Cop to Cop News Mar-Apr 2009 by Lonny Anderson

MARCH • APRIL 2009 Vol. 1 No. 2

Distributed in 15 US States and 10 Canadian Provinces $3.50

Honoring Fallen Officers:

Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team forms to ensure proper respects maintained and to assist grieving families Page 15

Survivor of Takin’ the Ride helicopter tragedy motorcycle rally pens personal letter supports families of Page 05 fallen officers Page 10

w w w . c o p t o c o p n e w s . c o m

Restaurant review: A really fat burger (this ain’t hospital food)

Son of fallen officer shows off his sharp shooting Page 17

Page 17

The Carbon Motors E-7 is powered by a 300 hp diesel engine that goes 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. Emergency lights are built in right from the factory. It also comes with a built in license plate camera that can read license plates automatically. The voiceactivated computer is built into the console, and the controls for communications, radio and siren are built into the steering wheel, so no need to take your hands off the wheel. Carbon Motors Corporation is a bold, new homeland security company on a critical mission to design, develop, manufacture, distribute, service, and recycle at end-of-life, the world’s first purpose-built police car.

PHOTOS Submitted

Is this the police car of the future? Carbon Motors Corporation prepares the purpose-built police car.

Sgt. Steve Gibson

Publisher/Editor Cop to Cop News

There are purpose built vehicles for the fire department, ambulance and even the postal service, why not police? Therefore Carbon Motors

based in Atlanta Georgia has built what it says is a faster, cheaper, and safer vehicle for the nation’s law enforcement. And it’s the most high-tech police patrol car ever built.

The E-7 also comes equipped with an air ventilation system that has radiation, chemical and biological sensors. The back seat looks uncomfortable but who cares that’s where the bad guys sit. The bench seat is made of rigid blow-molded plastic and the door is a “suicide door” hinged at the rear with a special hinge that opens wide to get even large bad guys in. The shoulder belts unreel inboard so there’s no need to reach over them and risk being bitten or spat on. And the back is sealed

Carbon

Continued on page 2

JULY 31 - AUGUST 9, BC, CANADA OFFICER

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

Carbon

Continued from page 1 so no “fluids” from the bad guy do not flow forward, drain holes in the floor allow for quick clean-up using a hose. The front seats have side bolstering to hold you in place, with nothing in the way near the hip point, where the duty-belt, service pistol, nightstick and handcuffs sit. The fabric is Kevlar to prevent wear. Keyless entry and starting means quick entry and exit. The seats also feature an air-scarf to blow cool air down your neck and ballistic vest.

Cop to Cop News is published every two months by cops, for cops, about cops. It is distributed in 15 states and 10 provinces.

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Surete du Quebec arrest Hells Angels

The E-7 has lots of storage. Two rifles or shotguns mount between the front seatbacks along with a computer printer. The “glove box” serves as a handgun lock box. Flashlight mounts are on the floor. And there are stowage compartments in the dash top and doors for report or ticket pads, pens, etc. Cup holders are heated and cooled, and the ambient cockpit lighting is red to preserve night vision. LED spot lighting illuminates paperwork. Carbon Motors expects to announce a price for this vehicle next year, and production is set to begin in 2012. Price is estimated at $50,000.

111 full-patch members arrested More than 1,200 officers from 20 police forces led by the Surete du Quebec (Quebec Provincial Police) took part in a massive police operation April 15 that involved 177 early morning raids targeting the Hells Angels in Quebec and New Brunswick.

Publishers

Sgt. Steve Gibson Craig Prystay Editor

Sgt. Steve Gibson Art Director

Norisa Anderson

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Editorial

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distribution@24SevenNews.com One year rate: 6 issues for $20 includes GST Information in this publication has been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable. However the publishers may not be held liable for errors or omissions. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher and editor. Contents © copyright 2009 Cop to Cop News, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Published and printed in British Columbia, Canada.

Carbon

Continued on page 14

Judge bars release of Pasadena police officers’ names in fatal shooting

Easy in, easy out: Seat belts buckle on outside, and the entire passenger compartment is designed with a drain for quick hose down.

Built-in racks for shotguns or rifles

According to police, Operation SharQc, targeted every Hell’s Angel gang member in Quebec. 111 full-patch members were among the more than 150 people arrested or sought on warrants. Arrests were also made in New Brunswick, the Dominican Republic and France. Speaking during an early morning news conference outside the Surete du Quebec’s headquarters in Montreal, RCMP Insp. Richard Emery said the international police operation included a strong message: “We can reach beyond our borders to get to those whose crimes were committed in Canada. Wherever they are hiding in the world, criminals from here can face arrests.” The Surete du Quebec said the goal of the operation was to “put an end to the criminal activities of the organization.” Five Hells Angels bunkers and/or clubhouses in Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Quebec City, TroisRivieres and Sorel. The

gang’s notorious bunker in Sorel, home to the Montreal chapter for roughly three decades, was leveled in a bizarre incident last year. A man who has since been found to have mental health problems drove a fuel tanker truck into the building and set it on fire. But the gang still owned the land. The three-year investigation targeted alleged crimes committed by gang members and their associates between 1992 2009. Twenty-two firstdegree murder charges were laid and $5 million in cash was seized. Many of the murder charges involve homicides carried out within the context of the biker gang war, a conflict between the Hells Angels and a group called the Alliance between roughly 1994 and 2001. The drug trafficking charges involve alleged crimes committed more recently. Members of the Regional Integrated Squads describe the operation as a follow-up to Operation Springtime 2001, which

specifically targeted the gang’s Nomads chapter, its underlings and a handful of members from the gang’s other chapters. Operation SharQc appears to be much broader in scope as many more full-patch members are targeted. Among those arrested or sought on warrants was Lionel Deschamps, a longtime member of the Montreal chapter. He is considered a very influential member of the gang if only for his longevity. In 2000 that influence was demonstrated when police began to notice him frequently hanging around with members of the now defunct Nomads chapter after Hells Angels leader Maurice (Mom) Boucher was arrested and awaiting trial for ordering the murders of two prison guards.

