[VA] Recently Retired cop Striker: "I am a pillar of this community"

J.D. STRIKER CALLED THE FELONY CHARGE A "SMOKESCREEN." "I AM A PILLAR OF THIS COMMUNITY," HE SAID... "MY WIFE NEEDS ME," STRIKER TOLD THE COURT, CRYING. "I NEED TO BE WITH MY CHILDREN.

...Warren Deputy Brad Pugh was seen on Tuesday night carrying an arm-load of long guns from the cedar-sided residence near Chester Gap that Striker shares with his wife and three other children... Striker was a Front Royal police officer for 25 years before retiring about a year ago...

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO BE SOUGHT IN GUN CASE
Former police officer retired after 25 years on Front Royal force
Northern Virginia Daily
By Ben Orcutt
July 18, 2008
FRONT ROYAL — A special prosecutor will be requested in a case involving a retired town police officer accused of firing a pistol at his son. James Douglas "J.D." Striker, 51, of 4437 Remount Road, Front Royal, is charged with feloniously discharging a firearm within a dwelling on Tuesday, as well as misdemeanors of reckless handling of a firearm and brandishing a firearm. A complaint form on file in Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, completed by Sheriff's Office investigator L.M. Nelson, states that a witness reported that Striker shot at his 29-year-old son, Brian Striker. On Wednesday, Striker appeared before Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge Ronald L. Napier for a bond hearing. Despite argument from Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Nicholas L. Manthos that Striker be held without bond, or that it otherwise be a high bond, Napier set bond at $15,000 secured. A Warren County jailer said Striker posted bond within about an hour of his court appearance... Striker was a Front Royal police officer for 25 years before retiring about a year ago... John Striker. In his tearful plea during his bond hearing, J.D. Striker told the court that his wife, Cathy Sue Striker, 49, and children needed him. He also told the court that he did not point a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol at his son, Brian, or his son's fiancée, Mary Brennan, who Manthos said have stated that J.D. Striker shot through a screen from a bedroom window in their direction... Arriving on scene, Nelson goes on to say in the complaint form that when she interviewed J.D. Striker, he told her that he shot through a window screen in his master bedroom "to scare his son into not beating on his mother's vehicle's window"... Mrs. Striker also was at the residence, but did not wish to comment... [Full article here]

EARLIER INFO:

FORMER FRONT ROYAL OFFICER CHARGED IN SHOOTING INCIDENT
Northern Virginia Daily
By Ben Orcutt
July 16, 2008
...Warren Deputy Brad Pugh was seen on Tuesday night carrying an arm-load of long guns from the cedar-sided residence near Chester Gap that Striker shares with his wife and three other children. A former candidate for sheriff, Striker retired from the Front Royal Police Department within the last few years. He also gained notoriety during the 2003 race won by Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron when Striker claimed that he could have information on the 1983 slaying of Front Royal Police Sgt. Dennis Smedley in 1983... If convicted, J.D. Striker faces a two- to 10-year prison sentence on the felony charge and up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine on each of the misdemeanors. [Full article here]

EX-OFFICER ACCUSED IN SHOOTING
Northern Virginia Daily
By Ben Orcutt
July 17, 2008
...Despite argument from Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Nicholas L. Manthos that Striker continue to be held without bond due to the nature of the charges, Napier set bond at $15,000 secured. A Warren County jailer said Striker posted bond within about an hour of his court appearance. Before providing the court with a summation of the evidence, Manthos said that Commonwealth's Attorney Brian M. Madden was reviewing the case and that the office may choose to have a special prosecutor appointed. Napier scheduled a preliminary hearing for 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 21. In his evidentiary summary, Manthos said Striker and his wife, Cathy Sue Striker, 49, had been arguing most of the day on Tuesday. Manthos said Mrs. Striker left the residence, saying that she was not coming back, and then locked herself in her van. The Strikers' oldest son, Brian Striker, 29, who lives in the basement of the home with his fiancee, Mary Brennan, and two children, was concerned about his mother's mental state, Manthos said. Brian Striker banged on a window of his mother's van in an attempt to get her to come out, Manthos added. J.D. Striker observed what was happening from his bedroom window and retrieved a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol, Manthos said. Manthos said Striker claims to have fired a shot up in the air through a bedroom window. Manthos said Brian Striker and Brennan's version of events is that J.D. Striker fired the pistol through a screen in their direction. Manthos said he was concerned about the volatility of J.D. Striker's actions. J.D. Striker told the court that it appeared to him that his son was trying to break the glass out of Mrs. Striker's van. J.D. Striker said he never pointed the gun at anyone...
J.D. STRIKER CALLED THE FELONY CHARGE A "SMOKESCREEN." "I AM A PILLAR OF THIS COMMUNITY," HE SAID... "MY WIFE NEEDS ME," STRIKER TOLD THE COURT, CRYING. "I NEED TO BE WITH MY CHILDREN"...

Napier ordered that J.D. Striker have no contact with Brian Striker or Brennan, that he not possess firearms and that he not leave the state. Napier asked J.D. Striker how he would avoid contact with Brian Striker after learning they reside at the same house. "We don't really mingle," J.D. Striker said...
"SOMETIMES PEOPLE MAKE PERSONAL MISTAKES IN THEIR LIVES FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE THEY FINALLY GET HELP FOR THEIR PROBLEMS," [Warren County Sheriff's Office investigator L.M.] Nelson said following the proceeding. [Full article here]
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