Feb 11, 2007 9:24 am US/Central
Hundreds Gather For Officer Benefit Hockey Game
Another Officer Collapses During Benefit For Fallen Officer Dwayne Freeto
Carol Cavazos
(CBS 11 News)
The mood during a benefit hockey game for the family of fallen Fort Worth Officer Dwayne Freeto turned somber when one of the officers in the game suddenly collapsed on the ice.
The incident happened at the Ridglea Iceland skating rink about an hour into the game between Fort Worth Police officers and Fort Worth fire fighters.
Fort Worth Police Lt. Dean Sullivan said the officer was the victim of an apparent heart attack but he declined to release the officer's name.
The game, sponsored by the group Guns N' Hoses, was immediately delayed and then called off.
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief was in attendance at the event and was sitting next to Karen Freeto when it happened. As Moncrief left the event, he said no one had hit the player. He only appeared to collapse and that his prayers were with the officer.
Another player on the Fort Worth Police team said the fire fighters on the ice and the bench rushed to help the officer in an attempt to resuscitate him.
An event organizer said the officer did not have a pulse at one point. A Fire and Rescue worker continued to administer CPR as the officer was taken away on a gurney and placed into an ambulance. A spokesperson from Harris Methodist Hospital said the officer was in critical condition late Saturday night.
Proceeds from Saturday's hockey game will benefit the Freeto family. The 34-year-old police officer died Dec. 17, 2006. According to reports, Freeto had stopped to assist a motorist when his patrol car was struck from behind. Police charged that driver --- 21-year-old driver, Samuel Lee Hilburn --- with intoxication manslaughter. He was released from jail after posting $100,000 bail.
Organizers had hoped to raise $2,000 for Freeto's family. With more than 400 in attendance, officials estimate they raised more than $4,000.
Widow Karen Freeto called the event was a comfort to her family.
She said she wanted him remembered as a good person.
"He was just an awesome dad, person and everything. He was just kind to everybody, sweet," she said as she began to tear up.
The widow of slain Fort Worth Police officer Hank Nava also attended the benefit hockey game. Teresa Nava said fundraising events like this were important for families of fallen officers, especially those with children to raise. The Freetos have two daughters, 3 and 9.
As Teresa Nava left the event, she said she said she plenned to go directly to the hospital to support the officer who collapsed and his family.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
