ClearysNoteBook

FBI Releases Preliminary Statistics for Law Enforcement Officers Killed in 2007

For Immediate Release May 12, 2008

According to preliminary statistics released today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 57 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty during 2007. Geographically, 31 of the victim officers were killed in the South, nine in the West, nine in the Midwest, and seven in the Northeast. One officer was slain in Puerto Rico. The total number of officers killed is nine higher than in 2006.

By circumstance, 16 deaths occurred as a result of ambush situations, 16 died during arrest situations, 11 were killed while handling traffic pursuits/stops, six died responding to disturbance calls, three while investigating suspicious persons/circumstances, three during tactical situations, one while conducting investigative activities, and one while handling and transporting prisoners.

A breakdown of weapons used in these slayings revealed that firearms were used in the majority of incidents. Of the 55 officers killed with firearms, 38 were killed with handguns, nine with shotguns, and eight with rifles. Two officers were killed with vehicles.

At the time they were killed, 35 law enforcement officers were wearing body armor. Eleven officers fired their weapons, and 14 of the slain law enforcement officers attempted to fire their weapons. Four officers had their weapons stolen, and two officers were slain with their own weapons.

The 57 law enforcement officers were killed in 51 separate incidents in 2007. Fifty of the 51 incidents have been cleared by arrest or exceptional means.

In addition to the officers who were feloniously killed, 83 law enforcement officers were accidentally killed in 81 separate incidents while performing their duties in 2007. This number is 17 higher than the previous year's number.

The FBI will release final statistics in the Uniform Crime Reporting Program's annual report, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, which will be published on the Internet in the fall of this year.

###

 

 

Pittsburgh police dog mourned

http://www.pittsburghlive.com

More than 200 police officers and others from Pittsburgh and adjacent communities assembled today to say goodbye to Aulf, the Pittsburgh police dog killed in action during a shootout that left a Knoxville man dead.

At the end of the 40-minute service at the city police Training Academy in Highland Park, K-9 Sgt. Chris Micknowski asked for "a moment of reflection and prayer if you wish for all those who have been affected by this tragedy."

continue

BATTLE BY THE CREEK CANCELLED DUE TO RAINY WEATHER

GLOUCESTER CITY P.D.            VS.           GLOUCESTER CITY F.D.

"GUNS  &  HOSES" 

"BATTLE BY THE CREEK"

 

Because of the rainy weather the flag football game scheduled for tonight, May 9^th has been cancelled. The game will be played sometime in June.

Further information will be released in the weeks ahead.

 

Video:NJ Fire and Police Pension Fund Problem

Submitted by
A Concerned Gloucester City Fireman

clipped from www.youtube.com

In Response to They Saved, We Suffer

Re: They Saved, We Suffer

Bill,

This year it was $500,000 and I've never heard anyone say $600,000.  Also it was explained to the public exactly how this came about by me at a public meeting and in no way is anyone holding the police responsible.

Its cause is simple fiscal mismanagement, on the part of ex-governor Christie Whitman and unless our city fathers used this money for previous year’s property tax relief then they would also be responsible for the debt that now exists.

I had read the article the officer is referring to and it was the article used for reference in the explanation given to the public.

Mayor Bill James

They Saved, We Suffer!

Received via snail mail.....May 7, 2008

Bill,

At the last couple of (Gloucester City) council meetings I’ve heard Councilman Brophy and other councilpersons tell the public that one of the budget problems the city is having is a $600,000 increase in police pensions. I am a police officer and it infuriates me when I see our political leaders intentionally misleading the public like this.”

There has been no increase in police pensions; the City is simply repaying a debt. They are in essence blaming the police officer for THEIR fiscal mismanagement when nothing could be farther from the truth.

Our current political leaders are not to blame for the problem but they sure as hell are to blame for the way they are handling it. They are turning the public against the police officers and using that to their advantage in current contract negotiations.

Other towns are laying off officers because of this.

The article attached explains everything and you can find it on the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association (PBA) website. www.njspba.com. There are also contacts on that website you could reach out to for further verification if you wished.

I would like to know what Gloucester City did with all the money they did not contribute to the pension system for all those years. At least I would like to see our City leaders step up and accept responsibility for the fact that it was the City’s mismanagement of funds that led to this problem and not any increase in police officer’s pensions.

