March 2023 Blues Vol 39 No. 3

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY ACROSS THE US yrs. TWO DETROIT POLICE OFFICERS FOUND DEAD INSIDE HOME Officer Maria Martin and Officer Matthew Ethington II died in what is being described as a murder-suicide. LIVONIA, Mich. — Police in Michigan are investigating the death of two officers with the Detroit Police Department who were found dead from gunshot wounds Sunday at the Belle Creek Square townhomes in the 16000 block of Farmington Road in Livonia. According to law enforcement authorities, the scene appears to be a murder-suicide. The bodies of a 22-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were found at the residence, the Livonia Police Department confirmed. On Monday, the police agency identified the woman as Detroit Police Officer Maria Martin and the man as Detroit Police Officer Matthew Ethington II, WXYZ reported. Martin was shot multiple times, while Ethington sustained a single gunshot wound that appears to have been self-inflicted, authorities said. An infant was also located in the home. The child was not harmed and is now in the custody of another family member. Livonia police were called to conduct a wellness check at the residence about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Responding officers discovered the bodies. Officials said the apparent murder-suicide is believed to be related to a domestic dispute. Chief James White of the Detroit Police Department confirmed the couple worked with their agency and each one had been on the job less than 5 years, according to WXYZ reported. “Senseless tragedy. We’re going to find out exactly what happened as the investigation unfolds. Learn from it. Use what we learn to help some of our officers heal from this as well as prevent a tragedy like this going forward. We just don’t know what lead to this,” Chief White said. The infant’s relationship to the couple was unclear, according to the news outlet, and investigators are trying to determine how long the pair had been deceased prior to discovery. TWO HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS STABBED IN FACE HOUSTON, Texas – Two Houston police officers suffered stab wounds to the face before they fatally shot their attacker in the southwest area of the city Saturday morning, officials said. Investigators with the Houston Police Department said the fatal encounter took place about 9:10 a.m. in the 13300 block of Agarita Lane near Milfoil Lane during a welfare check. A daughter, who was not at the residence, called HPD and asked for officers to check on the welfare of her parents since they were afraid to summon help regarding their 26-year-old son, ABC13 reported. Shortly after arrival at the home, officers called for additional units while trying to talk to the man and de-escalate the situation. Despite their efforts, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed two officers. One of the officers then opened fire on the suspect. The attacker was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. One officer suffered a stab wound to the jaw, while the other sustained a stab wound to the chin. They were 3- and 15-year veterans, according to Chief Troy Finner of the Houston Police Department. Both officers were transported to the Texas Medical Center at Memorial Hermann and expected to survive their injuries. One has subsequently been released, according to ABC13. A medical update on the other officer was unclear. Police said they were familiar with the address due to similar calls prior to Saturday’s encounter. Finner also noted the suspect had a history of mental illness. Per department policy, both police officers will be placed on administrative leave. INDIANA LAWMAKER PROPOSES LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GIVE PO- LICE OFFICERS 25 FEET TO WORK WITHOUT BEING INHIBITED BY AN- TAGONISTS INDIANAPOLIS — A lawmaker in Indiana wants police officers to have 25 feet of room to work without being inhibited by antagonists. Evansville-area State Representative Wendy McNamara proposed legislation that appears to have overwhelming support toward the goal. McNamara is the primary sponsor of House Bill 1186 that easily passed the Indiana House last week on a 57-20 vote. The measure is simple enough, she said, according to FOX 59 Indianapolis. “Having that 25-foot perimeter around law enforcement so they can focus on what’s in front of them at hand is very vital to making sure that situations don’t escalate,” Mc- Namara said. The proposed legislation is outlined below: “A person who knowingly or intentionally approaches within twenty-five (25) feet of a law enforcement officer lawfully engaged in the execution of the law enforcement officer’s duties after the law enforcement officer has ordered the person to stop approaching commits unlawful encroachment on an investigation, a Class C misdemeanor.“ Although laws currently exist that provide protection from interference by members of the public, many say it is not enough, and HB 1186 provides a clearly defined violation. The Indiana State Police Fraternal Order of Police, the Evansville Fraternal Order of Police and the Indiana Sheriff’s Association all support the bill, FOX 59 reported. “The public almost has to touch you before you can tell them to move away from you. So, you can imagine trying to take someone into custody or investigate a crime and someone is getting in your face or getting right on top of you while you’re trying to do your job,” explained Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson. Naturally, the ACLU of Indiana is among the groups that oppose the bill. BARSTOW POLICE SEIZE OVER 200 POUNDS OF CO- CAINE IN TRAFFIC STOP The Barstow Police Department recently confiscated over 200 pounds of cocaine worth well over a million dollars during a traffic stop on February 6. According to police, officers conducted a traffic stop of a semi-truck and trailer at around 9:38 p.m. near Interstate 15 and Lenwood Road. Barstow officers deployed narcotics sniffer K-9 Bailey, who quickly alerted them to the trailer of the vehicle. Upon searching the trailer, officers discovered 121 kilos – or around 266 pounds – of cocaine in individually packaged bricks. According to data from the 40 The BLUES The BLUES 41