Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 7, 1995                   TAG: 9511070038
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

POLICE WERE PROS

But Painter has long pointed out his pro-law-enforcement stance as well. Four years ago he touted the support of officers as he ran for commonwealth's attorney. When he has pens with his business number printed up, he's savvy enough to order black ink, the color police officers use for filling out reports.

Last month, his support and faith in law enforcement got a boost when Blacksburg police came to his family's aid during a personal tragedy.

Painter was meeting his wife, their 5-year-old daughter and mother-in-law for dinner at Bogen's Oct. 12. His wife was involved in a fender bender in the parking lot. Officer David Cole came to the scene, and Painter stayed outside helping with the exchange of insurance information while his wife and her family went into the restaurant.

From here, we'll let Painter tell the story as outlined in a letter to Blacksburg Police Chief Bill Brown:

"No more than a few minutes had passed when Officer Cole received a call on his radio and he hurried into Bogen's. I then heard sirens and had [an] uncomfortable feeling."

Painter went into the restaurant where he saw his wife, a registered nurse, administering CPR to her mother. Cole was helping her, and clearing the scene. When a rescue crew arrived, another Blacksburg officer, Kris Hubbard, helped make "sure that their access was as quick as possible."

Two other Blacksburg officers, Lt. Walter Parks and Officer Terry Williams also arrived to help.

"My wife's mother was stabilized and was transported to MRH [Montgomery Regional Hospital] where she died a short time later. My family and I will never forget the professionalism and compassion of the police involved," Painter wrote to Brown.

Hubbard made sure that Painter's wife got to accompany her mother in the ambulance, then asked and received permission to escort Painter to the hospital, meaning he was "able to arrive at the same time as the ambulance and was able to provide information, and more importantly, support to my wife."

A Virginia Tech student was watching the 5-year-old at Bogen's. Hubbard let Painter know his daughter was fine, then arranged for Cole to bring her to the hospital.

"His handling of the transport was, and is appreciated. The positive impression he made on her is beyond words," Painter wrote.

Painter told Brown that his always-positive view of the Blacksburg Police Department had been enhanced by the experience.

"I can never adequately say thank you to David Cole and Kris Hubbard. Remembering that evening is not easy, but David and Kris will always be remembered by my family and they, and your entire department, are in our prayers and praise."

Brown said Friday that letters commending officers become part of their personnel files.

"It's a very good feeling for our organization ... to hear about the positive things our officers are doing in the community," the chief said.

"It's good for me to know that in many areas our people are exceeding our citizens' expectations."