[WA] Four unsuspecting, armed, and fully armored police officers shot and killed while having coffee

UPDATE: Breaking News Dec 1, 2009, 4:04AM - Suspect Maurice Clemmons is dead. See Google News search results HERE

Next Vigil: Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Lakewood YMCA, 9715 Lakewood Drive S.W.

Public Memorial: Tuesday, December 8 at 1 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome.

Fund: A benevolent account has been established for the families of the officers. Donations may be sent to LPIG Benevolent Fund at PO Box 99579, Lakewood, WA 98499 - DONATE ONLINE HERE

Condolences: 
Mountain View Condolence Website
In memory of the Lakewood Officers Facebook Group  -162,883 members
In memory of the four fallen Lakewood Police officers  - 15,498 member

Lakewood Police Department Contact Page 



This is my own area and we are mourning for these officers, their families, and our community. I will add updates at the bottom of this post. The common feeling among everyone it seems is that there are

NO WORDS

that can express the loss, the level of tragedy, what this means for the future of how police will operate, or to express what people are feeling.

 ...All four died instantly. The public information officer for the Lakewood Police Department broke down during an attempt to brief the press at the scene..."We have no motive at all. I don't think when we do find out it will make sense" ...

Previous post:
SEATTLE HAS STOPPED FOR OFFICER TIMOTHY BRENTON - Hundreds of police and fire department vehicles have started a procession to KeyArena for the memorial service of slain Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton...

FOUR LAKEWOOD POLICE OFFICERS SHOT AND KILLED IN 'AMBUSH'
by KING5.com and Associated Press
Posted on November 29, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Updated today at 12:58 PM
[EXCERPTS] PARKLAND, WASH. - FOUR LAKEWOOD POLICE OFFICERS WERE SHOT AND KILLED SUNDAY MORNING IN WHAT AUTHORITIES CALLED A TARGETED AMBUSH AT A COFFEE SHOP. Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer says the officers - four male and one female - were in full uniform and wearing bulletproof vests, sitting in Forza coffee shop near 116th Street and Steele Street on the east side of the Air Force base at about 8:30 a.m. Troyer says the officers were preparing for their shift when a suspect or suspects "walked in with a handgun, opened fire multiple times and then fled the scene," said Troyer. Troyer called it an "ambush... This was more of an execution. Walk in with the specific mindset to shoot police officers," Troyer said. Police are searching for a male suspect and interviewing witnesses... "We hopefully will have answers, but there is nothing more we can tell you," Troyer said. "That's as cold-hearted as it is." PIERCE COUNTY SHERIFF PAUL PASTOR SAID "this is an example of the danger that police officers and deputy sheriffs and state troopers face every day. The person or people who did this not only harmed us they harmed the good that we can do in the community. They harmed the good that we work to do every day in the community. This is an example of the cost that is sometimes paid by people who believe in duty and obligation and sacrifice and people who do that on behalf of the community. We've lost people that we care about, we've lost people I'm sure the good people in the community care about as well," said Pastor. WASHINGTON GOV. CHRIS GREGOIRE ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ABOUT THE HOMICIDES: "I am shocked and horrified at the murder of four police officers this morning in Pierce County. Our police put their lives on the line every day, and tragedies like this remind us of the risks they continually take to keep our communities safe. My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of these officers, as well as the entire law enforcement community. I offer whatever support is needed to the Pierce County Sheriff in their search for the perpetrator of this terrible crime." Troyer said there were several active scenes that officers are working. A white pick-up truck was impounded from a parking lot at one scene and a person was taken into custody at another... Troyer said the suspect is a black male, 5-foot-7 to 6 feet tall, 20s to 30s, scruffy appearance, wearing a black coat with a gray sweatshirt underneath, and blue jeans... PRAYER VIGIL - A prayer vigil for the officers and their families will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at Tacoma Champions Centre at 1819 E. 72nd St. in Tacoma. Directions to the Tacoma Campus. [Full article here]  

Four police officers shot dead in Washington coffee house - Telegraph.co.uk 

...The shooting comes just a month after the Halloween ambush of a Seattle police officer who was shot and killed while sitting in his car...








'HORROR SCENE' AS 4 LAKEWOOD POLICE OFFICERS SHOT, KILLED
By KOMO Staff
Story Published: Nov 29, 2009 at 8:53 AM PST
Story Updated: Nov 29, 2009 at 12:59 PM PST
[EXCERPTS] LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Four uniformed police officers were shot and killed in a bloody Sunday morning ambush at a Lakewood-area coffee shop, officials said. Pierce County Sheriff's Office spokesman Ed Troyer called the ambush "a targeted attack" on the four Lakewood police officers as they were preparing to start their shifts at about 8:15 a.m. Officials at the scene said a lone gunmen burst into the Forza Coffee Co. outlet at 11401 Steele St. South, shot the four uniformed officers as they were working on their laptop computers, then fled the scene. Two baristas and a handful of other customers were inside the coffee shop at the time of the attack, but none of them were shot or injured... Troyer described the scene inside the coffee shop as "carnage and a scene out of a horror movie." Three male officers and one female officer all died at the scene. About 2 1/2 hours after the deadly ambush, officers identified a white Chevy pickup truck abandoned at 134th Street and Pacific Avenue South that is believed to be the one that the suspect fled in. Soon after, there was a standoff reported between officers and one or more people inside a residence a few blocks away. It was not immediately known if the standoff is related to the police shootings, but it was still continuing as of 12:30 p.m. A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect or any possible accomplices, Troyer said. An emergency tip line has been set up, at 866-977-2362, for callers to report any helpful information... Within minutes of the first 911 call, hundreds of investigators and police were rushing to the scene. Roads were blocked in the vicinity of the attack... The coffee shop where the shootings took place is owned by Brad Carpenter, a retired police officer, KOMO News has confirmed. The incident is being investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab... [Full article here]

...Within minutes of the first 911 call, hundreds of investigators and police were rushing to the scene. Roads were blocked in the vicinity of the attack...

"...Our police put their lives on the line every day, and tragedies like this remind us of the risks they continually take to keep our communities safe..."

GUNMAN TARGETS, SHOOTS, KILLS FOUR POLICE OFFICERS IN SEATTLE SUBURB COFFEE SHOP
New York Daily News
By Helen Kennedy
Sunday, November 29th 2009, 4:07 PM
[EXCERPTS] Four cops were shot and killed in cold blood Sunday morning... The three men and one woman - a patrol team with the Lakewood Police Department in Lakewood, Wash. - were fully armed and wearing their uniforms and bulletproof vests as they prepared to go on shift. The cops were sitting at a table in the Forza Coffee shop with their laptops out doing paperwork when the shooter walked in and began firing at them with a pistol, authorities said... All four died instantly. The public information officer for the Lakewood Police Department broke down during an attempt to brief the press at the scene. Troyer said the reason for the chilling assassination is unknown. "We have no motive at all. I don't think when we do find out it will make sense," he said. Their police cruisers were parked out front, visible to anyone approaching. The coffee shop - part of a regional chain - is owned by retired police officer Brad Carpenter. The baristas and customers were so traumatized that it was hard to get them to calm down enough to describe what they saw, police said... The shooting comes just a month after the Halloween ambush of a Seattle police officer who was shot and killed while sitting in his car, allegedly by Christopher Monfort, a crazed former security guard who took courses in law enforcement. He allegedly also torched three police cruisers, rigged several bombs hoping to kill cops and left notes threatening all police officers. Monfort was shot in the head during his arrest Nov. 6 and remains in custody. He is due to be arraigned Tuesday. Troyer said there appeared to be no connection. [Full article here]

...About 2 1/2 hours after the deadly ambush, officers identified a white Chevy pickup truck... Soon after, there was a standoff reported between officers and one or more people inside a residence a few blocks away...

