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PINNED POST. CLICK HERE: Keeping these 3 videos of officer-involved domestic violence fatalities on top from now on...

Officer-Involved Domestic Fatalities - 1 Officer-Involved Domestic Fatalities - 2 [WA] Tragedy Will Occur If They Don't Have ...

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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
Video:

[Excerpts from article] 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"...

[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement kentucky lmpd lpd lethal teflon]

[AZ] Deputy Lane arrested for domestic violence

Pima County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Lane's girlfriend reported that he was choking her. He has been arrested and charged with domestic violence. There is an (in-house) internal investigation in progress.
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement arizona]

Sunday, June 28, 2009

[IN] Ex-Trooper David Camm's conviction for killing his family OVERTURNED AGAIN

Kimberly, Jill, and Brad Camm

...At his first trial in 2002, Camm was convicted in Floyd County of murdering his wife, their 7-year-old son, Bradley, and 5-year-old daughter, Jill, in the garage of their Georgetown home. But the conviction was overturned by the Indiana Court of Appeals in August 2004...


Previous posts:


48 Hours Mystery - Murder On Lockhart Road videos are "here" but very graphic. 

CAMM'S 2ND CONVICTION OVERTURNED

Court finds someevidence speculative
By Ben Zion Hershberg
June 26, 2009
[Excerpts] The Indiana Supreme Court on Friday threw out former Indiana state trooper David Camm's second conviction for the September 2000 murders of his wife and their two small children, sending the case back to Floyd County for a possible third trial. In a 4-1 decision, the court said "speculative" evidence that Camm molested his daughter a day or two before the murders should not have been allowed by the judge because it could inflame the jury. The court also said a friend's statement that Camm's wife, Kimberly, expected to see him at 7 to 7:30 the night of the murders should not have been allowed because it was hearsay that couldn't be challenged because Kimberly Camm is dead... Camm "was stunned, happy and relieved"... At his first trial in 2002, Camm was convicted in Floyd County of murdering his wife, their 7-year-old son, Bradley, and 5-year-old daughter, Jill, in the garage of their Georgetown home. But the conviction was overturned by the Indiana Court of Appeals in August 2004... In Friday's ruling, Chief Justice Randall Shepard dissented from the majority, arguing that "two reversals entered by the appellate courts in this case have unnecessarily sanitized the evidence" against Camm. Shepard said at least some of the evidence about affairs on which Camm's first trial was reversed should have been allowed and that the affairs not long before the murders could be proof of a motive. He also said alleged evidence that Camm's daughter was molested was allowable as "an inference" about a motive. The majority disagreed, however, saying there was no connection of Camm to the molestation. Still, the majority also said there was enough evidence for a reasonable jury to convict Camm... [Full article here]

JURORS IN 2ND CAMM TRIAL REACT TO OVERTURNED VERDICT
WAVE
By Janelle MacDonald
Jun 27, 2009
[Excerpt] ...WAVE 3 spoke by phone to two members of the jury from Camm's trial in Warrick County. One, Dianna Gelarden, said she wasn't surprised by the court's decision. Gelarden said Camm's family said after the trial they'd keep trying until he was set free. Another, James Sturgeon, said he still has a hard time talking about the trial and feels for another jury that would have to hear the case if there is a third trial. Friday, prosecutors said they will ask the Indiana Supreme Court to reconsider its decision before deciding if David Camm will face a third trial... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities murder familicide indiana state police trooper]

[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


TRIAL FOR ALMOST IMMEDIATELY FIRED LEON COUNTY DEPUTY MARK THOMPSON WHO ALMOST BEAT HIS WIFE TO DEATH BEGINS... SHE HAD SAID SHE WAS SCARED TO REPORT IT BECAUSE HER HUSBAND IS A DEPUTY... DEPUTY THOMPSON'S WIFE SAID HE WAS IN "ONE OF HIS MOODS"... HER MOTHER SAYS IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME.

Video: Ex-Deputy Mark Thompson Trial For Brutal Dv Begins


FORMER SHERIFF'S DEPUTY BEGINS TRIAL FOR BEATING WIFE
WTXL.TV
June 26, 2009
Tallahassee, FL (WTXL)--The trial begins June 26th for Mark Thompson, the former Leon County sheriff's deputy charged with beating his wife nearly to death in early August 2007. June 26 marks the first day of jury selection, and opening arguments were given from both sides... Thompson is charged with domestic battery, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated battery. [Full article here]

JURY SELECTED IN TRIAL INVOLVING FORMER LEON CO. DEPUTY
WCTV.TV
Denise Wong denise.wong@wctv.tv
Jun 26, 2009
Opening statements will begin Monday morning in the trial of a former Leon County Sheriff's Deputy accused of beating his wife... Thompson is accused of beating his wife in August of 2007 to the point that she had to be hospitalized. Prosecutors say Thompson punched his wife, held a gun to her head, handcuffed her to the bed and beat her. Thompson has been in jail for two years awaiting trial. [Full article here]

