[FL] Slow motion waiting for who killed Pam

...The gun was in his hand. But how did she die? Authorities are not saying, except to point out the obvious: There were no signs of trauma... They're awaiting laboratory results on evidence from the house, although they will not say what they are testing or what tests they are performing...

Previous posts:

• [FL] Awaiting the words that make Pam Brady somebody too - Florida Department of Law Enforcement Attorney Steven Brady and his wife Pamela Palmer Brady - a 2nd grade teacher at Lake Mary's Crystal Lake Elementary School were found dead in their home...
• [FL] Still no word on Pam Brady 's cause of death - ...New Smyrna Beach police would not say what killed Pamela Brady. There were no signs of trauma to her body, and that investigation is continuing...

DEATH OF ATTORNEY'S WIFE SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
Orlando Sentinel, FL
Rene Stutzman
February 4, 2009
[Excerpts] NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Who killed second-grade teacher Pamela Palmer Brady? Police aren't sure. Investigators suspected initially that she committed suicide. Her body was found in bed, next to that of her husband, longtime Florida Department of Law Enforcement attorney Steve Brady. He had shot himself in the head. The gun was in his hand. But how did she die? Authorities are not saying, except to point out the obvious: There were no signs of trauma. Both bodies were found Sept. 22, more than four months ago. Still, police and the Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office continue to investigate. They're awaiting laboratory results on evidence from the house, although they will not say what they are testing or what tests they are performing... "It seems to be a mystery," said next-door neighbor Audrey Kirkpatrick. "It's a puzzlement to me, a real puzzlement." The last day anyone saw them alive -- Saturday evening, two days before their bodies were found -- Pamela, 56, did not appear to be planning for the end. She was grading papers turned in by her second-grade students at Crystal Lake Elementary School in Lake Mary. Steve, 58, was out of work, having just resigned because of a sex scandal at FDLE, where he had worked for 23 years. The husband of the woman he had been seeing caught the two together. Someone called 911, and the FDLE launched an internal investigation... Six days later, he and his wife were dead... During that gap between Brady's resignation and his death, he had an attorney prepare a new will. The couple signed identical versions -- one for Pamela, one for Steve -- about 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, three days before their bodies were found. Michael Taylor, an insurance agent, served as an official witness. "I think he knew on Friday . . . what he wanted to do," Taylor said. As for Pamela, "I don't think she said two words," Taylor said. "I don't think she had any clue what was going to happen three days later"... Pamela, a public-school teacher for 27 years, was set to retire in nine months. Steve, before the affair, had planned to retire from FDLE in 2010... [Full article here]

[LA] A brotherhood favor left Deputy Hilman alone when he needed someone most

...The suit, which names Sheriff Larry Deen and six deputies who had dealings with Hilman before his death, alleges Hilman should have been taken into custody because he was suicidal and should have been evaluated by a mental health professional...

DEPUTY'S WIDOW FILES SUIT OVER HIS SUICIDE
KTBS, LA
February 3, 2009
The widow of a Bossier Parish sheriff's deputy who committed suicide has filed a wrongful death suit against the Sheriff's Department, alleging they knew he was suicidal and did nothing to prevent it. Deputy Clay Hilman shot himself on Jan. 31, 2008, at his home in Bossier Parish. It happened after Hilman, who had a history of emotional instability and disciplinary action at the Sheriff's Department, had threatened suicide. The night before he died, Hilman had barricaded himself in his home by putting a tractor against the front door and and a four-wheeler against the back door. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Shreveport by Kim Crow Hilman, alleges Sheriff's Department supervisors left Hilman in the care of a neighbor after that incident. The neighbor, who did not know the deputy was suicidal, was eventually asked by Hilman to go home and he shot himself a short time later, the lawsuit alleges.The suit, which names Sheriff Larry Deen and six deputies who had dealings with Hilman before his death, alleges Hilman should have been taken into custody because he was suicidal and should have been evaluated by a mental health professional. Deen did not address the specifics of the lawsuit but said Hilman's death was a tragedy. "Clay Hilman was a great personal friend and respected deputy sheriff," Deen said. "Clay's family, including his aunt, Hazel Beard (former mayor of Shreveport) and his father, a former deputy sheriff in Webster Parish, hold a place of high regard in my heart. This tragic loss left all of us at the Bossier Sheriff's Office deeply saddened." [Article here]

[CA] Ex-Deputy McIntosh - Attempted murder of his wife charges

...McIntosh yanked her by the hair to the ground and tried to "choke her out"... During the scuffle, she saw him pull out a loaded 9 mm pistol from the small of his back and point it at her head... Investigators seized nine firearms from McIntosh's home...

