cold cases get fresh spotlight october 2011

OCTOBER
2011
COLD CASES GET
FRESH SPOTLIGHT
A Message From Your
Sheriff
.
As the former head of the
Criminal Investigations Division at
the OCSO, I’ve seen first-hand the
overpowering pain that a family
suffers when a loved one is killed in
a violent crime. And when the
individual or individuals
responsible are still on the loose,
the agony is multiplied. Law
enforcement officers never give up
on what’s commonly called “cold
cases”, because there is always
the hope that someone, even after
decades, may come forward with
information that will give
investigators the break they need.
Our agency is now working to put a
fresh spotlight on cold cases,
through the use of social media
and a video series we’re calling,
“Cold Case Chronicles”. Stay tuned!
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is beginning a new
campaign that will use social media to garner increased
attention for agency cold cases involving murders and/or
missing persons.
The first video installment of a new initiative called
“Cold Case Chronicles” profiles the slaying of 71-year old
Jewel Summerlin Melvin of Crestview. Melvin was found
savagely beaten
to death inside her house west of the city in May
1998.
The Sheriff’s Office will be doing similar video stories on
other cold cases in coming months. The “Cold Case
Chronicles” videos will be placed on the agency’s You Tube
and Facebook sites, as well as being linked through news
releases on its website:
sheriff-okaloosa.org.
“Social media gives us a new avenue to not only focus
public attention on old cases, but keep them in the public
arena, “said Sheriff Larry Ashley. “We continue to work these
cases behind the scenes, but so often a public reminder that the
case is not forgotten will also spark someone to come forward
with information, or help them recall something significant that
they may not have paid much attention to in the past. If and
when that happens, we want them to contact us.”
TRAP DOOR LEADS
TO HIDING SUSPECT
Okaloosa Sheriff’s deputies were sent to check out complaints of smoke and strange odors coming from a
suspected methamphetamine lab at 957 B St. in Crestview on October 2nd.
When they arrived at the house, 39-year old Robert McDonald tried to run out the back but was confronted by
law enforcement and went back inside.
Bathroom
Robert
McDonald
→
Trap door in
←bathroom
Other occupants of the house allowed deputies to enter, however McDonald was nowhere to be found.
Then, deputies were told of the existence of a trap door in the bathroom that allowed access to
underneath the home.
While inside the house, deputies saw items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine in plain view.
McDonald was observed hiding under the house; however continually refused to come out of his hiding spot.
Okaloosa Drug Task Force Investigators were called to the scene and obtained a search warrant for the
methamphetamine lab.
In addition, OCSO Special Response Team members responded to arrest McDonald. After a period of time, a
chemical irritant was introduced under the residence and McDonald was taken into custody without further
incident.
He is charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting an
Officer without Violence.
BAILEY NAMED
CRIME PREVENTION
PRACTITIONER
OF THE YEAR
OCSO Crime Prevention Specialist
Ashley Bailey has been named the 2010
Crime Prevention Practitioner of the
Year by the Florida Crime Prevention
Association.
Ashley Bailey earned the prestigious
award for exceptional efforts towards
preventing crime, while educating and
involving the community in effective,
long-lasting crime prevention strategies.
“Along with her regular duties, Ashley
is committed to working countless
events throughout the year – from
Neighborhood Watch informational
meetings to community gatherings that
showcase the many crime prevention
programs offered by the Okaloosa
County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff
Larry Ashley. “This award is testimony
to Ashley’s dedication and the
agency’s ongoing statewide reputation
for outstanding crime prevention
efforts.”
Ashley joined the Okaloosa County
Sheriff’s Office in November 2004.
MORTGAGE FRAUD
TASK FORCE
GETTING RESULTS
Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley is praising the work of the newly formed Northwest
Florida Mortgage Fraud Task Force, (NWFMFTF), which this month announced the
indictments of one Crestview resident and three Destin residents for bank fraud and bribery.
The NWFMFTF, comprised of members of the FBI and the Okaloosa County
Sheriff’s Office, is working to combat, identify, and prosecute organized groups and
individuals responsible for frauds associated with the mortgage industry.
Mortgage fraud and associated crimes have adversely affected local communities and
property values along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“Investigating white collar crime can be labor intensive and time-consuming,” said Sheriff
Ashley. “But this recent announcement from the U-S Attorney’s Office is a prime example of
why those investigations are well worth the required time and effort. By participating in this
new cooperative effort between local, state, and federal authorities, our agency is able to
maximize our resources and our effectiveness in pursuing and catching white collar
criminals. That’s not just good for law enforcement; that’s good for the citizens we protect.”
