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[CA] Deputy McClain charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, domestic violence & fired

WHAT THEY NEED MOST TO BE SAFE IS TO HAVE THIS OFFICER CONTAINED UNTIL HE IS PROSECUTED, AND PROSECUTE HIM FOR EACH THING HE IS CHARGED WITH -

NO DEALS.

...Lt. Rick Handfield said that there were puncture marks near the victim's groin, but stressed that "any characterization of an attempted castration is way exaggerated"...But one law enforcement source said the assailant had attempted to castrate the 23-year-old male... the young man's father, was told by an emergency room nurse that a castration attempt had been made... the nurse warned the father that his son had been beaten so badly that "you won't recognize him"... The wife remains hospitalized...

L.A. SHERIFF'S DEPUTY FIRED AFTER ATTACK ON MAN WITH HIS WIFE
The Irvine resident faces attempted murder charge in the case
The Orange County Register
By Sean Emery semery@ocregister.com
September 29, 2008
IRVINE – An L.A. sheriff's deputy has been fired after an attack on a man with his wife that left the man and the deputy's wife hospitalized. Police believe Robert Avery McClain, 34, assaulted his wife and another man, whose name the department would not release. Police would not comment on reports that McClain suspected the male victim of having an affair with his wife. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Aura Sierra said McClain's employment with the department has been terminated... Irvine police Lt. Rick Handfield said Tuesday that there were puncture marks near the victim's groin, but stressed that "any characterization of an attempted castration is way exaggerated." The deputy was arrested Monday on suspicion of attempted murder, aggravated assault and domestic violence... McClain's wife had driven herself to another hospital, telling staff that she had been assaulted as well... Both victims remain in stable condition, Handfield said, although the man is still sedated and unable to talk to police. [Full article here]

L.A. COUNTY DEPUTY ARRESTED IN IRVINE STABBING
Los Angeles Times, CA
By Richard Winton richard.winton@latimes.com
and Scott Glover scott.glover@latimes.com
September 30, 2008
...Police responding to a call discovered the male victim, bleeding and unconscious, in the leasing office of an Irvine apartment complex... After interviewing McClain's wife, detectives began searching for her husband, police said. When they found him, he had injuries that police suspected were sustained during the attack... Police declined to release detailed information about the nature of the victims' injuries, beyond saying that the young man had been "cut with a sharp instrument." But one law enforcement source said the assailant had attempted to castrate the 23-year-old male... Nancy Smith said her brother, the young man's father, was told by an emergency room nurse that a castration attempt had been made. She said the nurse warned the father that his son had been beaten so badly that "you won't recognize him." Smith said her nephew worked as a salesman at a men's clothing store but was also an aspiring singer and songwriter. "He is just the sweetest kid," she said... Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Sheriff Lee Baca on Monday immediately began proceedings to terminate the deputy. "The sheriff believes strongly that this must be acted upon," said Whitmore... [Full article here]

DEPUTY ACCUSED OF TRYING TO CASTRATE WIFE'S ALLEGED LOVER
KTLA News
September 30, 2008
IRVINE -- An L.A. County Sheriff's deputy is facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly beat, stabbed and may have tried to castrate a young man he suspected of having an affair with his wife, according to a law enforcement. 34-year old Deputy Robert McClain is also suspected of assaulting his wife after confronting her about the alleged affair, law enforcement sources said... The wife remains hospitalized... [Full article here]

KTLA.COM COMMENT:

MCCLAIN ARREST
What is the definition of "stable Condition"? Breathing and with a heart beat? Well, I can tell you as one of the family members of the victim, he is far from being in stable condition!!!!! McClain deserves no pay and should be terminated immediately. As for his wife, she needs to be questioned exstensively!!!!! Where were the McClain's children when all of this was going on???? I think there is a whole lot more to this story. My cousin has suffered life altering injuries due to this situation. I pray he will overcome this and that the court will find justice for my cousin.
Posted by LHardin at 8:22 am Sep 30, 2008 [LINK]

[KS] Deputy Douglas - did he "hurt" his wife or "insult" her?

Douglas is charged with domestic battery. The first articles say he hurt his wife. Now his domestic battery is "making contact with a family member on Sept. 14 in a 'rude, insulting or angry manner'"...

Previous entry:
[KS] Deputy Douglas arrested for domestic battery

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR STEPS IN ON CASE INVOLVING DEPUTY
Lawrence Journal World, KS
By Jesse Fray
September 30, 2008
A special prosecutor has taken over a misdemeanor domestic battery case involving a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy as the defendant. Franklin County Attorney Heather Jones made an appearance in Douglas County District Court Tuesday morning in the case of Matthew Douglas, 35. Prosecutors have charged Douglas with making contact with a family member on Sept. 14 in a “rude, insulting or angry manner.” Douglas, a sheriff’s patrol deputy since December 2007, has pleaded not guilty to the charge after a fellow deputy arrested him Sept. 14 at his Eudora home earlier. Douglas told District Judge Peggy Kittel Tuesday that his attorney had asked to continue the proceedings. The defendant’s attorney Kevin Babbit was not able to attend the hearing. Kittel scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 17. Douglas remains free on $750 bond. Sheriff spokeswoman Lt. Kari Wempe said Douglas remains on paid administrative leave until the matter is resolved. Douglas County sheriff’s deputy as the defendant. Franklin County Attorney Heather Jones made an appearance in Douglas County District Court Tuesday morning in the case of Matthew Douglas.

EARLIER THIS MONTH

[KS] DEPUTY DOUGLAS ARRESTED FOR HURTING HIS WIFE


DOUGLAS COUNTY DEPUTY ARRESTED
Sheriff's Deputy Accused Of Hurting Wife
kctv5.com
September 17, 2008
EUDORA, Kan. - A Douglas County sheriff's deputy was arrested on Monday night. Prosecutors charged Matthew Douglas with domestic battery and criminal restraint. Douglas, 35, is accused of hurting his wife at their Eudora home. Douglas spent the night in jail and was released Tuesday morning on $750 bond.
http://www.kctv5.com/news/17493085/detail.html?rss=kan&psp=news#-

[MO] Unknown officer shot unknown ex of his unknown girlfriend

...Investigators aren't releasing the name of the officer... County police have not said where the officer works, and has not released additional details...

OFFICER, WOMAN ARE QUESTIONED AFTER SHOOTING
KOAM-TV Pittsburg
September 23, 2008 4:34 PM ET
CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) - St. Louis County police are interviewing an off-duty police officer and his girlfriend about a shooting. County police spokeswoman Tracy Panus said the officer was at his girlfriend's home when the woman's former boyfriend showed up around 11:45 p.m. Monday. The former boyfriend was shot in the stomach and taken to a hospital for surgery. He is expected to survive. County police have not said where the officer works, and has not released additional details.

