Please help

[ccvirgo911]

I am attempting to bring my son's story to the national media's attention. I am asking everyone here at DU to spread this story where you can. I am trying to hold these people accountable, yet so far nothing has been done to these officers involved.


Suit Accuses Police of Negligence

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The City of Independence, its police department, and a major ambulance provider in the metro face a lawsuit. They're accused of allowing a teenager, hit by a suspect fleeing police, to bleed to death.

Maybe most disturbing is the comment an officer made on tape.

"They're like roaches, man," said the unidentified Independence police officer. "They don't die."

That comment is at the heart of a new lawsuit filed Monday.

"The officer's comment will have to be answered by him," said Sean Pickett, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

snippet

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/EXCLUSIVE-Suit-Accuses-Police-of-Negligence/4YdEX1FjBUurZu75TFiKDg.cspx

Please watch the accompanying video on the right.
The man who hit and killed my son will be sentenced on April 23. I am planning on then turning my attention to these officers in an attempt to get them off the police force.
Thank you for any help anyone can give me.

[Why Syzygy]

1. +8

:kick: So sorry for your loss.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

2. My thoughts are with you

during this difficult time.

[panader0]

3. So sorry for your loss

Sue the shit out them
Oh my--he looks so much like my own 16 yo son. My heart goes out to you.

[babylonsister]

4. Oh, my sincere condolences, ccvirgo911.

Have you tried to contact your representatives, senators, etc.? How about every media outlet near you? Maybe the aclu? I'd want the police department to punish those that made those comments, too.

:hug:

[ccvirgo911]

29. Have had to hold off

The man who hit my son was pleading not guilty right to the end. On the day the trial was to start he accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to four felony charges. His DUI was dropped, even though he was drunk and high on prescription pills. He is facing 10-20, but he could walk out next Thursday with time served. (He's been in the county jail since the night it happened). Now that he has pleaded guilty, he has no opportunity to appeal.
I am considering contacting my local state representative, and Senator McCaskill as well.
Thank you everyone for your condolences and prayers. It means a lot, and also thanks again for any help any of you can give me.

[readmoreoften]

5. I am so sorry. And so sorry for your treatment. I hope they are not only fired but prosecuted. /nt

[Suich]

6. I'm so sorry for your loss, ccvirgo911.

The video is chilling.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.



:hug:

[emilyg]

7. I am so very sorry.

[roody]

8. I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will never give up

on seeking justice. It will be a long slow process.

[mia]

9. I'm sorry for your loss, ccvirgo911.

K & R

[GardeningGal]

10. I don't even know what to say.

:hug:

[Jeep789]

11. Wow, very sorry for your loss and outraged at the lack of

care and compassion the officers displayed.

[kas125]

12. OMG, that is simply despicable. I am so sorry for you and

your family. You asked for help, but I don't know what I can do. If there is something that I can do to help you, please let me know what it is and I will do it.

[Egnever]

13. OMG

Thats horrible! I think if I were in your situation I would be in jail by now. I am so sorry for your loss.

[Norrin Radd]

14. kick & recommend

My condolences. I hope you receive justice.

[pnwmom]

15. This SHOULD be a national story. I'm so very sorry for your loss. K & R.

[Frau Schmidt]

16. deepest deepest sympathy. I hope you get justice

[antimatter98]

17. Totally outrageous police behavior...let's get this story out nationally. n/t

[Kitty Herder]

18. My sincere condolences.

I hope these cops and the ambulance company are brought to justice. What they did and said was despicable.

[ccvirgo911]

19. Thank you everyone

I have been silent throughout this. We have had to wait nearly 5 months for Wilfredo Pujols to be sentenced, which is an inordinately long time. Once April 23 comes and goes, I'm not hesitating in my efforts to get this known. This police department is widely known throughout the Kansas City area for their callous treatment of the citizens of Independence. In 2007, there were 3 deaths from pursuits in 8 days, one of them my Christopher. There were 13 statewide, which I think shows how reckless the police are here. Don't misunderstand; I know who caused the injuries to my son that led to his death. But these first responders treated my son as if he were nothing and not worth their effort. He was hit at 9:02, the EMT's arrived at 9:03, and Chris wasn't loaded into the ambulance until 9:20. That's a long time to lie in the street with no help. The police were calling him a "J-4", code for deceased, while the chase was still going on. The chase lasted more than 6 minutes. Also, they had identified Wilfredo Pujols long before they caught him. They violated their policy at least 4 times during the chase. They had the means to get him without the chase, so the chase never needed to happen.
Wilfredo is the first cousin of St. Louis Cardinals player Albert Pujols.

