April 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 4

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY MINNEAPOLIS, MN. Farmington Police Chief Gary Rutherford blasted the ‘sham’ prosecution of Trooper Londregan. By Luke Sprinkel MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – Farmington Police Chief Gary Rutherford released a statement on Monday defending State Trooper Ryan Londregan and urging other police chiefs to publicly speak out in support of law enforcement officers. Additionally, the police chief pointed to the Londregan case as a reason for the ongoing “recruiting and retention crisis in Minnesota law enforcement.” Trooper Londregan is currently facing felony charges for a July 2023 incident in which the law enforcement officer shot and killed Ricky Cobb. Cobb, a convicted felon, attempted to flee law enforcement in a vehicle while another state trooper was half-inside, half-outside the vehicle. In response, Londregan shot Cobb as his fellow state trooper was dragged for a short distance by Cobb’s vehicle. “When Mr. Cobb chose to flee with another Trooper hanging part in and part out of the car, Trooper Londregan was not only justified in his decision to use deadly force, but some would also argue that he was obligated to do so in defense of his partner,” said Rutherford. The police chief added, “Trooper Londregan made a decision under Farmington Police Chief Gary Rutherford, left, released a statement on Monday defending State Trooper Ryan Londregan. the incredible stress of a dynamic and rapidly evolving use of force incident, a situation the Hennepin County Attorney obviously knows nothing about.” In particular, Chief Rutherford criticized Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty for the current controversy surrounding a use-offorce expert that was hired by her office to examine the Londregan case. Alpha News previously reported that a court document filed by Londregan’s attorneys says Jeffrey Noble, the use-of-force expert selected by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO), told Moriarty that “a reasonable officer in Trooper Londregan’s position would have perceived that Trooper [Brett] Seide was in danger of death or great bodily harm, specifically from being dragged by the vehicle as it continued to accelerate.” In his statement, Chief Rutherford blasted Moriarty, saying, “she ignored her paid expert and criminally charged Trooper Londregan anyway.” “Cases like this are why so many cops have left the profession early and why so few young men and women are seeking to join our ranks. Who can blame them?” added the police chief. 46 The Blues - April ‘24

TUNNEL TO TOWERS HONORS AMERICA’S HEROES IN THE LINE OF DUTY Providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and Fallen First Responder families with young children and building specially-adapted Smart Homes for our most severely injured. WORKING TO ERADICATE VETERAN HOMELESSNESS. MORE THAN 3,300 RECEIVED HOUSING AND SERVICES IN 2023 ALONE; THOUSANDS MORE ARE BEING HELPED. NEVER FORGET FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller gave his life while saving others on September 11, 2001 THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN SUPPORTING OUR NATION’S HEROES EVER SINCE. OUR EVENTS INSPIRE AMERICA TO REMEMBER. THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS 9/11 INSTITUTE EDUCATES FUTURE GENERATIONS. DONATE /MO TODAY T2T.ORG The Blues - April ‘24 47