What is going on with VA police?

Veteran 'literally body-slammed' by VA police: Lawmakers grill VA on use of force

USA TODAY
Donovan Slack
June 11, 2019

WASHINGTON – One described a Veterans Affairs police officer throwing a New York veteran seeking therapy to the ground. Another said a California veteran died after receiving similar treatment at the hands of VA police there. 
A third noted that a VA officer training to be an instructor at the national VA police academy threatened employees with a gun at a Massachusetts car dealership.

The underlying question from lawmakers to VA officials Tuesday: What is going on with VA police?

“I mean really what are they doing over there?” asked Rep. Gilbert Cisneros, Jr, D-Calif., who questioned training in particular. “Why are we having these situations where individuals are being injured or hurt or killed?”

An investigation of the VA police force by the agency’s inspector general concluded in December that systemic management failures had resulted in short-staffing and millions in overtime charged to taxpayers, as well as missed opportunities to ensure staff and veteran patients were protected.

USA TODAY reported in December on a case in Missouri where a veteran died after being tackled and detained by VA police in Kansas City.
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Kansas Police Officer's Widow working to break silence after husband's suicide

KCK sergeant's widow says police departments can't sweep suicide under the rug anymore

KSHB 41 News
By: Sarah Plake
Feb 26, 2019

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — "On April 22, 2015 my late husband, Sgt. Brett Doolittle of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, ended his life," Lindsey Doolittle said matter-of-factly.

Facing the reality is what helps her survive.

Doolittle came home that Wednesday evening like a regular day. She parked her car in the back garage.

"That's when I saw my husband. He had ended his life. He had died by depression, but the tool that he used was helium," Doolittle said.

She found Brett in the garage below the house, where he would spend time creating art.

It'll be almost four years since that devastating day.

"I forced myself to come down here. I mean, I live here. I force myself to do the uncomfortable so I can live," said Doolittle.
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When will the VA explain death of Dale Farhner ?

update 

KC homicide detective investigating why veteran died after VA police confrontation

Kansas City Star 
BY ANDY MARSO 
JULY 10, 2019 

The Kansas City Police Department is investigating the death of a veteran who had a fatal brain hemorrhage after a confrontation with Veterans Affairs Police last year.

Department spokesman Jacob Becchina said the case of Dale Farhner has been assigned to Sgt. Richard Sharp, a longtime homicide detective. “The results of our investigation will ultimately be compiled and forwarded on to the prosecutor’s office for their decision as to what if any applicable charges may apply,” Becchina said. 

“There is little info that can be released at this point, as it is now an open death investigation on our end.” The VA has said the incident has already been investigated by federal law enforcement, and its officers have been cleared of wrongdoing. read it here

How did a veteran end up dead after a fight with police at Kansas City’s VA hospital?

Kansas City Star
Editorial Board
January 25, 2019

A man named Dale Farhner died in May after a confrontation with Kansas City VA Medical Center police. The VA has declined to provide any information about his death.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Kansas City’s VA Medical Center must fully disclose the facts surrounding the arrest and subsequent death of a veteran on their campus last May.

To date, unfortunately, the VA has stonewalled legitimate efforts to help the public understand what happened last spring. 

A veteran, 66-year old Dale Farhner, was detained by VA police after he apparently drove the wrong way down a driveway.

Farhner allegedly struggled with the officer and was injured or became ill. Later, the veteran was transferred to the University of Kansas Hospital, where he died.

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Homeless Vietnam Veteran Eton Gilmore Honorable Burial

Woman who served in Vietnam fights to get honorable burial for veteran who died homeless
FOX4 WDAF
Megan Dillard
FEBRUARY 3, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- At the top of his career, he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. Two weeks ago, he died disabled and homeless in an abandoned house, with no family. Thanks to the efforts of a fellow disabled veteran, Mr. Eton Gilmore will get the burial he deserves.

A quick drive down Woodland Avenue, and the red house seems just like any other. But there's more to the abandoned home and street-side trash pile. Beyond the rubbish is the story of a homeless veteran who lived and died in the home, and the woman who is fighting to make sure he's buried with honors.

Maryannah Mosley is a disabled Vietnam veteran. She spends her time feeding the homeless.

"If they’re veterans, I really reach out. I’m a disabled veteran myself," she said.

FOX 4 put her in touch with the Department of Veteran Affairs. In a telephone conversation, a spokesperson for the VA said, "He will be buried at no cost to anyone at one of these cemeteries." The spokesperson said the VA wants to help quickly, he appreciates Mosley's efforts, and he's proud of her. "As soon as we’re off the phone, I’m going to push this email over to them."
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Man charged with shooting on Kansas City highway is not a veteran

BREAKING NEWS
Man charged with shooting on Kansas City highway is not a veteran

Man Charged in Kansas City Highway Shootings
KANSAS CITY, Mo.
Associated Press
By MARIA SUDEKUM
April 18, 2014 (AP)

After nearly a month of reports of gunshots being fired at vehicles and more than 100 tips, authorities announced charges Friday against a Kansas City-area man suspected in connection with about a dozen highway shootings that wounded three people.

Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said at a news conference that 27-year-old Mohammed Whitaker, of Grandview, has been charged with 18 felony counts and was being held on $1 million cash bail. Baker said Whitaker, who had been under surveillance by police for about a week before his arrest, was charged with two counts of shooting into a motor vehicle and injuring a person, seven counts of shooting into a motor vehicle and nine counts of armed criminal action.

"This has impacted all of us, each side of State Line, each side of the river," Baker said. "It's been something that's been at the hearts and thoughts of all us since the day this case first broke."

Police Chief Darryl Forte declined to discuss a possible motive for the shootings, and the probable cause affidavit released Friday also does not address the issue. Baker's office said it was unclear whether Whitaker had a lawyer.

Whitaker's mother, Maria Dunn, 55, said she doesn't believe any of the charges against her son, who she said has always been "happy" and a "good kid."
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