[CT] Never forgetting Donna Bochicchio, who knew her retired 21-year veteran state trooper husband would kill her [2005]

Donna Lynn Seitz Bochicchio

July 27, 1963 - June 15, 2005

...Donna Bochicchio penned a note on a small piece of paper: "I know he's going to kill me, I just don't know when"...

Donna Bochicchio's death and the maiming of her attorney Julie Porzio is not completely in vain if even one person learns one thing toward staying alive from it. There is no blame for what is  already done. No should-have, could-have. We do our best at the time with the resources and energy that we have, but we have to learn what it looks like and feels like when we are in danger and listen to that, trust that. It has many faces. No two situations are exactly the same but there are patterns if we pay attention - for victim, friends, and family. God helps us all in the present and the future. My prayer is that some how, some way, some good has or will come from this sadness and loss.

Donna's divorce attorney Julie Porzio

PREVIOUS POSTS:

• [CT] INJURED ATTORNEY OF SLAIN WIFE IN TROOPER BOCHICCHIO MURDER-SUICIDE SUES
• [CT] "RETIRED" COP WHO IS BROTHER OF WIFE-KILLER, EX-TROOPER BOCHICCHIO, NOW ACCUSED OF THREATENING HIS OWN WIFE'S LIFE 
• [CT] KIDS OF MURDER-SUICIDE STAY IN THEIR POLICE FAMILY, REGARDLESS OF RECENT THREATS AROUND THEM
• [CT] EX-COP BOCHICCHIO - FACING DV CHARGES - IS ARRESTED FOR LARCENY

A DEADLY AMBUSH: EX-TROOPER KILLS WIFE, HIMSELF; INJURED LAWYER IN STABLE CONDITION
Hartford Courant
June 16, 2005
[Excerpts] [Retired 21 year Connecticut State Police veteran] Michael Bochicchio Jr. pulled into the city parking lot behind the courthouse shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday. He parked his Dodge Caravan nose-out, so he could watch the lot entrance, and armed with a semiautomatic handgun, he waited... and about 30 minutes later, Bochicchio's wait was over. The former state trooper saw the black minivan carrying his wife, Donna, and her attorney, Julie Porzio, arrive.  As Porzio parked the van, Bochicchio walked across the pavement, opened the passenger's side door and opened fire... killing the mother of his two children and wounding the Waterbury lawyer... Waterbury lawyer William Brown had been gathering court files from his car... "I saw a man fall against a car. He lingered there for a while and eventually fell to the ground"...  Donna Bochicchio was a member of a prominent Torrington family that owns Seitz Corp., a manufacturing company. Donna Bochicchio still lived in the Harwinton home with their children... but her husband had moved out and was living on Torringford Street in Torrington.  After hiring and then firing several lawyers during the two-year divorce case because he didn't think they were aggressive enough, several sources said, Michael Bochicchio was representing himself... Bochicchio would ask witnesses questions that were not relevant to the proceedings or frequently go off on lengthy tangents. He acknowledged he had a gambling "addiction," and the more than $94,000 he lost... Michael Bochicchio comes from a family with a long law enforcement background. His father, Michael Bochicchio, was a decorated state police officer... His brother is a sergeant with the Waterbury Police Department, and his uncle was chief of detectives in Waterbury... A former state trooper bumped into Bochicchio about a week and a half ago, and Bochicchio told him he was going through a nasty divorce that was really taken a toll on him. "He was upset, all consumed by it," he said. "He looked disheveled out of sorts."... Bochicchio had complained to a neighbor in Hartford, Arthur Narvesen, that she was "bleeding him," taking a lot of his money...

HUNDREDS SAY FAREWELL TO TROOPER WHO KILLED HIMSELF IN ATTACK ON WIFE, LAWYER
Newsday
June 18, 2005
[Excerpts] As many as 600 mourners, including Mayor Michael J. Jarjura, said farewell Saturday to a retired state trooper who police say fatally shot himself after killing his estranged wife and seriously wounding her lawyer in an attack outside Middlesex Superior Court in Middletown last week. Friends, family and police officers lined up at a Waterbury funeral home to pay their respects to Michael Bochicchio Jr., who was represented in collages and enlarged photos, including a wedding picture of him and his wife, and photos of the couple's two children, a 12-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy who now live with their mother's parents Bochicchio, 47, fatally shot his estranged wife, Donna, 42, on Wednesday... Julie Porzio, Donna Bochicchio's lawyer, remains in Hartford Hospital... Bochicchio's state police shield was leaned against a black ceramic bible... John Paternostro, assistant director of the funeral service, said the large police turnout was not surprising because of Bochicchio's service in the state police. He retired after 21 years as a trooper. "The family has such a background of law enforcement, with the father and the uncles being policemen as well," he said...

