Local Breaking Police News
16 hours ago
‘Gone too soon’: HGTV host known for ‘endless kindness’ dies at 55
Loren Ruch, co-host of the 2021 HGTV series “HGTV House Party” and had of content for the network, has died. He was 55.Ruch died Thursday, June 12 of acute myeloid leukemia, Variety reported, which is cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects myeloid cells, according to the Mayo Clinic. Channing Dungey, chair of Warner Bros. Television Group, called Ruch “the rare leader who lifted everyone around him” in a statement obtained by the outlet. “Known for his unwavering dedication, endless kindness, and unshakeable integrity, Loren built not only hit shows but enduring relationships, serving as mentor, advocate and true friend to countless colleagues across the television landscape,” Dungey wrote. “His impact stretched far beyond the screen. Loren was the connective tissue of every room he entered — the glue that bound teams, departments, and friendships. He possessed the rare gift of making people feel seen, valued, and inspired to do their best work.”Ruch had been a top programming executive at HGTV since 2008, according to Variety. He served as an executive producer on several series including “HGTV Dream Home,” “HGTV Green Home,” “Rose Parade” and “White House Christmas.”Ruch is also credited with helping to mold such shows as “My Lottery Dream Home,” “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge,” “Celebrity IOU,” “Battle on the Beach” and the Emmy-nominated “A Very Brady Renovation.”“For those of us lucky enough to have known and loved Loren, the things we remember, and cherish go far beyond his professional accomplishments,” Dungey wrote in the statement, per Variety. “We warmly recall the way he supported his team and his colleagues, celebrating their victories and lending a sympathetic ear when things were difficult. Loren’s light touched everyone lucky enough to know him,” she wrote. ”Though gone too soon, he leaves behind a lasting imprint on both the television industry and the lives of those who loved him.”Ruch was named head of content for the lifestyle cabler in January 2023. He is Ruch is survived by his husband, David Salas, his parents and his brother, Variety reported.
17 hours ago
Craig Breslow fired employee who dropped f-bomb on Zoom hot mic (report)
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reportedly fired a longtime team employee after an insulting f-bomb at the end of a Zoom call.In a lengthy report on Yahoo Sports, reporter Joon Lee provided details on what he called “discontent” in the Red Sox front office under Breslow. Lee reported that the “collaborative spirit” of in Boston has dwindled since Breslow brought in sports consulting firm to audit baseball operations, which resulted in multiple firings.According to Lee, things boiled over when former scouting supervisor Carl Moesche uttered a sarcastic remark featuring an f-bomb after a Zoom call. “Thanks, Bres, you (expletive) stiff,” Moesche reportedly said, thinking the call had ended.It had not.According to Lee, “the words landed like a grenade, and Breslow fired Moesche.Moesche had been with the Red Sox since 2017 and was one of a number of execs and scouts removed in the past calendar year.In 2024, Breslow hired a company called Sportsology to conduct an audit on the Red Sox. What followed was a string of firings and departures of longtime Boston employees.The move was shocking to longtime prospect guru Keith Law, who called it a “midnight massacre.”Breslow and Red Sox leadership have come under additional scrutiny following the team’s shocking decision to trade star slugger Rafael Devers.Following months of rumored tension, the team parted ways with its longtime slugger, dealing him to the San Francisco Giants.
17 hours ago
Rain showers could be back in Mass. on Tuesday. But this week, temps could reach the 90s
Summer-like conditions and thunderstorms are on course for a comeback in Massachusetts this week, but not before some downpours possibly materialize on Tuesday.Hit or miss rainfall could sprinkle areas south of the Massachusetts Turnpike Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. But forecasters anticipate cloud cover to be present all day.“Although there is some optimism in some breaks in the cloudiness in eastern New England, most of the day probably ends up with more cloud cover than sun, which will really temper how warm we should get today,” forecasters wrote.Temperatures should mostly be in the 60s on Tuesday, though southeastern Massachusetts could be at or over 70 degrees, forecasters said. Springfield could also reach a high of 72 degrees, while Boston should reach 69 degrees.Conditions should grow increasingly humid by the afternoon, with dewpoints in the 60s, forecasters said. There is low confidence that any more showers will appear or affect the evening commute Tuesday night, according to meteorologists. Chances for downpours to materialize increase going into the evening, but forecasters are still unsure about the exact timing. These showers are likely to be brief, with no chances for washouts developing. Humidity increases on Wednesday, what forecasters expect to be “the first real dose of true mugginess felt to this point in early summer.” Daytime highs should be in the 70s and low 80s, with conditions getting hotter on Thursday.Heat indices on Thursday should be between the mid-90s and 100, with daytime highs possibly breaking past 90 degrees, forecasters said. “We probably fall short of reaching heat-headline criteria, before considering the usual uncertainties which come with forecasting heat at this time range, such as cloud cover; we encourage practicing appropriate heat-related precautions nonetheless,” forecasters wrote.Increasing humidity could result in potential thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon, ahead of a cold front’s potential arrival, forecasters said. There could be an eight-hour window on Thursday, from 2 to 10 p.m., where thunderstorms could appear across the state, forecasters said in a post on X. Most of the state has a low chance of seeing severe storms, but Western Massachusetts could see more severe storms with heavy rain, potential street flooding and damaging winds. Dry conditions should be present, though hot outside, on Friday before leading to what could be the first dry Saturday in weeks, forecasters said.
17 hours ago
Patriots rookie tackle is off to a good start
The spring isn’t optimal for offensive linemen.During OTAs and minicamp, they’re not allowed to block. No one’s wearing pads. Contact in these practices is prohibited. It’s tough to gauge whether an offensive lineman is truly capable of his job.That doesn’t mean Will Campbell didn’t learn anything this offseason.The Patriots first-round pick finished up his first offseason workout program and says he heads into the summer with momentum. The Patriots hope the fourth overall pick will solve their problems at left tackle. Campbell believes he’s off to a good start.“I’ve gotten more comfortable as the days have gone with the playbook and scheme,” Campbell said. “It’s only going to keep getting better. I keep getting these reps and keep getting this stuff under my belt, it’s going to help me move along.”The Patriots wasted no time throwing Campbell into the fire. The LSU product was immediately placed at the team’s top left tackle spot to protect Drake Maye’s blindside. The rookie spent most of the offseason working next to left guard Cole Strange, but the Patriots did rotate several other players in at that position.The team believes they’ve made the proper steps to solving a long-standing issue. Last season, the Patriots allowed 52 sacks. That was the sixth most in team history and the most sacks allowed by a Patriots team since 1999. The team’s sack totals have risen over the last three years – 41 (2022), 48 (2023), and 52.Considering protecting Maye is the priority, the Patriots knew they needed wholesale changes. The team signed veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and veteran center Garrett Bradbury before drafting Campbell with the fourth pick.Despite not being able to practice in pads, Campbell said he felt like this spring set a good foundation.“You have to come out here and treat it like it’s a padded practice,” Campbell said. “This is where the details matter the most when you can key in on those types of things. I’d say just coming out every day and trying to be intentional and find two or three things from the previous practice that I’m trying to grow on, on the next.”The Patriots have high hopes for Campbell. The team believes he’ll make an immediate impact and solve one of their biggest problems. The rookie said he plans on sticking around New England for most of the break and feels confident heading into his first training camp.“Whenever you get into a new place, it’s a different thing than I’m used to, so really getting those reps, getting more experience day after day,” Campbell said. “I can feel myself improving practice after practice. That’s the thing I’ve got to come out and get better every day. I feel like I’ve done that.”
18 hours ago
Dear Abby: Ready to date after my divorce. Should I ask out my nurse?
Dear Abby: I am a 59-year-old man. I have been single since my wife left me. I have been trying to get back on my feet financially and emotionally since the divorce. I agreed to the terms without a lawyer. I agreed to accept a small sum so she could buy me out of the house we had owned for 23 years. I am going to be fine, and, at some point, I will ease back into dating.Because I have a chronic cough, I was assigned a specialist nurse practitioner I’ll call “Susan.” She’s kind and professional and, behind her medical mask, she appears to be quite pretty. She also appears to be in her early 30s. I understand professional etiquette and, of course, the age disparity. Just asking — what is your advice?—Moving on in MassachusettsDear moving on: I am sorry you didn’t mention how long it has been since you and your ex-wife were granted the divorce. Because you haven’t yet begun dating, the only female you have had a chance to get to know is this caregiver whose job is to be kind and professional. Because you are now interested in female companionship, put out the word and start meeting women. If you make any advances on Susan, she may no longer feel comfortable treating you, so I don’t recommend it.Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O.Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.COPYRIGHT 2024 ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
18 hours ago
Ex-Mass. bank teller sentenced to prison for stealing money from Boston bank
A federal judge sentenced a Saugus man to prison for stealing bank funds when he was working as a bank teller at a TD Bank in Boston, United States Attorney Leah Foley’s office said Monday.Derek Aut, 29, was sentenced to 25 months, or two years and one month, in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Aut was ordered to pay $183,677.73 in restitution. Aut pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a bank employee and aggravated identity theft in March, Foley’s office said in a statement.Aut worked as a bank teller when he stole from the bank accounts of two customers, the statement read. He did so by forging their names on withdrawal slips, but one of the customers noticed money was missing from their account. Aut tried to hide the theft by taking money from another account and depositing it into the other person’s account.In total, the theft led to the bank losing more than $180,000.