OFF-DUTY OFFICER SHOOTS MAN IN JENNINGS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/23/2008
JENNINGS -- An off-duty municipal police officer shot a man in the stomach in an apparent domestic dispute, police say. Jennings and St. Louis County police are investigating. It happened about 11:40 p.m. Monday in the 2700 block of Kinamore Drive in Jennings. County police spokeswoman Tracy Panus wouldn't say which department the officer works for; she said the man he shot is in stable condition. Police got several calls from people reporting the incident. Some reported it as an attempted robbery; others as a domestic disturbance. Apparently, the off-duty officer's girlfriend lives on Kinamore Drive. The area is northeast of the intersection of West Florissant Avenue and Lucas and Hunt Road. Investigators aren't releasing the name of the officer.
Off-Duty Officer Shoots Man in Fight
CW11TV
September 23, 2008
Police were investigating Tuesday, September 23, after an off-duty St. Louis County Police Officer shot another man during a fight Monday night. Police said an off-duty Country Club Hills officer and a female acquaintance were in a car outside a home on the 2700 block of Kinamore in Jennings around 11:42 p.m. A 19-year-old man who had been in a relationship with the woman in the car approached the vehicle and got into an altercation with the officer. The officer shot the man in the stomach. Police were still trying to determine the circumstances of the event Tuesday night.
PHOTO GALLERY: Police Interview Off-Duty Officer about Shooting
KSDK
09/25/2008
KSDK -- The St. Louis County Police Department is interviewing an off-duty Country Club Hills Officer and a female witness about a shooting. Tracy Panus, a spokesperson for the department, said the officer was at his girlfriend's home in the 2700 block of Kinamore when the woman's former boyfriend showed up around 11:45 p.m. Monday. There was a domestic incident and the previous boyfriend was shot in the stomach. The man was taken to an area hospital for surgery. His is expected to survive. Police did not say where the off-duty officer is employed.

[PA] Fired, rein$tated, demoted Officer Dixon accused of more deadliness

[1994] ...A former McKeesport police officer, already in jail for violating a protection from abuse petition filed by his ex-girlfriend, was charged yesterday with trying to hire a former partner to kill the woman... [2008] ...A surveillance camera captured Officer Dixon pointing the gun into the cell...

OFFICER CHARGED IN DEATH THREAT
Accused of pointing gun at jailed suspect
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA
By Daniel Malloy dmalloy@post-gazette.com
and Jim McKinnon jmckinnon@post-gazette.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A veteran McKeesport police officer was arrested and charged yesterday with threatening the life of a prisoner and pointing a gun at him. Theodore R. Dixon Jr., 55, was placed on administrative leave by Police Chief Joseph Pero... charged with simple assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and official oppression. Early Saturday morning, shots were fired through Officer Dixon's living room window while his wife and child were inside the house. Though no suspects were named, Officer Dixon became convinced that the attack was related to Sakarr Bray... telling other officers that "someone was gonna die." Upon returning to the police station, Officer Dixon pointed his service revolver into Mr. Bray's holding cell. Mr. Bray told investigators that Officer Dixon said, "I should kill you right now. I'm going to handle this my way. I'm gonna kill you and your brother. You tell your mom I'm gonna kill both of you all." A surveillance camera captured Officer Dixon pointing the gun into the cell and Mr. Bray backing up with his hands in the air... Officer Dixon, a former lieutenant who ran unsuccessfully for district judge last year against Judge Riazzi, was dismissed from the McKeesport Police Department in February 1994 for violating a protection-from-abuse order obtained by his ex-girlfriend... Officer Dixon also was accused in July 1994 of asking a fellow police officer to kill Ms. [P.C.]. But the district attorney dismissed those charges in April 1995 because two key witnesses could not be found... [Full article here]

OLDER NEWS:

EX-OFFICER ACCUSED OF TRYING TO HAVE GIRLFRIEND KILLED
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Author: JIM MCKINNON
July 27, 1994
A former McKeesport police officer, already in jail for violating a protection from abuse petition filed by his ex-girlfriend, was charged yesterday with trying to hire a former partner to kill the woman. Theodore Dixon, 41, was arraigned yesterday... Dixon's former partner... Dixon has been in the County Jail since June 3, when Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning revoked his bail for violating, for the third time, the court order to stay away from [P.C.]... Dixon told him that he needed someone to "take out" [P.C.], according to an affidavit of probable cause... He made arrangements through another friend for Wilson to obtain a gun, a photograph of [P.C.] and the floor plan of her apartment. On June 29, Wilson told police, Dixon's new girlfriend called him, saying Dixon wanted to know "what was taking him so long"... Dixon was fired from the force in February for violating the court order to stay away from [P.C.].

FORMER OFFICER ACQUITTED OF ASSAULTING EX-GIRLFRIEND
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
JAN ACKERMAN
October 20, 1994
When they met, Theodore Dixon Jr. was a McKeesport police officer and [P.C.] was a detective for the Ames Department Store in McKeesport... Yesterday, a jury that heard evidence that Dixon assaulted [P.C.] Dec. 30 at McKeesport's Riverfront Park acquitted him on charges of simple assault and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors. She said he slammed her face into the steering wheel of her car. He said he wasn't even with her that day. Jury foreman Anthony Daw of Munhall said the jury didn't understand why [P.C.], who had been trained in criminal justice, didn't go to a hospital immediately and why it took her so long to report the incident. She testified that she didn't have health insurance. Despite the jury's verdicts, Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning, who oversaw the case, found Dixon guilty of harassment, a summary offense. The judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail, but released him immediately because Dixon had already served four months in jail... Dixon is awaiting trial on charges of trying to hire his former police partner, Javan Wilson III, to kill [P.C.], 32, who is in hiding...

HOMICIDE CHARGE DROPPED AGAINST EX- POLICE OFFICER
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Jan Ackerman
April 4, 1995
A former McKeesport police officer won't be prosecuted on charges he tried to hire someone to kill his former girlfriend because two key witnesses cannot be found. The district attorney's office yesterday dismissed a charge of solicitation to commit homicide against Theodore Dixon, 41, of Centennial Street... One of the missing witnesses is former McKeesport police officer Javon Wilson III, who told county detectives that Dixon asked him to kill [P.C.]... Dixon plans to try to get his job back with the McKeesport police. Dixon's status with the department is unclear. Patberg said Dixon has been suspended from the force, but former McKeesport police Chief Dwayne Senay said in the fall that Dixon was fired in February 1994... He intends to sue [P.C.] and the city of McKeesport...

MCKEESPORT COUNCIL TO PAY $176,000 TO REINSTATED POLICE SERGEANT
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Kathy Samudovsky
September 20, 2000
A McKeesport police sergeant soon will be $176,000 richer... City council unanimously authorized a court-ordered settlement agreement Sept. 6 with police Sgt. Theodore R. Dixon Jr. who was found to have been terminated unjustly in February 1994... Former Mayor Louis Washowich terminated Dixon's employment Feb. 10, 1994, for reasons arising from Dixon's violation of a protection from abuse order filed by ex-girlfriend [P.C.]. McKeesport's Civil Service Commission ruled March 4, 1994, that Dixon could not be terminated unless the city could prove allegations underlying the PFA order. [P.C.] accused him of threats, assault and harassment from September to December 1993, plus incidents of forcible sexual intercourse between June and November 1993...
POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED OR PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COP ON COP SERGEANT MURDER PLOT HIRED HIT

[CA] Ex-Chief Gundersen beats 24 felonies, guilty on 11 charges of battery

The protection order is lifted and he's probably out of jail now.

