Noel Raufaste is stuck.
He’s trying to remember the name of a supervisor whom he worked for months ago when he returned to light duty with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office after suffering a major stroke. Watching him, it’s clear that he knows who he’s talking about, can probably picture the person and has their name in his mind, but it’s not coming out.
“All the names used to be so simple, now I can’t…” he says, trailing off. “It’ll come.”
It’s one of the subtle clues to the medical emergency Raufaste, a sergeant in the Northern Precinct, suffered while on duty on May 10, 2012. Despite a bleak initial prognosis, in the year and a half since his stroke Raufaste has recovered enough to drive a car, live on his own, and take bike rides of 60 or 70 miles.
But as his momentary lapse betrays, his recovery is not complete. Though he returned to light clerical work and office duties for several months, a medical evaluation earlier this summer found Raufaste was not capable of fulfilling the duties of a law enforcement officer. He had little choice but to accept disability retirement at a state-determined 40 percent of his previous pay.
“Accept” might not be the right term, however. In an extended interview with The Dagger in late October, Raufaste said he believes his condition is improving and strongly hopes to return to service one day.
Raufaste, 40, originally hails from Kensington in Montgomery County but spent several years in the Midwest attending Iowa State University and working as a police officer in Story County, Iowa. He eventually moved back to Maryland and joined the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in October 2002, rising through the ranks to become a sergeant in the Northern Precinct.
“He was an outstanding cop, an outstanding supervisor,” Sheriff Jesse Bane said. “He was a rising star in the agency.”
It was in that capacity that Raufaste reported for his shift on the afternoon of May 10, 2012. Though he was not feeling well for most of that morning, Raufaste said he was the only sergeant scheduled to work that shift in his precinct, while one or two others were also scheduled for the following day.
“I thought it was a flu, I felt terrible the whole day,” he said. “I thought, ‘oh man, just get through today, and take tomorrow off.’”
Another warning sign came when Raufaste said it took several tries to punch in a simple-four digit code on a building keypad, but thought perhaps a button on the keypad was stuck.
Shortly after the shift began, Raufaste parked his patrol car outside the current home of Forest Hill Nature Preschool on Bynum Road in Rock Spring and ran radar on passing cars, looking for speeders above 50 mph in the 30 mph zone. Raufaste was in position between 10 and 15 minutes and had yet to stop anyone when he said he suddenly slumped over in his patrol car.
“I thought this was it and I was going to die,” he said, “and I was okay with that. Some people have trouble with that.”
The cliché would have Raufaste waking up in the hospital, but the reality was worse. Instead, he returned to consciousness several times in his vehicle–a consciousness hampered by the fact that he could no longer vocalize or move correctly. Though Sheriff’s Office vehicles come with a “panic” button on the dashboard-mounted radio, Raufaste couldn’t reach it. Instead, he said he attempted to key his lapel-mounted radio from time to time as he faded in and out of awareness.
“I hit it a couple times and forgot about it. I woke up a little later, and would try it again,” Raufaste said. He notes that he does not know how many times he may have keyed his radio, only that he was not repeatedly triggering it, or attempting any kind of pattern or Morse code.
Harford County Emergency Operations Center radio logs between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on May 10, 2012 obtained by The Dagger through a Maryland Public Information Request did not include any communications between dispatchers and Raufaste. The audio turned over to The Dagger did not cover that entire time period and included only actual verbal communications compiled by EOC data specialists.
However, Bane said that it is “not unusual” that the occasional odd keying of a radio would go unanswered by dispatchers.
Raufaste estimates that he remained undiscovered in his car for about three hours, from approximately 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. that evening. He was eventually located by a fellow deputy, though Bane said he did not know exactly what triggered the search for the sergeant, and Raufaste himself was likewise uncertain. The stricken deputy was transported by ambulance to Upper Chesapeake Memorial Hospital, and airlifted from there to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.
Throughout the trip, Raufaste said he remained conscious and generally aware of his surroundings, but remained unable to communicate.
