[MI] Wife and stepson of ex state trooper Bart Cunningham are recovering from multiple gunshot wounds

Ionia shooting victims continue to recover
MLive
By Peg McNichol
February 27, 2010, 4:48PM
[Excerpt] Medical conditions for Wendy Cunningham and her son, Joshua Snyder, have been upgraded to fair. Cunningham, 42, and Snyder, 16, are recovering at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital after being shot during an apparent domestic dispute. Cunningham's husband, former state police trooper Bart Cunningham, 37, had shot them multiple times and took his own life in the Friday morning incident...

Two Shot in Ionia Home
WLNS
Feb 26, 2010
[Excerpts] ...Police say he shot his wife and sixteen year old stepson multiple times before killing himself. They say an argument occurred before the shootings. After that, the couple's thirteen year old daughter called 911.
The police chief says this isn't the first time they've been called to Cunningham's hom... This time he says it took the swat team fifty minutes to get inside the home with the help of the thirteen year old. David Bulling, Ionia Police Chief: "We were communicating with a thirteen year old on the phone to determine what the situation was and getting our team ready and deployed to go in and make an entry of the home, not knowing what the status of the shooter was"...

Suspected gunman dies after Ionia shooting, two others seriously injured
By Dave Odette The Grand Rapids Press
February 26, 2010, 9:01AM
[Excerpts] ...A 13-year-old girl, who was not hurt, called 911, and stayed on with the dispatchers throughout the ordeal. "She was able to give us updates as this progressed, and she was very helpful," Ionia Public Safety Director David Bulling said... A critical-response team, comprised of Ionia police and Ionia County sheriff's deputies, responded to the scene, but police did not fire any shots, Bulling said.

To see more collected news on this shooting, go to Renee's blog:

Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence
FORMER MICHIGAN STATE TROOPER BART CUNNINGHAM [KALKASKA STATE POLICE POST], SHOT AND CRITICALLY WOUNDED HIS WIFE WENDY CUNNINGHAM AND HIS TEENAGE STEP-SON JOSHUA SNYDER. BART CUNNINGHAM THEN COMMITTED SUICIDE. THE TEENAGE DAUGHTER OF WENDY AND BART WAS UNHARMED IN THE SHOOTINGS.
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities attempted murder-suicide michigan state history]

[ID] Deputy Keyes charged with felony (armed) stalking of his ex-wife, breaking in, etc

CANYON COUNTY DEPUTY CHARGED WITH STALKING
Idaho Statesman
Published: 02/18/10
[Excerpts] A Canyon County sheriff's deputy [Joshua M. Keyes, 29] is charged with second-degree stalking and unlawful entry... Police said Keyes allegedly began stalking a female after their relationship ended last February. Keyes entered the woman's residence without knowledge or permission both day and night, and would masturbate while the victim was sleeping, police said. Keyes is accused of unlawful entry while he was on and off duty as a patrol deputy. Keyes was arrested Tuesday night, and entered a not guilty plea in magistrate court. He was being held on a $15,000 bond, but will be required to wear a GPS monitoring device if released... He was suspended pending a termination hearing by Canyon County Sheriff Chris Smith. The Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's office is handling the prosecution... [Full article here]

NEW CHARGES FILED AGAINST SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ACCUSED OF STALKING EX-WIFE
by KTVB
Posted on February 19, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Updated Saturday, Feb 20 at 2:44 PM
The Nampa Police Department has filed new charges against Joshua Keyes, 29, accused of stalking his ex-wife. Keyes, a former Canyon County Sheriff's Deputy, is in Ada County Jail tonight after an $1,000,000 warrant was issued for his arrest on three felony charges. The new charges, burglary, aggravated assault, and first degree stalking, resulted from evidence uncovered by a continued investigation by Nampa Police Detectives and Ada County Prosecutors. New information indicated that during several of the stalking incidents Keyes became violent and carried a firearm which lead to the enhanced charges. The Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's office will be handling the case. [LINK]

CANYON COUNTY DEPUTY CHARGED WITH STALKING
Idaho Press-Tribune
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 3:56 pm
Updated: 9:51 pm, Tue Feb 23, 2010.
[Excerpts] ...Canyon County sheriff's deputy Joshua M.] Keyes allegedly entered her residence, without her knowledge or permission at various times of the day and night. Officials said evidence showed Keyes would enter the victim’s bedroom while she was sleeping and masturbate... both while Keyes was off-duty and on-duty as a Canyon County Sheriff's Office patrol deputy. Keyes is also accused of driving by the victim's home while he was on- and off-duty.... Keyes was booked into Payette County Jail following his arrest because of his position with the Canyon County Sheriff's Office. He was transported to the Canyon County Detention Center today... Bond was set at $15,000, and officials said if Keyes posts bond he will be required to wear a GPS monitoring device. A no contact order was also issued... Keyes has been employed by the sheriff’s office for six six years. He has been suspended pending a termination... [Full article here]

FORMER DEPUTY FACES FELONY CHARGES
Idaho Press-Tribune
Posted: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:50 pm
Updated: 3:49 am, Sat Feb 27, 2010.
[Excerpts] A former Canyon County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of stalking a female victim has been charged with three new felony charges of burglary, aggravated assault and first-degree stalking... Officials said in a news release that during some of the stalking incidents, 29-year-old Joshua M. Keyes was violent and in possession of a firearm. A judge issued a $1 million warrant for Keyes on Friday. The six-year sheriff’s office employee was arrested at a home in Meridian without incident and taken to the Ada County jail... Keyes allegedly entered the woman’s residence, without her knowledge or permission, at different times during the day and night. Evidence showed Keyes would enter her bedroom while she was sleeping and masturbate... Officials believe he entered the residence or drove by multiple times... According to police, the behavior occurred both while Keyes was on- and off-duty with the sheriff’s office... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety idaho state sex sexual]

[PA] Mom: "Happy 4th anniversary in heaven dear Carli"

Happy 4th anniversary in heaven dear Carli. 

I love you and miss you so much and wait for the day when I will see you again. 

"A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam 
And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world 
But then it flies again 
And though we wish it could have stayed... 
We feel lucky to have seen it." 

xoxoxoxo


Path of heartbreak:  

• [PA] COP'S WIFE, POLICE DISPATCHER CARLI DENNIS FOUND DEAD - Carli Anne Bitterman Dennis, 30, of Wyoming, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2006, at home. She was the wife of Jeffery J. Dennis. She was born in Auburn, N.Y., on Jan. 4, 1976. She was a daughter of...
• [PA] Officer Dennis is saying that his wife killed herself, but... -Today Pennsylvania Dallas Township Police Officer Jeffrey Dennis says he didn't kill his wife Carli... Dennis claims his wife shot herself... the victim's best friend said Dennis told her Carli died because of what she did to him... Another witness said Dennis threatened to shoot her and make it look like she did it...
• [PA] Stepping Closer to Justice for Carli - ...Prosecutors also plan to introduce evidence of other crimes Jeff Dennis allegedly committed, including a possible assault of his wife a week before her death. Those alleged crimes will be substantiated by eyewitness testimony of him grabbing her by the hair and neck multiple times... A witness also will testify Jeff Dennis had stated he placed a gun to the back of his wife's head "numerous times"...
• [PA] Jeff Dennis, an officer when Carli was stolen from us, is on trial - I will add updates to the comments of this entry as the trial proceeds... Now it's time for a jury to decide whether 30-year-old [911 Dispatcher] Carli Dennis died from a lone bullet fired by her husband, police officer Jeff Dennis, or by herself...
• [PA] Officer Dennis killed Carli the way he said he would - Jeff Dennis was kneeling at his wife's casket. His best friend, William Jones, walked up behind him, and leaned in to whisper something to him. But Jeff Dennis was already talking. He was whispering something to Carli's body. "I told you you wouldn't get away with it, bitch"...
• [PA] Officer Dennis did kill Carli. Sentenced to life with no parole - Ending a 2-week trial today, a jury found then-Dallas Township police officer Jeffrey Dennis guilty of 1st degree murder for killing his wife - Luzerne County 911 Dispatcher Carli Bitterman Dennis - and Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Conahan sentenced him to life in prison immediately after the verdict... Amen.
• [PA] Caged wife-killer ex-officer Dennis is banging on the bars - ...Attorney Bill Ruzzo believes Conahan's decision to allow witnesses to testify about Carli's claims Jeffrey beat and threatened her before her death cost his client a fair trial...