WHAT THIS TRIAL IS ABOUT - WHOSE BLESSED-TO-BE-ALIVE LIFE IT IS IN BEHALF OF:

Video Deputy Thompson's wife BEATEN & BROKEN


DEPUTY ARRESTED ON DOMESTIC-BATTERY CHARGE
Tallahassee Democrat
By Nic Corbett
August 17, 2007
[Excerpts] A Leon County deputy was arrested early this morning on charges relating to domestic violence, according to the Sheriff's Office. He was fired soon afterward... Armed with a handgun, Thompson threatened to kill himself and held detectives at bay during a brief standoff... Sheriff Larry Campbell received a tip about a domestic-violence incident involving Thompson... Thompson's wife suffered a ruptured spleen that required removal, fractures of both eye sockets, impaired eyesight, two bones broken in her right arm, a swollen face and several bruises on her body. Thompson's charges include domestic battery, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated battery...

DEPUTY FIRED AFTER STANDOFF
Wife in hospital after domestic dispute
Tallahassee Democrat
By Nic Corbett ncorbett@tallahassee.com
August 18, 2007
[Excerpts] ...At the time of Thompson's arrest, his wife was in guarded condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital with serious injuries... At first, she insisted that doctors not report him but a staff member at TMH finally convinced her to come forward...
Here is what Thompson's wife said happened
.
Aug. 10 after the couple had been out celebrating her birthday with two of her friends: While she drove home, Thompson said something about a look she had given him earlier at a restaurant. She said she "knew it was going to be bad" and that her husband was in one of his moods. During the drive,Thompson grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it around, struck his wife in the forehead, fired a handgun out of the car window and then put the gun to her head. After she pulled into their driveway, he got out and she quickly reversed, driving off... When she returned, he wasn't there, but the house was torn apart - clothes had been swept off the closet racks and items had been knocked off the bathroom counters. She heard him returning. She told investigators that she "had never hidden in the front closet before," but this time she did. He found her, but she ran outside, accidently letting his dog out... She said her husband handcuffed her to the bed and left. He then returned with the dog and demanded, "How could you do this to my dog?" He took off the handcuffs, dragged her to the living room, kicked her several times and then straddled her and started hitting her head and face. He finally stopped beating her and asked if she wanted to go to the doctor. She said she wanted to rest. The next day, she went to visit a friend, who took her to the Capital Regional Medical Center... She told the doctor not to report the incident... On Monday, she went to the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, where her broken arm was put into a cast. She told doctors there to not report her injuries. Thompson's wife was then taken into surgery for her ruptured spleen... She had said she was scared to report it because her husband is a deputy. When four deputies knocked on the door to Thompson's parent's trailer Friday morning, he came to the door armed and threatened to kill himself. He said he was sorry and that he did not remember what he had done to his wife, but he believed it was bad because she was in the hospital. He said his life was over and that he did not want to go to prison.... "The deputy's reported actions give our agency and, for that matter, law enforcement in general, a black eye," Chase said. "There are 600 hard-working, dedicated employees here who must take the shame of his behavior."

DEPUTY ORDERED HELD WITHOUT BOND
wctv.tv
Julie Montanaro julie.montanaro@wctv.tv
Aug 21, 2007
A Leon County deputy arrested for beating his wife so badly she had to be hospitalized has been ordered held without bond. In court Tuesday morning, the victim's mother made a tearful plea to keep him behind bars, saying this was not the first time he had beaten her. She said her daugther was still in the hospital... Thompson faces life in prison if he's convicted on all counts... A sheriff's office spokesman says the beating happened Friday, August 10 and into Saturday, August 11. Arrest papers say the couple left Cafe Cabernet and Thompson punched her and held a gun to her head in the car on the way home. Those papers say he then handcuffed her to the bed when they got home and brutally beat her... Thompson is charged with domestic battery, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated battery.

Previous post here.
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement lethal suicidal fear afraid terroristic brutal]

Saturday, June 27, 2009

[NC] Deputy Shaw charged with serious injury, strangulation domestic violence

NORTH CAROLINA - ROBESON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY CHARLES BERNARD SHAW WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ASSAULT BY STRANGULATION AND ASSAULT BY INFLICTING SERIOUS INJURY TO HIS GIRLFRIEND.
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement lethal north carolina]

[MI] Fired-for-DV Sheriff's Sgt. Richardson found not guilty by a jury

...Richardson's attorney, Dan O'Neil, argued self defense and said he was pleased with the verdict. "He may still have a career in law enforcement"...

Previous post:
[MI] 1 day after Deputy Richardson fired for dv, he's arrested again - ...After deputies went to the home and interviewed Richardson, they arrested him for domestic violence... Richardson posted bond and was released from jail, but was arrested again after deputies were called back to the home at 4:16 p.m. Thursday...

