BORDER AGENT STABBED DURING MARIJUANA BUST

September 5, 2007

EAST COUNTY: A woman in a car carrying 186 pounds of marijuana stabbed a Border Patrol agent in the leg while trying to get away yesterday, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official said.

The agent disarmed the woman and detained her until other agents arrived. He was taken to a hospital and later was reported in good condition, a border official said.

The incident began about 11:50 a.m., when agents got a tip that people were loading something into the trunk of a Chevrolet Impala near Tierra del Sol, off state Route 94 in Campo.

Agents tried to pull over the driver, then used a spike strip to flatten the tires and halt the car on Route 94 west of Buckman Springs Road. The driver jumped out and ran, but the female passenger allegedly used a pocketknife with a 3-inch blade to stab an agent in the left thigh. Agents found marijuana in the trunk, caught the driver and arrested him and the woman. –P.R.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20070905-9999-1m5pubsafe.html

OFFICER FRANK FABIANO JR.

Kenosha Deputy Fatally Shot During Traffic Stop
Man Arrested After Intense Search
POSTED: 7:29 am CDT May 17, 2007
UPDATED: 3:27 pm CDT May 18, 2007

A deputy was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop, and a suspect is in custody after an intense manhunt by land and air, a Kenosha County sheriff's official said Thursday.
Deputy Frank Fabiano Jr. was trying to pull over a red Chevrolet Astro van near the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus at about 11:37 p.m. Wednesday when he was shot once in the face, according to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department.
A Parkside police officer serving as a backup radioed that shots had been fired and a deputy was down. He also returned fire, according to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department.
The shooting happened in an upscale neighborhood on 45th Avenue just south of Highway E.
The gunman disappeared into a wooded area, as dozens of squad cars streamed into the area. A helicopter and police dogs were brought in to search for the male suspect.

Kenosha County Sheriff's spokesman Gil Benn said the 44-year-old suspect was arrested at the Woodcreek Apartment Complex, located about a half-mile from the shooting scene just after 2:30 a.m.

Ezequiel Lopez was hiding behind some cars and was still armed, according to Beth.
He was treated at Kenosha Memorial Hospital for injuries and is in the Racine County Jail.
Beth said the suspect had eight aliases and at least five Social Security numbers. The sheriff said Lopez has a Kenosha address, although it was not known if it is current. Lopez, who was born in Durango, Mexico, has also been arrested several times.
Fabiano was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital, where he pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife and 7-year-old daughter.
Fabiano, an 18-year veteran of the force, received a silver star from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department for rescuing someone from a burning building in Paddock Lake in 1991. He also received a purple heart in 1991 after getting shot in Paddock Lake.
He graduated from Bradford High School in 1977 and loved to go golfing, Beth said.
http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/13336930/detail.html

Deputy Murder Suspect has Long Criminal History
Rob Lowry
KENOSHA - The man now charged with killing Kenosha County Sheriff's Deputy Frank Fabiano is an illegal immigrant with a long criminal record.Despite a criminal record going back six years, Ezeiquiel Lopez was never deported. Only after he was charged with killing Fabiano did anyone try to have him kicked out of the country.Lopez, 44, is accused of murdering the 17-year sheriff's department veteran while high on cocaine. Lopez's history with the law dates back to 2001, when he was arrested in Utah for lewd and lascivious conduct. In 2003, he was arrested in Texas on a gun charge. In 2003, Lopez was picked-up in Missouri for OWI.In 2004, Kenosha Police arrested him on charges of domestic battery, disorderly conduct, bail jumping. Still, this is the first time immigration enforcement had heard of him. "We can find no record of having had contact with this individual before or having had him referred to us by another law enforcement agency," said Tim Counts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In court on Friday, Lopez said nothing. But a fellow inmate at the jail says Lopez had plenty to say Thursday night. "He was saying I'll kill another one of you guys, give me a chance and I'll kill another one of you guys." The inmate wanted to remain anonymous. Lopez has a wife and three kids. A criminal complaint says he was angry with his wife, the night of the murder. He admits to drinking tequila, doing cocaine and driving his van. But says he doesn't remember shooting anyone.A judge set Lopez's bond at $1 million Friday. A hearing to determine whether the case should go to trial is scheduled for May 29.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/7586027.html

JUAN SERRANO

Driver Gets Max Sentence In Crash That Killed Officer
Skip directly to the full story.
By ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune
Published: Mar 7, 2007