 11/29/09 10:27PM UPDATE:

Lakewood Police Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Greg Richards, Officer Tina Griswold, and Officer Ronald Owens

[Links above are to Officer Down Memorial Page memorials]

Seattle Post Intelligencer Overview of fatal police shooting coverage HERE

SEARCH FOR CLEMMONS LEADS POLICE TO SEATTLE HOME
By KOMO Staff
Nov 29, 2009 at 10:30 PM PST
[Excerpts] Police searching for the person of interest in the Lakewood police shooting have surrounded a home in the city's Leschi neighborhood. Spokesman Jeff Kappel said the SWAT team surrounded the home around 8:45 p.m. after receiving a tip that Maurice Clemmons may be inside. Clemmons, 37, is being sought in the deadly shooting of four Lakewood police officers on Sunday morning... THE HOME IS LOCATED JUST BLOCKS FROM THE LOCATION WHERE SEATTLE OFFICER TIMOTHY BRENTON WAS SHOT TO DEATH WHILE IN A PATROL CAR WITH OFFICER BRITT SWEENEY, A TRAINEE, LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. [Full article here]

MORE:

KIRO 7: Police May Have Person Of Interest Surrounded
KIRO 7: Police Could File Charges Against KING-TV Over Chopper
KIRO 7: Police Seek Ex-Con In Wash. Police Shootings
KIRO 7: [Video] Disbelief, Sadness Surrounds Shootings

KING 5: 4 slain were original Lakewood officers
KING 5: [Video] Person of interest in police killings had life sentence commuted
KING 5: Vigils across the region for slain Lakewood officers
KING 5: Person of interest in police killings had life sentence commuted

News Tribune: UPDATED: Person of interest sought in Lakewood officers slaying
News Tribune: Person of interest in slayings began criminal career as a teen
News Tribune: Lakewood identifies the four slain police officers
News Tribune: 700 attend vigil service for slain Lakewood officers

KOMO 4: Hotlink: Forza Coffee starts fund for families of fallen officers
KOMO 4: Mayor: Slain Lakewood officers were 'dedicated, selfless'

KOMO 4: Hotlink: More coverage, photos and videos from the scene
KOMO 4: Mayor: Slain Lakewood officers were 'dedicated, selfless'
KOMO 4: Police confirm "person of interest" in cop killings is in Seattle

 
VIDEOS OF THE PROCESSION TODAY:

• Procession taking the bodies of the four murdered Lakewood Police officers
• Lakewood officer procession procession to honor the fallen officers
• procession to honor the fallen officers
  

NOVEMBER 30TH:

The President of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, Brian D. Wurts, issued a statement... 
"As I write this I am numb. We were dealt a nasty blow, good men and women I have had the honor of knowing for years are senselessly gone. There is no way to comprehend it, to validate it, or to make sense of any of it. You cannot understand evil like this, as a community we must form a solid bond against criminals and hold them accountable. I know my members and can say with certainty that as a group we will remain professional and will continue to work to protect those of you we have taken an oath to protect. If you know a cop tell them how much you appreciate them, it truly keeps us going. Please pray for these officers and their families. All of them had significant others and children who are left behind."
Source: Suspect In Murder Of 4 Lakewood Cops Eludes Police, KING5, November 30, 2009 8:42 AM

KING 5: Suspect in Lakewood police slayings in standoff with police
KING 5: Suspect in murder of 4 Lakewood cops eludes police
KING 5: Vigils across the region for slain Lakewood officers

KIRO 7: Shooting Suspect Not Found Inside Seattle Home

NEWS TRIBUNE:  Suspect believed to be in Seattle house, wounded 
NEWS TRIBUNE:  The latest information from police briefings
NEWS TRIBUNE:  Suspect not found in Seattle house
NEWS TRIBUNE:  Pierce County flags at half staff to honor fallen Lakewood officers

KOMO 4: Renninger family grieves for fallen officer
KOMO 4: 'Four lives in one split, one minute'
KOMO 4: Search of home for shooting suspect comes up empty
KOMO 4: [Video] W. Wash. in shock over officers' killings
KOMO 4: Hotlink - Lakewood Police Officers Procession

DECEMBER 1, 2009 
MAURICE CLEMMONS KILLED IN EARLY MORNING

See Google News search results HERE

Dec 1, 5:25 AM
Listening to televised news conference. Yes Clemmons is dead. He had on him one of the slain Lakewood Police officer's weapons. This morning one officer heard movement behind him as he was checking out what appeared to be (and was) a stolen car with it's hood up - the officer turned recognized it was Clemmons coming up behind him. The officer told Clemmons to stop, show his hands, Clemmons refused, tried to run and the officer shot several rounds. People helped Clemmons and some are arrested - including the getaway driver on the day the officers where shot. Clemmons had a bad gunshot wound in the center of his abdomen from one of the officers he killed. Police will release which slain officer was able to shoot Clemmons before he died.

FROM TWITTER:

ganeshpuri89: RT @206Reporting: scanner audio of Maurice Clemmons being located/shot http://reportingfromseattle.posterous.com/ #Washooting

seattletimes: RT @KING5Seattle Police say Maurice Clemmons had a gun with him they believe was from the Lakewood homicide scene #WAShooting

KIRO7Julie: Breaking News: When Maurice Clemmons was shot this morning in South Seattle he had a weapon on him from one of the deceased officers

srockett201: Maurice Clemmons has been neutralized. Brother and sisters in blue: Remain vigilant. Be armed. Tend the sheep.

[NY] Barbara Sheehan can only dream of a fair trial after Judge Cooperman's ruling against battered woman's syndrome defense experts

The Queens woman who said she killed her ex-cop husband after years of abuse will not be able to use battered woman’s syndrome as a defense... [Her] lawyer - who has sparred repeatedly with [Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur] Cooperman for months and urged the judge to let someone else preside over the trial - objected. "If you want to do something to me, here I am do it to me," [Michael] Dowd said. "But don't take it out on this woman who's been abused half her life"...


PREVIOUS ENTRIES:

• Retired NYPD Sgt. Sheehan killed by bruised & broken wife Barbara - ...The couple frequently argued, neighbors said, and she was seen with what appeared to be a broken nose and bruises while praying in church on Sunday... "There were all these times when she would come back here with a black eye or a cut on the head. She would cover for him and say she fell"...
  
• Barbara Sheehan, who killed ex-NYPD officer husband, has specialty lawyer
• Barbara Sheehan on why she killed her NYPD Sgt. husband
• [NY] Interview with murder-charged Barbara Sheehan & her daughter Jennifer - ...Barbara Sheehan said her family lived in fear of her husband, Raymond...
• [NY] Barbara Sheehan extends her defense publicly for why she killed husband, Ret. NYPD Sgt. Sheehan
• [NY] Thursday May 14th Oprah Show will include battered Barbara Sheehan who shot her ex-NYPD husband 11 times 
• [NYPD] Barbara Sheehan murder trial: Accusations of clandestine collaborations between judge & DA seem too easily waved away - ...The judge in the case of a Queens woman accused of fatally shooting her ex-cop husband is aiding prosecutors - meeting them on the sly and preparing a ruling in their favor before they even asked for one, explosive court papers charge....
  

