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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