Killeen Police Announce Hiring of Animal Services Unit Manager
The Killeen Police Department announces the renaming of the Animal Control Unit to the Animal Services Unit to better align the unit’s name with its mission of service and care for animals.
Additionally, the department wishes to announce the hiring of Mr. Edward W. Tucker as the new Animal Services Unit Manager. Mr. Tucker served 30 years with the U.S. Army, retiring at the rank of Sergeant Major. “Ed brings with him a great deal of management and leadership experience and love for animals that we believe will help propel the Animal Services Unit to the next level. We are glad to have him as a member of our team,” said Police Chief Dennis Baldwin. Changing the unit’s name was one of the first recommendations suggested by Mr. Tucker on day one, said Baldwin.
“We would also like to thank Commander Lee Caufield for his efforts over these past several months in addressing the challenges facing the unit. Lee’s steadfast, professional leadership and inclusive management style has helped to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the unit. Moreover, the service level and care of animals has been elevated under his leadership,” said Baldwin.
Mr. Tucker will be available for interviews on Thursday, August 28, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. The interviews will be conducted at the Killeen Animal Shelter located at 3118 Commerce Drive.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
School Zones Are Back on Monday!
The Killeen Police Department would like to remind all motorists that beginning Monday, August 25, 2014; a new school year begins.
On Monday, August 25, 2014, motorists will be seeing more children walking to and from school. The Killeen Police Department is asking all motorists to be mindful of the extra pedestrians and that the school zones will be in effect and will be enforced.
Remember the speed limits will be decreased in a designated school zone; the majority of school zones begin at 7:00am and are usually 20 mph. Please remember children are known to dart out into the roadway and it is asked that you give extra attention when driving.
We would also like to remind you that it is against the law to talk on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle within a designated school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or the device is used with a hands free device or to make an emergency call.
It is against the law to use a wireless communication device to view, send or compose an electronic message or engage other application software while operating a motor vehicle in a designated school zone.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KPD Officer Injured by a Fleeing Suspect During a Pursuit
On Saturday, August 16, 2014, at 5:09 a.m., an officer attempted to stop a silver Nissan the area of Elms Rd. and Ft. Hood St. for a traffic violation. The driver of the Nissan fled from the officer, westbound onto Stan Schlueter Loop and a pursuit ensued. The officer pursued the suspect through several neighborhoods west of the area. The suspect came to a stop at the dead end of Palmtree and Coral Bay. When the officer exited his vehicle; the suspect began fleeing again, striking the officer with the vehicle. Shots were fired by the officer and the vehicle fled west on Coral Bay. When the vehicle stopped the suspect got out and fled on foot. Officers continued to search the area and the K-9 Unit was deployed. The suspect was located by a K-9, hiding behind an air conditioning unit at the 3600 block of Coral Bay, at 6:11 a.m.; the suspect was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center for treatment for a gunshot wound. He was subsequently airlifted to Scott and White Memorial Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. The name of the suspect is withheld pending criminal charges.
The injured officer and was transported to Scott and White Memorial Hospital for treatment and has been released. The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, as is protocol, and his name has been withheld at this time.
This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Arrest One After Standoff
Killeen Police involved in early morning standoff on Armadillo Drive ends peacefully.
Officers responded to 2701 Armadillo Drive, after receiving a 911 call at 3:50am, on Friday, August 08, 2014, in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon their arrival, they were told a female had been assaulted by her boyfriend.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a male and female were involved in a verbal disagreement that turned physical and the male had left the residence prior to the officers’ arrival. A short time later, officers were notified that the suspect had returned to the residence and were advised that the victim was being held against her will and there was a possibly weapon involved. After several attempts were made to speak to the suspect, the Tactical Response Unit was deployed. For approximately two hours, members of the unit spoke to the suspect on and off and convinced him to surrender; at 8:52am, he was taken into custody, without incident, and transported to the Killeen City Jail. The female was released unharmed.
The suspect, 31 year old Andres Carrisalez of Killeen, is being charged with Assault with Bodily Injury on a Family Member, outstanding traffic warrants and a warrant for Human Trafficking by the U.S. Marshals Office.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Arrest Three for 20 Pound Marihuana Seizure
The Killeen Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit arrest three people and seize a large amount of narcotics.
Killeen Police Detectives assigned to the Organized Crime Unit; with the assistance of the K-9 Unit and Special Investigations Division, conducted a traffic stop on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, in the 5500 block of East Central Texas Expressway on a suspected drug courier vehicle. The stop resulted in the seizure of 20 pounds of packaged suspected marijuana and a large amount of US Currency. Three suspects were arrested; 28 year old Marcus Vaughn Furr of Killeen, 27 year old Lester Jerome Sumpter and 26 year old April Natalie Armenta both of El Paso. The case was screened by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office where a felony complaint was returned charging each suspect with Possession of Marijuana over 5 pounds. The three suspects were arraigned, on Friday, July 25, 2014, by Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin and a bond amount of $50,000 was placed on each suspect.
