[IN] Believing Harrison County Sheriff's Deputy John Britton when he tells 911: "My wife shot herself..."

Christine Britton
Harrison County Jail Commander

It happens too frequently that law enforcement officers call 911 to say their wife has shot herself - and almost always they are believed. Why? Deputy Britton is indicted for helping his wife commit suicide by allegedly leaving the gun on the bed and telling her to do it. That's what he said happened, and so that is what he is held accountable for.

Was the home fully processed as a potential crime scene?

I'm not accusing because I wasn't there, but in hosting this blog I tire of the way the deaths of officer's wives and girlfriends are handled. There is a dismal and disturbing pattern of treating these fatalities completely differently than if a non-officer had called and reported a violent shooting death in their household.

And I wince reading Deputy Britton's attorney attesting to Christine having been suicidal before.
Christine can't speak for herself.
Is that information from his client
Deputy Britton?

CATCHING UP - EXCERPTS FROM OCT 30 NEWS BELOW.
...Mickey Weber, a lawyer representing Charlotte and Charles Hitner, Christine Britton’s parents, said the family was glad to see the indictment and believes it’s in the interest of justice that John Britton be held accountable in his wife’s death. Weber said he plans to file a $700,000 wrongful death lawsuit soon... Stan Faith, [John] Britton’s attorney said, “He certainly did not want his wife to commit suicide and that’s what the government has to prove. He was in love with his wife; still is”... The couple argued frequently, Faith said, and Christine Britton had threatened suicide before... Faith said his client has been living AND WORKING in Georgia for several months since his suspension from the Harrison County Police Department and the decision by the county commissioners to withhold his pay. The judge also issued a protective order against Britton prohibiting him from having any contact with any of Christine Britton’s family members...

Video: Deputy Britton indicted for wife Christine's suicide (Attorney says you can't prove it)

Previous posts:

• [IN] The at-home shooting death of Harrison County Jail Cmdr. Christine Britton to be reviewed by the Grand Jury - A Harrison County grand jury is expected to be convened soon to review the circumstances surrounding the death of former county jail commander Christine Britton... Her estranged husband, county police officer John Britton, was present at the time...
• [IN] Pending - Wrongful Death Lawsuit In Behalf of the Estate of Harrison County Jail Commander Christine Britton - ...Greg Clark, an attorney representing Christine Britton's family, confirmed the notice was filed yesterday (Sept. 17) on behalf of the estate of Christine Britton. Britton allegedly shot herself...
• [IN] Sheriff's Officer John Britton put on leave after family of Jail Commander Christine Britton file wrongful death lawsuit - ..."This is on behalf of (Christine's) daughter and not the family trying to make a dollar. Chrissie was the primary parent in the child's life, and now she's gone," Clark said. "The only heir to this, by law, is the daughter, and John. Our argument is that he won't be able to take over the estate because he contributed to the death of Christine"...

Video: Deputy Britton 911 call "My wife shot herself..."

HARRISON COUNTY DEPUTY TURNS SELF IN: John Britton Facing Charges Of Assisting Wife's Suicide
WLKY
October 30, 2010
A Harrison County Sheriff's deputy facing charges has turned himself in to police. A grand jury indicted John Britton on criminal charges of assisting a suicide in the death of his wife. Christine Britton was a former jail commander in Harrison County. She was found dead from a gunshot wound in her home in March of 2009. In a police interview, Britton said they were arguing moments before the shooting. He said he tried to stop her from committing suicide but then told officers he left his handgun on the bed and walked out. Moments later, he said he heard the gunshot. [LINK]

SHERIFF'S DEPUTY INDICTED IN WIFE'S SUICIDE - Police: Man Provided Gun To Suicidal Wife
WRTV Indianapolis
October 29, 2010
[Excerpts] ...Investigators said the couple had been involved in a domestic situation that day and that John Britton made available the gun his wife used to kill herself... A special prosecutor convened a grand jury in the case in August. Members on Thursday handed down an indictment against John Britton on a felony count of assisting a suicide. John Britton turned himself in during an initial hearing on Friday. The newspaper reported that John Britton has been suspended from the department... [Full article here]

GRAND JURY INDICTS HUSBAND OF FORMER HARRISON JAIL COMMANDER WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE
Louisville Courier-Journal
By Ben Zion Hershberg
October 29, 2010
[Excerpts] ...If found guilty, [Harrison County police officer John] Britton would face two to eight years in prison. A trial date was set for Feb. 15. The indictment was issued by a six-member panel requested by special prosecutor Nancy Jacobs. The charge was filed in Harrison County Superior Court... Stan Faith, Britton’s lawyer, said, “I was very much hoping he wouldn’t be charged.” Faith said there’s no evidence his client intentionally provided his wife with a gun to kill herself, a requirement for finding him guilty. “It’s very, very sad. It’s a tragedy,” Faith said of Christine Britton’s suicide. Charging her husband makes the situation even more tragic, he said... For a variety of reasons, a grand jury can be called to decide whether a suspect should be charged rather than having a prosecutor decide, Jacobs said. Those include the potential of using a rarely-invoked statute or to help analyze the facts of a case, among others. Jacobs declined to say why she used a grand jury in the Britton case... Faith said he doesn’t believe the charge applies to his client because the prosecutor will have to prove that Christine Britton intended to commit suicide and that John Britton intended to help her do that. The couple argued frequently, Faith said, and Christine Britton had threatened suicide before... Faith said his client has been living and working in Georgia for several months since his suspension from the Harrison County Police Department and the decision by the county commissioners to withhold his pay. Mickey Weber, a lawyer representing Charlotte and Charles Hitner, Christine Britton’s parents, said the family was glad to see the indictment and believes it’s in the interest of justice that John Britton be held accountable in his wife’s death. Weber said he plans to file a $700,000 wrongful death lawsuit soon against Britton and the Harrison County sheriff, for whom he worked. That is the maximum allowable under state law from a government agency. Britton turned himself in at the Harrison County Justice Center about 3 p.m. Friday. Superior Court Judge Roger Davis set a $20,000 bond, and Britton posted the $2,000 cash required for release. Davis entered a not guilty plea for Britton... [Full article here]