FORMER DEPUTY PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED MURDER
Record-Searchlight, CA
By Ryan Sabalow rsabalow@redding.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
[Excerpts] A former Siskiyou County sheriff's deputy and Weed police officer entered not guilty pleas Tuesday to charges he tried to kill his estranged wife. Keith Alan McIntosh, 47, was arrested Jan. 18 after Redding police found him locked in a frantic struggle with his wife, Renee Sue McIntosh, and three neighbors... Investigators think he may have been suicidal, frustrated with his DUI and with problems he was having with his job as a pharmaceutical representative... McIntosh also called his mother earlier in the day to tell her that "if anything happens to me, I want you to take care of the dog"... After the call, he made a call to his wife, who had just gotten back from a camping trip with her former neighbors and was staying at their house next door. His wife told police he grew angry with her after she refused to help him move out of their home, Wilson said. The two had been separated since September and were in the process of selling their home back to a contractor because of mold problems, Wilson said. After the call, McIntosh went next door and knocked. When his wife answered the door, he grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her outside, Wilson said. McIntosh yanked her by the hair to the ground and tried to "choke her out," Wilson said. During the scuffle, she saw him pull out a loaded 9 mm pistol from the small of his back and point it at her head... McIntosh has been held since the alleged attack at the Shasta County jail on charges of attempted murder, assault and spousal abuse. His bail is set at $1.5 million... McIntosh waived his right to a preliminary hearing in front of Shasta County Superior Court Judge Wilson Curle... [Investigator Rob] Wilson said assault rifle charges also may follow. Investigators seized nine firearms from McIntosh's home, including a Colt AR-15, an HK 93 and a Ruger Mini 14, according to Wilson's affidavit... [Full article here]

[WA] Ex-Officer Rummel's final choice

...[Former Yakima Police Officer Mike] Rummel recently lost a final appeal in the state court for reinstatement to the force.... A Vigil service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2009 at St. Paul Cathedral. Concluding services and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Ryan Rummel Education Fund in care of Spokane Teacher's Credit Union, P.O. Box 1954, Spokane, WA 99210-1954, or Keith & Keith Funeral Home....

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO THE DEATH OF FORMER YAKIMA POLICE OFFICER
KNDO - KNDU
Feb 2, 2009 05:49 PM
YAKIMA, Wash-- Investigators are looking into the death of former Yakima Police Department Officer Michael Rummel. Rummel died of a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head. His death has left a tight-knit family and community reeling. "[He was] fun loving like a second brother, him and my brother were best friends," said Machelle Gifford. Gifford, a family friend, said Rummel never fully recovered from the legal battle he had with the City of Yakima. He was fired from the police department back in 2005 and had a tough time handling the scrutiny. Rummel was driving a white Ford Taurus Sunday afternoon when a state trooper attempted to pull him over. "When he (the trooper) noticed the approaching vehicle oncoming across the center line and nearly strike his patrol car that certainly got his attention. So he turned around on that car not knowing who that driver was or any idea who that driver could possibly be," said Sgt. Ed McAvoy, Washington State Patrol. According to state patrol, Rummel then lead the trooper on what McAvoy called "highway speeds" to a home on Campbell Road. THere he showed the trooper a 9 millimeter glock and turned the gun on himself. "Alcohol was found at the scene in the car," said McAvoy... Washington State Patrol will be handling the investigation into Rummel's death. Rummel was 41 years old when he died. He leaves behind an ex-wife and son. [Full article here]

