April 24, 2007
CAPITAL MURDER SUSPECT FATALLY SHOT
An internal investigation is underway and the Texas Rangers are investigating the fatal shooting of a Capital Murder suspect at the hands of Midland Police Officers.
Following a day of running down leads, Midland Police received information that lead them to a residence in the 100 block of Glenwood yesterday evening, April 23, 2007. At that location, they found the vehicle of a person of interest (a blue Mitsubishi) however not the man. Detectives then received information that the man could be the suspect and was at a friend’s house in the 900 block of north Lee. Police were on scene and were assisted by the DPS helicopter. The suspect was seen fleeing the area first in a vehicle then briefly on foot. Five MPD officers approached the suspect, physically struggling with him while attempting to make the arrest. At some point during the struggle, officers report the suspect appeared to be reaching for a weapon. At that time, two of the five officers fired their weapons. One officer used his duty weapon, a Glock .45 caliber semi-automatic, the other used a rifle. The suspect was dead on scene.
The deceased suspect is 20-year-old Chad Sanchez (3-22-87) of Midland. The Hispanic male had a bald head and fit the description of the person of interest released yesterday afternoon. Sanchez became the suspect after Police received information about him attempting to sell a 9mm gun at two different locations in the city. That coupled with the information about him being at the scene made him a suspect in the Capital Murder case.
As part of normal procedure, the M.P.D. Shoot Team is conducting an investigation and the Texas Rangers will conduct a separate investigation. The Shoot Team investigates any incident where an officer discharges a weapon inside the city limits. The two officers who fired their weapons are placed on Administrative Leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. 30-year-old Sgt. Michael Hedrick has worked with the MPD for seven years. 33-year-old Detective Matt Fraley has worked with the MPD for nine years. This is normal procedure in an officer involved shooting and does not mean the officers did anything wrong in the course of duty. The investigation will determine if there was any wrongdoing.
The last time an M.P.D. officer used deadly force was in September 2006.
Midland Police were called to the scene of a double homicide at approximately 6:08 a.m., April 23, 2007, in reference to a possibly Murder. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered one man deceased in the living room area and another deceased in a back bedroom. Both had suffered at least one gunshot wound. The shell casings left at the scene indicate the weapon used was a 9mm semi-automatic. It was also apparent that a Robbery had also occurred as money was scattered both inside the house as well as in the front lawn. The capital charge is possible due to the fact that two people were killed during the same criminal transaction. Deceased are 62-year-old Phillip Newbill and 77-year-old Henry Jones. Jones lived at the residence while Newbill was an acquaintance of Jones.
MPD SEARCHES FOR MURDER WEAPON
Midland Police need the public’s help in locating a weapon used in yesterday’s Capital Murder incident.
Based on information officers received during their investigation, it is believed the suspect, 20-year-old Chad Sanchez, attempted to sell a 9mm handgun in the early morning hours following the shootings. Multiple sources provided this information to police and indicate he attempted to sell the gun at no less than two locations in the city.
The MPD and Crimestoppers need the help of citizens to locate the weapon. NO charges will be filed against the person who may have purchased the gun from Sanchez.
The weapon could help investigators with the case by allowing ballistic tests to be performed.
The gun is believed to be the weapon used to fatally shoot 62-year-old Phillip Newbill and 77-year-old Henry Jones at 509 S. Madison yesterday morning April 23, 2007. Both had suffered at least one gunshot wound. The shell casings left at the scene indicate the weapon used was a 9mm semi-automatic.
Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of the weapon is urged to contact the Midland Police Department at 685.7108 or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 694.TIPS. There could be up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the weapon involved.
CITY NAMES ACTING POLICE CHIEF
City Manager Rick Menchaca announced the appointment of Acting Police Chief Price Robinson today. Robinson currently holds the position of Deputy Chief of Police for Field Operations (Patrol) Division. The appointment will be effective on May 1, 2007. The appointment follows the retirement of Chief John Urby which is effective April 30, 2007.
Robinson has worked with the Midland Police Department since 1980. He has served as Deputy Chief since November 1, 2004. He began his career as a Recruit on September 1, 1980, moved to a Police Officer on November 1, 1980, then to Detective on April 1, 1983, was promoted to Sergeant on March 1, 1987, and was promoted to Lieutenant on July 1, 1995.
Robinson has a Master Peace Officer certificate, received his undergraduate degree in Law Enforcement and Police Science from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Business Administration from UTPB. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, attended the Senior Management Institution for Police at the JFK School for Government at Harvard, and a graduate of the first Rising Star Program with the City of Midland.
Robinson also served on the Greenwood I.S.D. Board of Trustees for 15 years; as President for 13 of those years. He represented Region 18 on the Texas Association of School Boards for five years. Robinson serves on the Board for Teen Court, Safe Place, and PDAP.
As Interim Chief of Police, Robinson will oversee the daily operations of the department including managing the 171 sworn officers and the 46 civilian employees.
The City plans to open the position of Chief of Police in May. Menchaca hopes to have a new Chief of Police on board by September.
MPD HOSTS RETIREMENT PARTY
The Midland Police Department will host a retirement party for outgoing Chief of Police John Urby. The event will take place Thursday, April 26, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the third floor conference room of the MPD. The media is encouraged to attend.
Urby’s retirement will be effective April 30, 2007, bringing an end to a 27½ -year career with the Midland Police Department.
Urby was first hired by the City of Midland as a Police Officer on August 8, 1979. He was promoted to Sergeant on October 1, 1981, to Lieutenant on January 1, 1990, and Deputy Chief on February 1, 1993. Urby was appointed Chief of Police on December 1, 1997.
During his tenure as Chief, Urby has lead the department to national recognition, remained on the cutting edge of technology, and helped to obtain increased in salary for sworn personnel. The MPD is one of 574 agencies out of 17,000 to be a nationally accredited department. In 2006, the MPD was named a Flagship Agency for the first time ever. The department is serving as a role model to other agencies. MPD’s National Night Out has been recognized for eight of the last nine years. New technology is now being used at the department including in vehicle laptops, field reporting, AVL/CAD in the works. Pay Progression for sworn employees with steps 4-9 funded and overall salaries increasing 50% since he has been chief.
Urby plans to remain in Midland while he pursues other interests.
CITY COUNCIL APPROVES COLA FOR EMPLOYEES
The Midland City Council today approved a Cost of Living Adjustment for all City employees. The approval follows recommendations made by the City of Midland Employee Compensation Committee and City Manager Rick Menchaca.
During the April 10th City Council meeting, Menchaca proposed a 4% Cost of Living Adjustment for all employees, excluding Department Managers. The proposal supports the Committee’s study and takes into consideration Midland’s tight labor market and the need to retain the City’s exemplary workforce.
Today, the City Council approved a 4% across the board adjustment, effective May 1, 2007.
In addition, market adjustments will be made accordingly to those employees who, after the COLA, still fall below the market average. A study by the Committee examined Professional, Managerial, and Police positions and pays bands in the City and compared them to other Texas cities. For Technical and Fire pay bands, the emphasis was on cities on our regional market. For positions in the Administrative Support, Operations, and Skilled Craft pay bands emphasis was placed on comparisons with cities in the local market.
On the whole, the Compensation Study showed 101 positions need an additional market adjustment. The COLA will allow the City to remain competitive with most labor markets, with the exception of the energy sector.
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