TAMPA - To Jose Luis Espinoza, the death of city police Detective Juan Serrano last year was just an accident.
To Judge Ronald Ficarrotta, the accident was a horrible crime.
Ficarrotta on Tuesday sentenced Espinoza to 30 years in prison, the maximum. Espinoza was convicted in January of driving-under-the-influence manslaughter for the February 2006 car crash that killed Serrano, who was Mayor Pam Iorio's bodyguard and driver.
"I'm really sorry for what happened," Espinoza, 36, an illegal Mexican immigrant, said through an interpreter before he was sentenced.
"I'm very sorry. I'm not a bad person. I don't have a record. I've never done anything like this. … We all make mistakes. Nobody's perfect."
Espinoza drove a 1996 Pontiac that crushed the city-issue Ford Taurus Serrano drove that day after driving Iorio home from the Gasparilla Distance Classic.
"This was a tragic, tragic accident," the judge said Tuesday. But this accident was a crime, he told Espinoza, pointing out that he was intoxicated, chose to drive and fled after the crash.
"Everyone in this courtroom makes mistakes," the judge said. "To characterize your actions that day in February as a mistake is to grossly underestimate it. You committed a crime. You took the life of another human being … who by all accounts was an outstanding police officer, an outstanding family man, an outstanding human being."
Assistant State Attorney Kim Seace said Espinoza's apology was worthless. She said Espinoza was given an opportunity to show remorse when interviewed for his presentence report and instead invented a new story, claiming he was a backseat passenger in the car that hit Serrano's.
"He has no remorse, and this apology today, I think, is an empty one," Seace said, asking Ficarrotta to impose the maximum sentence.
Serrano's widow, Mylin Matos Serrano, told Ficarrotta her husband was important to a lot of people.
"My husband's watch ended tragically on Feb. 25, 2006, as he made his way home to the family he loved, after doing the job he loved," she said. "He will be forever missed. The void in my life will never be filled."
Juan Serrano protected foreign dignitaries visiting Tampa, infiltrated drug-trafficking organizations and helped start the department's gang-suppression unit. Serrano worked as a police officer in Puerto Rico for several years before joining the Tampa police in 1989.
After the hearing, Mylin Serrano was asked whether she accepted Espinoza's apology or agreed with the prosecutor that it was not sincere. A little bit of both, she said.
"I'm pretty sure he had time to remorse," she said. "I can't judge him, but he might be remorse, and I hope he was."
Police Chief Stephen Hogue attended the hearing and later said, "It's kind of a sad day, but by the same token, I think justice was serviced." Hogue said he came to court to represent law enforcement and be there for Serrano's family.
"We also lost a family member of our own," he said.
Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.
WIDOW'S REMARKS
Mylin Matos Serrano read this statement to Judge Ronald Ficarrotta:
Juan Serrano was a quiet and humble man, a family man, a father to his children and mine, an attentive son to his parents, a loving man all around. He was my best friend, my soul mate and partner in life. Juan paid attention to all the details, and I never had to. Now, at times, they overwhelm me.
He also belonged to the Tampa community. He was first and always a police officer, and I knew and understood that. He was completely dedicated to the job that he loved and was so proud of. He was fiercely protective of Mayor Iorio and was so honored to be not only her bodyguard, but also her friend.
My husband's watch ended tragically on Feb. 25, 2006, as he made his way home to the family he loved, after doing the job he loved. He will be forever missed. The void in my life will never be filled.
From my heart, I thank you for your time and consideration, and I have complete faith in your discretion.
http://news.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBNBQP9ZYE.html

DANIEL HOWARD GOLDEN

The Officer Down Memorial Page
http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=17852
Police Officer Daniel Howard Golden
Huntsville Police Department Alabama
End of Watch: Monday, August 29, 2005
Biographical InfoAge: 27
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 411
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, August 29, 2005
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Charged with capital murder


Officer Daniel Golden was shot and killed when he responded to a domestic disturbance call at a restaurant on Jordan Lane. The officer was shot in the head when he arrived at the scene. He was transported to Huntsville Hospital where he died a short time later.One suspect, who was an illegal alien, was taken into custody at the scene and charged with capital murder.Officer Golden had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 3 years, and was assigned to the West Precinct. He is survived by his wife and two children.

World Net Daily
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52198
A Huntsville, Ala., police officer, Daniel Howard Golden, 27, was shot multiple times by Benito Albarran, 31, an illegal immigrant in August 2005.

ALEXANDER KIRPNICK

On June 3, 1998, Border Patrol Agent Alexander Kirpnick was assigned patrol duties at Ephraim and Mariposa Canyons in the Nogales area of the Tucson Sector during the midnight shift. He and his partner responded to sensor traffic. About an hour after setting up, they heard foot traffic approaching and spotted five individuals carrying what appeared to be illegal contraband. When the suspects came closer, the agents identified themselves as Border Patrol Agents and moved forward to contact the suspects. Agent Kirpnick moved toward two suspects close to him and his partner moved toward three in his area. Agent Kirpnick’s partner heard Agent Kirpnick order the two suspects to sit down and soon after heard a gunshot. He then went to Agent Kirpnick’s position and found him prone with a wound in the head. Agent Kirpnick passed away at the University Medical Center in Tucson. Agent Kirpnick, an immigrant from Ukraine, was a graduate of the 322nd session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Charleston, South Carolina.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/border_patrol_officer_memorial/alpha_listing_agents/h_p/kirpnick_a.xml

BRIAN TEPHFORD FATALLY SHOT, COREY CARBOCI WOUNDED

Deputy Brian Tephford fatally shot during traffic stop; suspects in custody

Deputy Brian Tephford, 34, a six-year veteran of the Broward Sheriff's Office, was shot and killed late Saturday night during a traffic stop as he worked a special detail in Tamarac. Deputy Corey Carbocci, 37, who was called to assist the traffic stop, was also shot during the incident.
Late Sunday afternoon, Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne announced the deputy's killer had been arrested.
BSO deputies and SWAT team members, with assistance from numerous other local and federal law enforcement agencies, converged on the Roadway Inn & Suites and arrested 28-year-old Eloyn Devon Ingraham. Two other males, seen in surveillance video released Sunday, were later taken into custody at the same hotel.
"This was a heartless, cold-blooded assassination," Sheriff Jenne said at a Sunday afternoon media briefing.
Deputy Tephford conducted the traffic stop in the 8000 block of West Colony Circle while on a special detail at the Versailles Gardens Condominium. He called for back-up and shortly after Deputy Carbocci arrived at the scene, both were fired upon. Deputy Tephford was shot twice and Deputy Carbocci was shot four times. Neither deputy had a chance to fire his weapon. They were rushed to Broward General Medical Center where Deputy Tephford was pronounced dead at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday morning. Deputy Carbocci is expected to recover.
Following graduation from the 144th Corrections Academy, Deputy Tephford was sworn-in as a BSO detention deputy sheriff in March 2001. Deputy Tephford served in the Main Jail and then transferred to the Department of Law Enforcement as a cadet. He graduated from the 216th Academy in April 2003 and took the oath as a law enforcement deputy sheriff in May 2003.
Assigned to patrol in BSO’s District 7, the City of Tamarac, Deputy Tephford was also a member of BSO's Field Force. He was named Employee-of-the-Month in December 2005, and in January 2003, the Sheriff presented him with BSO's prestigious Lifesaving Award for saving an inmate from suicide.
Deputy Tephford leaves behind a 4-year old daughter and young twins.

Broward Sheriff's Office http://www.sheriff.org/news_from_bso/display.cfm?pk=736

Bahamas News Center http://www.bahamasb2b.com/news/story.php?title=Thousands-At-Funeral-Slain-Officer

Three Bahamian men were charged last week in connection with opening fire on the two deputies - killing one and seriously injuring the other. Eloyn Devon Ingraham, 28, was charged with first degree murder of Deputy Tephford, 34, and the attempted murder of Deputy Carbocci, 37, according to the Broward County Sheriff's office. Two other men, both Bahamians, who were seen on surveillance video with Ingraham, were also arrested. Arron Bernard Forbes, 22, and Andre M Delancy,l9, were charged with accessory after the fact.

Thousands honor slain Broward deputy
Miami Herald, The, November, 2006 by Miami Herald staff

Thousands of friends, family members and officers from South Florida and around the country gathered this afternoon at the Broward Center for Performing Arts to pay their last respects to Broward Sheriff's Office Deputy Brian Tephford. The ceremony included a video tribute, a 21-gun salute, Taps played by bagpipers and a flyover by helicopters from BSO, Miami-Dade police and the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office. The funeral procession, led by hundreds of motorcycles and marked police cruisers, began about 1:15 p.m. at the T.M. Ralph Funeral Home, 371 NW 136th Ave. in Sunrise. The procession shut down traffic along Broward Boulevard from Sunrise to Fort Lauderdale. All major intersections were closed as the procession passed. Uniformed police officers, firefighters and BSO employees lined the streets to honor Tephford as his hearse passed. The hearse, flanked by motorcycle units, moved past the Fort Lauderdale Police Department on Broward Boulevard.

Posted on Sat, Nov. 18, 2006

BY KATHLEEN McGRORY AND JENNIFER MOONEY PIEDRA
jmooney@MiamiHerald.com

When Alyssa Tephford learned that her father had been killed, she immediately began drawing pictures and writing cards.
The 4-year-old tied the notes to her ''Daddy'' onto balloons and then released them into the sky, hoping that her father, Broward Sheriff's Office Deputy Brian Tephford, would see them in heaven.

A letter written by Alyssa was read aloud by Sheriff Ken Jenne during a memorial service Friday in Fort Lauderdale honoring Tephford, who was gunned down Nov. 11 during a traffic stop in Tamarac.
''My Mommy told me a very bad man hurt my Daddy and now my Daddy is dead,'' the letter read. ``I was very sad. I cried and cried.''

DONALD R. YOUNG KILLED, PARTNER SHOT

Donald R. Young was a Denver police officer working a second job when he was shot three times in the back and killed by an illegal alien from Mexico, Raul Garcia-Gomez. Young was providing security at Solano Ocampo, a hall used for private functions, when he was ambushed at around 1 am on Sunday May 8; another policeman was also shot but not seriously.
Both men were off duty but in uniform. Detective Young was the married father of two. He was a a 12-year veteran, who had worked with the vice-narcotics and domestic violence units, and was assigned to the fugitive-bomb squad when he died.
Donald R. Young had received numerous awards during his 12 years on the Denver police force.
He was awarded the police department's medal of honor and a distinguished service cross. He also received 10 official commendations and two commendatory letters.

Raul Garcia-Gomez, the accused killer of Detective Donnie Young, was an illegal alien who had been in police custody twice before but was allowed to remain in the United States instead of being deported.

9NEWS has also confirmed that Garcia-Gomez has been involved in at least three traffic infractions since last October. He was pulled over once for running a red light, once for speeding and was involved in an accident.
In two of those incidents he was citing for driving with out a drivers license and in the third he provided a Mexican license.
Update 5/11: The Dodge Neon Garcia-Gomez used to escape has been found in California, perhaps Los Angeles. The girlfriend said that he confessed to her.
Update 5/12: O'Reilly mentioned Denver's sanctuary policy during his 5/11 discussion of this case. And yes, the Denver Police Department Operations Manual makes it clear in Section 104.52 - Arrest/Detention of Foreign Nationals that police are to ignore illegal immigration status in performing their duties. (PDF file of manual)
Furthermore, this case is complicated by the fact that the Mayor of Denver owned the restaurant where the accused killer worked, and the restaurant had received notification that Garcia-Gomez' Social Security number was bogus, indicating he was a likely illegal alien. It's an ugly picture of corruption all the way around, with another unnecessary death so that a fat-cat politician business owner could make a few more bucks.
Contact Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, phone 720-865-9000 or email: MileHighMayor@ci.denver.co.us to express polite outrage at his city's idiotic sanctuary policy.
Update 5/16: Now the accused's family has disappeared, presumably to Mexico where Garcia-Gomez is believed to be. Gone from Los Angeles are the killer's mother and four of her other children plus Ismael Goytia, cousin of the accused.
In other news, on Friday "Thousands Gather[ed] For Slain Police Officer's Funeral."
Update June: The accused was arrested on June 4 in Culican, Mexico. The article contained an interesting detail:
In 2002, the attorney general's office estimated that about one- fourth of Colorado's roughly 200 active murder warrants for fugitives involved Mexican nationals who returned to their homeland after the crimes.

