Last call for a good cop

November 29, 2011

By JO ANN BOBBY-GILBERT - Staff Writer , Morning Journal News

 

EAST LIVERPOOL - From disabled vehicles and someone setting another person's belongings on fire, Monday was a typical day at the city police department as calls go.
Then, as night fell, a final call: "949-41." No answer from Unit #41, Chief Mike McVay.
Again, "949-41." No answer.
A third time, "949-41," and, finally, the answer from Patrolman Moose Ramsey: "Unit 41 is on special assignment."
"We love you, and miss you. Please watch over us," dispatcher Deb Fickes responded as nearly 200 officers listened to the last call for East Liverpool's long-time chief of police.
McVay, 62, died in the emergency room at East Liverpool City Hospital Saturday morning after a sudden illness, leaving his mother, Jackie; wife, Connie; daughters, Lauren and Hanna; and his fellow police officers to carry on.
During a Fraternal Order of Police ceremony last night at Dawson Funeral Home, it was apparent also left behind was a law enforcement community that admired and respected the veteran officer.
Officers from at least six counties and 24 departments, including state and county investigative units, paid their last respects to McVay, who served as East Liverpool's chief since 1994, longer than any other except Hugh McDermott.
Among the officers at the funeral home were former city Chief Milt Fowler and several retired city police officers as well as chiefs from many surrounding departments.
Following the recitation of the 23rd Psalm by Capt. Terry Faulkner, a memorial blanket was presented to Mrs. McVay by Patrolman Fred Flati on behalf of FOP Lodge 29 which represents city police officers.
His lifelong friend, Capt. Norm Curtis, who was appointed acting chief upon the chief's death, received visitors alongside family members surrounded by numerous memorial tributes from the community and those who worked with McVay daily.
"Our beloved chief; we will miss you dearly," declared a floral tribute from city officials, many of whom attended the ceremony, including Mayor Jim Swoger.
As the officers stopped at McVay's side to bid their last farewell, they offered up white carnations and salutes to their colleague, many obviously struggling with their emotions.
Afterward, as police officers often do in stressful situations, they talked and laughed with each other outside and, later, at the ELPD, shared stories about the chief.
Today, after funeral services at 11 a.m., McVay will be escorted to his final resting place in Riverview Cemetery by his fellow officers.
City Hall will be closed today in honor of the fallen chief, but in the police department, it will be a typical day, as calls go.

