Mayor's Dogs Killed in Drug Raid

Radley Balko | July 31, 2008

A Prince George's County, Maryland SWAT team raided the home of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo last night, shooting and killing his two black labs in the process.

"My government blew through my doors and killed my dogs," Calvo said. "They thought we were drug dealers, and we were treated as such. I don't think they really ever considered that we weren't."

Calvo described a chaotic scene, in which he -- wearing only underwear and socks -- and his mother-in-law were handcuffed and interrogated for hours. They were surrounded by the dogs' carcasses and pools of the dogs' blood, Calvo said.

Spokesmen for the Sheriff's Office and Prince George's police expressed regret yesterday that the mayor's dogs were killed. But they defended the way the raid was carried out, saying it was proper for a case involving such a large amount of drugs.

Well no, it isn't, unless there's reason to believe that the mayor, his wife, and his mother-in-law are violent people capable of killing cops who might have served the warrant in a less confrontational manner. The possibility of the mayor or his wife disposing of the drugs doesn't seem likely, either, unless the family owns an industrial-strength toilet: The raid commenced after police began tracking a package filled with 30 pounds marijuana originating in Arizona that was eventually delivered to the mayor's wife.

Local police are angry that they weren't notified first:

"You can't tell me the chief of police of a municipality wouldn't have been able to knock on the door of the mayor of that municipality, gain his confidence and enter the residence," Murphy said. "It would not have been a necessity to shoot and kill this man's dogs."

It's worth emphasizing that these were labs. Not the most intimidating dog in the world. Of course, offing the dog is almost standard procedure in these things, now.

On the other hand, maybe once a few public officials feel the brunt end of the militarized drug war, we'll get some real discussion about whether it's all really necessary.

Comments

|7.31.08 @ 9:27AM|#

I'm incredibly naive, foolish, and optimistic that this will somehow bring the right kind of attention to these types of searches. Feel free to mock me back into reality.

Average American|7.31.08 @ 9:27AM|#

If you want to keep your dogs, don't deal drugs. Duh. The law's the law.

|7.31.08 @ 9:35AM|#

Spokesmen for the Sheriff's Office and Prince George's police expressed regret yesterday that the mayor's dogs were killed. But they defended the way the raid was carried out, saying it was proper for a case involving such a large amount of drugs.

Well no, it isn't, unless there's reason to believe that the mayor, his wife, and his mother-in-law are violent people capable of killing cops who might have served the warrant in a less confrontational manner...
On the other hand, maybe once a few public officials feel the brunt end of the militarized drug war, we'll get some real discussion about whether it's all really necessary.

That's a nice thought Radley. But we are still a long long way from there. Even the victim here thinks "break the door, kill the dogs, 2AM cuff em in their underwear" is the right way to deal with drug dealers. He's just upset that he didn't get the special treatment that comes with the office.

"My government blew through my doors and killed my dogs," Calvo said. "They thought we were drug dealers, and we were treated as such. I don't think they really ever considered that we weren't."

adrian|7.31.08 @ 9:35AM|#

whats the story about the mayor's wife having 30lbs of pot? that seems interesting as well

|7.31.08 @ 9:38AM|#

"We're not in the habit of going to homes and shooting peoples' dogs," Ellis said. "If we were, there would be a lot more dead dogs around the county."

That's an awfully unsettling statement.

drawn asunder|7.31.08 @ 9:39AM|#

Get those men some medals.

ed|7.31.08 @ 9:42AM|#

a package filled with 30 pounds marijuana originating in Arizona...was eventually delivered to the mayor's wife

And? Any arrests made? At least one critical piece of this story is missing.

stuartl|7.31.08 @ 9:44AM|#

Sadly the local coverage seems to be that the way the raid was conducted was okay. After all, there are a lot of drugs involved and all 3 family members are persons of interest.

If I were a expecting a large drug shipment, I would certainly want it left on my front porch waiting for me to get home. You can't expect the government thugs to exercise common sense, it might get in the way of their fun.

Abdul|7.31.08 @ 9:48AM|#

his mother-in-law [was] handcuffed and interrogated for hours

So at least the mayor had some upside.

Abdul|7.31.08 @ 9:52AM|#

It's worth emphasizing that these were labs. Not the most intimidating dog in the world.

I'm not saying the raids or killing the dogs was justified, but Labs are big dogs. And plenty of sweet family dogs get aggressive when they sense their family is threatened. Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the warrant was served in a reasonable manner, how do you explain that to a dog? Hell, dogs bite postal carriers for doing less.

|7.31.08 @ 9:54AM|#

Isn't there at least one case of the cops shooting harmless dogs like Chihuahuas or Yorkies? I think they just like shooting dogs.

|7.31.08 @ 9:54AM|#

Its a good thing the mayor was being a "model citizen" and wasn't armed or tried to defend his home from invasion or the dogs wouldn't be the only bleeding carcasses on the floor while his mother-in-law was interrogated. I want someone to deny that we are living in a police state.

|7.31.08 @ 9:59AM|#

there's going to come a point where civilians start assaulting cops for shit like this. I'm wondering how long it will take though. I know one day some innocent person whose dogs were killed in a stupidly run raid, is going to snap and find those cops and kill thier dogs and perhaps more.

|7.31.08 @ 10:00AM|#

labs maul the most kids

Abdul|7.31.08 @ 10:02AM|#

Isn't there at least one case of the cops shooting harmless dogs like Chihuahuas or Yorkies? I think they just like shooting dogs.

I think there's a rebuttable presumption that killing a Pomeranian is always justified. Also, any dog routinely carried in a purse.

|7.31.08 @ 10:03AM|#

I'm not saying the raids or killing the dogs was justified, but Labs are big dogs. And plenty of sweet family dogs get aggressive when they sense their family is threatened.