“I could understand just fine, but my ability to communicate was zero,” he said. “I could see the words formed perfectly in my mind, but my mouth wasn’t connecting.”
According to doctors at both hospitals, Raufaste’s initial prognosis was bleak, Bane said. The sergeant remained in the hospital for five or six days before being moved to MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in Towson for further treatment. He stayed there for approximately two weeks, until he was released to outpatient care near his parents’ home in Abington, Pa. He remained there through the summer, undergoing physical therapy twice a week and speech therapy three times a week.
Initially confined to a wheelchair, Raufaste said he was walking within two weeks of his stroke, and swiftly regained his physical capabilities as the weeks passed. By the end of August, he was ready to return to his Aberdeen home.
During that summer, Sheriff’s Office brass offered Raufaste the chance to return to service in some capacity, including Capt. Keith Warner.
“He said, ‘any day you feel ready to go, you can start,’” Raufaste said.
That day came in mid-October, when Raufaste began assisting Warner with simple tasks around the office. After a few weeks, he was moved to help out the agency’s Criminal Investigations Division, before finally being assigned to the Central Records unit, where he reviewed written reports submitted by deputies. He stayed there from mid-December through this summer.
But as the months wore on, Bane and other agency leaders were faced with a difficult decision: though Raufaste had recovered enough to perform light duties, he was still not able to resume his job as a law enforcement officer and police supervisor.
According to Sheriff’s Office policy cited by Bane and agency spokesman Edward Hopkins, deputies are allowed to stay on light duty for a period of up to one year while they recover from a medical incident. For Raufaste, that clock began ticking on June 1, 2012. Bane said the deputy’s case was evaluated by the agency’s doctor several times, and the one-year deadline was extended through this summer while a final decision was made. Eventually, the sheriff determined that Raufaste would not be able to return to his duties.
Effective Sept. 1, Sgt. Noel Raufaste retired from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office under the “ordinary disability retirement” provision of the state’s Law Enforcement Officer Pension System. Under a formula devised by the state, he would receive 40 percent of his pay, or approximately $2,500 per month.
“The sheriff said, ‘you’re retired,’” Raufaste said. “It wasn’t me. I’d have stayed there, and kept trying to get better.”
Several times over the course of an hour-long interview in late October regarding Raufaste’s case, Bane said he regretted the decision, but that it was clear that the sergeant would not be able to continue as a law enforcement officer at that time. He declined to specify whether that determination was based on Raufaste’s physical or mental capabilities, or some combination of both.
“I can’t hold onto anyone forever,” Bane said. “They’re hired to do a job, and they know when they do that job…they may become unable to fulfill their duties.”
“If there was any way I could have kept him, I would have,” he said.
According to the Harford County Law Department, Raufaste’s retirement fell under the State Law Enforcement Officer’s Pension Plan rather than the Sheriff’s Office Pension Plan, which would have provided a 66 and two-thirds percent payout. Sheriff’s Office deputies moved to the state plan in 2006 after their union felt it had more attractive features, the county law department said via spokeswoman Sherrie Johnson; correctional officers could not be covered by the state plan and remained in the Sheriff’s Office plan.
Raufaste’s case sparked a joint investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the county’s Emergency Operations Center to determine whether the sergeant might have been located sooner.
“I know they made changes, our people met with them, and everyone was satisfied with the changes made,” Bane said.
Chief among those changes, Bane said, was requiring supervisors on patrol to check in with dispatchers more frequently. The sheriff said supervisors began informally doing so as awareness of Raufaste’s incident spread.
Sheriff’s Office vehicles are equipped with an Automatic Vehicle Locator which can determine and track the geographic location of a vehicle; the system also enables dispatchers to determine the closest vehicle to an emergency call. According to a 2009 Sheriff’s Office policy, dispatchers are required to verify that the system is operational within the first 15 minutes of a vehicle entering service. Under the policy, the system is not to be used for routine monitoring of personnel by supervisors or dispatchers, but can be used to locate a vehicle if there is “credible evidence” that the vehicle operator is in danger or distress.