...A JURY OF 7 WOMEN AND 5 MEN ACQUITTED HIM OF 24 [FELONY] COUNTS OF SPOUSAL RAPE WITH AN INTOXICANT AND ATTEMPTING TO DISSUADE A WITNESS... BUT THE JURY CONVICTED THE FORMER POLICE CHIEF ON 11 MISDEMEANOR COUNTS OF BATTERY, VIOLATING A COURT ORDER AND ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A SUBMACHINE GUN AND A PISTOL WITH A SILENCER...

(Previous entries on the blog here)

GUNDERSEN TO BE RELEASED FROM JAIL TONIGHT
The Eureka Reporter
Sep 29 2008
Humboldt County Superior Court Judge W. Bruce Watson reduced former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen's bail from $1.25 million to $50,000 and Gundersen's attorney Russell Clanton said that Gundersen will be posting bail and be released from jail tonight. The decision comes less than a week after a jury of seven women and five men acquitted him of 24 counts of spousal rape with an intoxicant and attempting to dissuade a witness. The jury did find him guilty of 11 counts of battery (relating to nude photographs taken of his wife Darcie Seal), two firearm-related charges and violating an emergency protective order. On Friday, Watson dismissed the emergency protective order placed on Gundersen follow his preliminary hearing in April, which prohibited him from contacting Seal... [Full article here]

LAST WEEK:

JUDGMENT: JURY ACQUITS GUNDERSEN ON RAPE CHARGES, CONVICTS ON BATTERY AND GUNS
Eureka Times-Standard
Thadeus Greenson tgreenson@times-standard.com.
09/25/2008
EUREKA -- Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Ray Gundersen was acquitted of two dozen spousal rape charges in Humboldt County Superior Court Wednesday, but convicted of 11 lesser charges of battery and two charges of illegal firearms possession. A jury of seven women and five men found Gundersen not guilty on charges of raping his spouse with the use of an intoxicant and attempting to dissuade the victim of a crime, but the jury convicted the former police chief on 11 misdemeanor counts of battery, violating a court order and illegally possessing a submachine gun and a pistol with a silencer. Together, the firearms charges carry a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in state prison or a fine of $20,000. Gundersen's convictions on the 11 battery charges each carry a sentence of up to six months in jail, a fine of $2,000, or both. The 24 spousal rape counts Gundersen initially faced would have carried a sentence of 72 to 192 years in prison. Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson set an Oct. 22 date for Gundersen's sentencing. The felony firearms convictions effectively end Gundersen's career as a law enforcement officer, and the misdemeanor battery convictions would make it illegal for him to possess firearms.... It remains unclear exactly how Wednesday's verdict will translate into sentencing, as legal experts contacted by the Times-Standard said much of Gundersen's sentence will be left to the discretion of the judge... [Full article here]

GUNDERSEN'S BATTERY CONVICTIONS MAY COME UNDER FIRE
Eureka Times-Standard
Thadeus Greenson tgreenson@times-standard.com
09/26/2008
Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen's 11 convictions on charges of misdemeanor battery may be tossed out in the near future, according to legal experts... battery charges are misdemeanors carrying a one year statute of limitations. Because the jury chose to convict on the battery charges in counts 1 through 11, counts that allegedly took place in January through November of 2006, it appears the statute of limitations would have run out, and that the convictions may have to be overturned as a result. "The prosecution has a real problem," said University of California Berkeley School of Law professor Franklin Zimring, adding that the defense will likely file a motion to vacate the convictions. "That means that either the jury wasn't aware of (the statute of limitations for misdemeanors), or that there's somebody brilliant on the jury who found a way to reprimand the chief without really convicting him." For his part, District Attorney Paul Gallegos said he believes the statute of limitations clock, even on misdemeanors, doesn't start running until law enforcement knows or reasonably should have known of the offense... [Full article here]

PROTECTIVE ORDER REVOKED IN GUNDERSEN CASE
Eureka Times-Standard
Thadeus Greenson tgreenson@times-standard.com
09/27/2008
Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson revoked a court protective order Friday that forbade former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen from having any contact with his wife, Darcie Seal... The protective order had been in place since Gundersen's preliminary hearing... [Full article here]

[MS] Officer Smith arrested for dv assault (Mikitia arrested for...?)

Officer jailed for domestic violence
Greenwood Commonwealth
By Bob Darden
September 25, 2008
A rookie Greenwood police officer has been charged with domestic violence simple assault stemming from a dispute Wednesday night with his girlfriend, according to the Leflore County Sheriff's Department. Officer Willie Smith Jr., 24, and his girlfriend, Mikitia Whitehead, 34, both of 1323½ Virden Ave., were arrested following the incident, said Leflore County Undersheriff Jimmy Tindall. "Deputies answered a call and saw visible signs of injuries, scratches, on both of them. She had a busted lip," Tindall said. Both Smith and Whitehead were arrested. They were released from Leflore County Jail on their own recognizance Wednesday. Tindall said a witness also told deputies that Smith threw something at Whitehead as she left to use a neighbor's telephone. Greenwood Police Chief Henry Purnell said Smith was hired in May. As a new officer, he was required to go through a one-year probationary period. Smith remains on active duty despite his arrest, the chief said. "He hasn't been convicted of anything. Our personnel director and I are reviewing the situation. We're going to weigh our options," the chief said. Purnell said it would probably be next week before any administrative action would be taken against Smith [Full article here]

[OH] How many domestic allegedly's can Detective Corey Earl get and still be a cop?

Police Officer Corey Earl is under investigation again, this time for allegedly sending his on-again-off-again girlfriend harassing text messages...

Previous entries:

• [OH] There's hate in that suicide threat Laura - Suicidal, sadistic, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 president, ex-SWAT, ex-Strike Team member, once-U.S. Marshal, current Lorain Police Detective Corey Earl is on paid "medical" leave and is not supposed to carry a gun after his wife Laura filed for a protection order.
  
• [OH] Dangerous Detective Earl - Protection order lifted & GPS off his ankle? - Police Chief Cel Rivera said "My biggest concern is that he gets the help he needs so that he can be OK and be a part of this police department"- as long as he can come up with a doctor's note.
  
• [OH] Chief's goal for domestic-terror Detective Earl - She told police he was armed with a handgun and threatened to kill himself [while holing her up in the bathroom and insisting that she WATCH HIM DO IT...
• [OH] Detective Earl's wife now says she lied? (I'm not buying it.) - ...it appears that Laura Earl has chosen to live in the eye of the storm, hoping - with no police protection - that it may be the safest place to try to survive...
  
• [OH] The list circulating on Lorain Police Detective Corey Earl - ..."I've been married to Corey for 23 years. He's aggressive, controlling, extremely jealous. He has rage. He has been abusive... Corey has said many, many times to me that nobody will ever have me except him"...
  
• [OH] Detective Earl - no charge or order seems to stick - ...A civil stalking protection order filed against Lorain police Officer Corey Earl has been dropped... In his initial complaint, Pruitt wrote that Earl had made threats against him to his captain and others, including a police officer. Pruitt wrote that Earl had told the captain that “he should take a baseball bat to me and end his problem”...
  
