Those in Support of Kirk Lane

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Shell on January 9, 2009 at 1:06pm

My husband has lived in Benton all his life. I have lived in Benton since I was 3 that is 34 years. I never said that Kirk has done anything special for me or my family. I put this forum on here for positive comments and not negative. There are plenty of forums where Kirk can be bashed and talked about in a negative manner. The pole that I am referring to on the main page of MY Saline and entitled Benton PD Pole I believe. It seem to me the negative comments come for the same 4 or 5 people. This in not the overall majority of the citizens of Benton. Also, for those of you who keep making negative comments, how long have you been a member of my saline and if you have been a member when was the last time you made a post before all this started with Kirk. What Kirk does a chief will mainly affect the police officer and not the general public. If you have good moral with the police officers that you will have a good police department. If moral is as low as it was under Gaither then you will have officers quitting the department and in turn will have a understaffed department which will affect the service they can provide to you as a citizen. Also many of the people who are voicing their opinions do not live in the City of Benton and will not be affected by these decisions. The alderman need to make their decision based on what the people who live within the area covered by the Benton Police Department and no based on those opinions of those living out of this area.

Permalink Reply by Dawn Shell on January 9, 2009 at 1:18pm

Some Food for Thought

1. As officers of the City of Benton while on Duty, Kirk Lane would not have been allowed outside the city limits while working and there forth would not have been in the area where Kevin Ives and Don Henry were killed.
2. If Kirk Lane was off Duty he would not have been in uniform when the boys were killed.
3. Second autopsy reports stated that the boys had been shot but the FACT is that if a body is hit by a train the body would be torn to shreds and there forth not enough parts in tact to determine this.
4. ID files and comments on this web site state that the boys were out hunting. This means they were also breaking the law by hunting in areas not designated for such.
5. Evidence leans both ways in this case and can be construed as you want it to be. If you believe they were murdered then you can read it that way. If you feel that it was an accident it can be read that way also.
6. The people who made the comments implementing Lane and Campbell can be considered as best shady charterers. People involved with drugs will not hesitate to tell lies to make themselves look good. Many of the people who made these comments have spent time or are currently in prison. Drug addicts do not make the best witness.

Permalink Reply by Phillip Howell on January 9, 2009 at 1:43pm

Dawn,

I do live in Benton (was born and raised here). I have contacted all of the Alderman concerning Mr. Lane and made my opposition known to them. Irregardless of whether or not anything was ever proven against Mr. Lane, the fact still remains that it is a very ugly unresolved case and Mr. Lane was involved in the investigation of that incident. Personally, I have nothing against Mr. Lane as an individual but I do believe that his tainted reputation here in Saline County is enough for us to warrant looking for someone else to serve as our Benton PD Chief. I agree with your comments regarding morale at department and yes Chief Sipes had his issues. However, I think we need bring in someone fresh to be Benton PD Chief and not someone with a prior history here in the city and so much baggage. I think that with all of the media coverage and everything else going on we need to be very conscientious of our city's reputation. I think Mayor Holland made a mistake and needs a do-over. I know that our Alderman will prayerfully consider the implications of whatever decision they make. May God be with them as they make their decision on Monday.

Respectfully,
Phillip

Permalink Reply by Shelli Russell on January 9, 2009 at 1:50pm

Dang, Phillip. You can be downright eloquent.



Phillip Howell said:

Dawn,

I do live in Benton (was born and raised here). I have contacted all of the Alderman concerning Mr. Lane and made my opposition known to them. Irregardless of whether or not anything was ever proven against Mr. Lane the fact still remains that it is a very ugly unresolved case and Mr. Lane was involved in the investigation of that incident. Personally, I have nothing against Mr. Lane as an individual but I do believe that his tainted reputation here in Saline County is enough for us to warrant looking for someone else to serve as our Benton PD Chief. I agree with your comments regarding morale at department and yes Chief Sipes had his issues. However, I think we need bring in someone fresh to be Benton PD Chief and not someone with a prior history here in the city and so much baggage. I think that with all of the media coverage and everything else going on we need to be very conscientious of our city's reputation. I think Mayor Holland made a mistake and needs a do-over. I know that our Alderman will prayerfully consider the implications of whatever decision they make. May God be with them as they make their decision on Monday.

Respectfully,
Phillip

Permalink Reply by Linda Ives on January 9, 2009 at 3:19pm

Does anyone but me remember when Holland first took office, fired Chambers and "floated a balloon" about hiring Kirk Lane? The FOP was very angry and very unhappy about the prospects of Lane as COP. They held press conferences, wrote some letters to officials, called the mayor a few choice names (I believe bully) was one of them -- very astute of them, I'd say. They also referenced the very low morale of the PD and it seems the prospect of Lane being COP was a big part of that. Looking for my articles from back then to refresh my memory -- just wondered who else remembers all of that??

