Hardball

baltimoresun.com
Off-duty officer shot, killed by city police
3 city officers, including one who fired gun, on administrative duties during probe
By Gus G. Sentementes

Sun reporter

2:28 PM EDT, April 24, 2008

An off-duty Baltimore police officer fatally shot during a fight outside a club by a fellow officer early this morning was identified as Norman McLeod Stamp, who celebrated his 44th anniversary on the city force yesterday.

The 65-year-old officer was shot in the parking lot of Haven Place strip club at North Haven and Orleans streets in Southeast Baltimore, Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said at a news conference this morning.

"He was a mentor to some and a friend to many," Bealefeld said. "This is an incredibly difficult time. The men and women of this police department will remain focused, vigilant and undaunted."

Three Southeast District police officers, including the one who fired his gun, were placed on administrative duties during the investigation. Bealefeld identified them as Officer Raymond D. Buda, a 16-year veteran; Officer Jason J. Rivera, a 7-year veteran; and John E. Torres, a 5-year veteran.

Bealefeld said Stamp was inside the strip club when a fight broke out involving several groups of men and some women who were trying to apply for jobs. The fight spilled into the parking lot about 12:30 a.m., and police were called.

The commissioner said the three officers, all in uniform, tried to break up the altercation and that Torres stood by the bar's front door to prevent others from joining in the fight. Bealefeld said Stamp emerged wearing brass knuckles. Torres ordered him to stop, and Bealefeld said Stamp refused.

Torres fired a Taser at Stamp, which knocked him to the ground. While on the ground, Bealefeld said that Stamp withdrew his service weapon and that Torres fired two shots, hitting Stamp at least once in the upper body.

Stamp was rushed to Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead about 1:30 a.m. Bealefeld said that at no time did Stamp identify himself as a police officer or heed the warnings of his colleagues. It was unclear whether Stamp had been drinking or was impaired.

While breaking up the fight, police said a bar patron suffered a broken leg when he was tackled by an officer. Police also said they expect at least one person involved in the fight to be arrested. Off-duty officers are required to carry their weapons but are also required to exercise sound judgment.

Stamp joined the city force on April 23, 1964, and worked a variety of assignments, including many years in the motorcycle unit. He was most recently assigned to the Harbor Patrol. He lived in Essex.

He made news in 1974 when, at 33, he broke his leg when his police motorcycle was hit by a police cruiser in East Baltimore.

gus.sentementes@baltsun.com

Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun

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Caveman

...Hmmm. Sounds fishy to me. Drinking could have caused Stamp to bring out his brass knuckles/Pistol...but still a guy who has been on the force for 44 years pulls a gun on a uniformed cop? Maybe, but still... Drinking or not, he would still realize he is a cop...ans so is the guy ordering him to get down. Why didn't he identify himself?

Any other thoughts?

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Britt

Same thing I thought. Veteran cop runs out of bar towards a fight out of uniform with an illegal weapon, gets tasered, then pulls a gun on a uniformed officer? Strange.

Caveman

Well, It's not illegal to carry a weapon since he's an officer. It said they are required to have one in the article. But nonetheless, strange.



CSI?

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Britt

By illegal weapon, I mean the brass knuckles. A guy in street clothes running out of a club wearing brass knuckles pretty much looks like a normal citizen in possession of a prohibited weapon preparing to commit an assault. It's an odd thing for an experienced cop to do.

Garland

I have a hard time buying that bullshit. Those three cops probably set him up. That's not a bunch of tv inspired bullshit...it just seems so highly unlikely a seasoned cop would pull a gun on a uniformed group of cops...especially WHILE he is being tasered. The guy was murdered. That simple.

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Mike Brewer

I'm watching this one on the local news, as is Hardball. It really sounds like the off duty cop was pretty out of control. I don't know the backstory, but you know me. I'm not a big believer in conspiracies.

Here's a more complete view, complete with the dead cop's activities, manner of dress, participation in the fight that initiated the call, and his belligerence when approached. He was a founding member of a motorcycle club, and was apparently at the strip club drinking in celebration of his 44th anniversary on the force.

Heavy bummer.

Off-duty officer shot, killed by city police -- baltimoresun.com

Hardball

Definately Alcohol related.

__________________
The Way of the Warrior is Practice. Daily practice, accumulate practice minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. {Book of 5 Rings} Mike Brewers 2008 Sit up challenge 30,000/100,000 running balance.(Crunches) Kicks 6,300/100,000