Also among those arrested was Paul Fontaine, a former member of the gang’s Nomads chapter. He was recently convicted of the 1997 murder of a provincial prison guard and the attempted murder of another. It is estimated by Criminal Intelligence Service Canada that there are 460 full-patch members in Canada. With 37 chapters across the country as follows, Ontario 18, British Columbia 8, Quebec 5, Alberta 3, Saskatchewan 2 and Manitoba 1. There are 228 chapters world-wide and approximately 3,000 members.

bus

Washington police officer shot, saved by vest Portland, OR – April 15, a manhunt ended in SE Portland for two suspects involved in the shooting of a Vancouver, WA police officer. The Sergeant and was shot during a traffic stop. The bullet struck him in the chest but his bulletproof saved his life. Sources reported that the suspects then fled south on foot across the river. Several blocks in Portland had been blocked off as part of the search. Police brought in everything they had to locate the suspects as quickly as possible. The suspects had reportedly been seen walking down a street carrying pillowcases possibly full of stolen items from a nearby residence. Neighbors called the police, and the suspects fled the area in a vehicle. One of those suspects reportedly exited the same vehicle during the traffic stop and fired at the officer. Agencies involved in the manhunt included Portland Police, the Portland CERT Team, the Washington County Sheriff ’s Office, Clackamas Sheriff ’s Office and others.

CELEBRATING EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS’ WEEK APRIL 8-15

Pasadena, CA – A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge tentatively sided with a police union in prohibiting the Pasadena Police Department from releasing the names of two officers who shot and killed a man during a traffic stop in February. The union has argued that releasing the names could imperil the officers by exposing them to possible gang retaliation. Citing two recent California Supreme Court decisions, Judge David Yaffe ruled in a preliminary injunction that the officers’ names should not be released to the public because there is an ongoing internal investigation and the possibility of a criminal prosecution. “It is definitely possible at this juncture that these officers will never be disciplined or be prosecuted,” Yaffe said. “When the situation changes, it may be a different decision.” Police Chief Bernard Melekian had planned on releasing the names at a news conference last month but was thwarted when the union obtained a temporary restraining order. An attorney for the city argued in court papers that threats to the officers have subsided and that it was in the public’s interest for the names to be released. After the hearing, an attorney for the union, said that the officers’ privacy rights should take priority. “The safety of the officers always outweighs the need of the public,” he said, adding that the public’s interest in such matters was “idle curiosity, as far as I’m concerned.”The order was granted over the objections of The Times, which sought to get involved in the case this week. An attorney for the newspaper, who also was representing the California Newspaper Publishers Assn., argued in court papers that the identity of officers who exercise lethal force is undoubtedly a matter of public interest. “That anyone in a position of authority can kill someone and have their identity kept secret is fundamentally inconsistent with our notion of democratic government,” the attorney said.

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If you are motivated to work and train with the best, apply to join the team. For more information about these exciting opportunities which carry an excellent benefits package, please see www.gvtaps.bc.ca - Career Opportunities. Please obtain and complete application and vision report forms from www.gvtaps.bc.ca and submit them, with the other listed required documentation and your résumé, to: GVTA Police Service Recruiting Unit, 307 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 1A7. Tel: 604.515.8300; email: contactus@gvtaps.bc.ca; fax: 604.515.8361. While we greatly appreciate all replies, regretfully only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

He lived to tell the tale LAPD Officer survives helicopter crash

MARCH • APRIL 2009

REMEMBERING

Cassie Wells

Editor “True Blue-To Protect and Serve”

On Friday June 11, 1976 at 12:50 p.m., 29-year-old

LAPD Instructor Pilot, Ron Corbin, and LAPD Student Pilot, Jeffrey Lindenberg, officers with, respectively, 5 and 7 years on the job, were airborne in their Bell 47G5 helicopter over the Hollywood Hills above the Los Angeles Zoo, just east of the Griffith Observatory. They were practicing off-site pinnacle landings on the mountaintop. Officer Lindenberg was at the controls on short final approach when the engine failed. Instructor Corbin was unable to recover and safely autorotate due to the low altitude and low airspeed at the time of incident. He desperately tried to salvage the crash by stretching the approach glidepath to a pad at top of the mountain, but came 4 inches short of a safe landing. The helicopter fell backward off the cliff and dropped 162 feet down a 70-degree incline of rocky and brush-strewn hillside. The mission had just began, so the aircraft was full of fuel and exploded, leaving a trail of fire. The resulting smoke

was observed by other members of the Air Unit, who reported it to the LAFD Helicopter Unit. One of the FD helicopters was dispatched thinking it was nothing more than a brush fire. Arriving upon the scene, two hikers who had run to the site and had Corbin on the ground, waved the FD helicopter down for an emergency med-evac. Officer Lindenberg was not visible to the rescue unit. Officer Corbin received 70 percent burns (62 percent 2nd-3rd degree) and was in the hospital for over two months. He was subjected to years of multiple reconstructive surgeries on his face, arms, legs, and torso. Officer Jeffrey Lindenberg, age 30, was killed in the wreckage

and consumed in the resulting fire, leaving a grieving young widow, Lesa, and a 7-month-old daughter, Tina Michelle. The accident was ruled due to mechanical failure – there was nothing that either officer, pilot or student, could have done to change the tragic outcome. This accident happened more than 25 years ago. Ron Corbin still bears the physical scars of the accident but one wonders if he still thinks about his partner, Jeff, who lost his life on that hillside so long ago. Oh, yes. The following letter is a dedication to all those who wear a badge and a uniform and who will never forget… not September 11th, or not a small tragedy on a mountaintop, or not any fellow officer’s death however it occurred. Cops may mourn privately but they don’t forget.

