NEW INFO: No Grand Jury Indictment In Dragging Death; Autopsy Results
NEW INFO: No Grand Jury Indictment In Dragging Death; Autopsy Results Save Email Print
Posted: 11:25 AM May 8, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:25 AM May 8, 2008
 Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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THURSDAY 5/8 UPDATE

IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ)--A medical examiner could not determine the exact cause of death for the man found dead underneath an Ironton Police Car.

According to a published report, the Franklin County Deputy Coroner said autopsy results could not determine if Guy Thomas was dead or live when the police car made contact with him

Former Ironton Police Officer Rich Fouts found Thomas dead underneath his cruiser back March. Investigators said Thomas had been dragged 10 blocks under the car when was found dead.

According to the report, blood tests showed that Thomas has a blood alcohol lever of .33.
The report also says that Thomas had a bleeding injury to his tongue which the coroner says is consistent with a history of seizures.

The autopsy report also found that Thomas has numerous injuries to his body, some of which could have occurred prior to his death.

Earlier, investigators said there was no evidence that Thomas was hit by the police car. They said it was likely Thomas was lying in the road when the car made contact with him.

A Lawrence County Grand jury heard the case on Monday, but did not indict anyone.

Fouts resigned from the police department last month.

TUESDAY 5/6 UPDATE
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A Lawrence County, Ohio, grand jury has decided to not indict a former Ironton Police Officer accused in a dragging death.

Police say 45-year-old Guy Thomas was found dead underneath an Ironton, Ohio, police car back in March.

Investigators say Thomas had been dragged about 10 blocks before being found dead.

The officer involved in the incident, Rich Fouts resigned in early April.

We're told the grand jury met for about 4 hours on Monday, but did not find enough evidence to return an indictment.


CONTINUING COVERAGE
THURSDAY 4/10 UPDATE
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Ironton Police Chief announced Thursday that Rich Fouts has resigned from the police department.

Chief James Carey says Fouts turned in his letter of resignation on Wednesday. The resignation takes effect on Friday.

The chief also announced that back on March 25, Fouts' status with the department changed from administrative leave with pay to without pay.

Stay with WSAZ.com for the latest information.


FRIDAY 3/28 UPDATE
IRONTON,Ohio (WSAZ) -- A report in the Ironton newspaper says Guy Thomas likely died of asphyxiation.

Prosecutor J.B. Collier also told the paper that Thomas’s chest with crushed. Collier says a BCI investigator theorized that could have happened when the police cruiser pulled into the parking lot.

Lawrence County Prosecutor says he will turn the matter over to a grand jury that will determine what, if any charges will be filed against the driver of the cruiser, Patrolman Richard Fouts.

Fouts is on paid administrative leave.


MONDAY 3/24 UPDATE
The state investigation into this situation is now in the hands of the local prosecutor.

Prosecutor J.B. Collier says it make take weeks to get the blood work and medical history back on Guy Thomas.

The prosecutor says when the report is complete, he will present it to an independent grand jury and let them decide on a range of outcomes, from a possible charge of vehicular homicide to no fault at all.

WEDNESDAY 3/19 UPDATE

IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Ironton Ohio Police department announced Wednesday that drug and alcohol tests performed on Officer Richard Fouts were negative.

The press release from Chief Jim Casey also says that it's the understanding of the Ironton Police Department that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has completed its investigation and that the results will be turned over to the Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney on Monday.


WEDNESDAY 3/12 - 11AM UPDATE

The Lawrence County, OH Coroner says preliminary autopsy results are inconclusive on the cause of death of an Ironton man.

46-year old Guy Thomas was found dead underneath an Ironton, OH police cruiser Saturday night. The autopsy was performed in Columbus, Oh on Tuesday.

Burton Payne told wasz.com that those results show there were no injuries consistent with an impact by the cruiser or by getting run over by a tire.

Payne also says there were burns on the body from the cruiser exhaust, and abrasions from the body being dragged.

The coroner says Mr. Thomas’ family told him the victim had a history of seizures.

Payne says results still are inconclusive to determine if Mr. Thomas was dead or alive when he came in contact with the cruiser.

He says there is some evidence that the burns on Mr. Thomas’ body happened after he was dead.

Payne says lab results and blood tests regarding any possibility of any intoxicants in Mr. Thomas’ body are still pending.

Also released today, a report from the Ohio Highway Patrol on their inspection of the police cruiser immediately following the accident.

Trooper John Canter wrote in that report that after he and other officers inspected the Ironton police cruiser they found “no visible damage to it. This included the front, both sides and rear. We found the dirt on the sides and rear of the vehicle didn’t appear to be disturbed. It was also found that the snow, ice and dirt on the front of the cruiser was not disturbed.”

During the inspection, officers also found “a small blue fiber attached to the underside of the push bumper, attached to the front bumper.” They said the fiber was on the right side of that push bumper.

Canter ended the report by saying that after he and other investigators discussed the lack of damage, they concurred the “pedestrian must have been down on the roadway and not standing or in a kneeling position when struck.”


MONDAY 3/10 - 2PM UPDATE

Ironton Police have released more information on the death of man hit by a city police cruiser Saturday night.

During a Monday afternoon press conference, Chief Jim Carey says the victim is 46-year old Guy Thomas of Ironton. Carey says the officer involved in the incident is 27-year old Patrolman Richard Fouts.

Carey says Fouts has been with the department for about 2 months. Fouts is currently on administrative leave with pay. The chief say Fouts came to Ironton from the Dayton-Xenia area.

Carey says the autopsy on Thomas’s body is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Right now, they do not know if Thomas was alive or dead when he was hit. His body was found under the rear bumper.

The chief says Thomas’s wife was told of her husband’s death several hours after the incident.


SUNDAY 3/9 - 6PM UPDATE

A family in Ironton is trying to cope tonight with the loss one of their relatives. They say he died when a police cruiser hit him as he walked across the street.

Right now, the Ohio Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case, but there are more questions than answers for family members of the victim.

"We can't even grieve for him, because we want his rights. He respected everybody, and he should be treated with dignity and respect."

LouVerne Miller says her nephew, Guy Thomas, was one block away from home when he was hit by a police officer driving to work.

"And why hasn't anyone told the family,” said Miller. “Why haven't we gotten a chance to go ID him? Usually, if there is a murder or anything, they want someone to ID a body."

Ironton police have not publicly identified the body, and the family says they have not heard from police.

"Even if it was an accident, tell the truth,” said Miller. “Just let us know what happened. I can't understand the suspense. All we want to know is what happened to him."

Leaving the family with questions, and picking up the pieces.

According to police, he was hit on 9th Street and Jefferson. His family found his wallet and a shoe on 7th Street and Washington, and police say he wasn't discovered until the officer reached the station on South 3rd Street.

"We had an Ironton Police officer in an Ironton cruiser, involved in a pedestrian fatality accident,” said Jim Carey, Ironton Police Chief. “It appears to just be an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian."

Leaving others concerned about what exactly happened…

"They haven't even come to talk to the family,” said John Sudderth, one of the victim’s family members. “What does that tell you? They haven't even come to the family. Are they trying to hide something? Come on forward and let the family know exactly what happened here."

A family…searching for answers and closure.

According to Google maps, the quickest distance from where Thomas was hit, to the police station, is just over half a mile.

Right now, Ironton Police Chief Jim Carey says an independent group is doing an investigation to try to figure out what happened. And the officer who Carey says was involved in the accident is on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.


ORIGINAL STORY

IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ironton's police chief tells WSAZ.com one of his officers hit a pedestrian.

A relative tells WSAZ the victim was Guy Thomas. He was 46 years old. The navy veteran was leaving the American Legion Saturday night when he got hit by the police car and dragged from 9th street to 7th street.

Police Chief Jim Carey tells WSAZ.com that they have not released the name of the victim. They have contacted the Ohio Bureau of Investigations and asked them to conduct an independent investigation.

We're told the Ironton officer involved will also be placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Stay tuned to NewsChannel 3 and WSAZ.com for more information.
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Posted by: Mano on May 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Today is May 20, 2008. In the last day or so, a Mr. Woods had just been indited on a homicide charge for hitting a man and dragging him, for some unknown distance. He was not a police officer in Ironton. If so, he would have gotten away with it.
Posted by: Just Counting on May 20, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Does anyone know - How many people have DIED because of IPD Actions vs. How many people have been saved? Also, How many murders have been solved in Lawrence County?
Posted by: Status_Quo on May 15, 2008 at 05:40 PM
If this had been moved out of Lawrence County, many of these bitter feelings might have been avoided. I'm disappointed to see how the community has been stirred up and am afraid the feelings will run long and deep. Goodbye.
Posted by: kenya on May 15, 2008 at 04:24 PM
I'm an african american female. I beleive that if you do the crime, you do the time. I think the officer needs to be punished for his actions. Just because he's a officer dosen't make it right.
Posted by: WHITE on May 14, 2008 at 03:43 PM
YES I AM A WHITE GIRL,WHAT MR.FOUT DID HE SHOULD BE IN JAIL IF IT WAS ME AND I HIT SOME ONE THEY WOULD HAVE TAKEN ME STRAIGHT TO JAIL.
Posted by: Ashley on May 10, 2008 at 10:36 PM
WWWOOOOOOWWWW!!!!!!!!! What is wrong with you CHAD AND PABLO????????? You all are the most racist people i have ever saw write on here. How can u say "Thats what black people do when they don't get their way" You both must live out in the sticks and know nothing about society. It takes people like CLETUS to make a difference..so thank you to you!DO you think if a black person ran over a white person it would just be ok? No the white people would be saying the black person was out to get the white person and everyone knows it. They would be locked up in jail for murder!! It's just sad that it all has to come down to this. I have 2 beautiful mixed kids and it makes me sad to think this is what they are going to be facing in their lives to come..
Posted by: B DUB on May 10, 2008 at 09:08 AM
THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE RACIST TRI STATE,WHERE BLACKS ARE ALWAYS WRONG SEEN MY MY WHOLE LIFE.WHAT COP CONDUCTS TRAFFIC STOP WITH GUN IN HAND WHEN HE SEES YOUR BLACK.IT HAPPEN TO ME I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.FOR JUST A TRAFFIC TICKET
Posted by: anon on May 10, 2008 at 06:17 AM
WHAT DOES RACE HAVE TO DO WITH IT!! IT DONT MATTER WHAT COLOR YOU ARE WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS!! PEOPLE NEED TO GROW UP AND QUITTING THINKING EVERYTHING HAPPENS BECAUSE YOU ARE A CERTAIN RACE!!!! SH!* HAPPENS ITS A FACT OF LIFE EITHER DEAL WITH IT OR DONT SO FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE RACIST GET OVER IT WE ARE ALL EQUAL!!!!!!
Posted by: To Chad: on May 9, 2008 at 10:49 PM
You are a racist idiot. You need to get over it, very few have mentioned race but you've been yelling it since the beginning. This family hasn't once made a race issue. And as for not getting "good cops", unfortunately the Ironton police department is the lowest paid police force in the state. Not very many "good cops" want to risk their lives for the pay they get here!
Posted by: Cletus on May 9, 2008 at 06:57 PM
I'm a white male and this is for Chad, I'm a professional, I don't live in the projects, I consider myself to have above average intelligence. My comment earlier still stands! I used to live in Ironton and I'm glad I did move out! Ironton has to be the most crooked town in the tri-state! All the politicians watch each others back along with the city officials. I wouldn't trust J.B. no further than I could throw him! It's not the "black folks" that have scared anyone off, it's the greedy city leaders and corrupt politicians that won't let progress come into this area because they'll lose government funding for being a oppressed city! I wonder where all that money goes? It sounds like "Chad" is the typical Lawrence County red neck that likes to blame all our country's problems on the black people! There's just as much "white trash" that stir up trouble than anyone! The black community would be the first to help anyone out if there was a need! Chad, get an education!
Posted by: me on May 9, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Im white..and this is for Chad....i think he should still get something out of dragggging the body.....how can you not know something is under your car....come on 10 blocks????????????? im sure you will nEER be a COP again.....he should never have an oppunity to be one..im sick of hearing some people talking bad about blacks they are just as good as white people......
Posted by: Pablo on May 9, 2008 at 03:29 PM
A few years back, on a rainy night, a dog ran out in front of me while I drove on the highway. I didn't know if I hit him or not, I kept on driving. About 20 miles later, after stopping to get gasoline, I was rounding my vehicle to enter the store to pay, and there, wedged under my bumper was the dog, approxmately all 80 lbs. of him. I had no idea the dog was stuck there all the miles I drove up the road. I don't know how this relates to our story here except to say, yes, something like what happened to the officer can happen. What is sad to me, after of course the death of a human being, is how some are trying to make this a race issue. Murder, rape, robbery can happen to 20 white persons by blacks and nothing is said. But let one white person look cross-eyed at a black person, and Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will be rallaying the black community to make a race issue out of it. Since none of us sat on the grand jury, we will have to accept their word, no crime was committed.
Posted by: Chad on May 9, 2008 at 12:50 PM
People just won't accept what the grand jury decided. I knew the ignorant people in the projects wouldn't understand because they don't have the intelligence level to comprehend our legal system. I knew race would be made an issue because that is what black people like to do when they don't get their way. If you don't like how things are being handled in Ironton or Lawrence County, then get out. There are many people in this community that try to make this area a better place, and you people just keep bringing it down. We won't get any more good cops coming to Ironton because the black folk have scared them off.
Posted by: Debbie on May 9, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I wonder if the same test for alcohol were done that showed that one of the two policemen who hit a woman head on was drinking, and if so did they do more test to verify? You know the test that cleared the officer? Traumatic death can drastically skew blood alcohol content results. While I seriously doubt the officer did anything malicious or intentional, I don't understand how you don't hear or feel a thump when you hit something the size of a man. You certainly do when you hit a squirrel, even a turtle, the only 2 living things I've ever hit.
Posted by: Beth on May 9, 2008 at 10:52 AM
A Lawrence County, Ohio, grand jury has decided to not indict a former Ironton Police Officer accused in a dragging death. This decision made me ashamed to be an Ironton resident.
Posted by: Ashley on May 9, 2008 at 08:45 AM
How could you possibly not know if something was under your vehicle. Get real. If the man was lying in the road when the police 'ran over' him, wouldn't he have seen the man? Or was he not paying attention? I was just wondering. It doesn't make much sense to me.
Posted by: Ky. Family of Family on May 9, 2008 at 08:15 AM
The family doesn't even believe that Fouts intentionally hit Guy, they believe that part was an accident. What they do believe is that he knew and panicked, he should've stopped and not driven any further. That they could've eventually accepted. This they cannot, you will never convince anyone that Fouts did not know. Being a police officer makes him more accountable to his surroundings. Guy was a small man but he was certainly larger than a child, you would've seen him, a black man in dark clothing on a white snowy street! Not to mention Fouts only "smelled" something when he got out of the car and didn't check, although he had to walk over the blood trail?! Only looked back from the door and realized something was amiss then reported to his superior? UNBELIEVABLE! If you really know the family, ask them, they've been informed, they've seen pictures. Hope you all can rest at night, its still difficult for them. Peace and prayers to you family.
Posted by: wth on May 9, 2008 at 04:20 AM
OMG, when you hit a opossum it sounds like you wrecked, the cop may not be 100% responsible for his death but even if the man was dead before the car was started, how in the heck do you drag an adult human body under your car and not realize it?!! Maybe a few feet, but 10 blocks? It's not a cop thing either I have several in the family, however I do agree with most, if this would have been you're average Joe, they'd be in jail.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 01:03 AM
it is awful that this family had to lose their loved one and now they cant even get any justice. if it was me or you,we would been taken to jail still been there and been charged with involuntary manslaughter.its awful funny that when the cops, courts etc. are caught up in the system they always find a way out.yeah they up hold the law for me and you but if you go to any bar in ironton you will see off duty cops and etc. drinking and having a good time then get in their cars and drive away.they think they can get by with murder. oh i forgot they just did. no matter who you are if u are wrong you need to be punished.some people on here say he has to live with what he done.so do the people who are in jail now cops courts etc. should not be treated any different than you or i, but thats the way it is .guess if i want to do whatever i want all i have to do is wear a badge for a few hours a day. to bad the family cant have any closure,my heart goes out to them.
Posted by: Tommy on May 9, 2008 at 12:45 AM
The problem here is it was one of their own, thats why no one is being charged. Let an ordinary citizen have a deal like this (a body attatched to their car that was drug for 10 blocks)and you would have already been locked up.
Posted by: grp on May 9, 2008 at 12:37 AM
if this had been a white man or women hit by a black motorists they would be under the jail,being drunk had nothing to do withit!not hearin someone flop around under your car for 10 blocks is!!!
Posted by: tired of stupid people on May 8, 2008 at 11:32 PM
latisha pleeease!!!!! it has nothing to do with race quit your trouble stirring. i agree it was a crime but it had nothing to do with skin color it could have been a white man just the same take your race card elsewhere!!!!!!!
Posted by: Wonder if.... on May 8, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Drug Bust in Ironton netted drugs, money and last Name of two of them were Thomas. Any relation to GUY. American Legion must have known he had to many, AND was on med's. Someome should have took him home hours before this happened. I heard A L quit serving him because he was drunk.But no one will file a civil suit, if then it could be race issue. White man gets free, The A L Has to PAY. Ironton has CAB service that takes people/drunks home. BARS PLEASE CALL A CAB SO YOUR CUSTOMERS CAN GET HOME SAFE.
Posted by: rfelusive on May 8, 2008 at 08:17 PM
how the heck do you drag someone under a car and not notice.....was the cop to high from the confiscated drugs he got earlier or what...good lord how do you not know something like that...aaaa hey joe the car sounds funny...o its ok keep going your just high.....later at the bar...joe whats that man doing under your car...o he was drunk so its his fault...plus he had a seizier so again its his fault...who knew you could drag a body 10 blocks and not notice......in texas people go to death row for that.....im actully suprised noone is saying the cop is racict and thats why he drove around llokin for a drunk black man to drag under his car.......gimme a break
Posted by: Pam on May 8, 2008 at 08:15 PM
It may have been an accident, the cause of death may have been undeterminable, but how do you drag a body 10 blocks and not know it. Surely any reasonable person can see theres a problem with this.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 08:12 PM
why dont u post all comments? i have commented twice and have not had my comment posted . goes to show u their is no FREEDOM OF SPEACH. i will never comment again u have lost a faithful viewer
Posted by: Lee on May 8, 2008 at 06:07 PM
It does not matter if he was drunk, sober, black, white, yellow or green. IF it was some everyday Joe who dragged someone under their car then he would have ended up in prison for the rest of his life.
Posted by: Eli on May 8, 2008 at 04:31 PM
All you people that LOVE sucking up to the police make me want to hurl! They can do no wrong! And every last one of them are "Heroes". It makes me sick. I've been harrassed by cops my whole adult life. It seems that writing seat-belt tickets while packin heat is what it takes to be a hero. The family of this man got the shaft. And I'll bet anything Officer Fouts will be working some other P. D. before the summer kicks off. Cops are just a gang with badges. When one of thier own breaks the law, their fellow cops and friends in the system are there to make it all go away.I had hoped when this all came to light that a major news network would pick up the story and shine some light on the corrupt system we live with in Ironton. No such luck.
Posted by: ELM on May 8, 2008 at 04:23 PM
It is our belief that Guy deserves more than what has been listed here. While he was intoxicated, (at levels an alcoholic can carry and he did at other times)read the entire information given, there was also a probable seizure and it DOES NOT say that these were the causes of death, HE ASPHIXIATED and that still may mean that he died in the dragging. This has been a horrible ordeal for the family and while it may be over for you, its not over for the family. Guy died all over again with the results of the Grand Jury. We, the family, have had nothing against the police dept., they, in fact, have been nothing but good to us, as they too have been tramatized by this. Our frustration, hurt and anger have been directed only in the one officer involved and this insane situation. Pray for our peace and that Guy is resting in peace.
Posted by: concerned on May 8, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Just a thought, but maybe with this guy having injuries prior to the police car, and dragging, maybe somebody else could be responsible for his death. Maybe a fight or something, u know he was at a bar with high blood alcohol levels! U never know, well probably never will! Dont be so quick to blame the cop!
Posted by: Out of town Cousin on May 8, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Guy's family does not "owe" anyone an apology, certainly not the ex-officer. No matter how you want to view this, no matter how Guy died, Fouts was WRONG in his actions. There will be forever the question in Guy's family how he did not see Guy nor will anyone ever believe anything Fouts wants to come up with. The least there is is that Fouts was NOT an observant cop. The road conditions were not that bad, Guy did not die of hypothermia, he may or may not have died before the car drove over him, BUT he was still drug through the streets. AND there was evidence of asphxiation from his chest being crushed. This was more than an accident it is a horror movie. Not only does the cop get to live, he gets to walk free to "serve and protect" some other city or town (hopefully not mine!). Guy just gets to get trampled by the idiots on here after he's already died. Where's some real sympathy people?
Posted by: latisha on May 8, 2008 at 03:18 PM
i said a month ago that the cop would not get in trouble. ironton is like huntington, if you are black you are not getting justice. this proves my point. how a white cop can get paid for dragging a man and no charges is blowing my mind. ironton and huntington are the same when it comes to blacks and whites......UNFAIR!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 02:09 PM
I am sure that the officer went out that evening looking for a drunk man to run over with his car so he would feel pressured to leave his job and move his family away. PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND MOVE ON WITH THEIR LIVES.
Posted by: hmmm on May 8, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Sounds like a coverup to me.
Posted by: DDCJ on May 8, 2008 at 12:51 PM
This is really strange. Just doesn't make sense to me.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 12:40 PM
“It was dark out, the conditions were horrible. He (Thomas) was a small man, not a big person and the evidence clearly shows he was not struck with the vehicle. The grand jury considered the evidence - that there was no certain cause of death,” Collier said. “…There were icicles still on the grill (of the car) and winter road grime. There were no smudges, nothing broken on the front of the cruiser,” Collier said. this is from the ironton tribune. If the car didn't run over him then how did he get there?! This story is just bizzare. If anyone knows anything please come out to the family. I cannot imagine the pain they have had to go through
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Drug Addict-you are ignorant and your name says it all
Posted by: Frank on May 8, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Does anyone on here honestly believe officer Fouts intentionally hit and killed Guy then dragged his body 10 blocks on purpose to a POLICE STATION. Why wouldn't he drag it somewhere to dump it? I know if I had intentionally done this, I would have dumped the body anywhere else but a POLICE STATION. Drunk-passed out or dead in the street- hooked by a cruiser and dragged 10 blocks. NOT intentional on anyone's part. An unfortunate accident that may or may not have cost Guy his life and definitely cost the officer his career. I am tired of those of you posting against anyone in authority over you. I hope one of these moon pie eating corrupt cops doesn't have to save your life one day. Idiots.
Posted by: DON on May 8, 2008 at 12:18 PM
IF YOU THINK THE COPS ARE BAD IN LAWRENCE CO. OHIO JUST COME ACROSS THE RIVER TO GREENUP COUNTY. HERE YOU ARE GUILTY UNTIL YOU PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE. IF YOUR A DRUG DEALER YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR FROM THE COPS OVER HERE.DON'T WORRY EVEN THE JUDGES ARE ON THE TAKE.EVERYONE WITH ANY SENCE COULD TELL YOU HOW THIS WOULD PLAY OUT. THE COPS ALWAYS WIN!
Posted by: mod on May 8, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Glad I'm not the American Legion bartender. I feel a civil suit coming against Legion. Blood alcohol levels were over the top!!
Posted by: Drug Addict on May 8, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Fortunately, This is what happens ( No EVIDENCE) When A City has un-educated and poorly trained Law Enforcement. I pesonally would be willing to pay higher water bills in order to get our prosecutor and police officers trained. "Being Aware of your suroundings while operating a motor vehicle" is important part of police officers job. I would think! lol. I would suggest that all of our police officers go to OHIO BMV Motor vehicle training. Perhaps Ironton High School or AAA could provide it to the city for free. Or Better yet!@# LET ME SHOW THEM HOW TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE (UNDER THE INFLUENCE EVEN) Without hitting people and dragging them under a car.
Posted by: Karen on May 8, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Much respect given to "Law Enforcement". I know that there are bad cops just as there are bad lawyers, doctors, teachers and such. That wasn't the case with this. This was just a bizarre accident. Does anyone ever think about the good that the officers do? No, everyone wants to nit pick the things they believe are bad. Just as some others have said, if you don't like the police and you think they are all bad, then get down from your mighty horse, go to the training and YOU try and make this world a better place. All I can say is good luck, the pay sucks and respect is none. The death was horrible whether it was caused by alcohol or the cruiser. Two families are in turmoil over this. Let each grieve and deal with it. Placing blame on the officer or the judicial system WILL NOT bring Thomas back. Like the autopsy stated, it is unknown whether the death occured before or after. How would you feel about the case if he had died before hand? Is it IPD's fault also?
Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 09:18 AM
this story is so sad.. i wish they would find some anwser to this.. and let everyone know cause people care!!!rest in peace
Posted by: Lance on May 8, 2008 at 07:51 AM
It is obvious that the majority of the posters are ignorant. They all want to throw in the race card. It was an accident pure and simple. The jury has made a decision now move on. If you think you can do better as a police officer get off your computer and go to the academy. If not then just shut up about the situation. Some people are just born to stir the pot. Get a job and move on.
Posted by: Law Enforcement on May 8, 2008 at 01:41 AM
If anyone would like a job please feel free to go to the training that we have to go through. many of you want to lay blame but road conditions and everything else has to play in. i have been on some bumpy snowy roads and i ask you have you every felt something and decided it was nothng and keep going. again if you want the job you can have it, just be willing to lay your life on the line every day
Posted by: Phil on May 7, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Mr Thomas was close to 4x the legal limit of being a drunk.Was he a habitual drunkard?If so his family should have helped him.It is not a white/black,citizen/cop issue.It was an accident as evidence showed.One life is gone and I think everyone who treated Mr Fouts with such hatred to the point he is no longer working as a cop owe him an apology.His name has been tarnished forever.Enough
Posted by: tired of ignorance on May 7, 2008 at 09:38 PM
If you don't like the cops in Law. Co. MOVE!! Anything for ignorant people to hate and cause trouble. If you think things are mishandled, get the training and join in. The world can always use cops. There aren't many stupid enough to take this job. Doing this job is like being in a fishbowl, every one sees what you do wrong, even while they're doing the same thing. Just remember if your house is getting broken into don't call them!! How about we all come together, and show the community LOVE instead of HATE!!! Come on people we're all better than this. GOD BLESS ALL!!
Posted by: victim on May 7, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Wow,these highly trained police make another "mistake".If this was commited by a peasant,I mean citizen you can bet they would be incarcerated.Oh,by the way the police are looking for a raise.
Posted by: Sara Jo on May 7, 2008 at 07:22 PM
So maybe the rumor that Guy was trying to steal the catalytic converter is true and Guy was under the car when Fouts got in - however the cover up by the IPD - taking the body to the funeral home (thank goodness the funeral director refused the body) shows they were really trying to hide something - remember - the truth will prevail - Ironton - keep cool.
Posted by: Lets Do Something Positive on May 7, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Has anybody put any thought into helping remember Guy with a float in this years Memorial Day Parade? Time is short - we would need a trailer that can be used for a few weeks to decorate it along with a garage or place to store it while working on it. Would need some cash to buy materials also - Anybody feel like doing something positive in this town to help ?? Reply with ideas and suggestions and offers to help - email address is - bornandraisedironton@yahoo.com
Posted by: b dub on May 7, 2008 at 04:10 PM
want to kill someone bring them here the moonpie eating cops and jb will make sure you are never found out.provided the sheriff cruiser wonr run over you going 80/90 mph with no warning lights on,or knock you in the river and use a stun gun on you.what a bunch of thugs and croocks.good ole boy network,this place needs cleaned up.as bad as sandusky ohio at least they fire there bad cop with the help of the stricklin. cops after dark be carefull,oh and dont tell me to leave here either i pay taxs just like you how come the water bill is so screwy.thugs pimps hoes,crooks sluts thats all you have here
Posted by: Karen on May 7, 2008 at 03:13 PM
For all the people on here yelling cover up and the how do you not know, please go to the Ironton Tribunes website and read what Fouts had to say and all the logistics about the autopsy and crime scene. Fouts said he noticed something different with his car. He didn't know it was a body! If he had then he would have pulled over. I'm not placing blame on Thomas but look at what his Alcohol level was in his body?! He could have passed out and died from hitting his head. The reports were inconclusive on if he was dead before or after the car dragged him. If this happened to anyone of you critics out there then you would be pleading your case for someone to help you. Just because Fouts was an officer you want to put him in the electric chair. If Thomas was dead before hand does that mean that you should charge the Legion with murder for giving him the drinks? Or is it the county for having the road to hard? It was a horrible accident, nothing more. Please leave these families to heal
Posted by: Cletus on May 7, 2008 at 03:01 PM
This is a sad story. But everyone who lives or has lived in Ironton knows how the system works. Whether a poor soul is drug 10 blocks or someone has been laid on the railroad tracks, when it comes to politics J.B. is going to look out for his own! So many crimes in Ironton over the years and everyone in Ironton knows who has done what, yet no one is ever convicted because most of them has been committed by someone involved in politics and taken care of by J.B.! One day he will stand before the righteous judge and be accountable for all he has done along with his croonies!
Posted by: tom on May 7, 2008 at 02:27 PM
put me on the jury
Posted by: Anonymous on May 7, 2008 at 01:42 PM
i knew he would get off so easy just goes to show ya you can't count on the cops for anything..they think just cuz they wear a badge they can get away with murder..and it wouldn't matter if he was on the phone or not come on your gonna know you hit something and if he was on the phone then he should not have been that's why people should be banned from usin a cell phone while driving
Posted by: Just ME on May 7, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Was in Ironton the night this happened. Saw the emergency vehicles and did not know what happened at that time. But. Ironton had not attempted to clean any ice or snow off of their roads. Lumps and bumps could be felt as you rolled over the streets. If a piece of clothing was caught under the vehicle, the body would have slid right along. How did the body get on the ground in the first place. I can see how the cop had no idea. We may never know what happened but there was no evidence that he was struck by the vehicle..he had blood alcohol of .33 sadly he could have put himself under there. The family will never forget this and you can bet the cop does not sleep well at night either. If the investigators say it was a tragic accident then I am inclined to believe.
Posted by: IRONTON LADY on May 7, 2008 at 11:33 AM
WELL, THIS MIGHT BE A CLOSE FOR SOME. BUT FOR OTHERS, I AM SO AFRAID THAT THIS THING IS NOW A "KETTLE OF WORMS". AS A WHITE LADY IN IRONTON, I TRY TO GET ALONG WITH ALL PEOPLE AND RACES. I JUST HOPE THAT SOME KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THEIR TEMPERS AND DON'T BLAME THE INNOCENT RESIDENTS OR BYSTANDERS. WE MIGHT NOT HAVE MUCH IN IRONTON, BUT OUR PEOPLE IS ALL WE HAVE NOW. JUST BECAUSE ONE MESSES UP, DOESN'T MEAN THE REST OF US ARE LIKE THAT. MAY GOD BLESS THE THOMAS FAMILY AND I AM TRULY SORRY FOR THE MISFORTUNE THAT HAS HAPPENED, AS I AM SURE LOTS OF OTHER RESIDENTS ARE SORRY AS WELL.
Posted by: rolyan on May 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Another miscarriage of justice. It seems that no matter what misdeed law enforcement does in the tri-state area they get away with it.
Posted by: Drug Addict on May 7, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Im glad to know now that by saying "I DIDNT KNOW" is the best defense in IRONTON. If u Rob, Sell Drugs, Kill Someone, or Run over someone and drag them till they die ..... Just tell the Prosecutor - "YOU DIDNT KNOW"! Works everytime in Lawrence County.!
Posted by: Robert on May 7, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Best way to kill this comment section is to respond.
Posted by: Justice? What Justice? on May 7, 2008 at 09:32 AM
GO FIGURE!!!!!!! If it was anyone besides a Law enforcement or Public Official they would've gotten life.... Our Legal System in Law. Co. is the MOST PITIFUL when it comes to this kind of matter.. I betcha one thing, if the average Joe was walking down 3rd St. and was Intoxicated he'd do 30-60 days in the County!!!! WHAT A JOKE!!!! And to think, these people get paid to "Represent" our Community.. Maybe a little "National Media Attention" on how we operate in Ironton could help out!!!!!
Posted by: RR on May 7, 2008 at 09:18 AM
I live in the city of Ironton, and I am truely amazed that the grand jury could not see the evidence set before them. A man, hit by a car, even though it may have been an accident, was DRAGGED for 10 blocks. Officer Fouts had thought he hit something, yet FAILED to stop and check. Mr. Thomas, according to the coroner's report, had died of suffication and the final cause, as I understand, was his chest being crushed, as the officer was entering into the police station. This says to me, that Mr. Thomas was ALIVE during this tragic ordeal. If anything Officer Fouts should at least be held NEGLIGENT in his duties. If it had been any other citizen in Ironton guilty of the same crime, they would have been in jail and awaiting a trial date. I personally know the family, and I am truly sorry that this is happening. They know my prayers are with them, and I pray that Fouts and the entire unit seek the Lord and his direction, not only in this situation but in their everyday lives.
Posted by: Donna on May 7, 2008 at 07:46 AM
I DON'T UNDERSTAND! How can someone not know, That there is something LET ALONE A BODY underneath your vehichle!...I had a stick under my car the other day and heard it! COME ON.....Something AIN'T RIGHT HERE!
Posted by: joe on May 7, 2008 at 07:42 AM
I am sorry, I do not believe that the officer purposely ran over the man. Did they check his cell phone records to see it he was talking on the phone? I have observed some people on the highway flapping on their cell phones oblivious to their surroundings..
Posted by: BIRDEYE on May 7, 2008 at 06:45 AM
I SAID FROM DAY 1 NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN TO MR.FOUT, YOU HAVE JB COLLIER TO THANK. THIS IS A BIG COVER UP. I ALWAYS SAID CASE CLOSED IT WAS IN COLLIER HANDS, HE GOT ALL THE PULL.
Posted by: Hey Lynn on May 7, 2008 at 06:36 AM
To bad just his name was drug through the mud. Could have been worse his body could have been drug for 10 blocks.
Posted by: ELM on May 7, 2008 at 06:02 AM
You have all missed the point, it doesn't matter WHY Guy was on the ground, what matters is that an officer of the law, Richard Fouts, SAYS he did NOT see him, ran over him and drug him 10 blocks. The Grand Jury chose not to indict him on vehicular homicide charges but it doesn't change what Fouts did. He is a lucky fellow today. Hope, though, he never forgets what he did, it was horrific and WRONG! He was negligent, and obviously not a very observant cop. Yes, I'm angry, Guy's family will probably all be angry and I know all hurt. This is like burying him all over again.
Posted by: Tracy on May 7, 2008 at 05:36 AM
to the family: try and be consoled knowing God is in charge here and come judgement day, if officer fouts meant to do this he will pay then worse than he ever could here! Guy is in the loving hands of God now, walking streets of gold!! so when the pain is more than you can bear, look to heaven and remember Guy is in a better place than you are and you can be there with him someday if you just believe and ask God to come into your heart.in John 10:9, the Lord said "I am the door". if you knock, He will let you in!God Bless
Posted by: Just Me on May 7, 2008 at 02:49 AM
Does this really shock anyone? I saw this coming from day one.
Posted by: concerned on May 7, 2008 at 02:21 AM
I am very sorry for every one involved and may god help take the berdon off both familys.i do not under stand how someone could drive 10 blocks down the street and not know that someone was under the car.but it is not for me to judge i just hope that the city will do something to help the family with there loss.and since nobody knows what really happened in this case.
Posted by: Chad on May 7, 2008 at 01:13 AM
Here are a lot more details http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2008/05/06/news/local001.txt Now that the facts are out and the grand jury has made its decision, hopefully our community can heal.
Posted by: T on May 6, 2008 at 11:35 PM
RUTH ANN, THE B.A. IN HIS SYSTEM WAS .33 SO TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, YA WAS WRONG. DUH? SOME PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHAT THEY IZ SAY'N
Posted by: kowvus on May 6, 2008 at 11:24 PM
If you want to kill someone, do it in Ironton...There have been many killings in this town that have gone unsolved...
Posted by: 0000 on May 6, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Lets be smart people....Dont take this out on the officers that were not involved.
Posted by: Ruth Ann on May 6, 2008 at 10:06 PM
First, to my knowledge the guy that was hit and no drugs or alchol in his system. Why he was on the ground, I'm not sure. Second, I don't care who you are, you can't tell me that you wouldn't know if you were dragging something under you car. I hate to say it but some people seem to be able to get by with murder.
Posted by: pam on May 6, 2008 at 08:13 PM
Its sad, that this turned out to be a race issue when its clearly not. If so what happened abt the white guy that was ran over for stoping a robbery by black men.? nothing was said it was clear that was intentional.however. we are all human, if we cut each other dont we have the same blood the color of our skin is not important, its what is in side. there is good and bad in both races... may god show the love that is due all...
Posted by: gene on May 6, 2008 at 07:16 PM
just goes to prove the police are above the law
Posted by: Anonymous on May 6, 2008 at 06:02 PM
That is horrible. Looks as if its ok to kill people around here!
Posted by: T on May 6, 2008 at 05:53 PM
May Mr. Thomas and everyone else R.I.P. Let's let it rest.......
Posted by: Conway Twitty on May 6, 2008 at 05:04 PM
The Grand Jury has spoken ...like it or not. sooo... gt over it. Our Judicial system may not be the best but it is all we've got
Posted by: samm on May 6, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Im so glad this is fianally over and the families can move on. Its a shame the officer resigned but I do understand why he did. My prayers are with both families and I hope the officer can have a good life where ever he lives and I hope the family of the deceased can put this behind them and know it was Gods will and no one is to be blamed for it.
Posted by: NO_EVIDENCE on May 6, 2008 at 04:03 PM
This result was called along time ago. The jury had no evidence! WOW. -------------------------------- Why cant lawrence county send someone to school to learn about evidence. and its importance. ----------------------------------------- 9 out of 10 times - thats what we hear. "No Evidence" or "not enough evidence" ----------------------------------------- Lawrence County Prosecutors office is the best in the state. lol.
Posted by: Lynn on May 6, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Well, I think we can all agree the right thing was done here. Unfortunately, this young mans name has been drug through the mud for a "crime" that was never committed. Hard to believe that someones life can be ruined because another had an unfortunate accident.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I actually don't have anything else to say on this. I need to clarify one thing I posted before though. I don't "believe" that there is rampant corruption in the county. Just some uncertainty, but I couldn't make an argument for it. This situation impacted me strongly and I got carried away. I hope this case will be handled in a way that maybe changes some perceptions about Lawrence County. I genuinely apologize for being too harsh at times. With that, I'm done posting and I hope for the best possible outcome for everyone.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I've been on a grand jury before. You sit in a room all day and the prosecuting attorney briefs you on each case and what the legal guidelines for decision are. Often a witness might be brought in for testimony but about as often you just hear the prosecutor and their opinion generally carries the day. As for the FBI, you're probably right assuming there isn't more to this than we're aware of. I would much rather see the trial moved at least a couple of counties away so that all question of (real or perceived) inappropriate handling of the case in this county is completely taken off the table. For the record, I greatly respect all those who serve the community with vigor and good intent. I'm also 100% in favor of Fouts having a fair hearing and opportunity to explain logically what he did and did not do. I've asked a few questions, shared opinions and some info but I'm not a "hater" and am not pre-judging Fouts. I'm actually trying to help..this doesn't need to end in chaos.
Posted by: You are the Grand Jury on Apr 29, 2008 at 03:19 AM
Here is the link for the law that specifies how the Grand Jury works - http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2939.01 Convince me that Fouts knew he had seen Guy. Convince me that he knew he had hit him and reacted accordingly. Instead he did the typical routine. He drove the most direct and shortest route to work. He did not take any detours or make any attempts to dislodge him. Those are not the actions of a driver that knew he had hit and was dragging another human being. I don't think 12 or more jurors will see that his actions were negligent. That is my opinion/prediction. Since this discussion has degraded to personal slams and insults - and everyone has already made up their mind - based on emotion - I doubt I will waste any more time trying to carry on a calm debate of the facts. To my friend 'Status Quo' - you do realize that the FBI has no jurisdiction in this case. They are not investigating - no federal or inter-state crime was committed. BornandraisedIronton@yahoo.com
Posted by: You are the Grand Jury on Apr 29, 2008 at 03:05 AM
I gave everyone the link to the law and asked for intelligent discussion on what charge is appropriate and why. Really did not get much discussion - just passionate and well meaning opinions. No citing of the law was used. OK - now try this - how many people on here understand how the Grand Jury actually works? Short version - 15 people selected - presented with the facts by the Prosecutor and witnesses if any. 12 of the 15 must agree that a crime - as specified by the law - has been committed. A 'True Bill' - (indictment ) is issued and the defendant is brought to trial to answer the charges against him. Sorry but no one has convinced me yet that according to the law - Fouts has broken the law with his actions. Of course - negligence is the key question but how can anybody prove that Fouts ever saw Guy laying there and then continued to drive instead of stopping. Putting yourself in Fouts position - if you knew you hit someone - you would stop. If you were unaware - drive to work.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 29, 2008 at 02:00 AM
Karen, this is about Guy Thomas not me. You expressed a few opinions and I respect that. You also made a few statements that I consider to be factually inaccurate but that doesn't bother me either. I didn't interpret your previous posting the way you're describing it now but I have no reason to not take your word for it. My apologies. Please do let go of the intelligence thing though. I think, speak and write in complete sentences...that's all. I have made many posts and intend to post more. The point is, if one is tired of seeing "Status_Quo" on this little website then just consider the many, many citizens who are much more tired of seeing the Status Quo in Lawrence County. There have been a few "love it or leave it" statements made about this county. I prefer "love it, get real about it, and make it better." Just a different point of view.
Posted by: Karen on Apr 28, 2008 at 09:07 AM
To Status_Quo.you must think that your many posts are the gospel. If you're so intelligent, like you're trying to portray, then you would notice that my post was written out of SARCASM. I am not defending Fouts nor am I going to be the one to put him on death row like you would like to do. YOU nor anyone on here knows what happened. You can speculate anything but it's not going to give you the true answer..only what YOU want to hear. I think this would be a disturbing case no matter who did what and of what race they were. What is ticking me off is that people like YOU are making this into a racial thing. For God's Sake, a MAN was killed by another MAN. It's not a BLACK MAN was killed by an ALMIGHTY ABOVE THE LAW COP. Yes, I know you're going to post back and say that that is what happened. You need to overlook the color and status of the people involved. Look at the fact that they both are humans. I don't think you'll be happy unless YOU hand down the verdict.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 28, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Here is a video you've GOT to check out... http://video.wnbc.com/player/?id=245121 You have to copy the link and paste it into your address bar since these posts do not accommodate embedded hyperlinks. It's a different case with inexplicable actions by the police resulting in the death of a black man. Yes, anonymous #1, this does show that there is injustice everywhere. I'll give you that. What is of interest here is the community reaction as shown in the first half of the video. Definitely food for thought.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 28, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Here's a link with media coverage from Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Lancaster, Coshocton, Akron and Canton. http://www.topix.com/search/article?q=Guy Thomas Ironton And here's an article from Charleston that has a very brief, but sweet, summary of the vigil for Guy..very nicely written. http://statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=35860
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Anonymous on Apr 26, 2008 - now YOU give 'Anonymous' a good name. A police officer, considering the nature of their job, has to be BEYOND REPROACH. Cops are supposed to be more aware of their surroundings, not less. In other words, they SHOULD notice a body lying in the street and SHOULD notice an unusual dragging sound under their cruiser. They should notice a difference in how the car handled as they braked, turned, etc. If he didn't notice these things, it seems the charge might be Negligent Vehicular Homicide. Otherwise, he will be guilty of a more severe charge since that would bring the INTENT and OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE into the picture. In short, Fouts would have been better off it he'd pulled over immediately, called 911 , stated that he saw the body in the road but could not stop in time due to the road conditions. Not to mention, Guy Thomas would probably be alive. I drove the route today and it tore me UP to think what this man went through. It brought me to tears.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Anonymous, has you hunger for more of "...that great intellect..." been satisfied yet? I hope not because I plan to go on. People who use the double talk (as if you gave a squat about Guy Thomas...let me guess, you have a black friend) and a big dose of real genuine sympathy for him to make your case is disgusting. This man was a disabled veteran and deserves better. Now I am going to ask you ONE LAST QUESTION. Let's see how you do. If a WHITE WWII veteran slipped and fell in the road and a BLACK MAN ran him over and dragged him 10 blocks, would this have been handled EXACTLY THE SAME WAY? Your answer will speak volumes..that is, if you have the guts to answer the question. So go ahead and whip out that big intellect of yours...enlighten us.
Posted by: Statua_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Here are a few unanswered questions: 1. I know Lawrence County is backlogged and doesn't pay it's public defenders, but why hasn't the grand jury process been expedited? Fouts should be sitting in jail RIGHT NOW just like you or I would, waiting this out. HOW DO WE KNOW HE WON'T TRY TO FLEE? 2. Was he running late for work that night? 3. Was he using a cell phone or other device which might have been a distraction? 4. Were there ANY eyewitnesses? Of course you would not disclose identities, but did anyone else see this. A lot of people live in this area and 9th St. is the best lit Street in Ironton outside downtown. 5. This one is a little more subtle. If YOU were an eyewitness, would you be willing to step up OR would you stifle it like Fouts in fear that you'd be in jail before he was. Again, the trial should be held OUTSIDE Lawrence County. Maybe some of these questions have been addressed, but not answered. We need a little better public relations effort here guys.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Here's a take from outside Lawrence County. It's from WBNS channel 10 in Columbus. The title of the article is "Questions Still Surround Ironton Dragging Case" and it was posted on March 10. The questions remain. http://www.10tv.com/live/content/onnnews/stories/2008/03/10/Ironton_Man_Killed_.html?sid=102 Here's another one from the Columbus Dispatch titled "Police car dragged man's body for blocks". http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/03/11/Ironton.ART_ART_03-11-08_B1_K29JUIK.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101 And here's one from the blogosphere where this story is spreading like wildfire: http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=Guy Thomas Ironton You can find a lot more by Googling "Guy Thomas Ironton". The point is, the genie is out of the bottle. A lot of eyes are on Ironton. If this matter is not handled justly we'll be seeing Al Sharpton and a much larger march...cable news channels...the whole deal. Can you envision what that would be like??
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 26, 2008 at 02:19 PM
to thoughts and opinions, don't forget to tell how your hero officer fouts loved to sit on lawrence street under the bridge with his trusty radar gun and give you a ticket for doing 40 in a 35 oh yes he made a lot of friends out my way!! his badge definetly went to his head!! just wanted to share that i know it really has nothing to do with him running over Guy but he sure wasn't a people person either...there is a fine line to walk if you are going to be in law enforcement and it takes more than being able to write tickets you couldn't even drive out this road without fouts watching every move you made he will give you a ticket for 5 mph over but he can drag a man for ten blocks explain this to me! go on and defend him on here he is as guilty as sin!!
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Several people have asked what kind of charge Fouts might be facing. Here are 2 links with some good information that you should find helpful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicular_homicide#Vehicular_homicide_by_state http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_negligence For the record, I do not think Fouts intended to run over Guy Thomas. I think it was a accident. I think it's very possible that once he realized what happened he panicked and went into cover-up mode. If Fouts realized what happened, he was likely thinking "Oh my God, my life is over!" Who wouldn't? I am not saying that IS WHAT HAPPENED. I'm saying it's my opinion this scenario may well unfold when this case is tried. It actually should be tried in another county due to the close working relationship between the police department and the prosecutor's office and the corruption of the potential jury pool given the scope of the media coverage in this small market. What say you?
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 12:23 PM
"Anonymous", one more thing. After looking over my postings, only the first was directed at Lawrence County 'politics' starting with "In MY OPINION" (per you, this is the forum for that). Subsequently, you personally attacked me, saying I was whining. You wrote "It is much easier to take the easy way out and whine about how corrupt Ironton and Lawrence County are. Do you really think there is a wonderful place away from here that is so much better and free of corruption? Where exactly is this land of milk and honey? Then why are you still here?" It sounds like I've hit a SORE SPOT. Sounds like you probably work at the courthouse, know I'm right and are darn scared that the light of day ever comes into that place (Just Be Calm...it will). That's just what it sounds like...in my OPINION. PS - WSAZ, why don't you put a poll on this page asking "Do you think Lawrence County 'politics' is more corrupt than other areas of the country?" Don't be bitter if the results hurt, "anonymous".
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 03:25 AM
For those of you, too numerous to cite here, making the case that this was awful and nothing can bring Guy back, etc. That's fine. But you've got to know that many people are outraged right now and they have the right as Americans to be outraged and to write about it here. This sympathy, real or not, for Guy is also no reason for all of us to just chill out and wait for the authorities to handle everything. Since I've been invited to leave Ironton (even though I don't live there;) I will extend the same offer. If you would stifle free speech, outrage at injustice, and watching the authorities like a hawk...then you are against the principles America was founded upon. So, you can love it or leave it...and that especially goes for you, "Anonymous on Apr 25."
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 03:09 AM
Reply to Posting by Thoughts and Opinions on Apr 25, 2008. Thanks for sharing your insights on ex-officer Fouts. It's terrific that he wanted to make the world better by stomping out DUI. What's the worst outcome of a DUI - You kill people with your vehicle. I'm sure that someone so dedicated to cutting NO SLACK for DUI offenders will be 100% behind a really, really deep investigation by outside authorities. I'm with him on that. Let's make Lawrence County a better place! I've got to say, though, that busting a Coal Grove politician or a Kentucky cop doesn't impress me. It has no impact on his job. Did he ever bust a "big shot" at the Lawrence County courthouse or the IRONTON police department? If so, let us know. As for the part about Fouts coming to Ironton being "...the best thing going for Ironton" and "He did his job as a true professional" I think a lot of people might disagree. PS - I think it's cool you started a 5-part post with "We can debate until eternity..."
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 26, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Reply to Posting by "Anonymous" on Apr 25, 2008. I'm not an attorney, are you? Therefore, it's senseless for me to speculate what charge would be appropriate. State or Federal authorities can handle that. Heck, maybe someone would like to contact the ACLU office in Cleveland (216) 472-2200 / contact@acluohio.org. Who knows how far this might go up, but they don't need my help. I've made observations on a few questionable points made under the pretense of fact, not opinion. This isn't about revenge...it's about justice. Ever hear of that? As someone who has lived a number of places, my opinion of Lawrence County is that there are a lot of really nice people here but the courthouse is a mess. There seems to be no accountability. We NEED outside authorities to come in and fix this. You have forced me to digress from the real point, though. How could anyone, especially a "trained police officer" NOT SEE A BODY LYING IN THE ROAD?? Ask YOURSELF that!
Posted by: Out of town Cousin on Apr 25, 2008 at 09:34 PM
To "Thoughts & Opinions", if you consider yourself a friend to Guy's brother and sister-in-law, have you been able to look them in the eye and spout your crap about EX-Officer Fouts?! Your desire to defend a man who is RESPONSIBLE for their brother's death is amazing. I don't imagine Guy's brother and sister-in-law appreciate your use of their name since you are hiding yours and calling yourself their friend. No Guy wasn't spiteful, however the circumstances surrounding Guy's death are tragic and do deserve JUSTICE. Get over the fact that Fouts WAS an officer, if he had been an ordinary citizen this would already be over. It says something to me that the only reason he resigned was because he was going to be dismissed and he was only on paid leave for two weeks. Negligence, negligence, neligence.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 25, 2008 at 01:53 PM
ELM, my heart goes out to you and your family. I genuinely wish healing, peace and restoration for your family. A lot of people are with you...hang in there.
Posted by: Thoughts and Opinions on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:55 PM
All I am saying is that Fouts was making a positive difference in our town and we all benefited from it whether you knew it or not. His being forced out of town is our loss. Everyone in town has suffered in this accident. The negative publicity, the slandering of everyone involved, the accusations made against every individual involved….Is this really what makes up Ironton? Is this why we choose to remain and live here? Is there any hope for our kids in the future and if you think not – what are you doing about it now? Let’s make sure - Guy will not be forgotten, we all owe him that much. As we have just witnessed – life is too short and unpredictable. It is time to start the healing…..
Posted by: Thoughts and Opinions on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Fouts coming into Ironton as a stranger was probably the best thing going for him and Ironton. He didn‘t know anybody and more importantly – he didn’t owe anybody any favors. He did his job as a true professional. You can bet it cost him some grief with his fellow officers. Everybody in this small town knows somebody and when he stopped someone for DUI – the phone calls were fast and furious. Fouts refused to give in – a drunk off the road was one less driver out there that might kill an innocent person in your or my family. He had more DUI arrests in his 2 months than the entire IPD staff had in all of last year. He was making our town a safer place to live. For that – I thank him. So, in a way – all of us in Ironton are now victims in this tragic accident. Think of that the next time a drunk driver is involved in an accident here. God forbid any of your family should suffer as a result.
Posted by: Thoughts and Opinions on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Since he was here such a short time – let me tell you a few things about Rich Fouts. As a police officer – his personal motivation was to get drunk drivers off the street. He had no tolerance and refused to accept excuses for drunk driving. 2 specific cases come to mind immediately. When he caught a Kentucky deputy sheriff driving drunk here in town – did he give him a courtesy break and look the other way. Nope. When he caught a Coal Grove village councilman driving drunk – did he give him a break and look the other way? Keep in mind that Fouts’ superior officer is also a Coal Grove village councilman and could have ordered him to look the other way. But that didn’t happen. Both were prosecuted – until Fouts was no longer in town to testify. Do you blame him for leaving? I’ll bet you or I would have left also. We would go anywhere rather than stay here and be forced to tolerate the accusations and threats.
Posted by: Thoughts and Opinions on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Next – since I do know Rich Fouts personally, allow me to tell you a little about him. I know he is not a monster or a deliberate killer. He is also a victim in this – not to the same degree as Guy and his family but a victim nonetheless. He wants to speak to the Thomas family but anything he might say or do right now would still be inadequate. His life has been forever changed by this also. To all the people trying to make this a racial incident – Do you really think Fouts is a racist? If so – why would he and his wife and kids live right there 2 blocks from the scene? A racist would have searched and found the whitest neighborhood in town and stayed far away from there to start with. Rich Fouts is not a racist.
Posted by: Thought and Opinions on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I totally agree that no one should die in such a horrible manner. I certainly never have tried to overlook or minimize that fact. I cannot think of a more horrible way to die as a human being. We all hear and know of innocent people killed every day by drunk drivers or insane people with guns. Their loss is painful also. The loss of Guy is even more tragic and sobering because of the unique nature of the incident. Who could have ever predicted such a terrible thing? I realize the nature of his death makes his loss even harder for family and friends. Unfortunately – nothing you or I can say or do will bring him back. His life and tragic death should not be forgotten. But there must be a better way to help us remember him. That is where we need to be putting our efforts. Come up with a positive way to memorialize his life. Think about that …and offer some positive suggestions that we as a community can get behind and work on together.
Posted by: Thoughts and Opinions on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:51 PM
We can debate until eternity whether or not Fouts could have, should have, did or did not see Guy laying there in the road. The winner of that debate still won’t be able to change what happened. The outcome is the same. Revenge will not change it either and you must admit – those people demanding charges of negligence are only out for revenge. They think that will make them feel better. Those of you that actually knew Guy – is that what he would have wanted? That is not the impression I have formed of Guy since this happened. Nobody has indicated he was a bitter hateful person – just the opposite. I admit I did not know Guy personally. However - I have known Juan and Lori for many years and my respect for them has grown exponentially since this happened. I consider myself as a friend and intend to do whatever I can to help them through this ordeal. They are not trying to take advantage or see how much camera time they can accumulate on TV. I admire them tremendously for that.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:26 PM
to'Status_Quo' - Why don't you use some of that great intellect and tell us specificly what charge is appropriate according to the law. That would take some thought. It is much easier to take the easy way out and whine about how corrupt Ironton and Lawrence County are. Do you really think there is a wonderful place away from here that is so much better and free of corruption? Where exactly is this land of milk and honey? Then why are you still here? It is much easier to personally attack other comments on here that are obviously stating their opinion. Isn't that what this forum is for? Someone please tell me - what penalty should Fouts get? Is a $20 fine and a slap on the wrist appropriate? Is the death penalty appropriate? Something in between? What penalty is going to bring Guy back? That attitude is nothing more than revenge seeking. From what I know of Guy - he was not a bitter hateful person. Is this what he would have wanted? Ask yourself that!
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 25, 2008 at 11:50 AM
There have been a lot of postings on what ex-officer Fouts saw, heard and did. A lot of these comments focus on how awful it is that Fouts might be totally innocent and now has to live with this. I have an idea. Although it's not admissible in a court of law, Fouts' attorney can have a polygraph test run and publish the results. Of course, this doesn't address the issue of negligence and the fact that Police Officers are held to a higher standard in terms of being aware of their surroundings and their ability to drive in inclimate conditions (including ensuring the vehicle is safe for driving...i.e. clear windshield). It seems like this might put a lot of people's mind at rest...those on both sides of this issue. How about it Fouts? Just let them ask you ONE QUESTION...did you know there was a body under you car as you drove the last 10 blocks to the police station. Belly up Fouts. Take the test and publish the results. It's in your power to end THIS part of the controversy.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 25, 2008 at 10:20 AM
You wrote in part 4 of your post "You can tell instantly on many of these comments whether the author is biased against the police. Most people in society don’t have any need to deal with the police on a regular basis. If you do deal with them frequently – that ought to tell you something." Oh, OK, so anyone who disagrees with you is probably just a criminal anyway. What other things do you know instantly? Do you "instantly know" a cop couldn't possibly be guilty of a felony? Do you "instantly know" how black people think and act? You and I don't even have access to the real FACTS. I think it's reprehensible for you to post a 4-part exoneration of ex-officer Fouts and to accuse anyone who's not like minded of being against the police. The swan song of your essay was as disgusting as it was insincere. Bringing God into this, ON YOUR SIDE, is just wrong and I'm not going there. Let the FBI investigate this case and expose exactly what the truth is in Lawrence County.
Posted by: ELM on Apr 25, 2008 at 09:54 AM
THANK YOU "Status_Quo"!
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 25, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Reply to "You are the Grand Jury -- on Apr 24, 2008 (part 1). You wrote "Fortunately - race, emotion, or attitude toward the police don't count as factors in the law." That's how it should be. Do you really think that is the world we live in though? If so you are very, very naive. You also wrote how Fouts was "...not driving left of center or up on the sidewalk. He was driving legally in his assigned lane...Guy did not have tire marks or broken bones indicating he had been run over by a tire (and)...how do you describe the sound flesh sliding over ice and snow..." Nice try. Let me ask you this. How do you NOT SEE a body lying in the road in an area well lit with street lights? I don't buy it. What if you were walking across an icy street and fell. If someone runs over you, but doesn't TECHNICALLY roll over you with the tires, if they are in their assigned lane and not driving on the sidewalk, then by your logic they are innocent. Part 4 of your post is inflammatory. cont.
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 24, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Reply to Posting by: Karen on Apr 24, 2008 . First, your remark directed toward "You Are The Grand Jury" was, itself, an OPINION...not a fact (so we know you're incoherent). Second, you referred to "anything being driven over or dragged". It was not a THING being driven over or dragged. HE was a human being. Third, not everyone who thinks Fouts may be guilty of a felony crime also thinks he is a racist. Fourth, you wrote "...even then something was probalby already wrong with thomas...". In the great tradition of the Lawrence County legal system, it's profoundly insulting for you to turn the blame around on Thomas. I'm going to attribute this to ignorance on your behalf. Fifth, you said "I do things and don't know how it happened". After reading your post, I agree. Finally you wrote that "...stranger things could happen..." Really?? I'm going to agree with you on this one; Stranger things do happen...in third world countries where torture and inhumanity are rampant.
Posted by: ELM on Apr 24, 2008 at 09:17 PM
As a family member I can tell you that we are being patient and hopeful that we will find closure. Again, there is no way that Mr. Fouts did not see Guy in the road (if he didn't, as he maintains,thats where the negligence begins)and it doesn't matter why Guy was in the road but the fact is, and its the ONLY fact that any of you know, is that Guy was run over by Mr. Fouts, he continued with Guy's body under the vehicle for 10 blocks. And hopefully all of you agree that NO ONE should die in this manner. Guy was alive when he was run over and became attached to the underside of the vehicle, his fear and his pain were real. He suffered. We have trouble daily, living with that. We, too, thank God for the police department and have repeatedly asked for race to be kept out of this issue and like you, "You are the Grand Jury", we can tell those comments that are truly impartial and those that are put here from family and friends of Mr. Fouts. Your thoughts should be more of Guy.
Posted by: STATUS_QUO on Apr 24, 2008 at 06:32 PM
If a citizen, who happened to have black skin, ran over a cop and dragged him 10 blocks...where would that black man be now????
Posted by: Status_Quo on Apr 24, 2008 at 06:25 PM
In MY OPINION: In Ironton a select few are above the law. These people can do just about anything and get away scott free. These people are "Presumed innocent until PROVEN innocent". Anybody not in this "old boys club" is "Presumed guilty until found guilty" (they don't really worry much about PROVING anything in these cases). Hey, it usually helps out someone's political career if they can nail some random citizen for a heinous crime. It is of no concern whether the person in question really is guilty or not. In short, the trail of blood runs far longer than 10 blocks in Ironton. One last thing...I would bet money on the outcome of this one. Ex-officer Fouts will be made a major-league scapegoat. He may have been in the old boys club before this tragedy but, now, the ex-officer is a liability to the highest of the powers that be in Ironton. Now Fouts has the same legal rights as other citizens of Lawrence County..."Guilty until PROVEN GUILTY!!"
Posted by: Ray on Apr 24, 2008 at 04:27 PM
If you drive over a body, whether or not you hit it with the tires, YOU WILL FEEL IT. As low as the cars are to the ground these days it will raise the car up and I'm sure, unless you've got the radio up really loud, you could here it. You can feel a good size dog, let alone a human being. If he was paying attention he would have seen something in the road and went to the side or stopped if he cared any at all about his car. I believe he was negligent to some degree, he shouldn't just go free. I thank God for the police. I have nothing against them, but this cop was not paying attention like he should have been. PERIOD!
Posted by: Karen on Apr 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM
"You Are The Grand Jury".....bravo! You are the first person that I've seen that looks at the facts, not their opinions. Anytime you look at anything being driven over or dragged then yes, there is a problem but it doesn't mean the driver was a racist. No one but Fout's and Thomas truly know what happened and even then something was probalby already wrong with thomas and Fouts may not know how it happened. I do things and don't know how it happened. True, dragging a body isn't one of them but stranger things could happen. Everyone needs to let our Judicial System do their job whether you like it or not.
Posted by: Friend of Family on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:13 PM
To "You are the Grand Jury" sounds like you think this was just an unfortunate incident. Worried about Fouts horror? What about Guy's families horror? Do you think they are over this? Do you think they are able to begin to heal yet? Put yourself in THEIR shoes, can you begin to imagine what they are going through? Its not over for them, while you may hope its over for Fouts, its not over for the Thomas family. I hope its not over for Fouts, I hope the Grand Jury has more evidence and facts that you seem to be spouting, because I guarantee you theres more, the family has more. To not see a human body in the road is negligent in itself, let alone drive over it, drag it 10 blocks, there were indications something was wrong, he knew and he's smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
Posted by: You are the Grand Jury - part 4 on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:57 AM
You can tell instantly on many of these comments whether the author is biased against the police. Most people in society don’t have any need to deal with the police on a regular basis. If you do deal with them frequently – that ought to tell you something. Finally - Nothing will bring Guy back. His family and friends will continue to grieve over his unfortunate passing. I sympathize with them. We, as a community, need to support them and help them as much as possible. This bickering and name calling amongst us serves no purpose. We can only hope and pray that an accident such as this never happens again.
Posted by: You are the Grand Jury - part 3 on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Based on these facts – AND the law – I doubt Fouts will be indicted. There is no evidence he was negligent in his actions. He was doing the same thing you or I would have been doing. Nothing will change the horror Fouts must be going through. I personally can’t imagine how many times he has thought ‘What if I had ….’. What if he left for work 10 minutes earlier or later? What if he drove a different route? Put yourself is his position. That is something none of us would wish on an enemy. The comments and actions indicating this incident was racially motivated are totally out of line and inappropriate. Equally inappropriate are the accusations of police coverup and conspiracy. I agree that every police officer out there in society is not perfect but neither are you or I. Police officers deserve some time off just like you and I do. We are all human. Continued - see part 4
Posted by: You are the Grand Jury - part 2 on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:56 AM
A dry stick or branch dragging on dry pavement will make a sound identifiable as something dragging. Tell me – how do you describe the sound flesh sliding over ice and snow makes? I have never heard it and I doubt any of you have either. My point is that the sound made – if any – would not be immediately recognizable if you could actually hear it. When I first get into my car in winter – I drive with my windows up and the heater motor on full force. Sound on the outside is not easily heard. Can you swear you would have positively heard a sound and recognized it? Again – I doubt it. Did Fouts hear anything? I doubt it. Was that negligence? I don’t think so. For whatever reason - Guy was laying in the street before Fouts got there. No evidence of foul play has been indicated. The next person driving there could have been you or me. You cannot tell me with absolute certainty that you would have seen him and stopped. Continued see page 3
Posted by: You are the Grand Jury -- on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:56 AM
You are now a member on the Grand Jury - You will make a decision based on the law. As a member of the Grand Jury – you are obligated to consider the evidence. It shows Fouts was not driving left of center or up on the sidewalk. He was driving legally in his assigned lane. No negligence indicated there. Next - The autopsy has already shown that Guy did not have tire marks or broken bones indicating he had been run over by a tire. I totally agree that if a driver hits anything with his tire – a sound will be heard. But if the wheels don’t hit the object – if the car passes directly over top of the object – what sound will be heard? There is no accompanying thump or thud. If that object does get caught underneath the vehicle – the sound made varies based on many factors. Continued - See next post above -
Posted by: Charleston on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:59 PM
The Grand Jury probably won't indict and what a shame that will be for the grieving family, some justice needs to come from this. Lets hope the GJ will charge SOMETHING, involuntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide and not let it be plead down like the case in Charleston. AND it should matter that the driver was a cop in a police car on his way to work. How do you know "factually" that the "man" was driving "legally" in the roadway? Do you honestly think the police would believe the average citizen in this same circumstance? Doubt it.
Posted by: Richard on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Hmmm, lets see, maybe Negligent Vehicular Homicide?! Unaware?! That would stipulate negligence. How did you/he not see a human body in the roadway?! Convince a jury of that! Maybe an unclear windshield? Maybe he did know and panicked, we'll never know that, only Fouts will know that and he will surely never tell. A man died, as the result of someones negligence and that would be the driver of the automobile!
Posted by: You are now the Grand Jury - Get to work on Apr 23, 2008 at 02:03 PM
While we are waiting on the grand jury to look at the evidence and decide if charges are appropriate - let's look at the law. Go to http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2903 and read the actual law. Then decide what charge you would suggest filing. Keep in mind - these are the exact rules and guidelines the grand jury will follow. Fortunately - race, emotion, or attitude toward the police don't count as factors in the law. What charge do you think is appropriate? Facts - man is driving vehicle legally in roadway - not on sidewalk. Man drives over body of person laying in roadway and is unaware he did that. Man continues to drive to work, taking the shortest and most direct route there. Makes no attempt to dislodge the victim. Man gets to work, realizes what has occurred and notifies police. Ignore the fact that driver is also police officer. That has no bearing in the law. Now - justify your charges with the law - good luck.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 22, 2008 at 01:50 PM
we are getting off track here!!!
Posted by: Karen on Apr 22, 2008 at 11:57 AM
This is getting crazy! Why does it really matter what the skin color is of anyone? The issue needs to be more about negligence or stupidity, not race. I would be just as upset if it happened to a white person, a chinese, a mexican..I'd be upset if it was my dog! I personally don't think it was done intentionally but I do think that it was negligent of the officer. I do not think he should be persecuted because he is white and a cop but because a life was taken. I feel sorry for the FAMILIES for both of their losses and everyone else needs to leave it alone. If you're unhappy about how you are treated or how the cops are or that the grass is green, then LEAVE. YOU are the reason this is getting out of hand. If I thought I was being treated unfairly or unjust then I would move somewhere that I was an equal. That goes for black or white. If you think that the justice system here in Ironton is bad then you're not going to be happy anywhere unless you go to the moon...
Posted by: nobody on Apr 21, 2008 at 11:40 AM
To scanner fiend, I sit and watch cops bust people all the time at my street corner for running stop signs, then come back the other way and "tap" their brakes on the way back to bust someone else for the same crime they just committed! I've even called the PD and told them to obey the same laws they are milking us poor residents for. I think they laid back for a while after what happened to Guy to save face, but are now back to their old tricks to build revenue in this poor town. I have no respect for officers in charge who don't adhere to their own laws. If its that bad, use your lights, that's what they're for! Don't bust me for something you do yourself!
Posted by: ELM on Apr 20, 2008 at 10:23 PM
This appears to be getting about everything else except for what happened to Guy. I am glad that this is still up and waiting for the results from the Grand Jury because this still needs to be in the public eye. However, it needs to be what its about and that is the death of a human being who died very tragically. I know its easier to put it in the past for all of you who didn't know Guy but know that until there is justice, in whatever manner that has to be, until there is closure we cannot begin to heal. We are still waiting patiently. Guy deserved more and still does. Remember always this was horrific and still is for his family.
Posted by: Scanner fiend on Apr 20, 2008 at 05:21 AM
To the people complaining about cops running stop signs - Haven't you got anything else to complain about? Have you ever listened to the police scanner? With 2 or 3 officers working - they pretty much run from call to call with no break in between. I guess if it was your sister or mother being assaulted - you might not want them to come to a complete stop at every sign. Think about it - then realize you don't have a clue what they are doing when you see them only slow down at a stop sign. Their job demands they respond in a hurry to most calls. People have no sense of time when they need the police - 5 minutes waiting seems like an hour. Not every call demands lights and sirens but a quick response is still expected by the people that called for them. Find something else to complain about since you obviously don't like cops -
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 19, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Have to agree with Jessica. BUT its not only on 9th Street. If there's one wrong thing in Ironton the police do is drive too fast and not stop at stop signs but boy they'll get you if you don't stop for a full 10 seconds, thats their excuse anyway. They do need to slow down and lets see if they start stopping at stop signs.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 18, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Don't be ashamed of Ironton, we have a small town that has some problems. Life does not go along easily. Ironton has a lot to be proud of and we as citizens should be proud of our town. I have to say that this tragedy that has recently happened here is sad but we haven't given the police or the courts the time to get done what needs to get done. Only be ashamed if Mr. Thomas died in vain. Surely the courts will take care of this situation. It seems the city has taken the first steps needed by stopping the officer's pay before he was able to resign. Wrong is wrong, right is right and I feel strongly that justice will prevail.
Posted by: Jessica on Apr 18, 2008 at 03:41 PM
My mother lives on 9th street and Adams in Ironton, and I have to say that the Ironton police constantly speed down through there. I have noticed that since this has happened they do not do that anymore. The way they drove down that street was uncalled for. They wouldnt even be on call for something. If they were they were not using their lights. Its about time they slowed down. I was getting sick of it and so was my mother. My son also lives there. Do they not care people have children? They would drive so fast they could go right past a major crime and not even see it !!!
Posted by: Laura on Apr 18, 2008 at 12:46 AM
TO: Calling, just exactly what do you call out of town? If it was just across the river it doesn't count.
Posted by: CALLING on Apr 17, 2008 at 07:32 AM
I WAS OUT OF TOWN LAST WEEKEND, SOME BODY ASK WHERE I WAS FROM .SOON AS I SAID IRONTON OHIO, THEY SAID MURDER TOWN? I WAS SO ASHAMED I WILL NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER TELL WHERE I AM FROM ANY MORE. THEY SAID (cops KILL AND GET AWAY WITH IT).I SAID HAPPY DAY ALL.
Posted by: Laura on Apr 16, 2008 at 09:32 PM
TO: Posted by: anonymous on Apr 15, 2008 at 07:27 PM, another mousey remark by an anon. Before calling someone dumb, look at all the other crap on here people are saying.
Posted by: LYNN on Apr 16, 2008 at 06:04 PM
I just want everyone to remember that this is a human being and his family has the right to greive in their own way, I live in the community and Guy was someone I saw and spoke to daily. I also believe that the IPD force as a whole are good at their jobs and yesterday I drove by the projects where Officer Fouts lived and saw a police man out of his cruiser passing a football with a young black boy and both were having a good time and I also know this child and I am sure that it made his day for someone to care enough to take the time to fill a void in his life and make him smile, I am sick of all the negatives lets focus on the positive like all the recent drug arrests in our community, but wait we dont want to talk about that, I live within 2 blocks of 4 drug dealers that have been busted in the last few months and I thank the LCSD and IPD officers who are making MY NEIGHBORHOOD safer.
