Feb 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 2

John Chell told

John Chell told reporters following the annual State of the NYPD Breakfast at Cipriani 42nd St., about five blocks from where the attack took place. “(They’re) cowards. You have eight people attacking a lieutenant and a cop, running up to them to kick them in the face.” ARK. OFFICER DIES FOLLOW- ING MEDICAL EMERGENCY By Joanna Putman, Police1 SHANNON HILLS, AR. — A Shannon Hills Police Department officer has died following a medical emergency, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Officer Michael Cain Maxheimer helped a disabled motorist push a car out of the roadway on December 18, 2023. He then responded to a vicious animal complaint, where two stray dogs approached him as if they were going to attack, according to ODMP. Maxheimer drew his gun in preparation to confront the dogs, but the dogs ran into the woods. He returned to the police station, where he complained of nausea and chest pain. He was admitted to a hospital where he passed away the following day, according to ODMP. Maxheimer was 39 years old and had served in the Shannon Hills Police Department for three years. He had served in law enforcement for 16 years in many different departments. He is survived by three daughters and his girlfriend, according to his obituary. 2 FLORIDA OFFICERS WOUNDED IN GUNFIGHT WITH MURDER SUSPECT The 24-year-old man killed after shooting two Palm Bay police officers and fatally wounding his grandfather Sunday was driving a car packed with a cache of handguns and other weapons that may have been part of a bigger, planned attack, the Palm Bay police chief said. The car, seized by police after the shootout that left gunman Brandon Kapas dead, was tracked to its owners, retired Catholic priest Robert Hoeffner and his sister, Sally Hoeffner. Both were shot to death by Kapas earlier in their northwest Palm Bay home, Police Chief Mariano Augello said at a Monday press conference. “It’s unknown what his intentions were, showing up with an arsenal of weapons,” Augello said. “Our officers’ actions yesterday prevented something even more tragic from happening.” Palm Bay patrol officers were called about 2:07 p.m. Sunday to the Kapas family home, Florida Today reports. Augello said officers arrived about 2:19 p.m. and immediately met with an uncle who told them Kapas, his nephew, was in the home being disruptive during a family birthday celebration. The uncle told police that Kapas was possibly armed. At that moment, Kapas stepped out of the home and quickly began walking away “as Palm Bay officers attempted to talk with him,” Augello said. An officer tased Kapas and got into a brief struggle before Kapas reached for his handgun and fired at police, the chief said. Officers Stephen Ball and Nicholas Franze were shot, one in the arm and the other in the leg. The gunman’s grandfather, William Kapas Sr., attempted to intervene but was shot and killed by the suspect, Augello said. “The grandfather was trying to help,” the chief said. Officers returned fire in response, killing Kapas. Auguello spent time Monday visiting the wounded officers, one of whom was recovering from surgery and the other, who was set to be released. MAN WHO RAMMED, IN- JURED TEXAS OFFICER DE- PLOYING SPIKES GETS LIFE A man who intentionally rammed into a Fort Worth police officer trying to stop a vehicle pursuit by deploying spikes was sentenced to life in prison on Monday. Officer Matthew Brazeal suffered serious injuries when Ronnie Jackson mowed him down in June 2020. Jackson was found guilty of hitting Brazeal in a collision that had him dragging the officer more than 100 feet. Brazeal was hospitalized for several weeks and continues 54 The Blues - February ‘24

The Blues - February ‘24 55