East Liverpool mourning

Police Chief Mike McVay dead after becoming ill at home

November 27, 2011

By TOM GIAMBRONI - Staff Writer (tgiambroni@mojonews.com) , Morning Journal News

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EAST LIVERPOOL - "He's one of the best things that ever happened to the city of East Liverpool."
Those were words used by Mayor Jim Swoger and echoed by others to describe city Police Chief Mike McVay, who died at 12:39 a.m. Saturday after becoming ill at home about an hour before.
Police officers in East Liverpool and surrounding departments spent most of Saturday coming to grips with the death of someone who was more than their boss and colleague.
"We're kind of stunned and shocked," said police Capt. Norm Curtis, who began his career in 1974, just one year before McVay joined the department as a rookie police officer.
"I think the whole department showed up at the hospital. That shows you the kind of guy he was," said Curtis, who was named acting chief.
As word spread, officers from surrounding police departments began to arrive. "It looked like a police convention," he said of the hospital emergency room and parking lot.
McVay, 62, was named chief in 1994, and only Hugh McDermott served longer (1916-1948) in that position. He had a bachelor's degree in business administration, a master's degree in law enforcement and was a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
"He had all of the assets," Curtis said of his friend.
Mayor Swoger said he came to admire McVay and became one of his biggest supporters. He believes McVay to be the city's best police chief during his lifetime.
"We got off to a rocky start, but I came to rely on him. What most impressed me was that Mike McVay wasn't just a police chief. He was also a police officer, he was a dispatcher (when needed). He always did what needed to be done," Swoger said. "He's earned my respect."
On one Christmas Day, Swoger stopped by the police department and found McVay on duty. "Mike was there so his guys could be with their families," he said. "I don't know how you're going to replace that."
Curtis said that was typical of McVay. "Even as chief he didn't think anything of pitching in and helping."
McVay's willingness to lend a helping hand extended to other police departments. "I remember when I became chief, a couple days later he called me and wished me well and gave me some pointers," said St. Clair Township Police Chief Don Hyatt.
While East Liverpool always worked well with adjoining police departments, the relationship became even closer during McVay's tenure.
"We gelled like one huge department," Hyatt said of the two departments. "When we needed help they provided it, and when they needed help we would provide it."
This sentiment was echoed by Liverpool Township Police Chief Charlie Burgess. "I don't know where to start. From the time I started out as an officer we worked together. He always help me out," he said. "The cooperation between departments was always strong because of Mike."
County Sheriff Ray Stone was among McVay's admirers. "I thought he was a great chief, and I think he'll be missed by the entire county," he said.
City Councilman Ryan Stovall served as a police officer under McVay for six years before joining the St. Clair Township Police Department, and he said McVay was always the consummate professional in his dealings with him both as an employee and councilman.
"He trained me and mentored me through my rookie years. He always watched out for the guys, and he was easy to work with from a council standpoint," Stovall said. "He's going to be tough to replace.
City Safety-Service Director Ryan Estell said the process of appointing a new chief will take three to four months. He said the department's four captains - Curtis, John Lane, Terry Faulkner and Tom Clark - are eligible to take the chief's exam, with the chief position going to the top scorer.
Curtis, who has said he will not be a candidate for chief, was chosen by his colleagues as interim chief. "Norm and Mike have been friends for a long time, and when I met with the captains last night it was unanimous that it should be Norm," Estell said.
Officer Patrick Wright was promoted to acting captain to fill Curtis' slot. Wright finished first on the most recent captain's exam, and his promotion will become permanent once a new chief is named.

Dead woman’s brother charged

November 22, 2011

DEANNE JOHNSON - Staff Writer , Morning Journal News

 

LISBON - Two people were taken into custody Monday on charges related to the August shooting death of Holly Carosiello, according to Sheriff Ray Stone.
Jamie M. Adkins, Dresden Avenue, East Liverpool, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony. Detective Jeff Haugh said Adkins is Holly's brother.
Adkins faces further charges of burglary, a second-degree felony; complicity to burglary, a third-degree felony; and conspiracy to burglary, a second-degree felony. Haugh said those charges stem from incidents both the day before and the day of Carosiello's death.
Adkins was taken into custody Monday afternoon on the secret indictment, which was issued by the Columbiana County Common Pleas grand jury last week.
Earlier in the day Monday, Anthony Carosiello, Hillcrest Road, Wellsville, a brother-in-law of the victim, was also taken into custody by deputies, according to Haugh.
Carosiello was charged for allegedly failing to cooperate with deputies during the course of the investigation. He is charged with three counts of third-degree felony tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice, which Haugh said is also a felony three because the misinformation provided hindered a murder investigation.
Details from the indictments were not available Monday.
Holly Carosiello, 22, was found dead from a gunshot wound behind the home of her estranged husband, Nicholas Carosiello on Township Line Road on Aug. 12.
At the time of the death, Nicholas Carosiello's stepfather had reported a shooting and burglary. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gun shots. Holly Carosiello was found dead when deputies arrived.
Sheriff Ray Stone had reported deputies took several guns from the home during the investigation, but were waiting to determine which gun if any led to her death.
djohnson@mojonews.com

Positive ID made on Klusch

November 22, 2011

DEANNE JOHNSON - Staff Writer , Morning Journal News

 

