Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Leland PD Routs Fire Department 27 - 5 in Annual Charity Softball Game

On Saturday, November 21st, the Leland Police Department took on the Leland Fire Department in their 4th annual charity softball game to benefit the Leland Santa Cop/Toys-For-Tots Toy Drive.


The game was dedicated to Wilmington Police Officer Richard Mathews who tragically lost his life this year in the line of duty.  Dennis Mathews, the father of Officer Mathews, was in attendance and threw out the first pitch.  Wilmington Police Deputy Chief Conklin and several other WPD officers were in attendance, along with Town Councilwoman Brenda Boseman and Leland Police Chief Tim Jayne.


The teams appeared evenly matched after the first inning with the score tied at 1 but LPD quickly pulled ahead and scored 26 additional runs to the Fire Departments 5 runs.  Notable performers included Rick DellaPia and Josh Spence, who went 3 for 4 and John Holman and Jonathan Hall, both hitting triples in the game.  Michael Landen was given the MVP award for going 4 for 4 and, in particular, for his defensive talent displayed in the outfield which included a spectacular diving catch for an out made during the sixth inning.


Though this was the 4th year the Leland Police Department beat the Fire Department, it was for a good cause, collecting 60 plus toys and over a hundred dollars for the charity.  It was also another opportunity for emergency responders to get together and enjoy a spirited game and camaraderie.


Special thanks are extended to Sgt Tom Tilman (WPD) for his solo bag pipe performance of Amazing Graze dedicated to Officer Mathews, TC Melton (Wal-Mart) for singing the National Anthem, Chaplain Ann Gordon (LPD) for the opening prayer and the United States Marine Corps for the presentation of the colors.  Also, grateful acknowledgment is given to Hailey Winslow (WWAY) as MC, DSS for helping with food sales and the other numerous volunteers from the police and fire Departments, their spouses and Marines from Camp Lejune.


(Photographs courtesy James Bullock) 

Officers Receive Commendations in Residential Shooting Incident


The Leland Town Council took time at the November 19th Town Council Meeting to recognize Officers Ronald Clarke, Anthony Nathan and, Sergeant Hank Smith (L-R)  for actions they took involving an individual shooting into a residence occupied by four people, including a one year old child.

On November 15th, Robin Ganey and some of the occupants of the house had been out drinking but, when they got back to the house on Village Road, had begun to argue; an argument that became physical.  When Ganey left to go home, he stated he would return with his gun but was not taken seriously.  However, around 6:30 AM, Mr. Ganey did return with a loaded semi-automatic rifle, forced his way into the house, fought with one of the residents then opened fire with his weapon.  Though no-one was hurt in the shooting, there was substantial property damage which included property in the residence and outside the house, property belonging to neighbors who were awoken by the sounds of gunfire.

When Sgt Smith and Officer Nathan responded to a call of "shots fired" and a woman screaming, they initially surrounded the house in an attempt to locate the suspect.  While doing this, Officer Nathan was stopped by a woman holding a baby and, while talking to her, saw Ganey in the front yard still armed with his rifle.  Ganey was ordered at gunpoint to put his rifle down, which he did, but continued to approach Officer Nathan and Officer Clarke, in an aggressive manner, demanding they shoot him.  It was at this moment that the officers made the decision to draw their Tasers and incapacitate Ganey rather then fatally injure him.  Ganey was subdued and detained without further incident.

It is this action that demonstrated both the training and professionalism that bring credit to the men and women of the Leland Police Department.

Mr. Ganey is facing several felony charges related to this incident.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Former New Hanover Sheriff's Deputy Arrested in Domestic Assault


Nick Dillon, who was involved in a domestic assault of his estranged wife in Leland Sunday morning, was arrested this afternoon by New Hanover County Sheriff's Deputies.

For more information, click on the link below from Channel 14 or the news feeds located on this blog under local news.

http://news14.com/coastal-news-110-content/top_stories/617631/search-on-for-deputy-accused-of-assaulting-estranged-wife

Saturday, November 7, 2009

LPD Thwarts Break-Ins

On two separate occasions, Leland Police Officers prevented break-ins into two businesses located on the north end of Leland.

On November 3rd around 2 o'clock AM, Officer Sherry Lewis was performing routine patrol duties at the businesses on Reed Road when she came upon an individual attempting to break into TRO Tobacco.  The suspect fled upon seeing Officer Lewis but evidence was obtained that indicate he was attempting to gain forced entry into the business.

On November 4th around 3 o'clock AM, Officer's Christopher and Lewis responded to PC Solutions at 856 Village Road.  While conducting an initial check of the building, officers heard noises coming from behind the facility indicating a possible fleeing suspect.  Officer Irvin, who had also responded, conducted a sweep of the area where the noises had come from but did not locate a suspect. Fresh hand prints on the windows of the building indicated that there may have been someone recently at the business trying to gain entry.

Both incidents are being investigated by detectives.