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PREVIOUS
ISSUES
24 Years
No one who murders a police officer should ever be allowed to escape
justice. Even if the investigation
must be handed down to the next generation of officers and investigators
or continued on personal time in retirement, it should never be closed.
Unfortunately, that is not always possible. Sometimes, it is just out of
our hands.
On May 2, 1973 New Jersey State Troopers James Harper and Werner Foerster
were patrolling the New Jersey Turnpike in the area of East Brunswick.
They stopped a car with three occupants.
The Troopers were questioning the occupants when the driver and female
passenger suddenly came up with semi-automatic pistols and opened fire.
Trooper Foerster was struck twice in the chest, and Trooper Harper was hit
in the shoulder. The female then proceeded to take the service weapon from
the injured Trooper
Foerster. She pointed it at the wounded Trooper and shot him
twice in the head,
execution style. The thirty-four-year-old trooper with just three years on
the road died soon after. He left a wife and family behind.
Fortunately, Trooper Harper survived.
The three were apprehended a short time later.
In 1977 the female shooter was convicted and sentenced to life plus 26
to 33 years in prison. She was incarcerated in the Edna Mahan Correctional
Facility for Women in Hunterdon County. This facility is more commonly
known today as Clinton.
On November 2, 1979 in the daylight hours this convicted murderer was
serving her time in Clinton when she was taken from her cell to
the visitor’s area to meet with four people who had come to see her. It
was a setup. The four visitors took a Corrections Officer hostage. They
then took a prison driver hostage. Using the hostages, the visitors helped
her escape.
She eluded capture for several years until 1986 when she made her way to
Cuba. There she was granted political asylum. She has been there
ever since.
Today, this woman goes by the name Assata Shakur. We know her as
Joanne Chesimard.
It’s been seventeen years now. Photos coming out of Cuba show Chesimard
to be a smiling, happy, fit, and seemingly well-rested tourist on an
extended vacation. Not a care in the world. In fact, she’s even written
five books which are carried by major American booksellers such as
Amazon.com, Borders, and Barnes and Noble.
The good folks over at the NY Times even found their way to review her
book which most definitely boosted sales. "A deftly written book... a
spellbinding tale." -New York Times Book Review
On counter-culture websites she is celebrated as a revolutionary. Being
the aunt of deceased rapper Tupac Shakur has only furthered her status.
Seventeen years. For seventeen years this excrement has been living on an
Island in the Caribbean. Granted, Cuba might not be the first choice for
retirement, but chances are with her American fugitive status she has not
been bothered too much by the Communist Government.
Several attempts have been made to diplomatically bring her back. Some of
these were stagnated by our own government.
In 1998 the US House of
Representatives passed a unanimous resolution urging Castro to return
Chesimard to the United States. When the vote went to the floor it was
worded using the name Joanne Chesimard, not Assata Shakur. After the vote,
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D) from California realized that they were one and the
same. She immediately wrote a letter to Fidel Castro explaining that she
was purposely duped by Republicans. She stated that had she realized that
Chesimard and Shakur were one and the same, she would have voted against
the resolution citing her belief that Chesimard was “persecuted as a
result of her political beliefs and political affiliations.” “I
support the right of all nations to grant political asylum to individuals
fleeing political persecution.” Excuse my French, but what a piece
of crap.
Talk about sending mixed messages. It’s not certain which is scarier;
the fact that a United States Congresswoman would be opposed to the
extradition of someone who murdered one police officer and wounded
another, or the fact that a United States Congresswoman casts her very
powerful vote on issues when she is completely unaware of the facts. With
this type of contradiction coming from our own government, it is no
surprise that Chesimard still basks in the sun.
Chesimard will be fifty-six years old this July. It has been twenty-four
years since she escaped to freedom and seventeen years since she took up
new residence in Cuba. There is no investigation left to be done. She has
already been convicted and sentenced.
In 2000, we went through the Elian
Gonzalez fiasco. Our government followed the law in deciding to return him
to Cuba. We respect their law while they don’t respect ours. Did our
Government even try to set up a backroom deal to have Chesimard returned?
