Friday, July 31, 2009

Keeping this display of officer-involved domestic fatalities on top from now on...


To see this display larger, go here. I'll be adjusting the date monthly so it will remain on the top of the blog. Sadly, it will continue to be updated.


Officer Involved Domestic Violence Network

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Email me: oidvn@yahoo.com
[POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED OR PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE INTIMATE PARTNER FATALITIES]

Thursday, July 16, 2009

[OR] "Resigned" Deputy Claggett ditched his monitoring device, armed and dangerous with son headed to wife's house

...One of several charges with full bail attached is coercion with a firearm, and the bail is set at $1 million for that charge alone. He also is held on $100,000 bail for unlawful use of a firearm, and $50,000 for five charges of contempt of court. Besides those seven charges, he was jailed on seven other allegations ranging from unlawful possession of a firearm to assault and pointing a firearm at another person...



Previous posts:
JAIL DOOR SLAMS ON CLAGGETT
Former deputy allegedly tampers with monitoring bracelet, grabs son and drives toward wife's home

The Sandy Post
By Jim Hart
Jul 14, 2009
[Excerpts] Former Clackamas County sheriff's deputy Brandon Claggett was arraigned on new charges Friday, July 10, and his bail was increased significantly... He had agreed to release from custody as long as he followed certain rules such as staying away from his family, not possessing a gun and remaining inside his home except for emergencies. He also had to wear an electronic monitoring device. At about 4:30 a.m. Friday, officers were called to the Oregon City residence where Claggett resides. The electronic monitoring device he was wearing had transmitted a tamper alarm. Clackamas County issued an alert that said Claggett should be treated as armed and dangerous. Deputies discovered that Claggett was missing from his home, but later they located him in his pickup, with his son, allegedly heading toward his wife's home in Sandy... The boy was returned unharmed to his mother. Neither Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Kathie Steele nor Deputy District Attorney Shannon Kmetic is playing games with Claggett. Kmetic and Steele added five contempt of court charges to Claggett's growing list, and Steele changed the bail from its usual 10 percent status to full bail. One of several charges with full bail attached is coercion with a firearm, and the bail is set at $1 million for that charge alone. He also is held on $100,000 bail for unlawful use of a firearm, and $50,000 for five charges of contempt of court. Besides those seven charges, he was jailed on seven other allegations ranging from unlawful possession of a firearm to assault and pointing a firearm at another person, according to current inmate information on the Clackamas County Jail Web site. Three earlier charges have been dismissed. A judge ordered Claggett to wear the monitoring bracelet while awaiting trial set for early September after he was arrested and jailed in April, following an alleged domestic dispute and standoff in Oregon City. He is accused of holding his estranged wife at gunpoint in that incident. Claggett is scheduled to appear in court Friday, July 17. A 14-year veteran of the sheriff's office, Claggett resigned last October following accusations that connected him with sexual flirtation and inappropriate touching of teenage girls during ride-alongs as well as sending and receiving inappropriate sexual images by cell phone. But the district attorney's office declined to charge him in that case. [Full article here]

EX-CLACKAMAS DEPUTY CLAGGETT BACK IN COURT
kgw.com
By Eric Adams
Monday, July 13, 2009
[Excerpts] Former Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Claggett is headed back to court Monday for allegedly cutting his electronic monitoring bracelet and violating terms of release... His electronic ankle bracelet emitted a tamper alarm about 4:30 a.m. Friday, prompting Clackamas County to head out at check on him at his Oregon City residence. When they got there, Claggett was gone. Deputies sent out a call alerting police to be on the lookout for his truck... [Full article here]

THANK YOU TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR BRANDON CLAGGETT'S REARREST!
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement lethal weapons oregon city oregon state]

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

[NM] Ex-Officer Largo found GUILTY of killing girlfriend, Corrections Officer Freda Mae Smith & tampering with evidence


Former Navajo Police Officer Harrison Largo, 46, is going to prison until he's at least 76. Seven men and five women finished hearing testimony Friday - and less than two hours later decided Largo's fate. They took away his liberty for at least 31 1/2 years when they found him guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence...

New Mexico News Brief
koat.com
July 13, 2009
GALLUP, N.M. - A former Navajo police officer has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend. A state court jury deliberated two hours Friday evening before convicting Harrison Largo of the murder charge and a charge of tampering with evidence in the death of Frieda Smith. [LINK]

Previous Post:
[NM] Officer Largo beat his 1st wife, now has killed Freda - mother of 7
- ...Frieda Smith, of Thoreau, died Tuesday afternoon from gunshot wounds... According to local law enforcement, [Harrison] Largo has a history of domestic altercations that date back to at least 2002. According to court records, Largo was arrested on Dec. 15, 2002, on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges. The charges were filed after he was accused of the kidnapping of his then wife and teenage daughter at gunpoint and taking them to a remote area near the Zuni Mountains. The woman was then beaten until she and the teenager found a way to escape... Largo remained a cop for two years more after his documented domestic violence kidnap and aggravated assault...

Tearful testimony
Witness tells of seeing shooting by former Navajo Police officer

Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
July 9, 2009
GALLUP - Jurors heard from an eyewitness Wednesday to the killing of Frieda Toledo Smith, during day two of former Navajo Police Officer Harrison Largo's trial for first-degree murder. Senior Trial Prosecutor Kerry Comiskey told the jury during opening statements that Stevick Jim, 23, watched an execution-style killing just before 8 a.m. on May 20, 2008, - a day, Jim said Wednesday, that he has been trying to forget ever since. Jim lived with his mother and siblings in the trailer adjacent to Smith's trailer the day Smith died. He testified that he woke up about 7 a.m., and then fixed breakfast for his siblings before settling in at the computer to browse Myspace. The computer was against a window facing Smith's trailer. Capital Crimes Division Public Defender Steve McIlwain showed the jury photos during cross-examination of Jim's vantage point from the window. The photos, McIlwain argued, prove that Jim could not have seen what he says he did - at least not with the clarity and detail that are the substance of Jim's eyewitness testimony. [LINK]

Ex-cop a killer Jury finds Harrison Largo guilty of first-degree murder
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
July 11-12, 2009
GALLUP - Former Navajo Police Officer Harrison Largo, 46, is going to prison until he's at least 76. Seven men and five women finished hearing testimony Friday - and less than two hours later decided Largo's fate. They took away his liberty for at least 31 1/2 years when they found him guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Largo's attorney, Capital Crimes Public Defender Steve McIlwain, admitted during opening statements that Largo did in fact shoot and kill his ex-girlfriend, Frieda Smith, on May 20, 2008. The jury's decision to convict Largo on either first- or second-degree murder, or involuntary manslaughter, boiled down to whether the jury believed McIlwain's argument that Largo was too drunk, too lacking in wits that morning to intentionally shoot and kill Smith in cold blood. The difference in sentencing for each crime is substantial. First-degree murder carries a mandatory 30-year sentence, while second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 18 years. The lesser penalty is not a mandatory sentence and allows for some leniency from the judge, as well as the accumulation of "good time." Tampering with evidence is a third-degree felony, for which the penalty is three years in prison. [LINK]

OLDER:

'Harrison shot me'
Former NPD officer faces murder charge

Gallup Independent
By Philip Stake
August 19, 2008
...[Excerpts] ...Monday wasn't the first time Largo sat at the defense table. On Dec. 16, 2002, he was accused of savagely beating his girlfriend and her daughter... Now, the victim Freda Toledo Smith, is dead. She was shot four times with a .22-caliber rifle near her home inside Thoreau Trailer Park on May 20. When Deputy Ed Marble of the McKinley County Sheriff's office responded that day, she was still conscious and complaining of pain in her abdomen. She said "Harrison shot me"... [District Attorney Karl] Gillson, who is prosecuting Largo along with Assistant District Attorney Kerry Kamiski, said the case probably will not go to trial until mid-2009 because of its "sophistication"... [Full article here]


Hi my name is Leah I am Freda's oldest daughter and I would like to thanks those of you who have posted comments and encouraged us. We're still grieving and we are missing our mother very dearly. We well keep smiling and staying strong, our mother would have wanted us too....

