Suspect Arrested in CR Officer Assault, Held on $250,000 Bond
By Mark Geary, Reporter
Jose Rockiett, 17, enters the courtroom for his arraignment at the Linn County Courthouse on Monday, March 31, 2009, in Cedar Rapids. Rockiett is accused of willful injury in the assault of Cedar Rapids police officer Tim Davis as well as armed robbery.(Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
By
Daren Sukhram
Story Created:
Mar 30, 2009 at 9:06 PM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 31, 2009 at 1:41 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Police have arrested the person they say beat Officer Tim Davis during a robbery investigation Sunday night.
Jose Rockiett, 17, is charged with first degree robbery and assault on a peace officer. Rockiett made his first court appearance late Tuesday morning and remains in custody on a $250,000 bond.
Rockiett was found after Investigators followed leads and he became a person of interest. He was brought to the Cedar Rapids Police Department at about 4:30 PM and later charged. He was then transported to the Linn County Detention Center. Cedar Rapids Police are still looking for a third suspect.
After Rockiett’s arrest, his mother, Josetta Fowler, 35, and his brother, Vanice Heath, 15, came to the Cedar Rapids Police Department where they caused a disturbance and were arrested for Interference with Official Acts. Fowler was transported to the Hinzman Center and released on bond Monday night. Heath was taken to the Detention Center.
Cedar Rapids police officer Tim Davis suffered major head injuries when he was beat after he responded to a robbery on Sunday night.
For three hours on Monday afternoon, doctors at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics operated on Davis. They called his injuries "life-threatening." Tuesday morning, the police officer, husband and father was listed in "guarded condition."
As police cars patrol the area where the incident happened, many people who live nearby say violence has become all too common in their neighborhood.
"If you try to walk around this neighborhood at night, you better be with someone. If you're by yourself, there's a good possibility you'll get mugged,” neighbor Charles Greenen said.
"You feel helpless because your officer is in the hospital and his family is grieving because of that. The other officers are also going through emotional peaks and valleys. We're trying to keep everyone focused on getting the job done,” Police Chief Greg Graham said.
Officers tried to remain focused on their jobs, but couldn't stop thinking about their colleague.
"I've been praying since I got up this morning…He's the all-American boy who lives next door and is an all-around good guy,” Sergeant Hamblin said.
People who live in the area say police regularly patrol the streets, but wish officers could spend even more time here.
"We want the police here. We want them up and down the street as often as we can get them. If we could afford it, we'd pay for one to park right here on the street,” Greenen said.
Davis has spent four years on the force and recently worked in the K9 unit.
More Good Stuff
Conversation Guidelines
Be Kind
Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.
Share Knowledge
Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.
Stay focused
Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.
Report Trouble
Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.
read the full guidelines here »
Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.
Most Popular >>