• [OH] Regardless of everything, cop Earl returns to his job - Lorain patrolman Corey Earl is being returned to full active duty status, about two weeks after being placed on paid leave after being accused of making threats against a county corrections officer...
  
• [OH] Passive Chief Rivera says demoted Detective Earl could have court credibility problems? - ...[Lorain Police Chief Cel] Rivera said [former police union president, demoted detective, jailbird, psychiatric inpatient, multiply-suspended, sometimes-suicidal, burglarizing, repeatedly threatening, timebomb Lorain Police Officer Corey] Earl's recent problems, both legally and with adhering to departmental policy, could create problems for him, especially when he has to take the stand in a criminal case and defense attorneys bring them up...
  
• [OH] STILL-PRESIDENT of the FOP - Det. Earl reportedly collapses - ..."We haven't gotten any confirmation yet that it was a stroke," [Lorain Police Chief Cel] Rivera said, adding that initial reports point to a stroke... Rivera said he's not even sure what caused Earl to collapse. Earl's medical problem comes on the heels of professional and personal issues...

Girlfriend complains Corey Earl threatened her in text messages
The Chronicle-Telegram
Brad Dicken bdicken@chroniclet.com
9/27/2008
LORAIN - Police Officer Corey Earl is under investigation again, this time for allegedly sending his on-again-off-again girlfriend harassing text messages. Lorain police Lt. Jim Rohner said the woman filed a complaint against Earl - who has been off the job since he had a stroke while walking to a Kenny Chesney concert in Cleveland in May - on Tuesday. "I don't know what the text messages say, except that they're unwanted," Rohner said. The messages could constitute telephone harassment, Rohner said, but the investigation is still ongoing. Complicating the matter, he said, is that the woman also has placed calls to Earl. The woman also complained that Earl, 46, had somehow obtained her new phone number, even though she hadn't given it to him, Rohner said. Earl, who was president of the police union before his stroke, has had several disciplinary problems in recent years, including being charged with violating a protection order taken out by his now ex-wife after he allegedly threatened to kill himself with a gun in their home. That charge was later thrown out and the protection order dropped. Also, a Lorain County Jail corrections officer requested a protection order against Earl, but that request later was dropped, too. Earl was reprimanded in that incident for reportedly telling three sheriff's captains that he might deal with the corrections officer, Thomas Pruitt, with a baseball bat. He was also punished for entering a bar without an official reason while on duty. Earl also has been in trouble for leaving a joke traffic ticket and pulling over the ex-husband of a woman he was dating. Rohner said Earl is still recovering from his stroke and doesn't know when, or if, Earl will return to the force. Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.

[MI] It's really hard for me to believe Sgt. Cobb's hanging was suicide

Most of the articles from today and yesterday are saying that Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb "was found dead near a bike path in Dodge Park in Sterling Heights"

The Detroit News
September 27, 2008
...The Wayne County Prosecutor's office had no comment Saturday following the suicide of a Detroit police sergeant who had previously been arrested and later released in connection with his wife's death. Maria Miller, spokeswoman for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, said her office would not issue a statement... Cobb told The Detroit News in May, "I can't say anything except that there's a side to this that no one in the media has asked me about at all." He declined to say more... [Full article here]

ABC30.com, CA
September 27, 2008
...Police tell the Detroit Free Press that 38-year-old Sgt. David Cobb was found dead Friday night in Sterling Heights, a city 15 miles north of downtown Detroit. Cobb's 47-year-old wife, Rose, was fatally shot Dec. 26 in a parking lot on Detroit's east side. In April, police arrested 27-year-old Vincent Smothers, who told police Cobb hired him to kill his wife... [Full article here]

I'm not in Michigan so don't suppose I can even make an educated guess of what happened in the park yesterday that left Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb hanged, but news of his death came to me feeling so shaded over. I wondered - What does that mean? Who killed him? Did he kill himself? Did he know too much? Had he had enough? Which is it? Two weeks ago I had almost posted something here on the blog that I was going to title, "In Detroit politics it's almost the end of the world." I had just found this:

The Detroit News
September 4, 2008
On the same day Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to two felonies and agreed to leave office, the city's top cop [Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings ] announced her retirement... Bully-Cummings said Kilpatrick told all of his department heads they needed to stay focused on their jobs as the saga unfolded... [Full article here]

The mayor had put the chief in her position. What perfect positioning. So when a woman named Tamara Greene ended up dead from what looked like a hit, not too long after an "alleged" Mayor's party (where she was rumored to have been jumped by the Mayor's wife), it seemed police couldn't figure out even the simplest things - like whether there had ever been a party at all. (See how it works?) Coincidentally the Mayor's top dog lost his gun, and when it's found something's amiss.

Detroit Free Press
September 19, 2008
A handgun lost by a former bodyguard of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and found in possession of a convicted felon came up clean when tested for outstanding crimes... [Police Officer Loronzo "Greg"] Jones, former commanding officer of Kilpatrick's security team told police he accidentally left his handgun on a metal tissue holder in a restaurant... The testing also quells rumblings that the gun was somehow connected to the unsolved April 30, 2003 slaying of stripper Tamara Greene... But sources said the weapon's firing pin is different than the one on departmentally-issued Glocks and did not match up with casings found at the scene. Jones, a Detroit police officer, and Kilpatrick are longtime friends... [Full article here]

Detroit News
March 14, 2008
...former Detroit Police Lt. Alvin Bowman, claimed that police brass squelched his inquiry into the supposed party at the Manoogian Mansion in late fall 2002 and Greene's murder in April 2003 because he got too close to making a connection... "I suspect that the shooter was a law enforcement officer, and more specifically, a Detroit Police Department officer," Bowman said in an affidavit... "She wanted money to stay quiet and they wouldn't give it to her"... [Full article here]

And imagining David Cobb hanging, I remember what was told to Detroit Investigator Ira Todd who stumbled too close to Detroit's forbidden knowledge while looking into hit men associated with the department;

"This thing is bigger than you. Trust me."

..."From a cop's perspective, if someone tries to keep you from looking at something, that means there may be something they're trying to hide," said Todd, a veteran detective who claims he was demoted to desk duty for investigating alleged ties between Kilpatrick and a reputed cocaine dealer and associate of a hit man... Todd claimed his supervisors pressured him to turn over a written report documenting his investigation into hit man Vincent Smothers, who told police he was responsible for 10 murders, including the 2007 fatal shooting of Rose Cobb, the wife of Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb... Todd said he reported to his supervisors what investigators in Kentucky told him about the mayor. "Then things got really weird"... Todd said he was ordered by his immediate supervisor, Lt. Harold Rochon, to take his vacation a week early. "He kept saying, 'This thing is bigger than you. Trust me, take your vacation.'" When Todd returned, he was transferred to the Northwest District...
[Source: Cop: Bosses skittish over mayor probe, The Detroit News, George Hunter, August 15, 2008]

My second thought after my friend Renee called to tell me the news is that Black people don't kill themselves. I looked it up and that's not quite true, but we do it much less. (I'm shaking my head trying to imagine an African American man hanging himself from a tree. My brain can't stretch itself far enough. It's possible - he was on the spot... but with the dirt flying Cobb's hanging' will never be certain to me. No matter how true any investigation results are, they will be hard to believe.