FORMER HARRISON COUNTY OFFICER, JOHN BRITTON, OUT OF JAIL FRIDAY AFTER INDICTMENT
by Melanie Kahn
WHAS11.com
October 30, 2010
Harrison County police officer John Britton is out of jail on bond, after he was indicted on charges he helped his wife commit suicide. Some of the evidence: a 911 call he made to dispatchers; dispatchers who worked with him and Christine Britton, who was a jail commander. Christine Britton was expected to be a witness in the case against Sheriff Mike Deatrick who was accused of harassment at the jail. The grand jury started investigating John Britton just weeks after another grand jury indicted Sheriff Deatrick. When police and EMS arrived at the home of John and Christine Britton the night he made the frantic 911 call, Christine Britton was dead. Jerry Goodin, Indiana State Police said, “John Britton made a fatal mistake that night; he allowed a handgun, or allowed access to a handgun, that was later used in the taking of a human life”... John Britton: “My wife just shot herself. I need an ambulance at my address right now”... Stan Faith, Britton’s attorney said, “He certainly did not want his wife to commit suicide and that’s what the government has to prove. He was in love with his wife; still is.” The judge also issued a protective order against Britton prohibiting him from having any contact with any of Christine Britton’s family members. In addition, the judge ordered Britton to turn over any firearms and anything belonging to the county. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities lethal murder suicide suspicion unsolved unresolved indiana state jail]

[IN] The arrest and suspension of Danville Asst. Police Chief Jerry Cunningham

Assistant Police Chief Jerry Cunningham is charged for tearing off the screen door and kicking in the wood door of a man's house where his ESTRANGED, divorcing wife was - and then assaulting the man and Cunningham's soon to be EX wife. Instead of being thrown on the ground and arrested, the police CHIEF came and whisked him away to the chief's home, where hours later he was arrested in a more dignified surrounding I guess.

To the people of Danville who do not think Cunningham should be held accountable, be careful. People here in Tacoma Washington supported our police chief too and closed out his wife. Soon they were both dead by his hand.

Protect the people being attacked, not the attacker.

ASSISTANT CHIEF RELEASED AFTER BATTERY ARREST: Man Faces Several Charges After Weekend Incident
theindychannel.com
October 25, 2010
[Excerpts] The assistant police chief of the Danville Police Department was released on his own recognizance Monday after he was arrested in a domestic disturbance involving his estranged wife at another man's home over the weekend. Jerry Cunningham was arrested Sunday on charges of domestic battery, battery with injury and unlawful residential entry, 6News' Rafael Sanchez reported. According to a police report, Cunningham drove to the home of Mike Willard... Cunningham forced his way into the home and confronted Willard, police said, asking to see his hands before punching him in the eye. Police said Cunningham's wife tried to break the men up as they wrestled and fought, cutting her foot. Cunningham called his boss, Danville Police Chief Keith Gill, after the altercation and told him what happened, police said. Cunningham, a father of three children, has been with the department for 20 years. He was placed on administrative leave, Gill said. "It is difficult. We know Jerry. We're a small, close-knit department," Gill said. "Everybody knows each other. He's been my assistant chief since I came here"... A special prosecutor will be named in the case. Cunningham is expected to be released on his own recognizance. He will be instructed to give his service revolver to police and undergo a mental evaluation within 24 hours. [Full article here]



DANVILLE'S ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF FACES CHARGES: Assistant police chief accused of battery, unlawful entry
theindychannel.com
Josh Duke
Oct 28, 2010
[Excerpts] The Danville Police Department received what its leader called a "black eye" last weekend, when one of their own was arrested after a domestic dispute. Hendricks County sheriff's deputies arrested Danville Assistant Police Chief Jerry Cunningham, 44, on Sunday. Cunningham faces a felony charge of unlawful residential entry and two misdemeanor battery charges, after reportedly getting into a dispute with his estranged wife and a Danville man. He was held overnight in the Hendricks County Jail but was released by the judge after his initial hearing Monday. A special judge and prosecutor will be assigned to the case and then a trial date will be set... [Cunningham] reportedly broke into a home owned by Mike Willard... Cunningham got in a fight with Willard inside the home and reportedly punched him in the face, Yetter said. Cunningham also may have shoved his wife during the struggle, Yetter said. Cunningham and his wife are going through a divorce. Deputies arrested Cunningham a few hours later at Danville Police Chief Keith Gill's home. Gill said he was doing yard work when Cunningham called. "I thought maybe he arrested somebody and needed help," Gill said. "If you would have told me that morning we would be arresting him, I wouldn't have believed it. He lives for his three boys and is such a big family man. I was completely shocked... I honestly believe we have to set a higher standard for ourselves because we have that public trust... This is a tough time for this department and the Danville community, but we will come through this maybe even stronger"... [Full article here]



DANVILLE POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR BATTERY
The Hendricks County Flyer
By Wade Coggeshall CNHI
Mon Oct 25, 2010, 04:43 PM EDT
[Excerpts] The assistant police chief here is on the other side of the law after an altercation with his estranged wife and another man. Jerry Cunningham was arrested Sunday on charges of residential entry, domestic battery, and battery. He was released from the Hendricks County Jail on his own recognizance Monday morning and made his initial court appearance that same day... When Cunningham wasn't granted entry to the home, he allegedly tore the screen door off its hinges and kicked in the front door. Once inside, Cunningham is accused of punching Willard in the face and shoving his wife, Shawn, when she tried to break up the fight. She fell and suffered a cut on her foot... After the scuffle, officials say Cunningham went to the residence of Danville Police Chief Keith Gill... Cunningham did not give investigators a statement. "At this point in time, why he went over there and allegedly kicked the door in and assaulted these two, I can't say"... [Full article here]

ASSISTANT CHIEF SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY AFTER ARREST: Supporters Rally Behind Embattled Officer
theindychannel.com
October 29, 2010
An assistant police chief has been suspended from work without pay days after he was charged in a domestic disturbance. A merit board voted unanimously Thursday night to suspend Danville police Col. Jerry Cunningham. Cunningham was originally suspended with pay for five days after his arrest on charges of domestic battery, battery with injury and unlawful residential entry. Police said Cunningham forced his way into a home where his wife was visiting a male friend. The other man was injured in a scuffle, and his wife was hurt while trying to break up the fight. The meeting was packed with supporters of Cunningham. "He's been with our department 22 years, an impeccable record," said Lynda Morgan. "Everyone knows him, adores him. He should stay with our department." Cunningham's supporters said they will raise money to assist him now that he is suspended without pay. [LINK]

SUPPORTERS ATTEND MERIT BOARD MEETING FOR DANVILLE ASST. CHIEF
WXIN-TV
By Heather MacWilliams Fox59
10:36 p.m. EDT, October 28, 2010
Supporters young and old came out in droves armed with signs and faith that Jerry Cunningham, a 22-year veteran of the Danville Police Department, will continue to protect and serve... The crowd contained former football players he's coached... The 44-year-old wound up turning himself in and is getting psychological help. "I just know that he's been going through a pretty hard time lately and it gets to you," says his 16-year-old son Cameran, adding, "I think if they made the decision to let him keep his job then he wouldn't do this ever again." But after deliberating for an hour, the merit board voted to place Cunningham on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of his charges. Something his next door neighbor says is unfair... [Full article here]

DANVILLE ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF ARRESTED
MSNBC, WTHR-TV WTHR-TV
updated 10/25/2010 6:47:56 PM ET

Danville - The assistant police chief of Danville was arrested and charged in an apparent domestic violence incident.