18 hours ago
Mass. man admits to sending threats to elected official on their website
A Lynn man admitted in federal court in Boston on Monday to making threats to an elected official online, United States Attorney Leah Foley’s office said. Justin David Gaglio, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting interstate threats. His sentencing is expected to be on Sept. 9.On or around January 2023, Gaglio started to send online submissions on the website of an elected official not named in a statement from Foley’s office. From that month until around Sept. 8, 2024, Gaglio had sent 80 separate messages on the website, with several sent within minutes of each other.On or around that date, Gaglio sent a message where he threatened to kill the official and their family, Foley’s office said. Gaglio was arrested on Sept. 27 and appeared in Boston federal court later that day.The charge of transmitting interstate threats carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
19 hours ago
Wyben Parade Committee announces Fourth of July parade theme – ‘Farming in America’
WESTFIELD — The Wyben Parade Committee has announced that “Farming in America” will be the theme of its 74th Annual Fourth of July parade and that the committee is adding a new event on the nation’s birthday — a family kickball game.“Because we have a lot of new and young families, we decided to add a new event for them,” said Sue Crane, who is a member of the community’s Parade Committee, adding that the community, through a social media site poll, supported adding kickball as part of the day’s activities.“We figure it’s a fun game that kids and adults could take advantage of,” she said.
19 hours ago
EMass girls tennis, baseball coaches name unsung heroes for 2024-2025 season
Over the past few weeks, MassLive has asked girls’ tennis coaches and athletic directors to reflect on their teams—specifically, the unsung heroes who make their programs successful.Please learn about the unsung heroes of the 2024-25 girls’ tennis season in their coaches’ words below.
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June 13, 2025
The National Police Association Endorses the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act
Indianapolis – June 13, 2025. Federal immigration officers confront some of the nation’s most merciless criminal enterprises. These include gangs like MS-13 and Tren De Aragua, whose members have been implicated in heinous crimes that include ritualized killings, victim intimidation, home invasions, and drug trafficking. Given this propensity for violence, it’s imperative to protect the identities of immigration officers, whose valiant efforts help keep our communities safe and protect our nation’s sovereignty. Unfortunately, there have been attempts, including those by some government officials, to release the names of immigration officers publicly. This shameful behavior, also known as doxxing, places officers and their families at grave risk of violence, swatting, intimidation, and harassment. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN) has introduced a timely bill in the U.S. Senate called the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act (S. 1952), which would make it a criminal act to publish the name of any federal police officer when the intent is to obstruct an immigration operation or criminal investigation. This bill, fully backed by the National Police Association (NPA), currently resides in the Judiciary Committee for deliberation. The text for the bill, once it’s made available, will be here. The Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act follows actions by the Nashville mayor, whose office published the names and enforcement activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, after they arrested 200 illegal immigrants. The mayor had issued an executive order instructing city departments, including local law enforcement, to report any communications with federal immigration authorities. These careless actions place officers and their families at risk, and they undermine a legitimate federal mandate. Currently, it is against federal law to maliciously publish sensitive personal information about federal law enforcement officers and other groups, including federal jurors, witnesses, and informants. The penalty is a maximum term of five years imprisonment, fines, or both. While the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act carries the same penalty, it differs from current law in that it would specifically criminalize the doxxing of a federal officer if done with the intent to obstruct a criminal investigation or a lawful immigration operation. “At a time when the Department of Homeland Security is reporting a 413% increase in assaults on ICE officers, they need every possible shield provided by law,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. “The Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act would provide these courageous officers with an added layer of protection that they and their families need and deserve,” Fitzsimmons added. As federal immigration officers experience an increase in assaults and risk being targeted by some of the nation’s most violent criminals, some of our own citizens and government officials have made it easier for those with ill intent. The Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act would provide our brave immigration officers and their families with an added layer of defense, allowing them to continue the important work of protecting our nation. The NPA commends Sen. Blackburn for introducing this bill, and we urge all members of Congress to support it. About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
June 9, 2025
The National Police Association to California Leaders: Call for an End to Street and Highway Blockades, Protect Public Safety Now!
