SD Charger shot by Off-Duty Officer

**Willowdared** · 09-04-06, 01:10 AM

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports...foleyshot.html

UNION-TRIBUNE

September 3, 2006

POWAY – Chargers linebacker Steve Foley was shot near his home early Sunday morning following a traffic stop by an off-duty city of Coronado police officer.
Foley's injuries are not believed to be life threatening, said sheriff's homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos. The shooting occured on Travertine Court. The Chargers issued a statement confirming the incident: “We have confirmed that linebacker Steve Foley was shot early this morning. We'll try to provide more information as it becomes available. Right now all of our thoughts are with Steve.”

Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, reached by the Associated Press, said, “All we're worried about is that he's OK.”
About 3:30 a.m., the off-duty officer started following a suspected drunk driver in the area of northbound Highway 163 and Highway 52, Brugos said. The vehicle was described as weaving and its speed ranged from 30 to 90 mph and nearly hit several vehicles, he said.

After stopping at a red light, the off-duty officer pulled beside Foley, identified himself as a police officer, and ordered him to pull over, but Foley drove away, Brugos said. Foley stopped again, and got out of his car, approaching the officer, according to police. The officer again identified himself, pulled out a gun, and ordered the suspect several times to stop, Brugos said.

“However he continued to walk toward the officer, making the statement, 'That's a bb gun',” Brugos said.

Foley then got back into his car and the off-duty officer followed him to a cul-de-sac in Poway, where Foley lives.

Foley got out of the car and started walking toward the officer, while his female passenger drove the car alongside him, Brugos said. The officer identified himself again and then fired a warning shot into the bushes, Brugos said. Brugos said the female then revved the engine and drove directly at the officer, by then out of his car; the officer fired two shots at Foley's vehicle. The officer was not hit by the car.

Foley reached into his pants with his right hand as he approached the officer and the officer fired at the suspect. Foley acknowledged he'd been shot, Brugos said, but continued to move toward the officer, who fired again. Foley then fell to the ground.

Foley was taken to a hospital and the female passenger was taken to the Poway sheriff's station for questioning.

No charges have been filed, Brugos said.

He said it was unclear whether Foley was armed.

The Coronado Police Department referred questions to the Sheriff's Department.

Foley has had previous run-ins with law enforcement. Last week, the San Diego County District Attorney's office said it would not pursue charges against Foley for an incident in April. He was accused of resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and being drunk in public after an altercation on a University City street about 1:30 a.m. April 21.

Foley signed with the Chargers as a free agent before the 2004 season, starting 13 games last season and missing three games with an abdominal injury. He tied for third on the team with 4½ sacks.

**Terminator** · 09-04-06, 07:20 AM

Good thing I don't have him on fantasy football!!!! I bet I know which Coronado PD Officer that was....LMAO!

**BigDawg** · 09-04-06, 08:28 AM

Let me guess hes on my team right???

**Piggybank Cop** · 09-04-06, 10:04 AM

Majored in Dumb ass in college.

**PACMAN** · 09-04-06, 02:01 PM

This story troubled me when it broke yesterday. You are on Washington by the 163 (My Beat) and you are a Coronado artsy fartsy cop not in the plush settings of the island but floating in the jungle. You, for some reason, decide to chase a car that may only be a drunk for a vehicle violation in your own personal vehicle at speeds of up to 90 mph. You do not decide to contact Chips until the 163@52? wow that was quite a little haul. Then you pull beside the guy and ID yourself up in Poway?.........Some little Coronado rookie is going to be in big trouble and have a lot of "es"plaining to do....Kids, words of advice, if you see a vehicle driving like an asshole call the local PD report the vehicle, get the plate and continue on your way.....BE A GOOD WITNESS! I would bet dollars to donuts that this Coronado Cop is having second thoughts now about his actions......calm your temper let it go, your off duty.......

Brad- that is the first thing I thought when I saw this "would that not be sweet justice if it was that Idiot from CPD".....at any rate I already got mines from Coronado at the jail a couple of weeks ago

**Willowdared** · 09-04-06, 02:22 PM

Well, I can tell you who's in charge of clean-up!

The girlfriend was arrested on attempted assault with a deadly weapon. She was the one who tried to run the officer down.

**conalabu** · 09-04-06, 02:38 PM

WTF? That has all kinds of ugly in that story.

**PACMAN** · 09-04-06, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by PDawg

Well, I can tell you who's in charge of clean-up!

The girlfriend was arrested on attempted assault with a deadly weapon. She was the one who tried to run the officer down.

