PLAINFIELD, Ind. — In the same gymnasium where Elwood Police Ofc. Noah Shahnavaz and Richmond Police Ofc. Seara Burton trained to be police officers not so long ago, dozens of Hoosiers rolled up their sleeves Tuesday afternoon to give blood.
The blood drive was held in their honor, as well as the memory of other fallen officers, at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield.
“I get asked quite often, ‘What can I do? What can I do to help?’” the academy’s executive director Tim Horty said. “And this is what I encourage them to do and come and roll up their sleeves and give us a pint of blood."
“I wanted to come and honor them,” Amy Fidler said of the two officers, not to mention her personal connection to law enforcement. Her father was a police officer for 20 years and Fidler said she used to go with him to blood drives just like this one.
“We used to go to the blood drive for (fallen IMPD Officers) David Moore and Rod Bradway together each year that they were doing, so it’s definitely something that’s close to our hearts,” said Fidler.
“It’s a personal way that they can get involved in showing their support for law enforcement,” Horty added.
Organizers say all the blood donated will stay in central Indiana, with the potential to have an enormous impact. One pint of blood can save three lives.
“Literally, as we’re speaking, units are being transfused and saving lives right now and that’s 'round the clock, all the time,” said Steven Miles with Versiti, the company that was collecting Tuesday’s donations.
Fidler is glad to know her donation will be part of that effort and at the same time, be a part of honoring law enforcement.
“I’m just very thankful there are people still willing to go out and become police officers and serve the community,” said Fidler.
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