“This is the most awful, unprecedented decision I’ve ever read,” [Barbara Sheehan's Attorney Michael] Dowd said outside court. “We have to present a defense without any context of a battered woman’s life.”

You really have to GO TO this following blog interview to get it's content:

BARBARA SHEEHAN SPEAKS
theforumnewsgroup.com
By Patricia Adams
November 25, 2009

[Excerpts] This week The Forum brings you an exclusive interview with Barbara Sheehan, who is charged in the shooting death of her husband, retired NYPD Sgt. Raymond Sheehan. Sheehan and her attorney, Michael Dowd, speak candidly about his murder, and how a judge’s recent decision could destroy their defense strategy. The mother of two has been free on $1 million bail since the February 2008 shooting at the family’s Howard Beach home and is expected to stand trial in early 2010. For the first time the defense speaks about questionable behavior by attorneys for the prosecution and discusses how the judge’s disapproval of Dowd’s tactics may affect the case... a recent decision by the judge in the case has thrust the story back into the news. “We’re in trouble.” That is how defense attorney Michael Dowd describes what he terms the devastating consequences of the decision handed down by Justice Arthur Cooperman which will prohibit the testimony of expert witnesses in establishing the post traumatic stress disorder and battered woman’s syndrome defense in the murder trial of his client, Barbara Sheehan... Now Dowd says he is faced with the monumental task of coming up with a defense that will offer his client what he says is everyone’s entitlement. A fair trial. At the heart of the objections from the defense team is the fact that the prosecution has all the benefit of the expert testimony from the notes that were provided them however, the same experts will not have the opportunity to explain the complex and dark details of Battered Woman’s Syndrome to a jury of Sheehan’s peers... "The average person could not possibly know the level of sickness that is associated with the abusers and those they batter. Because of this and because the criminal process does not allow for an appeal before a guilty verdict is rendered by a jury, Barbara could very well end up in jail while waiting for an appeal. She simply doesn’t belong there.” In next week’s edition we will explore the circumstances leading up to the murder, including years of documented battering Sheehan endured, as well as the events of the February 2008 morning when she shot her husband... [Full article here]

Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman

 I don't know what happened in the Sheehan house, but even the people at her church observed her battered face before the killing. I cannot imagine living that way... being beat up at home and then trying to socialize at church. I commend the New York reporters for following this case and reporting their observations of an egotistical angry judge who has lost his compass. I pray for Barbara that something or someone can intervene and give her at least a fair trial. That's all she's asking for and it's what everyone of us have a right to. I don't know what I'd do if a man treated me and my family that way over years - or if it would take me years to hit my breaking point. I don't know if I would see another way out or not. Hopefully I would, but each situation is different. When I ended up in a women's shelter I could barely say my name and I couldn't remember my own address. People don't know who haven't been there what it's like. There NEEDS to be an expert in court who does, and who can share with the jury a glimpse into the world of a person who is living not day by day, but minute to minute. A person who can't say their own name without sobbing. How could the average juror know?


I AM NOT THE PERSON I WAS, CRUSHED TO THE CORE OF MY SOUL. THERE ARE NO WINDOWS OR FLOORS THERE. IT'S A FALLING. JUMPING AT EVERY SOUND AND BLOWING LEAF. IT IS A LIMPNESS AND A FOG, A SMALLNESS OF BEING WHERE NOTHING YOU SAY IS RIGHT, NOTHING YOU DO IS GOOD, AND YOU ARE NEVER EVER UNAFRAID OF THE NEXT MOOD OR WAVE. MAYBE JUDGE COOPERMAN  DOESN'T LIKE THE SMELL OF THIS CASE BUT IT IS NOT UP TO HIS HIS NOSE TO DECIDE JUSTICE. MAYBE IT IS SOMETHING MORE PERSONALLY THREATENING TO HIS WAY OF LIFE. WHO CAN KNOW? BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THERE IS ENOUGH TO SHOW THAT BARBARA SHEEHAN LIVED IN A HELL WE WOULDN'T WISH ON OUR ENEMIES AND FEW CAN IMAGINE. LET HER HAVE A FAIR TRIAL, EVEN IF SHE IS FOUND GUILTY - LET IT BE A FAIR DECISION.

FROM THE AMERICAN JUDGES ASSOCIATION:

... Symptoms:  BWS [Battered Woman's Syndrome] is a psychological reaction that can be expected to occur in normal people who are exposed to repeated trauma, such as family violence. It includes at least three groups of symptoms that assist the mind and body in preparing to defend against threats. Psychologists call it the "fight or flight" response.

The "Fight" Response Mode: In the "fight" mode, the body and mind prepare to deal with danger by becoming hypervigilant to cues of potential violence, resulting in an exaggerated startle response. The automatic nervous system becomes operational and the individual becomes more focused on the single task of self defense. This impairs concentration and causes physiological responses usually associated with high anxiety. In serious cases, fearfulness and panic disorders are present and phobic disorders may also result. Irritability and crying are typical symptoms of this stage.

The "Flight" Response Mode: The "flight" response mode often alternates with the fight pattern. Most individuals would run away from danger if they could do so safely. When physical escape is actually or perceived as impossible, then mental escape occurs. This is the avoidance or emotional numbing stage where denial, minimization, rationalization and disassociation are subconsciously used as ways to psychologically escape from the threat or presence of violence.

Cognitive Ability and Memory Loss: The third major impact of BWS is to the cognitive and memory areas. Here, the victim begins to have intrusive memories of the abuse or may actually develop psychogenic amnesia and not always remember important details or events. The victim may have trouble following his or her thoughts in a logical way, being distracted by intrusive memories that may be flashbacks to previous battering incidents. The victim may disassociate himself or herself when faced with painful events, memories, reoccurring nightmares or other associations not readily apparent to the observer...

Articles from earlier this month:

JUDGE BLASTS DEFENSE LAWYER'S 'DELIBERATE STRATEGY OF DELAY' IN MURDER CASE
New York Daily News
BY Thomas Zambito
Wednesday, November 11th 2009, 4:00 AM
[Excerpts] An irate judge slapped a lawyer with $2,000 in fines and effectively derailed his battered-wife defense of a woman accused of killing her ex-cop husband last year. Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman said lawyer Michael Dowd thwarted efforts to have a prosecution psychologist interview defendant Barbara Sheehan. He cited "a deliberate strategy of delay" and said Dowd's outbursts during a July 2009 interview caused her to have "an emotional breakdown." Sheehan, 48, is accused of pumping 11 bullets into the back of her husband, former NYPD Sgt. Raymond Sheehan, while he shaved in their Howard Beach home on Feb. 18, 2008. Dowd had planned to use expert witnesses to argue that Sheehan was a battered wife, but the judge blocked psychiatric testimony yesterday - gutting his strategy. The lawyer - who has sparred repeatedly with Cooperman for months and urged the judge to let someone else preside over the trial - objected. "If you want to do something to me, here I am do it to me," Dowd said. "But don't take it out on this woman who's been abused half her life." [LINK]