You're a big cop with full armor and armed to the teeth, and you can't subdue a dog? A squad of cops have to execute a dog?

If this were an aggressive [whatever]...maybe...but if you're properly casing the target, maybe you could bring some tranqs? Something?

|7.31.08 @ 10:06AM|#

Just out of curiousity, is there a single recorded case, anywhere, of a cop attempting to peacefully serve a warrant for drugs being gunned down?

Devil\'s Advocate|7.31.08 @ 10:09AM|#

Well at least the raid was in daylight, the defendants knew the invaders were cops before they came in, and they were in possession of wholesale quantities of illegal drugs. He was an elected municipal official too, yet he was treated "just like an average citizen" right down to the dog shooting.

Raid seems pretty legit under our current laws/policies, and not the typical Balko horror story. Unless you think Calvo should have received speacial treatment as Mayor.

|7.31.08 @ 10:14AM|#

Hell, I can't think of many "dog bites cop" cases...
JMR

Episiarch|7.31.08 @ 10:14AM|#

Haven't we repeatedly said that it will take politicians being raided to change this insane policy? Well, we have exactly that right here.

Anyone think things will change?

Rimfax|7.31.08 @ 10:15AM|#

I've known of more than one lab put down for aggression. In this instance, it sounds like at least one of the dogs was fleeing when shot.

The PG County PD had one of the highest rates of fatal shootings in the country in the 1990s.

Abdul|7.31.08 @ 10:18AM|#

Angry Optimist,

I don't know what good body armor does against a dog--it mostly protects the chest, not the limbs.

In many cases where police know children are present, they bring along social workers to take care of the kids. I think the most reasonable approach with dogs would be to bring animal control officers along. But, there will always be cases where that idea doesn't work out. In those situations, how else does an officer subdue an angry dog?

Despite my joking around above, i really don't like the idea of killing dogs who think they're protecting their families, but I realize that in some cases there may be no alternative.

Devil\'s Advocate|7.31.08 @ 10:19AM|#

Episi,

If it was an innocent politician....

A zero tolerance, mandatory prison sentence for simple ecstasy possession with no first offender diversion or plea bargains allowed law, in combination with widespread undercover operations directed at nightclubs frequented by upper-middle class and wealthy young women might change "insane policies".

Elemenope|7.31.08 @ 10:20AM|#

Raid seems pretty legit under our current laws/policies, and not the typical Balko horror story.

Hey, D's A, you have a dog? Or a pet of any sort?

Getting your pet offed by the fuzz is not "pretty legit" in any way, and is horrible for the people involved.

Rimfax|7.31.08 @ 10:22AM|#

Just out of curiousity, is there a single recorded case, anywhere, of a cop attempting to peacefully serve a warrant for drugs being gunned down?

I have heard anecdotes of cops being shot while serving warrants for nonviolent offenses. I doubt any of them were for drugs, since the fragility of the evidence is what "demands" the usage of exigent circumstance raids.

Other Matt|7.31.08 @ 10:26AM|#

there's going to come a point where civilians start assaulting cops for shit like this. I'm wondering how long it will take though.

I'd probably be there, honestly. I'd at least sue the fuck out of them, hire PI's to tail cops, all kinds of shit just to keep it all over the local paper for as long as my money held out.

T|7.31.08 @ 10:35AM|#

there's going to come a point where civilians start assaulting cops for shit like this. I'm wondering how long it will take though.

I have a fear of the cops shooting our dog (a fairly harmless Westie) simply for the reaction that's going to provoke. My wife will go completely insane at that point. If there's not dead cops in the aftermath, it won't be for a lack of effort on her part.

|7.31.08 @ 10:36AM|#

I say we all send an anonymous package filled with pot to the wife of each member of congress (Ron Paul excepted). Hopefully the SWAT team will "double tap" all of them.

crackhead informant|7.31.08 @ 10:38AM|#

psst! I hear 50 keys of blow are on the way to 1600 pensylvania ave, I think that's in DC. Don't let the local cops know!!!

|7.31.08 @ 10:45AM|#

incredible...I don't think "oh no they might dispose of the contraband" is a reasonable excuse for such a show of force...

Abe|7.31.08 @ 10:47AM|#

It's about time the police start cracking down on government officials for drugs. Maybe then the policies will change.

Naga Sadow|7.31.08 @ 10:48AM|#

Radley,

Usually your stories depress me. I like today's story though. Everyone wants stories of politicians getting roughed up by the police.

Colin|7.31.08 @ 10:48AM|#

This could happen could to anyone. All they need is a punk with a tip. Perhaps even an anonymous tip would do.

Don't like your neighbor? Tell the DEA you saw him dealing drugs.

Episiarch|7.31.08 @ 10:51AM|#

Shit, somebody should tip off the DEA about a local cop and the local cops about a DEA agent who lives in their town. That would rock.

|7.31.08 @ 11:00AM|#

actually, what would be tits, is that people not only start retaliating and restoring some semblance of justice to this ignorant and perverse protocol, but also, the jury of his or her peers would vote to nullify or vote not guilty on the charges.

I know if I was ever on a jury where there's even an inkling of police misconduct, i'm sayin 'not guilty' out of spite.

|7.31.08 @ 11:01AM|#

This story has it all.

Stephanopoulos will be all over this, I just know it. I want to see the head of that SWAT team on Sunday morning teevee insinuating that the local cops couldn't be informed ahead of time because they are in cahoots with the Mayor, and are part of a massive drug smuggling ring operating out of City Hall.