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities murder fake staged suicide pennsylvania state cop on dispatcher]

[CA] Former Officer Judd facing charges of holding gun to ex-wife's head, threatening to kill her

..."I believe he's a danger to himself, the victim and the community," prosecutor Keith Watanabe said Monday, explaining that Judd allegedly held a loaded gun to his victim's head at her Valley Center home and threatened to kill her... Prior to the Feb. 14 complaint, she had twice alleged domestic violence and been granted temporary restraining orders...

Ex-cop pleads not guilty to threat to kill ex-wife
Union-Tribune
By Bruce Lieberman
Friday, February 26, 2010
[Excerpts] A former Oceanside police officer arrested Feb. 18 on suspicion of threatening to kill his ex-wife remained at the Vista jail yesterday pending a preliminary hearing April 7. Randy Judd, 50, of Vista pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday. He is charged with criminal threats and carrying a loaded firearm with the intent to commit a felony. Judd could face up to three years and eight months in prison... Judd is accused threatening his former wife at her home in Valley Center on Valentine’s Day, holding a gun to her head, Watanabe said. She was uninjured. Shortly after the incident, Judd checked himself into a mental health and substance abuse facility in Rancho Bernardo, Watanabe said. Police arrested him there Feb. 18... [Full article here]

Former cop charged with two felonies
North County Times
By Sarah Gordon sgordon@nctimes.com
February 22, 2010 6:44 pm
[Excerpts] A former Oceanside police officer who is suing the city for wrongful termination was in jail Monday, accused of threatening his ex-wife with a gun on Valentine's Day. Randy Judd, 50, pleaded not guilty Monday to felony charges of making criminal threats and carrying a loaded firearm with the intent to commit a felony. He is being held at the Vista jail on $1 million bail. "I believe he's a danger to himself, the victim and the community," prosecutor Keith Watanabe said Monday, explaining that Judd allegedly held a loaded gun to his victim's head at her Valley Center home and threatened to kill her... Valley Center Sheriff's Sgt. Bob Bishop said that Judd entered the home of his ex-wife through an unlocked door about 1 a.m. The pair talked peacefully for awhile, but at some point Judd got angry and wielded the weapon... According to court records, Judd and his ex-wife were married 14 years and had two children before she filed for divorce in May 2007. Prior to the Feb. 14 complaint, she had twice alleged domestic violence and been granted temporary restraining orders against Judd, one a few weeks before she filed for divorce and one in March 2008. Both orders have expired, but a Superior Court judge issued a new protective order Monday... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (ipv) abuse law enforcement public safety lethal california state terroristic threatening vista north county courts]

[CO] Officer Crooks "resignation" stopped 2 investigations, and now another domestic incident is behind him

...Courtney Crooks, 24, who resigned from the [Grand Junction Police] department in September after his arrest on domestic violence allegations involving his wife, was acquitted on a lone count of misdemeanor harassment...

Previous posts:

• [CO] Officer Crooks admits and arrested for "physical harassment" of his wife after excellent investigating by Mesa Co. Sheriff's Department - ...According to the arrest affidavit this is not the first time an incident like this has occurred... OFFICER CROOKS HAS ALLEGEDLY BEEN IN SEVERAL OTHER RELATED ALTERCATIONS DATING BACK AS FAR AS FEBRUARY 2008, but the victim never reported it... [It appears that Officer Crooks knocked a hole in the wall with his wife's head... left his preschooler son crying after bowling him over with an object he swung in anger... shoved his wife (again) from a neck grip while she was holding their infant son... reportedly told his own mother to mind her own business, and did his best to lie to investigators... [His wife] asked her husband if he was about to choke her - to kill her in front of the children, and ended up teary eyed slipping their children one at a time to a neighbor's home to keep them safe the night of the last incident (assault)...]
• [CO] Police Officer Crook's wife: “I never wanted this to happen and my husband does not deserve this.” - ...[Grand Junction City Attorney John] Shaver claimed to have no knowledge or involvement on the question of whether Crooks was fired or resigned... Police spokeswoman Kate Porras said only that Crooks’ employment “ended this week.” AS A RESULT, SHE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAS CLOSED TWO SEPARATE INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS focused on Crooks... In a letter recently sent to the District Attorney’s Office, Crooks’ wife asked prosecutors to drop the case and expressed fears her husband would lose his job...

Ex-cop not guilty of harassment
Grand Junction Sentinel
By Paul Shockley
Friday, February 26, 2010
[Excerpts] A jury needed just 15 minutes of deliberation Thursday before returning a not guilty verdict in the trial of a former Grand Junction Police Department officer accused of harassment. Courtney Crooks, 24, who resigned from the department in September after his arrest on domestic violence allegations involving his wife, was acquitted on a lone count of misdemeanor harassment... “If touching someone were a crime, we’d all be in a lot of trouble,” [Crook's attorney, Martha] Kent told jurors in closing arguments. “There has to be bad intent.” Both sides were largely in agreement about what happened on the night of Aug. 18, 2009, in the Crooks’ home, where months of tension over money exploded in a heated argument between husband and wife, briefly turning physical... The woman testified that while she was standing at a doorway,  her husband took a “firm” grip to the back of her neck and redirected her several steps back inside the home. “He wasn’t hurting me in any way,” she said. “He was just wondering where I was going, asking where I was taking the kids”... In a series of questions asked by the jury, she testified she and Crooks remain married and she never wanted him prosecuted. When asked if she resisted when her husband grabbed her at the back at the neck, she laughed as she gave her response. “He wasn’t hurting me, so there was no reason to,” she said. In closing arguments, Miller suggested the woman had “minimized” the events of Aug. 18... “I would submit she was scared and alarmed,” he said. “Why did she leave with her kids and not return that night?” According to testimony, a neighbor, who at the time was a Grand Junction police colleague of Crooks’, ended up reporting the incident to Crooks’ immediate superior officer,, spurring the investigation that led to Crooks’ arrest Aug. 28. Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Dillon testified that he met with Crooks on Aug. 22 at Crooks’ home and asked the fellow officer about what had happened days earlier. In a demonstration that was suggested by Crooks, he acted out what he said were the events of Aug. 18, placing his hand on Dillon’s left shoulder. Dillon wrote in a report that Crooks “lightly grabbed” his wife at the shoulder. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety repeat hx colorado state recant minimize]

[WI] Firefighter Peterson arrested for "domestic violence-related disorderly conduct"

