TPD Chief: shooting another sign more officers needed - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

TPD Chief: shooting another sign more officers needed

Posted: Updated:
13abc.com Daryl Kirkland-Morgan - email

"We had a very tragic situation occur this morning," said Police Chief Derrick Diggs at Friday afternoon's press conference.  That tragic situation all unfolded a little after two Friday morning in the 1300 block of North Michigan.

19-year-old Darrell Parnell allegedly broke into a Jeep and then took off running when officers tried to arrest him. Police say Parnell proceeded to hit Officer Ben Cousino in the head, bite his arm and then reached for Cousino's gun.  That's when Diggs says Cousino had no choice but to protect himself.

"This officer was definitely in fear of his life," says the chief. "He was being assaulted, he was struck several times, he was traumatized.  So yes, he was in fear for his safety."

Like many cities, Toledo is dealing with a safety issue, but city leaders are working to make it better. Right now 40 officers are in the police academy getting trained, and another examination is planned for December.

"We're doing the best we can to make sure we're bringing up our police ranks to where they should be," says Diggs.

Police want to add at least 75 officers to the force by the end of 2013.  More boots on the streets is good news to neighbors who live near site of the shooting.  In the meantime, they're watching each other's backs.

"We're just being extra careful and that's what everybody needs to do," says Joe Banks, who's lived in the area for decades.  "Help look out for your neighbors."

  • Local

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 12:08 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:08:48 GMT
    CLEVELAND (AP) - Two state legislators want to end the requirement for two license plates on vehicles in Ohio and require only one per vehicle. The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports that state Reps. Terry
    Two state legislators want to end the requirement for two license plates on vehicles in Ohio and require only one per vehicle.

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 12:06 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:06:58 GMT
    A Norwalk man is facing charges after a fire started in his apartment during a meth lab raid. The raid happened in back in March. The Norwalk Reflector reports authorities found an active meth lab in
    A Norwalk man is facing charges after a fire started in his apartment during a meth lab raid. The raid happened in back in March. The Norwalk Reflector reports authorities found an active meth lab in the apartment of Allen Mobberly, 32. Two other men are also charged in the crime.

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 11:39 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:39:37 GMT
    A Sandusky man faces up to 10 years behind bars in connection to the stabbing death of his uncle. We're following this story with the Sandusky Register. Tre'vonte Adcock,18, was arrested in December
    A Sandusky man faces up to 10 years behind bars in connection to the stabbing death of his uncle. We're following this story with the Sandusky Register. Tre'vonte Adcock,18, was arrested in December after his uncle, Jared Rhodes, was stabbed three times. Rhodes later died from his injuries.
    •   

  • Top Stories

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 11:21 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:21:41 GMT
    A very lucky lottery player in the Sunshine State is a multi-millionaire this morning! Powerball lottery officials say someone in Florida bought a winning ticket for Saturday night's record $590 million
    A very lucky lottery player in the Sunshine State is a multi-millionaire this morning! Powerball lottery officials say someone in Florida bought a winning ticket for Saturday night's record $590 million drawing. Right now, the winner hasn't been identified.

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:22:35 GMT
    Photo/Sleepy Hollow High School). In this photo copied from the 2010 Sleepy Hollow High School yearbook, high school student Andrea Rubello is shown.
    NEW YORK (AP) - The police officer who accidentally killed a Long Island college student along with an armed intruder faced the most harrowing decision of a law enforcement career: choosing the split-second
    The police officer who accidentally killed a Long Island college student along with an armed intruder faced the most harrowing decision of a law enforcement career.

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 3:16 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:16:21 GMT
    LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Star Trek: Into Darkness" has warped its way to a $70.6 million domestic launch from Friday to Sunday, though it's not setting any light-speed records with a debut that's lower than
    Star Trek: Into Darkness" has warped its way to a $70.6 million domestic launch from Friday to Sunday, though it's not setting any light-speed records with a debut that's lower than the studio's expectations.
    •   

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!