KPD focusing on impaired drivers and those who exceed the posted speed limits.

The Killeen Police Department would like to remind drivers to exercise care during the Memorial Day holidays and drive safely.  The department will have extra patrols that will be on the lookout for speeders and impaired drivers.  The extra patrols are a result of the department’s participation in a Texas Department of Transportation funded grant known as the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).   Officers working with the STEP program will focus on those who are exceeding the posted speed limit and locating and arresting impaired or intoxicated drivers who are presenting a hazardous risk.

It is the goal of this program to prevent potential injuries and loss of life to local drivers and holiday travelers.

The Killeen Police Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day holiday.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate early morning incident at Bellaire Elementary School.

The Killeen Police Department was contacted today, May 20, 2016 at 7:55am, in reference to an incident that took place between a 9 year male and an off-duty Killeen Police Officer, inside Bellaire Elementary School located at 108 W. Jasper Road at 7:20am.    A supervisor responded to the school and began speaking to those involved and the school’s administration.

The supervisor was advised that the off-duty officer had signed into the school for personal business.  While walking in the hallway the officer heard a disturbance inside a classroom and entered the classroom to check the welfare of those inside.  Upon entering the classroom he identified himself as a Killeen Police Officer to the individuals involved in the disturbance.   The officer gained control of the child causing the disturbance.  The officer ascertained from the faculty member what normal protocol should be for this situation.  He was told the child should be removed to the principal’s office.  The officer and a faculty member then removed the child from the classroom.  While escorting the child to the principal’s office, he began to resist causing the officer to restrain him.  Once the child was restrained other members of the faculty took control of the situation.

As is required by protocol, the Killeen Police Department initiated a criminal investigation as a result of minor injuries observed on the child; this investigation is to determine if these injuries occurred during this incident and under what circumstances.   The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the criminal investigation and an internal investigation that has been initiated to determine if the officer’s conduct was appropriate and within department policy.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police learned that the juvenile escapee was in the area of Stan Schlueter and Shawn Dr.   Officers searched the area and located the suspect in the 4200 block of Greenlee; he was hiding in a tree house in the back yard of the residence.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident at 11:57am.

Killeen Police search for a juvenile who escaped from the Juvenile Detention Center.

Officers responded to a 911 call at 1:05pm, advising a 16 year old male inmate had just escaped the Juvenile Detention Center located at 4800 E. Rancier.  He is described as a black male, 6’2” tall and weighing approximately 230 pounds.  The escapee was wearing an orange sweat shirt and orange sweatpants; he was last seen running westbound in the field area.  The officers were told the male overpowered the detention officer and took their keys to open the door and fled on foot.    The juvenile is a suspect in several Burglaries, Robberies and Auto Thefts and is considered to be dangerous.  Do not attempt to apprehend, contact local authorities if seen.

The name of the escapee will not be released since he is a juvenile.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information of the escapee’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the app P3 tips on IOS and Android phones.  All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police search for juvenile who escaped from the Juvenile Detention Center.

Officers responded to a 911 call at 1:05pm, advising a 16 year old male inmate had just escaped the Juvenile Detention Center located at 4800 E. Rancier.  He is described as a black male, 6’2” tall and weighing approximately 230 pounds.  The escapee was wearing an orange sweat shirt and orange sweatpants; he was last seen running westbound in the field area.  The officers were told the male overpowered the detention officer and took their keys to open the door and fled on foot.    The juvenile is a suspect in several Burglaries, Robberies and Auto Thefts and is considered to be dangerous.  Do not attempt to apprehend, contact local authorities if seen.

The name of the escapee will not be released since the he is a juvenile.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information of the escapee’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the app P3 tips on IOS and Android phones.  All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate Homicide on Covey Lane.

Officers were called to the 1200 block of Covey Lane at 9:38am, on Saturday, May 14, 2016, after receiving a 911 call in reference to a man down. Upon the officers’ arrival they located a 28 year old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle.  Justice of the Peace Donald Engleking pronounced the victim, Jamaal Jeffery Skipper, of Killeen, deceased at the scene at 10:18am.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the app P3 tips on IOS and Android phones.  All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate Homicide on Covey Lane.

Officers were called to the 1200 block of Covey Lane at 9:38am, on Saturday, May 14, 2016, after receiving a 911 call in reference to a man down. Upon the officers’ arrival they located a victim.  Justice of the Peace Donald Engleking pronounced the 29 year old victim deceased at the scene at 10:18am.

The name of the deceased has been withheld pending the notification of the next of kin.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the app P3 tips on IOS and Android phones.  All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate an evening fatal motorcycle crash on Hwy 190.

Killeen Police responded to the area of Hwy 190 and Knights Way Exit, at 7:47pm, on Monday, May 9, 2016, after receiving a 911 call in reference to a motorcycle crash.  Upon the officer’s arrival, they located a black motorcycle on its side and the operator of the motorcycle inside the van. Unfortunately the driver of the motorcycle succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, at 8:21 pm, by Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin.  The deceased is identified as 33 year old Ellsworth Allen Raup III.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the green 1998 Toyota Sienna van was traveling eastbound in the outside lane on Hwy 190 and the black Honda motorcycle traveling behind it.  Due to the construction on the highway, traffic ahead was being directed to one lane and was slowing down; as the van nearly came to a stop, the operator of the motorcycle was following too closely, causing it to collide into the rear of the van. The operator of the motorcycle was ejected and went through the rear window of the van.  The driver of the van was transported to Seton Hospital with minor injuries.

This crash continues to be investigated by the Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate a fatal morning crash on 195 at Chaparral Rd.

Officers responded to a report of a crash at 195 and Chaparral Rd. at 6:33am, on Monday, May 2, 216.  Upon the officers arrival they learned a 67 year old female driving a gray Nissan Versa attempted to cross 195 northbound lanes to turn onto the southbound lanes.  When the driver pulled out she did so as two vehicles were traveling northbound in the inside and outside lanes, causing a Dodge Ram pickup and a Ford pickup to hit the Nissan.

The 60 year old male driving the Dodge Ram pickup was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center with non life threatening injuries.  The female driver, Joanne Scott, was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin at 9:40am.

This crash continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Department Honor Guard participates in the 2016 Texas Peace Officer Memorial.

Officers with the Killeen Police Department Honor Guard had the distinguished honor to participate in the Police Memorial Candlelight Vigil on the evening of Sunday, May 1, 2016, and again with the Annual Texas Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony held at the State Capitol in Austin on Monday, May 02, 2016.  Law enforcement agencies from all over the state of Texas, came together to remember the eleven law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2015.

The Killeen Police Honor Guard had the privilege of placing the wreaths during the candlelight vigil and escorting the families of the slain officers families during the memorial service.  It is always an honor to be asked to participate in these events, especially after losing two of our own officers.  These officers who died in the line of duty may be gone but are never forgotten, they paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department