Lane Judson made his daughter Crystal a promise

Lane and Patty Judson's daughter Crystal was fatally shot by the husband she was divorcing - Tacoma Washington's Police Chief David Brame. The shooting came one day after city officials publicly announced that Crystal's claims of abuse and threats would not be investigated because it was a "private matter." It was a very public murder-suicide though, executed in a shopping center parking lot with their 2 young children running to them. Chief Brame died that day but Crystal lingered. All of us here in Tacoma held our breath for that week, praying for a miracle that just could not be. She had taken a contact headshot with a police-issue glock.

Crystal DeEtte Judson

Her family stayed with her in the hospital until she died, and it was during that time Lane was given the chance to whisper to his daughter, and promise,

"Crystal, I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure this doesn't ever, ever, ever, happen to anyone again."

Lane worked tirelessly for the next 15 years, until his own death, for the single purpose of bringing about change. He believed that all law enforcement agencies across the nation must adopt a specific policy to handle officer-involved domestic violence, victims must have support and a way to safely report when they're afraid, officers who commit severe or repeated offenses must be held accountable, and law enforcement family members must be able to reach out for preventative support without it being used against them.

Accountability in an organization depends on those in charge. As a former U.S. Navy Chief,
Lane often reminded us,

"Leadership starts at the top."

Much has been accomplished - together with others - from ordinary citizens, police departments, domestic violence agencies, survivors of abuse, and local officials to U.S. Congress members. A new Washington State law was created, local law enforcement policies changed, and federal money was appropriated to address officer-involved domestic violence. Locally in Tacoma Washington, money was finally appropriated for a multi-service domestic violence agency named for Crystal.

But much is left yet to do as well. The goal is set high, and many changes must come. We need to bring the issue into the light and seek new solutions together.

"We can spread the word far and wide about the anguish Crystal suffered. We can convey the message to those who are still suffering in silence that they are not alone. And we can help prevent this tragedy from ever happening again. That would be Crystal's greatest legacy."

~ Brad Chatfield

[lanejudson.com crystal brame deette april 26 2003 police chief david brame tacoma washington police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder state politics]

[MA] Detective Fanion's wife Amy died by a shot from his service weapon.

Retired Westfield Police Detective Brian Fanion was still a detective for the Westfield Police Department when his wife Amy (Hansen) Fanion was fatally shot with his service weapon on May 8, 2018. He retired shortly after and was arrested 17 months after her death.

RETIRED WESTFIELD POLICE DETECTIVE BRIAN FANION, ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE AND STAGING DEATH AS SUICIDE, MAKES 2ND BID FOR PRETRIAL RELEASE
Updated Feb 14, 2020
[Excerpts] A retired Westfield police detective accused of killing his wife and staging it as a suicide made a second bid for pretrial release Friday... [Superior Court Judge Francis] Flannery declined to release Fanion at that time... Brian Fanion, 56, was arrested on Nov. 7 and charged with his wife’s murder. Amy Fanion, 51, died on May 18, 2018, from a gunshot wound to the head. Her death was originally treated as self-inflicted, until police began to suspect her husband actually killed her with his service weapon on his lunch hour. Fanion has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The couple’s two children and many members of Amy Fanion’s immediate family - including her brother, who was at the couple’s house on the day of the shooting - stand behind Brian Fanion, said defense attorney Jeffrey Brown. "They accept that Amy Fanion killed herself"... [Full article here]

FROM NOVEMBER 2019:
BRIAN FANION’S STORY WAS INCONSISTENT, SAID PROSECUTORS
November 8, 2019
[Excerpts] Retired Westfield Police Det. Brian Fanion  is being held without bail... Investigators with the Massachusetts State Police found inconsistencies with the gathered evidence and Fanion’s statements, and began investigating her death as a homicide almost immediately... District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s office later was granted a warrant to search Fanion’s home for evidence and “for a high definition survey scan for various digital evidence items, including computers, tablets, and cellular devices. Forensic examinations were later conducted on these items that revealed incriminating evidence.” The state medical examiner’s office found that the gun was not fired from right next to Amy’s head, but rather from a distance of about 18-inches away... An investigation into text messages and Brian Fanion’s search history revealed a pattern in which he expressed concern over divorcing his wife because of how that may affect his police pension and retirement... Brian’s search history revealed that he had been looking up the state medical examiners office, apartments for rent in the area, common poisons, and common sources of radiation just hours before the time of his wife’s death... Fanion retired from the Westfield Police Department shortly after his wife’s death, at the time citing that his own service pistol was used... [Full article here]

