This does not sound like good police work

[The Watcher]

At the risk of being accused of passing a rumor, I heard that the DOT officer involved is a big campaign supporter of the police chief. Have you heard anything like that? If this is true, you may be correct about the smell.

I guess we'll wait for the FHP Report (maybe D. Griffin can get it...he just might hold on to it until after Tuesday , althought if there is anything to this, it needs to be adjudicated now).

I do see a DOT officer who donated a large sum of money to that campaign. I have been "told" he is one who is/was on the list of management coming on board should the candidate win on Tuesday. Now that is just rumor.

Has any other agency looked into this "rumor". If a State of Florida, Department Vehicle was responsible for the situation that lead to an unmarked City Vehicle crashing with injury, that might not look too good. I hope thats not the case. I guess one could pull radio traffic tapes for the cars, review the sworn statements given by all involved, review any witness statemens that may have seen the whole thing start, make public record requests through the DOT, etc., etc., etc.,

Further, if there was/is any INTENT that this incident was orchastrated and not just a coincidence, that may pose a much larger problem for those involved. Reading back through the posts, it all would seem to make much more sense with this puzzle piece in place... For the record, I still did not like the officers being used as pawns in the original post, what might be worse is that they might have been pawns on a whole other level...

w

[idlewind]

I guess we'll wait for the FHP Report (maybe D. Griffin can get it...he just might hold on to it until after Tuesday , althought if there is anything to this, it needs to be adjudicated now).

I do see a DOT officer who donated a large sum of money to that campaign. I have been "told" he is one who is/was on the list of management coming on board should the candidate win on Tuesday. Now that is just rumor.

Has any other agency looked into this "rumor". If a State of Florida, Department Vehicle was responsible for the situation that lead to an unmarked City Vehicle crashing with injury, that might not look too good. I hope thats not the case. I guess one could pull radio traffic tapes for the cars, review the sworn statements given by all involved, review any witness statemens that may have seen the whole thing start, make public record requests through the DOT, etc., etc., etc.,

Further, if there was/is any INTENT that this incident was orchastrated and not just a coincidence, that may pose a much larger problem for those involved. Reading back through the posts, it all would seem to make much more sense with this puzzle piece in place... For the record, I still did not like the officers being used as pawns in the original post, what might be worse is that they might have been pawns on a whole other level...

w

Didn't Ralph and his brother and several of Ralph's top management get in trouble with the FBI for trying to manipulate a drug bust on the interstate right after Ralph took office? Are you thinking this could be the same thing?

[The Watcher]

Didn't Ralph and his brother and several of Ralph's top management get in trouble with the FBI for trying to manipulate a drug bust on the interstate right after Ralph took office? Are you thinking this could be the same thing?

There are so many tales of wrong doing by local law enforcement, it is hard to keep them all straight. But, to answer your question, this set of circumstances would bear looking into at this point.

As for the incident you reference, as I recall, I believe one of the WCSO Narcotics Officers was actually arrested and prosecuted (Federally) on the case. Further, it was rumored that a tail light of the suspect vehicle became damaged, after the stop. This would create reason to stop said vehicle. The whole thing was swept up quick quickly but many of those with direct knowledge and even involvement, still actively work in the area, in law enforcement. (I'm certain you know that). Refreshing isn't it?

However, based on the numerous and multiple legal violations this current administration has been involved/suspect in, nothing surprises me anymore.


w

[The Watcher]

DeFuniak police car crashes during pursuit





July 10, 2008 - 10:34PM
Andrew Gant
Daily News
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS - A pickup truck slammed into an unmarked police car Thursday as officers tried to help catch a suspect in an undercover state case.

DeFuniak Springs Police Investigator Brian Schultz was driving with passengers Sgt. Joseph Ward and police intern Laura Gainey when he heard a request to help catch the suspect, according to police.

Schultz turned onto U.S. Highway 331 at the intersection of the Interstate 10 eastbound on-ramp, police said. But he didn't see a northbound blue Dodge pickup, driven by Elliot W. Harrah of Fort Walton Beach.