Posted by: LAYLA on Apr 16, 2008 at 01:03 PM
LET THE JUDGE AND JURY DO THEIR JOBS...INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
Posted by: cop on Apr 15, 2008 at 11:51 PM
First of all let me tell all the armchair detectives why people are arrested, it's not to get a "headstart" on the punishment. It's so people don't run from the criminal charge, or maybe the person is violent, and taken to jail to keep anyone from getting hurt. As an officer of the law we know it's a whole lot worse to run from charges. In my 20 some odd years on the force I have only seen 1 person run, and receive a not guilty verdict. And that was because he was mentally defective. Is officer Fouts guilty? I don't know. That is why the community pays a judge, and selects a jury of his/her peers. I think now would be a good time for tolerance, and love thy neighbor. The human race is its own worsed enemy. One thing I know for sure is Chief Jimmy Carey is the most ethical person I have ever met.God Bless all!!!!!
Posted by: Friend in Ironton on Apr 15, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Ms. Miller isn't the only family member and maybe not all of the family choose to grieve the way she is. Reading what ELM has to say it would seem that most of the family is trying to be patient, all people handle pain differently and this family has had some of the worst kind of pain inflicted on them possible. Wouldn't want to be going through what they are. Thoughts are with you Thomas family.
Posted by: anonymous on Apr 15, 2008 at 07:27 PM
To;Posted by Laura, on 04/13/08 Most people would get out and look even if they thought it was the muffler,dragging on their car,just to check it,or maybe clamp and wire it up, until they get home! Are you DUMB or what? Were taking about a human life here,that has family grieving! Which is SAD,no matter what race the family is! Some people don't have to put this man, or the police down,to care about the loss this family feels!
Posted by: SOME1 on Apr 15, 2008 at 01:08 PM
SEE I TOLD YOU SO .BIG COVER UP? whats next?
Posted by: Chad on Apr 15, 2008 at 12:18 AM
ELM, Guy's aunt, LouVerne Miller, is screaming conspiracy. She did it in her piece on WSAZ and still screamed it when the ronton Tribune interviewed her about the second march for Guy. So some of the family is screaming conspiracy.
Posted by: ELM on Apr 14, 2008 at 03:20 PM
As for the "converter theory", that is far from fact. The IPD will tell you that. The officer got in his car two blocks BEFORE he ran over Guy. Guys footsteps ended on Jefferson St., the officer left from Quincy St. Not to mention Guy wouldn't even know what a catalytic converter was much less where to find it on a vehicle. To Laura, you are just as Anonymous as everyone else on here and thats okay, but you do need to accept that while Guy wasn't the towns "biggest philanthropist" he was a HUMAN BEING, he was a member of a family, he was/is loved. As for a "conspiracy", not any of his family has ever said anything like that. AND it is way more than an accident, it is a tragedy. I will pray for you that you never know the feelings we have. Personally we wouldn't want anyone to go through the loss we have. Death of a loved one is hard enough to accept but surrounded by the horrific facts we know has made the accepting a whole lot harder.
Posted by: boyd co on Apr 13, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Chad and you teach education? I hope to God my kid dont go to your school
Posted by: Laura on Apr 13, 2008 at 02:27 PM
TO Annonymous personally I think that word needs to end with an E because people using it are pretty dang mousey to be afraid to use names. If your not intellegent to back up your own words with your own name then no one is paying attention to you anyways, as it's probably one person sitting there thinking they're top dog of the forum world. No I'm not ashamed of my comments. They're my personal feelings. And yea I do feel sorry for people that carry on like this when they didn't support the man 24/7 regardless of what he did. Don't jump up crying for justice when you wouldn't even bail the man out of jail when he needed it. Don't act like he was the towns biggest philanthropist and that it's a huge conspiracy to the black community. It was a freaking accident! Get over it grieve and learn life goes on and the next time a family member is in need, help him out, don't let him walk down a street alone at that time of the night if he has health issues or is drinkin.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 13, 2008 at 09:42 AM
i would like to know how you can drive 10 blocks and not know something is wrong with the car and some tinig or some one is under it i have ran over a box before and i can tell so a body you should be abl to tell tha some thing is there some thing is not wright whith this picter
Posted by: myspace on Apr 12, 2008 at 09:24 PM
all i have to say is take anthony edens advice and check out the myspace he's referring to.... and then we can decide who is the real threat in the ironton neighborhood and who isn't. it's not the cops- they don't kill- just check out the friend list on that myspace page- check out their profile and their pictures- GUNS everywhere! no wonder the poor cop left!
Posted by: Tyler on Apr 12, 2008 at 09:00 PM
I hope to the heavens above you can hear a freakin body under your car!
Posted by: Wher's the justice? on Apr 12, 2008 at 06:05 PM
To Karen, you are right, he shouldn't have quit. He should have been fired when they put him in jail the night he ran over and drug another human being ten blocks; but that didn't happen either. Any ordinary average Joe would have went to jail. The only reason he didn't was because he was a cop and that is dead wrong! Cops get away with so much it is not even funny. This is no longer the land of the free and you are no longer innocent until proven guilty. you are guilty until you can prove that you didn't do it. When it's your word against a cops, just who do you think the Judge will believe? It's a downright dirty shame that this Fouts character is still walking around scott free.
Posted by: ELM on Apr 12, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Thank you "Bec", you seem to know how we feel as Guy's family. It doesn't matter who did this to Guy, what matters is that justice is served. Unfortunately it was a police officer, who should've been more observant than the average citizen. To Chad, it seems that YOU are the hater. I'd like to scream sometimes too but as a family member we are trying to be patient. This has been a gross injustice to a human being. You seem to want this to be a race issue, as I have said before this is NOT a race issue, its a human issue. Could you live comfortably daily if you had to think your family member died in this manner? Too many people on here are missing the issue and making this something its not. Wrong is wrong and I pray every day that justice is served. All people grieve differently maybe thats where some anger has come in. Guy didn't deserve to die this way, no one does and THAT is what this should be ALL about.
Posted by: Bec on Apr 12, 2008 at 09:57 AM
If a man is killed whether it is by a police officer or not, if it is the result of an accident, they should be tried fairly in a court of law. They should not be tried in the media or on the street. Of course people are going to feel ill towards anyone (police officer or not) who runs over a man and drags him 10 blocks. If this had been done to an animal the ASPCA would be all over it but because it was a human no one does anything. There's something very wrong with that. Black or white doesn't matter. A human deserves justice.
Posted by: anonymous on Apr 12, 2008 at 05:52 AM
To:Posted by;Laura on April 11,08, the statment you made about this man Guy Thomas that was hit,and lost his life was very Ignorant of you! I'm sure he was LOVED by his family and friends,just as you are! As for the community, it sounds like most people are concerned and care by the comments made. A lot of people walk alone for some reason by themselves. As for this mans LIFE,it was just as IMPORTANT as you think yours is! And one thing for certain, you are NO BETTER,OR NO LESS,and No MORE LOVED IN GODS EYES THAN THIS MAN Mr.Guy Thomas is! He was a HUMAN BEING,Just AS YOU ARE! You should be ashamed of yourself and tell this mans family you are sorry! As for FANS,GOD don't care about that!As for the OFFICER,GOD LOVES HIM ALSO,and the OFFICER has to deal with this inside,right or wrong! I hope the Thomas family forgives you for your statement of ignorance! This family is grieving! Just as you would,if it was your family! It's alright that you have your opinion about the accident!
Posted by: isaac on Apr 12, 2008 at 05:31 AM
I told you people once before Mr Thomas was stealing the converter off of the police car because he thought it would be a good way to make the Ironton police look stupid , however the officer came out and mr thomas didn't know how to get out without being seen. By the time he got ready to just get out he realized he was stuck and before he could hollar he was knocked out! Now doesn't that explain everything ?? This came from a highly reliable source. By the time the police car bounced over a few bumps going down the street Mr Thomas was crushed to death. There is no way anyone would have noticed someone already hanging from their car.
Posted by: Chad on Apr 12, 2008 at 01:25 AM
TL, I have lived in Ironton most of my life. I was born and raised here, and only left for a few years for work and education before coming back to make a difference in my hometown. I don't personally know Officer Fouts, I just think it is horrible the man had to move away because the 'lack Community' in Ironton threatened his life. His children's lives were also threatened. I agree with you that the entire comunity is upset over this. he majority are upset that Ironton lost a good police officer because some blacks in the hood are screaming racism on a subject that doesn't even warrant it. The way that neighborhood has been acting, and since 99% of it is funded by tax dollars, I think they should bulldoze it. If that neighborhood is gone, then crime in Ironton goes down 75%.
Posted by: Laura on Apr 11, 2008 at 10:37 PM
How many have ever had a muffler drop down on their car and continued to drive it home. Ever think that may be what he thought? Of course no one actually cares what was thought or the true events going on. I did notice a huge drop in the numbers in the march this last time.
Posted by: Florida on Apr 11, 2008 at 06:54 PM
If this was any of us regular people whom bust our humps to make ends met. We would be in Jail I liked cops until this story now i dont trust any of them How in this world could you drag a man or anything for that matter and not no. Sounds like small horse crap to me.And give me a break this is Ironton Oh this aint Miami Fl, Or La. They put their lifes on the line? What sitting in the patrol car that you people are paying for and paying to gas up running red lights and trying to stay awake so they can get a check and the end of the week. LOL This officer as you all call him should be going through the court system for murder! period!
Posted by: james on Apr 11, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Are you kiding me after over a month paid leave,this man is guilty and should be put away,the good ole boy thing has to end and this poor mans family,it is a shame shame on you OHIO,,,
Posted by: Jay on Apr 11, 2008 at 03:59 PM
IF blacks would stop complaining about racism there would be none!!
Posted by: Gary on Apr 11, 2008 at 03:03 PM
To James, you obviously dont know "squat" about discrimination. You are the kind to always say that Black Folks always say discrimination when something goes wrong. Obviously you have been brought up in an ignorant world!!! You need to be educated. Yes I am a white man who has been around the world a few times too!!!
Posted by: Karen on Apr 11, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I am so ashamed of the people here in this community that I could SCREAM!!!! Mr' Fouts had to resign whether he is guilty or innocent! The public has found him guilty and so he could never safely go back to the force here. I mean, come on..look at it. There are people out there who hate cops no matter what. If Fouts had to go to one of these homes for an arrest or what have you, he'd be killed! Everyone wants a reason to protest or get even...this should not be about race or about if he got off lucky or any such thing. This needs to be about a family who lost another member and yes they need to truly know what happened. This needs to be about an officer who took an innocent life and how it is affecting him. This was his career..he is only in his 20's! I know that if something like this would happen to me and I killed someone by accident, I couldn't live with myself. I can't magine being a public official and it happeneing. This is about 2 families with a tragic ending, not skin color!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 11, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Let the courts decide if this man is indeed guilty of what he has been charged with. It is not up to us to be judge and jury.
Posted by: TL on Apr 11, 2008 at 01:54 PM
First to "Chad", evidently you are a friend of Fouts and you know nothing about this small town. I would imagine Fouts resigned because he knew if he didn't he'd be fired. This town doesn't have the racial problems that you want to refer to, in what you are calling the "Black Community" there are probably 50% or more white people living there. Don't believe that ONLY the "black community" is upset with this situation, the entire town is upset with this tragedy. NO ONE deserves to die the way Mr. Thomas did. Secondly to "citizen" regardless of what Mr. Thomas was doing in the street, drunk, ill, fallen b/c of ice he was STILL run over and drug to his death, he died of asphyxiation because his chest was crushed and his lungs punctured! AND the difference is as you stated YOU pulled over, evidently an officer of the law didn't!
Posted by: Laura on Apr 11, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I agree with Chad, I personally don't believe the officer knew he had hit the man. That's just too cruel and not smart. Did they ever get lab results back saying if Thomas was intoxicated and what the level was? And if he was so well loved in the community, why was he walking alone on a cold wet night instead of one of his numerous fans giving him a ride? It was a horrible accident. But people face it, it was an accident.
Posted by: SOME1 on Apr 11, 2008 at 11:35 AM
GUILTY,GUILTY,GUILTY. SHAME ON LAWRENCE COUNTY HE SHOULD BE IN JAIL.SHOULD HAVE WENT ON MARCH 8TH.
Posted by: I TOWN RESIDENT on Apr 11, 2008 at 11:05 AM
HE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO, HE COULD NEVER WORK IN THIS TOWN, THERE ARE TOO MANY IGNORANT PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE THAT WOULD NEVER LET HIM LIVE IT DOWN AND THREATEN HIM!!!
Posted by: James on Apr 11, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I agree with Chad. If not for the racists in the Black Community he would not had to resign or be afraid for the saftey of his family . If this was a black officer who hit a white man nothing like this would be going on. Blacks are all ways first to scream discrimination. It's ridiculous!
Posted by: Melanie on Apr 11, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Although, I understand why Officer Fouts resigned, I feel sad for our community! Because of a horrific ACCIDENT, we are losing yet again another good Officer. Some people need to understand that accidents happen, even to police officers! Nobody is perfect. I also must say, before you judge others...make sure your plate is also clean! Officer Fouts, thank you for doing a wonderful and thankless job for the Ironton community! We do not see many brave enough to put their lives on the line everyday! You, fine Man will be in my families thoughts and prayers. God Bless you!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 11, 2008 at 09:41 AM
He shouldn't have quit. But He had to , how can you live when freekin WALKS are being held every weekend. Good God. People are crazy these day. Let him RIP, That is why they call these things accidents.
Posted by: Ohioan on Apr 11, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Actually Mr. Thomas died of asphixiation due to a crused chest and broken ribs. The Herald-Dispatch has been reporting this for a couple of weeks. How'd the chest get crushed?
Posted by: jim on Apr 11, 2008 at 08:03 AM
For me, a person who has lived in Ironton for many years, I believe the route taken by the police officer that fatefull night is a significant clue. If you know the area where the accident originally occured, you know that there are three side streets one can take to get to the police station - Adams, Washington, and Vernon. Adams and Vernon are significantly more traveled and more apt to be less slippery during snowy weather. Washington, on the other hand, is more narrow and much less traveled, especially during the late evening hours. Isn't it possible that by taking this route, if one had realized that the terrible accident had occurred, that the best chance to go unseen would be to take the less traveled route? It seems like a small thing but sometimes small clues break big crimes. Think about it.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 11, 2008 at 06:14 AM
Guilty conscience or about to be fired? It said his pay had been stopped, whats that saying? Good for you Ironton at least you are starting to take the right steps. Now lets leave it to the Grand Jury, its just a shame that it won't be done before May or June, do they think everyone will forget about this and they can just let it go?
Posted by: citizen on Apr 11, 2008 at 05:41 AM
I've had a few bad run in's with the law over the year's.And I 've had a few officers harrass me. Maybe because when I was younger I was in trouble alot.But sometimes they seemed to pick me out to mess with.So I never was a big fan of the police.But I do have to take this officer's side on this .1 there were no sign's of an impact to the car.2 there were no sign's of impact to the body.3autopsy said he died of asphyxiation .No offence to the family of this man but maybe he was passed out drunk in the road.I was driving my car one night kept hearing a scraping sound pulled over and had what looked like a small tree under my car .Didnt know how it got there or when I ran over it but It was there.So it is possible to drag somthing large for a distance and not notice.And I think if the officer knew the body was under the car he would have been thinking of somthing to tell other officer's.I think you people are wrong on this 1.
Posted by: Chad on Apr 11, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Officer Fouts had to resign. There's no way he could continue to work as an officer in Ironton. I'd leave too if threats were made against my family by a bunch of hate mongering racists in the Black Community.
Posted by: what is this world coming 2 on Apr 10, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I thing the officer should be ashamed of hisself because he had no right and i bet it was more than an accident!!! Imagine that! what if the police was dragged how would he feel. HELLO PEOPLE THINK!!! THAT"S ALL I ASK!!! Hope for the best!!!!
Posted by: Do what? on Apr 10, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Is this the only punishment Mr. Fouts is going to get? I hope and pray that this goes to trial and a court of law decides whether or not he is guilty. If he is guilty, I hope he is punished accordingly. If it were me, I would have been taken to jail when it happened and stiil be there awaiting trial. I guess there are different laws for different people. It's all in who you know.
Posted by: Lance on Apr 10, 2008 at 07:32 PM
It's hard to imagine what both familys have been through. Being the sibling of a police officer I can only say that they are a constant target. They are only human. I can't imagine ANY human doing something like this on purpose. I will pray for BOTH of these familys as all good people should do instead of slinging nasty accusations as if you were there when it happened. You don't know what happened you just assume. We all know what that does.
Posted by: anonymous on Apr 10, 2008 at 06:52 PM
To: Posted by:Me on April 8.2008, The cruiser had to come in CONTACT with this man! Call it: hit,strike,struck,or a blow: to take (FORCE),to (PUSH) him under the cruiser! THINK ???????
Posted by: Kandice on Apr 10, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Do not drink and drive, or drink and walk. Pretty simple people.
Posted by: justice on Apr 10, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Guilty conscience?
Posted by: Kelly on Apr 10, 2008 at 04:33 PM
I cannot imagin what this man must have gone through in that last few minutes of his life. I pray he is in a better place and at peace.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 10, 2008 at 04:32 PM
resigned? bet someone gets charged after friday
Posted by: ELM on Apr 9, 2008 at 02:45 PM
We would like to think it was purely accidental but it couldn't have been, there is no way Officer Fouts did not know something. There is no way he did not see Guy in the street, he may not have thought it was a person but you don't just roll over something that large. You need to realize that Officer Fouts has been trained and should be more observant than the rest of us. Dragging Guy for 10 blocks makes it MUCH MORE than an accident. AND we know that Guy didn't die upon impact, that he was alive for probably the entire trip until he was crushed in the dips in the alley and parking lot. Can you imagine his fear? There was impact, not striking him down but impact enough to cause him to be hung up under the vehicle, he didn't just die, he was killed. I am not ashamed, the one who should be ashamed is Officer Fouts and obviously you should be too, if you can't understand a grieving, frustrated family. This is HORRIFIC! How would you cope daily?
Posted by: Me on Apr 8, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Hey Caroline why don't you actually read the story before you start with your ridiculous comments. GUY WAS NOT STRUCK. Here let me copy and paste for you: Burton Payne told wasz.com that those results show there were no injuries consistent with an impact by the cruiser or by getting run over by a tire. If you would like I'll break out my box of crayons and draw it out for you if that statement isn't clear enough. GET THE STORY STRAIGHT BEFORE MAKING COMMENTS!!!! GOD BLESS YOU OFFICER FOUTS. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP! PEOPLE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU!
Posted by: Cathy on Apr 8, 2008 at 12:38 PM
TO ELM~You typed that "I am hoping that Mr. Fouts started this as an accident but when he continued it became more, much, much more." Why would you want this to be more than an accident if Mr. Thomas is your relative? If he was my relative I would hope and pray it only be an accident and not purposely. It's like you think that Officer Fouts deliberatly did this, and you are wanting to to be that way. You should be ashamed. I would not want something like this happening to a loved one of mine deliberately, and you yourself shouldn't wish that this is how Mr. Thomas went. You should hope and pray it was accidental. This only proves that people are not giving Officer Fouts a chance here and just HOPING AND PRAYING he was at fault. It's disgusting!!
Posted by: Caroline on Apr 8, 2008 at 03:33 AM
What is going on here? What is going on here? A family has lost a loved one and you have a blog going on with a lot of rattle and stupidity. ifthe officer thought he hit a dog or something; why did he not stop and investigate? That is his job! Instead he keeps on going as though that matter was not significant reason reason to investigate; that being the case, one should give enough compassion thinking they had just killed someones beloved pet. He was a police officer crying out loud! A normal human being would have enough compassion to investigate something as trivial as that. Whether Guy was standing or kneeling is ludicrous! He was struck and drug by a cruiser! The officer knew he hit something! Why did he not investigate what he struck?!! And how could he have not possibly known traveling that far that something had to be amiss with the dragging a body of 100 lbs definite noises in that cruiser? My prayers are with the Thomas Family; I pray God's speed for The Thomas Family.
Posted by: Sheila on Apr 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Accidents happen people. NO ONE - not a standard citizen or an officer - should be charged with a crime until it is deemed that it was intentional - like i said ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
Posted by: Anthony Edens on Apr 5, 2008 at 07:51 AM
We miss you cusion guy. you never deserved to go out like you did. You never bothered nobody. Look at Guys Memorial page at www.myspace.com/rip_08
Posted by: Bill on Apr 4, 2008 at 11:51 PM
I don't think that people are referring to the black/white issue in stating the cop did it intentionally. I think it is more about them trying to cover it up since the cops value the life of a black man a little less. One less black man off the streets that they don't have to fear seems like most cops attitudes to me. I get pulled over all the time for no reason in Huntington just because I'm black and have Michigan tags. Doesn't mean I'm a drug dealer. I actually work as a contractor.
Posted by: OH ME OH MY on Apr 4, 2008 at 10:32 PM
LISTEN... IF IT WERE A CITIZEN THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT, THEY WOULD NOT BE IN JAIL EITHER. THIS IS NOT A CUT AND DRY MATTER. A COMPLEX INVESTIGATION HAD TO BE CONDUCTED. NO CHARGES CAN BE BROUGHT UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE. THAT IS HOW IT WORKS. EVEN IN MINOR TRAFFIC CRASHES, A TICKET MAY NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE. PEOPLE LIKE "TO CHAD" NEED TO WAKE UP AND REALIZE WE ARE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY AND NOT IN SOME BACK ROOM IN THE FORMER U.S.S.R. HOW CAN YOU ARREST SOMEONE UNLESS YOU CAN PROVE...I SAY PROVE...THERE WAS CRIMINAL INTENT OR INTENT TO HARM. WAKE UP PEOPLE.
Posted by: to chad on Apr 4, 2008 at 07:13 PM
there is no doubt that officer fouts will be arrested IF found guilty my problem with this whole thing is that if it were any average citizen they would have been arrested that night no doubt there..if someone were to have told officer fouts they didn't know they had just drug someone ten blocks to their death i bet he would have locked them up himself!and innocent till proven guilty thats right but..then why do regular people have to post huge bond amounts if they are innocent till proven guilty? not be put on paid leave! I fully support the Ironton police dept. but not the actions of this officer.
Posted by: Chad on Apr 4, 2008 at 03:56 PM
When will people realize that Officer Fouts will be arrested if he is found to have committed a crime? You don't arrest someone and keep them in jail without charges being brought against that person. That's how this democratic republic we live in works, innocent until PROVEN guilty.
