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Thursday, December 31, 2009

[IA] Tricia's Christmas

A Polk County sheriff's deputy was arrested after allegedly showing a Glock handgun and threatening to kill his wife on Christmas...

Previous post HERE.

DETAILS RELEASED IN POLK DEPUTY'S ARREST
Desmoines Register
By Danny Valentine dcvalentin@dmreg.com
December 28, 2009
A Polk County sheriff's deputy was arrested after allegedly showing a Glock handgun and threatening to kill his wife on Christmas, according to an Altoona police report. Deputy John Negrete, 41, allegedly threatened to kill Tricia Negrete around 10:20 p.m. Friday at their Altoona home, the report said. Tricia Negrete requested a no-contact order, according to police. The details contained in the police report were made available Sunday. John Negrete was booked at the Polk County Jail at 12:06 a.m. Saturday on charges of domestic assault with intent to commit injury and first-degree harassment, said Deputy Jana Rooker, a spokeswoman for the Polk County sheriff's office. Both are aggravated misdemeanors, punishable by a maximum of two years in prison and a $6,250 fine. Negrete was placed on paid administrative leave while the sheriff's office investigates the incident internally... He is free on $4,000 bond, Rooker said. A woman who answered the phone at the Negrete household declined to comment Sunday. [LINK]

PROBE OF DEPUTY'S ARREST CONTINUES
Desmoines Register
December 29, 2009
[Excerpts] The Polk County sheriff's office is awaiting results of an internal investigation before taking further action following the arrest of one of its deputies on charges of domestic assault with intent to commit injury and first-degree harassment. Sheriff's spokesman Keith Onley was not able to say when the investigation would conclude. Deputy John Negrete, 41, was put on paid leave after his arrest. He was arrested for allegedly showing a handgun to his wife on Christmas and then threatening to kill her... Iowa law states that the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council must strip an officer of his certification if he is convicted of domestic abuse or any felony or for selling or manufacturing illegal drugs. Iowa law also says decertified officers cannot be rehired here. Tricia Negrete requested a no-contact order, police said... He is free on $4,000 bond, officials said earlier. "We are going to wait for the office of professional standards - our internal affairs unit - to gather all the facts first and then go from there," Onley said. "No other action will be taken until that investigation is complete." [Full article here]
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[MI] 2 Grand Haven Police Officers, DeVries & DeVries, fired & domestic violence charge dropped

 ...Dana DeVries said she did not know why the charge was dismissed, but was happy with the decision...

Previous post HERE.

FORMER GRAND HAVEN OFFICERS FIRED AFTER DOMESTIC DISPUTE FIGHT TO GET JOBS BACK
The Grand Rapids Press
By John Tunison
December 30, 2009, 4:56PM
[Excerpts] Two married but estranged Grand Haven Public Safety officers [Dana and James "Todd" DeVries] say they plan to fight to get their jobs back after a November domestic dispute preceded their dismissals from the department... Details about the job fight emerged after prosecutors this week decided to dismiss a domestic violence charge against Dana DeVries, a 36-year-old award-winning officer prior to her Dec. 16 job loss. The order to dismiss the misdemeanor charge was signed by Holland District Judge Brad Knoll on Wednesday. Dana DeVries said she did not know why the charge was dismissed, but was happy with the decision...
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[OH] Officer McCann and woman-friend arrested for tasering & not protecting her young children

PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER, GIRLFRIEND INDICTED FOR CHILD ABUSE
Canton Repository
Shane Hoover
Dec 30, 2009
CANTON —
A part-time Dellroy police officer is facing charges that he abused two of his girlfriend’s young children with a Taser. Kevin L. McCann, 47, of 10188 Radmoor St. NW in Lawrence Township, was charged with two counts of felonious assault and two counts of felony child endangering. The mother of the children, Christina L. Robinson, 22, of the same address, was charged with four counts of felony child endangering. McCann and Robinson denied the charges Wednesday at their arraignments in Stark County Common Pleas Court... McCann used a Taser on Robinson’s 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son this summer, according to the indictment... [Full article here]
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[MS] Jackson Police Officer Smith and his wife arrested for domestic violence.

JPD Officer, Wife Charged With Domestic Violence
Officers Called To Patrick Smith’s Home
WAPT
December 30, 2009
JACKSON, Miss. -- A Jackson police officer and his wife have both been charged with domestic violence, Jackson Police Department officials said. JPD officers were called Monday to Patrick Smith’s home. An officer reported seeing blood and bruising on Smith and his wife, Saundra Smith. They were both arrested and charged with domestic violence, JPD officials said. JPD officials haven’t made a decision as to whether Patrick Smith will face disciplinary action. [LINK]
OFFICER-INVOLVED
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
IS NOT 
A PRIVATE MATTER
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

[ PA] Latest on jaw-dislocating Sgt. Hlavac - He may get fired. Police union prez blames anti-domestic violence groups (Hunh?).

...[Dan O'Hara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1] blamed intense political pressure from anti-domestic violence groups for the [disciplinary] panel's quick decision to suspend and then terminate [Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Eugene]Hlavac...

Does that make the police union pro-domestic violence
or pro-batterer?
Domestic violence neutral or apathetic?

This union has been openly making statements since 2007 that convinced me that protecting the rights of officers is not their main objective. Their statements have centered on defending the Pittsburgh Police Department's right to continue handling accusations made against officers the way they traditionally have - their way - with no outside eyes, opinions, or state law mumbo jumbo necessary... as a private affair that does not have to consider the citizen's right to law-abiding officers or a victim's right to be protected by the law AND THE POLICE from further harm. Accountability is not their business. (Catch me if you can.)

With Sgt. Hlavac's years of training and policing it's hard to imagine he had to knock his victim's jaw away from it's rightful place in her head to "defend" himself. I would have thought that this is one of Pittsburgh's officers who would be extra careful about knocking women's heads around after all the previous discussion on his history of domestic conflict -NATIONAL NEWS AND SCANDAL. And even still... He goes for her head with force.

Amazing. Dumbfounding.

It's a new day and a new era. It will never go back to the good ol' days and eventually the good ol' boys will retire. The people of Pittsburgh have already demonstrated that they will be watchdogging Pittsburgh PD until it becomes what the rest of the county will point to as a model of professionalism concerning officer involved domestic violence. Imagine that!  :) High five to the citizens of Pittsburgh for what you have accomplished and showing the rest of us how it should be done.

No turnin' back now... too much left yet to do.

Last blog post on Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Eugene Hlavac:
[PA] In Sgt. Hlavac's 3rd domestic incident his felony aggravated assault charge is reduced to a misdemeanor - A Pittsburgh police sergeant [Eugene Hlavac] accused of dislocating his ex-girlfriend's jaw in a case of domestic violence got his charge reduced from felony aggravated assault to a much lesser count of simple assault on Tuesday. "He's going to enjoy a great Christmas dinner. She's going to have to drink hers through a straw," said Jeanne Clarke, of the National Organization for Women... Hlavac's lawyer asked for the entire case to be dropped on Tuesday, but that request was denied by the judge...

Current news:
...Hlavac's attorney has said the sergeant was attacked and merely defending himself...

