August 11, 2008
Off-Duty Seattle Police Officers Involved in Sturgis Shooting
"SPD Bike" by Seattlest Flickr Photographer Slightly North
Though we don't know his name yet, we do know that an off-duty Seattle Police detective and Police Guild board member shot a Hells Angels biker during this years' Sturgis bike rally. The shooting occurred early Saturday morning at a packed bar during the week-long rally. The officer involved in the shooting identified himself as a member of the Iron Pig motorcycle club. (Funny how, when it's a bunch of cops on motorcycles, it is a "club" and not a gang.) Several people questioned about the shooting have identified themselves as SPD officers on vacation, and one man has been identified as a sergeant who once ran security detail for Norm Rice.
The shooting is currently under investigation by South Dakota authorities. The Seattle Police Guild and Department have already firmly declared support for their officers, though the accused shooter has been previously disciplined for threatening violence while off duty. Sgt. Rich O'Neill, President of the Police Guild has said that the officer involved feared for his safety and had to shoot after a "completely unprovoked" attack. Five SPD officer have been removed from active duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
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The Hells Angels are also a Motorcycle Club, FYI.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=HAMC&btnG=Google+Search
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that's certainly not how the SPD or most law enforcement identifies the Hells Angels.
I was trying to point out the irony and hypocrisy of identifying one as a gang and the other as a club, despite both apparently being violent.
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Well, the HA definitely has an established history of gang-like activity whereas I can't find anything with regards to the Iron Pig MC that points to them being an organized crime outfit like the HA (or the Mongrels, or the Outlaws etc. etc.)
But I get what you're saying. Sorta.
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You might want to be careful with your wording to avoid potential libel: "... the accused shooter has been previously disciplined for violence while off duty."
According to all the press reports neither incident involved violence: One was for taunting, the other for threatening.
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Ok, I'll avoid potential libel by letting one of the few remaining websites the IPMC has up and running speak for itself.
First you want to click on the about our colors link. Not the similarity of their wording in one part to that of one of the Major clubs, and their out right ripping off of another of the Big 4 clubs mottos, cut one we all bleed.
Then, to really see what kind of clean cut wholesome law enforcerment officers they are, click on the pictures link. Check out the folder on myrtle beach spring 2005.
Now, I will grant you that this is not the Seattle chapter, however, if they want to paint all Hells Angels with such broad strokes and label them a gang, well, it sure does seem that the IPMC is going out of their way to emulate those that they apparently have issue with.
Like I said, many of their sites that were up yesterday, are gone today. I do notice however that all of the Hells Angels sites that were up yesterday are still up today as well.
http://www.ironpigs-nrc.com/
You all can decide what these guys are all about.
definately not the higher standard I thought law enforcement was held to thats for sure.