Probably not. What about our Governor, two Senators, and thirteen House
Representatives? Is having Chesimard returned on the plate of any of our
elected officials?
This is not just a lesson in history. Joanne Chesimard murdered a police
officer. She shot and seriously wounded another. Imagine what the scene
must have looked like to responding backup officers. Imagine the blood,
the cries of pain, the sight of Troopers in uniform crying, the knock at
the doors, the families completely losing it upon receiving the news, the
chaos at the hospital, the pronouncement, the task of sitting down with
the
children, and later the funeral.
Joanne Chesimard needs to pay for her crimes. She needs to be brought to
justice. As mentioned earlier, some attempts were made several years back, but nothing seems to
be going on now. Pressure must be applied to our representatives to
re-visit this issue and put it back on the front page. Our Government can
work miracles when they want to. We have to make them want to. Joanne
Chesimard has been free for twenty-four years. She murdered a police
officer! She murdered a police officer! She murdered a police officer!
If the Government won't take action, then every local in this state should
contribute monies to fund a trip to Cuba by family members and Troopers to
personally meet with Fidel Castro and plead for her
extradition.
Below is a link to reach the email page for the Governor. We ask
that everyone reading this take the time and drop him a note expressing
your outrage and your insistence that action be taken. Remember too
that this tragedy occurred long before Governor McGreevey was in
office. His email page
is a bit lengthy, but well worth the time. After all, if it was you on
that motor vehicle stop back in 1973 you would want us to to do it for you
and your family.
NJLawman.com
Email
Governor McGreevey
(Also,
let us know when you send him an email.
We will keep track and post
how many emails have been sent)
Please
share your thoughts on all aspects of the Joanne Chesimard issue
from
observations at the scene to opinions on attempts to get her back.
If
you want, you can even send in a copy of the email you sent to the
Governor to be posted.
While all
opinions will be considered, we will not post any messages that are
inflammatory, that
bash any ethnic group or that are clearly of an
anti-law enforcement agenda.
(Most
Recent)
Copies
of letters actually sent to
Governor
are highlighted in this color
February
4, 2004
I
think it is a outrage that you don't get the facts strait. When
explaining the way she picked up a gun and shot two bullet, you leave
much detail out; in my opinion you lack in detail, which even makes
you far fetched story even more hard to believe. I have done much
research on the topic and read many diffrent reports. In one report a
New Jersy police officers says she was convicted with first degree
murder. then in the next sentence states they were unable to figure
out who fired the faltal shot to his head. So, how can you convict a
person of first degree murder when you are unsure who fired the last
bullet. Regardless of the statement that situation is still exstremly
skeptical. Becuase how can a person fire a shot and pick up a gun when
she was so badly injured. the facts don't add up. Not to metion the
jury was all white and as a act of deperation the juge refused many
appeals and refused her to act as a co-consal. I believe they refused
becuase of the strog impacked she had made in her previous
trials..Also another thing to look at is the facted that 7 prevous
trails were dimised and acquited. In the last trial which was the
"Cop killer" trial it was a act of deperation and the riged
trial sented her guilty.Also a man,Stanley Cohen,part of her defines
team died of "natrual cause" when he had come up on hard
core evidence that showed the inosence of Assata Shakur. Then when the
NJ police dapartment went to envestagate the hard core evidence had
disaperd "magicaly." so get you facts strait and
reserch you facts as I have mine! P.S I do believe it is sad that the
mans family is fatherless becuase no son or dauter should grow up that
way.
-Anonymous
November
5, 2003
"At the time of this shooting I was a member of the NYPD Intelligence
Division and we had many investigations involving them. The Department
also lost Officers that were ambushed by the BLA. Joanne Chesimard
conceived a child while in the detention cell with another Black
Panther. (I forget his name at the moment). She had no regard for any
law enforcement agency and was found guilty of her crimes. She should
be extradited, it is long overdue."
-HTG
August
18, 2003
"I have done my fair share of reading about Assata Shakur, and
political refugees in Cuba. I still have many questions regarding the
entire incident, but the one that puzzles me most is the fact we have 77
political refugees in Cuba. Why do we keep singling out Ms. Shakur
being extradited back to the US? I understand that she committed are
horrendous crime. I give sympathy to the family and friends that
lost loved ones that day. But we need to remember that there are 77
other refugees in Cuba, 68 of which that have hijacked air planes.
Why are we concentrating on getting one person back to the US. Is it
because of her race? It is definitely not based on the severity of the
crime. Are you aware of the fact she was confined in a men's prison,
under 24 hour surveillance? Forensic evidence showed that she was shot in
the back with her hands in the air. I am by no means justifying Ms.
Shakur. As an American I pride myself on our legal system.
People in jail get better treatment than people in the military. (I'm
talking from experience now.) But do you really agree with extraditing Ms.
Shakur back to the US, she has indeed suffered as well. Also, Ms.
Shakur has never admitted to shooting that policeman. The only gun
found was on the her accomplice, who was fatally shot. This
testimony you have conjured up has many loopholes. If you were that
police officer and you saw a woman with a pistol and a man that was
unarmed, do you mean to tell me you would shoot the man first? Absolutely
not. I truly hope that the governor gets my message in time. I
find this statement you have posted to be incorrect. Maybe the next
time you choose to post something to this nature online, you will first do
the research."
-Anonymous
July
29, 2003
I am a Criminal Justice major, a single mother, and a woman of
color. The Blank Panther Party was a very powerful group, which
underwent major scrutiny by the government and major cover ups. People of
color to this day are not treated fairly, Ms. Shakur stated she was the
one who was shot while her hands were raised in the air, and many of the
stories have conflicting details. I do believe anyone affiliated with the
Black Panther party was watched and singled out, do we know for sure this
woman killed these officers in cold blood? Yes it is a shame about their
families, and my heart goes out to them, however, NJ has the reputation of
racial profiling NOW, I can only imagine what it was like then. Ms.
Shakur should have been tried by a jury of her peers, she stated she was
tried by an all white jury. A person can not be tried for the same
crime twice, but based on the fact it was the Civil Rights era and Ms.
Shakur did not have a fair trial maybe the case can be re-tried, with a
multi ethnic jury, and evidence that was not able to be presented at that
time. If Ms. Shakur knows she would get a new trial, and a fair trial
maybe she would then come back. Should it be shown again that Ms.
Shakur is guilty, then she should be returned to prison. Thank you
for your time...your article was interesting and well written and I
respect it, even if I may not agree with its entire contents."
May
9, 2003
"Hon. Governor McGreevey,
Please
accept this as a request that you consider lending your support to the New
Jersey State Police and the family of Tpr. Werner Foerster, in their
efforts to extradite Joanne Chesimard (AKA: Assata Shakur) from
Cuba.
Chesimard
was convicted of murdering Tpr. Foerster in 1977 and escaped from the Edna
Mahan Correctional Facility in 1979. She has lived in Cuba and has
effectively evaded extradition for some time, despite that attempts have
been made to effect her capture, by various agencies, since her
whereabouts became known.
I
am aware that these circumstances existed long before you became the
Governor, and it is unfortunate that you must inherit such unpleasant and
lingering issues. I do believe, however, that your support can only
positively reinforce the resolve of those seeking to bring Chesimard to
Justice.
I
am confident that you, too, will find it unfair that a fugitive cop-killer
should enjoy the bountiful life of a celebrated author living her dream
while some, on our own shores, struggle simply to exist.
Thank
you, Sir, for your valuable time in this matter. I avail myself to
you, at the address above, should any questions or comments arise."
-NJ LEO
May
8, 2003
"Honorable Governor McGreevey,
I am writing you to ask for your assistance in a very serious matter that seems to be almost forgotten.
In 1973 New Jersey State Troopers James Harper and Werner Foerster were gunned down by Joanne Chesimard. Trooper Foerster died from his injuries.
Joanne Chesimard was later sentenced to prison but escaped in 1979. She has been free ever since. All reports indicate that she is now living in Cuba.
Governor, it has been too long. Joanne Chesimard has had freedom now for 24 years, and it's becoming a forgotten issue. I write to you today to ask that you take this issue on like no Governor has done before. I ask, with all respect, that, if necessary, you go to Cuba to get her back. This is the most important issue to New Jersey's law enforcement community.
New Jersey is facing some tough times. Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of good news that you can share due to our state going through a valley in the economic cycle. And, as there is no great boom on the horizon, this would be an excellent opportunity for you to accomplish something that every Governor since Chesimard's escape could not do.
Even if you were unsuccessful, your efforts would be most appreciated by myself and every other man and woman who works in the law enforcement field.
I thank you for your time, and I hope to be reading about this issue in the newspaper. If I may be of any assistance with this issue, please
use the attached contact information to reach me any time. Thank you again."
-NJ LEO
May
9, 2003
"I would think that this is a job for Special Ops. We know that the
Cuban government if you want to call it that, will not return her. They
did it in Pakistan a few years ago. I think they could do it now."
-Lt. DJD
-NPD
May
3, 2003
"This is an outrage...this scumbag murders and apparently gets away
with it...Don't worry sweetheart, your gonna pay one way or another.
In this life or the next. Someone at some point is coming for you.
I'm sure the officers family's can take some satisfaction knowing that in
this world you can run but you can't hide."
-Anonymous
Corrections
Officers
and
the "Right
to Carry"
April
6, 2003
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When you accept a law enforcement position you also accept certain
risks. These come both on and off duty. This is one of the reasons that
law officers are given the very rare privilege, especially in New
Jersey, of carrying firearms when not working. While we all don’t
exercise this privilege all of the time, it’s nice to be able to put
on a weapon when going out with your family to an area where you just
might run into persons with whom you have dealt during the performance
of your duties.
Corrections officers, by far, have the most dealings with not just the
criminally dangerous but the criminally insane of our society. They deal
with them every day they go to work. The ridiculous part
of this is that they are the only group that is not, as a whole,
permitted to carry weapons when off duty. We have all run into bad guys
when not working, and most of the time nothing happens. However, there
are times where things can go bad. By New Jersey statute, corrections
officers are allowed to carry weapons off duty, but in certain counties
CO’s are prohibited from exercising this privilege.
The reason for this prohibition is unclear. Certainly, there has been no
rash of incidents with armed, off-duty corrections officers or at least
no more than those of police, sheriffs and other officers. If there is a
particular officer that poses a threat if allowed to carry a weapon, he
or she shouldn’t be an officer, the same way with any other law
enforcement agency. Get rid of them. However, this prohibition probably
has more to do with “Let’s not change the way something has always
been.” Unfortunately, that rule is not made by someone working a pod,
and that rule is just not fair and just not right.
We live in a dangerous time. There are more guns on the street than ever
before. New Jersey is also beginning to see a growing presence of gangs.
We could go on and on with a laundry list of reasons why CO’s should
be permitted to carry off duty, but we won’t. You already know
them.
NJLawman is simply a media outlet and not in a position to wage this
fight. However, due to the many emails we have received from CO’s
around the state, we have decided to try and bring this issue to the
forefront. This article will mean nothing if it is not acted upon. The
only people who can act upon this are the corrections guys and girls
themselves. Several weeks from now this article will fade from interest,
but this issue will remain.
Therefore, we have decided to provide every tool possible to get this
thing going. First, we did this article to try and get the word out. It
will be read by CO’s from Bergen County to Cape May County. Just in
case, email this link to every CO you know. Second, we have
created a message board dedicated to this issue. We will keep it up as
long as it is being utilized. On this board, CO’s from all over the
state can compare notes, exchange contact information, organize, and
prepare to take on this issue. The only doorway to this message board
will be by clicking
here. We do this to keep the board accessible to all, but those with
no interest in this issue will probably not have read this far into this
article. CO’s reading this are urged to contact their union hierarchy
and colleagues and advise them of this board. Again, email the link to
every CO in your address book even if your county has no such weapons
prohibition. You might be needed by these other guys. Any other groups,
individuals, or organizations that can offer support can do so on this
board as well.