I know this isn’t a big deal to most people but it is to me and all other police officers in this state. I can’t get any answers but I thought maybe you could make it public.

You obviously have the juice to get answers and I like your style. You do a great job with your site and, as a city resident; I enjoy being informed so quickly.

I know it not a big story but whatever you can do, I sincerely appreciate.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Cop...............................

NOTE FROM BILL: I forwarded a copy of this letter to each member of council asking if they would like to respond.  Stay tune;  I will update the story as more information is received.

Related: Blue Line 

FROM THE DESK OF ROB NIXON

 

PFRS Pension Holidays and Local Governments - “They Saved, We Suffer”

 

From 1998 to 2007, local governments were given an unprecedented and lucrative opportunity to skip or reduce their required payments into the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS).  At the height of the Pension Holiday from 2001 to 2004, local governments contributed only 12% of their required PFRS pension and ERI contributions.  This lack of funding not only crippled the health of the PFRS today but also has placed local governments in the situation of having to make up for this reckless practice now, much like the person who overspends on a credit card and who regrets it only when the bill arrives.             click here for the full report

Philadelphia: Services Set For Slain Officer

http://www.kyw1060.com

KYW's Mike DeNardo reports that a tent now protects the makeshift streetside memorial of candles, flowers and childrens' drawings on the spot where sergeant Stephen Liczbinski was gunned down.

Mary Ann Felsher, whose daughter lives here, says the entire neighborhood is grieving:

"It just breaks my heart. What happened here was so needless. It's so sad. And the people are here are affected so much by this."

The viewing is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday at 12 noon at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, on Logan Circle in center city Philadelphia.

Sgt. Liczbinski will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem, Pa. The viewing, services, and internment are open to the public.

continue

Related: Crime

Officer Down: S.C. Deputy Killed; Philadelphia Officer Dies in fight with Bank Robbers

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Monday , May 5, 2008

South Carolina Deputy Fatally Shot An Orangeburg County sheriff's deputy was fatally shot early Saturday as he was responding to a domestic dispute at a Holly Hillarea home, Sheriff Larry Williams said. Then the alleged shooter's wife got into a car and crashed the vehicle into her husband after he reportedly tried to fire the shotgun in her direction, Williams said. Her husband was found dead in a nearby ditch, Williams said. » Read More Philadelphia Officer Killed During Robbery One suspect was charged and a second was being sought Sunday in the killing of a Philadelphia police officer who was shot with an assault rifle while responding to a bank robbery, police said. Levon Warner, 38, was charged with murder, robbery, conspiracy and related offenses, Deputy Commissioner William Blackburn said at a news conference Sunday. A second man, Eric Floyd, 33, believed to have escaped from a halfway house in Berks County, was being sought on a homicide charge. A third man, Howard Cain, 33, was killed by police. » Read More Related: Blue Line

Kentucky Officer Accused of Stealing from Local FOP

http://www.officer.com

SHIVELY, Ky.   --

A man sworn to uphold the law stands accused of breaking it.

Officer Steve Hopper is a 19-year veteran of the Shively Police Department. His chief said up until this point, Hopper has been a productive officer. But now, he's accused of stealing from his fellow officers.

"We're in the kind of business where we see these kind of things all the time," said Detective Josh Myers, president of the Shively Fraternal Order of Police.

But usually the suspect's not one of their own. Myers said late last year, Hopper, the FOP's then-president became the target of suspicion.

continue

Related: Little League Theft Major Story

Related: Calif Mayor Gets 6 Months for stealing from Little League

Officer Down: Georgia Deputy killed in crash

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Friday , May 2, 2008

Georgia Deputy Killed in Crash While Responding A Decatur County Sheriff's deputy was killed Thursday morning when he accidentally crashed his patrol car while responding to an emergency dispatch, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputy Robert Griffin, who had been with the Sheriff's Office since 2005, was killed Thursday, May 1, when his patrol car ran off Brinson Airbase Road in northeast Decatur County and struck two oak trees, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputy Griffin was responding to an E-911 dispatch of a juvenile threatening suicide when the accident happened shortly before 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Major Wendell Cofer of the Sheriff's Office said. » Read More   Full Story Updates: www.officer.com

NJ MADD HONORS DRPA POLICE OFFICER

Media Release May 1, 2008

    The New Jersey chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has selected DRPA Police Officer James Hartnett as this year's winner of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Recognition Award.  Hartnett is being recognized for having the highest number of DUI arrests in the Port Authority Police category for 2007.