Indianapolis, June 9, 2025. The National Police Association (NPA) condemns in the strongest possible terms the refusal of California’s elected officials to instruct demonstrators to stop blocking public streets and highways during the ongoing anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests. Over the weekend and into this morning, protesters repeatedly blocked the 101 Freeway and key surface streets in Los Angeles. Regardless of California’s law banning cooperation with ICE, local police are still the first and last line of defense in keeping roadways open to ensure the ability of emergency services to reach those in need. Instead of protecting public safety, the offices of the Mayor of Los Angeles and the Governor of California were silent on mobs forcing confrontations with local law enforcement officers, compelling the Los Angeles Police Department to declare multiple unlawful assemblies. State and local law enforcement made dozens of arrests despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered and suffering injuries. Even though these criminal blockades pose a clear danger to the public and first responders, Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have limited their public remarks to criticizing the enforcement of federal law and calling vaguely for “peaceful demonstrations.” Neither has issued a plea for demonstrators to keep public roads and highways clear, nor have they acknowledged the obvious public-safety crisis created when ambulances, fire apparatus, and ordinary commuters are trapped behind human barricades. The NPA calls for immediate action from Governor Newsom, Mayor Bass, and every California official who holds public trust: 1. Publicly and unequivocally instruct protesters to cease blocking highways and streets.2. Affirm support for law enforcement officers tasked with restoring order and acknowledge the injuries already sustained. NPA spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith stated, “Californians have the right to protest; they do not have the right to paralyze vital arteries, endanger lives, or attack police officers. Until state leaders make that distinction clear, they remain complicit in the chaos. The National Police Association stands with the officers on the front lines and with the citizens whose safety depends on swift, decisive leadership, not political complicity.” About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
June 5, 2025
The National Police Association Endorses a Minnesota Bill to Protect Due Process Rights of Police Officers
Indianapolis – June 5, 2025. Although police officers are held to a higher standard, they are still entitled to due process of law. This is not always the case, however. With unregulated Brady-Giglio lists, officers’ reputations are being irreparably harmed and careers derailed without proper cause. The National Police Association (NPA) is encouraged by the increase in state bills aimed at enhancing transparency in these types of lists. In the Minnesota legislature, Rep. Paul Novotny (MN-30B) has introduced a state bill (HF 962) that, in part, would prohibit officers from being disciplined or fired solely for being included on Brady-Giglio lists. This bill, endorsed by NPA, currently resides in the Justice Committee for deliberation. The text for the bill is here. Brady-Giglio lists surfaced from Supreme Court decisions (Brady v. Maryland and Giglio v. United States) requiring prosecutors to disclose evidence that might exonerate a defendant. These lists, typically compiled and maintained by prosecutors’ offices, contain the names of officers they have identified as having credibility issues. Because these types of lists are often unregulated and lack transparency, they are a threat to officers’ due process rights. Without universal standards, prosecutors can arbitrarily decide which officers to include or omit. This can lead to an officer being placed on a list for perceived malfeasance or even personal grudges. And unlike in a court of law or other formal proceedings, officers typically don’t have the option to challenge these decisions. The bill proposed in the Minnesota legislature would prohibit local, county, and state police agencies from disciplining or firing a police officer solely for inclusion on a Brady-Giglio list. It also calls for the creation of a task force comprised of unpaid representatives from interested parties, to include the state’s Attorney General, a district court judge, and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association. Law enforcement organizations, including the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, and the St. Paul Police Federation, would also have a seat at the table. This coalition would be tasked with investigating and making recommendations relating to Brady-Giglio lists. Factors incorporated in this roundtable include determining how an officer’s information is disclosed, identifying impartial investigators, and implementing a standardized system. “In their current form, Brady-Giglio lists are problematic. Without transparency and universal standards attached, they are essentially an assault on officers’ due process rights,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. “This Minnesota state bill would ensure that officers aren’t being wrongfully stigmatized and penalized, while seeking ways to fix a system that currently lacks legal safeguards,” Fitzsimmons added. The NPA applauds Rep. Novotny for crafting a bill to prohibit law enforcement agencies from disciplining or firing police officers exclusively for inclusion on Brady-Giglio lists, and to investigate ways to improve the current system. Law enforcement officers are entitled to the same due process rights as all Americans, and we urge all states to draft similar legislation. About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
June 4, 2025
The Thin Blue Line Under Siege—and the Shield it Desperately Needs
