JULY 2010 - Some of the other cases I collected information on this month

In this post:

• [NY] Saratoga Springs Police Officer Patrick Arpei
• [TN] Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy Byron Shelton
• [GA] Emerson Police Department Lt. Coleman Todd Heath
• [CA] Merced County Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Mathis
• [WV] Federal Bureau Of Prisons Officer Travis Barker
• [FL] Coral Springs Police Officer Charles Mersch
• [FL] Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Jonathan Powell
• [NYPD] Inspector Anthony "Tony" Tria
• [LA] Rapides Parish Sheriff's Deputy Marvin Thomas
• [MI] HITMAN Vincent Smothers, hired by Detroit Sgt. Cobb
• [MD] Antonio Girard Stewart
• [TX] Harker Heights Police Officer Brad Duffy
• [WA] Washignton State Representative Geoff Simpson
• [CA] State Prison Corrections Officer Timothy Rodriguez
• [CA] Modesto Police Officer Matthew Spurlock
• [TN] Red Bank Police Chief Larry Sneed
• [MI] State Corrections Officer Joseph Naimo
• [MI] Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy Jessica Wion
• [TX] Coppell Mayor Jayne Peters
• [WA] Pierce Co. Sheriff's Deputy Allen Myron
• [PA] Beaver County Sheriff's Deputy Joey David
• [NY] WHITE PLAINS Mayor Adam Bradley
• [OH] Cleveland Ohio police officer Eric Roberts
• [SC] Myrtle Beach Police Officer Adam Marks
• [FL] Walton County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerid Day

[NY] Saratoga Springs Police Officer Patrick Arpei was charged with domestic fourth-degree stalking, a misdemeanor, Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the incident. New York State Police issued Arpei an appearance ticket for the charge. State Police would not release any further details of the arrest. [LINK]

THANK YOU TO DEPUTY SHELTON:

Lawrence County [TN] Sheriff's Deputy Byron Shelton in CRITICAL CONDITION - shot responding to a domestic violence call. [LINK] Updates: Deputy recovering from bullet wounds ...“It’s just a part of what we do when we put on that uniform,” he said. “You just have to cherish every day that you have... If I had second-guessed myself, there would have been three people dead in that house, and I would have been one of them”... / Lawrence Co. Sheriff's Deputy Called A Hero - Friends and co-workers call Byron Shelton a hero. The Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy is credited with saving a woman's life - by nearly giving his own - after her estranged husband held a gun to her head...

[GA] Emerson Police Department Lt. Coleman Todd Heath charged with stalking under the Family Violence Act and false report of a crime (on the wife who he is in the process of a divorce with) [LINK]

[CA] Never-arrested Merced County Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Mathis who (allegedly) assaulted his dispatcher wife at work (with witnesses) pleads not guilty. Merced County Superior Court Judge Marc Garcia said that he plans on filing a protective order for Mathis' wife. [LINK] Previous post: Deputy Mathis back on (modified) duty after FIFTH accusation of violence - His most recent victim was his wife. (SHHH on steroids). [LINK]

[WV] Federal Bureau Of Prisons Officer Travis Barker is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and assault on a law enforcement officer. Under the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act, passed in 2004, Barker is allowed to carry a concealed weapon because he is a Bureau of Prisons officer, Bryan said. Barker also has a domestic battery charge filed against him from his now ex-wife. Bryan said his ex-wife has since requested that the charges against her former husband be dropped and signed an affidavit stating that her allegations against him were not true. [She recanted]

[FL] Coral Springs Police Officer Charles Mersch, accused of choking and beating his ex-wife, gets his JOB BACK through arbitration - with back pay! ..."Obviously we're very disappointed with the decision," Police Chief Duncan Foster said Friday. "It's abundantly clear to us that the arbitrator did not take into consideration all the facts of this case"... [LINK] / Previous post: [FL] Officer Mersch's wife bruised, eye swollen, says she was choked ...Police also photographed a bruise Petra Mersch showed on her left arm and her right eye, which was bruised and swollen at the time the statement was taken...