ACCUSED PITTSBURGH OFFICER MAY BE FIRED
By Jeremy Boren jboren@tribweb.com
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Pittsburgh police sergeant accused of slapping his girlfriend is facing termination after a five-day, unpaid suspension. A police disciplinary panel made the ruling today after meeting for about an hour with Sgt. Eugene Hlavac, 41, of Greenfield, at police headquarters on the North Side. "I've been a police officer since 1991, and I've never been more eager to go to court. I'll see all of you there," Hlavac told a group of reporters before leaving police headquarters. Dan O'Hara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1, said the union plans to appeal the decision to city Public Safety Director Mike Huss next week. "This is a miscarriage of justice," said O'Hara... O'Hara blamed intense political pressure from anti-domestic violence groups for the panel's quick decision to suspend and then terminate Hlavac. Hlavac is awaiting trial on a charge of simple assault. His girlfriend... accused him of slapping her and dislocating her jaw... Hlavac's criminal attorney, has denied the accusation and said Maughan was the aggressor. [Full article here]

PA. OFFICER SUSPENDED, TO BE FIRED IN SLAP CASE
The Associated Press
Updated: 12/29/2009 12:09:20 PM EST
Pittsburgh's police chief has suspended a sergeant for five days pending his eventual firing for allegedly slapping his former girlfriend so hard he dislocated her jaw. Chief Nate Harper made that decision following a 90-minute disciplinary hearing Tuesday for 42-year-old Eugene Hlavac (huh-LAH'-vac) Jr. The sergeant is awaiting trial on a simple assault charge in the incident Dec. 18... Hlavac's attorney has said the sergeant was attacked and merely defending himself... [Full article here]

Youtube: 
Local Police Learn Ultimate Fighting Skills
 wtaetv
WHOOP. POLICE CAN HANDLE A SITUATION WITHOUT HURTING SOMEONE?  COULD HLAVAC HAVE HANDLED THE SITUATION WITHOUT REARRANGING THE CONTENTS OF THE VICTIM'S HEAD?


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[AL] Officer Ellison taken into custody for domestic violence


MONTGOMERY POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED
WSFA
Mario Hendricks
Dec 27, 2009 4:49 PM PST
[Excerpts] Montgomery Police units responded... A female complaint indicated that she and her husband, Montgomery Police Officer Andre L. Ellison, were involved in a physical altercation. After determining that Officer Ellison was the primary aggressor, he was taken into custody and charged with domestic violence in the third degree... Ellison was placed on administrative duties as MPD prepares to conduct an internal investigation. [Full article here]
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[CA] Riverside Police Detective Impola charges at estranged wife's home look like Abuse of Power mixed with his SWAT tactical training background

Accused: ...[S.W.A.T. trained Riverside Police Detective Scott Alan] Impola was outside his wife's apartment when he requested the records check.... looked through the living room window... knocked on the door... pushed his way inside... then used his hand to choke and punch the victim in the head with his fist...

Also see:
"Another Day, Another RPD officer arrested?" on  Five before Midnight blog, "dedicated to the continuous oversight of the Riverside(CA)Police Department..."

And to Det. Impola - don't worry about taking your photo down from where it is. I'm not going to post it.

COP ACCUSED OF BEATING WIFE'S BOYFRIEND
The Press-Enterprise
Richard Brooks
December 28, 2009
[Excerpts] A Riverside police detective is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on misdemeanor charges that accuse him of forcing his way into the apartment of his estranged wife and beating her male companion, according to court documents. Det. Scott Alan Impola faces one count each of running an unauthorized license plate check on an SUV driven by Michael Ernest Garcia, trespassing by forcing his way into the Riverside home of Tina Anderson Impola, and assaulting Garcia... Impola remains employed by the police department pending the outcome of the court case and an administrative investigation... At the time of the confrontation, the 42-year-old detective and his wife had been separated about a year and lived apart, according to the affidavit. Impola was outside his wife's apartment about 9 p.m. when he requested the records check, which constituted a willful and unauthorized disclosure of Department of Motor Vehicles information, Soler wrote. Impola looked through the living room window about 9:45 p.m. and saw her and Garcia on a couch, Soler wrote. When Tina Impola saw her husband, she confronted him on the front porch, then went back inside and shut the door, the affidavit says. Seconds later, the detective knocked on the door and said he wanted to talk, but allegedly pushed his way inside when his wife opened the door. "The suspect then used his hand to choke (Garcia) and punched the victim in the head with his fist," Soler wrote. "Suspect Impola eventually let go of the victim, walked outside and waited for the police." Impola invoked his Miranda rights and refused to make a statement, according to the court document. Paramedics treated Garcia for bruises on his forehead, scratches on his neck and cheek, and swollen eyes. Impola is described in the affidavit as 6-feet-2 and 210 pounds. Garcia's size isn't mentioned... [Full article here]
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[US] [FL] Wife of U.S. Border Agent Rodriguez flees home & he wages an armed standoff with SWAT (Everyone's alive!)

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent is hospitalized today after a weekend argument with his wife at their suburban West Palm Beach home escalated into an armed standoff with Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies... He was booked on multiple charges, including aggravated armed assault on a law enforcement officer... Family members said Rodriguez had revealed suicidal thoughts because of marital problems and stress from his Border Patrol job. According to reports, deputies were called Saturday night to Rodriguez' home because of a domestic dispute between the officer and his wife...

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION PATROL OFFICER SHOT AND ARRESTED
WPTV
Reported by: David Gould dmgould@wptv.com
Dec. 28, 2009
[Excerpts] US Customs and Border Protection officer Luis Rodriguez told family members that he wanted to be shot to death during a confrontation with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Rodriguez in his arrest report says that he was suicidal due to marital problems as well as the stress of his law enforcement job. Early... Deputies say that Rodriguez was armed with a semi-automatic handgun which he pointed at them. Officers fearing for their safety shot Luis Rodriguez in the stomach... Luis Rodriguez has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm on a police officer. [Full article here]

FLA. BORDER PATROL AGENT ARRESTED AFTER STANDOFF
The Associated Press
Dec. 28, 2009
[Excerpts] ...Authorities say a domestic dispute between Rodriguez and his wife escalated into an armed standoff that ended with Rodriguez being shot by a sheriff's deputy with a non-lethal weapon. They say Rodriguez pointed a gun at deputies. He was booked on multiple charges, including aggravated armed assault on a law enforcement officer... [Full article here]

