[WA] 7 year old daughter of police officer accidentally shot and killed by her brother

7-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER OF MARYSVILLE POLICE OFFICER DIES AFTER SHOOTING: The young daughter of a Marysville police officer died Sunday after her sibling shot her a day earlier with a gun found inside the parents' van.
Seattle Times
Sunday, March 11, 2012
[Excerpts] A Marysville police officer's 7-year-old daughter, who was wounded Saturday afternoon when her sibling fired a gun that was inside their parents' van, died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle early Sunday... "At this time we are all extremely concerned for the well-being of one of our department family members," Marysville Police Chief Rick Smith said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family." The shooting happened inside the vehicle near Stanwood City Hall, in the 10200 block of Highway 532. The children's parents were nearby when the gun went off... The [Snohomish County] Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the shooting at the request of Stanwood police, said Sunday morning that its investigation is continuing and that no further information would be released until early this week... [Full article here]

POLICE OFFICER'S DAUGHTER DIES OF INJURIES FROM ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING
KOMO
Mar 11, 2012
[Excerpts] The 7-year-old daughter of a Marysville police officer has died after she was shot accidentally by her brother in the officer's van on Saturday, officials said. Police said the two children were alone together in the officer's parked van when the boy found a loaded gun that had been left in the glove compartment... The injured girl was rushed to Providence Hospital in Everett, as medics administered CPR. She later was taken to Harboview Medical Center in Seattle, where she died early Sunday morning, said Lt. Brent Speyer of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office... It was not known whether the gun was the officer's duty weapon or a personal firearm. The age of the boy who pulled the trigger was not released. Detectives from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit are handling the investigation. [Full article here]

http://www.projectchildsafe.org/

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities >girl boy son daughter preschooler gun culture gun safety child chidren weapon gun lock toddler accidental washington state politics Marysville police officer Derek Carlile Jenna

[IN] The ex-police officer husband of Jail Commannder Christine Britton plea bargains on her suicide

Christine Britton

Harrison County Jail Commander

HARRISON POLICE OFFICER ENTERS PLEA IN WIFE'S FATAL SHOOTING: John Britton would admit to recklessness in wife's suicide
Louisville Courier-Journal
Mar. 10, 2012
[Excerpts] Three days before facing trial in the suicide of his wife, former Harrison County police officer John Britton entered a guilty plea to felony criminal recklessness. The plea agreement, if approved, means Britton could receive a sentence of six months to three years in prison. Britton had been accused of assisting in [Harrison County Jail Commander] Christine Britton’s suicide because he allegedly gave her the gun after she threatened to kill herself... John Britton is relieved he may finally get the matter behind him, [his attorney, Stan] Faith said... John Britton was indicted by a grand jury in October 2010 and charged with Class C assisting a suicide in the March 2009... Although Indiana State Police investigators concluded that Christine Britton pulled the trigger, her relatives pressed for answers about the circumstances surrounding the death. According to court records, John Britton told detectives that he and his wife were arguing and, after she threatened to kill herself, he placed his 40-caliber handgun on their bed and told her to go ahead and shoot herself. He told investigators he never expected she would do it. But after he left the room, he heard the fatal shot. Crime scene investigators reported finding no high-velocity blood spatter on his clothing that would have placed him at close range when the shot was fired... [Full article here]

PREVIOUS POSTS:

Sep 2, 2009
[IN] The at-home shooting death of Harrison County Jail Cmdr. Christine Britton to be reviewed by the Grand Jury http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-at-home-shooting-death-of-harrison.html

Sep 19, 2009
[IN] Pending - Wrongful Death Lawsuit In Behalf of the Estate of Harrison County Jail Commander Christine Britton http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-pending-wrongful-death-lawsuit-in.html

Sep 26, 2009
[IN] Sheriff's Officer John Britton put on leave after family of Jail Commander Christine Britton file wrongful death lawsuit http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-sheriffs-officer-john-britton-put-on.html

