November 30, 1995. That date means nothing to almost everyone, but the same can’t be said for now State Parole Officer Tony Luketic.
On that date Tony, a cop working near Cleveland, Ohio, took his mother to the bank. While he was standing in line, a 63-year-old crack addict named Ollie Tate walked in to that same bank. Tate pulled out a gun, announced the robbery to a young teller and began threatening everyone therein. Luketic, unarmed and off-duty needed to act, and he did. He thwarted the robbery and possibly saved the life of the teller. But there was a price to pay and Luketic and his mother were the ones to pay it.
As he leaped to intervene, Luketic was shot in the femur and dropped to the ground. His mother, trying to save her son, was shot in the abdomen. Luketic moved again towards the felon to save his mom and was shot again this time in the shoulder, blowing out his ball-socket.
Luketic and his mother survived but, for Tony in particular, the physical pain and the emotional distress since that day—and the stress on his family—has been tremendous.
Luketic has presented this story countless times to Calibre Press Street Survival audiences. His emotions shake even the most hardened audiences. I also count him among my very good friends, along with his wife and two beautiful daughters.
Ollie Tate wants out. Not much more to say than this: We cannot let it happen. We, as brothers and sisters in blue, as well as our families and friends, need to take a stand.
Please help keep Ollie Tate behind bars by filling out the form at blockparole.com:
0 Comments