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Michigan Father Killed in Marijuana Child Removal Incident

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #727)

A prosecutor in northern Michigan has cleared the police officer who shot and killed a Grayling man as police and Child Protective Services (CPS) employees attempted to seize his three-year-old. The attempted removal of the minor child came after a police officer who came to the scene on a call earlier that same day reported that he smelled marijuana and reported the incident to CPS authorities, who decided the child needed to be removed. The dead man, William Reddie, 32, becomes the 17th person killed in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year.

William
[Editor's Note: This case illustrates the difficulties that arise in determining which deaths qualify as being a direct result of drug law enforcement. Police here were enforcing child protections laws, not drug laws, but the only reason CPS was called in was because of the allegation of marijuana use. There was no allegation of crazed behavior due to marijuana use; only the allegation of use. For Michigan CPS authorities, that was enough to remove the child. Bottom line: This guy died because the state tried to take his kid because he was accused of smoking pot, so he merits inclusion. That doesn't mean his own actions didn't contribute to his death.]

Reddie's killing took place on February 3, but we only became aware of it when news broke this week that prosecutors had decided that the police officer's use of deadly force in the incident was justified.

According to the Crawford County Avalanche, Grayling police Officer Alan Somero was called to Reddie's apartment for an alleged domestic disturbance. Somero made no arrests, but believed he smelled marijuana and reported it to CPS. Two CPS employees went to Reddie's apartment to check on the situation. They then got a court order to remove Reddie's 3-year-old son, Cameron, and asked police to escort them to the apartment to serve the court order.

The Gaylord Herald-Times, which obtained the CPS removal order, added more detail. It reported that Reddie had been accused of smoking marijuana in front of his son, and that Reddie had become "agitated" and threatened police when confronted by that accusation earlier in the day.

The court order gave the following reason for removing the child: "There are reasonable grounds for this court to remove the child(ren) from the parent... because conditions or surroundings of the child(ren), and is contrary to the welfare of the child(ren) to remain in the home because: It is alleged that the father used marijuana in the home in the presence of the child. In addition, there is concern for the safety of the child due to a domestic disturbance and threats made toward law enforcement by the father."

Returning to the Avalanche's narrative, when police and CPS workers arrived to seize the child, Reddie then reportedly displayed a pocketknife and lunged at them. Crawford County Deputy John Klepadlo shot and killed him. Police had been deploying Tasers, but holstered them and grabbed their guns when Reddie displayed the knife.

Crawford County Sheriff Kirk Wakefield then asked the Michigan State Police to investigate his deputy's use of deadly force. The Michigan Attorney General's Office referred the case to the neighboring Roscommon County Prosecutor's Office. After receiving a report from the State Police, Roscommon County DA Mark Jernigan determined that the use of deadly force was justified and that Klepadlo would not be charged with any crime.

"The deceased was in possession of an edged weapon," Jernigan said. "The deceased pulled a knife and hid it behind his back. At the point where he pulls his hand forward and lunges at the officer, he is in such close proximity, and presents a clear danger of deadly force, the officer is left with no option other than to use deadly force to protect himself, the other officer and the three civilians that were present. The use of deadly force is completely justified and therefore, the homicide was justified."

Toxicology reports, which were included in the final investigation, showed there was no marijuana or alcohol in Reddie's system when he was killed.

Reddie had been seeking permanent custody of his son and was due in court for a hearing on that matter three days after he was killed.

"They took the only thing he ever loved," Reddie's mother, Michelle VanBuren, told the Avalanche after the prosecutor's announcement.

VanBuren said she was baffled by the conduct of authorities, especially since no evidence or alcohol or marijuana use was found. She said she had been in contact with her son throughout that day.

"I was on the phone with my son all day, and that cop was bullying him and harassing him so badly," she said. "Where was protect and serve?" VanBuren asked. "The officers always have to stick together and for them to do this is just totally uncalled for."

VanBuren said the family would continue to fight to ensure that CPS and law enforcement are held accountable for their actions. "They need to be held accountable and they will be held accountable, believe you me," she said.