Freda was a dear friend we all loved her. She was a great friend and a hard worker. Visiting Officer Freda Smith you will be missed. I enjoyed the time we served together in corrections. Kids keep your head up and keep smiling like your mom would want you to. Were all here for you if you need anything. Love you guys...
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities murder new mexico repeat history prison]

Monday, July 13, 2009

[FL] Deputies looking for ex-officer Ted Smith who drove into home & tried to strangle his wife

...[Ex-Quincey Police Officer] Ted Smith drove his van into the bedroom section of his and his wife's home... then went inside and chased his wife down the hall, grabbed her and then attempted to strangle her...



DEPUTIES SEEKING FORMER QUINCY POLICE OFFICER THEY SAY DROVE VAN INTO HOME, TRIED TO STRANGLE WIFE
Tallahassee Democrat
Elizabeth M. Mack
July 13, 2009
The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office is on the hunt for a former Quincy police officer, according to Lt. Jim Corder. Last night at 1:40 a.m. the Qunicy Police Department responded to reports of a domestic dispute. According to GCSO, Ted Smith drove his van into the bedroom section of his and his wife's home in the Lake Laura area. Smith then went inside and chased his wife down the hall, grabbed her and then attempted to strangle her, Corder said. He then fled the scene in another vehicle. Corder said that once found, Smith will be arrested on charges of burglary with persons assaulted or injured, domestic battery and felony criminal mischief. Return to Tallahassee.com for more on this story. [LINK]

DEPUTIES SEARCHING FOR QUINCY MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO KILL HIS WIFE
WCTV
Jul 13, 2009
Gadsden County Sheriff's deputies are searching for 47-year-old Ted Smith, who they say tried to kill his wife early Monday morning. Smith is a former police officer with the Quincy Police Department. Deputies say around 1:30 Monday morning (7/13) Smith drove a white van into the bedroom of his home where his wife was sleeping. He then assaulted her and fled the scene. Deputies are looking for him in Gadsden and Leon counties. He is a black male, around 5'9" tall and was last seen driving a 2000 blue Ford Explorer. There is a warrant out for his arrest and he will be charged with burglary with a victim battered, violation of an injunction, and felony criminal mischief. Deputies say more than $10,000 in damage was done to the home. On April 27th of 2009, Smith was served with a domestic violence injunction and was ordered to stay away from his wife. If you have any information regarding Smith's whereabouts please call the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office at 850-627-9233. [LINK]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement florida lethal protection order violation from abuse ppo pfa]

[US] After angry, divorcing Border Agent Rivera's hatchett attack “the entire room was covered in blood.”

Take the learning from this that will best serve you:

Erika Von der Heyde and Gamalier Rivera married in 2002, Erika found her husband's written list of what he would need to kill her in 2005, they divorced and then remarried in 2007. During their most recent divorce proceedings Erika lived in house with other people while increasingly afraid of her husband's mounting anger.

"The day before veteran Border Patrol Agent Gamalier Rivera was arrested in connection with a bloody hatchet attack in a house in Escondido where his estranged wife and daughter were living, a judge ordered that his wages be garnished to pay $2,200 a month in child and spousal support..."



Border Patrol worker arrested after hatchet attack
bakersfieldnow.com
Jul 9, 2009 at 1:49 PM PDT
By Associated Press
[Excerpts] A U.S. Border Patrol worker [Gamalier Rivera] has been arrested in Escondido following a hatchet attack that left a couple seriously injured... The couple was attacked when an assailant broke into their home... The boyfriend is in critical condition. The motive for the attack was not known... [Full article here]

Attack may be case of mistaken ID
Border Patrol employee faces charges in assault
San Diego Union-Tribune
By Debbi Baker and Jim Okerblom
July 10, 2009
[Excerpts] Police say the hatchet attack in Escondido that left a man in critical condition and his girlfriend injured may have been a case of mistaken identity... Gamalier Reyes Rivera, 32, a Border Patrol employee, was arrested at a nearby 7-Eleven with blood on his clothes... Rivera, who lives in Imperial Beach, may have mistaken the female victim for his estranged wife... Rivera's estranged wife, Erika Von der Heyde, and their 7-year-old daughter lived in the house, but neither was involved in the attack. In April 2005, Von der Heyde, 33, accused Rivera of writing a list of things he would need to kill her, including gloves, a plastic bag for her body and weights to sink the bag, according to court records in their divorce. Police seized the list and she was granted a three-year restraining order... Police said the male victim was struck several times in the neck and torso, and his girlfriend was wounded on her legs. Both victims are nurses, and the woman rented a room at the house, said her sister, Cassandra Bollas. Bollas said her sister didn't know the assailant, who came into her bedroom and immediately attacked her boyfriend. She said her sister screamed until a housemate ordered the attacker to leave. Police said six or seven people live in the house. Bollas said her sister, who was treated at a hospital and released, described a scene out of a horror movie, saying “the entire room was covered in blood”... Court records show a series of divorce and restraining order filings between Rivera and Von der Heyde that continued into last month. In July 2005, two months after the restraining order against Rivera was issued, it was dismissed while divorce proceedings continued. The couple subsequently remarried. On Feb. 5, 2009, Rivera requested a restraining order against Von der Heyde, alleging she had abused their daughter. It said she was a citizen of Venezuela and had visas for Peru and Germany, and asked that she be prohibited from leaving the country with the child. Judge Tamila Ipema denied the request. In April, Ipema ordered Rivera to pay child and spousal support. The court file does not indicate if he was granted any visitation. [Full article here]

SHORT TITLE: TERON V. RIVERA
CASE NUMBER: DS28615
I ERIKA VON DER HEYDE TERAN HEREBY DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY - 4/25/2005 - RESPONDENT IS MY HUSBAND AND WE HAVE [LIVED] TOGETHER FOR ABOUT FIVE AND YEARS AND BEEN MARRIED FOR THREE. ON THIS MORNING WE WERE FIGHTING ABOUT MY DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY AND MY FAMILY COMING TO STAY WITH US. WE ARGUED AND HE LEFT. I WENT IN HIS ROOM TO GET SOME PAPERS OUT AND I SAW A LIST. I STARTED READING THE LIST ONLY TO DISCOVER IT WAS RESPONDENT'S PLANS TO KILL ME. IT LISTED STEPS ABOUT WHAT HE NEEDED TO BUY, GLOVES, PLASTIC TRASH BAG, WEIGHTS. THAT HE NEEDED TO FIND A DARK PLACE WITH NO CARS, AND THEN DESCRIBED HOW HE WOULD PUT MY BODY IN THE BAG, WEIGH IT DOWN AND DESTROY THE EVIDENCE. IT EVEN SAID HOW HE WOULD ACT ONCE I WAS MISSING, REALLY MAD. I CALLED THE POLICE AND THEY TOOK THE LETTER. THE REPORT #05-024925. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED AND THE ONLY TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN HIM MAKE A LIST HE HAS FOLLOWED THROUGH ON EVERYTHING ON THE LIST. I NEED AN ORDER OF PROTECTION FOR MY DAUGHTER AND I, AND TO MAKE SURE HIS WEAPONS ARE TAKEN AWAY.
SIGNED: [SIGNATURE]
DATE: 4/25/2005


