A friend of mine needs some prayers.

**TwanimusPrime** · 05-18-07, 03:05 AM

PDawg beat me to the story, I've been calling all my people back at La Paz to get as many details as poossible. I'll link the news story below, but the fact of the matter is the press got it wrong as ussual.

http://www.havasunews.com/articles/2...eakingnews.txt

The Officer involved name is JC Kemp. He is a good friend of mine from back at my time at La Paz County Sheriff. He lateraled to Quartzite Police about 6 months before I left for Marana PD. As I worked in the Quartzite district, I worked with him a lot. Yes, this is basically the same beat I patrolled for two years.

The news story is wrong. It was not four rounds, it was more than 15. JC made the stop, and the bad guy (or guys) jumped out and started shooting. JC never even had a chance to put his vehicle in park. Nor was he able to exit the car and take cover, he was still inside when some citizens came to his aid. One of the bullets destroyed his radio mic, so he wans't able to call it out. Some residents in the area heard what happened and went for help and called 911. When they asked JC where he was shot, he just said "everywhere."

His injuries were through and through to the arms, legs and shoulders, but hes doing well and all signs point to that he will pull through. Some shrapnel to the face and neck, but no broken bones. I was planning a trip back home next week on my days off anyway, so I'm going to stop by and see how hes doing.

I know more details about the suspects, the stop, and a probable reason for the shooting, but I can't say any right now because its super confidential right now because of the investigation. But I'll give any updates as soon as I get clearance to give them. But I can say the suspect vehicle was located after a massive search, but the suspect(s) are still at large.

Things look good that hes gonna make it ok, but I still appriciate any prayers people here can offer. This is relaly hitting hard for me, its the first time this has happened to anyone I know personally, let alone a friend like JC. I just thank god things look good for him. His wife and he had a baby while I worked with him.

**lewisipso** · 05-18-07, 03:12 AM

I hear ya loud and clear. I've had an academy officer friend shot and two fellow officers shot in my career. Prayers offered.
Don't hesitate.

**conalabu** · 05-18-07, 04:25 AM

Thoughts and prayers. You guys need anything that we can give, ask.

**Motorwaycop** · 05-18-07, 05:12 AM

All the best to him.

And all the very worst to them.

**cwtlady** · 05-18-07, 07:17 AM

I'm sorry to hear this happened but I'm glad he's going to pull through. Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

**countybear** · 05-18-07, 08:04 AM

Prayers sent.

**rob84** · 05-18-07, 08:04 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

**Jenna** · 05-18-07, 08:52 AM

Best wishes for a quick recovery.

**Big Al** · 05-18-07, 09:28 AM

Pass on a "Get well soon" from all of us

**Willowdared** · 05-18-07, 10:49 AM

Thank you for the update!

When we got the BOL, our first thought was the officer's condition, as it wasn't made clear. A later update we received was not good.

I usually don't like to post "inside" information, and wait for something from a media source, but this story seemed too important to wait.

I know that my whole department has your friend in their thoughts and prayers.

**BigDawg** · 05-18-07, 11:07 AM

My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. I hope they catch the scum bags soon too.

**TwanimusPrime** · 05-18-07, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by PDawg

Thank you for the update!

When we got the BOL, our first thought was the officer's condition, as it wasn't made clear. A later update we received was not good.

I usually don't like to post "inside" information, and wait for something from a media source, but this story seemed too important to wait.

I know that my whole department has your friend in their thoughts and prayers.

It sounded really bad at first, but everything I've heard on his condition is good. Hes still in a hospital in Phoenix, but his injuries are listed as non life threatening.

And I'll add that its no surprise that you guys got word it was a La Paz So Deputy, and not a Quartzite Police Officer. QPD uses La Paz County Central Dispatch, and even uses the same frequency as LPCSO, so most outside agencies think QPD calls are LPCSO as well.

I just hope this finally makes the LPC Board of Supervisors and Quartzite town council take things seriously. There have been quite a few shootings in that area in the past few years. Shortly before I left a QPD Sgt. was in a suicide by cop shooting, and about 6 months before that my Sgt. and our Civil Deputy was in a shooting just outside of Quartzite. Hell, about a year before that several Quartzite Officers got in a shoot out on Interstate 10 with some armed robbers. Its averaging about one a year, although this is the first time an Officer was injured. About that same time a Highway Patrolman was shot in that area by a homicide suspect, but his vest stopped it so he was ok.