Finally, we suggest that the affected locals organize. The PBA and FOP
locals must put their differences aside and work together. The best
chance for change is if all of your voices are united. It can’t be a
dual fight being waged by separate unions, organizations, persons, and
entities. The PBA and FOP Presidents in all of the affected
counties are urged to contact each other as soon as possible and
schedule a meeting. Together they should team up and begin a crusade to
correct this situation. Undoubtedly, they will be able to find support
from some local state senators and assemblymen looking for a cause. They
are offered this website for any and all postings that may be needed.
They could even simultaneously begin a petition drive. There is a lot of
room here for creativity in waging this fight, as it has never yet been
waged.
To all who have sent us emails on this issue, we have done everything we
could think of. While we would welcome suggestions for more, the rest is
up to you. Good luck, and, again, let us know if you need anything.
NJLawman.com
Your
Views
May
28, 2003
"I am a CO that does not have the agency
approved right to carry. Again, agency approval doesn't mean the right
to carry off duty under state law . I'm going to continue to carry off
duty and don't care about what my agency says about it. As long as
it's a good shoot the only thing I can loose is my job for violating
agency policy. I'll run that risk at the benefit of protecting myself
and my family (and perhaps assisting a fellow officer on the road in a
back up situation) vs. being gunned down against an ex-inmate that
identifies me in the open and is carrying without care or regard for
the law. Don't fear your agency as you are a peace officer under NJ
state law and a good shoot is your protection."
-Anonymous
May
28, 2003
"In response to the April 17th article by a
Passaic County JDO....
I think everyone understands your reservations to kill or injure a
juvenile, a child, and it's understandable that you don't feel that
you should carry a gun. What you haven't considered, however, is
that it's not only YOU that you're sworn to protect. If you want
to be considered a law enforcement officer then you have to assume the
responsibility that comes with the title. This means getting
involved even if it's not your fight !!! You'd make it
much further with a weapon than with bare hands.
We're all cops here. Nobody wants to kill and adult, much less a
child...but, and this is a BIG BUT...NOBODY wants to die. If you
don't want to carry a gun, no cop that I've ever met would force you
to, but don't interfere with the rights of others. They still
deserve to be protected, whether you want to or not."
-Anonymous
May
24, 2003
"I am an officer with the Middlesex County
DOC. I am impressed with this article, and everyone seems to be
pleased, but who is reading this? Probably not the freeholders.
The only people I know of that are reading this are other officers.
Its time to move forward, rather than just talking about this. Major
changes need to be made. If you give a person a police academy, police
power, a uniform, and no weapon, its saying nothing for corrections
everywhere. I'm embarrassed as an officer, that I cant carry a gun.
And I'm sure there are a lot of others who feel the same way. Its hard
to take pride in something you love when your working in a department
like this."
-Anonymous
May
18, 2003
"I am been a Municipal Police Officer for
18 years. During my time on the road I have seen a steady decline in
the unity amongst law enforcement officers as a whole. I have the utmost
respect for corrections officers and the jobs which they do. I believe
you have to consider the officers regardless whether they are Police
Officer, Trooper, or a CO.
The badge or the triangle or the shield don't make the man or woman.
When I see a Police Officer, Trooper, or a CO I give them respect
regardless of the uniform. When we bleed its all the same color.
There is no secret to the fact that there are enough bad guns out
there and we could use a more good guns in the right hands. We all
have the right to protect ourselves and the public at large. If an
officer has the training and certifications they should be able to
carry a firearm off duty. Our jobs are difficult enough without the
threat of becoming a victim from someone we have encountered in the
line of duty. Allow our brothers and sisters the right to protect
themselves while off duty. Just remember when your on the side
of road one day and in harms way and a CO pulls over to help you out you'll
be glad they have the right to carry and suddenly they wont seem so
different."