Even if it was murder I'd always think it must just be half the story.

Rose, you know more now than we do about how things divine are webbed together. I pray that your soul is alit with joy from what you see where you are, and that where you are is bright and beautiful. God full. Beyond our troubles here.

David Cobb, now we'll probably never know what you meant when you said,

"I can't say anything except that there's a side to this that no one in the media has asked me about at all."

BLOGGED HERE ON BEHIND THE BLUE WALL

[MI] SGT COBB'S WIFE SHOT DEAD IN PARKING LOT - Her husband just feet away from her inside a pharmacy on Detroit's east side, 47-year-old Rose Cobb - the wife of a city police sergeant - was shot dead Wednesday

[MI] Sgt. Cobb not at vigil for his murdered wife, Rose - Day after Christmas ROSE COBB was shot to death in what looks like a HIT - multiple shots to the head - while waiting in the car for her husband to come out of the CVS pharmacy.

[MI] Sgt Cobb & hired hitman arrested for murder of Rose Cobb - ...They described Rose Cobb as a sweet, kind person full of grace and dignity. She was always willing to listen to other people and help with their troubles.. [Vincent Smothers] told officers of the multijurisdictional Violent Crimes Task Force that Sgt. David Cobb hired him to kill Rose Cobb, 47, on Dec. 26 while she was sitting in a vehicle in a CVS parking lot... Smothers confessed to killing Rose Cobb and nine other people...

[MI] Sgt Cobb - arrested in plot that killed his wife Rose, has been released - ..."We don't like it, but we understand the process. The only thing, at this point, that is going to make us happy is for Sgt. Cobb to be charged and put away for a very long time"...

[MI] Hit man tells how he killed Detroit cop's wife, Rose Cobb - ...Cobb was shot four times in the face at close range...

[MI] Justice For Rose Cobb, Wife of Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb -

[MI] Investigator of Sgt.'s wife - Rose Cobb's - murder warned: "This thing is bigger than you. Trust me." - [Investigator] Todd, 50, claimed his supervisors pressured him to turn over a written report documenting his investigation into hit man Vincent Smothers, who told police he was responsible for 10 murders, including the 2007 fatal shooting of Rose Cobb, the wife of Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb...

[MI] Update on hit-murder of Rose Cobb, wife of Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb - Self-professed hit man Vincent Smothers is charged with three additional homicides in Detroit, including one that had not surfaced in a previous confession.

11 RELATED VIDEOS HERE

[MA] After 6 months Officer Santos finally charged for choking girlfriend

A city police officer is being criminally charged with assault and battery after allegations he choked a woman and shoved another officer outside a downtown nightclub in March...

Previous post:
[MA] STILL ON THE JOB - Officer Santos, who CHOKED girlfriend! - Four months after internal investigations began into allegations that he choked a woman outside a downtown nightclub, Police Officer Edson Santos is wearing a uniform and responding to calls... witnesses, including at least two police officers, reported they saw him choking his girlfriend...

New Bedford police officer charged with assault
South Coast Today, Standard-Times
By Brian Fraga bfraga@s-t.com
September 27, 2008
A city police officer is being criminally charged with assault and battery after allegations he choked a woman and shoved another officer outside a downtown nightclub in March. Following a closed-door court hearing Friday, a clerk magistrate decided there was probable cause to charge Officer Edson Santos, 25, with domestic assault and battery and assault and battery on a police officer. Officer Santos, who has been on paid administrative leave since last month, will be arraigned on those charges, according to his defense lawyer. An arraignment date has not been set. Officer Santos, a police officer since December 2005, has been under scrutiny since witnesses, including at least two police officers, reported they saw him choking his girlfriend outside Bar 908 during the early-morning hours of March 23. A crowd reportedly witnessed the incident as a security guard and police officers tried to break up the altercation. Officer Santos allegedly pushed another officer during the incident and fled the scene... Following Friday's court hearing, Officer Santos' lawyer, Robert Galibois, said his client was innocent... Meanwhile, questions remain as to what Officer Santos' status will be now that he is criminally charged. It has been expected that he would be suspended without pay, if not fired, pending criminal charges... [Full article here]

[TX] (Suspected in killing of his ex) Fired Sgt Fennel gets 10+2 yrs for rape, kidnap of dv victim

PREVIOUS ENTRIES:
[TX] Who chopped off the fingernails of Sgt. Fennell's slain fiance'? - When Giddings Police Officer Jimmy Fennell's fiance Stacy Stites was found strangled on the side of a dirt road, her fingernails were cut to the quick, roughly and not filed - eliminating any evidence... He failed two lie detector tests when asked if he killed Stacy. Fennell, now a Georgetown Police Sgt. was arrested this past week for the rape at gunpoint of a domestic violence victim... Stacy's body was unaccounted for for over an hour after being removed from the scene, arriving at the morgue with new injuries - including burns - that were not in photographs taken before she was transported. DNA from 2 cops were found on the beer cans at the site.
[TX] Police Sgt .Fennell fired for refusing to come answer questions - Georgetown Sergeant Jimmy Lewis Fennell Jr. - now eyed in the murder of his ex-girlfriend Stacy Stites - has been fired for refusing to come in to answer questions regarding allegations that he raped a woman he arrested. Meanwhile Rodney Reed sits on deathrow for the crime of killing Stacy...
[TX] Fiance' of murdered Stacy Stites - Ex-Sgt. Fennell - pleads guilty on other charges - The pickup was returned to him promptly after the murder, defense attorneys say, before forensic testing on it was finished. Mr. Fennell sold the truck a day later. And investigators never got a search warrant for the apartment Mr. Fennell – then a Giddings police officer – and Ms. Stites shared, even though it was the last place she'd been seen alive...

Jimmy Fennell Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
MyFox Austin
Friday, 26 Sep 2008
09/26/2008 -- Former Georgetown police Sgt. Jimmy Fennell was convicted and sentenced to 2 years in state jail for improper sexual activity with a person in custody and 10 years in prison for kidnapping. Fennell, who turned down a jury trial and pleaded guilty, was given the maximum punishment for those crimes. According to District Attorney John Bradley, the prosecution was complicated by "the initial failure at the supervisory level in the Georgetown Police Department to oversee a proper investigation of a victim's outcry of sexual assault leveled against a police officer." On October 26, 2007, Georgetown police responded to a domestic disturbance call between a woman and her boyfriend. Fennell, who was the ranking supervisor on duty, told the other officers that he would take the woman to find another place to stay for the evening. 911 received a call around 1am from the woman reporting that Fennell had sexually assaulted her and dropped her back at her apartment. During the subsequent response by GPD:

• FENNELL MADE ONLY ONE FAILED ATTEMPT TO CONTACT A SUPERVISOR BY PHONE; NO OTHER OFFICER OR GPD EMPLOYEE CONTACTED A SUPERVISOR;
• FENNELL NOTIFIED DISPATCH HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CALL AND DIRECTED THEM NOT TO MAKE A COMPUTERIZED ENTRY FORMALLY INITIATING THE CASE;
• FENNELL RETURNED TO THE SCENE AND ACTED AS THE SUPERVISING OFFICER;
• GEORGETOWN OFFICERS DENIED SMITH’S REPEATED REQUEST FOR A SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAM OR ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION, EVEN THOUGH EMS WAS STANDING BY A BLOCK AWAY;
• NOT A SINGLE MEMBER OF THE GPD CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS OR ANY OUTSIDE AGENCY WAS CONTACTED TO BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION;
• GPD PATROL OFFICER ROGGENKAMP, ACTING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF FENNELL, COMMUNICATED WITH SMITH AND CAUSED HER TO RECANT HER ACCUSATION (RECORDED BY A PATROL CAR VIDEO);
• ROGGENKAMP, AFTER CONSULTING WITH FENNELL, ARRESTED SMITH FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION AND THEN FAILED TO NOTIFY ANYONE THAT SMITH HAD ACCUSED FENNELL OF SEXUAL ASSAULT WHEN HE RELEASED HER TO THE JAIL; AND
• FENNELL FAILED TO WRITE ANY REPORTS OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT REGARDING THE INCIDENT.

Another investigation revealed that in 2004 a female driver reported to a Travis County Sheriff's deputy that Fennell stopped her in Georgetown for a crooked license plate and offered to overlook the violation if she would give him a lap dance. Austin Police notified Georgetown Police about the allegation, but GPD didn't notify the District Attorney's Office of the incident. Two other women have come forward to report similar incidents involving Fennell, alleging sexual misconduct and harassment.
http://www.myfoxaustin.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7521592&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[CA] Sgt Rodrigues 4th rape arrest - & yes, release

RODRIGUES FACES FOUR COUNTS OF FORCIBLE RAPE, TWO COUNTS OF UNLAWFUL SEXUAL PENETRATION, TWO FELONY COUNTS OF POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION WHILE UNDER A RESTRAINING ORDER, AND ONE COUNT EACH OF SPOUSAL RAPE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ATTEMPTED RAPE

Previous Entries:

• [CA] TIMEBOMB Rodrigues dv, rape, and intimidation charges - Tick. Tick. Tick - ...These women are destined to live in fear for as long as this deputy - or ex-deputy lives. That's the whole of it... (226 comments)
• [CA] The BOLO, Surrender, & Immediate Release of Michael Rodrigues - ...His surrender at the county jail came more than 48 hours after a grand jury indicted the 25-year department veteran on charges that include: three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count each of attempted rape, domestic violence and spousal rape...
  
• [CA] Hard for Sgt. Rodrigues to get a fair trial (with so many victims) - ...Rodrigues' attorney, Christopher R. Miller, filed a request this week that San Benito County Superior Court Judge Steven R. Sanders recuse himself from the case...
• [CA] Transcript on 8 felony counts against Rodrigues still sealed - ...Felony charges against Rodrigues include three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count each of spousal rape, attempted rape and domestic violence...
• [CA] Transcript details domestic violence, rapes attributed to Sgt. Rodrigues - ...The transcript of testimony was released Wednesday of three suspected victims and four other witnesses in front of the grand jury...
• [CA] To charge or not charge Ex-Sgt. Rodrigues who defiantly kept his guns? - ...A restraining order, filed by Rodrigues' estranged wife and signed by a San Benito County judge, prohibits Rodrigues from possessing any firearms or ammunition. No arrests were made, but state authorities forwarded the search results to the San Benito County District Attorney's Office to determine if Rodrigues will face charges...
  

SHERIFF:
"I want to apologize to every man woman and child..."

Ex-deputy arrested today, suspected of fourth rape count
Hollister Free Lance, CA
By Jeff Gatlin
and Kollin Kosmicki editor@freelancenews.com
Sep 24, 2008
[Excerpts] Deputies arrested former sheriff's Sgt. Mike Rodrigues today on suspicion of a fourth rape charge, and a judge later released him on his own recognizance... Rodrigues was set to be arraigned today on suspicion of three previous rape counts alleged by a grand jury... The sheriff, for the second time since Rodrigues' first arrest on rape charges in December, apologized to the community and also said he's "not happy" with the visiting judge's decision to release Rodrigues after authorities charged him with the additional rape count, along with two other felony counts alleging possession of firearms and ammunition while under a restraining order. Authorities today also charged Rodrigues on three misdemeanor counts on suspicion of violating a restraining order. The visiting judge, from Napa County, arraigned him on the prior rape counts and released Rodrigues on the condition that he agree to turn in his passport and not leave the county, [Sheriff Curtis] Hill said... Although Hill said Rodrigues was peacefully arrested, defense attorney Arthur Cantu contended otherwise... "How dare they file new charges? How dare they file new charges? This is nothing more than a witch hunt. This is nothing more than a vendetta between Mikey and his enemies in the sheriff's department." An investigation of Rodrigues, a 25-year sheriff's office veteran, resulted in the December indictment alleging three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count each of spousal rape, domestic violence and attempted rape. The sheriff today said he's sorry for the Rodrigues ordeal - he apologized emphatically in December after the indictment as well. "I want to apologize to every man woman and child in San Benito County," Hill said today. "We work to build trust in the community, and these allegations break that trust down." [Full article here]

[FL] Officr Treinen's stalking, cyberstalking, hacking into ex's world - charges

Police Officer Arrested On Stalking Charge
Local6.com, FL
September 25, 2008
[Excerpts] A Titusville police officer was arrested Wednesday in Alachua County on stalking and other charges. Adam Treinen faces several charges, including stalking, cyberstalking, accessing a computer without authority, making a false statement and falsifying an official document. According to University of Florida police, Treinen used his authority as an officer to harass, secure information and alter a computer account in connection with his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, a student at the university. Records indicated the warrant for Treinen's arrest stems from an incident that occurred Sept. 9 in which he breached the university's computer network and altered personal account information. Treinen has been placed on administrative leave pending an Internal Affairs investigation by the Titusville Police Department... [Full article here]

[NM] They say Lt. Parkins accidently killed himself with wife and son there

...He was standing near his wife and one of his sons when the gun went off...

Their sons are 8 and 11 years old.

Shotgun Blast Kills APD Officer - 15-Year Veteran Is Accidentally Shot
Albuquerque Journal (NM)
T.J. Wilham
September 25, 2008
[Excerpts] ...[Albuquerque Police Lt. Todd] Parkins, 38, was killed Wednesday when his shotgun accidentally went off inside his Cedar Crest home. He was standing near his wife and one of his sons when the gun went off. Parkins was preparing to leave with a group of officers on a four-day camping trip to the Pecos Mountains when he was either getting the gun out of a safe or putting it back in when it fired a shot into his chest. The 15-year APD veteran was taken to University of New Mexico Hospital, where he died. He is survived by his wife and two sons, ages 11 and 8. Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department deputies, who are handling the investigation, said they do not know what caused the shotgun to go off, although Undersheriff Sal Baragiola said it appears to have been an accident... Fellow officers say Parkins was a prankster, smiled a lot, was an avid outdoorsman, loved horses and ended every e-mail with a random Bible verse... "This is something you just don't expect," said Police Chief Ray Schultz, who promoted Parkins in 2006. "The entire law enforcement community is mourning right now."