On January 22, 2019, 26-year veteran Atlanta Police Officer Sung H. Kim, also a deputized member of the FBI’s Atlanta Violent Crime Task Force, joined a team attempting to arrest Jimmy Atchison on an armed robbery warrant. According to court documents, Atchison fled from officers, first jumping from a window and then running through a northwest Atlanta apartment complex before entering an apartment and hiding inside a closet beneath a pile of clothes. Officers, with the resident’s permission, entered the unit. Officer Kim ordered Atchison to show his hands. When Atchison made what Kim described as a sudden movement toward his face and chest, the officer fired a single shot, killing him. Investigators later determined Atchison was unarmed. Officer Kim stated he believed Atchison was about to shoot him. A use-of-force expert agreed that Atchison’s motions constituted a “deadly force stimulus.” Woke, anti-police Fulton County prosecutors charged Officer Kim with murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, and other crimes. Officer Kim retired and began a multi-year nightmare. This week, U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown lowered the gavel in Atlanta and obliterated every count, felony murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, and oath-of-office violations that Fulton County’s grand jury had hurled at former Officer Sung H. Kim. He did more than vindicate a 26-year veteran cop. He exposed the reckless zeal of a prosecutorial movement that has turned America’s guardians into political quarry. Brown’s opinion was scorching: “The evidence for self-defense is so overwhelming it is hard to understand how Georgia could have brought these charges in the first place.” Judge Brown’s ruling can be read here. Yet for Kim, years of limbo, legal bills, headlines branding him a killer, and the hovering threat of life in prison cannot be erased by a judge’s pen. The damage is done, to him, to morale in embattled police ranks, and to every citizen who prays that men and women in blue will still sprint toward danger when seconds matter. Enter the Police Officer Self-Defense Protection Act (the Act), is a proposed federal statute drafted by the National Police Association and allied pro-law-enforcement groups. Its premise is plain, its necessity urgent: When an officer’s use of force meets the objectively reasonable standard of self-defense, local prosecutors steeped in ideology or politics should not be allowed to weaponize criminal indictments. If a clearly defined set of self-defense criteria is met, credible threat of death or grave bodily harm, proportional use of force is pre-empted from state court criminal charges unless the U.S. Department of Justice certifies that prosecution is warranted. In short, it grants the Supremacy Clause shield that Congress gives federal task-force officers like Kim to all local law enforcement officers. The Act can be read here. Officer Kim is hardly alone. In 2020, Atlanta Officer Garrett Rolfe was charged with felony murder after the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks amid a violent Taser-armed struggle. A special prosecutor later dropped every charge, admitting the encounter was “objectively reasonable.” Former Atlanta Officer Oliver Simmonds spent three years under a murder indictment for shooting a teenage carjacker while off duty; a jury cleared him in 2023, yet the ordeal gutted an officer’s career. These sagas bear the same hallmarks: public fury fanned by anti-police activists, district attorneys thirsty for headlines, and evidence that ultimately collapsed under neutral scrutiny. But the officers paid the price in sleepless nights, drained pensions, and tarnished names. Justice delayed becomes justice denied when your very freedom hangs in the balance. And Atlanta is hardly the only jurisdiction with anti-police prosecutors. In 1968, Richard Nixon campaigned on restoring order when cities burned. Today, the arsonists wear tailored suits and occupy prosecutors’ offices funded by billionaire ideologues. The Police Officer Self-Defense Protection Act is Congress’s chance to draw a constitutional line in the sand. Pass it, and we tell every street cop from Atlanta to Anchorage: “If you act in good faith to protect us, America will protect you.” Reject it, and we invite the continued slow disintegration of lawful authority, one wrongful politicized prosecution at a time. Officer Kim walked out of court a free man, but only after slogging through a judicial minefield no honorable public servant should face. Let his vindication be the last postscript in this tragic chapter. The Republic owes her sentinels better. We need the Police Officer Self-Defense Protection Act now, not for the sake of police alone, but for the safety and liberty of every law-abiding American who depends on them.
May 30, 2025
Broken Bones, Broken Justice: Remove Cleveland’s Judge Williams to Restore Public Safety
Serus Walters When Serus Walters, a 20-year-old drifter with a taste for random violence, pleaded guilty on May 19 to three savage assaults in Cleveland, the victims thought the nightmare was finally over. Attorney David Dudley—64 years old, ribs fractured, shoulder cartilage torn, skull kicked like a football—sat in the courtroom waiting for justice. Instead, he watched it die. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Cassandra Collier-Williams quietly reduced Walters’ felonies to a misdemeanor and emptied the jailhouse door, crediting “time served.” There was no probation, no ankle monitor, no apology from the assailant—nothing but stunned silence from the prosecutor and gasps from the gallery. Listen to Dudley, a veteran defense lawyer who has stood before “over a thousand judges” nationwide. After Williams’ ruling, he confessed: “I was fairly certain [Walters] was trying to kill me… I have never seen anything like this.” Two days later, Walters was back in cuffs after another brush with the law in Garfield Heights. The cycle—arrest, release, repeat—rolled on, as certain as Lake Erie’s tides. And why not? Walters had already tasted the sweet indulgence of Judge Williams’ courtroom twice before: first after pummeling a man in Tower City on March 11, 2024, then again after kicking another victim near Whiskey Island hard enough to require stitches. Each time, the same judge sent him back onto the streets to hunt fresh prey. Listen to Tony, the Tower City victim, whose glasses were smashed and head peppered with welts. “She just gave him time served… he’s a menace to society,” Tony said. A menace, yes, but not a lone menace. A menace empowered by a black-robed enabler. What Williams has done is not merely a misreading of the sentencing guidelines; it is a declaration of values. In her courtroom, the suffering of law-abiding citizens is secondary to the convenience of a confessed, repeat