Family Of Fallen Officer Makes Statement

Words from the family of fallen officer Garrett Swasey

Officer Garrett Swasey was shot and killed as he responded
to police calls relating to a shooter at the Colorado Springs
Planned Parenthood.

Statement of Rachel Swasey, wife of Garrett Swasey:

The family of Officer Garrett Swasey sincerely thanks everyone for their support during this very difficult time. Our loss cannot be expressed in words. 

While the nation now knows Garrett as a hero who gave his life for others, he was also a devoted husband of 17 years and a wonderful father to his two children. His greatest joys were his family, his church, and his profession. 

We will cherish his memory, especially those times he spent tossing the football to his son and snuggling with his daughter on the couch.

Garrett was born in Melrose, Massachusetts. After a successful career in ice skating, Garrett found his calling as a police officer. Helping others brought him deep satisfaction and being a police officer was a part of him.

Garrett Swasey was a professional skater before he became a police officer.

In the end, his last act was for the safety and wellbeing of others and was a tribute to his life. What we need most today, and in the coming weeks, is your prayers for our family and for others who were impacted by this tragedy. 

We are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love that has come from the community and across the nation.

We understand this is a public tragedy felt by many and we also appreciate your support for us to grieve privately.

Donations to help the family can be made to Youcaring.com.

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Robert Dear Accused of shooting:

Robert Lewis Dear, a recent resident of Hartsel, Colorado, is being held as the primary suspect in the shooting that killed 3 people, including Officer Swasey.  Dear was reported to have said "No more baby parts" after the shooting.  Some right wing web posters applauded the man who others say committed domestic terrorism.

Dear was reported to be mostly anti-social as he made few friends in his new home in the ranching community of Hartsel, Colorado.  Dear bought a 4.72 acre property in October of 2014.  The parcel had no water, sewer or electricity.  Dear moved an RV onto the property anyways.

Dear mobile home near Swannanoa, N.C.

Dear was reportedly "starting over" after being charged as a "peeping tom" and with animal abuse in North Carolina.  Neighbors kept clear of the man who seemed to make little sense and who rarely appeared to be friendly.

President Obama has renewed his call for gun control after Dear entered a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic and opened fire with a "long rifle", more recently identified as an assault rifle.

Ivan Antonio Lopez Unable To Get Mental Health Assistance

Fort Hood, Texas Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood, Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley confirmed the death of Spc. Ivan Antonio Lopez.  Spc Lopez is identified as the person responsible for the shooting incident April 2 at the Fort.

Lopez, 34, whose home of record is listed as Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, entered active duty service in June 2008 and was currently assigned to 49th Transportation Movement Control Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

He was previously assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas and assigned to the 1st Armored Division from April 2010 until November 2013 as an automatic rifleman. He reclassified as a motor transport operator in December 2013 and arrived at Fort Hood in February 2014.

Lopez deployed to Egypt from January 2007 to January 2008, and in support of Operation New Dawn from August 2011 to December 2011.

Lopez's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Multinational Forces and Observers medal.

There are four deceased Soldiers and 16 wounded from the April 2 incident. Of the 16 Soldiers, nine of them are at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas and three are at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center here.  Four of the Soldiers have already been released.

"We have very strong evidence that he had a medical history that indicates an unstable psychiatric or psychological condition. (We're) going through all records to ensure that is, in fact, correct. But we believe that to be the fundamental underlying causal factor," Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, the post's commanding general, told reporters Thursday.

Presumably, Lopez had sought help for serious mental problems but had not been evaluated completely before the shooting. Fast tracking persons with mental and emotional problems was one of the priorities set after the last Fort Hood shooting. Lopez was reportedly distraught over the loss of his mother and grandfather within a two month period, according to FOX News.The Criminal Investigation Division of the United States Army continues as the lead investigating agency and are now synchronizing all of the investigative work of the federal, state, local and Army agencies throughout Fort Hood and the surrounding area.

Fort Hood officials are committed to letting the investigation run its course but, again, there are no indications at this time of any links to terrorist organizations of any type either national or international. 
  
"I’d also like to thank the outpouring of support from the Central Texas community and from the entire state of Texas, and from all of our national leadership within the military and our civilian leadership on the national level, Milley said at the conference. "Everyone is chipping in trying to assist in any way they can and I would recommend any individual wanting to donate support in any manner, shape or form, contact the Fort Hood PAO, that’s on the Facebook page, and they can point you in the right direction."

Primary Source:  Fort Hood Press