BLACK WIDOW SHRINK RAP
New York Post
By WILLIAM J. GORTA
November 11, 2009
[Excerpts] The Queens mom who killed her ex-cop hubby after years of alleged abuse isn't allowed to use battered woman's syndrome as a defense -- because she missed an appointment with a prosecution shrink. Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman angrily denied Barbara Sheehan and her lawyer, Michael Dowd, the right to use the crucial strategy because he said the pair blew off the latest in a series of court-ordered exams by a prosecution expert on the issue. "This is the most awful, unprecedented decision I've ever read," Dowd said outside court. "We have to present a defense without any context of a battered woman's life." Dowd said prosecutors now have Sheehan's entire account of the shooting, based on the exams and battery of psychological tests that she had already taken. [LINK]

ACCUSED KILLER CAN NOT USE BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME DEFENSE: JUDGE [sic]
New York Post
By WILLIAM J. GORTA
November 10, 2009
[Excerpts] The Queens woman who said she killed her ex-cop husband after years of abuse will not be able to use battered woman’s syndrome as a defense, a judge ruled today. Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman shot down Barbara Sheehan’s defense, saying she and her lawyer, Michael Dowd, blew off a court-ordered exam by a prosecution expert. But Dowd said the Sept. 18 exam was never actually ordered. Dowd had a conflicting court appearance that Cooperman cleared with the other judge, but the date of the exam was never finalized in court, the lawyer said. “This is the most awful, unprecedented decision I’ve ever read,” Dowd said outside court. “We have to present a defense without any context of a battered woman’s life.” Sheehan went through the exam and took a battery of psychological tests several weeks later. Worse, Dowd said, was the fact that prosecutors now had Sheehan’s entire account of the shooting – normally they would be unable to question her. Dowd had to turn over the notes of Sheehan’s session with her own expert and the DA’s office recorded several hours of her exams with the prosecution’s shrink. Cooperman placed the blame squarely on Dowd’s shoulders. “All this could have been avoided if we had moved on expeditiously and without delay,” Cooperman told Dowd. “Whose fault is that?” Dowd also accused the DA’s office of hypocrisy, saying that while it cried loud and long about domestic violence while prosecuting state Sen. Hiram Monserrate for injuring his girlfriend, it has gone out of its way to thwart a battered woman from presenting her defense. “The DA has suggested that my client’s history of abuse is some sort of ‘claim’ that she’s making,” Dowd said. “They should be ashamed of themselves.” Queens DA Richard Brown declined comment. [LINK]

2008 VIDEO INTERVIEW


[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities murder self defense battered woman's syndrome female]

[OK] I am thankful for the survival of Officer Ditmore's wife, children and fire chief brother-in-law

I am sorry for the state that Magnum Police Officer Brian Ditmore had come to in his life and am at the same time so thankful that wounded Fire Chief Fred Willis and Ditmore's immediate family have survived Thanksgiving.

I am thankful that Freda knew to gather her children and run.

..."This has rocked the community,” said Jackie Jenkins, police chief...

MANGUM POLICE OFFICER SHOOTS HIS FIREFIGHTER BROTHER-IN-LAW, THEN KILLS HIMSELF, OFFICIALS SAY
By Ann Kelley - Staff Writer
Published: November 27, 2009
[Excerpts] An off-duty policeman shot his brother-in-law Thanksgiving Day and then turned the gun on himself, authorities say. Members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's tactical team late Thursday found Mangum police officer Brian Ditmore dead inside his home in the 900 block of W Tyler, said Jessica Brown, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman. Brown said it appears Ditmore, 37, shot himself in the chest after wounding his brother-in-law, Mangum Fire Chief Fred Willis, 41. The investigation is ongoing, she said. About 2:30 p.m. someone in the home reported a domestic dispute between Ditmore and his wife. Police responded, along with Willis who lives nearby, Brown said. "When police arrived Mr. Willis was stumbling out of the house, injured from a gunshot wound to the stomach," Brown said. "A few minutes later there was a single gunshot from inside the house." Brown said officers tried for several hours to communicate with Ditmore... Willis was listed in fair condition Friday after getting surgery at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus. [Full article here]

MANGUM POLICE OFFICER SHOOTS BROTHER-IN-LAW, THEN FATALLY SHOOTS HIMSELF, AFTER DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE
altustimes.com8
Nov 27, 2009
[Excerpts] ...According to reports, off-duty Mangum Police Officer Brian Keith Ditmore, 37, and his wife were involved in a domestic dispute Thursday, and at one point [the wife] left the house with her three children and ran next door to her brother’s house and called 9-1-1. The woman’s brother then went next door and was going up the stairs when Ditmore was said to have shot down at him... Police, along with members of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, remained outside the home Thursday night. It was said that two different robots equipped with cameras were sent into the house, but couldn’t get up the stairs. Tear gas was then thrown into the house, around 2 a.m. today, and officers then went in and found Ditmore dead from a gun shot to the heart... [Full article here]

SUICIDE FOLLOWED FIGHT IN MANGUM
BY ANN KELLEY and SHIELA STOGSDILL
Published: November 28, 2009
[Excerpts] ...[Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica] Brown said it appears Ditmore, 37, shot himself in the chest after wounding his brother-in-law, Mangum Fire Chief Fred Willis, 41. The investigation is ongoing, she said. "This has rocked the community,” said Jackie Jenkins, police chief... "He was a good policeman”... Willis was listed in fair condition Friday after having surgery at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus. His wife, Shalia Willis, said her husband is recuperating, but said he has a long journey ahead of him. "This is a terrible situation all the way around. This was my brother-in-law, and he’s never really been like this,” she said of Ditmore. "Our hearts just go out to his family”... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities attempted murder suicide Oklahoma State]

[ME] Stacey Savoy murdered a day after she told her husband she wants a divorce

...Police say Bruce Savoy, a former officer in Old Orchard Beach and Wells who continued to serve as a reserve officer, shot his wife of more than 20 years with his service weapon, a Glock .40-caliber pistol. He then shot himself. Stacey Savoy [a Unum executive] had told her husband Sunday that she planned to get a divorce... Police said they found a handgun by the bodies in the kitchen and three suicide notes by Bruce Savoy, who cited the pending breakup of his marriage...

OH MY GOODNESS THESE FIRST ARTICLES WERE JUST BURSTING WITH ACCOLADES FOR BRUCE SAVOY. FORGIVE ME FOR NOT INCLUDING THOSE IN MY EXCERPTS, BUT THE LINKS TO GO READ THEM YOURSELF ARE HERE. RIGHT NOW I JUST WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CRUSHED, STOLEN, SQUELCHED LIFE OF STACEY - SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES - WHO WANTED TO LEAVE ALIVE. MAYBE SHE WANTED TO BE HAPPY, OR FREE, OR RECLAIM PARTS OF HERSELF THAT WERE HER ESSENCE. I WANT TO KNOW.

..."It's such a tragedy. I just can't even express words. She was just a lovely, sweet, beautiful girl, pretty as a picture"...

...[Friend Sonia] Gardner, a former town councilor, said she ... had not seen Stacey Savoy “for a while.”...

...She was assistant vice president of compensation for the disability insurer, based in Tennessee and Portland. She had been with the company for 28 years...