Hopkins said it was not clear whether the Emergency Operations Center has a companion policy, or whether the AVL was used to locate Raufaste at any point before or after his medical emergency. Department of Emergency Services spokesman Bob Thomas said no such policy was in place for that department.
“I think the only leak in the dike here was not requiring supervisors to report in with any frequency, and that’s not uncommon in public safety,” Bane said. “It kind of slows down operators when you have to have supervisors checking in, but that’s what that incident showed us had to happen.”
For his part, Raufaste said he does not place any blame the Emergency Operations Center or their dispatchers, and said the length of time between his stroke and when medical aid arrived did not worsen his condition.
“Not at all, I’m not upset with them at all,” he said. “They do a great job.”
Since leaving the Sheriff’s Office, Raufaste said he has ceased therapy appointments due to the cost, but believes he’s still improving. Despite releasing Raufaste from duty, Bane said he has been stunned by his former sergeant recovering to the point where there was even a question of his possibly returning to duty.
“I thought, when I went to the hospital, I didn’t have much hope for him at all based on what the doctors were telling me, of even being able to motivate again,” Bane said. “It was a very serious medical issue. I was amazed, I was told that would never happen.”
Bane said he would welcome Raufaste back if his medical condition improves enough to make it possible. Raufaste said he is eager to take the sheriff up on that offer.
“I’ll be fine eventually,” he said. “I’m not sure when it’ll be, six months, a year, more.”
I could give a $hit less who wins this election or who is elected union president. Sgt Raufaste is stuck why because his Sheriff and Union board failed him. He Should be getting 66 and 2/3% and should be getting health benefits. You have treated him like trash. He is not in a position to fight for himself and you knowing that let him down when you should have been there for him. You make me sick then the Sheriff and Bob Thomas make me sick. Maybe instead of making excuses you should take care of your own. There are policies in place that include a 2009 policy which the dagger correctly references that says each and every deputy will have there avl checked 15 minutes or less into there shift, BUT EOC and HCSO’s policy very and that WILL get someone hurt, so I put you on notice if I lose a brother/friend you will be sued and the truth will be told time to step up not back out. What we have here is a damn good Sgt who retired at a much less rate then he should have, what we have here is a lack of policy compliance between EOC and HCSO. Its a damn shame………………….
Well said.
What bothers me is that Sheriff Bane comes off as this compassionate man. If he was that compassionate he would have been side by side fighting for this sergeant to get the 66 percent ON-DUTY medical retirement that he deserves. It bothers me that this sergeant cannot afford to even attend his therapy appointments due to the cost. The AVL system should be used to verify each deputies location at the beginning of there your of duty but it doesn’t happen. Instead it is misused by a certain Lieutenant from the southern precinct in particular. “Under the policy, the system is not to be used for routine monitoring of personnel by supervisors or dispatchers, but can be used to locate a vehicle if there is “credible evidence” that the vehicle operator is in danger or distress”. Then why is this supervisor misusing the AVL to track his deputies every move? The AVL system if used properly is a good tool but the way it is currently being used is a failure. I will end on this if we as deputies don’t start speaking out and supporting other deputies then what else do we have, nobody. He deserves a 66% retirement, and it might not be you now but because of the nature of our job it may be you one day. I feel like I let him down and for that I say I am sorry.
Sheriff Bane has always believed the public to be so stupid that he could quote an agency policy and not have anyone realize that he can change policy with the flick of his pen. When he should be man enough to admit fault, Bane always chooses one of two options: 1) quote policy as if his hands are tied or 2) pretend like he had no idea the situation even occurred. If Bane was a true leader and was concerned about his people, then he would stand by them and try to get them anything he possibly could. Even if he knows its a long shot he should be trying to get Noel an on duty retirement, he could have let him stay in another assignment as long as he likes, and since corrections has a better medical retirement he could have tried transferring him to corrections and letting him retire at 66 2/3. Instead he attempts nothing and basically tells people “the policy that I’m completely in charge of has my hands tied”. This is no different than when CO Theresa Testerman passed away and he wouldn’t fight for it to be line of duty, didn’t even mention anything about her passing away, until years later when a legal battle resulted in it being declared line of duty.