Your Husband.. My Partner

Dear Lesa,

I’m 55 years old now, with another birthday approaching this June 15th. I don’t have to remind you that this is just four days after the anniversary of Jeff’s death. Even after all these years, I’m sure you and your daughter think of this every June, especially since it’s so close to Father’s Day. I want you to know that I, too, still can’t celebrate my birthday without thinking back on that fateful day in 1976 when you lost a husband, and I lost a partner. Lesa, you know I would have been at the funeral had I not been in the hospital. Those first couple weeks when I was in grave and critical condition are mostly a blur in my memory; as much probably from being sedated as to the extent of my injuries. -- con’t on page 6

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

A Bell 47-G5 helicopter. The LAPD Air Support used these back in the 60s-70s as trainers and other light observation missions. Originally they were patrol aircraft, but were replaced by Bell Jet Rangers.

-- con’t from page 5 Actually, before I became conscious enough to even be told that Jeff had been killed in the accident, the memorial services, the missing man formation fly-by, the playing of taps, and the 21-gun salute had long passed. I still remember, as if it were yesterday, when the news of his death was shared with me. When the doctor said he felt I was emotionally ready to receive the news, my wife Kathy – standing by my bedside with tears streaming down her cheeks – told me that Jeff had been killed in the crash. Her words numbed my mind. I remember that it was more shock than sorrow that hit me. I don’t think I said anything back to her. I just laid there staring at the ceiling and thinking, “How is that possible? I should have been able to save him. Why him God, and not me”? I’ve never forgotten Jeff; his humor and wit; his desire to become a police pilot; or his love and devotion to you and his new baby girl. But I did come to grips with his death a long time ago. I believe most cops probably think their demise will likely come by a bullet, but there are many other inherent dangers to the profession; traffic accidents while in pursuit, stabbing by an emotionally disturbed person, a fall from a high rise while trying to grab a suicidal jumper, death from a booby-trap bomb in a drug raid, crushed in a building collapse from a terrorist incident, and yes...even a training accident in a helicopter. The everyday dangers of being a cop are really understood only by other cops. Lesa, I guess one of the reasons for writing this is that I need some final closure for me in another way. It had been months since the accident, so when I finally got out of the hospital, I wanted to see you. I wanted to express my sympathy and sorrow. Remember, I sent you a card saying that I would be glad to meet with you; to answer your questions and tell you everything I could remember about that day leading up to the crash. I wanted to cry on your shoulder and let you cry on mine. You graciously replied to my note, but I was somewhat surprised that you didn’t want to see me. It was a message of rejection that has kept me awake at nights, silently wondering... why? I thought, surely you would have questions that only I could answer. “Why did the engine quit when we were landing to that pinnacle in the mountains? Was Jeff a good pilot? Do you think he suffered”? So, yes, I was surprised when I received your reply stating that you preferred not to face me. This void has “eaten” at my heart for 26 years now. It’s difficult to explain the emptiness in my heart that I never got to talk with you. I wanted to explain how hard I tried to prevent the accident, and how close we came to walking away. To say there was an mechanical problem, and that in spite of what the Department said, it was not pilot error and that Jeff did nothing wrong. I wanted to let you know that after climbing out of the wreckage and having my helmet visor melted to my face and my clothing

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Crash site; in Griffith Park above the LA Zoo, near the I-5 and US 101. The slope is 70 degrees and the helicopter tumbled 162 feet.

on fire, I mumbled Jeff’s name to the hikers who came to my rescue; not heroically, but letting them know there was someone else for them to help. Lesa, I wanted to tell you how sorry I was for not being able to do more to save Jeff’s life. Kathy knows that I had a difficult time with your rebuff. I tried to understand your position; trying to put myself in your frame of mind as a young widow with a new infant daughter and having to grasp the realization of suddenly being devoid of your soul mate. But the more I tried to understand your reasoning for not wanting to see me, the more I imagined there was more to what was really going through your mind. Was it because of my burn scars that motivated you not to see me? I can understand that. Yes, maybe that was it. With 70 percent burns, I did portray a pretty grotesque specimen of a human. Or was it simply because you blamed me for Jeff’s death. -- con’t on page 12

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

Legal Update

Supreme Court of Canada Russell Stephen Patrick v. Her Majesty the Queen

Garbage is not private Ottawa, April 09, 2009

Criminal law - Whether the trial judge erred in failing to consider, and failing to find, the Appellant had a reasonable expectation of territorial privacy with respect to his dwelling house, its perimeter and the garbage bags stored thereon - Whether the trial judge erred in failing to find the Appellant had a reasonable expectation of informational privacy with respect to the garbage bags and the information stored therein. Police investigators suspected that Appellant, Russell Stephen Patrick, was operating an ecstasy lab in his home located in Southeast Calgary. On six separate occasions, police officers conducted a search of Patrick’s garbage, which involved seizing garbage bags located inside garbage cans that were placed in the receptacle at the back of Patrick’s property. The police did not have to step onto Patrick’s property to retrieve the bags but they did have to reach through the airspace over his property line. The bags were readily accessible to the public, since the garbage cans had no lids and the receptacle did not have any doors to cover the opening into the alleyway. The police identified items within at least four of the bags that were indicative of an ecstasy lab operation. These items,

along with other information garnered from the police investigation were used to obtain a search warrant for Patrick’s residence. The search warrant was executed on December 23, 2003. The police officer in possession of the warrant remained outside until he was advised that the home was secure and that it was safe to enter and did not show the warrant to Patrick at any time. The trial consisted of a voir dire to determine the admissibility of the evidence obtained from the police search. The trial judge held that Patrick did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy over the items seized from his garbage, and that the search of Patrick’s home was lawful. The Appellant was convicted of unlawfully producing, possessing and trafficking in a controlled substance (ecstasy) contrary to ss.7, 5(2), and 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In summary, the Supreme Court agreed with the trial judge and the Court of Appeal majority in this case that the appellant had abandoned his privacy interest in the contents of the garbage bags gathered up by the police when he placed them in the garbage alcove open to the laneway ready for collection. The taking by the police did not constitute a search and seizure within the scope of s. 8, and the evidence (as well as the fruits of the search warrant obtained in reliance on such evidence) was properly admissible. Appeal dismissed.

