The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20100206_298_0_ATulsa99220

Tulsa officer suspended after pub incident
 
By Deon J. Hampton, World staff writer
Published: 2/6/2010 

A Tulsa police officer has been placed on paid suspension following an incident at a downtown pub during which he reportedly brandished a gun and threatened to kill a security guard. Officer Thomas Fees, 32, was booked into the Tulsa Jail on complaints of pointing a dangerous weapon and carrying a firearm while intoxicated.

Management at Oscar’s Gastro Pub, 1738 S. Boston Ave., said Fees was drinking cocktails at the bar when, at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday, he began grabbing a woman. After being repeatedly asked by the woman’s boyfriend to stop, the officer cursed at the man and identified himself as a police officer, witnesses said. An argument ensued between the officer and the woman’s boyfriend, management said, and security guards asked Fees to leave multiple times before forcing him out.

Once outside, the officer reportedly drew his gun and pointed it at one of the security guards, a black man.
The officer then told patrons, “If you don’t move, I’ll kill that n-----,” witnesses said. Management said the officer then went to Mercury Lounge, a bar across the street, where he was subsequently arrested by Tulsa police.

Capt. Karen Tipler said Saturday night that Fees is on paid suspension pending further investigation.

How embarrassing for the officer and the department. It will be interesting to see how the new polce chief deals with this officer. It might be time for one of the laid officers to get re-hired.

There are bad apples everywhere.  I think it reflects more on the individual that the TPD.  How the TPD handles it will be important to public perception.

I totally agree.

They have already suspended the officer and will conduct an investigation. I trust they will deal with him appropriately.

Grabbing at a woman repeatedly, pulling a gun while drunk and using racial slurs should warrant some pretty stiff penalties in my book.

Investigations are too bureaucratic if they can't just get a consensus among the multiple eyewitnesses and immediately have grounds to fire this a-hole (assuming the report is true).  Instead, he is on suspension, aka a free vacation.  There have to be dozens of laid off officers who could really use his job right now.

Like it or not, innocent until proven guilty.

Yes, for the criminal charges.  As far as conduct, you nor I could pull a gun on someone, call them the n-word, and identify ourselves as an employee of our company in front of a crowd of people and keep our jobs.  You would be in the bosses office at the next possible moment getting fired.  Not collecting a paycheck during an investigation.

Had the security guards used the same standard of conduct police use, the man would be dead, and the DA would rubberstamp "justified" on the case.

Now, we have been down this road before:

“We have had incidents in the past when off duty law enforcement attended one of our events and did partake of the adult beverages.”

Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police President Phil Evans stated in response to the (BOK Center's concerns about off-duty officers drinking with guns) , “I am deeply concerned about this change at the BOK Center for several reasons.  First and most importantly, the safety of the patrons of the BOK Center is the Police Department, and every officer’s top priority, on or off duty.  Police Officers lead different lives from most citizens.  When they go home from their shift, their responsibilities do not end.  They must be concerned with their personal safety and that of their family if a person whom they have arrested recognizes them and would seek revenge, and they must uphold the oath that they take to defend the lives of citizens, even if they are off duty.
http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=14148.0


...and Fees was known to be a problem years ago:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=060515_Ne_A1_Compl41189

I don't think anyone has stood up for this guy as being well behaved or particularly intelligent.  I too believe that our police should be held to a higher standard than average citizens but they too have rights under the law. Then give him a fair trial and hang him.

I went to school with him for two years and I can say he's kind of a redneck, but not a bad guy. I'm guessing alcohol had more to do with it than anything, but it's been 15 years since I've talked to him.

it's the whole PAID suspension which bothers me. Let him burn sick or vacation time. If an officer is arrested for something like this, they should not be paid as if it's straight time. It's not like he shot someone in the line of duty.

Once again Patric, you are wrong.  Travis Ludwig resigned at the end of January. He was about to be fired and decided to resign. 

In regards to Tom Fees, if the story is true, hopefully he will resign or be fired next week.  Mark Wollmershauser Jr. will be the next officer to be hired back.  Wollmershauser Jr. was the one of the officers that found the two year old girl in the woods with Marcus Berry and also was one of the first responders at KBEZ when the gunman was shot. 

I wonder if this was his issued firearm? Police should have to check those in when they are not at work like the military does.

NAME   FEES, THOMAS F
JOB TITLE   POLICE OFFICER
Department   Police
Salary (annual or hourly)   $53,171.52

$1022 of your money every week their investigation continues.

In my book that gets you FIRED.  Anything less is a travesty.  

I see atleast a sexual battery charge....Pointing a dangerous weapon......

Salary (http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/itemsofinterest/city_payroll/city_payroll.aspx?RecordID=1193&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=)

That was his father.

Yikes.

Maybe the father's sins aren't visited on the son, but sometimes they are. Is such an applicant given a psych test to make sure he doesn't have his dad's bad tendencies?

