Marc said:
Please close this thread . This is a very delicate situation which a lot of people dont understand. If it stays open there could be a lot of hostility here so please get rid of it. Thank you.
I'm curious, Marc, what's to not understand?
Careless cop shoots another cop.
Careless cop kills the other cop.
Careless cop walks--no charges for his incompetence.
Very embarrassing for St. Joseph PD, which allowed (and has now approved) the incompetence.
What's your view on what happened, Marc?
No charges in officer shooting
By Kim Norvell
Originally published October 22, 2010 at 3:42 p.m., updated October 22, 2010 at 11:05 p.m.
No charges will be filed in the death of St. Joseph Police Officer Dan De Kraai.
Buchanan County Prosecutor Dwight K. Scroggins announced Friday the investigation revealed Mr. De Kraai’s death was accidental.
“There has been an extensive and ongoing investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding Officer De Kraai’s death. After reviewing all the information, it is clear there is insufficient evidence to support the filing of criminal charges,” Mr. Scroggins said in a press release.
“The investigation reinforces Officer De Kraai’s death was a tragic, accidental shooting during a training exercise. There is nothing to support a determination of criminal negligence.”
Police Chief Chris Connally said the announcement is “one more step” in moving the department forward and allowing officers to focus on supporting Mr. De Kraai’s wife and daughter.
“We worked hard to make sure he had the information he needed to make the decision,” Mr. Connally said. “It still comes back to it was a tragic accident and our heart goes out to the family of Dan De Kraai.”
Mr. De Kraai was accidentally shot after a training exercise by fellow officer Jason Strong. According to the police investigation, Mr. De Kraai wanted to know what it felt like to be shot by a Simunitions training round. Mr. Strong shot Mr. De Kraai in the back, not realizing he had changed to his assigned duty weapon.
Mr. Strong is currently on light-duty status, Mr. Connally said. His “ultimate status” within the department will not be determined until the internal investigation is completed, which “still has a long way to go,” Mr. Connally said.
The department is conducting an extensive internal review of its safety standards, including current and past training, personnel and procedures. Outside agencies will help with the investigation.
According to the prosecutor’s press release, Mr. De Kraai’s wife, Laura, was involved in the process of reviewing the investigation and arriving at this decision.
The family has no comment at this time, said Eric De Kraai, the brother of the fallen officer.
http://www.newspressnow.com/news/2010/oct/22/prosecutor-no-charges-officer-shooting/