Explorer Experience Pays Off For Wounded Deputy From AJ
During critical moment, lessons from police program saved an officer
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
In March of 2008, only two months into his job as a Pima County Sheriff’s deputy (Tucson), Matt Salmon found himself in a precarious position. He was wrestling with a suspect when suddenly the perpetrator broke loose and shot Salmon in the chest.
   “I was shot square in the chest with a .50-calibre hand gun,” Salmon told a group of Explorers Thursday, October 2. “It was at point-blank range. It knocked me back and my training kicked in and I went into overdrive. I ended up shooting and killing him.”
   The training he received through the Explorer program helped him deal with the stressful situation, he said. Exploring is a program for young men and women ages 14-20 who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
   “Take the training seriously. It could save your life one of these days,” said Salmon, the son of retired Apache Junction Police Department Sgt. Rick Salmon.
   In a poignant moment, the 23-year-old Salmon passed around his “trauma plates,” metal plates placed in the uniform that keep bullets from passing through to the heart. On his trauma plates, it is clear a bullet nearly pierced it. The worst injury he sustained was a bruised heart.
   His best friend, Nick Norris, a fellow deputy who also spoke to the group, said he received a phone call from a co-worker merely saying Salmon had been shot. He was unaware of the extent of Salmon’s injuries.
   “Luckily, he was safe. I ran to the hospital,” said Norris, the nephew of City Councilman Rick Dietz. “Training is the No. 1 thing for me. I love to train. Training is so important.”

See A-1 and see Explorer, page A-3

Radar Speeder May Be Babeu Relative
Photos sent by readers resemble family member
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The “unknown” driver behind the wheel of a speeding car owned by Pinal County sheriff candidate Paul Babeu could be his sister-in-law who lives in his Queen Creek home.
   Babeu received a photo radar speeding ticket and although he admitted owning the 2004 Chevrolet, he said he is unsure who was driving his car. According to pictures sent to The News by concerned citizens after a September 29, 2008, article on the incident, the driver bears a resemblance to Babeu’s sister-in-law. The vehicle appears to be driven by a woman with two children in the backseat.
   Although Babeu cooperated with an interview for the original article, he did not respond to requests for an interview for this article.
   According to Michael Minter, the sheriff’s department’s public information officer, if driver’s license does not match the person in the photo, the office will research the case to find out who, in fact, is behind the wheel.

See A-1 and see Radar Ticket, page A-3

Celebrating 100th Birthday
Jean McMahon was born in New York in 1907
By Meghan McCoy
The News
An Apache Junction resident celebrated her 100th birthday Tuesday, September 30, 2008, with her son and friends at the Apache Junction Health Center.
   Jean McMahon was born in Fishermans Landing, N.Y., on September 30, 1907. Her parents owned a restaurant on the lake there and Jean has three brothers and a sister.
   She attended college and worked in New York City as a proof reader in a firm of attorneys. She also did missionary work in Brazil and Mexico.
   She was married in 1934 and had three sons. One son, Ralph Junior Morton, also lives in Apache Junction with his wife Nancy.
   Last Tuesday, McMahon’s son and friends helped her celebrate her birthday with a cake, ice cream, flowers, balloons and presents.
   Lou Dwyer, who works at the Apache Junction Health Center, said Jean is a wonderful lady who is very spunky and very family oriented.

See A-1

AJHS Girls Golf Team Has Been Busy

By Chuck Baker
The News
The Lady Prospector golf team from Apache Junction High School has been very busy of late as they prepare for their upcoming Desert Sky Region Tournament.
   This past Monday, playing in a four-team match at Las Colinas Golf Course in Queen Creek, the AJHS girls came up with a big team victory, scoring 192 for first place with Queen Creek (195) taking second, Tempe McClintock (209) finishing third and Tempe (259) coming in fourth.
   Amber Hampton led the Lady Prospectors with her solid round of 42. Katie Stout posted a round of 46, Jordan Grams shot 49, Lacey-Shea Chronister came in with a 55, and Presley White shot 63.
   On September 24, the AJHS girls defeated Williamsfield 211 to 253 as Hampton shot the day’s second best round with a 46. Stout came in with a round of 51, Grams shot 56, Chronister shot 58 and White shot 77.
   The Lady Prospectors also picked up a victory on September 22 playing at Springfield Golf Course in Chandler, defeating Perry High School 191 to 235.

See B-1 and see ATHS, page B-2