Reddie's family is not alone in questioning police and CPS actions. "I can't believe they (police) could not subdue Will without killing him, and over what, marijuana," said Joanne Michal, who knew Reddie for half of his life. "Why didn't police just arrest him or cite him for marijuana instead of removing his child?" she told the Herald-Times.

"It is particularly sad that Will was shot to death right in front of his son," Michal continued. "Why not use a Taser? Even if he (Will) had a knife and lunged at police, they didn't have to kill him. Instead of using a Taser, you shoot him in front of his child. It is just totally unjustified. They didn't have to kill him. I think it's very sad that his life was taken during the removal of his son. And the smell of marijuana shouldn't have been a reason for an emergency order. Just a few days before he was killed, Will was visiting, and he was so excited because a hearing was coming up for custody. And it seemed to give him hope of getting permanent custody. His son was everything to him."

Crawford County Clerk Sandra Moore said she also knew Reddie. "It's truly a shame," Moore said. "He was a good guy and very fond of his son. He had been very excited just days before" about gaining permanent custody.

Cameron Reddie is now in foster care. His father's family is seeking visitation rights.

Meanwhile, Deputy Klepadlo, who had been on administrative leave after the shooting, is back on the job.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Comments

Kriegar (not verified)

In reply to by Grayling citizen (not verified)

Here's a news flash for you Spanky!

The law is that you are guilty until proven innocent. Where is the proof needed to kidnap his baby??? Where is the PROOF of this ALLEGED "odor" of marijuana in this APARTMENT building?

You're making a lot of claims and presumptions on the part of these police officers, and other officers of the COURT-how about reserving one or two for this innocent citizen who was killed trying to save his child from an illegal kidnapping, based on falsified documents?

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 3:07am Permalink
Sara (not verified)

I feel terrible for that child and family of the deceased. I wish things never have to come to this. I would be devastated if anyone tried to take my children away from me. But the man should never have pulled a weapon out. There is other ways to deal with things then violence, and when he pulled a knife on an officer he should have known it wasn't going to end in his favor. I know a lot of people in the Law Enforcement and I thank them for everything they do. They are here to Protect and Serve, and that is what they did. It was a tragic thing that happened. I hope his child is able to be with family. 

Wed, 03/28/2012 - 9:08pm Permalink
jeremiah0910 (not verified)

In reply to by Sara (not verified)

There job is to protect and serve not to put the tazers away and kill someone! If he was a threat he should have been tazed on the spot but no. Some stupid officer sees this as an opportunity to kill and that's just what he did! Nothing more than a murderer and the law system helps cover his butt! I'm a MMA cage fighter but i don't kill people by breaking their necks when in the cage just because they signed a waver and i could get away with it! IT'S STILL MURDER!!!!

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 3:53pm Permalink
Kriegar (not verified)

In reply to by Sara (not verified)

So, we will pray that this sort of situation never arises with you or your loved ones. We will pray that the COPS never allege that your loved one pulled a toe-nail clipper on them, and forced them to re-holster their non-lethal weapons, and forced them to gun him down in cold blood after deploying and utilizing their lethal force weapons instead.

 

I too, know a lot of people in Law Enforcement, and in other areas of public service-like Nurses Aides. I trust in what they tell me about their brethren, political expectations of them, and the realities of their jobs and how they have to bend over, and how they have to favor some above others. And what the REALITIES are of those jobs.

As their employers, and as tax-paying citizens, it is OUR job, our DUTY, to rectify these things, and strive to make them RIGHT, and LAWFUL. This is not done by wholesale blindness, or blind support in the face of questionable behavior, or illegal law enforcement actions. In all actuality, you have no personal knowledge, and no independently corroborable facts to suggest that the "Protect(ed) and Serve(d)" anyone but themselves and their agenda.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 3:23am Permalink
Concerned parent (not verified)

Seems to me that the first step for the Crawford County judge and CPS department should have been a court ordered drug test instead of court ordered foster care. If an employer can drug test an employee and have the results in minutes, why wasn't such a simple test the first step in the investigation of this parent? I believe they all need to have their processes investigated and standardized so there are protocols in place to prevent such tragedies. Just plain common sense to me...
Thu, 03/29/2012 - 1:36am Permalink
Bill Schuette (not verified)

Cops get away with lying again. We smelled marijuana and we allege he used in front of his son and yet no evidence to support this assertion ever arises. Murder under color of law is still murder. I do not support the death penalty thus to say this thug Klepaldo and Somero need to be shot on sight is not something I would do... Google Maryanne Godboldo of Detroit if you want to know how to deal with this kind of situation.