QPD is a small, about 10 Officer agency. They ussually only have 1 or 2 officers on at a time, and LPCSO only has 1 Deputy covering that district (which covers about 1800 square miles) Maybe this will final get the powers that be to realize that the low staffing makes it horribly unsafe for the Officers out there. Only time will tell.

**Just KC** · 05-18-07, 11:39 AM

Oh man.....keeping him, his family, and you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish him a speedy recovery and calming mental thoughts. I can only imagine the nightmares he is having.

Can't wait to hear they caught the bastards.

**Crimebytes2** · 05-18-07, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by TwanimusPrime

Maybe this will final get the powers that be to realize that the low staffing makes it horribly unsafe for the Officers out there. Only time will tell.

I'm truly sorry to hear about your good friend... my thoughts and prayers are with him. Why must it take a near tragedy before the powers that be wake up and see the situation for what it is? No doubt, it would be a different story if their lives were on the line.

**Roses** · 05-18-07, 07:13 PM

Praying for a full recovery.

**TXCharlie** · 05-18-07, 08:21 PM

Wishing a speedy and complete recovery for your friend, TwanimusPrime

**Willowdared** · 05-22-07, 01:34 PM

Suspect identified in shooting of Quartzsite officer
Lindsey Collom
The Arizona Republic
May. 20, 2007 08:55 AM

Authorities have identified a suspect in the shooting of a Quartzsite police officer.

Gregory Allen "Groundhog" Cole was still at large Saturday.

According to the Department of Public Safety, Cole shot the officer multiple times during a traffic stop early Thursday on a 1976 Ford motor home.

The motor home fled after the shooting, and investigators soon found it abandoned in the La Posa Campground parking lot in the Quartzsite area.

Police say motor home was registered to Kenneth W. Miller and Betty Lou Japel, both from McMinnville, Oregon. The license plate on the motor home at the time of the shooting belonged on a 1986 Dodge pick up truck, which is also registered to the elderly couple.

That Dodge pickup truck, described as a black and silver Dodge Ram 50, is missing, along with the Oregon license plate that should have been on the motor home, which is "H109178."

Miller and Japel have not been located, but DPS officers are concerned for their safety

Police describe Cole as White, 6 feet 3 inches, 275 pounds with blue/green eyes. Cole has a bald head and was last seen clean shaven.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Department of Public Safety at (602) 223-2212.

****************************** **************************

Two Oregon residents missing after shooting of Arizona officer

5/21/2007, 11:09 a.m. PDT
The Associated Press
McMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) — Two people from McMinnville are reported missing after a man wounded a local officer in Arizona and fled in their motor home, authorities said.

The Oregonians were identified by Arizona officials as Kenneth Miller, 73, and Betty Lou Japel, 69.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the suspect in the shooting on Thursday is Gregory Cole, known as "Groundhog" in Quartzite, Ariz., near the Arizona-California border where the shooting occurred.

The officer wore a protective vest and was hospitalized, the department said.

The department said in a statement that it didn't believe the Oregonians were involved in the shooting but officers are worried about their safety.

Betty Lou Japel's son, Joseph, said his mother and Miller have traveled extensively in the past 20 years.

"We're pretty sure this had nothing to do with mom or Ken," he told The Oregonian newspaper. "But as far as where they are, we have no idea."

The motor home was later found abandoned in a campground parking lot.

The license plate on the motor home belonged to a pickup that is also registered to Japel and Miller. That truck is missing, the Arizona department said.

**smokey703** · 05-22-07, 04:51 PM

My prayers are with him and his family.
I hope they catch this s.o.b quickly, and when they do he gets some good ol' fashion street justice.

Behold the pale horse. And the man that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him.

What this chuckle head failed to realize is that law enforcement is the biggest gang in the world and no matter where he runs we will be right behind him until the day that he can't run anymore. And when that day comes he will see the pale horse and hell right behind him!!!!!!!!!!

And this also goes for the peice of $hit that killed that constable in S.C.