JAMES PAUL EPLING

Agent James Paul Epling, 24, U. S. Border PatrolDrowned during pursuit of suspected illegal aliens, December 16, 2003
Agent Epling disappeared on December 16, 2003 during the pursuit of four suspected illegal aliens. His body was recovered from the Colorado River on December 20, 2003. Agent Epling had been last seen running down the river in pursuit of the suspects after first pulling a woman to safety from the raging river .A Federal grand jury indicted 22 year old Jose Antonio Vasquez Villasenor for immigrant smuggling in connection with Agent Epling’s death on December 30, 2003.

On this date three years ago, I heard the words that I was expecting but dreading, "Monica we found Jimmy's body on the bottom of the river." With that I knew that my love was gone. I started to think about things that noone ever wants to think about, and try to figure out what was going to happen to your kids without you around. I knew I would never hear your voice again only in dreams and that unfortunately is not enough. But, sometimes Seth does things or says things or looks just like you did, and that lets me know that you are still here. I know that in order to understand this you must experience this, and I am greatful for your strength and guidance. As the boys grow they are more like you every day. Although you are not here to touch and see, you will be here with me in them, and looking at me through Seth's eyes. I know that you knew from the minute he was born that he was just like you not only in resemblance but in his personality. When I feel sad and alone I remember your smile and he always knows just what to say. You left me the greatest gift that no memory or picture can replace you left me your love in those two boys, I know you are still watching us and I hope that you are proud of us because we are so proud of you. We will always love you, and until I see you again you will always have my heart. Your Mom asked me to tell you that she still loves you and misses you. I know that you know that. To those officers that are still in Yuma can you please go visit frequently for us, whether youknew us personally or not it means alot to my boys and I. Thank you.Jimmy I will always love you, and the boys miss you so much.
Monica Epling Wife 2006-12-19

JOHN GREGORY BAILEY

California Highway Patrol

End of Watch: Saturday, February 25, 2006
Biographical Info

Age: 36t

Tour of Duty: 10 years

Badge Number: 14664

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Date of Incident: Saturday, February 25, 2006

Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved

Suspect Info: Apprehended

Officer Gregory Bailey was struck and killed by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on I-15 in Hesperia. He had approached the stopped vehicle on the passenger side to speak with the driver. As he did so, another vehicle traveled onto the shoulder at a high rate of speed and struck Officer Bailey's motorcycle, the stopped vehicle, and the officer.The vehicle struck with such force that the stopped vehicle was pushed back into the freeway and overturned. All three parties were flown to a local hospital where Officer Bailey succumbed to his injuries. The suspected drunk driver was taken into custody at the hospital and charged with felony driving under the influence.Officer Bailey was a veteran of the California National Guard and had just returned from serving a tour of duty in Iraq during the War on Terrorism. He had served with the California Highway Patrol for 10 years, and was assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga office. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, and parents.

ROY WADE JR. & ABRAM YAP

Deported illegal who shot officers killedCalifornia patrolmen fired on as they sat in their cruiser
Posted: December 29, 20061:30 p.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

An illegal immigrant who had been deported from the United States several times but returned each time and now was being sought for wounding two police officers in Long Beach, Calif., has died in a shooting with officers who tracked him to a taco stand in Santa Ana, authorities have confirmed.

Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters said Oscar Gabriel Gallegos, wanted for the shooting of Long Beach officers Abram Yap and Roy Wade Jr. as they sat in their squad car Dec. 22, died while trying to shoot three of his officers with a .40-caliber Glock equipped with a laser sight. Walters told the Orange County Register that Gallegos carried two fully loaded magazines in his pocket during the confrontation.
"He was either going to kill the officers or be killed," Walters said. "Fortunately, the right person got killed."
The Long Beach officers, who had stopped Gallegos for running a red light, are recovering from their injuries in the hospital, officials said.

At a news conference, Steve Cooley, the Los Angeles County district attorney, said Gallegos was an illegal immigrant who had been deported to Mexico several times, most recently in 1996, according to federal immigration records.
Authorities in Long Beach said Gallegos also had faced weapons and drug charges over the years, and Police Chief Anthony Batts said Gallegos was "an evil man."
Reports said Yap was shot once in the face and Wade, a rookie with less than a month on the force, was hit in the neck and chest. Neither officer had had an opportunity to get out of their car and they never shot back.
After the shooting and Gallegos was identified as the sole suspect, federal authorities tracked him to Santa Ana, and undercover detectives from Long Beach reportedly found him at a strip mall. Authorities said Gallegos apparently saw a police car arrive and he began shooting before the officers could get out of the car.
The arriving officers, members of a SWAT unit, returned fire and killed Gallegos, authorities said.
After the first shooting, police said the officers had just stopped Gallegos when he got out of his vehicle and shot the two, firing through the windshield of their cruiser.

