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Officer’s case handled like any other, Toledo police chief says

Officer’s case handled like any other, Toledo police chief says

‘No special treatment’ given in charges of shooting plot

Toledo police Chief George Kral said the investigation of Lt. Frank Ramirez for his alleged role in the plot to shoot a woman in South Toledo is being handled like any other criminal case.

“Just because this man is a Toledo police officer, no special corners are being cut. No special treatment is being dealt out. He is going to be treated, charged, and prosecuted in court as anybody else would,” Chief Kral said Friday at a news conference in the Safety Building.

Lieutenant Ramirez, a 31-year department veteran, was arrested Wednesday shortly after his afternoon shift began at the Scott Park police station, where he is a commander. He is charged with felonious assault, obstructing official business, and tampering with evidence.

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The charges stem from the Dec. 26 incident in which shots were fired at Tiffany Williams while she was walking in the 1300 block of Colburn Avenue. The bullets narrowly missed her head.

Ms. Williams, 28, was a witness in the murder trials of Samuel Williams — no relation to Ms. Williams — and Cameo Pettaway.

Samuel Williams was convicted in the January, 2011, asphyxiation murders of Johnny Clarke and Lisa Straub in Ms. Straub’s parents’ Springfield Township home. Pettaway was acquitted at trial after a judge declared a lack of sufficient evidence in the case.

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Johnny Clarke’s parents, John P. Clarke, 45, and Maytee Vazquez-Clarke, 44, were arrested after Ms. Williams’ shooting. Mr. Clarke is charged with felonious assault for allegedly firing the gun, while Mrs. Vazquez-Clarke is charged with obstructing official business for allegedly telling officers seeking her husband at the couple's Danberry Street home that no one else was there. Police later found Mr. Clarke inside the home.

Police on Wednesday added a felonious-assault charge against Mrs. Vazquez-Clarke. She and Mr. Ramirez are accused in the “coordination, planning, and execution” in the shooting of Ms. Williams, court affidavits said.

Lieutenant Ramirez, 58, was suspended from the department without pay. A lieutenant since 1991, he received $88,674 in base pay and about $8,300 in overtime last year.

“This is an isolated incident from one person. The men and women of the Toledo police department are honest, hardworking, dedicated civil servants who are sworn to uphold the law and not allegedly break it,” Chief Kral said. “This isn't a bad-barrel syndrome. This is a bad apple.”

A departmental internal investigation of the lieutenant was temporarily suspended, pending the criminal charges’ outcome, the chief said.

Lieutenant Ramirez was released from the Lucas County jail on Thursday after posting $100,000 bond.

Chief Kral said he didn’t know what impact, if any, a felony conviction would have on Lieutenant Ramirez’s ability to collect his pension.

“Needless to say, if he gets convicted of a felony, it is going to adversely affect his employment with the city of Toledo,” he said.

Contact Mark Reiter at: markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.

First Published February 14, 2015, 5:00 a.m.

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Ramirez
Police Chief George Kral talks about the case against Lt. Frank Ramirez at the Safety Building. Behind him are Lt. Dan Gerken,left, and Capt. Wes Bombrys.  (THE BLADE/LORI KING)  Buy Image
Samuel Williams  (THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER)  Buy Image
Cameo Pettaway  (THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY)  Buy Image
Lisa Straub, 20, and Johnny Clarke, 21, were found dead at her parents’ home in Springfield Township.
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