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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

[MI] Officer-Involved Murder-Suicide: Detroit Detective Williams' note to give his possessions to his mother "wasn't quite a suicide note"?

Stolen by her husband's act of murder-suicide:
Detroit Police Officer

Patricia Catherine "Katie" Ryan Williams

...Friends said Patricia Williams was contemplating a divorce, and her husband had been distraught about it....

For more - including Katie obituaries with funeral information - go to the blog "Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence" - post: "OFFICER PATRICIA CATHERINE RYAN WILLIAMS [DETROIT PD] KILLED BY HUSBAND / OFFICER ED WILLIAMS"

Detroit Police Detective
Edward "Ed" Gordon Williams II


...Police knew the marriage between a Detroit homicide detective and his police officer wife may have been growing violent, particularly after finding a disturbing note written by Ed Williams after a report of domestic violence at the couple's Canton Township home... "It wasn't quite a suicide note, but it was a note indicating that he wanted his mother to have all his possessions if something happened to him" ...

Prayers are lifted for the families of Patricia and Ed Williams, their friends, co-workers, and Patricia's young son.


DETROIT POLICE OFFICER SHOOTS, KILLS WIFE THEN SELF IN PARKING LOT OF CANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
By The Associated Press
September 22, 2009, 4:23PM
[Excerpts] An off-duty Detroit police officer fatally shot his wife, who was also a Detroit police officer, in the parking lot of a suburban library on Tuesday before killing himself, authorities said. Patricia Catherine Williams, 33, was pronounced dead upon arrival at an area hospital, while Edward Gordon Williams II, 36, died later Tuesday after he was taken off life support... [Full article here]

... An hour and a half after the note was found, Canton's shift commander called the Detroit Police Department to make them aware of the potentially violent situation brewing with Ed and Patricia Williams... "We told them about the domestic violence calls, and that we'd put (Ed Williams) into LEIN"... Detroit Police 2nd Deputy Chief John Roach said a homicide investigator contacted Ed Williams that day. "He indicated everything was all right, so we communicated that back to Canton, and they took him out of LEIN," Roach said. Two days later, tragedy struck...


POLICE: DETROIT COP SHOOTS WIFE, HIMSELF AT CANTON LIBRARY
The Detroit News
George Hunter, Christine Ferretti and Steve Pardo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
[Excerpts] A Detroit Police officer was on her way to report a domestic dispute this morning when her husband, a Detroit homicide detective, fatally shot her in a library parking lot before turning the gun on himself, police said. At about 9 a.m., Ed Williams, 36, of Canton Township shot his wife, Patricia, who was an officer at Detroit's Northwest District, following an argument in the parking lot of the Canton Public Library... Patricia Williams died on her way to the hospital... Ed Williams was initially on life support, but police confirmed his death near 2:30 this afternoon. Canton police had responded to a domestic dispute at the couple's home this weekend... At about 8:30 this morning, a female friend called police to report that Patricia Williams was on her way into the Canton police station to report another domestic incident, [Canton Township Police Sgt. Mark] Gajeski said Ed Williams met his wife in the Canton Township parking lot and fired more than one shot at his wife for unknown reasons... Friends ... said Patricia was contemplating a divorce, and that her husband had been distraught about it. [Full article here]


Listen to the 9-1-1 calls HERE.

DETROIT COP KILLS WIFE, SELF (W/911 CALLS)
Listen to 911 calls
Detroit Free Press
By Tammy Stables Battaglia and Amber Hunt
September 22, 2009 - UPDATED 4 P.M.
CANTON - Police are trying to knit together a time line of what led Detroit Police Department homicide investigator Ed Williams to shoot and kill his wife, also an officer, then shoot himself in the parking lot of the Canton Public Library today... Canton police officers had responded to the couple's home for a domestic complaint over the weekend, [Canton Township Police Sgt. Mark] Gajeski said. And today, a male friend of Patricia Williams called Canton police around 8:30 a.m., reporting there had been another incident. The caller said Patricia Williams was on her way to the police department, Gajeski said. She never made it. Instead, she parked her silver late-model BMW a couple of spaces down from her husband's sleek black Dodge Charger with dark-tinted windows along the side of the library parking lot. “He called her, and he got her to come over to the library and talk to her... She went to talk to him, and that’s when the shooting started.” Patricia Williams ran, but her husband gunned her down, shooting her two more times as she lay in the parking lot, Gajeski said. Then he turned the gun on himself, a few parking spaces away... Detroit police spokesman John Roach said Patricia Williams, with the department since November 1995, was a patrol officer at the department's Northwest District who was on disability with a hand injury. She had recently been reassigned to the department's Northeast District on restricted duty. Ed Williams started with the force in 1994. Chaplains were consoling officers in the department's homicide unit and offering assistance throughout the department, he said. "It's a definite tragedy, first and foremost for the family of these two officers, but it is also felt here at the Detroit Police Department, as well," Roach said. "Folks here are kind of numb." [Full article here]

