CLEARLAKE – Clearlake could have a new police chief by the end of this week if the Clearlake City Council approves the top candidate from a nationwide search.

The Clearlake City Council has a closed session scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at City Hall, at which time they'll decide on the prospective new chief, according to interim Police Chief Larry Todd.

The candidate for the job goes to the council with both Todd's and City Administrator Dale Neiman's recommendation, Todd said.

The city will make an official statement naming the individual later this week if he's hired, Todd added.

Bob Chalk, the city's longtime chief, retired in December.

In January Todd, a retired chief with 38 years of law enforcement experience, joined Clearlake Police to temporarily fill the chief's position and help the city find a permanent replacement for Chalk.

The council hired the recruitment firm Avery & Associates to conduct the chief search, which brought in 28 applications from across the nation, Todd said. Some of those applicants were people Todd personally approached about the job.

The 28 original candidates were then reduced to six, two of which withdrew, said Todd. Those final four were then narrowed to the man the council will consider on Friday.

On May 10, the City Council passed a resolution requesting the CalPERS Board of Administration grant a time extension to Todd's temporary employment. That's a necessary step when retired public employees like Todd reach a maximum of 960 employment hours in a fiscal year.

That resolution stated that Todd would reach his 960-hour limit on June 14. But with a strong chief's candidate in the wings, Todd may not be staying on much longer.

“If all goes well, the new chief will start June 18 and my last day will be June 29,” said Todd. “There will be a two-week overlap.”

Although Todd cautioned that the council was the final authority on the chief''s hire, he said, “I'm feeling very confident” that the council will accept the top chief recruit.

Once the new chief is officially hired, Todd said he'll introduce him to the other local law enforcement leaders and help him get settled into his new position.

Whoever succeeds Todd will find a department that has undergone some substantial changes and improvements.

When Todd arrived, the command staff had left, and there were several officer and dispatch vacancies in addition to the permanent chief's job.

Since then, Todd has installed two new lieutenants, Craig Clausen and Mike Hermann, who he promoted from sergeant spots within the department.

In turn, Todd has opened up a statewide recruitment to find new sergeants. That effort has yielded the department's newest hire, Sgt. Rodd Joseph, who comes to Clearlake Police with more than 12 years of experience at Susanville Police Department, Todd said.

He also has hired three officers, a dispatcher, a records and communications supervisor and a support service technician. Todd estimated that the department still has about six positions – two dispatchers, two sergeants and two officers – that have yet to be filled.

Todd has created a volunteer force – Volunteers in Police Service – to work with police, which will replace the Community Patrol. In addition, he implemented a new vehicle replacement policy to get better, safer cars for the department and phase out about 20 older cars that are no longer safe.

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CLEARLAKE – A fight between a father and son appears to have led to a fatal stabbing on Monday.

In a Tuesday afternoon statement, the Clearlake Police Department reported that the victim of a Memorial Day stabbing was 45-year-old Steven David Medvin of Clearlake.

Clearlake Police said they arrested Steven Medvin's son, Justin Robert Medvin, 22, on Monday afternoon for the stabbing.

Police officers responded to the 15000 block of 31^st Avenue on Monday after receiving a 911 call of a physical fight between father and son, according to the most recent police statement.

Officers found Steven Medvin's body inside his residence, having suffered numerous stab wounds to his body.

The investigation led to Justin Medvin's arrest, Clearlake Police reported.

Justin Medvin is being held at the Lake County Jail without bail.

An official cause of death for his father is pending an autopsy, which Clearlake Police say will take place in Sonoma County.

Clearlake Police Detective M. Snyder is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Snyder at 994-8201, Extension 314.

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Justin Medvin was arrested Monday on a murder charge. Lake County Jail booking photo.

CLEARLAKE – A Clearlake man was arrested on Memorial Day for a murder that took place earlier in the day.

Justin Robert Medvin, 22, was arrested Monday afternoon by Clearlake Police for the homicide, which took place in the 15000 block of 31^st Avenue, according to a statement from Clearlake Police.

Several Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to a disturbance at the 31^st Avenue address, where they discovered the stabbing victim.

Police called for medical help for the victim, according to the statement. When Lake County Fire emergency personnel arrived, they pronounced the victim deceased.

Clearlake Police reported that evidence and statements that Medvin had stabbed the victim “multiple times.” He was subsequently arrested and is being held at the Lake County Jail without bail.

The victim's name has not yet been released by police, pending notification of family, the statement reported.

Clearlake Police Detective M. Snyder is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Snyder at 994-8201, Extension 314.

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LAKEPORT – Responding to concerns about the safety of pedestrians on city streets, the Lakeport Police Department has launched a new effort to both educate the public and ticket those who don't yield to people in crosswalks.