Jerry Cunningham faces two misdemeanor counts of battery and a felony charge of entering a residence after an attack over the weekend.

"Your Honor, I can assure you that in 22 years of faithful service to my community, I've already done enough to embarrass myself," said Cunningham, speaking via video conference.

Cunningham became emotional during his initial court hearing when the judge explained the protective order filed that restrains him from having any contact with his wife or his neighbor.

"I won't. They need not fear me. I will not contact them, your Honor. I will not," he said.

According to police, Cunningham was arrested Sunday afternoon after he found his wife at another man's house.

"My understanding is Mr. Cunningham was out walking, observed his wife's vehicle at this residence. He went and knocked at the door. There was no answer. He then made forcible entry, encountered the two and a fight ensued," said Bill Wright, Danville Police Department.

Investigators say the man sustained head injuries but was not taken to the hospital. Cunningham's wife was hurt trying to break up the fight, but she did not go to the hospital.

Police say the Cunninghams are going through a divorce.

"I made a mistake, a stupid mistake yesterday. My heart was broken. That's why I did it. I'm sorry," said Cunningham.

Hendricks County Sheriff's deputies ended up arresting the assistant police chief.

"We were requested to handle it so there's transparency; so there's no question of anything improper in this investigation," said Jim Yetter, Hendricks County Sheriff's Department.

"I thought he had stumbled onto something and needed back-up and my number was the first one on speed dial. That's exactly what I thought until I got there. I thought there's no way he should be back at his house. I took him back to my house and we sat on the back porch and I had been in contact with the sheriff's department, asking them to take over the investigation so that we would have total transparency," said Keith Gill, Danville Police chief.

Monday afternoon as a condition of his release, Cunningham's firearms were confiscated from his home and the judge ordered him to receive a mental health evaluation within the next 24 hours.

"If he is found guilty of domestic violence, federal law dictates that he cannot possess a firearm or be police officer so that will be potentially life-changing for him," said Wright.

His fellow officers say they knew he was going through a divorce but this came as a complete shock.

"He's one of the last individuals you would expect this from. He's very laid back, very calm, but one could say when matters of the heart are involved, you never know what an individual is inclined to do," said Wright.

"I think you need it," the judge said.

"Yes, your Honor. I agree," Cunningham replied.

Because of Cunningham's position, the judge called for a special prosecutor and a special judge to be assigned to the case.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for January 6th, 2011, and a jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 24th. [LINK]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (ipv) abuse law enforcement public safety indiana state preferential treatment]

[PA] CITY OF PITTSBURGH is appealing an arbitrator's decision to reinstate DV-assault-aquitted Police Sgt. Eugene Hlavac

...The Dec. 18 incident in Squirrel Hill during left Ms. Maughan with a partially dislocated jaw...

To see all of the posts about Eugene Hlavac that are on this blog, click here.

Former Pittsburgh police sergeant's reinstatement appealed
Friday, October 29, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The city is appealing an arbitrator's decision to reinstate a former Pittsburgh police sergeant who was accused - and then cleared - of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

An arbitration panel last month voted 2-1 to give former Sergeant Eugene Hlavac, who was fired in January, back his previous rank, shift and duty location at the Zone 2 station in the Hill District. He has not returned to work since then, Commander George Trosky said.

In court filings, the city said the panel wrongly refused to allow into evidence a protection-from-abuse order a judge granted in January for Lauren Maughan against Mr. Hlavac.

The panel consisted of neutral arbitrator Elliot Newman, police union representative Officer Robert Swartzwelder and Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson, who cast the lone vote to uphold Mr. Hlavac's firing. As part of the agreement, Mr. Hlavac, 43, was on track to recoup about $75,000 in lost wages and benefits. A judge in April found him not guilty of assaulting Ms. Maughan, 23, his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son. The Dec. 18 incident in Squirrel Hill during left Ms. Maughan with a partially dislocated jaw.

Bryan Campbell, an attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police, said he had not been notified of the appeal and declined to comment.
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety hx repeat teflon pennsylvania state union]

[TX] Cop-on-cop domestic violence: Austin Police Officer Quintana fired for the 2nd time in five months

Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo fired Officer Leonardo Quintana (above) for the second time in five months. During an internal hearing Wednesday afternoon, Acevedo made an administrative finding that Quintana committed assault and criminal trespass in October, 2009.

QUINTANA FIRED SECOND TIME AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS
KVUE News
By Jim Bergamo
October October 28, 2010
[Excerpts] Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo fired Officer Leonardo Quintana for the second time in five months. During an internal hearing Wednesday afternoon, Acevedo made an administrative finding that Quintana committed assault and criminal trespass in October, 2009. “I will not apologize to anybody who thinks we should let bygones be bygones. That is not our job; our job is to investigate, gather evidence, and we believe the evidence will show Quintana should not be a member of this police department,” said Chief Acevedo. The October incident involved Quintana’s former fianceé and fellow police officer Lori Noriega...mAn arbitrator ruled last week that Quintana should be reinstated to the police force after being fired in May for a DWI arrest. In September, Quintana appealed his firing during a civil hearing. At the time, Quintana said he was drinking more and more after the death of teenager Nathaniel Sanders. “I was having a hard time sleeping and nightmares. I was pretty much drinking to self medicate,” said Quintana in September. Now that Quintana has lost his badge for the second time, his attorney says he will appeal and challenge Acevedo’s decision... [Full article here]

QUINTANA'S JOB ON THE LINE AGAIN ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS
KVUE
October 27, 2010
[Excerpts] Austin police officer Leonardo Quintana may be out of a job again in a few hours, after another disciplinary hearing. Quintana was just re-instated to the force less than a week ago after being dismissed because of a drunk driving incident. Soon after, he received a letter informing him of Chief Art Acevedo's intentions to suspend him indefinitely. This time, it is connected to an alleged domestic violence incident involving his ex-fiancee... This is all unrelated to Quintana's fatal shooting of Nathaniel Sanders in May of last year. Quintana was never criminally charged in that shooting. [Full article here]