Un Otro Abogado Diablo|7.31.08 @ 11:24AM|#

Local police are angry that they weren't notified first:

This sorta makes sense. Inform the local police that one is about to charge the mayor with any crime, and it is likely to tip him off.

|7.31.08 @ 11:27AM|#

Havng known a couple who was subject to a similar investigation (although the package was not addressed to them), I find the whole 30lb box of weed very suspicious. What serious drug dealer would really have something like that delivered to their own home?

|7.31.08 @ 11:37AM|#

Maybe my question is naive, but can't the mayor (or any private citizen) file a lawsuit against the city for the property damage, including the dogs?
I bet if the mayor were to sue his own city, saying "I want compensation for my dogs," it might make him more popular.

|7.31.08 @ 11:41AM|#

Rimfax said it already, but PG County cops are trigger-happy. I read the WaPo regularly, and there have been lots of f***ed up stories this past year about PG cops, both on- and off-duty, shooting unarmed citizens for a variety of bad reasons.

I think another way of exerting pressure would be for people to refuse to hold conventions or meetings in this jurisdiction and let the CoC know that their high rate of police shootings are to blame. Hit 'em in the wallet.

|7.31.08 @ 11:46AM|#

AMEN.. AMEN.. AMEN.. This is what will bring about a change. I have said it countless times here that nothing will change until those that insist on these tactics are raided themselves and have family and friends killed, or their dogs.

It is not a problem so long as it doesn't affect them directly. The instant it does they react to change things since no one should have to deal with what they just went through even though they could have cared less about others until it happens to them.

If we all calling confidential information and tips to judges homes, politicians and their families homes, hell even other police officers family homes this would end PDQ! We all know they do not investigate before kickin in the door so it would be easy to get the point across this way IMO. At the very least they would have to think long and hard before raiding homes on questionable information.

And if we have to "crack a few political eggs to fry the system thats just the cost of bringing freedom and justice back to the masses.

Anyone see where the cops that shot up the home of an Asian family all got Commendations and Awards for the raid on the WRONG HOUSE. Why did they get awards? Simply because the homeowner who thought he was being robbed shot at them and a few were injured slightly. That shows how fucked up the mentality of the police and law truly is today. Only when we use their mentality against them directly will they stop this crap.

Dave W.|7.31.08 @ 11:47AM|#

Are these the same police who executed Ronnie White in his jail cell a month or so back?

|7.31.08 @ 11:47AM|#

I know the dogs are innocent, but if a cop shot my dog I would throw poisoned meat in his yard.

|7.31.08 @ 11:52AM|#

alhgdg wrote: labs maul the most kids

OK, stipulating that your statement is true for the sake of responding: Why is that?

Is it because Labradors are a vicious breed, or is it possibly because Labradors are popular family dogs because of their easy-going natures and the sad fact is that in dog-owning societies a small number of maulings will occur, and that due to the prevalence of labradors as family dogs that inevitably a majority of those maulings will be done by labs?

Now, do you actually have any references to, you know, like real studies that address this? Do those studies also deal with the prevalence of various breeds of dogs?

Hysterical, poorly thought out, unsupported one-liners don't go over well, here.

My lab might not bite, but I most certainly do. Rowwwwrrrr!

|7.31.08 @ 11:52AM|#

Hmmm,

You're delusional. The only change raids on politicians homes will bring about is it will become SOP to check if the home being raided belongs to a politician before the cops kick down the door and shoot the dogs.

|7.31.08 @ 11:55AM|#

Warren: Tipping point.

TallDave|7.31.08 @ 11:55AM|#

I give 10:1 odds the dealers knew they were being watched and delivered it there on purpose.

Somewhere, someone is laughing their ass of.

|7.31.08 @ 11:57AM|#

Are these the same police who executed Ronnie White in his jail cell a month or so back?

Oh no! Not 'Tater Salad!

|7.31.08 @ 12:19PM|#

They were surrounded by the dogs' carcasses and pools of the dogs' blood,

Fucking animals. The cops who did this, I mean.

My wife will go completely insane at that point.

Ditto.

If this were to happen to me, I honestly believe I would have a new hobby - retaliating against the thugs who did it.

|7.31.08 @ 1:08PM|#

Full disclosure: I used to live in Berwyn Heights, but no, I don't know the mayor (though I did know the then-mayor's daughter while a lad in high school). What I will say is that Berwyn is a little oasis of of a very pleasant small-town atmosphere surrounded by not-so-nice neighborhoods. There are stops signs on *every* corner; driving through Berwyn is a little maddenning.

I lived there while in college and grew more than a few pot plants (for personal consumption, natch). I guess I should count myself lucky. (Though I did know a few of the town's cops personally.)

But, this sounds about par of Prince Georges County's finest. They have been brutal, all-purpose thugs for many decades. Shooting someone or something was never much of a bother to them, and I had guns drawn on me by them on more than one occasion (innocent, I swear!) growing up.

Robert|7.31.08 @ 1:25PM|#

Looks like some of you got what you were asking for: this time it was the mayor. But maybe this wasn't a big enough mayor. What if they hit the governor's?

|7.31.08 @ 1:27PM|#

"They thought we were drug dealers, and we were treated as such.

I take this statement to mean that if the cops had acted thusly toward genuine drug dealers, the actions would have been justified.

Aggressive no-knock entry, non-miranda detainment and interrogation without access to legal counsel, property damage and firing on pets when no weapons are present. It's all justified by the Drug War.

|7.31.08 @ 1:31PM|#

All police policies should stay the same, but cops should be required to have an IQ 2 standard deviations above the mean.

|7.31.08 @ 1:33PM|#

Rimfax said it already, but PG County cops are trigger-happy. I read the WaPo regularly, and there have been lots of f***ed up stories this past year about PG cops, both on- and off-duty, shooting unarmed citizens for a variety of bad reasons.

