19 Arrests + 20 Releases = 1 Dead State Trooper

A man with an extensive record of arrests, 19 at last count, including several felony convictions was out on the streets this Christmas holiday from his most recent arrest for drug possession and gun charges two weeks ago shot and killed a Georgia state trooper after being stopped for driving with a busted headlight.

Jail records indicate that Favors has been in the Fulton County Jail a total of 18 times. Most recently, he was booked into the jail on December 11 on charges including possession of cocaine, criminal attempt to enter an automobile, possession of tools for commission of a crime, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. He bonded out of jail on December 14.

Fulton County Jail records show Favors was also in jail on June 26, 2010; March 17, 2010; February 3, 2010; April 20, 2009; December 12, 2008; April 10, 2008; October 7, 2007; July 12, 2007; April 18, 2000; and December 28, 1999.

During a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, investigators said Favors has had at least 18 prior arrests and numerous convictions. According to Keenan, several of Favors’ prior convictions were felonies, and they included possession of a firearm, alluding police, and drug possession.

According to those that have viewed the dash cam recording of this stop the trooper never stood a chance. After wrecking his car while attempting to elude the officer the man secured his gun. As the trooper approached to make sure everyone was alright shots rang out. Three shots rang out in quick succession and one found it's mark in the head of the trooper. There is little doubt that he was aiming for the head since being the hardcore felon he was he knew the guy would be wearing a bullet proof vest.

There was no excuse for this guy even being on the street and now in addition to the killing of the trooper he will once again face many of the same charges he was just arrested on on December 11. Now a wife no longer has her husband and two children have lost their father all because we have a judicial system which hands out second chances, third chances and in this case almost 20 chances. Officer Lecroy only got one.

UPDATED: I found this in another story about the shooting and just wanted to add it.

LeCroy wasn't able to spend this Christmas at home because of work. But his Thanksgiving visit was much longer than normal, Houston said.

“On Thanksgiving the whole family was here, kids and grandkids. We had a houseful,” Houston said. “Chad seemed reluctant to leave. There was a fire in the fire place and he stayed and stayed and stayed until 1 in the morning. We just commented that, that was unusual.”

It would be the last time he'd see his stepson alive.

You Are Safer In Iraq Than Chicago

Yesterday a police officer was slain in Chicago. He was also an Army veteran who had served in Iraq. Two tours. He was killed in front of his house. In front of his father. All for a motorcycle. Done by a group of people who believe they are entitled to what you have worked for. So far the only good news out of this story is that the father managed to put down one of the killers. The others are being rounded up, and no doubt very shortly will be getting the full fawning media attention and back stories on how rough their lives were growing up and how they didn't get the attention as kids.

BS.

Wortham's father -- a retired Chicago Police sergeant, a member of former Mayor Harold Washington's security detail and, like his son, a military veteran -- was on his porch when he saw two men approach and try to rob his son, a source said. The younger Wortham loudly announced he was a police officer, then one of the men shot him in the head. Wortham's father came to his aid and shot two of the attackers, killing one -- Brian Floyd, 20, of the 3700 block of South Wentworth, police said. Charges were pending against the injured suspect.

I also wish to call to task the Chicago Sun Times, which in an otherwise good article about Thomas Wortham, the slain officer and Iraq veteran, mentioned his military service, but seemed unable to give a branch. The press reports differ. One source I checked says Army Reserves another says he was member of the Illinois National Guard and was 1st Lieutenant, that means an officer. Even now we have nobody in the press who can verify military information and that is just sad and a disappointing commentary on the state of journalism in this country.



There is just something so wrong with somebody serving two tours in a supposed war zone only to return home and get gunned down on the front lawn.

All four suspects have now been caught, killed or wounded. The gutless wonders didn't have the cojones to shoot it out like I hoped they would so the taxpayers would be spared the cost of a trial.

The video was from earlier and while it states no suspects had been caught here is a link to an article which states that all have been rounded up. One is dead, one is in the hospital wounded, and the remaining two were caught.

And Barry O wanted Chicago to host the Olympics.

Update on slain police officers in Atlanta

Eric Barker poses with actor Robin Williams while he escorts him around Kandahar, Afghanistan, during a visit with the troops in late 2002.

Previous posts on this topic

The DeKalb County policeman's last conversation with his wife, Yolanda, Tuesday evening involved the mundane logistics of parenting. Yolanda worked an early-morning shift as a check processor and watched their four children each evening. He made sure they were dressed and fed the next morning and got them off to school.
Barker called his wife from work around 6:30 p.m. to find out where she'd put their 5-year-old boy's school things and to gather details about the nap of one of the younger boys.
Six hours later, Eric Barker lay mortally wounded in an apartment parking lot.

Memorial services
And of course the campaign now shifts to protecting the murderers rights.

Two more veterans linked to homicide

I have written about Dekalb county, a suburb on the west side of Atlanta, a couple of times, normally in relation to the number of homicides they have. Last night 2 off duty police officers were killed. They were in uniform working as security guards at an apartment complex. It appears, according to the first reports, that they were ambushed. They were called to the scene and shot according to the police spokesman shot execution style. The search is on for 2 black males. Notice how the police are not afraid to put out a full description of the suspects when it one of their own. Normally around here they play it close to the vest regarding the race of any suspects.
The county has already had 4 murders this year before this.

UPDATE: 01/17/2008 One of the slain officers, Ricky Bryant, is a former Marine. The other, Eric Barker, is an Army veteran with tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Officer Barker is also a 12-year veteran of the Army. His wife said he has served time in Afghanistan and Bosnia.

“You know the USA is supposed to be the safest country out of all the country’s he’s been to but he gets shot and killed in his own country, it's not right, it's not fair,” Barker said.

I wonder if this is noted by the NY Times. So far 2 suspects have been arrested in conjunction with the murders.

UPDATED: 01/18/2008 There are now 3 people arrested in connection with the murders and they are looking for a 4th.