-Anonymous
May
18, 2003
"To all my fellow brothers and sisters in
Law Enforcement, keep up the good work that you do. As an employee of
The State of New Jersey-Juvenile Justice Commission. I hear you all
loud and clear and I strongly agree with you all. You have done all
the proper training and you cant even protect yourself and your family
and innocent people when in need. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. Be safe out
there."
-Anonymous
May
18, 2003
"As a NJ State C/O, I think this article is
great. All NJ C/O'S should be able to carry off duty. There are 2 or 3
counties out there that still can't and I hope they get that issue
resolved soon. I have 2 years in and I've run into one inmate so far
and I had just secured my weapon in my friend's office at his garage.
When the inmate saw me, he recognized me right away. Naturally, I
didn't know who he was. Luckily nothing happened and he moved on down
the road. But I'm one of the many that has the option of carrying off
duty, not everyone in this state does and it needs to addressed
including the first year recruits for the NJDOC and the JJC. They
should not be required to wait. You graduate, you earn the right to
protect yourself. Be safe all!"
-BMC
-NJDOC
May
16, 2003
"Just returned from Washington, DC
following the corrections officer's caucus. We met with our respective
delegations of New Jersey and discussed many of our issues and
concerns nationally. It was our opportunity to address and request the
introduction and support of federal legislation that would ultimately
pass our agenda. Staffing levels, collective bargaining, and
anti-privatization of our nation's prison were on the table. During
these meetings we were fortunate to address the concerns of our
officer's forever tiring efforts to regain the right to carry a
concealed weapon off duty. The delegation was very receptive, however,
if you don't know, local issues must be dealt with on a state to state
basis. We were advised to contact our state assemblyman /
assemblywoman and express our concerns to them as well. There are
state professional lobbyists that push agendas for local enforcement
agencies. Their focus is to push for state legislation that enhances
the well-being and safety of new jersey's law enforcement officers. As
long as I can remember, this avenue has never been considered. it is
one that we have not exhausted, and should be given our utmost
attention at this juncture. We have endured more than a decade
struggle with this issue. We would be reluctant not to pursue this
option today. I have posted this information on behalf of my brothers
and sisters of the NJ SATE PBA 152 officer's union.
-Sgt. J. Crandall
-NJ STATE PBA 152
May
16, 2003
"Recently, while in the mall off duty I saw
a ex-con that was in the Middlesex County Jail. Nothing happened, but
you never know what will happen if you see someone you had a problem
with on the inside. The encounter will forever stay with me being that
it was my first encounter with a ex-con while off duty. I wondered why
so many guys thought it was a big issue to carry off duty. Now I
understand what the big deal is. We as correction officer's never know
what is going to happen when we encounter a ex-con off duty. Anything
can happen, these guys don't like us. They simply don't like the law
period. It is to our benefit to carry off duty. It is for our safety
and for the safety of our loved ones that we carry off duty. Simply
put, its there is no reason why we shouldn't carry off duty. We took
the same oath as street cops. According to our 2C book, we have the
same authority as a police officer. On our identification it says that
we have full police power. The only power we don't have is the power
to carry off duty. This needs to change and I as a law enforcement
officer don't see any reason why we shouldn't have the right to carry
off duty."
-Rookie Correction's Officer
May
16, 2003
"I totally agree with this article. I
feel all CO's should be able to carry off duty. I'm a SC State CO. At
the institutions I'm at, the Major like for all the officers is to get
there conceal weapon permit. I already sent off my CWP and I'll be getting
it this week, and I'm still a rookie. All law enforcement officers
should be aloud to carry when off duty, especially all CO's no matter
what state your from. We as CO's don't get the respect nor
recognition like we should be. We get threatened by these inmates who
will be getting out some day, and we CO's need to be able to protect
our families and ourselves. If these criminals have committed
violent crimes and murder they don't care about taking our lives. I
have been threatened by an inmate already. CO's have the hardest jobs
in law enforcement. When the police catch these criminals and
they are found guilty in a court of law, the criminals are brought to
us. I'm not putting down the police officers who do a good job
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