Permalink Reply by Dawn Shell on January 9, 2009 at 3:58pm

I am not referring to issues with Chief Sipe but of acting Chief Gaiter.

Phillip Howell said:

Dawn,

I do live in Benton (was born and raised here). I have contacted all of the Alderman concerning Mr. Lane and made my opposition known to them. Irregardless of whether or not anything was ever proven against Mr. Lane, the fact still remains that it is a very ugly unresolved case and Mr. Lane was involved in the investigation of that incident. Personally, I have nothing against Mr. Lane as an individual but I do believe that his tainted reputation here in Saline County is enough for us to warrant looking for someone else to serve as our Benton PD Chief. I agree with your comments regarding morale at department and yes Chief Sipes had his issues. However, I think we need bring in someone fresh to be Benton PD Chief and not someone with a prior history here in the city and so much baggage. I think that with all of the media coverage and everything else going on we need to be very conscientious of our city's reputation. I think Mayor Holland made a mistake and needs a do-over. I know that our Alderman will prayerfully consider the implications of whatever decision they make. May God be with them as they make their decision on Monday.

Respectfully,
Phillip

Permalink Reply by Dawn Shell on January 9, 2009 at 4:05pm

Can you locate anything that proves this regarding the FOP matter?

Linda Ives said:

Does anyone but me remember when Holland first took office, fired Chambers and "floated a balloon" about hiring Kirk Lane? The FOP was very angry and very unhappy about the prospects of Lane as COP. They held press conferences, wrote some letters to officials, called the mayor a few choice names (I believe bully) was one of them -- very astute of them, I'd say. They also referenced the very low morale of the PD and it seems the prospect of Lane being COP was a big part of that. Looking for my articles from back then to refresh my memory -- just wondered who else remembers all of that??

Permalink Reply by Phillip Howell on January 9, 2009 at 4:23pm

Dawn,

Ah...you mean the interim "acting" chief during this time. Well, I don't know very much about Mr. Gaiter so I really can't comment effectively there. Still, my opposition to Mr. Lane remains the same. For far too long the city of Benton and the whole of Saline County has been trying to shed a rather nasty reputation outside of our own borders. Just look at all of the "dirty laundry" belonging to the city and county that is aired for all to see and subsequently ridicule us for. I frankly am just tired of it and want to see some "fresh blood" without any ties (i.e. so and so is a buddy of mine) or history so we can start to repair our reputation. Thanks for your clarification.

Phillip

Dawn Shell said:

I am not referring to issues with Chief Sipe but of acting Chief Gaiter.

Phillip Howell said:

Dawn,

I do live in Benton (was born and raised here). I have contacted all of the Alderman concerning Mr. Lane and made my opposition known to them. Irregardless of whether or not anything was ever proven against Mr. Lane, the fact still remains that it is a very ugly unresolved case and Mr. Lane was involved in the investigation of that incident. Personally, I have nothing against Mr. Lane as an individual but I do believe that his tainted reputation here in Saline County is enough for us to warrant looking for someone else to serve as our Benton PD Chief. I agree with your comments regarding morale at department and yes Chief Sipes had his issues. However, I think we need bring in someone fresh to be Benton PD Chief and not someone with a prior history here in the city and so much baggage. I think that with all of the media coverage and everything else going on we need to be very conscientious of our city's reputation. I think Mayor Holland made a mistake and needs a do-over. I know that our Alderman will prayerfully consider the implications of whatever decision they make. May God be with them as they make their decision on Monday.

Respectfully,
Phillip

Permalink Reply by Jessica on January 9, 2009 at 5:50pm

1. Kirk Lane was not a Benton police officer in 1987
2. Witnesses who placed Kirk & Campbell @ stated they were in plain clothes & in an unmarked police car
3. Second autopsy did NOT state they boys were shot, instead Kevin was severely beaten with the butt of a rifle &
Don was stabbed multiple times.
4. They were out hunting the night of the murder, which spotlighting is illegal but it has nothing to do with a "designated area"
5.Anyone that knows anything about marijuana & it's effects knows that even if one were to smoke 20 joints like Fahmy Malak stated the boys did, you would not be unconscious or anywhere near the point of not hearing an on coming train.
6. If these witnesses were lying why did someone feel the need to kill them so they coudln't testify?

