[MO] Daniel Metz; Tragic loss of the officer's son who loved to read

The three year old son of a Maryland Heights police officer [Ryan Metz] was killed Tuesday afternoon while playing with his father's personal handgun... Metz was among the first to respond to the shooting.... [Daniel] was very interested in the weather and garage doors, [his mom Amanda] said. In fact, his favorite book was a garage door manual that he often would take to bed with him. "It's tattered, that's how worn it is"...

BLOG: Books For Daniel

FACEBOOK: Friends of Daniel Metz

FUND

The department has set up a fund to help the Metz family. You can send donations, in care of the  Maryland Heights Police Officers’ Association, P.O. Box 1261, Maryland Heights, MO. 63043 Attention: Metz Family Fund. 

MARYLAND HEIGHTS OFFICER'S SON, 3, FATALLY SHOOTS HIMSELF
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
By Patrick M. O'connell and Marlon A. Walker
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
[Excerpts] The 3-year-old son of a Maryland Heights police officer fatally shot himself Tuesday, police said. Officers responded to a home in the 12200 block of Glenpark Drive about 5:30 p.m. after the boy's mother reported an emergency. Police found the boy in a rear bedroom, where he had accidentally shot himself in the upper torso with a handgun... The boy, Daniel Metz, was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday in the emergency room at DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton... The boy's father, a three-year member of the police department who patrols the area near where he lives, was among the first officers on the scene... "We don't have the pertinent information yet on how the gun was accessible," [Maryland Heights Police Chief Thomas] O'Connor said. "We will look at every aspect of this, and we will review it"... Tuesday night, crime scene tape ringed the front yard of their home, and a police officer stood sentry in front... [Full article here]

MO. POLICE OFFICER’S 3 YR OLD SON ACCIDENTLY KILLED PLAYING WITH GUN 
KTVI-FOX2now.com
July 20, 2011
[Excerpts] ...“I’ve been a police officer 29 years,” said Chief O’Conner, “and I never brought a loaded gun into my home while my kids were there for this very reason. The gun should have been unavailable, locked up or something else, for a toddler to find.” O’Conner said the case will be investigated the same as every other incident involving a child injured or killed by a gun in the home. “We’ll give the family some space, because they’re devastated,” he said. “We will interview everyone who was there and all the first responders to determine how the child gained access to the weapon, and we’ll refer the case to prosecutors if necessary”... [Full article here]

POLICE OFFICER'S SON, THREE, DIES AFTER SHOOTING HIMSELF WITH GUN HE FOUND AT HOME - AND HIS FATHER ANSWERS THE 911 CALL
The Daily Mail
By Fiona Roberts
20 July 2011
[Excerpts] ...[Maryland Heights Police Chief Thomas] O'Connor said he does not yet know how the boy found the gun, but he intends to 'look at every aspect' of the case. He told Fox 12: 'I've been a police officer 29 years and I never brought a loaded gun into my home while my kids were there for this very reason. 'The gun should have been unavailable, locked up or something else, for a toddler to find.' He added: 'We'll give the family some space, because they're devastated. 'We will interview everyone who was there and all the first responders to determine how the child gained access to the weapon, and we'll refer the case to prosecutors if necessary'... [Full article here]

THREE YEAR OLD SON OF POLICE OFFICER ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS HIMSELF
FOX2now.com
By Charles Jaco
July 19, 2011
[Excerpts] The three year old son of a Maryland Heights police officer was killed Tuesday afternoon while playing with his father's personal handgun. Three year old Daniel Metz shot himself in the chest and was pronounced dead at DePaul Medical Center in Bridgeton. His father, Patrolman Ryan Metz, was on duty at the time, on patrol in his own neighborhood, and was the first to respond to the scene of his son's death. The Maryland Heights police chief, Col. Thomas O'Conner, said the child was apparently unsupervised in a bedroom of his parent's home when he somehow found the loaded gun and killed himself. Chief O'Conner said Patrolman Metz had been with the force for two years and is "a good officer"... O'Conner said the case will be investigated the same as every other incident involving a child injured or killed by a gun in the home... [Full article here]

MARYLAND HEIGHTS OFFICER HAD MOVED GUN USED IN SON’S SHOOTING
KMOX Radio
Brian Kelly
July 21, 2011
[Excerpts] Tuesday’s shooting death of the three-year old son of a Maryland Heights Police officer, was a case where “all the elements had to line up just right, to create a perfect storm.” That’s according to Detective Sgt. Joe Eagan who says the officer usually kept the weapon, which he used for a secondary job, on a high shelf in a closet... Eagan says Daniel Metz would not have been able to get the weapon out of the drawer, if he hadn’t brought a laundry basket into the room, from another room in the house... Eagan says there was no lock on the loaded weapon... [Full article here]

PROSECUTORS IN ST. LOUIS AREA FACE TOUGH DECISIONS IN CHILD SHOOTING DEATHS
STLtoday.com
by jennifer mann
July 22, 2011 8:15 am
[Excerpts] ...While the laws give prosecutors flexibility to consider the nuances of each case, they also require them to get inside the head of the person who left the gun unattended. "These are very difficult cases to prove and to prosecute because they are emotionally charged and the law requires us to prove someone's mental state," St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce said in a statement. "As tragic as these cases are, as prosecutors, our focus is to apply the law and determine whether a law has been broken"... On Tuesday, 3-year-old Daniel Metz fatally shot himself with a handgun he found in his Maryland Heights home. Daniel's father, Maryland Heights police Officer Ryan Metz, was among the first to respond to the shooting. The gun was owned by Metz for personal use and was not department-issued... In her statement, Joyce said accidental shootings are not unlike cases in which a parent unintentionally leaves a child in a hot car... Newton County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Skouby knows the position Joyce and the other local prosecutors are in... "Just because there's been a tragedy doesn't mean somebody's committed a crime," he said. Still, every state should have strong laws on child access to guns, said Lindsay Nichols, an attorney with the Legal Community Against Violence... "These laws are effective at holding gun owners accountable for storing their guns safely," she said... [Full article here]

