Aunt says Frederick was protecting himself when officer was shot

I was going back and reading past posts and came across what where someone quoted: "I know many cops and this is a big topic for them. Announcing is not a thing they forget to do. The evidence is out to the public! It's on the back of the search warrant that wavy tv 10 has.. Read it closely!" -end quote- Are you kidding? Funny...a cop came to my HOME and ARRESTED me for a warrant that he READ WRONG for a bad check I wrote THREE YEARS PRIOR! Took me to the station and everything and realized that all he had to do was PRESENT it to me. These "COPS" need more training. No matter how long they've 'been on the force' They're turning into MORONS.

I found my way to this tragic story via

http://stopthedrugwar.org

(a site that should be visited and supported by concerned citizens)

Unfortunately, the failed drug policies of the Commonwealth [and all the other 49 US] facilitates these types of events on a regular basis but usually it is the civilian who winds up being "carried by 6" rather than "judged by 12."

Google the name Donald Scott and see what comes up. There are many, many others like him. TOO MANY.

The dilemma in America the Free (yeah, right) anymore is that --especially where "drugs" are involved-- one can NOT get a jury of his/her peers as was intended by the Founding Fathers. During the jury selection process, potential jurors will be asked whether or not they approve of Prohibition. Those that do not agree lock-step with the state are dismissed from duty and the odds of that person getting a fair trial are out of the courthouse. This is today's America--where the government controls the people...not the other way around. That is why nearly everyone accused of drug crimes always pleads out. Is the US a republic? you bet it isn't!!

I pray for this young man that he will be exonerated and the "the people" will demand reform of these inhumane drug policies and our broken down criminal justice system.

I feel sorry for both parties in this case... Let the case go to trial and see all of the facts. Let the families rest and do what they have to do... I know everyone has an opinion which would be the purpose of this but having all of the facts are important. God bless all the parties involved!

Gen, again, I say don't comment on something that your not sure about. Read your comment again and say to yourself do I know 100% that everything is correct. Do you really think the police didn't announce themselves... or are you going by what Ryan is saying. I know many cops and this is a big topic for them. Announcing is not a thing they forget to do. The evidence is out to the public! It's on the back of the search warrant that wavy tv 10 has.. Read it closely! Do you think where it says "Books" there talking about the bible! Put the evidence together... What it comes down to is there are laws in place to make sure we don't live in a place like, say, "Iraq." We have laws, there fairly simple! Drugs are illegal, possessing a legal gun while growing pot or being a user of any illegal narcotic would be illegal. Oh and by the way it's common for people who store drugs or grow drugs in their house to have someone break in... example just prior to the police getting there. I feel sorry for him too... It may not sound like it but I do.

Some of you guys have already passed judgment on this guy because you believe everything the media and police say. I can tell you as a former cop (15 years), they will twist things the way they want and there's nothing you or I can do about it. Anyway, if this guy was a big time pot dealer, usually they would know how much dope they are holding. He would also know that the small amount found would only be a "MISDEMEANOR, nothing worth going to prison for. He's holding down a job, full-time! I guess the weed business wasn't paying enough right? Where's the big time weed bust? So they had a search warrant, they are not hard to get I've gotten some by smiling the right way. Nothing like being awaken out of a deep sleep, with barking dogs, your door being kicked in and your heart racing. He was scared and it was an accident. The guy feared for his life and he didn't know what was happening. You officers that have kicked in doors, you know how fast it happens...within seconds.Just know this, the police are not always right and not all of them follow procedure. The neighbor heard a shot, but not the police yelling "POLICE"? Doesn't sound right at all. Sorry CPD, you goofed on this one. C

I actually know Ryan and alot about the story, as well as one of the many reasons he thought he was being broken into. 3 weeks prior one of our friends mothers that lived nearby (2 streets over) to ryan had a home invasion happen, Our friends mother was in the house with others when two armed gunnmen kicked in her door and robbed her at gunpoint right at christmas. Then a week or so later Ryans shed had been broken into. So when the cop did not knock on the door and announce himself and ryan heard them kicking at the door he immediatly thought about the other incidents and thought he was being robbed. i’m not making excuses for him but i understand where is mindset was. Ryan was not into drugs really or anything major. He did smoke pot but only personally and did not deal it or use other hard drugs. So he would not have thought about it being the police at his door. This is very unfotunate and my heart goes out to the officers family but this incident could have been avoided and handeled differently, the police should have announced themselves. I don’t believe he should be charged with first degree murder, involuntary manslauter would be more correct of a charge. The origional

