A K-9 named Cheeseburger has retired from the Lawrence Police Department in Kansas City, Missouri, after eight years on the force.Cheeseburger, a 10-year-old Shepard, served as a patrol service dog and was used to de-escalate dangerous situations. He also has dual-purpose training in criminal apprehension, handler protection and narcotics detection.He joined the department in 2015.Cheeseburger will remain within the Lawrence Police Department family by spending his retirement with Patrol Sgt. Ron Ivener, his wife, their four children and their dog Monty.He is expected to get plenty of treats, toys and restful trots in retirement, the department said.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Recruiting and retaining prison workers is a growing issue for the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10% drop in prison staffing in the next 10 years.

One state is leading the way to help close the gap in the shortage of correction officers.

“We were in bad shape just like everyone else; it’s a national problem," said Bryan Stirling, the South Carolina Department of Corrections director. “The unique challenge corrections have is the environment they have to work in.”

There is a growing crisis in our correction facilities. The lack of correctional officers is hurting facilities all over the country, even on the federal level.

The Justice Department budgeted for nearly 21,000 full-time officers in 2020 but only had nearly 14,000 of those positions filled in 2021.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be about 33,000 officer openings on average each year for the next 10 years.

“If you don’t have the core function of safety, you can’t reach the basic needs these folks have without staff,” Stirling said. “So, we have to do things differently. So, what does that mean? More aggressive recruiting, more aggressive pay scale."

In South Carolina, the state is trying to fix staffing issues, because those who work here know this job is can be demanding. Each officer is responsible for the safety of the public, the inmates, and their fellow officers. Staffing shortages make this job that much harder. That is why South Carolina has taken several different approaches to try and fix this.

“It could be a tough job, but any job can be a tough job,” said Lt. Genice Cole, with retention at Broad River Institute in SCDC. “We have increased the training to feel more comfortable and feel more welcome. It was previously four weeks. With it being eight weeks, we give them the opportunity to be inside in the housing units with staff that are certified to give them a little more comfort.”

“I have been doing this for three months,” said Alex Hassam, a recruit for SCDC. “Honestly, training has been fantastic. Communication has been good. There’s a lot of people to walk you through things to help you gain confidence. You’re never truly alone and always having somebody who has your back that is very nearby.”

South Carolina recently increased pay for their officers. According to Stirling, an officer can make more than $50,000 in their first year. The BLS reported the pre-pandemic starting salary average was around $32,000 a year.

“We have more aggressive recruiting, and a more aggressive pay scale. We just had a historic pay raise here in South Carolina; other states are doing pay raises as well. Other departments that hire are union based, and you can be close to six figures starting off. We are up 150 officers this year just in six months due to the raises given through the legislature.”

South Carolina has also lowered the age minimum to be a correctional officer to 18, which Stirling said has helped fill vacancies.

“We’re going to pair them with experienced officers, with someone that’s older inside the prison. We’re not going to just put them in a dorm by themselves,” Stirling said.

This staffing shortage issue is expected to grow, but South Carolina hopes other states can learn from each other and implement the best tactic for their situation.

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Police Union President Jeff Follmer confirmed to News 5 that an off-duty Cleveland police officer was killed during a carjacking Friday evening.

The incident happened near the intersection of Fairway and Rocky River drives in the city's Kamms Corner neighborhood.

According to authorities, the officer, identified as 25-year-old Shane Bartek, was shot twice during the carjacking, and the shooter fled in his vehicle. Bartek was then transported to Fairview Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicates an individual approached Bartek in the parking lot of an apartment building with a gun and Bartek was shot after a struggle ensued.

Bartek was assigned to the 5th District and worked patrol, sources tell News 5. He was hired with the Cleveland Division of Police in August of 2019.

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Following the shooting, the U.S. Marshals Service joined in the search for the shooter and Bartek's vehicle. Around 10:25 p.m., Richmond Heights police joined the pursuit of the stolen vehicle, continuing the pursuit to the Riviera Apartments on Lakeshore Boulevard in Euclid.

