Accumulation

This is the problem when one doesn’t post frequently: stuff piles up. Hmm... let’s see... where to begin?

According to City of Charlottesville General District Court records, on June 2, 2011, the sexy hot -- my adjectives, not the judicial system’s -- Granville Fields was deemed not guilty of his March reckless driving charge. Surprise! Oh, no, wait; a surprise would’ve been the opposite verdict. Naturally he had an attorney, Jessica Phillips, which, regardless of if you aren’t an officer and are darn certain you’re going to get away with your misdeeds, is always a sharp move.

Not a sharp move is agreeing to let Law Enforcement without a warrant search your property. Granted, they’ll invariably be granted the necessary paperwork, but, no matter how persuasive men with badges can be -- and they can, indeed, be persuasive -- and how innocent you’re positive you are, sheesh, assert your rights people!

Philip Cobbs consented to a warrantless search and look where it got him. The majority of ‘net commentators on his ordeal seemed to have either gotten sidetracked by the least significant part: the amount of marijuana discovered on Mr. Cobbs’ land -- as if two pot plants aren’t as illegal as a dozen or a thousand -- or turned it into yet another excuse to rail about legalization. Hello? Members of the Virginia State Police and Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force didn’t even bother to document alleged evidence. Since it wasn’t a pat-on-the-back-worthy bust, they, I believe, plunked it in toto on the lap of County Officer Trevor Ross a month later. I surmise, true to their typical cocky selves, the Boys In Blue knew a judge would merely take them on their word for the way it went down, how they behaved, and what precisely they saw. They were correct the first round. I wish the Rutherford Institute best of luck battling against such odds in the next.

Settled out of court was the Gerry Mitchell vs Albemarle County Police Department lawsuit. One of their fine officers, Gregory Davis, while in his patrol car struck a wheelchair-bound man crossing the road. Originally when I watched the cruiser cam video of the incident, I was willing to give the cop the benefit of the doubt; I thought perhaps the ACPD driver hadn’t seen Mr. Mitchell because the front frame of the auto at the left of the windshield on his vehicle obscured the view of the area the pedestrian was in. Then I heard Davis was texting a woman at the time of the hit. This was later confirmed. Speaking from experience, mobile phones can be quite distracting to lawmen especially when a kitty is on the other end. Me-yow.

Eric Abshire was convicted in October of murdering his wife Justine. I’d been mildly interested in the case and my State Policeman, Tony Gattuso Jr., having worked on it a bit, kindly provided me inside details. VSP Special Agent Gattuso also told me that since the evidence was circumstantial he thought Mr. Abshire would likely walk away from the crime a free man; I disagreed, simply because juries are incredibly stupid and have no concept of “reasonable doubt.” I’d published on the web some of the information supplied to me by my darling Tony and one site I posted it on promptly deleted it. Hilarious that media are more concerned about what a leaky Virginia State Policeman did or said than the Agency he belongs to is.

I haven’t recently added anything to the My State Policeman blog. I need to type a narrative of a disturbing phone conversation Tony and me had about his living situation and girlfriend, but, frankly, I haven’t been much inspired to write -- obviously. Once I get around to it though I can hark back to the mundane copying and pasting of our email exchanges. I’d intended to wrap up the site at the point our relationship ended, however, upon a subsequent three-month-long investigation of my former sweetheart’s activities pre- and post-me, there’s uber oodles of fabulous turpitudes that I unearthed for me to terminate it there now. From my contact with Troopers’ wives he used to bang back in the days when he was a lowly Trooper himself to tracking multiple craigslist sex ads hookups he’s had, I’ve been rather a busy detective slash spy. Can ya believe I was not Tony’s sole other lover from February 2010 on? I reiterate: thank heavens I documented every ounce of “us.” There’s a couple of loose pieces his ex-pseudo-wife Brenda Priebe could help tie up for curious me if she’d be so inclined; shame she’s one of those uppity things, a big important person who strictly associates with clones of herself. I guess he didn’t lie about everything.