Like Keith Washington? As a bonus, he was Homeland Security too.

ed|7.31.08 @ 1:37PM|#

Kind of makes you want to mail 30 pounds of pot to the DEA, just to see what happens.

|7.31.08 @ 1:40PM|#

We have not seen the worst of this. I fear that our pets are hardly the worst of our worries when those who cut their teeth killing human civilians in an illegal war come home and apply for employment at our local police departments. Where did this Pablo Escabar like image of your local pot dealer come from anyway? That image is all the authorities need to justify the militarization of their police force. Too bad it's so much horse shit.

|7.31.08 @ 1:43PM|#

I agree with TallDave. This was a set up. I'd say this calls for some wailing with a shotgun up some SWAT team assholes.

Brutal bastards aren't worth being allowed to live comfortably anymore. I have no use for that kind of human. Kill 'em and put them out of OUR misery.

Christ on a Cracker|7.31.08 @ 1:54PM|#

A Prince George's County, Maryland SWAT team raided the home of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo last night, shooting and killing his two black labs in the process.

Unfortunately, the public won't take much notice until a young, blond female lab in mistakely killed.

|7.31.08 @ 2:19PM|#

Put out a live-trap with Hookers, Cocaine, and unmarked bills...you'll bag your limit of cops in 2 hours!

|7.31.08 @ 2:28PM|#

I don't get why you spend all your writing space on the War on Drugs on illegal searches and siezures.

Why not make articles about the drugs themselves? In order for the war on drugs to end the public needs to be scientifically educated about how harmless the illegal substances are, especially when empirically compared to alcohol.

|7.31.08 @ 2:36PM|#

Slippery slope alert! You DO NOT win a war on drugs by comparing it to another moraly questionable substance, therefore vilifying the legal one.

|7.31.08 @ 3:14PM|#

Outrageous. I live in the neighborhood. No reason at all to shoot those dogs. It just makes me sick. PG County should be ashamed.

|7.31.08 @ 4:06PM|#

"""maybe once a few public officials feel the brunt end of the militarized drug war, we'll get some real discussion about whether it's all really necessary."""

Just once? Hell I'm sure this isn't a first. It will take 100 monkeys, I'm mean public officials.


"""there's going to come a point where civilians start assaulting cops for shit like this.""""

Probably not, you never win by assulting a cop. But they almost always win assulting you.

"""Despite my joking around above, i really don't like the idea of killing dogs who think they're protecting their families, but I realize that in some cases there may be no alternative."""

Maybe the only way a cop can prove he's the alfa-male is with a gun?

""I give 10:1 odds the dealers knew they were being watched and delivered it there on purpose.

Somewhere, someone is laughing their ass of.""

I was thinking the same thing. However it probably wouldn't be the first time a Mayor was busted for dealing.

"""Getting your pet offed by the fuzz is not "pretty legit" in any way, and is horrible for the people involved."""

Cops carry guns for the purpose of shooting anything that is threating serious bodily harm or death. Dog or person is not relevant. It is horrible for the people involved, so is the whole raid. That is why they should be used sparingly and only when really justified. One could say a single delivery, even of 30 pounds, may not be justificaion. I would agree. They should have started watching the house for sales and get an understanding of what's really happening before they raid. That is the responsible way. However it's a more expensive way in dollars and police resources, so it makes more sense to them to cut out the real work and go for the raid.

I've think every penny from lawsuits against police actions should be taken out of the police budgets. That's the only way police department will take it more seriously.

|7.31.08 @ 6:28PM|#

"I know the dogs are innocent, but if a cop shot my dog I would throw poisoned meat in his yard."

Don't take your anger out on more innocent dogs. Poison the cop.

|7.31.08 @ 6:38PM|#

To reiterate a thoguht I had earlier today:

Doesn't it appear strange that there's no mention as to whether the actual deliverymen whom the police replaced in this sting were also investigated or not?

It seems to me that if I were trying to transport a large parcel of drugs to a particular geographical area, one tactic would be to find a deliveryman near that destination that could be bought off. Then I'd simply address that parcel to someone on his route who was pretty much above suspicion (in order to lessen the chance of it being searched), and have the corrupt driver intercept it and "sign" for it instead of dropping it off. The "recipient" wouldn't ever be the wiser, since s/he wasn't expecting a package in the first place and would never miss it.

If the cops really wanted to find out the whole story they would have staked out the home and let the delivery process go through without substituting their officers for the delivery personnel. Now it's entirely possible we'll never know the true story.

|7.31.08 @ 8:52PM|#

If they can shot a tranquilizer dart and drop a bear or lion ...they can dart a 50 pound family dog. Whatever the homeowners situation it was not the dogs fault that a crime "may" have taken place. This is animal cruelty, pure and simple. Maybe now that an establisment mayor has experienced this gestapo type crash and burn raid first hand ..., maybe now a more humane ... safer way can be established and benifit everyone.

If you do the crime then do the time. But, don't take it out on the poor dogs.

Nunyabiz|7.31.08 @ 9:57PM|#

I find it disturbing that most of the respondents here are actually in agreement with these fascist cops.

WTF is the matter with you people?

Number one the pot should not even be illegal in the first place.
Number 2 the utterly useless and failed "war on drugs" is a huge waste of tax payers money and does not work and never will.
Number 3 There is absolutely no reason for them to have shot these dogs that is pure BS, do dog catchers go around shooting every dog they see without a collar? I have been around 100s of dogs and have never felt the need to shoot one EVER.
Number 4 everything these fascist cops did was WRONG!

If this happened to me I would be seeking revenge that would make your skin crawl.

Nunyabiz|7.31.08 @ 10:12PM|#

and whtameregister is EXACTLY RIGHT!

Odds are much greater that it was the original delivery drivers that were the real recipients.

now we will never know and these more than likely totally innocent people have had their lives virtually destroyed for something that shouldn't be illegal in the first place.

|8.1.08 @ 7:59AM|#

I think that's terrible what the PG county SWAT team did to those poor animals. If anyone knows labs they know they are mean animals. I think that SWAT team needs to learn some new prcodures for RAIDS...

You don't just go into someone's home and kill there animals because you suspect they are dealing drugs...GET REAL PG COUNTY POLICE DEPT...

|8.1.08 @ 8:02AM|#

THIS is from my previous comment....LABS are NOT mean dogs...How could they have just shot them without accessing the situation first...

Anonomous|8.1.08 @ 9:12AM|#

Are you kidding me? You have a right as the police department to use a swat team, but if this was the first package that was sent to the mayor wouldn't you have knocked first? It's not like they had ANY proof he was dealing drugs or selling them out of his home. He is a public figure being the mayor of his town, did anyone think for a minute he could have been framed? Or someone didn't like him or his family? Aren't police supposed to be tough guys? How could they feel "threatened" by a labrador retriever!!!?? Give me a break! Labradors are not vicious animals and if they were vicious don't you think they would have been attacking the swat team? One of the labs was running away from the swat team and they shot it, that is UNACCEPTABLE!!!!! I hope the police department gets sued. Even if the mayor and his family are guilty of the package, why would you shoot someones dogs? That's a great lesson the police department is teaching that if animals happen to get in the way they shoot them in front of their family. It's not the dogs fault! What a horrible thing for this family to go through!!

|8.1.08 @ 12:03PM|#

Cheye Calvo for President, Libertarian nominee 2012!!

|8.1.08 @ 12:37PM|#

Shem
"Just out of curiousity, is there a single recorded case, anywhere, of a cop attempting to peacefully serve a warrant for drugs being gunned down?"

No.

|8.1.08 @ 1:21PM|#

I think popularizing the "kill the dog first" SOP is really the way to get people motivated to stop this insanity, simply because the average person doesn't seem to care much when an innocent person's home gets raided, but it seems they get more riled up when innocent dogs get killed.

j|8.1.08 @ 10:37PM|#

Cheye Calvo is a good guy. He was/is an active opponent of REAL ID. http://www.gcn.com/print/24_30/37196-1.html

avraam jack|8.2.08 @ 4:59PM|#

.
If you do not understanbd this you must remember that this is PG County.
.
If the police brutalized this guy it means he annoyed them somehow. Maybe the police set him up because he belongs to the gang stalker organization that has poisoned so many in PG. Maybe his gang poisoned some cops.
.
No way this was an accident.
.
If you know not of what I speak:

avraam jack|8.2.08 @ 5:01PM|#

.
If you do not understanbd this you must remember that this is Prince Georges County, Maryland.
.
If the police brutalized this guy it means he annoyed them somehow. Maybe the police set him up because he belongs to the gang stalker organization that has poisoned so many in PG. Maybe his gang poisoned some cops.
.
No way this was an accident.
.
If you know not of what I

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22gang+stalking%22

|8.2.08 @ 5:09PM|#

Call the PGCP Chief, Melvin High, at 301-772-4740 and let him know what you think of this kind of behavior from a public servant.

|8.3.08 @ 11:02AM|#

The Prince George's County SWAT team are hooligans with badges! If they don't know the difference between a legitimate family and drug dealers, they should be disbanded.

Stop the MILITARIZATION of police duties. This is not Irag. We trashed that country. Do not let paramilitary police operations trash our country.

BTW The police shot the 4 year old dog in the back while it ran to escape police-gone-mad. By our American standards, shooting a fleeing "suspect" in the back is COWARDICE.

The SWAT team are cowardly, brutal, indiscriminate thugs.

|8.3.08 @ 6:30PM|#

To Devil's Advocate | July 31, 2008, 10:09am

Can you read? The mayor had the drugs because the cops PLANTED the drugs on their doorstep. If they hadn't put the drugs on the porch, the mayor would not have brought the package inside. He only had it for a few minutes when they busted down his door. He hadn't even opened it yet.
They didn't find any drugs on his property. Just what the cops PUT there.

Frank|8.4.08 @ 7:32PM|#

The reported reputation of the PG County Police is well taken. There have been police pursuits in Virgina that have terminated in a surrender in the middle of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge as the suspect realizes that he's about to enter Prince George's County, MD.

BANG! BANG! BANG! "Stop, or I'll shoot!"

Frank|8.4.08 @ 7:51PM|#

Picture of typical PG County Police Officer here:

http://store.schlockmercenary.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=P%2DR37

David|8.6.08 @ 2:48PM|#

Apparently it two police officers posing as delivery men were in possession of the weed the whole time..... meaning there was no chance of the family for disposing of the weed what was the purpose of the aggressive raid and killing the dogs... the 3 culprits could have been arressted in any number of ways.

|8.7.08 @ 2:19PM|#

Shame on those officers. Labs are wonderful dogs and are afraid of confrontation. I have a lab and know he would retreat if confronted! This is a horrible loss for the Mayor and his family. There should be a public apology. Why didn't they investigate who lived in that house? It's a horrible situation and my heart goes out to the Mayor and his family.

|8.7.08 @ 2:20PM|#

They are innocent and so were those dogs. Those dogs did nothing to deserve that! this is a SICK story. Law enforcement needs to get it together.

John Q. Public |8.7.08 @ 3:54PM|#

THE DRUG NAZIES STRIKE AGAIN ! THE COPS DO THIS KIND OF THING ALL THE TIME FOLKS . A FREE SOCIETY ? OR A POLICE STATE OVER A NATURAL SUBSTANCE ? ONLY THUGISH MORONS THINK IT IS OK TO BASH A CITIZENS DOOR DOWN & KILL ANYTHING THAT MOVES OVER SUCH A THING .THE SAME POLICE KILLED A GRANDMOTHER LAST YEAR BECUASE THEY HAD THE WRONG HOUSE NUMBER !

|8.7.08 @ 4:18PM|#

Are you sure the police chief isn't named Barney Fife?

