Oftentimes, life throws curve balls when we least expect it. As hard as everyone with CPOF tries, we cannot always be everywhere at all times. We depend on our supporting membership, our volunteers, our representatives, and those who know us to share with us when someone needs help.

Recently, Paul T. Maskell of Vermont’s Department of Corrections Honor Guard Team had the opportunity to do that for his Honor Guard brother Jeff Heath, who was involved in a very serious car accident.

His vehicle was struck by a fully loaded dump truck, “t-bone” style, driving his vehicle backward and into a ditch.

First responders found Jeff unresponsive and without signs of life. He was resuscitated on the scene, taken to a local ER, and then to the ICU. When able, he was transferred to a hospital in New Hampshire where he remained on life support and began the process of multiple surgeries (such as reattaching his ear) as part of his recovery.

In the several weeks following the accident, he was able to be removed from life support, but his recovery will be long. Once his bones heal, he will be able to start rehabilitation.

CPOF’s catastrophic assistance program, funded entirely by supporting members (such as Officer Maskell), has been able to offer financial assistance to his family during this difficult time.

From Officer Maskell: “Included is a picture of us in Georgia with his friends from Nevada HG. Jeff is the one in gray to the far left.”