Suspect arraigned in Chesapeake officer's shooting death

Va Beach EMS is NOT ALL-VOLUNTEER! They have career (paid) medics, supervisors, and other staff members. These medics have been on the city's payroll for about three years now. The office staff has been paid for at least 20 years.

They are majority volunteer, but not all volunteer. How do I know, I was a rescue volunteer for years plus a career firefighter for years.

When stopping someone for a traffic ticket, responding to a loud music complaint or answering a domestic, do you get out of your cruiser, gun drawn ready for action? NO! Why? Because it is not necessary, in most cases, to do this.

We are not belittling the police in any way, we are criticizing the policies and procedures, as well as you should, as it could get YOU killed as they currently stand.

Serving this warrant when this kid went to work was the best and logical way to serve this. Had it happened this way, a cop would still be alive and a young man's life wouldn't have been ruined.

The standards and practices used in the decision making process are virtually universal nationwide. Now, more than ever in the history of law enforcement practices and procedures are shared and studied by agencies coast to coast. When my department was looking for models for our Taser program we researched nationwide via the internet forums and department web resources. People wonder and pontificate as to why police circle the wagons when we feel threatened. Put yourself in our position. We just lost a family member doing the job society asked him to do. The response we routinely get is don't bother us with the details just do it. Until something goes wrong than those whose only law enforcement experience is watching two or three episodes of cops suddenly jump up and down and call us Nazis. I have never claimed that we were immune from criticism or that we never make mistakes all I asked is to be judged professionally by someone with more on the ball than simply a subscription to cable TV. We do your dirty work just cut us some slack. No one is more critical of police admin then policemen and women.

From reading the posts I would say the vast majority support the police. In fact most of them say that the problem is with the methods and in some cases the law itself. There is no need to create a situation where it is you against us. I don't think that it is the case here. With that said, honestly, if someone were crashing in your front door, would you shoot? Do you adhere to the 21' rule recently mentioned in a shooting at the beach? We all understand the police are a tight group and you have to be on the 'team,' but what would you have done? At the most the kid should be charged with manslaughter.

Skoops, I am fully aware as are my fellow Officers just how we ended up in this profession. You are right, we voluntarily became Law Enforcement Officers. Fortunately, for you and those like you we did volunteer because it's obvious you won't. However, what we didn't volunteer for is to be constantly and incorrectly second guessed and armchair quarterbacked by every knothead with a TV law enforcement certification. For you to demean the dedication and sacrifice of those who serve only confirms my posting yesterday. Oh, by the way I also volunteer with Beach EMS and have for almost ten years. And, you? Law enforcement and the military should be empowered to do their jobs free of unwarranted attacks(being called Nazis is extreme). They should however welcome informed and accurate oversight from those who possess at least some understanding of the job. You wouldn't want me coming to your workplace, telling you how to do your job, or would you? Wait for the facts, all of them. Then make an intelligent informed decision, please.

You make me sick, no one is asking you to treat law enforcement like Gods. Do not judge until you walk a mile in a man's shoes. No one signs up for a job wanting to die. The only people that try to make law enforcement out to be God's is TV and movies. I have an idea why don't you go for a ride along in 5 different cities and then make you can have a small opinion.

It is really starting to get old hearing the military and law enforcement talk about them putting their life’s on the line for us. And how for that reason alone we should worship the ground they walk on. It is your JOB; it’s what you signed up to do. You get paid to do it, you signed up for the job knowing fully well the danger involved. You are not a volunteer and you did not get forced ("drafted") into it. We all have a job and we get paid for it. Do your job and do it right, if you can't find a new career. Good Lord. Now, Virginia Beach EMS, which is all volunteer, they get all the respect in the world. They save your life and don’t get paid. That’s Respect worthy.

many lives are now affected by this terrible event.little thought went into this "operation".how can a police dept. take the word of an informent and not do a little checking to see if the info is correct.the informant should be charge w/ contrubuting to the officers death, had he had his facts straight the police never would have been there. the judge who signed the warrent should also face charges. the crazy thing about all of this is, on 1 side of the counrty CAL. you can now buy pot from vending machines ( w/ perscription)on this side your house can be raided like nazis looking for jews simply b/c somebody said so to the police.the police are lucky that Ryan had a little pot at the house or they would have no ground to stand on.

on a different note the grey area around shooting an intruder is also on trial here pay close attition here as your right to protect yourself and family is in jepordy FREE RYAN

It's so easy to say, "why wasn't it done this way or that way?" Search warrants are executed everyday (for any number of differant offenses) and unfortunately, what happened that night, is a possibility during EVERY search warrant. LEOs know that and accept it as a possibility, but they still do the job. The majority of information comes from citizens (just like those who are posting comments), and if the police didn't act.....you'd be the first ones to complain that the police weren't doing anything (or enough) about your complaints....they can't win!