The Okaloosa
County Sheriff’s
Office
congratulates
former Sheriff Ed
Spooner who was
sworn in this
month as the new
U-S Marshal for
the Northern
District of
Florida!
Congratulations to Major JD Peacock
who has been named Honorary
Commander for
Eglin’s 96th Ground Combat Training
Squadron!
GETTING INVOLVED
&
GIVING BACK
THE OKALOOSA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
TOOK PART IN
“UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING”
PROJECTS IN
FORT WALTON BEACH, DESTIN,
NICEVILLE
& CRESTVIEW
OCSO GRATEFUL
FOR COMMUNITY ACTS
OF SUPPORT
Sheriff Larry Ashley and members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s
Office are sending a public thank-you to members of the local community
who have taken steps to show appreciation to deputies for their service.
An anonymous donor purchased 96 tickets to the movie “Courageous”
for Okaloosa deputies as a show of gratitude for the work they do
protecting the public.
In addition to this donation, local McDonalds owner/operators Mike
and Kathy Wright, who wanted to honor first responders, purchased 75
dinner tickets for deputies for the Fort Walton Beach High School “Chow
Down” October 6th. Proceeds from the Chow Down are used to fund
community outreach activities which benefit the needy in our area.
“These generous acts in support of our deputies are tremendously
appreciated,” said Sheriff Ashley. “Community support is critically
important and these donations show that residents realize the tough,
challenging jobs our Deputies perform daily and appreciate that service.
It truly lifts our spirits to another level and we want to publicly
express our gratitude for their thoughtfulness.”
HALLOWEEN
SAFETY
Children should stay in groups, with an adult or responsible older
child present to supervise at all times.
Select costumes with safety in mind. Avoid masks that restrict vision.
Long, flowing costumes may become snagged or cause the wearer
to trip.
Make sure the costume does not impair mobility for safe walking or
driving.
When out at night, carry a flashlight with strong batteries.
Make certain all materials used in the costume are fire-retardant.
Trick-or-Treaters should stay in familiar neighborhoods.
Not everyone participates in Halloween. Bypass houses that are dark
and not decorated.
Children should stay in groups, with an adult or responsible older
child present to supervise at all times.
Carefully inspect all food items prior to consuming them.
Keep pets indoors.
Motorists should exercise special caution in residential areas. Adult
party goers should make "designated Driver" arrangements if
alcohol will be served.
www.halloween-safety.com
HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
CHAPLAIN’S
CORNER
POWER FOR GOOD
Each of us has a mission given us by God and in its most basic form it is the same for
every human being. Jesus expressed it this way, “that I should lose nothing of all that the
Father has given me.” Our mission is to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.
The way He lived His life was an expression of his fidelity to the will of God.
Being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us involves many additional
missions depending on our state in life and our occupation in society. Many have the mission
of being a faithful spouse to their husband or wife, a faithful parent to their children, and that
very important mission of being a faithful child of our God.
As members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office you have yet another mission:
“Ensuring fair and equal administration of the law, safeguarding civil liberties and preserving
public safety; doing so with professionalism and unity of purpose, while being good stewards
of the public’s trust.”
There is an old saying, “If you want to defeat them, distract them.” What do you find
in your life that distracts you from your all important mission of being faithful to God? What
distracts you from your mission to your spouse, your mission to your children, your mission to
your family life? What do you find in your life that distracts you from being a good steward of
the public’s trust? To the extent you allow yourself to be distracted from your mission to God,
to your spouse, your children, the public trust, and in that order; to the same extent will you
find your life less and less fulfilling.
God has given you many gifts and desires that you lose nothing of all He has given
you; your spouse, your children, your fidelity in safeguarding civil liberties and preserving
public safety; in a word, your integrity as a beloved child of God. God never sets us up for
failure, but gives us everything we need be good stewards of what He has given us. Simply
reach out and make use of His power for good at your disposal.
You have the option of allowing that which attacks your integrity to be a
distraction from your mission, or to be that which strengthens your integrity and so
brings even greater fidelity to your mission. Take some time each day to thank God for His
gifts, to re-connect with God and tap in to an undefeatable power for good.
Chaplain Paul White