Lakeport Police has identified pedestrian safety in crosswalks as a particular concern, said Lt. Brad Rasmussen.

So far this year, there have been two pedestrian-versus-vehicle accidents that have occurred in the city, Rasmussen said. In one of the cases, a person was hit while in the middle of a crosswalk on Third and North Forbes.

In addition, Rasmussen noted, “Over the past several months our office has received several complaints about drivers failing to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks,” especially in the downtown business district and near the courthouse.

Then, the city's Traffic Safety Advisory Committee also pointed to pedestrian safety as one of its primary issues, said Rasmussen.

And with Memorial Day weekend and the summer tourist season arriving, drivers need to be especially alert, with more people out and about on the city's streets, said Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Lakeport Police officers conducted the first in a series of enforcement operations on Friday.

The operation took place from 10:30 a.m. to noon on North Main Street and North Forbes, between Second and Third streets, said Rasmussen. The area includes the block in front of the courthouse.

A police cadet dressed in plain clothes was the decoy, said Rasmussen. As the cadet crossed the street using the crosswalks, three officers watched for drivers who didn't yield properly.

“We cited six drivers who failed to stop for him while he was in the crosswalk,” Rasmussen said.

The drivers offered excuses that ranged from claiming they didn't see the pedestrian to saying that he “jumped out” into the roadway, not giving them a chance to stop.

The officers saw other drivers violate the pedestrian right-of-way laws, said Rasmussen, but they were too busy writing citations to be able to stop more of the violators.

Citations for the right-of-way violation can cost drivers more than $100, according to state penalty schedules.

Lakeport Police's emphasis, said Rasmussen, is on educating the public.

That includes explaining the law and what it says about pedestrians, cars and crosswalks.

When a pedestrian is in any part of a crosswalk, drivers must yield the right-of-way, according to vehicle code. Drivers must wait until the pedestrian has completely moved through the crosswalk to proceed.

However, as Rasmussen pointed out, pedestrians also have a responsibility to be careful when crossing the street, which includes not suddenly leaving the curb or running into the path of a vehicle so as to create a hazard.

As part of their safety enforcement, Rasmussen said police are also keeping an eye out for pedestrians who don't observe the law.

Lakeport Police plans to conduct several more operations similar to Friday's, Rasmussen said.

“The reason we're doing it is we want to increase driver awareness, increase pedestrian safety and reduce the number of accidents,” he said.

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LAKE COUNTY – The California Supreme Court on Wednesday said it wouldn't review a change of venue request in the case of a young San Francisco man accused of the murders of his two companions.

Now that the trial will stay in Lake County, it will likely take place later this fall, said District Attorney Jon Hopkins.

On May 4, San Francisco attorney Stuart Hanlon filed a petition for review with the court on behalf of Renato Hughes, 22. That request was denied Wednesday.

Hughes is charged with the Dec. 7, 2005 deaths of Rashad Williams and Christian Foster. The District Attorney's Office alleges that Hughes, Williams and Foster broke into the Clearlake Park home of Shannon Edmonds, intent on stealing marijuana that Edmonds said he had a medical recommendation to use.

Edmonds reportedly shot Williams and Foster as they ran from the home. Hughes is charged with their deaths because he is alleged to have committed a felony act that could elicit a fatal response – in this case, the shooting deaths of Williams and Foster.

Since taking over Hughes' case in 2006, Hanlon has stated he doesn't believe Hughes can get a fair trial in Lake County because he is black and the county's population is overwhelmingly white.

On March 2, Judge Arthur Mann ruled against Hanlon's request to have the trial moved out of Lake County.

The following month, on April 10, Hanlon filed a petition to overturn Mann's ruling with the First Appellate District Court. On April 26, the appellate court ruled 2-1 against overturning Mann's decision.

Within weeks, Hanlon took his case to the state's highest court. As Lake County News previously reported, the court placed a temporary stay on the Hughes trial, which had been slated to begin during the second week of May, while they decided whether or not to review it.

After considering one file folder and three volumes of exhibits, the court denied Hanlon's petition for review of Mann's decision, court documents report.

Now it's back to Lake County. “Everything is just starting again,” Hanlon said.

Scheduling session for trial planned

The next step, said Hanlon, is try “try to find a way to pick a fair jury.”

Said Hanlon, “I'm convinced that Renato is innocent and the evidence will support that.”

He said he's hopeful that the jurors who will be chosen will be open to listening to the evidence he'll present in Hughes' defense.

Retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge William A. McKinstry will preside over the trial, said Hopkins.

