Janet Blackburn lost her sister, two nephews and niece on Thanksgiving Day 2007, when her ex-brother-in-law gunned them down in Unity Park near Laytonsville.
Since then, she and her family have dedicated themselves to making sure that others don't suffer such a tragedy.
Since she spoke out in favor of state legislation that requires the respondents of final protective orders to surrender all of their guns, including long guns like the .22 caliber rifle that David Brockdorff, 40, of Urbana, used to kill his ex-wife Gail Pumphrey, 43, of Woodbine and their children, David, 12, Megan, 10, and Brandon, 6, before turning it on himself. This legislation went into effect on Oct. 1.
Some opponents of gun control might argue that Brockdorff could have killed his ex-wife and children just as easily with a knife, piano wire or any other unrestricted weapon.
But Blackburn sees it differently. "He was only able to kill all four of them because he had a gun," she said.
Though she was not involved in the legislation at first, she did speak at an event sponsored by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence in early 2009, where Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) was in attendance.
Brown, whose cousin was shot to death by an ex-boyfriend in August 2008, is an avid supporter of tighter restrictions of gun ownership in cases of domestic violence. He asked Blackburn to give testimony at legislature hearings in the winter of 2009, and she agreed.
During her testimony on the legislation, Blackburn found herself the subject of various news articles and photographs, which she said initially made her feel uncomfortable.
However, she has come to see that she can raise awareness of domestic violence through appearances in the media. "It's happening all around us," she said. "We just need to open our eyes."
Other members of Blackburn's family have worked to raise awareness and money to help combat domestic violence. Diane Sollers, Gail Pumphrey's niece, is responsible for organizing the fundraisers. Throughout the course of 2008, the family raised $7,500, which they donated to the Heartly House, a Frederick-based nonprofit organization that serves victims of domestic violence.
Gail Pumphrey told her family that she wanted to volunteer at Heartly House once her life was more stable. Sollers said the murders were some of the most painful experiences of her life, but she and others in her family found strength in Gail Pumphrey's dedication to help others who were suffering domestic violence.
"Just knowing that she wanted to [work with victims of domestic violence] gives me the motivation," Sollers said. "That's what keeps us going."
The family was unable to hold its major fundraiser this year — a bull and oyster roast that was scheduled for Oct. 3 at La Fontaine Bleu in Glen Burnie — because they were unable to sell enough tickets, Sollers said. However, they intend to hold one next year if the economy improves, she said.
The family held a memorial vigil at Unity Park last Thanksgiving, between 5:03 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., when police believe the murders occurred.
Blackburn had purchased a candelabra with four candleholders intertwined and ascending to symbolize the moment that Gail Pumphrey and her children were killed. She displayed it at the vigil, where nearly 200 mourners gathered to remember the victims.
While Blackburn said it would be too difficult to make such a large vigil an annual event, she said she will never forget to be in the park on Thanksgiving to remember her sister, nephews and niece.
"I will be there every year at that time," Blackburn said.
E-mail Christian Brown at chbrown@gazette.net.
If you are still in the relationship:
-Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs. Avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom) or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
-Make a list of safe people to contact.
-Memorize all important numbers.
-Establish a "code word" or "sign" so that family, friends, teachers or co-workers know when to call for help.
If you have left the relationship:
-Change your phone number.
-Screen calls.
-Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries or other incidents involving the batterer.
-Change locks, if the batterer has a key.
-Avoid staying alone.
-Plan how to get away if confronted by an abusive partner.
-If you have to meet your partner, do it in a public place.
-Vary your routine.
-Notify school and work.
If you are experiencing domestic violence:
-Notify your supervisor and the human relations manager about the circumstances regarding your situation.
-Discuss options available to you, e.g., scheduling, safety precautions, employee/family assistance benefits.
-Submit a recent photo of the perpetrator to your safety manager in the event of a confrontation at work.
-Request that all information be treated with confidence to provide for your safety.
If you are the co-worker of someone experiencing domestic violence:
-If you suspect a co-worker is suffering abuse, do not directly confront her/him.
-Offer support by listening and assisting; when an individual is ready, she/he will confide.
-If a co-worker confides in you, encourage communication with the human resources manager.
-If you witness an incident at work, contact your safety manager or police immediately. Make sure that the incident is documented.
Source: The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, www.ncadv.org.
