As slayings of cops rise, a new brutality surfaces, 'Hunter' mentality among killers raises concern

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071015/1a_cover15.art.htm?loc=interstitialskip

As slayings of cops rise, a new brutality surfaces

'Hunter' mentality among killers raises concern across USA

10/15/07

ODESSA, Texas - The bodies of two local police officers - both shot in the

head - had just been removed from the backyard. A third lay mortally wounded

at a hospital with a shotgun blast to the neck, when accused killer Larry

Neil White calmly emerged from his weathered frame house and offered a

chilling explanation for the early evening slaughter.

"You got these guys coming to your door," White told authorities, who

originally went to his home on a domestic disturbance call. "What would you

do?"

Never in the 73-year history of the Odessa Police Department had an officer

been fatally shot in the line of duty. Nearly as striking, says Texas Ranger

Capt. Barry Caver, was the "matter-of-fact" manner of the 59-year-old

suspect who, before he was carted to jail, demanded that officers retrieve

his glasses.

"I told him he didn't need any glasses where he was going," Caver says.

The shootings of Cpls. Arlie Jones, 48, Abel Marquez, 32, and Scott Gardner,

30, on Sept. 8 plunged this West Texas town into a state of grief that, more

than a month later, continues to temper the giddiness of a new oil boom.

Their deaths are part of a rising number of fatal police shootings across

the nation that have led police officials and law enforcement analysts to

suggest that an increasing number of suspects are adopting a troubling

disregard for cops. Miami Police Chief John Timoney describes the phenomenon

as an emerging "hunter" mentality among criminals.

As of Tuesday, 60 officers had been fatally shot this year, up 54% from the

same period last year, according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial

Fund in Washington, D.C., which tracks officer fatalities. There already

have been more fatal shootings of officers this year than in all of 2006,

when there were 52 such slayings, a decline from 59 in 2005. The rate of

police slayings began to accelerate in late 2006, and the trend has

continued this year.

Police officials from departments across the country say they are

confronting more combative suspects in situations ranging from robberies to

routine traffic stops.

"There is a basic lack of respect for authority," says Caver, who is

overseeing the Odessa investigation and has noticed a significant shift in

attitudes in other Texas cities. "Lately, it seems like there is a brutality

and a willingness to cross a line, to take a life, even if it is a police

officer. The capacity is growing, and it is disturbing."

..Since March, five police agencies - in New York City; Bastrop, La.;

Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C.; Monck's Corner, S.C.; and Henderson County,

Texas - each have lost two officers in brutal attacks.

"To actively kill multiple cops is another animal altogether," says Craig

Floyd, chairman of the memorial fund. "I can tell you that a lot of police

chiefs are very concerned."

..At least one-third of the 60 victims this year were shot in the neck or

head, including Clay City (Ky.) Police Chief Randy Lacy, who was killed June

13 by a drunken-driving suspect. The location of the wounds, some police

officials say, could suggest the suspects had lethal intent because many

officers wear body armor that better protects their torsos.

..In one of the worst assaults, South Carolina Constable Robert Lee Bailey

was found May 19 after being fatally shot and buried in a shallow grave.

Five days earlier, he had disappeared while on patrol. Investigators found

Bailey's abandoned police cruiser burning in Lincolnville, S.C., about 5

miles from his last call, a traffic stop.

The escalating brutality has driven many police agencies, including Miami

and the Orange County, Fla., sheriff's department, to provide more powerful

guns to patrol officers, including military-style assault weapons. Others

are moving toward updated communications systems to offer more information

about potential suspects. The nation's largest association of police chiefs

is urging Congress to enact a new ban on assault weapons such as some types

of AK-47s.

Jack Levin, director of Northeastern University's Center on Violence and

Conflict, says the police killings are a disturbing outgrowth of rising

violence across the nation. In September, the FBI reported that violent

crime had increased in 2006 for the second consecutive year after more than

a decade of decline.

"With crime re-emerging, we are asking police to become more aggressive,"

Levin says. "They are confronting gang members and an increasing number of

offenders released from prisons."

Many suspects, he says, have "little regard for the consequences of their

actions. . They will shoot to kill."

More than a month after the Odessa police slayings, the house at 2912

Ventura Ave. still bears the scars of a vicious assault and a community's

grief. The chain-link fence that once ringed Larry White's backyard is in a

crumpled heap.

On a recent afternoon, curious local residents were still driving by White's

home, a sign of lingering questions surrounding what neighbor Garry Givens,

51, describes as Odessa's "dog-day afternoon."

Caver gives the following account of the events of Sept. 8, based on

interviews with witnesses and evidence collected from the scene:

Before the shooting started, Marquez and Jones responded to the disturbance

call at White's house about 6:30 p.m.

White's wife, Judith, met the officers outside and told them her husband had

struck her and had been drinking. According to local court records, Judith

White had filed abuse complaints against her husband as early as 1996.

In the Sept. 8 incident, she told officers her husband had a knife and other

firearms stored in a vehicle inside the closed garage. Caver says about six

firearms, a mix of hunting rifles and handguns, were found later in the

house.

After knocks at the front door went unanswered, Marquez and Jones went to

the backyard. Investigators believe White, peering through the cracked

opening of the back door, opened fire at close range with a 12-gauge

shotgun.

Caver believes Marquez fell first, hit with a blast in the left side of his

neck. Jones was shot in the head. The first distress call came shortly after

6:30, when Marquez somehow gathered himself and spoke into a body microphone

to summon help.

As backup officers arrived, they found Marquez, despite his grave wounds,

standing near the front of the house covered in blood, his gun drawn. As

gunfire again rang out, he lurched back toward the yard before he slumped

near a patrol car.

Odessa Police Sgt. Pete Marquez, one of the backup officers, says his dazed

brother was still trying to direct arriving officers as Pete bundled him

into the patrol car that rushed him to the hospital.

At some point, another group of officers, including Gardner, was sent to the

back of the house. Caver says they believed the shooter was incapacitated,

based on information that Abel Marquez gave before he was whisked away.

As Gardner crept along the back wall of the home trying to locate White

through a rear window, Gardner was shot in the head. After he fell, White

tried to burst out the back door. He was driven back inside by officers

returning fire.

About four hours later, the standoff ended. White, wounded slightly,

surrendered and walked out the front door.

Besides the criminal investigation, Odessa Police Chief Christopher Pipes

says, the case will be reviewed to determine whether the officers should

have handled the situation differently. So far, Pipes and Caver say, the

evidence suggests they acted appropriately.

White's attorney, Woody Leverett, did not respond to requests for comment.

Among the evidence investigators have reviewed is a videotape of Abel

Marquez taken from a camera mounted inside the patrol car that rushed him to

the hospital.

The video, aimed at the backseat where suspects usually sit, shows Marquez

in apparent shock, gripping his gun, peering at wounds on his arm.

"He was moaning," Caver says. "He told the (driver) to roll the window down.

He had this shocked look on his face. "Looking at that image, knowing that

he later died, it's hard to watch."

Until the internal review of the officers' response is complete, Pipes says

he'll hold off on making changes to department policy. Other law enforcement

agencies, however, are bolstering their defenses, alarmed by the apparent

increasing threat to officers.

In addition to pushing for a new ban on assault weapons, the International

Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) wants a ban on high-caliber sniper

rifles and armor-piercing handgun ammunition.

A previous assault weapons ban expired in 2004, and proposals to reinstate

it have been bitterly opposed by the gun lobby, including the National Rifle

Association.

Chris W. Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist, says, "There's no comprehensive

evidence" to support the ban. "The focus should be on substantive reform,

not on arbitrary proposals like this."

The IACP sees it differently. "For the first time in decades, more officers

are being . killed with firearms than are being killed in car crashes," it

said in an April report. "The startling statistics make plain the need for

more protections for our officers and more action from policymakers to keep

them safe."

Scott Knight, chairman of the IACP's firearms committee, says an informal

survey of about 20 police agencies earlier this year showed that since the

assault weapons ban expired, departments either have increased the number of

weapons in officers' patrol units or upgraded to military-style arms.

"There is a bit of an arms race out there to outgun the criminals," says

Knight, the police chief in Chaska, Minn. "There is a view that (suspects)

are more prone to shoot first."

Knight cited an armored car robbery Oct. 4 in Philadelphia, where two

guards, both former Philadelphia police officers, were killed in an apparent

ambush by a gunman.

Because they were retired, the guards are not included in the official

officer death count. But Knight says the shootings signify a more dangerous

environment. He notes that recent anecdotal evidence suggests that suspects,

especially in robberies, are more likely to use force against officers than

in the past. "It is disturbing," he says.

After the March slayings of two officers, the Monck's Corner Police

Department in South Carolina is trying to expand its communication system.

The changes would give police and other first responders access to broader

background information about potential suspects, says Capt. Mark Murray.

In Florida, after the fatal shooting of a Miami-Dade County officer Sept.

13, Miami Police Chief Timoney announced his officers could carry

department-issued assault rifles if they completed training.

"We're seeing a huge increase in the number of AK-47s on the street,"

Timoney says.

"It reminds me of the early '90s back in New York," he says of the

drug-fueled violence that plagued the city when he was its second-highest

ranking police official. "Here we are again."

Less than a month after his brother was killed, Sgt. Pete Marquez was back

on the street. Not long into his first shift, he was the first to respond to

an armed robbery call.

Was there any hesitation?

"Not one bit," says the sergeant, whose surviving brother, Phillip, also is

an Odessa officer. "I wanted to get back into the game."

Eager to return to something familiar, Marquez concedes everything felt

different, draining. Every day, he thinks about his brother - and how he

couldn't save him.

He seizes on an awful irony: Abel Marquez was supposed to be off that day

but signed on to earn overtime pay.

Only recently have Pete Marquez's nightmares lessened in intensity. "I get

up in the morning and I think it was all a bad dream, and then it hits you,"

he says. "That's been hard. It's still so hard to believe."

Patriot Games wrote:

>

> Their deaths are part of a rising number of fatal police shootings

> across the nation that have led police officials and law enforcement

> analysts to suggest that an increasing number of suspects are

> adopting a troubling disregard for cops.

These people are showing the same regard for the police that the

police are showing for the public. Traffic stops for no reason,

roadblocks, black pajama-clad terrorists breaking into homes,

harassment of the public -- most notably minorities.

Recently, an all-white jury just acquitted a half dozen officers that

beat a 14-year-old black child to death. When officers get off scott

free after committing capital crimes, it reinforces their notion that

they are immune from the law.

>

> "There is a basic lack of respect for authority," says Caver, who is

> overseeing the Odessa investigation and has noticed a significant

> shift in attitudes in other Texas cities. "Lately, it seems like

> there is a brutality and a willingness to cross a line, to take a

> life, even if it is a police officer. The capacity is growing, and

> it is disturbing."

>

If you bother to check, large numbers of policemen are being charged

and convicted of all manner of crimes including murder, theft, rape

and many others. This highlights one major police problem -- they

are not screening police enough and there are large numbers of highly

UNQUALIFIED people hiding behind a badge.

"nobody" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:13h9k7q5hfu1bf4@corp.supernews.com...

> Patriot Games wrote:

>> Their deaths are part of a rising number of fatal police shootings

>> across the nation that have led police officials and law enforcement

>> analysts to suggest that an increasing number of suspects are

>> adopting a troubling disregard for cops.

> These people are showing the same regard for the police that the

> police are showing for the public. Traffic stops for no reason,

> roadblocks, black pajama-clad terrorists breaking into homes,

> harassment of the public -- most notably minorities.

Traffic stops = Murder?

Roadblocks = Murder?

> Recently, an all-white jury just acquitted a half dozen officers that

> beat a 14-year-old black child to death. When officers get off scott

> free after committing capital crimes, it reinforces their notion that

> they are immune from the law.

You're obviously a lunatic.

Patriot Games wrote:

>>> Their deaths are part of a rising number of fatal police shootings

>>> across the nation that have led police officials and law

>>> enforcement analysts to suggest that an increasing number of

>>> suspects are adopting a troubling disregard for cops.

>> These people are showing the same regard for the police that the

>> police are showing for the public. Traffic stops for no reason,

>> roadblocks, black pajama-clad terrorists breaking into homes,

>> harassment of the public -- most notably minorities.

>

> Traffic stops = Murder?

>

> Roadblocks = Murder?

>

I did not defend the practice. I merely point out that some people

will not simply sit there and put up with illegal, arbitrary

authority. This is especially true with minorities that have put up

with this problem for an extended period.

Police are adding to this problem by continually redefining acceptable

police behavior to lower and lower standards. That's something I bet

you really approve of.

>> Recently, an all-white jury just acquitted a half dozen officers

>> that

>> beat a 14-year-old black child to death. When officers get off

>> scott free after committing capital crimes, it reinforces their

>> notion that they are immune from the law.

>

> You're obviously a lunatic.

Coming from you, that's a complement.

The federal government is standing by ready to re-prosecute these

guards and nurse if there is a groundswell of protest. It looks as

tho the rank-n-file looked up, yawned and went back to sleep.

Here's one of the original reports on this crime -- note that the BBC

does not pussyfoot around the guard's conduct like several US "media"

outlets:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4979340.stm

......The teenager's body was exhumed after a videotape showed guards

at the Bay County camp kicking and punching him.

Dr Vernard Adams, who carried out the second autopsy, said Martin

Anderson died because his mouth was blocked and was forced to inhale

ammonia fumes.

......The beating happened on Martin Anderson's first day at the Bay

County Sheriff's boot camp for juvenile offenders.

The camp surveillance videotape showed the guards roughing him up and

shoving ammonia pills up his nose.

The teenager had been sent to the camp for violating probation by

trespassing at a school after he and his cousins were charged with

stealing their grandmother's car from a church parking lot.

"nobody" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:13ha418opb7ij51@corp.supernews.com...

> Patriot Games wrote:

>>>> Their deaths are part of a rising number of fatal police shootings

>>>> across the nation that have led police officials and law

>>>> enforcement analysts to suggest that an increasing number of

>>>> suspects are adopting a troubling disregard for cops.

>>> These people are showing the same regard for the police that the

>>> police are showing for the public. Traffic stops for no reason,

>>> roadblocks, black pajama-clad terrorists breaking into homes,

>>> harassment of the public -- most notably minorities.

>> Traffic stops = Murder?

>> Roadblocks = Murder?

> I did not defend the practice. I merely point out that some people

> will not simply sit there and put up with illegal, arbitrary

> authority.

Its not illegal. It may or may not be arbitrary, but that's irrelevant.

Law enforcement authority exists and if someone chooses not to submit to it

immediately that will result in physical pain and more legal problems. Law

enforcement authority trumps everything at the moment it is applied. Only

later does law enforcement authority get demoted to being equal to a persons

other rights.

> This is especially true with minorities that have put up

> with this problem for an extended period.

It probably does suck. But when 71% of violent crime in America is black

you can be certain that law enforcement will focus on blacks.

> Police are adding to this problem by continually redefining acceptable

> police behavior to lower and lower standards. That's something I bet

> you really approve of.

Except it hasn't happenned.

>>> Recently, an all-white jury just acquitted a half dozen officers

>>> that

>>> beat a 14-year-old black child to death. When officers get off

>>> scott free after committing capital crimes, it reinforces their

>>> notion that they are immune from the law.

>> You're obviously a lunatic.

> Coming from you, that's a complement.

If they were acquited by a jury that heard and saw the evidence first hand,

heard and saw eyewitness testimony, then you have what you have. You

weren't there. You weren't on the jury. You don't even know 10% of what

they know yet you convicted the officers. That strongly suggests there's

something wrong with you.

> The federal government is standing by ready to re-prosecute these

> guards and nurse if there is a groundswell of protest. It looks as

> tho the rank-n-file looked up, yawned and went back to sleep.

No, nobody is standing by to do anything.

On Oct 16, 6:21 am, "Patriot Games" <Patr...@America.com> wrote:

> http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071015/1a_cover15.art.htm...

>

> As slayings of cops rise, a new brutality surfaces

> 'Hunter' mentality among killers raises concern across USA

Society's 'leaders' own damm fault.. Society is being dehumanized.

May be by plan.

As political and economic oppression has become more pronounced.. so

has violence from both law enforcement and the criminal subculture..

hell - don't even call it 'subculture' - call it 'mainstream culture'.

TV shows with an endless menu of killer and cops show.. forensic

homicide investigations, people eating worms on 'survival' shows.

Mercenaries, hit-men, blood blood and more blood.

Trash music extolling the glories of brutality, crime, mysogyny, and

murder...

And little grade school kids playing video games that give extra

points for wiping out cops..

And on the other side we have women airline passengers being choked to

death in custody, police departments that won't enforce existing

laws.. for 'political' reasons..

People trying to speak in public ('Don't tase me bro!') getting

tasered for 11 minutes... 11 minutes?!?

'All consistent with their police training', dontchaknow.. even as

they watch another troop of illegal beaners scurrying by...

As if 'consistent with their orders' was a viable excuse at

Nuremberg..

It's all going downhill pretty quick. Both sides.

..

<lorad474@cs.com> wrote in message

news:1192577011.976180.116810@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...

> On Oct 16, 6:21 am, "Patriot Games" <Patr...@America.com> wrote:

>> http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071015/1a_cover15.art.htm...

>> As slayings of cops rise, a new brutality surfaces

>> 'Hunter' mentality among killers raises concern across USA

> Society's 'leaders' own damm fault.. Society is being dehumanized.

> May be by plan.

> As political and economic oppression has become more pronounced.. so

> has violence from both law enforcement and the criminal subculture..

> hell - don't even call it 'subculture' - call it 'mainstream culture'.

> TV shows with an endless menu of killer and cops show.. forensic

> homicide investigations, people eating worms on 'survival' shows.

> Mercenaries, hit-men, blood blood and more blood.

> Trash music extolling the glories of brutality, crime, mysogyny, and

> murder...

> And little grade school kids playing video games that give extra

> points for wiping out cops..

Total moral decay.

> And on the other side we have women airline passengers being choked to

> death in custody, police departments that won't enforce existing

> laws.. for 'political' reasons..

> People trying to speak in public ('Don't tase me bro!') getting

> tasered for 11 minutes... 11 minutes?!?

I understand he's having incontinence issues as a result of the tasering...

Maybe the anti-everything protestors will keep that in mind when attending

the political conventions.

> 'All consistent with their police training', dontchaknow.. even as

> they watch another troop of illegal beaners scurrying by...

> As if 'consistent with their orders' was a viable excuse at

> Nuremberg..

> It's all going downhill pretty quick. Both sides.

Yep, and there's nothing in society to help. The UK wants to legalize ALL

drugs.