Video:


2 OFFICERS DEAD IN MURDER-SUICIDE
Couple Had History Of Domestic Abuse
clickondetroit.com
POSTED: Tuesday, September 22, 2009
UPDATED: 5:52 pm EDT September 22, 2009
Two Detroit police officers died Tuesday in what is being called a murder-suicide... Police said there is domestic abuse in the couple's history and that Williams' wife came into the Canton Police Department Sunday to report an assault, but she refused to file a formal complaint. Canton police filed a detailed report of the abuse complaints against Edward Williams, including a note on his file and a conversation with a commander in the Detroit Police Department about the alleged abuse. An acquaintance of the couple called police at 8:57 a.m. to report the two were on their way to the police department for a meeting. They arrived in different cars. Witnesses said the two got into an argument and that Williams shot his wife several times in the lot before getting back into his black Dodge Charger and shooting himself... The couple lived in Canton and were caretakers for Patricia Williams’ young child from a previous marriage to a Westland police officer... [Full article here]

Video:


CANTON, LIVONIA POLICE INVESTIGATING MURDERS
WWJ
Tuesday, 22 September 2009 4:33PM
[Excerpts] ...Canton Township police say an off-duty Detroit police officer, identified as Edward Williams II, shot his wife, Patricia Williams, in the parking lot of the township library on Canton Center Road before taking his own life... Canton police said late Tuesday afternoon Patricia Williams came into the police department early last Saturday morning to report an assault complaint but refused to file a formal complaint. She also would not provide her or her husband's name. On Sunday morning police say they received a call from an anonymous third party to report a possible domestic situation in the 3500 block of Wall Street. Police responded to the location and found no one inside the residence; but officers did find a handwritten note which prompted them to enter Edward Williams into a statewide law enforcement computer system as an endangered missing person. Detroit police were notified on Sunday of the situation involving the couple, according to a statement from Canton police. Later that day, Detroit police called Canton police and indicated they had been in contact with Edward WIlliams and he was "alright"... [Full article here]

Video:


CANTON POLICE PIECE TOGETHER MURDER-SUICIDE
Journal Newspapers - Scott Spielman
Scott Spielman, Editor
September 22, 2009 5:49 PM
[Excerpts] ...The Canton Police Department is essentially across the parking lot from the library; officers were soon on the scene. “We found two people down,” he said. “There were two victims.” Both were transported to local hospitals. Patricia Williams, 33, was pronounced dead when she arrived at Oakwood Hospital in Wayne. Ed Williams, 36, was on life support until afternoon and pronounced at about 2:30, said Gajeski. He said police believe Patricia Williams had been on the way to the police department to file a domestic complaint. Instead, she parked her car in the library lot, near her husband’s, after he had called her and convinced her to talk. Canton police investigators received several statements from witnesses indicating they saw the couple sitting and talking in the park area behind the library just prior to the shooting. When the discussion took a turn for the worse, Patricia Williams attempted to flee, but was shot multiple times... [Canton Township Police Sgt. Mark] Gajeski said Canton police had responded to their home for a domestic complaint twice during the past week. “We had some contact with them," he said. “It was pretty recent." On Sept. 19, Patricia Williams went to the Canton Police Department to file a domestic assault complaint, but changed her mind and refused to file a formal complaint, said Gajeski. She didn’t give officers her husband’s name, either. A day later, an anonymous caller reported a possible domestic situation at their home on Wall Street, according to Gajeski. Police who responded said they didn’t see anyone at home, but found a note that caused them to contact Detroit police and place Edward Williams on the endangered missing person list, according to Canton police. They cancelled that alert later that day. The next contact came Tuesday morning, when an acquaintance called police to tell them that Patricia Williams was on her way to the police department building to meet her husband in the lobby for a conversation, according to Gajeski. Gajeski said even though the incident was a tragedy it could have been worse. “The library parking lot was pretty full," he said. “It was getting ready to open"... [Full article here]

Video:


BEST REPORTING SO FAR:

VIOLENCE REPORTED BEFORE DETROIT COP KILLED WIFE, HIMSELF

Domestic violence report preceded shooting in Canton
The Detroit News
George Hunter, Christine Ferretti and Steve Pardo
September 23, 2009
[Excerpts] Detroit Police homicide investigator Ed Williams, who was featured on the television true-crime drama, "The First 48," said he didn't understand why people committed murder. "When you have a (brutal murder), you look at it and you're like, 'what type of individual would do something like this?'" Williams said on the show, which airs on the A&E cable network. "It amazes me that people are just willing to end someone's life. If I was here 25 years, I could never be able to make sense of it." Now police are trying to make sense of the events that prompted Williams, 36, to fatally shoot his wife, Detroit Police Officer Patricia Williams, 33, before turning the gun on himself Tuesday in an apparent murder-suicide in the parking lot of the Canton Public Library. Police knew the marriage between a Detroit homicide detective and his police officer wife may have been growing violent, particularly after finding a disturbing note written by Ed Williams after a report of domestic violence at the couple's Canton Township home. Just after midnight on Saturday, Patricia Williams went to the Canton police station to report that her husband had assaulted her. "But she decided not to press charges... About 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Canton police got a call about a domestic disturbance at a home in the 3500 block of Wall Street. Officers arrived but found nobody home, Gajeski said. However, they did find a note at the home, written by Ed Williams, which caused concern, he said. "It wasn't quite a suicide note, but it was a note indicating that he wanted his mother to have all his possessions if something happened to him," Gajeski said. "It was enough to make us take action." After finding the note, the Canton officers entered Ed Williams' name into the Law Enforcement Information Network as an endangered missing person, Gajeski said. An hour and a half after the note was found, Canton's shift commander called the Detroit Police Department to make them aware of the potentially violent situation brewing with Ed and Patricia Williams, Gajeski said. "We told them about the domestic violence calls, and that we'd put (Ed Williams) into LEIN," he said. Detroit Police 2nd Deputy Chief John Roach said a homicide investigator contacted Ed Williams that day. "He indicated everything was all right, so we communicated that back to Canton, and they took him out of LEIN," Roach said. Two days later, tragedy struck. At 8:57 a.m. Tuesday, Canton Police received a call from an acquaintance of Patricia Williams, who told officers the couple was on the way to the Canton Police Department. Nineteen minutes later, there were several 911 calls reporting shots fired in the parking lot of the Canton Public Library. Witnesses told Canton police they saw the couple talking in the park behind the library just prior to the shooting. A Detroit Police Internal Affairs investigator was inside the Canton police station, picking up a copy of Ed Williams' note, when the shooting occurred, Roach said. Dave Malhalab, a retired 23-year Detroit police veteran who worked with Patricia Williams at the city's former 6th Precinct, said domestic violence cases often are the toughest to investigate. "It's particularly difficult when the victim doesn't want to press charges," Malhalab said. Patricia Williams, who was about to retire from the police force because of a hand injury and was about to embark on a new career as a mortgage broker, had a young son, reportedly age 6 or 7, from a previous marriage. Friends said Patricia Williams was contemplating a divorce, and her husband had been distraught about it... [Full article here]

MURDER/SUICIDE: WARNING SIGNS WERE THERE
WXYZ
Last Update: 12:32 am
[Excerpts] The warning signs were there, but sadly, the murder/suicide that unfolded in a library parking lot could not be stopped... Investigators say Patricia Williams made a complaint against her husband earlier in the week. She called Canton Twp. police to inform them that she was meeting him Tuesday morning in the parking lot of the library... [Full article here]


Video:
I took some clips of Detective Ed Williams from 2 episodes of the television program, "The first 48" and put them together here:


"HOMICIDE ISN'T ACTUALLY FOR EVERYBODY. YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH A LOT. I JUST HAVE TO BE GOOD AT IT. I REFUSE TO GIVE UP. I REFUSE TO BE BEAT, BECAUSE IF YOU GIVE UP QUICKLY THESE PEOPLE WILL BEAT YOU. WELCOME TO THE GHETTO. IT'S US AGAINST THEM AND YOU HAVE TO BEAT THEM EVERY TIME... MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU HAVE A PERSON STABBED TO DEATH IT IS ONLY A CRIME OF PASSION - SOMETHING DONE IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. WHEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION AND IT WAS THAT BRUTAL, YOU LOOK AT IT AND YOU'RE LIKE, 'WHAT TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS? IT AMAZES ME THAT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO JUST END SOMEONE'S LIFE. IF I WAS HERE 25 YEARS, I COULD NEVER BE ABLE TO MAKE SENSE OF IT...HOMICIDE I THINK DOES CHANGE A PERSON. IT MAKES YOU A LITTLE BIT COLDER, YOU BECOME DESENSITIZED TO DEATH. THEY'RE NEVER REALLY PEOPLE TO YOU... IT WAS THE BEAST THAT CAME OUT. THE BEAST IS THE ONE WHO DID IT."