Police: Officer Killed In Accidental Shooting
KOAT
September 24, 2008
[Excerpt] ...[Albuquerque Police Chief Ray] Schultz said services are planned for this Saturday at Hoffmantown Church at 10 a.m. Parkins' brother is a Bernalillo County deputy. His wife is a former APD officer. He has two children.

[MI] Update on hit-murder of Rose Cobb, wife of Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb

Man charged in more killings in Detroit
He told of hits on cop's wife, others
By Ben Schmitt bcschmitt@freepress.com
and Suzette Hackney
Detroit Free Press
[EXCERPTS] Self-professed hit man Vincent Smothers is charged with three additional homicides in Detroit, including one that had not surfaced in a previous confession. Smothers, 27, was recently arraigned on three more counts of first-degree murder in connection with killings from July 2006 through January 2007. He faces a total of six charges of first-degree murder... When Smothers was arrested in April, he confessed to killing seven people from August 2006 to December 2007. He told police he was paid between $5,000 and $15,000 for the jobs, and began to feel remorse for his actions only after he killed a Detroit police sergeant's wife. Smothers said he walked up to Rose Cobb, 47, as she sat in a vehicle in a CVS parking lot in Detroit on the day after Christmas and fatally shot her in the face and head as her husband, Sgt. David Cobb, shopped inside. Rose Cobb's slaying went unsolved for months, until Smothers was arrested and confessed to being hired by David Cobb to kill his wife. David Cobb was arrested a day after Smothers was, but Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said there was not enough evidence to charge him. Cobb remains free but suspended. He has said through his attorney that he never met Smothers... Smothers' name also surfaced last month in a civil lawsuit. Detroit police investigator Ira Todd asserted that he was transferred from a high-profile task force after he turned up an allegation linking Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to a reputed upper-level drug dealer. Todd said in the lawsuit that he established a link between Smothers and a reputed drug dealer in Lexington, Ky., who claimed to have personal and professional connections to Kilpatrick. After telling his superiors about the drug dealer's claims, Todd said he was told to take a vacation. He said he then was transferred out of the violent crimes task force, where he had worked since 1994, to a precinct. He said his bosses told him to turn over all the reports that referred to a link between Kilpatrick and the drug dealer. "He was told not to do anything further on it at all. Period," Todd's lawyer Mike Stefani said. [Full article here]

[NJ] Captain Coughlin's get out of jail free card on terroristic threatening and stalking charges

I just spent more time than I'm willing to admit scouring for an article either later or earlier than the one below from June regarding Captain Craig Coughlin's stalking and terroristic threatening charges.

Park Ridge,
please don't let her get hurt.

Park Ridge police captain charged with stalking
The Record
By Allison Pries priesa@northjersey.com
And Jason Tsai and tsai@northjersey.com
Thursday June 5, 2008
A Park Ridge police captain has been placed on administrative leave amid stalking and terroristic threat charges, police said. Craig Coughlin, 39, was arrested May 18 after his girlfriend filed charges against him. Municipal Judge Dennis Lahiff found probable cause to issue a complaint against Coughlin, Chief Joseph Madden said today. Coughlin was released on his own recognizance without having to post bail. '"There's an ongoing investigation going on.

Everyone
is innocent
until
proven
guilty,"
the chief said.

"I don't want to comment any more." The captain has been on leave from his $113,000-per-year job since his arrest, Madden said. Coughlin joined the Park Ridge Police Department in Feb. 1994. He was promoted to captain in Nov. 2007. "He has received numerous commendations… for excellent police work during his career," Madden said. When asked if there had been any disciplinary action taken against Coughlin, he said he could not comment on internal affairs. Because the charges involve an indictable offense, the case has been referred to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. "Screening will review whether to retain it as a criminal file or whether to remand it back" to Park Ridge, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said. If convicted of the terroristic threats charge, Coughlin faces losing his job and three to five years in prison, Molinelli said. A court date has not yet been set. . [LINK]

[TX] Officer Lozano's wife did not commit suicide

FORMER DENTON POLICE DETECTIVE INDICTED IN WIFE'S 2002 SHOOTING DEATH
Denton Record-Chronicle
By DONNA FIELDER dfielder@dentonrc.com
Thursday, September 25, 2008

The Denton County grand jury indicted former Denton Police Detective Robert "Bobby" Lozano today for murder in connection with the 2002 shooting death of his wife, Virginia "Viki" Lozano.

Bobby Lozano was indicted in December 2002 for murder in the case, but Bruce Isaacks, who was district attorney at the time, dropped the indictment in 2004, saying the Tarrant County medical examiner had changed his mind about his finding in the case and believed that Viki Lozano committed suicide.

A Sept. 7 Denton Record-Chronicle story detailed the police files in the case obtained through the Texas Open Records Act and quoted pathologist Gary Sisler saying he never changed his mind, never believed Viki Lozano committed suicide and was "flabbergasted" when he read that he had.

The story also included statements from five women who told police that Mr. Lozano had affairs with them and told them he couldn't leave his wife because of her family's wealth.

The investigation determined that Mr. Lozano's girlfriend at the time was pressuring him to leave his wife and that he had missed a deadline imposed by the girlfriend.

After the story ran, District Attorney Paul Johnson reopened the case and took it to the grand jury today. [LINK] [police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder alleged suicide said suicide texas state politics]

[TN] Memphis Police Officer Robert Burch armed & aimed threats to wife charge

Click photo to see larger

From the Blog: THADDEUS MATTHEWS: ANOTHER MEMPHIS POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
September 23, 2008
[Excerpt] Memphis police officer Robert Burch was arrested today on a charge of aggravated assault against his estranged wife. An Affidavit of Complaint states that on August 26, 2008 Mattie Burch the wife of Robert states that her husband pointed a gun at her and told her that he was going to blow her straight to Hell... [LINK TO HIS BLOG POST]

[UT] Firefighter Woods' 2nd domestic violence standoff will be his last

Farmington firefighter Brian Woods was killed after 12 hour stand-off. Brian had called dispatch and said come and get me.”

The protestors said if Wood had been allowed to talk to friends or family, the situation would not have ended the way it did...

[This writer believes Brian made his own choices and knew the possible consequences after 12 hours of armed resistance to police. Having had a prior standoff earlier in the year, he had a lot of time to process consequences. I believe it was traumatic for everyone who loved him, but possibly turned out the way Brian had intended. I'm praying for family, friends, and all of the law enforcement officers involved.]