FORMER CLARE DEPUTY NOT GUILTY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
by The Bay City Times, The Saginaw News
Thursday June 25, 2009, 4:48 PM
An Isabella County jury has delivered a not-guilty verdict the trial of a former Clare County sheriff's deputy accused of domestic violence. Jeremy B. Richardson had worked for the sheriff for about eight months when, Feb. 4, he was accused of assaulting his wife at their Nottawa Township home, records show. The 31-year-old was relieved of his duties after Isabella County prosecutors authorized misdemeanor domestic violence charges against him, records show. [LINK]

FORMER CLARE DEPUTY FOUND INNOCENT ON ASSAULT CHARGE
The Morning Sun
By Susan Field
Thursday, June 25, 2009 4:37 PM EDT
A former Clare County Sheriff's deputy was acquitted of a domestic violence charge Wednesday after a two-day trial. A jury in Isabella County Trial Judge Mark Duthie's courtroom found Jeremy Brickey Richardson, 31, innocent of assaulting his wife, Ashley Richardson, in February... Richardson's attorney, Dan O'Neil, argued self defense and said he was pleased with the verdict. "He may still have a career in law enforcement," O'Neil said... Richardson lost his job at the sheriff's department, where he worked for about eight months, after being arrested Feb. 4 for allegedly assaulting his wife. He ended up back in the Isabella County Jail two days later, for allegedly violating a bond condition, Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said at the time of Richardson's second arrest on Feb. 6... He had been ordered to stay away from his wife, the sheriff said at the time of the second arrest. Domestic violence is a 93-day misdemeanor. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement teflon cleared MOUNT PLEASANT michigan]

[FL] Officer Parker, previously reinstated after domestic violence charge, now charged with 1st degree murder

...A Highlands County grand jury returned an indictment late this afternoon charging former Avon Park police officer James Parker with the murder of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short... Parker is still on administrative leave without pay from the Avon Park Police Department pending the outcome of the case...

Previous posts:
FORMER [?] AVON PARK POLICE OFFICER INDICTED IN CHILD'S DEATH
Mother indicted on two felony charges
Highlands Today
By BRAD DICKERSON
June 24, 2009
Updated: 06/25/2009 12:22 pm
SEBRING - Jenifer Sue Short, 28, the mother of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short, has been indicted on two felony charges of failure to report child abuse and neglect of a child causing great bodily harm. Two day care workers, Sara Vasquez and Linda Payne, have also been indicted for failing to report child abuse. A Highlands County grand jury returned an indictment late this afternoon charging former Avon Park police officer James Parker with the murder of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short. The grand jury also charged Parker, 32, with aggravated child abuse. He is set for a first appearance Thursday and still remains in the Highlands County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 bail stemming from his initial child abuse charge. Short died May 27 at a hospice home where she was being cared for in her final days. She was the daughter of Parker's former live-in girlfriend and had been on life support at a St. Petersburg hospital for some time after being hospitalized for severe injuries she suffered March 29... [Full article here]

MORE ARRESTS MADE IN 'BABY K' DEATH
News-Sun
Ed Baldridge, Trey Christy
June 25, 2009
James H. Parker III, former Avon Park Police Officer, was indicted late Wednesday afternoon, charged with first degree murder stemming from the death of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short. The Highlands County grand jury also charged Short's mother, Jenifer Sue Short, 28, Sebring, with not reporting child abuse, and failure to secure medical services/ failure to protect a child from child abuse. "After hearing a days worth of evidence (the grand jury) indicted not only Parker for murder but Ms. Short for two things," said Steve Houchin of the State Attorney's Office. "The second charge is a combination, medical services that should have been and for the child abuse... We have a very strong case regarding Mr. Parker," he said... Parker is still on administrative leave without pay from the Avon Park Police Department pending the outcome of the case... [police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities murder florida]

[TX] San Antonio Officer Rory Rogers only SORT OF fired for "DEADLY CONDUCT" on his girlfriend

...a spokeswoman for the San Antonio Police Department, said Rogers was placed on indefinite suspension June 19, a disciplinary action tantamount to firing...

Previous post:
[TX] Police arrest Officer Rogers for assaulting his ex girlfriend - ...The ex-girlfriend told police while she was dancing Rogers came up to her and pushed her down... the woman had cuts on her arms, knee, and side... Several witness accounts were identical to the ex-girlfriend's story, Trevino said, giving police probable cause for an arrest warrant...