There will be questions asked, like WHO KNEW WHAT WHEN in Detroit PD and what did they do with what they knew? What weapon was used and was he ordered to turn his weapons in before the killings? How does Detroit PD respond to domestic violence complaints that involve personnel? Is there a POLICY in place specifically outlining how to handle officer-involved domestic violence [OIDV] incidents or officers who are abusive? Or do they just wing it - hoping for the best? Regarding Ed Williams did they handle things based on the priority of saving Ed Williams' career if possible or based on Patricia and Ed's safety?

This is so awful. The loss cannot be measured.

I am
watching it happen over and over around the country.


In the midst of ending their marriage, our Tacoma Washington Police Chief David Brame also fatally shot his wife Crystal and himself. It also happened in a parking lot - but with their very young children nearby, running to them, crying out for strangers to save their mother who lay on the ground bleeding from a close contact glock head wound. Like Detroit's tragedy, ours also was preceded by warning signs like (uninvestigated) domestic violence allegations and indication of suicidal ideations. Tacoma had no policy. They were winging it. There was disagreeement about whether to remove his weapons - but while they were still bickering over what to do it happened.

The stolen life of Crystal and suicide of our chief - together with a $75 million dollar wrongful death lawsuit against our city, and county - did force change here. It's not fixed but it's better. Washington State now has a statewide law that every law enforcement agency in the state MUST have a specific
officer-involved domestic violence [OIDV] policy. Law enforcement agencies must have a procedural map of exactly what actions must be taken, when, and by who.

Come learn from us the costly lessons:
www.lanejudson.com.

There is still no place for victims of OIDV to turn, and there are a whole set of additional problems for victims who are officers themselves and for officers who are falling. There is still widespread tolerance of officers who are known to have a pattern of abuse. None of this is easy to address but we can't leave things the way that they are now.

See: www.policedomesticviolence.com
[uncooperative police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities murder suicide michigan crystal judson silent witness fire in the rain kevin swope]

37 comments:

  1. FAMILY IN MURDER/SUICIDE ISSUES STATEMENT
    WXYZ
    Last Update: 9/23/2009 6:14 pm
    The family of a Detroit Police detective, who witnesses say shot his wife before turning the gun on himself, has issued a statement... Edward Williams' family issued the following statement about the incident Wednesday afternoon:
    "The family of Edward Williams is devastated by this horrible tragedy, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Patricia Williams. We loved Patricia and Edward, and are stunned and deeply saddened by this most tragic turn of events"... [Full article here]

    ReplyDelete
  2. My heart goes out to both families. I went to high school with Ed and never in a million years would I ever imagine him being capable of doing something like this. It's so sad that things happened like this, but you never know.

    ReplyDelete
  3. God bless you Cloud

    - Your friends for life in the Harbor.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a tragedy for both families - prayers for everyone involved its sad that when you are in situations like this that no one has the intelligence to just walk away or stay away from the one who is causing the problems because when stress/strife occurs people seem to do things that are not like them. I feel for the young child left behind. God bless the families

    ReplyDelete
  5. It doesn't sit well with me for victims to be only victims. None of these articles even mentioned that Katie's name is Katie Ryan. Not one. I came back and added her REAL name in - the one used for her online obituaries. The name that her friends call her in her online guestbook.
    In all the articles that came out over the first couple days there was NOTHING about Katie as a person, as a mom, as a law enforcement officer, as a daughter or as a friend.

    I just woke up from a nap and I'm going to go look for news now - and I hope someone is reporting about the life that was stolen.

    Much love,
    Cloud

    ReplyDelete
  6. I understand that Katie was married still, and that her family is not using Williams. On Katie's Facebook she has her name as Katie Ryan-Williams. I think I'll go with that - the name she used for herself. Since Ed MURDERED her though, from now on the "Williams" will be in brackets.

    As long as I'm talking - WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT FROM EDWARD WILLIAMS' FAMILY!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!

