Off- duty security officer shot coming to aid of students www.privateofficer.com

Suffolk County NY April 9 2010 A former U.S. amateur heavyweight boxing champion was shot in the chest and critically injured during a confrontation at a suburban shopping center, according to the Suffolk County Police.

Adam Willett, 28, was shot once about 5 p.m. Wednesday while on the parking lot of the Miracle Plaza Shopping Center in North Bellport. Police say the shooter rifled through Willett’s pockets before firing off one round.

Willett was taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

Thursday, police were looking for the shooter.

Newsday first reported the shooting.

Willett’s former coach, Mike Murphy of the Veteran’s Memorial Boxing Club in nearby Shirley, said Willett worked as a security guard at a nearby high school. Two students in the parking lot of the shopping center were being harassed by a few men and, recognizing Willett from school, the students called out to him for help. Murphy said Willett went over to help them.

“He’s a good guy. He would’ve helped anyone who needed it,” Murphy said.

Willett and one man argued before the man sped away in his car, then drove back as Willett was getting into his vehicle, Murphy said. When Willett got out, he was shot. The gunman fled the scene.

Murphy said Willett started at his gym in 2001 and was almost an immediate success.

He became the U.S. amateur champion in 2006. He was an alternate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Beijing after losing in the trials.

“He’s a tough kid. He knows how to fight his way out of tragedy,” Murphy said.

Rock Hill SC security firm awarded Navy contracts www.privateofficer.com

Rock Hill SC April 9 2010 Rock Hill based Southeastern Protective Services has been awarded a $52.7 million contract to provide security for the U.S. Navy at various places along the Eastern Seaboard.

The company is now the primary contractor for armed security guard services at naval bases from Rhode Island to Virginia, according to a company news release. The contract eventually will include security for the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, the release states.

The contract, which covers 158 full-time employees, is initially for one year, with four one-year options.

Southeastern Protective Services also is in the third year of a five-year, $128 million security contract with the U.S. Air Force, providing 400 security officers at air bases around the Southeast, Washington, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Ohio.

For information about the company, visit usasep.com.

9 Year old girl hit by school bus dies

FLORALA AL April 9 2010 — A 9-year-old girl is dead after being hit by a school bus in south Alabama.

Florala police chief Sonny Bedsole said the accident happened about 3 p.m. Thursday. He said the girl run over as she walked in front of the school bus.

He said the child “either got off at the wrong stop or at the wrong time,” and the driver didn’t notice her until it was too late. Police have not released the child’s name.

Florala is on the Alabama-Florida border.