[FL] Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Jonathan Powell has been fired after being accused of pointing a loaded FHP-issued .40-caliber Beretta pistol at his father. Powell's father refused to provide a written statement to deputies about the incident. [LINK]

NYPD Inspector Anthony "Tony" Tria shot himself to death in his Queens office shortly before he was scheduled to go on duty Thursday, July 15th at his office in Fort Totten, the sources said. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said, "Inspector Tria was a consummate professional who worked tirelessly on behalf of the Police Department and the people of New York."

[LA] Rapides Parish Sheriff's Deputy Marvin Thomas who "coerced" his wife into confessing to HIS drunken hit and run has been FIRED. ..."It's unfortunate that [Marvin Thomas] coerced her into confessing to the hit and run ... and that she did it," [Alexandria Sgt. Ronald] Besson said... [LINK]

[MI] HITMAN Vincent Smothers (hired by Detroit Police Sgt. David Cobb to kill wife ROSE COBB) has been sentenced to 52 years. Rest in peace now Rose. [LINK] / 15 previous posts on blog here: [LINK]

[MD] Antonio Girard Stewart, killer of his wife Dawn Williams-Stewart, gets 50 years. "...Williams-Stewart's daughter, Litia Land, said her mother was in the process of leaving Stewart. Land called the house that day and heard a scuffle in the background, then called a friend to check on the situation. The friend heard Williams-Stewart screaming, and the couple's 4-year-old son say 'Daddy said he's going to kill Mommy now'..." Previous post is HERE. Go to end of comments on that post to see the most current news.

[TX] Harker Heights Police Officer Brad Duffy was charged with assault-family violence and interference with emergency phone call and within a few days resigned [LINK]

[WA] Washignton State Representative Geoff Simpson - More detail on these*2nd* allegations of domestic violence from the Seattle Post Intelligencer: "...The social worker said she saw Simpson “barrel” into the [hospital] room, push his ex-wife out, shut the door, close the blinds and barricade himself in [his daughter's] room. The social worker reported Simpson could be heard yelling inside the room..." [LINK]

[CA] Ex-Salinas Valley State Prison correctional officer Timothy Rodriguez found guilty in murder-for-hire case [LINK] / Previous Post: [CA] Escaping Officer Rodriguez (while he's in isolation) - "We've worked to change her identity and move her"...

[CA] Modesto Police Officer Matthew Spurlock - spousal abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, stalking and attempted rape charges. Wife visibly hurt. Spurlock is on administrative leave, and stripped of his law enforcement powers. He is facing a criminal probe and an internal investigation. [LINK]



[TN] Red Bank Police Chief Larry Sneed files lawsuit about his firing. Sneed's attorney Brian Moss: "This firing occurred for one reason and one reason only. Chief Sneed held Commissioner Monty Millard to the same standards as everyone else. Monty Millard was arrested in December 2008 and July 2009 by the Red Bank Police Department. He was arrested a third time in August 2009 by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department as well. All involved allegations against his wife. Mr. Millard is using these three separate arrests as a personal vendetta against Chief Sneed. In fact, only a few weeks ago, Millard subpoenaed Chief Sneed to give a deposition in his divorce case. Mr. Sneed's truthful answers were less than helpful to Mr. Millard?s civil divorce case, to say the least. This firing was in retaliation for Chief Sneed carrying out his duties as chief."