predator. In her worldview, the criminal justice system is a revolving door through which the violent pass unmolested. We have walked this road before. In the 1960s, liberal jurists and academics assured America that criminals were victims of “root causes,” that bail was oppressive, and that prison was barbaric. By 1991, the nation’s homicide rate had doubled, and major cities bled population faster than they bled tax revenue. Then came the counter-revolution: broken-windows policing, truth-in-sentencing, three-strikes laws. Crime plummeted and order returned. Now, like ghosts in the rear-view mirror, the same permissive philosophies have overtaken bench and bar, cloaked in buzzwords like “restorative justice,” “police reform” and “decarceration.” Judge Williams is their Cleveland apostle. The victims on Euclid Avenue are sacrificial lambs to a fashionable creed that prizes the criminal’s feelings above the citizen’s right to walk without fear. This is not compassion; it is abdication. In America, the first obligation of government, before entitlements, before climate crusades, before foreign adventures, is the protection of its citizens. When a judge forgets that primary duty, she forfeits the public trust and should forfeit the robe. Ohio statutes empower the state Supreme Court to remove a judge for “Willful and persistent failure to perform judicial duties” and “Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice or that would bring the judicial office into disrepute.” The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, the watchdog arm of the state Supreme Court, must investigate and recommend her removal from the bench to the state Supreme Court. There is a war for the soul of American justice. On one side stand police officers, prosecutors, and terrified citizens; on the other, ideologues in robes who treat courts as social-work seminars. Neutrality is impossible. Each sentencing decision declares allegiance. Judge Williams has chosen. Will Ohio protect its innocents, or coddle its predators? Ohio must slam the revolving door and lock it. Remove Judge Williams before Ohio’s broken promise of justice becomes even more broken bones in the streets.
May 30, 2025
Broken Bones, Broken Justice: Remove Cleveland’s Judge Williams to Restore Public Safety
Serus Walters When Serus Walters, a 20-year-old drifter with a taste for random violence, pleaded guilty on May 19 to three savage assaults in Cleveland, the victims thought the nightmare was finally over. Attorney David Dudley—64 years old, ribs fractured, shoulder cartilage torn, skull kicked like a football—sat in the courtroom waiting for justice. Instead, he watched it die. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Cassandra Collier-Williams quietly reduced Walters’ felonies to a misdemeanor and emptied the jailhouse door, crediting “time served.” There was no probation, no ankle monitor, no apology from the assailant—nothing but stunned silence from the prosecutor and gasps from the gallery. Listen to Dudley, a veteran defense lawyer who has stood before “over a thousand judges” nationwide. After Williams’ ruling, he confessed: “I was fairly certain [Walters] was trying to kill me… I have never seen anything like this.” Two days later, Walters was back in cuffs after another brush with the law in Garfield Heights. The cycle—arrest, release, repeat—rolled on, as certain as Lake Erie’s tides. And why not? Walters had already tasted the sweet indulgence of Judge Williams’ courtroom twice before: first after pummeling a man in Tower City on March 11, 2024, then again after kicking another victim near Whiskey Island hard enough to require stitches. Each time, the same judge sent him back onto the streets to hunt fresh prey. Listen to Tony, the Tower City victim, whose glasses were smashed and head peppered with welts. “She just gave him time served… he’s a menace to society,” Tony said. A menace, yes, but not a lone menace. A menace empowered by a black-robed enabler. What Williams has done is not merely a misreading of the sentencing guidelines; it is a declaration of values. In her courtroom, the suffering of law-abiding citizens is secondary to the convenience of a confessed, repeat predator. In her worldview, the criminal justice system is a revolving door through which the violent pass unmolested. We have walked this road before. In the 1960s, liberal jurists and academics assured America that criminals were victims of “root causes,” that bail was oppressive, and that prison was barbaric. By 1991, the nation’s homicide rate had doubled, and major cities bled population faster than they bled tax revenue. Then came the counter-revolution: broken-windows policing, truth-in-sentencing, three-strikes laws. Crime plummeted and order returned. Now, like ghosts in the rear-view mirror, the same permissive philosophies have overtaken bench and bar, cloaked in buzzwords like “restorative justice,” “police reform” and “decarceration.” Judge Williams is their Cleveland apostle. The victims on Euclid Avenue are sacrificial lambs to a fashionable creed that prizes the criminal’s feelings above the citizen’s right to walk without fear. This is not compassion; it is abdication. In America, the first obligation of government, before entitlements, before climate crusades, before foreign adventures, is the protection of its citizens. When a judge forgets that primary duty, she forfeits the public trust and should forfeit the robe. The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, the watchdog arm of the state Supreme Court, must investigate and recommend her removal from the bench to the state Supreme Court. Ohio statutes empower the state Supreme Court to remove a judge for “Willful and persistent failure to perform judicial duties” and “Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice or that would bring the judicial office into disrepute.” There is a war for the soul of American justice. On one side stand police officers, prosecutors, and terrified citizens; on the other, ideologues in robes who treat courts as social-work seminars. Neutrality is impossible. Each sentencing decision declares allegiance. Judge Williams has chosen. Will Ohio protect its innocents, or coddle its predators? Ohio must slam the revolving door and lock it. Remove Judge Williams before Ohio’s broken promise of justice becomes even more broken bones in the streets.
