Memorial Fund info for Trooper David Blanton

I'm sure most of you have heard about the shooting death of State Trooper D. S. Blanton.

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/3061131/

He leaves a young bride, Michaela, and a two-week old premature son.

Two memorial funds have been set up for Trooper Blanton’s family for those who would like to make a contribution.

State Employees Credit Union
c/o Michaela Blanton Fund
PO Box 15185
Asheville, NC 28813
Acct. # 60460003

OR

Champion Credit Union
c/o Michaela Blanton Fund
PO BOX 1389
Canton, NC 28716

Designate checks to the Michaela Blanton Fund.

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Trooper's Father Talks About His Son

Trooper Blanton's father, David Blanton, Sr., spoke with WYFF News 4's Sean Muserallo about his son, who he said went by his middle name, Shawn.

David Blanton said his son's wife, Michela, gave birth to their son 18 days ago. The infant was born prematurely.

"It wasn't what they expected, but they were handling it as a husband and wife," a family member said.

He said Michela was at Mission Hospital Tuesday night when her husband was brought into the emergency room. One of the troopers went up to ICU where she was with their baby.

Blanton said his daughter-in-law was originally told that her husband's injuries weren't serious, but by the time she reached the emergency room, he was in critical condition.

Blanton said because doctors were working to save the trooper, his wife was not let into the emergency room to him before he died and she did not have the chance to say goodbye to him.

Blanton said his son was a talented athlete. He played football and wrestled at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva, N.C.

His dad said he gave back to the school by volunteering as the JV softball coach. Blanton said the high school did not have a team for years until his son volunteered to coach the girls.

Blanton's younger brother, Jesse, said his brother loved his job. He said graduation day from the academy was a big day.

"(He wanted) to be out there and serve his community," Jesse Blanton said.

Shawn Blanton was the first enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to became a North Carolina trooper.

"He loved being a trooper, loved going to work," his aunt, Barbara Jones, said.

Source: http://www.wyff4.com/news/16638373/detail.html

 

Thanks Kent for the info. With a boyfriend, brother and father all LEO, this is my biggest fear. So sad...:-(

 

:cry: That is so sad. I can't imagine what his poor wife is going through. Truly, truly heartbreaking. :cry:

 

I will pray for them to have strength to get them through this difficult time. May he and all officers that die in the line of duty rest in peace.

This article is about a high school buddy that I graduated high school with. He leaves behind a wife, 1 son and 3 adorable daughters. Please also pray for them as they grieve. The community I grew up in has been dealt a huge loss.

http://www.jdnews.com/news/community_57577___article.html/deputy_eulogizes.html

 

Prayer request for Trooper & Mrs. Blanton's son, Tye

I just received an email stating that Trooper Blanton's son, Tye, who was born 7 weeks prematurely is in serious condition.

I have not confirmed other information that was in this email that I can release publically, but suffice it to say that this baby is in grave condition.

Please keep Tye, and his mother, Michaela, in your prayers in this very difficult time.

 

911 tapes of the incident

http://www.wlos.com/index.shtml

 

Baby Tye update

Baby Tye is still being treated in Asheville. Previous info about being flown to Duke was in error.

 

OMG I will keep them both in my prayers, I can not imagine the hell she is going thru right now! Please keep us posted!

 

This is just too sad for words. I cannot imagine what they are going through. I pray that God will give them the strength to face whatever comes their way and they will find great comfort and peace in His loving arms.

Kent, please keep us updated.

 

He is on life support now. Please keep praying for them!

 

How heartbreaking, will keep them both in my prayers:cry::cry::cry:

 

Any updates?

 

Update - from Missions Memorial Hospital, Asheville

June 27, 2008

Mrs. Michaela Blanton has asked Mission to share the following statement with the Western North Carolina community through our area news media. She plans to be in regular touch through statements like this, and asks that the media not try to contact her directly at this time.

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I want to thank all of the people who have been praying for our families, for me, and especially for Tye. People have helped us personally and contributed through benefits, and there have been so many anonymous donors whose names I will never know. How do you begin to thank people like this?

Tye does need your prayers. He was born on Saturday, May 31, about 7 weeks early. In addition to his premature birth, Tye faces numerous other challenges, including a heart condition which will need surgery at Duke. His condition is now listed as critical. At the same time, Tye is making progress and growing. When he was born, he weighed 2 pounds, 7 ounces and was 14 inches long. Today he has grown to 15 ½ inches long and weighs 2 pounds, 15 ounces. He is a feisty guy who can also be ornery at times.

We know that tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Obviously, we learned that with Shawn. For Tye, every day is different -- we face different challenges and experience joys as well. Our goal for Tye is that he can continue to gain weight, and be weaned off of the ventilator, so that he can withstand the heart surgery he needs.

We are so thankful for the tremendous number of prayers given for him. Tye can use them all, and more. I sincerely appreciate everybody who has reached out to us, and supported Tye in their hearts and prayers.

-- Michaela Blanton, June 27, 2008

 

Baby Tye has gained weight to 3lbs! Keep praying for him!!!:hurray::hurray:

 

That's great news!

 

Latest update from Michaela Blanton - 7/11/08

"I want to let the community know how much I appreciate the incredible support that is being shown to Tye and me. There are several events tomorrow (Saturday, July 12) and I will be attending them and looking forward to thanking people in person.

The past week has been a difficult one for Tye in many ways. His heart condition continues to be a big challenge for him and he is in fragile condition still. But he is also making progress, and I think he has exceeded the expectations his doctors had, based on his initial condition.

He has now gained a full pound from his birth weight; he weighs 3 pounds, 7 ounces. He has grown 2 inches total, and is now 16 ¼ inches long.

He is tolerating small weans in the ventilator rate; he has progressed from needing 25 breaths a minute down to 8 at most times. He has graduated to a “big boy” bed, which is more like a crib. He’s doing a good job, better than expected in many ways.

I hold him and love on him several times a day, and the nurses say that he can definitely tell when it’s me. When I walk up to his crib, his oxygen saturation rates (in his bloodstream) go up to 100 percent on their own, and his heart rate goes to a healthy rate. He loves “kangarooing”, where I hold him skin to skin. It’s his comfort zone. And I even did his nails yesterday, and he loved it … he held out his hand for me.

Seeing Tye, it’s obvious that prayers do work. I don’t think he would have made it as far as he has without them.

 

Update

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/3253455/

 

Thank you so much for keeping us abreast.

Sherry

 

Slain trooper's infant son dies

From WRAL website:

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — The infant son of a slain trooper died early Friday, according to hospital officials.

Tie Blanton was born prematurely, two weeks before his father's death.

Trooper David Shawn Blanton, 24, was shot to death in June during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 near Canton.

Link: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3757368/

 

Oh no... :cry::cry: