Posted in Related Deaths
5-1-2012 Mississippi:
PEARL, Miss. — A police investigator was killed Tuesday in a shootout with a suspect, officials said.
Senior Investigator Mike Walters was shot in the head as he and other detectives tried to serve warrants on a
suspect wanted for sexual battery.
Upon entering an apartment in Pearl, police located a man hiding in a bathtub who began to resist arrest, according to The Officer Down Memorial Page.
Officers used a TASER against the subject, who opened fire on the officers and struck Walters in the face.
Another officer returned fire and killed the man.
A helicopter airlifted Walters and two other injured officers to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, but Walters was declared dead, The
Clarion Ledger reports.
Paying tribute to the fallen officer, Mayor Brad Rogers told a news conference,"It's a job most of us probably wouldn't do."
The two officers injured in the incident are reportedly in stable condition.
..Source.. by PoliceOne Staff
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Slain officer may be 1st in Pearl killed in line of duty
A slain officer is the first from Pearl Police Department to die in the line of duty since the town’s incorporation in 1973, said Chief Ben Schuler.
Investigator Mike Walter, 32, was killed by a gunman who holed up in a bathroom while police served a search warrant for sexual assault and molestation.
The suspect, Carnell Gaines, 30, did not answer the door when police knocked, so they had an apartment complex manager open his door. As they searched the apartment, they came across him in the bathroom.
When Gaines would not show his hands, an officer went for his taser, and Gaines opened fire, killing Walter, a father, husband, and former professional baseball player.
Walter is from San Diego, Calif., according to a release put out by Pearl spokesman Lt. Butch Townsend. He played professional baseball for the Houston Astros from 1993-2000.
Friends of the family said he met his wife, Jeanne, while he was playing baseball, and moved back to Mississippi so she could be closer to home.
The Walters have an 11-year old daughter, Bailey.
He was hired by Pearl in February 2009 as a patrol officer, and moved up quickly to the position of investigator, Townsend said.
“Mike was a beacon of sunshine,” said Townsend in the release. “No words can express our feelings of loss at this time.”
The other officers injured in the shooting were Investigator Dave McCarley, who was shot in the hand and the leg, and Shaun Terwilliger, who received injuries to his forearm that were not gun-related.
McCarley’s injuries are serious, but Townsend said he should make a full recovery with surgery.
“One of the bad parts about our business is the fact that it must go on,” Townsend wrote. “The thin blue line cannot be allowed to be broken. Now we face that task without our brother Mike by our side. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. A good man was lost today.”
..Source.. by The Clarion-Ledger
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2 Officers shot in Pearl; Officer, Suspect Killed
A Pearl police officer was shot and killed today at the Colony Park Apartments in Pearl. Another officer was also shot and a 3rd injured. The suspect, 30-year-old Carnell Gaines Jr., was also shot and killed.
Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest identified the slain officer as Investigator Mike Walter. He was shot in the head.
University of Mississippi Medical Center spokesman Jack Mazurak said the slain officer died at 11:56 a.m.
Mazurak said the two other officers were in good condition.
Michael Guest confirms that Officer Dave McCarley was shot in the leg and hand and transported by ambulance to UMC. His injuries do not appear to be life threatening. Officer Shawn Terwilliger was injured at the scene but not from gunfire. He also is being treated at UMC.
According to officials, just after 11 a.m. several officers attempted to serve a search warrant and an arrest warrant on 30-year-old Carnell Gaines Jr., who lived in Building 24 at the apartment complex.
When no one answered the door, police got the apartment manager to open the unit. While searching, officers discovered Gaines hiding in the bathtub of a rear bedroom and bath.
Officers reported that Gaines was uncooperative and was about to be tazed when Gaines drew a weapon and began firing. The officers returned fire.
Two officers were shot and another injured during the shootout. Gaines was shot and killed. One of the shot officers later died at University Medical Center in Jackson. The two other officers are listed in good and fair condition.
A neighbor told Fox 40 News that Gaines lived in the apartment with his girlfriend who was pregnant.
According to police, the arrest warrant was for sexual battery and the search warrant was for child pornography. Gaines also has a drug conviction from 2002.
Lieutenant Butch Townsend released this statement for Pearl Police Department:
Today the Pearl Police Department lost an officer in the line of duty. This is a sad first for our town that was incorporated in 1973.
Our beloved friend and comrade, Investigator Michael J. Walter, known to us simply as Mike, was thirty seven years old. He is survived by his loving wife Jeanne and the absolute light of his life, his daughter Bailey age eleven.
Mike also leaves behind his parents John and Judy Walter in their native San Diego, California.
Besides his family, Mike had three passions: the San Diego Chargers, professional baseball and law enforcement.
Mike played professional baseball for the Houston Astros from 1993 – 2000. Mike was hired by the Pearl Police Department in February of 09 as a patrol officer. His knowledge, intellect and inquiring mind enabled him to move to the position of investigator in rapid time, assuming that position in October of 2010.
Also injured in the same incident today was Investigator Dave McCarley. McCarley was shot in the hand and leg. His wounds are serious with surgery and extensive rehab most likely to be needed. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Investigator Shaun Terwilliger received injuries to his forearm, not fire arm related, and was treated and released.
No words can express our feeling of loss at this time. Mike was a beacon of sunshine. Nothing but kind words for all. Seldom did a smile leave his face and his smiles were never bigger than when he would speak of his wife and daughter. We loved him as much he loved them.
One of the bad parts about our business is the fact that it must go on. The thin blue line cannot be allowed to be broken. Now we face that task without our brother Mike by our side. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. A good man was lost today. We’ll keep you posted on the arrangements, which are incomplete as of this time. Mike’s picture is attached. Note the Chargers logo. Thank you for thinking about us.
..Source.. by Fox40.com