[MI] State Corrections Officer Joseph Naimo has been charged with slamming ex's head into pavement [LINK]

[MI] Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy Jessica Wion is on strike at home. Front door sign: "Mom/Wife is on strike!!" [LINK]

[TX] This murder-suicide of Coppell Mayor Jayne Peters killing her daughter Corrine just gets uglier and more twisted. Poor Corrine. [LINK]

[WA] Pierce Co. Sheriff's Deputy Allen Myron who fatally shot his in-laws, Sue and Monty Multanen, and killed himself - ironically, wanted better domestic violence response and reporting. Deputy Myron sought out Lane Judson to share his ideas with and pass his ideas on to. Mr. Judson is the father of Crystal Judson Brame who was murdered in her police chief husband's murder-suicide. [LINK]

[PA] Fired for drunken suicide threat with his family fleeing - Beaver County Sheriff's Deputy Joey David is reinstated by arbitration [LINK] l

[NY] WHITE PLAINS Mayor Adam Bradley is scheduled to go to trial in October for abuse against his wife [LINK Previous: [NY] News: Mayor Adam Bradley "declined to give a statement to detectives" on wife abuse charge [LINK]

[OH] Cleveland Ohio police officer Eric Roberts arrested for domestic violence. Wife's nose is fractured. [LINK]

[SC] Myrtle Beach Police Officer Adam Marks says his female friend beat, bruised her OWN face [LINK]

[FL] Walton County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerid Day arrested for aggravated battery on a child and child neglect. According to the arrest report Day picked up his three-month-old baby by the foot and threw her into her crib, causing the baby to hit her head, and the report says this is substantiated by witnesses and medical records. Besides the fractures and scratches on her nose, there is an older fracture. Day did not report the injuries to his wife or the doctor and said he had dropped her. He's fired.

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (ipv) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities lethal tennesee california politician michigan ohio fear terror louisiana texas pennsylvania south carolina maryland suicide suicidal]

[FL] Evidence destroyed but Deputy Williams still fired. (Collier Sheriff's Office not playing around.)

COLLIER DEPUTY FIRED: 20-YEAR VETERAN ACCUSED OF HARASSING HUSBAND'S EX-GIRLFRIEND
Naples Daily News
July 30, 2010 at 5:36 p.m
[Excerpts] A 20-year veteran of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office was fired this month after she was accused of harassing her husband’s ex-girlfriend by targeting her for an inappropriate traffic stop and repeatedly driving by her house. But the investigation was impeded when investigators found that someone had intentionally deleted the video feed from the hard drive of Cpl. Patricia Williams’ patrol car... The video could have been used to sustain or not sustain the allegations against her... Williams, 39, who was assigned to the agency’s North Naples district, denied erasing the video from the hard drive. However, she could not explain how it was erased, and began to cry. She initially consented to a polygraph test, but then changed her mind... In addition, the investigation also revealed that Williams had been inappropriately using the Sheriff’s Office Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), which contains biographical information and photos of registered Florida drivers. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety florida state lesa police database stalking]

[MO] Jenny Zeplin died in crash, and her husband, Officer Josh Zeplin, is standing in the need of prayer

...Kansas City Police Chief Jim Corwin said that Josh Zeplin suffered critical injuries... "Please keep this officer, his family and friends and the loved ones of his wife in your thoughts and prayers"...

KANSAS CITY WOMAN DIES IN CAR WRECK
KCSTAR
Joe Lambe
Sun, Jul. 25, 2010
A wreck north of St. Joseph early today killed a Kansas City woman and severely injured her husband, police report. The Ford Edge being driven by Joshua Zeplin, 25, hit an embankment at about 3 a.m. and overturned as it was southbound on Interstate 29 about seven miles north of St. Joseph, police said. The crash killed his wife, Jennifer Zeplin, 26, and seriously injured him, the Highway Patrol reported. [LINK]

Jennifer A. Zeplin [LINK]
Born: May 28, 1984
Died: July 25, 2010

[Excerpts] Jennifer Ann Zeplin 1984 – 2010 Jennifer "Jenny" Ann (Reimer) Zeplin, 26, of Kansas City, Missouri, formerly of Omaha, Nebraska, passed from this life in an automobile accident on Sunday, July 25, 2010 near Amazonia, Missouri. She was born May 28, 1984 in Omaha, Nebraska to Leslie John and Sally (Wearne) Reimer. Jenny was a 2002 graduate of Millard West High school and earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha in elementary education. Jenny married Josh Zeplin on June 6, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska... She was a substitute teacher in the Kansas City area. Jenny had a great love for children and her family... Visitation with the family will be held at Crosby Colonial Chapel Sunday August 1, 2010 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Monday August 2, 2010 at 11:00 am at Faith-Westwood United Methodist Church in Omaha, NE.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be:
• Kansas City, MO Police Department Care Team
• Backpack Buddy Club
• Willowdale Elementary School Library Fund
• Family Discretion
Crosby Burket Swanson Golden Funeral Home
11902 West Center Street, Omaha, NE 68144, (402) 333-7200

GUESTBOOKS HERE and HERE

OFFICER CRITICALLY INJURED, WIFE KILLED IN WRECK: Jennifer Zeplin, 26, Was Passenger In 1-Car Wreck
KMBC-TV, KMBC.com
updated 7/26/2010 8:16:39 PM ET
[Excerpts] A Kansas City woman died and her husband was critically injured in a crash north of St. Joseph early Sunday. The Missouri Highway Patrol said Jennifer Zeplin was a passenger in a 2007 Ford Edge that her husband was driving... Troopers said Josh Zeplin was driving south when he drove the car off the road, hit an embankment and overturned... The wreck occurred about 3:15 a.m... Kansas City Police Chief Jim Corwin said Monday that Josh Zeplin suffered critical injuries... "The preliminary investigation indicates the (off-duty) officer may have fallen asleep while driving... Please keep this officer, his family and friends and the loved ones of his wife in your thoughts and prayers." [Full article here]

WIFE OF HASTINGS COLLEGE GRAD KILLED IN WEEKEND ACCIDENT
KHAS-TV
Julie Tork
Jul 26, 2010
[Excerpts] A former Hastings College student was seriously injured in a weekend car crash. His wife was killed in the 1 car accident early Sunday morning near St. Joseph, Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said 25 year old Joshua Zeplin was lifeflighted to a St. Joseph, Missouri Hospital... It said the car became airborne, crossed another road, hit an embankment and overturned before coming to rest on the drivers side... His wife, 26 year old Jennifer Zeplin who was a passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. An Omaha funeral home is handling funeral arrangements for Jennifer... The couple was currently living in Kansas City, Missouri. [Full article here]

EX-OMAHAN DIES IN CRASH
Omaha World-Herald
By Kevin Cole
July 26, 2010
[Excerpts] Two Omaha families were reeling Monday from a one-vehicle accident on Interstate 29 in which a woman died and her husband was critically injured... Jenny (Reimer) Zeplin, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband, Josh Zeplin, 25, was taken to Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph by medical helicopter... A statement from the Reimer and Zeplin families said Josh Zeplin remained in the hospital's intensive care unit Monday afternoon. Josh and Jenny Zeplin both graduated from Millard West High School in 2002. Josh Zeplin went on to graduate from Hastings College in 2006, where he captained the football team his senior year. He works as a police officer in the Kansas City area. Jenny Zeplin graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2008. She worked as an elementary teacher in the Millard Public Schools before taking a teaching job in the Kansas City area... [Full article here]

UPDATE:

BAND OF BROTHERS ALWAYS ON CALL

TMC News, St. Joseph News-Press

Sep 06, 2010

[Excerpts] It's a bond that never breaks; A bond that knows no boundaries and anticipates every need... Josh Zeplin, a Kansas City, Mo., police officer, was involved in a one-vehicle accident in Andrew County on July 25 that killed his wife and put him in critical condition. The cause of the accident is still unknown, but when members of the FOP were notified, they were there to provide whatever support his fellow officers and family members needed... Mr. Zeplin is now doing out-patient treatment in Omaha, Neb., and is recovering quickly, Ms. Zeplin said. He suffered a concussion and broken ribs, but hopes to get back to work before the end of the year. A situation like this demonstrates the strong brotherhood that law enforcement everywhere has... [Full article here]

