WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. January 26, 2008 UPDATED with Spano Statement 1:45 A.M. E.S.T. January 27, 2008, UPDATED 8:45 AM EST: At a News Conference Saturday, Commissioner of Public Safety for White Plains, Dr. Frank Straub reported that Mount Vernon Police Officer Christopher A. Ridley, 23, was shot and killed yesterday while he was making an arrest of a suspect in a previous fight. Ridley had attempted to break up what Straub described as “a violent assault” ( Ridley saw taking place) between the suspect (a resident of the Westchester County Homeless Shelter in Valhalla), and a third man, on Martine Avenue. Ridley was shot by County Police in front of the county Department of Social Services. building at 85 Court Street..
Dr. Frank Straub, Commissioner of Public Safety conducting news conference Saturday on the Christopher Riley shooting Friday afternoon. Far left is County Commissioner of Public Safety, Thomas Belfiore, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore, and David Chong, Commissioner of Public Safety, City of Mount Vernon.
Straub announced Anthony Jacobs of 25 Operations Drive Valhalla, NY, the address of the Westchester County Homeless Shelter, (which was not made clear during the news conference) has been charged with Assault 2nd a D-felony, for his role in the original altercation Officer Ridley was attempting to break up. Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, Daniel Jackson in a statement told WPCNR “There may be additional charges (against Mr. Jacobs) in the future.”
Straub said Officer Ridley was off duty at the time. Straub said the White Plains Police have been asked to head the investigation of the matter because it was in their jurisdiction and that they would be working in conjunction with the Westchester District Attorney’s office.
Straub reported the police had interviewed a number of witnesses, and an autopsy was performed on the officer, and ballistics tests were being done.
David Chong, Commissioner of Public Safety of Mount Vernon, said the entire Mount Vernon force of 250 persons was “devastated by our loss.” He described Officer Ridley “as a quiet and kind soul. I knew him. He had unlimited potential.” Chong, former Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety under Straub in White Plains, said he had “utmost confidence that the White Plains Police in conjunction with the D.A.’s office would conduct an unbiased thorough investigation.”
Commissioner of Public Safety Thomas Belfiore expressed his deepest sympathies to the family and to the Mount Vernon Police Department. District Attorney Janet DiFiore did not speak.
After about a 15-minute news conference which began one hour late at 4 PM, the four officials ended the News Conference, declining to take any questions from the media.
No details of how many Westchester County Police Officers responded, how many shots were fired, or who the officers were that responded and fired the shots were provided. Reporters were not told from what building the County Police emerged from to respond. No sequence of events or actions was provided by the Commissioner.
It has been reported the incident developed in a staging area at a time (4:30 PM) when county shelter homeless persons assemble at the Department of Social Services (85 Court Street) for transportation to the County shelter in Grasslands.
Sharpton Holds News Conference Prior to police news conference.
Invited into Public Safety Building.
Prior to the official news conference, Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network held a news conference in front of the White Plains Department of Public Safety. He appeared with the family of Officer Ridley, and in a distinctly low-key and thoughtful demeanor, called for a thorough investigation and not a 12-hour “shooting was justified” conclusion. He said his Coalition stood ready to aid the family with legal counsel as the investigation continued, and that the family in consultation would decide how to proceed.
Reverend Sharpton addressing the media before the police-called news conference at about 1:30 PM Saturday afternoon. Sharpton said the community wanted a thorough investigation and “We want answers.”
After Mr. Sharpton’s news conference concluded at 2 PM, Reverend Sharpton was attempting to return to his car when WPCNR saw Mr. Sharpton return, walk past the microphones and enter the Public Safety Building. The press was prevented from following Mr. Sharpton into the building.
Nicole Johnson of Channel 9 (My9) Television told WPCNR that Mr. Sharpton’s press liaison said the Commissioner’s office had invited Mr. Sharpton into the building. Deputy Commissioner Daniel Jackson asked to confirm whether Reverend Sharpton met with Commissioner Straub or the District Attorney declined to comment.
The news conference the police had scheduled with the media did not begin until 4 PM.
Reverend Sharpton may choose to make more comments on network television Monday when he appears on the Channel 7 television program, The View at 11 A.M. E.S.T. Monday morning.
Surveillance Cameras
WPCNR asked police if the surveillance cameras atop the County Office Building, the Michaelian Building overlooking Martine Avenue and Court Street where both the fight and shooting unfolded were operating at the time of the incident. Mr. Jackson said the police were making no further comment at this time.
Surveillance Cameras on Michaelian Building above Court Street provide a view of the corner of 85 Court Street and Martine, and of the 85 Court Street building lower left where the shooting occurred.
Surveillance Cameras on Michaelian Building above Court Street provide a view of 85 Court Street building lower left where the shooting occurred. The Journal News edition Sunday recalled that such cameras in the past played a role in the conviction of Philip Grant, the homeless person from the former airport County Shelter who was convicted of murdering Concetta Russo-Carriero in The Galleria Parking Garage in June 2005.
Late in the day, County Executive Andrew Spano (who did not attend the news conference), issued this statement to the media on the Ridley shooting:
“This is a horrible tragedy for everyone. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go to the family and friends of Officer Chris Ridley and his colleagues in the Mount Vernon Police Department. We are all devastated at the loss of this young police officer who had great potential. Officer Ridley was committed to protecting people in the city where he grew up. Acting in his capacity as a police officer, he was killed in this terrible chain of events. Our own County officers involved have been deeply traumatized and were distraught to learn that it was a fellow officer who was shot. They as well as the entire County Police force are shaken and saddened by this event. This has been particularly painful for the entire law enforcement community. County Police are cooperating in every way with the investigation, and we stand ready to provide any assistance to the family.’’