QUINTANA'S FORMER FIANCEE TOLD POLICE THAT CONFRONTATION HAD BEEN VERBAL: Fired police officer, reinstated last week, faces possible termination today.
American-Statesman
By Tony Plohetski
Oct. 26, 2010
[Excerpts] The former fiancée of Austin police officer Leonardo Quintana, who faces possible dismissal after an alleged domestic violence incident, told officers that day that the couple had fought only verbally, a police report obtained Tuesday said. Leander police wrote that the Oct. 10, 2009, call at the home of Austin officer Lori Noriega, Quintana's longtime girlfriend, "was cleared (as) a verbal disturbance where parties were already separated." An officer wrote that Noriega "stated she was not injured and that this was just a verbal disturbance." An attorney representing Quintana, whose fatal shooting of Nathaniel Sanders II outside an East Austin apartment complex prompted unrest last year, has said that a police internal affairs investigation concluded Quintana assaulted Noriega... Noriega attorney Jannice Joseph said Tuesday that Noriega was not investigated "that I am aware of" for not notifying her supervisors... Quintana was reinstated to the department last week after he was fired in May — a year after the Sanders shooting — for a drunken driving arrest in January. Last year, he was suspended for 15 days for not activating his patrol car camera during the shooting, but Acevedo found that he did not violate departmental policies concerning his tactics and use of deadly force. Quintana also was suspended for 15 days in 2006 after a memo said he burst into Noriega's home to retrieve cruise tickets. Acevedo later reduced that suspension to a written reprimand. According to her disciplinary file, Noriega was suspended for 10 days in 2006 for making harassing phone calls to a person who was not named and for not giving "an accurate accounting" of an off-duty incident she was involved in... [Full article here]

AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER QUINTANA MAY LOSE JOB FOR THE 2ND TIME
weareaustin.com
Tuesday, October 26 2010
[Excerpts] After getting his job back last week Austin Police Officer Leonardo Quintana is facing another disciplinary hearing Wednesday which could end with him being terminated from the department yet again... Quintana fought the indefinite suspension with an appeal hearing last month saying he had gone to counseling and hadn’t had a drop of alcohol since the arrest. The indefinite suspension was reduced to 15 days by an arbitrator This time Quintana’s hearing is about a new investigation into a 2006 domestic dispute incident with his former fiancée who is also a fellow APD officer. Quintana was suspended for 15 days for the dispute but the punishment was reduced to a written reprimand... New evidence is expected to be revealed at the hearing which could end with Quintana being suspended or terminated as an Austin police officer... [Full article here]

OFFICER QUINTANA'S JOB IN JEOPARDY
kvue.com
by JENNIE HUERTA, KVUE
October 26, 2010 at 4:20 PM
[Excerpts] The Austin police officer involved in a fatal shooting could be fired, less than a week after he was reinstated. Leonardo Quintana faces a disciplinary hearing Wednesday afternoon for a domestic incident last October with his ex-fiance, also an APD officer. Quintana received a letter that APD plans to suspend him indefinitely - the civil service equivalent of firing him... Quitana shot and killed 19-year-old Nathaniel Sanders in May 2009. Chief Art Acevedo says he is prohibited by law from confirming the investigation or commenting on the domestic abuse allegations... [Full article here]

FROM MAY 2009:

Nathaniel Sanders

AUSTIN'S TOP COP PROMISES TO 'DISSECT' OFFICER SHOOTING OF SUSPECT
CBS 42 Reporter: Jason Wheeler
Last Update: 5/12 11:52 am
[Excerpts] Police believe 18-year-old Nathaniel Sanders, who was shot to death by an Austin police officer early Monday morning, had links to several recent violent crimes in Austin... Until this latest inquiry is done, Senior Officer [Leonardo] Quintana will be on administrative leave. He is an eight year veteran of the department, with exemplary reviews, multiple commendations, and even an employee of the year finalist last year. The one blemish was a 15 day suspension in 2006 for criminally trespassing into his girlfriend's apartment. [Full article here]

OFFICER IN SHOOTING HAD '06 SUSPENSION REDUCED: Funeral date set for man who was killed this week.

American-Statesman

By Tony Plohetski 

Thursday, May 14, 2009

[Excerpts] An Austin police officer who fatally shot a man [Nathaniel Sanders] and wounded another [Sir Lawrence Smith] this week had a 15-day suspension that he served in 2006 reduced to a written reprimand by Police Chief Art Acevedo last year... Acevedo offered to reduce the suspension involving officer Leonardo Quintana in January 2008, days before an appeal hearing... The agreement also said that Quintana would be reimbursed the money he lost during the suspension... Quintana had been suspended after he burst into the home of his girlfriend, also an Austin police officer, without her permission after a fight to retrieve tickets for a cruise, a disciplinary memo said. The memo said his actions constituted a criminal trespass. City officials said they did not release the agreement Monday - when they released Quintana's personnel file - because the document had been filed incorrectly. Quintana remained on administrative leave Wednesday in the shooting death of 18-year-old Nathaniel Sanders II... [Full article here]

OFFICER IN SHOOTING HAD STRONG RECORD, DESPITE 2006 SUSPENSION: Leonardo Quintana was an police employee of the year finalist in 2008.
American-Statesman
By Patrick George
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
[Excerpts] Despite a suspension in 2006, the officer who shot and killed a man in East Austin early Monday morning was highly decorated in the Austin Police Department, according to his personnel file. A City of Austin memorandum states that officer Leonardo Quintana was suspended for 15 days in August 2006 after a fight with his girlfriend, another Austin police officer. The memo says that on April 28, 2006, Quintana burst into the home of officer Lori Noriega without her permission in order to retrieve tickets for a cruise. His actions constituted criminal trespass, the memo says. Austin police officials said Quintana has received a number of commendations during his 81/2-year career, including a superior service citation, the Commanders' Recognition award in 2007 and the CMT Campaign Ribbon for his service in the department's riot control unit. He was an employee of the year finalist in 2008 and was named the 100 Club of Central Texas Officer of the Year in 2003. Based on personnel records obtained by the American-Statesman, Quintana consistently achieved high marks during his annual performance evaluations. In prior evaluations, his supervisor, Sgt. Erin Zumwalt, described Quintana as "the hardest working officer on the shift" and "an asset to the department." According to a public records search, Quintana has no criminal record. During the award ceremony for the 100 Club citation, Quintana was called "a police officer's officer," which then-Chief Stan Knee said was "most appropriate," according to his file. An evaluation from early in his career said Quintana is "extremely motivated ... for a very young officer (and) shows a real knack for police work. He is always at the right place at the right time"... [Full article here]

APD INVESTIGATING WHY ONLY ONE CAMERA ACTIVATED DURING OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING
KVUE
By Jessica Vess
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
New details have emerged in the fatal shooting of Nathaniel Sanders, 18, Monday morning at the Walnut Creek Apartments in Central East Austin. Austin police say only one camera out of three patrol car dashboard cameras was on and recording when Senior APD Officer Leonardo Quintana shot and killed Sanders... Detectives are investigating why departmental policies weren't followed... According to APD policy, when the lights and sirens of a patrol car are activated, the dashboard camera automatically turns on as well... [Full article here]

FATHER: THE SHOOTING WAS "NEGLIGENT: Chief is 'confident' that officer acted legally
KXAN
Monday, 11 May 2009
[Excerpts] ...According to Austin's Office of the Police Monitor, Quintana was suspended in 2006 after a dispute with his then-girlfriend, Officer Lori Noriega, a fellow officer who was also suspended in connection with the incident. According to affidavits , Quintana was trying to retrieve some cruise tickets from her house that he had bought, and she wouldn't let him in. So he shoved his way inside, got the tickets, and left, the documents say. He was suspended. Noriega was also suspended because, according to the affidavits, she had not been truthful about the incident and had also made "harassing" phone calls to another person... [Full article here]

...The memo says that on April 28, 2006, Quintana burst into the home of officer Lori Noriega without her permission in order to retrieve tickets for a cruise. His actions constituted criminal trespass, the memo says...

police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety texas state hx repeat offender murder]

[GA] Trial starts: Did Deputy Yancey kill his wife, Dekalb Sheriff's Officer Linda Yancey, and day laborer Marcial Cax-Puluc?