Harrah hit the cruiser hard enough to pin Ward and Gainey inside. They were later released with the Jaws of Life.

Gainey was taken to HealthMark Regional Medical Center with a fractured shoulder and transferred to Pensacola for more treatment.

Everyone else was treated at HealthMark for cuts and bruises and released.

The suspect police were chasing got away, they said.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.



I do not think that allowing unmarked police cars with a civilian (intern) as a passenger is too thoughtful. I wonder if this was allowed in policy, what does this say about the administration of the police department. In any case, sounds like an expensive bill for the citizens of DFS.
I am glad that everyone is OK and that the young lady only has a broken shoulder.

Has there been any additional information released about this crash? Things got awfully quite fast... I hate it for the two officers, but there was a great deal of discussion on this and a possible "connection".

[Seeker1]

The last bit of information I read in the paper on the crash was an interview with the police chief on the officers returning to work.
He was glad to see the officers returning to work after a short recuperation time. I'm also very glad to see everyone recover from the crash and hope they continue to feel better each and every day.
It was very obvious the chief didnt show any concern or offer any well wishes to the driver of the other vehicle.
Yes, the article was about the officers. But it was also incumbent upon the cheif to extend his well wishes to all others involved as well. He didnt.
For me, that says enough.

[Seeker1]

I still cant find anything on the "vehicle of no description" being stopped "somewhere" in Texas driven by a suspect nodody has ever described.
Im beginning to wonder if this phantom vehicle ever existed or was it fabricated in order to excuse the severity of the crash?

[The Watcher]

I still cant find anything on the "vehicle of no description" being stopped "somewhere" in Texas driven by a suspect nodody has ever described.
Im beginning to wonder if this phantom vehicle ever existed or was it fabricated in order to excuse the severity of the crash?

I'm begining to wonder when the State will look into the possibility that one of its vehicles was involved in this and that numerous locals (topix.com) are saying it was the reason for the incident. It seems to me that DOT is not too concerned about this.

This whole thing stinks, but based on lack of fact it is mere speculation. Has anyone depo'd the officers involved? I guess that would be up to the City and we know who runs that...

Glad no one seriously injured, Sad to see officers used as pawns in a nasty chess game. (Check, Knight takes Queen...)

[The Watcher]

The last bit of information I read in the paper on the crash was an interview with the police chief on the officers returning to work.
He was glad to see the officers returning to work after a short recuperation time. I'm also very glad to see everyone recover from the crash and hope they continue to feel better each and every day.
It was very obvious the chief didnt show any concern or offer any well wishes to the driver of the other vehicle.
Yes, the article was about the officers. But it was also incumbent upon the cheif to extend his well wishes to all others involved as well. He didnt.
For me, that says enough.

Funny again, isn't it, how no one responds to a valid point/question when it does not benefit them... Very odd indeed.

[Seeker1]

Funny again, isn't it, how no one responds to a valid point/question when it does not benefit them... Very odd indeed.

Usually, after a candidate wins a primary they'll stand on their heads to talk to the media and keep the momentum going.

After seeing the article in the daily news that Mike never responded to several attempts to contact him the night of the primary, I feel we havent seen anything yet.

The article stated he did not return repeated calls after the final numbers were announced. Makes ya wonder.

[The Watcher]

Usually, after a candidate wins a primary they'll stand on their heads to talk to the media and keep the momentum going.

After seeing the article in the daily news that Mike never responded to several attempts to contact him the night of the primary, I feel we havent seen anything yet.

The article stated he did not return repeated calls after the final numbers were announced. Makes ya wonder.

All I can say is this;

Mike Adkinson won the primary. Now, it is time to move towards the general and support the candidate people feel best suited to represent the County. Ralph is gone and all we can do is start to heal from some wounds.

I think that if Mike fills his staff with qualified, diverse individuals; those that represent both North and South Ends of our County, he can move this department into the future and be very successful. He also needs to stick to his campaign platform and hold true to his plans. Unfortunately, there are several members of the current administration which (my opinion) should be removed. They do not represent the County, they represent Ralph and those days are gone.

