Face of Defense: Airman Uses Internet to Save Friend

By Air Force Capt. Erick Saks

455th Air Expeditionary Wing

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2010 – Police officials are crediting the quick actions of a security forces airman here with saving the life of a former co-worker living halfway around the world.

Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Gunterman, a 379th Air Expeditionary Wing fly-away security team leader, led authorities to a former airman's Florida home after he discovered his friend had overdosed on pills in a suicide attempt.

Gunterman was working on homework and communicating with his mother through Facebook when he received a cryptic instant message from a former co-worker who recently had been discharged from the Air Force.

"I want you to know that you are, inside and out, the most honest guy I have met," Gunterman's friend wrote.

The airmen had become friends several months earlier at Kadena Air Base, Japan, where they were assigned to the same unit. Gunterman said his friend had difficulties after returning from an especially challenging deployment.

Since coming home from Afghanistan, his friend had begun to drink heavily, became violent at times, and eventually was discharged due to disciplinary issues. Gunterman was puzzled by his friend's uncharacteristic declaration, and he tried to determine the reason for the unusual behavior.

When his friend confessed that he had ingested a bottle of pills and had only about an hour left to live, Gunterman sprang into action.

"I told him that I loved him like a brother, and so do a bunch of other people," Gunterman said. "I asked him why he would want to hurt us."

After his friend failed to respond, Gunterman asked his friend for his phone number. His friend sent the number and asked that he call quickly. Gunterman could not reach his friend, though, so he reached out to a mutual friend, Air Force Senior Airman Phillip Sneed, who was online in Japan.

"I told him everything, gave him the number, and he said he would call until [the friend] picked up," Gunterman said. "Now that I had some backup, I went to my chaplain and asked for her help."

Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Kristina Coppinger from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing worked to help Gunterman in his quest to save his friend.

"Senior Airman Gunterman and I had spoken in the past, so he felt comfortable coming to me when he hit a roadblock in his own efforts to help his friend," the chaplain said. "I tried to reach his first sergeant at Kadena to see if he had a home address, and then, we tried to reach a government relay station near West Palm Beach [in Florida] so that we might call the local police department. We also tried to find his friend's stateside address via the Internet."

Realizing his friend was running out of time, Gunterman checked in with Sneed over the Internet. Sneed finally had been able to reach their friend over the phone, but said the friend had since passed out and he could hear him sleeping.

"I knew he didn't have much time, so I got back on the Internet and searched for anything I could find on my friend," Gunterman said. "I found his hometown news release for graduating basic training, and it gave his parents’ names."

Using search engines, Gunterman found an address for them. He called the local police, told them the story and gave them the address. The police dispatched a patrol car to the house, and Gunterman followed up with Sneed.

"I told him that help was coming and to keep listening," Gunterman said. "About 10 minutes later, Airman Sneed said he could hear knocking at the door. I told him to scream as loud as he could because he might be on speaker phone. Then, he heard the door get knocked down and heard people asking, 'What pills did you take?'"

Gunterman called the police department again and was told that his friend was going to be all right.

"The biggest relief came upon me," he said. "The controller working the desk told me our friend would have not lived much longer if it wasn't for us."

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Craig Adams, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, said the airmen's actions epitomize the idea of what it means to be a modern day wingman.

"This is what being an outstanding wingman is all about," Adams said. "The tenacious, resilient and resourceful effort by Airmen Gunterman and Sneed saved this young man. Their actions show how the younger generation of airmen can use new technology to achieve the time-honored wingman concept."

Coppinger echoed the chief's sentiments.

"I believe Senior Airman Gunterman's efforts emphasize the wingman concept, because many others would have given up after hitting multiple roadblocks," the chaplain said. "Many would not have even put forth the effort to begin with. But he chose to get involved and would not give up until he exhausted every possibility. We could all use a friend like him."

Since the incident, Gunterman's friend has received professional assistance. He has stopped drinking, and the airman said his friend is doing much better.

Cook County Officer Named Director of Chicago Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory

April 29, 2010 - Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was joined today by the Board of Directors of the Chicago Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (RCFL) in announcing that a Cook County Sheriff’s Police Officer has been named as Director of the Chicago digital evidence processing and recovery center.