The individual driving Bartek's vehicle crashed into a fence and wedged the vehicle between the fence post and a tree behind the apartment buildings. Richmond Heights police took the driver into custody without incident and charged him with fleeing, receiving stolen property and numerous other traffic-related charges.

Police did not say the driver was charged with any crimes directly related to Bartek's death at this time, but his bond was set at $5 million at 10%.

On Saturday morning, authorities confirmed a female was taken into custody in connection with the incident, marking at least two people police have taken into custody.

Video below shows Bartek's vehicle being towed from the scene where the suspect was arrested.

Cleveland officer's car towed after suspect's arrest

City in mourning
Bartek was relatively new on the police force but a Northeast Ohio native, graduating from Berea-Midpark High School in 2015.

"The Titans community is deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy and our hearts go out to Shane Bartek's family, friends and fellow officers," Berea City School District said.

City leaders also addressed Bartek's death, sending condolences to his family and friends.

"This is a very sad day. My heart is aching for the family, for our officers," said incoming Interim Cleveland Police Chief Dornat "Wayne" A. Drummond during a news conference outside of the hospital. "It just doesn't make any sense."

Mayor-Elect Justin Bibb also spoke, asking for the public's support during a difficult time.

"I just ask the residents of Cleveland to keep the family in your prayers," Bibb said.

Meanwhile, current Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson issued his condolences to Bartek's family and fellow officers.

Cleveland Ward 17 Councilman Charles J. Slife issued a statement with his condolences:

"On behalf of the Ward 17 community, I extend our deepest condolences and sorrow to the victim's family and to the men and women of the division of police. Please keep the victim and them in your prayers," Slife said.

Cleveland City Council issued the following statement regarding Bartek's death:

Richmond Heights Mayor and Safety Director Kim Thomas issued a statement regarding the incident:

Police have executed search warrants in connection with the incident.

The Cleveland Police Department is accepting donations to its Heroes Fund, which supports families of officers killed or seriously injured while in the line of duty. The funds previously helped the families of Detective James Skernivitz and Patrolman Nicholas Sabo. To learn more or donate, click here.

A screen-printing shop in Berea is also selling t-shirts in honor of Bartek with all proceeds going directly to the fallen officer's family to help cover funeral costs.

CrimeStoppers has offered a $10,000 reward for information involving the successful prosecution of the case. Anyone with a tip is urged to call 216-252-7463. You can also CLICK HERE to submit a tip.

Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories from us, plus alerts on major news, the latest weather forecast, traffic information and much more. Download now on your Apple device here, and your Android device here.

You can also catch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live and more. We're also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.

Early Saturday morning, a part-time Georgia police officer was shot and killed outside the department where he worked.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Dylan Harrison was shot at 1:01 a.m. outside the Alamo Police Department.

Twenty-six-year-old Officer Harrison leaves behind a wife and 6-month-old baby.

According to the GBI, Harrison was working his first shift on the job when he was shot.

A Blue Alert has been issued for 43-year-old Damien Anthony Ferguson, also known as Luke Ferguson, of Alamo, Georgia. A Blue Alert is a public safety alert that is issued when a suspect who has killed or seriously injured an officer has not been apprehended and may be a serious threat to the public.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ferguson or with any other information pertinent to this case is asked to contact GBI. A $17,500 reward is being offered leading to the arrest of Ferguson.

There are many ways that tips can be submitted to the GBI. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), at the GBI website at www.gbi.georgia.gov by clicking on Online Tip Form, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Search “See Send” in Apple and Android app stores.

Tributes for Harrison are pouring in online.

On Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted his condolences.

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Various law enforcement agencies have also expressed sympathy online.

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HILLSBORO, Ohio —

An officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is being remembered for his strong work ethic and passion for the job.

Jason Lagore died Tuesday night of an apparent heart attack while responding to a rescue at Rocky Point Lake in Highland County.

"He assisted on countless, countless search and rescues, bringing closure to families and also finding people and being able to help them," said LaGore's friend, Shaun Lentini.

