Posted on 07/06/2005 2:45:11 PM PDT by radar101
When veteran San Diego police Officer Phillip Bozarth shot and killed a 24-year-old man June 25, it marked the fifth person he has killed on the job in his 20-year career, police confirmed yesterday
The four other shootings were ruled legal and justified – and the latest involving the death of Ricardo Morales Carbajal remains under investigation.
"We don't want to see a sixth," said Mary Powers, national coordinator for the National Coalition for Police Accountability.
Despite being what some might consider a cowboy cop, San Diego police officials call Bozarth one of the department's best officers.
Bozarth, 42, is a respected field training officer and works the front lines, usually in high-crime areas, his colleagues say. After the latest incident, Bozarth was assigned to administrative duties.
"He is an excellent and tenacious officer, a compassionate, caring man with a stellar record and a strong work ethic," said Executive Assistant Chief Bill Maheu.
Bozarth's most recent fatal shooting involved a man he found asleep in the driver's seat of a car parked on Island Avenue in Stockton, in front of his estranged wife's house, about 4 a.m. June 25.
Police said the man grabbed a gun from the passenger's seat after the officer tapped on the car. Bozarth, fearing for his safety, fired several shots at the man.
A news release said the officer then tried to retreat to a safe position as the man stepped out of the car.
"Unable to see the suspect's right hand, which was concealed behind his right leg, the officer fired several more rounds at the suspect," the release said. "The suspect walked to the passenger side of the patrol vehicle and collapsed."
He was pronounced dead 15 minutes later. A handgun was found on the car seat, police later said.
(Excerpt) Read more at signonsandiego.com ...
That shooting was hundreds of miles from San Diego, if I am not mistaken, and the officer would more than likely been out of uniform.
As far as confronting the guys wife, that's total speculation, not part of the story.
Shot the perp dead the first time and that is one scumbag you won't have to shoot again at some later date.
"Despite being what some might consider a cowboy cop,...."
According to whom Mr. Unbiased Reporter Joe Hughs?
The reason most cops don't shoot this many people over 20 years is a surprising number of cops can't shoot worth a darn.
Apparently this guy practices gun control and can hit what he's aiming at under pressure.
Better take his gun though and give him a new one. All those notches on the handle and its liable to break off next time he draws it.
It says Island Av in Stockton. Maybe your right. If so, the article is misleading.
But I think the question remains, if he is on duty, in uniform, what is he doing at his estranged wife's house?
It says he was visiting. Again, if he was visiting, he no doubt was not in uniform.
Based on personal experience--they know you are a uniformed officer but they are used to you not doing anything. But, that only applies to people without weapons.
He was visiting his estranged wife. I would bet he was not in uniform.
I am surprised the article failed to state this, as it would seem to be the most important question.
It said the suspect was sleeping, not drinking, and it says nothing about confronting the estranged wife. That's all speculation.
Again, the big, unknown question here is was the LEO in uniform?
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These are not random events.
<<
The occurences of dangerous situations do have random elements. Is the officer on duty? Is the officer already on a call or in court? Just the same, you are right that it deserves extra scrutiny.
FYI...There are different areas within the city of San Diego that have different names. Stockton, City Heights, Webster, Encanto, Scripps Ranch, the list goes on. But they're all part of the city of San Diego.
And what exactly is your point?
The cop is doing his job, that's all.
And what exactly is your point?
The cop is doing his job, that's all.
I have already addressed this. The article said "Island Avenue in Stockton", in front of his estranged wife's house, about 4 a.m. June 25.
This is a little misleading, but really doesn't matter.
In any event, the only question in my mind, was the LEO in uniform. I would bet he wasn't.
Here's the answer. apparently he doesn't spend his time at the local donut shop. Looks like he might just be out there protecting some libs sorry A**.
The following information may shed some light on why he's been involved on so many shootings.
"Unable to see the suspect's right hand, which was concealed behind his right leg, the officer fired several more rounds at the suspect," the release said. " He was pronounced dead 15 minutes later. A handgun was found on the car seat, police later said.
a Vigilant Officer.
Again to be clear I am not saying he did anything wrong - it just begs for investigation.
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