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR ABOUT THE MURDER CASE AGAINST RETIRED WESTFIELD COP BRIAN FANION, ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE AND STAGING HER SUICIDE
Nov 08, 2019
[Excerpts] ...Amy Fanion, a mother of two, died on May 8, 2018. Brian Fanion reported to police that he had stopped at home during his lunch break on a Tuesday afternoon, that he and his wife argued, and that she shot herself in the head while he was in the bathroom, Assistant District Attorney Mary Sandstrom said during Brian Fanion’s arraignment on Thursday. Sandstrom said Fanion called 911 just after noontime, and his colleagues arrived at the couple’s home to find him crouched beside his wife, holding her hands in the dining room... In the days before Amy Fanion’s death, her husband had begun Google searching topics including household poisons, the impact of divorce on a public pension and gunshot residue. He was looking online at apartments just hours before her death, the prosecutor said... [Defense Attorney Jeffrey] Brown denies Fanion was embroiled in an affair and said Amy Fanion had historically struggled with anxiety and depression... Brown said Amy Fanion kept a journal filled with Biblical references, hinting toward peace in death just six days before she died. “On May 2, her final journal entry read: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ... Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,’” Brown recited. “The passage I just read is associated with death.” [NO IT'S NOT!]... Sandstrom said Amy Fanion’s wound was not consistent with one that was self-inflicted... Fanion was indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday and arrested the same day. He was held overnight and arraigned Thursday morning before many rows of family members and supporters. Brown asked for Fanion to be released on $75,000, arguing that he remained in the local community even with the investigation “hanging over his head” for the last 17 months. Brown also cited Fanion’s deep roots in the community and his volunteer efforts at local homeless charities and his church. Sandstrom argued for Fanion to be held without the right to bail pending trial. Hampden Superior Court Judge Frank Flannery ordered Fanion to be held. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9. [Full article here]

AMY FANION OBITUARY
Published in The Republican on May 12, 2018
[Excerpt] Amy (Hansen) Fanion (51) of Westfield MA passed away May 8, 2018. She is survived by her beloved husband Brian Fanion and two children Travis and Tori Fanion. Amy was a kind, loving, selfless woman bringing a ray of sunshine full of Peace, Love and Joy to all who knew or needed her. A passionate wife and mother, she was a lover of family, nature, gardening, hiking, kayaking and bicycling and an avid volunteer happiest working behind the scenes in her community and church with unwavering faith in her God and Savior. She is survived by... [Full article here]

CHD'S CANCER HOUSE OF HOPE
May 14, 2018
We are profoundly saddened by the passing of our dear friend and devoted volunteer, Amy Fanion. Personally, I will miss Wednesday mornings, talking with Amy about family, our dogs, hiking, big family vacations, and of course, how to comfort those struggling with cancer. The weekend before she passed away, Amy came to the House and trimmed back the butterfly bushes and the other plants that needed spring pruning so it would be ready for the Liberty Mutual Insurance volunteers arriving that Monday. Amy was with the House for many, many years, going back to the time when it was still in Westfield, Massachusetts. Amy was especially attached to the library at the House, kept it organized, and helped our guests find the right resources they needed to support them. Our condolences go out to Amy's family, and our hearts and prayers are with her.
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder alleged suicide massachusetts state politics]

[GA] Eatonton Police Officer Perrault, on leave for DV, now says his wife Amanda shot and killed herself

Amanda Perrault

On January 28, Putnam County deputies arrested Eatonton police officer Seth Michael Perrault on domestic violence charges - and let him go? No protection order is mentioned in articles, and no mention of any safety precautions taken to help keep Amanda safe. 2 days ago Officer Perrault calls police to say his wife Amanda Perrault has shot herself in the head. He is still on leave at home on last week's domestic charge.