DEATHS OF MAINE COP, WIFE WERE MURDER-SUICIDE
Portland Press Herald
By David Hench
November 18, 2009
[Excerpts] OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Authorities say the shooting deaths of a former police officer and his wife, a Unum executive, appear to be a murder-suicide. Maine State Police believe that Bruce Savoy, 55, fatally shot his wife, Stacey Savoy, 50, on Monday afternoon as she returned home from the grocery store, then shot himself. They say he was distraught over the breakup of their marriage of more than 20 years. Police say they found three suicide notes that Bruce Savoy had written, and a handgun alongside the bodies. The Savoys' bodies were discovered by a friend who went to their home Tuesday morning to walk their dogs, Samson and River. The couple and their German shepherds were active in Maine Search and Rescue Dogs; Stacey Savoy was the group's secretary. "I was just shocked," said Sandra Chretien, a neighbor who knew the couple well and had known Stacey Savoy since she was an infant. "She was very, very quiet and smart. Just a lovely girl... They were kind of private"... She was assistant vice president of compensation for the disability insurer, based in Tennessee and Portland. She had been with the company for 28 years... The Savoys were devoted to their dogs, said neighbors, who often saw them walking the German shepherds... The dogs were in the home when the bodies were found, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the state police. A friend of the Savoys took the dogs, which were unharmed, and is taking care of them.At the Savoys' home on Pleasant Street, the yard was well-kept Tuesday and the porch was adorned with pumpkins, cornstalks and hanging baskets of impatiens still in bloom. Two immaculate vehicles, a GMC Yukon and a Chevrolet Express van, were parked in the driveway, both bearing the licence plates ''FIND-EM,'' one a commercial plate and the other a combination plate. The Maine Search and Rescue Dog emblem was on the side of the van. The couple traveled around the state participating in searches for lost children, elderly people and others... [Full article here]


..."OH MY GOD, YA KNOW. PLEASE! THIS IS NOT A NICE GUY. I DON'T CARE WHAT THE NEIGHBORS HAD TO SAY. AND I DIDN'T KNOW HIM AT ALL. AND HE MAY HAVE LOVED ANIMALS. BUT YA KNOW, HE KILLED HIS WIFE"...
Lois Galgay Reckitt
Executive Director of Family Crisis Services in Cumberland and Sagadahoc Counties
www.familycrisis.org/

STACEY E. SAVOY
Published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram
11/20/2009
[Excerpts] Stacey E. Savoy, 50 OLD ORCHARD BEACH -- Stacey E. Savoy, 50, of Pleasant Street, in Old Orchard Beach died at her residence later Monday evening. She was born in Biddeford, June 5, 1959, the daughter of Louis and Virginia Day Simpson. Stacey attended and graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1977. While in high school she enjoyed riding horses and received many blue ribbon awards was including the New Hampshire Junior Champion. She was a member of the Hollis Center Baptist Church. Mrs. Savoy was approaching her 29th year with UNUM and was presently an Assistant Vice President of Compensation. Her true love was her family and her dogs and in 2003 she joined the York County Emergency Response Team. Stacey later joined Mesard in 2005 and became their Secretary in 2006. Her dog Sampson is trained as a Wilderness Scent Certified dog and was also being currently trained as a trailing dog. Mrs. Savoy is survived by... Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: The Hollis Center Baptist Church P.O. Box 180 Hollis Center, Maine 04042 or to Mesard Care of Jim Bridges 14 Pasture Way Brunswick, Maine 04011  [Full obituary here]

LINK: Stacey E. Savoy Guest Book  - "I grew up in OOB and knew Stacey. I also worked with her for 6 years at UNUM. What a beautiful person."


LINK: Bruce G. Savoy Obituary - "...Bruce was predeceased by his wife Stacey Simpson Savoy..." 

LINK: Bruce G. Savoy Guest Book - "...I know your loss is especially hard, not only are you grieving the loss of your son, but also your daughter in law. You are loved..".


 VIDEOS UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Every homicide is sad,"  [Maine State Police Spokesman Steve] McCausland said, "but this is troubling because of all that has been done in recent years, particularly with law enforcement, to address the problem of domestic violence...

POLICE INVESTIGATE OOB DEATHS AS MURDER-SUICIDE
Husband, Wife Found Dead In Home
wmtw.com
POSTED: 1:09 pm EST November 17, 2009
UPDATED: 6:41 am EST November 18, 2009
[Excerpts] State and Old Orchard Beach police are investigating the deaths of a husband and wife as a murder-suicide.Police said a neighbor who walks the couple's two dogs discovered the bodies of Bruce Savoy, 55, and Stacey Savoy, 50, in the couple's home at 19A Pleasant St. at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday... Police said they found a handgun by the bodies in the kitchen and three suicide notes that police said were written by Bruce Savoy, who cited the pending breakup of his marriage. The couple would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in January. They grew up in Old Orchard Beach and had no children. Neighbors expressed shock, saying the Savoys were well known for being active with the state's search and rescue dog team... "It's such a tragedy. I just can't even express words. She was just a lovely, sweet, beautiful girl, pretty as a picture," said Sandra Chretien, a neighbor... Stacey Savoy was a vice president for the insurance company Unum. Unum spokeswoman Mary Fortune released a statement Tuesday evening, saying, "We were saddened to learn today of the unexpected and tragic death of Stacey Savoy, assistant vice president of compensation. Stacey had been with Unum for 28 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Stacey's family on this very sad day." [Full article here]

Here's someone who could use some updating on the numbers of officer-involved domestic violence murders:

..."Another disturbing element of Monday's killing is that police say it was perpetrated by a peace officer. "I think that it's unacceptable, but it's not unheard of, that a police officer would be an abuser," said [Caring Unlimited Spokeswoman Emily] Flowers...

COUPLE FOUND DEAD IN HOME
inthecourier
By Gillian Graham
11/19/2009
[Excerpts] State Police said an Old Orchard Beach man who killed his wife before committing suicide was upset over the pending breakup of their marriage... Bruce Savoy, 55, was the assistant code enforcement officer in Wells and previously worked for the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, according to police. McCausland said Stacey Savoy, 50, worked as a vice president at Unum. They did not have children and a family friend is caring for their dogs, he said... Fire Chief John Glass confirmed Bruce Savoy was a volunteer firefighter off and on until about two years ago... [Friend Sonia] Gardner, a former town councilor, said she has known Bruce Savoy and his family for years. She said the Savoy family is “one of the best families in Old Orchard Beach.” Bruce Savoy often stopped by to talk local politics and was a mentor to her grandson, she said. She had not seen Stacey Savoy “for a while.”... [Full article here]