Tuesday night, LaGore was trying to help a teenager who fell into icy water.

Around 6:30 p.m., a 13-year-old boy started screaming for help near a private dock. A nearby contractor heard his cry and called 911.

"I'm at Rocky Fork. I had some little kid come up to me and said his sister's in the water dead," the caller said. "He come running up to us saying, 'Somebody please help me, please help me.'"

The Paint Creek Joint Fire District responded to the scene.

"By the time our crews got there, she was under the ice," said Lt. Branden Jackman.

Jackman said they called in additional units from Hamilton and Franklin counties to help.

"The water was 36 degrees. Ya know, you look at water and think, 'It's just water.' A 36-degree water is no different than a three-story house fire. They'll both kill you just as quick," Jackman said.

The 16-year-old's body was recovered about four-and-a-half hours later. The coroner said she drowned. He is waiting until all of her family members are notified before he releases her name.

Sometime during the rescue-recovery mission, LaGore fell in the water after suffering a medical emergency. First responders tried to save him. He died at the hospital. The Highland County Coroner said preliminary results indicate LaGore had a heart attack.

"It affects us all. We all feel it because we're all family," Jackman said.

Lentini said LaGore had a big heart and big vision. He said LaGore began the K9 program for the division of parks and watercraft at ODNR and has since led the first K9 academy. He had worked for ODNR for the past 15 years.

"He was well respected. He did a lot of training around all of Ohio. He worked with a lot of organizations with search and rescue," Lentini said. "When he wasn't working, he loved hunting. He was a guy that I went over his house for dinner and he'd send me home with some deer."

Lentini said LaGore was a big family man. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, two small sons and his K9 partner, Sarge.

The FOP Lodge 149 has started a fundraiser for LaGore's family. More information can be found here:

https://www.unit2.org/jasonlagorek9

NEWPORT, Ky. —

A Covington police officer and a man were shot in Newport Monday evening.

Just before 6:30 p.m., authorities received a report of a man threatening someone with a gun near the area of East 6th Street and Boulevard. The man left the scene before officers arrived, but officers were given a description of the suspect and his vehicle was spotted crossing the 4th Street Bridge, police said.

According to Covington Police Chief Rob Nader, the Covington police officer tried to initiate a traffic stop on the man's vehicle, but the man started firing shots at the officer and ending up striking the officer. The officer fired back, hitting the man, police said.

Both the officer and the man were taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment. Covington police confirm the officer was shot once in the arm. They said he is expected to be OK. The man was taken into custody, police said. Police said he's alive, but his condition remains unknown at this time.

Nader said the officer is a veteran of the police force. His name has not been released at this time.

Police said there is currently no threat to the public.

The Covington Police Department has turned over the investigation to Kentucky State Police.

WLWT will update this story when more information is available.

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

At 4:32 p.m. on Tuesday, someone called 911 to report a disturbance on Legion Lane in Columbus.

"We got these... grown girls trying to fight us. Trying to stab us. Trying to put our hands on our grandma. Get here now," the unidentified caller said.

Neighbors said 16-year-old Ma'khia Bryant made that call. Columbus police have yet to identify the caller. Chief Michael Woods said he didn't know if Bryant was the caller.

"We do not know that. Again, that will be (the Bureau of Criminal Investigation) interviewing all the witnesses to determine who made those phone calls," Woods said.

The caller's phone number was redacted in a computer-aided dispatch report obtained by WLWT.

Footage from Officer Nicholas Reardon's body camera paints a picture of what happened once he arrived at 4:44 p.m. — 12 minutes after the 911 call.

As Reardon stepped out of his car, people can be heard yelling. Reardon yells, "Hey."

As he approaches a group of at least seven people, a female is seen falling to the ground during a scuffle with another person. That other person, who was later identified as Bryant, had a knife in her right hand.

Reardon draws his gun as Bryant starts to run at a girl wearing all pink.