[1 one car crash unsolved unresolved state politics]

[ME] Capt./Firefighter Dorr's domestic violence charges evaporating into thin air

...[Westbrook firefighter Richard "Rick" Dorr] was charged with domestic violence, criminal threatening and obstructing the report of a crime... J.P. DeGrinney, the lawyer representing Dorr, said in a statement that the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office has dropped the charges of domestic violence and criminal threatening. Dorr still faces charges of obstructing a report of a crime...

CHARGED IN OFF-DUTY CRIMES, WESTBROOK FIREFIGHTERS LOSE JOBS: Richard Dorr and James Gammon had been on leave since their arrests.
Press Herald
By Melanie Creamer
July 27, 2010
[Excerpts] Two Westbrook firefighters who were arrested last month and placed on leave have lost their jobs... Richard Dorr, a captain with the call company, was terminated during his meeting with city officials Monday... Dorr was put on unpaid leave after his arrest June 22. He was charged with domestic violence, criminal threatening and obstructing the report of a crime... Dorr declined to comment on his dismissal. J.P. DeGrinney, the lawyer representing Dorr, said in a statement that the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office has dropped the charges of domestic violence and criminal threatening. Dorr still faces charges of obstructing a report of a crime. His wife said in the protection order that Dorr threw her cell phone across the room and stepped on it after she threatened to call police. "This poses a very interesting dilemma in that the Westbrook Police Department has made an arrest for obstructing the report of a crime when there is no underlying charge and no crime to report," DeGrinney said in a statement. "Dismissing a competent, qualified, and complaint-free fireman is not wise given the myriad of problems currently facing (the fire department). Good leaders seek out the real root of systemic problems and deal with them. Finding and firing an innocent scapegoat does not fix anything, and the public at large knows it"... The personnel decisions come about two weeks after the resignation of James Harbaugh, a part-time Westbrook firefighter. He was put on unpaid leave after a woman obtained a protection-from-harassment order against him. He resigned from the department July 12... [Full article here]

Comments:

null said...
or maybe she didn't want to see the father of her children thrown in jail and just wants to be able to walk away from a hurtful relationshop and get on with her life without having to fear the man she used to have faith in and love and cherish.....

Sam said...
If the District Attorney's Office dropped the charges of domestic violence and criminal threatening then those alleged activities likely never really happened. So if there was no crime how could Dorr be charged with obstructing the reporting of it? Sounds like he actually might have stopped a crime - the illegal reporting of a crime where none existed!

[TEFLON]

[FL] Mayor Scott McPherson denies abusing his power after wife Kimberly arrested for domestic violence

...Deputies say a drunken [New Port Richey Mayor] Scott McPherson berated them and asserted his stature as mayor, trying to get deputies to release his wife...

Arrested: Mayor's wife of 27 years Kimberly McPherson.

...The mayor said his wife only slapped him because he was being a jerk...

...He repeatedly said he was the mayor of New Port Richey, he would have them fired and that he was a friend of Sheriff Bob White, reports state... After his wife was arrested, the mayor dialed 911 to report "multiple batteries" against his wife by a Pasco deputy. "I'm actually concerned for my wife's well-being at this point... She was assaulted and battered by a sheriff's deputy - at least one - and I'm actually concerned that she might be being sexually assaulted at this time"... ...“It’s not because I’m anybody important, I’m not. I would like Sheriff (Bob) White to call me immediately. And trust me, he will...”