Thirty years of marriage for two high school sweethearts ended with a DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy [Derrick Yancey] shooting his wife [Dekalb Sheriff's Officer Linda Yancey] point-blank in the heart, prosecutors told jurors Monday... Prosecutors said Yancey “executed” his wife and [day laborer Marcial] Cax-Puluc, lied to police, cut off his ankle monitor and then fled to Belize. Investigators testified that Yancey was never handcuffed or detained when police responded to his 911 call. He told the dispatcher his wife had been shot and he needed instructions on how to do CPR. This ultimately helped raise officers' suspicions...


EX-DEKALB DEPUTY MURDER TRIAL CONTINUES
MyFox Atlanta
Tuesday, 26 Oct 2010
[Excerpts] A former DeKalb deputy says it was a day-laborer who shot and killed his wife. Monday morning in court, one of the prosecutor's witnesses says the immigrant did have gun powder residue on his hands... But prosecutors created doubt asking, "if you are shot at close range and put your hand on the wound?"... Derrick Yancey is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon in connection with the deaths of his wife, Linda Yancey, and laborer Marcial Cax-Puluc. He faces a minimum of two life sentences... [Full article here

GBI: BLOODSTAINS SHOW EX-DEPUTY WAS SHOOTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Megan Matteucci
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
[Excerpts] Blood found on a former DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy shows he shot his wife, a GBI crime analyst testified Tuesday. Former deputy Derrick Yancey, 51, is on trial on charges he killed his wife, Linda Yancey, and day laborer Marcial Cax-Puluc ... GBI Special Agent Cecil Hutchins told jurors that blood splatter found on Derrick Yancey’s feet, shins and between his fingers are consistent with the wounds on his wife’s body ... Linda Yancey was shot in the chest, neck and in the heart with the gun pressed into her chest, prosecutors said... On Monday, a DeKalb police officer, who was the first at the scene of the shooting in June 2008, testified that Derrick Yancey was holding a gun when the officer arrived. The officer said he ordered Yancey to throw the gun on the lawn, but said he didn’t suspect Yancey was the shooter. Prosecutors said Yancey “executed” his wife and Cax-Puluc, lied to police, cut off his ankle monitor and then fled to Belize. Yancey’s attorney, Ruth McMullin, said Monday that her client was the victim and Cax-Puluc shot the woman in an attempt to steal $2,000. She also claims her client was treated unfairly by police... [Full article here]

PROSECUTORS: EX-DEKALB DEPUTY SHOT WIFE IN HEART: Derrick Yancy charged with killing wife and day laborer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Megan Matteucci
October 25, 2010
[Excerpts] Thirty years of marriage for two high school sweethearts ended with a DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy shooting his wife point-blank in the heart, prosecutors told jurors Monday. A shot first hit Linda Yancey in the chest. Another ran through her neck and out her ear, before her husband pressed the gun into the center of her chest as she lay on the floor, prosecutors said. “That shot would blow away a portion of her heart,” Assistant District Attorney Ken Hutcherson said... Police testified that Yancey wasn’t considered a suspect. Investigators testified that Yancey was never handcuffed or detained when police responded to his 911 call. He told the dispatcher his wife had been shot and he needed instructions on how to do CPR. This ultimately helped raise officers' suspicions. Investigator Greg Johns, of the county medical examiner’s office, said Linda Yancey had no bloody handprints on her shirt nor any indication she received chest compressions. Prosecutors said they also didn’t know why Yancey, a trained officer who had completed several first-aid courses, needed 911 to tell him how to perform CPR. DeKalb Detective Richard Ward Thompson, who was the first to arrive at the scene, said Yancey told him the deaths were the result of a robbery and gunfight. “He seemed relatively calm to me for someone just in a gunfight,” the officer testified... Yancey worked for the sheriff’s department for 18 years. McMullin, the defense attorney, said her client was set up by police... McMullin acknowledged that Yancey fled, but did not say why. “I can’t ignore the elephant in the room. Yes, Mr. Yancey cut his ankle bracelet off,” she told jurors. “Yes, he left. He did. But it did not happen in the days and weeks following the slaughter of his wife.” The families declined to comment until the end of the trial. Prosecutors and defense attorneys declined, citing a gag order issued by Superior Court Judge Linda W. Hunter... [Full article here]

DEPUTY YANCEY'S [ALLEGED] VICTIMS:

His wife Linda Yancey, and an unsuspecting day laborer, Marcial Cax Puluck - who is thought to have died not knowing why.

Marcial Cax Puluc is the man who is believed to have been killed as a part of a contrived story Deputy Yancey told authorities, as a cover-up in his (premeditated?) murder of his own wife, Dekalb Sheriff's Officer Linda Yancey. Marcial is more than a dead prop. He was a young man with a family who loves him - who was here to help them by earning money to send home. Linda was much more than a wife. She's a mother, sister, friend, and missed Dekalb Sheriff's Officer co-worker. Her sweetness lingers heavy in the air over all of this.

