It's been more than a week since an arson fire at a group home in Warren injured a police officer and three women.
Patrolman Doug Hipple remains in a drug induced coma in the Akron burn center a week after he went inside a burning home to help three mentally challenged women escape. His wife and three young kids are waiting by his bedside hoping he recovers soon. "They don't know what's going to go on day to day. They need the prayers and thoughts the public has given them so far," says childhood friend and fellow officer Brian Crites. Crites says that it was not a surprise he heard Doug risked his life to save others. "Doug's always been there to help anybody as a police officer. He has helped build Habitat Homes. Anything you ask him to do, he would tell you he could do it."
The Warren Fraternal Order of Police hope you can help Officer Hipple, as well as the three women who were also hurt in the fire. A fund has been set up at Farmers National Bank in Doug's name. Donations to Officer Hipple can be made at any Farmers National Bank branch. Items such as clothes and furniture are being accepted for the three women who lost everything they own. If you would like to help these women, you can drop off pants, shirts and shoes at the locations listed at the bottom of this page. A fund is also being set up at an area bank by Fairhaven.
Drop Off Locations:
CENTRAL WARREN FIRE DEPT.
WARREN TWP. FIRE DEPT.
LORDSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHAMPION FIRE DEPARTMENT
FAIRHAVEN/TRUMBULL CO. BOARD OF MRDD
