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Update: Raffle to raise money to assist injured officer

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Friday, July 17, 2009

(Updated 4:56 pm)

By Ryan Seals
Staff Writer

Editor's note: The headline in today's print edition and in an earlier online version of this story were incorrect. The money raised will assist the officer's family until he can return to duty. We regret any confusion this may have created.

GREENSBORO — Police officers have united to raise money to help a fellow officer severely injured in the line of duty.

The Greensboro Police Club, a nonprofit organization, is holding a raffle Aug. 11 to support Officer Matt O’Hal.

The prize is a 2009 Polaris ATV 300 Sportsman 4x4.

O’Hal, 35, was shot twice and hit by a car Feb. 9 during a shootout with two bank robbery suspects along Patterson Avenue.

The trouble began when two men robbed a Wachovia bank branch on High Point Road.

A customer who had been assaulted in the robbery tailed the robbers after they left the bank. He called in turn-by-turn directions to police.

Officers picked up the pursuit, and it headed down Patterson Avenue toward Interstate 40.

O’Hal tried to stop the fleeing vehicle by laying down a device to flatten the car tires.

The driver tried to avoid the obstacle and lost control of the vehicle — hitting O’Hal in the legs and flipping him into the road.

Despite being injured, O’Hal returned fire with the robbers when they began shooting at him and several other officers. Officer J.P. Randazzo pulled O’Hal to safety as the bullets were flying.

One suspect, Dimarkchrisy Eddie Majors, 22, was killed in the shootout. The other, Christopher O’Neal Patterson, 23, was hospitalized for months in Raleigh’s Central Prison. He recently was transferred back to the Guilford County jail.

“I was doing my job and did what was necessary — it was the last spot before they hit I-40, and we could have had catastrophic injuries to the public,” O’Hal said.

“Everyone as a whole did an impeccable job. I am extremely blessed to be here — it was my worst nightmare come true.”

He was hospitalized for a week and suffered nerve damage to his legs. O’Hal said he hopes to return to the police department about the beginning of the year. The money will assist his family until he returns to duty.

The raffle prize is a red ATV described with an independent rear suspension, on-demand true 4-wheel drive and digital instrumentation. It is worth $5,000.

The raffle is open to the public; tickets are $25 each. The drawing will be Aug. 11 at the police club at 524 Air Harbor Road.

Ticketholders do not have to be present to win. People interested in buying a ticket or making a donation to the fund should call Detective Tom Lippa at 430-6381. Donations are tax-exempt.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Officer Matt O'Hal

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notoriousBLOG

July 16, 2009 - 8:13 pm EDT

I'll gladly buy a ticket or two, but I just wish the officer's aim had been better

jsipe29

July 16, 2009 - 9:16 pm EDT

Do Officers not have insurance, especially to cover on duty incidents. I also hear the animal that lived is suing the police department. We should be out front in the plaza protesting for this officer.

Ryan Seals

July 16, 2009 - 9:51 pm EDT

He is fully covered medically. There was a misunderstanding regarding the wording in a prior version of this story which has since been cleared up.

Huck9

July 17, 2009 - 8:13 am EDT

Fully covered medically and still getting paid by the department. Again, what is this money being raised for?

Ryan Seals

July 17, 2009 - 12:07 pm EDT

There are various unexpected expenses that have arisen since the time of this incident that his fellow officers are wanting to help him out with.

Linus_61

July 17, 2009 - 8:37 am EDT

Exactly-what is the raffle for?? If they have medical coverage, which they always do, this is a farce-then anyone that doesn't have medical insurance should do the same thing and pay for their bills wiht a raffle or an IOU like out in California-not that the police don't do a good job, but this is ridiculous

Ryan Seals

July 17, 2009 - 11:59 am EDT

The money is going to assist in helping his family with various unexpected expenses since the time of this incident.

The story was changed to reflect that late last night both for print and online. However, the headline for the print edition didn't get changed and with our 3 a.m. updates to the web site (with the print stories for the day) the incorrect headline got placed back on the web site.

histrion

July 17, 2009 - 10:15 am EDT

A lot of these guys pick up off-shift work to make ends meet. That probably isn't an option for him while he recovers. Keep in mind how little the city pays these guys relative to the risks they take *in our name* and for our protection. If his fellow officers want to try to put together some cash to help this officer and his family out while he's off the job, what's your problem?

axhandle

July 17, 2009 - 11:47 am EDT

I am always amazed when people complain about doing something that is optional. You don't have to buy a ticket if you do not think it is a worthy cause.

fishngjb

July 17, 2009 - 2:58 pm EDT

I think it is outrageous that police officers and firemen should have to even worry about the expense of being out of work when injured in the line of duty. Our government should continue paying them full salaries PLUS all helath related expenses. These brave and dedicated folks put their lives on the line every time they "punch-in" to work for us. Don't say we cannot afford to compensate them when we over compensate other government employees/politicians, etc.

Ryan Seals

July 17, 2009 - 3:20 pm EDT

For the record, he is covered for all of his medical related issues and is still getting paid while injured. However, some unexpected expenses arose after he was injured. Typically, in situations like this an officer could work overtime or take advantage off-duty employment (security) to earn extra income. However, in this case, due to his injuries that is not possible. The money will help with such expenses.

biggin44

July 17, 2009 - 3:46 pm EDT

O'Hal is one of the best k-9 officers in the history of the Greensboro police department. He is a huge asset to the protection of this city and deserves everything possible to make things easier on his day to day. People are forgetting that the officers involved in the shooting on Feb 9 may have prevented dozens of civilians from being hurt. O'Hal put his life on the line, literally, by putting himself in the middle of the pursuit to keep those "thugs" from getting on I-40. If you don't want to buy a raffle ticket, DONT. Bottom line, if it wasn't for this guy, and the other male and female officers that day, many people may have lost fathers, mothers, sisters and daughters. Step up and help a good cause. Because chances are if it happened to you, people would be trying to do the same for you.

Gemini

July 17, 2009 - 5:17 pm EDT

Have you ever thought that maybe his wife or family has had to take off work to take him to doctors appointments? There are a lot of incidental costs associated with serious injuries that are not covered by Workman's comp or a police officer's salary. Like others have said-don't buy a ticket.

dmsawyer485

July 17, 2009 - 5:47 pm EDT

Thank you. It is really good to hear people who support our police in a time of need instead of criticize them. It could have been anyone out there on the road that day that got injured. It was O'Hal because he was willing to risk his life to protect the people of Greensboro. This raffle is being held for a great cause. To all the people criticizing this raffle: you should feel really good to know that there are officer's out their ready to lay their life down for your safety.

sekrph

July 17, 2009 - 7:04 pm EDT

you morons who are criticizing the raffle need to go take a flying leap.....most officers and deputies work some sort of parttime job or overtime, in lots of cases just to make ends meet....the salaries, etc that the city provides usually is not enough, especially say if a spouse has to miss work, daycare, car troubles, etc....in this case, there is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to raise a little cash for the family....and you naysayers? I am sure if you are found out, the employees who work with you probably wouldnt bother if you got in the same jam, either...

we ought to be thanking this officer for putting his life at risk to get 2 felons off the street, pity not both permanently......he and the fellow GSO officers should be thanked and not criticized..