Posted on Nov 14, 2023
Before on-duty overdose, Battle Ground sergeant faced domestic violence allegations
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Months before a Battle Ground Police Department sergeant fatally overdosed on fentanyl and methamphetamine while on-duty, his supervisors heard claims he abused alcohol and pills and was “able to hide his intoxication well.”
The claims came from Sgt. Richard Kelly’s wife who, last November, alleged he punched her and fractured her nose. A Clark County Sheriff’s Office detective interviewed her at the hospital the day after Thanksgiving.
“She insinuated that everything occurred because she saw him drinking bourbon, which he never does, and taking pills which caused things to escalate,” wrote Detective Tanya Johnson.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office opened and closed a criminal probe. Then, in January, Battle Ground police internally investigated the claims.
Neither investigation found the domestic violence claims credible. Kelly’s wife, whose full name OPB is not disclosing, walked back her claims shortly after returning home.
However, the allegations resurfaced after Kelly overdosed Aug. 10 at the Battle Ground Police Department. The 54-year-old was in the middle of his shift when he appears to have snorted drugs at his desk, records show.
The claims came from Sgt. Richard Kelly’s wife who, last November, alleged he punched her and fractured her nose. A Clark County Sheriff’s Office detective interviewed her at the hospital the day after Thanksgiving.
“She insinuated that everything occurred because she saw him drinking bourbon, which he never does, and taking pills which caused things to escalate,” wrote Detective Tanya Johnson.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office opened and closed a criminal probe. Then, in January, Battle Ground police internally investigated the claims.
Neither investigation found the domestic violence claims credible. Kelly’s wife, whose full name OPB is not disclosing, walked back her claims shortly after returning home.
However, the allegations resurfaced after Kelly overdosed Aug. 10 at the Battle Ground Police Department. The 54-year-old was in the middle of his shift when he appears to have snorted drugs at his desk, records show.
Before on-duty overdose, Battle Ground sergeant faced domestic violence allegations
Posted from opb.org
Battle Ground
Substance Use
Drugs
Police
Law Enforcement
Posted 6 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel addiction knows no boundaries...
"PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An independent investigation into the accidental overdose of Battle Ground Police Sergeant Richard Kelly revealed that a line of fentanyl was found on his desk the day that he died.
Kelly was found unconscious in his office at the Battle Ground Police Department on Aug. 10, before being transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
City approves $300K settlement to Portland protester alleging police brutality
In late October, the Clark County Medical Examiner reported that the “combined toxic effects” of fentanyl and methamphetamine were what caused his death. Battle Ground Police Chief Mike Fort requested that the Vancouver Police Department conduct further investigation into the incident.
Vancouver detectives initially disclosed that Kelly’s death was “more likely than not caused by an intentional act and not an incidental workplace exposure” — but VPD’s full report obtained by KOIN 6 uncovers more about what occurred.
According to the report, one of Kelly’s colleagues responded to a traffic hazard hours before his death. Officials reported that several firearms and narcotics were recovered from an unoccupied vehicle on the scene. Kelly then processed and listed the evidence for “destruction.”
Documents revealed that the sergeant entered the evidence room for the first time around 6 a.m., and for the last time around 10 a.m."...
"PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An independent investigation into the accidental overdose of Battle Ground Police Sergeant Richard Kelly revealed that a line of fentanyl was found on his desk the day that he died.
Kelly was found unconscious in his office at the Battle Ground Police Department on Aug. 10, before being transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
City approves $300K settlement to Portland protester alleging police brutality
In late October, the Clark County Medical Examiner reported that the “combined toxic effects” of fentanyl and methamphetamine were what caused his death. Battle Ground Police Chief Mike Fort requested that the Vancouver Police Department conduct further investigation into the incident.
Vancouver detectives initially disclosed that Kelly’s death was “more likely than not caused by an intentional act and not an incidental workplace exposure” — but VPD’s full report obtained by KOIN 6 uncovers more about what occurred.
According to the report, one of Kelly’s colleagues responded to a traffic hazard hours before his death. Officials reported that several firearms and narcotics were recovered from an unoccupied vehicle on the scene. Kelly then processed and listed the evidence for “destruction.”
Documents revealed that the sergeant entered the evidence room for the first time around 6 a.m., and for the last time around 10 a.m."...
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Imagine that - LE investigating other LE and found the claims "not credible." Also not uncommon for victims to recant. Especially when a spouse is a violent drug user AND a cop.
It sounds like he had a problem for years - and then he got the found out portion after f* around too long with drugs.
It sounds like he had a problem for years - and then he got the found out portion after f* around too long with drugs.
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