CITY LEADERS REACT TO EX-OFFICER'S SUICIDE
www.kimatv.com
By Steve Wellman
Feb 2, 2009
[Excerpts] It was a heart-wrenching scene confronted by officers from at least three agencies. Former Y.P.D. cop Mike Rummel, dismissed from the force in 2005 after problems with alcohol and other issues - now dead. Rummel shot himself in his own car in front of his house after a brief pursuit by a W.S.P. trooper. Lt. J.W. Keightley of the Washington State Patrol says "The trooper exited his vehicle and was in the process of giving the suspect verbal commands from a point of safety the person didn't react to those commands.” Minutes earlier the trooper reported Rummel's car nearly crashed head-on into his patrol vehicle. A brief pursuit followed with Rummel waving a gun out the window. Then only seconds after Rummel pulled into his own driveway, the trooper heard a single shot The day after the suicide, City Manager Dick Zais is saddened and surprised Rummel's life would end this way. "The death of former Yakima Police Officer Mike Rummel came as a major shock to us," says Zais. He continues, "This had to have been a very troubled young man and despite all the issues he went through here no one would have wanted to see him lose his life” Rummel recently lost a final appeal in the state court for reinstatement to the force. His struggles with alcohol and depression were well documented... [Full article here]

TROUBLED FORMER OFFICER COMMITS SUICIDE
Mike Rummel, fired in 2005, kills himself after police pursuit
Yakima Herald-Republic
Mark Morey mmorey@yakimaherald.com
Feb 02, 2009
[Excerpts] A fired Yakima police officer who had gone through several years of legal battles in an attempt to regain his job shot himself to death Sunday afternoon after a police pursuit, authorities said. Mike Rummel, 41, died at the scene on Campbell Road outside of Toppenish. Rummel was fired in 2005 after police administrators ruled that he violated a last-chance agreement related to a drunken driving arrest in 2002. Although described by a former supervisor and police union official as a good officer, Rummel had dealt with depression and alcohol use, according to legal filings. Rummel's death followed a pursuit that started about 1:45 p.m., when state Trooper Corey Kingman was nearly hit head-on by a white Ford Taurus in the area of Fort Road and Lateral A Road, said Lt. Jim Keightley of the Washington State Patrol. Kingman turned his car around and began pursuing Rummel's vehicle at speeds between 60 and 75 mph, Keightley said. The chase ended at 7801 Campbell Road, about a mile south of Fort Road and seven miles west of Toppenish, when Rummel pulled into the driveway of a home there. Kingman, who took a protected position behind his car, began issuing commands to the driver when he saw a pistol and heard gunfire, Keightley said. Rummel died in the car, where alcohol containers were found, Keightley said. He had been living at the home. Keightley said no obvious indication of motive was found at the scene. Patrol detectives and Yakima County sheriff's deputies were investigating. Union leaders had fought to bring Rummel back on the force, saying that Chief Sam Granato retaliated against the union's resistance to random drug testing by firing Rummel. During the dispute, Granato said he had offered to help Rummel as much as possible through treatment but denied any retaliation. City officials said the last-chance violations ultimately led to his dismissal. About four years ago, he was accused of flashing his badge to enter a bar and of being insubordinate by calling his then-girlfriend, who works in the city's 9-1-1 dispatch center... Rummel's legal battles had recently taken another turn against him. The state Court of Appeals last month ruled that the city was justified in firing Rummel... "We're definitely saddened by Mike Rummel's death, and our condolences go out to his family and friends," city spokesman Randy Beehler said Sunday night. Rummel worked for the Yakima Police Department for about five years. He had been a Selah police officer before that. [Full article here]

YAKIMA HERALD OBITUARY:
MICHAEL JOSEPH RUMMEL
Keith & Keith Funeral Home
Published: Wednesday February 04 2009
[Excerpts] Michael Joseph Rummel, 41, passed away at his home in Toppenish on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Mike was born on November 7, 1967 in Yakima, Washington to Robert and Mary Lou Rummel, the second youngest of seven children. After graduating from Highland High School, Mike attended Washington State University where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice. He worked at the Yakima County Jail as a corrections officer for five years. He then joined the Selah Police Department and attended the Police Academy where he graduated first in his class. After working several years for Selah, Mike joined the Yakima Police Department where he proudly served the city of Yakima until 2005... A Vigil service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2009 at St. Paul Cathedral. Concluding services and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Ryan Rummel Education Fund in care of Spokane Teacher's Credit Union, P.O. Box 1954, Spokane, WA 99210-1954, or Keith & Keith Funeral Home. [Full obituary here]

City of Yakima, Decision 9451-B (PECB, 2007)
STATE OF WASHINGTON
BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION
CASE 19741-U-05-4998
DECISION 9451-B - PECB
DECISION OF COMMISSION

YAKIMA POLICE PATROLMEN'SASSOCIATION,
Complainant
vs.
CITY OF YAKIMA
Respondent

...The facts surrounding Officer Rummel's termination and the subsequent discrimination claim are intricate and complex as a whole, but can be broken down into the following sequence:

In August of 2002, Rummel was stopped by Yakima Police Officers and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. At the time of his arrest, Rummel acted in a non-compliant manner towards the officers who stopped him. The arresting officers escorted Rummel home, and warned him not to operate a vehicle under his current state of intoxication. Shortly thereafter, Yakima Police officers again observed Rummel operating a motor vehicle... It appears from the record that both arrests for driving under the influence occurred on the same day.