May 29, 2025
The National Police Association Backs the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025
Indianapolis – May 29, 2025. Due to an ongoing police shortage that an ideological war on law enforcement has propelled, officers are being called upon to work mandatory overtime hours to fill staffing gaps. Grueling work schedules can leave these men and women with little time to decompress, spend time with loved ones, and tend to personal matters. The result is lowered officer morale and an increase in instances of burnout. Some officers even leave the profession or retire early after concluding that the job is not worth the toll it has taken on them and their families. Law enforcement officers should be recognized for their sacrifices and provided with incentives to remain on the job. Allowing officers to keep their full overtime pay is a tangible way to demonstrate support and appreciation. The Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025 (H.R. 405), a federal bill introduced by Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01) in the U.S. House of Representatives, would accomplish this. The National Police Association (NPA) has endorsed this bill, which is currently in the Ways and Means Committee for deliberation. The bill’s text can be found here. With the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025, police officers as well as all other non-exempt employees who bank more than 40 hours per work week would no longer be required to pay federal income tax on their overtime pay. It is essentially a pay raise that would help relieve the burden on police families who are struggling financially, raising a family, or who would like to become homeowners. Since the federal government would still collect payroll taxes, programs like Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment benefits would remain intact. “Police officers are tireless public servants who already make personal sacrifices to protect and serve. They shouldn’t be penalized financially for working overtime in service to their communities,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. “Allowing officers to keep all of their overtime pay would help morale, aid in recruitment efforts, and incentivize veteran officers to stay on the job longer,” Fitzsimmons added. The NPA commends Rep. Fulcher for introducing the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025, a bill designed to provide financial relief to police officers and all hard-working Americans by not taxing their overtime pay. At a time when police agencies are still struggling to hire and retain qualified officers, this Act would signal to law enforcement that the American public has their back. In honor of police officers and all workers who contribute to the greatness of our country, we urge members of Congress to support the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025. About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement efforts through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
May 29, 2025
The National Police Association Backs the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025
Indianapolis – May 29, 2025. Due to an ongoing police shortage that an ideological war on law enforcement has propelled, officers are being called upon to work mandatory overtime hours to fill staffing gaps. Grueling work schedules can leave these men and women with little time to decompress, spend time with loved ones, and tend to personal matters. The result is lowered officer morale and an increase in instances of burnout. Some officers even leave the profession or retire early after concluding that the job is not worth the toll it has taken on them and their families. Law enforcement officers should be recognized for their sacrifices and provided with incentives to remain on the job. Allowing officers to keep their full overtime pay is a tangible way to demonstrate support and appreciation. The Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025 (H.R. 405), a federal bill introduced by Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01) in the U.S. House of Representatives, would accomplish this. The National Police Association (NPA) has endorsed this bill, which is currently in the Ways and Means Committee for deliberation. The bill’s text can be found here. With the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025, police officers as well as all other non-exempt employees who bank more than 40 hours per work week would no longer be required to pay federal income tax on their overtime pay. It is essentially a pay raise that would help relieve the burden on police families who are struggling financially, raising a family, or who would like to become homeowners. Since the federal government would still collect payroll taxes, programs like Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment benefits would remain intact. “Police officers are tireless public servants who already make personal sacrifices to protect and serve. They shouldn’t be penalized financially for working overtime in service to their communities,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. “Allowing officers to keep all of their overtime pay would help morale, aid in recruitment efforts, and incentivize veteran officers to stay on the job longer,” Fitzsimmons added. The NPA commends Rep. Fulcher for introducing the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025, a bill designed to provide financial relief to police officers and all hard-working Americans by not taxing their overtime pay. At a time when police agencies are still struggling to hire and retain qualified officers, this Act would signal to law enforcement that the American public has their back. In honor of police officers and all workers who contribute to the greatness of our country, we urge members of Congress to support the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025. About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement efforts through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
May 15, 2025
Tampa, FL Police Explorers Awarded Grant by the National Police Association
