Former officer held after police standoffSpringfield Republican
By NANCY H. GONTER ngonter@repub.com
Thursday, October 18, 2007
NORTHAMPTON - A former city police sergeant [Robert L. Nicol] is being held on bail after he allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend's Hatfield home where he said he wanted "one of the troopers there to shoot him to commit suicide"... arrested by state police early Saturday morning after holding more than a half-dozen police officers at bay and asking them to shoot him... he hoped to provoke officers into shooting him on his ex-girlfriend's front lawn "so she could see him die"... Nicol said he tried to finalize things and sent his ex-wife a check for $3,500 he owed her, police said. Nicol, who worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, was dressed in black and had four knives, the report states... Nicol left 10 voice messages for his ex-girlfriend, threatening to "lop off my husband's head with a 24-inch blade" and to kill her, police said. He also told the woman he loved her and begged her to call him so he could say goodbye... he crashed his car near the town's sewage treatment plant, but then was able to drive on to his ex-girlfriend's house... and lunged toward a state trooper, saying "go ahead, shoot me"... After the incident, the ex-girlfriend and her husband showed state police a trespass order from 1997 that required Nicol to stay away from the property... At the time Nicol resigned, Police Chief Russell P. Sienkiewicz had recommended that Nicol be fired over an incident in which Nicol was accused of harassing a civilian while on duty. Nicol cited personal reasons for his resignation...
Police resolve standoff with suicidal ex-cop
Daily Hampshire Gazette
BY ANDREW HORTON
October 18, 2007
Lying in an emergency room bed with few options left, Robert L. Nicol of Watertown told State Police troopers about his alcohol-fueled suicide attempt gone awry Friday night. Nicol - a former sergeant with the Northampton Police Department - told police he had been drinking... armed with several knives, Nicol drove to his ex-girlfriend's house in Hatfield, tore up her lawn with his car and then, in a tense, hourlong standoff with at least five police officers, tried to get police to end his life... In Northampton District Court Monday before Judge Richard Carey, Nicol pleaded innocent to numerous charges, including two counts of threatening to commit a crime (murder), assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), stalking, trespassing, resisting arrest, three counts of carrying a dangerous weapon (switchblade knife and double-edged knife), and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was released on $2,500 cash bond, and the case has been continued to Nov. 28. AS A CONDITION OF HIS RELEASE, HE HAS BEEN ORDERED TO ATTEND ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS DAILY, PARTICIPATE IN RANDOM DRUG/ALCOHOL SCREENINGS, AND ATTEND COUNSELING.
I understand and do feel sorry for people who do commit suicide but this guy I think is getting off way to lightly for his crime.
ReplyDeleteThis retired officer gave tirelessly to his community and to the profession he loved. The bail reduction came as a result of the state losing the victim. She told the DA she felt safe. So much for your blue wall!!
ReplyDeleteGEEEEE!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI WONDER WHY SOMEONE WOULD BE AFRAID TO TESTIFY AGAINST SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY-SERVING GUY!
GIVE ME A BREAK.
THE WALL FELL ON HER.
YOU THINK YOU ARE SUPPORTING HIM.
YOU'RE NOT.
HE NEEDS ACCOUNTABILITY AND HELP BEFORE HE KILLS SOMEONE
OR HIMSELF.
This guy is receiving the help he needs from the best professionals in the field because he is worth saving. You apparently believe in condemnation prior to investigation. Don't believe everything you read in the local rag.
ReplyDeleteNo, I TRUST the law enforcement personnel that did the work and used the expertise to bring charges that amount to: "two counts of threatening to commit a crime (murder), assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), stalking, trespassing, resisting arrest, three counts of carrying a dangerous weapon (switchblade knife and double-edged knife), and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol."
ReplyDeleteAny bad light on this officer, he brought on himself.
No one else did that.
He, better than most others, understands the consequences.
This doesn't fall under, "oopsy."
I too trust law enforcement and the court system. Captain Patenaude must be a stand up guy to come out in the middle of the night and help Nicol. The MSP troopers showed great restraint and compassion to wait for Patenaude and end the incident without injury. I Guess we'll have see how it comes out at the end of the day.
ReplyDelete