GET A LAWYER like we did.

Do NOT bring a knife to gunfight

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 2:31am Permalink
Billie Jo (not verified)

It makes me sick to see this kind of injustice happening JUST because someone who is in law enforcement thinks their badge has given them the right to play God!! I live in Grayling and am sickened by this event and feel that JUSTICE has NOT been served! NO evidence of pot was found in his system at the time of the autopsy..doesn't this say something for the poor guy?? he was obviously keeping his act together trying to gain custody of his son and what good did it do him? A few years ago my son was stopped for having no lights on his license plate...the cops THOUGHT they smelled pot, so they harassed him and his buddy on the side of Old 27 for over 45 minutes, calling my son a liar, telling him they KNEW he had dope and where was it, blah blah blah, eventually taking him to jail for the night and NOT having any evidence, they didn't find a damn thing in his vehicle, nor on him or his buddy..this is a prime example of COPS thinking they're ABOVE the law they've sworn to defend and serve. I thank God that it didn't turn out like this, as it very well could have. 

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 10:02am Permalink
Chrys (not verified)

Ever see that movie, "Tales from the Hood"....by Spike Lee? It's a little biased towards race, however, this story reminds me of one of those stories about punch drunk officers who set a good man up with drugs and then murder him. I wish real life were like movies sometimes because in the end, those officers get what's coming to them.

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 10:58am Permalink
Heather K. (not verified)

They just created another Ron Paul supporter, we should be sick of this BS. Vote Ron Paul 2012 and put a stop to these criminals in power!

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 12:02pm Permalink
unbeleivable (not verified)

 Dear Ignorance, & Irritated about all the bad talk about cops,

People like you are the reason the so called "protectors" Cops get away with blatantly invading and killing a man in his home, with absolutely no evidence of any crime whatsoever, in front of his son. You make me sick. I hope this incident haunts that son of a bitch the rest of his miserable life and he then rots in hell for eternity reliving it every minute! You don't think it will haunt that lil boy? I can imagine how he feels about police now!

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 12:45pm Permalink
brandi (not verified)

What else seems off is that the child is in protective custody & Not with family. I wonder what this poor child really knows
Thu, 03/29/2012 - 1:01pm Permalink

Two of the grievances the Founding Fathers cited in the Declaration of Independence were:

"For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States"


When our para-MILITARY drug enforcers kill UNARMED* citizens THEY DON'T EVEN BOTHER WITH MOCK TRIALS.

* A pocketknife compared to handgun? The victim was unarmed.

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 1:06pm Permalink
sistersue (not verified)

Now that is quite a pair......DHS and COPS. Oh my good Lord those people are the nastiest people I have ever come across, self righteous punks that enjoy being cruel to people. I won my battle with the morons  but this man surely lost his life for nothing. I hope his parents go after those people and legally nail them to the place they need to sow. The system must change because these people seem to glorify in taking peoples kids away for minor infractions and then watch you gravel to get them back. Karma is a bitch and I sure hope I see their dues when it comes.

My sincere condolences to William Reddies family and friends.

 

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 8:54pm Permalink
Smarter than a… (not verified)

Are you kidding me, you pull a weapon on a cop you get killed its simple as that.  Its a shame that this man let his son and family down.

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 11:03pm Permalink
Mariusz (not verified)

In reply to by Smarter than a… (not verified)

AYeah the Gestapo operated the same way and if you pulled a weapon on them you where killed, instantly.  These days there really isn't much difference between the cops and the Gestapo.  I'm Polish and during the Communist years we had the special police units called ZOMO ride around and arrest people under false pretenses all the time, the only difference was that they actually did everything in their power to NOT kill the people they where arresting.  Mind you these where the days before tazers.  I find it funny that the special police units loyal to a totalitarian regime for the most part operated more humanly then the police force of the "freeiest" nation on earth.   My American friends don’t be fooled; your nation is heading in the same direction as Nazi Germany did.  The transformation does not happen over night but it is starting to pick up speed.  Just look at some of the legislation that has been passed and is still floating around in DC and you will clearly see where this nation is headed.

