Simulcast Winter 2007 - FOP Lodge 1, Washington DC

Simulcast
Winter 2007 • 11 miscellany
dent. His car hydroplaned on the wet roadway and struck the rails of a bridge
and another vehicle.
“He was always coming up with new ways to improve the departments he directed and he was the kind of leader that provided solutions and not criticism,”
York Mayor Carolyn Gosa said of her 34-year-old police chief. “The personnel
adored and respected him. He knew how to treat people with dignity and fairness,” she added.
This past May, Chief Nelson had his name added to the walls of the National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
He was one of 21 African American law enforcement officers to be killed in
the line of duty last year, and among nearly 600 who have made the ultimate
sacrifice throughout our nation’s history.
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According to the records kept by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), the first known African American officer to die in the
line of duty was William Johnson of the Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff’s Office.
On April 10, 1870, he was picked up and slammed to the ground by a drunken
man after responding to a disturbance call. He died two days later of the injuries he suffered.
Among the 13 other African-American officers who were killed on duty during
the 1800s were Portsmouth, Virginia Patrolman John Wilson, who was shot to
death during a civil disturbance that broke out at a political event on November
11, 1871; and William L. Copeland, a Little Rock, Arkansas police officer who
was stabbed and beaten to death in December 1885 by a state prison convict
who was allowed out at times to perform odd jobs.
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Gail Cobb was just 24 years old
when she was gunned down in 1974 while trying to arrest a bank robber she
had tracked down in a downtown garage. She is the only female officer in the
history of her department to die in the line of duty and the nation’s first African-American policewoman to make the ultimate sacrifice. Her death came 55
years after Georgia Robinson of the Los Angeles Police Department became the
first African American policewoman to serve in 1919. The chaplain officiating
at the funeral of Gail Cobb told the packed church, “Her death established the
fact that the criminal makes no distinction between the sexes.”
In fact, today there are 210 female officers honored on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and 37 are African Americans. Among the others
are Baton Rouge (LA) Police Officer Betty Dunn Smothers, who was shot and
killed in 1993, and is the mother of NFL star running back, Warrick Dunn; and
Kay Rogers, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee police officer who in 2005 became the
first and only female officer ever to be killed in a motorcycle crash.
More African American officers died in the line of duty in 2001 – 33 – than
in any other year.
Of course, that included 9-11, the deadliest incident in law enforcement history. Seventy-two officers died that day and 13 of them were African Americans.
Continued on page 13
12 • Winter 2007
Simulcast
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Simulcast
Winter 2007 • 13 miscellany
African-American Officers
Continued from page 11
Among them was William “Harry” Thompson, a popular and highly respected
27-year veteran of the New York State Office of Court Administration. He was
at the training academy on Williams Street, just a short distance away from the
World Trade Center when the attacks occurred.
Captain Thompson, along with several other instructors and officers who
were at the academy that day, ran to the scene. He stayed in the South Tower
until the very end, moving people to safety and aiding the injured.
Another infamous case a few years earlier had also drawn the national spotlight. Jacob J. Chestnut, an 18-year police veteran, was manning a security station at the U.S. Capitol when a crazed gunman named Russell Weston Jr. entered. Weston’s father said his son was delusional and “would argue with a fence
post.” But even Weston had enough sense to know that the man with the badge
on his chest and a gun at his side was an obstacle to his madness. So he pointed his pistol at the back of Officer Chestnut’s head and pulled the trigger. Moments later, Weston would also shoot and kill U.S. Capitol Police Detective John
Gibson. Officer Chestnut is one of 13 African Americans killed in federal law
enforcement service.
D’Antonio Washington, a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, was viciously assaulted in December 1994 by an inmate who beat him to
death with a hammer. The ambush occurred at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlan-
ta, Georgia. He is one of 28 African American correctional officers with their
names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
James I. Alexander’s book, “Blue Coats; Black Skin,” examines the experience
of African American police officers in New York City. He found photographic
evidence that African American officers were working in New York City as early
as 1865.
But it was not until August 6, 1917, that the first New York City African American officer was killed in the line of duty. His name was Robert H. Holmes, who
was shot and killed after surprising a burglar escaping from an apartment window. Twenty thousand people lined the streets of New York to honor Patrolman
Holmes during his funeral, which marked the first time in City history that flags
were ordered flown at half-staff for a fallen police officer.
Throughout history, 28 New York City African American police officers have
been killed in the line of duty, more than any other department. Among them
was Dillon Stewart, 35, who was killed in 2005. Officer Dillon was shot while
attempting to pull over a car with stolen license plates that had sped through a
red light. Miraculously, Officer Stewart did not even realize he had been wounded and pursued the suspect in his unmarked patrol vehicle. A short while later
Officer Stewart was rushed to the hospital, where he died. Nearly 90 years had
passed, but the sendoff for Dillon Stewart was no different than for Robert Holmes – some 20,000 police officers and many others lined the route to the burial
site and flags throughout the city were lowered to half-staff in honor of a fallen
hero.
14 • Winter 2007
Simulcast
miscellany
To All:
I wanted to advise all of you of an incident that occurred yesterday that
I strongly believe should be passed on to all. On 09/27/2006, the CDC received a call requesting a medical emergency in the East Orange parking
lot. The exact location and which parking lot was apparently not provided by the caller. Officer’s Morel and Luna responded to the parking areas,
Officer Luna to the main lot. The officers were apparently advised by an
employee that the patient was located in the B-Parking lot. When the officer’s arrived they found the patient unresponsive, inside of his vehicle. Officer Morel instinctively checked for a pulse, when he discovered none he
immediately began chest compressions. Officer Luna retrieved the AED,
while Officer Morel continued chest compressions, Officer Luna connected
the AED and scanned the patient. The results were that “no shock necessary,” because Officer Morel had successfully retrieved a faint pulse with
his chest compressions.
The medical emergency team responded and together they all transported
the individual to the ER where a team of physicians continued the work
that was initiated by our officers. I am pleased to say that they were able to
sustain a pulse and as of late yesterday the patient was alive.
I was informed by the ER staff that this patient was “dead!” if not for the
actions of our officers. The quick and instinctive actions taken by these officers directly resulted in this veteran surviving.
The actions of these officers deserve the congratulations of all of us!!! They
are credit to this department and I know I speak for Chief Misczak and the
entire service when I say thanks for a great job!! Your actions bring credit to
our whole department, while some of us may think that we are not thought
of highly in certain circles it is actions such as these that show what a quality service we are!!!
Keep up the good work all of you!!!!
Jose A. Gonzalez
Ass’t Chief
VA Police (07b)
Simulcast
Winter 2007 • 15 GOING UP?
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16 • Winter 2007
Simulcast
events
Annual ‘Jack Chaillet’
Golf Tournament
Tommy Tague
Past President
O
n September 25th, D.C. Lodge #1
held its Annual ‘Jack Chaillet’ Golf
Tournament at the Marlborough Golf
Club. We had 142 golfers, 18 volunteers,
and 23 hole sponsors. I would like to
thank Dick Catalano, Danny Marafino,
Christa Harrison, Tracy Dove, Rick and
Mary Walsh, Cathy O’Brien, Charlie
Peacock, John Luddy, Reggie Mitchell,
Craig Royal, Noele O’Donnell, Terry
Nebel and last but not least Kenny Rodgers, for an
excellent job on the course. Thanks are also in order
for those that worked behind the scenes; Linda Sevilla,
Barbara and Bill Hampton, J.J. Cunningham, Nancy
and Hugh Triggs and Tony Murray.
The Committee is also very grateful to our corporate
supporters and others who made generous donations.
Much thanks to: Outback Steakhouse, Robert Ades,
Premium Distributors, Gary Heath, Barry Security,
Eddie Myers, Gary Hankins, Liberty Financial, Robert
Dowd, Craig Floyd, Al Fenstomocher, Ron Fluck,
The MPDC Labor Committee, The Metro Transit
Labor Committee, The USSS Labor Committee,
Pocono Resorts, National Press Club, The Market Inn,
International Raceway, International Brotherhood
of Teamsters, Steve Denigris,
Brower Bressler, Steve Anthony,
Galls, and the Marlborough Golf
Club. I hope I didn’t miss anyone.
The success of the tournament
is always due to the combined
efforts of all those involved. We
could not do it without their
dedication, loyalty and devotion.
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Cell (202) 498-3090
[email protected]
Simulcast
Winter 2007 • 17 events
COPS Third Annual Golf
Tournament
On
September
18, 2006,
COPS held
their third
annual Golf
Tournament
at Hampshire
Greens golf
course in
Montgomery
County, MD.
COPS
(Concerns
of Police
Survivors) provide resources to the families of Officers who are killed
in the line of duty. They also provide training to departments in family
survivor issues. This is a great organization which works hard to make
better the lives of surviving family members of slain police officers.
DC Lodge #1 has participated in all three of the COPS golf tournaments.
These tournaments are the major funding source for the local chapter
of COPS. I have had the pleasure along with Past President Tom Tague,
and members Bill Hampton and Ron Winters in participating in this
tournament on behalf of DC Lodge #1.
It is very humbling to have surviving children of slain Police Officers
approach you and say thank you for supporting us. Can you imagine
that? They are saying thank you to us.
Wow!
Tom Tague and I have played in this tournament in all three years of its
existence and without fail each year family survivors are thanking us. I
can tell you it is not easy to maintain composure when that happens.
I hope every member of DC Lodge #1 understands how much good they
do when supporting this type of organization. The true gift of charity is
in the giving not the receiving.
As to the golf, well we are not that good at golf but are great at having
fun so I hope to show up again next year.
18 • Winter 2007
Simulcast
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Germany, Ireland, Netherland Antilles, Aruba, United Nations, etc.). We are truly
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Message Boards are the most popular part of our website. Due to their popularity, they are frequented by Mayors, City Managers, Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police,
County Commissioners, City Councilmen, Law Enforcement Officers, Corrections Officers, Media and Civilians. Our unique platform allows LEOs to talk
about real issues, securely, and to effect change in the process.
Please feel free to visit LEOAFFAIRS.COM, as this site was created for
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Simulcast
Winter 2007 • 19 federal sector
Defendant’s Presence in a Car Transporting Drugs, Considered Aiding
and Abetting
T
he defendant’s presence in a car transporting an enormous quantity of
illegal drugs, considered with the totality of the circumstances, gave rise
to probable cause to believe the defendant was aiding and abetting the
possession of narcotics, a Minnesota federal district court has ruled.
In this case, a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer working at the International Falls, Minnesota, port of entry received a tip sheet listing the make,
model, and license plate numbers of four vehicles subject to secondary inspection if they attempted to cross the U.S.-Canadian border. Later that morning, the
CBP officer learned that a van matching the description of one of the vehicles
had arrived at the port of entry’s primary inspection area.
The defendant was a passenger in the van. The officer stopped the vehicle,
and told the occupants that they were being referred for a secondary inspection.
When questioned during the secondary inspection, both the driver and the defendant said they were not carrying any controlled substances. During the inspection, 18 bags of Ecstasy pills were discovered, with a street value exceeding
$3 million. The driver and the defendant were arrested, and were each charged
with one count of possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy.
The defendant subsequently argued that the arrest leading to his detention
was not supported by probable cause, and that his subsequent custodial state-
ments were therefore unlawfully tainted. The Minnesota federal district court,
however, disagreed. The court found that the facts in this case were quite similar to those in the case of Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366 (2003).
Here, as in Pringle, the occupants of the vehicle denied transporting controlled substances, and neither one offered information as to the ownership of
the pills. The drugs were found in a location accessible to both individuals, and
actually, nearer to the defendant than the driver. Further substantiating probable cause in this case, the court stated, was the fact that the CBP officer was
acting on a tip to be on the lookout for the car in which the defendant was a
passenger because of suspected criminal activity, and the search yielded an
enormous quantity of drugs, which indicates that the defendant knew the drugs
were in the car.
Therefore, based on all the circumstances, the court concluded, it was eminently reasonable for CBP officers to infer a common enterprise between the
defendant and the driver to aid and abet each other in the possession of controlled substances. Accordingly, probable cause existed to arrest the defendant,
and his subsequent custodial statements were not tainted by any illegality. The
case is U.S. v. Leonard, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Crim.
No. 06-163(02) (PJS/RLE), October 16, 2006.
20 • Winter 2007
Annual Holiday Dinner Dance
Tori Beauchemin, Secretary
T
he 2006 Holiday Dinner Dance was held on Saturday
December 2ndth, at The Hyatt Regency Crystal City.
The Buffet was easily the best yet in both quality
and presentation and all who attended had a great
time. Attendance rose to surpass the last two years and tables
were added at the last minute to accommodate members and
their guests. Much Thanks to all who bought multiple tables,
especially, the US Capitol Police Labor Committee with 5 tables,
Metro Transit Labor committee with 3 tables, Chris DiPasquale
with 2 Tables, and Walter Reed with 2 Tables.
During his annual presentation of awards, President Lou
Cannon presented an appreciation award to Yvonne Smith of
DCHA for her tireless efforts during and long after Hurricane
Katrina. The President’s award was presented to Andy Maybo
of the US Capitol Police for his dedicated and professional
leadership of his labor committee through a very trying year.
Once again Marcello Muzzatti ran the 50/50 raffle. This year
Marcello raised almost $1000.00 with his unique and humorous
ticket selling style.
The Staff of the Hyatt provided exceptional service and
attention to detail. We had a great working relationship with
them, and highly recommend their services. The Hotel Itself has
undergone much remodeling and everyone who stayed overnight
was very impressed.
Thanks to the generosity of Café Milano, and Filomena
Ristorante, we had great gift certificates for the door prizes.
I’d especially like to thank our DJ, Tony Rome. Tony is retiring
from the Montgomery County Police and from his DJ business,
to move to the Caribbean with his
new bride. Although he had stopped
booking gigs, he made an exception
for our event which was officially his
last. DC Lodge #1 would like to Thank
Tony for all of his years of support and
generosity. We wish him and Donna
all the best in their future together.
Simulcast
Simulcast
Winter 2007 • 21