[IN] Officer Howell attacks vehicle of Officer husband's girlfriend, with their children present

...accused of vandalism and criminal mischief by the girlfriend of her estranged husband, who also is a Muncie police officer... She was dropping the children off at his apartment to go to work when she found the girlfriend there. "My emotions got the best of me," the officer said...

AUDIO OF 911 CALL

Muncie officer subject of mischief probe
thestarpress.com
By RICK YENCER
April 12, 2008
MUNCIE -- A Muncie police officer has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of vandalism and criminal mischief by the girlfriend of her estranged husband, who also is a Muncie police officer. Jaime L. Howell, 31, was put on leave with pay after an incident Monday night at the apartment of her husband, Richard Howell Jr. Police were called to White River Apartments at 7:39 p.m. by a woman who reported Mrs. Howell was in a mini van with her children, throwing rocks at her car and trying to break into the apartment.Among the officers making the call was her husband, who was reported as the primary officer on the call. Jaime Howell was off duty. No arrests were made. Police Chief Deborah Davis said Thursday that an investigation of the incident should be completed next week. "We are trying to find out what happened," said Davis, adding that no paperwork on the case would be available until the investigation by police detectives was finished. The chief did confirm the officer was on paid leave. Howell was hired in 2003. Richard Howell filed for divorce last year and the couple recently reached a final settlement, according to court records, which could be approved at a hearing on Tuesday. Jaime Howell said Thursday that she had a court order that her husband's girlfriend not have contact with their three children. She was dropping the children off at his apartment to go to work when she found the girlfriend there. "My emotions got the best of me," the officer said, adding she threw rocks at the woman's car. Jaime Howell said she did not try to break into the apartment and did not touch the girlfriend. She left the scene with her children.