Following an internal investigation which determined that Rummel violated several employer policies, Rummel signed a "Last-chance" agreement...

In late 2004, the supervisor to [S.U.], a co-worker of Rummel's who worked in the dispatch center, filed a complaint against Rummel alleging that Rummel made several "harassing" phone calls to [S.U.]. Rummel and [S.U.] were involved in a relationship. Recordings of the phone calls indicated to the employer that Rummel was potentially suicidal. Captain Greg Copeland, Rummel's immediate supervisor, took steps to have Rummel undergo a mental health evaluation at that time.

On October 31, 2004, Yakima Police officers responded to reports of a domestic dispute at Rummel's apartment involving Rummel and [S.U.]. Apparently, the two got into a disagreement while attending a Halloween party, and upon return to Rummel's apartment, Rummel was refusing to allow [S.U.] entry to retrieve her keys. Upon entering the apartment, Yakima Police Sergeant Wentz and [S.U.] observed Rummel loading a shotgun. They quickly retreated, and soon thereafter Copeland arrived at the scene. Copeland testified that he could tell that Rummel was intoxicated. Tr. 303:3.

Copeland and Rummel met on November 1, 2004, and Copeland ordered Rummel not to have any contact with [S.U.].

On December 7, 2004, Copeland, while interviewing [S.U.] about a possible violation of the no-contact order, learned from [S.U.] that, on December 6, Rummel contacted her at work. Copeland obtained a tape of that call, and concluded that Rummel violated the no-contact order...

Copeland was interviewing [S.U.] regarding a different potential violation of the no-contact order. However, evidence regarding this different incident was withdrawn by the employer.

Prior to a full investigation regarding the December 6 incident, Rummel's physician advised Copeland that Rummel was having difficulties eating and sleeping. The employer then placed Rummel on administrative leave and ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The psychiatrist recommended that Rummel was able to return to work February 15, 2005, but also recommended 90 days of random alcohol testing for Rummel.

On February 16, 2005, the union filed a separate unfair labor practice complaint against the employer alleging that it had attempted to directly negotiate with an employee and breached its good faith bargaining obligation by failing to meet regarding a random drug-testing policy....

Read full item here.
[officer-involved domestic violence, funeral]

[OK] Officer McBee's lumps

...[Broken Arrow Police Officer Jimmy] McBee had two lumps on his forehead and told [Sgt. Scott] Bennett they came from a domestic dispute with his girlfriend earlier that night in Tulsa... Officers asked McBee to submit to a field sobriety test, but he refused, Bennett wrote. McBee also refused to take a breath test when officers booked him...

"I hope they contacted the girlfriend to see if she was ok..."

BA POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR DUI
Broken Arrow Ledger, OK
By Bob Bethell
February 2, 2009
[Excerpts] A two-year veteran of the Broken Arrow Police Department was jailed Friday for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Jimmy Lee McBee... was arrested just after 2 a.m... McBee's pickup was stopped on the inside southbound lane and was blocking traffic. As Bennett's patrol car approached the truck, the suspect vehicle lurched about 15 yards and stopped again in the traffic lane, police records show... McBee told Bennett two lumps on his head were sustained during a domestic disturbance with his Tulsa girlfriend. The suspect was arrested and taken to City Jail where he refused a blood test. City spokesman Keith Sterling said McBee has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an internal investigation. [Full article here]

BROKEN ARROW POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED ON DUI COMPLAINT
newsok.com
By Michael Kimball
February 1, 2009
[Excerpts] A Broken Arrow police officer is on paid administrative leave after he was arrested early Friday on a DUI complaint, city spokesman Keith Sterling said... Officer Jimmy Lee McBee, 29, was stopped in the inside southbound lane of traffic in his personal pickup in the 1200 block of N Aspen Avenue when a fellow Broken Arrow police officer pulled behind him, according to an arrest report. Sgt. Scott Bennett smelled an "odor of alcoholic beverages" on McBee and saw a "large box full of beer cans" on the seat next to him... McBee told officers he drank "way too much," had trouble maintaining his balance and slurred his speech, according to the report. He apologized too officers several times... McBee had two lumps on his forehead and told Bennett they came from a domestic dispute with his girlfriend earlier that night in Tulsa, according to the report... Officers asked McBee to submit to a field sobriety test, but he refused, Bennett wrote. McBee also refused to take a breath test when officers booked... [Full article here]