BORDER AGENT CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ARMED ASSAULT ON 2 SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
By Eliot Kleinberg
Dec. 28, 2009
[Excerpts] A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent is hospitalized today after a weekend argument with his wife at their suburban West Palm Beach home escalated into an armed standoff with Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies, authorities said. One deputy shot Luis Paul Rodriguez with a "knock down" rubber bullet, while another deputy fired his assault rifle but missed, after Rodriguez pointed a handgun at them... Rodriguez, 52, had called 911 to say he planned to shoot deputies in the knees to prompt them to kill him, reports said. The agent, hit in the abdomen with a shot from the 40-millimeter rubber bullet, was taken to Delray Medical Center after the incident for a bite by a police dog... Ron Smith, a spokesman in Washington for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said today the agency was doing an internal investigation. He said Rodriguez had been with the agency since 1987... Rodriguez' mother was in the home, but he never threatened her, the sheriff's office said. Family members said Rodriguez had revealed suicidal thoughts because of marital problems and stress from his Border Patrol job. According to reports, deputies were called Saturday night to Rodriguez' home, near Jog Road and Okeechobee Boulevard because of a domestic dispute between the officer and his wife. The wife left, and deputies left as well. Deputies returned around 1:30 a.m. Sunday because Rodriguez had called 911 saying he planned to come out, armed; and while he refused to kill a fellow law enforcement officer, he was prepared to shoot arriving deputies in the knees to prompt them to shoot back and kill him. The report said Rodriguez then stepped outside armed with a black semi-automatic handgun. He swept it toward Burdick and another deputy and Burdick fired his rifle, missing Rodriguez as the agent dashed back inside. He eventually came out with his hands up and his handgun in his waistband. While he didn't appear to be reaching for his gun, he also ignored orders to get down, and that's when Wood shot him with the non-lethal gun, the report said. Rodriguez then walked back into his home, again ignoring the deputies' orders. At that point, deputies called for the sheriff's SWAT team and police dogs, and after a standoff, Rodriguez came out a third time around 4 a.m. and finally surrendered after yet another scuffle in which the dog bit him, the sheriff's office said. The special weapon used to shoot Rodriguez is larger than a handgun but smaller than a rifle and is more of a launcher than a gun, the sheriff's office said. It fires a 4-inch long, 1.6-inch diameter sponge-nosed plastic projectile that weighs 1.1 ounces. According to the manufacturer, Defense Technology, the projectile is "most commonly used by tactical teams in situations where maximum deliverable energy is desired for the incapacitation of an aggressive, non-compliant subject." http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/border-agent-charged-with-aggravated-armed-assault-on-152760.html
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Monday, December 28, 2009

[TX] DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS OFFICER ALBERT TURNER WANTED FOR FAMILY DOUBLE-MURDER. ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

Texas Department of Corrections Officer Albert Turner is wanted in connection with the slaying of his wife and mother-in-law. He may be driving a 1994 maroon Honda Accord with Texas license plate 494-JFY. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact authorities. Killed: wife Keitha Frank Turner and her mother Betty Jo Frank. “He's armed. He's dangerous. He needs to be taken into custody”...



POLICE: TDCJ OFFICER WANTED FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING WIFE, MOTHER-IN-LAW
Credit: Rosenberg Police Dept.
by Rosa Flores / 11 News
December 27, 2009
[Excerpts] A corrections officer is wanted for murder and a Rosenberg congregation is mourning the loss of two of their own. One by one, members of The Church of Living Waters in Rosenberg left Sunday service filled with grief. During the service they learned two members of the pastor’s family were murdered overnight. “We know that there was a cutting instrument that was involved. Both victims were stabbed,” said Lt. Colin Davidson from Rosenberg Police Department. Police say it all happened inside Pastor Gene and Betty Jo Frank’s home... The couple and their daughter were violently attacked while four grandchildren watched. Now the young children’s father, 44-year-old Albert Turner, who is also a Texas Department of Corrections jail guard is wanted for the murder of his wife, Keitha Frank Turner and the murder of his mother-in-law Betty Jo Frank. Just the thought that the suspect is still on the loose has some people in the Chestnut neighborhood terrified. At least three homeowners plan to leave their homes for a few days. Other neighbors are in disbelief... Turner could be on his way to Florida, where he is from. Authorities around the state are on the lookout for Turner’s car, a maroon Honda Accord with the license plate 494-JFY, and police say you be should too. “The violent crime scene that the police officers encountered, I haven’t seen anything like this since I’ve been here. I would definitely say armed and dangerous,” said Lt. Davidson. And while police are not discussing a motive neighbors say this time the violence went too far. “Supposedly he was abusive to her,” said Sparks. [Full article here]

PRISON GUARD ACCUSED IN ROSENBERG SLAYINGS
Manhunt under way after his wife and mother-in-law are stabbed to death

By Paige Hewitt
Houston Chronicle
Dec. 28, 2009, 6:48AM
[Excerpts] A multistate manhunt continues today for a Texas prison guard accused in the killings of his wife and mother-in-law, who were stabbed in front of children in Rosenberg earlier in the day, officials said.
Authorities are searching for 44-year-old Albert James Turner, who is charged in the deaths of 39-year-old Keitha Frank Turner and 66-year-old Betty Jo Frank, said Lt. Colin Davidson of the Rosenberg Police Department. The two women were the daughter and wife of prominent Rosenberg preacher Gene Frank of the Church of Living Waters, Davidson... Eyewitnesses, including a child who called 911, identified Turner as the killer, Davidson said, and the sound of children screaming can be heard in the background of the call. “The children did witness some of it, yes,” Davidson said... Turner fled the scene before police arrived... [Full article here]

POLICE SEEK MAN IN ROSENBERG DOUBLE SLAYING
Mother, Daughter Fatally Stabbed

click2houston.com
POSTED: Sunday, December 27, 2009
UPDATED: 5:37 pm CST December 27, 2009
[Excerpts] ...Investigators said 44-year-old Albert Turner is believed to be on the run, and that law enforcement agencies along Interstate 10 all the way to Florida are on alert. “He's armed. He's dangerous. He needs to be taken into custody,” said Lt. Colin Davidson, with the Rosenberg Police Department, of Turner. Police said Turner was staying with his in-laws, Gene and Betty Joe Frank, on Saturday night with his wife and children when something went awry... “When I heard parts of the tape, all I heard was screaming and digits being pushed on the phone,” said Davidson. Responding officers found 66-year-old Betty Jo Frank had been stabbed to death and her 39-year-old daughter, Keitha Turner, had also been stabbed. Keitha Turner later died at a nearby hospital. Police said the Turners' two children -- the oldest of which is 12 -- where in the home during the attack, and police said they, along with their grandfather, were still in the home when police arrived, but Albert Turner was gone... Albert Turner is wanted in connection with the slaying of his wife and mother-in-law, and said he may be driving a 1994 maroon Honda Accord with Texas license plate 494-JFY. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact authorities... “Betty Jo didn't talk about her family -- the negatives,” [family friend Carol] Hamrick said. “She only talked about positives.” The Franks are well-known for many positive contributions, including the founding of the Church of Living Waters in Rosenberg and the Living Water Christian School, where Keitha Turner taught. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities murder texas state children]

[IN] Resigned from Roseland after caught on tape, Jack Tiller - now a Walkerton Officer - accused of hurting his own daughter



Pray for this family. His daughter will always be his daughter.