John T. Dziedzic, a 13-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, was named Director by the laboratory’s board, succeeding FBI Special Agent Keith Johnson, who returned to Washington, D.C. last month, where he was assigned to the Office of the Directorate of Intelligence. Investigator Dziedzic has served as the Acting Director of the laboratory since March and has been the Assistant Director of the facility since 2007. Investigator Dziedzic began his service at the Chicago RCFL as a digital forensic examiner in October of 2005 and is the first non-FBI employee to head the Chicago laboratory.

In announcing the selection of Investigator Dziedzic as the new Director of the RCFL, Mr. Grant noted the significant contribution that the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has made to the laboratory since its inception in 2004. Said Mr. Grant: “As a founding member of the Chicago RCFL, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has played a significant role in the development of the facility. With the selection of Investigator Dziedzic as the new director, they are now playing an even greater role in providing digital forensic services to law enforcement agencies throughout the Chicago area.”

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart added: “John is a phenomenal employee who has always shown a natural aptitude for computer forensics, as well as great leadership skills. We are proud of John and the work he’s done and are gratified to see that others also recognize his many talents. We know that he will continue to represent the department well in his new capacity.”

Located at 610 South Canal Street, the Chicago RCFL opened in 2004. The RCFL recently earned accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors for the storage, examination and processing of digital and multi-media evidence. The Chicago facility was the fourth digital evidence laboratory of its kind to open in the U.S., although there are now 16 similar facilities in operation nationwide.

Although funded by the Department of Justice, the Chicago RCFL is a collaborative effort of both the FBI and participating agencies. At present, personnel from the Chicago, Lombard, Joliet and Palatine Police Departments, the Cook County Sheriff’s Police and the City of Chicago’s - Office of Inspector General are assigned to the Chicago facility. All personnel assigned to the RCFL are certified by the FBI as computer forensic examiners and must adhere to strict operational policies and procedures.

Last year, the Chicago facility handled nearly 500 requests for the examination of digital evidence. In addition to conducting forensic examinations, the RCFL also provides training to law enforcement agents and officers from throughout the Midwest.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional information about the RCFL program is available online at www.rcfl.gov. For further information, please contact the Chicago FBI’s Press Office at (312) 829-1199.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

By Carol A. Kando-Pineda

Identity theft happens when your personal information is stolen and used to commit fraud. Use these tips from the Federal Trade Commission to protect your financial information from identity thieves.

■Protect your financial information. Shred financial papers before tossing. Don’t write your Social Security number on a check. Keep your military ID with you or locked up at all times.

■Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements. Be alert to signs of identity theft: bills that don’t arrive as usual, unexpected account statements, calls about purchases you didn’t make or credit denials for no apparent reason.

■Review your credit reports carefully for suspicious activity. Order your free annual credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

■Deployed? If so, and you don’t expect to seek new credit while you’re away — think about getting an “active duty alert” on your credit report. That way, creditors must verify your identity before granting credit. It’s effective for one year, unless you ask that it be removed sooner or you extend it.

■If you suspect identity theft, act immediately.

■Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports. A call to one of the toll-free number of one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies is sufficient to place an initial 90-day fraud alert for all three companies. It also entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for accounts you didn’t open or debts you can’t explain.

■Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay and close the accounts. Follow up in writing.

■Explain the situation to your commanding officer. You don’t want your C.O. taken by surprise if contacted by creditors.

■File a report with military law enforcement and the local police (if you are in the United States) to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.

Social Media and Law Enforcement

On February 18, 2010, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Lauri Stevens on Social Media and Law Enforcement.

Program Date: February 18, 2010
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Social Media and Law Enforcement
Listen Live: http://www.americanheroesradio.com/social_media_law_enforcement.html
About the Guest
Lauri Stevens “is an interactive media professional with over 25 years of media experience. She is the Department Chair of Web Design & Interactive Media at The New England Institute of Art (NEiA) in Boston, a position she's held for over ten years. During her tenure at NEiA she has written several bachelors’ programs, served on NEASC accreditation review committees and visiting teams, and chaired several groups to further the college's mission.

Lauri is passionate about the Internet, the web, social media and helping law enforcement leverage these tools to help them do their jobs, connect with their communities, and promote their departments. Having used the net since the mid-80s, before the web existed, makes her one of the first fraction of a 1% of people in the world on the net.