    Officer Hartnett will be recognized for his exemplary service by during an awards ceremony in New Brunswick on June 11^th.

    DRPA CEO, John J. Matheussen, says "I personally congratulate Officer Hartnett for a job well done.  His actions not only reflect positively on him personally, but also on the entire Delaware River Port Authority Police Department."

    Hartnett joined the DRPA police in 1992 and has received 47 letters of commendation.  He was named Police Office of the Month in 1997 and 2001 and Police Officer of the Year in 2001.  Officer Hartnett is currently assigned to the Betsy Ross Bridge.

The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation and development agency.  DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, and PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.

Blue Line: Texas Trooper Shot, Killed During Pursuit

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Wednesday , April 30, 2008

KELLYVILLE, Texas -- A multi-county manhunt was under way Tuesday night for a man involved in the fatal shooting of a Marion County Department of Public Safety trooper. Trooper Jean Dark with the Texas Department of Public Safety said the shooting happened just before 8 p.m. by the intersection of Farm-to Market roads 1969 and 729 north east of Lake 0' The Pines near Kellyville. The trooper, identified as James Scott Burns, 39, was involved in a high speed chase along FM 1969 when he was shot. » Read More   Full Story Updates: www.officer.com related: Blue Line

Injured Deptford patrolman returns home

http://www.philly.com

On the night of Dec. 27, Wurst, a Deptford patrolman, was on Delsea Drive when a sport-utility vehicle slammed into his cruiser and mounted its roof. The driver, Andrea Paton, 19, who had minor injuries, was charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane.

Wurst, 24, had suffered severe brain, arm, leg, thigh and pelvis injuries. Doctors at Cooper University Hospital prepared his family for the worst.

But after more than a month there and nearly three months at Magee Rehabilitation Center in Center City, Wurst returned home yesterday morning. He is expected to make a full recovery.
continue

Related: Blue Line

Gloucester City Police Car Burns in Brooklawn/Steve Skipton Photos

 

April 15^th, 2008

1615 hrs  Rt 130 in Brooklawn Diner Parking lot

 

A Gloucester City Police Officer called Police Communications reporting his car on fire while driving, the officer pulled into the Parking lot of  the Brooklawn Diner and parked away from the building.

 

Brooklawn and Bellmawr firefighters put the fire out with damage contained  to the vehicle's engine compartment , and no injuries were reported.

Steve Skipton Photo

 

 

Camden County Emerald Society Fire Truck Pull, see application

Fire Truck Pull Application:

http://www.ccespd.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77&d=1206645668

Officer Down: Kentucky Constable Dies

Friday, April 04, 2008

Kentucky Constable Dies Following Arrest HARLAN, Ky. -- Joe Howard, 55, died Tuesday from an apparent sudden heart attack at Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital. He was the Harlan County District 1 Constable for 13 years, a graduate of Harlan High School, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a Kentucky Colonel, a dispatcher for Harlan EMS, and he served in law enforcement most of his adult life. Howard was well-known in the county as a friendly, kind person who would always greet you with a smile and never walk through a door before you. He has spent the last 13 years serving court subpoenas and warrants and helping to keep peace in his district. Howard had just made an arrest and dropped off his prisoner at the Harlan County Detention Center on Tuesday when he felt ill and pulled into the Harlan City Police Department parking lot, a place where his son, Tim Howard, is employed as a police officer. » Read More   Full Story Updates: www.officer.com More Officer Down News: www.officer.com/article/index.jsp?siteSection=2

Officer Down: Alabama Officer Killed in Crash

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Monday, March 31, 2008

Alabama Officer Killed in Crash While Responding The Officer Down Memorial Page has reported that Millbrook, Ala. Officer James Fezatte was killed in a cruiser crash on March 29. Officer Fezatte was responding to a civil disturbance call at approximately 10:50 pm. in heavy rain when his cruiser left the road and struck a tree. Officer Fezatte had served with the agency for one year. He is survived by his wife and two children. » Read More   Full Story Updates: www.officer.com