WOMAN SLAIN OUTSIDE COURTHOUSE HAD A SENSE OF CERTAINTY ABOUT HER COMING DEMISE
The Hartford Courant
June 21, 2005
[Excerpts] Eight months ago, well into the second year of a contentious divorce, Donna Bochicchio penned a note on a small piece of paper: "I know he's going to kill me," her brother, Karl Seitz, said she wrote. "I just don't know when." To make it clear who she was talking about, Bochicchio wrote "Michael" in tiny letters above the word "he." Her growing fears were also evident in a telephone call she placed to the cemetery where her father was buried, asking if there was room enough for her to be buried in the same plot, Seitz said. In the days after Michael L. Bochicchio shot and killed his estranged wife last Wednesday in a parking lot near Superior Court in Middletown, some have wondered why the retired state trooper snapped... "We all knew she was fearful," said Greg Gaudet, her boss... "We never thought this would happen"... Seitz, Bochicchio's oldest brother, said he found the telltale note about her fears while going through his sister's personal effects after her death... "When she was here, she was trying to do the best she could and didn't want to lay it on us," he said. She did, however, confide in her niece, Heidi Barker, and a few close friends about her growing fear that her husband -- whom they described as controlling and possessive -- might try to kill her... When asked to respond to word of Donna Bochicchio fears, Bruce Bochicchio, Michael's brother, said he preferred to focus on the future. "Donna was a beautiful person, and she was my sister-in-law and I loved her," he said. "The challenge now is for all three victim families to work together for the benefit of [their two] children -- to do something they weren't able to do before"...

MOURNERS PAY RESPECTS 
Register Citizen
Karsten Strauss
06/21/2005
[Excerpts] In the aftermath of the murder of Donna Seitz Bochicchio, family and friends cope as best they can with the loss.
An estimated 500 people attended a wake for Bochicchio Monday evening... Donna Bochicchio had worked at the Seitz Corporation for almost 10 years in the 1980s... "How can anybody have any understanding of the situation? This is just a tragedy that I wouldn’t ever try to put sense to -- there just isn’t any... What happens in people’s lives that makes something like this come about? It’s above anything I know." Michael Bochicchio Jr. filed for divorce from Donna Bochicchio in 2003 and the two had been in legal battles involving money and custody of their two children...

HUNDREDS MOURN SLAIN TORRINGTON WOMAN
Republican-American
Michael Marie
June 22, 2005
[Excerpts] In the final months of her life, Donna Lynn Seitz Bochicchio carried in her purse a Bible passage clipped from one of the Rev. Michael Millum's sermons. The passage speaks of the suffering of Christ and his servants... "The Donna I came to know over the past two years was a person who felt trapped, at times tormented, who agonized over what the contentious divorce was doing to her children," he said. "And yet she was bearing up under that tremendous pressure with dignity and determination"...

A FEW EXCERPTS FROM DONNA'S JUNE 2005 GUEST BOOK:

...My daughter Ricki spent a fun filled Memorial Day weekend at the beach with the family and came home saying how nice Donna was to be with. Healing thoughts for you all...

...[K & M], We are So So Sorry. We have such wonderful memories. We will always love you both!!...

...Our hearts go out to Donna and her family. We were blessed to have met and become friends with Donna. She was one of the most caring and unselfish persons we have ever known and will ever know. Anytime I needed to talk to her she was always there. We miss you Donna and will never forget you. Our thoughts and prayers our with [K & M], two of the nicest kids I have ever me...

...[K & M], my heart goes out to the two of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. The two of you are such beautiful and special children. Know that you are surrounded by people who love you. I am so glad to have known both of you. God bless you both...

...I had the privilege of working with Donna. I will never forget her ready smile and laugh that rang out from one end of the office to the other. Her concern for others was obvious in the time she took to ask about your day; she really wanted to know how things were and could always say the right thing to make you feel better. I enjoyed her friendship and warmth and I know she will be sorely missed by all that took the time to get to know her. I pray that her children will always know how deeply she loved them and never forget their beautiful mother. God Bless you all in your sorrow and heal your hearts with time...

...Donna will be missed by so many of the people that she touched in her life. I have so many wonderful memories of her, as her co-worker at the State and her friend outside of work. I have been thinking about those memories alot these past few days. My heart goes out to [K & M], she adored her childern. I know that Donna's family will take good care of them and be there for them. God Bless all of you!...

...Donna will be sorely missed. She had a great laugh that echoed throughout our office bringing an instant smile to your face even though you didn't know what the fun was about. And she was always a bright smile on the most difficult days. As a mom, her devotion to her children was unwavering. Like a Mama bear, she worked hard to care for her 2 cubs and keep them safe and secure. Donna deserved to experience the joys and challenges her future had in store. She was the rock in her children's lives here on earth and I know she'll be their sunlight as they blossom in the years to come. God bless her family and all those who loved her. I will miss her...