POLICE OFFICER INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED
Officer suspended over alleged assault on woman
San Antonio Express-News
By Michelle Mondo
Jun 25, 2009
[Excerpts] A 27-year-old police officer accused last year of assaulting a former girlfriend at a bar has essentially been terminated from the department, officials said. Rory Rogers, who at the time of the Dec. 27 incident had been a member of the force for five years, was charged with assault after the ex-girlfriend and several witnesses told police that Rogers, while off-duty, went to a Stone Oak bar and pushed the 21-year-old woman, authorities said. The woman cut herself on glass when she fell, authorities said at the time, and as she got up, Rogers was accused of pushing her down again before leaving the bar. Sandy Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for the San Antonio Police Department, said Rogers was placed on indefinite suspension June 19, a disciplinary action tantamount to firing. The decision was based on the criminal charge of assault bodily injury, she said... "The opportunity will be there for an arbitrator to rule whether (the indefinite suspension) was appropriate or not," [San Antonio Police Officers Association President Mike] Helle said. "He's got a criminal case that is still out there that he has to take care of first. If that case gets dismissed or if it goes to trial and he's acquitted, it helps his [internal] case." First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg said the criminal case against Rogers,
which also includes
a deadly conduct charge,

remains under investigation by the district attorney's office... Although he admitted nothing, police arrested him because of a tighter domestic violence policy adopted in January 2007 requiring officers to secure arrest warrants immediately for most family violence suspects. [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence abuse intimate partner law enforcement texas teflon

Friday, June 26, 2009

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

...During 90 minutes of testimony the sheriff said his department takes complaints of domestic violence against its deputies seriously and that he does not condone his subordinates violating people’s rights in the course of enforcing laws...

(Plaintiff Krista Osborne appears to have formerly been a Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy and a lieutenant with the Federal Way Police Department.)

PIERCE COUNTY SHERIFF ON THE WITNESS STAND
COURTS: Domestic violence complaints against his deputy handled properly, Pierce County boss says
The News Tribune
Adam Lynn adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
Published: 06/26/09
[Excerpts] Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor took the witness stand Thursday to explain the actions of his department and himself in handling a domestic violence complaint brought against one of his deputies five years ago. During 90 minutes of testimony the sheriff said his department takes complaints of domestic violence against its deputies seriously and that he does not condone his subordinates violating people’s rights in the course of enforcing laws. Pastor’s testimony came as part of a civil lawsuit brought against Pierce County and sheriff’s deputies Lloyd Bird and Tom Seymour by Bird’s ex-wife, Krista Osborne... Trial in the case began earlier this month before Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Sally Olsen, in Tacoma. Earlier this week Olsen upheld her previous ruling that Seymour violated Osborne’s Fourth Amendment rights... The sheriff testified at length about how criminal and internal affairs investigations against Bird prompted by Osborne’s complaints were “farmed out” to other law enforcement agencies at the request of Osborne’s attorney. Osborne has complained that the internal affairs investigations took more than two years to complete... Testimony is expected to continue Monday. [Full article here]
[cop-on-cop police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement washington state david brame territory crystal judson murder-suicide]

[WA] "...My daughter is gone, but there are so many others living just as she did, feeling they have nowhere to turn..."

In August of 2004 a papa wrote for help from those who are empowered to make big things happen. He wrote United States Senators and Congresspersons, asking for a federal law bearing his daughter's name after she was fatally shot in her police chief husband's murder-suicide.

What this father wanted made sense, was clearly needed, and together with the collective sorrow and horror of what appeared likely to be his daughter's NEEDLESS death, they agreed to act.

The resulting federal legislation is named The Crystal Judson Domestic Violence Protocol Program. It was added to the Department of Justice's Violence Against Women Act, allowing law enforcement agencies, registered nonprofit victim agencies, and local governments access to federal grant money for addressing officer-involved domestic violence [oidv] through training and services.


It is beautiful that this federal action bears Crystal's name because her story absolutely ignites change in the hearts of victims everywhere, over and over again. Her remembrance makes us wiser, braver, and more alert for our lives.


I cannot count the number of women who have told me that hearing about what Crystal went through, together with her ultimate fate, changed or saved their lives.

It is awesome that these available funds can be accessed now, though not by victims directly, nor by those working with these victims on a grassroots level where they tend to feel more secure and hidden. We don't know who does access the funds, if they are accessed, or how they are used by any of the narrowly defined recipients.

But I do know that things have not gotten any better yet. I am the story-keeper. I do know that this special class of victims are still terrified, still being murdered, still have no supported / protected place to turn, and are still constantly overcome with hopelessness.

It is a battle to breathe.


EVERY ADVANCE IS A GOOD ADVANCE AND EVERY EFFORT SO FAR HAS BEEN A STEP FORWARD - WITH NO REGRETS, yet I am going to be the first one to say this out loud:

What Lane Judson asked for is not what he got.

NO PART of what he asked for was granted him in behalf of all the victims like his daughter living in fear for their lives.
This, below, is what he asked for, and it is still the foundation of what we need.

HE has done his part. He has begun the process. He should spend more time now loving his adoring wife, his lovely living daughter, and his 2 beautiful grandchildren who no longer have their mother or father.