DONNIE SALMONS

Lexington officer assaulted by four men in gray van
ATTACK OCCURRED ON TRAFFIC STOP; SUSPECTS THOUGHT TO BE HISPANIC
By Steve Lannen
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

A Lexington police officer was back on duty last night after a traffic stop turned violent the night before.
Officer Donnie Salmons, 32, suffered minor injuries after being attacked on Todds Road, not far from the Clark County line. He was punched and kicked for several minutes, police officials said at a news conference.
Other officers spent yesterday looking for a gray Chevy Astro minivan and the four men who fled the scene late Wednesday night.
Shortly after 11:30 p.m., Salmons noticed the vehicle on Todds had no license plate, so he pulled the minivan over about a mile east of North Cleveland Road.
The men got out of the vehicle and quickly walked toward Salmons' police cruiser, Police Chief Anthany Beatty said.
Salmons got out and drew his service weapon, then holstered it after he realized the men weren't armed. However, the men apparently disobeyed his commands to stop and continued toward him.
The officer grabbed for his pepper spray and was able to spray the driver, but some of the spray also went into Salmons' face blinding him, Beatty said.
Salmons later told police he thought he was on the ground for six minutes and was kicked and punched in the head and upper body before the men fled. He was wearing a bulletproof vest but suffered some scrapes and bruises, Maj. Barry Cecil said.
Salmons eventually called for help, but backup was not immediately on the way because the officer had not given any indication he needed assistance when he first pulled the vehicle over, Cecil said.
During the attack, Salmons' shirt was torn in several places. The shirt was sent to the police crime lab to better determine whether a weapon was used, Cecil said. If it is determined a knife or other weapon was used, the suspects could face more serious charges than assault, Cecil said.
Salmons told police it appeared the men did not understand English. Spanish-speaking police officers searched for the van and the men yesterday in and around farms in eastern Fayette County.
It is also possible the men are from Clark County because they were headed that direction, Cecil said. Police in surrounding counties as well as the Kentucky State Police were notified.
Salmons joined the police department in 2003 and has been on permanent duty nearly two years. He was not giving interviews to the media yesterday, Beatty said. He said Salmons handled the situation as he was trained to do.
"We could be talking about deaths here instead of suspects," Beatty said.
In 2005, there were 62 reports of assaults against Lexington officers. In 2006, there were 89 such reports, Beatty said.
Suspects' descriptions
Here are the descriptions of the four Hispanic men as provided by police. Anyone with information about the case or who sees the gray Chevy Astro involved in this case is asked to call (859) 258-3600.
Suspect No. 1: 25-30 years old, 150-180 pounds, black hair past his shoulders, black mustache, wearing a gray and red flannel shirt.
Suspect No. 2: Short, black hair, appeared to be in his 30s, wearing a gray sweatshirt with "Kentucky" on it.
Suspect No. 3: Mid-20s, wearing a black leather jacket.
Suspect No. 4: Mid-20s, wearing a hooded, flannel jacket.

ERNEST V. MENDOZA

Chief of Police Ernest V. Mendoza Needville Independent School District Police

Department Texas

End of Watch: Friday, January 19, 2007
Biographical Info

Age: 54

Tour of Duty: 25 years

Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Date of Incident: Friday, January 19, 2007

Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved

Suspect Info: Apprehended

Chief Ernest Mendoza was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver on FM 1301 in Wharton County. The truck driven by the drunk driver veered into the opposite lane, causing the collision. Chief Mendoza was killed instantly upon impact. The drunk driver who caused the crash fled on foot but was apprehended by a deputy sheriff a short time later. The man was charged with felony murder and failure to stop and render aid. The driver had four previous DUI convictions. Chief Mendoza had served with the Needville ISD Police Department for 10 years and a total of 25 years law enforcement service. He is survived by his wife and seven children.

Title: Murder now charged in death of Needville ISD police chief - 'Repeat Offense' Illegal Alien ChargedSource: Wharton Journal SpectatorURL Source: http://journal-spectator.com/front1.shtmlPublished: Jan 26, 2007Author: WJSPost Date: 2007-01-26 13:17:25 by Happy2BMe-OnLPPing List: *ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION*41 Comments

Murder now charged in death of Needville ISD police chief

Wharton firefighters and paramedics respond to the Boling Highway accident scene where Needville ISD’s chief of police was struck head-on by another driver.
- A Wharton man with four prior DWI convictions will be tried for murder after fleeing a suspected drunken crash that killed Needville ISD’s police chief. A sheriff’s deputy tracked down Guillermo Paniagua, 30, after he left the crash site near the intersection of FM 1301 and CR 113 around 9 p.m. Friday. He was booked into the Wharton County jail for felony murder and felony failure to stop and render aid. He remained there as of presstime on $600,000 bond. Chief Ernest V. Mendoza, 54, died at the scene. He was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m. Friday by Wharton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Dennis Korenek. His body was taken to the Wharton Funeral Home prior to transfer to the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. The collision took place about 3.2 miles east of Wharton near Boling as a slow rain fell. Mendoza was coming home from a Needville basketball game, driving his 2000 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser westbound on FM 1301. Paniagua was traveling east in a 2001 Ford F-150 pickup. Department of Public Safety officials said Paniagua’s vehicle crossed into Mendoza’s lane.
Paniagua “was on the wrong side of the road,” said DPS Sgt. Danny Terronez. The vehicles hit right headlight to right headlight with a force which crushed both. Mendoza was only about a mile from home. The Needville ISD police chief had on his seat belt, but “all indications are that he died on impact,” said DPS Senior Trooper Gary Pflughaupt. Trooper Todd Respondek is in charge of the investigation. He is being assisted by Terronez and troopers Royce Korenek and Juan Aguilera. Officials said Paniagua fled the scene on foot. “People came up to the scene, went up to the pickup and saw (Paniagua),” Pflughaupt said. The would-be-rescuers then rushed over to the patrol car, he added. “When they turned around, he was gone.” As rescue units and police arrived, a broadcast went out to start the hunt for the pickup driver. Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jerry Price arrested Paniagua at the Shell Station in Boling, about five miles from the crash site.
Paniagua was treated at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Wharton for cuts and bruises prior to booking. Officials believe he had not worn a seat belt, though he suffered only minor injuries. Alcohol is suspected in the crash. Blood tests were taken, with results expected late Tuesday. Paniagua, a construction worker, has two prior DWI convictions in Wharton County. County court records indicate that he pled guilty to DWI on May 30, 2001 in return for a one-year probated sentence. His probation was revoked, however, after he was arrested for DWI again. That offense allegedly occurred on Feb. 15, 2002. Paniagua spent three days in jail and then received 18 months probation after pleading guilty. His driver license was suspended for 180 days. Paniagua successfully completed the terms of that probation on Dec. 5, 2003, according to court records. Law enforcement officials said Paniagua has an additional two DWI arrests in Georgia. At the time of the accident, he had a valid driver license, said DPS Sgt. Terronez. Paniagua is charged with murder, a first degree felony, and failure to stop and render aid as a third degree felony. He faces up to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fineon the murder charge. For the failure to render aid charge, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