    There was one article that is intentionally not included above. I'll deal with it later... the article about police suicides, cop stress, yada yada blah blah blah. There is ALWAYS some of that when there is high profile officer-involved murder, but EVEN WHILE MIXING IN THIS TRAGEDY, even while acknowledging a higher rate of suicide and abuse for cops - it says cops do NOT have a higher rate of murder?

    OH REALLY?

    That doesn't even makes sense!
    But because no one keeps count anyone can say anything they want out of their "expertise." As long as people think that the problem won't be addressed.

    I TIRE OF ARTICLES THAT TALK ABOUT THE STRESS OF THE JOB WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THE STRESS OF LIVING WITH A CONTROLLING HOMICIDAL OFFICER. THOSE ARE THE VOICES I HEAR ALL THE TIME. WOMEN AFRIAD FOR THEIR LIVES. AT LEAST INCLUDE FAMILY FEAR IN THE ARTICLES ON COP STRESS.

    HOLD KEVIN CLOSE. HE IS VERY BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF THIS FINAL TRAGEDY.

    THANK YOU GOD.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a sad sad situation that can happen to anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  8. this was an unfortunate tragedy for both families joined by their union. infidelity causes mental anguish that some are unable to cope with but it happens. let us not continue to sweep such truths under the rug, let us talk about it. we can not ignore the dreadful end to this domestic violence relationship. often times police respond to domestic violence police runs and are in denial that they are in the same kind of relationships. police are required to enter the homes of strangers and offer advice to seek help or make arrests, but are too proud to get the same help themselves. police officers are trained to be in control of all situations but what are they to do when they encounter problems that can not be controlled by them? for these officers the ugly little secret got out, but the wife failed to follow through on her complaint as she had often advised other women to do! the MONSTER that killed her was not the kind hearted, gentle and soft spoken man she married. maybe she thought the person she had known for nearly 14 years was still inside( they had been friends and occasional lovers for a long time before they married). for some reason she ignored her police instinct that she used for many years during her daily tour of duty on the streets of detroit. not only was she betrayed by her HUSBAND but she was betrayed a FELLOW POLICE OFFICER!! who cut short not only her life but his with no POSSIBLITY of punishment for the crime of being a "COP KILLER"!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am still in disbelief over the deaths of officers Edward and Patricia Williams. I am not understanding why Edward was not admitted into a crisis center by his command. I have known countless other officers who were taken into crisis centers for an unstable mental and/or emotional episode. The outcome of this ordeal does not sit well with me because it could have been prevented. I can not comprehend how Edward slipped through the cracks and was allowed to cause so much devastation. Patricia's son has to grow up without his mother because "DPD" failed to put one of its officer in a facility to help him while he was clearly deranged. The officers and supervisors who worked close to him had to know that this behavior was totally out of character for Edward. He was a very private person and did not believe in airing his dirty laundry. He had to be humiliated when DPD came to their home to intervene in a private matter. Edward had to know that everyone in the department would know that he and Patricia were having marital problems. All the gossip and whispering would soon follow(COMMON PRACTICE). Often times,officers do not have anyone they can confide in on the job because other officers betray the trust(SO SAD). I can only hope the families of both these officers can offer each other support and not harbor resentment towards one another over this tragedy. R.I.P- "ED" AND "KATIE"

    ReplyDelete
  10. When people point fingers, do they ask themselves what could have LEGALLY been done to Ed to commit him? The criteria for non family members including his co-workers and supervisors to commit him against his will was not met. He explained there was an argument between him and his wife, that he found somewhere else to stay, that he made plans for their separation, Canton PD said they had NO criminal charges. Ed even went to work on Monday as scheduled. You can't forcibly commit a person without cause, and the note was explained by him. Judge not, I hope you are never in the position I was.

    ReplyDelete
  11. WASHINGTON STATE LAW MANDATES THAT EACH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE STATE MUST HAVE AN OFFICER-INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY

    ..." Her death left us with sobering and agonizing questions: How could this have happened? And what can we do to prevent it from ever happening again?"...