MAN DIES AS FARMINGTON STANDOFF ENDS
By Nate Carlisle ncarlisle@sltrib.com
The Salt Lake Tribune
09/22/2008 06:23:06 PM MDT
[Excerpts] ARMINGTON - The man at the center of a daylong standoff here killed himself late Monday as police launched a barrage of flash grenades and tear gas. About 9:10 p.m., police began their attempt to subdue Brian Wood, a part-time Farmington firefighter, who had held police at bay with a gun since about 9:30 Monday morning... The Wood family was gathered near the police command center in the neighborhood when they were notified of his death. The family hugged and cried with one another. Earlier in the evening, Farmington Police Chief Wayne Hansen said Wood had been speaking with a negotiator and had not made any demands... But the standoff continued into the evening until police launched the grenade attack. The incident began around 9:30 a.m. as a report of a family fight, Hansen said. Wood, according to the police chief, fired one shot into a garbage can. Wood's wife and 10 year-old son left the house uninjured. At some point Wood took refuge in his truck and held police at bay with a gun... [Full article here]

UPDATE: MAN KILLED IN STAND-OFF, SHOT BY POLICE
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
By MITCH SHAW
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
[Excerpts] A part-time Farmington firefighter who died after a day-long stand-off Monday was shot by police, Farmington Police Chief Wayne Hansen said Tuesday evening... (Wood) had called dispatch and said come and get me,” Hansen said... It was reported at first that Wood had shot himself... A secretary at the man’s Westminster Presbyterian Church confirmed Tuesday morning that funeral plans and grief counseling sessions were being planned for the man’s family... Davis County Sheriff’s officers, Farmington Firefighters, a Clearfield K-9 unit, Bountiful Police, Utah Highway Patrol and the Davis County SWAT team were all called to the scene... About 10 family members stood near the outside perimeter of the blocked-off area but would not talk to reporters. Police dispatchers said the situation had begun as a domestic disturbance... Farmington Elementary was in a perimeter lockdown... At about 2:30 p.m. seven loud pops could be heard. Two of the women with the family group began crying. A police officer quickly ran over and said the noises were not gun shots, but canisters of tear gas that had been shot around the truck... A short time after the tear gas was reportedly fired, the man exited his truck with the gun to his head, then chest. He was communicating with negotiators through his cell phone. He then got back into the truck... [Full article here]

FRIENDS HORRIFIED BY SHOOTING IN FARMINGTON
Man killed when police move to end standoff
Deseret News
By Jens Dana jdana@desnews.com
Published: September 24, 2008
[Excerpts] ...friends of Farmington resident Brian Wood, 36, said police provoked him when they deployed tear gas and flash grenades as they moved on him late Monday night. "I just thought it was horrible," Farmington resident Wade Lake said of watching police close in on Wood, who had barricaded himself in his truck. "Just like someone tormenting an animal in a cage"... As police fired tear gas and set off flash grenades, Woods fired a shot and an officer returned fire, killing him, [Police Chief Wayne] Hansen said... Wood had been engaged in a daylong standoff with police from Farmington, Clearfield and Bountiful, as well as deputies from the Davis County Sheriff's Office, following a domestic dispute with his wife, Liz, at their home near 115 E. 100 North. During the argument, Wood reportedly fired a shot into a garbage can, prompting Liz Wood and the couple's 10-year-old son, Jake, to flee the house... Brian Wood then made the 911 call that alerted police to the incident and told police to "come and get (him)." But when police arrived, Wood barricaded himself in his pickup truck. "I think it's clear he didn't mean to surrender," Hansen said... Monday's incident was not his department's first run-in with Wood. Farmington police responded to the Wood home in March following a reported domestic dispute. Police were able to talk Wood into surrendering in that incident. He was arrested for investigation of domestic assault. Wade Lake said he's certain he could have defused the situation Monday if police had allowed him to talk to his lifelong friend. "I know I could have settled him down," Lake said. "He was very distraught"... Brian was a good man having the worst day of his life"... Pastor Neal Humphrey, of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fruit Heights, said he is providing spiritual counsel to Liz Wood and her family, who were at the mortuary during Tuesday's press conference. Humphrey said Liz Wood has barely been able give "yes" or "no" answers to questions about funeral arrangements since being told of her husband's death. "She's a mess," Humphrey said. He also said he's offered her some counsel on the tragic event. "It's safe to say ... that yesterday was the worst day of her life and now we can move on from there because it can't get any worse than this," he said... [Full article here]

POLICE SHOT, KILLED FARMINGTON FIREFIGHTER, CHIEF HANSEN SAYS
StandardNet, Utah
By Mitch Shaw
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
[Excerpts]...[Farmington Police Chief Wayne] Hansen said Wood had shot at a garbage can earlier in the day and then later had shot another round. He was not certain if the second shot was what caused the officer to shoot Wood. Wood had threatened officers verbally and displayed two handguns several times during the day. At times during the negotiations Wood would either hang up on officers, call back or not answer... In April, Wood had barricaded himself following a domestic violence situation, but had not displayed any guns... He was put on a leave of absence, said Farmington Fire Chief Larry Gregory, but returned to the fire department, where he has worked for the past three years. Counseling will be provided for the 34 part-time firefighters at a meeting tonight, Gregory said... Some of Wood's friends held signs across the street from the news conference protesting how Wood had died. One of the signs said, "Who do we call when we need protection from police?" "He needed a hug," said Evan Lake. "He needed love." Evan Lake lives near the fire and police station. His brother, Wade Lake, called police and asked if he could talk to Wood. "I was told I wasn't state-certified," said Wade Lake... Officers believed Wood was a danger to everyone, Hansen said... Neal Humphrey, Wood's pastor at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, spent Tuesday morning with Wood's family members, planning funeral services and grief counseling sessions. "He was a terrific person," he said. "He just got into a dark place and didn't know how to get out. It can happen to anyone"... [Full article here]

POLICE FIRED SHOT THAT KILLED MAN IN STANDOFF
Family, friends say they should have been allowed to persuade man to give up
By Nate Carlisle ncarlisle@sltrib.com
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Launched: 09/24/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
[Excerpts] ...Paul Waite, an assistant superintendent with the Davis School District and a close friend of the Wood family, said the Wood family did not want to speak to reporters on Tuesday. Waite maintained Wood was not an angry or aggressive person. Some of Wood's friends on Tuesday said they or family should have been allowed to speak with Wood to persuade him to surrender. Todd Barton, a childhood friend of Wood's who on Monday drove to Farmington from Provo when he heard of the standoff, said the show of force by police escalated the situation and Wood's family was told speaking to him would be against protocol... Barton said he and family were told Wood told nearby SWAT officers they did not have to walk to the police station to take a break - they could go into Wood's house, get a drink from the refrigerator and sit on his couch. "He was always this friend that was like the big teddy bear," Barton added. "He was always a kind and loving person"... [Full article here]



INDEPENDENT AGENCY WILL REVIEW DEADLY STANDOFF
KSL
By Shara Park spark@ksl.com
and Becky Bruce bbruce@ksl.com
September 24th, 2008
[Excerpts] The Davis County Attorney's office released a statement today saying it was a Davis County Deputy who shot and killed 36-year-old Brian Wood. The statement this morning said, "A thorough, fair, and objective review must be conducted to determine whether the officer's decision to use deadly force was justified"... The statement said, "While we are confident that we can and would make the proper decisions based on evidence, fact, and law, we are mindful that any questions related to potential conflicts between sister branches of Davis County Government should be eliminated"... Friends and neighbors of Brian Wood have reacted angrily to the handling of the situation and have held several protests... The protestors said if Wood had been allowed to talk to friends or family, the situation would not have ended the way it did... [Full article here]

On a different blog:
BRIAN WOOD'S FORCED SUICIDE WAS A MURDER
Blog: Forced Suicide
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Link to blog is here]