Oct 30, 2010
[IN] Believing Harrison County Sheriff's Deputy John Britton when he tells 911: "My wife shot herself..." http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-believing-deputy-britton-when-he.html
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder said suicide negligence unsolved unresolved usur indiana state politics]

[WA] From Lane Judson, the father of slain Crystal Judson-brame, about his daughter's killer being featured on an "In Memory of..." page

 I have recently viewed and read posts on a Facebook page discussing a website that features my daughter's killer and I will share my feelings regarding the loss of our daughter Crystal Judson-brame. It was Crystal's loss of life that truly got OIDV issues going faster than what had been going on for a number years at a much slower pace. I see and hear that "I have walked in your shoes and know what is going on". You who are still alive and can say that, but what about the ones that are no longer here? We must listen to the voices of those that struggled to save their lives, and didn't make it in order to truly understand what they went through. Have you have really walked in their shoes; understanding the horror, fear, and trying to protect children and others in the family? It's a great day if you are looking at the right side of dirt. God bless you. You are a survivor.

My wife Patty helped to get 12,500 full page letters signed and dated by citizens requesting United States Senators and U.S. Houseof Representative's to pass a law or an amendment with Crystal's name to ensure that OIDV issues would be heard nation wide on this most heinous crime committed by law enforcement personnel. And they are the ones that swore to an oath to protect all citizens in the community including their loved ones, family and others. We respect all law enforcement agencies that put their lives on the line daily to protect their city, county and state from those that commit such crimes. Personnel who commit  tarnish the badges and images of all those outstanding agencies.

We filed a $75 million dollar lawsuit against the city and others for the loss of Crystal, and it was settled out of court for the orphaned children only. No monetary award for any others. They no longer have a mom and dad to look up to daily and are being cared for with great love within our family.

Have you walked in our grandchildren's shoes? How about the children when their teacher says take this stuff home to your mom and dad. How do the children feel? When the children meet other kids mom and dad at school activities, what do they say???? When it's time for a prom, or a drivers license or when one of them gets recognized for sports or outstanding achievements! Walking in their shoes is hard to imagine.

I am appalled that some law enforcement officers who have shot their wives and then killed themselves are posted on an "IN Memory of" page of an officer-involved domestic violence web site. This is disgusting and unbearable. The Tacoma News Tribune did an outstanding article in October of 2008, that named three of the five worst criminals in the last 125 years of history in Pierce County Washington as being Ted Bundy, The Beltway Snipers in Washington D.C. (as they originated in Tacoma Wa), and david brame who committed Murder/Suicide of our most beloved daughter Crystal Judson ( brame), leaving 2 orphaned children. Yes, we have walked ...................!



We must close on a positive note.We are so happy and blessed that all of Crystal Judson's laws have jumped the pond and are being reviewed by Parliament in the UK. England has similar problems with OIDV as we have here in America.

Lane Judson

• Website: Lane Judson made his daughter Crystal a promise
• Article: [WA] It's a BIG DEAL - U.K. interested in Crystal Judson officer-involved domestic violence case

Click photo to enlarge

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder state politics]

[ID] Beth Marie Irby Thomas' ex-husband, former Deputy Thomas, sentenced to life for killing her

Click photo to see larger

...Judge Michael Griffin in ordering the sentence noted that a presentence investigation found Thomas' other ex-wives said he was bad-tempered and dangerous...


PREVIOUS POST:
[ID] Ex-Deputy Thomas killed his ex-wife Beth Marie Irby-Thomas, mom of 2 and former corrections officer - ...She took great pride in her job as a corrections officer for the Nez Perce County Sheriff's department and later doing PSR and case management for local counseling agencies. Her next career goal was to earn her Master of Social Work...The two most important people in Beth's life - her sons, Joey and Joshua... [WHO KNEW WHAT WHEN?]
...officers had responded to disputes between the couple for the past couple years...


JOSEPH THOMAS JR. SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
klewtv.com
March 03, 2012

LEWISTON, ID - A Lewiston man convicted of murder received a life sentence Friday in Second District Court.

Thirty-eight-year-old Joseph Thomas Junior received a maximum life sentence with a minimum of 25 years by Judge Michael Griffin. Thomas was found guilty for the murder of his 28-year-old ex-wife Beth Irby-Thomas on May 1st.

"I take responsibility for the tragedy that is beyond measure," said Thomas. "I cannot express enough remorse or apology for not helping Beth when she needed it most. I am ready to receive my sentence and move forward and trying to make my way back to being a positive, productive member of society."

Judge Griffin said the decision was not taken lightly and both sides of the case were equally heard. In prosecuting attorney Dan Spickler's closing statement he said, "Thomas has had every right of justice the system can give to him."

Thomas has the right to appeal his sentence. Defense attorney Paul Clark was also granted a motion to withdraw from Thomas's case, and a new attorney will be assigned to Thomas once Clark completes the process of filing for an appeal.


FORMER SHERIFF'S DEPUTY IN N. IDAHO GETS LIFE SENTENCE FOR KILLING EX-WIFE
The Associated Press
First Posted: March 03, 2012

LEWISTON, Idaho — A former Nez Perce County Sheriff's deputy convicted of strangling his ex-wife to death in northern Idaho has been sentenced to life in prison.

Joseph A. Thomas Jr., 38, was sentenced Friday in 2nd District Court. The Lewiston Tribune reports that he must serve at least 25 years before he's eligible for parole.

Thomas on Dec. 16 was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Beth Irby-Thomas.

The Lewiston woman was found under a blanket in her living room May 1 with a belt wrapped tightly around her neck. During trial, prosecutors argued Thomas killed his ex-wife, while he claimed she died accidentally while engaging in a dangerous sex practice called autoerotic asphyxiation.

Thomas claimed he had previously observed his wife choking herself during a sexual act, according to a court affidavit.

Thomas spoke at Friday's sentencing.

Judge Michael Griffin in ordering the sentence noted that a presentence investigation found Thomas' other ex-wives said he was bad-tempered and dangerous.

"I take responsibility for the tragedy that is beyond measure," he said. "I cannot express enough remorse or apologies for not helping Beth when she needed it most."

Thomas' sister, Casey Clark, spoke at the sentencing directly to Beth Irby-Thomas' family.

"Before this happened we never had conflict with your family and I just pray at some point some form of a miracle can happen that you will know where our hearts are at and that I'm trying to speak the truth of what I know of Joe," she said.

To Judge Michael Griffin she said, "I respectfully ask you for mercy and leniency as you determine my brother's future."

But Griffin in ordering the life sentence noted that a presentence investigation found Thomas' other ex-wives said he was bad-tempered and dangerous. And a screening by the investigator implied Thomas might not be able to make a mature commitment to a woman.

The attorney who had been representing Thomas said an appeal will be filed. But that will be done by a new attorney, as Griffin allowed the current attorney to withdraw as Thomas' attorney after the hearing.
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder idaho state politics repeat hx teflon]

[IA] Dubuque Deputy Doyle charged with stalking and felony burglary

[Dubuque County Sheriff’s Deputy] James R. Doyle was arrested Friday on charges of third-degree burglary (a class D felony) and stalking (an aggravated misdemeanor)...


...“The problems you had with your truck last week, you are going to have those problems all the time. I know good people, I know bad people, and I know lots of bad people"...


...“It might not be this month, it might not be the next month, it might not be the next year, but I am going to be a thorn in your side for the rest of your life”...


DUBUQUE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, STALKING
Telegraph Herald
Posted: Friday, March 2, 2012
[Excerpts] A Dubuque County sheriff’s deputy has been relieved of his duties after burglary and stalking charges were filed against him. James R. Doyle ... was arrested Friday on charges of third-degree burglary (a class D felony) and stalking (an aggravated misdemeanor)... The charges appear to stem from Doyle’s reaction to Dubuque resident [R.H.] having a relationship with Doyle’s former wife... Doyle is accused of calling  [R.H.] approximately 30 times between September 2010 and October 2011, and three more times from Doyle’s daughter’s cell phone. In January 2011, Doyle used his position as deputy to access an in-house law enforcement database to find the address of  [R.H.]’s former wife. Doyle made contact with  [R.H.]’s ex-wife in person and by phone... On Oct. 21, Doyle entered  [R.H.]’s attached garage on Geraldine Drive without permission and intentionally caused approximately $6,000 damage to a boat and $428 damage to a trailer parked in the driveway, the investigation indicated... Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) handled the investigation to avoid a potential conflict of interest... An internal investigation also was conducted by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the criminal investigation.... Doyle was released from Dubuque County Jail after posting $3,700 bond... [Full article here]

DUBUQUE COUNTY DEPUTY IS CHARGED WITH STALKING, BURGLARY
Des Moines Register
5:43 PM, Mar 2, 2012
[Excerpts] A Dubuque County sheriff’s deputy repeatedly threatened his ex-wife’s boyfriend for over a year before breaking into the man’s garage and damaging a boat, court documents say... He told authorities he had driven by  [R.H.]’s home at least 20 times. Dubuque police received a copmlaint about Doyle in October 2011. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the allegations, and the sheriff’s office began internal proceedings... He was told to turn in any firearms. A no-contact order regarding [R.H.]'s family is in place. [Full article here]

DUBUQUE CO. DEPUTY CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, STALKING OF EX-WIFE’S BOYFRIEND
SourceMedia Group News
by Emily Busse
Posted March 2, 2012
[Excerpts] A Dubuque County sheriff’s deputy is charged with third degree burglary and stalking following alleged incidents with his ex-wife’s boyfriend. According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, 47-year-old Deputy James Doyle was arrested Friday following investigations  by the Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation... The complaint also states that [R.H.]'s pick-up truck taillight was broken while it was parked at his place of employment in November 2010. The next month, the same taillight was damaged further, the complaint said. Doyle then contacted [R.H.] in early January 2011 by phone, stating, “The problems you had with your truck last week, you are going to have those problems all the time” and “I know good people I know bad people, and I know lots of bad people.” He also threatened [R.H.] using expletives, the complaint said... On Oct. 16 2011, the complaint said Doyle called [R.H.] and stated, “It might not be this month, it might not be the next month, it might not be the next year, but I am going to be a thorn in your side for the rest of your life.” The next day, Doyle called again and asked questions about [R.H.]'s sexual relationship with Doyle’s ex-wife, the complaint said... Third degree burglary is a Class D felony and stalking is an aggravated misdemeanor... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety threats threatening stalking iowa state politics]

[CA] LONG BEACH POLICE OFFICER BRANDON PRECIADO ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL ON 18 FELONY COUNTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

...The woman [his wife] testified that she suffered a swollen left eye and bloody lips during the last alleged attack Jan. 12, saying her spouse [Long Beach Police Officer Brandon Preciado] repeatedly slapped her across the face, bent her left pinky back, bit her face and threatened that she should “prepare to die” before she ran to a neighbor’s house to seek help....

PREVIOUS POST:
[CA] Long Beach Police Officer Preciado 5-hour stand-off, tools of torture, and 21 domestic violence felonies - with injury to spouse - [Long Beach Police Officer] Brandon Preciado was charged Tuesday morning with a total of 21 counts, including nine felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and making a criminal threat, all felonies... Weapons allegedly used in the beatings included a flashlight, belt, hammer, broom handle and baton... A protective order requiring Preciado to stay away from his wife was issued by the court, but the court didn't issue a stay-away order for the couple's children... [The news is still all about him. Who is helping her through this? Was that a Long Beach Police issued flashlight and baton?]

PICO RIVERA MAN MUST STAND TRIAL ON SPOUSAL ABUSE CHARGES
Los Angeles Wave
Posted: Thursday, March 1, 2012 3:11 pm

A 29-year-old Long Beach police officer accused of repeatedly assaulting and threatening his wife at their Pico Rivera home was ordered Wednesday to stand trial.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Terry A. Bork found sufficient evidence to require Brandon Preciado to proceed to trial on 18 felony counts, including corporal injury to a spouse, assault with a deadly weapon, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and criminal threats, and one misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.

Bork granted the defense’s request to dismiss two other counts of corporal injury to a spouse, citing insufficient evidence.

The alleged assaults occurred between Sept. 18 and Jan. 12 at the couple’s  home.

Preciado’s wife, Yessenia, who testified that she did not want to be in court, told Bork that her husband repeatedly struck and choked her and threatened at times to injure or kill her.

The mother of three testified that he threatened to hit her with a work-issued flashlight and to break her jaw if she didn’t tell him the truth during the first attack last September and then wrapped a belt around her neck.

Preciado’s wife alleged she suffered bleeding from her nose during an attack Nov. 11 in which her husband grabbed her neck in a headlock, and that he choked her during a New Year’s Day run-in during which he told her that he wouldn’t kill her at the time because her brothers were in the home.

“Were you scared for a long time?” Deputy District Attorney Amy Pellman Pentz asked.

“Yes,” she responded.

“Did you take him seriously at that moment?” the prosecutor asked.
“Yes,” she again replied.

The woman testified that her husband pushed her into a tile shower wall, struck her with a closed fist, threatened to hit her with a hammer and break her jaw and then struck her with a broom on Jan. 4.

Preciado hit her repeatedly Jan. 9 with his police-issued baton after ordering in an angry voice for her to get “on all fours,” and then woke her up a day later with his forearm against her neck, she testified.

The woman testified that she suffered a swollen left eye and bloody lips during the last alleged attack Jan. 12, saying her spouse repeatedly slapped her across the face, bent her left pinky back, bit her face and threatened that she should “prepare to die” before she ran to a neighbor’s house to seek help.

Under cross-examination, she testified that her husband had been drinking alcohol before some of the run-ins and that she sought medical help after the last attack.

The prosecution’s last witness, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Jaime Caloca, testified that he was among a team of deputies called in at about 6:50 a.m. after efforts had unsuccessfully been made, including a helicopter hovering overhead, to try to coax Preciado out of his home. He said Preciado was arrested after he came out of the home about 20 or 25 minutes later.

Preciado remains jailed without bail. He is due back in Los Angeles Superior Court March 14 for arraignment.

A Long Beach Police Department representative Wednesday reiterated that Preciado has been relieved of his duties pending further investigation.

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal brutal repeat hx history california convicted state politics]

[MI] The progression of Officer Luthy beating up and scaring his wife yet remaining a police officer

Ellen has talked to the news, surely as the only thing she hopes may help her now. The prosecutor, judge and police department have all let her husband, Kalamazoo Police Officer Steven Luthy, know that he can do whatever he wants without paying the price. He got a six month paid vacation and Ellen got the message.

...Kalamazoo Public Safety officer [Steven Luthy] charged with domestic violence in 2011 has had the charges against him lowered and is now back on duty. Sheriff's officials released the case details at the request of 24 Hour News 8 now that the case is closed... Ellen Luthy said she feared for her life the night of the attack. "It was a pummeling far beyond anything I have ever experienced in my life," she said... When asked if Luthy had ever threatened her specifically, and what his exact words were, [Ellen Luthy] wrote: "Everyone in our family would be better off if you were dead. I get excited thinking of coming home and seeing your brains splattered anywhere"... 

PREVIOUS POST:
[MI] Kalamazoo Officer arrested for domestic violence. Wife declined offered medical treatment.