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 1:18pm Permalink
Paul McKannon (not verified)

I am a former correctional officer and juvenile hall counselor. What I remember from my training and experience is that non-lethal force is required for situations such as these. In detention facilities officers do not carry firearms. When attacked by an inmate with a knife there are ways to disarm and restrain him without using a gun. In fact, policy dictated us to use techniques that subdue and disarm rather than kill whenever possible. Even the tower officer is instructed to shoot to disable rather than kill. One individual with a pocket knife lunging at two officers can in no way call for them to reholster non-lethal weapons and then to draw sidearms to shoot to kill the subject. First, the cops put themselves at greater risk by taking the time to reholster tazers and then draw down and shoot. Second, the officers put the people they sought to protect in grave danger. Could they have been certain their shots would not strike others in the room? Two cops should be able to subdue and disarm a knife-wielding subject without resorting to use of firearms. If cops in the UK and correctional officers in penal institutions can do it, we should be confident of the abilities of police officers in Michigan to use safer procedures.No one was really being protected in this case, not even the cops themselves.

And as far as the justice issues being discussed here are concerned, I most certainly come down on the side of fathers being bullied by the likes of CPS and over-eager law enforcement. I think it's time for cops to do the job they swore with an oath to perform: protect and serve; defend the constitution against all enemies. How about it? It's either that or maintain the Blue Wall of Silence.

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:37am Permalink
Disgusted (not verified)

In reply to by Paul McKannon (not verified)

I'm sorry as a corrections officer and juvenile hall counselor you are not only not a cop but not trained the same as a cop would be in handling these situations. In those facilities your back up is less than five minutes away if you need more hands. This is not the case on the streets which is why Police Training allows for the meeting of deadly force with deadly force. Please do some research before you assume you're an expert on matters such as these.

Wed, 04/25/2012 - 3:40pm Permalink
Kriegar (not verified)

In reply to by Paul McKannon (not verified)

As a CO, unarmed, I believe that your situation has the potential for greater lethality than a so-called "peace officer", so it is great to hear an experienced person, with real world experience, identify right from wrong with your so-called ordinary countrymen. Kudos to you!

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 3:41am Permalink
Kat1 (not verified)

Welcome to our new improved country where the storm soldiers have every right to come in now to your home and blow you away or take you away without due process.  Like it so far?

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 12:06pm Permalink
TOM2 (not verified)

yeah - sure he lunged at them w/ a knife - one more cover-up in the police state. The Bolsheviks had nothing on us.

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 1:23pm Permalink
Sahjkaya (not verified)

Now this child's father is dead and killed over a plant that can't kill you!!! He will grow up without a father because of enforcement over a plant/herb that cures cancer.   Unbelievable.....

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 3:14pm Permalink

People think drug conspiracy laws are bad, CPS is worse. Very bad outcomes associated with residential and foster care for children removed from their parents. Unless the parent is Caligula, chances are the child is better off with the parent. There is more to this case than marijuana. Sounds like the officer needed an excuse to trigger a CPS investigation and went with marijuana to round things out. The most common excuse for CPS removal is "neglect" which more often than not simply means poverty. If you lose everything -- not hard to imagine in this economy -- and find yourself living in a van down by river -- your kids could be taken away. If you work three jobs and have to leave children unattended -- they could be taken away. I never heard of children being taken away just because of drug use, not counting alcohol-induced squalor. 

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:41pm Permalink

One more thought...the dad became agitated... you'd be agitated too if confronted with people who had or will take your children away. It's the child welfare Catch-22. Parents are allegedly unfit because they are angry. What parent would not be angry if their children were taken away from them? 

Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:48pm Permalink
Polish Eagle (not verified)

God gave mercy on this POS cop.

I trust that William Reddie is in the bosom of God.

The fact that this cop lied as proven by the toxicology test should have impugned the entire rest of the story.