LISBON - The body of the man found Friday has been confirmed as Gerald G. Klusch by the coroner's office in Summit County.
A cause of death of the farmer and businessman has not yet been identified.
Detectives with the Columbiana County Sheriff's department continue to investigate what has been considered a suspicious death since Klusch's disappearance seven weeks ago.
Detective Andy Sweeney went to Summit County Monday to go over the preliminary autopsy of the body with investigators. The body was found Friday afternoon down a wooded hillside off Hazel Run Road.
Sheriff Ray Stone said the area was isolated with only one vehicle going past throughout the evening while investigators were there. He believes it is likely the body has been there throughout the past seven weeks.
Sweeney and Klusch's son, Ryan, were led to the area Friday by following up on some information. Stone said Monday it was not a new tip brought out by the offer made last week by the family of a reward for $20,000. Instead, the information was from a developing lead investigators had been working on prior to the reward.
Deputies had believed the body to be Klusch's since it was found Friday, due in part to a wallet found nearby with Klusch's identification and credit cards inside. Stone said the wallet has been turned over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, which was also there the night the body was found taking photos.
BCII previously had determined the blood found in the back of Klusch's truck was his. The white pickup was found with new damage off Beacon Light Road the day after he had disappeared. The body was found more than 15 miles away in an area without nearby homes. Investigators and volunteers had searched properties belonging to Klusch extensively. The property where the body was found did not belong to Klusch.
Stone said he spent more than an hour with Klusch's family, who now has an answer to one of their questions. Investigators now will continue to seek the answer to what happened.
Klusch, 71, U.S. Route 30, Lisbon, was last seen alive by his employee Matt Bailey when Klusch dropped him off at his home on Dungannon Road on Sept. 29.
djohnson@mojonews.com

Body found believed to be that of missing man

November 19, 2011 By KATIE SCHWENDEMAN - Staff Writer (kschwendeman@mojonews.com) , Morning Journal News   LISBON -A body found by the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office Friday afternoon just outside of Salineville is believed to be that of Lisbon area resident Gerald G. Klusch, 71, who was reported missing by his family Sept. 30. Sheriff Ray Stone said Detective Andy Sweeney and Klusch's son Ryan located the body on Hazel Run Road at 3:20 p.m. Sweeney was following up on a lead when he spotted the body near the rural road, Stone said. It was found about a mile east of the Clarks Mill Road intersection in a rural area with no houses nearby. Stone said the one lane gravel road did not appear to have been traveled frequently and that there were no fresh tire marks leading to the body. A sign posted along the road indicates it does not receive winter maintenance. He also said that although the death appears suspicious, nothing unusual was found with the body and that it appeared to have been there for quite some time. Evidence such as Klusch's credit cards and an identification card were found near the body, however. "We are 99 percent positive it was him," he said. The Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office is conducting the autopsy, and the sheriff's department has no "clear-cut" suspects at this time, although deputies are still conducting interviews, he added. Klusch, who lived on U.S. Route 30 and owned six properties in the area, was reportedly last seen by one of his farm employees around 1:30 p.m. Sept. 29. His abandoned pickup was found the following afternoon by his family off Beacon Light Road in Center Township, which is one of the several tracts of land in the area owned and farmed by Klusch. Ryan Klusch called the sheriff's office Sept. 30 to report his father missing. A search immediately ensued, aided by the family, volunteer firefighters from area departments and a local search-and-rescue group. The search was also assisted by helicopter and on the ground with search dogs. Earlier this week the family offered a $20,000 reward for new information or leads that would help officials locate him. © Copyright 2011 Morning Journal News.

Dalton

Today is the 11th anniversary of Dalton Springers murder. R.I.P little Dalton and know that you will never be forgotten...Not by me...or the decent people in your family. Thinking of all of you today! And PLEASE!! If you have any info about this case...please contact the Sheriff's Department or St. Clair Township PD!!