FROM TOPIX FORUM:
jansewj
Sunday Feb 1
"I hope they contacted the girlfriend to see if she was ok. Everybody holding a position of power (cop, priest,public official,etc...) should be held to a higher standard and should not receive any special treatment. This sounds reckless to me. First a domestic issue with girlfriend then decides to drive around with alcohol and get drunk. He says he is sorry yet wont take the DUI sobriety test at seen or jail..." [LINK]
[officer-involved domestic violence]

[FL] Officer Jones arrested on felony dv with strangulation & battery

...Jones is charged with felony battery or domestic violence with strangulation and battery and was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail...

BOYNTON BEACH POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED BY HIS OWN DEPARTMENT
Charged With Domestic Violence
MSNBC - WPBF-TV
Sun., Feb. 1, 2009
[Excerpts] BOYNTON BEACH, Fla - Boynton Beach police Officer Thomas Jones was arrested by his own department Saturday morning on charges of domestic violence. This is the second time Jones, 30, has been in trouble with law enforcement... Jones is charged with felony battery or domestic violence with strangulation and battery and was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail. He has been suspended with pay... In October 2001 Jones was suspended for three weeks by then Police Chief Marshall Gage after Jones injured a fellow officer in a car crash at 3a.m. while the two were off-duty. An internal investigation concluded Jones should have been arrested after the incident. In this case Jones' blood alcohol level was not taken until 1 1/2 hours after the crash and registered 0.9. Florida law states a person is considered drunk if they have a with blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more. Prosecutors did not file charges citing insufficient evidence... [Full article here]

[US] Federal Judge Peck can return to wife just treated for her injuries

...Criminal Court Judge Lenora Gerald released Peck without bail and told him that he could return to his home as long as he did not assault, stalk, harass, menace, intimidate or threaten his wife...

I already know what Judith will say in court.

US JUDGE IS ARRESTED IN DOMESTIC DISPUTE
New York Times, United States
By AL BAKER
February 2, 2009
[Excerpts] James M. Peck, a federal bankruptcy judge, was arrested on Saturday after his wife complained that he struck her in the face in their Manhattan home, officials said. Judge Peck, who was appointed in 2006 to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, has been overseeing the bankruptcy case of Lehman Brothers. He was back at work on Monday. “Judge Peck is not suspended from duty,” said Karen G. Milton, the circuit executive for the federal courts in the Second Circuit, which include New York, Connecticut and Vermont. “He’s still a judge. He is not in limbo. In our view, this is a matter that is still pending and hasn’t resolved itself”... He was charged with third-degree attempted assault and second-degree harassment, according to a criminal complaint filed in Supreme Court in Manhattan... According to the criminal complaint against him, Mr. Peck hit his wife, “with an open palm,” across her face. She suffered pain to her “jaw area,” the complaint said, and was treated at a hospital. Judge Peck was arraigned on Sunday and released without bail. He is scheduled to appear in Criminal Court on March 16... [Full article here]

LEHMAN JUDGE, JAMES PECK, CHARGED WITH HITTING WIFE GETS LAWYER
New York Daily News, NY
By Barbara Ross and Thomas Zambito
February 3rd 2009, 12:01 AM
[Excerpts] A federal judge charged with slapping his wife hired a big shot defense attorney as he faces a misdemeanor charge that could land him in the clink. James Peck, 63, the bankruptcy judge overseeing the breakup of Lehman Brothers, hired Barry Bohrer, a prominent criminal defense lawyer... "We've been married 42 years. We love each other very much. I've never hit her before. This was not about tonight. It was about complications beginning in October," Peck told a cop, without elaborating, according to court papers. Criminal Court Judge Lenora Gerald released Peck without bail and told him that he could return to his home as long as he did not assault, stalk, harass, menace, intimidate or threaten his wife. tzambito@nydailynews.com [Full article here]