MAYOR APOLOGIZES AFTER INCIDENT
Tampa Bay Online
By LISA A. DAVIS
Published: July 28, 2010
[Excerpts] In a letter to local newspaper editors, New Port Richey Mayor Scott McPherson apologized Tuesday to deputies, the community and his wife for his actions early Monday when his wife, Kimberly, was arrested on a domestic battery charge. He also vowed to finish the remainder of his three-year term. Pasco County sheriff's deputies say the McPhersons were intoxicated and belligerent toward them during the incident at Grille 54 on State Road 54 in Trinity... According to the sheriff's office, Kimberly McPherson slapped her husband outside Grille 54... Scott McPherson, also a personal injury lawyer, said his wife did not strike him. He maintains that the deputy was aggressive toward them from the start, escalating a virtual nonincident into his wife's arrest. According to deputies' reports, at least one deputy witnessed the slap and Kimberly McPherson later said she did it. Kimberly McPherson, 44, told a deputy that she gave her husband a light slap because he was acting "like a jerk," a report states. After the arrest, deputies say, a drunken Scott McPherson berated them and asserted his stature as mayor, trying to get deputies to release his wife. He repeatedly said he was the mayor of New Port Richey, he would have them fired and that he was a friend of Sheriff Bob White, reports state... The couple's 21-year-old son, Jack, happened to be at the restaurant with friends. When he saw something going on between his parents and a deputy, he went to their sides, reports state. Deputy Jeanie Spicuglia wrote in her report that when she arrived at the restaurant, she saw Shoup talking to McPherson and a young man, later identified as Jack McPherson, who was getting loud toward the deputy. His father told him to be quiet, the report states, and then turned to Shoup and said, "You shut up." That's when Shoup, according to the report, cursed at Scott McPherson, telling him not to order him to be quiet... Spicuglia said she saw Kimberly McPherson slap her husband... After his wife was arrested, the mayor dialed 911 to report "multiple batteries" against his wife by a Pasco deputy. "I'm actually concerned for my wife's well-being at this point," McPherson told a county 911 operator. "She was assaulted and battered by a sheriff's deputy - at least one - and I'm actually concerned that she might be being sexually assaulted at this time." At some point, he also called New Port Richey police 911 dispatchers to report a sexual assault. "I want him immediately off duty... You need to listen to me," he said. "My wife was sexually assaulted by a Pasco sheriff's deputy"... As of late Tuesday, McPherson had not filed a report against the sheriff's office alleging sexual assault, said sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll... McPherson reiterated Tuesday that he is not concerned with his political career; he just wants to protect his wife, who he says is "the kindest person I have ever met in my life." In the letter to editors, Scott McPherson also asked for her forgiveness. "Finally, and of greatest importance to me, I want to publicly apologize to my wife, Kimberly. I will do everything in my control to make this up to you and be a better man. You mean more to me than any political office, or so-called 'prestige' associated with community positions I have held. You did not deserve any of this, and I am so sorry. Please forgive me." [Full article here]

MAYOR MAKES COMPLAINT TO SHERIFF'S OFFICE
FOX 13 News Pasco County
Peter Linton-Smith
29 Jul 2010
[Excerpts] Not long after New Port Richey Mayor Scott McPherson's wife was arrested for domestic battery, he made a series of 911 calls. He was upset with the deputy who arrested his wife. In one call he tells a dispatcher: "...I want to file a formal charge, and ...he absolutely assaulted her and battered her." Late Wednesday afternoon, sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll told Fox 13 McPherson did indeed make a complaint. According to Doll, McPherson filed a verbal complaint with the Professional Standards Division, the equivalent of internal affairs. The complaint excluded the criminal allegations McPherson made against deputies to 911 dispatchers... On Tuesday, McPherson issued a written statement refusing to resign. He did not return repeated calls to his home or office. [Full article here]