Reward offered in Klusch case

November 15, 2011

By DEANNE JOHNSON - Staff Writer , Morning Journal News

 

LISBON - Desperate to know what has happened to their loved one, the family of Gerald George Klusch announced Monday they are offering a $20,000 reward for new information or leads.
Since Klusch's disappearance on about Sept. 29, the county sheriff's department, volunteers, members of the Search Rescue, Recovery and Response and K-9 units have searched the properties owned by Klusch west of Lisbon. A plane flew above his properties on a clear day looking for any signs of Klusch or a disturbance in the area on Oct. 6. A dump area off Lisbon-Dungannon Road was searched. Sheriff's detectives have interviewed Klusch's employee, whom he dropped off at home nearby before he disappeared.
Chief Deputy Allen Haueter said the "splattering" of blood in Klusch's pickup was confirmed as his by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. The white pickup had been found at 3 p.m., Sept. 30, damaged and sitting on his property near Beacon Light Road about six hours after the family had reported Klusch did not come home overnight.
At this point, deputies are hitting dead ends in the investigation.
"We feel bad for the family," Haueter said "Our hearts break for them. We just don't know where to turn anymore. We're hoping this money will bring someone out of the woodwork. Money talks."
The family hopes the person who may know something will not wait too long. They have set a deadline of Dec. 19 for someone to contact Detective Andy Sweeney at the sheriff's department, 424-7255, with any reliable new information leading to the return or location of Klusch.
Leah Klusch, his wife, said she hopes the deadline creates a sense of urgency. She said they hope for any information, someone who saw him that day or remember seeing anything in the area.
His daughter, Katherine Klusch, said she would like to know something before Christmas, adding this in never going to be a good Christmas without her father.
The family members talked about each of their relationships with Gerald Klusch. His son, Ryan, was also his business partner and the two spoke probably daily, according to Leah Klusch. Katherine Klusch, who is 24, had just recently moved back home while she attended school. Leah Klusch said Gerald "was so tickled she was at home."
With emotions welling up, Katherine Klusch pointed out her daddy will not be there to walk her down the aisle one day or to see his future grandchildren.
"It feels like a Law and Order episode," Katherine Klusch said, adding it is one of her favorite shows. "This is what you see on TV. You never think this is going to happen to you or your family. You think your family is invincible."
Ryan Klusch said he would like to encourage anyone who knows anything, who may be holding back information to think about how they would feel to lose a family member and then step forward. Katherine Klusch added it is "scary" to know someone can disappear in broad daylight.
"This is a burden we are carrying as a family and individually," Leah Klusch said. "It's getting heavier and heavier. People don't disappear off the face of the earth. They don't just evaporate."
Additional information about the case is available at a website created by the family www.findjerry.net or the facebook site www.facebook.com/GeraldKlusch.
djohnson@mojonews.com

Meet Holly Carosiello

Last week I had the opportunity to meet a great lady. Her name is Soni Reed. For those of you that do not know, she is the mother of Holly Carosiello. Holly was murdered on August 12, 2011 in Wellsville, Ohio. 
Holly leaves behind 2 small daughters. Nikki age 4 and Jordyan age 3. 
Holly loved shopping. She collected dolphins and would always be the first one to text a "Happy Birthday" at 12:01 am on someone's birthday. 
She was a Mom. She wanted to become a Nurse. She was compassionate and loved spending time with the elderly. 
Her family and friends most remember her sparkling eyes and laugh. 
Holly loved holidays and looked forward to the holiday season with her girls. 
Holly had a very strong relationship with her Mom that became stronger just a few months before her death. 

I wanted you all to see Holly and hear about her life. The life that someone stole from her. 
Please click on the links that I have here and read her story. 
Although this is NOT one of our cases, and her case is NOT unsolved, there have been no arrests yet. (Please keep in mind that this case is still relatively new) 
Anyhow, I wanted you all to meet this lovely young woman and felt the need to share her story.....


http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/communitynews/wellsville/story

http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/548082/Columbiana-County-Municipal-Court-for-9-30.html?nav=5188

http://www.wtov9.com/news/news/memorial-held-for-shooting-victim-no-arrests-1-mon/nD5Ns/

http://www.wtov9.com/news/news/questionable-death-under-investigation-in-columbia/nDjzS/

 As Always, if you have any info on this case, please contact;
Wellsville Police Dept 330-532-1522
or the Sheriff's Dept 330-424-7255

http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/545131/Death-cause-is--questionable-.html?nav=5007