We should let him rest his broken heart in the circle of those who need him most.

The rest of this is left to us now.



Dear Congressperson

On April 26, 2003 my daughter Crystal DeEtte Brame ( nee Judson ) was brutally murdered by her husband, David Brame, then-Chief of Police in Tacoma Washington, leaving two very beautiful children as orphans and a memory of their mother and father both bleeding profusely from gunshots to the head. The children were nearby as their father brought them with him to the parking lot where he ran into Crystal and fatally shot her and then himself. The children were the first ones on the scene to witness this horrific tragedy. My goal is to do everything I can, as I promised crystal in the hospital, towards making sure that no other families are left as unassisted as my daughter was. My daughter is gone, but there are so many others living just as she did, feeling they have nowhere to turn.

I had a vision while holding my daughter Crystal's hand as she struggled for her life at Harborview Hospital in Seattle - a strong fight that she lost. I promised her that I would do everything I can to help others like her be able to access help, and survive: "The Crystal Clear Act"

That is one of the largest obstacles for those impacted by officer-involved domestic violence - where to turn for help. All the victims of this form of domestic violence that I have talked with directly or have read about in the many articles since my daughter's murder, share the same fears and obstacles as my Crystal did. They find it frighteningly futile, or too high-risk to try to get help from the local police and neighboring police agencies who work closely together. They don't have confidence in regular domestic violence services and shelters because they know that law enforcement personnel have such wide-spread access to people and information that would be inaccessible to others, and often other officer's wives may volunteer there. Reporting a domestic violence incident puts the victim at more risk. In this 21st century, we need legislation that would minimize these dangers and fears, and allow a reporting method that helps both the victim as well as the accused of domestic violence within all our police agencies.

In the aftermath of this heinous crime, the State of Washington has taken on a profound leadership role in addressing this problem with all police agencies in this state. This was accomplished by an Ad Hoc committee of more than 60 members - consisting of lawyers, law enforcement personnel, judges, State Representatives, attorneys, city employees, domestic violence advocates, and many others - working together to develop a law for the legislature to enact and then to be signed by Governor Gary Locke, which happened on March 15, 2004.

I personally thank each and every one of the members of the committee, the legislature and our Governor, who made Washington State's law happen in less than one year. It is strong leadership that has taken the position that domestic violence is an issue that affects every one in our community. All other police agencies in Washington will have there policies in place in the near future.

Federal Legislation: The Crystal Clear Act

The vision of The Crystal Clear Act is that any law enforcement agency in the United States - from border to border and from coast to coast - that requests any kind grants, matching funds, or other assistance from the Federal Government must have an effective domestic violence policy and set of clear procedures in place before any funds are issued.

The federal government could establish a basic standard that all jurisdictions at all levels must have in place as the standard. The basic standard is required as part of the contract to receive any funds. This standard should include but not be limited to:

- Education, Training, and Retraining
- Methods to report abuse without retribution
- Counseling and assistance with safety for the said victim
- Intervention and support for the said accused
- A formal accountability system

Each jurisdictional level of government would be responsible to implement their own processes and procedures to meet the minimum requirements of this legislation.

Education, Training, and Retraining

The minimum education and training requirements required can probably best be defined by people such as the authors and contributors of Tacoma Washington's policy, since months of specific and indepth research was gathered to select what would be most effective and workable. I imagine that would include training on officer-involved domestic violence, preventative measures, early warning signs, and what the effects of domestic violence are on the community and in the workplace. The training should include current domestic violence laws, prevention of domestic violence and where the victim can get help. Retraining should be done continuously on new or revised laws, an update on community domestic violence resources and a signing form that says they have received the training.

Methods to report abuse without retribution

Victims of abuse must have a place that they can report the abuse and have it investigated by a unbiased organization. Here again, current advocacy groups may be the best source of information to establish a standard. We don't want to tell them how to do their job, but give them the guidelines of what is expected, and where and how to report abusive situations, even if it is a neighbor, friend, or relatives in need of help. The victim must be protected from the abuser, and understand that the report will be kept in strict confidence. Most victims of officer-involved domestic violence, understandably, have very serious reservations about picking up the phone and dialing 911 to report the abuse.

Counseling and Assistance

In order to best avoid tragedy, career loss, or an abusive relationship, as well as the resulting liabilities, all parties of an intimate partnership need a place where they can get quality counseling. Ideally this would include minors effected by the relationship as well. Counseling should be provided by an agency outside of the involved law enforcement department, and assuredly confidential. Without these tools most caught in domestic violence will never heal the relationships or their lives on their own. New skills and information is mandatory.