...Our heartfelt sympathy to all of you. We can't even imagine what you are going thru. Our thoughts are with [K & M]. While this is such a tragedy, Bob and I have so many great memories of Donna at the beach. Her laugh, her smile and the way she cared for her children. You are so blessed to have had such a wonderful daughter and sister, as Bob and I were to have her as our summer beach friend. I once had a conversation with a friend about having kids and bringing them up in such a crazy world. My friend told me that it was about love. She said love heals. When you experience the level of love it puts you in touch with the place of true nourishment, for no matter how many people you have in your life, if you are missing the energy of love you will feel empty and alone. As difficult as this is, please try to hold in your hearts that death is a transition from this life to another, where there is no more pain and anguish. All the bitterness and disagreements will vanish and the only thing that lives forever is love. Bob and I will truly miss our friend Donna...
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement fear hx repeat public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder suicide connecticut state politics]

[CT] "Retired" cop who is brother of wife-killer, ex-Trooper Bochicchio, now accused of threatening his own wife's life

It all comes down to being able to pay the $1M to get out of jail?
He did.
Now what?
No article fears out loud for his family.

...AUTHORITIES SAID BRUCE BOCHICCHIO TURNED OVER MORE THAN 40 FIREARMS TO STATE POLICE IN MAY TO COMPLY WITH THE RESTRAINING ORDERS. BUT POLICE SAID THEY FOUND 11 MORE GUNS AT HIS HOUSE WHILE EXECUTING A SEARCH WARRANT THIS WEEK, INCLUDING TWO FULLY AUTOMATIC SUBMACHINE GUNS AND AN ASSAULT RIFLE...

..."ON JUNE 21 AND 22 HE WAS VERBALLY BERATING ME, CALLING ME A BITCH, AND SAID HE WAS GOING TO KILL ME. HIS BEHAVIOR HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY ALARMING. I AM FEARFUL HE MAY RETALIATE FOR POLICE INTERVENTION"...

MORRIS MAN, FORMER WATERBURY COP, ARRESTED IN WEAPONS VIOLATION, THREATENING
Waterbury Republican American, CT
By Brigitte Ruthman Republican-American
June 26, 2008
The brother of a former state trooper who shot and killed his wife and critically injured her lawyer before killing himself during a bitter divorce three years ago was arrested Thursday for possessing firearms in violation of a restraining order, and threatening his wife. Bruce Bochicchio, 41, a former judicial sheriff and retired Waterbury police officer, turned himself in to police at Troop L here early Thursday morning after learning a warrant had been issued for his arrest. Bochicchio was arraigned later Thursday morning in Bantam Superior Court where Judge Charles D. Gill doubled the amount of his bond, from $500,000 to $1 million... Gill imposed a protective order, which is more restrictive than a restraining order, forbidding Bochicchio from coming within 100 yards of his wife or returning to the family home at 174 Bantam Lake Road in Morris where he has been living with his wife, their two children; her two children by a previous relationship and two children who are friends of the family. The Bochicchios also have custody of a niece and nephew orphaned when Michael Bochicchio fatally shot his wife, Donna, and seriously injured her Waterbury-based attorney, Julie Porzio, outside of Middletown Superior Court in 2005. According to court documents, state police and testimony, Bochicchio and his wife Christine, 43, were involved in a domestic dispute on Tuesday. Christine Bochicchio said it was part of a pattern of escalating violence. She said she feared for her safety and believed her husband had weapons in the house in violation of a previous restraining order filed against him by her 18-year-old son Geoffrey. Police obtained a search and seizure warrant and found 11 weapons, including an assault rifle, and two fully automatic submachine guns. "This is the most blatant disregard of a court order I have seen in 25 years, particularly because it was someone involved in law enforcement," Gill said. "Some of these weapons are only to be used on human beings. This is a red flag for danger." Bochicchio, who appeared in court wearing shorts and a T-shirt, told Gill he has never hurt anyone, especially not a member of his family... Bruce Bochicchio once worked as a deputy sheriff in the same court district where he was arraigned. He was hired as a Waterbury police officer in December 1995, and retired on a medical disability in August 2006. His charges include several firearms possession charges, failure to surrender a pistol permit, violation of a restraining order and second-degree threatening. His case was continued and transferred to Litchfield Superior Court, where the most serious cases are heard. If he posts his bond, Waterfall said Bochicchio will probably move in with his parents, who live in town. [Full article here]