Lake County's Superior Court judges requested a visiting judge for the trial because, when it was originally scheduled, “it looked like we might have to deal with three murder trials at the same time,” Hopkins explained.

Hopkins and Hanlon said they're scheduled to meet with McKinstry June 1 to talk about trial status and scheduling.

Hanlon said he's pleased with the choice of McKinstry, who be believes will “work with us to get a fair trial.”

He added that he believes Hopkins also wants to seat a fair jury for the trial.

“It really is going to be up to the three of us – the judge, the district attorney and myself” to ensure a fair trial, Hanlon said.

Scheduling is going to be a challenge for both the defense and prosecution. Both Hopkins and Hanlon reported busy summer schedules.

In Hopkins' case, James Roberts is scheduled to go on trial in September for the murder of Clearlake resident Ruth Donaldson. Those proceedings may spill over into October, Hopkins said.

“We could have gotten this trial in and done on our schedule if we hadn't had a stay granted,” said Hopkins.

He estimated the trial may not start until later in the fall.

Hanlon said there's no way to tell how long the jury selection process would last, although he suggested it could take at least four to five days.

Hopkins said they're planning to use a written questionnaire, which will take the defense and prosecution a little longer to go through. It actually will be quicker for jurors, said Hopkins, with them answering the questions and then returning at a later date.

At that point, they may question some potential jurors about trial publicity out of the presence of others, he said, although he doubts it will take up much time in the jury selection process. Hopkins said the actual facts of the case haven't been played out in the media; rather, it's been the circumstances regarding Hughes' prosecution.

Once the trial starts, Hopkins said it could finish in four or five weeks.

Defense still has issues with venue

Hanlon said he's still not happy about the trial taking place in Lake County. He said that none of his views about why it should be moved – namely, that he doesn't believe Hughes can receive a fair trial in a county with a mostly white population – have changed.

“I don't think it's the right place for this trial but it's not my call,” he added.

Still, trial location could become an issue again after jury selection, especially if they aren't finding jurors who they believe can be impartial, said Hanlon.

Hopkins countered, “The key is not whether he gets the answers he wants. It's not what they can get people to say, it's what the truth is that counts.”

Hopkins said Mann's ruling “took into account that we would evaluate the jury pool that we end up with and determine if it's impossible to get a fair and impartial jury.” If it is, they would need to reconsider moving the trial, he said.

Added Hopkins, “Stay tuned.”

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From left, Mike Stevenson, and Lakeport Police Officer Jarvis Leishman, Lt. Brad Rasmussen, Chief Kevin Burke and Officer Mark Hommer. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – In honor of fallen law enforcement officers, a delegation of officers from Lakeport Police made a trip last week to Washington, D.C.

The delegation participated in events for National Police Week, May 13-19, which included the 26^th annual National Peace Officer Memorial Day services on May 15.

Chief Kevin Burke of Lakeport Police hadn't been to the ceremonies before, and when he found out the department hadn't ever sent a delegation, he decided to make the trip.

“I saw it as a golden opportunity as sort of a team building exercise for our officers here, and to give them a chance to see law enforcement in a broad perspective,” said Burke.

Burke took with him Lt. Brad Rasmussen, and Officers Jarvis Leishman and Mark Hommer.

There was a special guest in their ranks, too, who they asked to accompany them.

That was Mike Stevenson, who retired as Lakeport's city engineer in June of 2004.

Stevenson wasn't going as a member of law enforcement, but as the family member of a fallen officer.

On Jan. 9, 2005, his son, Sgt. Howard K. Stevenson of the Ceres Police Department, was shot to death after responding to a call of a suspicious person at a liquor store. Howard K. Stevenson, 39, was a 20-year police veteran.

After Burke came to the city as chief in early 2006, he learned about Stevenson's loss, and asked if he would like to travel with Lakeport Police this year.

Burke said surviving family members are invited to the ceremonies the year following the deaths of their loved ones. “It's an important way for them to start the healing process,” he said. “So I invited him to accompany us back there.”

Not yet ready to go

Stevenson said his family – including his wife, Phyllis, his daughter and daughter-in-law – went to the ceremonies last year, thanks to Concerns of Police Survivors Inc., or COPS for short, a group that assists families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The commemoration also includes adding the names of fallen officers to a memorial wall.

But he didn't go last year, Stevenson said. “I just wasn't ready.”

The chance came again this year, when COPS offered him an airplane ticket and a hotel room. Then came Burke's invitation.

“I figured I was ready to see it,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson's decision to go, said Burke, “really made the trip very, very special for us.”

Lt. Brad Rasmussen said the group left on the morning of Saturday, May 12, returning Wednesday, May 16.