Posted by: Friend of Guy's on Apr 3, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Just for the record, Guy was a really good man. He did drink, but it never altered his temper, livelihood or walking ability. He could definitely hold his alcohol. He was a fun guy that used to crack me up and make me smile everyday just as I did for him. It breaks my heart to know that I will never see him again. Never! Im not here to point fingers, but I do think that Richard Fouts should be treated as an average member of society instead of being pampered as a cop regaurdless of whether or not it was an accident. Istead of being held in a cell, he got a free ride back to Xenia. Would they do that for you, me or the next man? No! We'd be in the Lawrence County Jail awaiting trial. Would our lesser charge be nothing? No! It would at least be Involuntary Vehicular Homicide. If all men are created equal and we all have the right to a fair and just trial, wheres the justice in this situation? May God Bless You All!
Posted by: angie on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I feel sorry for the family of Guy Thomas our prayers go out to you, and as for Fouts, we pray for you also. I'm sure it was an accident but I think you should be held responsible for it. I don't understand how you could drag someone that far and not even know?! I agree with one of the other posts on here - if it were some regular everyday citizen they would already have been brought in but instead he is on PAID leave. I hope he has at least offered the family a formal appology because whether it was an accident or not it still happened. And just to put it out there, it is a little rediculous for grown adults to be on here arguing. If someone makes an uneducated comment then just laugh it off or correct it in a mature matter. And to that poor little baby boy in the hospital having to go through brain surgeries, as a parent myself I pray for you most of all because you suffer due to the abuse and hate of your step father. May he spend the rest of his miserable life in prison.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 30, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Our heart goes out to this mans family that was killed ,and the family of the 12 yr. old boy that was killed according to the Sunday Gazette News Paper. Also, to all families who have lost loved ones! It is so hard to know and not to know what happened! Families need closures in some cases.
Posted by: Tamara on Mar 29, 2008 at 05:40 PM
i think that the cop shold get in some kind of trouble because if it wasn't a cop they would of i do not see where cops shold be any different then any one else
Posted by: to march 29 @ 8:31 on Mar 29, 2008 at 04:23 PM
hey march 29th 8:31 a.m. reread my comment at 8:25.........thank you! and start proof reading your misspelled comments!! i mean to say that these cases are nothing alike!!the WVA. trooper stopped if the Ironton police officer would have stopped Guy Thomas would probley still be with us! now who looks stupid?
Posted by: To Anonymous march 2008 at 8:25 on Mar 29, 2008 at 08:31 AM
You may have something to say but you sound like and idiot! He stopped alright, after her dragged him the 10 blocks.
Posted by: NOT IN IRONTON on Mar 29, 2008 at 02:30 AM
I have no more comments for this. Everyone has turned this into a trash talk about Guy Thomas, the police department, the prosecutor. If you can't say something positive, SHUT UP!!!!! I'm glad I don't live near any of you people. I'm surprised some of you people didn't try to pick up a date on here. PATHETIC
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 08:25 PM
yes i have something to say!! the WVA. trooper didn't drag a full grown man 10 freakin' blocks!!!!!!!he stopped!!
Posted by: ELM on Mar 28, 2008 at 04:59 PM
The situations that are spoken of are completely different. While our hearts (and prayers)go out to the WV family, there is nothing but pure negligence in the case with Guy. Read the Ironton Tribune from today, you will get a few of the facts the family knows. Our sleep is disrupted nightly by nightmares wondering how much he felt, how much he feared. We don't believe that Fouts is a "cold blooded killer" but that he was negligent. How could anyone not see a dark figure on a snowy white street? And as for Guy bearing some responsibility, regardless of WHY he was there has nothing to do with WHAT has happened. The family has said nothing about this being about race, it isn't, it is about a human being dying a horrific tragic death. Guy died between 9:30 and 10:00 on the night of March 8, 2008, we will never forget that date, nor the phone call, nor will we forget Guy and that all of this is about HIM.
Posted by: OHIO on Mar 28, 2008 at 03:19 PM
WELL ITS IN J.B.COLLIER, HANDS NOW CASE CLOSED?
Posted by: Look at WV accident Page 3 on Mar 28, 2008 at 10:11 AM
continued - this is page 3 WV – They recognize the accident as an accident and not a chance to put their community in the negative spotlight. OH - Finally – ask yourself – Regarding Fouts driving with Guy underneath the cruiser - Does anybody truly believe that one human could do that to another human knowingly? Only the rarest most cold blooded killer could deliberately do something like that and I don’t believe Fouts is a cold blooded killer. I believe Fouts never knew he had hit Guy until he got to the station. That will remain the one fact that cannot ever be proved. The rest of the facts will be released eventually but none will not change the fact that this was a tragic accident. WV has already figured that out. Give them some credit - Anybody got anything constructive to say now? We have had enough hate -
Posted by: Look at WV accident Page 2 on Mar 28, 2008 at 10:11 AM
continued from page 1 - Note the differences: In WV – the negative comments are very heavily aimed toward the grieving parents and the fact that the 12 year old was unsupervised. Are the parents grieving any less? I doubt it. In OH – we conveniently ignore the fact that Guy was laying in the road. More emphasis has been made on the fact that his body was unintentionally and unknowingly moved after the initial impact. WV - very few comments placing blame on trooper even though it was a clear night. OH – most comments blame officer even though it was a snow and ice covered night. WV – no community march (protest). No anti-police signs or threats. No singing – ‘We shall overcome’. No accusations of police coverup or conspiracy. OH – It is all about race – even though in the back of our heads – we know it had nothing to do with race. OH – lots of comments indicating lawsuits and national media coverage are necessary. Is that what Guy would have wanted? see next post - page 3
Posted by: Look at WV accident on Mar 28, 2008 at 10:10 AM
WOW – A similar accident in WV with a lot of similarities – and a lot of differences. Look at this link and then compare the 2 events. http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/16950411.html# Can we all agree – Unfortunately - both deceased victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Guy should not have been laying in the middle of the road for any reason. Toxicology is unimportant here. Whether he was ill, drunk, or simply fell and was laying there unable to move. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He bears some responsibility – and the same applies to the 12 year old. Tragic events – but both should not have been in the road in the middle of the night. The fact that both were hit by officers is not important – they were driving where they should have been and pedestrians (or skateboarders) don’t belong in the middle of the road in the middle of the night. continued next post - see page 2
Posted by: TYLER A on Mar 27, 2008 at 06:22 PM
THE ONLY FACT ELM PUT OUT WAS THAT HE/SHE IS FAMILY. MY GOAL IS TO HUSH SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WHO FEEL THAT THEY KNOW IT ALL....WHICH THEY DON'T. I FEEL FOR GUY'S FAMILY. I TRULY DO. HOWEVER, PERSONS WHO HAVE NO INKLING OF AN IDEA WHAT TRULY HAPPENED NEED TO KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT ON WHAT THEY "PERCEIVE" TO BE FACTS/TRUTHS. WHEN SOMEBODY DECIDES TO RANT ABOUT HOW POLICE ARE CORRUPT OR PLAY THE RACE CARD, THEY ARE INEPT AND UNEDUCATED. K T F
Posted by: To Tyler A on Mar 27, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Now that ELM has put some FACTS out there for ya you probably feel small and stupid right about now....So you can back away from your puter or electronic box (what ever you country bumpkins call a PC) and go back to playing your banjo and sipping moonshine.
Posted by: kandy on Mar 27, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Very few choose to have an education. It is easier to received public assistance, or sell drugs. So don't give me that bull. I live in Lawrence county also, but I made the decision as you did to educate myself. The people in this area choose this way of living, they are not forced to stay. I wish this community would just reunite with their heritage, and not in Lawrence county.............
Posted by: ELM on Mar 27, 2008 at 02:26 PM
I am a close relative of Guy's, we DO know the facts, they aren't pleasant. I am not using my name because we deserve some privacy in a very public situation. My family is being patient, although frustrated. Guy didn't deserve to die in this manner, no one does. I am hoping that Mr. Fouts started this as an accident but when he continued it became more, much, much more. We, Guy's family, are not angry with the police department, we are upset with what has happened and how some of it has been handled. ALL of you need to know that we need time to process and grieve. This has been a horrible tragedy that we hope none of you experience. Guy is dead, all your words are not going to change that. We only pray that he did not suffer through the entire ordeal. Remember we are talking about a human being, who died in a very inhumane way, thats where all the concern should be.
Posted by: TYLER A on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:59 AM
OH LOOK, ANOTHER ANONYMOUS WIMP TELLING ME HOW THINGS ARE DONE. THANKS FOR THE INFO ANONYMOUS.
Posted by: Tyler A on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:57 AM
HEY ALL. IF YOU HAD DRUG THIS MAN 10 BLOCKS BY ACCIDENT, YOU WOULD NOT BE CHARGED WITH ANYTHING....YET....NOT UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE AND THE PROSECUTOR HAS CONVENED A GRAND JURY TO INDICT CHARGES, IF THERE ANY. HOW ABOUT YOU ALL LET THE INVESTIGATION RUN ITS COURSE BEFORE YOU SENTENCE THIS MAN FOR A CRIME!!! AND YES, I DO BELIEVE I WOULD BE SITTING AT HOME, UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE.
Posted by: TYLER A the "puppet" on Mar 27, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I question the intellect of tyler A. This is the kind of garbage that needs off the streets.
Posted by: oblivious on Mar 27, 2008 at 09:54 AM
if A police officer is SO OBLIVIUOS - that he can "ACCIDENTLY" drag someone 10 blocks. Then obviously - he/she are not even close to being qualified to patrol our streets! period! I think our police officers should have at least a little bit of an acute attention span and hopefully a little bit of observation skills. Are these qualities not important to the IPD.? I would suggest that all IPD officers take the vision test up the street at the BMV. BEFORE! they go on duty.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 27, 2008 at 09:28 AM
To Tyler do you really think if you had drug this poor man under your car that you would be sitting home? No you might be out on bail but there would be no question whether you would be charged with something as a private citizen who did something you had to know you were doing. Sorry but this is how things are done.
Posted by: To tyler A on Mar 27, 2008 at 08:32 AM
My name is Jackie and this stroy makes me sick! If this was a normal intellect they would be in jail but because this is a cop i guess he is above the law like most of them.And guess what ive never had an accident either but let me drag a man 10 blocks and see where my behind sits! ( and should) It wont be on my couch at home getting paid for it.
Posted by: TYLER A. on Mar 27, 2008 at 03:08 AM
I HOPE....THAT THOSE OF YOU (ELM AND ALL THOSE ANONYMOUS WIMPS WHO DECLINE TO PUT THEIR NAME) WHO ARE CUT-THROAT AGAINST THIS PERSON, YES A PERSON LIKE YOU AND I.. (WHO HAPPENED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER) NEVER EVER HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BUT IF YOU DO, MAY THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW SWEEP YOU OFF THE STREETS LIKE THE GARBAGE YOU ARE. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE FACTS (TRUTHS) ARE....DON'T TALK...IT ONLY WASTES OXYGEN FOR THE REST OF INTELLIGENT / COMMON SENSE TYPE PEOPLE. THERE ARE NEARLY 600 COMMENTS ON HERE, AND ONLY ABOUT 20 OF THEM ARE WORTH ANYTHING. I WORRY ABOUT THE INTELLECT OF THE HUMAN RACE. K T F
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 11:05 PM
wsaz needs to be there to be sure that everything goes accordingly because they cant go into private session and also we need to know the truth
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 11:01 PM
now that is crazy give us the results that we have been waiting on
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:45 PM
the sooner to the grand jury the better!!!!
Posted by: ELM on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:45 PM
How can there be any question that there will be a charge for this officer? I hope the Grand Jury looks closely at the fact that the officer was negligent. How do you, who are suppose to be trained to protect and serve not be observant enough to see a body in the roadway unless you are negligent? Granted it may have begun as an accident but to run over a person and keep going is leaving the scene, then to drag him 10 blocks is just criminal. This is cut and dry, something needs to come out of the Grand Jury and soon.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Accident?! How do you claim negligence as an accident? No matter the condition of Mr. Thomas, he was still drug more than 1/2 a mile by an officer of the law. This was more than an accident, this is a horrible tragedy. There is no way the officer was not aware something was wrong. Did he get out and look and then panic? Wrong is wrong, doesn't matter who it is. Mr. Thomas was run over, hung up under a vehicle, drug several blocks and dies. Immoral is only the tip of the iceberg, criminal is more like it. I feel for you Thomas family, I can only hope you get consulation and restitution.
Posted by: Boyd co. on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Another cop above the law! We have got to put a stop to all theses cops getting away with things they shouldnt cause if this would have been joe blow hed be in jail by now. Something must be done ! He cant tell me he didnt feel something under his car for 10 blocks. (BS)
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 06:11 AM
WSAZ please update, the newspapers are one-uping you!
Posted by: Ironton on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:57 AM
It doesn't matter if Guy was drunk, asleep or anything else in the street, a person that is supposed to protect & serve drug him 10 blocks! It saddens me that anything like this happened. But Fouts is/was whatever a law officer & if Guy was in the street anyone can tell there is a dragging sound or anything. And the streets weren't that bad u all talk like we have 5ft of snow and ice.
Posted by: ha on Mar 25, 2008 at 08:56 PM
TO WORRIED: You are only allowed to use "obtuse" once in a comment.
Posted by: Worried on Mar 25, 2008 at 01:22 PM
If the police officer was so OBTUSE that he did not know he was dragging a body 10 blocks! then he should not be patrolling our streets thats for sure! Are all the other officers this obtuse also? (probably.)
Posted by: Linda on Mar 25, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I think that this story is just about the most unbelievable story I've ever heard! How do you not know that you've just hita grown person and not know it, and drag him approx. 10 blocks? Do the Ironton Police think that everyone is stupid? I don't care if he had seizures, if he was passed out, even if he had fell, the police officer should still have noticed a person laying in the street. If he was paying attention! About the comment about him being fired on the spot if he had been drinking...police officers are found drunk all the time while on duty. Just because they are police officers doesn't mean that they are above doing this! I hope that hte Ironton Police Station goes under a further investigation. People would probably be afraid of what they would find. The "Good Ol' Boy System" is still around..........
Posted by: hmmm on Mar 24, 2008 at 06:41 PM
My thing is(accident or not) how could you not realize SOMETHING ANYTHING was wrong with the car in that 10 block drive? Who knows, I know I feel something when you hit something as little as a rabbit. How could you not see a whole man? Very confusing and some say suspicious. All I know is if it were just a civilian someone would be in jail right now. Who knows what really happened maybe we'll never know. But it's not up to me or anyone else to put a definate blame on Fout. This was and is a huge tragedy to this area. The thing is not to get angry before the truth comes out, if it does. And really like getting on here and putting up ridiculous comments isn't getting anything done, but I've done the same. Tragic Tragic Tragic. How 'bout we all pray that the TRUTH comes out and Guy is given due justice that often times fails in this little city.
Posted by: MLS on Mar 24, 2008 at 02:55 AM
This was an accident. A crime normally involves INTENT unless you do something so recklessly such as being drunk, under the influence of drugs. Accidently dragging someone you did not see if you are not drunk, or under the influence is not a crime because he did not INTEND to do so. People keep asking how could he not know he was dragging something. Have you ever driven a car with a powerful engine, one that can tow 4000 pounds? This was a tragic accident for everyone involved.
Posted by: ????? on Mar 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Do you people honestly think that an officer is going to go to work with alcohol on his breath?..you people are stupid! they would be fired on the spot..
Posted by: Friend of the Fam on Mar 23, 2008 at 06:58 PM
To whoever asked ELM questions, whats the matter are you worried? Sounds like facts to me, no matter what anyone wants to say the fact is a man was run over and drug 10 blocks (or more) by a policeman. Scary thought. Fact, Mr. Thomas is dead, result of being drug through city streets. Icy road conditions? Yeah, so? Does it make any difference? No, the policeman was negligent, if he didn't see him laying in the street, there is a problem. His problem now. My thoughts go out to Guy's family.
Posted by: Ray on Mar 23, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I think I read somewhere that the officer didn't take the shortest route to the station. May thats why it seemed there was no ice or dirt knocked off the front bumper. It might have been knocked off, but replaced on the drive through the slushy streets.Maybe?
Posted by: TO ELM on Mar 22, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Were you there that night? did you see the cruiser after it happened????
Posted by: facts please on Mar 22, 2008 at 01:59 PM
he ws not drunk in the street...
Posted by: TM on Mar 22, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Right no blood on the sidewalk, no blood on the street where initial impact was made, blood several other places though along the dragging route. Get over trying to justify, there is no justification. A man is dead, a family is grieving. Think beyond yourselves........
Posted by: tiredofthebull on Mar 22, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Serve and protect, I believe I've seen that somewhere. Whether Mr.Thomas was passed out drunk or asleep it doesn't excuse that fact that Mr. Fout did not see him. Try this the next time your driving at night, see how far you can see out in front. Icey roads, 1 block from an intersection stop so speed should not have been a factor,slower speed better reaction time . Do you just run over things you see in the road or do you make an atempt to avoid it. Yes this was an accident a very tragic accident, caused by the neglect of a man supposedly train to opperate a vehicle in very diffuct and stressful situation. Is this the type of person you want driving on our streets everyday. Remember this. It's happened once.
Posted by: ELM on Mar 22, 2008 at 12:45 AM
No slush,just ice,car driven two blocks before running over Mr. Thomas, fabric not thread under front bumper. No proof Mr. Thomas was drunk, probable seizure and regardless HE was still run over and DRUG 10 blocks, no excuse. Accident ended at site of initial impact, crime began with leaving the scene and dragging human being. No cover up, everyone KNOWS Mr. Thomas has died, result of being dragged through street by an officer of the law. Up to prosecution to decide WHAT to charge.
Posted by: AN IDEA on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:36 PM
What if..... Guy Thomas was robbed/mugged and beaten to a pulp, left in the street or pushed under the police car. Hmm, kinda changes things don't it. Some people need to get a clue.
Posted by: No Coverup on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:33 PM
OK. #1: There were no dents anywhere on the cruiser. The dirt/ice/snow on the bumper and pushbumper were NOT DISTURBED. That means that nothing came in contact with them. Even dirt would be "wiped" if there was contact. There was a thread UNDER the pushbumper at one of the attach points to the frame of the car. #2: The Ohio Patrol did not test the police officer for drugs/alcohol. #3: The "blood" on the sidewalk is not blood. It is dust from the plaster to make footprint molds. #4: If this would have been you that ran over the victim, would not be in jail either. An investigation would take place, the prosecutor would get the findings, and then press charges IF THERE ARE ANY. This was an accident plain and simple. Mr. Thomas should not have been passed out drunk in the street.
Posted by: let's get a grip here on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Anyone who has EVER driven in slushy mucky crappy unmaintained streets (and we all have them in Appalachia, even in the cities) knows that the slush builds up HUGE, interferes with steering when the re-frozen ice builds up in the wheelwells and makes a lot of noise (have none of you conspiracy people ever had to literally kick the frozen stuff from your wheel wells after being parked for a while after traveling even a half-mile on unmaintained roads during a winter storm?) If the streets were indeed icey/slushy, it's completely a reasonable point of view that this could have happened exactly the way described. OTOH, I'm still of an open mind to hear what the OBI investigation and prosecutor reveal.
Posted by: lisa on Mar 21, 2008 at 08:03 PM
there had to be something wrong with this police officer, there is no possible way that he could drag a body a 1/2 mile without knowing there was something under the vehicle my heart goes out to both familys but you or i wouldn't be off work with pay if we said we didn't know he was there, not saying the lawmen aren,t doing there jobs but we all should be presumed innocent of things we may be accoused of. police officers shouldn't be treat better than others.
Posted by: Former Resident on Mar 21, 2008 at 12:09 PM
For In the Know on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:59 PM Look... you can try to insult my intelligence all you want... I really don't care about all of that... you don't know where I was the night that this happened! I'm telling you, Guy was not drunk and as for everything else you had to say to me or about me... I'm not really hearing you!!! As for those who think that everyone from our neighborhood is uneducated... We are far from it!!! Just because you see errors in someone's grammar or spelling doesn't necessarily mean that they are uneducated! The area we live in offers no opportunity for a person to advance!!! I used to be a police officer and decided to go back to school... I have 2 bachelor degrees, an MBA and am working on law school right now! There are people in this so called uneducated neighborhood that live in subsidized housing not because they are uneducated but because we live in an area where the economy is so poor that we cannot use our education!!! I hope this is over soon!
Posted by: Mr. Ashland on Mar 21, 2008 at 03:50 AM
I WANT TO KNOW WHY NO ONE HAS LOOKED INTO SEE IF THIS COP WAS TALKING ON HIS CELL PHONE WHILE HE WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT IS SO EASY TO DO, JUST PULL UP THE RECORDS. SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS. HOW BOUT IT IRONTON?
Posted by: Ray on Mar 21, 2008 at 02:31 AM
WSAZ is a good station, they have posted both sides of this story evenly I think. They even posted the one that bad mouthed their own ststion. I think that was very big of them.
Posted by: Cal on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:20 AM
Ohioan, your point is meaningless. The troopers didn't take him to be tested for several hours. Supposedly because he didn't know he hit anyone. Enough time to sober up before any test. Thanks for playing.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:09 AM
The people on here could smell a conspiracy at a 5 year olds lemonade stand. I had no idea we had this many detectives in the area. I understand that most of the police departments in the area are understaffed, so why don't some of these detectives volunteer to help them out. You people are ridiculous, and have no respect for anyone. There are 2 families, and an entire community grieving over this incident. People we have to stick together. There is no such thing as black or white, only human beings. God loves all no matter what. People lets just let the police handle this and concentrate on helping your neighbor.
Posted by: Joyce on Mar 20, 2008 at 07:38 PM
WSAZ! PLEASE KEEP UP ON THIS STORY.HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS MAN GET UNDER THE POLICE CAR?IF HE WAS NOT RAN OVER?OF COURSE THERE WAS NO DENTS,HE WAS HIT WITH THE PUSH BUMPER,100 LBS. WOULD NOT HAVE MADE A DENT ON THE PUSH BUMPER(RIGHT)A PIEACE OF HIS CLOTHING WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PUSH BUMPER,SO HE HAD TO BE RAN OVER,HOW DID THIS MAN GET UNDER THE CAR IF HE WASN'T RAN OVER?NOTHING IS MAKING ANY SINCE,LIKE I SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE KID,THAT GOT OUT SIDE AND THE PARENTS DIDN'T KNOW UNTILL IT WAS TO LATE!!WOULD IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE? MR. FOUTS IS GOING TO LIVE WITH THIS EVERY DAY OF HIS LIFE ALSO,BUT HE STILL BELONGS IN JAIL.I HOPE THE THOMAS FAMILY GETS THERE ANSWERS,STILL WHITE AND SAY'S IT'S NOT B/C HE WAS BLACK,I DON'T THINK,BUT HE'S NO BETTER THAN ME,IF I HAD DONE THIS I WOULD BE IN JAIL FOR A FACT.THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE FAMILY NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE HIS BODY,BUT HE DID WRONG!PUT HIM IN JAIL WHERE HE BELONGS.JUST B/C HE'S FAMILY HE IS NOT TO BE TURNED LOSE.
Posted by: Joyce on Mar 20, 2008 at 06:56 PM
what if this had been a little kid,That got out by accident,Would that of made a differents? NO it could of weighted 35 lbs. white,yellow,black,purple,Mr.Fouts is at FAULT !!! AND NEEDS TO BE IN PRISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: craig on Mar 20, 2008 at 06:41 PM