    ReplyDelete
  12. MAY GOD BLESS THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR IT SEEMS TOO MANY OF ITS MEMBERS HAVE BEEN IN THE MEDIA LATELY FOR NOT SO APPEALING REASONS. MURDER, SUICIDE, FRAUD, CHILD MOLESTATION... ARE THESE POLICE PERSONNEL OR PRISON INMATES? I AM TRULY DISPLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE ABOVE PERTAINING TO WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE "LEGALLY" AS IT RELATES TO AN OFFICER BEING HELPED WITH UNSTABLE MENTAL AND /OR EMOTIONAL ISSUES. POLICE DEAL WITH PEOPLE ON A DAILY BASIS WHO KNOW HOW TO "DECEIVE"!! NO DISRESPECT BUT TOO MANY OFFICERS HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAW. THERE HAS TO BE SOME SERIOUS POSSIBLY "LIFE-SAVING" CHANGES AS IT RELATES TO OFFICERS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. GOD BLESS YOU

    ReplyDelete
  13. God Bless Katie, but she wouldn't tell Canton PD what transpired between her and Ed, when they got to their house, no one was home. Later when she went to the Police Department, she wouldn't give any details about their dispute(s) so there was no basis to commit Ed or have him arrested. Like it or not, civilian or police, you have to have some reason you can articulate to arrest a U.S. citizen, or focibly commit them to a psychiatric facility.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This murder-suicide incident seems to be an example of the calm before the storm. I have read some of the comments and it appears that "ED" went to work the previous day with a level head. Sometimes we have people in our lives that maybe we should walk away from. Although this couple may have known each other as friends for some time before marriage, they must have grown bitter towards one another. Outside of this website, I have heard some really wonderful things about "ED" and not so many nice remarks about "KATIE". Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinions and nothing is going to bring either of them back. They both left behind people who are going to miss their laughter,smiles and physical presence. My prayers go out the DETROIT HOMICIDE SECTION because they lost an extaordinary detective( "ED" was well respected from what I hear). You can never completely know anyone in life but you can love the person they allow to know. May we all be blessed to move forward from this tragedy. May we never forget there will be many obstacles in life that require us to THINK before we act. Too many people are dying in the heat of the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  15. So the nice one is the one who pumped the other one with bullets. Interesting. He may have been handsome (I saw a site with women talking about that) and he may have been impressive -- but he's only the kind of nice that is nice as long as he gets things his way.

    There are more folks like that than people realize.

    Or the kind of nice that co-workers and friends get to benefit from but not spouses.

    Nice would be getting a divorce.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Perhaps you are right about "Ed" being nice only as long as he got his way. Perhaps "Katie" was the same way. Perhaps this is why she failed to make an official police report against her husband. Perhaps "Katie" realized she helped create this violent,controlling and arrogant person "Ed" became. Perhaps she was the sole person who could bring out the killer in him. There is only one thing we know for certain...they are both DEAD! No one will ever know why this tragedy occurred in that public library parking lot next to the Canton police station in broad daylight. STILL TRYING TO COPE WITH THIS ORDEAL!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh my goodness. You sure are still trying to cope. I'm not going to do a DV 101 class in the comments section, but hopefully you will make these deaths matter by LEARNING the dynamics of abuse and getting on a soapbox to help others know too before it is too late for them.

    You need to feel that Katie brought on her own death. That is sad. However you get through this time is up to you - but when you are done with the stages of grief, seek out the dynamics.

    You negate Ed as a man to blame someone else. He made a decision. You won't let him have that. He maintained control and you seem to think that she did. Forever, thanks to Ed, Katie's name will never be able to be mentioned without his face being all over that. He arranged that... for eternity.

    I doubt that this is about love or anger. It's more likely about fear and control.

    Murder is a crime. No matter how mad you are at me, out of your hundreds of choices of how to respond - some are off limits.

    He negated himself when he stole a life. You don't have to be mad at him, if you love or respect him it's your perogative to continue that - but you can imagine this or that all day long and it won't justify murder.

    Hugs.

    The 7 Stages of Grief
    http://www.recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.html

    The first stage:

    "SHOCK & DENIAL-
    You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for weeks..."

    ReplyDelete
  18. Who was Katie before she met him, while she was happy and loving him, and who did she plan to restore herself to be - as she moved towards divorce? How did she love her son and what did she like to do? None of the articles have said anything personal.

    ReplyDelete
  19. HUG yourself, because if you think for one minute that I would be mad at you for voicing your opinion, you're the person who needs multiple stages of HELP! PEACE BE STILL!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. If there are too many comments for one page, a link will appear at the bottom that indicates a second page of comments.

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  21. My heart goes out to both families and both Edward & Katie, we would never know what was going through Edwards mind for him to commit such an atrocious act...He didn't seem like the type of person who would of done something like this...My heart is sadden, Rest In Peace...