At the same time, an unidentified man kicks the girl who is already on the ground.

At that point, Reardon is focused on Bryant who still has the knife in her right hand.

Bryant is seen drawing her hand back and then up, over the girl in pink who is pinned against a car.

That is when Reardon fired his weapon four times.

Bryant fell to the ground and the girl in pink took off running.

After the shooting, the knife can be seen laying on the ground.

Officers performed chest compressions on Bryant while others rushed to separate witnesses.

Bryant died a short time later at an area hospital.

Investigators have not yet identified the girl in pink, the man who kicked the other female or any other witnesses.

"Those are witnesses, so they were referred to (the Bureau of Criminal Investigation). So, (the Bureau of Criminal Investigation) would have that investigation. But again, that's part of their investigation," Woods said.

A spokesperson for Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation said he did not know how long it would take the division to complete its investigation.

A Virginia sheriff's deputy, confronted with an overturned car and a child inside screaming for his mother, lifted the vehicle to save the woman trapped underneath, according to the Gloucester Sheriff's Office.When Gloucester Sheriff's Deputy J. Holt arrived at the scene on May 7, he found a boy sitting in the overturned car screaming "mommy" and "she can't breathe." His mother was lying under the vehicle with her head pinned by the sunroof, according to the post."Seeing the trauma her child was witnessing, Deputy J. Holt went into overdrive," the sheriff's office wrote.Holt can be heard saying he couldn't lift the car, but then he told the boy to exit the vehicle and Holt can be heard straining on the body camera footage."Through sheer will and determination due to fearing the female may succumb to her circumstance in front of her panic-stricken child, Deputy J. Holt took quick action and was able to physically lift the vehicle up enough for the driver to maneuver her head out to safety," the post said.

MINNEAPOLIS —

Video above: Daunte Wright's funeral held in Minneapolis

A former suburban Minneapolis police officer charged with second-degree manslaughter for fatally shooting 20-year-old Black motorist Daunte Wright is scheduled to appear in court via videoconference Monday.

Former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter, who is white, has an omnibus hearing, also known as a pretrial hearing, on Monday afternoon in Hennepin County District Court. The purpose of such a hearing is to go over evidence and determine if there's probable cause for the case to proceed.

Wright, father of a young son, was killed April 11 after a traffic stop. The former Brooklyn Center police chief has said he believes Potter meant to use her Taser on Wright instead of her handgun. Body camera video shows her shouting “Taser!” multiple times before firing. The shooting ignited days of unrest. Wright’s family members and protesters had wanted prosecutors to file murder charges.

The shooting happened amid the trial for Derek Chauvin, the white former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted of murder for pressing his knee against George Floyd’s neck as the Black man said he couldn’t breathe.

Police have said Wright was pulled over for expired tags, but they sought to arrest him after discovering an outstanding warrant. The warrant was for his failure to appear in court on charges that he fled from officers and had a gun without a permit during an encounter with Minneapolis police in June.

Police body camera video shows Potter approaching Wright as he stands outside of his car as another officer is arresting him. As Wright struggles with police, Potter shouts, “I’ll Tase you! I’ll Tase you! Taser! Taser! Taser!” before firing a single shot from a handgun in her right hand.

The criminal complaint noted that Potter holstered her handgun on the right side and her Taser on the left, both with their grips facing rearward. To remove the Taser — which is yellow and has a black grip — Potter would have to use her left hand, the complaint said.

Intent isn’t a necessary component of second-degree manslaughter in Minnesota. The charge — which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison — can be applied in circumstances where a person is suspected of causing a death by “culpable negligence” that creates an unreasonable risk and consciously takes chances to cause a death.

Wright family attorney Ben Crump has disputed that the shooting was accidental, arguing that an experienced officer knows the difference between a Taser and a handgun. Experts say cases of officers mistakenly firing their gun instead of a Taser are rare, usually less than once a year nationwide.

Brooklyn Center was moving toward firing Potter when she resigned shortly after the shooting. The city’s police chief also resigned, after the City Council fired the city manager.