[BOOKS FOR DANIEL]

MOMS TO DONATE BOOKS IN MEMORY OF 3-YEAR-OLD SHOOTING VICTIM
STLtoday.com
By Susan Weich
September 18, 2011
[Excerpts] The day after 3-year-old Daniel Metz fatally shot himself with a pistol, a group of family friends began planning a way to honor the memory of the boy who loved to read. Their idea mushroomed into a large book drive, and on Monday, about 1,000 new volumes will be donated in his name to Rose Acres Elementary School, where Daniel would have attended preschool next fall... The project has brought something good out of the accident, said Daniel's mother, Amanda Metz. "A lot of kids are going to get great books for the library, more chances to read, and hopefully learn new things and enjoy them like he did," she said... By last week, 1,215 donations had come in... Amanda Metz said that she is an avid reader and that Daniel had enjoyed going to the library with her. "He loved to sit down and have me read to him or he would look at the pictures," she said. He was very interested in the weather and garage doors, she said. In fact, his favorite book was a garage door manual that he often would take to bed with him. "It's tattered, that's how worn it is," she said... Daniel also shared his books with his younger brothers, Jake, 2, and Andrew, 3 months old. "Daniel was super-friendly, a great big brother and just made friends with everyone"... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv child abuse neglect law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities accidental accidentally negligent homicide toddler child children gun safety missouri state politics living with guns]

[CA] Oxnard Police Detective Mora and Offcer Tinoco arrested for separate domestic incidents

Oxnard police detective Erik Mora was arrested September 11th on suspicion of domestic violence. Less than 6 weeks ago, on August 2nd, Oxnard police officer Joe Tinoco was arrested on charges of domestic violence, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.

OXNARD POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Ventura County Star

By Adam Foxman

]September 15, 2011 at 6:14 p.m.

An Oxnard police officer has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, authorities said Thursday. Erik Mora, 46, was arrested Saturday by Ventura police on suspicion of domestic violence and booked into Ventura County jail... He was released Monday on bond, said sheriff's spokesman Mike Aranda. Police responded about 3:30 a.m. Saturday to a report of possible domestic violence in east Ventura. They found a woman who complained of pain and had visible injuries and arrested Mora... The detective has been placed on paid administrative leave... Oxnard police will conduct their own administrative investigation, Muñoz said. She noted that any individual is innocent until proven guilty.... Mora was the second Oxnard police officer arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in the past two months. Officer Joe Tinoco Jr., a 20-year department veteran, was arrested Aug. 2 on suspicion of committing domestic violence against a 38-year-old woman... Tinoco remained on paid administrative leave this week pending the investigation into his case... [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner vio

[VA] 23 years in prison for wife of Orange County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Bob Canosa (R.I.P.)

Orange County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Bob Canosa was murdered by his estranged wife, Brenda - who says she didn't remember killing him. She drove to where he was staying, called him to have him come out, then started shooting him - chasing him down. He crawled inside, called police, and let them know it was her. He died in the hospital nine days later. Bob was a former Marine and had worked for the Culpeper County Sheriff's Department before Orange County. Brenda pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

...Brenda Canosa spoke tearfully, turning to apologize to her children and husband’s parents and sisters. “I know you hate me and I don’t blame you for that,” she said to Bob’s family. “We were married for over 25 years – I love Bob. I never once planned or thought to do this. I don’t remember. I am so sorry. I can’t believe this is happening”...

Pray for their kids, and families.

PREVIOUS POSTS:

• [VA] Orange County Sheriff's Investigator Bob Canosa shot multiple times and wife Brenda arrested
• [VA] Shot multiple times by wife, Investigator Canosa conscious - Colleagues being kept out of his room
• [VA] Sheriff's Investigator Bob Canosa has died after being shot multiple times by wife Brenda
• [VA] Investgator Canosa identified his wife as his killer. "The b*tch – she shot me in the back."

