TheAgitator.com
Mayor’s Dogs Killed in Drug Raid
Thursday, July 31st, 2008A Prince George’s County, Maryland SWAT team raided the home of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo last night, shooting and killing his two black labs in the process.
"My government blew through my doors and killed my dogs," Calvo said. "They thought we were drug dealers, and we were treated as such. I don’t think they really ever considered that we weren’t."
Calvo described a chaotic scene, in which he — wearing only underwear and socks — and his mother-in-law were handcuffed and interrogated for hours. They were surrounded by the dogs’ carcasses and pools of the dogs’ blood, Calvo said.
Spokesmen for the Sheriff’s Office and Prince George’s police expressed regret yesterday that the mayor’s dogs were killed. But they defended the way the raid was carried out, saying it was proper for a case involving such a large amount of drugs.
Well no, it isn’t, unless there’s reason to believe that the mayor, his wife, and his mother-in-law are violent people capable of killing cops who might have served the warrant in a less confrontational manner. The possibility of the mayor or his wife disposing of the drugs doesn’t seem likely, either, unless the family owns an industrial-strength toilet: The raid commenced after police began tracking a package filled with 30 pounds marijuana originating in Arizona that was eventually delivered to the mayor’s wife.
Local police are angry that they weren’t notified first:
"You can’t tell me the chief of police of a municipality wouldn’t have been able to knock on the door of the mayor of that municipality, gain his confidence and enter the residence," Murphy said. "It would not have been a necessity to shoot and kill this man’s dogs."
It’s worth emphasizing that these were labs. Not the most intimidating dog in the world. Of course, offing the dog is almost standard procedure in these things, now.
On the other hand, maybe once a few public officials feel the brunt end of the militarized drug war, we’ll get some real discussion about whether it’s all really necessary.
Puppycide is never the answer. I bet they always use the “I felt threatened by the dogs so I had to defend myself” line, which is total bullshit.
I saw this on the news last night and I wondered how long before it showed up on your blog. I was going to email you about it later today. Good job!
Well, ya know, anytime you have the opportunity of shooting yer gun at a live target without anyone bein’ able to do anything to ya, ya gotta take it. Killin’ dogs is ok. No cop ever gets in trouble fer shootin’ dogs, ya know. If anyone asks, alls ya gotta say is that ya felt threatened. haha!
The interesting thing about this is that killing dogs may ultimately be the thing that gets the public pissed off about these raids. Accuse someone of being a criminal and no one gives a shit what you do to them. But, when you start shooting innocent dogs, people think you’re cruel.
I can’t figure out what’s more pathetic. That the cops felt the need to raid the fargin’ MAYOR’s house, or that this crap-ass idiot mayor isn’t now ripping the cops a new one.
And they shot the second dog as it was running AWAY!?!?!?!
This is just unbelievable. And again, we don’t get any damn politicians standing up to this farcical crap by the police. Just ‘well, drugs are bad’ crap.
[...] Mayors dogs killed in drug raid. This one is a bit odd. Seems the mayor had 30 pounds of weed mailed to him: “My government blew through my doors and killed my dogs,” Calvo said. “They thought we were drug dealers, and we were treated as such. I don
I know that we shouldn’t base policy purely on our emotions, but I’ve got my two labs with me at the office today and my blood is just boiling after reading that story.
I mean, fuck, even if you want to argue the necessity of a SWAT team (which is obviously bullshit), how do you justify shooting one of the friendliest breeds of dogs there is for literally just being dogs. It’s disgusting, but should we literally just assume our dogs are as good as dead if we’re subject to a warrant?
I believe this comment by the mayor is very telling of his feelings.
“They thought we were drug dealers, and WE WERE TREATED AS SUCH. I don’t think they really ever considered that we weren’t.”
What he is saying that it is OK to bust in, and shoot the dogs in others home that are believed to be drug dealers (weather they are or not), and not consider otherwise, but not mine.
I do not like this package delivery then bust-em crap. If I was a dealer then sending it to someone else’s house, and waiting to see if the fuzz is watching, is about the smartest thing I could do.