Now the judges have begun to recuse themselves... like the prosecutors. Hmmm.... Why would that be? No one wants to touch this case... Ryan is a symbol of all of our personal rights and freedoms. This is a landmark case to determine where those rights exist for each us of any longer. Please forward this case to the ACLU. Please get the ACLU. Our civil liberties are on trial with Ryan and who's ready to sit by and do nothing? The list of judges who are quietly removing themselves should be published!!!!!

From some previous comments it appears that the street officers are taking these mistakes by the CPD personally. You should thank the Lord that you were not one of the officers placed in this situation. If I were a police officer, I would expect my superiors to make well thought out decisions so as to not place me in unnecessary danger. This was not the case.

Career Cop, Wow I could not have said it any better. Well said.

In response to career cop, I understand what you are saying and how you feel. What we are feeling about this case is it was handled in our opinon the wrong way. There are safe and just ways to exicute a plan that does not indanger lives and in this case a life that was taken could have been spared and the person accused would not be facing what he is now.I do not and will not beleave this person is a cold blooded killer. I think if the sitution was handled in a different manner we would not be talking about this today. 2 families have suffered and I think all need to take resposiblity on their actions that night. Cops can be wrong just because they are cops do not always make them right.

It takes more than a police uniform to make you one of the good guys. Still, by all accounts, Detective Shivers seemed to have been one of the good guys. If that is indeed true, then he became a police officer because he cared about people. I can't help but feel that he would want us all to have compassion for this young man, who doesn't seem to be a violent or hardened criminal, but rather, someone whose fear got the best of him in a situation that, in my humble opinion, should have never taken place. It appears from what little I've seen of Mr. Frederick, he has tremendous guilt and remorse over taking an innocent life, and that there is no way it was premeditated murder. It has been my constant prayer that the family of Detective Shivers would find it in their hearts to forgive Ryan Frederick--even though their own loss and pain is immeasurable. It may be that they already have.

I'm sorry, but when does a few marijuana plants deserve this kind of reaction from the police. From the other comments here, I'm not alone in my thinking. I think I'm more afraid of police response than I am of this kid. From what I've read, he was asleep when the police claim they announced themselves and all he knew was someone was coming through the door. Would you shoot or stand there and calmly ask who is there.

Not only will they lose this case but the city of Cheaspeake will have to compensate Mr. Frederick for the damage they've don to his life.

What ashame it is that all these lives have been affected by just one needless action on the part of Chesapeake Police Dept. I honestly do not think they even checked out or thought about the information that was given to them by this informent, It seem like all they were thinking was a big bust not one thought that they could be wrong, I agree with others that he at the time was in fear for his life , why they felt they needed to execute the warrant at that time of night is beyond me, all this could have wait until day light hours and handled without anyone getting hurt, But now 2 families are paying the price and this saddens me. We must start from here rethinking how and when such tacticks are used.To many lives could saved...

Ryan: I am probably in the minority on this issue,but I pray that a civil rights group comes forward to help you. You are going to be railroaded,no doubt in my mind. I extend my sympathy to the family of the slain officer,but I do not hold you responsible. Those that are responsible are scrambling like crazy to cover their guilt. The fact that this same police force raided the wrong home several months ago with brute force does not speak well of the Chesapeake police force. I hope that if you do get off,that you sue the city of Chesapeake. This is absolutely appalling what they have done to you and your future.

AS a Career Law Enforcement Officer I feel it is necessary to remind those who have forgotten and educate those who don't know that we as COPS routinely put ourselves in harms way for you (the general public) and risk our lives and yes sometimes lose our lives for things far less trivial than three joints. We risk and lose our lives to investigate your traffic accidents, answer your burglar alarms, write traffic tickets to those who drive in a manner that endangers your families (not mine), referee your domestic situations, and any number of otherwise inconsequential menial tasks you assign us. We do this despite your propensity to demean, degrade or marginalize us. We do this despite the fact that you won't pay us to do a job you wouldn't or couldn't do for any amount of money. WE do this because we swore an oath, because we possess what some would consider an outdated ideal. We do this because we believe in what we do and consider it an honorable profession. If we stop or arrest someone who is threatening you we are great guys doing our job. But, god forbid if that same bad guy is you or a family member or a friend then we are harassing them or being thugs.

