Crowd cheers as cop is beaten

Gary Post-Tribune ^ | May 20, 2005 | Lori Caldwell

[2Am4Sure]

As a group of residents cheered, a Glen Park man tackled Gary Patrolman Carl Cochran, choking the officer and threatening to kill him in an unprovoked attack Wednesday night, Lt. Roger Smith said.

Cochran, a five-year veteran and member of the department’s elite S.W.A.T. team, suffered cuts to his face and injuries to his arm and back as a result of the protracted struggle with Kelvin D. Banks, 40.

Cmdr. Jerome Krebes said Thursday he ordered additional patrols in the area in response to the incident.

A small group of people — ten or less — surrounded the officer during the struggle as Banks wrestled with the officer and tried to grab Cochran’s gun.

“Cochran grabbed his wrist to stop him while Banks kept one hand on his throat and Banks said, 'I could kill you right now if I wanted to!’ . . . Cochran reported he could not reach his portable radio,” the police report states.

Banks was charged Thursday in Lake Superior Court in Crown Point with battery, resisting law enforcement, intimidation and disorderly conduct and faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the charges, Diane Poulton, spokeswoman for Prosecutor Bernard Carter, said.

Patrolman Richard Knight arrived at 5000 Washington St. to assist Cochran at a domestic dispute and saw his partner struggling with Banks.

Both men were on the ground and a group of residents were crowded around urging Banks to keep up the attack, Smith said. Eventually, Knight and Cochran subdued Banks, who continued to defy officers after he was handcuffed and being led to the squad car, police said

[SaveTheChief]

That's why leaving,ingoring, or liberal placating doesn't work.

You'll get no arguement from me. But sadly, it seems we are too much invested in liberal programs and a state of political correctness which enable this very kind of society. We're kind of stuck with it, as these are just symptoms of a larger problem - Socialism.

[JasonC]

Methinks that vow happened about 30 years ago - and you can see how well it worked.

[hunter112]

Wasn't the Jackson Family Freak Show from Gary?

Yep, Mom told me they used to sing on the street corners for small change from passersby. My folks moved out of Glen Park in 1964, glad they did. It was becoming pretty rough there, and I see that it's only continued to deteriorate.

It's too bad. My folks tried to bring me up without racial prejudice, and used to vehemently counter all the crap I came home with from the neighborhood kids (and adults).

[womcg]

As the facts are related, and even IF ( big, unknown "if") the cop was a badge-heavy jerk, jumping him, beating him, and trying to get his weapon is a violent, criminal act. Period. But I'm biased. I've been attacked just because I was a badge and uniform. I was lucky in that my "training school" was a tad rougher than most. Fighting with a cop is fairly common. Trying to get his weapon, while being goaded on by a crowd, makes this real dangerous. Too many cops are killed with their own weapons.There ain't many extenuating circumstances that would make this behavior, as reported, noncriminal.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I wouldn't doubt that.

[Tactical]

We aren't given enough information for you to make this charge. This cop may have had a reputation for being a real jerk and the people were sick of him. I don't know and neither do you.

Using your very same logic, the readers don't know that he wasn't a very good cop either. Why read anything into this story? The suspect assaulted and battered the cop. Now he gets to pay the price for having his little fun.

[dc27]

Yes, DR is a fovarite shipping point for the drug cartel. I was thinking of a satellite photo of the island that was posted here a while ago. There was a stark difference between the two countries. Haiti was stripped of all vegetation and natural resources.

[weegee]

Gary Indiana is populated by the absolute scum of the earth.

Isn't Michael Jackson from Gary, Indiana?

[cyborg]

Yup. All that clear cutting for fuel didn't help during the hurricanes.

[jwh_Denver]

#45

[dc27]

I tried to search for the image, but couldn't find it. There were quite a few sat images showing the massive mudslides.

[cyborg]

Tragic. I know a Haitian doctor who went afterwards and built a hospital. I'll just say that the average Haitian was more happy than the media cared to admit when the US Marines showed up. Love that Clinton legacy.

[Libertarian444]

Gary, Indiana:

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

Third world.

[womcg]

Yep. I sure coulda used that Hollywood kickboxer diva myself, a few times. We had the same deal, except ours was a call from a resident to investigate crack-dealers across from a community center on a Sunday morning. Caught one after foot chase and fight. While I had perp down and cuffing him, another tried to blind side me.I had one cuffed, and one at gun point in a felony search position, when all those community minded folks poured out, and wanted me DEAD! I was hot, banged up, and perfectly ready to kill any and all persons who tried to hurt me. Guess it showed. Backup arrived. The perp who had tried to blindside me was wanted on a rape charge. Victim was 13 and handicapped. Wish I had shot him.

[FreedomPoster]

That was exactly my reaction. Deserves about a 10-year term, to my thinking. Maybe 20 if he already has a violent felony record.

[Gondring]

ping

[cyborg]

Victim was 13 and handicapped. Wish I had shot him.

** Sounds like someone that isn't going to live long going on that path. You have my respect and salute for being a policeman. I'd be behind bars long time as I can get a bit tempermental :-)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Build a wall around it!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Sounds real to me....thanks for your service!