Accountability System

Accountability would be at the local, state, county, city, township, or municipal government level that requested the initial funds, matching funds, or method(s) that funding was requested from. What this means is that any law enforcement agency that requests funds must assure that they do not knowingly have any employee(s) currently engaged in any form domestic violence against a spouse, relative, friend, neighbor, or other persons to their knowledge. Any agency that has an employee that commits domestic violence, and the city, county, or state it represents makes no attempt to intervene, would be required to repay the federal funds to the government and/or be fined an additional amount for failure to abide by this law if they knowingly had information that police perpetrated domestic violence was being committed at the time the funds were requested.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC, CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS, ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS, AND DESTROYING COUNTLESS LIVES IN WAYS IMMEASURABLE.. It affects men, women, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, neighbors, friends, and co-workers across our nation, OF EVERY SOCIAL STATUS, ETHNICITY, AND BELIEF SYSTEM.

Federal funds are the taxes that all Americans pay to insure that we have laws in place to protect our citizens from things such as domestic violence. With your help we can take another step toward making the quality of life better across these United States.

As my daughter Crystal D. Brame nee (Judson) and I feel we are the co-authors/owners of this idea, we would ask if it could be called "THE CRYSTAL CLEAR" law or act in her honor for leading the way to help all those who are abused and afraid to come forward and report police perpetrated domestic violence.

Periodic Psychological Evaluations

And lastly, though I am not sure how or if it can be incorporated into legislation, Crystal's mother - my wife Patty Judson, keeps asking (insisting) that I add the idea of officers being required to take post-hire psychological evaluations at least at the time of their promotions. Others have suggested to me every two or three years regularly because of all the trauma and stress that law enforcement officers are continuously exposed to. (Also pre-hire psychological evaluations are not, but should be, required in every state.)

I INVITE AND IMPLORE the Washington delegation of Congresspersons and Senators TO TAKE THE LEAD in behalf of this federal effort that could have such a profound and direct effect on both agencies and people's lives across The United States.

Thank you for your time and your interest in this national health problem; One that costs millions if not billions every year in lost time from work, productivity, increased health care costs and most importantly, the quality of life of it's victims - if they survive at ALL. Let there be no mistake: domestic violence kills.

Respectfully,

Lane H. Judson Jr.

[MI] Michigan OIDV group angered by Officer Steele receiving probation deal

..."I can't believe this man was looking at charges carrying life in prison and got probation. What is the message that this has given other victims and police officers?" [Renee'] Harrington said the advocacy group [Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Corp.] had contacted state legislators and other officials to try to intervene before Tuesday's sentencing - but she said no response was received...

[See previous blog posts on Steele's crimes here]


PROBATION DEAL ANGERS WOMEN'S ADVOCATE GROUP

HomeTownLife.com
By Darrell Clem dclem@hometownlife.com
June 25, 2009

A suspended Detroit police officer who had been charged with firing shots and trying to kill his ex-girlfriend inside her Canton home has been placed on probation for one year - a move that has angered at least one women's advocacy group.

Gary Allen Steele, 42, was sentenced Tuesday by Wayne County Circuit Judge Ulysses Boykin after earlier pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Steele, off duty when he was accused of attacking Kimberly Ann Golematis in March 2008, could have faced penalties ranging up to life in prison if he had been convicted of original charges including torture, assault with intent to murder and other felony counts.

Golematis didn't appear for Tuesday's sentencing, Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said, but the victim had said during an earlier preliminary hearing that Steele was "a good person who made a really bad choice."

Nonetheless, a network calling itself the Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Corp. has criticized what it considers a two-tiered system that favors law-enforcement officers charged with such crimes.

"It is an outrage," the group's director, Renee Harrington, said. "I can't believe this man was looking at charges carrying life in prison and got probation. What is the message that this has given other victims and police officers?"

Harrington said the advocacy group had contacted state legislators and other officials to try to intervene before Tuesday's sentencing - but she said no response was received.

Steele, who earlier spent months in jail before he was able to post bond, could have faced 90 days in jail when he was sentenced Tuesday. He was ordered by Boykin not to contact the victim.

Miller said Boykin accepted the no contest plea because there's still potential for civil action against Steele.

"The plea was offered by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in the best interests of justice," Miller said.

Steele remains suspended and still could face other disciplinary actions, according to the Detroit Police Department.

Golematis testified during an earlier preliminary hearing that Steele choked her, straddled her when she fell to the ground and fired shots near the left side of her head. The incident happened when Steele went to her home to get the last of his belongings after their relationship dissolved.

Golematis earlier testified that Steele appeared to "snap" back to reality after she told him that he was hurting her. She said he told her that he loved her and "would do anything for us."

dclem@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2238 [LINK]

Thursday, June 25, 2009

[NE] Chief Deputy Stemper not charged for domestic violence, but no longer employed

...Just days after learning he would not face charges of domestic assault a Nuckolls County Sheriff's Deputy is fired...

Is there a safety net for her?
Is there one for him?
What happens to them each now?
Who is in Nebraska for police family domestic violence?