    ReplyDelete
  22. REST IN PEACE DEAR FRIEND, you are missed!Two lives ended too soon for pain that time would have healed. May both families heal and someday help others through their tragic loss of a son and a daughter. Intervention of domestic violence is frightening but rewarding if it means saving a life or lives. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I didn't know Ed at all. I had the pleasure of Katie's company a couple of times with a mutual friend. Katie had a zest for life that I respect. I think the bottom line here is, Ed took Kevin's mom from him.......It doesn't matter the "excuse" or the "explaination" for it. It is a horrible thing that Kevin will have to learn to live with, that Kevin will have to pay the consequences for. No matter what Ed (or Katie for that matter) did or did not do in life makes no difference now. A child has to deal with this mess, not Ed not Katie, not anybody judging the two of them. I know part of Kevin's family well and between them and the grace of God I feel Kevin will come through this, but it will not be easy. My thoughts and prayers are with those left behind that loved Katie and Ed, may God grant them peace.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Kevin can do well if he is surrounded with real and genuine love. It doesn't make things right or heal the wound, but love is an amazing force... and his mom would want that ->
    love all around him,
    and him growing into a strong good man.

    There are people who have demonstrated themselves to be evil. But there are others who I believe crumble under the combination of certain factors. From THAT place I think they fall into some hole of impenetrable darkness that becomes unaware of anything but itself. May we never know the darkness it takes to commit such an act.

    I thank God that Kevin was not harmed.
    I will never look at any murder-suicide like what's-done-is-done. We sweep away the victim because it easier to look forward. But may Katies's life always be commemorated, remembered, and celebrated.

    Katie's murder and Ed's self-inflicted death should spur a CHANGE for other officer-involved domestic violence victims in at LEAST Detroit - but I see nothing happening.

    What a shame.

    Who cares?

    Hugs.

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  25. I can only hope that there be a CHANGE with not just officer involved domestic violence cases but for civilians as well. Detroit has more than its fair share of death as it relates to domestic violence but the officers are not defined by their careers. They are real people with real problems not robots. I wish Kevin the BEST in all of his future endeavors. I know that he has his father who is a positive role model and an outstanding police officer who once worked for the city of Detroit. MAY GOD BLESS THIS FATHER AND SON.

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  26. THE FIRST THANKSGIVING FEAST WITHOUT YOU WAS HARD AND ALMOST UNBEARABLE BUT I KNOW YOUR RESTING IN PEACE. NO DOUBT CHRISTMAS WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT AND I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU. IT IS TRULY SAD THAT I CAN NEVER REPAY YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR ME IN MY TIMES OF NEED.I HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!! LOVE YOU AND MISSING YOU MUCH, DEAR FRIEND.

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  27. 1ST OFF... THERE IS NO REASON ON EARTH TO TRY FOR ONE SECOND TO GIVE KATIE A BAD NAME... SO DON'T. I KNEW ED... HE DID SEEM VERY NICE AND HE WAS A HANDSOME MAN, BUT LOOKS ARE VERY TRICKY. i KNEW KATIE VERY WELL AND SHE WAS NOT HAPPY AT ALL. ED WAS VERY CONTROLLING AND VERY MEAN. VERY MEAN. SHE NEEDED TO GET OUT AND SHE WAS TRYING THINGS JUST HAPPENED TOO FAST. BUT LIKE IT WAS SAID ALREADY HE HAS NO EXCUSE FOR HIS ACTIONS. HE KNEW BETTER AND THATS WHY HE TOOK HIS LIFE AS WELL. THE WORST THING IS HE TOOK A WONDERFUL MOTHER AWAY FROM KEVIN. AND THANK GOS HE HAS A AWESOME FATHER TO HELP HIM THRU THIS...I MISS HER SO BAD AND PRAY THAT LIL KEV WILL BE OK.

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  28. Ed's final legacy that he allowed himself to construct as he went through the motions of setting up a murder is

    nothing good.

    People's character is revealed when they don't get what they want. Sure they are great when things are swinging their way or the obstacles are surmountable.

    But when a person really can't have their way,
    THAT is when you find out what kind of person they really are.

    They don't "change." They are revealed when tested by real life.

    Ed's having it together was just a facade.
    There's nothing nice to say except how good it felt while being fooled.

    Reality: Murderer.

    HE wrote the final chapter that will overshadow his name forever.

    His set of choices that he PLANNED and followed through on.

    Katie's choices were stolen.