Previous blog entries:

• [GA] Deputy Yancey says he killed the man who killed his officer wife Linda - ...Condolences to all who love the people involved. Prayers are lifted for the Yancey children, Derrick and Linda's families, for the family of the man yet to be identified, and for truth and justice...
• [GA] Chief Bolton on murder of deputy's wife, Officer Linda Yancey - ...The chief spoke exclusively to FOX 5's Portia Bruner about the investigation...
• [GA] Linda Ann (Thomas) Yancey - "I will never forget that beautiful smile of hers" - ...Linda was a wonderful person, and one of the most professional and polite officer that had ever worked for me. I thank God for allowing me to speak with her and the family recently before her untimely death. I will never forget that beautiful smile of hers, and her charming personality. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16...
• [GA] Man Deputy Yancey says killed his wife Linda is identified - "...THERE'S AN INJUSTICE. I DON'T BELIEVE HE KILLED THE WIFE OF THAT OFFICER"...
• [GA] Who believes Deputy Yancey didn't murder Linda & Marcial? - ...FOX 5 NEWS HAS LEARNED DEKALB POLICE WANT TO TALK TO DEPUTY DERRICK YANCEY ABOUT THE DOUBLE KILLINGS AT HIS HOUSE, AGAIN. IT APPEARS HIS ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT IS BEING QUESTIONED...
• [GA] Deputy Yancey not charged or cleared in killings - Gives DNA - More than a month after a DeKalb County sheriff's deputy Derrick Yancey said he killed a robber who had just killed Yancey's wife, authorities have neither cleared nor charged him...
• [GA] "Resigned" Deputy Yancey walks out of jail with double-murder charges - Former DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy Derrick Yancey can await his double murder trial under house arrest and a $150,000 bond, a judge ruled...
• [GA] Family of slain Linda Yancey say they're not allowed to see youngest child - ...Relatives of Linda Yancey have filed a court action saying they have not been allowed to see the boy...
• [GA] "Resigned" Deputy Yancey indicted for double murder of Linda and Marcial. - ..."This is a case that's going to lean heavily on the forensics and ballistic evidence, which we have quite a bit of, and it's powerful. It will prove beyond a reasonable doubt what we've thought all along -Deputy Yancey's guilty"...
• [GA] Trial delays for double-murder accused Deputy Yancey - This short article's author didn't mention the names of Deputy DY's (alleged) victims. That has to be wrong. (It just has to be.) May these two stolen lives never be considered incidental in the prosecution or coverage of this case... Who's NOT in a jail right now? Derrick Yancey.
• [GA] "DESPARATE, ARMED, AND DANGEROUS" - Double murder suspect Deputy Yancey has cut off his electronic monitor and is missing - Somebody tell me WHY anyone suspected of murdering his wife and an uninvolved day laborer would be on house arrest!
• [GA] 6th day of nation-wide manhunt for double-murder suspect ex-deputy Yancey - ...[Yancey] has joined the ranks of "America's Most Wanted" after cutting the leather strap of his electronic monitoring device and fleeing from house arrest...
• [GA] Deputy Derrick Yancey videotaped fleeing his murder charges - ...Officials said he had cut off his ankle monitor... He was last spotted at a bus station in Phoenix, Az. Authorities believe he could be anywhere between Phoenix and Los Angeles or even in Mexico...
• [GA] America's Most Wanted fugitive - double-murder suspect Ex-Deputy Yancey captured in Central America - Captured fugitive ex-Deputy Derrick Yancey back on U.S. soil to face wife-murder charges, and killing Marcial Cax Puluc. The angels are high-fiving...
  

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (ipv) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities lethal murder georgia state cop-on-cop]

[FL] Goodbye to Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Erin Flater

...[Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Karie] Partington said Flater shot herself during a discussion with her partner over an ending relationship. Flater, overcome with stress from the relationship, took out her personal weapon...

"...A WONDERFUL FRIEND, CO-WORKER AND HUMAN BEING. ALWAYS A SMILE ON HER FACE AND KINDNESS IN HER VOICE. SHE WILL BE MISSED GREATLY BY MANY..."

Please pray for Deputy Erin Flater's friend in the park.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE: COLLIER DEPUTY SHOT HERSELF, DIED FROM INJURIES
nbc-2.com
By Christina Mora
Posted: Oct 22, 2010 4:29 PM PDT
Updated: Oct 22, 2010 8:30 PM PDT
[Excerpt] Officials with the Collier County Sheriff's Office say a deputy shot herself in the chest while breaking up with someone she was in a relationship with. They say she died from her injuries. Officials with the sheriff's office say 29-year-old Erin Flater was off-duty when she used her personal weapon, a 40-caliber Glock, to shoot herself Friday evening at Sugden Park. Investigators say she was emotionally overcome by the personal stress of the relationship. She had been with the sheriff's office for four years... [Full article here]

DEPUTY FATALLY SHOOTS HERSELF AT PARK
The Associated Press
Posted on Friday, 10.22.10
[Excerpt] A Collier County deputy is dead after reportedly shooting herself during an off-duty argument at a Naples park. The sheriff's office reports that the 29-year-old deputy was with another person at the Sugden Regional Park Friday evening. Authorities say the two were ending their relationship when she took out her personal weapon, a .40 caliber Glock, and shot herself. She was transported by helicopter to a Fort Myers hospital, where she died... [Full article here]

COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY FATALLY SHOOTS HERSELF AT PARK
wtsp.com
[Excerpts] A Collier County deputy is dead after reportedly shooting herself during an off-duty argument at a Naples park... The deputy, who worked in the road patrol division, joined the sheriff's office in March 2006. Investigators say other park visitors were never in any danger. [Full article here]

CCSO: OFF-DUTY DEPUTY SHOT SELF AT PARK
Posted by colliersheriff.org at 9:10 PM
Posted 10/22/2010
[Excerpts] The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting involving a deputy at an East Naples park Friday evening. Deputies found Cpl. Erin Flater wounded from a self-inflicted gunshot at Sugden Regional Park shortly before 6 p.m... Investigators said that Cpl. Flater was emotionally overcome by the personal stresses of the relationship... She is assigned to the road patrol division in the sheriff’s East Naples district. An investigation continues... Posted by colliersheriff.org at 8:56 PM [Full article here]


SUGDEN PARK SHOOTING-VOTOPS
ABC 11pm
ABC SEVEN FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS OUT OF COLLIER COUNTY TONIGHT. WE'RE NOW LEARNING A COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY SHOT HERSELF IN SUGDEN PARK IN NAPLES JUST BEFORE SIX ... TONIGHT WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT DEPUTY FLATER ... IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR SHE WAS GIVEN THE PRESTIGIOUS "PHOENIX AWARD" AFTER HELPING TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A PERSON WHO SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED. [Full article here]


COLLIER DEPUTY DIES AFTER SHOOTING HERSELF AT SUGDEN PARK
Marco News
Elysa Batista
Posted October 22, 2010
updated October 23, 2010
[Excerpts] ...[Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Karie] Partington said Flater shot herself during a discussion with her partner over an ending relationship. Flater, overcome with stress from the relationship, took out her personal weapon, a .40 caliber Glock pistol, and shot herself, according to Sheriff’s Office reports... Sheriff's Office dispatch got a call at 5:52 p.m. in reference to shots fired at the county park... “We still have people back there continuing the investigation,” Partington said. [Full article here]

LAST YEAR:

The Phoenix Award

90 COLLIER EMERGENCY RESPONDERS HONORED FOR SAVING LIVES
Naples Daily News
By LIZ FREEMAN
Posted March 10, 2009 at 4:04 p.m.
[Excerpts] ...The Collier County Commission on Tuesday honored 90 paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement officers with Phoenix awards for bringing people back to life after sudden cardiac death. The Phoenix is a mythological bird that died and rose again from its ashes. The county recognizes paramedics, firefighters and officers for their heroism with the Pheonix awards three times a year... From the Collier County Sheriff’s Office: Erin Flater, Robert Palmer, Jason Bence, Mark Long, Karen Eggleston, Drew Lee, Reynald Kelly, Mike Craig and Cpl. Josh White... [Full article here]

EXCERPTS FROM COMMENTS:

...saying a prayer for erin and her family...