Two Rivers firefighter arrested for domestic violence
Herald Times
February 27, 2010
[Excerpts] MANITOWOC - Zachary Peterson, 33, an employee of the Two Rivers Fire Department, was arrested Feb. 11 for domestic violence-related disorderly conduct, according to a Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department report received by the Herald Times Reporter on Friday afternoon... The Two Rivers Police Department responded to a call... The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department took over when Two Rivers police realized the individual in question works for the fire department. Peterson allegedly grabbed a 31-year-old woman by her arms, pulled her across a bed and refused to let her go after hearing her talking on a cell phone. She refused to give Peterson the phone or tell him to whom she was talking. Peterson told an officer he let go when the woman kicked him in the stomach. An officer on the scene observed scratch marks and irritated skin on her arms and a red mark on the side of her neck... Peterson was taken to jail, and the Domestic Violence Center was contacted. According to Manitowoc County Circuit Court records, the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department served a temporary restraining order on Peterson on Feb. 12. [Full article here]

[city personnel involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse emt public safety wisconsin state]

[OR] The sad time came to let Vickie go

Victoria "Vickie" Schulmerich

Victoria Schulmerich, victim in Gresham shooting, succumbs to injuries
The Oregonian
By Rick Bella
February 25, 2010, 9:15PM
[Excerpts] A Gresham woman quietly lost her fight for life Thursday, nearly two weeks after she was gunned down by an off-duty sheriff's sergeant in a triple murder-suicide at a Gresham lounge. Victoria "Vickie" Schulmerich died at OHSU Hospital in Portland, where she had been in intensive care since Feb. 12. She was 53.  Her death was the fourth fatality from a shooting rampage at Gresham's M&M Lounge & Restaurant. Schulmerich's father in-law, Ferd Schulmerich of Gresham, said family members agonized over whether to take her off life support, even after learning she would not recover. Schulmerich had been shot in the head and remained in a coma. "Finally, when they heard they could harvest her organs and help others, they came to agree," Ferd Schulmerich said. "It's so sad. She has been in the family for 31 years. She was a great daughter in-law." She and her husband, Scott, married in 1979 and have three children. She worked as a teacher's assistant with the Multnomah Education Service District... "First, my condolences go out to her family," [Clackamas County Sheriff Craig] Roberts said. "I also have to say Jeff's actions are like a kick in the stomach to us in law enforcement. The sadness and grief and pain his actions caused so many people is difficult to put into words. "My thoughts and prayers continue to be with her family - and all the families in this." Grahn, a 15-year sheriff's office veteran, was investigated in April 2009 after sheriff's deputies received information of possible domestic abuse... Charlotte M. "Char" Grahn, 47, of Boring and Kathleen "Katie" Hoffmeister, 53, of Gresham died of gunshot wounds (also)...[Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities murder suicide oregon state fear terror tragedy double murder sucide]

[WI] Officer Brux arrested for "domestic-violence related disorderly conduct"

 Manitowoc police officer arrested
htrnews
February 25, 2010
[Excerpts] A 39-year-old Manitowoc police officer was arrested for domestic-violence related disorderly conduct... According to the [Manitowoc Police Department] release: Officers responded to the scene after the Manitowoc County Emergency Dispatch center received a call. The officers determined that an off-duty police officer, Lance Brux , was involved in the domestic disturbance... Brux was placed on paid administrative leave after the incident. An internal investigation is underway... Brux will appear for his initial court appearance March 15. A special prosecutor was assigned to the case through the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s office... [Full article here]



Awards
Fraternal Order of Eagles "Officer Of The Year Award"
Manitowoc Police Department
Officer Lance Brux
[Excerpts] The Manitowoc Police Department is proud to announce that Officer Lance Brux has been selected as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, through the Fraternal Order of Eagles Manitowoc Aerie No. 706, for his service to the community in 2008. Officer Brux began his Law Enforcement career with the Manitowoc Police Department on June 20, 1999... He has been a board member of the Manitowoc Professional Police Association (MPPA) for 5 years, and is currently serving as the MPPA President... [Full item here]

For my own reasons I opted to not post the photo of Brux
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety police union wisconsin state limited ppo preferential tactical tactics]

[CA] Wife of Deputy Byrd told officers she was thrown, kicked a dozen times, punched 15 to 20 times, threatened with death, and her female friend assaulted

[Tulare County sheriff's deputy Jerry] Byrd, 46, who worked in the Sheriff's Department for 25 years, resigned Feb. 8, a week after his arrest... His wife accused him of throwing her to the ground that morning and kicking her as many as a dozen times, a Visalia police report states. She claimed that Byrd was intoxicated and told her, "I'm going to kill you"... She claimed that her husband pushed her on their bed and punched her 15 to 20 times... 

As usual, there is NO indication in the articles of now what - for her?

Former Tulare County sheriff's deputy pleads to spousal-abuse charge
Visalia Times-Delta
By David Castellon
February 23, 2010
A former Tulare County sheriff’s deputy will be sentenced next month on spousal-abuse charges after pleading no contest. Jerry Byrd entered the plea on two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, along with a misdemeanor battery charge, Monday in Tulare County Superior Court. The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office dropped an additional battery charge as well as a count of making criminal threats. Byrd, 46, who worked in the Sheriff’s Department for 25 years, resigned Feb. 8, a week after his arrest... Judge Darryl Ferguson indicated a possible sentence for Byrd of a year or less in jail for the no-contest plea, but said he would consider the sentence recommendation from the Tulare County Probation Department... [Full article here]

Former Deputy Pleads in Spousal Charges
KMJ Now
by Blake Taylor
February 24, 2010
A former Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy is facing jail time for spousal abuse. Forty-six year-old Jerry Byrd pleaded not contest Monday to two felony counts of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, as well as, one misdemeanor battery charge. Earlier this month -- Byrd's wife told authorities that her husband had thrown her down, punched her and kicked her numerous times on different occasions. Arresting officers said Byrd was so belligerently drunk when he was taken into custody February 1st -- he actually had to be taken to the hospital before being booked. [LINK]

Ex-deputy pleads no contest in Visalia spousal abuse case
Visalia Times-Delta
By David Castellon
February 24, 2010
[Excerpts] ...[Tulare County sheriff's deputy Jerry] Byrd, 46, who worked in the Sheriff's Department for 25 years, resigned Feb. 8, a week after his arrest. He most recently worked in the prisoner-transport division, sheriff's officials said. Superior Court Judge Darryl Ferguson indicated a possible jail sentence of a year or less, but said he would consider the sentencing recommendation from the Tulare County Probation Department. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 18. Although a no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, it is treated as such for the purposes of sentencing. Byrd was arrested Feb. 1 at his Visalia home. His wife accused him of throwing her to the ground that morning and kicking her as many as a dozen times, a Visalia police report states. She claimed that Byrd was intoxicated and told her, "I'm going to kill you"... She claimed that her husband pushed her on their bed and punched her 15 to 20 times, according to the report. Police reported seeing bruises on the woman's back and around an ear. The victim told officers that during an argument a few days earlier, Byrd had grabbed her neck and squeezed. After being kicked Feb. 1, the report states, Byrd's wife left their home. She returned that afternoon with a female friend to pack up some items so she could move out, according to the report. That reportedly triggered another argument in which Byrd shoved the woman into his wife. Both women fled the home and called 911... Police reported finding two guns in Byrd's home: a .357-caliber revolver belonging to him and his deputy's gun, a .20-caliber Glock 22 pistol. The Glock was turned over to the Sheriff's Department after the arrest... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety lethal california state terroristic threatening threat brutal]

[AZ] Phoenix Officer Orosco arrested by his own department when they saw the physical injuries to his date's face and neck

..."[Phoenix Police Officer Ricardo Orosco] did cause physical injury to the victim by punching her in the face, causing a bruise and scratches to her neck from when he choked her with both hands," officers wrote in a probable cause statement for Orosco's arrest...