AGENCIES: NOBODY IS IMMUNE FROM ABUSE
Victim advocates reflect on an Old Orchard woman's death at the hands of her husband, a former police officer.
The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram
By DAVID HENCH
ARTICLE COMMENTS HERE
November 19, 2009
[Excerpts] The death of Stacey Savoy, an insurance executive, at the hands of her husband, a former police officer, shows that domestic violence can strike anywhere, advocates for abuse victims said Wednesday. They also said the case underscores the serious danger people can face at the point when they decide to leave a relationship. Police say Bruce Savoy, a former officer in Old Orchard Beach and Wells who continued to serve as a reserve officer, shot his wife of more than 20 years with his service weapon, a Glock .40-caliber pistol. He then shot himself. Stacey Savoy had told her husband Sunday that she planned to get a divorce... On Wednesday, her family and friends grieved the loss of a beloved woman, someone who was generous without seeking recognition and deeply committed to her work with the Maine Search and Rescue Dogs organization... Savoy was an executive with Unum who traveled often for her job. She also was involved in search-and-rescue missions with her dog, Samson... Although neighbors didn't suspect abuse, they said they seldom saw Stacey Savoy outside the house. Lois Galgay Reckitt, executive director of Family Crisis Services in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties, said domestic violence homicide is the ultimate form of abuse, and it is most common when a victim is leaving a relationship... "This woman may not have known she should have one. I think anyone who wants to get a divorce needs to think carefully about how they do that." Another disturbing element of Monday's killing is that police say it was perpetrated by a peace officer. "I think that it's unacceptable, but it's not unheard of, that a police officer would be an abuser," said Flowers. Steve McCausland, spokesman for the state police, said the last time a police officer was involved in a domestic violence homicide was 1998, when a part-time deputy with the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office shot and killed his wife in South Paris, then killed himself. "Every homicide is sad," McCausland said, "but this is troubling because of all that has been done in recent years, particularly with law enforcement, to address the problem of domestic violence... [Full article here]

NEW DETAILS: OLD ORCHARD BEACH MURDER-SUICIDE
WGME NEWS 13
[Excerpt] ...The autopsies confirm that Bruce shot Stacey several times and then killed himself. The shootings happened Monday night at their home in Old Orchard Beach... [Full article here]

THAT ARTICLE DOES NOT MENTION ANY OF THE INFORMATION IN IT'S ACCOMPANYING VIDEO, SO I TRANSCRIBED PARTS OF IT:

...WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS WEEK'S MURDER-SUCIDE IN OLD ORCHARD BEACH. NEIGHBORS YESTERDAY DESCRIBED THE KILLER, BRUCE SAVOY, AS A THOUGHTFUL, FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER AND POLICE OFFICER. BUT FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF STACEY SAVOY WHO ARE GRIEVING HER LOSS TONIGHT SAY HE SHOULD BE REMEMBERED AS THE MAN WHO SHOT AND KILLED HIS WIFE.
BARKER REPORTS TONIGHT FROM OLD ORCHARD BEACH:

KAREN BROZEK: "I USED TO WORK AT UNUM, AND THAT'S HOW I MET STACEY. AND SHE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND YOU COULDN'T HELP BUT LIKE HER. SHE WAS ALWAYS GIVING - GIVING GIVING GIVING. AND SHE WAS JUST A SWEETHEART."

NEWS 13'S KATE BARKER: "LOIS RECKITT OF FAMILY CRISIS SERVICES CALLS IT A TRAGIC CASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE."

LOIS GALGAY RECKITT: "OH MY GOD, YA KNOW. PLEASE! THIS IS NOT A NICE GUY. I DON'T CARE WHAT THE NEIGHBORS HAD TO SAY. AND I DIDN'T KNOW HIM AT ALL. AND HE MAY HAVE LOVED ANIMALS. BUT YA KNOW, HE KILLED HIS WIFE."
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement fatality fatalities murder maine state oob]

[KY] "Resigned" Firefighter Noah now admits he tried to murder his wife

FORMER FIREFIGHTER PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED MURDER
wcpo.com
Shannon Kettler
Web Produced: Jessica Noll
Last Update: 11/23 4:04 pm
COVINGTON, Ky. -- A former Independence firefighter admitted in court on Monday that he tried to kill his wife. Richard Noah appeared before a Kenton County judge to change his original not guilty plea to guilty. Independence Police were called to the couple's home for a domestic violence report in July. Noah told the judge he tried to suffocate his wife with a pillow and a sheet of plastic. He returns to court for sentencing in January. Noah faces up 10-20 years in prison. He submitted a written resignation to the Independence Fire Department shortly after his arrest. [LINK]

Previous post:
[KY] After attempted wife-murder, Department demanded & accepted the resignation of Firefighter Noah - ...Tiffany Noah was granted an emergency protection order against her husband... Her application for the order states that her husband tried to suffocate her for 20 to 30 minutes while their 12-year-old child watched...
[public safety personnel domestic violence lethal emt kentucky state]

[OH] Officer Gearhart - FIRED for DV yet HIRED by another PD - NOW charged with trying to KILL his ex

...She told deputies she had been with Gearhart in his truck when he demanded that she "do something for him" and made threats to harm her if she didn't... Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer told The Dayton Daily News that Gearhart tried to drown her...

POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF EX-GIRLFRIEND
Dayton Daily News
By Lucas Sullivan
Monday, November 23, 2009, 03:44 PM
[Excerpts] WASHINGTON TWP., Montgomery County - A Columbus-area police officer [Whitehall Police Officer Joshua Gearhart] is in Montgomery County Jail on an attempted murder charge after he allegedly abducted his ex-girlfriend and tried to drown her in a ditch... Deputies found the woman covered in mud and grass clippings and soaking wet at a Shell Gas Station... The woman said Gearhart, a former Columbus police officer, drove from there and the two went out Saturday night, Landis said. At some point, Gearhart requested she “do something for him,” and made threats that he would harm her if she didn’t, Landis said... Gearhart allegedly tried to drown the woman in the ditch, but failed... County prosecutors today approved a felony abduction charge against Gearhart, which allowed deputies to get a warrant that will keep him in jail... Gearhart was fired from the Columbus Police Department last fall after an internal investigation... [Full article here]

EX-COLUMBUS POLICE OFFICER JAILED IN ASSAULT ON WOMAN
The Columbus Dispatch
By Jim Woods
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 3:20 AM
[Excerpts] ...Joshua Gearhart, 27, was arrested Sunday morning and charged with assault and abduction. Montgomery County deputies said they answered a report of a woman wandering in the road and found a woman covered with mud... She told deputies she had been with Gearhart in his truck when he demanded that she "do something for him" and made threats to harm her if she didn't. She grabbed the keys from his truck and fled. Gearhart caught up with her and the two wrestled in a ditch full of water, she told deputies. Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer told The Dayton Daily News that Gearhart tried to drown her... Gearhart, of Circleville, was dismissed from his job as a Columbus police officer in September 2008 after an incident several months before. In June 2008, Circleville police charged Gearhart with falsification and menacing after a fight with his stepfather and his stepsister's boyfriend. The charges eventually were dropped after Gearhart completed a diversion program... But an internal Columbus police investigation as a result of the Circleville case found that Gearhart had misused a police computer system, and that led to his firing... Yesterday, Ray Ogden, Whitehall's director of public service... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement lethal ohio state]

[CT] Calling Officer Leon's SECOND domestic violence arrest "breach of peace" helps keep his optiions open

This is where the problem of officer-involved domestic violence starts raising it's systemic head. The PROSECUTOR  agrees to charge Bridgeport Police Officer Samuel Leon with breach of peace instead of domestic violence assault. The MEDIA gives no clue and asks no question regarding what happened to the first domestic violence related charge last February. If the prosecutor and the media (and the police department, police union, and likely the judge) are FOR Officer Leon, who can prevail against him if he commits a violent crime? 

Who voices the concern for safety of the alleged victim? 