Read Chilling Details in TRO Granted to Wife of Hatchet Attacker
sandiego6.com
Lynn Stuart
Last Update: 7/10 5:09 pm
[Excerpts] In April of 2005, the wife of a U.S. border patrol employee charged in a brutal hatchet attack was granted a temporary restraining order against her husband. In it, Erika Von Der Heyde Teran states that she and her husband, Gamalier Rivera, fought over having relatives stay at the house during a visit. After the fight, Erika discovered a list written by her husband in which he detailed how he planned to murder her and dispose of the body... Investigators were called to a bloody crime scene just after 1 a.m. Thursday morning. Now a U.S. Border Patrol employee, Gamalier Rivera, is accused of trying to hack a couple to death in their own home... Investigators aren't sure how Rivera got into the house... Rivera will be charged with a least two counts of attempted homicide. [Full article here]

Hatchet attack suspect faced pay garnishment

San Diego Union-Tribune
By Kristina Davis
July 11, 2009
[Excerpts] The day before veteran Border Patrol Agent Gamalier Rivera was arrested in connection with a bloody hatchet attack in a house in Escondido where his estranged wife and daughter were living, a judge ordered that his wages be garnished to pay $2,200 a month in child and spousal support... The 29-year-old male victim, who police have not identified, remained in critical condition but was stabilizing by Friday afternoon. The woman was treated and released for leg injuries. Rivera's wife, Erika Von der Heyde, and their 7-year-old daughter were in another room of the house and were not injured, Escondido police Lt. Bob Benton said. Investigators are still trying to determine if Von der Heyde was the intended target. In a court document filed in April, Von der Heyde said Rivera was growing angry about their divorce. “Unfortunately, I believe Gamalier has let his anger over our pending divorce and the financial obligations that come along with that cloud his judgment... In fact, Gamalier recently told me that he was going to quit his job and get a job making minimum wage, telling me that I would never get money from him”... According to court records, Rivera earns about $104,400 annually. He joined the Border Patrol in 2003 after marrying his wife for the first time in 2002. They met in Venezuela, her home country, while she worked for the U.S. Embassy and he was in the Marine Corps. Wednesday's court order was the latest development in their two bitter divorce cases... Van der Heyde also said Rivera “seems to be addicted to watching pornography on the Internet,” and court records say the computer was seized and there was an investigations “by law enforcement and possibly by internal affairs at the Border Patrol”... Two months later, the order was dismissed while divorce proceedings continued. The couple remarried in Nevada in August 2007 and co-own the Imperial Beach condo, according to records... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities murder abuse united states federal brutal california]

[WA] Jailed nearly 20 years - Ex-Officer Spenser's now-grown children say the abuse never happened

...After the hearing, [former Vancouver police Officer Clyde Ray] Spencer, who has received his doctorate in clinical psychology but cannot get his state license as long as he has a criminal record, said he will just have to wait and see. But at least he has his children, who didn't talk to him for more than 20 years. "They were my life, and they were taken away from me. That was the hardest part. I could serve in prison," Spencer said, before his voice trailed off, and his son came up for another hug...

CHILDREN: FATHER DIDN'T ABUSE US: EX-VANCOUVER POLICE OFFICER SPENT NEARLY 20 YEARS IN PRISON
The Columbian
By Stephanie Rice
July 11, 2009
[Excerpts] The two adult children of former Vancouver police Officer Clyde Ray Spencer, who spent nearly 20 years in prison after being convicted of molesting them, testified in court Friday that the abuse never happened. A 33-year-old son recalled how, at age 9, he was repeatedly questioned, alone, by now-retired Detective Sharon Krause, of the Clark County Sheriff's Office. He said that after months of questioning, he said he had been abused just to get Krause to leave him alone. A 30-year-old daughter said she doesn't remember what she told Krause at age 5, but recalled Krause bought her ice cream. The brother and sister, who live in Sacramento, Calif., said that while growing up in California they were told by their mother, who divorced Spencer before he was charged, that they were blocking out the memory of the abuse. They said they realized as adults the abuse had never happened. The fallout from Friday's hearing won't be known for months, after appellate judges weigh in. But the hearing does pave the way for the state Court of Appeals to allow Spencer to withdraw the no-contest pleas he entered in 1985 and have his convictions vacated... In 1985, Spencer was also convicted of abusing a 4-year-old stepson, who was not at Friday's hearing... The Court of Appeals ruled his testimony was not necessary, given his age at the time of the alleged crimes and the fact that his mother had had an affair with Krause's supervisor... In 1985, Spencer entered the no-contest pleas, a type of guilty plea, after learning his court-appointed attorney had not prepared a defense. He felt pleading no contest was his only option, and that he would appeal his convictions. Former Judge Thomas Lodge sentenced Spencer to two life terms in prison plus 14 years. For several years, Spencer's appeals failed. He was denied parole five times because he refused to admit guilt and enter a sex-offender treatment program... If the Court of Appeals vacates Spencer's convictions, the case would return to the Clark County Prosecutor's Office. Charges would either be refiled or dismissed... Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Dennis Hunter wasn't ready to wave a white flag on Friday. He said if convictions are tossed, prosecutors could appeal to the state Supreme Court. After the hearing, Spencer, who has received his doctorate in clinical psychology but cannot get his state license as long as he has a criminal record, said he will just have to wait and see. But at least he has his children, who didn't talk to him for more than 20 years. "They were my life, and they were taken away from me. That was the hardest part. I could serve in prison," Spencer said, before his voice trailed off, and his son came up for another hug. [Full article here]

EXCERPTS FROM OLDER ARTICLES:

FORMER POLICEMAN MAY GET NEW TRIAL
The Columbian
BRUCE WESTFALL
Tuesday, September 10, 1996
A federal judge will rule soon on a dispute that could mean a new trial for a former Vancouver policeman who claims he was wrongly accused of child sexual abuse. U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan is expected to decide in the next week or two whether a certain medical report is a key to the case. Clyde Ray Spencer , 48, pleaded guilty in 1985 to 11 counts of child sexual abuse involving three small children. Spencer claimed he had no memory of the crimes but acknowledged that a jury probably would convict him... Meanwhile, Spencer is serving a lengthy prison term at the McNeil Island Corrections Center near Steilacoom, Wash.

LOCKE PARDONS MOSTLY PRAISED - QUESTIONS OFTEN RAISED ABOUT CONVICTIONS IN TWO CASES
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)
HECTOR CASTRO AND TRACY JOHNSON P-I reporters
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Shortly before his term is to end, Gov. Gary Locke has granted freedom to two life-term inmates who have already served nearly 20 years on their sentences. Both Susan Cummings, 37, convicted in the 1983 slaying of an elderly Walla Walla woman, and Clyde Ray Spencer , 56, a former police officer serving two life terms and a 14-year sentence for multiple convictions of first-degree statutory rape, are to be released... Locke's order notes problems with the case against Spencer , including lack of medical evidence of abuse of the victims, inconsistent statements from the victims and the fact that the supervisor of the detectives investigating the case had an affair with Spencer 's wife...

FORMER COP'S LIFE SENTENCE IS COMMUTED
The Columbian
Friday, December 31, 2004
STEPHANIE RICE, Columbian staff writer
A former Vancouver Police Department officer who has spent 19 years in prison for sexually assaulting three children has had his life sentence commuted by Gov. Gary Locke. Clyde Ray Spencer , 56, will be freed but must report to a corrections officer for three years and participate in sex offender treatment, if ordered. Locke signed the commutation order Dec. 23. Clark County Prosecutor Art Curtis said he was blindsided by the announcement... He said Spencer, fired from the police department in January 1985 after his arrest, has always maintained his innocence. "From the day he pled guilty, he was trying to withdraw his plea," Curtis said... On May 16, 1985, Spencer pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree statutory rape and four counts of complicity to statutory rape. The complicity charges dealt with Spencer 's making the children perform sex acts with one another as he watched. Spencer entered an Alford plea, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged a jury would likely find him guilty... Spencer will live with Norma Spencer, a registered nurse he married while incarcerated...