Phoenix Police Statement:
"We are concerned for the victim of this incident and disappointed by this blemish to our department. These allegations will be investigated both criminally and internally and our citizens should be assured appropriate actions will be taken as a result of those investigations."

Kudos to Phoenix PD for demonstrating integrity and professionalism in this instance.

Police: Officer choked woman, ripped off door handles
The Arizona Republic
by Michael Ferraresi
Feb. 25, 2010 01:33 PM
[Excerpts] The Phoenix officer arrested earlier this week on suspicion of assaulting a 22-year-old woman at his home choked the woman and ripped two door handles off her car as she tried to flee, according to court records released Thursday. Ricardo Orosco, a South Mountain Precinct patrolman, could face charges of assault, unlawful imprisonment and criminal damage after his arrest Tuesday morning. He was placed on paid administrative leave. Orosco, 26, is accused of tearing the woman's clothes from her body and attacking her in an early-morning struggle after she refused to have sex with him, according to police. "(Orosco) did cause physical injury to the victim by punching her in the face, causing a bruise and scratches to her neck from when he choked her with both hands," officers wrote in a probable cause statement for Orosco's arrest... [Full article here]

Phoenix police officer arrested in assault case
Associated Press
February 24, 2010 8:44 PM ET
[Excerpt] ...Police say [Phoenix Police Officer Ricardo] Orosco allegedly tore the 22-year-old woman's clothes from her body, grabbed her by the throat and struck her in the face during the early-morning struggle. The victim phoned 911 from her car after she fled and authorities say Orosco followed in his own car Police stopped both vehicles and Orosco was taken into custody after officers noticed the woman's injuries and ripped clothing. [Full article here]

Phoenix police officer arrested in woman's beating
The Arizona Republic
by Michael Ferraresi
Feb. 24, 2010 05:30 PM
[Excerpts] ...Phoenix police launched separate internal and criminal investigations into the 26-year-old officer. "Obviously we're very upset, this being one of our own," said Officer James Holmes, a Phoenix police spokesman. In an e-mail, Holmes said [Phoenix police officer Ricardo] Orosco had been out at the bars with the woman, an acquaintance of one year who referred to Orosco as her "boyfriend." [Full article here]

Officer accused of assaulting woman
News-Talk 92.3 KTAR
by Sandra Haros
February 24th, 2010
[Excerpts] Another sex scandal has rocked the Phoenix Police Department. Officer Ricardo Orosco, 26, has been charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault and criminal damage after allegedly getting into an altercation with his girlfriend early Tuesday. "It's an embarrassment, it's a very bleak situation for us," Phoenix Police detective James Holmes said of arresting a fellow officer... Police said the victim was able to free herself and leave the home, but only after Orosco - trying to get in the car - broke the handles off the driver's side front and rear doors. It was then, after realizing Orosco was following her, that she called police...Orosco was booked into the Maricopa County Jail. [Full article here]

Phoenix Police Officer Accused of Assaulting Girlfriend
myfoxphoenix.com
Wednesday, 24 Feb 2010[Excerpt] ...The victim and the suspect had been drinking but police say they were not impaired. Orosco was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment, assault, and criminal damage. He has since been released. Phoenix Police say Orosco's been with the department for three years. He's has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Statement by Phoenix Police Det. James Holmes "We are concerned for the victim of this incident and disappointed by this blemish to our department. These allegations will be investigated both criminally and internally and our citizens should be assured appropriate actions will be taken as a result of those investigations." [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety sexual arizona state repeat hx sexual assault rape]

[VA] Ex-Officer Miner, now acquitted both of raping one date and attempting to defile another date, wants his job back

[Fired Newport News police officer] Christopher E. Miner, 38, was found not guilty on the allegation that he used leather restraints to tie a woman's wrists to his bed against her will, then tried to block her from leaving his home. The verdict came a month after a separate jury acquitted Miner of rape and sodomy on another woman... In one [case] Miner had been accused of raping a woman and forcing her to commit sodomy. In another, he was accused of abducting a woman with the intent to defile... In both cases the accusers were women he has dated and both times jurors said prosecutors could not prove their case... Both cases were he said-she said disputes...

Previous Post:
[VA] Keeping policework painfully professional in Newport News Virginia - ...Officer Christopher Miner was arrested after what police call a "social evening"... A couple of weeks before this incident, a Newport News police lieutenant was arrested in York County after he "attempted to force himself" on a woman he knew...

Former Newport News police officer acquitted of abduction
Daily Press, Newport News
By Peter Dujardin 247-4749
February 24, 2010
[Excerpts] A former Newport News police officer was acquitted Tuesday of abducting a woman with the intent to defile her — ending a year of prosecution against the officer in two separate cases. Christopher E. Miner, 38, was found not guilty on the allegation that he used leather restraints to tie a woman's wrists to his bed against her will, then tried to block her from leaving his home. The verdict came a month after a separate jury acquitted Miner of rape and sodomy on another woman. Both cases were he said-she said disputes between Miner and women who had been willing past sexual partners of Miner, with Miner and the women drinking in both cases. "I got my life back," Miner said as he hugged friends, fellow officers and his attorney, Robert W. Lawrence, after the verdict. "It's been a stressful year." Miner — the Newport News Police Department's 2006 Officer of the Year — lost his job over the incidents, though he said he plans to fight to win it back... Because Miner was a Newport News police officer, the case was prosecuted by the Isle of Wight Commonwealth's Attorney's Office instead of Newport News prosecutors... [Full article here]

Former Newport News police officer speaks out about his trials
WTKR Your NewsChannel 3
Feb 24, 2010
[Excerpts]
[Excerpts] A former Newport News officer says he wants to get on with his life after a jury acquitted him on abduction and sex charges. He tells NewsChannel 3 he wants to get back to the job he loves. Former Newport News police officer, Christopher Miner, was looking at 20 years to life on abduction and sex charges. "I felt yesterday was one of the most difficult days in my entire life," Miner said. Now Miner can breathe a sigh of relief after the jury acquitted him on the charges yesterday. "I actually had to go into a side room and I broke down," he said. It's the second time a jury has cleared him of sex charges... "I was scared to death because you never know what a jury is going to decide." For 11 months Miner was on house arrest until last month when another jury acquitted Miner of rape and sodomy charges in a separate case. In both cases the accusers were women he has dated and both times jurors said prosecutors could not prove their case... [Full article here]

Will ex-cop get job back after acquittals?
Daily Press, Newport News
By Peter Dujardin 247-4749
February 24, 2010
[Excerpts] Now that former police officer Christopher E. Miner has been acquitted of all charges in two separate jury trials, will he get his job back?... In one [case] Miner had been accused of raping a woman and forcing her to commit sodomy. In another, he was accused of abducting a woman with the intent to defile. Miner had had previous sexual relationships with both women... Police spokesman Lou Thurston said he couldn't comment on Miner's job situation because it's a personnel matter. He referred the call to city spokeswoman Kim Lee, who declined to comment specifically on Miner... Miner's attorney, Robert W. Lawrence, said the officer's grievance is already under way. "We're going to fight to get his job back," Lawrence said. Lawrence said the December termination letter cited only the two criminal charges. "Now that the criminal charges have disappeared, they can't come forward with new information," he said... [Full article here]

LAST MONTH:

UPDATE: Newport News cop acquitted of sexual assault charges
Daily Press, Newport News
By Peter Dujardin 247-4749
January 26, 2010
[Excerpts] After deliberating for just under an hour, a Newport News Circuit Court jury on Tuesday acquitted a former Newport News police officer of both of the sexual assault charges against him. Christopher E. Miner — who faced charges of rape and forcible sodomy — was found not guilty of both counts. Prosecutors had earlier withdrawn an abduction charge against the officer... Miner was a Newport News police officer when arrested, though he was fired last month because of the charges against him. "I'm delighted," said Miner's mother, Sue DeTorres, adding she always believed in him. "He's my son and he's a very, very, very truthful person. He's the most truthful person I've ever encountered." The case came down to a "he said-she said" case, with a member of the jury, Don Thompson, saying afterward that the jury unanimously agreed "there's just wasn't enough" to warrant a conviction... [Full article here]

Newport News cop acquitted of sexual assault charges
Daily Press, Newport News
By By Peter Dujardin
January 26, 2010| | 247-4749
[Excerpts] As a court clerk pronounced him not guilty Tuesday of two sexual assault counts against him, former Newport News Police Officer Christopher E. Miner turned to his attorney and tearfully embraced him... Miner had been held in home confinement over much of the last year with an electronic monitoring system, but turned in his ankle bracelet on Tuesday afternoon and walked free. One of the jurors, Don Thompson, 57, of Newport News, said outside the courthouse that the 12 jurors were in agreement at the outset of deliberations that "there just wasn't enough there." "We listened to both sides," Thompson said. "We felt collectively that the prosecution did not have enough evidence to warrant a conviction. ... We needed more to convict this man"... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety cleared he-said she-said virginia state]

[FL] Officer Maldonado accused of pointing her service weapon at boyfriend in front of witnesses

...Police claim [Homestead Police Officer Jenna] Maldonado called her boyfriend at the party, and told him she was on her way to the party "with her gun in her lap"...



Officer suspended after allegedly threating boyfriend
WSVN
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
[Excerpts] A reserve police officer has been suspended after, investigators said, she threatened her boyfriend with a firearm. Jenna Maldonado, 28, is a single mother with four children. As a reserve officer with the Homestead Police Department... According to Miami-Dade Police, Maldonado was trying to get a hold of her boyfriend on Super Bowl Sunday. When the 28-year-old could not get a hold of him, she went to the boyfriend's friends' house, and that is when, investigators said, she put her gun in her boyfriend's face and threatened to shoot him... Maldonado is the daughter of Linda Bell, who is the former mayor of Homestead. Maldonado's attorney argues that there is politics at play, and calls this a vendetta against the family... [Full article here]

Officer suspended after allegedly pulling a gun on her boyfriend
sfltimes.com
Written by Elgin Jones
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
[Excerpts] A Homestead police rookie has been suspended after allegedly pulling a gun issued by her department on her boyfriend at a Super Bowl party... “It is an IA [Homestead Police Internal Affairs] investigation that is ongoing and she is on suspension from the Reserve Officer Program,” Homestead Police Department spokesman Capt. Ed Bowe said. “The Miami-Dade Police Department’s Domestic Violence Division is conducting the criminal investigation, and will decide on any charges, or referral to the State Attorney”... Maldonado, who was off duty, and a person identified only as "Steve," got into a heated argument, sources said. Sources describe “Steve” as Maldonado’s boyfriend. The disagreement escalated to the point at which Maldonado allegedly threatened her boyfriend with her department-issued service weapon, sources said... Though sources say over a dozen people reportedly witnessed the incident, Miami-Dade Police, who patrol the area, were never called. The next day, the boyfriend contacted Maldonado’s employer, the Homestead Police Department, and reported the incident. A number of other people at the party who witnessed the incident have provided recorded statements to Homestead police, according to sources... Maldonado has been with the department for less than a year, but Bowe said he did not immediately have her exact date of employment... Bowe said the department allows officers to choose from a variety of approved weapons to carry while on duty, and he was not sure exactly which model had been issued to Maldonado. “It was our gun that was used,” Bowe acknowledged. “Any use of a service revolver, if it is not used in the justifiable duty as a police officer, is unacceptable”... [Full article here]

Rookie Homestead Cop Charged In Gun Incident
cbs4
Feb 23, 2010 6:35 pm US/Eastern
[Excerpts] ...[Homestead reserve police officer] Jenna Maldonado, daughter of former Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell, had been on suspension since February 10. She surrendered to Miami-Dade police Monday night. According to the arrest affidavit made public by Miami-Dade police, Maldonado threatened [S.E.], her boyfriend and the father of one of her children, with a gun during a Super Bowl party hosted at a friend's Redland home. According to the affidavit, Maldonado was upset that [S.E.] was at the party instead of coming home to care for the children so she could go out with friends. Police claim Maldonado called her boyfriend at the party, and told him she was on her way to the party "with her gun in her lap". Concerned, [S.E.] asked a friend to drive him home but before he could leave, police said Maldonado arrived, pointed her service revolver at [S.E.], and forced the friend to back-up his truck. Police say Maldonado walked toward the two men, pointing her gun at [S.E.]. The affidavit said then pushed his face as she yelled at him that she wanted him out of the house. [S.E.] reached for the gun twice and let it go. Police said [S.E.] was worried the situation would escalate, and walked to the back of the house. The affidavit says Maldonado followed him, still pointing her gun at him, yelling, "We'll see who's the duck now." Police say [S.E.] tried to leave a number of times, but was stopped by Maldonado. He then appealed to friends for help. "If I have friends here," he said, the report states him as saying, "please tell her to leave." Friends stepped in, and convinced Maldonado to leave... Maldonado had been living with [S.E.] for about 6 years, according to the police report.... [Full article here]
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[SC] "Resigned" Officer Jamison was left with only 1 of 4 domestic charges: assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature

...["Resigned" Gaffney Police Officer Wilbert] Jamison was allowed to enter a plea under North Carolina v. Alford to one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The two additional charges were dropped... [From last year's news:] A former Gaffney police officer, who served as a resource officer at a middle school, faces charges that he handcuffed and beat his 11-year-old son and injured his wife. A Cherokee County grand jury indicted Wilbert Jamison Jr. Tuesday on three counts of unlawful conduct towards a child. He is also charged with criminal domestic violence... The alleged abuse took place while Jamison was an active duty officer...

Former SC police officer pleads to abuse charge
WYFF4
Wilbert Jamison
Published: February 24, 2010
Updated: February 24, 2010
[Excerpt] A former South Carolina police officer has pleaded to reduced charges after being accused of handcuffing a 9-year-old boy and hitting him with a belt. Multiple media outlets reported former Gaffney officer Wilbert Jamison entered an Alford plea Tuesday to aggravated assault and battery. The plea does not admit guilt, but concedes there is evidence that could lead to a conviction. Circuit Judge Derham Cole fined Jamison $500 and ordered him to serve one year of probation and perform 50 hours of community service. Cole also ordered Jamison to have no contact with his former wife and two children... [Full article here]