Yeah I was going to call you and ask for the inside scoop, all I kept thinking was "what the fuck was that Coro-idiot thinking".....like Canalabu stated above it is just an ugly story all around, this is not going to be good, glad we had nothing to do with it.....his charges just got dropped last week for the 647(f) and the 148......you knew that would happen.....nice car though (Foley's)

**Willowdared** · 09-04-06, 02:55 PM

I should find out more today at work...they didn't talk about it too much yesterday.

I was also stuck on a radio that didn't have eavesdropping access!

**PACMAN** · 09-04-06, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by PDawg

I should find out more today at work...they didn't talk about it too much yesterday.

I was also stuck on a radio that didn't have eavesdropping access!

Let me know if hear anything good, I am heading in at 2100 and I think I am in the Patty wagon tonight scooping transients.....

**Willowdared** · 09-04-06, 03:18 PM

You got it....

**Lazy Fed** · 09-04-06, 03:32 PM

Umm fired warning shots????

Dumbass is going to have lots of explaining to do.

**PACMAN** · 09-04-06, 04:04 PM

At the end of the day he will be cleared by the DA, he had a right to act in his capacity, he had a right to stop Foley and make an arrest, he had a right to shoot Foley. The person he will answer to is his chief, did the end and the press outweigh his actions? from the outside looking in I would say no....

**Pedro56** · 09-04-06, 07:18 PM

First off, I wouldn't try to stop a suspected drunk off duty. I have a phone and a brain, 911 works. To me that copper is a moron.

**chris2001** · 09-04-06, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by PACMAN

Brad- that is the first thing I thought when I saw this "would that not be sweet justice if it was that Idiot from CPD".....at any rate I already got mines from Coronado at the jail a couple of weeks ago

It is quite possible that this was the same guy. Seing as the shit that this guy gave you and that lady for something so simple.

**Willowdared** · 09-05-06, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by chris2001

It is quite possible that this was the same guy. Seing as the shit that this guy gave you and that lady for something so simple.

Hmmm, was Brad trying to watch the submarine races?

**Hannibal** · 09-05-06, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by fscf3801

Umm fired warning shots????

Dumbass is going to have lots of explaining to do.

The only "warning shots" I will ever fire is if there are five heavily armed people charging me and I cap 4 of them; the fifth guy should consider himself "warned" cuz he's next.

WTF was he thinking? If he noticed a poss. drunk driver why didn't he call it in with a plate, etc. MAYBE even follow from a safe distance & speed to give info. I can't beleive someone could be so foolish. Wait a minute, yes I can (we work with some tart tarts too). But a warning shot into the bushes?

Originally Posted by PACMAN

At the end of the day he will be cleared by the DA, he had a right to act in his capacity, he had a right to stop Foley and make an arrest, he had a right to shoot Foley. The person he will answer to is his chief, did the end and the press outweigh his actions? from the outside looking in I would say no....

I don't know, his warning shot might have blown any chance that he may have had.

**sgtbambam** · 09-05-06, 04:29 AM

Hey Guys! Yea I agree that the cop screwed up big time! You should never intervene off duty unless you have too to save a life. You watch, he'll get screwed in court over this and probably fired.

**Willowdared** · 09-05-06, 12:51 PM

I've heard this agency is really tough on their officers - even when they cross every "T" and dot every "I," so we'll see how it all plays out.

Here's more on the story - the female was arrested, and she had a warrant in the system.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports...-7m5foley.html

**me again** · 09-05-06, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by PACMAN

This story troubled me when it broke yesterday. You are on Washington by the 163 (My Beat) and you are a Coronado artsy fartsy cop not in the plush settings of the island but floating in the jungle. You, for some reason, decide to chase a car that may only be a drunk for a vehicle violation in your own personal vehicle at speeds of up to 90 mph. You do not decide to contact Chips until the 163@52? wow that was quite a little haul. Then you pull beside the guy and ID yourself up in Poway?.........Some little Coronado rookie is going to be in big trouble and have a lot of "es"plaining to do....Kids, words of advice, if you see a vehicle driving like an asshole call the local PD report the vehicle, get the plate and continue on your way.....BE A GOOD WITNESS! I would bet dollars to donuts that this Coronado Cop is having second thoughts now about his actions......calm your temper let it go, your off duty.......

Brad- that is the first thing I thought when I saw this "would that not be sweet justice if it was that Idiot from CPD".....at any rate I already got mines from Coronado at the jail a couple of weeks ago

I'm glad you posted this because I was starting to think that I'm the only one who was thinking this.

If you're off-duty, it's best to drive with blinders on, espicially if you're out of your city or county. At best, simply call 911 on your cell phone and relay the information and be a good witness.

I'll bet that officer is going to be in a Heap O'Political Trouble.