EMBATTLED NEW PORT RICHEY MAYOR RESPONDS ABOUT HIS NUMEROUS RAGING 911 CALLS: McPherson: Deputies lied, I didn’t abuse power
abcactionnews.com
By: Jeff Butera
July 29, 2010: 11:35 PM
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - In an email to ABC Action News, New Port Richey Mayor Scott McPherson denied using his political power to try and get his wife released from custody. The mayor’s wife, Kimberly McPherson, was arrested and charged with domestic battery after deputies said she hit the mayor outside Grille 54 in Trinity very early Monday morning. The mayor said his wife only slapped him because he was being a jerk. Deputies say after the mayor’s wife was arrested, McPherson verbally abused them, yelling at the law enforcement officers and trying to use his position of power to get the deputies to release his wife. But in an email to ABC Action News, the mayor denied that. “I will say that I completely DISAGREE with many allegations in the arrest report,” the mayor wrote. “I was not screaming ‘I am mayor, let her out!’ In fact, Kim was in the squad car when the deputies learned I was mayor, and due to a last-ditch effort, I stated ‘Please let her go. Look, I am the mayor of New Port Richey. Charge me if you want to hurt me! You will hurt me far worse by doing that!’” The mayor has apologized for his behavior to some of the deputies, but not all of them. In his email, he also said some of the deputies lied in the arrest report. The night of the arrest, the mayor also called the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, alleging that one of the deputies -- the one he refuse to apologize too -- had sexually assaulted his wife. In multiple 911 calls, he makes that allegation and demands that deputies be placed around the squad car to protect his wife. At one point, the mayor says, “It’s not because I’m anybody important, I’m not. I would like Sheriff (Bob) White to call me immediately. And trust me, he will... Tell them that Mayor Scott McPherson is calling and I never throw that rhetoric around because it doesn’t mean anything to me that I’m mayor.”... In his email to ABC Action News, though, McPherson said the facts about the 911 calls have been misconstrued. “I don’t try to throw my weight around. And when I did FINALLY mention being White’s friend, it was very late in the second recording if I recall,” McPherson said. “The media pulled out the one line that would make me look like an ego-driven politician.” In fact, the first time McPherson tells a dispatcher he is mayor is not until the third phone call, at least nine minutes into the phone calls. He does later say he’s “not trying to pull strings”... [Full article here]
[public official involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (ipv) abuse of power female]

[NC] Greene County Sheriff's Deputy Jon Willis killed responding to domestic violence call

Deputy Willis

Greene County Sheriff Lemmie Smith:

"Just keep us in your prayers."

Another officer loses their life coming to help a stranger be safe. Thank you to all the law enforcement officers who take that risk for the rest of us every day.

Video: Vigil for Deputy Willis & his precious heartbroken daughter speaks:

Daughter: "...He's not dead. He just started living."

Greene County deputy slain
Assailant commits suicide afterwards
ENC Today
Wesley Brown
July 30, 2010 12:00 AM
[EXCERPTS] A murder-suicide that happened in Snow Hill Wednesday night outside the Shine community resulted in a Greene County deputy killed by an assailant who immediately turned the gun on himself. Deputy Jon Willis died within minutes of 7:40 p.m. after responding to a domestic disturbance call at a residence in the Brooke Meadow Mobile Home Park... The 911 Center dispatched deputies Brad Conwell and Jon Willis. Willis, 30, arrived first... Conwell arrived seconds behind Willis to find his partner dead in the living room and [the shooter, Daniel] Myers – equipped with a handgun – dead in the bedroom... The N.C. Department of Correction listed Myers on its website as serving a 30-month probationary sentence on charges of felony assault inflicting serious injury, communicating threats and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors. Myers had a probation completion date of September 2011. The Greene County Courthouse had more than two dozen people stationed outside its doors waiting throughout Wednesday night into Thursday for new developments on the fallen deputy that had a 3-year-old son and an 11 to 12-year-old daughter. Flags at the Greene County Courthouse flew at half-staff as the community paid tribute to Willis. He joined the Greene County Sheriff's Office in December 2001, but left for a job at the Winterville Police Department. He returned to the GCSO in April 2009. “We are still working on a memorial service, but we will do something,” Smith said. “It is still early. We are going to get with the family and go from there. Just keep us in your prayers.”... [Full article here]