Former Gaffney police officer takes plea agreement, denies charges
Wilbert Jamison was accused of using extreme measures to discipline a child
GoUpstate.com
By Janet S. Spencer
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 3:15 a.m.
[Excerpts] ...Negotiations Tuesday afternoon ended in a reduced charge of assault and a suspended sentence for a former Gaffney police officer arrested on charges of using extreme measures to discipline a child. Judge Derham Cole sentenced Wilbert Jamison to two years in prison suspended to the service of 90 days or the payment of a $500 fine. Jamison must serve one year of probation and 50 hours of community service. Cole stipulated he cannot have contact with his former wife and two children. Jamison was indicted last year on three counts of unlawful conduct toward the young boy in his care... Presentations by Cary Goings, assistant S.C. Attorney General, and Mitch Slade of Spartanburg dealt with the extent to which the child had been placed at unreasonable risk of physical injury or mental harm. After a break, Jamison was allowed to enter a plea under North Carolina v. Alford to one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The two additional charges were dropped... After sentencing, Jamison, who is also a minister, told News Channel 7 he was ready to go on with his life. He said he hoped to work and be productive in the community, although he would no longer be a police officer... Wilbert Jamison faced up to 10 years each on the three initial charges... [Full article here]

OVER A YEAR AGO:

Ex-Gaffney police officer indicted
Wilbert Jamison Jr. facing three charges of cruelty to a child
GoUpstate.com
By Janet S. Spencer
January 14, 2009 at 3:15 a.m.
[Excerpts] A former Gaffney police officer has been indicted on three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, following a 2008 complaint by his wife. One court document accuses Wilbert Jamison Jr., 38, of handcuffing a minor child who was in his care and locking the child face down in a closet. A second indictment stated he forced the handcuffed child to run back and forth in the backyard while Jamison beat him with a belt. And on another occasion, Jamison is accused of striking the child with a belt, including the buckle, injuring the child's foot and ankle, the third indictment stated. Each indictment described the child's injuries as physical, mental, and severe. The charges stemmed from investigations by two state agencies in response to a complaint filed by Jamison's wife... Wilbert Jamison continued to work as a police officer until Dec. 3, when he resigned for personal reasons, Gaffney City Administrator James Taylor said. Although the investigation began in April, no charges were filed until Tuesday... The state investigations began after [his former Gaffney police officer wife] filed a complaint about her husband with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office on April 25. She told deputies they began arguing about 7 a.m. and he "shoved her down causing her to hit her head on the floor" before leaving for work... [Full article here]

Officer Charged With Beating Child
Former School Resource Officer Accused Of Handcuffing, Beating Son
WYFF4.com
UPDATED: 10:14 am EST January 14, 2009
[Excerpts] A former Gaffney police officer, who served as a resource officer at a middle school, faces charges that he handcuffed and beat his 11-year-old son and injured his wife. A Cherokee County grand jury indicted Wilbert Jamison Jr. Tuesday on three counts of unlawful conduct towards a child. He is also charged with criminal domestic violence. Jamison was arrested Tuesday night... Jamison was indicted and accused of handcuffing his 11-year-old son while beating him. According to a warrant, Jamison shoved his wife, causing her to fall to the ground and hit her head... Jamison resigned about a month ago, citing personal reasons. The alleged abuse took place while Jamison was an active duty officer... Current Gaffney Police Chief Rick Turner said that he cannot comment on why Jamison continued to work for the department during the investigation because he was not chief at the time... Tuesday, the State Law Enforcement Division filed a warrant against Jamison for criminal domestic violence, first offense. The warrant said that on April 25, 2008, Jamison shoved his wife, Teresa Jamison, causing her to fall to the floor. His wife said she is still married to him, but she is seeking a divorce so she and her son can move on. Teresa Jamison said, "We've formed … a new family without the abuse. And any time you get rid of abuse, it can only go up from there. "We're doing much better. I feel a sense of relief that finally justice will be served." [Full article here]
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[OK] When deputy's daughter calls dad during a domestic - instead of 911

...Police arrested Wayne reserve officer Gary Lee Lambert, 54, for burglary and pointing a firearm. Police also arrested his daughter Crystal Lambert, 25 for pointing a firearm and her boyfriend Teddy Parker, 34, for domestic abuse by strangulation...

RESERVE POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED
KFOR
Meg Alexander
February 23, 2010
[Excerpts] A reserve Wayne police officer finds himself on the other side of the law. Gary Lambert was arrested Saturday in Southwest Oklahoma City after he said he came to his daughter's rescue. Lambert says his daughter Crystal dialed him on her cell phone during a fight with her boyfriend... Lambert said he was scared for her life and rushed over to the apartment with his gun; on the way he dialed 911. Oklahoma City Police tell us that both Lamberts threatened the boyfriend with a gun. Crystal and Gary Lambert are charged with pointing a handgun while Teddy Parker is charged with domestic abuse by strangulation. Gary Lambert said he did what he believes any dad would have done. "I was acting as a daddy going in there to get his daughter; my child was being murdered in that house and I was going in to get her"... [Full article here]

DOMESTIC DISPUTE ENDS IN 3 ARRESTS INCLUDING RESERVE OFFICER
news9.com
Posted: Feb 22, 2010 2:55 PM PST
Updated: Feb 22, 2010 6:04 PM PST
[Excerpts] ...Oklahoma City police said the officer's daughter dialed his number during an argument with her boyfriend. The officer could hear the couple fighting and raced to the home in southwest Oklahoma City. Police said the Wayne reserve officer forced his way into the home and pointed his gun at the boyfriend. "He obviously in this case, he was afraid for the safety of his daughter. There are allegations that his daughter as well also retrieved some type of firearm and also pointed it at her boyfriend in this case," said Oklahoma Police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow. Police arrested Wayne reserve officer Gary Lee Lambert, 54, for burglary and pointing a firearm. Police also arrested his daughter Crystal Lambert, 25 for pointing a firearm and her boyfriend Teddy Parker, 34, for domestic abuse by strangulation. The Wayne Police Department said Lambert has been placed on administrative leav... [Full article here]
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[FL] DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM OF MASTER DEPUTY VILLELLA DENIED PROTECTION ORDER

...Orange County Sheriff's Office investigators confirmed Master Deputy Bryan Villella, 46, is the focus of an internal-affairs criminal investigation - his third since 2002... [A.C.], who lived with Villella for four years, filed a petition for a temporary domestic-violence injunction Feb. 18. Orange Circuit Judge Sally D.M. Kest denied the request until [A.C.] and Villella meet before her at a hearing March 2... Villella, a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, has faced previous allegations of domestic violence...

Ex-boyfriend accuses Orange deputy of domestic violence
Orlando Sentinel
By Walter Pacheco
February 23, 2010
[Excerpts]A deputy disciplined for sex acts with another man while working off-duty is under investigation again after his ex-boyfriend accused him of domestic violence. Orange County Sheriff's Office investigators confirmed Master Deputy Bryan Villella, 46, is the focus of an internal-affairs criminal investigation - his third since 2002... [A.C.], who lived with Villella for four years, filed a petition for a temporary domestic-violence injunction Feb. 18. Orange Circuit Judge Sally D.M. Kest denied the request until [A.C.] and Villella meet before her at a hearing March 2. [A.C.] said in court documents that Villella forced him to "clean the blood, my own blood, at gunpoint... Carol Wick, chief executive officer of Harbor House, Orange County's only shelter for victims of domestic abuse, said domestic violence among same-sex couples is on the rise... Harbor House does not track cases by sexual orientation. It provided outside help to 576 men in 2009, and four of those identified themselves as transgender, Wick said... Villella, a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, has faced previous allegations of domestic violence... The first allegation of domestic abuse came to light in 2001. His ex-wife, [H.M.], served Villella a temporary domestic-violence injunction, alleging physical abuse during their five-year marriage. During the Sheriff's Office inquiry of that case, authorities could not confirm her accusations but said "it is clear Villella and Ms. Mackenzie have a history of domestic disturbances." In 2002, Sheriff's Office investigators disciplined Villella for "unbecoming conduct" after his ex-wife called the Orlando Police Department to report that he had deposited more than $500 of her money into his personal account... [Full article here]