I have read both stories...unfortunately we don't have access to the police report. We don't know if during the process of obtaining the warrant, whether the CPD went to the garage during the day and looked through the door or window to see what they could in plain sight. According to Frederick he was growing...other plants. That would seem to be in line with the makeup of the backyard at the residence. Ponds? Lillie Pads? If he was growing other plants, why would he grow them indoors (unless it's too cold outside)? Or was that just to cover up illicit activity? I have read all the comments from both stories. Why haven't the police released any details as to what exactly they found in the garage? I believe the only explanation is...both parties were wrong. The CPD could possibly have avoided the shooting. The defendant should not have had the appearance of illegal activity. Generally, in life if something looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.

I have read all the comments and just want to teach everyone a little something in life. Please stop commenting when you don't know all the facts. For the ones that do know the facts and can't discuss them it's really upsetting. It would be easier if all the facts were given up front as far as evidence and what really happen instead of what you heard or what you think. In life, get the facts before you comment so passionately about something. The quote "Knowledge is power" would fit this situation in life. It would be better if everyone waited for the case to come to trial and see its ending. All of the facts will be out at this point. Everyone will have all the information and can comment knowing all the facts. So for billyb71759 and adamc! Please hold your comments! I would love to know what raid you were on with the police and they didn't announce themselves billyb71759... (They always announce) So unless you were out there standing on the street observing the police on Redstart that night, hold your comments... and by the way people are found innocent everyday... it doesn't mean that they weren't doing the alleged act! It's a thing called probable cause and bey

Just to clarify my last post, I am in no way referring to the execution of a search warrant as a home invasion. Also in todays news there was a home invasion in portsmouth where 1 was killed just last night. Also in the last month another occured where 2 brothers were killed. And if I am not mistake another in which a toddler was also killed. I feel obligated to clarify this due to the verbal reprimands directed towards other comment contributers for posting thier opinions..key word opinion. I offer condolences to the family of the slain officer, his family & co-workers. This is a real mess. I hope steps are taken by the the city of Chesapeake, the CPD, and all citizens to insure that a trajedy like this is not repeated in the future.

Home invasions have been occuring at an alarming rate in the area lately. Although I dont condone shooting an officer, I cant help but wonder if this young man was really in fear for his life. If this goes to a jury trial as first degree murder, Im not sure if some, or even a majority of the jury will have reasonable doubt, at least as far as first degree murder is concerned

8:40 isn't the middle of MY night, but maybe if you are a drug user, your timing is a little off.

they are a burglar...If someone kills someone...they are a killer. What a wonderful country we live in that allows a person to answer WHY to determine the degree of their intent and guilt.

And to Ms. Morales, I'm almost positive your nephew Ryan would not have opened his door on the night of January 17th and politely welcomed Officer Shivers and his comrades into the house had they knocked on the door first.

Rest in peace Officer Jarrod Shivers and may your family and friends be blessed with the strength to get through this horrible tragedy. I thank God for the protection our law enforcement officers provide every day to my family and all citizens. Thank you Officer Shivers for your unconditional and surpreme sacrifice.

~wife of a fellow officer~

"Morales said the tragedy could have been avoided."

“What would you do in that situation? If they had've knocked on the door and got a response, he would have let them in,’’

This is truly blameworthy of what happens when parents or caregivers totally ignore the wrong doings of their children and allow them constant excuses for their law breaking without any regard to the circumstances that lie ahead.

Another poster stated that this search was solely based on the word of an informant only. I would venture to bet the law enforcement officers DID do their homework prior to initiating ANY type of search warrant at this home. I strongly agree also that Ryan Frederick's purchase of a gun WAS DEFINITELY and undeniably based on protecting himself or his property [as his aunt has stated] but NOT from the common burglar. This gun was purchased to protect him from the same type of offender as he himself is. I don't believe there is such a thing as an unarmed drug dealer and in this case Ryan Frederick was no different.