How can a person not know something that size is under their car? I noticed it was noted that neither dirt or ice was disturbed. How is that possible? Just curious.
Posted by: SOME1 on Mar 20, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I KNEW IT WOULD BE COVERD UP.ANY BODY ELES WOULD HAVE GONE STRAIGHT TOO JAIL.BUT THIS IS LAWRENCE COUNTY FOR YOU.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 20, 2008 at 02:53 PM
I think WSAZ needs to take the comments OFF this site. People are to stupid to put things on here that can help! I have realized that people think of only theirselves, not what they would do if these stories were about them or their FAMILY!!! Come on WSAZ. You are (or were) a RESPECTFULY News station. Live up to it!
Posted by: beth on Mar 20, 2008 at 02:07 PM
I dont understand why they are even asking whether or not Mr Thomas was dead or alive before he "came into contact with the cruiser". For gosh sakes'. Does that even matter? How on earth could you possible drive for 10 blocks with anything the size of a grown man underneath your car and not know it? Whether it was a man or a manequin or a deer or a bear or just a really large bag of garbage. Something that big, you're gonna know you hit something !!!! Gee whiz
Posted by: Me on Mar 20, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Of course not, he was on drugs. So why could'nt he feel a body under his car. Come on.....there is more to this then what we are hearing.
Posted by: Ohioan on Mar 20, 2008 at 12:02 PM
In reference to a comment about the troopers letting him sober up--King's Daughters Medical Center performed the blood and urine tests--not the OHP.
Posted by: old news on Mar 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM
of course... people are not hearing the truth they WANT to hear so the drama continues... this is starting to become old news. move on people. i'm sure Guy isn't complaining where ever he may be. it's all you remaining humans that are dragging this issue into the dirt.
Posted by: rmac on Mar 20, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I read someones comment about police procedure and them losing their job. Is it their job to hit someone as you clearly know the difference and can feel the inpact, now once you get out your cruiser and see clodd on the ground and find out that you hit someone it is your responsability to ID that person right away and inform the family of an accident anything else is corrupt, and police already have a bad rap this makes it worse, as they already think they are above the law, And I agree we must take better care of our vets no more living in rat motels, Bush stop spending billions on your oil war and invest back in the country and vets, WOW and this is the $200,000 dollar a year leader of our country, Red riding hood is bringing the world to hell in a handbasket and GWB is leading the way
Posted by: Kathy on Mar 20, 2008 at 10:41 AM
If it was bad out, snowy and icey, then I can see where it'd be hard. When you drive over snow it sounds like you are crushing a billion bags of potatoe chips or something. And if it was late at night and the visibility was bad. Everytime something like this happens doesn't mean it was done on purpose. Accidents happen. Why would this officer drag this man to the police station just to get retibution from everyone on himself and his family? Think about it. Give the cop a break! ACCIDENTS HAPPEN!!!
Posted by: Donna on Mar 20, 2008 at 06:03 AM
This is so sad. My prayers go out to friends and family of Mr. Thomas and also the policeman involved. As bad as the road conditions were that night, how would anyone know they were dragging a man under their automobile. The ice and slush hitting underneath ones automobile, it would be impossible to know you were dragging anyone or anything. I know the family is devastated but so is the policeman. Love one another.
Posted by: Cal on Mar 20, 2008 at 02:02 AM
I'm guessing the tests were negative since the troopers let him sober up before testing him.
Posted by: ROXY on Mar 19, 2008 at 10:14 PM
WSAZ YOU GUY'S NEED TO SCREEN THESE COMMENTS BETTER. THE FAMILIES OF ALL INVOLVED DO NOT WANT TO COME ON HEAR AND READ SUCH HATEFUL THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE POSTING. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH BOTH GUY THOMAS'S FAMILY AND MR. FOUTS AND HIS FAMILY.
Posted by: case closed on Mar 19, 2008 at 09:01 PM
well close the book on this case. the results of obi investigation are going to the prosecuter . end of story.
Posted by: green on Mar 19, 2008 at 08:24 PM
A horrible accident. That's it. The fact that a black and a white were involved does not mean it was motivated by race. More still needs to be told about what happened.
Posted by: facts::: on Mar 19, 2008 at 07:16 PM
For all of those who said it was a female...WELL YOU WERE WRONG !....For all of those who said Fouts was under the influence...WELL YOU WERE WRONG! Don't you feel stupid? and for all of you who thought that was blood on the sidewalk....well you people amuse me...
Posted by: g on Mar 19, 2008 at 06:23 PM
if the Officer has done a crime the courts will decide,but we the people of this home of the free,need to take better care of our Vets.thats 1st. thing and our goverment needs to help,our Vets.just do not hate appreciate what you had and will have God Bless America we do need change starting with ourselfs,Bless the People
Posted by: Rush on Mar 19, 2008 at 06:14 PM
To concerned citizen: you are exactly right! Every time a white person is involved it ends up being a race issue. It's not white folks who keep racism alive and well in this country, it's the african american population themselves. Youv'e got the hypocritical big mouth preachers in Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who always jump at the chance wherever there's a television camera to spew their hatred which only further devides the races in this country. Don't blame me for something that happened more than two centuries ago.
Posted by: concerned citizen on Mar 19, 2008 at 04:25 PM
When something happens to a BLACK person-and a WHITE PERSON was involved --they ALWAYS JUMP to a HATE CRIME.///STOP THIS STOP WHINING--
Posted by: To ?????? on Mar 19, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Have you ever heard the saying "If you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all" In this cause you need to SHUT your mouth! This family has lost a loved one you have no right to get on here and bad moith them or anyone else! Who are you to judge? I don't think race had anything to do with this. I think it was an accident that could have, and should have been avoided. How this man choose to live was up to him. He was a navy veteran. What have you done for this country? Get a life and grow up! Sorry guess you most be the only perfect person on earth.
Posted by: just to let you know on Mar 19, 2008 at 02:31 PM
to concerned, you start out making a lot of sense then after a few sentences you start rambling you should have stopped at the word convict!
Posted by: Concerned on Mar 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Give me a break. I thought this was about a person, regardless of color being drug several blocks by a policecar. When did it turn into white vs. black? A human is a human regardless of color. Perhaps this was truly an accident that turned ugly, but not a hate crime or worse, on purpose. Let it get investigated before everyone convicts the cop. Were you there? Did you see it? Let the investigators do their jobs first, then if there is a crime, convict. I am sick of hearing about the "race card" issues. Obviously this area and country are not ready for that drastic of a change any time soon. We are too "hilljack" for change and sometimes I am grateful. Being a voting, female democrat in this day and age is a wonderful thing, but being in this backwoods, hate-filled, vindictive area is not. I pray for each of the families that they may find closure and peace.
Posted by: TM on Mar 19, 2008 at 05:35 AM
According to earlier reports the family is not blaming all of the police just the one involved. While it might have started as an accident it became a crime once the dragging began. Quit trying to justify and find the answers. Let the poor man who died not die in vain. Don't make this about something that it is not. Its about Guy Thomas and a horrible death involving a man who happens to be a police officer, who evidently needed to be more observant than he was.
Posted by: dmk on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:47 AM
There are alot of comments on here bad mouthing the officers of IPD. Talk about them drinking, out at bars, living their lives...etc...When you dedicate yourself to go through the police academy...(and not everyone went to the voed...lol...)You are not going to risk your CAREER on doing something stupid! Officers are human and they deserve to be like everyone else. The difference between them and YOU is bravery, dedication, pride, ethics and knowing you have done something at the end of the day that matters. If your check depends on paying your house payment? don't think you are going to take that for granted for one night at Shenanigan's...Give these officers the credit they deserve...If you cut them they will bleed...They are human beings not super heroes.
Posted by: Logic on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:25 AM
I have attempted to be a silent bystander throughout this ordeal and it gets more difficult each day. I think it is a waste of time for people to correct ones grammar on here for one thing. I also feel that alot of people on here hate the police, and I am sure that is all around the country. However, I do feel that only GOD, Guy and Fouts know what happened that fateful night. I do honestly believe that the entire department should not be prosecuted for one officers (mistake, neglect, panic, knowledge , intent or anything else.)..This was a horrible accident...and I believe judgement is left up to GOD not the people of Ironton.
Posted by: Ironton on Mar 18, 2008 at 09:52 PM
DB~~ He is getting paid watch the video!! Mr. Carey says it in the video.. Since you seem to know so much!!! I don't believe everything i read on here or in the paper but the video does tell he is on admin. leave with pay.. THANK YOU
Posted by: hesmybro on Mar 18, 2008 at 09:19 PM
To ??????....Wow you really need help......Seriously
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 18, 2008 at 07:12 PM
to possibility, OBI found a thread connected to the front of the car and Mr Thomas was found under the back of the car so he would have had to travel all the way under the car read the whole story it don't seem possible to me that he did not know! and if you hit something you really should go back and look especially if you are a police officer! he may not have known he hit a human being but he had to know he had hit something and he chose to leave the scene thats where it became a CRIME! there is no cover up the IPD is not all bad the county coroner is not an idiot and the city of ironton could not cover this up even if they wanted to (and I don't think they do)race has nothing to do with it, education has nothing to do with it,employment status has nothing to do with it,the neighborhood where Mr. Thomas lived has nothing to do with it, having a scanner has nothing to do with it, and how many hugs he got from his family also has nothing to do with it!!
Posted by: ?????? on Mar 18, 2008 at 06:53 PM
To hesmybro.....check public records...did you bond your big bro out of jail?....
Posted by: kingfree on Mar 18, 2008 at 06:15 PM
man they got my fam but its cool the police is lying trying to cover things up but they cant only time will tell the truth so tick tock the police will get caught and the hate crimes will stop to my fam i luv yall and keep ya head up RIP GUY rest well we will see you on the other side
Posted by: queenruby on Mar 18, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Its still so sad to know nothing will be done. A human being is dead regardless of any comments on this topic. And yes I honestly feel for both parties here. But something has to be done....it makes no sense to me. Everyone should put thereselves in each persons shoes before the judge. Hope and pray for both families.
Posted by: Possibility on Mar 18, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Has anyone ever thought that maybe he felt the hit and that the man was caught, by his shirt or something on the middle or back of the bumper and he was drug without knowing. If I hit something and its dark/foggy, I do not go back to see what it is..however if it was stuck under my vehicle, I would know the difference.
Posted by: Woody on Mar 18, 2008 at 11:00 AM
WSAZ, The story is not being updated enough. This is serious, WSAZ help us, please turn over any rock you can. We have the right to question the police. We are looking for quality investigative reporting, not just a news story. Dont let this go cold. We all want to know and its worthy of reporting on. Ask for witnesses to come forth, someone may have seen this happen. Get involved and get with the FBI if you hear anything. Ironton can't police itself.
Posted by: straight from ironton on Mar 18, 2008 at 10:49 AM
this is to cnb. when i said all you people, i'm referring to all the people on here leaving comments that this is anything more than an accident. i know you were hoping i was being racist, but sorry, i wasn't. your comment was just another example of "the race card".
Posted by: hesmybro on Mar 18, 2008 at 09:33 AM
To ?????? DEATH brought the family together not MONEY!!! I want the truth that's what I want, I want you ignorant people on this site to stop speaking on things you don't know nothing about. ???? YOU should be ashamed of your self for making such a foul statement. Let something like this happen to you and your family and lets see how you feel/react to it. At this time both families need support and prayer. ????? I have lost a big brother that I have loved unconditionally sense day one, Now tell me what have you lost in this whole thing ? So quit trying to be the armchair CSI agent and let OBCI conduct their investigation and let me and my family cope with our tragic loss. Geeze you people sicken me :(
Posted by: Dana on Mar 18, 2008 at 09:29 AM
No matter what anyone thinks about IPD...They followed procedure to the T that night and do everything in that manner. The problem is out there....that SOME people have no clue what that procedure is..Police have rules and if they stray from that they lose their job. Just look at the officers in the past that are gone. If IPD is so crooked, why are those officers gone? think about what you are saying on here people.
Posted by: Sam on Mar 18, 2008 at 04:26 AM
Is it true that upon finding the body, the IPD took the body to a local funeral home without calling the corner - or anyone else for that matter? If this is true - many should loose their jobs. Who was responsible for not following procedure? Ironton needs to be cleaned up starting with the IPD.They are not above the law and should be held accountable for their actions. They have brought on more suspection by not coming out with the truth when this happened. And thank goodness an outside agency is investigating - maybe they can expose the real story.
Posted by: CNB on Mar 18, 2008 at 01:19 AM
This is to Straight Rrom Ironton. Who are you referring to when you say "ALL YOU PEOPLE"! Then you said ALL YOU! Who is all you? I know where you,re heading with this I just wondered if everybody else does? It was a horrible accident, but the officer driving still should have seen Guy, whether on the ground,lying, sitting, or kneeling. I hope he was on his knees praying for this sick self centered city!!!!!
Posted by: ????? on Mar 18, 2008 at 01:09 AM
To..TM....I dealt with guy on a regular basis.....and to my knowledge..he did not get very many hugs from his family...they only had to have a few hundred dollars to bail him out of jail...last year...on five occassions...and they let him sit in jail...now the poor man has gotten more attention with his death!..money...has brought them together..I hope he rest in peace...you should be ashamed of yourselves..we shall overcome...is a little outdated..!!!!
Posted by: Melanie on Mar 17, 2008 at 06:27 PM
what are you people going to do when you realize this was just a tragic accident?? Good Grief!!! There is not cover up...there is not racial issues...just simply a tragic accident!!!!
Posted by: DB on Mar 17, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I read the Monday 2pm update - we all believe EVERYTHING we read in the newspaper, right?? That may have been the case in the initial days after the accident but it's not anymore. Please just let the authorities do their jobs & if you feel you could do a better job than they do then get the training & apply for whatever position you would be better at! I'm done. I will not be reading this ridiculous nonsense anymore - I have better things to do with my time.
Posted by: Ray on Mar 17, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Mr Thomas may have been dead in the road from a heart attack or something. But thats not the issue I'm thinking of. Anybody that has ever hit a deer in the road knows you can feel anything that big. A human being is closer to the size of a deer than the size of a dog, and you can feel a dog. Hey, I hit a rabit one time and I felt it hit the bottom of my car. I know if I hit a human being, and I was in the right state of mind, I would know it. The first thing I would do is stop and see what I hit, in the road, and then under my car. This might have been an accident, but somethings wrong with dragging a body for 50 ft. much less 10 blocks. People can speculate all they want, but there's just something wrong with this story.
Posted by: Marian Gardner on Mar 17, 2008 at 12:56 PM
To all the residents in Ironton Ohio know that you have an honest Chief of Police Jim Carey will see that the truth is revealed in this matter. As citizen please stay united in the fight for justic and equility and know that Guy Thomas did not die in vain. His death has made many people reflect on their life and what would happen if you died a tragic death? Let remember that it only how we help one another while we are alive that will count in the end. Ask your self were you good or did you help Guy while he was alive? Did you tell Guy that you loved him and though well of him? If you did not take the time today to tell those around you that you care and they are special in your life. For we all must go the way of the grave and what a wonderful way to go, knowing that you were loved. To my family I truly miss each one of you and I want you to know that you are loved and special to me, not only because you are family and the same blood runs through your viens as mine, Jesus love
Posted by: B DUB on Mar 17, 2008 at 08:40 AM
WHERES THE BLOOD TEST ?THIS IS COVER UP,HOPE MR. THOMAS'S FAMILY BRINGS LEGAL ACTION,BUT NOT FROM THIS COUNTY.
Posted by: Someone who's been through this on Mar 16, 2008 at 11:09 PM
First of all reading all these comments make me sick to my stomach that everyone wants to make a mess out of this. Leave the racist comments out , they have nothing to do with this and there are only three people who really know what happen that morning, God , the officer, and Mr. Thomas, if you are not one of them then you are only spreading vicious rumors. This whole thing is a major tragedy and I feel horrible for Mr Thomas's family and for the officer, he does have to live with this and that is a horrible feeling. I have been involved in two accidents that there were fatalities in and I would never wish that horrible feeling on my worst nightmare. Everyone needs to let the FBI invistigate and let justice be served. Instead of arguiing and making exuses and rumors lets all as a community stand together and try to help these families who are suffering.
Posted by: STRAIGHT FROM IRONTON on Mar 16, 2008 at 10:48 PM
JOYCE. YOU MUST NOT UNDERSTAND THE ASPECTS OF THE LAW. FOUT IS NOT ALLOWED TO DISCLOSE ANY INFO UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS OVER. AND IT WON'T MATTER TO ALL YOU PEOPLE WHEN HE DOES TELL HIS SIDE, BECAUSE YOU ALL WON'T BELIEVE HIM ANYWAY. JUST LIKE YOU ALL DON'T BELIEVE OUR CORONER THAT THE AUTOPSY WAS INCONCLUSIVE. HE'S BEEN CALLED AN IDIOT, AND A PAWN OF THE IPD TO COVER UP THIS HORRIFIC CRIME. RIGHT? GIVE ME A BREAK PEOPLE. IT WAS A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT.
Posted by: ManDee on Mar 16, 2008 at 01:09 PM
This is awful. I hope that the officer is punished for this crime...I do NOT believe this was an accident. There is NO way that he did not know there was a body underneath his crusior!
Posted by: Lauren on Mar 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Inconclusive? That's convenient! Regardless of weather or not this man was dead at the time,you still have a situation where a cop ,The people we are supposed to feel safe around,(what a joke anymore) dragging a human body!! Just an accident! “It appears to just be an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian." Yeah except the vehicle was a police cruiser and the pedetrian is dead!!!!! I ran over my dog one time in my driveway, by accident of course, and I felt it as soon as I done it and she probably only wieghs 50-60 lbs! If this officer is sooooo stupid that he don't know when he is dragging a human being who the hell is he to be enforcing the LAW!!!! He dragged a man nearly 10 blocks!!! That is what killed him let's quite making excuses It does not take a detective (pun intended) to figure it out. Eveyone should read this http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2008/03/10/news/local01.txt It seems to tell a different story!
Posted by: defendingMYrights on Mar 16, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I just finished reading the past 2 days worth of posts and felt the need to make a few points. What is wrong with listening to a scanner? I began listening when my teenage daughter got her drivers license and I do not "pick up my phone and call everyone" when something happens but if I did...so what. These are PUBLIC SERVANTS. And yes, I do have a job. As a matter of fact I own a business and employ others. I am grateful I live in a country where the average citizen is ALLOWED to state thier point of view publicly whether I agree with it or not. I am also grateful that I can question authority without worry of harm to me or my family. And last, YES, I am grateful for the police and I would not hesitate to call them if I needed BUT that doesn't mean that I will not question what I feel needs questioned. I am an American and I have the RIGHT to do so. Mr. Thomas assured me of that right by serving in our Armed Forces.
Posted by: TM on Mar 16, 2008 at 10:55 AM
The people posting here now seem to be Fouts family and friends. While you might be concerned about YOUR friend you need to be looking at the REAL victim here. Guy will never live again, his family will never be able to hug him again, never see his smile again. This has broken many hearts. While this could've been listed as an accident, the accident ended the minute Officer Fouts left the scene after the initial impact, then it began a crime. Regardless of road conditions, regardless if Guy was in the street, Fouts was negligent, he is an officer of the law and should therefore be more observant than any other person. This has affected way more than two families but you all posting here need to remember there is only one person deceased and he died in an inhuman way. Can any of you imagine what he went through and imagine what Guys family thinks about every night when they try to go to sleep? There is no race issue here, theres a human issue here.
Posted by: karen on Mar 16, 2008 at 10:43 AM
This is just a tragic accident. Just let the officers do their investigation, so that they can really find out what happened. I think it was just a freak accident. The weather conditions were very bad that night and I am sure that it is a factor in this accident. I do not beleive that this has anything to do with the victim being black. My prayers go out to the victims family and to the Fouts family.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 16, 2008 at 10:40 AM
MY heart and prayers go out to this mans family. I have hit a squirrel before and I heard a thump. I have had a whole exhaust system fall off my car and had to drive it to a shop to get it fixed. I dont understand why there wasnt thumps and a weight felt from underneath. I am not trying to disrespect the police and I truly feel that the police officer will have to live with the guilt of a man dying. Either way there are two families grieving over this incident in different ways but as a community there are some questions that need to be answered and the story that has been reported is kind of hard to believe. If it had been a big truck with big wheels and a loud stereo system the story might have been believable but this was a crown vic or some other car fitting the same style of a crown vic and we as a community are supposed to believe that the police officer had no indication of what had happened?
Posted by: GW on Mar 16, 2008 at 09:27 AM
This is not about racism.Neglect is better term for it. Tree branch, dog, sack of garbage, a HUMAN!! ANYONE would be aware of something stuck to the bottom of your vehicle.I was always aware of something stuck when I would go up and down alleys and take out garbage cans with the truck. Thats no excuse! The IPD is crooked. Has been for years and it probably will not change. I also hope that they get fully investigated. I would love to see OBI or whoever pull the lid off IPD and check out every case for the past 20 yrs!! Then alot of people would get some answers. In reality, it will be hushed and brushed under the rug, as is all scandalous activity in Ironton. No type of real consequence will be administered. If nothing else comes of all this, the ever diligent IPD should (at the very least), pay for this mans funeral. and not a cheap one either!
Posted by: teresa on Mar 16, 2008 at 06:48 AM
My thoughts and prayers go out to Guy Thomas's family. I hope they get the answers to all the questions they have, so Guy can rest in peace. Regardless of whether or not he had drugs/alcohol in his system, regardless of where he lived, regardless of his education, he was a human being. Law enforcement in Lawrence County is at fault for the way people view them. Plain and simple. As for the bad parts of Ironton, I am not so quick to believe this. Ironton is a historic town, full of the huge old homes and nice people. I do not and have never lived in Ironton, but have done my share of being in Ironton for one reason or another. I would not be afraid to stop at a stop sign at any corner. People need to stop bashing Ironton and its citizens and focus on Guy Thomas getting justice. Focus on law enforcement giving truthful answers. Use this opportunity to change the things that need changed, in death let Guy Thomas make a difference, don't let his death be for not.
Posted by: B DUB on Mar 16, 2008 at 06:26 AM
MAKE MR.FOUTS BLOOD TEST PUBLIC,FROM HOSPITAL
Posted by: Joyce on Mar 16, 2008 at 01:33 AM