LAST YEAR:

Officials: Deputy Had Sex While Working
Man Placed On Probation, Loses 150 Hours Of Pay
clickorlando.com
December 1, 2009
[Excerpts] An Orange County sheriff's deputy has admitted to having sex with another man while working security at a Disney-area hotel, which was a host facility for "Gay Days." Orange County sheriff's Deputy Bryan Villella was hired in June to provide extra security at the Royal Plaza Resort. The hotel night manager said he walked into the Jasmine Bay conference room at about 1 a.m. and saw two men engaged in what appeared to a sex act. Although the manager thought one of the men resembled Villella, he did not see a uniform and could not positively identify him. The manager said he later saw Villella sitting in a chair by the front desk, acting professional. An investigation was conducted into the incident, and Villella turned down an opportunity to be interviewed by investigators, instead signing a disciplinary document admitting he violated the agency's policy governing moral character, according to sheriff's officials... [Full article here]
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[KY] Deputy Hedges arrested for kicking girlfriend in the stomach and explosive device

...Officers rushed to the house on Knob Creek Road in northwest Bullitt County to find that [recently demoted from Cpt., Bullit County Sheriff's Deputy Robert "Bobby" Hedges had allegedly kicked her in the stomach and ripped out a quantity of hair from her head... Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said of Hedges: "I think he was drinking"... They found a pipe bomb attached to an alarm clock in Hedges’ bedroom, and the sheriff’s office called the Louisville Metro Bomb Squad to remove and disable the device... The pipe bomb in the house was disarmed but some neighbors still reported hearing a "boom" -- so what happened with the pipe bomb? "They have a robot go off and it sets off charges to go off, deactivate, go off in a safe way. So there was some charges that went off inside the home...that's what neighbors were hearing," says Sheriff Tinnell... Officers confiscated several guns and rifles from Hedges' home... In a video arraignment Monday morning, Hedges pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and charges of possessing a destructive device...Deputy Hedges will be back in court March 15th...

 Videos:


Sheriff Arrested for Bomb Possession, Abuse
louisvillemojo.com
February 22, 2010
[Excerpts] Our latest entry in the law enforcement trainwreck sweepstakes: Bullitt County Sheriff Robert Gavin Hedges. At three o'clock in the morning on Sunday, his girlfriend [L.B.] called the police for help to protect her. Officers rushed to the house on Knob Creek Road in northwest Bullitt County to find that Sheriff Hedges had allegedly kicked her in the stomach and ripped out a quantity of hair from her head. When asked for an explanation of the incident by the C-J, fellow Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said of Hedges: "I think he was drinking"... Things only got weirder after investigators obtained a warrant to search Hedges' home. They found a pipe bomb attached to an alarm clock, which Hedges later apparently tried to classify as a mere prop for training in his work with corrections. Be that as it may, the C-J says that the Louisville Metro Bomb Squad had to be called in to remove and disable the device... Hedges worked for Louisville Metro Corrections until three years ago when he switched to the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office. The C-J is also reporting he was demoted from Captain three months ago, because of repeatedly not showing up for work... [Full article here

Bomb squad called to home of Sheriff's Deputy charged with domestic violence
WHAS11
by Adrianna Hopkins
Posted on February 21, 2010
Updated February 22, 2010
[Excerpts] The Louisville Metro Bomb Squad was called to Bullitt County at the home of a Sheriff's Deputy. It was a long day that started with a domestic violence charge against a deputy and for the Chief Deputy Danny Thompson, it was especially long. He made the arrest and pressed the charges himself. Early Sunday morning, Thompson arrested one of his own, 44-year-old Robert Hedges. Hedges is charged with 4th degree assault for domestic violence. "Everybody expects policemen to cover up for policemen. We don't do that here,” said Bullitt County Chief Deputy Danny Thompson. Officers confiscated several guns and rifles from Hedges' home. Police say he assaulted his girlfriend of four months. “She alleges that he had kicked her in the stomach and pretty good verbal and physical confrontation,” said Lt. Det. Scotty McGaha... Thompson says it's an unfortunate day when you have to arrest a deputy. “It's never a fun thing, nobody wants to do that. But sometimes you're the guy,” he said. “We don't want to condemn him, but we don't want to condone him either”... [Full article here]

Bullitt Co. deputy charged with assaulting girlfriend, possession of destructive device
WHAS11
Posted on February 22, 2010
Updated February 23, 2010
[Excerpts] A Bullitt County Sheriff’s Deputy is charged with possession of a destructive device but authorities were first called out to his house for domestic violence. Right now Deputy Bobby Hedges is in custody after his fellow deputies arrested him early Sunday morning. He's charged with assaulting his live-in girlfriend but the Bullitt County sheriff says they found a pipe bomb in his house after his arrest. In a video arraignment Monday morning, Hedges pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and charges of possessing a destructive device. A judge ordered that he seek a mental health evaluation at the VA Hospital by mid-week. Hedges also can't have contact with his girlfriend because she filed a protective order against him. The victim told police that Hedges pulled her hair and kicked her in the stomach Saturday night. He was arrested by Bullitt County authorities at their home, that's when the sheriff says they searched the house and found a pipe bomb inside. The Louisville Metro Bomb Squad was called out to disarm it... "Oh, I was shocked. We like Bobby. He's been a good deputy. So we're as surprised as anybody about his behavior," says Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell. Deputy Hedges will be back in court March 15th. The pipe bomb in the house was disarmed but some neighbors still reported hearing a "boom" -- so what happened with the pipe bomb? "They have a robot go off and it sets off charges to go off, deactivate, go off in a safe way. So there was some charges that went off inside the home...that's what neighbors were hearing," says Sheriff Tinnell. [Full article here]

Bullitt County sheriff's deputy arrested
WAVE3
By Marisela Burgos mburgos@wave3.com
Feb 21, 2010 4:04 PM PST
Updated: Feb 22, 2010 8:52 AM PST
[Excerpts] (WAVE) - A Bullitt County Sheriff's Deputy is facing domestic violence charges. Forty-four-year-old Robert Hedges was arrested Sunday morning and charged with assault and menacing. He is accused of physically abusing his girlfriend at his home on Knob Creek Road. Hedges's girlfriend called 911 around 3 a.m. Feb. 21, claiming she was a victim of domestic violence. "It's a difficult situation to investigate your own people, but you want to make sure that you dot all the Is and cross the Ts with something like that," Chief Deputy Danny Thompson said... Thompson says investigators found the device in one of the bedrooms and checked to make sure there weren't any others. "It's kind of like mice," Thompson said. "If there's one, there may be another, and we don't want to leave knowing there might be"... Thompson says Hedges was intoxicated when he was arrested, but says it is too early to know whether alcohol is a factor in this case. Hedges, who has been with the Bullitt County Sheriff Department for three years, has been suspended without pay. [Full article here]

Bullitt deputy sheriff arrested for assault, possessing bomb
Louisville Courier-Journal
By Emily Hagedorn ehagedorn@courier-journal.com
February 22, 2010
[Excerpts]
A Bullitt deputy sheriff has been arrested and charged with assault and possession of a destructive device after investigators found a pipe bomb in his home... [Robert] Hedges allegedly pulled out some of [his girlfriend's] hair and kicked her in the stomach, Bullitt Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said. “I think he was drinking,” he said. Hedges didn’t undergo a blood alcohol test but was so intoxicated he needed clearance from Jewish Hospital Medical Center South before being housed at the Bullitt County Detention Center, Tinnell said... After interviewing [L.B.], who has lived with him Hedges for about five months, investigators obtained a warrant to search the home, he said. They found a pipe bomb attached to an alarm clock in Hedges’ bedroom, and the sheriff’s office called the Louisville Metro Bomb Squad to remove and disable the device, he said. Hedges told investigators that he used the bomb for training in his work with correction... He was demoted from captain three months ago for missing too many days of work, he said. He has had no disciplinary actions with the office and doesn’t have a criminal record, he said. “We’re disappointed and want him to get whatever help he needs,” Tinnell said. Hedges is being held at the Bullitt County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond and must undergo a psychiatric evaluation... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety lethal alcohol kentucky state BROOKS, KY ]

[WI] Police Sgt. Abegglen escapes harrassment / lying disciplinary hearing (and findings) by "resigning" first

"...This letter is to confirm that [Town of Beloit Police] Sergeant Willis Abegglen will be retiring before the hearing Monday and as such, there is no need to have the hearing”...

