Nov. 13, 2005, 1:35AM
Ex-New Orleans officer faces charges
He was driving a stolen pickup and said he was still on active duty, HPD says
By PAIGE HEWITT
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
A former New Orleans police officer who abandoned his duty during the Katrina crisis and subsequently resigned was arrested Saturday morning by Houston police while driving a stolen truck, officials said.
Felony charges against Willie Earl Bickham, 39, were expected to include unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and impersonating a police officer, for claiming to still be serving on the New Orleans police force, Houston police Sgt. Nate McDuell said.
Bickham, who has family in Houston, could also face weapons charges, as he had in his possession a pistol issued by the New Orleans police department, McDuell said.
Bickham was northbound at about 80 mph in the 10300 block of the North Freeway around 11 a.m. Saturday when he was pulled over for speeding.
The officer who made the stop noticed the black, 2005 Chevrolet truck had no license plates and that the car dealer's name marked on the truck was that of a New Orleans dealership that had reported several vehicles stolen during the Katrina crisis, McDuell said.
Bickham claimed he was a New Orleans officer and was cooperative and "spoke candidly" when questioned, said Houston police Sgt. Dave Thomas.
Bickham, who did not have registration records for the truck, conceded that he did not have permission to be driving the pickup, said Thomas, who did not release details on how Bickham obtained the truck. Throughout the stop, Bickham maintained he was still on active duty, and had worked in that capacity as recently as last week, Davis said.
New Orleans officials, however, told Houston police that Bickham resigned in early September to avoid being fired for abandoning his duties during the Katrina crisis, police said.
The New Orleans Police Department could pursue other charges, officials said.
This article is: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3457253
Willie EARL Bickham, LOL.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1131867481223350.xml
Houston police noticed the black 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck, which was marked with the Sewell dealership's name, did not have license plates. Police were also suspicious of the registration information provided by Bickham. When police consulted computerized records, they learned the truck was listed stolen after Katrina.