BRIDGEPORT COP CHARGED IN DOMESTIC DISPUTE
Connecticut Post
By Noelle Frampton
11/21/2009
[Excerpts] BRIDGEPORT - A city police officer has been arrested for the second time this year, the most recent incident an alleged domestic dispute with a woman in his West Haven home earlier this month. Officer Samuel Leon, 35, has been suspended with pay from the department after his Nov. 1 arrest, said acting Police Chief Joseph Gaudett. Leon is awaiting disposition of his breach of peace charge, which has been referred to a family relations officer at Milford Superior Court, state judicial branch records show. He is free without bond for his next court date Dec. 16... Upon officers' arrival, an unnamed woman told them that Leon assaulted her after a verbal argument... The officer was suspended with pay in February, too, after he was arrested and charged with threatening in Virginia Beach, Va... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement connecticut state repeat hx]

Oh happy day for battering cops - my computer is crashing

I'm smiling. Any one person can only do what they can do - until they can't. I haven't posted in a week because my computer is crashing (smashing) so I've been fighting it to keep it on and to try to get it to correctly transfer many gigabytes of officer-involved dv info onto disks. Sigh. My online time is limited and unpredictable - so I'm going from many hours a day down to minutes. I will see what I can do.
I have no regrets. I've done well.

[ND] Sheriff's Deputy Cossentine accidentally shoots, wounds wife when "pinky or part of his clothing hit the trigger."

ROSEAU CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE: DEPUTY ACCIDENTALLY SHOT WIFE IN THIGH
The wife of a Roseau County deputy was expected to return home Wednesday evening after being treated in Grand Forks for an accidental gunshot wound, Chief Deputy Terry Bandemer said.
Grand Forks Herald
By: Archie Ingersoll
November 12 2009

[Excerpts] The wife of a Roseau County deputy was expected to return home Wednesday evening after being treated in Grand Forks for an accidental gunshot wound, Chief Deputy Terry Bandemer said. Bandemer said a bullet from a hunting rifle struck Michelle Cossentine, 27, on the top of her thigh as she sat in the passenger seat of a Chevrolet Suburban... Her 29-year-old husband, Deputy Nathan Cossentine, was checking to see if the gun was loaded when his pinky or part of his clothing hit the trigger... “He had it laying across his lap, and it discharged,” Bandemer said. “The bullet went across his wife’s lap, right across her thigh”... They had been deer hunting earlier, he said. Just after the shooting happened, Deputy Cossentine reported to the sheriff’s office that he was taking his wife to LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau, authorities said. She was later taken to Altru Hospital... The sheriff’s department is investigating the incident.... [Full article here]
[police officer involved accidental shooting law enforcement intimate partner public safety personnel state north dakota]

[NM] Police Sgt. LeBlanc's 3rd DV charge (THIS ONE AGAINST HIS MOTHER) thrown out - THANKS TO FELLOW OFFICER'S no-show in court?

...The May incident marked the third time [Santa Fe Police Sgt. Michael] LeBlanc — who most recently headed the department's property crimes unit — has been charged with domestic violence since 2004... Only one of two witnesses — both police officers — were present for trial and the state needed both to proceed... " How many times can the Santa Fe Police Department turn its head, pretending it just doesn't see?..."

Previous post:
[NM] Another dv battery charge for Narcotics Chief LeBlanc - Saturday, August 18, 2007

OFFICER'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE THROWN OUT
Witness doesn't show up to trial; sergeant could be back to work soon
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Jason Auslander
Friday, November 13, 2009
[Excerpts] A Santa Fe police officer on leave since May after drawing his third domestic violence charge in five years hopes to be back to work soon, his lawyer said Friday, after the latest case against him was dismissed this week... An Albuquerque Metropolitan Court judge dismissed a domestic violence charge against LeBlanc on Thursday when a witness didn't show up for trial... Only one of two witnesses — both police officers — were present for trial and the state needed both to proceed... The department's internal investigation into the incident should be completed soon, now that the criminal case is over, Police Chief Aric Wheeler said Friday... The May incident marked the third time LeBlanc — who most recently headed the department's property crimes unit — has been charged with domestic violence since 2004. He entered the Metro Court's Domestic Violence Early Intervention Program in February 2008 after he was charged with misdemeanor battery on a household member for allegedly punching his estranged wife... He successfully completed the year-long program, after which the charges were dismissed... The victim in the latest incident was LeBlanc's mother... The officer's mother was not cooperative with prosecutors... LeBlanc was charged with battery on a household member in 2004 in Rio Rancho... He allegedly used an "arm bar" — also known as a "law enforcement escort technique"... He received a deferred sentenced for the 2004 charge, and the charges were dismissed six months later, according to court records...... [Full article here]

FROM ARTICLE'S COMMENTS:

• Hah! If he acts aggresively towards his mother how is he going to act towards citizens he pulls over? He will get his job back...
• ...What a complete shame! Why has this officer been allowed to even stay on the police department? Its pretty dang bad when you own mother calls the police on you for domestic violence. Did you relly expect his mother to testify against him in court?? Fire that abuser!!

FROM MAY:

S.F. POLICE OFFICER UNDER INVESTIGATION
The Santa Fe New Mexican and wire services
May 30, 2009
[Excerpts] Santa Fe Police Sgt. Michael LeBlanc is in trouble again. Deputy Police Chief Aric Wheeler said Thursday that the detective in charge of the property crimes unit is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into new domestic violence charges by Albuquerque police... This time, his mother, Leah LeBlanc, called police to say that her son acted aggressively toward her during an argument... Albuquerque Officer A.D. Chavez reported that LeBlanc, who had driven to his mother's apartment in his unmarked police car, admitted to kicking a cup of soda in his mother's direction... Last year, he agreed to enter a domestic-violence "early intervention program" in order to defer a judgment on charges that he battered his estranged wife.... [Full article here]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR THE NEXT DAY:
BLIND JUSTICE
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2009
[Excerpts] " ... How many times can a man turn his head, pretending he just doesn't see?" Bob Dylan's lyrics apply to the situation of Santa Fe Police Sgt. Michael LeBlanc, who has been charged — again — with domestic violence. To date, the Santa Fe Police Department has failed to take away his badge... How many times can an officer be charged, and not lose his badge? How many times can the Santa Fe Police Department turn its head, pretending it just doesn't see?... [Full item here]

COMMENT LEFT ON TOPIX "THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN FORUM"
Raises on tap for city police
Sgt Gillian Alessio, Albuquerque, NM
Aug 6, 2009
[Excerpts] I'm reading all the negative comments about the SFPD. I am a SFPD sergeant. People who have never worked in law enforcement do not understand how and why it works... We give up what people cherish the most: Christmas with our families, Thanksgiving, our childrens' plays, parent teacher meetings and birthdays. We give it up to keep our city and its citizens safe. If the people writing these blogs see it another way, I suggest they come ride along with our officers on some busy Saturday night. Watch us get battered and spat upon and treated like garbage because we are trying to keep them safe and uphold the law... Go to the academy. Work on the streets for 10 years for a community you care about. Then maybe, your opinions will matter.... [Full item here]

EXCERPTS FROM 2007 NEWS:

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE THE NORM FOR SUSPECT OFFICERS
Santa Fe sergeant on active duty despite domestic violence charge
Leave: Police chief says officer faces some restrictions
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Jason Auslander
Aug 18, 2007
[Excerpts] At least four area law enforcement agencies would remove a police officer from active duty if the officer was charged with domestic violence. However, Santa Fe Police Chief Eric Johnson said Friday that he was sticking with his decision to let his department's head of burglary/narcotics, Sgt. Michael LeBlanc, continue working despite being charged with misdemeanor battery on a household member this week in Albuquerque... "I have placed some restrictions on him, but I can't talk about them because of personnel issues." LeBlanc, 34, was charged Monday in Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque based on an argument with his wife July 27. An Albuquerque police officer took pictures of bruises on LeBlanc's wife's arm and thigh from that incident... Also, court records show LeBlanc was charged with battery on a household member and assault on a household member in Sandoval County Magistrate Court in 2004. He received a deferred sentence at that time, and the charges were dismissed six months later... LeBlanc was not arrested either time he was charged with domestic violence...