Rasmussen said he saw one estimate that put attendance for the week's memorial events at 25,000 people from around the country and the world, with police agencies from England and Australia also in attendance.

Lakeport Police participated in the May 13 candlelight vigil, toured other police facilities in the city and visited a few memorials before the week's main commemoration, held on May 15, Rasmussen said.

That ceremony, held on the grounds of the US Capitol, was to honor the fallen officers. “I think it was probably one of the most impressive things I've seen in law enforcement,” said Rasmussen.

Just as emotional was the duty the Lakeport officers helped perform at the event. Burke and his men joined a detail that included 14 police officers from Montgomery County, Maryland, which escorted family members into the event on the west front of the Capitol grounds, Rasmussen said.

Burke escorted the wife of a fallen officer, while Officer Mark Hommer escorted the two children of an officer from Texas who died in the line of duty.

“It was a very sobering experience for all of us to see firsthand an event like this where you have hundreds of family members in one place,” said Burke.

Officer Jarvis Leishman, who has been with Lakeport Police for five years, said the support for the families was an outstanding feature of the ceremonies. It was sobering, he said, to see the family members and be reminded of the risks.

Of police work, Leishman said, “It's not just a job but it's a way of life for everyone involved, even our family members.”

The high price of keeping citizens safe

Leishman pointed out that few people realize how many officers are actually lost each year.

At this year's ceremony, 382 names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall – of those, 145 were local, state and federal officers who died in 2006, along with 237 names of people killed in earlier years that were recently discovered.

With the recent additions, the wall will bear the names of 17,917 officers, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

“It's a real reminder for us of the risks that we take,” said Burke.

President George W. Bush spoke at the ceremony, Burke reported. The president also spent several hours personally greeting each and every family member.

Burke said it was important to show the families that “we don't forget.”

For Stevenson, who saw his son's name on the memorial, it was both a melancholy time and a “very healing experience.”

An array of activities, including counseling and grief groups and tours, were organized for surviving family members, from parents and siblings to children and spouses, said Stevenson.

Stevenson said he's really glad he went, because the ceremonies provided some comfort for him. “There is a tremendous amount of support from the active duty police and COPS,” he said.

Being with other survivors was important, said Stevenson.

“We have this terrible thing in common,” he said, his voice catching.

Losing officers, said Stevenson, is the unfortunate price “that has to be paid for living the secure life we have.”

For Lakeport's officers, it was a meaningful experience. Rasmussen said it was important for the agencies to get together to show their support for each other and the victims' families.

Said Leishman, “I was honored to be a part of it.”

Burke said it was a good experience for the group.

“It gives you a renewed sense of belonging, even in your own department,” he said, and a greater sense of commitment to a very difficult job.

County's lost officers aren't forgotten

Lakeport Police hasn't lost an officer in the line of duty, said Rasmussen. However, there are three local names among the thousands listed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, all from the ranks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

They are:

– Sheriff George W. Kemp: Kemp was shot and killed May 5, 1910. More details about Kemp were not available from the Officer Down Memorial Page.

– Deputy Sheriff William David Hoyt; Hoyt died on Oct. 11, 1967, at age 52. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Hoyt was shot and killed in the Lake County Courthouse by a prisoner who was being led into the courtroom. The prisoner, who was manacled to two other prisoners at the time, grabbed another deputy's gun and began firing. Despite being wounded, Hoyt staggered to a counter and retrieved another gun kept below it, then returned fire and wounded one of the prisoners. He later died of his injuries.

– Sgt. Richard J. Helbush: A 13-year veteran of the Lake County Sheriff's Office by age 34, Helbush died after being shot on May 2, 1981. The Officer Down Memorial Page reports that Helbush stopped to help two people who he thought were stranded motorists, but who turned out to be Robert Cox, 39, and Annika Deasy, 27, who were wanted for murder in Stockton.

After speaking with Cox and Deasy, Helbush turned to go back to his patrol car and was shot in the back three times. Cox and Deasy then took his revolver and patrol car before fleeing the scene. When he didn't respond to radio calls, other sheriff's units searched for and found Helbush along the roadside.

Deputy Don Anderson helped chase down and apprehend Cox and Deasy following a gun battle. Today, Anderson is a defense attorney practicing in Lake County.

Cox later would hang himself in jail. Deasy was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. She has served 24 years of her sentence.

A native of Sweden, Deasy's case has achieved celebrity status in that country. Efforts have been under way for years both in the US and in Sweden to convince California authorities to let her return to her home country.

For more information about the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, visit www.nleomf.com; profiles of fallen officers can be found at www.odmp.org; the Concerns of Police Survivors Inc. can be found online at www.nationalcops.org.

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