I don't what happened to his father to make him behave so badly at that incident and tarnish his career.

I worked with him on many occasions and always thought he was a fine officer. He used to get litter bags from me and make kids caught drinking at a park pick up litter. He was the only officer I could normally get to do any investigation about illegal dumping.

The same thing happened to me when I was in high school and I always appreciated the method of teaching kids like me a lesson. 

Back on topic, I'm pretty sure I saw the aforementioned officer heading into city hall earlier. I'm sure it was for an uncomfortable meeting.

Maybe the officer was just doing "research".  Just like Michael DelGiorno when he was kicked out of two casinos in one night.

Harhar, I miss that dolt.  The most enjoyment I ever had at Drillers Stadium was one night when I had box tix from the company I worked at; he sat down about 10 seats in the same row and also got to throw out the first pitch that night.  I screamed at him after his pitch fell short "You throw like a gurrl, DelGiorno!".  He took it upon himself to leer at me the rest of the game after he got back to his seat.  I enjoyed every minute of it.

He's got lengthy priors.
Two months after joining the Sand Springs PD he shot a shoplifter point blank, using a controversial technique where a cop can grab the steering wheel of a car, claim he was dragged and in "fear for his life" and blast away.
After quietly leaving that job for TPD he quickly racked up a number of complaints, many from other officers.
In one complaint, TPD suspended him for 3 days for distribution of meth precursors.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=13&articleid=19980223_Ne_a6darul
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=060515_Ne_A1_Compl41189
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100210_11_0_ATulsa498466

Case #CF-2010-530 on OSCN in case anybody wanted to follow it. Also looks like somebody file a protective order against him in August (PO-2009-391).

Pulling from one of the articles Patric posted above:

Obviously a reason why seniority should not be the only thing considered when doing mass layoffs.

Wasn't this the "cocaine cop"? 

"One officer, Travis Ludwig, has been disciplined twice this year for conduct unbecoming an officer and involvement in quarrels and disputes, records show. Ludwig was suspended for four days in January and two days in March.
Both cases involved Ludwig's relationship with the same woman. The woman's husband sued the city in February, claiming that Ludwig and another officer had affairs with his wife. The man, Shannon Coyle, claims that he was charged with various offenses after he filed an Internal Affairs complaint.
Ludwig's attorney, Scott Wood, has said his client had an "inappropriate relationship" with Coyle's wife but that it had nothing to do with the case against Coyle, which was later dismissed."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=060515_Ne_A1_Compl41189

Yep, sure enough:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090924_11_A1_Tulsap419320

No wonder people think the police have it easy.


Fees will remain on paid administrative leave until the criminal case has been resolved, Capt. Jonathan Brooks said.

In cases where felony convictions occur, an officer could be terminated based on the conviction alone, he said.

Brooks said Fees is on paid administrative leave “because he is afforded due process.” “If we suspend him without pay,” he said, “we have circumvented procedural due process.”


http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100210_11_0_ATulsa498466

Hmm...wonder what my employer would say if I broke a law that garnered my dismissal.  Would I get afforded 'administrative leave' and be paid for it?

Hell no.

Okay, this is disturbing:

In April 2006, he was suspended for three days without pay for possessing and attempting to distribute pseudoephedrine on the Internet, the records show.

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100210_11_0_ATulsa498466

Anyone think this was sufficient punishment?  How easily would an average citizen have gotten out of this if this had been a police sting operation?  Due process my a$$, I think we need to hold law enforcement to a high standard.

I can't believe he will remain on payroll until the criminal charges are resolved.  With a really good attorney, this could get continued for a year or longer.  Either that or he will plea down to misdemeanor and be back on the force.  He has no business carrying a firearm anymore and sure as hell doesn't have what it takes to be a stable LEO.

He needs to face "layoff".

Union.....It's that simple.....

He was suspended for two days for walking away from his car with the engine running.

So yes, selling the primary component of crystal meth illegally over the internet to skirt state and federal laws.. is only slightly worse than leaving your car running.

His divorce makes for interesting reading.  I can honestly say I can't recall a public defender being appointed for minors in a divorce.  As well there's a court-appointed therapist for the kids.  This guy is sounding more and more like a total nut.  The soon to be ex filed for an EPO on Monday.  Can't say I blame her.  Hmmm alimony to be paid from 40% of his future overtime earnings.  Sounds like she's SOL on that.  I didn't realize how dependent LEO's were on OT.

