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Officer Under Scrutiny Again killing unarmed man i
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Officer Under Scrutiny Again
Bellport shooting investigated
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Maria Colon, sister of Jose Colon who was shot and killed. (Newsday / John H. Cornell Jr.)
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By Samuel Bruchey
STAFF WRITER
August 1, 2002
When Police Officer Anthony Gonzalez stormed the back bedroom of a Ridge home in March 2001, it marked the final, desperate effort by Suffolk police against a violent, barricaded suspect they believed was holding his mother hostage.
The suspect, Joseph Fields, 46, was waiting - seated on the floor with a shotgun pointed at the door.
He fired a round that came so close to hitting Gonzalez, it showered his shoulders with plaster powder from the door frame beside him.
Gonzalez, an Emergency Services unit firearms instructor, returned fire, squeezing off nine rounds from his submachine gun. In an instant, the 12-hour standoff was over and Fields was dead.
"Nobody wants to take a life," Emergency Services Lt. Kevin Burke, who supervised Gonzalez that day, said. "That's the ultimate thing we do in this profession."
After a four-month Homicide Squad investigation and a subsequent investigation by the Suffolk County district attorney's office, a grand jury deemed the shooting justified. Gonzalez recently was awarded a Combat Gold Medal, one of the department's highest honors.
"He exemplified everything you hope to see in a police officer," Chief of Department Philip Robilotto said. "He was a hero."
The fatal police shooting of Jose Colon, 20, in Bellport in April, has been different, however, more controversial, and linked only by one common thread.
For the second time in 13 months, Gonzalez is at the heart of the investigation. It is an extraordinary coincidence considering many Suffolk police officers never discharge their weapons aside from training exercises.
A grand jury convened in Riverhead on Monday to consider possible charges, and Gonzalez testified yesterday.
From the start, police have called the shooting an accident. It happened, officials have said, as Gonzalez led a team of four officers single-file across the front yard of a house believed to be a drug den. As Colon exited the house onto the front steps, another officer tripped over a tree root and pushed Gonzalez, who inadvertently let off three rounds. One struck Colon in the head.
Colon's girlfriend, Lydia Sierra of Patchogue, who was sitting in her car outside the house, and another witness who lives across the street, have disputed the department's version of the incident. They said Gonzalez was standing still when the shots were fired. Police say those accounts are wrong.
The shooting has angered some in Bellport, who accuse the police of treating residents in less affluent neighborhoods differently than people with money.
It has also upended the career of an officer who dozens of department officials insist is a dedicated and caring professional, uniquely capable of excelling in dangerous situations, one of their best.
Gonzalez, 40, who is Hispanic, joined the department in 1985 as a community service aid, a civilian position for minorities created to boost diversity within the department. CSAs, as they were called, performed clerical duties and were encouraged to become police officers.
Gonzalez, who graduated from Sachem High School, became a CSA at as a skinny 23-year-old, who was polite, respectful, devoted to his family and full of ambition. He worked in the Third Precinct for three years, entered the academy in 1988, then returned to the precinct as a patrol officer. In 1994, he turned down a detective promotion to accept a spot in the elite Emergency Services unit.
Since his arrival, Gonzalez has become one of the most highly decorated officers - earning 15 Headquarters Recognitions, two Bravery Silver Medals, one Combat Gold Medal and one Bravery Gold Medal.
"He's not shying away from situations," Chief of Patrol Thomas Compitello said. "This kid's in the thick of it. You don't go into that service if you are a wallflower."
The Bravery Gold Medal came three years ago when Gonzalez and three other Emergency Services officers boarded a boat docked in Brown's River off the Great South Bay and tried to sever propane gas lines before a suspect on board used the tanks as bombs to blow up himself and anyone else on board.
The suspect, Richard Hellenschmidt, ignited the tanks, and the officers were blown into the water.
"I can still see Tony standing on the stern of another boat, reaching out to an injured officer in the water, saying, 'Don't worry brother, you are not going anywhere,'" Robilotto recalled.
Although Gonzalez was again recognized by the department for his valor during the all-night standoff in Ridge, the victim's sister, Lynette Fields-Sandy, has filed a $20-million lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Central Islip alleging civil rights violations. Neither Fields-Sandy of Coram nor her attorney could be reached for comment.
Colon's mother, Kathleen Seaton of East Patchogue, has also filed papers to sue the county over her son's death. In May, she held a community meeting during which she said: "I am hoping that the new district attorney, Thomas Spota, will conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation, and I am confidently hoping that those responsible are held accountable for the death of my son."
Since the shooting, Gonzalez, who declined to be interviewed for this article, has been removed from street duty. Several police sources have said he is devastated by the incident. Even if he is cleared of wrongdoing, police sources said, Gonzalez is likely to be reassigned within the department.
"The police department and the people of Suffolk are going to lose from that," Police Benevolent Association president Jeff Frayler said. "He was made to be there. It's just a real shame that that unfortunate accident occurred."
Copyright c 2002, Newsday, Inc. http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/ny-ligonz312805822aug01.story?coll=ny-news-print
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Bellport shooting investigated
Email this story
Printer friendly format
Photos
Maria Colon, sister of Jose Colon who was shot and killed. (Newsday / John H. Cornell Jr.)
Top Stories
PCB Levels Spark Worry
Israeli Troops Take Over Nablus
Long Road to Arrest
By Samuel Bruchey
STAFF WRITER
August 1, 2002
When Police Officer Anthony Gonzalez stormed the back bedroom of a Ridge home in March 2001, it marked the final, desperate effort by Suffolk police against a violent, barricaded suspect they believed was holding his mother hostage.
The suspect, Joseph Fields, 46, was waiting - seated on the floor with a shotgun pointed at the door.
He fired a round that came so close to hitting Gonzalez, it showered his shoulders with plaster powder from the door frame beside him.
Gonzalez, an Emergency Services unit firearms instructor, returned fire, squeezing off nine rounds from his submachine gun. In an instant, the 12-hour standoff was over and Fields was dead.
"Nobody wants to take a life," Emergency Services Lt. Kevin Burke, who supervised Gonzalez that day, said. "That's the ultimate thing we do in this profession."
After a four-month Homicide Squad investigation and a subsequent investigation by the Suffolk County district attorney's office, a grand jury deemed the shooting justified. Gonzalez recently was awarded a Combat Gold Medal, one of the department's highest honors.
"He exemplified everything you hope to see in a police officer," Chief of Department Philip Robilotto said. "He was a hero."
The fatal police shooting of Jose Colon, 20, in Bellport in April, has been different, however, more controversial, and linked only by one common thread.
For the second time in 13 months, Gonzalez is at the heart of the investigation. It is an extraordinary coincidence considering many Suffolk police officers never discharge their weapons aside from training exercises.
A grand jury convened in Riverhead on Monday to consider possible charges, and Gonzalez testified yesterday.
From the start, police have called the shooting an accident. It happened, officials have said, as Gonzalez led a team of four officers single-file across the front yard of a house believed to be a drug den. As Colon exited the house onto the front steps, another officer tripped over a tree root and pushed Gonzalez, who inadvertently let off three rounds. One struck Colon in the head.
Colon's girlfriend, Lydia Sierra of Patchogue, who was sitting in her car outside the house, and another witness who lives across the street, have disputed the department's version of the incident. They said Gonzalez was standing still when the shots were fired. Police say those accounts are wrong.
The shooting has angered some in Bellport, who accuse the police of treating residents in less affluent neighborhoods differently than people with money.
It has also upended the career of an officer who dozens of department officials insist is a dedicated and caring professional, uniquely capable of excelling in dangerous situations, one of their best.
Gonzalez, 40, who is Hispanic, joined the department in 1985 as a community service aid, a civilian position for minorities created to boost diversity within the department. CSAs, as they were called, performed clerical duties and were encouraged to become police officers.
Gonzalez, who graduated from Sachem High School, became a CSA at as a skinny 23-year-old, who was polite, respectful, devoted to his family and full of ambition. He worked in the Third Precinct for three years, entered the academy in 1988, then returned to the precinct as a patrol officer. In 1994, he turned down a detective promotion to accept a spot in the elite Emergency Services unit.
Since his arrival, Gonzalez has become one of the most highly decorated officers - earning 15 Headquarters Recognitions, two Bravery Silver Medals, one Combat Gold Medal and one Bravery Gold Medal.
"He's not shying away from situations," Chief of Patrol Thomas Compitello said. "This kid's in the thick of it. You don't go into that service if you are a wallflower."
The Bravery Gold Medal came three years ago when Gonzalez and three other Emergency Services officers boarded a boat docked in Brown's River off the Great South Bay and tried to sever propane gas lines before a suspect on board used the tanks as bombs to blow up himself and anyone else on board.
The suspect, Richard Hellenschmidt, ignited the tanks, and the officers were blown into the water.
"I can still see Tony standing on the stern of another boat, reaching out to an injured officer in the water, saying, 'Don't worry brother, you are not going anywhere,'" Robilotto recalled.
Although Gonzalez was again recognized by the department for his valor during the all-night standoff in Ridge, the victim's sister, Lynette Fields-Sandy, has filed a $20-million lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Central Islip alleging civil rights violations. Neither Fields-Sandy of Coram nor her attorney could be reached for comment.
Colon's mother, Kathleen Seaton of East Patchogue, has also filed papers to sue the county over her son's death. In May, she held a community meeting during which she said: "I am hoping that the new district attorney, Thomas Spota, will conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation, and I am confidently hoping that those responsible are held accountable for the death of my son."
Since the shooting, Gonzalez, who declined to be interviewed for this article, has been removed from street duty. Several police sources have said he is devastated by the incident. Even if he is cleared of wrongdoing, police sources said, Gonzalez is likely to be reassigned within the department.
"The police department and the people of Suffolk are going to lose from that," Police Benevolent Association president Jeff Frayler said. "He was made to be there. It's just a real shame that that unfortunate accident occurred."
Copyright c 2002, Newsday, Inc. http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/ny-ligonz312805822aug01.story?coll=ny-news-print
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Comments
By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com
A Union City police officer has been arrested by Fayette County sheriff's deputies for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend at her east Fayette residence Wednesday morning.
Samuel Howard Goodall of Union City is being held without bond at the Fayette County Jail on four charges: aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping and battery (family violence). Police say he viciously beat the victim in the head and face after forcing his way into her residence.
"He stripped her of her clothing and sexually assaulted her," Maj. Bruce Jordan of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department testified during a court hearing Thursday afternoon.
Goodall, who was wearing a handgun at the time, also threatened to kill the victim, Jordan said. During the altercation, Goodall showed the victim the gun which was hidden under his shirt and placed his hand on it to intimidate her, Jordan said.
Showing photos of the victim to Magistrate Court Judge A.K. Melear, Jordan said one of the marks on the victim's face matched up to a ring that Goodall was wearing at the time of the incident.
The victim was choked so roughly that a blood vessel in one of her eyes burst, Jordan testified.
Melear granted a request from District Attorney Bill McBroom to deny bond in the case. Jordan testified that the victim told him she was so "terrified" of Goodall that she wouldn't even come to the court hearing.
"She believes she has nothing to lose," Jordan said.
The victim had to be treated at Fayette Community Hospital for her injuries, which included bruising around the neck and * lacerations, Jordan said. After he fled the scene before detectives arrived, Goodall tried to call the victim on her cellular phone several times, up until she was being treated at the hospital, Jordan added.
"Previously, he had been accusing her of having relationships with other men," Jordan said, explaining that the couple's relationship had ended in February. Goodall would also ride by her home and call her on the phone numerous times, Jordan added.
Goodall was taken into custody by Union City authorities Wednesday, Jordan said.
The victim's name is not being released because of a Georgia law that requires her identity to remain confidential.
http://www.thecitizennews.com/main/archive-020802/news/ptc-08.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Friday, August 02, 2002
By Bryn Mickle
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Flint -- A Flint police officer has been stripped of his weapon after he was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of domestic violence involving his wife..
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His wife, also a Flint police officer, obtained a personal protection order Thursday that prevents him from carrying a firearm.
He has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Department was called to the officers' home in Clayton Township about 8:30 p.m. after an argument over a pending divorce reportedly became a physical confrontation.
The wife was upset because she felt she was almost tricked into signing a divorce agreement involving property and custody of their children, ages 10 and 12, according to her PPO application.
Despite the pending divorce, the officers were still living in the same house.
The officers' wife, 40, said he broke through a bedroom door, bruised her upper arms and struck her tooth with his elbow.
She did not require medical treatment, police said.
The officer, 37, was arrested and taken to the Genesee County Jail. He was released Thursday afternoon but the Sheriff's Department has requested a warrant for domestic assault.
The case is being reviewed by the Genesee County prosecutor's office.
Flint Police Officers Association President David Forystek could not be reached for comment.
A hearing has been set for Aug. 12 on the officer's request to modify the personal protection, which was served on him in jail, to allow him to possess a firearm.
***
Bryn Mickle is the afternoon police reporter. He can be reached at (810) 766-6383 or bmickle@flintjournal.com.
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news-4/10282998439230.xml
2002 Flint Journal. Used with permission
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
By GARY CHANDLER
News Staff Reporter
8/1/2002
Alice Russell's granddaughter roused her from bed at 9 a.m. Wednesday, shouting, "Nana, something terrible's happening, the police are all here." And it wasn't just the police.
More than 50 fire inspectors, animal control officers, social service workers, cleanup workers, even U.S. marshals rumbled into a West Side neighborhood Wednesday morning for the second Clean Sweep, a citywide initiative to crack down on quality-of-life problems.
Supporters, including the mayor and some residents, say the initiative improves troubled neighborhoods. But critics and other residents say the effort is intrusive and ineffective.
Federal, state and local officials all contributed to the three-hour effort, held on 19th Street between Rhode Island and Hampshire streets. It was the second such sweep. The first was held June 26 on West Avenue, also on the West Side.
While cleanup crews mowed lawns and cleaned vacant lots, teams of officials went door to door, checking houses for working smoke detectors, unlicensed dogs, illegal cable television hookups and social services concerns. Organizers of Wednesday's effort said they installed 40 smoke detectors, replaced batteries in 30 others, issued 15 summons for unlicensed dogs, uncovered 20 illegal cable hookups and made more than a dozen referrals to social services and housing agencies.
Mayor Anthony M. Masiello, who arrived at the conclusion of the event, said residents were "happy to see us here."
"It's the little things that count," said Masiello. "Small quality-of-life issues mean an awful lot to people in this neighborhood."
Residents welcomed help in improving their neighborhood. But they were far from satisfied with the way Wednesday's sweep was conducted. They were given no prior notice of the action. A police officer knocked on each door and asked the resident if the house could be inspected. If they consented - most did - up to 10 people might enter, according to residents.
"I think they should clean the neighborhood up," said Alice Russell, "but because we're poor, they don't have to do it the right way."
Jeanne-Noel Mahoney, director of the western regional office of the New York Civil Liberties Union, came to the neighborhood after receiving phone calls from residents. She said her office received 26 complaints about the first sweep, many saying the effort was intrusive. She scoffed at sweep organizers' assurances that the inspections were voluntary.
"You can say you have the right to say no, but I think a lot of people would be afraid to," she said, noting the number of uniformed officers and officials present.
She said the program would be more effective if residents had been notified so they could be sure to be home and had time to list their complaints. Organizers said that would ruin "the element of surprise."
Council Member Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr., who sponsored the initiative, said results from the sweep justified "a little inconvenience for three hours." He championed the case of one resident whom inspectors discovered had no water or electricity. But the resident, who declined to be named, said she thought only the house itself would be inspected. She said before she knew it, she was being grilled by a social services representative.
"I felt violated," she said, adding that the inspectors left without telling her if or when her utilities would be turned on.
e-mail: gchandler@buffnews.com
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20020801/1013124.asp
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Ruling Second In One Month
POSTED: 11:33 a.m. EDT August 2, 2002
UPDATED: 3:23 p.m. EDT August 2, 2002
DURHAM, N.C. -- For the second time in a month, a Durham judge has thrown out a search conducted by the Durham Police Department. The rulings have the department re-evaluating its procedures.
When neighbors complain about illegal activities, Durham police often go door-to-door looking for the problem.
"So when the complaint comes in, it's our job to come out," said Lawrence Campbell, public defender.
Called "knock and talks," the practice is commonly used by police in what are considered to be problem areas. There are no search warrants involved. Officers simply knock on doors, talk to residents and ask to be let inside to search the home.
Thursday, Judge Ron Stephens called a search of an apartment on Trinity Avenue unconsitutional.
In February, Durham police conducted a major raid at the Cheek Road Apartments. Neighbors complained of police brutality.
A few weeks ago, Judge Orlando Hudson declared part of the raid was unconstitutional. He said police had gone beyond the scope of the search warrant and that officers had "seized" the entire neighborhood.
Durham police conduct between 50 to 100 knock and talk searches every year, but the judges' rulings have the department rethinking how it does business.
"Our policy, as it relates to knock and talks, is under review. The decision has also been made that in the future any large scale operations that are planned or conducted will be reviews by our legal staff," said Lt. N.J. Blake of the Durham Police Department.
As a result of the decisions made by the two judges, the district attorney's office dropped charges against 36 people.
Interim Police Chief Steve Chalmers has maintained that his department has done nothing wrong, but added they will not second-guess the judges' decisions.
Reporter: Julia Lewis
OnLine Producer: Michelle Singer http://www.wral.com/news/1591405/detail.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878