[yardwork]

28. As a mother of two teenage boys, my heart goes out to you.

I'll do what I can to pass on this information. In my city, police chases are no longer allowed because of events like this. The treatment of your son was unconscionable. I hope that you succeed in finding justice, and I am so sorry for your loss.

[nonconformist]

20. I am so terribly sorry for your loss.

Your son was such a handsome boy. It was a crime he was taken from this world so soon. You are in my thoughts.

[Reeta77]

21. My sincerest condolensces...

:hug:

[snappyturtle]

22. I am so very sorry. Words are inadequate.

:hug:

[Mari333]

23. I am a mother who also had a son pass

so I am sending you all the love in the world right now. :hug:

[NikolaC]

24. That Is So Horrible

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that you succeed and those officers are removed from the force. :hug:

[ejbr]

25. Unreal

I contacted Dateline NBC. If we can't entrust those meant to protect us, then who do we turn to? Thank you for sharing and my condolences for this loss.

[dem629]

26. K&R

[flying_wahini]

27. Is there a specific email address or phone where we can call?

I would be happy to assist you if I knew how to help.


I am so sorry for your loss; your son looks like he was a real sweetheart of a kid.

[ccvirgo911]

30. E-Mail for Mayor, Chief of Police and City Manager

Mayor Don Reimal
[e-mail]
816-325-7027
Home Phone:[phone]

Chief of Police Tom Dailey
[e-mail]
816-325-7271

City Manager Robert Heacock
[e-mail]
816-325-7019

[Baby Snooks]

35. They will seek to protect themslves...

And what they will seek to protect themselves from is a federal lawsuit and possibly a Justice Department investigation.

If an attorney has not done so, an attorney needs to file a civil rights violation complaint with the Justice Department.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

31. Your courage and strength are amazing,

and your son is so proud of you, I am certain. He was a beautiful boy. Your loss can never be measured, but what you're doing now is commendable.

I will hold you and your boy in my heart..................

[Mad_Dem_X]

32. OMG, how tragic. Please accept my deepest condolences.

Best of luck with your lawsuit. The police's actions were disgusting.

[Baby Snooks]

33. The real face of the real America...

We are a very sick society - predatory and at this point just evil.

There are those who will read this and go, well, they are like cockroaches.

That is the real face of the real America. Hate your neighbor. Particularly if your neighbor is "different" from you. They are the cause of all of your problems.

[MrsBrady]

34. k&r

[Faygo Kid]

36. Get this to Keith. This needs to break in the national media.

Maybe even Hardball. At any rate, somebody needs to pick up on this atrocity.

My sympathies.

[travelingtypist]

41. Yep, this has Worst Persons written all over it.

That segment isn't always tongue in cheek. Remember what he got Wal-Mart to
do?

Good luck to you and sorry for your loss.

[Kajsa]

44. Ditto on that.

Keith would be the one to get this out there.

[Mnemosyne]

37. My deepest sympathy on the needless death of your son, ccvirgo.

May you find justice. :hug:

[Seldona]

38. Link to Digg.

So sorry for your loss.

http://digg.com/world_news/EXCLUSIVE_Suit_Accuses_Police_of_Negligence_NBC_Action_Ne

[Pooka Fey]

39. My deepest condolences for your loss.

[omega minimo]

40. kR and best possible outcome for your family. Blessings on your son.

:grouphug:

[Maat]

42. You and your family are in our family's thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry for your loss.

I will spread the word and write some emails and letters.

[Kajsa]

43. I am so sorry, Ccvirgo!

The inaction to save your son is inexcusable!

The officer's comment should be grounds for dismissal.
Do we want people like that on any police force?
Is their oath not to "protect and serve"?

My deepest condolences to you and your family.

:hug:

[Rainbowreflect]

45. I am so sorry for all you are having to deal with.

Thank you for being brave enough to fight for what is right.

[otohara]

46. Find Out Where This Cop Lives

take some friends and family - signs, post fliers around his neighborhood. Do it until a TV station comes out to cover it - send press releases to stations/newspapers that you will be there until justice is served.

Unless of course, you have a pending lawsuit and your attorneys advise against it.

Excruciating loss - my condolences to you and your family.

[pleah]

47. K&R

[grantcart]

48. what a terrible ordeal - your son looked to be an outstanding young man

our thoughts are with you

[renate]

49. I am so very, very sorry

To endure this shattering loss... and then to hear a comment like that. If I hadn't lost it already by then, those words would have absolutely pushed me over the edge.