Let me begin by saying 1) this should have NEVER happened the way it did from the start. ALL officers should check in when they come on duty and if they don’t it is the dispatchers duty to ensure they do. 2) There should never be a time where the officer is not in contact with someone on the radio for more than an hour but I digress….
So, where was their union executive board during all this? Isn’t this why they have a union, to fight for things such as an on duty retirement? The most terrible thing is this guy can’t even pay for physical therapy. I wanna know how Jesse Bane can even fake like he has compassion for Officer Raufaste. Why doesn’t Jesse pay for his physical therapy then if he feels so bad? He won’t and doesn’t truly feel bad at all.
When I finished the academy a fellow classmate gave me a prayer that was laminated and until now it didn’t hit me. It states Oh Lord while I’m on my beat May I know that your with me, And protect me as I go to guard, Others lives and property.
Help me to ignore those who scorn, And show me no respect , But be mindful of all citizens, I’ve sworn to protect.
Be with my fellow deputies and officers, and guard their safety too, May I always put my duty first , In the work I must do.
May I not disgrace the uniform, but bring pride to the badge I wear, That I would be a good deputy/policeman , Lord Would be my only prayer. Amen
I the last three years I have lost many friends in Line of duty deaths, I have seen friends who deserved a better medical retirement due to unfortunate circumstances and have seen a few friends who had a target on there back and were fired or transferred, due to personal vendettas that high ranking members of this agency had against them. Time to stand up not sit down, time to support your people and time to let deputies do there job. I believe that the talent is there and If you give them a chance to perform there job they will shine. But the Sheriff and the Union Board need to support everyone not just a chosen few. Be known what you did, not for what you failed to do. Do what’s right, not what gets you the most votes, we need you and right now you are not there.
It Sounds like your union and Sheriff need to stand up for you and support you. I considered lateraling to your department but I’m glad I didn’t. At least Robert Cherry stands up for us and from what it sounds like isn’t a political machine like your union. Keep moving forward and I hope the best for you as a county resident and fellow brother. If you let them win they won don’t forget and stay safe brothers and sisters.
Panera bread FTW.
Union President Kevin Thomas and Vice President Chris Gibbons. A member came to you asking for help and President Thomas your wife made a negative comment towards him on Facebook. Your Damn right I called him because she was out of line. If you both cant handle the job then step down but until then you make 800 and 400 a month to help each and every person of the union, in addition to your salary. If you can’t handle the job then step down. If not it’s time to stand up for each and EVERY deputy not just what who supports you but everyone that pays dues,
How does agency policy between EOC and HCSO differ and what has been done since this event to prevent this from happening again. As quoted “Department of Emergency Services spokesman Bob Thomas said no such policy was in place for that department”. Why Not? Then this deputy states on record “I hit it a couple times(meaning his radio) and forgot about it. I woke up a little later, and would try it again.” Where was the dispatcher and why didn’t they see that after multiple times of him keying up his radio and you calling out at him that this was a problem. The EOC supplied a radio version of events that does not include a dispatcher that got several key ups of the radio from sam 680. The dispatcher tried to call him but then gave up, and went on to dispatching other calls the public deserves to know what happened. Who is next who knows this is an issue that was brought to light but has yet to been dealt with. HCSO’s policy’s say this and The (EOC) or Emergency Operations Center say another. Will it take another deputy to get hurt to come together? It’s time to do everything that you can for my brothers and sisters to make sure that they can do the best they can do for you but have good policy’s in place.
Where is the Sgt.’s girlfriend through all of this? It seems that you union haters are affiliated with the DSU in one way or another.
Did they do anything for Noel while he was at the hospital, and later in rehabilitation?
