Officer Dalsh Veve
(age: 36) was a 9-year veteran of the NYPD. But, back in June of 2017, this man's life would change forever.
On June 4th (2017), around midnight, Officer Veve and several other officers from the 67th Precinct responded to a "shots fired" type call in an East Flatbush neighborhood, in Brooklyn. A number of people were attending a party at this location. It was eventually concluded that what was reported as shots being fired actually was the sound of fireworks, and not gunfire.
Officer Veve made contact with some subjects in a black Honda sedan. The driver of the car, who was then 15-years old, suddenly accelerated and Officer Veve was dragged for almost 3 blocks. This Honda was equipped with a "black box" type monitor. Later, it showed that the juvenile offender had the accelerator fully depressed and that the vehicle's top speed was 56 miles an hour. The car was also weaving from side to side and this was apparently an attempt by the driver to shake Officer Veve loose from the still fleeing vehicle.
While he was being dragged Officer Veve was able to fire two shots. One account I read said the driver was shot in the face. Another account was more specific and said one of the bullets entered the subject's mouth, lodging itself in his jaw.
The subject's vehicle eventually crashed into a pickup truck and when it did all of the individuals in the Honda, including the driver, exited the car and ran off. The driver didn't appear to be seriously wounded, because surveillance video in the area showed him rummaging through the back seat area before he actually bailed out of the vehicle. He starts to run away, then he turns back to the car, and then he runs away again.
The surveillance video also shows the severely injured officer on the ground between two cars. None of the occupants of the stolen vehicle stop to help him.
Other officers arrive at the scene and instead of waiting for an ambulance they put Officer Veve into a squad car and then they rush him to the hospital in the police car.
Coincidentally, the driver of the stolen Honda went to get treatment at the same hospital that Officer Veve had been taken to. But, he ran away before getting treatment because he saw all the police officers there. Instead, he walked to another hospital where he was eventually arrested. Initially, he was listed in critical condition and the police were unable to talk with him.
Officer Veve was severely injured and he suffered irreversible brain damage. At one point during his recovery he was even placed into a medically-induced coma. I also read that this officer remained in critical condition in a coma with catastrophic head and brain trauma for four weeks. Officer Veve will never fully recover from his injuries and he will probably have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. It has been reported that his injuries are so severe that he can't care for himself and at times he can't even recognize his own family.
The 15-year-old boy who deliberately dragged Officer Veve so viciously was charged as an adult. He was charged with attempted murder. The jury, in what seems to be an absurd decision, decided that the teen was
not
guilty. Instead, they found him guilty of the lesser offense of first-degree assault.
The subject's sentencing was on January 7th. He faced up to 10 years in prison and the District Attorney's Office implored the judge to impose the maximum sentence allowed by law.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Ruth Shillingford
didn't do this and instead she gave the young thug a slap on the wrist. She sentenced him to just 16 months to four years. She also stated that she took into consideration that the subject was only 15 at the time of the crime.
The sentence the judge gave the subject is so light that he may even be eligible for immediate release, thanks to the time he has already served.
Did this young criminal deserve such leniency? Not hardly! Some reliable sources have reported that the subject is a known gang member. He also has 11 prior arrests and was reportedly on probation for robbery at the time of this offense involving Officer Veve. And, the vehicle he used to almost kill Officer Veve was stolen (from Long Island, in May).
NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill tweeted,
"An absolute disgrace."
He also stated,
"Our brave & selfless public servant, his family, and all NYC cops deserve far better. Justice fell short today."
After hearing of Officer Veve's situation, and the eventual outcome regarding the subject who almost killed him, I wanted to let the judge know how disgusted and outraged I was. However, I found it impossible to locate a current e-mail address for
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Ruth Shillingford
. I did find an address, though. It is:
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Ruth Shillingford
60 Centre Street
New York, N.Y. 10007 judge
United States
My snail mail letter to Judge Shillingford was short and simple. I stated,
"I am writing to you regarding the case involving
N.Y.P.D. Officer Veve
and the subject
Justin Murrell
. I don’t know Officer Veve, but throughout my career as a law enforcement professional I’ve known many men (and women) like him. He is obviously a very brave and dedicated public servant, who has now been abandoned and betrayed by the very justice system he fought so hard to protect.
You? I don’t know you either, but it seems apparent to me that you care more for the young thugs in our society than you do for the men and women who are out there on the streets trying to serve and protect us.
I read with disgust how you sentenced this young thug and how you totally ignored the hurt and pain he has brought to the Veve family. Officer Veve will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair and the subject Murrell? Well, if he should commit further crimes of violence, when he should have been incarcerated instead, then you’ll have the blood of those unfortunate and unnecessary victims on your hands.
Shame on you!"
________________________________________________
If you would like to make a donation to assist this brave NYPD officer and his family you can click on the "
Make a Donation
" button under the picture of Officer Veve, and his family, or you can go to the following site:
www.gofundme.com/officer-dalsh-veve