DEPUTY WON'T FACE ASSAULT CHARGE
Omaha World-Herald
Published Tuesday June 23, 2009
NELSON, Neb. — The chief deputy of the Nuckolls County sheriff won't be charged with domestic assault involving his wife. The prosecutor said there isn't enough evidence to try 48-year-old Scott Stemper of Nelson. Stemper was arrested last month after an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol. He has been free on bail. Court documents say Stemper's wife, Christina, told a patrol investigator on May 16 that she and Stemper had squabbled around midnight about a pack of cigarettes. She says he threw the pack at her, striking her head. Christina Stemper said her husband then shoved her, held a knife above her throat and yelled at her. He told the investigator that she had taken the knife from a drawer and threatened to kill herself. He said he took the knife from her, and he denied pushing, grabbing or threatening his wife. Scott Stemper has been with the Nuckolls County Sheriff's Office for 23 years. He is a former mayor of Nelson who was recalled in 2005. [LINK]

NUCKOLLS COUNTY DEPUTY'S EMPLOYMENT TERMINATED
KHAS-TV
6/24/2009
Just days after learning he would not face charges of domestic assault a Nuckolls County Sheriff's Deputy is fired. The Nuckoll's County Sheriff said Scott Stemper of Nelson is no longer a county employee. He would not give any other details. Stemper was arrested last month on suspicion of domestic assault. The Thayer County Attorney who was appointed as special prosecutor in the case decided this week not to file charges due to a lack of evidence. Stemper had been with the Nuckoll's County Sheriff's Office for 23 years. He did not return News 5's calls for comment. [LINK]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement nebraska]

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

[MN] Officer Rinehart's wife walked into council meeting beaten up

..."She had some bleeding from her nose, blood on her shirt and her face was puffy and swollen," said Maplewood Police Chief David Thomalla, who was attending a biweekly City Council meeting when the victim walked into City Hall, where the police department also is located. Rinehart's wife, who complained of rib pain, too, was taken to St. John's Hospital in Maplewood... He said officers have to be careful when dealing with other officers because they are often armed... In 2001, Rinehart was one of three officers disciplined for not reporting the use of force in arresting an 18-year-old Illinois man. And twice during the past two years, his canine partner, Sarik, has bitten the wrong person...



ST. PAUL OFFICER ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
myfoxtwincities.com
23 Jun 2009
[Excerpts] SAINT PAUL, Minn. - A Saint Paul police officer was arrested Monday night in Maplewood for domestic assault. Isaac Rinehart has been placed on administrative duties until an investigation is completed. Rinehart works with Saint Paul's canine unit. The Maplewood police chief says Rinehart's showed up to a city council meeting with a bloody nose and swollen face, asking for help. She told police her husband had beat her up... [Full article here]



ST. PAUL POLICE OFFICER IS ACCUSED OF ASSAULT IN MAPLEWOOD
Wife of a member of K-9 force says he hit her in face
Pioneer Press
By Mara H. Gottfried mgottfried@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 06/23/2009 11:43:41 PM CDT
[Excerpts] Isaac Rinehart was arrested Tuesday at the Maplewood Police Department. A woman walked into the Maplewood Police Department on Monday night, reported that her husband had assaulted her and said he was a St. Paul police officer. She had visible injuries to her face, Maplewood police Chief Dave Thomalla said Tuesday. About 90 minutes later, officer Isaac Rinehart came to the police department and was arrested. Maplewood police cited him for misdemeanor domestic assault, and he was booked into the Ramsey County jail. The woman, whom Thomalla didn't name, told police she and Rinehart had been arguing, Thomalla said... St. Paul police have relieved Rinehart, a K-9 officer, of his regular assignment and placed him in an administrative position pending the outcome of the case, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman. He's also the subject of an internal affairs investigation after his K-9 partner bit a 13-year-old boy when Rinehart was off duty in March... Rinehart's wife walked about three-quarters of a mile to the Maplewood police station... Paramedics took the woman to St. John's Hospital, where she was evaluated and released... A judge denied Rinehart's request for a public defender, ordered Rinehart not to have contact with the victim and set bail at $1,000, which Rinehart posted. He was released pending a July 27 court appearance... In December 2007, [Officer Rinehart's K9] Sarik slipped from Rinehart's grasp while he was responding to a fight call in downtown St. Paul and bit a man who wasn't involved... [Full article here]

