LA sheriff: Gifts for guns marks best year ever
The Los Angeles County sheriff’s office says it collected more than 5,300 guns from people participating in its gifts-for-guns program—its highest mark ever.
Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said Wednesday the weapons collection in 2009 exceeded the combined amount from the first four years of the program.
He says people who turned in their guns received a combined 8,100 gift cards worth about $428,000. He says the majority of the people asked for grocery store vouchers so they could buy food.
Whitmore says there were about 2,500 handguns, 1,900 rifles, 770 shotguns and 1,300 assault weapons.
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K9 cop Maree joins local OSP ranks
The best of detectives never get tired of their jobs. They’re always looking forward to the next case.
That goes double for detectives of the four-footed persuasion. Maree, a 3 1/2-year-old black Lab who recently joined the Oregon State Police, fits the bill to a T.
Bright-eyed, enthusiastic and eager, Maree lives to put her training — and her best asset, her nose — to the test.
She joined the OSP in November, and she’s off to a roaring good start. In her very first field search, she sniffed out 50 pounds of marijuana.
Maree, a 3 1/2-year-old black Lab, recently became the first drug detection dog ever assigned to the Oregon State Police’s La Grande station. In her first real-world assignment, she was instrumental in a seizure of 50 pounds of marijuana. CHRIS BAXTER
“I absolutely love having Maree as a partner,” said her handler, Trooper Marcus McDowell. “She’s a great resource in furthering my abilities to do my job.”
Maree was trained by Christina Bunn, a master instructor with Puget Sound Security Detection Dogs in the Seattle area. Following training, Maree became the first K-9 ever to be assigned to the OSP’s La Grande station.
McDowell, who has spent three of his five years as an OSP trooper at the La Grande post, was one of several officers who applied to be her handler.
He said he applied mainly because he knew Maree would help him be more effective in his job.
Besides, he loves dogs.
“I’ve had dogs all my life, and usually a Lab,” he said.
In an intense, three-week training session in Medford, McDowell and Maree learned how to work together as a team.
By that time, Maree was already expert at detecting marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. McDowell’s task was to learn how to handle her.
“It started out simple, then progressed to searches in vehicles, buildings and in open fields,” he said. “Her job is to detect the substance, and mine is to watch for changes in her that tell me she’s found something.”
Every time she’s successful, she gets to play with a rolled up towel. That might not seem to be much of a reward, but it’s plenty for Maree.
As shown in a recent demonstration at the La Grande station, Maree lives to play with that toy.
Maree is small for her breed, wiry, strong and full of energy. McDowell said her size is an advantage in the job.
“She’s real good at getting in and out of vehicles and over and around obstacles,” he said.
For as long as they’re partners, McDowell and Maree will train together, keeping their skills sharp.
McDowell said they are required to spend four hours a week training together. They will also attend a one-week, formal training session every three months.
He said the dog knows the difference between a pretend situation and a real one.
“She knows when she comes out of the car if it’s training or a field application,” he said.
McDowell and Maree stay together 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to being a law enforcement partner, the dog is a full-time member of the McDowell family.
Likely, she’ll work about five years before retirement. Then, McDowell will apply to keep her.
In the meantime, there’s a lot of work to do, many cases to crack. The OSP is happy to have Maree as an officer.
“We hope we can impact the drug trade in Northeast Oregon,” said Sgt. Larry Graves of the La Grande station. “If we can get drugs off the streets and out of the hands of children, it will be a tremendous asset.”