MAN HELD ON $1 MILLION IN GUN CASE
Register Citizen
By Tracy Kennedy courts@registercitizen.com
Jun 27, 2008
Bruce Bochicchio, 41, wanted to shed the shackles and go home, but the fear that history would repeat itself was too great Thursday in Bantam Superior Court... “I love my family. I would never cause them harm, or harm anyone,” [Bruce] Bochicchio said. [Judge Charles] Gill looked sternly at Bochicchio and shook his head. “Starting out with the premise that you had 41 or more weapons, mixed with emotions and a handful of children — these things don’t mix,” Gill said. Bruce and his wife, Christine Bochicchio, took in Michael and Donna’s two children to live in their Morris home with their four children, but recently tempers started to flare, according to court documents. In April, Bruce argued with Geoffrey, Christine’s 19-year-old son, and Geoffrey sought and obtained a restraining order against his stepfather. Geoffrey claimed Bruce held him against the wall and strangled him in his bedroom. He struck his arm and screamed obscenities at him, Geoffrey claimed in the application for the court order. A week later, on May 9, they tangled again and Bruce allegedly strangled Geoffrey and threw him to the floor. In the restraining orders, Judge John Pickard and Judge Elizabeth Gallagher ordered Bruce Bochicchio to turn over his pistol permit and any firearms he had to state police... Bruce Bochicchio has no prior criminal record, is a former Waterbury police officer and manages property for a living, Waterfall said. He is a civic leader and has a stellar business career, the defense attorney argued... On Monday, Bruce told Christine not to come home. “He told me it was his home and he allowed me to live there,” Christine wrote in the affidavit. When she saw a rifle in the walk-in closet of the master bedroom Tuesday, she took their 6-year-old son and went to the state police barracks in Litchfield. At 9:30 p.m. Bruce Bochicchio refused to let police search the house, according to the warrant. Police returned with a search warrant at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday and collected an assault rifle, two fully automatic submachine guns, six handguns, a revolver and a Taser. “This is probably the most blatant disregard for a court order I have ever seen in my 25 years on the bench, particularly from someone involved in the court system and law enforcement,” Gill said. Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Devin Stilson believe Bruce Bochicchio had an ulterior motive. “As the reports from the victim unfold, this woman was being terrorized,” Stilson said... [Full article here]

KILLER'S BROTHER ACCUSED OF THREATENING WIFE
Hartford Courant
By KATIE MELONE kmelone@courant.com
June 27, 2008
... Eight months before Donna Bochicchio's death, in the middle of her contentious divorce, she warned family she was worried Michael Bochicchio would kill her... In a similar situation, Christine Bochicchio reported to police that on Saturday or Sunday, Bruce Bochicchio threatened to kill her. He also told the children he would be leaving in a week, and Christine Bochicchio was not welcome in the house, according to her account in an arrest warrant affidavit... [Full article here]

MORRIS MAN POSTS $1M BOND AFTER GUN ARREST
Register Citizen
By Tracy Kennedy courts@registercitizen.com
Jun 28, 2008
A Morris man involved in two domestic disputes and jailed Thursday for illegally keeping 11 prohibited weapons is at liberty after posting a $1 million bond... “We are aware he was released,” said Lt. Paul Vance, state police public information officer. Bochicchio is expected to follow the conditions set by the court for his release including having no contact with his wife and the six children living in their home, Vance said... [Full article here]

[CT] Kids of murder-suicide stay in their police family, regardless of recent threats around them

[The kids lost their parents to murder-suicide, and have been living with their aunt and uncle. The following is a statement by their aunt - referring to their uncle - her husband.] ..."On June 21 and 22 he was verbally berating me, calling me a bitch, and said he was going to kill me. His behavior has become increasingly alarming. I am fearful he may retaliate for police intervention"...

Why would two young people who have lost their parents to murder-suicide be allowed to stay with the aunt whose life is now - according to her - threatened by their gunaholic murder-on-his-mind uncle, brother of their dad? I'm just wondering out loud - what was the judge thinking or influenced by? Bruce Bochicchio was able to post $1M bond to get OUT of jail, and is TOLD to not go near or hurt his wife.

PREVIOUS ENTRIES:

12/17/2005 - [CT] Injured Attorney of slain wife in Trooper Bochicchio murder-suicide sues - In June of 2005 [Bruce's brother, Michael] Bochicchio, a state trooper shot and killed his wife Donna, shot and injured his wife's attorney Julie Porzio, and then shot and killed himself outside Middlesex Superior Court 12 days into their divorce trial. Months before the shooting Donna Bochicchio wrote her brother a note on a small piece of paper: "I know he's going to kill me. I just don't know when." To make it clear who she was talking about, she wrote "Michael" in tiny letters above the word "he"...

6/29/2008 - [CT] "Retired" cop who is brother of wife-killer, ex-Trooper Bochicchio, now accused of threatening his own wife's life
- ...Authorities said Bruce bochicchio turned over more than 40 firearms to State Police in may to comply with the restraining orders. But police said they found 11 more guns at his house while executing a search warrant this week, including two fully automatic submachine guns and an assault rifle... "On June 21 and 22 he was verbally berating me, calling me a bitch, and said he was going to kill me. His behavior has become increasingly alarming. I am fearful he may retaliate for police intervention"... [Of Bruce Bochicchio the Judge, Charles Gil, said] “This is probably the most blatant disregard for a court order I have ever seen in my 25 years on the bench, particularly from someone involved in the court system and law enforcement”...

That's a lot of disregard of a court order. What's to say another court order will matter to Mr. Bruce Bochicchio? There's a thousand questions.

Couple retains custody of orphaned children
Waterbury Republican American, CT
Jul 10, 2008

Concern over the safety of Michael and Donna Bochicchio's orphaned children, who have been living in the midst of alleged domestic violence with their aunt and uncle, prompted Litchfield Probate Court Judge Diane Blick Wednesday to review legal guardianship.

