories done about it both on T.V. and newspapers over the past several years. Then, signs were erected around the state and have been in place for several years now. Nearly all 50 states now have this kind of law. It is not unique to just Georgia so out-of-state motorists should have knowledge of it as well. Yet sadly, these incidents are still occurring and still too often. It is just inexcusable and those who are violating this law need to face the consequences for failing to obey it.

Our agency pushes tickets quite a bit as we all know. So, with that being the case, how about writing really good tickets for violation of the "Move Over Law" with a no tolerance approach to educate those of the motoring public who either claim to not known the law or willfully fail to obey it. This law was enacted to keep us and highway maintenance personnel safe. If we seriously enforce it often, the media may take note and yet again give it coverage to create awareness amongst the public.

My suggestion is several of us get together with our units. Let one officer perform a traffic stop for any traffic infraction. The other officers then shadow (back-up) that traffic stop looking for a violator of the "Move Over Law". When it occurs, stop it and ticket it. And so on and so forth with as many officers as you all can get together. Then leap-frog each other down one side of the road and then back the other way. Make a lenghthy special out of it. Let's take each other's safety seriously and in turn will also be about generating meaningful safety for the motoring public as a whole. And don't relent. Keep the enforcement constant and often enough so complacency doesn't set in for either us or the motoring public.

Let not another public safety person, GDOT, or highway maintenance person fall victim to such a senseless act that is so simple to avoid but has such devastating consequences when it occurs.

Thanks, be safe, and watch for those bullets that our ballistic vests can't stop.

AL

Anonymous said...

My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer LaCoste and his family. Thanks goes out to DKPD/Fire&Rescue, APD and as always Radio for doing what they do best and rendering assistance expeditiously to Officer LaCoste. You all are VASTLY UN-appreciated! Unfortunately, I have heard a nasty rumor that he may have been struck by another unit coming on scene. AGAIN, I stress MAY not WAS and RUMOR not FACT! Can someone please clarify so this rumor can be shut down with the quickness.

Anonymous said...

Hey brother I pray that you will have a full recovery and your family remains strong. Me and your friend will be waiting to chase rabbits again with you. God bless you and your family

Anonymous said...

Don't know the facts on this incident. But we all need to learn from it. Not that anything was done wrong..But we have to realize the dangers of being out on that interstate. Give yourself plenty of space between your unit and the other vehicles...Use that Crown Vic as a barrier.. The hell with the car let um hit it..Just make sure you are in a position that it will provide you protection...Use the hell out of H.E.R.O they are on the clock...Their trucks are a lot bigger....God bless us all....

RSC said...

Come on Danny you can pull through this, get well soon.

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you Danny.

Anonymous said...

Best wishes to the officer and his family, and a speedy recovery. Y'all have enough problems with the declining quality of the DeKalb perps and have to deal with bad drivers at accident scenes.
Be careful out there guys! Its the quiet ones that will get you....

Anonymous said...

I pray for a full and complete recovery for the officer. My prayers also go out to his children and family that they know the men and woman in blue support each and every one of them. To the doctors, I pray that God gives them the guidance and strength to see this officer through the difficult days ahead.

Anonymous said...

Hoping for a swift and complete recovery for him.

Anonymous said...

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family Danny, get well soon my brother!!!

B.A. Spradling #1563

Anonymous said...

Danny hang in there. We need you.

Anonymous said...

Lecoste, get well soon man! I’m waiting for you at the gym!
The Pretender-
You know who I am. Haaa

Anonymous said...

I know of an officer at Tucker who, a couple years ago, sprayed and tazed a motorist who sped through an accident scene and nearly struck a fireman. The motorist talked trash to the officer and ended up having a very bad day. I agree with the previous posts regarding the Move Over Law- zero tolerance. Get well soon brother.

Anonymous said...

From one brother to another may god be with you and please lord heal this officer of his injuries. Also watch over the rest of the us who are out here just trying to do some good in this world. AMEN

Anonymous said...

Get well soon Danny and we will pray for your speedy recovery.

DeKalb Officers said...

If anyone knows Officer LaCoste let me know if he needs anything. www.projectLEO.org info@projectleo.org .We are a nonprofit dedicated to LEO's.

Note from DeKalb Officers:We went to this website and only found icons for donations, Facebook and twitter.

No contact numbers, address or contact persons.

Take it for what it's worth.

Anonymous said...

We are praying for your speedy recovery, Danny!! Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family!

To all officers, please keep safe, we need you!

kenstepp said...

Email for Project L.E.O. is info@projectleo.org Contact is Ken Stepp

Anonymous said...