INDIANAPOLIS, May 15, 2025 — The National Police Association announced today it has awarded the Tampa, FL Police Department’s Explorer Program a $1000.00 grant. Police Explorers are upstanding citizens within the community who maintain good grades, complete community volunteer hours, and have a desire to enter law enforcement as a career. Explorers, through classroom instruction, learn about Florida Criminal and Traffic laws along with departmental policies, ten codes, and signals. Explorers are also taught how to investigate crimes/incidents such as: traffic crashes, traffic stops, domestic violence, in-progress crimes, delayed crimes, crisis intervention, defensive tactics, as well as first aid. Many other types of calls for service are covered as well. The Ride-Along Program provides the Explorer (who must be at least 16 years of age to be “ride certified”) with firsthand knowledge of basic police procedures by supplementing classroom training through on-duty observation and communication with police officers and civilian employees during their patrol functions. Additionally, the program offers opportunities to participate in a Bicycle Team, Pistol Team, and Color Guard. The Tampa Police Explorer Program is accepting applications for becoming a Law Enforcement Explorer with the Tampa Police Department. For additional information or questions, contact the Sergeant of the Tampa Police Training Unit at 813-367-8671. About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement efforts through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
May 15, 2025
Tampa, FL Police Explorers Awarded Grant by the National Police Association
INDIANAPOLIS, May 15, 2025 — The National Police Association announced today it has awarded the Tampa, FL Police Department’s Explorer Program a $1000.00 grant. Police Explorers are upstanding citizens within the community who maintain good grades, complete community volunteer hours, and have a desire to enter law enforcement as a career. Explorers, through classroom instruction, learn about Florida Criminal and Traffic laws along with departmental policies, ten codes, and signals. Explorers are also taught how to investigate crimes/incidents such as: traffic crashes, traffic stops, domestic violence, in-progress crimes, delayed crimes, crisis intervention, defensive tactics, as well as first aid. Many other types of calls for service are covered as well. The Ride-Along Program provides the Explorer (who must be at least 16 years of age to be “ride certified”) with firsthand knowledge of basic police procedures by supplementing classroom training through on-duty observation and communication with police officers and civilian employees during their patrol functions. Additionally, the program offers opportunities to participate in a Bicycle Team, Pistol Team, and Color Guard. The Tampa Police Explorer Program is accepting applications for becoming a Law Enforcement Explorer with the Tampa Police Department. For additional information or questions, contact the Sergeant of the Tampa Police Training Unit at 813-367-8671. About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement efforts through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
May 14, 2025
The National Police Association Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Essential Police Procedures
In a forceful defense of law enforcement officers nationwide, coinciding with Police Week, the National Police Association (NPA), in association with the Police Officers’ Defense Coalition (PODC), filed a pivotal amicus curiae brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold qualified immunity in the critical case of Kyle Smith, et al. v. Rochelle Scott, et al. At stake is nothing less than the very ability of America’s police officers to maintain order and safety in a disorderly and dangerous society. “This tragic case,” declares the NPA in its brief, “threatens to make bad law,” warning that judicial overreach from the Ninth Circuit Court imperils essential and lawful policing tactics, specifically the restrained and necessary use of bodyweight compression during arrests involving violent or mentally unstable individuals. The brief meticulously dismantles misguided claims that such police tactics inherently constitute “deadly force,” showcasing extensive scientific research demonstrating that controlled bodyweight compression poses minimal risk when properly administered. In this critical incident involving a mentally distressed individual, Mr. Roy Anthony Scott, the officers acted swiftly and responsibly, employing minimal and non-lethal force to protect the community and Mr. Scott himself, whose tragic death was medically attributed primarily to “methamphetamine intoxication,” not police restraint. “The notion that police officers facing unpredictable and perilous encounters with mentally disturbed individuals can accomplish their mission without decisive, controlled physical intervention is both dangerous and naïve,” stated James L. Buchal, counsel for the NPA. “Police must be allowed to act with the necessary force to safeguard lives, including their own.” The filing argues compellingly that characterizing standard restraint techniques as “deadly force” solely due to rare and tragic outcomes undermines objective policing standards and places officers unjustly at risk of civil and criminal liabilities. Such legal interpretations embolden disorder and hamstring the essential functions of public safety and community protection. “At a time when crime is rampant, communities demand safe streets, and law enforcement is already stretched thin, stripping officers of necessary and established policing tools by judicial fiat is reckless,” Buchal emphasized. “A failure to overturn the Ninth Circuit’s decision in this case may irreparably damage the operational capabilities and morale of our nation’s police officers.” The NPA’s amicus brief calls upon the Supreme Court to affirm qualified immunity protections for police officers acting reasonably and responsibly under difficult and volatile conditions. “The Nation’s peace officers need clarity and confidence in their lawful authority to protect the innocent,” concludes the NPA. “We trust the Supreme Court to correct the Ninth Circuit’s dangerous error and affirm the essential tools our officers rely upon daily to keep America safe.” The National Police Association and the Police Officers’ Defense Coalition are represented by James L. Buchal, of Murphy & Buchal LLP, in Portland, OR. The full brief is available on the Supreme Court docket under case number 24-1099 and can be read here. About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org. ###
