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Critically injured trooper returns to duty
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Paul Haines, right, and Jim Jones, both of the State Highway Administration, post a banner before a surprise celebration for Trooper Eric Workman on Monday at the Westminster state police barracks.
Westminster (Map, News) - Trooper 1st Class Eric Workman returned to work Monday after escaping death when he was shot on duty.
“I’m pretty modest, so this is the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever been through,” Workman said before a room crowded with colleagues, camera crews and reporters assembled for a surprise welcome-back party at the Westminster state police barracks.
“I’m happy to be back,” he said. “This is where I belong.”
Barracks commander Lt. Dean Richardson said he “never expected this day to come” for Workman to return.
Recently named trooper of the year, Workman remained humble as he recounted the details of the nearly fatal arrest Dec. 12, when a robbery suspect in an earlier Eldersburg home invasion shot him in the left armpit in Woodlawn.
First, he said, he made sure his girlfriend, Deborah Zittel, a trooper at the Golden Ring barracks in Middle River, was alerted.
Then, as he waited for a helicopter to fly him to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, he requested that he be treated by Thomas Scalea, the “miracle” doctor who cared for him in 1998 after a motorist struck him.
Workman asked the paramedic to stay with him at the Woodlawn row house where robbery suspect Steven Tyrone Jones, 38, shot him before police fire killed Jones.
“Fourth, I concentrated on breathing deeply, to not lose my wits about me and panic,” he said. “The will to survive” is powerful.
Standing a few yards from a black and gold “Welcome Back” sign, Zittel recalled the horror of learning her boyfriend had been shot.
“My father called to ask if I was all right, because he had heard a trooper had been shot,” she said.
“I said, ‘Oh my God, Dad, Eric’s not here.’ It was sheer terror.”
But Workman “is so strong,” added Zittel, who beamed as she picked fuzz off his shirt.
A safer job behind a desk is not for Workman, who is also the lead investigator in the Carroll Schisler Sr. case, in which the Carroll County farmer is charged with animal cruelty and selling tainted meat.
“We face dangers every day,” he said. “It’s what we signed up to do.”
kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com
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Examiner Reader said:
I am sorry that happen to you what's this world really comming to. We need jesue.
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
That's clever. Ban BB guns and Paintball Guns (which look nothing like real guns), but don't ban replicas. Hell, REAL guns cost less than most paintball guns....so why in the hell would anyone use a paintball gun to commit a robbery?
10 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The only CRIME that has been solved in San Carlos is The FRAUD and EMBEZZLEMENT BY THE MAYOR ...
384 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I remember you fondly, Jennifer Morelock. You had a good heart, and it lives on in your daughter.
14 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
if you sell them guitars i will buy them for 2000
12 agree | 12 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It amazes me that the D.C. Jail is still up and running. With all of the deaths, suicides, and unsanitary conditions...it should have been torn down years ago. How many strikes will these C.O's and other officials have to get before something is really done about it?
16 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I see some investigations starting at City Hall.
18 agree | 17 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We'd just pried this Republican sleazebag from her fixation on the public teat last year and whaddya know, she's back again in yet another job for which she is wholly unqualified. One dirty hand washes the other.
21 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
yes outlaw toy guns i mean if your going to get robed you want a real gun pointed at you come on people its a way for (most) people vent there anger
16 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
no he should not be able to get his job back.. what does that do for the justice department....he did the crime and should suffer for what he did... he was aware of what he was doing.....then he used the money on pointless things................ if he gets his job back thats going to open doors for other people to do the same thing.....just to say if he wouldnt have gotten court who knows he might still be stealing money today.......
19 agree | 20 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
A more truthful explanation of this man's death is from witnesses who saw from their own houses. After the man was beaten at the house he was at the cops jumped on him, he was seen on the ground being kicked by officers before his death. The police refused to let the ambulance drive to the scence, which was waiting there before his death. The medics were forced to run about a whole block with their equipment and the stretcher. Too sad, the cops beat the man to death and get away with it. As for the ladder part of this story, I was there myself to see.
130 agree | 115 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Until 6 months ago, the Taraval Station, which covers 1/4 of San Francisco, had 0 cops on the street. I guess a 6 billion dollar city budget only allowed enough officers for the desk jobs. However, kudos to new Taraval police captain Chignell for recognizing the crisis and rapidly hiring new officers.
143 agree | 123 disagree
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scout said:
Simple solution, don't hire women for police officers and don't hire girlie boys as police officers. Secondary solution is that we need intelligent but aggressive police officers in combination with fear of God, with the additional ingredient of getting rid of commie and girlie organizations that protect criminals and weaken police. But I guess I'm dreaming.