BRENDA CANOSA GETS 23 YEARS IN HUSBAND'S MURDER
Star Exponent
By: ALLISON BROPHY CHAMPION
Published: September 15, 2011
[Excerpts] Former Madison County special education teacher Brenda Lee Canosa, 51, will spend 23 years in prison for murdering her estranged husband nearly two years ago... Following months of protracted hearings and mounting physical evidence from the commonwealth, the accused accepted an Alford Plea in June, pleading guilty to first-degree murder. She claimed to not remember shooting her husband, and originally pleaded not guilty. Bob and Brenda Canosa separated eight months prior to his death after more than 25 years of marriage. The impact of the separation on Mrs. Canosa was severe, the defense said, resulting in a suicide attempt, severe drug and alcohol abuse and a psychiatric detachment and disassociation to life. Judge Bouton said the defendant’s emotional stress, while a plausible explanation for her actions, was not justification... “This was not a spur-of-the-moment crime,” said Bouton, saying Mrs. Canosa sought out Mr. Canosa, shot him and killed him. It was not a case either in which she had suffered abuse over many years at the hands of her husband, the judge said, nor was she in any danger the day of the shooting... “We believe it was a cruel, cruel coldblooded murder,” [Orange County Commonwealth’s Attorney Diana] Wheeler said, recommending a 25-year sentence. She further documented “classic stalking behavior” prior to Bob Canosa’s murder when his wife broke into his residence, took pictures there and attached a GPS device to his vehicle. Attempts to reconcile proved unsuccessful, further driving a wedge between the two... Bob Canosa was a career law enforcement officer who at the time of his death was an investigator for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and had previously worked for the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office. He was active at the community level as an instructor in citizens’ law enforcement academies in Orange and Culpeper. He also loved Elvis, said his older sister, Chris Canosa. She described her brother as fearless, strong, protective and caring. “He was my protector,” Chris Canosa said. “I don’t have that anymore.” She said his death has devastated her parents... Caitlin Canosa, called by the defense, said she was placed in the middle of her parent’s separation, becoming like a parent to both of them. She testified that her mother attempted suicide in August of 2009, consuming alcohol and pills and writing a note to her children. Mrs. Canosa was taking Zoloft for depression, Ambien to help her sleep and Xanax for anxiety. She later took prescription painkillers. “I tried to wake her up. It was horrible,” Caitlin Canosa said. “I didn’t want anything to happen to her”... The experts said Canosa had disassociation disorder. “She was severely, mentally impaired at the time of the shooting,” said psychiatrist James Thompson. Added defense attorney John Zwerling, “The perfect storm of factors revealed Brenda Canosa’s vulnerabilities and she cracked. This was a new world for her and she just was not capable of dealing with it.” After the separation, she became “a functional basket case,” Zwerling said. Before the sentencing, Brenda Canosa spoke tearfully, turning to apologize to her children and husband’s parents and sisters. “I know you hate me and I don’t blame you for that,” she said to Bob’s family. “We were married for over 25 years – I love Bob. I never once planned or thought to do this. I don’t remember. I am so sorry. I can’t believe this is happening.” [Full article here]

OTHER ARTICLES SINCE THE LAST POST

JUDGE TO ALLOW INSANITY DEFENSE IN CANOSA MURDER
Star Exponent
By: Allison Brophy Champion
Published: June 03, 2011
[Excerpts] Accused murderer Brenda Canosa reportedly does not remember leaving her home in Madison County the cold December morning in 2009 when her estranged husband, Bob Canosa, was shot down in the driveway of his residence in rural Unionville. Later that morning at her home in Rochelle, Mrs. Canosa told a state police agent that she and Mr. Canosa spoke on the phone the night before, and that he had threatened to kill her... Bob Canosa was a career law enforcement officer who worked under former Culpeper County Sheriff Lee Hart and at the time of the crime was an investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He died nine days later from his wounds at the age of 55. Mrs. Canosa, 51, has been in jail in Orange since the shooting; she faces charges of first degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. She was employed as a special education teacher at Madison Primary School at the time of the shooting... It was VSP Special Agent Alan Sullivan who testified Mrs. Canosa, on that morning, told him about a phone call with her husband the night before in which Bob Canosa reportedly said he would kill her before she would get everything, and that he asked her if she was going to shoot him... “She had a look of concern or disbelief when told about her husband,” he added... Present in the courtroom Friday was the Canosa’s son, Joseph, and a family friend who identified himself as an uncle, saying, “The whole thing is a tragedy”... [Full article here]

CANOSA GUILTY OF KILLING HUSBAND
Star Exponent
By: Allison Brophy Champion
Published: June 17, 2011
[Excerpts] Schoolteacher Brenda Lee Canosa, 51, of Madison, pleaded guilty in court Thursday to first-degree murder in the 2009 shooting death of her estranged husband Bob Canosa... Mrs. Canosa accepted an Alford Plea in doing so, meaning she did not admit the act, but felt the commonwealth had enough evidence to prove she willfully killed her husband... Per the plea agreement, Brenda Canosa faces a prison sentence of five years to 30 years and 10 months. Circuit Court Judge Daniel Bouton will hand down the sentence Sept. 15... “It was very hard to make this decision considering I don’t remember (shooting my husband),” Brenda Canosa told the judge, referencing “all the evidence” and “all the people that had been to my home and how sorry I am”... Earlier, the former special education teacher at Madison Primary School disclosed to the judge that she takes five different medications for depression, anxiety and migraines, including Zoloft... In lengthy remarks Thursday, Orange County Commonwealth’s Attorney Diana Wheeler detailed the grisly crime... Bob Canosa died nine days later at the age of 55... The defendant called her husband from outside his residence at 5:40 a.m. the morning of the shooting and told him to come outside, Wheeler said. When he did, Brenda Canosa said, “Sorry, Bob,” and began shooting. When he fell down, the defendant kicked her husband in the groin, Wheeler said, and when he got up, she chased him around vehicles in the parking lot, firing as she went, leaving a trail of blood on the gravel... The couple’s separation eight months before the murder was far from amicable... Mrs. Canosa ... called her husband 1,515 times on her cell phone... She called him another 632 times from her home phone. During the separation, Brenda Canosa also apparently mailed “anonymous” letters to various local officials in which she purported to be a concerned citizen raising concern “about the lax morals of Bob Canosa”... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder mental health female perp perpetrator multiple personality anxiety virginia state politics]

[VA] $20M Lawsuit: Sheriff Hunt knew his deputy was in transit to kill Jennifer Louise Carter Agee - and did nothing

The Franklin County Sheriff has been named in a multi-million dollar lawsuit. Monday, attorneys for the family of Jennifer [Louise Carter] Agee filed a more than 20-million dollar lawsuit naming Sheriff Ewell Hunt and ex-husband [Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy] Jonathan Agee... Jonathan Agee's trial is set to begin in Montgomery County on Nov. 14 on the charge of attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer. He is scheduled to be tried on the first-degree murder charge on Jan. 23, 2012 in Roanoke Circuit Court...