Sadly it’s apparent Tony never actually liked me. I’ve concluded he deliberately targets females to con that he feels -- erroneously or not -- are super intelligent. Keeping the wool pulled over their eyes is his idea of reassuring himself he’s smart. Unfortunately for him, he’s not bright enough to pull it off with everyone. Funny, he probably would’ve been successful on that front with Miz Priebe had it not been for me. Hoo-ah! Yeah, that completes my psychoanalyzing Anthony Gattuso.

An unidentified-to-the-public Albemarle County officer shot his own hand during weapon training at the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club. Numerous ACPD officials state accidents of this type wouldn’t occur if their department had its own facility to practice at, thereby increasing the amount of firearm preparedness.

The same county has a fresh armada of police vehicles coming in. Chief Steve Sellers said “To our officers it represents a new beginning, a fresh start as a police department and a commitment to the community.” I’m not certain what anybody else in his community thinks but I’d prefer to have cops who know how to handle their guns than have ones with new cars.

At least one lawyer I’m acquainted with is doing a happy dance that Randall Snead did not get elected Sheriff of Greene County.

In a strange twist, I got a lada nada to report on the Charlottesville Police Department as a whole. Individually? Loose lips revealed that CPD Chief Timothy Longo has been compelled to remark in specific company that Officer Brian N. O’Donnell and I were not involved sexually. Whatever. Despite Joe Hatter having had a few personal issues subsequent to my last update, none of them belong here. Rumor has it that Paul Best and his fiancée broke up. Or they got married. Perfect example of why two sources are not necessarily better than one.

A daily visitor to I HeArTE JADE has offered yours truly a round-trip ticket to Europe. I’m still considering the invitation. On the one side, I’m all for meeting regular readers. On the other, I’m not particularly interested in Germany.

Search Engine results, featuring names, from yesterday:

chad vernon
charlottesville Scott Cox
chip rilley albemarle police
detective DJ HArris, charlottesville
eric kudro
"investigator snead" virginia
lieutenant don campbell charlottesville
logan woodzell charlottesville p
logan woodzell charlottesville police
lt. odonell charlottesville
marc brake charlottesville
mark greene charlottesville
"michael moore" agency
michael flaherty
officer chip riley albemarle county virginia
rodney snead va
trooper parham vsp

All In Good Fun

Huge-known fact: When I cruise around, I will take photographs of random officers and later occasionally mock said officers on the Internet.

Little-known fact: When officers cruise around, they will take photographs of random persons and later occasionally mock said persons on the Internet.

Tacet Thursday

40 In A 45

Car-in Fever

Eric Kudro Is No Longer One Of My Favorite Albemarle County Police Department Officers.

Because Eric Kudro is no longer an Albemarle County Police Department officer.

He and another ACPD policeman, David Moody, simultaneously recently up and resigned from the force.

Rumors -- from the perfectly plausible to the plainly preposterous -- about their emergent departure are rampant, and with everybody participating in the gossip, it’s doubtful anybody is ever going to get to the whole truth. Near as I’ve gathered, it’s just another squalid mess in which the innocent are mostly the only affected.

Whatever the deal, due to this latest stunt of his, I’ve lost a significant piece of site-filler. It’s totally the equivalent of having an awesome character on a favorite teevee show killed off. Thus…

Dear former Officer Kudro,

Please join the Virginia State Police.

That is all.

The Only Thing A Cop Looks Better In Than A Suit Is SKIN!

Welcome The Newest Member Of...

The JADE Task Force Command Group!

Albemarle County Press Release:

Albemarle County is pleased to announce the hiring of Steve Sellers as its new Police Chief effective Tuesday, January 18th. Sellers is a 28 year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department and most recently held the position of Deputy Chief of Police for Fairfax police.

"We are very happy to bring someone of Steve Sellers' caliber to Albemarle County to serve as our next police chief," said County Executive Bob Tucker in making the announcement. "His experience, expertise and proven leadership will certainly continue the outstanding accomplishments and innovative direction of the County's Police Department."