...God Bless her and her family !!...

...I'm so sorry for all who lost her and for her friend in the park! Beautiful, funny & strong! What a terrible night!...

...R.I.P. Erin I will miss you...

...A WONDERFUL FRIEND, CO-WORKER AND HUMAN BEING. ALWAYS A SMILE ON HER FACE AND KINDNESS IN HER VOICE. SHE WILL BE MISSED GREATLY BY MANY...

...I couldnt of said it any better. Erin may you find the peace you are looking for.. and watch over all your coworkers and they will always be missing you .. God Bless you...

...Can not find the words for this kind of loss... Erin you will me missed by so many friends and loved ones...

...Beautilful girl. Greeted you many times at work. Always smiling and friendly. May your beautiful soul be at peace. My prayers are with you and your family. My condolences to all at the Collier County Sheriff's Department...

...OMG! That is such a loss! RIP CPL. Flater...

... OMG, I am in shock. You were a beautiful kind soul my friend, may you find the peace you were so desperate for. RIP...

...RIP...may God bless your soul!...

...I'm so sorry for everyone who lost Erin! What a kind, funny beautiful person!...

...Amazing Woman, amazing deputy... Another Angel in heaven... never can forget her smile... she was never without a smile... RIP Erin...

...Erin and I were both hired in March 2006. I had the privilege of working with Erin in traning for several months before being assigned our districts. She was a delightful person to be around. I'll miss her very much!!!! RIP...

...Thoughts and prayers to the family of this young officer...

...My prayers are with Erin, her family, and all of the members of the CCSO Team. God bless you all for all that you do for the Collier County Community....

...RIP Erin you were well liked and will be missed and thought of often...

...Erin I pray you are with God and His Angels. Your smile and spirit has touched the lives of many. I will miss you and hope to see you again in the Kingdom of God. My prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace my friend. I'll miss you...
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities florida state suicide suicidal]

[TX] Officer Duenas, goodbye.

EPCC POLICE OFFICER SHOOTS HIMSELF ON CAMPUS
Play this video
By Bob Grotenhuis - Producer
Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:50:32 GMT
EL PASO - El Paso Community College is confirming sad news on the school's transmountain campus. EPCC police officer Jorge Duenas, 58, took his own life. Duenas was found dead in his police car last night with a gunshot wound to his chest. No students were on campus at the time.

EPCC POLICE OFFICER FOUND DEAD AT TRANS MOUNTAIN CAMPUS
Las Cruces Sun - News. Las Cruces, N.M.
Daniel Borunda
Oct 25, 2010
El Paso police were investigating the death of an El Paso Community College police officer late Sunday at the Trans Mountain Campus of EPCC.At about 9:40 p.m., police were dispatched after an emergency call about an officer down and possibly dead on the college campus, according to emergency radio broadcasts. Crime scene investigators, a chaplain and victim services personnel were later dispatched. Police confirmed the man found dead was an EPCC officer and the death was a possible suicide. Further details were not immediately available. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102. Credit: by Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities texas state suicide]

[AL] Officer Klein and his girlfriend arrested for domestic violence

A Foley police officer [James Andrew Klein] is on paid administrative leave after he and his girlfriend [VB] were arrested on domestic violence charges...

FOLEY POLICE OFFICER, GIRLFRIEND CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Press-Register
Guy Busby
October 26, 2010
[Excerpts] A Foley police officer is on paid administrative leave after he and his girlfriend were arrested on domestic violence charges, officials said today... When officers arrived on scene, they observed scratches and red marks on both Klein and [VB]... Klein and [VB] were charged with third-degree domestic violence. When informed that an officer was a domestic violence suspect, Chief David Wilson asked the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the incident, according to a police statement... Both suspects were booked in the Baldwin County Corrections Center and released on $2,500 bail, according to jail records. Wilson ordered an internal investigation of the incident. He also put Klein on paid leave until the internal investigation is complete, according to the statement. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety alabamas state mutual female]

[IL][FL] [Cop murder-sucide, and...] Sharyl "would stand outside in the rain, hands raised to the sky, to get clean..."

I AM SO DISGUSTED - and sad, for these women's lives. This past week retired Chicago Police Officer Robert Lintz fatally shot his wife Renee and himself. WHAT KIND OF LIFE, from the sparse hints in the news, did Renee have with him for 60 YEARS? And DID HE KILL HIS ADULT DAUGHTER "Sheryl" (Sharyl) too? Her death in 2007 was called a suicide but neighbors said she was locked out of the house most of the time and that she had to bathe outside in the rain, with her arms raised to the sky. Maybe she did kill herself.

Just as easily to conceive - maybe she did not.

Where are the pieces of these women's lives for me to gather and honor them with? A photo? A poem? A friend?

A trace that they ever lived or laughed?

I can't do this today. This is awful.

A flower for Renee and Sharyl...


A former Chicago Police officer and his wife [Renee Lintz] are dead in an apparent murder-suicide... Robert Lintz was a retired Chicago police officer having worked as an officer 26 years... [Joanie] Samson, who lives next door to the Lintzes' home, said Robert Lintz used to boast about keeping guns in his house and "he had a threatening demeanor"... She said whenever she heard a loud noise coming from the direction of the Lintz home, she would rush to her window... Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd: "I feel bad for Renee... I feel bad she had to die that way." ...the Lintzes' daughter and only child, Sheryl Lintz, 48, was living in her parents' home when she shot herself to death. [???] Neighbors said Sheryl [Sharyl] Lintz was only allowed in the house at certain times of day and would stand outside in the rain, hands raised to the sky, to get clean... Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed the suicide, at the same location as the murder-suicide Friday... [Judd] said Lintz seemed OK, but did have a police demeanor that might not have gone over too well if displayed in a community of retirees...


FORMER CHICAGO COP, WIFE KILLED IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE
ABC Action News
By: Chad Cookler
Posted: 10/23/2010

LAKELAND, Fla. - A former Chicago Police officer and his wife are dead in an apparent murder-suicide, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

A home healthcare nurse discovered the couple’s bodies at their home at 4841 Goldenview Lane around 11:15 a.m. Friday morning.

Investigators say that 84-year-old Robert Lintz and his wife Renee, 83, had been married for 60 years. Both had suffered from significant medical issues, detectives said.

They said it appears Robert shot Renee once in the head, then turned the gun on himself, and shot himself in the head .