Jennifer Louise Carter Agee

...[Now-fired Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan] Agee is accused of shooting Jennifer [Louise Carter] Agee to death May 30 in the Sheetz convenience store parking lot on Williamson Road in Roanoke, in front of one of their daughters... On the day of the shooting, Agee's current wife warned [Franklin County Sheriff Ewell] Hunt that her husband had an assault rifle, was on his way to see Jennifer Agee and threatened to kill her, police said. But according to radio logs, Hunt said he would handle the situation himself...

PREVIOUS POSTS:

• [VA] SHERIFF KNEW that Deputy Agee was on the way to kill ex-wife Jennifer - but didn't send out the alert - Almost a half-hour before Jennifer [Louise] Carter Agee was shot to death on Memorial Day, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office was warned that her sheriff's deputy ex-husband [Jonathan Agee] had an assault rifle and was driving to Salem to kill her. But Sheriff Ewell Hunt told his dispatch center not to issue a "be on the lookout" alert to other law enforcement agencies, saying he would take care of the situation himself...
• [VA] Text of Franklin County dispatch radio log when Sheriff Hunt withheld alert before Jennifer's murder - Below is the text from the Franklin County Virginia Sheriff's Department dispatcher's radio log reflecting the time prior to and after the seemingly preventable death of Jennifer Louise Carter Agee. It is being distributed in different forms by the media that are difficult to take excerpts from - so I've converted it to text here. If you notice any errors please let me know and I will correct them.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LAWSUIT FILED BY ESTATE OF JENNIFER AGEE. If it becomes unavailable at that link or if you want a copy of the lawsuit that has been coverted from PDF to text form, email me.

UPDATE: JENNIFER AGEE'S FAMILY FILES WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT AGAINST ESTRANGED HUSBAND AND FRANKLIN CO. SHERIFF

WDBJ7-TV

September 7, 2011

[Excerpts] The Franklin County Sheriff has been named in a multi-million dollar lawsuit. Monday, attorneys for the family of Jennifer Agee filed a more than 20-million dollar lawsuit naming Sheriff Ewell Hunt and ex-husband Jonathan Agee... Jonathan Agee, a former Franklin County sheriff's deputy is accused of killing his estranged wife, Jennifer, in a gas station parking lot in Roanoke. Officers say he then led police on a chase into Montgomery County. They say he stopped on Interstate 81, and shot a state trooper before being shot himself. Agee and the trooper both survived. Franklin County Sheriff, Ewell Hunt, is named in the suit because the family contends Hunt knew that Agee was headed to Roanoke with the intention of harming his estanged wife but didn't act appropriately to warn authorities in other jursidictions. Jonathan Agee has been charged with her murder... [Full article here]

UPDATE: JENNIFER AGEE'S FAMILY FILES WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT AGAINST ESTRANGED HUSBAND AND FRANKLIN CO. SHERIFF

WDBJ7.com

September 07, 2011

[Excerpts] ...While attorneys say they trust in the legal system, they say this is a civil way to get "justice" for her family, including her two daughters. Matt Broughton, Jennifer Agee estate Attorney explains, "Jennifer Agee was a daughter, a mother, a friend, and a sister - and everyday she is sorely, sorely missed." The suit alleges Sheriff Hunt's negligence lead to Jennifer Agee's death and he could have kept his deputy, Jonathan Agee, from allegedly killing his ex-wife... [Full article here]

SHERIFF FACES LAWSUIT OVER MEMORIAL DAY KILLING

The VLW Blog

The Roanoke Times

By Peter Vieth

September 7th, 2011

[Excerpts] ...The family of Jennifer Agee claims Hunt deliberately concealed the murderous intentions of his deputy because Hunt feared embarrassment and wanted to win re-election... Hunt received word of Agee’s intention to kill his ex-wife, but directed his office not to alert other police agencies about the situation. “Sheriff Hunt’s actions not only led to the death of Jennifer Agee but they put at risk the lives of all citizens and law enforcement officers” in a three-county area, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Roanoke City Circuit Court. The lawsuit accusing Hunt of “willful and wanton” conduct and gross negligence also seeks damages from Jonathan Agee. Roanoke lawyer Matt Broughton said his firm filed the civil lawsuit even though criminal charges remain pending to encourage witnesses to come forward with information. “There is a wealth of information out there we think we can get if we just get the word out,” Broughton said... [Full article here]

FAMILY FILES $20 MILLION LAWSUIT IN JENNIFER AGEE'S SLAYING

The Roanoke Times

By Neil Harvey

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

[Excerpts] ..."At this moment in time, the beneficiaries of this estate would be her two minor daughters," [lawyer for Jennifer's estate, Greg] Habeeb said, referring to the Agee children... Diana Spain, Jennifer Agee's mother, and five other relatives attended. The attorneys answered no questions and called the lawsuit "a civil remedy to obtain justice."... On the day of the shooting, [Franklin County Sheriff Ewell] Hunt was warned that Deputy Agee was on his way to see his ex-wife with an assault rifle and had threatened to kill her, but according to radio logs, said he would handle the situation himself. He placed a call to police dispatch in Salem -- where Jennifer Agee lived -- but did not indicate an emergency... [Full article here]

JENNIFER AGEE'S ESTATE SUES SHERIFF, SUSPECT: The estate of Jennifer Agee has filed a $20 million lawsuit against Franklin County Sheriff Ewell Hunt and Jonathan Agee.