Bill V|8.7.08 @ 4:20PM|#

Duh, the wife's identity was stolen and the drugs were shipped to her address. That family is not dealing drugs. The cops were very, very stupid in this instance, and killing the dogs and treating the family in that manner was awful and unnecessary!

|8.7.08 @ 4:37PM|#

Wow-a balck lab being a vicious dog-or a Golden LAb-they are supposed to be one fo the best breed of family dogs--what a bunch of bullcrap as usual from the COPS with their guns always ready to shoot something-what didin;t they taser the dogs then???STUPID COPS

|8.7.08 @ 4:39PM|#

It just happenend again wiht another mayor and they shot his two dogs in a false drug rain ont he mayor's home wiht LAbs-the stupid idiot cops said they were being threatened-what a frickin JOKE-well they maybe can get a job cleaning out kennels now that hey won't be cops anymore I would hope-espepcially killing the mayor's dogs-too bad for ytou idiots

|8.7.08 @ 5:03PM|#

That's why fourty years later ..we still call them PIGS!

Malachi Constant|8.7.08 @ 5:04PM|#

That's why we still call them PIGS!

|8.7.08 @ 5:08PM|#

Did anyone see the interview on the news of the mayor's wife? Her "fake" crying was pathetic and obviously not very well rehersed--she wins the "pathetic actress award" of the week. Spare me! I support the police

|8.7.08 @ 5:09PM|#

I think there should be some revenge. Perhaps the family can make huge signs and stand in front of the officers' kids school. The signs can say "your daddy killed my dogs". Perhaps meet the kids at the bus stop and show them pictures of the dogs thier dad killed.
Go to the police station and stand out front with the signs "officer John killed my puppies". I would drag the dead dogs bleeding into the police station and say "you killed them, you burry them!"

|8.7.08 @ 5:10PM|#

The wife's name is Trinity Tomsic--hard to believe it was a case of identity theft...she is guilty!

|8.7.08 @ 5:26PM|#

The wife's name is Trinity Tomsic.... so what. Identities are stolen all the time. It is reasonable to think that some cleaver trafficers sent the package to that house in hopes of lifting it from the porch, they may have attempted it...but the presents of the swat team scared them away.

|8.7.08 @ 7:05PM|#

What a set up by a law enforcement team known for a series of tremendous blunders. You rubes seem to think that they didnt know they were taking down the mayor> Thats exactly why they cut out the local police who should do all they can to ensure the PG County law enforcement get a very cold welcome from now on. THey had the suspect and knew they were fedexing to innocent people. This was totally avoidable and just cowboys wanting to cut loose a few rounds kiling something....

peter pan|8.7.08 @ 7:06PM|#

I think the cops should be put in jail and fucked in the ass

|8.7.08 @ 7:14PM|#

Rachelle | August 7, 2008, 5:08pm | #

Did anyone see the interview on the news of the mayor's wife? Her "fake" crying was pathetic and obviously not very well rehersed--she wins the "pathetic actress award" of the week. Spare me! I support the police


This comment just makes it clear you are an utter moron....and a wife or daughter of one of the animal murdering cops

|8.7.08 @ 7:57PM|#

Ha! If Moron means Attending Spine Surgeon at a major trauma center, ok then moron it is! Not in law enforcement, not related to anyone in law enforcement, but hate fake people which describes Trinity on the news tonite to a T! In fact, myself, my husband and the kids are rewatching in on the t-vo to cheer and jeer at her pathetic acting job....joke in the least!

Makely|8.7.08 @ 7:59PM|#

P.S. Funny to hear people disrespect the cops until they are getting mugged, robbed, beat up etc. etc. etc and need the cops help. Make sure next time you call 911 for some help you bring the ignorant quotes from this webpage with you.

justice|8.7.08 @ 10:58PM|#

I'm sure the wife wasn't "fake crying"! If cops busted down my door and shot my dogs who were trying to escape, I would have shot the cops! This is America, people! A free country!

justice|8.7.08 @ 11:01PM|#

I mean no disrespect to the cops, but seriously, is somebody just a little trigger happy? It would be one thing if the dogs were attacking, but the second one was running away! What's up with that?
Seriously!?!

Rob|8.7.08 @ 11:20PM|#

You guys do realize that the POLICE put the package with the drugs on their steps. The Mayor comes home, picks up a sealed package on his doorstep, and takes it inside. Yeah, who wouldn't take a package on their step inside. That's all it takes for probable cause and people can kick your door and, molest you, tie you up half naked, and kill your dogs.

Cops are just another gang with concealed weapon permits.

|8.7.08 @ 11:22PM|#

Funny to hear people disrespect the cops until they are getting mugged, robbed, beat up etc. etc. etc and need the cops help.

Most people would prefer COPS do their jobs as protectors of law abiding, tax paying citizens. This does NOT include barging into innocent peoples homes and shooting their pets for no good reason. Theres a difference, idiot

Rob|8.7.08 @ 11:23PM|#

Makely,

Cops VERY rarely prevent crime... They mainly just respond and write reports after the fact. Most would rather not get to a crime scene while there are bad guys still there. I know plenty who let criminals go if it's too close to the end of their shift.

The only service cops provide if you are mugged is someone to talk to about it.