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: FAILURE OF JUSTICE HAS A HIGH COST
The Columbian
Sunday, October 9, 2005
KEN OLSEN and STEPHANIE RICE, Columbian staff writers
Ray Spencer had spent more time behind bars than anyone else convicted of child sexual abuse in Washington when he was freed just after Christmas 2004... Today, there is considerable evidence Spencer was the subject of a flawed investigation and court process... In the commutation order, Locke cited that a supervising detective and Spencer's wife had an affair; that detectives withheld medical exams that found no evidence of abuse; and that Spencer's 9-year-old son denied the molestations for eight months, changing his story only after a detective threatened him with a lie detector test. Locke also noted that a renowned child abuse prosecutor found significant problems with the investigation, including the techniques used to interview Spencer's daughter... To ensure that interviews are conducted fairly and documented accurately, Portland-based CARES Northwest one of the largest child abuse assessment agencies in the nation has videotaped victim interviews since 1987. Clark County still refuses to videotape such interviews... Prosecutors cite at least two reasons for pursuing the Spencer case. After months of questioning, two trips to a psychiatric hospital and heavy doses of antidepressants, Spencer started telling investigators he couldn't remember molesting anyone. Prosecutors say that inability to remember is proof of Spencer's guilt... Prosecutors also cite King County Deputy Prosecutor Rebecca Roe's analysis of the case. A well-known child abuse expert, Roe had rejected the case because of numerous flaws. But Roe also mentioned she believed Spencer's daughter was abused and probably by Spencer...

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: RELEASE FROM PRISON DOESN'T MEAN FREEDOM, EX-COP FINDS
The Columbian, (Vancouver, WA)
Ken Olsen and Stephanie Rice
Monday, October 10, 2005
...Spencer married C-Tran bus driver Shirley Hansen in 1983. While he was away at police training in August 1984, his daughter told Shirley that her mommy, daddy and ex-girlfriend Karen Stone all molested her. (Detectives focused almost exclusively on Spencer.) The girl returned to DeAnne's home in California before Spencer got home. When he arrived, Spencer had Shirley write a detailed description of his daughter's allegations and reported them to the Clark County Sheriff's Office and child protective services in California. A Sacramento County detective had DeAnne take her daughter to the University of California Davis Medical Center. A medical exam found no evidence of sexual abuse... [Now-Retired Clark County Sheriff's Detective] Krause repeatedly questioned Spencer's 9-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. His daughter continued to implicate her father, police reports said. His son not only denied any sexual misconduct by Spencer, but told a California investigator his sister fabricated stories. That changed suddenly, eight months into the investigation, when Krause threatened the boy with a lie detector test.. [King County Deputy Prosecutor Rebecca] Roe wrote in an analysis of the case that it was "legally insufficient" and "unwinnable." The daughter's claim of multiple suspects, her inconsistencies and other factors "create questions about fact vs. fantasy"... The Vancouver Police Department fired Spencer on Jan. 5, 1985... Six months after the first accusation, Spencer told his second wife he was leaving her and moved out of the house. He made another trip to the psychiatric ward, then moved into a Salmon Creek motel. His troubles multiplied. Shirley Spencer dropped her 5-year-old son off at the motel one night. The boy accused his father of sexually abusing him at the motel, according to Detective Krause... Meanwhile, a medical examination of Shirley's son conducted soon after the alleged motel incident found no evidence of the heinous sexual crimes Spencer allegedly committed. Results of that examination, as well as the results of Spencer's daughter's examination, were never provided to prosecutors or Spencer 's defense attorney. In his Dec. 23 order commuting Spencer's life sentence, Gov. Gary Locke cited several "troubling aspects" with the investigation. He includes the withheld medical reports and an affair between Davidson and Shirley Spencer. Shirley Spencer denies getting romantically involved with Davidson until long after Ray Spencer went to prison and both she and Davidson were divorced. Shirley acknowledges, however, that her involvement with Davidson and their living together for five years casts suspicion on the investigation... Fellow inmates at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton soon learned that Spencer was an ex-cop and, at night, shook the bars of their cells and shouted, "Let's kill the cop," Spencer said. He was transferred to solitary confinement and then moved to a prison in Boise, where he told inmates he was an air traffic controller convicted of dealing drugs. Spencer contacted the triage nurse he had fallen in love with on Guam. They married in a prison chapel in September 1987. Norma started working two jobs to pay Spencer's legal bills and help him mount a new appeal... Help came decades later. Three years ago, Kathryn Penry started hunting for her half-brother, Ray Spencer , whom she'd lost touch with years earlier. When she found him in prison, Penry began lobbying for a pardon. Spencer 's attorney felt as if a pardon was too much to request. The end result was a commutation with several strings attached...
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement child sex abuse children false charges memories recant]

Sunday, July 12, 2009

[Il] <2005> Insight from retired Police Lt.: Impossible to estimate number of police family homicides...

"...I know it sounds horrible, but one of the first lessons police learn is to protect each other, and it’s that sense of loyalty that dictated our actions..."

A FAMILY AFFAIR

POLICE: The Law Enforcement Magazine

by Gina Gallo
Current Issue, February 2005
[Excerpts] ...Retired Chicago Police Department Homicide Lt. Dennis Banahan believes it would be impossible to estimate the number of domestic homicides that occurred within police families during his 31-year career because of the unofficial protocol for handling such cases. “Since the earliest days of law enforcement, domestic violence in police families was considered an officer’s personal business, one of those private realms into which departmental administrators chose not to involve themselves... Their attitude was that unless the problem affected an officer’s job performance, they’d prefer to ignore it. Whatever happened behind closed doors remained private. Since a large part of a cop’s M.O. is to maintain a game face, personal problems were considered just more of what we were expected to suck up and keep hidden... Our agencies offered nothing but after-the-fact damage control... That’s when the infamous 'Code of Silence' came into play. The first officers arriving at the scene of any cop-involved domestic violence call were expected to be the primary spin doctors... She [the victim] would be told that an arrest would serve no one’s best interests, and would absolutely jeopardize the officer’s job, thereby threatening the family’s security... That was a rationale I always found particularly offensive. In effect, that’s telling a bleeding victim, ‘Hey, sorry about the broken arm and that your nose will never be the same again, but drop a dime on this guy and you’ll all be in the welfare line tomorrow.’... I know it sounds horrible, but one of the first lessons police learn is to protect each other, and it’s that sense of loyalty that dictated our actions. As a rookie cop, I was told that my co-workers’ personal problems weren’t exposed, not in public and certainly not in a police report. In incidents of police domestic violence, it wasn’t simply a case of abuse and injury. It was also about protecting a brother cop’s career... I’ve seen officers neglect to offer victims the option to sign complaints, or not give them the standard victim’s information rights sheets we normally distribute to other abuse victims... Some victims demand to swear out a peace bond, which in Illinois is called an ‘order of protection.’ So our officers might say, truthfully, that there’s no such thing as a peace bond in Illinois. What they don’t mention is the order of protection that can be issued by court order after a police report’s been filed... When the victims took their complaints to a higher level of the Department’s administration, the stonewalling continued... Without a viable alternative plan in place, the brass had nothing to offer the victim and risked adverse media exposure [if they took any action]... When I became a homicide detective, that’s when I saw the results... Too many bricks in that Blue Wall of Silence triggered more domestic homicides and suicides than I care to think about”... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement abuse oidv illinois cpd police culture]

[OH] Officer Iannantuono's "personal issue" is not his first

Typing in my sleep: Personal issues. Guns. Terroristic threatenings.