Due to information gained from the investigation, stop and arrest; more arrests are possible.
Tina Amerson
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Seek Forgery Suspects
The Killeen Police are asking for the community’s help identifying and locating two Forgery suspects.
Killeen Police Detectives are working with other Texas Law Enforcement agencies to locate a male and female suspected of passing forged checks. The checks were reported stolen in vehicle burglaries that occurred in Dallas and Williamson Counties. The suspects were seen on video surveillance Tuesday, July 8, 2014 in Bell County, as well as Coryell and Williamson Counties, passing the forged checks.
Detectives have attached photos of the suspects and they believe the female might be pregnant. The vehicle in the photo is possibly a newer model Kia or BMW that was either recently purchased or is being “test driven”.
If anyone can identify these suspects they are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637. Text HELP for help to 274637 or STOP to stop to 274637. All information is confidential and you can remain anonymous. If you tip leads to the arrest of the suspect involved in this crime, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1000 in cash.
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Seek Identity Theft Suspect
The Killeen Police Department is asking for assistance in locating the female in this photo.
The female is this photo has assumed the name of Teresa Ann Mercado and we know this is not her real name. Detectives need to speak with this woman and are asking anyone if they may know her whereabouts or might have any information.
If anyone can identify this suspect they are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637. Text HELP for help to 274637 or STOP to stop to 274637. All information is confidential and you can remain anonymous. If you tip leads to the arrest of the suspect involved in this crime, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1000 in cash.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Recognizes Officers
Killeen Police Department recognizes and awards eight officers for their courageous actions.
The Killeen Police Department responded to the Grandon Apartments on Saturday, July 13, 2013, in reference to a man with a long rifle threatening residents in the pool area. As the situation unfolded, these officers immediately took action demonstrating courage, risk and danger to his/her personal safety.
Chief Dennis Baldwin presented the awards on Thursday, July 24, 2014 to the following officers; the Medal of Valor to former Officer Christopher Ache and Officer Odis Denton; the Police Purple Heart and the Meritorious Conduct Award to Officer Juan Obregon and the Meritorious Conduct Award to Sgt. Jonathan Rinehart, officers’ Brandon Smith, Joseph Delongchamps, former officer Lorraine McAtee and Tactical Paramedic Michael Neujahr.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Seek Learning Center Burglary Suspects
Killeen Police are asking for the community’s help identifying two men who broke into a local business.
Officers responded to the Jackson Professional Learning Center, located at 902 Rev. R.A. Abercrombie, at 11:20 pm on Thursday, July 3, 2014 in reference to a burglary. Upon the officer’s arrival, they spoke with an employee who told them that the business was broken into, a television was removed from inside the learning center and was later found sitting outside the building.
Detectives have attached photographs of the suspects. The suspects are two white males that are thin to medium build. The first suspect has brown or dark hair and is wearing a white t-shirt with large black wording on the front, dark shorts and dark tennis shoes. The second suspect is wearing a green cap turned backwards, a red t-shirt with “DC” on the front in white and dark shorts.
Detectives are asking anyone who can identify these suspects or has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with their tip to 274637. Text HELP for help with the tip or text STOP to stop the tip, message and data rates may apply. All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip results in the arrest of the suspect involved in this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate Fatal Traffic Accident – Update
Killeen Police investigate early morning fatal crash at W.S. Young and Veteran’s Memorial Blvd.
Officers responded to W.S. Young Dr. and Veteran’s Memorial Blvd, at 4:14 am on Saturday, July 19, 2014, after receiving a 911 call telling them there was an accident with injuries. Upon the officers arrival they located a white Nissan Altima and a blue Hyundai Elantra turned over onto the driver’s side with the unresponsive driver pinned inside.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the Nissan, with three occupants, was traveling eastbound in the outside lane of Veteran’s Memorial Blvd, approaching W.S. Young Dr. and the Hyundai was traveling westbound on Veteran’s Memorial Blvd, turning southbound onto W.S Young. The Nissan collided with the Hyundai causing it to leaving the roadway hitting the curb in the parking lot and coming to rest on its side; the Killeen Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to remove the driver from the vehicle. Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced the 27 year old driver deceased at 4:50am and ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.
The front passenger in the Nissan was airlifted to Scott & White Memorial Hospital in serious condition and the driver of the Nissan was transported to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights in stable condition.
Update:
The deceased male has been identified as Troy Richard Eric Taylor of Killeen
This crash continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KilleenPD News 