ST. PAUL OFFICER ACCUSED OF BEATING HIS WIFE
ST. PAUL (WCCO)
Heather Brown
Jun 23, 2009
[Excerpts] A St. Paul police officer is on desk duty after accusations he beat his wife. Officer Isaac Rinehart was arrested Monday night after turning himself in at the Maplewood Police Department. Around 10 p.m., his wife walked into the Maplewood Police Department. Maplewood Chief Dave Thomalla saw her and noticed something was wrong. "She had facial injuries. She had some bleeding from the nose and some swelling in her face," he said. "Obviously, she'd been assaulted." She told him she'd been hurt by her husband at the home where he was staying. She said they'd been in a fight and she'd walked a mile to the police station. Maplewood officers took her to the hospital. While she was being checked out, Thomalla called St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington to tell him what happened. Harrington called Rinehart's commander, who then called Rinehart. Within the hour, Rinehart had turned himself in. Thomalla said while all domestic cases are different, his officers did not handle this one differently because Rinehart is a police officer. He said officers have to be careful when dealing with other officers because they are often armed... Thomalla said Rinehart didn't give police a statement and requested his lawyer. In his 15 years with St. Paul Police, Rinehart's personnel file shows he's been commended 16 times. He's also been reprimanded four times. One was a 4-day suspension in 1996 for conduct unbecoming of a police officer. Privacy rules prevent police from releasing any more details on that suspension. Rinehart is also under investigation after his police canine bit a child earlier this year... Once the criminal case is closed, St. Paul Police will begin their own investigation... [Full article here]

A COURT DATE WAS SET FOR THE ST. PAUL OFFICER, WHOSE WIFE WENT TO MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL TO REPORT SHE HAD BEEN BEATEN.
Minneapolis Star Tribune
By Anthony Lonetree
Last update: June 24, 2009 - 9:09 PM
[Excerpts] A July 27 court hearing has been set for a St. Paul police canine officer charged with misdemeanor domestic assault. Isaac D. Rinehart, 42, was arraigned in Ramsey County District Court Tuesday after his wife went to Maplewood City Hall about 10 p.m. Monday claiming he had beaten her. "She had some bleeding from her nose, blood on her shirt and her face was puffy and swollen," said Maplewood Police Chief David Thomalla, who was attending a biweekly City Council meeting when the victim walked into City Hall, where the police department also is located. Rinehart's wife, who complained of rib pain, too, was taken to St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, where she was treated and released... Last fall, Rinehart was among several St. Paul K-9 cops to be featured on an Animal Planet TV series. But he has been the subject of less flattering news coverage, as well. In 2001, Rinehart was one of three officers disciplined for not reporting the use of force in arresting an 18-year-old Illinois man. And twice during the past two years, his canine partner, Sarik, has bitten the wrong person... Asked why the officer faced a misdemeanor charge, as opposed to a felony, the chief said "the injuries appeared to reach the misdemeanor level." He added, however, that his department also has requested the victim's medical records for review, and if the injuries were more severe than initially believed, the case could be sent to the county attorney's office for consideration of felony charges [Full article here]

FROM LAST MARCH:

ST. PAUL POLICE K9 POLICIES UNDER REVIEW AFTER ATTACK
KSTP.com
By: Nicole Muehlhausen
03/19/2009
[Excerpts] The St. Paul Police Department's K9 polices will go under review after a teenager was attacked by one of it's dogs Sunday night. Thirteen-year-old Mitch Fitzgerald told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he still hurts after being attacked by an unleashed police K9 named Sarik. The boy had to have 13 stitches in his arm and five in his lip after the assault. "I thought I felt his teeth hit the bone and he kept gnawing, gnawing and gnawing," Fitzgerald said. His mother, Terri, says she's even angrier after 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS discovered this isn't the first incident. In December of 2007, Sarik also bit a man while waiting for the bus... St. Paul Police spokesman Pete Panos says after the first incident, there was no formal investigation and both Sarik and his handler Officer Isaac Rinehart are still on the job. "This is very regrettable. It's a very bad accident and we take it very serious," Panos said. After spending two nights in the hospital, Fitzgerald says he still loves dogs but worries someone else may end up like him. "If it struck two people, it's going to strike three people probably. [The dog] should always be on a leash especially if it's in a neighborhood," he said... [Full article here]

FROM LAST APRIL:

SOUTH ST. PAUL / ST. PAUL OFFICER NOT CITED IN DOG BITE

Pioneer Press
By Mara H. Gottfried mgottfried@pioneerpress.com
Posted:04/08/2009 10:08 PM
[Excerpts] South St. Paul police closed their investigation Wednesday into a St. Paul police dog that bit a 13-year-old boy. They did not issue a citation to the officer. Police treated the case as they would handle any dog bite, said Lt. William Messerich... Mitch Fitzgerald got three stitches on his lip and 13 on his arm after off-duty officer Isaac Rinehart's K-9 partner, Sarik, bit him about 9 p.m. March 15... Rinehart was in uniform and driving a marked squad car when he stopped by to let Sarik out. "Before doing so, Officer Rinehart checked the area visually with the squad's spotlight and verbally by announcing, 'anybody out there'... Seeing no one and hearing no one, Sarik was released from the vehicle." Rinehart heard a scream "within a short period of time" and called Sarik back "as he ran towards the scream"... [Mitch's mother Terri] Fitzgerald said she hadn't heard from South St. Paul police that the investigation was over... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement minnesota]