[hero north carolina lod lodd police officer domestic violence law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities lethal murder]

[CA] Parents of Sherri Rae Rasmussen suing LAPD for ignoring clues that LAPD Officer Lazurus killed their daughter

SHERRI RAE RASMUSSEN

...In the lawsuit filed in L.A County Superior Court, Nels and Loretta Rasmussen accuse the LAPD officers and supervisors investigating their daughter’s 1986 killing of deliberately ignoring clues that pointed to a fellow officer... The brother of a veteran Los Angeles police detective accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend's wife says the $10 million bail amount is outrageous and wants it lowered...

Previous Post:
[CA] LAPD tricks detective into disarming, then arrests her for murdering her boyfriends wife, Sherri Rasmussen, in '86 - Los Angeles Police Detective Stephanie Ilene Lazarus has been arrested and charged with killing her former boyfriend's wife...

FAMILY OF WOMAN ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY LAPD OFFICER FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SUSPECT AND DEPARTMENT
latimesblogs.latimes.com
Joel Rubin
July 27, 2010
[Excerpts] The parents of a woman who prosecutors say was killed by a Los Angeles police officer this week filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the accused cop and the LAPD. In the lawsuit filed in L.A County Superior Court, Nels and Loretta Rasmussen accuse the LAPD officers and supervisors investigating their daughter’s 1986 killing of deliberately ignoring clues that pointed to a fellow officer. Sherri Rasmussen was beaten and shot to death in the Van Nuys townhouse she shared with her husband. The husband told detectives that his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Lazarus, an LAPD officer, had repeatedly confronted and threatened Sherri Rasmussen before the killing. Lazarus, however, was not questioned or considered a suspect. Over the next two decades Lazarus rose to the rank of detective... Current LAPD officials have dismissed the notion of a coverup by their predecessors... [Full article here]

BROTHER OF LAPD DETECTIVE ACCUSED OF MURDER WANTS $10 MILLION BAIL LOWERED: Stephanie Lazarus is accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend's wife in 1986.
KTLA News
July 16, 2010
[Excerpts] The brother of a veteran Los Angeles police detective accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend's wife says the $10 million bail amount is outrageous and wants it lowered. 49 year old Stephanie Lazarus, a 26 year veteran police detective, is accused of bludgeoning and then shooting Sherri Rae Rasmussen in 1986 in Van Nuys... Lazarus was arrested in June, 2009 after cold case detectives re-examined the evidence in the case and linked her to the murder through saliva found in a bite mark on the victims. She faces a possible life sentence... [Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert] Perry said that if Lazarus were to be freed on bail, she would have access to weapons and could be a risk to herself and others. He called the case "unusual" and said there was compelling evidence that Lazarus would flee and go on the lam if released on bail. During her preliminary hearing, friends and colleagues said Lazarus was desperately in love with John Ruetten, whom she dated for several years before he married Rasmussen. The acquaintances say Lazarus was deeply upset when Ruetten broke up with her and got engaged. He married Rasmussen, a hospital nursing director, three months before her death... Prosecutors say the case against Lazarus focuses on a key piece of evidence: saliva collected from a bite mark left on the victim... Rasmussen's body was found by her husband in the living room of their Van Nuys condominium on Feb. 24, 1986. Investigators say she had been shot three times with a .38-caliber gun, bitten and badly beaten... [Lazarus] had reportedly threatened Rasmussen at the hospital where she worked and at her home... Police say Lazarus reported her personal .38-caliber revolver stolen from her car in Santa Monica shortly after the fatal shooting... The gun was never found. Santa Monica police acknowledged the theft report, but declined to make it public, citing the ongoing murder investigation... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities california state lawsuit preferential]