"FUNDERBURK, CARL: TEMPORARY ORDER HEARING HELD. SOLE CUSTODY TO PETITIONER, RESPONDENT TO HAVE FRIDAY VISITATIONS WITH BOTH CHILDREN FROM 5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM. RESPONDENT TO HAVE VISITATION WITH OLDEST CHILD TUES NIGHT AS WELL FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL. PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED TO REPRESENT THE MINOR CHILDREN. CHILD SUPPORT TO BEGIN 9-1-2009 AND THE FIRST DAY OF EVERY MONTH. COUNSELING PAID PER GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN BY BOTH PARTIES. 40% OF FUTURE OVERTIME PAYMENT RESPONDENT MAKES TO BE GIVEN TO PETITIONER FOR SUPPORT ALIMONY. APPRAISAL TO BE CONDUCTED OF MARITAL PROPERTY, RESPONDENT TO PAY 100%. FINAL ALLOCATION OF PAYMENT FOR APPRAISAL RESERVED. THE COURT'S MOTION TO SETTLE JOURNAL ENTRY SET 9-22-2009 AT 9:00 AM. PETITIONER REPRESENTED BY KELLY SMAKAL, BOTH PRESENT. RESPONDENT REPRESENTED BY KATHRYN HERWIG, BOTH PRESENT. BARBARA TIFFEE, COURT REPORTER."


http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2239112&db=Tulsa

The irony about all this is a corporal on KRMG this morning said the FOP rejected the offer from the mayor because they didn't trust him.

Yet, the FOP continues to shield this apparent whackjob.

I'd say the feeling of a lack of trust is mutual.

"You call me Francis, I'll kill you!!"

I know his wife or ex-wife as it seems to be now.  Very sweet young lady.

I also know the officer's father.  I grew up with him.  I see him from time to time as we live in the same suburb.  You could not ask to know a finer man.   As the old saying goes, you can't pick your relatives.

I know this has to be a difficult time for the family.

Well, at least we know who will play him on "America's Most Wanted"

Well...  You are talking about his wife and you are talking about his dad.  I am pretty sure there was some sort of "picking" going on when they got married.  The dad is.. well the dad.  Its not like this is your wifes sisters brother inlaws cousin or something.

Not that that makes any difference at all.  Just sayin.

I work in staffing, I had a job opening, I placed the ex-wife in the job that she still works in 8 years later.  I still call on the company I placed her in and see her from time to time.

Father in Law and I have known each other since 3rd grade.   Played baseball together.   As I mentioned still see him from time to time. I even know his parents. (the officers grand parents)

No they are not my cousin or anthing else.  Just good decent hard working people I am proud to call my friends.

I'm assuming this guy is still getting paid?

Yes

...and probably doesn't have to pass a UA screen either

He is until he gets held over for trial. That could be awhile since he got a continuance on his arraignment until 4/1. Someone has a good lawyer.

If this due process sh*t is really the honest way, then make him pay back his wages from the time of the incident until the time he is cut loose because of his behavior if he happens to be found guilty and thusly shown the door.

If they didnt pay him his salary, the Union would have cause to reach even further into taxpayers pockets down the road if his case came apart due to some technicality.
But yes, the city should include a forfeiture clause in the next FOP contract for officers convicted of crimes who have essentially been enjoying months of paid vacations.
UA or EIA while on paid leave?  Good luck with that, too.

That is a standard tactic.  Why not put a "moral turpetude" clause in their contract that if they are arrested for any reason suspended without pay and they will be compensated back pay with a reasonible interest rate if they are exonerated?  Let's face it you have to really love up big time to get arrested if you are a cop. I've heard countless stories of courtesy escorts home. I have no idea how true this is, but I've been told cops were given little choice but to arrest him because there were too many witnesses. If true, that pisses me off that anyone would have considered there would have been any other option.

Done.

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=12458394 (http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=12458394)

..and he still hasn't responded to my facebook friend request...

Fees may go to law school, but he won't be able to legally carry a firearm again any time soon.

Allowed to resign, wont face any jail time, and keeps his CLEET work permit so he can join another police department later.

Source?

If an SDA license holder did this, they would have their license stripped, I'm almost certain.

Dear Dean of [Insert Name of Law School],

Allowing Mr. Fee's to enroll places the reputation of your school at risk.  Do the right thing and accept the next most deserving candidate.

Sincerely,

We the people.

 

Added a postscript for you

The prosecutor backed out of the "intent to distribute" cocaine charge, and he walked...
(http://todayinok.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/travis_ludwig.jpg)
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=14&articleid=20101110_14_0_Afreus638808

Bull puckey, he was a freaking cop.

Anyone sorry they voted for Glassco yet?  Granted, he would have still been on the bench at the time of rendering this judgement, but it makes you wonder what criteria he used in deciding someone paid to enforce laws, with drugs in his patrol car no less, should be handled like any other first time offender.

Aside from that, Ludwig was a serious disciplinary problem when he was on the force.  The guy is a total psycho.

Apparent suicide on Rogers State campus has college on lockdown

CLAREMORE — People at Rogers State University are directed to "shelter in place" after an apparent suicide outside a building on campus Friday evening.

http://www.fox23.com/news/news/breaking-news/shooting-rogers-state-campus/njMdy/

...RSU shooter as Thomas Floyd Fees.