Miracle’ Marine dies; An inspiration to Americans everywhere

Trooper James Scott Burns
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol
Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 11187

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 20 gauge
Suspect Info: Committed suicide

Trooper James Burns was shot and killed following a high speed pursuit in Marion County, Texas, at approximately 8:00 pm. The suspect stopped his vehicle, exited, and opened fire on Trooper Burns with a shotgun before he was even able to unlatch his seatbelt.

A citizen used the trooper's radio to inform dispatchers that the trooper had been shot near the intersection of Farm-to-Market roads 1969 and 729. The suspect fled the scene and committed suicide two days later.

Trooper Burns had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety for 5 years. He is survived by his wife and 6-month-old daughter.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/19352-trooper-jam...

May 15 has been National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been National Police Week, since President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 on October 1, 1962.

http://www.nationalcops.org/npw.htm

The Texas Hibiscus Raid.

July 27, 2004—TX

On July 27, 2004, police in Houston, Texas break open the front door of Blair Davis, a landscape contractor. Police scream, "Down on the Floor! Down on the Floor!" while pointing an assault weapon at Davis's head.

Davis' first thought was that the invaders were criminals dressed as police, a continuing problem in the Houston area. The team of 8-10 police officers push Davis to the ground and handcuff him while they search his home. They're acting on a tip from a confidential informant who says Davis is growing marijuana in his home.

The plants in question turned out to be hibiscus. Police would never apologize to Davis.

Dan Webb, operations commander for the paramilitary unit that conducted the raid, would later say it's "unfortunate" that Davis "got caught up in this situation," but that "if the situation came up today, we would've probably done the same thing." Webb would add that "it's not a mistaken search warrant ... if we believe it's marijuana, until we go look at it, we're not really going to know for sure."

Source:

Michael Serazio, "Pot Shots; Raiding narcs get a hibiscus low from their horticulture shock," Houston Press, August 5, 2004.

Steven Blackman

June 28, 2006—TX

Acting on a tip from a CRIMINAL INFORMANT, a SWAT team in Fort Worth, Texas fires several rounds of tear gas into the home of Steven Blackman, then forcibly and violently enters the residence.

The SWAT team was excessively destructive -- they even slashed the tires to Blackman's truck.

Blackman isn't home at the time, but returns to find his house in disarray, and uninhabitable due to the tear gas.

Police had the wrong address.

The city of Forth Worth has since apologized for the raid, and is working with Blackman to pay for repairs.

Source:

Jay Gormley, "Did Fort Worth SWAT Raid Wrong House?" CBS 11 News, June 28 2006.

Alex Branch, "Police Say They Are Sorry For Raiding Wrong House," Star-Telegram Staff Writer, July 1, 2006.

Raybon and Annie Hunt

September 28, 2006—TX

A search warrant was served on 940 Church Street in Brookeland. The problem was that the warrant was for 126 Circle Drive, over six miles away.

During the raid, according to a lawsuit filed by the Hunts, the police tore down the gate, broke down the door, and "trashed the house."

The couple was also ordered to the ground at gunpoint.

Source:

Hearst Newspapers. "Lawsuit filed against local police officers," Jasper Newsboy, August 1, 2007.

Correction Officer Kenneth Duncan
New York City Department of Correction
New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Biographical Info
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Correction Officer Kenneth Duncan was shot and killed while taking police action in an off duty incident.
Officer Duncan was in his driveway, with a friend, working on his motorcycles when two males approached. One male stated "The bikes look great. Are they for sale?". Officer Duncan informed the males that the motorcycles were not for sale and one suspect replied, "Maybe we'll take them for free" and drew a firearm. Officer Duncan drew his off-duty weapon and identified himself as a corrections officer. The suspect opened fire striking the officer once in the face. Officer Duncan was able to return fire, but did not hit the suspects.
The wounded officer was transported to Brookdale Hospital where he died.
Officer Duncan had served with the New York City Department of Correction for 17 years and had previously served with the United States Marine Corps. He is survived by his two children.
Agency Contact Information
New York City Department of Correction
60 Hudson Street
6th Floor
New York, NY 10013

http://www.odmp.org/officer/19337-correction-...

Burbank Commons Apartment

February 27, 2008—LA

Eyewitnesses claim that SWAT officers raided an apartment in Baton Rouge, Louisiana looking for marijuana. At least one person said that he witnessed an officer throw a flash grenade over a balcony and several witnesses were distressed by the noise.

While the Baton Rouge Police Department declined to comment on the raid, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office did confirm that they assisted in the action.

No drugs were found and no arrests were made.

Source:

J.J. Alcantara, "Police officers raid Burbank Commons apartment," LSU Daily Reveill

Detective Jarrod Shivers/Ryan Frederick

January 18, 2008—VA

Det. Jarrod Shivers, 34, was shot and killed serving a drug warrant on the home of Ryan Frederick, 28, who was suspected of growing marijuana. Frederick claims he did not know the police were raiding his home and shot before the police identified themselves. Frederick’s home had been burglarized within the previous week.

Frederick has been charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. There was a small amount of marijuana and a water-pipe seized by the police, but there was no evidence that Frederick was growing anything but perfectly legal plants.

Sources:

John Hopkins and Steve Stone, "Fatal shooting of officer leaves neighborhood numb," The Virginian-Pilot, January 19, 2008.

John Hopkins, "I'm not the murderer they make me out to be," says Frederick, The Virginian-Pilot, January 25, 2008.

Flahs Gordon wrote:

Burbank Commons Apartment
February 27, 2008—LA
Eyewitnesses claim that SWAT officers raided an apartment in Baton Rouge, Louisiana looking for marijuana. At least one person said that he witnessed an officer throw a flash grenade over a balcony and several witnesses were distressed by the noise.
While the Baton Rouge Police Department declined to comment on the raid, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office did confirm that they assisted in the action.
No drugs were found and no arrests were made.
Source:
J.J. Alcantara, "Police officers raid Burbank Commons apartment," LSU Daily Reveill

Tell me, how do you get from Houston to New York in 2 hours? Have you been in Germany lately or how about Arkansas? lol I'm assuming your supposed to be "flash gordon" instead of "flahs" but even Flash Gordon isn't that fast. lol I bet your the same genius who thought my last post about the officer killed in his driveway was "nuts" or "clueless". Care to comment?

Vang Khang and Yee Mona

December 16, 2007—MN

At midnight, acting on a tip from an informant, Minneapolis SWAT officers charged into the home of the family of Yee Mona and her husband Vang Khang, looking for a weapons cache belonging to a man already in custody. Mona called 911, fearing that violent intruders were breaking into her home. Khang grabbed his shotgun and exchanged fire with the officers.

Khang was arrested, but was not charged with a crime. Two officers were hit in the exchange, but their protective gear prevented injury.

Source:
Caroline Lowe, "I-TEAM: Investigating Police Raid at Wrong House," WCCO.com , February 12, 2008.

For Flahs wrote:

<quoted text>
Tell me, how do you get from Houston to New York in 2 hours? Have you been in Germany lately or how about Arkansas? Care to comment?

Sure. It's called my company's Bombardier Learjet 60 XR. My (hot!) girlfriend and I love using it for business trips such as having dinner in France on a whim.

Oh, you surely didn't know him, but "Flash Gordon" of funny car fame, and up until recently turbine powered jet boat racing, died during a race in a crash at Texoma a few years back. He was also a self made multi-millionaire and a great guy.

Tarika Wilson

January 4, 2008—OH

While executing a "high risk" search warrant, Lima, Ohio SWAT officers shot and killed Tarika Wilson, 26, and injured her one-year-old son. She was in bed cradling her holding her son with both arms and terrified by the home invasion.

Tarika's boyfriend, Anthony Terry, was arrested and charged with suspicion of possession of crack cocaine. Subsequently, Sgt. Joseph Chavalia was charged with negligent homicide in the Wilson's death and charged with negligent assault in the wounding of her son, Sincere, whose finger had to be amputated.

No word yet on if the "suspicion" turned out to be true - but if it had been one would think it would have been all over the news.

Sources:

Greg Sowinksi, "Woman killed, child injured during Lima drug raid," The Lima News, January 5, 2008.

John Seewer, "Lima Officer Charged in Fatal Shooting," AP, Mar 17, 2008.

Just another example of "high-risk" meaning anything police want it to be and more people killed and wounded by SWAT Home Invasion Assaults.
Really now, do these practices to serve warrants make sense?

Sgt. Joseph Chavalia was charged with negligent homicide - another rambo fallen hero .... tell that to Tarika's motherless son.

Tarika Wilson wrote:

Tarika Wilson
January 4, 2008—OH
While executing a "high risk" search warrant, Lima, Ohio SWAT officers shot and killed Tarika Wilson, 26, and injured her one-year-old son. She was in bed cradling her holding her son with both arms and terrified by the home invasion.
Tarika's boyfriend, Anthony Terry, was arrested and charged with suspicion of possession of crack cocaine. Subsequently, Sgt. Joseph Chavalia was charged with negligent homicide in the Wilson's death and charged with negligent assault in the wounding of her son, Sincere, whose finger had to be amputated.
No word yet on if the "suspicion" turned out to be true - but if it had been one would think it would have been all over the news.
Sources:
Greg Sowinksi, "Woman killed, child injured during Lima drug raid," The Lima News, January 5, 2008.
John Seewer, "Lima Officer Charged in Fatal Shooting," AP, Mar 17, 2008.
Just another example of "high-risk" meaning anything police want it to be and more people killed and wounded by SWAT Home Invasion Assaults.
Really now, do these practices to serve warrants make sense?
Sgt. Joseph Chavalia was charged with negligent homicide - another rambo fallen hero .... tell that to Tarika's motherless son.

Tell me, what possesses someone to post totally unrelated information on a thread for fallin soldiers and police officers? I have chalked it up to you just being an disrespectful dick but apparently there must be some other personal reason?

Today is National Officers Memorial Day. At the order of the President of the United States, all flags will be flown at half mass. God Bless all who have died while serving their community.

http://www.aphf.org/lods.html

http://www.odmp.org/

Denise Berndsen

October 15, 2007—WI

Denise Berndsen, 43, and her 74-year old father were"roughed up" by a Milwaukee SWAT team looking for child pornography.

The warrant was for the correct address, but the problem was that the person the police were looking for had moved out over a month previous to the raid. Ms. Berndsen, who complains of a stress disorder since the raid, wants to move out of her apartment and, as of Nov. 24, 2007, is unable to find a lawyer willing to take her case against the police for terrorizing her.

The police "more or less apologized." She said the police told her "We're sorry. I guess you're just one more of his victims."

Now there's some good cop logic for ya.

Source:

Jim Stingl "Sometimes &#145;sorry&#146; doesn&#146;t cut it" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 24, 2007.

Jim Stingl "After botched raid, police find suspect" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 1, 2007.

SWATCOP wrote:

<quoted text>
Tell me, what possesses someone to post totally unrelated information on a thread? I have chalked it up to you just being an disrespectful dick but apparently there must be some other personal reason?

You know we've been wondering the same thing about you. Apparently some lives are worth more than others to you. These poor police officers knew the duty they signed up for - these citizen's didn't have any idea what they were going to be subjected to (ney, betrayed)by the very people who were suppossed to be protecting them.

Trimble wrote:

<quoted text>
You know we've been wondering the same thing about you. Apparently some lives are worth more than others to you. These poor police officers knew the duty they signed up for - these citizen's didn't have any idea what they were going to be subjected to (ney, betrayed)by the very people who were suppossed to be protecting them.

Is it Trimble, Denise or Alex today? So your solution to Police going to the wrong address is to post those incidents on a thread started for fallin soldiers and officers on National Police Officers Memorial Day? And tell me ma'am/sir, exactly what good does that do?

SWATCOP wrote:

<quoted text>
And tell me exactly what good does that do?

Probably a lot more good than you whitewashing the truth about you, SWAT and some of your buddies. I'm sorry if I am trespassing on your personally owned thread - you see - it's not. Educated yourself on how to create you own blog and turn of the comments capability if you don't like comments.

While you at it why don't you honor those peoples whose lives have been taken and or ruined by incompetent rambo cops? Let's see now, those victims memorial day is, is, is ..... oh that's right - they got nothin......

Tralex wrote:

<quoted text>
Probably a lot more good than you whitewashing the truth about you, SWAT and some of your buddies. I'm sorry if I am trespassing on your personally owned thread - you see - it's not. Educated yourself on how to create you own blog and turn of the comments capability if you don't like comments.
While you at it why don't you honor those peoples whose lives have been taken and or ruined by incompetent rambo cops? Let's see now, those victims memorial day is, is, is ..... oh that's right - they got nothin......

Your right. It's not my thread. Anyone is free to post as they see fit. But it speaks volumes of one's character to post your agenda here. After all, it's not the topic of discussion. The stories I have posted have nothing to do with SWAT raids. They are Soldiers and Officers who have died in the line of duty. The last one I posted was an off duty corrections officer killed in front of his house. And some idiot thought it was "nuts".

It's sad that you have no respect or feelings for Soldiers and Police Officers. You were obviously "wronged" or permantely scarred for life by someone. You sould really try forgiving them so you can be at peace.

SWATCOP wrote:

<quoted text>
Anyone is free to post as they see fit. But it speaks volumes of one's character to post your agenda here.

And some idiot thought it was "nuts".

It's sad that you have no respect or feelings for Soldiers and Police Officers.

It’s sad that you have no respect for the people killed and ruined by incompetent cops and tactics. It speaks volumes to your character.

Who said I have no respect for soldiers and Police Officers? You? You are full of it.

And some idiot thought it was "nuts" for me to post true stories such as this:

Diana El-Bynum

September 9, 2007—PA

Diana El-Bynum and her husband were humiliated and handcuffed in front of their neighbors after the Philadelphia police made a forced entry into their house on Summer Street.

The problem was that the Narcotics Division officers staking out 5400 Summer Street didn’t bother to phone-in the address. They gave the raiding officers a physical description of the house: it has "a black storm door with a pickup [truck] out front."

5400 Summer Street is five houses down from the El-Bynum’s house. Both houses have a black storm door and pickup truck out front.”

Source:

Julie Kim. "Police Apologize for Busting Down Family's Door During Dinner" MyFox Philadelphia 29 News, September 11, 2007.

Another example of the in-depth investigations done by SWAT teams.

So I guess when the Risk Assessment Form Question about:

“Do you even know what the address is of the house you're getting ready to deploy a military assault upon?”

was obviously answered:“We don’t know” that scored just enough points to create a violent SWAT Home Invasion, huh?

And I’m nuts??????