121 agree | 139 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
all three men found guilty and will be in jail for life this man is dearly missed by 10 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren plus a large number of friends
233 agree | 153 disagree
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Ex-Corrections officer said:
Yes, I fee that Ed Norris should be able to get his job back, he got the job done and reduced crime. O'Mally took kick backs he just didn't get caught. Then he snitched on Norris.
148 agree | 161 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
will there be a follow up on the story of the dad charged with the killing baby. the article was written on march 2nd 2007. thank you
161 agree | 160 disagree
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Breanna said:
Where did you catch them at?
175 agree | 188 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Thats my brother i thank the people who found him and i miss him very much i love you Zack!!!!
296 agree | 213 disagree
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kyle toronto said:
the 11 year old rides my bus she said that if her mom got a divorce with her da he's kill her/beat her
261 agree | 264 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Vernon Brown's sentencing trial is next week. Why hasn't any reporter found out why the pair of cousins were trying to rob the store in the first place, what would drive two grown men to the point of no return. no one cares why people commit crimes, just what happened and who died. then its on to the next death. When will journalist dig further to uncover the horror that must be happening in young men's lives that motivates them to go to such lengths. Rest In Peace LeArnold Jones. We love you.
278 agree | 291 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What are the cops doing in this city? We need to be more proactive where drugs and violence are concerned. They know where drugs are being sold.There are so many police cameras in this city. The drug peddlers have just moved to a street where ther is no camera, but they are still out there. For instance in Park Heights on Hayward ave between PArk heights and Reisterstown Rd everyday you see drug dealers lining the street corner every block 2 by 2 selling. It is outrageous. And worse than that there is police precinct less that 3miles away. Sometimes I think the some cops are being paid by some of these drug dealers to turn a blind eye. Something better needs to be done and it can be done, it's not rocket science. We have brilliant heads in our government let's get them working together and get things done. We can be more and do more in Baltimore. very concerned resident of B'more.
310 agree | 316 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is unfortunate that nobody knows what is happening, and the citizens of this city are suppose to trust their elected officials. It is shameful that more isn't been done to combat the drug and murders in our city that can be great again.
388 agree | 312 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We lost our uncle on saturday oct,20,in the seccion of white marsh,fernando rodriguez, hispanic male 33 years of age,light skin complecion,large mouth,short salt & pepper hair,carrying a new iphone, and driving a 1999 toyota sienna,light gr with penn plates any whereabouts of him or the minivan please contact your local police
463 agree | 355 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
how can we the people help ed norris get his job back he was railroaded .i think hes one of the good gys.others have done alot worse and didnt get as much as ed norris did.
442 agree | 327 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The judge in this article, has placed four children, that I personally know of, if homes with abusive fathers over a loving home with their mothers. He is racist and a misogenist. May he burn in hell for the children's lives he has destroyed, he cannot make it up to them by his "good works" for "Voices for Children".
393 agree | 332 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
In this article it doesn't seem to mention that he held a gun to the girlfriend's head and was going to kill her dad. He also told the girlfriend he was going to kill himself. WOW let's just leave out what mom doesn't want you to know.
377 agree | 317 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
In this article it doesn't seem to mention that he held a gun to the girlfriend's head and was going to kill her dad. He also told the girlfriend he was going to kill himself. WOW let's just leave out what mom doesn't want you to know.
352 agree | 355 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What was the name of the judge who sentenced the molester! Let's make sure he isn't re elected!!!
443 agree | 381 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
so why not charge him with that murder too
432 agree | 399 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If they were to keep up with data entries, they wouldn't be able to get funding for being 'over-run with crime'.
573 agree | 397 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I would be very interested to know how the police determine a "false report" for allegations of sexual assault/rape. 40% is a very high percentage, compared to the rest of the nation. Why can't they release what evidence they have that makes this a false report.
462 agree | 404 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It would be a wonderful thing if DNA evidence leads to an arrest and prosecution in Eileen Kelly's murder. Her parents are elderly now and they deserve a resolution. Please keep me updated.
595 agree | 399 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This case is gone and dead. The Jeweller will get away, he has already started a boombing jewellery tv channel chain in U.S, Germany and U.K and put it all in other peoples names. He has protected himself, now the law will be running after his shadow.
758 agree | 462 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I am Steven Ellison mother. I have pictures to prove the police beat Steven to death. Lt. David Waltemeyer must not have seen my sons face. They beat his face and other parts of his body.
1,064 agree | 471 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
arrested five men for allegedly stealing beer and food from a Harris Teeter on Glebe Road ? QUILTY 1st? Take this article off.
1,340 agree | 506 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
man thats not fair!!!!!
1,699 agree | 553 disagree
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