NEWS EXCERPTS FROM AUGUST 2011 
THROUGH FEBRUARY 2012:

KALAMAZOO OFFICER ARRESTED, SUSPENDED: Steven V. Luthy accused of domestic violence
WOODTV
By Leon Hendrix
Updated: Thursday, 04 Aug 2011
Published : Wednesday, 03 Aug 2011
[Excerpts] A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer is on administrative leave after police said he got into a fight with his spouse and assaulted her. Steven V. Luthy was arrested July 31 when police responded to his home... Van Buren County sheriff's deputies found that Luthy's spouse had visible injuries. Luthy was then taken to the Van Buren County Jail. Luthy was charged with domestic violence - a misdemeanor... He was released from custody and placed on administrative leave, as a KDPS internal investigation continues. "It's certainly troubling for all parties," KDPS Chief Jeff Hadley said. "It's an unfortunate incident, not only for Mr. Luthy, but for his wife and family and for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety"... [Full article here]

KALAMAZOO PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER ARRESTED, PLACED ON LEAVE PENDING PROBE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATION
Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rosemary Parker
Published: Thursday, August 04, 2011
[Excerpts] A Kalamazoo police officer was arrested in Van Buren County after his wife placed a 911 call... Van Buren County Undersheriff Gabrielle Rought said "probable cause existed, so an arrest was made" by sheriff's deputies upon their arrival at the home of Officer Steve Luthy, a 10-year veteran of Kalamazoo Public Safety. Rought said she would not release further details about the case, which is at the Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office for review. Luthy's wife declined to seek medical treatment, which "was offered," Rought said... [Full article here]

KALAMAZOO OFFICER'S PRETRIAL SET FOR MONDAY IN ALLEGED DOMESTIC ASSAULT MATTER
Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rosemary Parker
August 04, 2011
A 37-year-old Kalamazoo police officer arrested in Van Buren County after his wife placed a 911 call shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, is scheduled to be back in court Monday. Court records show that Steve Luthy is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Aug 8. He was  was arraigned Aug. 1 in Van Buren County District Court on one count of misdemeanor domestic violence in front of District Judge Robert T. Hentchel. Hentchel released Luthy on a personal-recognizance bond... [Full article here]

WIFE FILES PPO AGAINST ARRESTED COP: Steven Luthy accused of domestic violence
WOODTV
By Ryan Takeo
Updated: Friday, 05 Aug 2011
[Excerpts] After a Kalamazoo public safety officer was arrested for allegedly beating his wife, she filed for a personal protection order that details what happened... Van Buren County sheriff's deputies found Luthy's wife had visible injuries... In the PPO, signed by Judge Paul Hamre Monday, Luthy's wife explains what happened. He came home drunk, she wrote. "I asked if he had fun, he started following me, I called my sister. He hit the phone out of my hand, smashed the side of my face, pushed me down the stairs and we fought. He punched me in the face." When asked if Luthy had ever threatened her specifically, and what his exact words were, she wrote: "Everyone in our family would be better off if you were dead. I get excited thinking of coming home and seeing your brains splattered anywhere." And when asked how she would describe her emotions, she wrote, "Thank God they took the guns because if he loses his job because he was arrested, he'll hunt me down and kill me." Luthy was released from custody and placed on administrative leave, as a KDPS internal investigation continues. [Full article here]