ZELAYA, ALBIN

MS-13 member accused of decapitating couple
07:00 AM CST on Tuesday, January 30, 2007
By Jeff McShan / 11 News
Click to watch video
An MS-13 gang member accused of cutting off the heads of his girlfriend’s parents is in custody in Houston.
In late September, FBI agents and Houston police were involved in a shootout with MS-13 gang members in a hotel parking lot on the city’s southeast side. Our cameras were there that night.
That night an FBI agent was wounded, but when it was all said and done, four gang members were apprehended and taken to jail.

A fifth suspect, 26-year-old Albin Zelaya, somehow managed to get away.
The dangerous man fled Houston, crossed the border and eventually ended up in Honduras, where he was spotted just outside the tiny town of San Pedro Sula.
11 News discovered this because on a Honduran newspaper Web site called Tiempo, there was an article where local authorities claim Zeleya decapitated his former in-laws. They claim he beheaded them with an ax while their 10-year-old son watched.
The article said the gruesome murder happened on Christmas day.
Zeleya reportedly told grieving relatives as he fled the scene that he killed the couple because their daughter broke up with him.
Apparently, no one knew Zeleya’s whereabouts last weekend.
HPD sources told 11 News the department’s gang squad found him here and was able to arrest him over the weekend.
The department was assisted by HPD SWAT the FBI.
Zelaya, believed to be involved in numerous crimes here, is currently charged with burglary and is being held without bond in the Harris County jail.
Earlier Monday, he made an appearance in federal court because of his illegal re-entry into the U.S.
HPD’s Gang Division, working with the FBI, ATF and ICE, has arrested numerous MS-13 gang members since it was reorganized under the direction of Capt. Michael Graham.
11 News cameras were there just after two MS-13 gang members were shot and killed by FBI agents in November of 2005. There were two others wounded.
The war on gangs continues.
Tuesday, HPD will say more about the arrest Zeleya and five other alleged MS-13 members.

DEREK WHIPPS

Officer Derek Whipps, Boise Police Department Shot and critically injured, February 28, 2004

Officer Whipps was shot three times by illegal alien Juventino Torres-Vargas during a routine traffic stop. Two of the three slugs were stopped by a replacement vest recently purchased by the department. The third bullet hit under his arm causing a collapsed lung..
Torres-Vargas had concealed a handgun between his feet and shot at Officer Whipps through the car window after handing the officer his Mexican driver’s license and registration. Torres-Vargas was in the country illegally after having been deported to Mexico in 2003 as a result of a domestic battery incident involving his girlfriend. Unbeknownst to Officer Whipps, Torres-Vargas was wanted for aggravated battery and unlawful use of a firearm in the shooting of his girlfriend four days earlier.

Torres-Vargas surrendered after a four hour standoff with police and awaits trial on both matters.

MATTHEW PAVELKA KILLED, GREGORY CAMPBELL SERIOUSLY WOUNDED

Officer Matthew Pavelka, 26, Burbank Police Department Murdered November 15, 2003
Officer Pavelka was killed and his partner, Gregory Campbell, 41, was seriously injured during a shootout with two suspects who fired nearly 30 rounds at the officers.

The Burbank Police Department had not lost an officer in the line of duty by gunfire for more than eighty-three years. On the evening of November 15 that all changed. Veteran Officer Gregory Campbell had stopped a newer Cadillac Escalade SUV, without license plates, containing two males. The area where the stop was made was well known for drug trafficking and other criminal activity, so Campbell wisely called for backup.

The first officer to respond was 26 year old Matthew Pavelka, who had been in the field as a police officer for just ten months. When Campbell and Pavelka approached the suspect vehicle and ordered the two male subjects to exit the vehicle, they both alighted firing automatic weapons. Both Campbell And Pavelka were wounded several times, but in the ensuing exchange of gun fire the officers mortally wounded one of the gunmen, 25 year old Ramon Aranda. The other suspect, later identified as 19 year old David A. Garcia escaped on foot.
Both of the wounded officers were transported to a local hospital, where Officer Pavelka died during surgery and Officer Campbell was treated and remained in critical but stable condition.
A massive, multi-agency manhunt was mounted for the fleeing suspect, David A. Garcia. In the process a number of Garcia’s family and fellow gang member’s were arrested and detained, charged with harboring and assisting a fugitive felon.

On Thanksgiving morning, November 27, based on information received, Garcia was taken into custody by the Mexican police in Tia Juana. He was turned over to the American authorities at the border, booked and charged with capital murder of a police officer, making him eligible for the death penalty. At a press conference, following Garcia’s arrest, L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley stated “when it comes to murdering one of our police officers, we don’t forgive, we don’t forget, and we don’t surrender”.