WALKERTON OFFICER INVESTIGATED FOR ABUSE
WSBT
By DAVE STEPHENS, Tribune Staff Writer
Dec 14, 2009 at 7:42 PM EST
[Excerpts] A Walkerton police officer has been accused of child abuse, in an incident that was reported last week to St. Joseph County police.Jack Tiller, an officer with the Walkerton Police Department in far southwest St. Joseph County, is accused of abusing his daughter at the family’s home, allegedly punching her in the arm and face, throwing her to the ground and spitting on her... Sgt. Bill Redman, St. Joseph County police spokesman, said the girl complained to an officer at Penn High School, who reported seeing bruises on the girl’s arm and head. According to Redman, the girl told police the fight occurred after she kept her father waiting to pick her up at the school. St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak said the case has been received by the prosecutor’s office Special Victims/Family Violence unit, but no charging decision has been made yet. Tiller’s current status with the Walkerton Police Department is not known... Tiller is the former town marshal of Roseland... In December 2007, Tiller was the subject of a grand jury investigation after he was accused of battering then-Roseland Town Council member David Snyder during an arrest, but no charges were ever filed in the case... [Full article here]



WALKERTON POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF CHILD ABUSE
36-year-old Jack Tiller is accused of abusing his 16-year-old daughter at their home in Mishawaka.
WNDU-TV
Dec 18, 2009
[Excerpts] Charges have been filed against the Walkerton police officer accused of abusing his teenage daughter. 36-year-old Walkerton Officer Jack Tiller is being charged with misdemeanor battery on accusations of abusing his 16-year-old daughter. Tiller must appear in court on January 12th. You may remember Tiller from his time as a Roseland police officer, when he was accused of hitting David Snyder during a town meeting... Tiller was apparently upset because his daughter was late when he picked her up from an after-school activity. Tiller has not been arrested... [Full article here] 

WALKERTON POLICE OFFICER CHARGED
By WSBT News1
Dec 18, 2009
[Excerpts] A misdemeanor charge has been authorized against Jack Tiller, an officer with the Walkerton Police Department. Catherine Wilson, St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office spokeswoman, said Tiller is being summoned to appear on a Class A misdemeanor battery charge. He is to appear Jan. 12... [Full article here] 

FROM 2007: 

TOWN MARSHAL LAID OFF IN ROSELAND
WSBT
By Beth Boehne
Nov 16, 2007
[Excerpt] Roseland officially laid off the town marshal Friday. Jack Tiller resigned his post last month, but wrote a letter asking to be laid off instead... Councilman David Snyder also accused Tiller of brutality during his arrest in August. Snyder voted against Tiller's layoff, citing his letter of resignation. He was also the lone no-vote in promoting Deputy Town Marshal Craig Toner to the position. Snyder says the police department itself should be disbanded... [Full article here]

That article doesn't give clue to WHY Council Member Snyder opposed promoting Craig Toner to the position of Roseland Town Marshal as Tiller was on his way out - but Craig Toner is ALSO on this blog, here: 
[IN] Police Officer Craig Toner's "little bit of a physical argument"
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[SC] Greenville County Sheriff Loftis fired Deputy McKaig when he heard what happened

...[Greenville County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric] McKaig had been assigned a deputy with the sheriff's office but was terminated from that position after the disturbance call was received...



GREENVILLE DEPUTY FIRED AFTER BEING ARRESTED FOR POINTING A GUN
Greenville News
Richard Walton
December 26, 2009
[Excerpts] A Greenville County sheriff’s deputy was terminated Saturday after he was charged with pointing a gun at a female acquaintance that he’d gotten into an argument with in Simpsonville, a deputy said. The deputy, Eric McKaig, 43, of 715 Peterman Place, Greer, was charged with pointing a gun at a person, assault of high and aggravated nature, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Deputy Melissia McKinney and several arrest warrants. McKaig is also accused of striking and throwing objects at an unidentified woman, who summoned deputies to 114 Morell Drive at 3 p.m... When two deputies responded to a domestic violence call, McKaig allegedly kicked and pushed the officers who were trying to separate the two... McKaig was later charged with two counts of resisting arrest and assaulting the two lawmen... Later, Sheriff Steve Loftis terminated McKaig... The first time, he was employed from 1996 through 2003; he was rehired from 2005 to the present... Loftis was advised of McKaig’s action and directed his direct supervisor to fire him. McKaig was scheduled for a bond hearing Saturday night at the Greenville County Detention Center, where he was being held... [Full article here]

GREENVILLE COUNTY DEPUTY ARRESTED, FIRED
Eric McKaig Faces Battery Charges
foxcarolina.com
9:38 pm EST December 26, 2009
[Excerpts] ...Greenville County deputies said Saturday that they arrested a former deputy while responding to a disturbance call in Simpsonville... According to Greenville County Sheriff's Office, [Eric] McKaig had been assigned a deputy with the sheriff's office but was terminated from that position after the disturbance call was received.... McKaig was charged with one count of pointing and presenting a firearm, one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and two counts of assault and battery on a police officer while resisting arrest, according to the sheriff's office. He has been placed in the Greenville County Detention Center to await a bond hearing. [Full article here]


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Sunday, December 27, 2009

[IA] Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy John Negrete charged with 1st degree domestic assault with intent to commit injury, 1st degree harassment

POLK COUNTY DEPUTY ARRESTED ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE
The Des Moines Register
By Daniel Finney
December 26, 2009
[Excerpts] A Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested early Saturday on charges of domestic assault and harassment after an incident at his Altoona home. Deputy John Negrete, 41, was booked in the Polk County Jail at 12:06 a.m. on charges of first-degree domestic assault with intent to commit injury and first-degree harassment, said Deputy Jana Rooker, spokeswoman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Negrete was placed on paid administrative leave while the sheriff’s office of professional standards conducts an internal investigation of the incident, Rooker said. Negrete is free on $2,000 bond... Negrete, a deputy with at least 15 years experience, is a member of the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Team... [Full article here]

POLK DEPUTY CHARGED WITH ASSAULT, HARASSMENT
The Des Moines Register
Daniel P. Finney - Danny Valentine
December 27, 2009
[Excerpt] ...Negrete, who has at least 15 years of experience, is a member of the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement team. He is free on $2,000 bond, [spokeswoman for the Polk County sheriff's office, Deputy Jana] Rooker said. [Full article here][police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner abuse law enforcement public safety iowa state]

[MI] Confessed hitman that killed Sgt. David Cobb's wife, Rose, tried to take his own life


Self-professed hit man tries to kill himself
Detroit Free Press
December 26, 2009
A self-professed hit man who police said claimed he killed a Detroit police officer’s wife tried to commit suicide this morning, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Vincent Smothers, 28, was found hanging just before 8:30 a.m. at the Wayne County Jail, according to a news release. Smothers was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His condition was not available. Smothers was arrested in April 2008 and is awaiting trial on a slew of cases including the killing of Rose Cobb, who was married to a Detroit police sergeant who may have contracted her hit. Smothers’ last court appearance was in October. He was being held in the Wayne County Jail on 28 charges, 13 of which are first-degree murder charges. [Link]

Previous blog entries:

Friday, December 25, 2009

[KY] Mayor suspends Police Chief Herron - Their children say they saw Herron choking mom