The two children were orphaned when Michael Bochicchio, a former state trooper and Harwinton resident, shot and killed his wife, Donna, and then turned the gun on himself three years ago in the midst of divorce proceedings. The children moved in with Bruce and Christine Bochicchio, who were granted legal guardianship in Morris.

Bruce Bochicchio, a former Waterbury police officer and former marshal in the Litchfield Judicial District, was arrested June 26 on allegations he threatened his wife and owned guns in violation of a court order which forbid it.

After his arrest, the children moved into another relative's home in Litchfield.

Wednesday, Blick allowed the Bochicchios to retain legal guardianship of their 17-year-old nephew and 16-year-old niece while Bruce Bochicchio fights the charges. Bochicchio is under orders to stay away from his wife and the home where they lived in Morris, Litchfield attorney Michael Sconyers said.

Bochicchio, 41, was at the Litchfield Town Hall Wednesday morning for the Probate Court hearing and couldn't appear in Bantam Superior Court when his criminal case was called. Attorney Tom Waterfall's request to transfer the case to New Britain Superior Court was granted by Judge Paul Matasavage to avoid any conflict of interest here. The case was continued until July 22.

Last week, Bantam Superior Court Judge Paul Matasavage modified a protective order to allow Bochicchio to continuing having contact with his niece and nephew.

"The children are being well provided for and are living temporarily with an aunt and uncle while things get sorted out," said Sconyers, who represents Bochicchio in family and civil matters.

While Sconyers described the present civil situation as "a mess," he said Bochicchio intends to return to the family home where he has a real estate office and to retain legal guardianship.

The children have a say in where they live, Sconyers said.

"A lot depends on what they want to do," he said.

"They now have considerable control over their own destiny."

[Source]

[CT] Ex-cop Bochicchio - facing dv charges - is arrested for larceny

...The second-degree larceny charge lodged by Waterbury police against [Waterbury police officer Bruce] Bochicchio was added to weapons and domestic disturbance charges he already faces... Police seized the stun gun and 10 other weapons, including an assault rifle, and two fully automatic submachine guns, during a search of his home in late June...

PREVIOUS ENTRIES:

• [CT] INJURED ATTORNEY OF SLAIN WIFE IN TROOPER BOCHICCHIO MURDER-SUICIDE SUES- ...MONTHS BEFORE THE SHOOTING DONNA BOCHICCHIO WROTE HER BROTHER A NOTE ON A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER: "I KNOW HE'S GOING TO KILL ME. I JUST DON'T KN+OW WHEN." TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHO SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT, SHE WROTE "MICHAEL" IN TINY LETTERS ABOVE THE WORD "HE"...
• [CT] "RETIRED" COP WHO IS BROTHER OF WIFE-KILLER, EX-TROOPER BOCHICCHIO, NOW ACCUSED OF THREATENING HIS OWN WIFE'S LIFE - ...AUTHORITIES SAID BRUCE BOCHICCHIO TURNED OVER MORE THAN 40 FIREARMS TO STATE POLICE IN MAY TO COMPLY WITH THE RESTRAINING ORDERS. BUT POLICE SAID THEY FOUND 11 MORE GUNS AT HIS HOUSE WHILE EXECUTING A SEARCH WARRANT THIS WEEK, INCLUDING TWO FULLY AUTOMATIC SUBMACHINE GUNS AND AN ASSAULT RIFLE...
• [CT] KIDS OF MURDER-SUICIDE STAY IN THEIR POLICE FAMILY, REGARDLESS OF RECENT THREATS AROUND THEM - [AUNT OF THE KIDS WHO LOST THEIR PARENTS TO MURDER-SUICIDE, OF THEIR UNCLE - WHERE THE CHILDREN RESIDE] ..."ON JUNE 21 AND 22 HE WAS VERBALLY BERATING ME, CALLING ME A BITCH, AND SAID HE WAS GOING TO KILL ME. HIS BEHAVIOR HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY ALARMING. I AM FEARFUL HE MAY RETALIATE FOR POLICE INTERVENTION"...

FORMER WATERBURY POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED ON LARCENY CHARGE
Waterbury Republican American, CT
By Chris Parker
August 12, 2008
[Excerpts] Former Waterbury police officer Bruce Bochicchio was charged Monday with keeping a municipally issued electronic stun gun after he left the force. The second-degree larceny charge lodged by Waterbury police against Bochicchio was added to weapons and domestic disturbance charges he already faces. Police say Bochicchio, 41, of Morris kept the stun gun, a device that can deliver an electric shock, long after he left the force in August 2006. Bochicchio's defense attorney, Tom Waterfall of Torrington, said his client returned all his other job materials to the city when he left the department, but simply forgot to return the stun gun... Police seized the stun gun and 10 other weapons, including an assault rifle, and two fully automatic submachine guns, during a search of his home in late June. They recently discovered the stun gun was among the items Bochicchio should have returned to Waterbury police. Officers searched Bochicchio's house after his wife, Christine, told them she feared for her safety and believed her husband had weapons in the house in violation of a previous restraining order filed against him. Bochicchio ultimately was charged with violating the restraining order. Around the same time, state police charged him with threatening based on a complaint by his wife in the wake of domestic disputes. He is under orders to stay away from his wife and the home where they lived. Bochicchio is scheduled for an appearance Aug. 26 at Waterbury Superior Court... Bochicchio's brother, Michael, a former state police trooper, shot and killed his wife, Donna, and critically injured her attorney, Julie Porzio, outside a courthouse in Middletown during a contentious divorce in 2005. [Full article here]