Compounding the tragic death of Officer Matthew Pavelka, is the fact that he is survived by his father, Michael Pavelka, a 29-year veteran detective of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Matthew Pavelka was remembered by more than one of his fellow officers as a charming, light-hearted 26-year-old, with a crown of spiky orange hair, who loved being a cop. There never was a question as to the career path that Matthew would follow. After high school he joined the Air Force, only because he was too young to enroll in a police academy. He served for five years as a Military Policeman, received an Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice and was intent on further pursuing his education in his chosen field.

On Friday morning, November 20, memorial services for Officer Matthew Pavelka were conducted at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. In attendance, in addition to family and friends, were several thousand peace officers from a myriad of jurisdictions. Our new Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was there attending his first memorial services for a California peace officer who had laid down his life in the line of duty. Also attending was our Attorney General Bill Lockyer, who has attended virtually all of the memorial services for our fallen heroes during his five-year tenure as Attorney General.

Officer Pavelka is survived by his father Michael and his mother Sue Pavelka.

MICHAEL DUNMAN

Police Officer Michael J. Dunman Salt Lake City Police Department Utah

End of Watch: Monday, July 17, 2000
Biographical Info

Age: 30

Tour of Duty: 5 years

Badge Number: Not available

Cause of Death: Bicycle accident

Date of Incident: Monday, July 17, 2000

Weapon Used: Automobile

Suspect Info: Charged with negligent homicide

Officer Dunman was killed after his bicycle was struck by an automobile. Officer Dunman was on bicycle patrol in downtown Salt Lake City. A car veered across three lanes of traffic, hopped a curb, and struck him from behind. He suffered severe head injuries in the accident and died shortly after being transported to a local hospital. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with negligent homicide. Officer Dunman had been employed with the Salt Lake City Police Department for five years, and is survived by his wife, and three daughters, ages 5, 3, and 1.

Officer Dunman was on routine bike patrol in the downtown area when he was struck and killed instantly by an illegal alien, Cruz-Silva. The fugitive was arrested and charged, then released on bail after the Hispanic community claimed discrimination. The defendant fled to Mexico where he is believed to be hiding today.

LOREN LILLY

A sheriff's deputy in Georgia was killed on his way to work this morning in a traffic crash with two suspected illegal aliens. Deputy Loren Lilly, who had been with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office for 18 years, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Honda Accord flipped several times after being struck by a Ford Taurus. "No one ever likes to roll up on an accident with anyone deceased on scene, or serious injuries," Marietta police officer Casey Camp told WXIA-TV. "Obviously, being in law enforcement, none of us wants to roll up and see one of our fellow officers or deputies on the scene as well." Witnesses say the driver and passenger in the Taurus ran from the scene. Police later arrested the two, 27-year-old Joel Perea, and 23-year-old Maurilio Herrera. Perea is charged with felony vehicular homicide, hit and run, failure to maintain a lane, and driving without a license. Herrera is charged with false report of a crime. They're being held at the Cobb County Jail, and police say federal immigration officials have placed a hold on both.

Deputy Loren Lilly, Cobb County Sheriff's Office
Comrades honor friend for life

MARIETTA - On Valentine's Day 2006, Cobb County Sheriff's Deputy Loren Lilly surprised his then-girlfriend, Jamie, with a kitchen full of red balloons. She was a longtime friend, and when they started dating just a few months earlier, he told his "honorary brother," Robert Willard she was the one. It was a softer side of the hard-nosed law enforcement officer few people saw. Lilly and Jamie married on Aug. 26, and his friends agree she was the love of his life and his "spiritual compass," who eventually led him to accept Christianity just three months before his Dec. 31 death.

Jamie, along with Lilly's family and law enforcement officers from across metro Atlanta gathered at Roswell Street Baptist Church Thursday afternoon to say goodbye to the veteran lawman.

Lilly, 41, was killed early Sunday morning at the intersection of Powder Springs Street and Baltimore Place after a car driven by Joel Camacho Perea, 27, of Marietta collided with his Honda Civic. Lilly was pronounced dead at the scene. For 17 years, the Birmingham, Ala., native served as a law enforcement officer in Cobb County and had just recently began working on a transfer from the jail to the Cobb County Fire Department, where best friend and fellow deputy Robert Willard said he "wanted to continue to make a difference." The two met at the police academy years ago, where Lilly trained after graduating from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw in 1989.

Since, Lilly grew to become a member of Willard's family, attending every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner Willard shared with his parents after the two met in the police academy.
"I never saw anyone like him," Willard said at the service Thursday. "He would show up at your doorstep and say, 'Hey, I came to help.' If you were his friend, you were his friend for life."

Although he never had children of his own, Lilly was godfather to Willard's two children.
He kept up with Willard's father, the Rev. Sanford N. Willard Sr., with regular phone calls and adopted his love for Harley Davidson motorcycles after taking Willard's for a 30-minute ride around the neighborhood. "He despised Harleys until he got on one," Willard said. "One day I tossed him the keys and told him to take mine for a spin. He came back 30 minutes later with wind in his hair, tears in his eyes and bugs in his teeth and said, 'I gotta get me one of these.'"
The same was true of dancing until Willard and Lilly's then-girlfriend, Jamie, encouraged him to try it out. After the 41-year-old finally was coaxed into putting on a pair of cowboy boots, "it was all over," Willard said. Country line dancing was a regular outing for Lilly and Jamie once he tried on the "magic" boots. He took his love for dancing to his wedding on Aug. 26, 2006, where he wed his longtime friend, Jamie, who sat in the front row at Roswell Street Baptist Church during the service. Flanked by family and dressed in a somber black-and-white pinstripe skirt and jacket, the Rev. Tom Brown, who baptized Lilly at his home just six days before his wedding, described Jamie as "Loren's spiritual compass." In photos displayed throughout the church foyer, Jamie and Lilly's love for each other and for God was evident.
There was the letter Lilly had written to God found in the Bible he had with him in his car the night he died, thanking him for forgiving his sins and for bringing him Jamie. There were honeymoon pictures on the beach, Christmas photos where Lilly and Jamie shared a laugh in matching Santa hats, pictures that displayed Lilly's deep love for children. His law enforcement badges from Cobb County, his uniform from the Emerald Society and even his collection of beer steins were on display for friends and family to see at the church. "A lot of people knew a little bit about Loren; few people knew a lot; and Jesus and Jamie were the only people who knew everything," Willard said. "He was like a diamond; every time you looked at him you saw something different about him. He was just a multi-faceted person."