MORTONS GAP POLICE CHIEF SUSPENDED
14WFIE.com
By Cory Stark
Posted: Dec 24, 2009
[Excerpts] The police chief of Mortons Gap, Kentucky has been suspended from his duties after being charged with 4th degree assault. We also learned that the police chief has a previous criminal record. Chief Donald Jay Herron, 50, was issued a criminal summons earlier this month, accused of assaulting his wife. This week, Frank Stafford, Mayor of Mortons Gap, made the decision to suspend Herron as police chief. Herron is suspended without pay due to an incident deputies say took place on December 2... [Their] son showed deputies a text from his mother saying Donald had assaulted her and broken things in the kitchen. The children also said they witnessed Donald with his hand around Dorothy's neck... Mayor Stafford says Herron voluntarily took the suspension... 14 News looked into his previous criminal record. It includes two separate arrests in 2003... [Full article here]


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Thursday, December 24, 2009

[IL] Near-fired Deputy Nasseri "resigns" instead after being charged with domestic battery

A McLean County Deputy [Ramin Nasseri] facing domestic battery charges has quit. "It's very disappointing. We have a very strict department policy that governs off-duty conduct. In my opinion, he violated his deputy sheriff's oath of office," said McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery...

SHERIFF EXPECTED TO RECOMMEND FIRING OF DEPUTY ARRESTED IN DOMESTIC INCIDENT
Bloomington Pantagraph
By Edith Brady-Lunny
Monday, December 21, 2009 12:50 pm (110) Comments
[Excerpts] A McLean County deputy placed on administrative leave after his arrest on domestic battery charges could lose his job if the merit commission accepts a recommendation expected from Sheriff Mike Emery. Deputy Ramin Nasseri faces three counts of domestic battery following an incident Thursday night in which he is accused of physically abusing his girlfriend and spitting cookies in her face. The 29-year-old deputy was questioned and arrested by Bloomington police Friday and posted $100 to be released after a Saturday court appearance. He was also ordered to avoid contact with the victim. Emery said Monday that reports from an internal investigation are expected Tuesday and based on initial information he has received, he plans to ask the McLean County Sheriff's Merit Commission to fire the deputy. "It's very disappointing. We have a very strict department policy that governs off-duty conduct. In my opinion, he violated his deputy sheriff's oath of office," said Emery. The deputy's leave status will change from paid to unpaid after documents are filed with the merit commission... Nasseri was ordered to turn over sheriff's department equipment and uniforms before his release on bond... [Full article here]

MCLEAN CO. DEPUTY RESIGNS
Central Illinois Proud, WMBD/WYZZ
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 @04:48pm CST
[Excerpt] ...Tuesday afternoon McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery held a news conference announcing Nasseri's resignation following a brief internal investigation.  Sheriff Emery thanked Nasseri for his 3 years of service to McLean County, but says the allegations against him have hurt staff members working to maintain a high level of professionalism.  Former deputy Nasseri told Emery that he has issues with alcohol abuse and needs treatment... [Full article here]

MCLEAN COUNTY DEPUTY RESIGNS AFTER DOMESTIC BATTERY CHARGES
Bloomington Pantagraph
By M.K. Guetersloh
December 22, 2009 6:05 pm - 50 Comments
[Excerpts] A McLean County deputy facing domestic battery charges has quit... The 29-year-old [Ramin Nasseri] was arrested by Bloomington police Friday and posted $100 to be released from jail following a weekend court appearance. Nasseri had been with the department for three years. On Monday, Emery said he would ask the McLean County Sheriff's Merit Commission to fire Nasseri. That action will not be necessary now, Emery said. Nasseri's resignation also ends an internal investigation by the sheriff's department, Emery added. "He took the honorable step to resign," Emery said. "He embarrassed the department and he knows it"... After treatment, Nasseri will be ineligible to be rehired by the sheriff's department, Emery said. The sheriff's department's investigation is separate from the investigation by Bloomington police into the incident, and the deputy's resignation does not end the criminal case against him.... Nasseri allegedly struck the woman, who ran out of the home during the dispute. The deputy told investigators he recalled drinking but did not know how he received several scratches on his face, said prosecutors... [Full article here]
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[CA] Shannon Roberts' lawsuit cites "a concerted conspiracy to cover-up and protect" her abusive police officer husband


..."James Roberts was able to carry on an extensive pattern of violent, threatening and otherwise illegal conduct directed at (Shannon Roberts and her son) as a result of a concerted conspiracy to cover-up and protect Roberts," said the suit filed Nov. 24...

Previous posts:
 

 
SUIT: POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF COVERED UP OFFICER'S ABUSE OF EX
The Orange County Register
By Annie Burris
December 22, 2009 3:23 PM

HUNTINGTON BEACH – The former wife of a police officer has filed a lawsuit against the Huntington Beach Police Department and police chief, alleging that they tried to cover up abuse by her ex-husband.

The lawsuit by Shannon Roberts also names her former husband, James Roberts III, her husband's supervisor who is also his cousin, and another officer, alleging that they knew of abuse by Roberts, which included rape, destruction of furniture and a family picture, and assault in front of the couple's son.

"(James) Roberts was able to carry on an extensive pattern of violent, threatening and otherwise illegal conduct directed at (Shannon Roberts and her son) as a result of a concerted conspiracy to cover-up and protect Roberts," said the suit filed Nov. 24.

Police Chief Ken Small said the department is doing an internal investigation into Shannon Robert's claims of a cover-up. He declined to comment on specifics about the case.

"People can write whatever they want to write in a lawsuit," he said. "What's important is what's (brought) out in trial. ... I think it is probably true of every lawsuit that what is alleged in the first claim and lawsuit is probably not what happened."

James Roberts is on paid administrative leave and receives a monthly salary of about $7,274.80. He could not be reached for comment.

Roberts, 33, was arrested Sept. 2 and charged with physically abusing Shannon Roberts and his girlfriend. He pleaded not guilty to 17 felony counts of false imprisonment, threats, domestic battery, aggravated assault, dissuading a witness by force or threat, and vandalism. A pretrial hearing for the criminal charges is set for Jan. 11.

John Barnett, Roberts' attorney for the criminal charges, said that the allegations of abuse are "absurd." He said Shannon Roberts contacted her former husband before and after the incidents she alleged seeking his "companionship."

"This is all nonsense," Barnett said. "At no time was there any forceful sexual activity between them. ... There was never any violence directed towards her."

The lawsuit also said Orange County deputy district attorneys discovered irregularities in police conduct and that they told Shannon Roberts that police should have stopped the abuse and were involved in a major cover-up. One prosecutor called the Huntington Beach police "dirty cops," the suit said.

Prosecutors who talked with Shannon Roberts were not immediately available for comment.

ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE

James and Shannon Roberts were married in 2003, the suit said. Three years later, Shannon Roberts learned that her husband had been having an affair for a year and a half, according to the suit. James Roberts moved out of their Huntington Beach home in February 2006, the suit said.

The lawsuit claims that the abuse began in June 2007, and a month later Shannon Roberts filed for divorce and went to Arizona with her son to avoid further violence. While she was in Arizona, Roberts got a call from James Roberts in which he said he had destroyed their home in Huntington Beach, the suit states.