[CT] Injured Attorney of slain wife in Trooper Bochicchio murder-suicide sues

December 2005
A Waterbury attorney injured in a deadly shooting outside a courthouse in Middletown is seeking $5 million in damages and attorney's fees from the estate of Michael Bochicchio.

In June of 2005 Bochicchio, a state trooper shot and killed his wife Donna, shot and injured his wife's attorney Julie Porzio, and then shot and killed himself outside Middlesex Superior Court 12 days into their divorce trial.

Months before the shooting Donna Bochicchio wrote her brother a note on a small piece of paper: "I know he's going to kill me. I just don't know when." To make it clear who she was talking about, she wrote "Michael" in tiny letters above the word "he."

Custody of the couple's two children, a 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy, was awarded to Michael's brother, Bruce, who is also serving as the administrator for the estate. Funds for the Bochicchio children have been established at Torrington Savings Bank and at the Waterbury Police Federal Credit Union. Contributions can be sent to the Bochicchio Children's Fund, care of Torrington Savings Bank, P.O. Box 478, Torrington 06790. People also can contribute to the Bochicchio Children Education Fund, care of the Waterbury Police Federal Credit Union, 255 East Main St., Waterbury 06702.

This blogs photos disappeared, but I didn't

It's been almost a week now since my picture server dumped me (abuptly). It was a little stunning since I think there were over 800 pics of law enforcement officers there - with details of their cases. I don't blame Flickr (great service). I was pushing the line - okay, I was way over the line - on how to use their service, but can't help but suspect that someone complained. Doesn't matter. I'll go through and replace the pics a few at a time. It can't be that easy to bump me off.
Too much is going unnoticed. Too many deaths. Too many law enforcement/ public safety agencies still not taking it seriously. Too many frightened and HOPELESS victims with nowhere to turn. Too many law enforcment officers, firefighters, and public officials who feel they can't reach out for help - for a host of reasons.
I'm feeling a little fiesty after having my pics all deleted (wincing) so here are just SOME of the stories I've posted on the group I moderate
so far
just this month (June):

[FL] Officer Clark's girlfriend Joely regrets charges
..."He started choking my trachea with one hand and as I tried to scream he covered my mouth with his other hand," the victim wrote in a statement. "I was able to kick him off me, he got on top of me again and slammed my head into the tile floor twice." She eventually ran to her children's bedroom where she called 911. Investigators noticed the victim had red marks and swelling on her neck, a swollen and cut lip as well as a large bump, redness and swelling on the back of her head. Police took Clark into custody at his business on Southwest Macedo Boulevard. He was carrying a .380-caliber pistol...

[US] Ex-Intelligence Officer Lentz gets life in death of wife Doris


[FL] Sheriff's Deputy Ciesla double dv homicide & suicide
...Police said Thomas Ciesla, 28, a Collier County corrections officer who abruptly quit his job Tuesday, killed the father and aunt of his estranged wife, Amy Ciesla -- Thomas Podejko, 63, and Carol Lindner, 62... Carol Lindner's husband, Thomas Lindner -- also Amy Ciesla's uncle -- was also shot in the arm and transported to Lee Memorial Hospital...

[NC] UPDATE: "Resigned" Chief Murray is dead

...It was not immediately clear how Carrboro's former fire chief Rodney Murray had died, or how long he had been in the room, but authorities were investigating the possibility of suicide... Murray was jailed 5 times for repeatedly violating an order to stay away from Ambrosecchia who ended a 10 year relationship with Murray in 2005...

[FL] Deputy Reicherts's daughter-in-law bruised
Polk County Deputy Robert Reichert is charged with domestic battery & placed on paid administrative leave after a domestic assault incident reported to have bruised his daughter-in-law

[IL] FIRE DEPT. LT. BALES can beat his women if he wants to
...His girlfriend told officers at the scene that [Joliet firefighter Joseph] Bales tore weather stripping from the door of her Nissan XTerra and hit her with it several times in the face, according to reports. Two male witnesses told officers the young woman "was screaming at the top of her lungs for help" when they arrived... (Wife) Christine Bales has alleged she was physically assaulted and that other firefighters had to hold back her husband. But fire officials, who filed no police report regarding the incident, described it as a domestic argument... The city's human resources director Mike Suppan said that firefighters are not sworn to uphold the law while police officers are...