If the cops are not watching, I just bust in steal my dope back, and go make money.
The package was unopened so they can’t even prove these folks knew what was in it.
Why not keep the mayor under surveliance and wait to see what he does with the contents of the package?
As Mack said above, someone might have intentionally sent it to the wrong address.
Another problem is that the cops were the ones that delivered the package. So now isn’t that entrapment? If you can be arrested and raided for having a package delivered and the cops who are doing the raid are also doing the delivering. Seems to be a self serving circle there.
I hope the WashPo stays with this story and does some good follow-up (not that I expect the PG county cops to be forthcoming with details or pertinent information). Since this town is right next to College Park, the probablility of the package being sent to the wrong address seems high (pun not intended).
The ONLY way to get a change in how things are done, is if more thugs end up dead from breaking into homes. When the trigger-happy meatheads FEAR for their lives and have to spend most of their off-duty at funerals, maybe then we will start seeing a “readjustment” in policy. These scumbags want to do their 20 and get taxpayer-funded pensions, they only act like Rambo because their “targets” are mostly unarmed and/or compliant.
Let’s start calling puppycide what it is :
Pre-judicial punishment. Like civil forfeiture, it gives the pigs the right to punish the perp before the case ever sees a courtroom.
Fascist scum.
#8 | Shon | July 31st, 2008 at 10:28 am
Another problem is that the cops were the ones that delivered the package. So now isn’t that entrapment? If you can be arrested and raided for having a package delivered and the cops who are doing the raid are also doing the delivering. Seems to be a self serving circle there.
*****************
Shon, don’t you get it by now? It’s ok for law enforcement to routinely commit felonies, so long as they bust you for committing the same felonies in the process.
Like I said, fascist scum.
I hope they meet the same end the fascists of the last century met.
Hey, their owners were dealing drugs. They deserved to die. There are no innocents when it comes to dealing drugs. Kill ‘em all! let God sort ‘em out.
/sarcasm
I don’t know whether to cry or scream. In my heart, I am doing both. Absolutely disgusting.
“They thought we were drug dealers, and WE WERE TREATED AS SUCH. I don’t think they really ever considered that we weren’t.”
As pointed out by Mack this is the real problem in this country. So long as it’s happening to “other” people, it’s okay. The moment it’s me though it’s wrong.
It’s why Cops, Prosecutors, Politicians, etc. like to base rules and laws that erode at our rights by saying “it’s to get the pedophiles”, “it’ll only be used against terrorists”, “it’s for the bad guys”, “it’s for the children”. It’s hard for people to stand up for the rights of murderers, thugs, child killers, etc. but it’s what we need to do if we want to keep our rights intact. If it’s not a right for the worst of the worst, it’s not a right for you as soon as someone decides you’re one of them.
As Franklin said in response to the question of what type of government did the founding fathers give to the world “A republic, if you can keep it”.
It really sucks about the dogs, but on the other hand, if the mayor was getting changed when it happened, what if he had stepped out with a black sock in his hand or a dress shoe? I doubt the labs would be the only victims, although if history is any guide, the SWAT team would have put 75 rounds in the wall and couch and maybe two in his knees.
At least the local chief was outraged. Maybe he doesn’t have a reputation as a “gung-go, kick down the doors and let God sort’em out” type of guy, which is why the SWAT team didn’t inform him of the raid.
YES YES YES!!!!
This is exactly the kind of thing we need to get this “war” to end.
I wish I was religious so I could fall to the ground, speak in tongues, and thank the all mighty!!
#14
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -Benjamin Franklin, 1755
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Continues Benjamin Franklin, “except for violent dogs that scare swat officers into discharing thier weapons multiple times.”
I just love that the local police chief states “You can’t tell me the chief of police of a municipality wouldn’t have been able to knock on the door of THE MAYOR of that municipality, gain his confidence and enter the residence.”
Apparently Gestapo tactics are appropriate for the serfs, but not for the mayor.