Your son looks like a sweet boy (and a lot like mine). I am so sorry that you have had to go through this senseless tragedy. I hope that at least a few police departments take a look at the way they conduct chases as a result of the attention you're bringing to this, and that other people's precious children will be saved as a result. It would be a nice legacy for Christopher and it might bring you some comfort, too. You are in my heartfelt prayers.

:hug:

[bkkyosemite]

50. So very sorry for your loss. We ALL need to email and call Sen. McCaskill's office now! For justice!

http://mccaskill.senate.gov/contact/ email

Washington, D.C. Address 717 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address 339 Broadway Room 136
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Phone: [phone]

District Address 5850 A Delmar Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63103
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address 324 Park Central West Suite 101
Springfield, MO 65806
Phone: [phone]

District Address 915 East Ash Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address Whittaker Federal Office Building 400 East 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[bkkyosemite]

51. When contacting McCaskill refer to the digg story:

http://digg.com/d1p3Cm

[Fireweed247]

52. K&R

:cry:

[spooked911]

53. my deepest sympathies-- I can't imagine what you are going through

good luck with your lawsuit

[ccvirgo911]

54. I can't even begin

to tell you how it touches me to see so many people express support for me. I've been living with this for so long, unable to speak about it in fear that the man who hit my son would somehow get away with it because of who he's related to. I want to thank everyone for their advice and for their support. I am intending on getting in contact with the powers that be as soon as sentencing is over.
I have to say, I posted this on impulse, and never expected anyone to read it. Everyone here at home has forgotten. The police refuse to hold these officers accountable. They sit in front of my house, they follow me through town for no reason. They have intimidated my family for months leading up to our filing the lawsuit. I just want to bring this out so people know that we lose hundreds of innocent people each year in this country during high speed police pursuits. They are the forgotten victims; people tend to focus just on the chase. My son was simply crossing the street on his bike, riding home after having dinner with me. I found out about what the cops did several months ago, so I've been dealing with it since, unable to discuss it. Now the gloves are off.
Again, thank you all for caring. Thank you for the addresses and numbers, and the posting on digg. I'll keep you posted on what happens in the following days.

[spooked911]

56. That's so horrible-- I hope you get justice

and if you need help with your legal expenses, I'm sure people here would be willing to do what they can to help.

[1776Forever]

55. Check out what I found in just a few minutes of searching - The question is WHY do they still do it?

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-364642.html

Three Forestville women were killed early yesterday when a suspect fleeing Prince George's County police ran a red light in Northeast Washington and crashed broadside into their vehicle, police officials said.
...........
http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl041009tpcrash.c05254d1.html

Driver fleeing scene of one crash, killed in second head-on collision
Friday, April 10, 2009
Matthew Pleasant / Houma Courier
HOUMA - A 23-year-old man was killed Wednesday evening in a head-on collision on Country Estates Drive while fleeing another crash he caused minutes before, State Police said.
.................
http://metrodc.injuryboard.com/miscellaneous/woman-killed-in-motor-vehicle-collision-by-driver-fleeing-police.aspx?googleid=231792

Woman Killed in Motor Vehicle Collision by Driver Fleeing Police
David Tompkins
February 14, 2008 6:51 PM

Police Chase, Montgomery County, Maryland, Death of Mother, Automobile Collision.

Yesterday, a 32 year old mother of two was killed by a 19 year old man fleeing police. The collision occurred in Montgomery County, Maryland on Maryland Route 355 at Goshen Road. Police indicate that they pulled over the driver of the negligent vehicle for not having its headlights on at night. The vehicle then sped off, without headlights, running red lights, and ultimatly killing a woman and devestating her family.

.............

http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1712515-2-pedestrians-killed-by-L-A-driver-fleeing-police/

July 14, 2008

2 pedestrians killed by L.A. driver fleeing police

By Molly Hennessy-Fiske
The Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Police have arrested the driver who struck and killed two pedestrians Sunday night on Hollywood Boulevard, authorities said.

.........

And I am sure there are hundreds of others! Why?

[ccvirgo911]

58. This is an issue that's not talked about

Police departments generally have to have a pursuit policy in place, they just don't have to follow it. Most states grant sovereign immunity to officers against negligence when an innocent person is killed during a pursuit. We lose an average of 3 innocent Americans a week this way, and this number is most likely much higher by as much as 25%. Most departments do not count pursuit-related deaths as ones that occur during pursuits, they're usually classified as "accidents".
The laws are changing, slowly. In Missouri, we just had a case that went to appeal and the Supreme Court ruled that although individual officers cannot be found liable, a city or municipality can. If officers are made to feel that they can run through our streets unheeded and break their own policy guidelines, this won't stop. I'm gearing up for the fight of my life here in Independence, home of the original redneck police department and full of mouthbreathers.
(I'm not from here, just unfortunate to happen to live here).