TRIAL DATE SCHEDULED FOR KALAMAZOO PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; COURT FILING DETAILS ALLEGATIONS
Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rex Hall Jr.
Monday, August 08, 2011
[Excerpts] A Kalamazoo Public Safety officer is scheduled to stand trial in October on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in connection with an incident involving his wife last month... Attorneys in the case of Steven V. Luthy, 37, met behind closed doors Monday during a pretrial hearing in Van Buren County District Court in South Haven. Luthy is scheduled to appear for a second pretrial hearing Sept. 28 and is to stand trial Oct. 6... He was arrested July 31 at his home in Bloomingdale and later released on a personal-recognizance bond... Luthy's wife, Ellen Luthy, petitioned Van Buren Circuit Judge Paul E. Hamre for a personal-protection order against her husband on Aug. 1, a day after the incident at their home. Hamre authorized the request the same day. The filing alleges two other incidents of domestic violence going back two years. Court documents indicate the couple has been together five years and that there are three children in the home. In the filing, Ellen Luthy wrote that her husband has punched her in the face, spat on her... In the July 31 incident, Ellen Luthy wrote that "he came home drunk, I asked if he had fun, he started following me, I called my sister. He hit the phone out of my hand, smashed the side of my face, pushed me down the stairs then we fought — he punched me in the face — my sister called the police — he smashed my phone which was actually his.... Your honor, I am requesting a PPO against my husband, Steve," she wrote to Hamre. "He was arrested yesterday for physically assaulting me. I am truly in fear for my life with the severity of this situation and numerous prior assaults and threats on my life. I am even more so concerned, considering his position and knowledge and access to firearms and weapons. I feel that if his job is in jeopardy that it will displease him to a point of an emotional breakdown. He has shown many times his inability to control his emotions and my family and myself have a great concern of what he is capable of doing." Included with the PPO petition were photos taken by authorities that show injuries to Ellen Luthy's forehead, knee, chin, leg, arm, ankle, elbow, foot, eye, and back... [Full article here]

KALAMAZOO PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO LESSER CHARGE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE
Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rex Hall Jr.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
[Excerpts] A Kalamazoo Public Safety officer scheduled to stand trial Thursday for misdemeanor domestic violence instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, authorities said. Steven V. Luthy, 37, of Bloomingdale, appeared in Van Buren County District Court in South Haven and entered a guilty plea to one count of disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail... A judge ordered Luthy to pay fines and costs in the case after he entered his plea. Luthy, a 10-year veteran of KDPS, was originally charged with domestic violence, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, in connection with a July 31 incident involving his wife at their home.... “We will, in short fashion, complete the internal investigation and have a decision relative to discipline in the near future,” KDPS Chief Jeff Hadley said Thursday of Luthy's status with the department... [Full article here]

KALAMAZOO PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER GETS 5-DAY SUSPENSION FOLLOWING GUILTY PLEA IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE
Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rex Hall Jr
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
[Excerpts] A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in a domestic violence case was given a five-day suspension Tuesday by Chief Jeff Hadley. Steven V. Luthy, 37, of Bloomingdale, was charged with domestic violence following his arrest July 31 for an incident involving his wife at the couple's home. On Jan. 19, Luthy, a 10-year veteran of KDPS, pleaded guilty in Van Buren County District Court to a lesser charge of disturbing the peace. After he entered his plea, a judge ordered Luthy to pay fines and costs in the case... Hadley said he expects Luthy to return to duty within a week to 10 days. He said Luthy, who has been on paid administrative leave since July, will lose five days worth of pay with the suspension... [Full article here]

'DISORDERLY' OFFICER BACK ON DUTY: Steven Luthy originally charged with hitting wife
WOODTV
By Leon Hendrix
Monday, 27 Feb 2012
[Excerpts] A Kalamazoo Public Safety officer charged with domestic violence in 2011 has had the charges against him lowered and is now back on duty. Sheriff's officials released the case details at the request of 24 Hour News 8 now that the case is closed.... Ellen Luthy said she feared for her life the night of the attack. "It was a pummeling far beyond anything I have ever experienced in my life," she said. Luthy claimed that Ellen started the fight by throwing something at him, investigation documents show... Ellen, who filed for a personal protection order against her husband in August 2011, told 24 Hour News 8 that prosecutors contacted her about lowering the charges. "I adamantly said that I felt very, very uncomfortable with that," said Ellen. "I felt it was up to the judge to decide what his fate should be." Had the original charge of domestic violence stuck, Luthy would likely no longer be a police officer. Now, after a five-day suspension and a fine of less than $300, Luthy is back to work. Ellen said she thinks that Luthy's charge was lowered, in part, because he is a police officer. "There are certain positions, I believe, that there is a moral and ethical standard that's higher," she said. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Jeffrey Hadley told 24 Hour News 8 that the discipline from the department was appropriate... [Full article here]