I was watching a foreign film (but if asked, I will deny it) called Tell No One, and when the French police entered a home to search it, they actually had a plan to subdue and tranquilize the dog that was in the home. I don’t know if this was based on real police practices, but I would not be surprised if it was. Oh, and they chose to enter the house while the person was not home, so there was less need of shock and awe.
The problem in most cases is not individual police officers, it’s the collective mind set that has been created and is amplified when they all get together with their uber-gear and they convince themselves they are raiding a Colombian drug lord, and not a mayor and his family. Whatever happened to finesse?
“On the other hand, maybe once a few public officials feel the brunt end of the militarized drug war, we’ll get some real discussion about whether it’s all really necessary.”
One can but hope much more of this will start happening. Not for the killing of dogs, but for the wake up call to the politicos.
Edin gets it.
I was wondering if I was the only person thinking that we need more of this. Lots more. With even higher placed officials. We need U.S. Senators getting tromped on by SWAT teams. That’s the only way short of violent revolution we’re going to see the Only Ones stop this nonsense.
“On the other hand, maybe once a few public officials feel the brunt end of the militarized drug war, we’ll get some real discussion about whether it’s all really necessary.”
Amen.
“The problem in most cases is not individual police officers, it’s the collective mind set that has been created and is amplified when they all get together with their uber-gear and they convince themselves they are raiding a Colombian drug lord, and not a mayor and his family.”
A mob is only as smart as its dumbest member.
# 2 …Sadly, I agree with your closing thought.
http://www.justiceforsal.com
Apparently Nebraska does it entirely wrong. I represented a client who had 20 lbs. of marijuana delivered to her through the mail. The officers staked out the place and when the package was taken inside, they rang the doorbell and arrested everyone inside. No SWAT, no weapons, no violence at all - how boring. I hope they don’t see this article and decide to change their ways.
Mrs. C
If you are indeed Sal’s mother, I’m truly sorry for your loss. I remember how angry I was when I read about what happened to him. I notice there has been no update to the site in well over a year, does this mean you have received no updates or further information? Whatever happened to accountability?
I’m quite happy Hizonner got what was coming to him. As part of the power elite he’s been part of the problem, and I hope this is a big fat wake-up call.
I wonder if I can find his email address to point out a few thing to him? Now that he know what it feels like to be hiding Ann Frank in his attic?
#22
Ever think that this just might have been a black bag job to do exactly that? Rather expensive, but I like the idea of lots of people in power getting the Gestapo Entry while in their underwear.
22: Yea I would never wish harm on anyone, but it would have been better for the “Anti” side is the SWAT team would have wounded someone
29: that occurred to me as well. It would be an interesting to use that method on a much much wider scale.
Raiding more politicians will only result in the cops checking to see if it’s a politician before doing the raid. It won’t stop a thing.
You could send 30lb packages of weed to 100 judges, prosecutors, DEA agents, senators, etc, and it wouldn’t make a difference. The vast majority wouldn’t get raided out of “professional courtesy”. I imagine the cops doing the raiding in this case had some kind of hard on for Hizzoner and that’s why the local dicks weren’t notified.
# 27…I am Sal’s mother…and I thank you for caring.
We have spent the better part of last year…doing our own investigating…appearing at pre-trial motions…and waiting on the legal system…which moves very slowly.
We will do whatever it takes…to keep our promise to our son…as we continue…to seek the justice…Sal…and our family…is owed.
We do expect…to update the site soon. Thank you for your interest.
(Sigh)
Silly Radley, just because a mayor gets cuaght up and victimized in one of these things doesn’t mean it will start any actual thoughtful debate. Have you forgotten that this was an isolated incident? The procedures were carried out very effectively!
That guy makes a good point. It’s frickin’ mayor. You could come up with any number of reasons to gain peaceful entry into his home without him running off to flush drugs. So crazy.
Mrs. C
Keep up the good fight! Those bastards can’t delay their comeuppance forever.
I’m wondering if the only reason this raid happened was because the package was addressed to the Mayor’s wife, who has a totally different name than he does. You wonder if it would be left alone, or dealt with differently if she’d been “Mrs. Calvo” instead of “Trinity Tomsic”. That’s something else that bugs me greatly about this instance.