Rob

|8.7.08 @ 11:25PM|#

Ha! If Moron means Attending Spine Surgeon at a major trauma center, ok then moron it is! Not in law enforcement, not related to anyone in law enforcement, but hate fake people which describes Trinity on the news tonite to a T! In fact, myself, my husband and the kids are rewatching in on the t-vo to cheer and jeer at her pathetic acting job


This quote illustrates how important it is to stay healty and avoid accidents. You never know who will be your doctor.

|8.7.08 @ 11:28PM|#

Fuck the police. I would make sure the jack booted thugs were excecuted if that were my family.

|8.7.08 @ 11:29PM|#

I knew Cheye in high school and after. The fact that the arrogant, incompetent county police have yet to clear his name and his family's is absurd. Cheye was a nice guy, active in student government and had a good heart, cared about people. If you read the articles on how the raid was carried out as a "no knock" warrant even though it was a standard warrant and how they justified breaking down his door and shooting the dogs because his mother in law screamed when she saw a swat team of men with guns in the yard (can you blame her??) - well, the whole thing makes me sick to my stomach. He's a part time mayor of a super small old time neighborhood surrounded by the cess pool of what most of the rest of PG County has become. He's not some high government official who has "shady drug connections". No, his family are pawns in the drug game, had their name used for someone to move drugs across the country and you know what? It can happen to any of us. And good luck trying to get the attention of the public. Like Cheye said in one interview, he feels the pain of the other "regular" citizens that this has happened to because ya shoot a tiny town mayor's dogs and maybe get some decent coverage, but you take away that status? Lucky if it shows up anywhere for anyone to hear about. Last point, the thought of Cheye being connected to drugs would make anyone who knows him laugh.

Makely|8.7.08 @ 11:44PM|#

As I have stated before--dis them until you need them. Usually those sitting behind the computer screen are hardly those "tough guys" who can face the "bad guys" on their own...Poor boo boo baby mayor and his pathetic wife...spare me the tears (or no tears!)

|8.7.08 @ 11:52PM|#

On the other hand, maybe once a few public officials feel the brunt end of the militarized drug war, we'll get some real discussion about whether it's all really necessary.

The police should not use military tactics against US citizens. I was home when the Garland Police (Gestapo) raided a house two doors down and killed the dog there as well. They said the only way the dog might live is if it ran and hid under the bed. I don't know how you or your dogs would act if all at once both front and back door flew open and the window was broken as 10 masked men screaming POLICE broke into your house. I did not feel comfortable in my home for a long time after that.

|8.8.08 @ 12:11AM|#

What has become of our country? This was TOTALLY unecessary and seems a blatant misuse of power.

|8.8.08 @ 12:45AM|#

These "police" are craven cowards who should never be allowed near a gun again. Shooting down a terrified dog that is fleeing shows you how they are treating humans who lack the power to make a legal stink like this mayor can.

So our brave officers of the law routinely kill innocent animals... Great news for dog owners.

Police routinely get addresses wrong too.

|8.8.08 @ 2:13AM|#

Rachelle wrote:
Did anyone see the interview on the news of the mayor's wife? Her "fake" crying was pathetic and obviously not very well rehersed--she wins the "pathetic actress award" of the week. Spare me! I support the police

And also:

Ha! If Moron means Attending Spine Surgeon at a major trauma center, ok then moron it is! Not in law enforcement, not related to anyone in law enforcement, but hate fake people which describes Trinity on the news tonite to a T! In fact, myself, my husband and the kids are rewatching in on the t-vo to cheer and jeer at her pathetic acting job....joke in the least!

Rachelle, what in the hell are you thinking? Who cares whether the mayor's wife looked fake crying? Who cares if you think it's funny, or if you don't like her personally? That's no excuse for sending a SWAT team into an innocent family's house, terrorizing them, and shooting defenseless black Labrador dogs in cold blood, all over marijuana!

The mayor's wife could be a fucking neo-Nazi for all I care. Injustice is injustice, no matter how unsympathetic the victim. (And, quite frankly, it looks like you're deliberately trying to see the victims as unsympathetic, just so that you can close your eyes and pretend like all is well with the world.)

I mean, based on what you've said here, bright three-year olds have a better grip on right and wrong than you. I hope to God you don't have kids of your own.

|8.8.08 @ 3:08AM|#

What are they? Guerrillas from Colombia? What makes them think they can treat innocent people like criminals and kill dogs for fun?

These blood-thristy gestapo cops should be doing time with Vick.

|8.8.08 @ 7:31AM|#

This just reinforces my feelings about cops being a bunch of low lives from school. They got picked on so much that they vowed to get even later. And they did so by becoming cops. They think because they have a badge and carry a gun that they can get away with anything. Just remember... what goes around comes around. No one can run from that Universal Law. Cops are not immune from it. They will get their payback. And may they suffer thru it. And I do mean SUFFER.

|8.8.08 @ 1:45PM|#

I cannot believe the downright stupidity of some of the folks commenting here! You assume the cops had a right to break through the door of an innocent family, shoot innocent and defensless animals and that's the end of it? What are you saying: when drugs are involved, the constitution doesn't matter?! In particular "Average American" and "Adrian" your ignorance astounds me! Let me give you a REAL life example of how drug dealers WILL and DO use innocent folks to do their business EVERY SINGLE DAY: friends of our family used to vacation in Florida every year for three months after Christmas. One year, as their neighbor was collecting their mail, he noticed a package addressed to our friend and put it on their kitchen table. When our friends returned home several weeks later and opened it up, they were suprised to find several pounds of pot! Our friends called the police and were told that, "Yes, this is a common scheme that drug dealers use these days. They find out a person's daily schedule and then plan drop-offs for times when they know (or think) the person won't be home." The cops mentioned that it was possible the scheme had been going on for years since our friend's habit of going away for 3 months was well-known in the neighborhood. The story I have told happened in a suburb of Philadelphia. Perhaps the problem is that you folks don't live in an area populous enough to have experienced these types of advanced criminal tactics before. Maybe that makes you lucky. It worries me, however that you cannot see beyond your own little worlds and assume that if it "never happened to you, it must not be true." God help us all if we have to depend of folks like you to interpret the constitution!