Among the many highlights of his career in Fairfax, Sellers was responsible for developing a plan to improve criminal intelligence and information sharing between local, state and federal law enforcement and helped to create the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center following the events of September 11, 2001. He also led the Washington Area Sniper Prosecution Taskforce which was responsible for the successful prosecution of Lee Malvo and John Mohammed. In cooperation with his counterpart in Prince William County, Seller's role was to lead the 26 member team responsible for the investigation and prosecution of the Washington area snipers.

From 2004 to 2009, Sellers provided key leadership for a project team responsible for the design, development and implementation of a significant public safety IT system. In addition to this multi-million IT project, Sellers provided leadership for a multi-million project for the construction and design of a regional McConnell Public Safety Transportation Operations Center in Fairfax, VA.

"I am privileged and honored to be afforded with the opportunity to become a member of the County's leadership team, serving as the Chief of Police for Albemarle County," said Sellers in accepting the appointment. "I am thankful to the Board of Supervisors for allowing me the privilege of leading a progressive police agency with outstanding officers and civilian employees and I look forward to serving the citizens of Albemarle County in fighting crime and making our highways safer through collaboration and engagement. As Chief of Police it is my intention to be highly visible, accessible and community oriented and I look forward to building strong working relationships with our citizens, county staff, Board of Supervisors and community leaders as well as each member of the Police Department."

Sellers' family includes his wife Jennifer, twin daughters Jaimie & Justine and stepson Jon.

Sellers holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Virginia Tech. Additionally he is a graduate from the FBI National Academy and is a graduate and alumni of Leadership Fairfax. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI National Academy Associates, Virginia Association of Chief's of Police and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

Through-My-Eyes Thursday

Car 54, Wear Are You?

If you’re going to treat a courtroom full of people to a view of your backside for any length of time, do make sure your trousers aren’t eating your coattails.

ACPD Ford Crown Vic YVF-3140

Shooting (The Breeze, That Is)

Mail Call!

Trio Of Time-Takers

Subtitle: Explanation For Infrequency Of Entries

The State:

I run my fingertips around the firearm tucked by his shirt. He and I are in my vehicle tucked beside an unoccupied residence. The thickness of rainfall further secrets our encounter. I am beyond rhapsodic he contacted me -- on this exact day, and, in the first place, months ago. I. Adore. Him. A kindred spirit he is, connecting with me like no other. His smile indicates he’s not opposed to my ever-increasing fixation with him. To the beat of descending water we speak about everything. And nothing. His eyes coruscate with amusement. I play with his hand while he talks. He is smart. So smart. He’s entirely no good for information on the JADE Task Force; they should be grateful. But he does offer a deeper glimpse into the world of Law Enforcement -- insight on badged boys and their toys. I think I’ll keep him.

The County:

The street light illuminates his sinewy shape well. It’s an odd place, odd time, for us to meet but it’s all we can swing. I haven’t seen him in, it seems, ages. Two weeks is ages, correct? He gives me the lowdown on “the hen house.” Yes, that’s really what he calls his department. Funny, another ACPD guy used that same term as a description just a month ago. Are they friends? Being the tease he is, my attractive companion serves me Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement gossip last. Sometimes I have to weed out his vitriol to find the facts. I poke him in the ribs and tell him his malevolence is showing. He cracks a cop joke which makes me laugh which makes him laugh. Verbal dancing is his forte. He wraps his arms around me tight before parting. He’s right, I really ought to be more available for him.

The City:

He stands in front of me his breath raspy, his body taut with fury. What have I done? I’ve depended on him, trusted him with nearly everything. The JADE items he’s been holding for safe-keeping for me he’s now holding for ransom from me. He feels used, neglected. I vehemently shake my head back and forth at every accusation he makes. He knows I won’t lie to him. Much more crucially, he knows I will never betray him. My eyes still wet, the side of my face still stinging, I cautiously approach him and untangle the remnants of a few long black hairs of mine that linger intertwined in his clenched fist. I have to calm him down. I have to fix this. Even as bruises are forming on me I tell him he’s still my favorite. I need him.

Traffic Thursday