All animals are equal, except some are more equal than others…
Someone in my family is a cop. When I ask him about this his response is always “We’re just doing our jobs. If you don’t like it, go to the people who make the laws.” My response is always, “So if they’re given the discretion to shoot dogs, imagine what would happen in the event of a societal breakdown in which actual PEOPLE become a threatening factor.” Parallels can be drawn between cops who shoot dogs because they can and the Stasi who went out and shot Jews because “it was their job.” Seems to be a complete breakdown in morals and common sense in (at least some of) the cops of today and the cops of Nazi Germany of 70 years ago. Hope we never have to put it to further testing.
Billhilly: Not sure they’d know it was someone on the courtesy list. They get the names on the warrants wrong all the time, same as the addresses. No particular reason “Senator Whatsisface” will be the name on the warrant, could just as easily be “Reynaldo Escobar”. And as we’ve seen from the Vang family crap in Minnesota, it’s not like they do any research beforehand.
such a sad story.
I’m just going to repost my blog I put on myspace….
Woke up at 3am this morning… and heard this on the news… I’m extremely pissed off. Just about speechless. I really am. Its horrible news. Cops raided a Mayors house who they THOUGHT were drug dealers… and shot their 2 black labs.
When they first entered the door they shot 1 black lab… then the other lab ran away from the cops into a different room because he was scared and the cops shot him from behind. Now as I’m typing this I’m crying. Its so upsetting… The homeowner is a witness to this. I hope he does something about it.
FOR WHAT?? AND WHY???? WTF!!!!!!! Labs are so friendly. Yeah they bark at strangers and smell you, check you out then lick you… but thats their job… Labs instinct is to protect their family. Yeah every time someone knocks on our door… Gus and Caesar bark… its annoying at times… but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Its nice to know when someone is approaching your house. When a stranger comes into the house… someone they dont recognize they bark and growl… THANKFULLY!!!!!!
Do they bite… most likely not. The 10 labs that I’ve known personally within the past 3 years…. DO NOT!!!
If anyone were to ever hurt my 2 labs… lord only knows what I’d do.
I wonder what we can do. I hope the cops that shot them get suspended or something.
This also happened in Southern Maryland… I guess almost 2 years ago. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a dog due to stupidity and violence.
We have to do something about this. It happens a lot.
“I’m sorry” just isn’t GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!
“apparently felt threatened” BULLSHIT!!!!! They were just gun happy. Wanted to shoot something. They should be FIRED!!!!!!!!!!! !@$ them!
…to be SECURE in their persons,houses…against UNREASONABLE searches… Whats happened to the 4th? The SWAT guys (Sheriffs Dept.) had a warrant obtained from a judge ,who no doubt, approves of this sort of dynamic entry stye. Prosecution has a big headache here. The civil case should be rewarding. And ,about these militarized police forces, it’s “DOMESTIC TERRORISM”…boys in black…serving the greater good …right? Who approved this message?
Oh, and somebody in Berwyn Heights should put a billboard up with a picture of the dogs. Have a memorial fund raiser for the Humane Society. The Sheriff would have to drive by daily…snark
The quote after Radley’s snippet is priceless and telling.
Spokesmen for the Sheriff’s Office and Prince George’s police expressed regret yesterday that the mayor’s dogs were killed. But they defended the way the raid was carried out, saying it was proper for a case involving such a large amount of drugs.
Sgt. Mario Ellis, a Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said the deputies who entered Calvo’s home “apparently felt threatened” by the dogs.
“We’re not in the habit of going to homes and shooting peoples’ dogs,” Ellis said. “If we were, there would be a lot more dead dogs around the county.”
I think someone should fill him in that there are a lot of dead dogs around the country because of actions like his.
It would be kind of comical if NIMBY ended the drug war.
All I can say, is if I watched some cops kill my dog…
I would probably end up getting shot. Because I would do everything in my power to kill the bastards.
“We’re not in the habit of going to homes and shooting peoples’ dogs,” Ellis said. “If we were, there would be a lot more dead dogs around the county.”
