Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio is calling for PTSD care

Ohio fraternal order calls for PTSD care for first responders

The Blade
KATE SNYDER
Blade Staff Writer
February 28, 2019

Officer Payne did not report to work as scheduled on Tuesday, which prompted a welfare check, police said, and indications are that the death was a suicide. He was hired by the Toledo Police Department on Jan. 24, 1997, and served in field operations most of his career.

COLUMBUS — The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio is calling for post-traumatic stress disorder care for first responders, citing a Toledo police officer’s possible suicide.

In a statement released Thursday, the Ohio FOP highlighted the mental-health hardship officers face in their work, and said the order plans to work with lawmakers on a new bill to provide better resources to police who may be suffering in silence.

“If a police officer breaks his leg carrying an injured child to safety, workers’ comp is there to help him heal,” the Ohio FOP said. “If that same child dies a painful death in the officer’s arms, and the officer isn’t otherwise injured, there is no help for the officer to process and cope ... ”

Toledo officer Jeffrey Payne, 53, died Tuesday in a possible suicide, according to the Toledo Police Department. Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp, whose office has investigated the death, said law enforcement throughout the country could benefit from expanded access to mental health services.
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Toledo Police Officer Found Dead at Home

Toledo officer found dead inside home in possible suicide

THE BLADE
February 26, 2019

A Toledo police officer was found dead inside of his home in western Lucas County on Tuesday during a welfare check by sheriff’s deputies.

Officer Jeffrey Payne, 53, did not report to work as scheduled on Tuesday, which prompted the welfare check, said Lt. Kevan Toney, spokesman for the Toledo Police Department. While the investigation by the sheriff’s office is ongoing, indications are that the death was a suicide.

An autopsy by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office is scheduled for Wednesday. The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Officer Payne was hired by the Toledo Police Department on Jan. 24, 1997, and served in field operations most of his career, Lieutenant Toney said. Officer Payne was trained as a traffic accident reconstructionist and negotiator.
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Iraq Veteran Getting Help After False Report Led to SWAT Standoff

Man in custody after West Toledo standoff 
Toledo Blade
BY MIKE SIGOV BLADE STAFF WRITER
September 7, 2015

Mr. McGranahan had served two tours of duty in Iraq, been wounded in the back, and awarded a Purple Heart. The woman, Shirley Mowery, said her grandson suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, but was not capable of hurting anyone.

Toledo police have identified Donald McGranahan II as the main taken in custody after a standoff with police in West Toledo today.

Shortly after 1 p.m. a police SWAT team led him away from the house in the 1400 block of Gage Road where he’d been holding them at bay for about two hours. He was wearing body armor, police said. Mr. McGranahan, 32, called 911 just after 11 a.m. and said he had just shot his girlfriend at the home and that he had her children tied up in the bathroom, police said.

The caller also allegedly threatened to shoot police, they said.

Police negotiators went to the home, where they later learned the caller’s claims about hurting a woman and children were false.

The woman he mentioned was safe and in another location and no children were at the house or harmed, Toledo Police Lt. Joe Heffernan said.

Toledo Police Chief George Kral said Mr. McGranahan surrendered after negotiators had him speak with his relatives.

After searching the home, police determined no one else was inside and though several loaded firearms were later found in the house, the man had not wielded one during the standoff.
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UPDATE 9/8/2015
Man taken into custody after standoff pleads not guilty

Homeless veteran raises money to house others

$55K needed for new homeless vets hotel
Affordable housing for homeless veterans

Updated: Wednesday, 02 Mar 2011

Sharia Davis
FOX Toledo News reporter
TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - A Toledo man says he's one step closer to turning a former hotel into a home for homeless veterans. Peter Hatas, who's homeless himself, says he now has the $75,000 to make that happen.

Hatas presented his idea to investors and politicians Feb. 26 to turn the former St. James hotel in North Toledo into a home for veterans. So far he's raised more than $20,000 from the community. Now he's just waiting for more checks to come in.

Peter Hatas says his dream is starting to become a reality. With the $20,000 he's already raised for the housing project, other businesses in the area are now showing some interest too.

"It's going to be a great thing for getting a lot of people off the street," said Hatas.

So far he says he's gotten positive emails from the CSX railroad system, Veterans of the UAW, and Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant just to name a few. Now he's just waiting for the money to come in.
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Affordable housing for homeless veterans