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Western Railroad Discussion > Inspector Clouseau vs. The Keystone CopsDate: 02/23/05 19:50 Inspector Clouseau vs. The Keystone Cops Author: ChrisG BNSF RAIL COP IN CHICAGO SHOOTING SPREE
CHICAGO -- A BNSF Railway cop was charged with four counts of attempted murder Feb. 22 after he fired 17 shots at four City of Chicago policemen following a traffic stop, according to Chicago newspapers. A bulletproof vest saved the life of one of the Chicago policemen. The off-duty railroad cop was identified as Howard Morgan, 53, of Chicago. Morgan was hospitalized in critical condition with 24 gunshot wounds -- all reportedly inflicted in self-defense by Chicago police. Chicago police said the shooting by the gun-toting railroad cop occurred at 12:45 a.m. Monday after two City of Chicago policemen heard a gunshot and saw a van driving "suspiciously" without headlights on. Two Chicago police scout cars followed the van and four policemen participated in the traffic stop. Chicago police said that when the railroad cop, Morgan, exited the van, he first put his hands on the vehicle; but then began struggling with the Chicago police officers who attempted to handcuff him. Morgan then allegedly pulled a handgun and shot one Chicago policeman in the arm and chest. Only a bulletproof vest protected him. The other three officers at the scene returned the gun fire, resulting in Morgan, the BNSF cop, receiving 24 wounds. Chicago police said the return gunfire was within department and state guidelines. "What is not within state guidelines is how railroad police are hired, trained and supervised," said United Transportation Union International President Paul Thompson. "This incident, as reported, is beyond shocking. It is further evidence that railroad police need to be brought under the same selection, licensing and training standards that states use for local and state police. "The UTU has said for years that railroad police should not be laying in the weeds spying on train and engine crews, serving discipline notices and testifying for the company in discipline hearings," Thompson said. "Now train and engine service employees and their families have a new reason to fear railroad police. This may be an isolated incident," Thompson said, "but given the lack of uniform state standards in selecting, training and supervising railroad police -- and their history of being used to intimidate and harass train and engine service employees -- it is time for Congress to act and require that railroad police undergo the same selection and training process as states require of municipal and state policemen." SOURCE: UTU EMPLOYEE PUBLICATION Date: 02/23/05 20:10 Re: Inspector Clouseau vs. The Keystone Cops Author: CSXQ167 I think what I find most amazing about this story, is that he was shot 24 times and is still of alive. Those "Bulls" are tough. Q167 out
Date: 02/23/05 20:18 Re: Inspector Clouseau vs. The Keystone Cops Author: n6nvr Must have been a former BN Cop or the requirements in IL are lighter. (Or heaven forfend a Union President is overstating the situation. That never happens)
ATSF and other RR Policemen in CA have had POST training and certs since 1974. How do I know? I happened to be cleaning out some of my Dad's train room today and happened to find a letter thanking him for particpating in a POST school at PCC in 74 and included a copy of the ATSF Magazine showing a picture of the class and a summary. RR Cops from the ATSF, SP, UP, HBL and others participated. Date: 02/23/05 22:05 Re: Inspector Clouseau vs. The Keystone Cops Author: kajax9 nv6nvr, who is your dad? Respond to me off line at Asko123@aol.com. I wonder if I worked with him.
Work & Play Safely, Greg Stevens Date: 02/24/05 00:09 Re: Inspector Clouseau vs. The Keystone Cops Author: vegasrails I don't konw about else where but the two Special Agents here in Vegas are Post certified Cat 1 officers same as Metro and the othr police departments here in Las Vegas.
Date: 02/24/05 06:32 Re:Some clarification and a question Author: kevink Various Chicago news sources have stated that the RR cop had 24 entry and exit wounds. I guess that means he might have been shot 12 times. The incident also occurred in the early morning hours.
The UTU statement quoted earlier infers that RR cops hide in the weeds to harass train crews. Is this true? I would have thought that enforcement of operating rules would be handled by RR officials such as trainmasters. Aren't the RR cops more for protection of company assets? Date: 02/24/05 07:10 The biggest question... Author: jgilmore Seems to me the biggest question is this: As a fellow officer, why was he resisting FOUR Chicago police officers in the middle of the night, and not simply complying with them to clear up the matter without having it get to this?
Was the RR cop doing something illegal where he just couldn't be questioned by the other cops? If not, why would he need to fire 17 shots at them when they apparently weren't shooting at him? Sounds totally brainless to me! The RR cop sounds like a fool from the story, as I don't think the city cops would just start shooting without provocation, and they certainly have the right to stop and investigate any suspicious activity--that's part of their job that the RR cop should've quickly realized. Maybe more facts will clear it up, but I can't really feel sorry for the RR cop if this report is true. Maybe the RR cop was listening to Ice-T's "Cop Killer"! :^) Joel Gilmore Date: 02/24/05 07:39 Re: The biggest question... Author: maintainerdeluxe Former postal worker
Date: 02/24/05 08:09 Re: Re:Some clarification and a question Author: HaggisKennedy Still, 12 hits seems like a high amount. I've seen reports that beat cops don't always get a lot of range time, so marksmanship suffers. But, if it was close range, then it would fall into the "can't hardly miss" category.
Wonder how many shots were fired in total by the Chicago PD.... Kennedy Date: 02/24/05 10:25 Re: number of hits by CPD Author: CPRR They must have 9mm pistols. had the guy been hit with .40 or .45, he would be dead.
Date: 02/24/05 11:01 Re: number of hits by CPD Author: FUSEE I'd suggest reading the story from real news agency and not the UTU. The guy was drunk. A lot of cops have drinking problems. But I can't speak for this guy because I've never met him. Railroad cops are post certified and go through the same academy training as any other police officer. BNSF doesn't just go out to Labor Ready and hire a half dozen guys to walk around with a gun for a couple hours. The only reason this incident was beyond shocking is because he was a cop. Not because he was a "railroad cop". Lets not forget that this happened after he was hired, trained, and while he was off duty. For some reason the UTU seems to think they just give you a gun and tell you to get to work. But like I said before I'd suggest reading the story from a real news source.
Jon Date: 02/24/05 11:29 Re: The biggest question... Author: karldotcom They were probably shaking him down.
>>>As a fellow officer, why was he resisting FOUR Chicago police officers in the middle of the night, and not simply complying with them to clear up the matter without having it get to this? Date: 02/25/05 21:36 Re: Inspector Clouseau vs. The Keystone Cops Author: KCMOWMAN New total, officer shot twenty-five times!
No wonder no one believes what you read or see on the news. This story becomes more strange by the moment. Ford Simcox http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/022205_ns_lawndale_shooting.html |