As Willard, Willard's father, Brown and Dr. Ernest L. Easley, pastor of Roswell Street Baptist, shared memories of Lilly, members of the Cobb County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard stood watch over his flag-draped casket. Several times throughout the ceremony, the guards changed, but each one stood as stone-faced as the next - at least until after the ceremony.
While Jamie, Willard and Lilly's family each shed several tears throughout the two-hour funeral, the men and women in blue also sobbed. Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren presented the flag to Jamie, and spoke softly to her for several minutes. Officers from every branch of law enforcement in Cobb, along with those from Sandy Springs, Cornelia, Alpharetta, Atlanta and several college campuses, formed lines inside and outside of the church for Lilly's family to walk through as they followed his casket. The usually stone-faced deputies, patrolman, investigators and corrections officers stood with tears streaming down their faces.
They had lost a comrade, a dedicated husband and lifelong friend. As the family passed through their makeshift lines, many saluted what they called "a fallen hero."

"He became one of our family, and I thank God for that," the Rev. Sanford N. Willard Sr. said. "I'm celebrating the hardest day of my life, and I'm celebrating it because I know where he is."
Brown, who watched a movie with Lilly, his wife and Jamie the Friday before his death, spoke just before Taps played on the trumpet and Amazing Grace echoed through the sanctuary on bagpipes. "We'll miss you brother," Brown said. "We'll take care of Jamie, and we will see you again." He will be sadly missed, but never forgot.

God Bless,
Kristine

BRIAN HOWARD JACKSON

Dallas Police Department Texas

End of Watch: Sunday, November 13, 2005
Biographical Info:

Age: 28

Tour of Duty: 5 years

Badge Number: 7980
Incident Details:

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: Sunday, November 13, 2005

Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber

Suspect Info: Charged with capital murder

Officer Brian Jackson was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a suspect through a residential area on Madera Avenue. Officer Jackson responded to a domestic disturbance call on North Henderson Street at approximately 0245 hours. The suspect had threatened his ex-girlfriend and fired a handgun inside a house at the location. When Officer Jackson arrived, the male suspect fled on foot and led officers on a chase through alleys and between houses. The suspect entered a yard and hid, then opened fire on Officer Jackson as he came through the front gate, striking him in the armpit. The suspect ran out of bullets and tossed the gun to the ground, gave up, and was taken into custody. Officer Jackson was transported to Baylor Medical Center where he succumbed to the wound approximately one hour later. The suspect, who was an illegal alien, was charged with capital murder. Officer Jackson had served with the Dallas Police Department for 5 years. He is survived by his wife of two months.

RODNEY JOHNSON

Houston Police Department Texas

End of Watch: Thursday, September 21, 2006
Biographical Info:

Age: 40

Tour of Duty: 12 years

Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details:

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: Thursday, September 21, 2006

Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type

Suspect Info: In custody

Officer Rodney Johnson was shot and killed after taking an illegal alien into custody during a traffic stop. He had stopped a large white pickup truck occupied by a man and woman on Randolph at Braniff, just south of Hobby Airport, at about 5:30 pm. After handcuffing the male, he placed him in the backseat of the patrol car and then returned to the driver's seat. The subject in the backseat was able to move his hands to his front, retrieve a concealed handgun, and then shot Officer Johnson in the back of the head four times. Despite being fatally wounded, Officer Johnson was able to push an emergency button, alerting dispatch to the incident. When other officers arrived, the male was still handcuffed and sitting in the patrol car, and the weapon was recovered. The woman who was in the vehicle during the traffic stop had fled but was also located and taken into custody.Officer Johnson was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officer Johnson was a 12-year member of the Houston Police Department and had previously served as a corrections officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and as a military policeman in the US Army. He is survived by his wife, also a Houston officer, and their three daughters and two sons.

CALVIN JENKS

The 24-year-old trooper pulled over two men and was trying to get them out of the vehicle Saturday night when he was shot twice, according to footage from the patrol car's video camera. At least one bullet struck him in the head, said Mike Browning, a Department of Safety spokesman.

On Sunday, two men were "arrested without incident" at a hotel near downtown Nashville, said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson. TBI director Mark Gwyn said "after interviewing the two men we feel confident we have the two people in custody that murdered the state trooper." Hunters found Trooper Calvin Jenks' body beside his patrol car near the intersection of state highways 14 and 54, Browning said. Authorities believed the suspects were carrying drugs and drove toward Nashville after the shooting in Tipton County, which is just north of Memphis, Browning said before Sunday's arrests.
Browning said Jenks smelled marijuana on the driver. He said that when Jenks asked the man if he had drugs in the car, the suspect eventually admitted there were "drugs in the center console" of the car. Browning said Jenks then went back to the passenger and asked him if he had drugs. The man said he didn't, then opened fire, Browning said.

Jenks, 24, had been a trooper for two years and transferred to the Tipton area from Marshall County in 2005 to be closer to his fiancee, he said.