All the government employees involved in this case should be disciplined. Anything else is a total travesty of justice. As an inner city teacher in my time I have faced down a 12in switchblade held at my throat, taken another one and a 38special off students, all without resort to force. A pocketknife seen as a threat to someone with a gun and taser? This cop is a disgrace to manhood, and is probably so arrogant that he doesn't realise how he disgraced himself as a man. To kill a man under the cover of authority hiding his inadequacies behind a badge because he is such a wee-wee? And in front of the father's son? What a total disgrace for all government employees involved, inclusing those retroatively trying to justify this criminal nonsense.

Sat, 03/31/2012 - 2:23am Permalink
Neal Feldman (not verified)

In reply to by rrw (not verified)

Because we know how 'honest' the cops there were about the initial false charge regarding using cannabis in front of the kid... the facts clearly prove that there was no cannabis used by this innocent father murderously gunned down by thugs with badges, in front of the kid or not.

 

But to 'protect' this kid from this nonexistent 'offense' they gun down the father in cold blood in front of the boy.

 

Yeah, that is far less harmful than seeing your dad smoke a joint, even if the accusation was accurate.

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 5:10pm Permalink
HFK (not verified)

dude, if you pull a knife on a cop, they're gonna shoot ya. Maybe they shouldn't or don't have to, but expect it. Someone who acts like that, it makes me question whether weed was the only reason he was involved in a custody battle. I can sympathize with how he feels but you've got to be a bit loopy to expect that stabbing a cop is going to get your kids back. Of course, weed shouldn't even be illegal & all that, but when faced with the injustice of the world it seldom pays to just say "fuck it, I'mma cut some pigs!", that's all I'm sayin'.

Sat, 03/31/2012 - 3:28pm Permalink
Neal Feldman (not verified)

In reply to by HFK (not verified)

Hey, genius, learn to read.

 

There was NO evidence of cannabis OR alcohol use by the father. It is right there in the article!

 

But you do have one point... pulling a knife on cops is not bright... taking a knife to a gunfight rarely is intelligent. He should have taken a shotgun with 8+ shells in the tank and defended his family leaving the 3-4 corpses of the would be kidnappers on the floor.

 

Not a jury in the country that would convict him.. millions would offer to buy the guy a drink, or a bowl! I know I would!

 

Better to be tried by twelve than carried by six.

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 5:17pm Permalink
patti eggleton (not verified)

the roscommon county prosecutor mark jernigan is a real ASSHOLE. he shouldn't of been able to be involved in this case. the police officer that shot and killed mr. reddie should be charged. he could of used his taser or him and the other officer could of subdued mr. reddie instead of killing him.

Sat, 03/31/2012 - 10:00pm Permalink
Neal Feldman (not verified)

In reply to by patti eggleton (not verified)

So few see the conflict of interest in having one group of corrupt thugs with badges 'investigating' another group of corrupt thugs with badges.

 

Of course they are going to exonerate... they will expect the same treatment the next time one of them murders someone.

 

This is the definition of corruption.

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 5:19pm Permalink
Dennis Pielack (not verified)

This article hit home; it could have been me or any number of fathers who could be killed under the same similar circumstances.

 

 The only sure way to insure this kind of tragedy will never happen again is to legalize marijuana, and take LEO and CPS out of the equation.

 

All police should be open to public scrutiny, and then voted in office by the people they will police. As it is now the police protect their own against us, the public. Their brotherhood is elevated among themselves as sacred and good at any cost. It is the "us" against "them" mentality. They are always in their own mind the good guys, and everyone else is a suspect for some kind of crime. That's why, before they become cops, the public should have access to all their information, test scores, psychological evaluations, personality traits, etc. and then vote to approve them or not to police their community.

 

But for right now, support the legalization of marijuana, and vote for Ron Paul.

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 10:40am Permalink
Polish Eagle (not verified)

In reply to by Dennis Pielack (not verified)

I totally agree. It's way past due. 