Lorain police officer disciplined
Chronicle-Telegram
Brad Dicken
July 11, 2009
[Excerpts] A Lorain police officer was briefly suspended and his duties limited while his superiors investigate allegations involving a “personal issue” with a police dispatcher. Lorain police Capt. William Engle said that Officer Zachary Iannantuono will also have to complete a “fitness for duty review” before he is allowed to return to patrolling... Iannantuono was relieved of his duty weapon Thursday evening and temporarily placed on leave, but Engle said that as a precaution he would be limited to working either the city jail or on desk duty until the investigation is complete. He cannot act in the capacity of a police officer until the investigation is resolved. This isn’t the first time that Iannantuono has had an issue with a police dispatcher... Iannantuono sent a series of text messages to an on-duty police dispatcher in which he “made overt statements of depression and harming himself,” [Capt. Robert] Davey wrote. The messages concerned the dispatcher, and she notified a lieutenant, who called Iannantuono to check on him. An investigation later determined that Iannantuono had been drinking the night of the text messages, and he told his superiors that he never had any intention of harming himself. But Davey also concluded that Iannantuono may have emotional problems because of the alleged relationship with the girl in Perkins Township and his 2003 divorce. Iannantuono agreed to the extension of his probationary period and was later ordered to attend four one-hour therapy sessions, according to his personnel file... [Full article here]

Saturday, July 11, 2009

I haven't been posting as much lately but I'm not gone!

I have a magnificent daughter who is home on convalescent leave from the military and I have the honor of hosting her guests and taking care of her this month. July just won't get the normal attention here on the blog. So to all of you misbehaving in July - lucky you because she's my priority until she's back to her mighty physical health.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

[IN] Sgt. Downey's domestic battery, owi hearing moved to July 29th

HEARING DELAYED FOR SOUTH BEND OFFICER ACCUSED OF BATTERING WIFE
South Bend Tribune
July 08. 2009 2:39PM
SOUTH BEND — The hearing for a South Bend police officer charged with battery and operating while intoxicated has been delayed. A hearing for Sgt. Eric Downey that was scheduled for Tuesday was postponed until 8 a.m. July 29. Downey was arrested May 20 after officers were called to his home by his wife, who alleged abuse. Police said Downey later arrived home drunk while officers were at his home. Downey has disputed both charges in interviews with The Tribune. The officer remains on administrative leave with pay. [Source]

Previous posts:

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

[IL] Injured wife of unnamed police officer won't participate in dv charges against him

..."The victim refused to cooperate by giving any type of written statement or release of medical records"...

Previous unnamed East St. Louis Officer on the blog:
[IL] East St. Louis Police hired officer who has a domestic violence warrant - ...One of the 10 new officers sworn in last week had an outstanding warrant on a charge of domestic battery. [City Councilman Delbert] Marion said some of the other [just-hired] recruits have criminal backgrounds or questionable employment histories...

NO CHARGES AGAINST EAST ST. LOUIS POLICE OFFICER IN DOMESTIC BATTERY CASE
Belleville News Democrat
By Carolyn P. Smith
Jul. 08, 2009
EAST ST. LOUIS -- St. Clair County sheriff's investigators on Monday presented a domestic battery case involving an East St. Louis police officer to the state's attorney's office, which has declined to press charges. The person who filed the report against the male officer was his wife... "Deputies were called to the emergency room of a local hospital where the victim was seeking medical treatment to investigate," Johnson said. "The victim refused to cooperate by giving any type of written statement or release of medical records." Johnson said sheriff's investigators took the case to the state's attorney's office and asked the victim to go along. "She refused," he said... "At the conclusion of our investigation, we presented the case to the state's attorney's office," Johnson said. "They declined to issue charges." The identity of the officer is being withheld because no charges were filed. Asked whether the officer is a veteran, Johnson said he's been with the police department for some time. East St. Louis Police Chief Lenzie Stewart also acknowledged there was an investigation taking place... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement uncooperative recant illinois]

Friday, July 3, 2009

[WA] Jury awards Deputy Bird's ex-wife damages

Jury awards deputy's ex-wife some damages for rights violation
ADAM LYNN, The News Tribune
Published: 07/01/09 5:55 pm
Updated: 07/02/09 7:29 am
[Excerpts] A Pierce County jury on Wednesday awarded $32,500 in damages to a woman who claimed her rights were violated when a sheriff’s sergeant allowed her estranged husband – a sheriff’s detective – to enter her home to collect some personal belongings five years ago... [Kitsap County visiting Judge Sally] Olsen ruled early on in the case that [Pierce County Sheriff's Sgt. Tom] Seymour had violated [Krista] Osborne’s Fourth Amendment rights on July 28, 2004, when he allowed [Pierce County Sheriff's Detective Lloyd] Bird to enter the University Place home he once shared with Osborne to collect some of his clothes and other items... The jury also decided that Bird, who was off-duty that day, trespassed when he entered the house in violation of a protection order... The jury rejected Osborne’s contention that Bird’s actions were outrageous and that he had interfered with her employment. Osborne, a former law enforcement officer now working in the private sector, had claimed Bird accessed her personal e-mail account to send damaging notes to her superiors... [Full article here]

Previous post:
[WA] Ex-Cop Krista Osborne suing her deputy ex-husband Lloyd Bird, the entity Pierce County, and Sgt. Tom Seymour

[TN] Officer Devers allowed to retire before re-arrest for breaking in, throwing gas on & threatening his girlfriend

A Bartlett police officer, released from jail after allegedly threatening to set his girlfriend on fire was arrested again on Tuesday, on aggravated burglary charges stemming from the same incident, only this time, no bond was set. Before 44-year old Phillip Devers was re-arrested Tuesday, the officer was allowed to retire from the Bartlett Police Department...

BARTLETT OFFICER ARRESTED AFTER CHILLING 911 CALL
WREG
Kelly Hessedal
June 29, 2009
[Excerpts] A Bartlett police officer faces charges tonight after a chilling 911 call. Tipton County deputies say Officer Phillip Devers forced his way inside his girlfriend's home and attacked her... The victim called dispatchers moments after she says he attacked her. Dispatcher: "Take a deep breath for me, did he hit you?" Caller: "He forced his way into my house (inaudible) ..he poured gasoline on me." Dispatcher: "He poured gas on you?" Caller: "Yes." Caller: "He refused to get out of the house. He forced his way into my house. Can you get someone here?" Dispatcher: "Sweetie, I'm gonna get someone out there, I'm gonna need you to take a deep breath, ok?" According to sheriff's deputies, the veteran Bartlett cop also spit in his girlfriend's face and then took off before investigators arrived. Caller: "I'm so afraid he's gonna twist it around (crying)." Dispatcher: "Listen to me, listen to me, what's his name?" Caller: "Phil Devers. D-E-V-E-R-S." Dispatcher: "Charles?" Caller: "No, Philip. Philip R?. He's a Bartlett cop." Dispatcher: "Did you get gasoline off you?" Caller: "No, it's still on me. He poured it on me on the steps of my house and said he was gonna burn it down"... [Full article here]



MORE CHARGES FOR BARTLETT EX-COP
myfoxmemphis.com
30 Jun 2009
[Excerpts] A Bartlett patrol officer resigned Tuesday on the heels of accusations he doused his ex-girlfriend in gasoline, as well as new charges filed against him that same day. 44-year old Phillip Devers is charged with domestic aggravated assault... Devers was released on bond on the aggravated assault charge, but Deputy Chief Donna Turner with the Tipton County Sheriff's Department stated once they investigated the case further they added the charge aggravated burglary and a judge ruled Devers be held without bond. Bartlett Police Chief Gary Rikard says Devers had been on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation unrelated to this inceident... [Full article here]