Las Vegas Metro Police Union ratifies contract without cost-of-living raises Las Vegas, NV – The Metro Police Department’s uniformed officers have officially agreed to forgo a costof-living raise next year. The Las Vegas Police Protective Association overwhelmingly ratified the contract the union negotiated with Metro that gives up a cost-of-living increase for the fiscal year that begins July 1, Executive Director Chris Collins said. Voting ended Sunday, he said. The union’s existing four-year contract expires on June 30. “It was the right thing to do in theses times,” Collins said. “I knew the troops would come up and do the right thing.”

The union represents 2,700 uniformed Metro officers. About one-third of them voted, which is a high turnout, Collins said. Normally, only 10 percent of the members vote on union contracts, he said. The one-year contract maintains step increases for officers with less than 10 years on the force, he said. Those increases, which reward experience and increased skill, amount to 4 percent a year. In addition, he said, health benefits will remain the same in the new contract. The union and Metro agreed to a one-year contract and will probably continue to do so until the economy turns around, Collins said.

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Recent Cases of Interest: Court refuses to reduce damage award for cover officer who removed seatbelt to assist in apprehension Officer in rammed police cruiser receives precedent-setting aggravated damage award against suspect Off-duty RCMP officer injured in car accident and denied benefits by insurance company wins in court Man who embezzled $300,000 from company ordered by court to repay victims Court decides off-duty officer who found and turned in $1 million is entitled to the cash.

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Fort Wayne, IN – No free rides will be followed by no free work, if Fort Wayne’s largest police union has its way. In a lawsuit against the city, the union contends that the city should pay officers for all off-duty time handling calls in their take-home cruisers. The suit comes after the department in January began charging officers who live in Fort Wayne about $50 per month for unlimited off-duty use of cruisers and about $60 for those who live outside the city. Officers also had the option of driving their cruisers to and from their homes to work for free. The charges, designed to save the department some $250,000 from its approximately $1.6 million annual gas budget, angered leaders of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, which accused Police Chief Rusty York of violating their contract by making officers decide individually rather than in a collective union vote. The union represents about 350 of the department’s approximately 450 officers. Created in 1994, the take-home-cruiser program was designed to deter crime by making cruisers more visible, allow officers to start their shifts on the road rather than report for roll call, and give officers incentive to take better care of their cars. Prior to the fees, the first 29 minutes that officers spent responding to off-duty calls in their cruisers - officers are required to respond to serious crashes and crimes or if they see a disabled motorist were done for free. After the fees began in January, officers could charge overtime after the first seven minutes, but Officer Shane Hopkins, association president, believe it’s not enough. Officers in off-duty cruisers have found missing children, arrested bank robbery suspects and in the case of Officer Pete Mooney on Jan. 14, fatally shot bank robber Anthony W. Taylor. Extrapolating statistics from a 1997 study by former Police Chief T. Neil Moore on the amount of calls responded to by officers in take-home cruisers, Hopkins said it now works out to the equivalent of about 47 extra officers.

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

TASER Foundation’s Takin’ the Ride takes to the streets

“Wolf” from American Gladiator joins Brandon Shepherd on stage.

Scottsdale, AZ – on Sunday, March 29, 2009 over 200 riders gathered at TASER International HQ in Scottsdale for the 4th Annual “Takin’ the Ride” charity motorcycle ride to help the families of fallen officers. The TASER Foundation & the Blue Knights of Arizona Chapter VI sponsored the Ride. There were riders from Florida, California, New York, Oregon, Colorado, Wisconsin and even Germany. They rode Harley Davidson, Titan, Victory, Honda Goldwing, Big Dog motorcycles and even a few trikes. Co-Sponsors included Dunkin Donuts, Fort McDowell Casino, Just Water Inc, Victory-Big Dog Motorcycles-Mesa Arizona, Corporate Choice Promotions and KTVK Channel 3. Celebrity riders included Scott Pasmore, KTVK Channel 3 and Don Hollywood Yates aka “Wolf ” on American Gladiator. The Ride ended at Fort McDowell with a great BBQ and live entertainment by country music artist Brandon Shepherd and his band. There were some great door prizes including several “Victory” men’s and ladies leather jackets. Mark your calendars for next year’s Ride. The TASER Foundation is a non-profit organization, which provides financial and educational support to the families of law enforcement officers in the Unitd States and Canada who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It was started in November 2004 by the Smith family and the TASER International staff. To learn more about the TASER Foundation and upcoming events, visit the TASER Foundation.

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

Narcotics investigation leads to Olympia arrests

-- con’t from page 6 After all, I was the flight instructor. I was the experienced pilot with thousands of hours. I should have been able to prevent the accident. The more I dwelled on it, the more I came to the conclusion that it was probably a combination of these things. But whatever your reason, I respected your decision. And I thought that someday, when the time is right for you, you’ll call me and then we can share our hugs and tears. But you never did. I heard that you remarried...another policeman, no less. I’m happy that you were able to find someone else; hopefully someone you can love as much as you did Jeff. Although I’ve never seen her, I can imagine that your daughter is a beautiful young woman now...I mean, look at her parents.

