When growing up, I can recall teasing and bickering with my brother and sister as kids are wont to do. I can also remember jockeying for position with my siblings, vying to be "number one." Expressed and implied competition with each other (and for the favor of our parents) was a part of our learning to live (and love) one another in the context of being a member of a "family." I am sure that there were times when my Mom and Dad looked at each other with eyes filled with fatigue and frustration, imploring one to the other---"It's your turn to referee; I'm going to work to "relax!"
Being in a "protective services" family is much the same as my earliest childhood memories. There has always been good natured teasing and ribbing between police and firefighters. We compete hard against each other in sports, boast on our members and achievements, and strive to be the alpha dog in blood drives/charity initiatives/and just about anything else that demonstrates our collective passion(s) in providing selfless services as guardians to our local community. And though we might even have occasion to drop gloves and look to rumble during a heated hockey games--don't be fooled. Just like it might be okay for ME to tease my brother or sister, God help the one outside my family who tries to cast stones on one of my siblings; the same holds true for police and fire in times of adversity. We close ranks and support one another above and beyond what people can possibly know or understand because we both share a common thread; knowing what it is like to run toward danger when others are running away from it.
So today, with heavy hearts and profound sadness, we will stand stoically beside our MFD brothers and sisters as a City mourns the loss of Firefighter/EMT Richard L. Garner. We have been wearing our mourning bands over our badges and gathering with all of those who will be coming to memorialize a young man who committed his very life to the service of others. I will always recall with a smile how Richard would attempt to bait me, endlessly, on the "necessity" to have a rematch in a football game with us (in what can only be described as even a blind squirrel eventually finds an acorn, MPD did manage to win SOMETHING (one game) against MFD). We were both on the sidelines last fall watching a youth football game of South Side Raiders and Richard was busting my chops, showing no mercy, flashing a huge smile on his face, and all the while daring me to field another team. After telling Richard that I could not risk seeing any more of my cops injured in pursuit of bragging rights to a pigskin, Richard laughed and gave me a hug. Today, in honoring the memory of Richard Garner, we should all be extending hugs to our brothers and sisters who comprise the work force of MFD.
From 5:30 a.m. on 04/05/2018 through 5:30 a.m. on 04/06/2018, MPD received 419 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
1) WEST: Domestic Disturbance – 7:38 a.m. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance on Raymond Rd between two subjects (41-year-old WF victim and 43-year-old WM suspect). The suspect was found to be in violation of his bail conditions by having contact with the victim. The suspect was arrested for bail jumping.
2) SOUTH: Disturbance – 7:51 a.m. Officers responded to Petra Place where the caller/victim (44-year-old HM) reported that two suspects attempted to steal his vehicle. The victim also reported being physically assaulted by one of the suspects. The suspects initially fled in the victim's vehicle, but crashed into a nearby building and fled on foot. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries. The vehicle and building received extensive damage. Press release completed. Investigation continuing.
3) MIDTOWN: Check Person – 8:45 a.m. Officers responded to a local hospital to assist Child Protective Services (CPS) in an intervention involving a newborn. Investigation continuing.
4) EAST: Non-Residential Burglary – 11:47 a.m. Officers received information that a runaway juvenile (14-year-old AAF) was living at a local school, without permission of school personnel. There was video evidence of this, as well as the juvenile stealing items belonging to the school. Probable cause was developed for the arrest of the juvenile for charges of burglary and theft. The juvenile has not been located/contacted. Investigation continuing.
5) NORTH: Weapons Offense – 12:12 p.m. Officers met with a victim (39-year-old AAM) who reported being shot at by the suspect (40-year-old AAM) the previous night near School Rd/Vera Court. The victim did not sustain any injuries. A bullet was recovered from the victim's vehicle. Two other casings were located in the area of where the incident occurred. Probable cause was developed for the suspect. Suspect is at large. Investigation continuing.
6) EAST: Information – 1:41 p.m. A business on Agriculture Drive reported receiving harassing/threatening phone calls from an unknown suspect. Investigation continuing.
7) EAST: Suspicious Person – 4:36 p.m. Officers responded to Radford Dr/Summertown Dr to speak with a juvenile (11-year-old WF) who reported being approached and questioned by an unknown subject (WM) on the way home from school. Investigation continuing.
8) CENTRAL: Drug Overdose – 6:03 p.m. Officers responded to Main St for a subject (31-year-old WM) slumped over in a vehicle suffering from an overdose. MFD administered Naloxone which revived the subject. The subject was transported to a local hospital. The subject was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (1st offense) and released to a responsible party.
9) MIDTOWN: Mental Health Conveyance – 6:36 p.m. Officers responded to Braxton Place to check the welfare of a subject (35-year-old WF). Officers located the subject unresponsive in her home. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital. An emergency detention was sought and the subject was conveyed to Winnebago.
10) CENTRAL: Drug Overdose – 6:49 p.m. Officers responded to Langdon St for a subject (42-year-old WM) having an overdose. MFD administered Naloxone to the subject which revived him. The subject was transported to a local hospital. The subject was ultimately charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (1st offense), possession of heroin and bail jumping.
11) EAST: Adult Arrested Person – 7:36 p.m. A victim (38-year-old WF) contacted officers and expressed concern/fear about the male subject/suspect (28-year-old AAF) in her vehicle. Probable cause was developed for the arrest of the suspect on charges of domestic disorderly conduct and trespassing. Officers attempted to contact the suspect, in the vehicle, but he refused to cooperate/open the doors. The suspect eventually exited the vehicle and immediately was aggressive/started to fight with officers. The suspect bit an officer as he was taken into custody. The suspect was also charged with battery to a police officer and resisting arrest. Investigation continuing.
12) WEST: Sexual Assault – 9:53 p.m. Officers responded to a local hospital to talk with a victim (18-year-old AAF) who reported several sexual assaults occurring over the past few days involving her ex-boyfriend. The victim did not wish to talk with officers and stated she would report the incidents at a later date/time. Investigation continuing.
13) CENTRAL: Adult Arrested Person – 10:27 p.m. Officers responded to S. Hamilton St where a couple had been verbally arguing over the past couple of days. The investigation revealed that the suspect (49-year-old WM) destroyed some property belonging to the victim (23-year-old WF). The suspect was arrested for criminal damage to property.
14) CENTRAL: Detox Conveyance – 12:01 a.m. Officers responded to Langdon St to check the welfare of a subject (16-year-old WF). The subject was found to be severely intoxicated/incapacitated. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital. The subject was left in the care of a parent and medical staff.
15) EAST: Weapons Offense/Shots Fired – 1:45 a.m. Officers responded to Vernon Ave as several callers reported hearing shots fired. Officers checked the area and located 5 casings. No damage was discovered. No injuries were identified. Additional canvassing may be necessary during daylight hours. Investigation continuing.