Meet David
The day that changed everything
July 21,1972 @ 2:58 pm, I was 13 years old. I had been shot, laying in tall dark green grass, dying. Two neighborhood friends and I, another kid from a different part of the city who had carried a long rifle to our section of the city. Someone suggested we should go to the woods and hunt squirrels. Once in the woods, two neighborhood friends and I were spotters. Squirrels were non-existent in the area. After a while we decided to take a break. We gathered around a rotted log on the ground. I stood in the area. One friend from the neighborhood sat on the log, the other looking for squirrels. The kid from another part of the city was in possession of the rifle. I was viewing the treetops. I was not aware the rifle was loaded with a pellet about 1/4 inch in length with the diameter of a .22 caliber bullet. Unaware the kid from outside the neighborhood was going to strike a rotted limb on the tree we gathered at. As I looked down, the kid from another part of the city had struck a rotting limb with the butt of the rifle, the rifle fired. The pellet struck me in the left part of my chest. I lifted my shirt. I observed a round bullet hole in my chest, I watched the reddest blood run out from the round hole in my chest. I watched blood slowly run out and down my chest 4-inches. I looked up and said to the kid from another part of the city "YOU SHOT ME!" I went unconscious. The next thing I knew my two friends were on my left and right, my arms over their shoulders, my feet were dragging as they dragged me to get help. As they dragged me my head bobbed upward, I became conscious, the trees looked very tall and thin. I went unconscious. My friends laid me down, once out of the woods. I noticed I was laying in dark green long grass. It’s summer and very hot, I felt myself becoming very very cold. I went unconscious. People from the scene later explained my lips turned dark dark blue. The kid with the rifle started to breathe into my mouth to revive me. I never regained consciousness. Gold Cross Ambulance transported me to the Hospital. I was tied to a gurney looking at the hospitals ceiling's lights. Five or six Doctors, Nurses, and Emergency Room staff raced me down the hallway, which made me cold, which is why I think I woke up. I remember becoming combative, I was tied to the gurney and attempted to free myself. I swore at the Emergency Room staff to untie me. After this I don't remember anything, I went unconscious. Now in ICU (Intensive Care Unit), I was attended to around the clock. I don’t know how long I was in ICU. Unconscious and improving, the Doctor transferred me to a regular Hospital room where I eventually awoke. The Nurses were very pleasant and caring. Many people assisted in saving my life. The Doctor who saved my life, a M.A.S.H Surgeon in the War. I'm thankful the Doctor was working that day in the Emergency Room. The Doctor has the pellet he removed from me. I’ve seen the pellet at a follow up exam. I received many get well cards from so many friends and well wishers. When I was released from the Hospital. I returned home and life went on as usual. I had been shot in the heart, the pellet passed through my heart and reentered my heart. My Heart healed itself. My Heart pumped the pellet into a major artery and it went downward. The first attempt to remove the pellet, my left groin was cut. The bullet advanced further down my leg. Emergency Room personnel raced me to X-ray and back to Surgery as the bullet continued to travel in my bloodstream. The second cut, left inside of my upper leg, The Surgeon removed the bullet from my bloodstream after having to cut my Femoral Artery.
Values that guide me: Lessons from my parents
My Mom and Dad raised me, instilling in me right from wrong, good from bad. To help others who may not be able to help themselves, to help a neighbor or friend. To be kind to people because everyone is fighting some sort of battle. My parents' words and actions influenced me in a positive manner, to do good. My Mom and Dads actions showed me how to be responsible, to do the right thing no matter how difficult it maybe.
My background: A life of service and resilience
I am a native of Northampton, a graduate of trade school, I've worked in my trade. I was 27 when I earned the right to become a Northampton police officer. I served 20 yrs and retired honorably. My law enforcement career gave me the ability to see firsthand the double edged sword of government.
I reentered the private sector experiencing ups and downs of the economy. I've worked in the blue and white collar worlds. I’ve owned businesses in banking and insurance industries, I've owned commercial real estate. I’ve been awarded a Commendation. I've received a thank you letter from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
I’ve been married. I've raised a handsome son who is my greatest joy. I have enjoyed coaching kids sports for many years. I have volunteered at Shriners Hospital, later becoming a Shriner.
After receiving a second chance to live. I will use my practical life experiences along with my plan to rebalance our city government. For Northampton to become self-reliant with the use of our local resources.