HOUSTON, Texas – There may not be a lot of people out during this coronavirus pandemic, but the same can’t be said for the nation’s wildlife.

In Houston, the city’s assistant police chief, Larry Satterwhite, ran into a group of ducklings trying to find their mother at Memorial Park.

The department posted a video of the sweet encounter and joked that the officer was providing a "police escort" for the young ducks.

Police didn’t disclose whether momma duck was found.

The day before, an NBC News reporter captured another Houston officer leading a string of ducklings back to their mom. She says he also helped her after she locked her keys in her car.

A big thank you to

@houstonpolice

Sgt. Engelhart who not only helped me after I locked my keys in the car this morning, but also helped these little chicks find their way back to mom — all while making sure that folks know all

@HoustonTX

parks are closed due to

#COVID19

.

pic.twitter.com/x3TX29xzwJ

— Priscilla Thompson (@PriscillaWT)

April 11, 2020

SPRINGDALE, Ohio —

Funeral arrangements have been finalized for a Springdale police officer killed in the line of duty.

Kaia Grant, 33, will be honored Sunday morning with a service and procession.

Although funerals are considered exempt from Gov. Mike DeWine's "Stay at Home" order, concessions are being made. The Springdale Police Department that all officers and members of the community practice social distancing.

A police official is assigned the sole responsibility of ensuring our compliance with the Governor's order, and the officer has worked closely with the Springdale Health Commissioner.

Beginning at 9 a.m., the police procession will leave Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.

Marked Police vehicles and Fire apparatus wishing to be in the procession should arrive at Spring Grove Cemetery no later than 8 a.m.

The procession will travel up State Route 4 and will make stops at Wyoming High School and Springdale Police and Fire Departments. It will then proceed Northeast on Lawnview Ave to East on Kemper Rd to South on Century Blvd to the Vineyard Church in Springdale. The remainder of the service will be held at the Vineyard Church.

Much of the procession route is along residential streets. The Springdale Police Department is encouraging residents to step outside their homes along the route to support Officer Grant and her family in a safe and responsible manner.

A private service will be held inside the church for members of Grant's family and Springdale police officers.

Others are asked to watch via a live stream.

An outdoor ceremony at the church will follow.

"The traditions you're used to seeing -- 21 gun salute, helicopter flyover, bagpiper -- those things will all take place to honor Kaia," said Springdale police Officer Keenan Riordan.

Since Grant's death last Saturday, Springdale Police Chief Thomas Wells said his department has received an overwhelming amount of support from the community and other police agencies.

"It doesn't matter if his patch says Colerain or mine says Springdale. It's blue, and we're all together," Wells said.

Wells also pointed out flowers that Springdale Public Works employees planted to form a "K."

"It's just so heartwarming to see that. It's beautiful. We didn't know they did that, and it hit us like a ton of bricks, but that's the kind of beautiful love that's going on here," Wells said.

Wells also asked that the community keep Springdale Sgt. Andy Davis in their thoughts and prayers. Davis was injured Saturday night after responding to the same incident as Grant.

"I just want to make sure we don't forget about Sgt. Davis. He is doing well. He's recovering from his injuries," Wells said.

During this difficult time for the city of Springdale, officers from Colerain, Blue Ash, Forest Park and Sharonville have stepped in to help cover shifts so coworkers of Grant and Davis can grieve and be there for each other.

"I just can't thank them enough," Wells said.

Here is the schedule for services at Vineyard Church:

10:30am to 11:00am – Private Family Viewing. Officers to remain in their vehicles or small groups.

11:00am to 12:15pm – Service inside church reserved for family and Springdale Police Personnel.

12:15pm to 1:30pm – Viewing for Springdale Police, Fire, elected officials, and family/friends.

1:30pm to 2:00pm – Ceremonial Honors for Officer Grant on Vineyard property outdoors. Officers will stand in formation practicing social distancing.

2:00pm – Funeral ends

Springdale Police are expected to release an exact procession route later this week.