The Deputies left the SOPP (Sheriff’s Office Pension Plan)……they chose to join LEOPS (Law Enforcement Officer Pension System) for 3% less contribution, and to have a drop programs. When they did this I hear the CO’s were left to manage the plan with county officials. Word is, when they left the SOPP, (where they had a voice, and a vote) and went to LEOPS, They lost those privileges. It seems that Noel is one of their first casualties.
I hared that LEOPS is up to a 7% contribution exactly what they were paying in the SOPP. I also heard that the CO’s enhanced the SOPP after the Deputies abandoned the plan. It’s a damn shame that these people can’t look beyond the present.
I feel so sorry for sergeant raufaste. I believe he deserves another chance back on patrol. All the great things I hear about this officer it seems like the SO is okay with just letting him go. How sad…
Hey What About: You’re right. where is she, but which one of the many females within the department that he was dating….. Union leadership needs to go! Puppets, just puppets…
Wish you the best in your recovery Sgt Rafaste.
What’s sad is the leadership of the SO. This man, this public servant, this peace officer chosen by God to serve and protect the citizens now is not being protected by those he carried the mission for. For the SO to release this man without a full retirement; 66 and 2/3 is cowardly. For the Deputies Union not to challenge the Sheriff privately or publicly, you are a bunch of circus clowns and are equally a cowardly. God will look out for Noel. God bless Noel and his real and true family.
@ Independent- I completely agree, But I’m not shocked everyone is a number. Everyone can be replaced, and the deputies union is a joke they stand up for nobody. In fact they have a retired $ss who wants a deputy that is in a legal battle for a shooting that I’m sure he wishes, didn’t have to happen to say thank you to him. No longer do we take care of our own, times have changed. Sad
I am so sorry to read about this case and wish Noel the very best. Not sure what type of stroke he had, but if it was an ischemic stroke, had he been discovered and transported to the nearest stroke center (I believe that UCMC qualifies), he could have received a clot buster. Folks that receive this intervention within four hours of a stroke have a better chance of surviving the stroke and minimizing damage from it. I am not a law enforcement officer, but by what I have read, feel that this young man should have been better supported by the Harford County Sheriff’s office. Some of the higher level SO personnel need to be cleaned out. It is a shame that this man cannot afford to continue his therapy. How embarrassing for our County in the way we treat those who have committed to serve and protect.
Noel, is one hell of a great person. It’s horrible the way he is being treated. Noel was ON Duty when this happened. Other deputies were off duty and had emergencies and were given line of duty. An yes DFC. Testerman, god bless her soul was treated like crap until the CO union fought for her. It’s ashame that Sheriff Lionel Jesse Bane doesnt give a shit about his Correctional Officers. Corrections officers have a difficult job also, after the LE bring them to the Jail, it’s the CO’s job to deal with these difficult people 24 hrs a day 7 days a week. Not sure if the public knows that the HCDC is filled with Murders, Rapest, Child Molesters, Drug Addicts and more. this is not the Andy Griffth mayberry town jail.
This is from first hand experiance and knowledge.
Give the man a chance, If he’s ready willing & able to work go for it.
I am dismayed at how this story is just languishing. Doesn’t anybody give a crap about this poor guy?
I’m working on a follow-up; Sgt. Raufaste has received some additional support as a result of our story. Look for it tomorrow afternoon.
Possibly this disabled officer is getting SSDI as well? I don’t know that Bane could have done anything else differently. The decision to refill the post after more than a year.
I also think that someone needs to shine a line on how this man was treated by his superiors, including not only Jesse Bane but also Keith Warner. The handling of it has the feel of someone being treated in a cavalier way and then just tossed out with the trash. Seen it happen to other people in the department as well as in partnering agencies.
The web site for donations to help Noel just went live. http://www.signal13fund.com
I’m sure Bane told him the old stand by BS line “we take care of our own”‘ then I bet when Noel contacted him for help I bet Bane told him he has nothing to dowith the hiring process within the HCSO. I’m just speaking from personnel experience …