Dear Captain Arbin,
On Wednesday, August 10 at 1:30 p.m. on 34th Street, your team conducted safety and rescue actions in an effort to save the life of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and truest of friend. Each and every member of your team did their utmost to apply their training and skills at the highest level. They were extraordinary in both action and compassion. Unfortunately, General Parnell's injuries were too severe for him to be saved in the end. However, the service your men did provide to our family was invaluable. Your young men enabled us to have a few precious hours of hope, prayers for his survival, expressions meaningful in love, and finally our goodbyes. According to the doctors at The University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma, it is extremely rare for an individual that has sustained a severed spinal cord, heart attack, and near death drowning to have ever reached the ambulance, or their care, for that matter.
Our family is more grateful than words could ever convey. Not only did your men work to save the life of General Parnell, they also comforted and supported his wife at the time of this crisis, in a manner that was above and beyond. We would like to recognize and extend our personal appreciation to the following young men who acted so courageously. They will be in our hearts forever:
Sgt. Marc Bouloucon
Patrick O'Malley
Trey Krell
Ryan Grantham
Marc, Patrick, Trey and Ryan, in our time of grief and sorrow it is very important to our Mother that our entire family extend to you our most heartfelt thanks for all you did for our irreplaceable loved one. Please, always be proud of what you have done for us and what you did. The General served in Korea and Vietnam in service to his country. He is a decorated veteran of foreign war. He would never be remiss at thanking his own troops for their sacrifice, bravery and conduct in performing their duty. We are certain, had he survived he would have called you to order and personally thanked each and every one of you with gratitude for a job well done.
Most sincerely,
Nancy E. Parnell, his wife