9-1-1 CALL RELEASED IN GAS ATTACK
myfoxmemphis.com
Amy Cowman
30 Jun 2009, 5:21 PM CDT
[Excerpts] "My ex-boyfriend he's already left but I need to file a report against him, I don't want him to come back he's a cop, send someone out please"... [LK] goes on to tell police she's filed charges on Devers in the past but dropped them, and was able to get him to leave before he could set her on fire which she says he threatened to do. "Did you get the gasoline off you or is it still on?" asks the dispatcher. "No it's still on me, he poured it on me and the steps of my house and said he was going to burn it down," answers [LK]. [LK] says she was able to get her phone before he could do that. "I told him I was calling ya'll and he got mad and finally left, I started yelling help but I live in a rural area so I don't think anyone heard me." Devers was released on bond on the aggravated assault charge, but Deputy Chief Donna Turner with the Tipton County Sheriff's Department says once they investigated the case further they added the charge aggravated burglary and a judge ruled Devers be held with no bond. "For the severity of it and also that there is some type of past history there between the two and the violence obviously the judge's goal as well as ours is for any type of violence to not continue," says Chief Turner. http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/063009_911_Call_Released_in_Gas_Attack



BARTLETT EX-COP ARRESTED AGAIN
Aggravated Burglary Added to Charges
myfoxmemphis.com
Jill Monier
30 Jun 2009, 9:14 PM CDT
[Excerpts] A Bartlett police officer, released from jail after allegedly threatening to set his girlfriend on fire was arrested again on Tuesday, on aggravated burglary charges stemming from the same incident, only this time, no bond was set. Before 44-year old Phillip Devers was re-arrested Tuesday, the officer was allowed to retire from the Bartlett Police Department... In a 911 call made by [LK], she claimed the officer had been abusive before. [LK] claims, "He's had a history of domestic violence with me and I let him go when I went and had charges against him, but I had them dropped. I probably should have never done that." Fox 13 could find no record of any prior domestic violence incidents between [LK] and Devers in Bartlett or Tipton County... Fox 13 wanted to know about the Bartlett Police Department’s domestic violence policy and training for officers, but the Bartlett Police Chief did not return our calls. Meanwhile, Tipton County deputies say Devers will be held in segregation since he was a police officer. His court date is set for July 14th. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement tennessee terroristic threatening history repeat]

[NC] Officer Eldridge charged for kicking his (beloved?) wife's head, and it's not the first domestic incident

...[WILMINGTON POLICE OFFICER JAMES] ELDRIDGE WAS CHARGED WITH KICKING HIS WIFE IN THE HEAD AND GRABBING HER ARMS... THE REPORT ALSO SHOWS A GUN WAS INVOLVED... THERE IS A PRIOR HISTORY OF DOCUMENTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS BETWEEN ELDRIDGE AND THE VICTIM...



In the video Director Of Open Gate Domestic Violence Shelter Renee Mcgill-Cox says of "typical" abusers and victims,
"People don't
realize that
these people
love
each other."

A man who kicks a woman in the head does NOT love her and it's deadly to reinforce that idea in a victim. How can Wilmington be ready to protect an officer's wife if that is their assessment of general domestic violence?

Wilmington Police Department is doing an in-house investigation.

WILMINGTON POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING HIS WIFE
By: News 14 Carolina
07/02/2009
[Excerpts] A Wilmington police officer has been arrested in Brunswick County, charged with assaulting his wife. Brunswick County deputies arrested Officer James Eldridge on Tuesday after an incident in Leland. Arrest warrants show the assault happened at Eldridge's home. The report also shows a gun was involved, but it's not clear in what way. Court documents also showed that Eldridge was charged with kicking his wife in the head and grabbing her arms... Eldridge remains in the Brunswick County jail. [Full article here]

WILMINGTON POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT ON A FEMALE
StarNewsOnline.com
July 2, 2009
[Excerpts] ...A domestic violence form filed in connection with the case says a gun was involved in the incident, but doesn't say how. The form also identifies the victim as Eldridge's spouse. The form says there is a prior history of documented domestic violence allegations between Eldridge and the victim. But there was no restraining order in place at the time of the incident, the form says... After his arrest, Eldridge was put on leave without pay, pending the outcome of an internal investigation by the police department... His bond was set at $5,000, and he waived his right to a court-appointed attorney. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement north carolina terroristic threatening]

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

[AZ] Officer Allen allowed to resign, relinquished certification, & banished from Arizona law enforcement

Previous post:
[AZ] Officer Allen used fake identity to harass his ex girlfriends - ...No one knows why Allen wanted to set up his former girlfriend as a suspect in a fake stolen car case. But he walked into a detective's office on July 9 and claimed that [MJ] was involved in the crime, and that Fowler had tipped him off...

OFFICER WITH 2 IDENTITIES BANISHED FROM POLICE FORCE
The Arizona Republic
by Megan Boehnke
Jun. 23, 2009 05:25 PM
A former Chandler police officer who exchanged more than 13,000 texts and calls with his alter ego surrendered his officer certification last week, almost a year after a criminal investigation uncovered bizarre story and led him to resign. The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board voted to accept an agreement Bradley Allen signed in late April that relinquished his certification as a police officer and barred him from ever working as a cop in the state again... When detectives searched Fowler's phone records, they discovered he was using a prepaid phone that did not require a verification of the owner's identity because it was not a subscription... When officers interviewed the ex-girlfriend, Marcella Johnson, she said Allen ended their six-year relationship claiming she was cheating on him with [David] Fowler, who was sending her and Allen text messages. But when she hired two separate private investigators, both concluded Fowler didn't exist and was likely Allen acting out as the other man... The detectives then told Allen they had no choice but to charge him with false reporting. He resigned from his post the next day, August 1, before an internal affairs investigation could be completed. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement arizona]

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

[OH] "RETIRED" Detective Earl can't have guns, AGAIN

...Nadine Glass obtained the protection order at a hearing Friday during which she presented a two-page document listing [Ex-Lorain Detective & Police Union President Corey] Earl’s alleged harassment of her dating back to May. Under the terms of the order, Earl must stay 500 feet away from Glass, and he isn’t permitted to possess a firearm...

I had to delete what I wanted to say here. I'll just post this.

Previous entries:
EX-COP'S EX-GIRLFRIEND ASKS FOR PROTECTION
Chronicle-Telegram - Brad Dicken
June 30, 2009

ELYRIA - The ex-girlfriend of former Lorain police officer Corey Earl has obtained a civil stalking protection order against him.

Nadine Glass obtained the protection order at a hearing Friday during which she presented a two-page document listing Earl’s alleged harassment of her dating back to May.

Under the terms of the order, Earl must stay 500 feet away from Glass, and he isn’t permitted to possess a firearm.

Glass wrote that Earl, 47, routinely drives by her home, regularly sends her text messages ranging from angry to threatening to apologetic to delusional, calls her repeatedly and is stalking her and her children.

She said they haven’t dated in more than a year.

Glass accused Earl, who took disability retirement earlier this year after suffering a series of strokes last summer, of leaving a rose on the windshield of her car while it was parked in her garage on Mother’s Day.

He also knocked on her door two weeks later and asked to be let inside, leaving only because she threatened to call police, according to Glass. She said after Earl left, he went to her ex-husband’s home and began crying.

Glass also said Earl began calling her new boyfriend’s work and leaving him messages saying he needed to warn him about her.

Glass also said Earl followed her on June 10 and began honking his horn at her.

Earl also allegedly left clothing, including new underwear that did not belong to her, on her driveway while she was away on vacation. Her ex-husband found the underwear when he and her children went to her house to feed her dogs.

Glass said in the court documents that she had asked Earl’s friends, including attorney Mike Duff, to get him to stop harassing her.

