Police chief honors fallen friend through blood drive

MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) - The Indiana Fallen Officer Blood Drive stopped in Monticello Tuesday morning. Among the many donors was Monticello Police Chief Curtis Blount. For him, the cause was personal.

"A friend of mine, Shad Bassett, died in the line of duty in Pulaski County, several years ago," said Chief Blount.

Chief Blount said he donates blood in honor of Deputy Shad Bassett, who was killed while responding to a 911 call in October 2005.

"You always want to be able to help in some way," said Blount as he sat down in a chair preparing for the blood draw.

"Honor the Fighting" was the message donors saw when they stopped in at the White County Hospital Medical Office.

For routine blood donor Betty Rogers, she said she was just glad to help.

"They called and asked me if I could take the time to come in. I have 'O positive' blood and that's a very popular one," she said with a smile.

It didn't matter if the cause was personal or if donors just wanted to help honor the cause, all it took was for Chief Blount and Rogers to spare a few extra minutes out of their day.

The Indiana Fallen Officer's Blood Drive began after a Morgan County Sheriff's Deputy lost his life during a gun battle with a burglary suspect in 2001. His wife started the blood drive in his memory and it went statewide in 2006.

The next stop for the blood drive is at the Carroll County Fair on July 12. Another stop is scheduled at the West Lafayettte Police Department on July 15.

You can find information about other blood drives supporting fallen officers on the Indiana State Police's  Facebook page .