Olympia, WA – Detectives with the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) conducted an investigation, which resulted in the arrest a 34 year-old male in a public parking lot for the sale of one-half pound of crystal methamphetamine. Further investigation led investigators to a duplex located in Olympia. WestNET detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence, which led to the arrest of two additional males, both in their mid-twenties. The males admitted to selling methamphetamine for profit. WestNET seized approximately one kilo of crystal methamphetamine, which has a street value of $84,000. Approximately one-half pound of the seized meth is believed to be pure uncut ICE. The task force also seized

Taken three weeks after the crash.

nearly $30,000 in U. S. currency, $2,600 in counterfeit bills, and two vehicles, which the suspects admitted to purchasing with proceeds from drug sales. Charges are pending. WestNET is a multi-agency narcotics task force that is funded by the U. S. Department of Justice and hosted by the Kitsap County SO. Charges are pending for recent narcotics bust in Washington with $114, 000 of seized methamphetamine and cash.

In closing, Lesa, I just want to share a few more of my most personal thoughts: some of the things I would have shared with you had we been able to get together. I will always remember the good times Jeff and I had when we car-pooled to work, and the laughter and joking that we shared with other pilots and police officers at the heliport. He had already proven to be an outstanding officer on the tough streets of LA, one of the top observers for the unit, and now he was progressing into a fine pilot, too. I didn’t consider him just another student pilot. He was my police partner and a close friend. It was a pleasure teaching him some of the flying skills I had obtained. In my flying career, I had previously experienced another engine failure, a cockpit fire, some combat damage, and a myriad of other in-flight emergencies. More fortunately, I survived two tours in Vietnam as an Army helicopter pilot, but my memories of this time are left with having the names of 27 of my pilot buddies inscribed on “The Wall” in Washington, D.C. When I joined the Los Angeles Police Department, I did so with the hope of becoming one of their helicopter pilots, and my dream was fulfilled in 1974. I looked upon my career as a pilot with LAPD’s Air Support Division as one that would hopefully provide a higher degree of safety than that involved in combat flying. I never imagined, though, with all that I had been through that I would have to face another death caused by a helicopter accident...especially someone who was as close to me as Jeff. His death only added to the tremendous amount of survivor’s guilt I’ve experienced over the course of my lifetime. It’s hard for me to hear Taps, or the sound of a bagpipe playing “Amazing Grace.” I’m not ashamed to say that it brings tears. But, I’ll continue wiping away the tears if it means I never have to forget. And because I don’t ever want to forget my Army buddies or Jeff, I have a couple ways to serve as a daily reminder. First, everyday at work I close out my computer with a sound file of “Taps” and a volley of gunfire as a 21-gun salute. It makes me think of those who wear a police or military uniform, and to remember that “all gave some, but some gave all.”

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Bremerton PD Kitsap County SO Mason County SO Naval Criminal Investigative Service Poulsbo PD Port Orchard PD Shelton PD Washington State Patrol Regional law enforcement agencies that supported this operation were: Naval Criminal Investigative Service Olympia PD Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Washington State Department of Corrections Washington State Patrol K-9 Unit

PHOTO Cop to Cop News file photo

Busters Towing is the premier towing company in BC, Alberta, Washington, and Oregon providing dependable and reliable service 24 hours a day. Secondly, I have my Dad’s American flag, tri-folded and encased from his funeral, on display in my home. The three corners of the flag is a constant reminder for me; one corner representing his death, one corner representing my Army friends who gave their lives in the service of their country, and one corner for Jeff – your husband, my partner. With Love, Ron

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Participating agencies include:

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

Honoring Fallen Officers:

Carbon

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The Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team Cpl. Scott Barthelmass Overland, PD, Missouri

Open wide and say “Ahh”

Built-in LED lights

Dash comes decked with computer and communication equipment

Grill with growl

Since the state of Missouri was established in 1821, it has suffered more than 620 line-ofduty deaths, many of them in recent years. When two policemen were murdered in the suburban St. Louis community of Kirkwood on February 7, 2008 , a group of officers came together to begin creating the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team. Over the last year, these officers have devoted hundreds of hours to research and planning this new organization. They have assembled a Missourispecific law enforcement funeral guide, have put in place a structure to establish funeral response teams, and have developed training criteria for volunteers who will assist police departments and officers’ families through the aftermath of a line-ofduty death. The Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team responds only when the agency that sustained the loss requests help. The team serves in a behind-the-scene capacity, offering suggestions based on the needs of the department and the fallen officer’s family. This includes providing personal support as well as help with logistics and planning for a funeral. The

team utilizes the incident command system and prepares incident action plans. A key strength of the team is its professionalism tied in with a genuine dedication to properly honoring a fallen officer. The Assistance Team also can assist the fallen officer’s family in obtaining the benefits they are due. This effort is led by members of the Missouri Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) who have been trained in completing the Public Safety Officer Benefits application process. The Team will also help plan and carry out services for active-duty officers who pass away while off duty, and for retired officers. Team managers are organizing several statewide subgroups. These include a motor officers group to assist with providing funeral procession escorts, a mounted honor guard, and a chaplain group to provide spiritual support for the fallen officer’s family and agency. A statewide pipe and drum corps and an honor guard group have been formed to assist in honoring fallen comrades. In time, our plans include deployment of trailers equipped with items to assist in carrying out appropriate memorial

services, including casket flags, military service flags, honor guard supplies, mobile public address systems, mourning bands, and so on. We have developed a comprehensive list of supplies that might be needed for any type of service, and we are undertaking efforts to raise the estimated cost of $17,500 for such a fully equipped trailer. Initial steps have been undertaken to establish a response team in the Kansas City area, with personnel from the Gladstone Department of Public Safety leading such efforts. We hope to have this response team ready by mid-2009. Our longterm goal is to have four or five response teams with equipment trailers across the state. To train those who are interested in participating on the response teams, the Missouri Funeral Assistance Team anticipates hosting a training cadre from a similar program in Indiana in the next few months. Indiana’s team, one of a small number of statewide teams, is well recognized for its efforts to train personnel in carrying out law enforcement funeral services. Our team plans on hosting training classes to help officers with death notifications, and to help individuals learn how to play the bagpipes. Efforts are also under way to host an honor guard academy. Our team received its first request for assistance from the University City Police Department, following the murder of Sgt. Michael King on October 31. The Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team, along with an existing Fire Service team in Missouri, helped plan and carry out the funeral services. The Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team was established in 2005, and, unfortunately, has been involved in planning funerals for numerous line-of-duty deaths across the state. At Sergeant King’s funeral, the police and fire teams worked side by side, with law enforcement officers taking the lead and fire service personnel serving as mentors. This

was a valuable learning experience and was helpful in ensuring that all the necessary arrangements were made and needs met. Personnel from the Brentwood, Clayton, Crestwood, Eureka , Maplewood and Overland Police Departments represented the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team. “Planning funerals of this magnitude is an incredible task,” wrote Susan King, widow of Sergeant King. “After being part of one, I am still overwhelmed by the sheer size and logistics involved. And yet I am amazed at how flawlessly everything worked together and was absolutely perfect… a fitting tribute to my husband. Needless to say, I was very distraught at the time and they took care of everything down to the last detail. The members of the team that I worked with were kind and compassionate; they brought me comfort during that difficult time. I cannot thank them enough for all the time and effort

they put into honoring my husband.” Kelly McGee, a member of the University City Police Department and a liaison to the fallen officer’s family, recently wrote, “I cannot thank you enough for helping us through this tragedy. We are dealing with a nightmare; however, you guys really came through for us and we truly appreciate you. It helped me to stay busy during this time and to be a part of honoring my friend, but it had its moments of being overwhelming. When those moments hit me, you and the other team members really helped pull everything together.” In February 2009, the funeral team assisted the Vinita Park Police Department with funeral arrangements after Chief Michael Webb lost his battle with cancer. Just weeks later, the Jennings Police Department lost Det. Sgt. David Joyce, who suffered a fatal heart attack. That agency handled the funeral arrangements after obtaining planning

For additional information, see the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team’s Web site at www. mopolicefuneral.org.

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When a police officer dies in the line of duty, shouldn’t the individuals and the badge they wear receive the proper respect? If the officers and their grieving families were to be forgotten, that would only make the hurt more painful. Unfortunately, many police agencies do not have the resources to undertake large-scale official funerals.

documents from our team. Our team has already received the endorsement of the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association, the Missouri Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, the Missouri Peace Officers Association, the Missouri Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), the Missouri State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the MissouriIllinois Railroad Police Association, and the Gateway Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the National Reserve Law Officers Association. The team has also directed support to other worthy causes including the Barwick/Newton Fund, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and Concerns of Police Survivors. Members of the team have been invited to speak at the 2009 National Law Enforcement Expo in Tampa. We are hopeful that other statewide or regional teams will develop across the country, creating a network of organizations to assist with officer funerals.

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Rough ‘n’ ready

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

10 Real Headlines

Dear Sarge Urine Test

Daughter d an e if W g n ti oo h S e or Man Kills Self Bef

(Whoever wrote this one deserves a pat on the back!)

How’s that?

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

I have to pass a urine test for my job... So I agree 100%

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem

Now that’s taking things a bit far!

with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ASS, doing drugs, while I work... Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? I guess we could title that program, ‘Urine or You’re Out’. Just a thought.

B M DU

Terrence Dickson, of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic

garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn’t re-enter the house because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to sit for eight, count ‘em, EIGHT, days on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner’s insurance company claiming undue mental Anguish. Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish. We should all have this kind of anguish.

Off Beat

Panda Mating Fails; V eterinarian Takes Ov

What a guy!

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant See if that works any better than a fair trial!

Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide They may be on to something!

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge

He probably IS the battery charge!

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

Do they taste like chicken?

In honor of the mother of the octuplets, Denny’s is offering a new breakfast meal: the Nadya-Octo-Slam, you get fourteen eggs, no sausage, and the guy next to you has to pay the bill.

One-Armed Man Applauds The Kindness of Strangers Not possible Police: Crack Found In Man’s Buttocks I’m not touching that one

Makey Eales

Son of fallen officer Trooper David W. (Rocky) Eales Oklahoma Highway Patrol EOW: 1999-09-24

“Taste worth dying for”

Sgt. Steve Gibson

Like most cops, I like hamburgers. And having heard of the infamous Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Arizona, I had to go there – all in the name of writing a restaurant review of course.

Attack Grill”. If I had ordered the Triple Bypass I would have gotten a free wheelchair ride around the restaurant by Chantel. And if I had ordered the Quadruple Bypass I would have gotten a

If there is a hamburger heaven this is it. It’s like a 50s diner only with a hospital theme. Waitresses dress as naughty nurses; the owner “Dr. John” and the cook dress like doctors while customers are called patients – hospital smock optional. The menu includes the Single Bypass, Double Bypass, Triple Bypass and the motherof-all hamburgers the Quadruple Bypass Burger; ½ lb, 1 lb, 1 ½ lb and

That’s what he gets for eating those beans!

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

Hero Kids

Restaurant Review A visit to the Heart Attack Grill

2 lbs respectively. The two pound Quadruple Bypass Burger has 8,000 calories! They also serve allyou-can-eat “Flatliner Fries” that are proudly fried in pure lard; no filter cigarettes; hard liquor; beer; full sugar Coke and Fat Bastard Wine. The menu has a checklist that asks: Age?

Publisher/Editor Cop to Cop News

Young Stud. Mid-Life Crisis. Old Geezer. I ticked off “Mid-Life Crisis”. Next question, Sex? Not Enough. When Drinking. When Spouse Is Away, I ticked off all three just to be safe. Next question, Smoke? Always. When Drinking. Not

Cigarettes. I don’t smoke. Last question, Drink? Of Course! Too Much. Doesn’t Everyone. I ticked “Doesn’t Everyone?” If the food doesn’t give you a heart attack, the naughty nurse-waitresses might. Our waitress was Chantel, and I ordered a Double Bypass with cheese, Flatliner Fries and a glass of Fat Bastard red wine – what the hell, might as well go down in flames. Upon ordering, Chantel put a hospital bracelet on me that said “I had a double bypass at the Heart

hospital smock to wear, but I don’t like those – too drafty. When my Double Bypass hamburger came I did my best to eat it all but couldn’t. It was huge (come on, one lb of hamburger is a lot of meat). Chantel scolded me and pointed out the three other Canadians who had each ordered Quadruples and had eaten theirs. I got to scratch one thing off my bucket list, it was all in good fun and the hamburgers are great – something worth remembering next time you’re in Phoenix.

Mackey Eales bags two Toms with one shot: a 20 lb-10.5 beard and a 17 lb-9.5 beard.

The Heart Attack Grill is located at 6185 West Chandler Boulevard in Chandler, Arizona. www. heartattackgrill.com

PHOTO submitted

Double Bypass Burger boasts one pound of beef.

Victim finds stolen appliances on Craigslist Phoenix, AZ - A burglary victim saw justice done as police arrested two people accused of stealing from his home. Scottsdale police arrested Phoenix residents a 39 year old man and a 36 year old woman, in connection with a March burglary. According to the victim, his vacant home on Paradise Drive was burglarized between March 13 and 15. The thieves stole unique kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures valued at around $11,000. In early April, the victim discovered a Craigslist advertisement selling very similar fixtures, so he contacted the Scottsdale PD. Detectives made an appointment to see the items and arrested the two suspects.

Robbery suspect arrested as he tries to take police exam

Server Chantel dishes out Quadruple Bypass Burgers to customers clad in hospital smocks.

Chula Vista, CA – A San Diego County man wanted for a store robbery was arrested after he showed up to take an examination to become a police officer. Romeo Montillano, 40, was arrested for investigation of robbery, making criminal threats and grand theft. He remained in the San Diego County jail on on $110,000 bail, according to the county sheriff ’s Web site. Investigators had identified Montillano as a suspect in a robbery at a Chula Vista Kmart where a man stole a television, DVD player and telephone, then beat up employees who confronted him in the parking lot, police spokesman Bernard Gonzales said. A short time later, investigators learned that Montillano had signed up to take the Police Department entrance exam. Police telephoned Montillano, who apparently was unaware he was being sought for the robbery. Montillano said he was in Las Vegas but would return for a Feb. 18 orientation for police applicants, Gonzales said. Montillano didn’t show up but called police to apologize and explain that his car had been impounded in Las Vegas. In a later e-mail, Montillano told officers that he planned to take a bus and would be there for the police exam. On the day of the test, Montillano signed in and was arrested. Montillano asked as he was being taken into custody, if he would still be able to take the police exam. When told he couldn’t, Montillano asked whether he could reapply and take the test later. OFFICER

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

Bad wrap

Federal Appeals Court rejects Muslim officer’s bid to wear religious scarf A Muslim woman who works as a Philadelphia police officer has lost her court battle to wear a religious head scarf on the job now that the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that forcing the department to accommodate her would compromise the city’s interest in maintaining “religious neutrality” in its police force. In Webb v. City of Philadelphia, a unanimous three-judge panel upheld a lower court’s decision that said the police department’s blanket policy forbidding officers from wearing any religious garb did not violate plaintiff Kimberlie Webb’s religious-freedom rights. Writing for the court, Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Anthony J. Scirica said he agreed with the city’s argument that, without strict enforcement of its dress code, “the essential values of impartiality, religious neutrality, uniformity, and the subordination of personal preference would be

severely damaged to the detriment of the proper functioning of the police department.” As a result, Scirica said, forcing the city to accommodate Webb by allowing her to violate the dress code would impose an “undue hardship” on the city. The ruling upholds a June 2007 decision by Chief U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III that said the city’s policy “reflects the fact that the police force is a paramilitary organization in which personal preferences must be subordinated to the overall policing mission which requires

the utmost cooperation among all officers.” The police officer’s uniform, Bartle said, “promotes that cooperation, fosters esprit de corps, emphasizes the hierarchical nature of the police force, and portrays a sense of authority to the public.” Wearing religious symbols or clothing, Bartle said, “would undermine these purposes and has the potential for interfering with effective law enforcement and even for causing harm to officers in a diverse community such as Philadelphia.” Prohibiting all religious symbols and attire, Bartle said, “helps to prevent any divisiveness on the basis

of religion both within the force itself and when it encounters the diverse population of Philadelphia.” Bartle noted that former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson is also Muslim and had testified that the policy was essential for the police department to maintain “political and religious neutrality” so that it will be seen by the public as not favoring one group or faith over another. Webb’s lawyers argued in the brief that Bartle had relied on “outdated and faulty assumptions about the necessity of strict adherence to uniform codes, to the exclusion of religious accommodations, in modern military and police organizations.” More modern evidence, the brief said, shows that granting religious accommodations has no negative effect on police discipline. The police departments in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles regularly grant requests similar to Webb’s, the brief said, and in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the

Los Angeles department specifically invited Sikh Americans to join the force and assured them that their beards and turbans would be welcome. According to court papers, Webb was hired as a police officer in 1995 and first raised the issue of wearing the Muslim scarf in 2003. In a memo to her commanding officer, Webb said her religion required that she cover her hair and requested permission to wear a headpiece called a khimar -- a traditional garment worn by Muslim women that covers the hair, forehead, sides of the head, neck, shoulders and chest, and sometimes extends down to the waist. Webb said she intended to wear the lower portion of the khimar tucked inside her police shirt and to wear her police hat. Although some Muslim women also cover their faces, leaving only a slit for their eyes, Webb said she was not seeking to do so. But the request was denied, and Webb was told that wearing a khimar would violate Philadelphia

Police Department Directive 78, because nothing in the directive authorizes the wearing of religious symbols or clothing as part of the uniform. Webb filed a complaint of religious discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and, while her complaint was pending, decided to “take a stand” by appearing for work wearing a khimar. When she was asked to remove it, she refused and was sent home three days in a row, according to court papers. Webb later returned to work in proper uniform but was brought up on disciplinary charges for insubordination and neglect of duty and for refusing to obey the order of her commanding officer. After a hearing, a police board of inquiry found her guilty and recommended that she be suspended. Former Commissioner Johnson later suspended her for 13 days.

RCMP intercept grow rip, locate thousands of marijuana plants Surrey, BC - Members of the detachment ‘Green Team’ were conducting surveillance of two properties in the South Surrey. While monitoring two five-acres parcels, a vehicle was seen pulling up to one of the properties and four individuals exited the vehicle. As the events unfolded members realized that a marijuana grow rip was taking

place in full view of Drug Section members. As a result, the RCMP members engaged both the suspects from the vehicle and people from the home which has resulted in the four from the vehicle being arrested as well as three persons from the home. In checking the property to ensure there were no

other victims nor suspects, Drug Section members came upon a warehouse roughly 30 feet by 60 feet containing an initial rough estimate of three-to-four thousands marijuana plants.

San Diego sues Police Union over DROP program San Diego, CA – San Diego is suing its police officers’ union in an effort to reduce their pension benefits – and reduce the city’s budget deficit – the Mayor’s Office announced. The Deferred Retirement Option Program allows eligible retirement-age municipal employees to continue to work for the city for five years while monthly pension payments are funneled into an investment account, which up until recently came with a guaranteed 7.75 percent rate of return. When employees retire, they collect the funds in their DROP account in a lump sum in addition to their

monthly pensions, and some employees have received DROP payments in excess of $1 million. The lucrative but costly benefit was established to retain senior employees. As the city’s financial situation worsened, DROP was shut off to new hires in 2005. Abandoning the DROP program altogether was proposed by Mayor Jerry Sanders in an effort to close a projected $60 million budget deficit in next year’s city budget. The lawsuit, seeks to force the San Diego Police Officers Association to negotiate on Sanders’ proposal to cut the perk, something the mayor argues the union has refused to do. The San Diego Police Officers Association issued a statement, declaring that it “is frustrated and disappointed by the action taken by the city.” The mayor wants the benefit to be dropped citywide, and other city employee unions are expected to be asked to give up the perk when they negotiate new contracts. According to the Mayor’s Office, a pension system actuary has estimated that eliminating the program citywide would reduce San Diego’s $2 billion pension shortfall by up to $350 million.

VicPD and the Township of Esquimalt present:

The Anti Graphiti Symposium TAGS 2009 October 21 & 22, 2009 Victoria, BC, Canada Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort Connect, educate and inspire with law enforcement, local government, community organizations and businesses in the fight against graffiti in our neighbourhoods. Topics include: • Covert Technology with a Volunteer Army • Volunteers: The key to your Success • Five types of Graffiti and their cultures • Building an Anti Graffiti Unit • 10 Steps to a Graffiti-Free City, “ Painted Problems” For conference details and how to register: www.togetheragainstgraffiti.ca • 250-412-8500 Law enforcement rep: Chantal Ziegler crowest@vicpd.ca • 250-995-7502 Municipal rep: Mike Reed mreed@esquimalt.ca • 250-414-7154

Officer convicted of felony theft from Police Union sues Police Charitable Organization Beaumont, TX – A former Beaumont Police officer convicted of stealing thousands of dollars from the police union is now suing the city of Beaumont for thousands of dollars. In 2007, 54-year-old Paul Perritt pleaded guilty to mail fraud. The US Attorney’s Office says Perritt took more than $142,000 from the police association’s bank account for personal use over a three-year period. Perritt took the city to small claims court Wednesday to persuade a judge to award him $2,300 he says the police officer’s benefit association owes him. The police officer’s benefit association is a non-profit, charitable organization that officers pay dues to be a part of. It’s separate from the police union. The association helps officers pay medical bills. Former officer Paul Perritt was a long-time member and president of the board.

Coming Events

He claims the non-profit association kicked him off the board as retribution for stealing from the union. He claims the association owes him money for medical bill reimbursements. After the department discovered he’d been stealing money from the union, the benefit association decided to change its by-laws. The association added a clause that would allow the board to vote members out. Perritt represented himself in court. He cited four officers he says violated conduct rules and are still members and receiving benefits. He said the association never notified him that he had been kicked out of the organization. In fact, he says he didn’t find out he’d been voted out until he filed the medial expenses claim. The judge denied his request.

27th Annual

Calgary Police Rodeo August 22, 2009 Airdrie, AB, Canada Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Ladies Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling Bull Riding, Team Roping, Break-a-way Roping, Chute Dogging, Steer Scramble, Wild Horse Racing, Wild Cow Milking, Boys Steer Riding, Mutton Bustin. • Free Camping • Pancake Breakfast • Beer Gardens • Free Children’s Carnival Det. Mike Cavilla: pol3079@calgarypolice.ca www.CalgaryPoliceRodeo.com Must be law enforcement, or immediate family of law enforcement, to compete.

The gourmet cookie too delicious to be healthy Classic Chocolate Chip Chocolate Chip Walnut Oatmeal Cinnamon Oatmeal Butterscotch Oatmeal Raisin

Ten Good Reasons to Visit

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MARCH • APRIL 2009

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DEPUTY SHERIFF

C O N S TA B L E

AGENT

OFFICER

DEPUTY SHERIFF

C O N S TA B L E

AGENT