Disabled Veteran Sues After Police Siege Led to Attempted Suicide

Va. Man Says Police Siege Led to Suicide Attempt
Courthouse News
By Charly Himmel
March 18, 2016

"Wells was not a criminal but it seemed that he was under a brutal military type attack from the police and deputies," the complaint says. "He decided to end it right there and die by his own hand before he'd be taken in this insane situation."

After one failed attempt, Wells says he managed to shoot himself in the chest.

RICHMOND, Va. (CN) - A disabled veteran claims in court that an entirely unwarranted siege at his home by law enforcement officers caused him to try to kill himself.

In a complaint filed in Richmond City Circuit Court, Ronald Elwin Wells Jr. says he was home alone with his dog and watching a baseball game on Sept. 16, 2013, when a police officer showed up at his door, saying he'd been asked to check on Wells by the "welfare department."

Wells says he told the officer he wasn't on welfare, and that in any event, he was fine.

The officer left, and Wells says he went back to watching the game, then promptly fell asleep.

Sometime around 7 p.m. that, the complaint says, Wells was awakened by state troopers who were knocking at his door.

"Wells started to be afraid because of all this attention he was getting for no apparent reason," the complaint says.

He did not answer his door, and he didn't answer it later when, he says "a number of State Troopers or other police type people came in fatigues with helmets and face shields with long guns in their hands."

Wells says in an attempt to remain calm, he went back to watching television. Two hours later, however, he heard someone calling him over a loudspeaker.

At this point, the complaint says, "Wells became really scared."
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Female Veterans Face Multiple Challenges in Civilian World

Civilian life offers multiple challenges for women veterans in Duval; survey results released
Jacksonville.com
By Beth Reese Cravey
Fri, Mar 18, 2016

Like their male counterparts, women veterans are subject to post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, health issues, a high divorce rate and homelessness. But they also have other challenges that men may not face, such as child care, single-parenting issues, sexual abuse and gender discrimination in employment, according to the local group.

Bob.Mack@jacksonville.com

“We have a lot of work to be done,” said veteran Deloris “Dee” Quaranta,

founder and executive director of the women veterans group.

For women veterans in Duval County, finding adequate employment, financial stresses and mental health challenges are the leading barriers to building successful civilian lives after military service, according to the results of a recent survey.

The survey was the first phase of RestorHER, a two-year research project by Jacksonville-based nonprofit Northeast Florida Women Veterans and the University of Florida Psychology Department and funded by the Women’s Giving Alliance of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

In the next phase, a system of care and services will be developed that responds to the survey results.

“We have a lot of work to be done,” said veteran Deloris “Dee” Quaranta, founder and executive director of the women veterans group.

About 72 percent of the women surveyed said they had at least one service-related health problem. The most common physical problem was hypertension, at 26 percent. But most of their issues were related to mental health — 47 percent, depression or anxiety disorders; 39 percent, sleep disorders; 30 percent, post-traumatic stress disorder; and 18 percent, military sexual trauma.
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Iraq Veteran Killed In Line of Duty As Police Officer

Greenville police officer killed; suspect shot, killed himself
Greenville Online
Anna Lee and Elizabeth Sanders
March 18, 2016

Officer Allen Jacobs died in a hail of gunfire Friday afternoon while chasing a “confirmed and self-described gang member” who then turned the gun on himself, Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said.

Jacobs, a 28-year-old officer and decorated Iraq War veteran, leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young sons, Miller said.

“We lose. We hurt. We ache,” Miller said. “No one wants to lose their officers.”

Addressing the media several hours later at City Hall in downtown Greenville, Miller said Jacobs’ gun was still holstered when he was shot by the suspect, 17-year-old Deontea Perry Mackey, about 12:30 p.m. behind a house in the Nicholtown community.

Jacobs and his partner were on patrol when they spotted Mackey on Rebecca Street and pulled over for a field interview, Miller said. The police chief said they weren’t trying to serve a warrant as he had earlier stated.
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Dream Wedding May Happen For Soldier After 28 Years!

Fort Bragg soldier, fiancee a step closer to fairy tale wedding
Fay Observer
By Drew Brooks Military editor
Updated 9 hrs ago Comments

Fort Bragg Sgt. Maj. Jeff LeMaster and Piper Cronin, a PE teacher in Maine are competing in a competition to win a 100,000 wedding from Real Maine Weddings magazine.

Jeff LeMaster and Piper Cronin have a love story that's nearly 30 years in the making.

Now, the two are a step closer to possibly having a fairy tale wedding, too.

LeMaster, a Fort Bragg sergeant major, and Cronin, a physical education teacher in Maine, are finalists to win a wedding package valued at more than $100,000 from Real Maine Weddings magazine.

The two met in 1988 but were torn apart by the constant moves of Army life. They rekindled their relationship in recent years.

Speaking by phone from Fort Bragg and Maine this week, the two said having each other now makes the long wait worth it.

They're one of three finalists for the wedding package at Real Maine Weddings. The winners are expected to be announced this weekend.

The winner will be determined based on popular vote and on the selection of participating vendors, according to officials. Online voting ends today at midnight.
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Purple Heart Fake Ran Non-Profit Posing As Vietnam-Gulf War Marine

San Rafael gym owner accused of impersonating decorated veteran
SF Gate
By Jenna Lyons
March 17, 2016

Allen hosted annual fundraisers starting in 2010, dressing the part of a decorated war veteran as he raised money for the “Helping Heroes from Home” nonprofit, also known as Triple H, and his recruit training program. Allen said he was a lieutenant with the United States Marine Corps who served in the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, officials said.

A San Rafael gym owner spent years telling people he was a war hero, convincing donors he was awarded the Purple Heart as he persuaded them to give more than $20,000 to a veteran nonprofit and his own military recruit training program, authorities said.

But officials say he lied about receiving the nation’s oldest honor and bought Purple Heart ribbons to con donors into believing his story.

Gregory Bruce Allen, 68, was charged in the U.S. District Court of San Francisco Wednesday with fraudulent representations about receipt of military decoration or medals, a misdemeanor. He faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, officials said.
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