Police Officer-Involved Domestic Violence Network

29/08/2024

For Sandra Birchmore from today's news:
Ex-Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell was indicted today in the strangling death of 23 year old Sandra Birchmore, who was pregnant with his child. Farwell is accused of staging Sandra's apartment to make it appear as su***de, but a pathologist HIRED BY HER FAMILY found Sandra's death was in fact a homicide. U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy: "Sandra Birchmore survived years of grooming, statutory r**e and then sexual violence, all at the hands of Matthew Farwell, who was employed throughout the relationship as an officer and then detective for the Stoughton Police Department"... Farwell met Sandra when she was a member of the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy and accused of being sexual with her while she was still 15. The case has revealed 193 other allegations against law enforcement in the Explorers program. Ugh.
The family of Sandra Birchmore is suing the town of Stoughton for wrongful death.

If convicted, Farwell faces a minimum of life in prison.

Link to full article is in comments.

25/06/2024

A law we need EVERYWHERE - Families able to get extra scrutiny when the death of a loved one has been attributed to su***de or accident:
[Excerpts] Joanna Lewis’s family never believed she took her own life... This week, a Solano County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told CalMatters that the agency has reopened the investigation into Joanna Lewis’s death for a third time. The review comes as California lawmakers consider a bill [Senate Bill 989] that would give the extended families of domestic violence victims the right to request additional scrutiny of death investigations they deem suspicious as well as provide additional training for law enforcement to spot cover-ups of domestic violence murders. Its supporters are citing Joanna Lewis’s death as they advocate for the bill... The bill passed both committees [the Senate Public Safety Committee and the Senate’s Judiciary Committee] unanimously...

Families of suspected domestic violence victims could request independent death investigations under a proposed California law.

24/06/2024

It's 23 years today that Bernita's murder has been unsolved.
Never forgetting.

[MI] 8 YEARS AGO, 1 MONTH AFTER FILING FOR DIVORCE, STATE TROOPER SGT.'S WIFE BERNITA SIMS [WHITE] WAS EXECUTED BY A SNIPER'S SHOT THROUGH HER HEART
Excerpts: ...A state trooper's wife visiting a crowded zoo with her daughter was killed by a rifle shot fired from a nearby wooded area... The warrants quote Bernita White's mother, 67-year-old Barbara Sims of Detroit, as saying "Artis had her killed," when a trooper informed her of her daughter's death... Her mother died of a heart attack when she was told of the shooting... Mother and daughter were buried in the same week...
https://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2009/06/mi-8-years-ago-1-month-after-filing-for.html

Also see article: 20 years later, the murder of Bernita White at Potter Park
On blog: Michigan OIDV : Who Killed Bernita White?
Excerpts: ...Michigan State Police and the Attorney General's office are handling the investigation. Both declined to comment... According to a profile of the shooter completed by state police, the suspect is a man about the same age as Bernita White, and is intelligent, articulate and educated, then-Michigan State Police Lt. Kyle Bowman said in June 2013, when the profile was first released to the public. He was "emotionally connected to Bernita" and familiar with the Potter Park area. He is also described as "manipulative," task-oriented and methodical. In the 10 months after Bernita White's death, detectives spent more than 9,000 hours investigating, interviewing and combing practically every square foot of Potter Park andthe zoo, police said in 2002... In 2003, Artis White self-published a book called "Who Killed My Wife?" He also released a documentary in 2009 called "Living Accused"...
https://mioidvwhokilledbernitawhite.blogspot.com/2021/06/06232021-news-article-20-years-later.html

01/01/2024

Bronxville New York Police Sgt. Watson Morgan has shot and killed his wife Ornela, a New York school teacher, and their two sons, 10 and 12, before turning the gun on himself. Their bodies were found Saturday during a welfare check to their home after he didn't show up for his Friday night shift.

Laurel Plains Elementary School and Felix Festa Middle School were open Sunday offering support to students and the communities.

In articles there's an imbalance of information, focusing only on Sgt. Morgan and his career path. Over the next few days hopefully there will be more information on Ornela and the boys... at least the boys' names.

24/08/2023

[Orange County Sheriff's Department was there in 2 minutes, engaged Snowling and cleared the way for medical personnel to treat the wounded. Blessings and prayers for all impacted.]
Excerpts: ...The Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified the gunman as John Snowling, a retired Ventura police sergeant. Snowling, 59, was targeting his estranged wife... Marie Snowling did not seek a restraining order against her husband, raise accusations of abuse or say she was fearful of him... “He shot her in the face. They transported her to the ER”...
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-23/mass-shooting-cooks-corner-biker-bar-trebuco-orange-county

3 are dead in addition to the gunman, 5 of the 6 people taken to the hospital suffered gunshot wounds, and two of them are in critical condition.

From another article: ...Her father, William Mosby, told the Los Angeles Daily News that Snowling was a “crazy husband” who was not taking the divorce well...

16/08/2023

Excerpts: The murder trial of a woman charged with murdering her Atlanta police officer husband is set to start in a Clayton County courtroom Monday morning. Riverdale police say 49-year-old Tammare Lawrence shot and killed her husband, Atlanta Police Officer Stanley Lawrence as the 58-year-old sat on the living room couch on Feb. 19, 2020... When officers arrived they say the wife and mother was on her knees and crying. When investigators asked her what happened she would not tell them. "I can't say"... Tammare Lawrence has been held in custody without bond since her arrest on charges of murder and aggravated assault.

Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Terrell Griffin:
"He was a giant of a man, 6-feet-8-inches, just so gentle, so heartwarming, everybody that I knew loved him, especially the kids."

Tammare Lawrence is accused of shooting and killing her husband as the Atlanta police officer sat on their living room couch. The couple had only been married about a year.

16/08/2023

PROSECUTOR:
"This verdict sends a clear message that Clay County will hold perpetrators of abuse accountable no matter who they are without fear or favor. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE COURAGE OF THIS VICTIM that we are here today. This woman was brutally assaulted and suffered significant physical injury. She was then subjected to emotional and psychological manipulation and control by her abuser. Despite this, she bravely spoke up and fought for the justice she deserves. She endured victim blaming and public maligning in the pursuit of truth. We hope today’s verdict can finally bring her peace and closure."

Note: I love reading those words and at the same time have to give honor here to those who spoke up and paid the price or didn't survive. There is no certain way. Props to those also who protected themselves by quietly escaping. The wife of former Greenwood Police Chief Greg Hallgrimson had opportunity, made a decision, and pushed it through. She is added to our prayers for her future safety and healing.

"IT IS BECAUSE OF THE COURAGE OF THIS VICTIM..." Clay County Missouri Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson: "This verdict sends a clear mes...

12/08/2023

Miami-Dade Police Officer Andres Perez III punched his wife in the head Thursday...How injured is she?... Is she safe? Why is this about him and not them?
Does she matter?
Praying for both.
Hopefully they are both receiving what they need during this time.

On Thursday Miami-Dade Police Officer Andres Perez III was arrested for punching his wife in the head with a closed fist. Perez w...

07/08/2023

YESTERDAY MIAMI-DADE POLICE DIRECTOR FREDDY RAMIREZ AND HIS WIFE JODY HAD A JOINT STATEMENT RELEASED. I've never seen a statement like this and wonder if it means he wants to keep his top cop job. (Ramirez shot himself in the head while with his wife, the bullet missed his brain, and exited through an eye. This happened after they assured responding police that they were just talking, and that no gun had been shown earlier as alleged.)

"Jody and Freddy Ramirez want to express their deepest and heartfelt appreciation to the many who have sent messages of support and best wishes for Freddy’s speedy recovery. This outpouring of care and concern has meant everything to their family at this difficult time and continues to contribute to Freddy’s healing.

While the family’s focus is upon Freddy’s recovery, it is appropriate to address damaging and hurtful misinformation that has been repeated in various media reports concerning the events of the evening of July 23rd.

Jody strongly wishes to emphasize that at no time was there even a hint of physical aggression between her and Freddy. Nor is there the slightest evidence of such contact - not from Jody, not from a witness and not from any of the various security cameras operating throughout the hotel.

Further, the reckless allegation that he took out his gun prior to checking out from the hotel that evening is false and unsupported by either witnesses or camera footage. It is hoped that the media will be cautious about reporting on this subject, not only out of respect for their family, but because the public deserves to know the truth rather than sensational and unsubstantiated falsities.

Both Jody and Freddy were shocked by the sudden arrival of numerous police officers shortly after 6:30 on that Sunday evening. It was even more shocking that Freddy was put in handcuffs. It is evident that being placed in handcuffs is a profoundly disturbing event for any who experiences it. It was especially so for such a distinguished leader of law-enforcement, with an unblemished record of more than 28 years of exemplary service in protecting the public.

Afterwards, shortly after local police left their hotel room, Jody and Freddy decided to leave for home and put a bad night’s experience behind them. After the seriously troubling and confusing events that had befallen them, during the drive home, with both still bewildered and distraught, Jody was able to grab her husband’s arm so that the resulting injury was serious but not fatal. She saved Freddy’s life.

This is a strong family anchored on a 30-year marriage of love and deep mutual respect. Jody, Freddy and their four children continue to be a family utterly devoted to each other. Jody is respectfully requesting that their sisters and brothers in law enforcement, as well as members of the public, appreciate what an extraordinarily painful and challenging time this has been. She will not be commenting and will remain dedicated to Freddy’s recovery, looking forward to the moment when they will walk out of the hospital together."

05/08/2023

Miami Police Chief Manny Morales opens up about how he has been seeing a psychologist every month for years and he hopes other officers will continue doing the same.

Morales: Jim, I don't have enough facts or feel comfortable about talking about the incident surrounding Director Ramirez other than the fact that my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. I can tell you from beginning my 30th year in law enforcement that this profession can be unforgiving, both on family, on your mental health, and your personal well-being.

So, as a preventive measure, for many years now, I have subscribed to doing psychological therapy. I mean all police departments, whether it be Miami-Dade or the City of Miami, we have an incredibly robust employee assistance program. We recognize the stressors that are on our brave men and women each and every day. So, I personally have a monthly checkup with my psychologist, just to kind of sit down, do a little bio-feedback, and get some insight into how i'm feeling and my mental well-being as a whole.

Reporter: When did you start doing that and was there something that prompted you to start doing that?

Morales: So, many of us experience personal problems. For me, it started with having marriage problems and relationship problems, and that kind of let into couple's counseling and I absolutely initially saw the benefit of it. We did family counseling together, and that was almost 20 years ago.

And then as it evolved and I started to professionally develop and ascend through the ranks, that stress becomes a lot heavier and it weighs in on you. As a preventive measure, like I said before, I subscribe to monthly sessions.

Reporter: Whether you're feeling anxiety or not, right? Just a matter of, you just sort of like, you just do a little tuneup every month?

Morales: Yes, I personally feel that if you wait till the stressors are on you and you are getting to the feeling where you are aleady beginning to feel uncomfortable with yourself, it might be past the point of prevention, right? Now, it might be the point of taking care of it instead of preventing to get to that. So for me, as an outlet, I get there and I talk. Sometimes I sit down and feel perfectly fine, and once we start talking, issues will come up.

Voiceover: you can see the rest of Jim's interview with Miami Police Chief Manny Morales this Sunday (tomorrow) on Facing South Florida. Its at a new time. 8:30 right after CBS News Miami Morning Addition.

THIS VIDEO:
Miami Police Chief Manny Morales on [his own] mental health, on Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede
CBS Miami (Click for video)

This week's Facing South Florida guest Miami Police Chief Manny Morales opens up about mental health.

30/07/2023

Former Border Patrol agent convicted of murder transferred to Huntsville prison
(Photo: Griselda and her son Dominique Hernandez. Dominique would have turned one years old last Wednesday. Not sharing the brutal details here.)
Published: Jul. 26, 2023 at 12:25 PM PDT
WEBB COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) - Ronald Anthony Burgos Avilés, the former United States Border Patrol agent convicted of the murders of Grizelda Hernandez and his own son, was transferred to Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, early this morning. The prison will be his home for the rest of his life, as he will serve two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

The verdict was handed down by a jury in the 49th State District Court in Laredo last week, finding Burgos Aviles guilty of the crimes.

Authorities arrested Burgos-Aviles on April 10, 2018, after the lifeless bodies of his victims, Hernandez and his son, were discovered near Fr. Charles McNaboe Park, off Mines Road. Since his arrest, he had been confined to the Webb County Jail for a total of 1,934 days before being transported to the Huntsville prison at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26.

Handling the transfer of the high-risk inmate was the Sheriff’s Office Special Tactical Team. Sheriff Martin Cuellar expressed relief and satisfaction with the outcome of the trial. “We are relieved that he will now be serving justice for the innocent lives he so cowardly cut short,” said Sheriff Cuellar. “He is heading where he belongs. He will pay for these crimes.”

25/07/2023

(𝑰𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏, 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒐?)

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐈 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐘 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐄
Alfredo ‘Freddy’ Ramirez in critical but stable condition after shooting following earlier altercation attended by Tampa officers
Mon 24 Jul 2023
EXCERPTS: The head of Florida’s largest police department was in critical condition at one of the state’s hospitals on Monday after shooting himself on a busy interstate following a domestic dispute. Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez, director of the Miami-Dade police department, and his wife, Jody, had earlier been asked to leave the JW Marriott hotel in Tampa’s downtown, where he was attending a sheriffs’ association conference... Officers were called to the hotel to investigate a report of a couple arguing and a 𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐆𝐔𝐍 𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅. A statement provided to the Guardian said officers identified the man as Ramirez, but after talking to him and a woman with him, 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 “𝐍𝐎 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑” 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓. 𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑, after leaving the hotel, the 52-year-old Ramirez pulled over on the side of interstate 75 and shot himself in the head... 𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐙’𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐇𝐈𝐌 in their car and called 911... The Herald saw an internal email from the Miami-Dade police department that urged officers NOT to make the 275-mile journey to show their own support. “Please continue to 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 ***𝐇𝐈𝐒***
comfort and healing during these upcoming days,” the email said...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/24/freddy-ramirez-miami-dade-police-director-shot

Tags top cop, police chief, horrifying, one trigger pull away from murder.

23/06/2023

"...Together, let us rally around Sadaf and show her the power of our collective love and support..."

GOFUNDME
Wife shot in the FACE by cop husband with rifle..on behalf of Sadaf Iqbal.

Dear friends, family, and compassionate supporters...
Excerpts: ...Our beloved Sadaf Iqbal, a vibrant soul and loving individual, has tragically become a victim of domestic violence. She was shot in the face by her own husband (Galib Chowdhury), a police officer, which resulted in the permanent loss of her right eye, severe damage to the bridge of her nose, many fractured bones in her cheek and face, and temporary to permanent loss of function in her right hand...
With your help, we can alleviate the financial stress that accompanies this devastating situation...
Share her story...
Offer words of encouragement: Leave supportive messages and words of love for Sadaf in the comments section. Your kind words will uplift her spirit and remind her that she is not alone in this journey.
In times of darkness, it is the light of compassion and empathy that can guide us towards hope. Together, let us rally around Sadaf and show her the power of our collective love and support...

https://www.gofundme.com/f/wife-shot-in-the-face-by-cop-husband-with-rifle

23/06/2023

W/Video - HPD officer shoots wife: SADAF IQBAL RECOUNTS HUSBAND GALIB CHOWDHURY OPENING FIRE ON HER FACE, ATTEMPT TO COVER IT UP
abc13.com
Sadaf Iqbal, the wife of Houston police officer Galib Chowdhury, was shot in the face by her own husband and, is sharing what she says really happened. She is now blind in one eye and will need a prosthetic eye after the shooting...
His own department wasn't buying his story...
Iqbal said she never had any doubts about Houston police investigating their own, and that one officer's actions should never reflect the entire department. She's thankful for their hard work.
She has a long road to recovery and will need other surgeries along with her prosthetic eye... More:
https://abc13.com/galib-chowdhury-sadaf-iqbal-houston-hpd-officer-shoots-wife-waheed/13403811/

14/06/2023

“Every death investigation should be considered a homicide until it’s proven differently.”

~ Vernon Geberth, former Commanding Officer of the Bronx Homicide Task Force NYPD and author of Practical Homicide Investigation

14/06/2023

'Devoted' Mom and Wife Of Mass. Police Officer Dies By Su***de Days After Giving Birth To Twins - “Despite her relentless efforts to seek help,” loved ones said that Ariana Sutton felt “the burden of postpartum depression”
June 2023
[EXCERPTS] Ariana Sutton, of Norton, died by su***de on May 31 after giving birth to twins nine days prior... The 36-year-old, whose "greatest joy was spending time with her family," shared three children with Easton police officer Tyler Sutton... Her husband’s brother, Jason Sutton, described Ariana as a "very gentle, kind human being. Ariana wanted these kids so badly... She lived to be a mother"...
More: https://people.com/devoted-wife-massachusetts-police-officer-dies-days-after-giving-birth-twins-7508822

14/06/2023

[TX] Houston Police Officer Galib Chowdhury free on bond after shooting his wife in the face
When police and emergency services responded to the call of a shooting just before 1 a.m. Monday they found the wife of a Houston Police officer had been shot in the face. An AR-15 assault rifle lay on the floor. She was rushed to a trauma center and into surgery, expected to live. Many are praying for her recovery and strength. “The officers attempted to gather the wife's statement before going into surgery; however, she was not willing to provide a statement ONCE SHE HEARD the officers were with the Houston Police Department,” only telling them that the shooting was unintentional. Her husband of 1 year, HPD Officer Galib Chowdhury, told police he accidentally shot his wife while protecting their apartment from an intruder. He was questioned and then arrested. Yesterday Chowdhury was charged in court with aggravated assault of a family member with serious bodily injury. His bond was set at $125,000, he bonded out, and the court issued a protective order in which Chowdhury cannot go within *200 feet of his wife (well within rifle-range, which can be 1000 yards). Chowdhury is relieved of duty but not officially fired, and is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. The AR-15 was recovered from the apartment... [HPD Chief Troy] Finner said HPD doesn't issue rifles, but that it could be a rifle that was self-purchased and registered through the agency...
More: https://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2023/06/tx-houston-police-officer-chowdhury.html

11/05/2023

MI - Detroit Police Officer Matthew Ethington shot his girlfriend Detroit Police Officer Maria Martin multiple times, killing her, then fatally shot himself. "...Sources also said there were some domestic issues between them, but nothing that would suggest a murder-su***de..."

https://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2023/05/ma-detroit-police-officer-maria-martin.html

07/05/2023

SBI investigating deaths of Fayetteville Police Officer and wife as a murder-su***de
According to the preliminary autopsy report from the medical examiner's office, Mrs. [Yenitza] Arroyo-Tavarez [/Torres] died due to multiple gunshot wounds and Mr. [Fayetteville Police Officer Domingo] Tavarez-Rodriguez died from a single gunshot wound.
Posted 2:15 p.m. Yesterday
Updated 2:47 p.m. Yesterday
https://www.wral.com/fayetteville-police-officer-wife-found-killed-inside-home/20841784/

GOFUNDME - Funeral expenses for Yenitza Arroyo Torres - $1,350 raised of $5,000 goal
"Hello my name is Doris I am the daughter of Yenitza Arroyo Torres im currently making this Gofund for my mothers funeral expenses and costs she sadly passed away on April 28th in the most tragic way it was so unexpected that I had to come to the community for a little help iam grateful with anything you guys can donate everything will go for her funeral costs and shipment to Puerto Rico where she will be layed to rest I wanna thank every one that has kept my family in there prayers it truly means a lot she was loved by so many people and that gives me a little peace in my heart god bless you all"
https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-yenitza-arroyo-torres

HER FACEBOOK: Yenitza A Tavarez
Dream without fear. Love without limits.
Lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina
https://www.facebook.com/Latingirl78