WIFE OF OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOUND DEAD
February 4, 2020
[Excerpts] A Georgia woman whose husband was on leave from the police department because of domestic violence charges was found dead in her home after an argument... Amanda Perrault, 44, was found fatally shot at her home on Monday... Perrault's husband Michael Perrault told authorities that he and his wife were arguing when she pulled out a gun and shot herself... Michael Perrault was arrested last week and charged with simple battery, family violence and cruelty to children in the third degree...  He was placed on administrative leave after the arrest. Perrault told authorities he didn't hit his wife, but the couple's 8-year-old daughter said she saw her father shove her mom out of the entryway of the home. [Putnam County Sheriff Howard] Sills said Amanda Perrault had red marks on her neck and chest... Perrault was questioned but not arrested... [Full article here]

SHERIFF: WIFE OF MIDSTATE OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEAD FROM GUNSHOT WOUND
February 4th 2020
[Excerpts] The wife of an Eatonton police officer recently arrested for domestic violence is dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills says his office is still investigating this case and has not determined the death of 44-year-old Amanda Perrault to be either a homicide or a suicide. Sills says the fatal shooting took place in her bedroom... On January 28, Putnam County deputies responded to the home for a domestic violence call against Eatonton police officer Seth Michael Perrault... Perrault, 43, was then taken into custody and charged with multiple domestic violence-related counts. He was released on a $1,500 bond... Michael Perrault has not been taken into custody or charged in his wife's death... The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has conducted an autopsy on Amanda Perrault at the GBI's Crime Lab in Atlanta. The results are pending, but Sills says there was no trauma to her body other than a single gunshot wound to the head. The couple hadn't lived in Putnam County for long... Anyone with information on Amanada Perrault's death can call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 478-485-8557. [Full article here]

Last Week

WIFE OF GEORGIA POLICE OFFICER CHARGED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOUND SHOT TO DEATH
February 4th 2020
[Excerpts] ...Amanda Perrault, 44, was found dead at her home in the 100 block of Long Island Drive in Eatonton, Georgia, Monday afternoon... The victim was shot once in the head with a .380-caliber handgun, Sills said. Her husband Michael Perrault, who was charged last week with simple battery, family violence and cruelty to children in the third degree, told police that in the midst of he and his wife arguing, she pulled out a gun and shot herself... On Jan. 31, Amanda Perrault told authorities that her husband, an Eatonton Police Department officer, hit and pushed her... Deputies on the scene reported seeing red marks on her neck and chest... Perrault previously worked in law enforcement in the Covington area... The sheriff sought the help of the GBI office in Milledgeville to get assistance from its crime scene unit.“I did that for a couple reasons,” Sills said. “One, this is a city police officer and I didn’t want anyone to think that was any inference that there was any kind of special treatment being done because he was a police officer. And very candidly, yes, it is being handled much differently because he is a police officer. It’s being scrutinized far more in that regard. And of course we have the incident of last week where he was arrested and charged with simple battery of his wife.” [Full article here]

WIFE OF EATONTON POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOUND DEAD
Six days earlier, Eatonton Officer Michael Perrault had been arrested for simple battery on his wife
February 4, 2020
[Excerpts] The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is investigating an Eatonton police officer whose wife allegedly killed herself in front of him... Sheriff Howard Sills says they're investigating the death of Amanda Perrault, 44, as suspicious... On Monday, Perrault called the sheriff's office and reported that his wife had killed herself. He said she was upset about their marriage problems. Sills said deputies found Amanda Perrault dead in their bedroom. He said they're still investigating a case he called both "strange' and "awkward." Sills said... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety alleged suicide unsolved unresolved usur lethal fatality fatalities murder georgia state politics Georgia Bureau of Investigations The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Long Island Dr. near Lake Oconee Newton County Covington