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CR Police Chief Calls Officer's Injury "Unthinkable, Inexcusable & Unacceptable"By Josh Hinkle, Anchor/ReporterRelated Content
CEDAR RAPIDS - Police Officer Tim Davis suffered serious head injuries when someone beat him, while he chased robbery suspects last Sunday night. Now police are pleading for the people responsible for the crime to come forward.
The 30-year-old officer, husband, and father had surgery Monday after a helicopter flight to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Davis and his partner, Officer Tracy Brumbaugh, responded to a mugging in the area along 16th St. NE, just north of 1st Ave. They spotted people that matched the suspects' descriptions nearby: three black juvenile males wearing black jackets and jeans. Officers got out of the car and identified themselves. Then, two of the males took off down the street, and Davis' partner followed. When backup arrived, they found the third person gone and Davis laying by his car, unconscious and seriously injured. Twila Filling has walked that same stretch of her neighborhood daily for 20 years. What happened overnight might make her choose a new route. Filling says, "I don't carry no money on me or my purse when I walk, but still they'll hit you over the head, see if you got any money." The robbery police believe led to an attack on one of their own had officers patrolling Filling's neighborhood Monday for answers. Cedar Rapids Police Chief Greg Graham says, "To brutally attack a police officer is an attack of our entire community. Our officers are out there protecting our citizens and for someone to attack one is unthinkable, inexcusable and unacceptable to us." Davis underwent a three-hour surgery for what Graham says is a life-threatening head injury. Sgt. Cristy Hamblin says, "The first thought that I had as soon as he was injured was 'Please, God, just let him be okay.'" As Davis emerged from surgery in guarded condition, police continued to search for the two at-large suspects in the overnight events. Because Davis couldn't remember the attack, their only description - black males with black jackets and jeans - came from the robbery victim. A resident of that neighborhood says, "I do feel that black people do get stereotyped in situations like that. My appearance, for example, might be menacing or appear gang-related, but it's not in any way, shape or form." Filling says the part that worries her the most is that juveniles carried out these crimes. She says, "It's scary. It is, it's really scary." Police say their thoughts and prayers are with Davis, his wife and children Monday night, as he remains at UIHC. Chief Graham says Davis is one of the most respected and well-liked members of the force. The four-year veteran was most recently in the K-9 unit, until his dog had to retire because of medical reasons this year. He and his partner were in civilian clothing and an unmarked vehicle Sunday night when they pursued the robbery suspects. It was part of the Weed and Seed program, an intense effort to eradicate violent crime in neighborhoods. Police are asking for anyone with information on this crime to come forward. Police did take one of the three robbery suspects into custody Sunday night. The charges against 14-year-old Robert Watkins III are first degree robbery and interference with officials acts causing serious injury to Davis. Police also revealed the name of the robbery victim. They say the three robbers hit and kicked 20-year-old David Scanlon numerous times on his head and body. He received treatment at St. Luke's Hospital. He has since been released. More Good Stuff |
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