Shannon Roberts claims she called the police in Huntington Beach, but they refused to take any action.

When she got back to Huntington Beach, she found that her husband had used a propane tank to destroy furniture and personal belongings, the suit said.

She called the police saying she feared for her and her son's safety but the police "refused to report the incident" and "fraudulently informed" her that because the house was community property, her husband was allowed by law to destroy it, the suit said.

Roberts went to her husband's apartment Sept. 27, 2007, for her son's birthday, the suit said, and according to the suit, Roberts physically attacked her there in front of their son.

On Oct. 31 that year, the lawsuit said, James Roberts found that his wife was text messaging a man and he "became enraged" and broke the cell phone, ripped off her clothes and raped her. Police officers later said that a husband cannot be criminally liable for raping his wife, the suit said.

"Roberts repeatedly said that he owned her and was going to get her pregnant so they could be a family again," the suit said.

A month later, Shannon Roberts called police when James Roberts was abusing her, the lawsuit said. The son was at the home and asked his dad to stop abusing his mother, the suit said. His son also slapped his father in the face during a separate abuse incident asking him to leave them alone, the suit said.

SUIT: DISPATCHER AIDED OFFICER

The 911 dispatcher called James Roberts and asked what officers he wanted to respond to the scene "to ensure that no adverse action would be taken against him,'' according to the suit.

Shannon Roberts claims that her husband was enraged that she had called the police, saying he could lose his job, the suit said. He told her that if she sought a restraining order against him, he would "blow her (expletive) brains out,'' the suit said.

When police officers arrived, they gave James Roberts a ride home, drove his truck home for him, and refused to help Shannon Roberts, the suit said.

On May 11, 2008, James Roberts was on police duty in uniform and in a police car, when he came to the home and started arguing with his wife and broke a vase and a family picture, according to the suit. Another officer waited in the police car during the incident, the suit said.

The couple's divorce was finalized Nov. 13, 2008.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/roberts-225341-suit-police.html
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner abuse law enforcement public safety california lethal brutal]

    [PA] In Sgt. Hlavac's 3rd domestic incident his felony aggravated assault charge is reduced to a misdemeanor


    A Pittsburgh police sergeant [Eugene Hlavac] accused of dislocating his ex-girlfriend's jaw in a case of domestic violence got his charge reduced from felony aggravated assault to a much lesser count of simple assault on Tuesday. "He's going to enjoy a great Christmas dinner. She's going to have to drink hers through a straw," said Jeanne Clarke, of the National Organization for Women... Hlavac's lawyer asked for the entire case to be dropped on Tuesday, but that request was denied by the judge...

    Last post:
    [PA] Is the domestic abuse of Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Hvalac violent enough yet to be taken seriously?

    JUDGE APPROVES PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER AGAINST CITY OFFICER
    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Thursday, December 24, 2009
    [Excerpts] A judge yesterday approved a protection from abuse order against a Pittsburgh police sergeant accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend last week. The order, signed by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kathryn Hens-Greco, instructs Sgt. Eugene F. Hlavac Jr., 42, to give up all his firearms, including his duty weapon... On Tuesday, a district judge reduced the assault charge facing Sgt. Hlavac from a felony to a misdemeanor. Sgt. Hlavac ... is temporarily assigned to the warrant office while police bureau officials conduct an internal investigation. [Full article here]



    PITTSBURGH POLICE SERGEANT FACES TRIAL ON REDUCED CHARGE
    Tribune-Review
    By Bobby Kerlik
    Wednesday, December 23, 2009
    [Excerpts] An Allegheny County judge Tuesday ordered a Pittsburgh police sergeant accused of slapping his former girlfriend to stand trial on a reduced assault charge. Eugene Hlavac, 41, had faced a felony aggravated assault charge in the incident Friday outside his Greenfield home, but District Judge Nathan Firestone reduced the severity of the charge to a misdemeanor simple assault. Firestone said the evidence supported the less severe charge after listening to tearful testimony from Hlavac's former girlfriend, [LM]... Speaking through her teeth because she said it hurt to open her jaw, [LM] testified that Hlavac "struck" her across the face with an open hand after the pair got in an argument because she was late to pick up their son... Firestone did not allow [Hlavac's attorney Phil] DiLucente to present two witnesses, who he says will back up the officer's version of the story. He repeatedly questioned [LM] about whether she came at Hlavac with arms flailing. [LM] denied that she attacked him... Jeanne Clark, president of the Squirrel Hill chapter of the National Organization for Women, attended the hearing. "We expect the Pittsburgh police to treat this seriously," Clark said. "He'll enjoy a great Christmas dinner, and she'll have to drink hers through a straw." [Full article here]

    JUDGE REDUCES ASSAULT CHARGE AGAINST OFFICER
    Ex-girlfriend says she suffered dislocated jaw
    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    By Jerome L. Sherman
    Wednesday, December 23, 2009
    [Excerpts] A Pittsburgh police sergeant was defending himself when he struck his ex-girlfriend in the face during an argument in front of his Greenfield home last week, the sergeant's attorney said yesterday. "He was attacked," Phillip DiLucente said of his client, Sgt. Eugene F. Hlavac Jr., 42, following a hearing in Municipal Court. District Judge Nathan N. Firestone decided to reduce the severity of the criminal charge facing Sgt. Hlavac, changing it from aggravated assault, a first-degree felony, to simple assault, a misdemeanor. [LM], 23, testified that she suffered a dislocated jaw after the sergeant slapped her. She cried often during the hearing. She gripped the side of her mouth and struggled to speak at times. "It hurts to talk" she said... On cross-examination, Mr. DiLucente asked [LM] if she had started the confrontation, yelling at Sgt. Hlavac as she flailed her arms... "He denies all the charges, even as they stand at simple assault," Mr. DiLucente said of his client after yesterday's hearing. "He will be exonerated." Elizabeth Pittinger, executive director of the Citizen Police Review Board, said state law requires the city to suspend a police officer charged with a felony or a "serious misdemeanor." "He hit her and he should be punished," said Jeanne Clark, president of the Squirrel Hill branch of the National Organization for Women, who attended the hearing to show her group's support for [LM]. "It's not fair for this woman to live in fear"... [Full article here]

    PITTSBURGH COP'S CHARGES REDUCED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE
    Police Sgt. Eugene Hlavac Accused Of Hitting Girlfriend
    thepittsburghchannel.com
    POSTED: 1:12 pm EST December 21, 2009
    UPDATED: 6:43 pm EST December 22, 2009
    [Excerpts] A Pittsburgh police sergeant accused of dislocating his ex-girlfriend's jaw in a case of domestic violence got his charge reduced from felony aggravated assault to a much lesser count of simple assault on Tuesday. "He's going to enjoy a great Christmas dinner. She's going to have to drink hers through a straw," said Jeanne Clarke, of the National Organization for Women, after Sgt. Eugene Hlavac's preliminary hearing in downtown Municipal Court... "My client was not the person that initiated the confrontation, nor is he a person that engaged in any illegal activity," said Hlavac's lawyer, Phillip DiLucente... The Citizen Police Review Board is outraged about what it says is a failure to follow protocol. The board wants an investigation to start immediately - saying it shouldn't matter that Hlavac is on vacation - and it's also angry that the Pittsburgh Police Bureau promoted him in 2007 despite a pattern of domestic issues. "We want them to suspend him - all of his police powers - until such time as this issue is resolved," said Elizabeth Pittinger, executive director of the Citizen Police Review Board. "That is required under state law, under the Confidence in Law Enforcement Act, so they better do that." Hlavac's lawyer asked for the entire case to be dropped on Tuesday, but that request was denied by the judge... "Let's remember what happened here. You can call it anything you want to, but he hit her and he should be punished," Clarke said... In 2007, Pittsburgh City Council voted in favor of a bill allowing guns to be taken away from police officers who are involved in suspected cases of domestic violence. Ravenstahl promised a "zero tolerance" policy going forward... [Full article here]
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    Wednesday, December 23, 2009

