By Ryan O'Connor
Staff Writer

Goffstown News/Ryan O’Connor Jan Racicot stands with a picture of her deceased husband, Dale. She is calling on residents to vote yes to Article 28 of the Weare town warrant.

When Dale Racicot returned home from Iraq on Aug. 8, 2003, after his seven-month deployment, his wife, Jan, and their two daughters could hardly contain their excitement.

But after just three short hours of laughter and conversation Dale collapsed in the kitchen. He died later that night.

“What was only three hours earlier, one of the best days of our lives, had suddenly become our worst nightmare,” Jan said as she delivered her tearful story in front of about 150 fellow residents at the deliberative session of Weare Town Meeting on Feb. 4.

Jan told her story because she wanted to let residents know exactly why they should vote “yes” to Article 28 on the 2006 Town Warrant. She explained the town had no overnight police staffing, and the article asks for $85,000 for two additional full-time police officers. It would cost each resident little more than a meal for two at a local restaurant, a small price to pay for a human life, she said.

After Dale collapsed, daughter Stacy immediately called 911, while her sister Kerri administered CPR. Jan turned on the outside lights and waited for a police officer to show up with a portable defibrillator, which all Weare police cruisers carry.

She said her house was only a mile away from the police station and expected an onduty officer to show up within minutes.

Hope faded quickly, Jan said. The police never showed up, and she watched the ambulance drive right by her house as she waved her arms in the middle of the driveway.

The ambulance had gone to the wrong house, and by the time it arrived and picked Dale up, it was too late, Jan said.

She was informed of her husband’s passing soon after arriving at the hospital.

“Love you all,” Dale had muttered before fading into unconsciousness at their home.

“I wonder how many other people have died in this town over the years for the same reason,” said Jan. “I am asking ... no, I am begging for the people of Weare to please support Warrant Article 28.”

The town currently only employs nine full-time officers, according to Police Chief Gregory Begin, who said a town with the size and population of Weare should have 17, or roughly two officers for every 1,000 residents. Weare’s population is just over 8,500.

“The two new officers will give us 24 hours a day, seven days a week coverage, which in my opinion, is critical for a town like this,” said Begin. “I hope that the people of Weare support their police department so we can give them the service they deserve,” he added.