Robert Lintz was a retired Chicago Police officer who served from 1953 to 1979.

The medical examiner will conduct autopsies on the couple on Sunday. The case remains under investigation. [LINK]


POLICE SAY HUSBAND KILLS WIFE, THEN SELF
TBO.com
Published: October 24, 2010

LAKELAND - An 84-year-old retired Chicago police officer, who was suffering from significant medical conditions, apparently shot and killed his 83-year-old wife in Lakeland on Friday, then turned the gun on himself, the Polk County Sheriff Office reported today.Deputies were sent to the home of Robert and Renee Lintz at 4841 Goldenview Lane at about 11:15 a.m. after a home health care nurse discovered the couple dead in the kitchen, the sheriff's office said.

The Lintzes had been married roughly 60 years. Like her husband, Renee suffered from significant medical conditions, the sheriff's office said.

Autopsies will be conducted by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office on Sunday. [LINK]



DEPUTIES: RETIRED CHICAGO COP, WIFE DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE AT LAKELAND HOME: Officials said it appeared Robert Lintz had shot his wife once in the head with a handgun, before turning the gun on himself.
Orlando Sentinel
By Jeff Weiner
October 23, 2010

A home care nurse discovered an elderly couple shot dead in an apparent murder-suicide at a Lakeland home on Saturday, deputies said.

Investigators were called to a home on Goldenview Lane in Lakeland after a nurse reported finding 83-year-old Renee Lintz and her 84-year-old husband, Robert Lintz, shot dead in their kitchen.

Deputies said the pair, who had been married for about 60 years, suffered from "significant medical issues."

After an initial investigation, officials said it appeared Robert Lintz had shot his wife once in the head with a handgun, before turning the gun on himself.

Polk County homicide detectives are investigating the shooting, described by officials as an apparent murder-suicide.

According to Polk authorities, Robert Lintz was a retired law-enforcement officer who served with the Chicago police from 1953 to 1979.

An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office on Sunday, officials said. [LINK]


LAKELAND POLICE: ELDERLY COUPLE KILLED SELVES: Deputies say elderly couple married 60 years apparently died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The Ledger
By Rick Rousos
Published: Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11:54 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11:54 p.m.
This story appeared in print on page B1

LAKELAND - Deputies are investigating what they describe as an apparent murder- suicide of an elderly couple married nearly 60 years.

Friday morning, a home health worker found Renee Lintz, 83, and Robert Lintz, 84, dead from gunshot wounds to the head inflicted by a Colt .38 Special revolver that deputies say they think was fired by Robert Lintz.

The couple was found in the kitchen of their home.

The couple lived in the Colonnades, a 55-and-older community near Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.

Neighbors said the Lintzes both suffered from cancer and two weeks ago Robert Lintz had a heart attack.

Some neighbors painted a bleak picture of life at the Lintz home.

About two years ago, they said the Lintzes' daughter and only child, Sheryl Lintz, 48, was living in her parents' home when she shot herself to death. Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed the suicide, at the same location as the murder-suicide Friday.

Neighbors Joanie Samson, 59, and Ruth Nielsen, 55, both said Sheryl Lintz was only allowed in the house at certain times of day and would stand outside in the rain, hands raised to the sky, to get clean.

Two days before Sheryl Lintz killed herself she was distraught, Nielsen said.

Robert Lintz was a retired Chicago police officer having worked as an officer 26 years, from 1953 to 1979.

Samson, who lives next door to the Lintzes' home, said Robert Lintz used to boast about keeping guns in his house and "he had a threatening demeanor."

When Robert Lintz returned home from his hospital stay recently, "I felt in my heart that nothing good could come from this situation," Samson said.

She said whenever she heard a loud noise coming from the direction of the Lintz home, she would rush to her window.

Another neighbor, Earl Runtenkroger, 84, picked Robert Lintz up from the hospital when he returned home days after his heart attack. Rutenkroger had nothing but nice things to say about Robert Lintz.

"Bob was what you'd expect a retired police officer to be," Rutenkroger said.

"He appeared gruff on the surface, but he had a tremendous heart.

"We were good friends. Bob was good to his family and people he considered his friends."

Judd said he knew Lintz, but not well, from Fraternal Order of Police gatherings. He said Lintz seemed OK, but did have a police demeanor that might not have gone over too well if displayed in a community of retirees.

The yellowish-colored Lintz home was dark Saturday night.

A Toyota Camry sat in the driveway.

"I feel bad for Renee," Samson said. "I feel bad she had to die that way."

[ Rick Rousos can be reached at rick.rousos@theledger.com or 863-401-6968.] [LINK]


LOOKING FOR SHARYL

SHARYL I LINTZ
4841 GOLDENVIEW LN
LAKELAND, FL 33811
(863) 646-7810

U.S. PUBLIC RECORDS INDEX, VOLUME 1 ABOUT SHARYL I LINTZ
Name: Sharyl I Lintz
Birth Date: 19 Jan 1959
Address: 4841 Goldenview Ln, Lakeland, FL, 33811-1582 (1995)
[1501 W Pipkin Rd 77, Lakeland, FL, 33811 (1988)]
[9999 Military, Chicago, IL, 60610]
[9999 Military, Chicago, IL, 60805]

SHARYL IVY LINTZ, 48
Soruce: Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, SouthSide.
LAKELAND - Sharyl Lintz, 48, died 8/2/07. Daughter of Bob & Renee Lintz. Service will be 10am Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at Temple Emanuel Cemetery. Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Dukes-Steen Chapel. August 07, 2007

NAME OF DECEASED: SHARYL IVY LINTZ
Source Citation: Newspaper: Patriot-News, The; Publication Date: 2 Sep 2007; Publication Place: Harrisburg , PA , Us.:
United States Obituary Collection
about Sharyl Ivy Lintz
Name of Deceased: Sharyl Ivy Lintz
Age at Death: 48
Death Date: 2 Aug 2007
Obituary Date: 2 Sep 2007
Newspaper Title: Patriot-News, The
Newspaper Location: Harrisburg, PA, Us
Birth Date: abt 1959
Sharyl Lintz
SHARYL IVY LINTZ, 48 LAKELAND - Sharyl Lintz, 48, died 8/2/07. Daughter of Bob & Renee Lintz. Service will be 10am Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at Temple Emanuel Cemetery. Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Dukes-Steen Chapel.

SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX
Source Citation: Number: 354-56-4056;Issue State: Illinois;Issue Date: 1973.
About Sharyl I. Lintz
Name: Sharyl I. Lintz
SSN: 354-56-4056
Born: 19 Jan 1959
Died: 2 Aug 2007
State (Year) SSN issued: Illinois (1973)
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety fatality fatalities murder suicide abuse child children hx unsolved unresolved illiois chicago police department brutal]