ACCUSED OFFICER TO RETIRE
Beloit Daily News
By John Ranallo
February 23, 2010
[Excerpts] Town of Beloit Police Sgt. Willis Abegglen was scheduled to stand before the Police and Fire Disciplinary Review committee Monday morning, but retired before the committee met. Abegglen made his retirement effective Feb. 19. In a letter addressed to Bill Henderson and James Korum, who serve as town attorney and prosecutor for the review committee, William R. Rettko, Abegglen’s lawyer, said there was no need for the hearing since Abegglen is stepping down. “This letter is to confirm that Sergeant Willis Abegglen will be retiring before the hearing Monday and as such, there is no need to have the hearing,” Rettko writes. Abegglen was employed with the township for 29 years. He served as deputy chief from 2004 to April 2009 before his position was eliminated. After the position was eliminated, Abegglen was named sergeant. Police Chief John Wilson filed a formal complaint against Abegglen charging him with a violation of the department’s anti-harrassment policies. The complaint also accused Abegglen of “untruthfulness and insubordination during investigation of this matter”... [Town Administrator Bob] Museus said the state will make the final decision of whether Abegglen is eligible for his full pension and benefits. Museus said he believes Abegglen is likely to receive full benefits... [Full article here]

LAST MONTH:

TOWN COP MAY FACE DISCIPLINE
Beloit Daily News
By John Ranallo
Saturday, January 30, 2010 3:37 AM CST
[Excerpts] ...On Aug. 13, [Beloit Police Sgt. Willis] Abegglen was suspended for three days without pay for harassing [M.C.]. According to the complaint filed by [Police Chief John] Wilson, during the course of investigation into the matter, Abegglen learned that [M.C.] was intimidated and feared for her safety around him. As a result [M.C.] generally kept her office door locked when he was in the building. The complaint states that after returning from his August suspension Abegglen continued to harass [M.C.] and retaliated against her because of her earlier complaint. The complaint also states that [M.C.]’s office door locks by pushing a button on the doorknob. At one point, Abegglen allegedly stood outside her closed door while she was in her office and whispered: “Push the button, push the button”... The complaint states that [M.C.] used a digital voice recorder to record Abegglen’s comments. Prior to hearing the recording Abegglen denied the allegations... [Full article here]
[police officer involved intimidation law enforcement public safety wisconsin state]

[SC] Fired Deputy Grimsley pleads guilty to stalking and assaulting his girlfriend

...[Ex-Dillon County deputy Robert] Grimsley was arrested three times between November and December for domestic violence related charges against his girlfriend... Grimsley was fired as a deputy with the Dillon County Sheriff's Office last month...

PREVIOUS POST:
[SC] Deputy Grimsley arrested for bruising assault of girlfriend, and again for violating restraining order - ...Grimsley’s live-in girlfriend, had a bruise on her right leg, the side of her neck and the back of her neck... According to the report, some deputies asked the victim to report prior incidents, but she said she didn’t want to because she "did not want to get the suspect in trouble"... 

EX-SC OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO STALKING, ASSAULT
The Associated Press
Feb. 23, 2010
[Excerpts] A 38-year-old former police officer in South Carolina is facing sentencing after pleading guilty to stalking and assaulting his girlfriend and trying to tamper with evidence against him in the case... Authorities say [ex-Dillon County deputy Robert] Grimsley was charged with criminal domestic violence in November after grabbing his girlfriend in the home they shared in Latta and kicking her. A month later, investigators say Grimsley violated a restraining order by going to the woman's house and slashing her tires, then asked an officer working the case to switch or destroy blood samples that were collected. The woman told police Grimsley would ride by her house 20 times a day. [Full article here]

FORMER DILLON DEPUTY PLEADS GUILTY TO OBSTRUCTION, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES
scnow.com
By Samantha Shepard and Jamie Rogers
Published: February 19, 2010
Updated: February 22, 2010
[Excerpts] A former Dillon County sheriff’s corporal corporal accused of tampering with police evidence and assaulting his ex-girlfriend pleaded guilty to the charges against him Monday at the Dillon County Courthouse, S.C. Attorney General spokesman Mark Plowden said. Robert Paul Grimsley, 38, was arrested in December and is charged with obstruction of justice, stalking, violating a protection order, malicious injury to property and criminal domestic violence. Twelfth Circuit Court Judge Michael Nettles is scheduled to sentence Grimsley at 2 p.m. Tuesday.... Circuit Court Judge William Seales denied Grimsley’s bond... Investigators said Grimsley was charged with criminal domestic violence in November after he grabbed his live-in girlfriend around the neck and kicked her at his home in Latta. Less than a month later, officials said, Grimsley violated the terms of an order of protection against him when he went to the victim’s house. The suspect slashed her tires and was arrested a second time Dec. 22, Dillon Police Chief Joe Rogers said in an earlier report. That day, prosecutors said, he tried to convince a police officer working the case to switch or destroy blood samples taken as evidence in the case. The alleged victim in the case told Seales in January that the suspect would ride by her home 18 to 20 times a day in his own vehicle. At times, he would ride by her house in a car borrowed from a friend. The victim said she was home the night the suspect showed up at her house to slash her tires. “He saw me looking at him through the window and he still cut my tires,” she said. The victim said the suspect’s abusive behavior had persisted for more than a year, but she continued to date him because she loved him. “I really loved that girl, but I’m not in love with her,” Grimsley told Seales during the hearing. “She ain’t got to worry about me ... I just want to tend to my children.”... [Full article here]

DILLON COUNTY DEPUTY FACES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE
WBTW
By Patricia Burkett
Published: November 20, 2009
[Excerpts] ...Deputies said when they responded to the call in Latta, the victim, identified as Grimsley’s live-in girlfriend, had a bruise on her right leg, the side of her neck and the back of her neck. She told deputies the physical abuse stemmed from a series of arguments the two had that week, according to the report. She also said the suspect has been physically abusing her for more than a year. According to the report, some deputies asked the victim to report prior incidents, but she said she didn’t want to because she “did not want to get the suspect in trouble"... Grimsley remains on paid administrative leave pending the results of the investigation... [Full article here]

FORMER DILLON COUNTY DEPUTY SET TO GO ON TRIAL
By Continuous News Desk
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10:34 a.m.
[Excerpts] NewsChannel 15 has learned Robert "RP" Grimsley's trial will start next week at the Dillon County Courthouse... Grimsley was arrested three times between November and December for domestic violence related charges against his girlfriend... Grimsley was fired as a deputy with the Dillon County Sheriff's Office last month. He remains in jail without bond. [Full article here]
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