By Bill Rautenstrauch
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Va State Trooper Awarded Carnegie Hero Medal
Virginia State Police Trooper Kurt J. Johnson is among the 23 individuals from throughout the United States and Canada to be named as a recipient of the esteemed CARNEGIE MEDAL. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission gives the medal to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.Trooper Johnson was nominated for this prestigious recognition based on his valiant acts performed in the line of duty earlier this year. In a press release, the Commission selected Johnson for his extraordinary actions, as follows:“Kurt James Johnson saved Destineé N. Davis in Pastoria, Virginia, February 6, 2009. Destineé, 3, was a passenger in a car that, at night, left the highway, overturned onto its roof, and caught fire. Her mother escaped the wreckage with two other children. On routine patrol nearby, Johnson, 43, state police trooper, responded to the scene on seeing flames there. Alerted by her mother that Destineé remained in the vehicle, Johnson used his fire extinguisher against flames that issued from the vehicle’s exposed underside and engine area. With flames persisting, being fed by leaking gasoline, Johnson then opened the rear door on the passenger side of the vehicle. Although the passenger compartment was filled with dense smoke that precluded visibility, he crawled inside and maneuvered to the front. Finding Destineé under the dashboard, he grasped her by her jacket and hugged her to himself. He maneuvered back to the opened door and exited the car. Flames spread throughout the vehicle. Destineé was hospitalized for treatment of her injuries, and she recovered. Johnson also required hospital treatment, for smoke inhalation, and he too recovered.”
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State trooper called ‘consistent’ and devoted
In honor of his exemplary service to the office of the Middlesex District Attorney, Woburn resident and State Police Trooper Kevin Baker was presented with the Massachusetts State Police Latham/Moynihan Award at a ceremony held in Woburn, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced Tuesday.
The Massachusetts State Police Latham/Moynihan Award was presented by Detective Lieutenant Tom Sullivan and Sergeant Brian Connors. The award is presented to a member of the Massachusetts State Police assaigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office who demonstrates not only his or her ability to investigate a crime but whose loyalty and support of the common goals of the unit stands at the forefront.
Baker is a Massachusetts State Police Trooper assigned to the office’s CPAC Unit.
“Trooper Baker has has been involved in numerous homicide investigations and major cases throughout our county and has consistently set himself apart with his hard work and devotion to investigate the most serious cases in Middlesex,” District Attorney Leone said. “Trooper Baker has earned the respect and admiration from not only his fellow troopers, but the local officers and ADAs that serve with him. Without a doubt, Trooper Baker displays the characteristics of integrity, intellect, and compassion that are required for this award.”
The annual Middlesex District Attorney’s Awards Ceremony was held on December 10 at Woburn Memorial High School in Woburn. The office has a proud legacy of exemplary service to the people of Middlesex County, and the series of awards are named in honor of many of the former members of the office.
Middlesex alumni who were in attendance to present the awards named in their honor were Former Middlesex D.A. and Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly and State Police Colonel Mark Delaney.
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Teddy now rides shotgun
A teddy bear examined for explosives after being found at the Oregon State Police station in Albany Monday is now riding with Recruit Trooper Phillip Van Leuven in his patrol car.
Van Leuven showed off the bear, now nationally famous, Tuesday afternoon by rolling down the window to his cruiser to reveal the teddy bear belted safely into the front passenger seat.
Troopers, deputies, firefighters and police officers keep teddy bears and other stuffed animals in their emergency vehicles to give to children as a comfort buddy after a traumatic incident. Most of the animals are donated by people and organizations that drop them off at agencies during business hours.
But sometimes people leave them after hours, which is what happened at the OSP office in Albany during the weekend.
Because staff and troopers did not know if the brown bear placed in a plastic bag found at the front door of the barracks, 3400 Spicer Drive S.E., at 8 a.m. Monday was a gift or something else, the agency’s bomb squad in Salem was called in to find out.
For precaution, the bear was left where it was found, the building was evacuated, a parking lot was cleared of vehicles and crime tape was placed at the building’s entrance.
Troopers stood guard to prevent people from going near the building.
When the explosive detection unit arrived, bomb technician Detective Mike Blank of Salem put on his protective gear. He took an X-ray picture of the bear, which could not be seen from the parking area because of the configuration of the entrance.
The X-ray did not show anything dangerous so the bear was deemed safe, and the OSP office was reopened about 9:15 a.m.
A Democrat-Herald story about the incident was sent out via the Associated Press, and it was picked up by newspapers including The New York Times.
Members of the state police explosives unit ask that people be reminded that if they see a suspicious, unknown object or possible explosive device to leave it where it is and not handle it.
People should move away from the area and contact a law enforcement agency or the Oregon State Police.
In the Albany area, the state police phone number is (541) 967-2011.