The Roanoke Times

By Neil Harvey

Thursday, September 08, 2011

[Excerpts] ...The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in Roanoke Circuit Court by the estate of Jennifer Agee, says she was shot "five times at close range" by her ex-husband and maintained that Hunt's actions the day of her killing were driven by "fear of further embarrassment and his desire to win re-election." The suit seeks $20 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages, said lawyer Greg Habeeb, whose law firm represents Agee's estate... Jennifer Agee's mother, Diana Spain, is administrator of the estate and the Agees' two daughters would be the beneficiaries... The 18-page lawsuit alleges that Roanoke law enforcement became aware of the incident only after 911 calls from witnesses at the shooting and added, "Had Sheriff Hunt alerted them to Jonathan Agee's murderous intentions, they would have intervened to prevent a murder — rather than arrive to investigate one." The suit also claims that Agee had, prior to the shooting, begun "to illegally purchase and consume steroids which dramatically changed his physical appearance and behavior" and that "Sheriff Hunt knew or should have known about Jonathan Agee's illegal steroid consumption and took no actions to intervene"... During his getaway attempt in his patrol car, Agee wounded a state police sergeant before being wounded and captured by other troopers... [Full article here]

AGEE, HUNT NAMED IN WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT: Family of Jennifer Agee seeks $20 million

Franklin News Post

By Ken Bradley

Friday, September 9, 2011

[Excerpts] ...The suit alleges that "at no time before Jennifer Agee's death did Sheriff Hunt issue a 'Be On the Lookout' order and that Hunt's conduct was reckless, evincing a conscious disregard for the rights of others." Jonathan Agee's trial is set to begin in Montgomery County on Nov. 14 on the charge of attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer. He is scheduled to be tried on the first-degree murder charge on Jan. 23, 2012 in Roanoke Circuit Court... [Full article here]

SHERIFF ACCUSED OF IGNORING STEROID USE BY DEPUTY CHARGED WITH MURDER

Cops and Steroids

By Millard Baker

September 10, 2011

[Excerpts] ... Police have previously pointed the finger at anabolic steroids as the culprit in the murder. Investigators found two vials of steroids, including one vial of testosterone cypionate, at Agee’s home and noted that Agee had “gotten much bigger” in the weeks leading up to the violence. Instead of blaming steroids, the lawyers for Jennifer Agee’s estate have decided to assign responsibility to Franklin County Sheriff Ewell Hunt. Hunt was named as a defendant in the wrongful death lawsui... “Had Sheriff [Franklin County Sheriff Ewell] Hunt alerted them to Jonathan Agee’s murderous intentions, they would have intervened to prevent a murder — rather than arrive to investigate one,” wrote Greg Habeeb and Matthew Broughton of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore. “When called to help personally and through 911 … Sheriff Hunt stood in the way of getting help. That’s shameful,” said Joe Stanley, the owner of a Facebook group called “Sheriff Ewell Hunt Must Resign”. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that “Sheriff Hunt knew or should have known about Jonathan Agee’s illegal steroid consumption and took no actions to intervene” suggesting that Agee’s recent consumption of anabolic steroids “dramatically changed his physical appearance and behavior”... [Full article here]

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Sheriff Ewell Hunt Must Resign

SINCE LAST POST

POLICE EXAMINE TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN JONATHAN AND JENNIFER AGEE: Investigators filed a search warrant for texts between Jonathan Agee and his ex-wife Jennifer.

The Roanoke Times

By Neil Harvey

Friday, August 12, 2011

[Excerpts] Investigators this week examined text messages sent between Jonathan and Jennifer Agee before her death on Memorial Day in the hope of finding incriminating evidence... all messages sent from and received by Jennifer Agee's cellphone from May 21 to May 30... Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell said Thursday he didn't have knowledge of the contents of those messages and did not yet know whether they indicated a motive... Jonathan Agee is currently scheduled to stand trial in Montgomery County in mid-November, and in Roanoke in late January. [Full article here]

POLICE: STEROIDS FOUND IN HOME OF FORMER FRANKLIN CO. DEPUTY AGEE, ACCUSED IN EX-WIFE'S KILLING: Virginia State Police seized two vials of steroids from a safe in the former Franklin County sheriff's deputy's home, according to a search warrant filed Wednesday.

The Roanoke Times

By Jorge Valencia

Friday, August 19, 2011

[Excerpts] The Franklin County sheriff's deputy accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife on Memorial Day and wounding a state police sergeant had body-enhancing steroids in his home's gun safe and had outgrown his uniforms in the months before the violence, according to a search warrant. Virginia State Police detectives seized two vials of anabolic steroids and syringes from a basement gun safe in the Boones Mill home of former deputy Jonathan Agee... Agee's current wife said he told her on Memorial Day morning that he was going to kill Jennifer Agee... An earlier search warrant said Agee's current wife, Julia Angell, told investigators that she had overheard "very heated" telephone arguments between the former spouses and that Jennifer Agee had sent her text messages about "an ongoing relationship" between the Agees. Anabolic steroids help generate body mass and are illegal to use without a prescription. Some athletes use them illicitly for performance enhancements, with side effects that may include mood swings and so-called 'roid rage.... [Full article here]

VIRGINIA:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF ROANOKE

Case Number: CL11-1527

DIANA SPAIN, in her capacity as administratrix of the estate of Jennifer Louise Carter Agee

Plaintiff,

v.