It's been two generations since Allen Ginsburg electrified a generation with his first reading of Howl at the Six Gallery in San Francisco in 1955. Culture war, deepening and widening during the Vietnam years, has gone on since then. Playboy mag has been noting for over twenty years how half the people in prison are there for marijuana offenses. This is mass psychosis. Here is a herb used as a medicine by mankind for over 3000 yrs and we outlaw it for spurious reasons and then use it as an instrument of state sponsored programs of social control and compliance. I'm seriously sick and tired of culture war, two generations of it now. I'd like to die a truly free man.

How many more William Freddies have to die before we rise up against this nonsense and take our country back?

The police killing of William Freddie has really hit home with me. I've had enough. Enough is enough.

The only criminals I worry about all have badges and guns and hide behind them.

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 9:23pm Permalink
John C (not verified)

The simple facts are that cops will lie and do anything that they can to cover for another cop. The family said that this cop had bullied this guy earlier in the day then went as far as to get CPS and a made up warrant. Yes, I said a made up warrant! At the end of the day they found no weed and he tested clean. That is a made up warrant by a cop that very likely is a bully. Anyone that tries to defend this situation is either a cop or some idiot that wishes he was a cop. A lot of people think its just a joke when it is said that most cops are the kids that got bullied in school and now they have a badge and they are now the bullies. 75% of the time that is the truth and the majority of the population agrees with me. There is also a large group of people that are good honest people and when they read this will automatically think that I am a dope smoking law breaker because I am speaking out against these cops that are bullies. I'm here to tell you that is not the case. I'm sick and tired of these cops that think they are untouchable and they can do as they please and there will be no consequences. People we need to stand up and ask questions and hold cops accountable for there actions. How often have you witnessed a cop flying down the road without a siren or overhead lights on. That is illegal! Next time you see that happen, follow them as best you can without breaking any laws and when they stop ask them where there going and why they were speeding, or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. When I have done this I have been told to mind my business  and have been threatened with tickets. I know my rant is a bit off topic but folks we have got to do something or it will just continue to get worse. In ending this I would like to mention that not all cops are bad. They have a dangerous job and are not paid what they are worth. When you see a cop going above and beyond the call of duty, thank him or her, shake there hand, and write a note or call there superiors to let them know. Also remember that the next time you see that cop harassing someone, or using excessive force, or abusing there authority. They work for you, they are your employee. Don't be afraid to call the police department and file a complaint. And if you feel your complaint is falling on deaf ears, make some more calls, do some research, and make sure your complaint is heard and something is done about it. 

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 1:02pm Permalink
ted (not verified)

In reply to by John C (not verified)

We have all seen it sir and you are right.  Its the NEW AMERICA.  One that most of us veterans are ashamed of being part of.  God willing the US never gets attacked by the Taliban or whomever else we are upsetting over seas because those same crooked cops will be the ones protecting us.  I also agree that not all cops are bad...the good officers are more like the old time PEACE OFFICER not POLICE OFFICER.  They don't think everyone on the road are criminals and they dont go by what a person looks like or is wearing.   They treat people like human beings and deserve the utmost respect.  Problems is the good ones are retiring with age or getting tired of putting up with the way the young officers act.  A good officers of the law will PROTECT and serve...24/7 and probably wouldnt be seen in the bars getting hammered and driving home.  They also probably wouldn't put themselves in a bad position in the first place.  This case is a nightmare to start from but wrong or right...you should never pull a knife on a police officer. (IF HE PULLED A KNIFE???) That isnt what I question here because we will never know what really happened.  What I question are the motives the cop had for going back 2 or 3 times to a low income apt building and saying he smelled weed then go get a warrant.  I have been to that apt building many times as a tech and every time I walk into the first door I could smell weed and i couldnt tell you where it was coming from.  Because half of the tenants smoke.  We need those questions answered and we need to know what really happened and why a judge would sign a warrant to take his child when the clerk at the court house said he was going to get full custody of his child within 3 days of the shooting.  Anyone with answers please fill us in.

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 3:34pm Permalink
Neal Feldman (not verified)

In reply to by ted (not verified)

Word is the reporting thug with a badge has the hots for the mother of the boy and was setting Reddie up to help her in her custody dispute.