And Ms. Morales, last I checked if someone intentionally takes something that doesn't belong to them...they are a thief. If someone breaks into a dwelling...

- Mistake 1: Serving a warrant at night to a law-abiding citizen (no record) using rapid entry/breach tactics
- Mistake 2: Failing to check the detatched garage first (like during the day when suspect is at work)
- Mistake 3: Relying on confidential sources as the main reason for the warrant rather than any direct observations (power bills, surveillance, etc)

I don't know if these are mistakes police made or not. I wasn't there and neither were you people. We don't know the facts. We can what-if this stuff back and forth. That said, it seems odd that information is less forcoming on this case than others in the area, vis-a-vis the dope growing operation in Suffolk today. Why hasn't the Chesapeake PD released how much pot they found? How many plants, seedlings or seeds?

There is nothing wrong with purchasing a handgun for self defense. However, it was a mistake that as a user and/or grower of Marijuana he purchased a handgun. I firmly believe that guns and drugs (including alcohol) do NOT mix, should never mix, and should be dealt with harshly if it ever does mix. Under VA law, an unlawful user of illegal drugs can not purchase a firearm. The caveat? Its based on the federal definition of an unlawful user as someone who has either been caught (convicted) or has tested positive on a drug test within the last year. Now there is a law that makes sense. Apparently the Feds agree with many users... its only illegal if you get caught. Can you say "Darwin Award"? As far as the aunt, her knowledge of his illegal drug activity fully disqualifies her on making any call as to the character of her nephew, as it calls into question her own character.

It was dark, dogs were barking and some guy busts down his door and starts charging in.

How hard is it to believe that he legitimately believed his life was in danger and fired thinking this intruder was a threat? That's the line the jury looks for - did this person believe his life was in danger?

I think any number of homeowners would do the same thing. You say that someone with firearm training would never shoot without knowing who he was firing at. He did know who he was firing at - he was firing at the person who was busting his door down without knocking. Sadly, that person happened to be a police officer and father of three.

If my door come splintering in and a man dressed in black charges through, if I have a firearm in reach I am opening fire, plain and simple. Should I take the time to read every bit of embroidered lettering, patch and placard on display?

The officer simply should not have been there. If the police had done some police work ahead of time they would have known he had no record, where he worked, etc, and could have picked him up or searched his house when he wasn't there, and without this big spectacular confrontation with battering rams, b

Know him. He's one of the nicest people I've worked with. And yes he's a small dude that would not stand a chance against a bigger guy. And it is a tough job being a police officer. There is risk for anyone entering anothers house in the middle of the night unannounced whether the resident is high or not. It does not sound like first degree murder. It seems like there is justification on both sides. Police do enter unannounced all the time; it is protocol. And residents do have the right to defend themselves from intruders. If this was Joe Shmoe breaking and entering the resident would probably get off. But here everyone loses. The detective is dead, the family is hurting and courts will want Frederick to pay whether it was an accident or not. Hang in there Ryan. God knows what really happened.
Your friend Jeff from the hotel.

The sad mistake in this senario is folks WON'T learn from this. If they did Frederick could have been home with his loving family, nurturing them and teaching them that they shouldn't be afraid in their own homes. Insead he chose wrong over right. Not only did the officer and his family loose but so did Franklins.

I have been nice, I regret that a Chesapeake Police officer has died. But to place the blame on his death brings several questions?
1. Where was the confirmation of drug dealing and growing?
2. You have recovered the same stuff I use every Christmas, please tell us there is more?
3. I observed the Portsmouth/Chesapeake departments drug raid a local motel and never once did anyone one say “police” until I stepped in to help the person in that room. He was found innocent.
4. You messed up. Face the music.
Tell this woman and her children you screwed up. Let this man rest.
If you decide to bust into my house I will leave no one standing. I will take you out untill someone has enough sense to show me a badge,knock on my door I will answer. Start to tear it down and I will answer louder. I will not have time to research law on the net nor ask for id. I will shoot you and let your higher power decide.