    [LA] Domestic violence in home of Detective Jones triggered dispatch of supervisor to the scene

    ...A police supervisor was immediately dispatched to the scene and contacted the victim who advised that during an argument, her husband, identified as 43 year old Alain Jones, had physically attacked her...

    (Jones is referred to as "detective" in other recent news.)

    OFFICER ON LEAVE AFTER DOMESTIC DISPUTE
    KMSS News
    By Michael Wesp - Online Editor
    December 23, 2009
    A Shreveport police officer is accused of domestic violence. The Shreveport Times reports the Alain Jones, a 14-year veteran, allegedly beat his wife Monday night. Jones is currently on paid administrative leave. [LINK]

    SPD OFFICER ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY
    KSLA
    Posted: Dec 22, 2009
    [Excerpts] ...Shreveport Police have arrested fellow officer 43-year-old Cpl. Alain Jones following a call from Jones' wife. According to police reports, the call went out Monday night... When a Shreveport Police supervisor arrived at the home, the victim reportedly told police that during an argument Jones allegedly physically attacked her. Cpl. Jones now faces a charge of domestic abuse battery and was issued a misdemeanor summons. Jones is now on administrative leave... [LINK]

    SHREVEPORT POLICE OFFICER CITED FOR BATTERY
    KTBS
    Posted: Dec 22, 2009
    [Excerpts] ...A police supervisor was immediately dispatched to the scene and contacted the victim who advised that during an argument, her husband, identified as 43 year old Alain Jones, had physically attacked her. Based on information gathered during the investigation, the patrol supervisor charged Jones with one count of domestic abuse battery. Jones was issued a misdemeanor summons... Cpl. Jones, who joined the Shreveport Police Department in March of 1995, has been placed on administrative leave by Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENTAL POLICY. [LINK]

    UPDATE: STILL WORKING IN 2011:

    DETECTIVES SEARCHING FOR RUNAWAY TEEN
    Blotter
    FEBRUARY 11, 2011
    [Excerpt] ...Anyone who has any information regarding Morris or her whereabouts is urged to call Shreveport police Detective Alain Jones at (318) 673-7020... [Full article here]
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    [IN] COP ON COP DV: Detective Meredith Hanley - held without bond - gets to walk right out of jail

    A detective with the South Bend Police Department was arrested early Saturday after allegedly beating her husband, also a South Bend cop, in their home... [Cpl. Meredith] Hanley's husband, 41-year-old [SH], is a lieutenant with South Bend police. They both work in the detective bureau... Hanley was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail by county police and held without bond. But she was released from jail at 4 p.m... Meredith Hanley actually worked for the county prosecutor's office in the past in their special victim's unit; where she worked with those with family violence issues...



    SOUTH BEND DETECTIVE ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
    WSBT
    By Kelli Stopczynski
    Dec 19, 2009
    [Excerpts] A 10-year veteran of the city's police department is on administrative leave, following a domestic violence arrest early Saturday morning. St. Joseph County Police Sgt. Bill Redman confirmed Cpl. Meredith Hanley, a detective in the department, was arrested at her home after an alleged incident involving her husband, who is also a South Bend police officer. Her husband was not arrested. Redman said police were called to a neighbor of the Hanleys at 1:35 a.m. The victim went there after the alleged assault. He told the officers Meredith had struck him over the head during an argument, and then scratched his neck and ear as he was standing back up... Officers then went to the Hanley residence. When Meredith didn’t come to the door, they got the garage door code from her husband and entered the home... she said she didn’t want to speak to the officers and requested an attorney. She was arrested for domestic violence/battery, a misdemeanor... Meredith will be on paid administrative leave until the Board of Public Safety votes to make it unpaid. [Full article here]

    SOUTH BEND OFFICER ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY
    Corporal accused of striking her husband.
    South Bend Tribune
    By Mary Kate Malone
    Dec 19, 2009
    [Excerpts] A detective with the South Bend Police Department was arrested early Saturday after allegedly beating her husband, also a South Bend cop, in their home... [Cpl. Meredith] Hanley's husband, 41-year-old [SH], is a lieutenant with South Bend police. They both work in the detective bureau. The department has placed Meredith Hanley on administrative leave, taking away her police powers, badge and gun... [SH] told police that his wife turned violent during a verbal argument... Meredith Hanley allegedly struck her husband in the head several times and scratched his neck and ear, police said. He sustained visible injuries, police said. Both had been drinking that evening... [SH] called police after the assault and fled to a neighbor's house, occupied by his boss, Rick Bishop, division chief of the detective bureau... She was booked into the St. Joseph County Jail, where she is being held without bond... Meredith Hanley is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Monday... [SH] has been with the department for 16 years; Meredith Hanley for 10 years, police said. The four-member Board of Public Safety will decide whether to put her on unpaid leave... [Full article here]

    UPDATE: SB OFFICER OUT OF JAIL, CASE TURNED OVER TO SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
    A South Bend police officer is out of jail after being arrested on domestic violence charges. Meredith Hanley allegedly attacked her husband, who is also a South Bend cop.
    WNDU
    Reporter: Ryan Famuliner
    Posted: 6:12 PM Dec 21, 2009
    Updated: 4:12 PM Dec 22, 2009
    [Excerpts] A South Bend police officer is out of jail after being arrested on domestic violence charges... Despite a court appearance Tuesday, there are still no official charges against Hanley. The judge set a status hearing for January 12th. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's office is now asking for a special prosecutor from a neighboring county to handle this case... The court appointed the LaPorte county Prosecutor to handle the case, and it will be assigned to Deputy Prosecutor Alan Sirnek... As it turns out, Meredith Hanley actually worked for the county prosecutor's office in the past in their special victim's unit; where she worked with those with family violence issues... County officials told WNDU over the weekend, and into Monday morning, that Meredith was being held until a court appearance Monday afternoon without bond. A spokesperson from the prosecutor’s office explained Monday morning that this is regular practice in a domestic violence case. But when WNDU tried to attend Hanley’s scheduled hearing Monday, we found out she had been released from jail over the weekend. County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak then told WNDU that South Bend police called his office Saturday night to say Hanley had surgery scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday. Dvorak says he “took their word for it.” Judge Scopelitis ordered her release, and she was out on Sunday. Dvorak says Hanley is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. However, Dvorak says he’s not sure what type of surgery she had and if she will have recovered at that point, and may just be represented by an attorney. South Bend Police say that Meredith Hanley is currently on paid administrative leave. That is the only punishment allowed by the police chief without the involvement of the board of public safety, and its next scheduled meeting is January 6th. Chief Darryl Boykins has not recommended she be taken off paid leave as of yet, and a police spokesperson says they will likely wait to see how the situation plays out in court before making any decision. A special meeting of the board is unlikely, as he also said it may be “procedurally impossible” to get the board together for a legal vote during the next couple of weeks due to the holidays. [Full article here]