We must move on and help to build the best County we can.

w

[br549]

Usually, after a candidate wins a primary they'll stand on their heads to talk to the media and keep the momentum going.

After seeing the article in the daily news that Mike never responded to several attempts to contact him the night of the primary, I feel we havent seen anything yet.

The article stated he did not return repeated calls after the final numbers were announced. Makes ya wonder.

Regardless of what some do they cant satisfy everyone, if Adkinson would of made a statement to the press,you would of called him pompus or arragant.

[Johnny Post]

Check the followup article in the Daily News -

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/joh...n_sheriff.html

Remember, election results were not official until after 9:00pm. I suspect Mr. Adkinson was home with his family. No reason not to wait until the next morning.

[Seeker1]

Regardless of what some do they cant satisfy everyone, if Adkinson would of made a statement to the press,you would of called him pompus or arragant.

Quick! What number am I thinking of?

No dearie, I would have thought that we finally had someone walking the walk of the talk he talked.
But, I do think what you suggest now.

Even Mike himself criticized how unresponsive Ralph is to the citizenry.
Mike did exactly as Ralph has done.

As for "no reason not to wait till the next morning" I disagree. One of the things Mike has asked us to trust him with was his word. And that was, that he would not be like ralph. I dont think it unreasonable to have expected him to return a call and say "something". He has one foot in the door and so far has gone back on his word by acting like Ralph with "no response". What the heck, he started the campaign by breaking his word so theres no surprize.
I'm really trying to like him but he makes it so hard.
So for now Im selling my scanner and cell phones and storing rolls of red tail light tape.

[The Watcher]

Check the followup article in the Daily News -

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/joh...n_sheriff.html

Remember, election results were not official until after 9:00pm. I suspect Mr. Adkinson was home with his family. No reason not to wait until the next morning.

I did read the article and I find it quite appropriate that Ralph would blame voter turn out for his loss. Typical of his administration, no responsibility.

[Andy A]

Quick! What number am I thinking of?

No dearie, I would have thought that we finally had someone walking the walk of the talk he talked.
But, I do think what you suggest now.

Even Mike himself criticized how unresponsive Ralph is to the citizenry.
Mike did exactly as Ralph has done.

As for "no reason not to wait till the next morning" I disagree. One of the things Mike has asked us to trust him with was his word. And that was, that he would not be like ralph. I dont think it unreasonable to have expected him to return a call and say "something". He has one foot in the door and so far has gone back on his word by acting like Ralph with "no response". What the heck, he started the campaign by breaking his word so theres no surprize.
I'm really trying to like him but he makes it so hard.
So for now Im selling my scanner and cell phones and storing rolls of red tail light tape.

Talk about sour grapes!!! I wasn't an Atkinson supporter, but I am wondering if you're nefariously starting you Democrat candidate for sheriff campaign now. Your accusations appear to not only be pointless but also unnecessarily derogatory.

[Seeker1]

Talk about sour grapes!!! I wasn't an Atkinson supporter, but I am wondering if you're nefariously starting you Democrat candidate for sheriff campaign now. Your accusations appear to not only be pointless but also unnecessarily derogatory.

First, having words put in my mouth by br549 that I have not even thought about uttering was humerous to me.

If you would now take the time to read my previous post,
I said I thought we finally found someone that walked the walk of the talk he talked. Sour Grapes? I dont think so. It was a positive comment. I followed it with comment on br549's sarcasm.
And I find it necessary to remind you that even Mike criticized Ralph for being so unresponsive to the people.
Sour Grapes? I didnt say it, Mike did. Go see mike.

The paper said he didnt return calls after numerous attempts. Sour Grapes? I didnt say it, the paper did. Go see the paper. Or are they being derogatory and pointless in their comments based on experience as well?
bad paper, bad bad paper.

I found it personally surprizing and was a tad disappointed that Mike did not seize the opportunity to speak with the media. Instead he followed the same practice he criticized Ralph for, no response. Sour Grapes? No, it was a good observation of Ralphs behavior Mike brought to everyones attention while he campaigned, then did himself. Again, see mike, or the paper, or both.