I believe that this kid didnt know it was the police, not because the police did anything wrong, but because I dont think he had the courage to fight the SWAT team. He was a ignorant young man who obviously sold enough marijuana to be known to an informant and was afraid that the life of violence he had chosen was coming back to get him. This terrible day was nothing more than the culmination of a life defined by studpid choices and it cost Inv Shivers his life. Tactical teams are a necessary part of law enforcement and if you disagree, I would suggest you approach the next drug dealer you identify and ask them kindly to stop destroying your neighborhood. The Supreme Court aggrees by deeming, "where drugs are guns are." The police knocked and announced at this door and gave him a reasonable amount of time to answer. The reason a two man team didnt do this themselves is because cops are being murdered at a record rate across the country and SWAT teams have the protective equipment to do this job as safely as possible.

The city of Chesapeake needs to wake up and see this for what it is. This young man does not belong in jail for the mistakes of the CPD. I cant believe he is being charged with fist degree murder. I sure wish I could be on that jury because there is no way I would find him guilty!!!!

How are they going to defend this? 3 joints? What happened to the reports of pot growing lights and all of the other illegal 'stuff'? I guess not so much huh?

I think the wife should sue the city for negligence resulting in a loss of life, pain and suffering for her and her kids...and so on.

The cops did not do themselves justice.

For all those 'wives of police officers' that posted before...as a wife, I would seriously rethink your defensive stance on this issue. Nobody is saying that any one cop did anything wrong...but that the WAY it is done is wrong. At least in this instance. There is NO WAY that officer Shivers loss of life is justified by the risk of his job. They put him at unnecessary risk with a tragic result. Risk that could have EASILY been avoided.

Again, why didn't they just knock during the day? Or wait for him to come outside/go to work etc...

I think maybe a bit of commando-itis has a grip on the swat team & a reality check is needed. Well they just got one when they buried a man/father/husband/son/friend/brother and so on.

I agree with you Dean, this guy will never get a fair trial here. I would contribute to a fund for Ryan as well. I knew Ryan a few years ago and I can tell you there is no way he would have intentionally kill a cop. He was defending himself from what he thought was an intruder!! Please someone help this kid!

when Homeland Security made tons of money available to every burg and town in the U.S. for "security," these heavy artillery SWAT teams have sprung up. Every town now thinks they have to have armored vehicles, heavy weapons, and jack-booted military wannabe's running around playing Rambo. And since they have them, they feel they need to utilize them, even for some of the formerly routine operations. This may have been one of those instances where such force was not necessary. Only the final results of the inquiry will tell.

If someone is interested in setting up a fund for the defendant I would be willing to help financially. This guy is being run over by the CPD and will never get a fair trial. I'm very sorry that the CPD detective got killed over a few joints but why on earth didn't they just pick him up after work? duh... Come kicking in my door and I can assure that there will be return fire and a lot of it. We are becoming a police state and the LEO's are running around crushing every civil right they can find. 75% of them have nasty controlling attitudes and that stems from their leadership. They dress up in tacti-cool military outfits with jump boots and drop leg holsters as if they are in combat. If these itchy trigger finger mall ninjas want action then have them join the army and send them to Iraq, not on our shores. They are supposed to serve and protect, not attack and oppress. The defendant did the right thing trying to protect himself in his own home. Is the Bill of Rights optional now in our modern world. This angle worked well for Hitler. Such short memories.

On the news the other day, the police were saying that this is the way they serve warrants, because they have no full time SWAT team. Are they serious? Why pay the high cost of a multiple person SWAT team to invade this guys house for this offense, when they could just pay a two person team of regular officers to stake out the house for a couple days and arrest him outside the house when he comes home from work, or heads out to go somewhere. A SWAT team? I'm sure the neighbors would love seeing this in their neighborhood. I'm sorry this officer lost his life. The police need to re-think whats needed for situations like this. Violent force can easily lead to violent results. There are many more, less violent/forceful ways to execute a warrant. Remember, this person you are arresting is INNOCENT, he has not been proven guilty yet! He deserves respect from the start, you just may have the wrong person. A tip that someone is breaking the law does not prove guilt.

Well, the truth prevails, possession of small amount of marijuana.
Guess they didn't find anything else-who was this informant anyway?
Again shows what a mistake the police made by not doing their homework before going in on swat team level. I pray our justice system sees this boy properly through the court system and he is released to live his life as he should. Thank goodness for good management within the City of Chesapeake to order an internal investigation of the Chesapeake Police Dept.

Simple possession? That's all they found with is commmando operation. An police officer is dead. The accused's life is ruined. What a joke!