Officer Down: Border Agent Killed

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Monday, March 31, 2008

Border Agent Killed in California Crash The Officer Down Memorial Page has reported the death of Border Patrol Agent Jarod Dittman. Agent Dittman was killed in an automobile crash while on en route to his patrol area in Jamul, Calif. at approximately 1 a.m. on March 30. Another Border Patrol agent came across the crash on Otay Lakes Road, near State Route 94. » Read More   Full Story Updates: www.officer.com

Officer Down: Connecticut Officer Shot and Killed

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Friday, March 21, 2008

Connecticut Officer Shot and Killed NORWALK, Conn. - A Norwalk police officer was shot and killed early Friday morning after an altercation outside of a housing complex. Sources told NBC 30 that there was some type of altercation outside a housing complex called Lubrano Place, leading to an exchange of gunfire between police and the shooter. When backup officers arrived, they found the officer dead. » Read More   Full Story Updates: www.officer.com

Down the Shore: Blank Sentenced to 85 Year Term for shooting at Cops*

source www.pressofatlanticcity.com

MAYS LANDING - Christopher Blank will spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting at three Egg Harbor Township police officers.

Blank, 29, showed little emotion as Superior Court Judge Michael Donio sentenced him to a total of 85 years in prison Thursday morning for three counts of attempted murder. He must serve 85 percent of that sentence - about 72 years - which would make him 101 years old before becoming eligible for parole.

Blank shot Egg Harbor Township Officers Clear Costantino and Christopher Leary after fleeing arrest July 13, 2006, following a routine traffic stop. Costantino was shot three times, including in the waist, and was seriously wounded in the struggle. Leary was hit in the chest, but his bulletproof vest stopped the bullet.

Blank later shot at Officer William Loder but missed. Blank was wounded in that exchange.

read more

Former New Jersey Cop Richard Rivera A Real Hero To The Common Man

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

source http://wallpoliceblotter.blogspot.com

Director of Operations and Investigations

 

Richard Rivera is an idealist. So much so that when he, as a police officer in West New York, noticed what he deemed "widespread corruption" in the Police Department, he went to the FBI and began gathering data to prove his accusations.

Whatever prompted Mr. Rivera to call the bureau in 1994 and report that his department was corrupt, his decision broke open the biggest police corruption scandal in the state's history.

 

In all, federal prosecutors won convictions or guilty pleas from 30 police officers -- including the chief -- and civilians, some whom Mr. Rivera had even grown up with and served alongside on the force, others he befriended and did illegal business with in the undercover role of a lifetime. The officers, including the chief, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in which they were accused of taking payoffs to look the other way as gambling, loan sharking and prostitution permeated the town of 37,000 people crammed into less than a square mile.

 

Today, the 31-year-old Mr. Rivera is no longer an officer, dismissed from the force in 1996 over administrative charges. While he does not deny the accusations, he says they were used to remove him from his $55,000 a year job in retaliation for blowing the whistle on the corrupt officers right up to former Chief Alexander V. Oriente.

read more

Related Blue Line 

4 Deptford Officers Sue Police Leaders

source www.courierpostonline.com

Deptford police officers John Leone, John Gillespie, Timothy Parks and Brian Green list Chief John Marolt, Capt. Daniel Murphy, Lt. John Weatherby and Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office detective John Porter, as well as the township, as defendants in the suit.

Gillespie and Green were born and raised in Gloucester City.

All of the claims stem from the June trial where Gillespie, a four-year veteran of the department, was accused of beating a handcuffed Philadelphia teenager in February 2006. Parks and Gillespie faced the same charges -- official misconduct and assault -- and Green faced charges of witness tampering for not reporting the incident. After Gillespie was acquitted in July, the prosecutor's office dismissed charges filed against the other officers.
read more

Miami K-9 Handler to Surrender in Cruelty Case

David Ovalle
The Miami Herald

source http://www.officer.com

Mar. 10--Miami Officer Rondal Brown, suspected of allowing his police dog to starve to death, will surrender Monday morning to face criminal charges.

Brown, a popular veteran K-9 handler, had been relieved of duty as police internal affairs detectives and prosecutors probed the death of Dynasty, a 4-year-old bloodhound that specialized in finding missing persons.

