On February 7, 2013, at approximately 11:26 PM, officers responded to the 1000 block of W. William Street for a report of a female driving under the influence.
It was reported that a vehicle had “cut off” the reporting person near the area of Prospect and Springfield Avenue. The driver then continued driving and disregarded a traffic signal by proceeding through the red light. The reporting person followed the driver to her house in an attempt to get the vehicle’s license plate number, because she believed at that time that her vehicle had been struck by the driver. The reporting person provided the driver’s vehicle information to METCAD and reported the female driver as being “highly intoxicated.” No damage was found on the reporting person’s vehicle.
At 11:07 PM, officers also received a call about this same vehicle traveling northbound on Neil Street at a high rate of speed and weaving across lanes. The female driver was described as a white female with blonde hair and was last seen pulling into a local tavern in the 300 block of S. Neil Street.
Upon arrival at the suspect driver’s home, in the 1000 block of W. William Street, officers made contact with the driver, LISA EHLER, 52, and arrested her for driving under the influence of alcohol. While officers were arresting Ehler, a male exited a residence and spoke with officers at the scene. The male was known to Ehler and attempted to get into Ehlers vehicle. Officers ordered the male to stay away from the vehicle. After speaking to officers, the male walked back to his residence and was heard yelling for his dog. Officers provided multiple commands to the male to keep his dog inside. The male then allowed an unleashed pit bull out of the house as he gave it commands, while directing his arms towards the officers. The dog quickly trotted toward the officers and growled as an officer attempted to kick the dog away from him. At this time, the officer fearing an attack fatally shot the dog and contacted an Animal Control Officer.
The officers then made contact with the male subject, JOHN CARGO, 41, and attempted to arrest him for sending his dog toward police. CARGO resisted arrest and caused injuries to himself and an officer when they both fell into a thorn bush and on top of landscaping bricks.
CARGO was arrested for aggravated assault and transported to Carle Hospital emergency room for treatment of minor injuries. CARGO was later transported to the Champaign County Satellite Jail.
The injured officer did not require medical attention.
NEXT STEPS:
Per departmental policy, there are two additional stages to investigating these types of incidents:
- Professional Standards Investigation
- Firearms Discharge Review Board
A Professional Standards investigation will be completed in order to:
- Determine whether or not the firearm discharge was consistent with departmental policy.
- Evaluate training considerations
- Evaluate policy considerations
- Evaluate firearms equipment
- Evaluate the quality of supervision prior to, during, and after the firearm discharge incident
The Professional Standards investigation will result in the submission of a report of findings to the Chief of Police.
Whenever an officer discharges a firearm, deliberately, negligently, or accidentally, a Firearms Discharge Investigation and Review will occur. The Firearm Discharge Review Board will convene and review the circumstances associated with each firearm discharge. The Board will evaluate each aspect of a firearm discharge, which will include:
- A review of all reports concerning the involved incidents.
- A review of the Professional Standards Investigation report
- Hearing direct testimony, if necessary, from officers and witnesses
At the conclusion of this review, the Board will make factual conclusions and recommendations to the Chief of Police.