Praying that somehow things will be alright. The Kalamazoo Police department is corrupt in allowing a known wife beater to patrol the streets. The chief is responsible because it's his department. It is his responsibility now to insure the safety of a frightened mother. If anything happens to her or the children this will be a department related wronful death lawsuit of millions of dollars - but there is no amount of money that can restore lives. This is how monsters are created - by giving them the sense that there are invincible. The courts are corrupt for allowing an officer to plead down to disorderly conduct in order preserve a job he no longer qualitifes for - a position of public trust. This all abuse of power. This is all the blue wall.

FROM COMMENTS:

...this should be watched to see he gets the same treatment the average citizen gets...


...how is paid leave different then a vacation?...


...Dial 911 and a citizen sheep can never tell what kind of person will show up at your door...


... He can plead whatever he wants, he's still a woman beater. Can protect the public by day and beat the $#@ out of the wife by night. Sick...


..."Luthy has been on paid administrative leave at KDPS since his arrest in July" Must be nice to get a six month paid vacation...


...Don't hire thugs and quit protecting the ones who are already in the system...


...For assaulting a woman no less. Freaking coward...


...It just doesn't seem right that taxpayers have to pay for his time off when committing such a violent crime. I think if guilty money should be paid back..


...Six month paid vacation for beating the snot out of your wife. Maybe if he'd broken a few bones he could work that up to a whole year...


...Great news...Now he can express his anger/rage where it belongs: OUT IN THE STREETS...


...Once again, taxpayers are screwed by corrupt cops, and the unions which support their bad behavior. This thug gets a 6-month PAID vacation after beating his wife, and now gets to return to "duty."...


...Kalamazoo's finest? How about Kalamazoo's most protected? How about Kalamazoo's most coddled? Most thuggish?...


...When our police lose their credibility due to an incident like this, it does not bode well for our community...


...Ellen, I hope that you are reading this and realize that there are a lot of people in the OIDV community who are thinking of you and are here for you...


...If she had injuries this should not have been taken lightly. People in positions of authority abuse the system all the time. I have family that are good police officers too.
But there are ones that abuse their power...


...I hope that her decision to make this newsworthy has an effect on the officer's job. Sometimes, unfortunately, it has to be made into a public outrage to make any kind of a difference. They can dismiss a few angry people and hide the incident, but when the media gets ahold of it....They can't pretend it didn't happen...


...I applaud her for fighting back. And I pray that her soon to be EX volentarily removes himself from the department and tries to become the "better person" by showing the public the right way to do things...as our protectors...because God knows we don't need any (more) trigger happy cops out there with an attitude! Good luck to all in this situation...


...Absolutely pathetic they let this guy back on the beat. You've got wife-beating cops in Kalamazoo...


...Yet another example of government corruption. This slime bag "officer" should have been fired and charged with a felony yet because he is a police officer, the judge (a corrupt official as well) used the "he's my buddy" defense and let him off easy. This is what our government does folks, they treat their own like kings and treat the common man like garbage. This makes me sic...


...I don't think all Judges would cover something like this up... I do think they look at the past criminal history of the person as well... But this guy doesn't deserve his job at all. He should have been charged with a felony because as a State Employee myself, we can be fired for conduct unbecoming of an officer. Also, it's not just the Judge who probably covered this guy's butt... usually most State Employees are in Unions.... so the Union probably helped him keep his job as well...


...honey stay far away from him....


...Love and prayers in behalf of Ellen, her family and their safety.


Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Project.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/


Lane Judson Made His Daughter Crystal A Promise.
[Father of slain wife of Tacoma Police Chief David Brame].
http://www.lanejudson.com/ ...


For officers in crisis: Safe Call Now.
http://www.safecallnow.org/

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