Assistant Chief Patricia Selman, Holly Springs P.D., MSWLEA member passes away.

It is with a heavy heart that I inform the passing of a MSWLEA member. Assistant Chief Patricia Selman from Holly Springs P.D. lost her battle with cancer. For those of you who were at our conference last year, Chief Selman was sitting in the front row. The visitation will be Friday, April 15, 2011 from 5-7p at Christ Temple Church of God in Christ at 210 Park Street, Holly Springs, MS. 38635. Funeral Services will be held at 3p saturday, April 16th, 2011 at the Multipurpose Center located at 235 N. Memphis Street, Holly Springs, MS. 38635. We have sent a flower arrangement on behalf of the MSWLEA family. Katherine Evans and myself will be attending the funeral. Patrolman Jonathan Schmidt, from Trumann Police Department, Arkansas was shot and killed at approximately 11:30p as he and his sergeant made a traffic stop. Patrolman Schmidt had served with the Trumann P.D. for 4 years and is survived by his wife and three children. Lets keep the family, friends, and co-workers in our thoughts or prayers. Lets be careful out there!

Louise H. Vasquez, IAWP life member passes away.

It is with my deepest sympathy and regret to notify you all of the passing of a great trailblazer and life member of IAWP, Louise H. Vasquez (1935-2011). Retired Police Detective Louise H. Vasquez passed way on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 in Vero Beach, Florida. She was 75 years of age. She joined the Miami Police Department on May 2, 1966, as a member of BLE Class #59. Detective Vasquez retired from the department on January 25, 1988, after more than 25 years of dedicated service. Detective Vasquez entered the Miami Police Department at a time when few women were in law enforcement. She started her career as a "point control" officer directing traffic in downtown Miami, worked as an undercover decoy officer and later distinguished herself as an outstanding homicide investigator. During her years of honorable service to the Miami Police Department she was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including International Police Woman of the year, Miami's most outstanding officer of the month (three times) and the National Officer of the month in 1978 for her record in solving murders. Louise was instrumental increating new criminal laws in Florida and she lectured on crime to Miami Civic and Professional Groups. She also servided in a advisory capacity to the Florida Mental Health Institute among the numerous activities she participated in. Survivors include her children, Lee Weirick, Peggy Cardell, Becky Diaz, Chris Vasquez Sr., Joey Vasquez, Catherine Vasquez, Eddie Vasquez and Maria Frye; 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husbands, Clyde Weirick and Evelio Vasquez and one grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3375 20th Street Vero Beach, FL. 32960. Funeral arrangements made by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach. A guestbook is available at http://www.lowtherfurneralhome.com/. Condolences may be sent to the Vasquez family at 600 49th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL. 32968.