 

Reporting officer, murderous officer and the Gestapo CPS agents and whatever drunk or senile (or both) Judge that signed off on such a baseless warrant should all be up for aggravated murder one.

 

Kidnapping is a felony.. so is lying to get a warrant or signing a warrant without evidence... a death resulted as a direct result of those felonious actions, murder one rule.

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 5:30pm Permalink
Kriegar (not verified)

In reply to by John C (not verified)

I disagree with you on one point only-and that is that kids who were bullied become cops who do.

Unlike the Bullies, kids who have been the victim of bullying usually have compassion for others. They know from experience what injustice is.

Bullies, on the other hand, derive sociopathic enjoyment from creating fear and pain in others. Just as priesthood and Boy Scouts are desirable places for pedophiles to hide, so is Law Enforcement for sick, twisted, sociopathic bullies, to predatorially hunt their prey. Make no mistake, the bullied will be there as well-protecting you as best they can, among the sharks of their profession-not an easy task.

Also, the person more likely to have the drive to intimidate, control, and contain his victims is much more likely to accomplish their wannabe a cop wish. Then you have to go through a battery of psychological testing, wherein you need to be found to be able to exercise discretion in whom you will arrest, and in whom you will NOT arrest. If you assert that you are willing to apply the law equally to each and every person, you will be found to be mentally unfit for the job. I know this to be true, as I know people who have NOT become policemen for this very reason.

There are Thin Blue Lines that you do not cross lightly, and there is a Blue Wall of Silence, even to this day. That's why these things are fodder for movie-makers still. Because they are founded in fact.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 4:06am Permalink
Shanny (not verified)

Police officers are supposed to be trained on how to handle these types of situations w/o having to use excessive force, i.e. shooting & killing someone, trust me I know... I'm a retired officer over in WI. I grew up in Frederic MI so this story really drew my attention and literally put me in tears. According to the story, they were more easily able to tase him then to shoot him & that's exactly and precisely what should've happened. When they thought he was using marijuana in front of his son that was (according to them) justification for CPS to remove the boy yet a Father being killed in front of his 3 year old baby was somehow justified? BS! This officer needs to be charged with murder and perhaps at the very least, endangerment of a child. On another matter, what is going on with CPS anyways? How are they somehow above the law? How is it that they are able to come into a home & take a child when there is absolutely NO proof of any wrong doing? I've heard of SO many people in northern MI getting their children taken away with no evidence of any wrong doing. Something there smells fishy... I heard of one couple that got their kids taken because of allegations of child abuse. 7 months later they finally went to criminal court and all charges were dropped. CPS had no plans to return the children (whom they placed in foster care vs with a VERY good, loving, well respected family) for another 6 months after all charges had been dropped! They ended up returning them 2 months early only because both their 4yr old son and another foster child claimed the foster dad was sexually abusing them. Anyways, back to the original subject: who's to say these officers weren't attempting to seek revenge or make some type of name for him/themselves & therefore concocted this story? Trust me, there are A LOT of officers out there that are in the field specifically for that purpose and I DESPISE them. There are also many officers out there that are truely in their position to protect and serve. Another question, why is the little guy in foster care now? Why isn't he with family that love & care about him? You'd think after just seeing Daddy murdered ( Yes, murdered, that's obviously what happened here.) the last place he needs to be is with strangers. SCREAM! This tragedy makes me so mad! Reddie family & friends, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May justice be served.

Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:52am Permalink
Shanny (not verified)

I've been thinking and thinking trying to figure out why in the hell they'd have that poor little boy in foster care vs with family. Also Ive been wondering why they're not allowing visiting rights to the Father's family (The article says; "His father's family is seeking visitation rights" which if they are "seeking" they obviously don't have rights to see him yet.) I think I may have figured it out... they're grooming the boy. As we all know, 3 year olds are extremely impressionable, tell them that the sky is green often enough and they'll begin to believe it.. I'm sure CPS (trying to cover their asses AND whatever their covering up) is attempting to school the little guy on what to say. If he was right there they obviously knew that and will do whatever they need to to get the boy to collaborate their story. If their story is pounded into the son's head enough times by enough people, he'll end up believing it himself and repeating it the way it was told to him. What other reason would they have to keep a traumatized child from the only people in the world that might have a chance at comforting him?