I said I was trying to like Mike but he was making it hard to do. A positive person would think that was a nice thing to say by a person with an open mind. "trying to like"= continuos effort..... "making it hard" = still trying, not stopping.
But a negative person would see something bad in it. You sure qualified yourself on that one.

Something tells me anything I would have said would have been determined by you to be derogatory and sour grapes. WHAH!
It appears you have a predetermined perception of what people post.
I find your criticism unqualified.
Try listening to people rather than saying (anticapating) what they mean.

[seagrovegirl]

First, having words put in my mouth by br549 that I have not even thought about uttering was humerous to me.

If you would now take the time to read my previous post,
I said I thought we finally found someone that walked the walk of the talk he talked. Sour Grapes? I dont think so. It was a positive comment. I followed it with comment on br549's sarcasm.
And I find it necessary to remind you that even Mike criticized Ralph for being so unresponsive to the people.
Sour Grapes? I didnt say it, Mike did. Go see mike.

The paper said he didnt return calls after numerous attempts. Sour Grapes? I didnt say it, the paper did. Go see the paper. Or are they being derogatory and pointless in their comments based on experience as well?
bad paper, bad bad paper.

I found it personally surprizing and was a tad disappointed that Mike did not seize the opportunity to speak with the media. Instead he followed the same practice he criticized Ralph for, no response. Sour Grapes? No, it was a good observation of Ralphs behavior Mike brought to everyones attention while he campaigned, then did himself. Again, see mike, or the paper, or both.

I said I was trying to like Mike but he was making it hard to do. A positive person would think that was a nice thing to say by a person with an open mind. "trying to like"= continuos effort..... "making it hard" = still trying, not stopping.
But a negative person would see something bad in it. You sure qualified yourself on that one.

Something tells me anything I would have said would have been determined by you to be derogatory and sour grapes. WHAH!
It appears you have a predetermined perception of what people post.
I find your criticism unqualified.
Try listening to people rather than saying what they mean.

Huh????

[Johnny Post]

Seeker,

I understand where you are coming from. But honestly, isn't the statement about a nonresponse from Adkinson a little hasty.

He responded to the article the next day. I think you are overreacting.

I am sure the Daily News phoned him repeatedly that night. But at what number? His office, his cell phone? I sure hope they weren't calling his house after 9:00 or 10:00 because I do believe he has two little girls. If he had cut the phone off at that hour who could blame him. And before it starts, I understand a person in his position being available 24/7. I am sure he was available to his officers or in case of the need for law enforcement response. But taking media calls at 10:00 just to make the late deadline is a whole separate issue.

Either way, I think this is a nonissue, unless you really want to find fault in the man.

[Seeker1]

QUOTE]
I understand where you are coming from. But honestly, isn't the statement about a nonresponse from Adkinson a little hasty.
I think you are overreacting.

ny Post;460627]Seeker

I am sure he was available to his officers or in case of the need for law enforcement response.

Either way, I think this is a nonissue, unless you really want to find fault in the man.

[/quote]
[/quote]

First and foremost, thanks for responding in such a pleasant way.
I think I may have let my personal excitement of Ralph being tossed from his throne over run my expectations.
I would have expected Mike to be available for police response. I never doubted that.
Everyone is assuming he was at home. Really? On one of the most important evenings of his professional career I would have expected him to be at the office or courthouse watching the returns. I was told thats where he was 'till late by one of his men. But Im sure it will be considered untrue based on the timing. I would too.
Either way it seems your right. Noone thinks its an issue. And again, maybe I over reacted from my excitement of ralph being defeated.
As for trying to find fault, hmm. Thats hard to answer. Noone commented on my positive statement, just the negative. Fault stands out more with some than with others. Its easy to see when a person who claims to be so experienced makes a mistake.
If Mike wins, and he probably will, he his staff need to get used to being under that microscope. Its the nature of the position they will be holding.
As for me, I will decide whether or not to like the man based on his performance as a sheriff, not ads. It starts with who he surrounds himself with.
All I expect is the courtesy of having questions answered in a reasonable amount of time and a return call from time to time.
Thank you again for the courteous reponse.