S.F. NARCOTICS CHIEF ACCUSED OF BATTERY
It's the second time in 3 1/2 years, officer has faced domestic-violence counts.
The Alburqurque Journal
By Bruce Daniels
Thursday, 16 August 2007 01:59
[Excerpts] Sgt. Michael LeBlanc, current head of the Santa Fe Police Department's burglary/narcotics unit, was charged this week with a misdemeanor domestic violence count of battery of a household member... It was, according to court records, the second time in the past 3 1/2 years that LeBlanc has been charged with domestic violence... The complaint also alleges that [Santa Fe Police Sgt. Michael] LeBlanc pushed his estranged wife up against a wall three days after the July 22 incident... LeBlanc was not arrested... His wife filed for divorce in Albuquerque on Aug. 8... LeBlanc was charged with battery on a household member in 2004 in which he was accused of walking the mother of his older daughter away from his home using a 
police technique 
known as an "arm-bar," and 
of threatening to shoot the pregnant woman in the stomach... LeBlanc, who denied making the threat or brandishing a weapon, was given a deferred sentence at the time and after six months the charges were dismissed... LeBlanc replaced Sgt. Steve Altonji, who was put on leave early this year after the U.S. Attorney's Office notified Santa Fe police that Altonji was the target of a federal grand jury investigation at the beginning of the year, The New Mexican said. Police Chief Eric Johnson told The New Mexican that LeBlanc will not be placed on administrative leave because the allegations against him are not as serious as those against Altonji....

POLICE TRY SHIFT IN TACTICS TO BOOST DRUG ARRESTS
Buglaries rise, drug arrests drop as police struggle to regroup after the loss of indicted narcotics agents
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Jason Auslander
December 16, 2007 -
[Excerpt] ...Rio Rancho police charged LeBlanc with domestic violence in July after an incident with his estranged wife — the second time in 31/2 years he has faced a domestic violence charge. LeBlanc, who is still head of burglary/narcotics, is set to go to trial on the latest domestic violence charge Jan. 8, according to the Albuquerque Metropolitan Court Web site...

EXCERPTS FROM 2008 NEWS:

COP ENTERS OFFENDERS PROGRAM
Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, N.M.
Vic Vela
Feb 20, 2008
[Excerpts] A Santa Fe police detective accused of battery against his estranged wife entered into a domestic violence program on Tuesday, forgoing a scheduled jury trial... [Sgt. Michael LeBlanc's attorney Monica Baca] said after Tuesday's hearing that if her client successfully completes the court's Domestic Violence Early Intervention Program, the matter will be considered resolved...

LeBlanc's wife told Albuquerque police that she was afraid of him because he had hit her in the past and that he, as an officer, had weapons inside the home... 

The incident marked the second time since 2004 that LeBlanc has been accused of a crime against a household member... LeBlanc was charged with battery on a household member and assault on a household member in Sandoval County Magistrate Court after a February 2004 incident involving LeBlanc and the mother of his older daughter. LeBlanc said the girl's mother was not providing an appropriate home for his daughter and forced the woman off his property... Charges were later dropped in that case after LeBlanc received a six-month deferred sentence. LeBlanc currently heads Santa Fe Police Department's property crimes unit and has remained on active duty since the 2007 charge was filed...

PROBE TARGETS SFPD SERGEANT OVER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Spokespeople: LeBlanc joins intervention program; certification could be revoked
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Jason Auslander
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
[Excerpts]  The state Law Enforcement Academy is investigating the head of the Santa Fe Police Department's property crimes unit for two incidents of domestic violence since 2004. That's according to Department of Public Safety spokesman Peter Olson, who said Wednesday that Sgt. Michael LeBlanc's police officer certification could be revoked by the Law Enforcement Academy Board if the allegations are substantiated... Because the previous domestic violence charge against LeBlanc was dismissed after six months and he received a deferred sentence, he is considered a first-time offender... Santa Fe Police Chief Eric Johnson said Wednesday that his staff is in the process of obtaining the paperwork about LeBlanc's case, and the police chief didn't yet know how the department will deal with it... Johnson took no action against LeBlanc in August when the charge was filed despite the fact a domestic violence hearing officer issued a yearlong restraining order requiring LeBlanc to stay away from his estranged wife. Those with protection orders against them cannot carry firearms, though federal law contains an exception for law-enforcement officers, Santa Fe's domestic-violence hearing officer Margaret Kegel has said. LeBlanc was charged with battery on a household member in 2004 as well... At that time,
LeBlanc refused to return his daughter to her mother because he felt she wasn't providing an appropriate home environment... Olson said the Law Enforcement Academy is looking into both domestic violence incidents in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office. Once the facts are known, the cases will be presented to the Law Enforcement Academy Board, which will decide if LeBlanc can keep his certification... Olson said he did not know when that might occur...


UPDATE:

"...and the charge was dismissed."

EX-DETECTIVE BANNED FROM POLICE WORK
The Santa Fe New Mexican
June 15, 2010 12:00 am
[Excerpts] The New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board voted unanimously Tuesday to revoke the certification of a former Santa Fe police detective [Jose Valencia] for life... The board also suspended for 30 days the certification of former Detective Michael LeBlanc — who headed the department's property crimes unit — because of three separate domestic violence incidents between 2004 and 2009, said Art Ortiz, director of the Law Enforcement Academy... As for LeBlanc, a different hearing officer recommended that LeBlanc lose his certification for 30 days. Ortiz recommended six months. The latest charge against LeBlanc occurred in May 2009, when LeBlanc's mother called 911 and reported that her son acted aggressively toward her during an argument. LeBlanc later admitted kicking a cup of soda in his mother's direction. That charge was dismissed in November after only one of two police officers involved in the case showed up for court. LeBlanc was charged with misdemeanor battery on a household member in February 2008 after he allegedly punched his estranged wife in the arm and thigh during an argument. He successfully completed a year-long domestic-violence program run by Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, and the charge was dismissed. The first domestic violence charge occurred in 2004 in Rio Rancho, when LeBlanc allegedly refused to return his older daughter to her mother because he felt his ex wasn't providing an appropriate home environment. LeBlanc escorted the woman from his property using a law-enforcement technique called an "arm bar." LeBlanc was on administrative leave with pay for nearly a year before he was fired last month... Contact Jason Auslander at 986-3076 or jauslander@sfnewmexican.com. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement intimate partner abuse public safety personnel teflon policy preferential treatment hx history lethal repeat brutal police technique]