I like the idea, Chaz. Maybe a Puppycide map along the lines of Radley’s SWAT raid map. As long as these incidents remain isolated and disconnected they’ll be nothing more than ‘anecdotes’. But then again, how is it that this supposedly “Most Free Nation on Earth” also has the highest incarceration rate of any country? How many more *millions* of people need to have their lives destroyed before there is a general recognition of the threat we all face from an overarching police state?
“And how we burned,…” Solzhenitsyn wrote. Shut up, Alex. Those “Security operatives” were “our brave boys” keeping the Motherland/Fatherland/Homeland safe from wrecker/terrorists/poker players and it plays out the same way, everytime.
1) An agitating minority is ignored or ridiculed for pointing out the growing threats
2) When the mask falls away and the true nature of the bloody, murderous State is revealed a self-deluded populace wails, “How could this happen to a civilized people?”
3) As the regime finally collapses due to its self-destructive nature, the survivors proclaim, “Never again!”
4) Repeat.
Maybe pessimists should just shut the hell up. Me go now.
The crime here is continuing to go along with the idea that marijuana is a dangerous drug. If you don’t nip that in the bud (so to speak) then you allow for all manner of evil to be done on behalf of a lie. Pretty soon the government thinks it can lie about everything and then you get Iraq.
2000 people died of aspirin overdose last year. Not one person has every died of an overdose of marijuana.
Enjoy.
I think people are missing the most important question.
What policy, what information, what action, was this mayor about to make public? What information does he have?
Clearly someone does not want this man to keep his integrity
Ask Why, who benefits from this man’s political demise? follow the money 
San.
Sgt Ellis can be reached at (240) 508-7638. I called to ask for the name of the shooter, and was told this guy is heading the investigation. Several attempts to contact yielded only voicemail.
Has anyone pointed out that the Chief of the County Police Force is High?
That’s right. The guy in charge of delivering pot to people then assaulting them is High.
His name is Chief Melvin C. High.
Go figger…
Why do I keep hearing ‘Deutchland Uber Alles’ getting louder?
Send the dogs to China to feed the poor.
This is the mayor. Imagin the way police treat regular citizens. Our country is going in the wrong direction. It was the mayor, they should have knock or staked out the home. The police do what ever they want and then do and say whatever they need to to justify their actions, it is not right. No knock entries should be against the law unless a kidknapping is under way or someone is screaming for help. whats the rush.
crazy. we need to take back our country.
If anyone thinks this is ok, they are as fckd-up as the cops that did this. Can you imagine the horror this innocent family is going through? C’mon. Enough is Enough. The SWAT should have known that these packages are being delivered to innocent people. No surveillance on the home before hand?? Just going on a name??….This could happen to any of us!….and it continues. I pray they get justice. Unfortunately it won’t bring their pets back.
What a sad story. Even Barney Fife was a better cop that the lying bunch involved in this story. Party cops, racists? Black Chief resigns (connected to his corrupt gangs of killers?) May the involved officers be prosecuted and personally sued to the max. I find it interesting that they had the address when the package was in Phoenix (that’s thousands of miles away) and it had to take days for the package to arrive- no investigation into who lived at the house? Poor police work there. A quick check and this would have never happened. Too bad the mayor didn’t have a machine gun available to shoot back and kill the illegal raiders who barged in on his home- he would have been found innocent because as Americans we are allowed to protect our homes- Oh I forgot, the gestapo did not need to follow the law.
Prince George Police Dept email:
Police_CustomerService@co.pg.md.us
Sheriif’s email:
sheriffinfo@co.pg.md.us
[...] 12, 2008 · No Comments Radley Balko has been following a disturbing case out of Berwyn Heights, Maryland (D.C. suburbs), where SWAT agents charged into the house of Mayor Cheye Calvo, shot the [...]
[...] Balko has been following a disturbing case out of Berwyn Heights, Maryland (D.C. suburbs), where SWAT agents charged into the house of Mayor Cheye Calvo, shot the [...]