[Andy A]

First, having words put in my mouth by br549 that I have not even thought about uttering was humerous to me.

If you would now take the time to read my previous post,
I said I thought we finally found someone that walked the walk of the talk he talked. Sour Grapes? I dont think so. It was a positive comment. I followed it with comment on br549's sarcasm.
And I find it necessary to remind you that even Mike criticized Ralph for being so unresponsive to the people.
Sour Grapes? I didnt say it, Mike did. Go see mike.

The paper said he didnt return calls after numerous attempts. Sour Grapes? I didnt say it, the paper did. Go see the paper. Or are they being derogatory and pointless in their comments based on experience as well?
bad paper, bad bad paper.

I found it personally surprizing and was a tad disappointed that Mike did not seize the opportunity to speak with the media. Instead he followed the same practice he criticized Ralph for, no response. Sour Grapes? No, it was a good observation of Ralphs behavior Mike brought to everyones attention while he campaigned, then did himself. Again, see mike, or the paper, or both.

I said I was trying to like Mike but he was making it hard to do. A positive person would think that was a nice thing to say by a person with an open mind. "trying to like"= continuos effort..... "making it hard" = still trying, not stopping.
But a negative person would see something bad in it. You sure qualified yourself on that one.

Something tells me anything I would have said would have been determined by you to be derogatory and sour grapes. WHAH!
It appears you have a predetermined perception of what people post.
I find your criticism unqualified.
Try listening to people rather than saying (anticapating) what they mean.

Like I said, "Sour Grapes". I don't need any advice on politics from the lkes of you and I really appreciate the fact I am so negative. With some of the posters on this board, like you, it is the only way you can be and get some semblence of a point across. Have a great day.

[Johnny Post]

Everyone is assuming he was at home. Really? On one of the most important evenings of his professional career I would have expected him to be at the office or courthouse watching the returns. I was told thats where he was 'till late by one of his men. But Im sure it will be considered untrue based on the timing. I would too.

Actually, I spoke with a person who was there at the courthouse in DeFuniak. They said they saw him there, and saw him give an interview to Channel 7. Both he and Larry Jones were interviewed. I saw the Jones clip, never saw Adkinson, so I don't know when or if it was run.

My only point was concerning the contact with the Daily News. Repeated phone calls could mean 4 within 2 minutes. I don't know where he was after he left the courthouse. I also don't know how or when the reporter tried to call him.

One thing we can both agree on though - we are going to have a new sheriff, and that is what truly matters. I for one will continue to support Adkinson, but as always, everyone should choose who they feel will do the job best.

[seagrovegirl]

Actually, I spoke with a person who was there at the courthouse in DeFuniak. They said they saw him there, and saw him give an interview to Channel 7. Both he and Larry Jones were interviewed. I saw the Jones clip, never saw Adkinson, so I don't know when or if it was run.

My only point was concerning the contact with the Daily News. Repeated phone calls could mean 4 within 2 minutes. I don't know where he was after he left the courthouse. I also don't know how or when the reporter tried to call him.

One thing we can both agree on though - we are going to have a new sheriff, and that is what truly matters. I for one will continue to support Adkinson, but as always, everyone should choose who they feel will do the job best.

[Seeker1]

Actually, I spoke with a person who was there at the courthouse in DeFuniak. They said they saw him there, and saw him give an interview to Channel 7. Both he and Larry Jones were interviewed. I saw the Jones clip, never saw Adkinson, so I don't know when or if it was run.

My only point was concerning the contact with the Daily News. Repeated phone calls could mean 4 within 2 minutes. I don't know where he was after he left the courthouse. I also don't know how or when the reporter tried to call him.

One thing we can both agree on though - we are going to have a new sheriff, and that is what truly matters. I for one will continue to support Adkinson, but as always, everyone should choose who they feel will do the job best.

I thank you again for being so polite. You set a good example to try to follow and I appreciate that. You may be correct in the timing of the media. I should have considered that first. I let my excitement take over as I often have.
You are on the money about a new sheriff and that was at the top of the list for so many of us.
The contest is not over, officially anyway. But a new day is on the horizon. Theres nowhere to go except forward now.