Duff called Glass’s allegations “not truthful.”

“He has not been harassing her and has not been bothering her,” he said.

This isn’t the first time Glass has made a complaint against Earl. Late last year, she filed a complaint with Lorain police accusing him of leaving her unwanted voicemails and text messages. Earl wasn’t charged in that case, but he did plead no contest to telephone harassment in March to making harassing phone calls to his ex-wife, Laura Earl.

Earl avoided jail time and was ordered to pay $250 in fines and Oberlin Municipal Court officials plan to monitor his behavior for the next three years.

Earl’s ex-wife obtained a protection order in the summer of 2007 after he reportedly threatened to kill himself in the couple’s Amherst home.

Charges he had violated that protection order were later dropped.

A county sheriff’s corrections officer also sought - and later dropped - a protection order against Earl after Earl allegedly told three sheriff’s captains that he was going to beat the corrections officer with a baseball bat.

Earl had a string of disciplinary problems during his final years with the Lorain Police Department, including writing a joke traffic ticket and pulling over his ex-girlfriend’s ex-husband.

A full hearing on the latest protection order, which also bars Earl from coming near Glass’s children, is set for Thursday.

Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/06/30/ex-cop%E2%80%99s-ex-girlfriend-asks-for-protection/

[TX] Officer Jefferson charged with domestic violence related felonies

FORT WORTH OFFICER FACES FELONY CHARGES
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX
By Deanna Boyd dboyd@star-telegram.com
Jun. 26, 2009
[Excerpts] A Fort Worth police officer who garnered attention and awards after pulling an Arlington officer from a burning car in 2004 now faces felony charges after police say he assaulted his wife and shot a gun at an acquaintance. Cpl. Yatashka Jefferson, who has been with the Fort Worth Police Department for about eight years, surrendered at the Tarrant County Jail on Thursday afternoon on warrants accusing him of aggravated assault, assault and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony other than theft. He was immediately released after posting bail... The major-case unit is conducting the criminal investigation, and the internal-affairs unit is handling the administrative investigation. Jefferson, who had most recently been assigned to the criminal tracking unit, was placed on restricted duty. He is prohibited from wearing a uniform or carrying a gun or badge... [Full article here]

[FL] Now-fired Deputy Thompson's defense for almost beating his wife to death

The judge is being asked to believe that in order to "defend himself and to remove the gun from his homicidal/ suicidal wife” Leon County Deputy Mark Thompson had to handcuff her, drag her across the floor, break two bones in her arm, break both of her eye sockets by punching her face repeatedly, crush her spleen to the point it had to be surgically removed, kick her up and down her body leaving multiple bruises, beating her from August 10th into August 11th.

PREVIOUS POST:
[FL] PRAY FOR DEPUTY'S WIFE TO HAVE STRENGTH DURING THE TRIAL THAT IS BEGINNING NOW & IF YOU ARE LIKE HER, SEARCH, FIND SOMEONE TO HELP YOU ESCAPE

FORMER LEON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ON TRIAL IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE
Tallahassee Democrat
Elizabeth M. Mack
June 30, 2009
[Excerpts] Objections were on the rise Monday during the trial of former Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Thompson as his ex-wife testified before the court in a domestic-violence case against Thompson. Thompson’s ex-wife sat nervously before jurors as she testified about the events that took place the night of her August 10, 2007, birthday and in the days afterward. While fighting back tears, she said she was terrified for her life. “I was scared to death, I thought he was going to kill me,” she said. “My main focus was staying conscious and alive”... She said she “knew it was going to be bad” and that her husband was in one of his moods... She was later hospitalized after being beaten by Thompson... Thompson’s attorney painted the ex-wife as controlling, irrationally jealous and abusive. “We believe that the evidence will show that (Thompson) never put a gun to (his wife’s) head nor beat her with an intent to kill, but only to defend himself and to remove the gun from his homicidal/suicidal wife” Thompson’s attorney Bruce Ellison said... Thompson was arrested at his parent’s travel trailer at Big Bend Oak RV on North Monroe Street where he threatened to kill himself during a 30-minute standoff with members of his former department, according to the LCSO. [Full article here]

Monday, June 29, 2009

[FL] Detective Fuller fired, and arrested for stalking

LEON COUNTY DEPUTY FIRED, ARRESTED ON STALKING CHARGES
By Matt Gilmour
June 20, 2009
[Excerpts] A Leon County deputy was arrested June 10 on a misdemeanor charge of stalking, the same day he was fired after an unrelated internal-affairs investigation, said Tony Drzewiecki, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. Eldridge "Lee" Fuller, 38, was arrested on charges of stalking and harassing communications and booked at the Leon County Jail, Drzewiecki said. He was placed on pre-trial release June 11. The Sheriff's Office began an investigation after receiving a complaint May 23 from a former girlfriend of Fuller's... "(Investigators) discovered that his contact and continual inquiries to maintain contact with her had risen to the level of stalking," Drzewiecki said... Meanwhile, an internal-affairs investigation found that Fuller violated standards of conduct, disregarded job duties and was untruthful in an unofficial proceeding, Drzewiecki said. The investigation began after the Sheriff's Office received phone calls April 5 about a marked patrol car that had been parked outside a woman's residence... Lt. Todd McKissack drove to the residence and found Fuller's patrol car parked outside. McKissack asked dispatch to have Fuller state his location over the radio, and Fuller responded by saying he was at another location... [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement florida]

[KY] Lt. Fifer's wife and her family have good reason to fear. How dangerous is this? As dangerous as it gets.

...[Louisville Police] Lieutenant Jerald Fifer is facing charges of domestic violence, and members of his wife's family say he has allegedly threatened to kill them.... [Sheri Fifer’s attorney, Bart] McMahon said with Jerald Fifer no longer in custody, his client fears for her safety and that of her three young children...

JUDGE EXTENDS PROTECTION FOR POLICE LT.'S WIFE
Jerald Fifer Faces Felony Battery Charges
WLKY.com
June 29, 2009
[Excerpts] A judge extended emergency protective orders against a Louisville Metro Police Department lieutenant, preventing him from having contact with his wife and her relatives. Lt. Jerald Fifer was not in custody Monday morning when he walked into family court. Fifer is facing felony charges of false imprisonment along with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He also has been accused of battery-domestic violence, a misdemeanor charge. Monday in court, an attorney representing Fifer's wife, Sheri, asked a judge to extend the current emergency protective orders against him for an additional two weeks, until divorce proceedings are under way in Clark County. "Since they live in Indiana, we wanted to make sure the Fifer family had the protection of this court in the meantime until everything can get lined up in Indiana. So, in two weeks we hope to have that done. So that they can have what they need and they feel secure and they have an enforceable order against Mr. Fifer in the meantime,” said Sheri Fifer’s attorney, Bart McMahon... According to his wife, Jerald Fifer abused her in the past... McMahon said with Jerald Fifer no longer in custody, his client fears for her safety and that of her three young children. "Anybody who files for a protective order has a great deal of fear and given what's occurred to her, she has fear, but at the same time wants to handle this as privately as she can," said McMahon... He's due back in Jefferson County court in two weeks... [Full article here]

MORE RESTRAINING ORDERS AGAINST LMPD OFFICER; WIFE FILES FOR DIVORCE
WAVE
Posted By Mike Dever
Posted: Jun 29, 2009
[Excerpts] ..."On June18, we were driving down the highway on vacation, he struck me in the side of the head. I was driving. He pulled a .38 out and told me he was going to kill himself waving the gun around in the car. The gun ended up on the dashboard and I was able to knock it off onto the driver's side floorboard. Jerald then kicked me on the right side of my body. He grabbed me and strangled me. He was screaming...I pulled over and exited the vehicle and was running looking across the highway for someone to help me. He came back toward me... caught me and carried me back to the vehicle and threw me back into the truck. We were pulled over by police and he told me, 'Don't be stupid b.....' He was taken into custody. He's been abusive in the past... I am very much afraid of him." Sheri Fifer filed for divorce on June 29. She is also filing restraining orders in Clark County where the two own a home together. [Full article here]

Video:

From the video, quoting Lt. Fifer's father-in-law: "He told my daughter that he was going to kill her and then kill me. Then he said he was going to ride out in the country and kill my other daughter and her entire family and my wife. I believe he took my daughter to Florida to kill her, and dump her body. I want him to stay away from me and my entire household. I fear for everyone involved. He has access to many weapons and I believe every word he says."