EWELL HUNT, individually and in his capacity as Sheriff of Franklin County, Virginia

and

JONATHAN ASHLEY AGEE Defendants.

[Excerpts] ...Sheriff Hunt had prior knowledge that Jonathan Agee intended to kill Jennifer Agee, that he had the means to kill Jennifer Agee, that the murder would take place in the Roanoke Valley and that Jennifer Agee was unaware of Jonathan Agee's murderous intentions... Sheriff Hunt failed to warn Jennifer Agee or her family and failed to protect her by taking even the most basic steps to alert regional and state law enforcement... During his employment with the Franklin County Sheriffs Department and under the supervision, or lack thereof, of Sheriff Hunt, Jonathan Agee engaged in a pattern of disturbing and improper behavior. Jonathan Agee's behavior was readily known by Sheriff Hunt. Much of this disturbing behavior stemmed from Jonathan Agee's relationship with Hunt's daughter, Ashley Hunt... Jonathan Agee's and Ashley's misconduct was so prevalent and unprofessional that it led, in part, to the empanelling of a special grand jury to investigate Sheriff Hunt's Department... Jonathan Agee's relationship with Ashley began when she was still a minor and both were subordinate to Sheriff Hunt... Without training or experience, Ashley was allowed to accompany Sheriffs deputies, including Jonathan Agee, on stakeouts, patrols, drug buys, drug arrests, roundups, and processing of arrestees. On numerous occasions, Ashley and Jonathan Agee were alone in inappropriate situations... On at least one occasion, Jonathan Agee abandoned a drug deal stakeout so that he and Ashley could go to a local fast food restaurant approximately 20 minutes away from the stakeout location. As a result, the drug transaction occurred without Jonathan Agee present... Notwithstanding their inappropriate and unprofessional behavior, Jonathan Agee and Ashley Hunt were given preferential treatment by her father, Sheriff Hunt... Rather than fire his daughter for her inexcusable public outburst or Jonathan Agee for his blatantly inappropriate relationship with Ashley, Hunt instead refused to accept Ashley's resignation and allowed them both to continue in the Sheriffs Department's employ... Jonathan Agee began to illegally purchase and consume steroids which dramatically changed his physical appearance and behavior. Sheriff Hunt knew or should have known about Jonathan Agee's illegal steroid consumption and took no actions to intervene. Upon information and belief, Sheriff Hunt was also aware that Jonathan and Jennifer Agee had an ongoing custody battle over their two minor daughters and he knew that Jonathan Agee had made disparaging and threatening remarks about Jennifer.. Upon information and belief, sometime before 11:04 a.m. on May 30, 2011, Jonathan Agee told [wife Julia] Angell that he was going to Salem to kill Jennifer Agee...Angell called Jonathan Agee's father... At 11:04 a.m., Jonathan Agee's father called Sheriff Hunt and informed him that Jonathan Agee had left his house "in an agitated state with guns" in a marked Franklin County Sheriffs Department vehicle. Upon information and belief, as of this time, Sheriff Hunt knew that Jonathan Agee intended to kill Jennifer Agee. Inexplicably, Sheriff Hunt did not ask for, nor did he receive, the contact information for Jonathan's intended victim. Instead, Sheriff Hunt simply called Jonathan Agee's cell phone and left him a voicemail. At this time, he took no further actions to investigate the matter, alert the victim, alert local law enforcement or prevent the impending murder. At 11:07 a.m., Angell called 911 and reached the Franklin County Sheriffs Department dispatch. The dispatch notes reveal that Angell had called 911 to report that Agee "just got into his patrol car with an assault rifle" and "was going to Salem to kill his ex-wife." The fact that Angell had called emergency 911, rather than another number for the Franklin County Sheriffs Department, should have reinforced to Sheriff Hunt the emergency nature of the situation. During this conversation, the dispatcher could hear Jonathan Agee, who had apparently returned to the house, in the background. During this return visit, Jonathan Agee became aware that Angell had called 911 and reported that Jonathan Agee was going to Salem to murder Jennifer Agee. Agee then left his house in a well-marked, brightly-colored Franklin County Sheriffs Department K-9 police cruiser and headed towards the Roanoke Valley to murder Jennifer Agee. At this point, Sheriff Hunt had still not taken any actions to alert local, regional or state law enforcement that one of his Deputies in a marked Sheriffs Department vehicle carrying Sheriffs Department firearms was heading north to murder Jennifer Agee. Sheriff Hunt simply left a voicemail for Jonathan Agee as he headed towards his murderous destination. At approximately 11:10 a.m., having received no directions from Sheriff Hunt, the dispatcher desperately sent the Sheriff a text message asking him for more guidance. At approximately the same time, Sergeant Lewis Wimmer ("Wimmer") of the Franklin County Sheriffs Department was informed of Angell's report and of Jonathan Agee's murderous intentions. Wimmer immediately advised the dispatcher that the police in Salem and Roanoke County should be notified of Agee's intentions and of the fact that he was driving a marked Sheriffs Department cruiser. However, before the dispatcher could act on Wimmer's directive, Sheriff Hunt called in and spoke to the dispatcher... Sheriff Hunt inexplicably canceled this directive and instead said that he would call the Salem Police. When specifically asked whether Roanoke County should be alerted, he said "No, no, let me call them. Let me call them there"... Hunt never called Roanoke County. Hunt knew that Jonathan Agee was about to murder Jennifer, he knew that he had had the resources at hand to prevent the murder and he knew he had an affirmative obligation to employ such resources... At 11:18 a.m., at least 14 minutes after he first became aware that one of his Deputies was on his way to the Roanoke Valley to murder his ex-wife, Sheriff Hunt finally called the Salem Police dispatch. However, rather than urgently alert them to the pending murder and request all resources be deployed to prevent it, he simply left a message and asked that a supervisor give him a call. Hunt then called Franklin County dispatch again. A dispatcher named Robertson specifically asked Hunt if he needed the number for the Roanoke County Police. Hunt advised Robertson that he had that number. Once again, Hunt did not call Roanoke County. At the same time Hunt was directing dispatch to not report the pending murder and at the same time he was refusing to take any actions to alert law enforcement, Jonathan Agee was speeding ever closer to his victim. Upon information and belief, having become aware from Angell that law enforcement had been alerted to his Salem destination, Jonathan Agee contacted Jennifer Agee and arranged to meet her in the Sheetz convenience store parking lot at 1212 Williamson Road in the City of Roanoke. As Jonathan Agee sped into the Sheetz parking lot (at least 24 minutes after Sheriff Hunt had first learned of his murderous intentions), Jennifer Agee was sitting in a car in the parking lot with their older daughter, waiting patiently and oblivious to her ex-husband's intentions.