She holds an MBA in eBusiness from Bentley University, an MS in Mass Communication/Communication Technology from Boston University, and a BA in Political Science from Clemson University.”

About LAwS Communications
LAwS Communications has been providing web design and interactive media advice to law enforcement since 2005. They “offer media expertise at all levels, traditional and interactive. LAwS Communications specialize in offering consultative services in the world of web 2.0 (and beyond) to law enforcement agencies. Web 2.0 and Open Source communication technologies available today allow organizations to efficiently gather and distribute information like never before. Many law enforcement agencies are catching on to and using the new social media technologies. LAwS Communications can help make sense of the tools available, help your agency craft a plan and social media policy as well as provide the training needed to get your organization running. LAwS Communications can help law enforcement organizations not only understand why your organization should take advantage of Web 2.0 technologies, but also how to leverage these vast resources.

The agencies that are effectively using these tools are shrinking their communities, improving communication with citizens and enhancing their reputations through the transparency provided. Other agencies are developing sophisticated methods for investigation, crime solving and prevention. Police departments, in particular, have an opportunity to better educate their communities about who they are and what they do and to therefore increase and improve communication with the public they serve.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.americanheroesradio.com/social_media_law_enforcement.html
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Crime Mapping

On January 28, 2010, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Michael R. King on Crime Mapping.

Program Date: January 28, 2010
Program Time: 1700 Hours Pacific
Topic: Crime Mapping
Listen Live: www.americanheroesradio.com/crime_mapping.html

About the Guest
Michael R. King is a National Law Enforcement Account Manager for ESRI, the Environmental Systems Research Institute, a worldwide leader of GIS software. He was a Product Planning Manager for Motorola, Inc. from 2004-2006. In 2004, Michael R. King retired from full-time Law Enforcement and has over 28 years of service. He began his law enforcement career in 1979. After 8 years of experience with the Ogden Utah Police Department, Michael R. King became the Chief of Staff for Weber County Attorney, Reed M. Richards. He served in that capacity and as lead investigator for 8 years.

In 1993, Michael R. King became an investigator with the Utah Attorney General’s Office where he investigated sexual offenses, cult activity and white-collar crimes. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and eventually promoted to Chief of Staff under Attorney General Jan Graham. During this time, King was trained as a criminal profiler through the FBI. He served as the co-chair of the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program National Board. Michael R. King has consulted on hundreds of complex criminal cases around the world.

Michael R. King has a Master of Criminal Justice Degree and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. He is an adjunct faculty member for the school of Criminal Justice at Salt Lake Community College and Weber State University. He is a member of the Harvard Medical School Program in Psychiatry and the Law (2003-present) and is a Visiting Scholar for the School of Nursing at Boston College (2005-present).

Mike has authored, in part or whole, a number of books, including: Analyzing Criminal Behavior; Cold Case Methodology; and, Predators: Who They are and How to Stop Them.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations

On December 17, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Vernon J. Geberth, NYPD (ret.) on Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations.

Program Date: December 17, 2009
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations
Listen Live: www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html

About the Guest
Vernon Geberth is a retired lieutenant-commander of the New York Police Department. As the commanding officer of the Bronx Homicide Task Force, his investigators handled more than four hundred murder investigations every year. Vernon Geberth is recipient of over sixty awards for bravery and exceptional work during twenty-three years of service. He has personally investigated, supervised, assessed, researched and consulted on over eight thousand homicides.

Vernon Geberth has master's degrees in both psychology and professional studies, is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy. Over the past twenty-five years, he has taught over 50,000 police officers his comprehensive course in Practical Homicide Investigation.

Geberth’s book, Practical Homicide Investigation has been referred to as the "Bible of Homicide." His subsequent works, “The Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and Field Guide” and “Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives,” demonstrate his professional ability and subject matter expert command over homicide investigations. In addition to his own works Geberth has been an editor in over forty other textbooks. He has devoted his life to the study of murder and was the first law enforcement professional to devise standard guidelines and protocols for proficient death inquiries. Currently he is president of P.H.I. Investigative Consultants, Inc., a New York-based corporation that provides state-of-the-art instruction and consultation regarding homicide investigations to police officers.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530