    SPECIAL PROSECUTOR APPOINTED IN DETECTIVE'S CASE
    Hanley was released early for medical reasons, officials say
    South Bend Tribune
    By Mary Kate Malone
    Dec 22, 2009
    [Excerpts] A South Bend police detective who was arrested last weekend after allegedly beating her husband was released early from jail for medical reasons, officials said... Formal charges against Cpl. Meredith Hanley have not been filed... Hanley was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail by county police and held without bond. But she was released from jail at 4 p.m. Saturday after her boss, South Bend police Division Chief Rick Bishop, called St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak. He told Dvorak that Hanley had surgery scheduled for Monday morning and needed time to prepare for it, Dvorak said. Dvorak asked St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Michael Scopelitis to order Hanley be released, which he did. She did not post bond, Dvorak said. Given her medical situation and assurances from Bishop that Hanley and her husband would be kept apart, Dvorak and Scopelitis felt an early release was appropriate, Dvorak said... Dvorak said he did not know the nature of Hanley's surgery... The special prosecutor will decided what charges, if any, should be filed against Hanley... Hanley once worked for the Special Victims Unit, which is overseen by an investigator from the prosecutor's office... Indiana State Police have taken over the investigation of the case... [Full article here]
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    Tuesday, December 22, 2009

    [VA] Sheriff's Investigator Bob Canosa has died after being shot multiple times by wife Brenda

    Previous posts:


    ORANGE LAWMAN DIES FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS
    Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigator Bob Canosa died Sunday afternoon at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
    Culpeper Star Exponent
    Rhonda Simmons
    Published: December 20, 2009
    Updated: December 21, 2009
    [Excerpts] Bob Canosa, a veteran investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, died Sunday afternoon at the University of Virginia Medical Center, succumbing to complications from multiple gunshot wounds he suffered nine days ago, according to the Virginia State Police. He was 55. VSP spokesman Sgt. Les Tyler said Special Agent M.L. Jones has charged Canosa’s estranged wife, Brenda Lee Canosa, 49, with first-degree murder. Brenda Canosa, who is being held at Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange, also faces felony charges of malicious wounding and using a firearm in the commission of a felony... Orange County Sheriff’s Office is not releasing a transcript of the emergency call, saying it could jeopardize the case. Bob Canosa’s death comes on the heels of what could have been viewed as promising news in his recovery. Last week, a source close to the family said the victim had undergone surgery to repair his pancreas and aorta. He was also reported to be responding to questions and was aware of what happened to him... Bob Canosa coordinated Orange County’s citizens law enforcement academy, a function he also performed while at the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office in the mid-2000s. He started his law enforcement career in Culpeper in the early 1970s before moving to the town of Orange Police Department. After retiring from a lengthy tenure of police service in Suffolk, N.Y., he was brought to Culpeper to work on a part-time basis in 2004 by former Sheriff H. Lee Hart. He took the job in Orange in August 2007, shortly before Jim Branch was elected Culpeper’s sheriff. [Full article here]

    NO BAIL FOR WIFE IN SLAYING OF DEPUTY
    Wife of slain Orange sheriff's investigator still being held with no bail on murder charges in his death
    The Free Lance-Star
    Robin Knepper
    Date published: 12/22/2009
    [Excerpts] The estranged wife of a slain Orange County sheriff's investigator will stay in jail for the foreseeable future while waiting to face charges in his death. Bob Canosa, 55, died Sunday morning as a result of multiple gunshot wounds he received Dec. 11.... Brenda Lee Canosa, who lives in Rochelle in Madison County, has now been charged with first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Previous charges of attempted murder and malicious wounding have been dropped... Canosa underwent multiple surgeries for his wounds at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. According to Chief Deputy Tim Murphy, Canosa was moved from the intensive-care unit last Wednesday and "was getting remarkably stronger every day." Murphy said he was told that Canosa "developed an infection, but someone also said he got a blood clot in his lung." Canosa was returned to the intensive-care unit, where he died late Sunday morning. Brenda Lee Canosa, 49, was scheduled to appear in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court yesterday afternoon, but snow from the weekend storm kept her attorney, Dana Slater, from making it to court. Nevertheless, J&DR Judge Frank Somerville heard from Slater by telephone and as a result Canosa's status was not changed. Bail has not been sought and Canosa continues to be held in Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange. A preliminary hearing will be held in J&DR court Feb. 8 to determine probable cause for an indictment in Orange County Circuit Court... [Full article here]

    COMRADES REMEMBER FALLEN DEPUTY AS SNOW POSTPONES ORANGE HEARING
    Charlottesville Daily
    Published: December 22, 2009
    [Excerpts] ...Judge Frank Sommerville denied her request for bail last week. The Orange County clerk added that Brenda Canosa’s lawyer, Charlottesville’s Dana Slater, could request another bond hearing before the next court appearance. Brenda Canosa is being held at the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange. Meanwhile, the local tight-knit law-enforcement community is mourning the death of one of its own. Canosa, 55, was an investigator with the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office before transferring to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 2007. He died Sunday afternoon at the University of Virginia Medical Center from complications from the multiple gunshot wounds he suffered Dec. 11. Bernie Feaganes III, a Prince William County deputy who worked closely with Canosa on developing the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy in Culpeper, said he was shocked by the reported shooting and his friend’s death. “It was like a punch in the stomach,” said Feaganes, who also left Culpeper County’s Sheriff’s Office in 2007. “I guess I let my guard down when I heard reports of him sitting up and talking last week.” Canosa reportedly had undergone surgery to repair his pancreas and aorta. It was also reported that he was conscious and responding to questions. Feaganes, who still lives in Culpeper, said he and Canosa remained friends even after both men left their law enforcement jobs in Culpeper. “Bob and I were really close, even up to the end,” Feaganes added. “Bob was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. He was one of those people who treated everybody the same.” Feaganes said a 10-minute trip to Walmart with Canosa to gather supplies for the academy would last an hour. “He spoke to everyone... That was the type of person he was”... Culpeper County Sheriff Jim Branch, who also worked with Canosa under former Sheriff H. Lee Hart, shared his condolences Monday. “We have been dealing with the shock of Bob’s being shot and intently following his recovery progress. His untimely death saddens us in the law enforcement community... We will miss his outgoing, pleasant personality as well as his expertise as an officer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to those whose lives he touched. He will be missed and fondly remembered.” Phone calls and e-mails to Orange County Sheriff Mark Amos were not returned as of press time... [Full article here]
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