Investigators said two men were hunting for coyotes using high-powered rifles and night scopes at the Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Recreation Area on the Oconee Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Jasper County late Friday night.

Hunter Norman Clinton Hale, 40, of McDonough mistook Christopher Arby Upton, 37, for game and shot him. Rangers identified Hale’s hunting companion as Clifford Allen McGouirk, 41, of Jackson.

“After the shooting, the hunters dialed 911 and reported a hunting incident,” said Stephanie Neal Johnson of the Forest Service.

The Forest Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division are investigating the incident.

“This is a tragic incident where the loss of a federal officer’s life could have been avoided,” said Steven Ruppert, apecial agent-in-charge for the Southern Region of the Forest Service. “This is a devastating loss for Chris’ family, our agency, other law enforcement officers and his friends and neighbors in Monroe.”

Upton is survived by his wife and a 4-year-old daughter.

To: American Aluminum Acc., Inc.

As you know Officer Edward Krawczyk of the K-9 Unit is battling cancer. We recently held a fund raising event that included a dinner and a raffle. The event was an overwhelming success. This was due largely in part to people like you that got involved and made this happen.

We cannot thank you enough for your generous contribution. It was a great prize and it in itself made the raffle a success.

Ed and his wife Susan wanted me to express to you and everyone at American Aluminum their sincere thanks for your help during this most trying time.

Ed is slowly recovering and gets a little stronger each day. He still has a long road of recovery ahead but thanks to American Aluminum he has a few less worries.

I know there is not much I have to offer you other than a sincere thanks but if ever in the future you need anything that I could assist you with please dont hesitate to call.

Sincerely.

Charlie Wilkie
Jacksonville Sheriffs Office K-9 Unit

To: American Aluminum Accessories, Inc.

Dated: Sept. 05, 2009

I would like to thank American Aluminum for your support to the Alameda County Sheriff’s K-9 Trial.
This is the final event of the year, which included 10 trials over the season.

Currently, we have several of your inserts in our Crown Victoria’s. Last year one of our handlers was
struck from behind from a speeding motorist. He was hit at speeds over 60 miles per hour, almost at a dead stop.

I responded to the scene and found my partner and his K-9 Frits, were fine. It was absolutely amazing the
integrity and the strength of the American Aluminum insert. I know for a fact if he was driving a regular patrol car,
he might of died or be seriously injured. The back of the car was pushed up into the insert, due to the severity of the crash,
but the dog was fine, due to the great product you manufacture.

Again, thank you for your support to our association!

Sincerely,

Dep. Sheriff John White
President of Alameda County Sheriff’s K-9 Association