JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2013-07-02
From: JPD PIO Erann Kalwara
Case or Incident: #PSA
On Saturday June 29th 2013, 26 volunteers completed the ?Cops on Top? hike by hiking the Mt. Roberts trail in Juneau. Volunteers included employees and family members from the Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Corrections, the Juneau District Attorney?s Office, and Capital City Fire and Rescue. The volunteers hiked Mt. Roberts to honor the memories of fallen Alaskan colleagues Village Public Safety Officer Thomas Madole, Alaska State Trooper Tage Toll and Department of Public Safety Pilot Mel Nading who lost their lives protecting others.
Village Public Safety Officer Madole was shot and killed in the line of duty in the village of Manokotak on 03/19/2013. Alaska State Trooper Toll and Alaska Department of Public Safety Pilot Nading were both killed in a helicopter crash during a search and rescue operation on 03/30/2013.
The Cops on Top website describes their organization as a ?team of volunteers from the law enforcement and public service community, who undertake mountain climbing expeditions to honor the memories of those heroes who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting others?. Cops on Top was founded in 1998 and is a nationally recognized program. The Alaska Peace Officers Association Capital City Chapter was a co-sponsor of the event.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.