Wed, 04/04/2012 - 2:42am Permalink
Neal (not verified)

So much better for the kid to have his father murdered in front of him than to have allegedly (and falsely accused as the test prove) smoked cannabis in the kid's presence.

I guess if the father had instead been zoned out on Oxycodone that would have been just fine.

This was a tempest in a teapot that the cops are using to justify their murder of a US citizen.

Sat, 04/07/2012 - 9:46am Permalink
Some People's … (not verified)

First off if you are on here posting that pocket knives aren't dangerous you are as far as self defense goes uneducated and you need to go do your homework before you post because you are just making yourself look like an ass! It has been proven that knives even pocket knives are more dangerous than a gun and here's why: 

  • Guns: When you are in range with a gun it is still very easy to miss! There is a reason why in self defense courses they tell you to run if someone pulls a gun to get you to go with them...
  • If someone pulls a gun there is a 50% chance they will fire that gun... If they fire the gun there is a 50% chance they will hit you (we're at a 25% chance of being shot)... If they hit you there is a 50% chance it will be serious (still not dead yet at 12.5%)... If the wound is serious there is a 50% chance you will die from it... Wow that's a whopping 7.25% chance of being killed by someone who pulls a gun on you! OMG!
  • Knives: When you are in range with a knife what you slice/stab at is what you get and it doesn't take much to cut a throat or disembowel someone and that blade was a 4" blade that'll hit a lot of vital organs in a stabbing case...
  • World Champions in fighting have trained in self defense againstknives... At best if you are a highly trained, highly skilled martial artist you are picking where you get cut with the knowledge that you will get cut when going up against a knife! You're whole focus is not getting cut in a vital area and getting control of that weapon as quickly as possible. This has been proven and studies have been done repeatedly proving this.
  • The cops are not Steven Seagal or Jackie Chan stop watching movies to obtain your facts! If Martial Artists who have been training for most of their lives would get cut what do you think will happen to the cop who went through a six month academy?
  • Tasers: Are not meant for deadly force situations because they can and do fail. If both probes dont connect the taser doesn't work, loose clothing, thick clothing and a whole host of other issues can cause this. There is not time to "try" using the taser in a deadly force situation because if that taser fails that police officer is now dead.

 

As for all you lovely people attacking the cop who did what he had to, to go home that night. I know him. He's not the type of person to go around looking for opportunity's to shoot someone. I trust Deputy Klepadlo with my life. I did before this incident and I do now because I know what kind of character he has. You think that decision was easy for him? I guarantee it wasn't and oh by the way the kid wasn't in the room, he was in the house. How much less traumatic do you honestly think his dad killing a cop and going to prison for it would be for him? That child was going to be traumatized by his father's actions no matter what the outcome ended up being! But it was his father who made the decision to pull that knife and lunge at the cops, not the cops decision! The only decision Klepadlo made was to go home that night and thank God he did unharmed!

You can't believe everything the news tells you. I've had the TV tell me I was out fighting a structure fire that was a complete loss while I was already through the shower sitting in the recliner eating my dinner and only two rooms in the entire two story house had been damaged! And it wasn't the first or last time the facts were incorrect. Reporters aren't perfect and they have to work with limited information that most of the time when they get a fact in the story wrong does not require a retraction.

Sat, 04/07/2012 - 12:43pm Permalink
Neal Feldman (not verified)

In reply to by Some People's … (not verified)

"As for all you lovely people attacking the cop who did what he had to, to go home that night. I know him."

 

Thank you for proving your entire screed was nothing but biased propaganda to try and aid in the cover-up of your friend's murderous act.

 

Duly noted.

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 6:07pm Permalink
Thetruff (not verified)

Very tragic for both the family of the victim and police.. This is not a shock, the lack of knowledge and resources in this small town in Michigan, were Bernie Fife works will prove itself later to come, unfortunately the fictitious case presented to the judge to obtain the warrant will prove the dishonesty nature of the tragic events that followed. My point don't lie to a judge to get a warrant and karma won't nip you.

Sat, 04/14/2012 - 8:40am Permalink

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