Dawn Shell said:

Some Food for Thought

1. As officers of the City of Benton while on Duty, Kirk Lane would not have been allowed outside the city limits while working and there forth would not have been in the area where Kevin Ives and Don Henry were killed.
2. If Kirk Lane was off Duty he would not have been in uniform when the boys were killed.
3. Second autopsy reports stated that the boys had been shot but the FACT is that if a body is hit by a train the body would be torn to shreds and there forth not enough parts in tact to determine this.
4. ID files and comments on this web site state that the boys were out hunting. This means they were also breaking the law by hunting in areas not designated for such.
5. Evidence leans both ways in this case and can be construed as you want it to be. If you believe they were murdered then you can read it that way. If you feel that it was an accident it can be read that way also.
6. The people who made the comments implementing Lane and Campbell can be considered as best shady charterers. People involved with drugs will not hesitate to tell lies to make themselves look good. Many of the people who made these comments have spent time or are currently in prison. Drug addicts do not make the best witness.

Permalink Reply by Amy Burnett on January 9, 2009 at 6:31pm

Linda Ives said:

Does anyone but me remember when Holland first took office, fired Chambers and "floated a balloon" about hiring Kirk Lane? The FOP was very angry and very unhappy about the prospects of Lane as COP. They held press conferences, wrote some letters to officials, called the mayor a few choice names (I believe bully) was one of them -- very astute of them, I'd say. They also referenced the very low morale of the PD and it seems the prospect of Lane being COP was a big part of that. Looking for my articles from back then to refresh my memory -- just wondered who else remembers all of that??

You know I remember it Linda! Dawn I am gonna try and not post negative here and respect your opinion of Lane, but to my knowledge your "Food For Thought" isn't real appetizing and don't see how on earth you can even make these statements. Since when did some officials always obey rules not to go outside jurisdiction or drive a city car outside jurisdiction or when not on duty or pertaining to city business? OMG I really don't wanna go there.... and where are your medical examiner education skills and knowledge coming from on what a Medical Examiner can and can't determine? I said I was gonna try to be nice and I have one last question. Earlier you said something about the Chief's job not really having an effect on the public citizens more the Officers under him. Leadership, Conduct and Ethics from the Police Chief reflects on his officers. "Attitude Reflects Leadership" It does in any kind of mangement position. Those things filter down from Chief to Officers whether they are Good Or Bad. Good or Bad maybe not to all, but it just has it's ways of filtering down from leader to follower. We in the public deal with those officers. So even if the PC does not deal with us directly, Officers do and things just have a way of filtering. Your husband is a fine man and even if, let's say, every officer at BPD turned bad under Lane's bad leadership and Officer Shell flat refuses to be that way or conduct himself as an officer; I as a citizen am not always gonna have the luxery of having officer Shell respond to my call of help or deal with him on a matter. Now I know that's a big "IF" and "Let's Say" but I have to think about that. Or it could go in the opposite direction and Lane's great leadership could filter down and make all the cops be great and Shell be the only bad seed of the bunch. Then I'll be damned it'll seem like everytime I get a ticket or call the cops to my house I manage to get that awful Mr. Shell. Things like that just seem to happen alot. Your husband is a good man though and I doubt that would ever be a worry about him! You know a good example to bring up that's tied to this particular case is this. An officer of Benton in 1988, Cathy Carty, made a horrible public statement regarding the death of Keith Coney, someone I loved dearly. She said, "Keith was what we in law enforcement call a "Dirtball" and I am not sorry he is dead, society is better off" I don't care what peddley crimes he may have done, his brother's did or what he allegedly said about her; she stated that and it did not look very good on behalf of BPD. In that line of work they are supposed to keep their personal feelings out of their police business and conduct in a neutral unopinionated manner! When I asked another officer why and what posessed her to say that they hung their head shamefully and said, "I Don't Knowwwwww" Whether you believe he was murdered or died as a result of a traffic accident that was just plain AWFUL for her to say!

Permalink Reply by renee on January 9, 2009 at 9:49pm

I have to agree that I have nothing against Lane I do not personally know him but the fact is that his name is tied up with all of this mess. I too am tired of hearing about the county that I live in being so corrupt.

Permalink Reply by honest on January 10, 2009 at 1:24am

Dawn Shell said:

Some Food for Thought

1. As officers of the City of Benton while on Duty, Kirk Lane would not have been allowed outside the city limits while working and there forth would not have been in the area where Kevin Ives and Don Henry were killed.
2. If Kirk Lane was off Duty he would not have been in uniform when the boys were killed.
3. Second autopsy reports stated that the boys had been shot but the FACT is that if a body is hit by a train the body would be torn to shreds and there forth not enough parts in tact to determine this.
4. ID files and comments on this web site state that the boys were out hunting. This means they were also breaking the law by hunting in areas not designated for such.
5. Evidence leans both ways in this case and can be construed as you want it to be. If you believe they were murdered then you can read it that way. If you feel that it was an accident it can be read that way also.
6. The people who made the comments implementing Lane and Campbell can be considered as best shady charterers. People involved with drugs will not hesitate to tell lies to make themselves look good. Many of the people who made these comments have spent time or are currently in prison. Drug addicts do not make the best witness.

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