[Doremus]

57. K&R

[pacalo]

59. ccvirgo911...

:hug:

What was said on the video between the (presumably) paramedic & the officer before the despicable "roaches" comment was what put the officer's mindset & attitude in proper perspective.

Officer: "Feel any pulse?"

Paramedic: "Yeah."

I hope your lawyer recognizes how important that preceding exchange was in context to the "roaches" comment; why the writer of the article didn't include it in the article is puzzling.

I'm outraged. I wish you & your family the best in seeing that the callous treatment of your son is answered with the utmost accountability.

:hug:

[rasputin1952]

60. My sincerest condolences on your tragic loss...

The callousness of some who are sworn to "protect and serve" is beyond anything that should be considered "professional".

May you find peace.

[barbtries]

61. ccvirgo,

i read your post and went to the site and watched the video on friday. i hardly know what to say to you. my daughter was killed in a hit and run on 7-19-01. the paramedics came and even though she was dead, they heard lung sounds and attempted to bring her back for about a half hour. the police taped off the scene and the detectives cleared their desks in order to bring murder charges against the woman who killed bekah. the DA ended pleading her out and she got 4 years, serving 27 months.

i feel i know your pain. but what the police did to your son. the callousness is shocking. when a police person has gotten that hard that they are ready to bury a young 17-year-old while his heart is still beating, no. they need to find some other line of work so they can regain their humanity.

i hurt for you and your family and your beautiful son. i put his story on my blog. maybe it will help. if you ever need to talk any time PM me i'll give you my number, and we can talk. :hug:

[annabanana]

62. Another kick, for pain that should not be... . . .. . .. n/t

[malaise]

63. I'mm just seeing this

I hope you receive justice. :cry: :cry:

[renate]

64. this similar story made it to CNN via YouTube

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/04/19/erie.youtube.police.cnn

Maybe CNN would pick up Christopher's story, too.

[Liberal_in_LA]

65. Erie police try to remove video from YouTube

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090417/NEWS02/304179948

Erie police try to remove video from YouTube

Before the YouTube video of an off-duty Erie police officer was locally circulated and Mayor Joe Sinnott was notified of its existence, the police internal-affairs investigator was working with the videotaped officer to find the source of the video and get it removed from the Internet.


Internal-affairs Inspector James DeDionisio was accompanied by the officer in the video, Patrolman James Cousins II, on Tuesday when he questioned the brother of the man who posted the video on April 6.

The brother said DeDionisio warned him to find a way to have the video removed from the Web, and told him police were pursuing a possible wiretapping case against the person who posted it.

The man questioned by DeDionisio and Cousins said Cousins was nearly in tears as he implored the man to find a way to pull the video off the Internet.

An apparently intoxicated Cousins, 40, can be seen on the video at a Girard bar, delivering a profanity-laced monologue in which he makes fun of a March 28 homicide victim, Rondale Jennings Sr., and mocks the victim's grief-stricken mother.

"He said, 'Look, man, they are telling me I could lose my job over this,'" the man said Cousins told him.

[Liberal_in_LA]

66. Inspector James DeDionisio, [phone], [e-mail]

This is the guy who took James Cousin to the youtube poster and made false threats to get the video removed.

Internal-affairs Inspector James DeDionisio was accompanied by the officer in the video, Patrolman James Cousins II, on Tuesday when he questioned the brother of the man who posted the video on April 6.

The brother said DeDionisio warned him to find a way to have the video removed from the Web, and told him police were pursuing a possible wiretapping case against the person who posted it.
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090417/NEWS02/304179948

**********************************************


*


WILL THE POLICE REALLY BE IMPARTIAL WHEN THEY INVESTIGATE THEIR OWN OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES?

Yes. This question goes right to the heart of what professional policing is all about. We strive to ensure quality performance from our officers who represent the police department and the city.
We want the public to know that we do not tolerate officer misconduct. Any intolerance or perceived intolerance leads to a breakdown of public trust, which adversely affects the ability of the police department.

* DOES THE ERIE POLICE DEPARTMENT GET MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT ITS POLICE OFFICERS?

No. Our Officers answer roughly 60,000 calls a year and makes thousands of citizen contacts. Less than one-half of one percent result in complaints regarding the employee’s conduct or performance.

For more information on the Office of Professional Standards contact:

Inspector James DeDionisio, [phone], [e-mail]