Get well soon Danny!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. YOU WILL BE BETTER SOON!!!! You are brother to many and loved by many.

Anonymous said...

I know that some of his family have flown in from out of state, and that it was told to them that there flights will be covered. Please, lets make sure this happens, because we all know how things can be overlooked in this county.
Thank You!!!! With all of our love to Danny and his family.

Anonymous said...

To anyone looking to help, and asking for contact numbers...
They all have my number as well as I have their numbers.
If they need anything, I will post it and let you all know.
Or you can just go down to Grady and meet them yourself. They are very nice and very positive right now. Let's show them our compassion, by stopping in.

Anonymous said...

God speed sir. Get well very soon!

Anonymous said...

Get well Lacoste....may God wield u to a speedy recovery....

Anonymous said...

BOC. YOU send them out to face danger to make the county safer for you and the citizens. Stand behind them when THEY need YOU.

Anonymous said...

Word is that today Danny is having surgery on his leg. Our thoughts and prayers are with him throughout this healing process! One of the finest officers that DeKalb has, not to mention an awesome man in general!

Anonymous said...

GET AN ATTORNEY AND HAVE HIM MAKE PHONE CALLS. NOW. HAVE HIM CALL AND THREATEN EVERYONE.

You will be downright SHOCKED how fast things start going your way when you are the AGRESSOR.

You've been proactive on these streets, now it's time to be PROACTIVE FOR YOUR LIFE!

Anonymous said...

Porterdale PD will be praying for this officer and his family. God bless all of you!

Anonymous said...

God Bless Danny and family!

Anonymous said...

Blogmaster.... How about an update on Danny??? I have not seen/heard anything since this happened, except someone posted that he was due for surgery on his leg. Would you get some info for us and post an update???
Thanks, and keep the prayers going!!!!!

DeKalb Officers said...

Note from DeKalb Officers,

As of yesterday, Danny is off the respirator and breathing on own. He is out of the induced coma but still in ICU.

Today, according to plans, the doctors will do surgery on his leg.

Danny is surrounded by his family and everyday is an improvement.

He still has a long road ahead of him.

Please continue to pray for his recovery and comfort.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update!!!

Anonymous said...

Danny is doing well at Grady and maybe released in a couple of days from what family has said. The doctor's had him up and walking yesterday but he is still medicated. Family is staying with him 24 hours a day and have been making arrangements for him to go home. His sons are trying to find a way to get back to Georgia to see him since the county has told them that they will not fly them since Danny's condition has improved.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know where Danny's sons would be coming in from? Let's find out how much air fair is and pass the hat!

EAST DAYWATCH said...

DANNY, I AM SOOOO GLAD THAT YOU ARE DOING BETTER. WHO ELSE IS GOING TO TELL ME CORNY JOKES, AGGRAVATE ME EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN I COME TO WORK UNTIL I SMILE, AND GIVE ME NUTRI GRAIN BARS????? I WISH YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU!!!!
-YOUR DEPENDENT (LOL)

kenstepp said...

Any updates on how Danny's doing ?

DeKalb Officers said...

Danny was set to be released from
the hospital this past Friday.

Lots of rehab awaits him.

Anonymous said...

Danny is now at The shephard Center in Atlanta. Ups and downs with sodium levels. Found out friday july 29th that he has a broken neck. We wonder what took so long to discover that. He had surgery on Aug. 3rd. to remove blood clots in his ears. In ICU to keep a close eye on after surgery. Maybe now he can start his recovery process. Please continue to pray for Danny.

kenstepp said...

How's Danny doing ? Any updates ?

DeKalb Officers said...

Danny is now at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Ups and downs with sodium levels. Found out Friday July 29th that he has a broken neck. We wonder what took so long to discover that. He had surgery on Aug. 3rd. to remove blood clots in his ears. In ICU to keep a close eye on after surgery. Maybe now he can start his recovery process. Please continue to pray for Danny.

Anonymous said...

Is there any way to sticky this so it doesn't get lost in the morass of other topics? Personally I think this is kind of important. Danny (I don't know very well, btw)deserves better.

JerryMyer Jackson Jr. said...

Officer Daniel LaCoste was on the evening news tonight. The interview was at The Shepard Center. He seemed to be in very good spirits and is A Splendid Example of DeKalb's Police Department. He could not be in better hands and everyone's continued prayers for this Officer along with his own strong resolve will make for a Complete Recovery.

kenstepp said...

I saw Danny on tv this morning. Looked like he was going to be ok from here. Very thankful he still has that fire in his belly. That will be a big part of his healing.