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  29. AnonymousMay 01, 2010

    I was recently watching an update of First 48 and I caught a glimpse of the deceased Officer Edward Williams which sent a chill down my spine. I remember when I first saw him on the show and thought that he was too handsome to be a police officer. I never thought he could be a cold-blooded killer. I guess no one is too handsome or beautiful to be a killer. I know that officers have to wear many uniforms and disguises but who can really know what troubles them deep inside. Did he ever reach out for help? Did he have any children of his own? Was Officer Williams depressed or an alcoholic? In a previous comment someone stated that "ED" PLANNED this murder-suicide, is this a known fact or just speculation? I don't think this ordeal will forever overshadow his name because I'm sure he was not always the person(murderer) he became. I'm sure his mom knew him to be someone entirely different as well as others who loved him. We have to stop hiding and being in denial about the deadliness of Domestic Violence. GOD BLESS!!!

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  30. Here I am a whole year later commenting!! I recently was given as a gift all 10 season of the First 48 Hours (I love crime shows). I too was struck with Ed Williams beauty and demeanor. So much so, I rewatched the episode to note if he had on a wedding band. When I noticed he didnt, I immediately posted on my FaceBook that all the women who were looking for a husband should pick up and move to Detroit. One of my friends mentioned it would be nice to see a pic of him, before she packed her bags and bought her ticket. While looking for a pic of Ed on the web I stumbled accross this site!! OMG!! How sad? Tragedy for both families. I simply can not beleive it went that far. PIP to Edward and his wife, Patricia!! I know everyone was/is upset with Edward's final action, but I have to imagine the pain he was in to commit such actions.

    And also, I truely beleive (it is my OPINION) that all of our times of death and ways of demise are written in God's Book of Life. Though we may think it is not right, it was already ordained. God makes no mistakes!!!

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  31. I hope you give up matchmaking.

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  32. Rot in hell Ed

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  33. REST IN PEACE "ED", MY BROTHER. I MISS YOU DEEPLY. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU FOR THE ALL THE GOOD THINGS YOU DID AND SAID. LOVE YOU!!!!

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  34. AnonymousJune 21, 2011

    ED WAS THE TRUE DEFINITION OF A COWARD... HE STOLE HIS WIFE'S LIFE AND STOLE ACHILD'S MOTHER. ALTHOUGH I DO INDEED FEEL SORRY FOR HIS PARENTS AND THOSE THAT LOVED HIM, I FIND MYSELF MORE INVOLVED WITH HEART-FELT PITY FOR KATY'S SON AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.

    I AM MARRIED TO A DETROIT POLICE OFFICER, WHO IS INDEED A SWEETHEART WITH A GUN ON HIS SIDE. SO, I HAVE A TRUE SOFT SPOT FOR DPD WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES.

    I ACTUALLY KNEW ED PRIOR TO HIM BECOMING A COP, HIS DAD IS A COP, PERHAPS RETIRED BY NOW...NOT SURE. BUT, THE HURT AND SHAME ED PUT HIS DAD THROUGH IS JUST ANOTHER NOTCH IN HIS COWARD BELT....

    I STILL PRAY FOR THOSE THAT ARE LEFT BEHIND MISSING THEM BOTH.

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  35. This is why no police officer should ever be made to feel ashamed for seeking counseling or mental health services. Being a police officer, especially in cities where there is high violent crime, is often emotionally draining.

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  36. I knew both Katie and Ed. I loved Katie dearly and there is a huge hole in my heart from losing Katie. Katie had her faults but she was a good person till the day she died. For those who didn’t know Katie she was a beautiful, smart, fun and a wonderful mother who made mistakes like we all do. She loved being on the water, planning vacations for her friends and family, just being with her friends and family and most importantly participating her in her son’s life especially his love for hockey. Weeks before her death she was talking about going back to school she was looking towards her future.
    She was good person and for those of you are saying Katie brought this on herself, need reevaluate who you are. Katie was a much better person than you are. I hated Ed for a long time but I now I feel sorry that as controlling as he was he couldn’t control his own emotions. Ed had had his good qualities and was loved by many people but in the end he made a very evil and selfish decision. In the end Ed couldn’t live with the man he allowed himself to become, the same man Katie wanted to leave and divorce.
    Almost 3 years later… Katie is missed daily by friends and family. St. Patrick ’s Day is almost here and I can’t put on green without thinking of Katie. Her son, Kevin, is growing into a wonderful man that I know Katie would be very proud of. Though Katie may not have been here for the birth of her nephew, the marriage of her sister or to see Kevin score his triple play in hockey … she is watching over it all with a smile. When Irish eyes are smilling….

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  37. If someone is trashing Katie here above, right click on the date of the comment(s) and post the links for me and I will remove them.

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