First(straight from ironton)!if you don't want to read stay off the computer!second It don't matter what color you are (THIS IS IRONTON!! No one is making you read this,I used to live in Ironton,Most of my family still does,may god watch over them,and to( Anthony Edens )Tell Your Whole Family i'm so sorry and i'm not a church goer but still will say a pray for his family.and for the words i've mispelled sorry to all the people who don't dare spell anything wrong.white female, and IPD IS IN THE WRONG,WHY DON'T Officer Fouts have anything to say??maybe if he would come forward and let wsaz have him tell how he done this! Maybe it would help someone to understand how he hit and drug him 10 blocks?I no the body was stuck and he needed help to get him loose,omg i"ve heard a lot and seen a lot,but this really takes it all, I don't know PAM but she sure could inlighten us all,but she would lose her job. ANTHONY EDENS E-MAIL ME WHEN THEY R GOING TO HAVE HIS FUNERAL.stardust_taylor@yahoo.com
Posted by: Black and Proud on Mar 16, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Anonymous, Why do some bring up the race issue? Could it be the whole slavery thing? Or that many of their grandparents still remember not being allowed to go to the same schools or drink from the same water fountains? Or that the instant white America was forced by the Supreme Court to make things equal, we expected black folks to suddenly think we were all cool? Could it be the number of times white people have said, "What, it's just a black joke...I didn't mean you specifically...C'mon man, don't be like that..." I'd love it if everyone were taught to be fine with everyone else, but if somebody punches you in the face every day for six hundred years and then only quits after being forced to by the Supreme Court, wouldn't it take a little while for you to tell your kids they're cool?
Posted by: Me!!!!!!!!! on Mar 15, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Agrees with Doll.....if it was a black cop drag a white guy 10 blocks i think it would had been a different story...my heart and prayers goes out to guys family and friends.....and by the way im white...
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 15, 2008 at 08:57 PM
A famous quote states 'You can't win an argument with an idiot. All you can do is lower yourself to their level. Then they will beat you with experience.' Most people posting here have already made up their mind. Facts and evidence will not persuade them. 2 eyewitnesses can see the same accident and yet both have opposing views. No wonder an innocent man should prefer a single judge instead of a dozen jurors. It is no wonder that the legal system in this country is so screwed up. The scary part of this - It could just as easily been you or me, our spouses, or even our kids that could have been the next driver coming down the street and run over Guy. Instead - fate made it a police officer. Lousy luck. Now his career here in Ironton is ended. Both families are permanently damaged. Nothing will bring Guy back. Our community is further divided in a no win situation. Insults and accusations are made that did not serve any purpose or have any foundation. What have we come to as a community?
Posted by: ironton/woman on Mar 15, 2008 at 08:54 PM
the road conditions where awful so wouldnt his body more like glide over the ice and not be loud as it would have been on the concrete? this cop was known for being very strict and by the book. there is no way it is a cover up. and if he did "hit" him why wouldnt he just dump the body somewhere and then go to work as if nothing happened? why would he go to the police station? and if it was a cover up then why did the police call state patrol and OBCI? i think it was just an awful accident that ruined 2 families lives. and i have a scanner and a "REAL" job, why are people so ignorant? and Guy was nice and never caused any trouble. my thoughts and prayers are with both families. and people need to stop trying to turn this into an issue of race.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 15, 2008 at 08:47 PM
IF THE MAN WAS ALREADY ON THE SIDE WALK WHY DID'NT THE COP SEE HIM LAYING THERE I THINK HE WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION I THINK HE SHOULD BE CHARGE WITH THE CRIME IF THAT WAS ANOUTHER PERSON THAT WAS NOT A COP THEY WOULD PUT YOU IN JAIL AND WOULD'NT THINK TWICE ABOUT IT THEY ARE COVERING UP FOR MR.FOUTS BUT THIS IS LAWRENCE COUNTY WE SOMEONE TO COME IN AND DO THE JOB RIGHT I'M TALKING ABOUT GETTING SOME REAL COPS IN TOWN
Posted by: large on Mar 15, 2008 at 08:24 PM
First of all im a white female with a black fiance and several white black combos in my family so DONT try to pull the race thing with me!!! Secondly there was several layers of thick snow and ice on the road so to drag a body would be very easy bc u slide in the snow and ice! anyone ever went sleigh riding??? and y would the officer intentionally drag him back to the police dpt and put himself and his family in such a horrible position??? i dont know either party involved but be real ironton IT WAS A FREAK UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: TO DB on Mar 15, 2008 at 08:11 PM
DB read the MONDAY 2PM UPDATE unless I can't read right its says."Carey says Fouts has been with the department for 2 months. Fouts is currently on administrative leave WITH pay."
Posted by: straight from ironton on Mar 15, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I wish everyone from ironton would stop leaving comments on here, because you are making everyone who lives here look like uneducated idiots. I mean you can't even spell Lawrence County, which is where you live. Ironton Police have done a fine job in Ironton for years. No one knows what happened. So stop with the speculations. It was an accident. I noticed that the coroner was called an idiot, and said to probably have been employed by the IPD. Again, uneducated people, critisizing the intelligent. Just shut-up and let the police do their job. As far as "that" neighborhood being a bad one, and the lack of lighting on that night, if someone in that neighborhood was concerned about the lack of lighting, why didn't they contact the city engineer. Why would you wait until a tragedy happens, and then try to blame an innocent man. Sorry for your loss people, but the FOUT FAMILY is suffering too.
Posted by: SameOld on Mar 15, 2008 at 05:41 PM
It seems to me, and most of the people in the community, that the police are again conspiring to cover up their mess.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 15, 2008 at 01:14 PM
to funny,if the women want to take a job as a police officer then its their duty to be one tough cookie. and the man should have stayed inside, she is getting paid to serve and protect the same as a man!! am i right?
Posted by: DB on Mar 15, 2008 at 12:05 PM
ironton 3/15 at 5:27am Actually you are wrong about him still getting paid.
Posted by: ironton on Mar 15, 2008 at 05:27 AM
DB 3/14 @9:09a.m. He is not without a job he is still getting paid.. And to the one wanting to know if they are still driving the police cars home. LOL Why of course!! My prayers are with both families!!
Posted by: ????? on Mar 15, 2008 at 12:51 AM
They came out of the woodwork when he died!.....and his fines to keep him out of jail?....well, not very much.....
Posted by: Show some LOVE on Mar 14, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Let me just ask one question. Were any of you there the night of the accident? NO!!! I think everyone needs to stand back and let the police do their job. The truth will be told. I am truly sorry for what happened to Guy Thomas. It was such a terrible tragedy, but everyone is hating on all the Police right now. Let's just sit back and think for a minute about who is the first person you call when you need help. It is the POLICE!! They ARE here to protect us and I think they are doing a wonderful job!!! We all need to come together not pull apart!!! It is so sad what is happening to this town.
Posted by: funny on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:22 PM
There are so many "WANNA BE COPS" in this town, it cracks me up. But when the going gets tough you want to whine about cops. Go rent the video and dream alittle dream..You have got to be one tough cookie!..to do what they do..Grown men will call police when they hear a noise outside...I watched a female cop come to my neighbors, while he stayed inside....go get 'em Pam!
Posted by: Brian Hammonds on Mar 14, 2008 at 09:08 PM
It is a true shame that something like this has to be the way one of our military vets ends his life. My prays go out to Guy's family. He was a good friend while I was growing up in Ironton. I hope the truth does come out and not a cover-up.
Posted by: fedupinironton on Mar 14, 2008 at 07:17 PM
I am fed up with people on this page harping on the fact that Guy was at the American Legion having a few beers does this excuse what the officer done? No millions of americans go to bars to have drinks on a daily basis should they be drug to their deaths? Lets stop blaming the victim and start putting the blame where it belongs... on the officer that drug him to his death. And as for the person who thinks that his family wanted nothing to do with him nothing can be further from the truth just because they were not there with him holding his hand across the street does not mean they did not love and care about him. Guy was a good person and did not deserve to die in this manner no human does reguardless of their past. May God bless the Thomas Family.
Posted by: think about it on Mar 14, 2008 at 05:58 PM
if someone can't fit underneath a car, then how are all the catalytic converter thefts possible.Mr. Thomas was a small man, and would easily have fit under a car. It doesn't take much ice to be slick, and offer no resistance to something being drug. As far as the blood on the sidewalk, watch more CSI. If that was blood on the sidewalk, that means he sustained an injury on the sidewalk, because I'm sure the car didn't run up on the sidewalk. if you cath a stick on the underneath of your car it won't make the same sound as a human body. What happened is tragic, but what everyone else is doing is even more tragic. The only people who make sense is the family, and the police
Posted by: vain on Mar 14, 2008 at 05:38 PM
can you people not see that Guy Thomas' life and death will now be in vain? everyone needs to shut the heck up and just let people do their jobs. if you don't like how things are handled, may i suggest you take a job in this field and then you can participate. get over it already people- everyone is taking the appropriate measures. and im sorry, but the truth will be revealed- even tho it won't be the truth many WANT to hear. and of course police and ems go to separate channels and cell phones when needed- it's to keep things that are NONE of your business- from being YOUR business!
Posted by: doll on Mar 14, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Let a black man hit a white man ,the court system would lock him up for life!
Posted by: kayla on Mar 14, 2008 at 04:49 PM
I really dont know what this town is doing but i dont wnat to stay here if this is gonna get to a be a hate crime in which it isnt so we dont need to bring al sharpton here , he lives in slave times anyways and i dont want to be consider racist just because im White. Just because it was a black male hit by a white male doesnt mean its racist people.. please quit making things worst as it is.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 14, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Rev. Al sharpton and Shabazz are on there way down to ironton..lol
Posted by: Drug Dealer on Mar 14, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I think the Ironton Police Department does a great job. I consider dem "my Friend". And they protect me too!
Posted by: Glass on Mar 14, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I felt it when I accidently hit a cat once and a opossum another time. I do not believe for a second you could hit a person and not know it. UNLESS your intoxicated or on drugs.
Posted by: Mel on Mar 14, 2008 at 02:13 PM
May God be with all involved!!! My prayers go out to both the family of Mr. Thomas and the police officer!! God Bless!
Posted by: To_SET_FACTS_STRAIGHT on Mar 14, 2008 at 02:00 PM
To - FACTS: "police are risky their lives every day!" Did u type that wrong. Didnt you really mean to say that the police are out there RISKING OUR LIVES every day?!"
Posted by: what_they_wont_tell_YA on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:56 PM
I will tell you why OBI, and IPD will determine that Officer Fout in know way was at fault and that mr thomas was responsible for his own death. Because IPD does not want to be sued. If The city gets sued - then the indigent city goverment will force the tax payers to bail them out. Which we have been doing for years. Question: Are the officers Still driving the police cars home? Thats smart.!
Posted by: sigmamom1 on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:56 PM
to grow up posted mar 14 1:08am, Mr. Thomas was not married there is no wife to contact. As for Mrs. Miller, she has been a surrogate mother to the Thomas sibling for many years. She would be the logical person to contact in the event the brother or sister was not available.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:57 AM
(to facts) I have a scanner and probley a better job than you do!! what does that have to do with anything?
Posted by: Advocate for NEW FORCE on Mar 14, 2008 at 10:29 AM
If this cop, was truely unaware that he had ran over a person and was dragging a person 10 blocks. - Then what does that say about his (the officers) mental condition. IPD is defending him too!. Do we want police officers that are this "oblivious" really patrolling are streets? I dont think so. I guess any one of the ironton police officers are capable of this. This is SCARY folks.!
Posted by: cap123 on Mar 14, 2008 at 09:29 AM
As for the scanner questions, let me enlighten you. There are times when law enforcement and EMS stop talking on their radios and go to public services (cell phones). This is not a coverup, but to protect the situation. When there are emergency responder accidents, injuries, or departmental issues requiring investigation these are handled on phones. It is recorded, the same lines that handle 911 calls are the lines used. Everything in a situation like this is recorded. OBI would have listened in their investigation. My deepest sympathy to the family. May you find solace in your memories and love for Guy.
Posted by: DB on Mar 14, 2008 at 09:09 AM
First of all, Rich left the Ironton area due to threats to himself & his family - NOT to "run away". He has been instructed to discuss this situation with NO-ONE by ALL authorities involved - that is why he has not talked to the family or anyone else. He is emotionally devastated about this situation & his family is now homeless esentially & he has no job! It is a TERRIBLE tragedy for both families but let's let the authorities do their investigation & go from there. IF there is a cover-up Rich had or has nothing to do with it - it's all on the police dept. but I truly doubt there is honestly. Please Please don't make this any more difficult for friends & family or EITHER victim - keep your cool & pull together as a community - don't argue with each other!!
Posted by: Grow Up on Mar 14, 2008 at 01:08 AM
The department went to cell phone only because they were discussing the fate of someone who had been dragged several blocks under a police cruiser. It's standard procedure to block public access through scanners for certain types of events. Officer Founts was interviewed by the IPD and by the Ohio BCI. IPD is not handling the investigation to avoid any chance of cover-up on their part. Even our county coroner was not allowed anything other than an autopsy report from the state lab. As for the comments on timely family notification, the wife was notified in a timely manner. The complaining relatives are members of a vast family tree that nobody had time to find contact information for. Is this area so lacking in entertainment that we have to make up conspiracy theories for every moment of every day?
Posted by: chad on Mar 14, 2008 at 12:09 AM
well first off i have to say i dont know how you couldnt realize that their is a body dragging under you car. as far as a cover up i doubt it everyone likes to speculate i dont think race is involved if it is then hopefully the investigation unit out of columbus will discover that and handle it properly this story is very wierd i feel for the families of both involved specially for mr thomas it is very sad but i think everybody needs to calm down until some tests come back i dont believe this was intentional maybe negligent.
Posted by: bre on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I say there is a cover up with the cops in Ironton. I lived there for a long time..and when the cops are scared to pull over teens for doing wrong on weekends they have a million reasons why they do their job when the kids are tearing up the town..they cover up everything that goes wrong in town in Ironton.......
Posted by: i'm done here! on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:06 PM
i'm done with this story it will remain devided we all believe what we believe and until there is more imformation we won't know. so lets stop for now. this is a very tough thing we are going through as a town we don't need to be hating on each other noone needs to get the last word! however this turns out it is going to be tragic!rest in peace Guy Thomas and the best to officer Fouts
Posted by: facts... on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:00 PM
If police said everything over the radio, everyone who listens and has no job would be calling their friends. People lets just get it on out there..ok? People who listen to the scanner must not have a REAL JOB. It is not for your pleasure..These officers are risking their lives every minute of every day why you sit and eat your pot pie ...wsaz...stop this before some major attorney's get you...and you know what I mean...freedom of speech is one thing...slander of character is another.
Posted by: DJ on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Pray for Guy and his family, I have known them for a long time. I used to live in Ironton, and have nothing bad to say about IPD. I do have something bad to say about the officer in question. Where are you? How did you not know you ran over a man and drugged him for blocks. I know that if the situation was reversed, Guy would have held a news conference already and tried to explain what happened especially if he was innocent of any wrong doing and been remorsely sorry for everything that has happened. I guess I didn;t get the newspaper when you did that.(Fouts) this could have truly been an accident to begin with, but a dragging on the streets of Ironton is no accident . How can the police dept know when the dragging started since now they are saying Guy was already down, explain that. If there was no Impact, how do you know where it began. How did his family find his wallet and you didn't? Did you not tape off the scene??Guy and family, Please don't let this be covered up.
Posted by: Trauma 1 MD on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Having grown up in Ironton, I feel that I must comment on this story. Since there was no visible damage to the patrol car and no obvious signs of trauma found during autopsy, one (Medical Examiner) must wait until tox screens arrive to determine cause of death. Everyone should patiently wait until these results arrive before playing the blame game.
Posted by: LEFT IRONTON YRS. AGO on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:07 PM
WHY WAS THE SCANNERS TURNED OFF AND EVERYONE STARTED USING CELL PHONES???????WHY HAS MR.FOUTS NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED???? THIS WILL BE COVERED UP AS ALWAYS THATS IPD FOR YOU.I THINK HE DID HIT THE MAN,BUT DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS STILL ATTACHED TO HIS CAR UNTILL HE GOT TO THE JAIL,THEN EVERONE STAYED THERE FOR 1 HR. BEFORE LETING ANYONE GO???????? WHY,WHY,WHY,EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS !!!!!!!!!!! IF IT WASN'T FOR WSAZ NO ONE WOULD HAVE EVER KNOWN ABOUT THIS.
Posted by: Jennifer on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:00 PM
I have listened and listened to this story and I am getting mad.It seems to me the police are trying to say Mr.Thomas had drugs or alcohol in his system or that he possibly had a seizure.Oh and lets not forget what the examiner said.He says there is some evidence that the burns on Mr. Thomas’ body happened after he was dead.It doesnt matter if he was drunk and drugged up and even if he had a seizure in the middle of the road,THE MAN WAS DRAGGED FOR 10 BLOCKS BY A POLICE CRUISER.No one can cover that up.How can a police officer not know he was dragging someone under his car?This story is beyond bizarre, especially how the police and the powers that be seem to try to cover up the idiocy of the police officer who struck this man.No one,not even the President of the United States himself could cover up this type of horrific crime.The police officer who was driving that cruiser that night needs to be punished. I know the news says he is on administrative leave,I HOPE its not paid leave.
Posted by: tiger fan all the way on Mar 13, 2008 at 06:06 PM
hey i am an ironton native. First of all I would like to express my sympathies to the Thomas family and friends. This is a horrible tragedy. I can not imagine what you all are going through. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Now I have a question for the IPD, have you all investigated as to see if the police officer was talking on the cell phone. How many times have you all went past an IPD officer and he or she is talking on the cell phone? Do not take the officers word for it, subpeno the cell phone records. Could this be why they did not know they was dragging a body, because they was distracted? Just a theory. I am not bashing the officer, my parents was law enforcment officers when i was little, but come on how could you not know that there might be something wrong ( a weird noise, car not having enough speed, anything that would say use your training and make sure all is ok.
Posted by: Rawlins on Mar 13, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Praying for peace in this small town of Ironton.
Posted by: Kelly on Mar 13, 2008 at 03:12 PM
First of all to the Thomas family--I am very sorry for your loss and you are in my prayers! To the Fouts family--you are also in my prayers! Whatever happened, it is a tragedy for both families. The Thomas family must deal with with loss of a loved one and Patrolman Fouts and his family must deal with his having a hand (whether accidental or otherwise) in a death of a person. Notice I did not say a black man----this is not racial--it happened--Mr Thomas was a human being--it doesnt matter if he was black or white --we, the Ironton community, need to know what happened and then we can heal and go on. If it was intentional, then Patrolman Fouts should be disciplined and punished, if it was accidental then he should still be disciplined within the police department but then we need to forgive and try (I say try, I know the family will never forget) to forget.
Posted by: no problem with the IPD on Mar 13, 2008 at 03:06 PM
I simply can not believe that the officer did not know, i'm sorry the only thing more unbelievable than that is that there are people who seem to believe him!! Guy Thomas traveled all the way under the car from bumper to bumper and they say there were no injuries consistant with being struck! you can only call people uneducated and gullable if they believe that!! and quit acting like we had a foot of snow on the streets everyone knows we didn't! another thing some of you want to talk about peoples education what does being able to spell have to do with the facts? accident or no accident he committed a crime when he left the scene! maybe he did not see Mr. Thomas but he knew he hit something and him being a police officer he knew to stop why he didn't we may never know!!AND ONE MORE THING YES MOST OF US WOULD BE IN JAIL!!
Posted by: AMEN on Mar 13, 2008 at 02:58 PM
I HOPE THIS MAKES THE MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW
Posted by: AMEN on Mar 13, 2008 at 02:53 PM
HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?DID HIS POLICE BUDDYS GIVE THE URINE TEST?WHY DIDNT THEY TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL AND DO A BLOOD TEST. COPS DRINK AND DO DRUGS ALL THE TIME ACROSS THE USA.IRONTON IS CORRUPT TOWN IF YOU GOT ENOUGH MONEY YOU CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING AND GET BY WITH IT.ALL THIS AREA AS A MATTER OF FACT.IT JUST A WAY WAY OF LIFE BLACKS ARE TREATED WITH NO RESPECT.IV E SEEN A LIFE TIME OF IT FIRST HAND.THIS SITUATION IS AN INSULT.LIKE SO MANY POST HERE,IF HAD RUN OVER SOMEONE I WOULD BE IN JAIL UNTIL PROVEN,I DID NOT DO IT.THE OHIO STATE PATROL NEEDS TO MARCH IN HERE AND TAKE THIS CORRUPTED POLICE FORCE OVER UNTIL ITS CLEANED UP. ITS AS BAD AS CINCINNATI.WE ARE A PEOPLE WITH A HISTORY OF NOT TRUSTING THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE POLICE AND FOR GOOD REASON, STUFF LIKE THIS WALK IN OUR SHOES AND YOU MIGHT CHANGE YOU OPINIONS.WHERE IS FOUTS? ITS SIMPLE COP COULD HAVE DRUNK OR DRUGGED UP BEFORE GOING TO WORK,HIT MR.THOMAS DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO.SO GO TO POLICE STION ACT LIKE NOTHING HAPPEN
Posted by: Roxy on Mar 13, 2008 at 01:13 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Thomas family and Mr. Fouts family. May God reveal the truth of what happened that night.
Posted by: Frank on Mar 13, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I know the first thing I'd do if I had just ran over and dragged a person for a mile is drive to the police station. You don't have to be intelligent to have common sense. I would love to hear the officer's side of the story. None of us were there. This was a tragic accident and that's what my opinion of it is, an accident.
Posted by: Melanie on Mar 13, 2008 at 12:42 PM
thank goodness there are finally facts coming out! IPD my family and I will continue to stand behind you! Officer Fouts, God Bless you and your family! I hope and pray people will stop being so ignorant and stop jumping to conclusions! God Bless all of Lawrence Co. and especially its Officer!
Posted by: Jon on Mar 13, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I think we need to just let the police do there job and stop running our mouths like immature lil kids gosh grow up!!!
Posted by: jim on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:59 AM
First of all, all of our thoughts and prayers are with Guy's family. After reading most of the comments here and the media coverage of this tragedy, I think it is important not to lose sight of who the real victim is in this situation. My life experiences tell me that Guy's family wants the whole truth about what happened so that they can either accept it and move on, or seek justice for him. Much respect goes out to Juan for his mature and reasonable attitude toward the situation. That being said, the information that has been released so far inspires more questions than answers. What we have heard so for seems improbable, but we must remember that on one side of the issue, the bottom line is money. I am sure that the city's liability would be dramatically reduced if this tragedy would be an accident instead of gross negligence. However, knowing what I know at this point, gross negligence would be the least of all conclusions. The facts just don't support anything else.
Posted by: Tammy & