Crime Time

After a rough few days, Arlington police lauded for social media efforts

It has been an awfully hectic time for Arlington police.

Of the four homicides in two weeks, three are yet unsolved, including the murder of grandmother. And this week brought news of a federal investigation of officers suspected of breaking the law as part of their alleged pursuit of steroids. One of the officers committed suicide after his arrest.

 But here’s a bit of good news: the department’s Media Office has won a 2013 Best of Texas Award from the Center for Digital Government.

The award recognizes the department’s innovative use of social media and the news program Inside APD. Judges said this program is doing an “excellent job of increasing collaboration and expanding citizen engagement.”  

See the latest episodes here.

 — Bill Miller

 

Arlington officer focus of steroid investigation

Late Tuesday night, an Arlington police officer was dead, reportedly by suicide, and another officer, a 17-year veteran, was in jail.

Today we know that the officer who was in custody is accused of accessing law-enforcement-only databases to tip off a steroid dealer from whom he had been buying steroids for himself and other officers for years.

That's according to federal documents released Wednesday.

Thomas S. Kantzos, 45, (mugshot above, portrait at right) was arrested by the FBI on Tuesday, the same day that David Vo, the other officer under investigation, died in an apparent suicide.

Kantzos was released on pre-trial supervision, but with conditions. Other officers may be arrested too.

Deanna Boyd reports.

-- Bill Miller

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/06/12/4932554/arlington-officer-accused-of-tipping.html#article_photos#storylink=cpy

Two Fort Worth officers to be investigated for alcohol-related incidents

Two Fort Worth police officers are under investigation by the department’s Internal Affairs unit after unrelated incidents over the weekend in which alcohol is suspected, a police spokeswoman has said.

Officer B.A. Leboeuf was arrested about 11 p.m. Saturday by a game warden while boating on Eagle Mountain Lake, said officer Sharron Neal, a police spokeswoman. Leboeuf, who was off duty, faces charges of boating while intoxicated and endangering a child, Neal said in a news release.

On Friday, an off-duty Fort Worth officer and his wife were hospitalized when the motorcycle they were riding and a pickup collided in southwest Arlington, police reported.

But Arlington police suspect Officer R. Nichols had been drinking, so they took a blood sample.

The two cases are the latest involving Fort Worth police officers suspected of alcohol-related offenses.

Read more here.

-- Bill Miller

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/06/11/4926789/fort-worth-officer-arrested-on.html#storylink=cpy

Abilene cop resigns after incident in Fort Worth

An Abilene police officer resigned Tuesday, one day after he was arrested in Fort Worth on accusations that he fired a gun downtown while drunk.

Cory Ray Valencia was arrested by a Fort Worth police officer who had been working off-duty for City Center Security.

This happened about 2:10 a.m. Monday when he heard a single gunshot nearby, police said.

Read what else local police reported in this article by Deanna Boyd.

-- Bill Miller

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/05/07/4832220/officer-accused-of-firing-weapon.html#storylink=cpy

Rapping Dallas police lieutenant reprimanded; two other cops fired

Back in November we reported about how a Dallas police lieutenant was put on administrative leave after doing a rap song.

In the song, Lt. Regina Smith threatened to shoot anyone who messed with her. Her website included a photo of the late husband, Sr. Cpl. Norman Smith. He was nicknamed the "Big Russian," but was fatally shot in 2009 while serving a warrant.

Well on Friday, Dallas Police Chief David Brown suspended her for five days without pay, according to WFAA Channel 8.

In other DPD news, two other officers were fired on allegations of perjury and fabricating evidence.

Read the WFAA report here.

-- Bill Miller

Rea more here: http://blogs.star-telegram.com/crime_time/2012/11/dallas-police-lieutenant-on-administrative-leave-following-rap-video-.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://blogs.star-telegram.com/crime_time/2012/11/dallas-police-lieutenant-on-administrative-leave-following-rap-video-.html#storylink=cpy

 

Trooper connected to body cavity search faces firing

In December, we reported that a highway patrol trooper was suspended during an investigation of her videotaped body cavity search of two North Texas women last summer along a busy highway in Irving.

Well, Trooper Kelly Helleson may be fired, although she'll have the opportunity to meet with top officials of the Texas Department of Public Safety before her firing is final.

Here's the update from The Associated Press.

Read more here: http://blogs.star-telegram.com/crime_time/2012/12/cavity-search-dps-trooper-suspended-with-pay-rangers-investigating.html#storylink=cpy

 

 

 

Foundation accepting donations to help Fort Worth officer wounded in the line of duty

As you know, Fort Worth Officer John Bell was wounded Tuesday in the line of duty.

A lot of people have wondered how they can help him and his family as he recovers from multiple gunshot wounds.

Donations can be made through the Fort Worth Police Awards Foundation at www.fwpoliceawards.org/contribute-officer.html.

-- Bill Miller

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/30/4588181/man-killed-in-haltom-city-shootout.html#storylink=cpy

Elderly woman got new AC unit in summer heat, thanks to Fort Worth officer

"I'm coming over."

That was the response last August from Barry Sawyer, a Fort Worth neighborhood patrol officer, who wanted to help an elderly woman whose air conditioner failed.

Before night's end, and with the help of two other officers and an Oakhurst Citizens on Patrol member, Sawyer (shown here) had bought and helped install a new window unit.

For his efforts, Sawyer was honored as Peace Officer of the Year by the Maj. K.M. Van Zandt chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Deanna Boyd has more in this report.

 

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/18/4559123/fort-worth-police-officer-makes.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/18/4559123/fort-worth-police-officer-makes.html#storylink=cpy

Fired Hurst police officer said he'd stop dropping F-bombs 'unless I feel it is absolutely necessary'

Last week we reported about the firing of the Hurst police officer who was videotaped in November cursing and threatening a teen during an arrest.

Since then, we've gotten a copy of Officer Disraeli Arnold's "letter of indefinite suspension" in which Police Chief Steve Moore explains why the four-year veteran was being fired.

Arnold was seen on a videotaped YouTube posting threatening and taunting 17-year-old Andrew Rodriguez. The officer dropped several F-bombs along the way.

At first we didn't see a lot of new information in the chief's six-page letter to Arnold, but something toward the end caught our eye.

Moore wrote, "I am deeply concerned by a written comment you included in your response to Lt. Pell duirng the Internal Affairs investigation. You stated 'Regarding my use of strong language during this incident, although I believe it was helpful in the circumstance, in the future, I will stay away from the use of profanity unless I feel it is absolutely necessary.'

"I do not believe the use of the profanity, and threats were necessary during this or any incident, and I am concerned you will repeat this behavior again."

And so, Arnold was fired.

-- Bill Miller

Denton County deputies to honor fallen K-9 comrade

Chico, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, was a K-9 dog for the Denton County Sheriff's Office.

In his three years working with deputies, Chico was credited for numerous large narcotic seizures and detection of millions of dollars in elicit currency.

But Chico got out of his handler's backyard on Dec. 20 when strong winds blew open a gate.

A rancher later shot him, apparently thinking he was a coyote.

Read Domingo Ramirez Jr.'s report to learn how deputies will honor their K-9 comrade.

 

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/08/4532079/services-set-for-chico-the-slain.html#storylink=cpy