[WA] "A questionable culture" (on Olympia Police)
...During the investigation, his estranged wife made allegations of abuse. The department cleared him of perjury and domestic abuse... [Police Chief Gary] Michel first suspended [Officer Chris] Cook for three weeks without pay... Six weeks later, Cook was again in trouble for using his computer to run the license plate on his wife's car... used his security clearance to obtain dispatch information from two 9-1-1 calls to his ex-wife's home... Cook kept his job, the second time with a four-week suspension without pay... He said it was in the aftermath of Tacoma Police Chief David Brame's shooting of his wife and himself, which is why he thinks the department and the city pursued him so aggressively...

[FL] Update: Fired Sgt Samuel (FINALLY) fired again
Alachua Police Rodney Samuel was fired Friday for falsifying information on his employment application. It took that. He had been fired from one department after sexual harassment complaints, then arrested on charges of battery, was hired by the (aware) Alachua Police Department... Samuel's most recent incident involved Nanci Farinas, who he had a seven-year relationship with him... According to the report, Samuel physically abused Farinas on three occasions in the last year and a half... Concerning bruises reportedly seen by Farinas' doctor, friends and daughter, Samuel said, "The bruises probably occurred during sexual intercourse...

[GA] More on the recent dv murder of Officer Tasha George
Dougherty County Officer Tasha George was shot outside her Temple Avenue home last Friday by Travis Smith. Interestingly, the indictment also accuses him of battery and stalking, crimes that happened one month before Tasha George was killed... George was trying to end things with him, & earlier in the day she had the locks changed on her house and a security company was installing a burglar alarm.... police reports from May 19th show a history of domestic violence at the home. After 8 that night, police arrested live-in boyfriend Travis Smith. Records show Smith pushed George through a glass table. She had an abrasion to her right eye and a deep cut on her stomach....

[NH] Fired Trooper Plunkett arrested for stalking ex girlfriend
A former New Hampshire state trooper [Michael J. Plunkett] who is charged with possession of child pornography, witness tampering and falsifying evidence was arrested this week on charges of stalking his former girlfriend, who is a key witness against him...

[AZ] Fired for dv & drunk driving Officer DeStefano is rehired
Back in March I wrote on our group that a few months prior "...Marana Police Officer John Michael Destefano Jr. was arrested for dui after landing in a ditch, a week later was arrested for domestic violence on his wife (drunk then also), and was arrested a few years ago for dv as well. He's fired..." But the news that came out this month is, "The Marana Police Department last week rehired an officer it fired in March for drunk driving and two domestic violence-related arrests..."
Wish I was surprised.

[PA] Update on Trooper Heller's threat to wife, judge, parents, dog...
Luke J. Heller, a Pennsylvania trooper assigned to a Bucks County barracks, allegedly threatened to kill himself, his estranged wife, her lawyer, and a judge during a contentious divorce case that ended last year... "Mr. Heller is suffering from a mental disorder which I consider serious, and is in need of medication and psychological treatment," psychologist Robert M. Gordon wrote in a 2004 court-ordered evaluation of Heller. Heller, 36, remained working at the Dublin barracks until he was suspended this year... His most recent issues are posting invitational rough sex pics of his ex-wife on the internet -unlawful use of a computer and criminal use of a communication facility — "AND OTHER CHARGES" (???) That's the focus, but what I hear is the ex wife saying that folks have disassociated from her because even THEY are in fear. The focus should be on his threats to lives - not the pictures. I hope she has support.

More post titles from June. I'll try to get back here and explain a few more:

[CA] High Court taking up privacy of cop discipline
[MI] Deputy Harvey's pointing gun & taser at wife & son UPDATE2
[WA] Panel assessing KCSO hears from public
[IL] Chicago Officer Grubbs kills himself after domestic quarrel
[ID] "North Idaho does not treat whistle blowers very kindly"
[ID] Ex-wife of BCSO Deputy Flavel calls for charges
[AR] Court reverses (ex) Chief Brown's sexual assault of niece
[NJ] Editorial: "The double standard"
[NJ] Officer Cheryl Silva / Chief's son dv - Update on fallout
[TN] Officer Hewitt and his gun.
[TN] Officer Hewitt's NEW wife tried to sleep outside w/gun
[PA] Officer Delucia update (Where wife was ARRESTED to testify)
[TX] Officer Binion arrested for domestic violence
1 YEAR AFTER EX-TROOPER BOCHICCHIO MURDER-SUICIDE
[MA] Ex-cop West can bail out on attempted murder charge
[MD] What to do with mad, suicidal fired-then-hired Ex-cop Shifler
[GA] Jail Officer Tasha George killed. Wanted out of relationship.
[TX] Officer Lee fired 2x. 1st family violence, now wife harrasment
[FL] Deputy Reichert arrested for simple battery of daughter-in-law
[OR] Update: Demoted Chief Foxworth given a command position
[NJ] Officer Brownlee's girlfriend shot in the leg. CORRECTION
[NY] UPDATE: NO BAIL FOR ARROGANT EX-COP AZRAK
[FL] 21 guns Cop Thropp - choking daughter, pointing gun at wife's...
[AR] Before Fowler suicide & brick-beatings - several dv reports
[AR] Officer Fowler suicide a day after estranged family seriously beaten
[FL] Officer Brems' wife says she was beat for refusing group sex
[MN] "Police Fighting Alcohol Abuse Among Officers"
[IN] Demoted Deputy Sheriff Laird - job in hands of merit board
[VT] DA: Victim's recant shouldn't clear Trooper Lay
[MO] Trooper Burnett suspected of stalking ex girlfriend again
[FL] Corrections officer Frank Ferencz charged with hitting wife
[TX] Probation for ex-officer Davis domestic sex-crime(s) against
[FL] Gun in gf's mouth/drug dealer Miami Officer Flynn sentenced
[WI] Officer "Glover's dream job ended in solitude"
[IL] PD: We'll investigate Sgt. Pelo ourselves
[PA] FHPD hired Fluck as cop, regardless
[GA] "Wife Turns on Former Deputy" McCollough
[CA] SDPD Sgt. Sainz beat up officer in front of kids, keeps job 6
[THE BASICS] Police Family Violence Fact Sheet - NCWP
[MA] Gun-in-wife's-mouth Trooper White retrial - Wants job back
[AL] Ex Birmingham Officer Jackson gets life for killing wife Angele
[VA] Deputy Freeman divorce->drugs-> prison->armed robbery
[PA] Ex-Police Chief Curran competent for wife-murder trial
[MS] Officer Clark, dead 15yo Tawana & pistol-whipped ex, Angela
[FL] Officer/Councilman Long takes month off to get help
[OR] Mayor Potter's statement on Police Chief Foxworth demotion
[OR] 40 page report released. Chief Foxworth demoted to Cpt.
[CA] Stepson sentenced for shooting (forgiving) Detective Bryant
[FL] Fired cop Daniel who killed wife and son sentenced today
[TN] Judge overturns jury's murder conviction for ex-Deputy Carpenter
[CA] Fire Cpt. Rodriguez Murders Wife Katherine, Kills Self
[NH] Officer Moltenbrey disregarded protection order right away
[TX] Austin Officer Gates arrested for dv on wife - Officers need he
[MA] Officer Sadllier assaults his mother - has several past "infractions"
[MN] Chief Bonnie Bleskachek sued by her Cpt. ex-gf + 2 more
[FL] Police computer abuse worst case scenario - update
[AL] Sheriff's Cpt./ Coroner/ Ex-Cop Billy Brown escaped dv charge
[NC] Chief's son, Cop Walker rape arrest + past dv abuse of power
Ramos was to return to duty after Domestic violence arrest
[CT] Ciara's McDermott's family wants lawsuit
[NJ] Officer Capo's family sexual assault trial update (four articles)
[WA] Conviction of Ex Tacoma Police Officer Torres upheld
[FL] Officer Bishop may be charged with witness tampering
[PA] Carli Dennis' cop husband pleads not guilty to her murder
[CO] Deputy Sanders dv and sexual assault on girlfriend charge
[NH] DV Prosecutor Marconi severe dv on own girlfriend
[FL] Deputy Melvin Jones arrested, charged for dv on wife
[ND] Officer LaVallie gets 7 years+ supervision for assault
[MA] Residents seek probe into Officer Morrow’s suicide
[SC] Ex cop Brooks only gets 12 years for killing girlfriend Lisa Ho
[MA] Denise Morrow's police officer husband shot himself
[WA] Jane Jermy
[WV] Mayor Ore Obstructs DV arrest then fires officer
[Local] Article by Attorney for estate of ex-chief's wife, Crystal Judson Brame
[WA] The Crystal Judson Brame Memorial Scholarship
[WA] Tacoma Student Awarded First Crystal Brame Scholarship
[NJ] Update - Officer Robert Vanaman Wife's Murder
[NY] Update on punching, biting Officer Tammy Mackin
[CO] Forced resignation of Deputy Mackey
[FL] No action against Ex-Sheriff's Deputy/Councilman Long same-sex dv
[WA] Deputy Spier, a man, his girlfriend & a gun - Charges dropped
[NJ] (Wife-stalking) New trial ordered for convicted Officer Moore
[TX] At least 14 fired Dallas cops got job back
[TX] Dallas Chief's message: no bad cops
[WI] Update on ex officer Zimmermans' being cleared of killing ex
[IL] Police Board clears 7 officers, fires 10
[CA] Update on frightening Officer Shaddox (More charges dropped)
[WA] VIDEO: Ex Police wives stand in for hiding Joyce DeAllah
[PA] Update on Officer Eckert abuse & attack allegations
[WA] A blog comment: Maleng's inaction on Deputy DeAllah's dv
[WI] Union implicates DA in suicide of Officer Glover
[WA] Ex Police wives stand in for Deputy DeAllah's hiding wife
[RI] Pension fight for Judge Marjorie Yassar (arrested twice for dv)
[WI] Officer Nechodom can FELONY STALK if he wants to
I'll be back.
God be willing.