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.

Mistake number one - using illegal drugs (his relatives knew about it)
Mistake number two - buying a weapon for alleged self-protection
Mistake number three - shooting and killing a policeman for whatever reason in the performance of his duty (a promising life cut short)
Mistake number four - having a weapon and illegal drugs - dealing drugs?
Mistake number five - his wasted life - the minimum sentence is life imprisonment - the maximum is the death penalty
Will others learn from his mistakes?

Was it worth it? Was it worth a mans life? NO. I bet Mrs. Shivers would agree that there is NO AMOUNT of pot worth her husbands life. The amount isn't even the point, but it wasn't even that much.
So again, should we ask our law enforcement officers to put their lives at even more risk than necessary? They could have waited until he came out. They scoped the place long enough. Why wait until it's dark? Why not just knock on the door and wait for an answer? IF that doesn't work, pull him over when he leaves his home. Why take the extreme of barging through a door at night? I know it's a SWAT thing...yeah yeah. I would think though that the priority is too stay alive at all costs and STILL do your job.
All of the cops in the history of cops are amazing people for taking a job that has inherent risks, for such little pay. I respect the police...I also want to know that they are doing the smartest thing possible to not get killed in the line of duty. The policies/procedures need to change if it was 'by the book' to raid this home at night like that. I mean, WHY?
For the record, since judgements are being posted> I do not use any illegal substances nor do I drink

Of course he is going to cry. The only way that this tragedy could have been avoided was for him to not break the law to where the cops ended up at his front door.

I am going to assume that a lot of you watch way too much tv. Cops cant just get a search warrant for absolutley no reason. They have to have MORE than reasonable doubt. They have to have facts and present a case to a judge. They didnt serve him a search warrant over a little bit of drugs. I have a lot of friends and family who are police officers and I dont know one of them who would jepordize their own safety. When cops go to do something like this, they are not only required to state who they are but they also do it so someone doesnt think that they are breaking into their house. They do it for their own safety. They announce their department when they knock on the door, before they break down the door ,and once they are in. It isnt one person that goes into the house and executes the warrant. I am sure that there was more than enough people there where this kid could comprehend that this wasnt a robbery, and the fact that they were all clearly marked on the helmets, vests, and with badges doesnt help his case. This man had a wife and three kids. He wasnt being careless. There isnt a possibility that this kid didnt know they were the cops. He shot a man. He killed a man. Of cour

...fit in a thimble. This tragic and horrible event has devastated one family...the other shoe hasn't dropped for Frederick. Those anxious to see it drop quickly should consider themselves lucky not to have lived through the Al Capone days of prohibition. I don't support the use of pot, but given its prevalent use, it's tragic when a department thinks it will have a major bust only to learn it's not so major. Did you notice the landscaping in the back yard with all the ponds. Does marijuana grow from lily-pads? Bet a drug dealer could turn his pond supplies into a grow operation easily. Maybe the informant only saw the gardening and pond supplies. Pond pumps require transformers and power too. Don't be so quick for more blood.

Anybody else see the news about the marijuana bust today in Suffolk when police responded to a burglary complaint? They arrived at the house and upon looking around discovered a large marijuana growing operation. We all know it was a large growing operation because the police invited the media to take pictures and video the house and garage space with the plants and hydroponics systems in place. The police did not do this with the Frederick house. In fact, we've seen no pictures or images of the Frederick house other than the front of the house and the back yard as of the news today. None of the pictures or videos depict any drugs at the scene. In the case of the Suffolk bust, the police immediately gave the media controlled access to the crime scene or police footage of the scene. Not so in the Frederick house. The police sought marijuana growing operations but must not have found any by the way they've handled the public communication piece of this investigation. If they could tangibly show what Det Shivers sacrificed his life to accomplish, they would have shown it five days ago. I suspect they don't want to show the public a little jar with just enough pot to fit in a

What would you do if you heard someone breaking down your door in the middle of the night? If I had a gun, I would be shooting too. This reminds me of something that happened in California, where a man shot police after they broke into his house and they shot back nearly killing him. Reason, someone said he was traffic drugs. No Drugs!! He was a high level computer executive and the police had bad info. In this day and age when anyone can accuse people of anything, via tip line or internet how do we know the person that accused him of drug operations wasn't mad at him for a traffic altercation, followed him home and gave police his address with bad info. Think about it.
I have a lot of respect for police, I know they have a dangerous job, but I know when I feeled threatened, the only thing I can hear is my heart accelerating in my head.

In the other case, we lost a good friend to people posing as the Virginia Beach Police cause our friend was shot twice.

I met Ryan a couple years ago through the computer. Ryan always seemed to be a very intelligent man. We had some very good conversations and I do consider Ryan to be a very good “online” friend. Ryan helped talk me through some pretty rough points in my life. I never imagine seeing him on the news in a situation as this one.

My sincere condolences do go out to the officers family and children. He was doing his job and serving and protecting his community, as we know, every officer takes this chance when they go to work everyday. I’m deeply sorry for these children as they have to now grow up with out their father. I can also totally relate to this situation due to the fact we lost my husband two weeks before Christmas due to brain cancer, so now my son has to grow up without his father also.

My sincere condolences also go out to Ryan’s family. I can’t imagine what you all are going through at this time in your lives.

I can understand both sides to this story. First of all maybe he shouldn't have been growing pot but for some people it is a “NATURAL” herb that takes the place of all the medicines they have these days to help aid in a person's sanity. I mean we have to take into consideration all the recall's that are made each and everyday for things "doctors" and " The FDA" are approving for us to put into our bodies. I am not trying to justify him using "a drug" but we also need to take a look at what happened to his mother, and if they were close, I can see his depression. I, myself, went through depression after losing my father 5 yrs ago. Now I am not a drug user although I did try smoking pot when I was 15 and 16, but I can understand why people use it as a "paxil or prozac".

Ryan may not have known who was on the other side of that door when he shot, only he knows that. But there was an incident a couple years ago over on Old Pungo Ferry Road in Virginia Beach, where some guys broke into a house, shouting "Open up Virginia Beach Police" so who is to say what he thought, could it really be the police or could it be someone "posing" as the police. In the other case, we lost a

No one seems to want to say it,so I will. If drugs were legalized just as alcohol is, you would not be seeing the carnage over it that we see daily. Look at the deaths that occurd during prohibition. It "ALL" stopped after alcohol was again legalized.
We also need to have a citizen review board to make sure the Police are not out there being John Wayne or Wyatt Earp.
The killing of Police Officers has to stop, but when they bust into a house , they should expect, in this day in time, to be met with deadly force. Sad as it may be. These are the times we live in.