Jonathan pulled up behind Jennifer.

Jonathan and Jennifer stepped out of their cars.

Jennifer Agee was empty handed.

Jonathan Agee was holding a loaded assault rifle...

...911 calls immediately began to flood into Roanoke City dispatch. As a result of these 911 calls, regional law enforcement officers, for the first time, became aware of the incident and leapt into action. ithin seconds, Roanoke City Police were at the Sheetz, investigating the murder. Had Sheriff Hunt alerted them to Jonathan Agee's murderous intentions, they would have intervened to prevent a murder - rather than arrive to investigate one. Meanwhile, Agee was headed West on 460 into Montgomery County, where he was spotted by Virginia State Police Sergeant Matt Brannock ("Brannock"). Brannock immediately and bravely gave chase as Jonathan Agee drove onto 1-81 and headed North - back towards Roanoke. Jonathan Agee briefly stopped on the side of 1-81 near mile marker 125. There on the side of the interstate, a gunfight between Brannock and Jonathan Agee, Hunt's Deputy, broke out. During the fire fight, Agee shot and tried to kill Brannock before fleeing again... Jonathan Agee eventually pulled off of 1-81... At this point, another firefight broke out and Jonathan Agee was shot by two Virginia State Troopers who risked their own lives to ensure that Jonathan Agee's murderous rampage came to an end. Even after Jennifer's death, Hunt's instructions not to share information with anyone outside his own department held fast... Sheriff Hunt's actions and inactions were driven by his fear of further embarrassment and by his desire to win re-election. He made a conscious decision to conceal the murderous intentions of his Deputy in violation of the duties he owed Jennifer Agee. Sheriff Hunt's actions not only led to the death of Jennifer Agee but they put at risk the lives of all citizens and law enforcement officers in Franklin County, Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Salem and Montgomery County... As a result of the Defendants' actions, two little girls will never see their mother again... Sheriff Hunt had the capacity to stop Jonathan Agee... Sheriff Hunt had a special relationship with Jonathan Agee that gave rise to a duty to warn and protect Jennifer Agee... Sheriff Hunt and Jonathan Agee were in a master/servant relationship. Jonathan Agee used Sheriffs Department property to hunt down and kill Jennifer Agee. Sheriff Hunt knew or had reason to know that he could control Jonathan Agee. Sheriff Hunt knew or should have known of the necessity and opportunity to exercise that control. Sheriff Hunt acted utterly without regard for prudence, and his actions and/or omissions amounted to complete neglect for the safety of Jennifer Agee in violation of the above-referenced duties. Sheriff Hunt heedlessly and palpably violated his legal duty with respect to the safety of Jennifer Agee, and his actions and/or omissions amounted to the absence of slight diligence, or the want of even scant care... Jennifer Agee's murder was the result of the conduct of the Defendants. As a result of the Defendants' conduct, Jennifer Agee suffered serious and permanent injuries including death, pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress and lost income... Plaintiff seeks all damages, including but not limited to compensatory and punitive damages, recoverable pursuant to the Virginia Wrongful Death Act, Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-50, et seq.

WHEREFORE, Diana Spain, in her capacity as administratrix of the estate of Jennifer Louise Carter Agee moves the Court for judgment against the Defendants, jointly and severally, in the amount of TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS ($20,000,000.00) in compensatory damages, THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($350,000.00) in punitive damages, pre and post-judgment interest thereon, all costs associated herewith and such other and further relief as the Court deems appropriate. Plaintiff requests trial by jury.

Respectfully submitted...

