Murder of Innocent lives as Blue Defends Blue
...Louisa County Sheriff Curt Braby said shortly after the killings that Massey had been in good spirits and did not exhibit signs of depression or agitation at any time prior to the murders. Massey worked as a jailer and dispatcher for the sheriff's office. "He was in the best humor I had seen him in quite awhile," Braby said...
"It’s like they’re protecting their own.’’...
The family of murder victim Jessie Smith says the department is covering up this case and that police had been at the home numerous times. Now the deparment claims they have no records and everything seemed fine. A child, again, was murdered, and his mother. No one wakes up one day and decides to take innicent lives. As in the majority of cases across the county, when an abuser looses control he does whatever it takes, often having the last word. Jessie Smith left the father of her four year old child, returning briefly when she thought it was safe to collect the rest of her personal property. People who do this think of their family members as property.
911 call: 'I just shot everybody'
By JEFF ABELL jabell@thehawkeye.com
The Hawk Eye
January 25, 2006
WAPELLO — Kirk Massey used a firearm to kill his long–time girlfriend, Jessie Smith, 22, and their son, Evan Massey, 4, then he placed a call to a dispatcher at the Louisa County Sheriff's office.
A recording of that exchange was reviewed Tuesday by The Hawk Eye. During the 16–second call made at around 1 p.m., Jan. 6, Massey informs the dispatcher of the situation prior to turning the weapon on himself.
Dispatcher: "Louisa County Sheriff's office this is Kelly."
Massey: "Kelly."
Dispatcher: "Yes."
Massey: "Better get someone to my house right away ... get somebody to my house." (Voice getting louder and more agitated.)
Dispatcher: "Who is this?"
Massey: "It's Kirk Massey."
Dispatcher: "What's going on at Massey's house?"
Massey: "I just shot everybody." (More agitated.)
Dispatcher: "What, what ... Kirk ... hello ... Kirk."
(Call ends.)
Louisa County Sheriff Curt Braby said shortly after the killings that Massey had been in good spirits and did not exhibit signs of depression or agitation at any time prior to the murders. Massey worked as a jailer and dispatcher for the sheriff's office.
"He was in the best humor I had seen him in quite awhile," Braby said.
Louisa County Sheriff's deputies found the trio inside Kirk Massey's home at 202 Prairie St. in Wapello. The home sits directly north of the high school across Buchanan Street. Students were in their homeroom periods at the time of the shooting.
Authorities say Massey shot Smith, then the boy and finally the family dog before killing himself.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The younger and elder Massey were pronounced dead en route to the hospital.
An autopsy conducted on Smith by Louisa County Medical Examiner Khalique Panhwar indicated she died from a "extensive" gunshot wound to the chest.
Last week, The Hawk Eye investigated allegations made by Smith's family accusing the sheriff's office of not acting on information regarding abuse of her at the hand of Massey.
Braby said a review of the department database back through 1998 showed no domestic abuse or other serious incident complaints involving the couple. After reviewing the same information, The Hawk Eye found no records indicating such a call was made.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the case.
It happens all too often, especially in smaller downs where there is less accountabilty. No one will ever really know for sure if calls were placed for assisatnce to the house or if the officer had problems. In an attempt to prevent future tragedies such as this departments need to create an environment where Law Enforcement can get assistance.
Susan Murphy Milano is the daughter of a Chicago Violent Crimes Detective, who murdered her mother before taking his own life. www.movingoutmovingon.com
"It’s like they’re protecting their own.’’...
The family of murder victim Jessie Smith says the department is covering up this case and that police had been at the home numerous times. Now the deparment claims they have no records and everything seemed fine. A child, again, was murdered, and his mother. No one wakes up one day and decides to take innicent lives. As in the majority of cases across the county, when an abuser looses control he does whatever it takes, often having the last word. Jessie Smith left the father of her four year old child, returning briefly when she thought it was safe to collect the rest of her personal property. People who do this think of their family members as property.
911 call: 'I just shot everybody'
By JEFF ABELL jabell@thehawkeye.com
The Hawk Eye
January 25, 2006
WAPELLO — Kirk Massey used a firearm to kill his long–time girlfriend, Jessie Smith, 22, and their son, Evan Massey, 4, then he placed a call to a dispatcher at the Louisa County Sheriff's office.
A recording of that exchange was reviewed Tuesday by The Hawk Eye. During the 16–second call made at around 1 p.m., Jan. 6, Massey informs the dispatcher of the situation prior to turning the weapon on himself.
Dispatcher: "Louisa County Sheriff's office this is Kelly."
Massey: "Kelly."
Dispatcher: "Yes."
Massey: "Better get someone to my house right away ... get somebody to my house." (Voice getting louder and more agitated.)
Dispatcher: "Who is this?"
Massey: "It's Kirk Massey."
Dispatcher: "What's going on at Massey's house?"
Massey: "I just shot everybody." (More agitated.)
Dispatcher: "What, what ... Kirk ... hello ... Kirk."
(Call ends.)
Louisa County Sheriff Curt Braby said shortly after the killings that Massey had been in good spirits and did not exhibit signs of depression or agitation at any time prior to the murders. Massey worked as a jailer and dispatcher for the sheriff's office.
"He was in the best humor I had seen him in quite awhile," Braby said.
Louisa County Sheriff's deputies found the trio inside Kirk Massey's home at 202 Prairie St. in Wapello. The home sits directly north of the high school across Buchanan Street. Students were in their homeroom periods at the time of the shooting.
Authorities say Massey shot Smith, then the boy and finally the family dog before killing himself.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The younger and elder Massey were pronounced dead en route to the hospital.
An autopsy conducted on Smith by Louisa County Medical Examiner Khalique Panhwar indicated she died from a "extensive" gunshot wound to the chest.
Last week, The Hawk Eye investigated allegations made by Smith's family accusing the sheriff's office of not acting on information regarding abuse of her at the hand of Massey.
Braby said a review of the department database back through 1998 showed no domestic abuse or other serious incident complaints involving the couple. After reviewing the same information, The Hawk Eye found no records indicating such a call was made.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the case.
It happens all too often, especially in smaller downs where there is less accountabilty. No one will ever really know for sure if calls were placed for assisatnce to the house or if the officer had problems. In an attempt to prevent future tragedies such as this departments need to create an environment where Law Enforcement can get assistance.
Susan Murphy Milano is the daughter of a Chicago Violent Crimes Detective, who murdered her mother before taking his own life. www.movingoutmovingon.com