By Cathy Ingalls
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BPD police officer awarded medal
A Bradenton Police Department officer has been selected to receive the department’s third highest award after he helped save an infant girl’s life this month.
Officer Dean Buttitta, who has been with the department since 2005, said he was stopped on 14th Street West on Dec. 5 when a woman stopped her vehicle in the middle of the road and started screaming for help.
“I ran out to the car. I told her to hurry up and park in the parking lot. When she first got out, I could only hear her saying, ‘Help. Help,’” he said. “She started screaming, ‘My baby is choking.’”
Buttitta found the 5-month-old girl choking on a liquid substance.
“I lifted up her chin so it would straighten out the airway to get the stuff to come down. I put my finger in her mouth and I reached in to see if there was something in there,” he said.
Buttitta said he was concerned about trying to perform CPR on a baby so small.
However, fluid spilled out of the child’s mouth and she began breathing easier.
“She was breathing a little better. You could still hear the sound of liquid in her throat,” he said.
The child was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital and stabilized by paramedics.
On average, about two to three officers receive the medal of merit every year, said Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lewis.
The award is given to officers who show initiative, save a life, accomplish an assignment, or retire from the department after 25 years. All officers of the year receive the honor, he said.
Most of the recent awards have been for saving lives and the past three officers of the year all saved lives while on duty he said.
It’s not too uncommon for officers to encounter medical issues. All officers, like Buttitta, are trained in CPR and other first responder life-saving techniques.
“It’s so they can apply medical assistance to someone not breathing or bleeding,” Lewis said. “Most of the time if their life-saving efforts are effective, then they are recognized.”
In 2007, Sgt. Josh Cramer was recognized for administering CPR to a child who had drowned. In 2008, Officer Tim Smith convinced a man to stop cutting himself on a suicide call. This year, Sgt. Bill Knight was honored after he saved someone from a burning building.
All three officers received the medal of merit as well as officer of the year, Lewis said.
By Beth Burger
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Citizens raise money for police dog
A citizen-led campaign has raised enough money to purchase a police dog for the city of Clear Lake and cover insurance costs for the K-9 officer for several years.
According to Debbie Kern, member of a citizens group which raised funds for the dog, the effort has raised $20,151.75. That far exceeds the group’s goal of $12,000.
“The community really rallied behind it,” Kern said.
“We did well,” said Clear Lake Police Chief Greg Peterson.
The city’s former K-9 officer, Abby, a German shepherd, died Sept. 21 after a bout with cancer.
The city has ordered a new dog through Mid-Michigan Kennels Inc. in Eaton Rapids, Mich.
The dog will be picked up on Feb. 25, Peterson said.
Peterson said the city has asked for another German shepherd. The new dog will likely be less than 2 years old, he added.
The Police Department will select a new human partner for the dog. Former K-9 handler Officer Ryan Eskildsen will not continue in that position.
Peterson said Abby’s death was emotional for him and he wished to hand off the position to another officer.
Peterson said three Clear Lake officers have expressed an interest in the assignment. A decision on the officer will be made in January.
The officer and his new K-9 partner will attend a training school from March 8 through April 8.
“I’m overwhelmed and kind of humbled” by the community effort, Peterson said.
“We’ll have enough (money) to get some life insurance and some health insurance on this dog for at least a few years, anyway.”
By PEGGY SENZARINO
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At home on the force
Copper, an 18-month-old chocolate Labrador, is now the partner of Jeremy Robb of the Princeton Police Department. Copper works with Robb as a drug-sniffing dog.
Less than five months ago, a malnourished chocolate Labrador was found roaming in a ditch outside an Elvis impersonator’s home in rural Gibson County.
The curious, sprightly pup wasn’t without a home for very long. Three weeks after being taken in at the Gibson County Animal Services, it went from being a thin stray to a police dog in training.
Now 18 months old, the 60-pound canine named Copper is a rookie sniffer for the Princeton Police Department.
“I took him for his first ride last week,” said patrolman Jeremy Robb, who is Copper’s handler. “He’s kind of all over the place sometimes, but once he gets in the car, he’s ready to go.”
Robb has served on the police force since 2005 and has worked with other search dogs, but Copper’s case is different.
While at the animal shelter, workers noticed that Copper exhibited an innate focus and ability to retrieve items. Employees even hid a tennis ball under a pan of food, and Copper was able to sniff and dig it out. “They kept telling me, ‘This dog is amazing,’” said Brenda Foley, executive director of the shelter.
Foley decided to call John Haller of Top Dog Police K-9 Academy in Evansville, who later trained Copper as an active search dog, which means once he senses a certain odor, he scratches near the surface of the smell.
Meanwhile, after being denied a grant for a search dog, Princeton police were looking for a replacement for their previous dog, which was retired recently. They found Copper.
“In this case, it was a win-win for Copper and a win-win for Princeton,” Foley said. “And now he’s out there serving our community.”
Over the past two weeks, Robb and Copper have patrolled together, completing routine traffic searches, but thus far, haven’t made their first official drug bust.
A dog like Copper likely can work as a search dog for about five to eight years, Robb said.
But for now, Copper lives in Hazleton with Robb and his family, where the previous department dog, a yellow lab named Abby, also lives.
“He lives with me just like any other family pet,” he said. “At first the two weren’t really getting along, but now they’ve kind of warmed up to each other … But he hasn’t picked up any of her bad habits yet.”
By Seth Grundhoefer
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Investigator enjoys challenge of solving puzzling fires
Fire Protection Officer Steve Nassif’s office wall is covered with puzzles with a firefighter theme.
It isn’t the topic of the puzzles that tells you most about Nassif’s personality — even though he has dedicated 24 years of his life to the fire service — but it is the puzzles themselves that reveal the most.
The Alexandria Fire Department investigator has always been fascinated with figuring out how things work, putting things back together and solving the mystery — just like puzzles.
“Investigating fires is a lot like that,” Nassif said. “It continues to intrigue me.”
He’s been with the Alexandria Fire Department for nearly 19 years and started his fire service career with the Rapides Parish Fire District 2 in February 1986.
Moving to investigations is something Nassif has always wanted.
“This is a move I wanted to make,” Nassif said. “Early in my career at District 2 I made up my mind that I wanted to get into investigations. It is something I worked for when I started at this fire department.”
Becoming an investigator was the first goal and after some time in investigations he realized what his next goal was — get an accelerant-detecting K-9.
That goal was achieved earlier this year after Nassif obtained a grant through State Farm Insurance for the department to get the dog and went through 200 hours of training in Maine.
He came home in Septembe with Fresca — a golden retriever-lab mix who is now a part of the fire department family with her own badge. She is the first K-9 for the department.
“She will definitely enhance the investigation side,” Nassif said. “We also are hoping Fresca will be a deterrent for those who might be possibly thinking of intentionally starting a fire.”
The goal ultimately is to prevent fires before they start, he said.
Nassif and the other fire prevention officers do both prevention work and investigations. Each commercial building in the city is inspected at least once a year by the officers.
They also spend a lot of time doing educational programs using resources like the Fire Safety House at area schools and organizations.
Nassif hopes that he can establish a fire safety and prevention program using Fresca.
The K-9 is with Nassif seven days a week, 24 hours a day and he is responsible for her care and training. Nassif’s border collie Jake and Fresca are the best of friends, making things nice at home.
Fresca has been used to investigate several fires since she started with the department.
But before she can be used the fire investigators first rule out any accidental ignition sources.
Once they determine the fire is arson, Fresca will help pinpoint the area of origin helping Nassif and the other investigators have to collect fewer samples.
Not only will it help the investigation be more efficient but it saves the city money because they won’t have to send as many samples off for testing.
Fresca may be a friendly, happy and energetic dog but as soon as she sees Nassif put on the food pouch, the dog knows it is time to go to work and gets serious.
He trains the dog between four to five hours a day using cans scented with accelerant or by dropping accelerant on the floor and having her find the spot and alert on it.
“We want to do whatever we can to help save lives and property,” Nassif said. “This is another tool we have to help the community.”
Family is very important to Nassif. He said he looks up a lot to his father — Al Nassif — and if he could do a quarter of what his father did in his life he would be happy.
He also enjoys spending time with his two sons — Stephen, 22, and Michael, 15.
By Abbey Brown
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