When the dog was taken to the veterinarian in January 2007, she weighed more than 60 pounds. When she died in November, she weighed 33 pounds, investigators believe.

     The Miami-Dade state attorney's office declined to comment.  read more

Officer Down: Oklahoma Officer Killed

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Monday, March 10, 2008

Oklahoma Officer Killed in Crash The Officer Down Memorial Page is reporting the death of an Oklahoma officer. Special Agent Robert Flickinger was killed when his department vehicle was struck head-on as he tried to pass a vehicle. Agent Flickinger was traveling east on State Highway 199 in Marshall County, Oklahoma, when he attempted to pass a slow moving vehicle and collided head on with a pick-up truck. Agent Flickinger died at the scene from his injuries. » Read More

Down The Shore: Ocean Township Cops Sue Over Ticket Quota

source www.thenewspaper.com

Ocean Township, New Jersey file complaint against departmental demands that they achieve numeric traffic ticket goals.

Ocean Township, New Jersey police officers pressured by supervisors to achieve a specific traffic ticket quotas filed a grievance last week against their own department. With the support of their local police union, Patrolmen Les Laffan and Doug Willms suggested that negative performance reports placed in their personnel files may run afoul of a state law prohibiting numeric ticket quotas. The reports specified the exact number of tickets all officers must write or face disciplinary action including the loss of opportunities to earn overtime pay.

read more

Related: Down the Shore

Officer Down: Ohio Officer Fatally Shot

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Monday, March 03, 2008

Ohio Officer Fatally Shot The Officer Down Memorial Page is reporting the death of Ohio Officer Derek Owens. Officer Derek Owens was shot and killed as he and his partner chased four suspects in the city's southeast side. Officer Owens and his partner had observed the four men drinking beer in an abandoned lot and approached to speak to them. The men fled on foot as the officers pursued them. One of the suspects produced a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Owens once in the abdomen, below his vest. » Read More

Officer Down: Nevada Trooper Dies

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Thursday, February 28, 2008

Nevada Trooper Dies, Organs Transplanted RENO, Nevada (KOLOTV.com) -- A 33-year-old Nevada Highway Patrol trooper passed away today, three days after she was involved in a crash while rushing to a call. The Nevada Department of Public Safety says Trooper Kara Kelly-Borgognone died overnight. "She succumbed to the severe injuries she suffered in a car crash while on duty earlier this week," said D.P.S. Public Relations Coordinator Chuck Allen in a statement. » Read More

Officer Down: K-9 Officer Killed in Cruiser Crash

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Louisiana K-9 Officer Killed in Cruiser Crash According to The Officer Down Memorial Page, Baton Rouge, La. K-9 Officer Mark Beck was killed when his cruiser collided with a tractor trailer on Feb. 25. The truck had come to a stop at a railroad crossing, as required by law, when Beck's cruiser struck the rear of the truck, the report states. Beck was flown to Earl K. Long Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His K-9 partner was injured in the crash. » Read More   Full Story Updates: www.officer.com

K-9 Escapes, Killed By Car

February 25, 2008

source http://www2.tbo.com

TAMPA (Florida)- A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office dog opened a door and climbed fences to escape a private boarding kennel before being hit by a car and killed Sunday morning.

Lobo, a K-9 German shepherd, was struck by a driver heading north on Interstate 75, just north of the Gibsonton Drive exit, about 9:30 a.m.

The dog was staying at the Boyette Animal Hospital at 10931 Boyette Road while his handler, Deputy Jason Allen, was out of town. The dog traveled about 2 miles before being hit.

Lobo "outsmarted" barriers designed to keep him in the kennel, said Sheriff's Lt. Kyle Cockream. The dog managed to open a door and scale several fences, including one that is 6 feet tall.

read more

Related: Blue Line

Related: German Police Dogs to wear shoes 

Officer Down: Dallas Motorcycle Officer Killed

Officer.com Breaking News E-Alert Friday, February 22, 2008

Dallas Motorcycle Officer Killed in Clinton Motorcade A police motorcycle officer died after a crash while escorting Hillary Rodham Clinton's motorcade to a campaign rally. "We are just heartsick at thi