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder virginia state politics]

[TN] Memphis Police Officer Bennett arrested for domestic violence

Memphis Police Officer Anita Bennett is facing a Class A misdemeanor domestic assault bodily harm charge

MEMPHIS OFFICER JAILED FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT

myfoxmemphis.com

Updated: Tuesday, 13 Sep 2011, 1:27 PM CDT

Published : Tuesday, 13 Sep 2011, 1:27 PM CDT

[Excerpts] A Memphis Police officer is relieved of duty with pay after she was arrested for domestic assault Monday night. 49-year old Anita Bennett, who worked at the MPD training facility, was arrested after her ex-husband told responding officers that she had shoved him while holding their 2-month old granddaughter, and then punched him twice on the back of the head... [Full article here]

MPD OFFICER ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT

ABC24.com

Josh Roberts

9/13/2011

[Excerpts] A Memphis police officer has been arrested after a fight with her husband... officer Anita Bennet was arrested on Wednesday, September 13, 2011, for the incident which occurred the previous day around 11:10 p.m. The document says Bennett was arguing with her ex-husband at her home in Hickory Hill. During the argument, Bennett ran at her ex-husband from about 10 feet away and tried to shove him while he was holding their 2-month-old granddaughter. The baby's mother ran between the victim and Bennett to protect her child... The ex-husband and several members of the family were waiting at the home when deputies arrived... "This incident is still under investigation and at the conclusion of that investigation a determination will be made as to whether disciplinary charges are forthcoming. Domestic Violence continues to be a great concern of the Memphis Police Department. We take these cases seriously and will take the appropriate actions to educate and discipline our officers to make sure that inappropriate behavior is corrected," said Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong. Bennett has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety child children female perp perpetrator tennessee state politics]

[IA] Police Union Chief Steward Drake is let go after domestic violence investigation

It's not what an officer does that defines a law enforcement agency. It's how the agency handles what has happened that defines it. It's not easy, but it's right.

PREVIOUS POST:

[IA] Des Moines Police Union Bargaining Unit Association Executive Officer Chief Steward Drake arrested for DV

DES MOINES POLICE OFFICER, SUSPENDED AFTER ABUSE CHARGE, IS FIRED

Des Moines Register

by Regina Zilbermints

3:44 PM, Sep 13, 2011

[Excerpts] A Des Moines police officer charged with domestic assault has been fired by the department... Stewart Drake’s termination is effective today. Drake was charged with domestic assault with injury June 26 and placed on administrative leave... According to police reports, the incident became physical and [the girlfriend] ended up on the couch with Drake on top of her, holding her down with his forearm across her neck. She reportedly told police that the altercation happened so fast she didn’t remember how she received a black eye, just that Drake caused it. Drake denied any physical altercation... Drake had been drinking alcohol... Drake had been with Des Moines police for 21 years and had recently been with the vice and narcotics unit. His criminal trial is scheduled for Nov. 28, but the termination comes as a result of an internal department process. [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety iowa state politics uncooperative non-cooperative]

[LA] Who will have "resigned" NOPD Officer Buckley's back in prison? Sentenced to 210 years!

Resigned New Orleans police officer Christopher Buckley is going to prison as

a former NOPD cop,

as a child rapist,

with the rep of being a serial child rapist,

who admits repeatedly raping a police officer's child,

and with allegations of raping other girls, even as young as eight years old.

Who will have his back in the pen?

I don't know what created the compulsion, and I'm not one to pass judgement on other people's souls or to delight in the pain of suffering of anyone - but this is not up to any of us.

The court has spoken.

FORMER NEW ORLEANS COP WHO ADMITTED RAPES SENTENCED TO 210 YEARS

The Times-Picayune

By Gordon Russell

September 12, 2011

A former New Orleans police officer who pleaded guilty in May to seven counts of rape was sentenced Monday to 210 years in prison, according to the Orleans Parish district attorney's office. Christopher Buckley's sentence was imposed by Criminal District Judge Karen Herman. Buckley, 39, faced five to 40 years on each of the seven rape counts. He pleaded guilty in May as his trial entered its second day. His ex-girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter was preparing to take the stand and describe how he raped her multiple times in 2008. Six of the rape counts to which he pleaded guilty involved that girl. He also admitted raping an adult woman in 2003. Buckley, who had been on the New Orleans police force for 10 years, resigned shortly after his arrest in October 2008. [LINK]

PREVIOUS POSTS:

• [LA] If Officer Buckley raped this child who is responsible? - ...[New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren] Riley said this morning that the NOPD officer arrested yesterday for raping a 13-year-old girl has a history of sexual assault complaints made by young girls. Riley said similar allegations were made against Buckley in 2001 and 2003 and the NOPD opened internal investigations both times. Each case, including witness statements and evidence, was handed over to the district attorney's office. Each time, the cases were refused... (If Buckley's girlfriend had KNOWN there was a string of previous allegations from children - or convictions - how likely would it be that she would have put her daughter in harms way?... If Buckley was not subjected to a battery of psychosexual testing after your children's complaints, go after them. Grab them where it hurts and squEEze - for all your families have been through and in behalf of all the people who will become victims in the future if you don't.)
• [LA] Multimillion dollar question for New Orleans: "What good officer finds himself repeatedly accused of raping little girls?" - I hope the families of the children raped by New Orleans police officer Christopher Buckley over the years sue everybody who had a hand in leaving him employed, looking trustworthy with a uniform, badge and gun - puffed him up on the sense of his own perverted power to do whatever he wanted, unobstructed.

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety serial rapist repeat hx teflon child abuse custodial rape louisiana state politics]