|8.8.08 @ 3:04PM|#

These "officers" must be removed from duty IMMEDIATELY and charged criminally! It is a danger to our society to have officers (and I use that term loosely) hiding barbaric tendencies behind a badge that apparently lets them get away with whatever they want! The officers involved in shooting the lab in the back and slaughtering the other dog need to have their gun and badge removed immediately and permanently!

|8.8.08 @ 4:37PM|#

A couple of points about this matter that I did not read on anyones post. According to the interview I saw this morning, two points need to be clarified, 1) the police could not produce a warrant for this raid until at least seven (7) hours later and 2) the local police were not involved in this matter at all. Does that sound normal to anyone? Or, does it sound like there is something else to this matter besides drugs? Or, have I been watching too much TV lately.

|8.8.08 @ 5:37PM|#

I don't think there is any conspiracy against the mayor, I doubt they knew it was the mayor before they raided the house.

Seems like the stereotypical hopped up cops go to wrong house and shoot up the place scenario, only difference is it is usually a poor person's house, instead of an upper middle class elected official.

|8.8.08 @ 6:04PM|#

I can't believe the number of folks posting here who have "assumed" the people assaulted by the police were guilty.

The police seemed to already be aware that the scam involved delivering the drugs to the door of innocent folks - dah.

As a former cop I know that raids can be scary but give me a break!! The cops were obviously "hopped up" themselves! Those who have said that it is likely that the only reason we're hearing about this is because this time the family was at least middle class are probably correct. (Prince George County is probably the richest county in the country.)

I hope the family collects millions in civil damages!!!

|8.9.08 @ 7:00AM|#

all these bastards should be relived from duty NOW.

|8.10.08 @ 9:59AM|#

Tell me, why doesn't someone beat the shit out the cops or kill the cops dogs? Nobody says kill the cops, but pound the pigs in the head a few times when he's out with his wife and kids having diner...do the crime, do the time, and cops will change over time but... nahh.. not americans, you guys are pussies even with all the gay bluster about power and strength and freedom and guns.. The cops could rape your wife and most of you would, ahem, 'file a lawsuit'!!
For this story of course many Americans assume the mayor was guilty... the only people who hate Americans more than foreign nations, are Americans themselves. Look at your murder rate, your incarceration rate, your culture of lawsuits, and your witch-hunting of celebrities, left wingers, right wingers, evangelicals... just about anybody who is a not a law-abiding middle-of-ground sheep with average intelligence who's never done anything for anybody except sit there watching prime time tv while farting pringles.

The truth is everybody is laughing at you, and you STILL having figured it out ;) Like the doofus dummy kid in the class who's always got that lost look on his pockled face, yet is the only one who hasn't figure out he's the dummy of the class, the american population needs a few years of remedial classes from a tutor in taking control of their destiny.

Look, ONE guy dies in Canada and the country goes ballistic to protect themselves from their cops.. and the guy wasn't even canadian!!!

Americans!?? HA! The cops could taze 100,000 children to death and Tazer International would just rise in stock value.

You're a sick, putrid, vile, cesspool.

(but i'll give you a chance to change because even einstein failed high scool)

|8.10.08 @ 10:14AM|#

I'm a Conservative and personally i don't even think people shoudl be allowed to own dogs privately. Nothing is more important that the protection of life and dogs pose a threat in many ways.

Law and order are what makes america what it is, we can leave science and progress to the germans and japanese, just look where it got them.

|8.10.08 @ 11:48AM|#

average american.... the mayor wasnt dealing drugs.... duhhh read the article on the drudgereport. I was on a Federal Grand Jury our governemnt doest this all the time. This happens everyday in Baltimore City and I am sure everywhere. A dealer sent 32 lbs of drugs to the mayors home. It wasnt the mayors drugs. The police (or maybe we can call them the KGB) bursts in the home cuffing the mayor and his mother in law and they blow away the dogs. Black Labs the swat team has body armor on and they are worried about labs.... wake up america.

|8.10.08 @ 12:32PM|#

You have a right to protect your home and all members of the family,dogs also are "Family members." My son is a police officer, and they do not shoot dogs. If someone came though my door I would do whatever it takes to protect my family, cop or not...They are cops, not God. Sorry does not even begin to stop the hurt. Plus it was the mayor, HELLO you would think that the cops would have had ALL the facts before they did what they did...The Goverment is slowly taking away our rights, think about it,why all the camera's on the streets ? They say for traffic control and such, yep it is the such. Why would you need a traffic camera on a dead end street??? Cable is next, Feb 09, yep, so they, at any time, spy on you. Check it out....new cars have gps trackers "oh if you are in an accident we can send help asap"...humm you also can track us anywhere you go. If I was the mayor I would sue the city for what they did...Trust a cop, it is a two way street, and the cops, 99.9% of the time are cleared of any wrong doing, scarey that they have that much power. I feel sorry for us common folk. Big Brother is doing more than just watching.......May the powers above us, have mercy on us.....

|8.10.08 @ 1:14PM|#

The way I see it is that the Police are there to protect and serve and using a fire arm to kill any dog right or wrong could be more of a danger then the crime they claim they are trying to control. If they did there homework on the subject they are trying to apprehend, I would think they would know about a dog. Going in with the intent of shooting the dog no questioned asked is wrong. Bring an animal control officer or someone that is not afraid of a dog. You guys in your armor suits claiming to be afraid of a family pet are lying to yourself ( Feared for my safety) Please...

If I were to use the police logic, I could run around town and shoot any dog I see running loose, and this would be and should be against the law.