How dangerous is this? As dangerous as it gets.
Where is the protection?
It's not on a piece of paper.
Even if deputies are assigned to these family's homes those deputies are at risk because Lt. Fifer can't see himself returning to his career now.
So the question is... why isn't Fifer in custody, and if he is reported to be suicidal and homicidal, why isn't he AT LEAST under hospital inpatient observation - whether he wants to be or not? If he's a hair from suicide, and two hairs from familicide and no one takes control who will raise their hand to take the blame (and liability)?

The courts better act fast to do something to save everyone involved or at least buy them some time to plan their own safety.

I'm shaking my head. How many murders will it take?

NEWS FROM OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS:

LOUISVILLE POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED IN TAMPA
courier-journal.com
By Jessie Halladay jhalladay@courier-journal.com
June 19, 2009
[Excerpts] A Louisville Metro Police lieutenant was arrested Thursday night in Tampa in connection with a domestic violence-related incident.
Advertisement Tampa Police said that the Florida Highway Patrol arrested Lt. Jerald Fifer on June 18 and charged him with false imprisonment, domestic violence and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Officials with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office said Fifer is being held in the county jail, and no bond has been set... Fifer was suspended for 29 days in 2003 after he was charged with drunken driving... Fifer was off-duty... In February 2006, Fifer, who has been an officer since 1991, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant... [Full article here]

LOUISVILLE POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN FLORIDA
WHAS11 coverage
Saturday, June 20, 2009
[Excerpts] An 18-year veteran of the Louisville Police Force remains in a Florida jail on Saturday and is on paid administrative leave after being arrested in Tampa. Police say Lieutenant Jerald Fifer is facing domestic violence charges. According to Florida officials, a motorist along I-75 reported a Ford Excursion stopped on the side of the interstate. Witnesses said Fifer dragged a woman to his vehicle and forced her inside... He's facing charges of false imprisonment, domestic and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon... Metro police are now conducting an internal investigation. [Full article here]

EPO FILED AFTER LMPD LIEUTENANT FACES CHARGES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
WHAS11 coverage
June 25, 2009
[Excerpts] A Louisville Metro Police Lieutenant already in legal trouble is facing even more allegations. Lieutenant Jerald Fifer is facing charges of domestic violence, and members of his wife's family say he has allegedly threatened to kill them. Sheri Fifer's family has now petitioned for emergency protective orders against him. Court records describe a family in fear... Lieutenant Jerald Fifer's wife says her family was vacationing in Florida when Lieutenant Jerald Fifer allegedly struck her in the head. Fifer's wife Sheri says Lieutenant Jerald Fifer then allegedly pulled out a gun. Fifer's wife Sheri says Lieutenant Jerald Fifer then allegedly grabbed her and strangled her. Fifer's wife Sheri then got out of their car. According to Fifer's wife, Jerald Fifer then allegedly chased her down on the highway and pulled her back to the truck. Fifer's wife Sheri says her husband, Lieutenant Jerald Fifer, told her, "Don't be stupid," when they were pulled over by police in Florida. Fifer's wife Sheri has now petitioned for emergency protective orders against her husband Jerald Fifer. And Fifer's wife Sheri isn't the only one, as her two sisters and her parents also filed for an EPO saying Lieutenant Jerald Fifer allegedly threatened to kill them. Sheri Fifer's father says in his petition, "I believe he took my daughter to Florida to kill her and dump her body." Sheri Fifer's father goes on to say Lieutenant Jerald Fifer has access to many weapons and Sheri Fifer's father believes every word Jerald Fifer says... The petition filed by Fifer's wife alleges that Fifer was threatening to kill himself before she says Jerald Fifer attacked her. Fifer's wife says her husband has allegedly been abusive in the past... [Full article here]

OLDER ARTICLE EXCERPTS:

POLICE SERGEANT CHARGED WITH DRUNKEN DRIVING
Fifer is suspended, gives up leadership position in union
The Courier-Journal
Shannon Tangonan
April 3, 2003
[Excerpts] A Louisville Metro Police sergeant was charged with drunken driving and suspended yesterday after an early morning wreck in southern Louisville. Sgt. Jerald Fifer - a city officer since 1991 and until yesterday the vice president of the city police union - was off-duty and driving a personal car when he crashed into a miniva... Responding officers administered a field sobriety test because Fifer "smelled of (an) alcoholic type beverage," according to his arrest citation. The citation said Fifer 's eyes were jerky and glassy, his left fingertip missed his nose during a "finger-to-nose test," and he was unsteady on his feet...

OFFICER IN CRASH HAD 0.24% BLOOD-ALCOHOL LEVEL
The Courier-Journal
Shannon Tangonan
April 8, 2003
[Excerpts] A Louisville Metro Police sergeant had a blood-alcohol level at three times the legal threshold when he crashed a car into a minivan and was arrested for drunken driving last week... He was jailed, then released on his own recognizance, records show.

LOUISVILLE POLICE SERGEANT PLEADS GUILTY TO DUI
Fifer serves home incarceration, has license suspended
The Courier-Journal
Shannon Tangonan
May 9, 2003
[Excerpts] A Louisville Metro Police sergeant has served three days of home incarceration after pleading guilty to a drunken-driving charge stemming from a wreck in April, his lawyer said yesterday. Sgt. Jerald Fifer, a city officer since 1991 and former vice president of the city police union, pleaded guilty last Friday to driving under the influence-first offense... Fifer had been scheduled to appear in court today, but the hearing was moved up because he "wanted to accept responsibility for the mistake he had made and move on with his life"... Fifer's driver's license was suspended for 30 days, and he paid the standard fines and court costs. Attending an alcohol program also is mandatory, and Fifer showed proof that he had completed a program during his court appearance, [his attorney Steve] Schroering said...

POLICE SERGEANT SUSPENDED
Fifer was driving drunk, involved in wreck with van
The Courier-Journal
Shannon Tangonan
May 29, 2003
[Excerpts] A Louisville Metro Police sergeant who caused a wreck and was charged with drunken driving last month must serve a 29-day unpaid suspension, the department confirmed yesterday... "Any further violations of this nature shall warrant your termination," [Police Chief Robert] White said in the letter... White wrote Fifer that he "mitigated your discipline due to your personal circumstances that clearly had you under a substantial amount of stress... Further, the fact that you have sought out assistance in addressing your alcohol consumption was also a factor in my mitigation of this discipline," White said...

PROMOTED OFFICERS WERE SUSPENDED
Chief says they earned advancement
The Courier-Journal
Jessie Halladay
Friday, February 17, 2006
[Excerpts] An officer suspended for drunken driving and another for harassment are among the 15 officers to be promoted by Louisville Metro Police today. In a ceremony this morning, Jerald Fifer will be promoted to lieutenant and Kirby Shobe to sergeant, despite past discipline from the department. Police Chief Robert White said both men have been solid officers since they were disciplined and have earned their promotions. "They have done what was asked of them. They paid their price," White said. "We have a responsibility to acknowledge what they did wrong and hold them accountable. But we also have a responsibility to give them an opportunity to continue their careers"...

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