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Posted by: kwflatbed

The Bakersfield Californian

BAKERSFIELD, Ca. — A fleeing suspect was killed and a Bakersfield police officer wounded during a shootout late Saturday night in the 900 block of Feliz Drive.

The Kern County Coroner’s Office said Leon Anderson Jr., 36, of Bakersfield, died at the scene at around 10:43 p.m.

Wounded in the incident was BPD officer Dennis Eddy, a six-year veteran of the department, according to BPD spokesman Sgt. Greg Terry.

Sunday afternoon, Terry said Eddy was in stable condition having suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot to the right leg and another to his chest. “The gunshot to the chest fortunately did not penetrate his bullet resistant vest,” Terry wrote in a media release.

The incident occurred as Eddy and his partner, Joseph Cooley, a three-year veteran of the force and, like Eddy, a member of BPD’s Special Enforcement Unit, were patrolling the 900 block of Feliz Drive and saw Anderson standing with a group of people. The officers recognized Anderson as a parolee and a suspected gang member, Terry said.

“Anderson is somebody that our department has had numerous prior contacts with,” he said.

When they started to approach him, according to Terry, Anderson ran behind houses and through yards. Additional officers responded, Terry said, and Anderson eventually took cover behind a vehicle.

“He fired multiple shots at officer Eddy,” Terry said.

Besides Eddy and Cooley, Terry said, officer William Caughell a two-year veteran, also fired at Anderson. At this time it is unknown how many shots were fired by Anderson or the officers.

Terry said that, as a result of the incident, the BPD has been receiving threats against officers and is actively investigating these threats.

“This is the third incident since in December where we’ve had an officer shot at,” he said.

On December 5, Terry said, 24-year-old Jimmy Joseph Lopez shot at BPD officer Mike Cottle when Cottle tried to stop him on Columbus Street and University Avenue. Lopez was a suspect in an auto theft and burglary investigation.

On Dec. 13, Terry said, officers were also fired at during a home invasion at Tobago Court in southwest Bakersfield, in which two civilian victims were wounded.

Terry said there were eight officer-involved shootings in 2007.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Bakersfield Police at 327-7111.


Wire Service

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Posted by: kwflatbed

California Officer Injured in Shootout With Gang Member

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. --
A man is dead and a Bakersfield Police Department officer remains in the hospital Monday morning after being shot twice by a gang member over the weekend.
Three officers were patrolling the 900 block of Feliz Drive near Cottonwood Road around 10:40 p.m. when they recognized 36-year-old Leon Anderson, Jr. as he stood with several other people. Police said Anderson Jr. is an active parolee and known gang member.
As they approached him, Anderson fled on foot, running through several homes as officers chased him.
Police said Anderson pulled out a gun and fired several shots at the officers, wounding six-year veteran officer Dennis Eddy in the right leg.
Eddy was also shot in the chest. That bullet did not penetrate his chest as he was wearing a bullet resistant vest.
Two other officers, William Caughell and Joseph Cooley, along with Eddy, returned fire in a vacant lot on McNew court, killing Anderson at the scene.
Eddy is in stable condition at an area hospital. The two other officers involved are on paid leave pending a shooting review.
Bakersfield police said they have received several threats since Saturday night's shooting and are investigating them and the shooting.

Story From: turnto23.com

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Posted by: kwflatbed

By Jason Kotowski
The Bakersfield Californian

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Bakersfield police Officer Dennis Eddy's leg was partially amputated Friday night because of complications resulting from a gunshot wound on Feb. 9.
Eddy was transferred to a Northern California hospital last week to receive specialized treatment. Police Chief Bill Rector said the condition of Eddy's right leg continued to deteriorate and circulation was poor. The leg was amputated below the knee.
Rector, who visited Eddy on Monday, said Eddy's attitude was excellent and Eddy told him he's determined to eventually return to work.
"I think (Eddy's attitude) stems from the fact that he really believes he could have died that night," Rector said. "He sees the leg as a challenge, but something that he can get past."
Eddy was shot when Leon Anderson Jr., a high-ranking member of the East Side Crips criminal street gang, ran from police on Feliz Drive and then turned and fired at them. Officers returned fire, killing Anderson.
Eddy was hit twice -- in the chest and in the leg. The bullet that struck his chest didn't penetrate his bullet-resistant vest.
Rector said he's hopeful that Eddy will be back in Bakersfield within the week. There has been a tremendous amount of support for Eddy not only from Bakersfield but from around the state and the country, he said.
Sgt. Bill Ware, president of the Bakersfield Police Officers Association, said it's very possible that Eddy could continue his career with the technology that's now available regarding prosthetics. He said the association has been providing support to Eddy's family.
"It's a very tragic thing," said Ware, who has worked with Eddy in the past.
An investigation into the shooting was ongoing. Rector said it's not uncommon for officer-involved shootings to last several weeks, if not a couple months, and in this instance detectives weren't able to interview Eddy because of the injury.
If Eddy opts to retire, he'll be covered for disability pay because he was injured in the line of duty. But Rector said he heard no mention of retirement from Eddy on Monday, only determination to get back to work.
"If there's anyone who can do it, he's the guy," Rector said.

Wire Service

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Posted by: kwflatbed

Recovering California Officer Talks About Deadly Shootout

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. --
On Feb. 9, Bakersfield Police Department Officer Dennis Eddy was seriously wounded and lost his leg when he was shot by a gang member.
"I remember late evening, ten o'clock hours at night … patrolling the area of Feliz Drive."
That's when Eddy and his partner saw east side Crips member Leon Anderson. When they tried to make contact, Anderson ran.
“To try to end it quickly, I attempted to taze him … he pointed a gun at me and started shooting."
Eddy was hit in the chest, but the bullet did not pierce his vest.
"I threw my Taser down and returned fire at him ... he fired again. This time it went through my leg and knocked me down on the ground. Believing that he was going to run up and just basically finish me off, I jumped back up and returned fire a third time."
Eddy said bullets were still flying as three officers came to his rescue.
"All these things are going on, but in the back of my mind I truly thought I was going to die and I wasn’t going to see my family anymore."
Police returned fire and Anderson was killed.
Those officers saved Eddy's life, but doctors couldn't save his right leg. It was amputated two weeks later. After months of physical therapy, Eddy is now walking with the help of a cane and a prosthetic leg. "It started off with learning how to roll a wheelchair. It gradually progressed to walking with crutches." He's even learned to drive with his left leg.
Eddy still has at least six more months of physical therapy before he can go back and hit the streets at end of this year.
"Seeing everything that's happened since that time and the way the public has come behind the Bakersfield Police Department and me and this situation, has made it easy to come back and I want to come back to the job. Because I love what I do."
Tomorrow the young lawyers section of the Kern County Bar Association will host a fundraising dinner for Eddy and his family at the Petroleum Club.
On Wednesday, the young lawyers section of the Kern County Bar Association are going to do their part by holding a cocktail hour, dinner and silent auction at the Petroleum Club at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and only available in advance by 7 p.m. Tuesday. Please call 661-326-1611.

Story From: turnto23.com

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