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Wed, Apr 15 2009
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Child advocacy group honors officer

Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — An old adage says no man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.

Edmond Police Officer Randy Payne has done just that, and Tuesday morning the March of Dimes thanked Payne with a surprise and a bonus, a hug from a plucky little girl who has benefited from the organization.

Beforehand, without telling him the real reason, Sgt. Paul Barbour told Payne to be at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s Forensic Science Center.

Several March of Dimes representatives, members of the Edmond Police Department, OSBI officials, Katelyn Hall, 5, and her parents, Michael and Ashley Hall, gathered in a conference room.

Belinda Rogers, public affairs director for the Oklahoma March of Dimes chapter, let the “cat out of the bag” when she told Payne about the reason he was there.

“You have been instrumental in all of our Bikers for Babies events and such a supporter over the years, and we would like to honor you with a special certificate of appreciation for all you have done for the March of Dimes,” Rogers said.

Katelyn presented the framed certificate to Payne, and she gave him a hug and thanked him.

“It feels great,” Payne said of the recognition. “The March of Dimes is a great cause. I was proud to represent the Edmond Police Department for this organization and will continue to help out whenever I can.”

Payne said he has helped the March of Dimes with a local biker event the past several years.

Edmond Police Chief Bob Ricks said Payne is a role model in terms of the work he does both for the department and the community. Ricks said officers like Payne don’t do charity work for the recognition and they do it as private citizens.

“He is a person who’s gone beyond the regular requirements of the job and is truly dedicated to making this community and the state a better place in which to live,” Ricks said.

Last year, more than 45,000 riders and 250 motorcycle clubs joined to help the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

On Nov. 16, 2003, due to the rapid onset of HELLP Syndrome, Katelyn was born prematurely at 25 weeks, weighing less than a pound and measuring the length of a ball-point pen. Her parents, of Leesburg, Va., were told she had about a 5 percent chance of surviving.

In the newborn intensive care unit, Katelyn faced many challenges common to babies born too soon. After five long months, the Halls were able to bring their daughter home. Katelyn’s medical bills totaled about $1 million, Michael Hall said.

Since 2004, the family has helped raise funds for research and awareness of the problem of premature birth to help other families.

“We can’t imagine life without Katelyn, and we can’t imagine life without the March of Dimes,” Michael Hall said.

Ashley Hall said without the support of individuals like Payne, Katelyn would not be here. March of Dimes research went to one of the treatments Katelyn received when she was receiving intensive care, she said.

“Without that treatment she wouldn’t have made it,” she said.

As the 2009 national ambassador, Katelyn and her parents are traveling across the country, sharing their story.

Ashley Hall said with her husband being a police officer he is making an effort to reach out to the police community, to work with the community to spread the word about the March of Dimes.

“We’ve met a lot of police officers and sheriff’s deputies on our tour and I’m just amazed at how they come out and really support us and help us with our mission,” she said.



MORE INFORMATION about the Katelyn Hall Foundation, which seeks to combat premature births, is available at www.katelynsjourey.com, and more information about the March of Dimes is available at www.marchofdimes.com.


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Photos


Mark Schlachtenhaufen | THE EDMOND SUN Edmond Police Officer Randy Payne receives a certificate of honor from the March of Dimes and a hug from Katelyn Hall, 5, at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Center Tuesday. Payne has helped the March of Dimes raise funds the past several years. Mark Schlachtenhaufen/ (Click for larger image)


Mark Schlachtenhaufen | THE EDMOND SUN Katelyn Hall, 5, views a hi-tech microscope at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Forensics Science Center Tuesday. Hall, the 2009 national ambassador for the March of Dimes, is tourning the country with her family to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby health issues. Mark Schlachtenhaufen/ (Click for larger image)
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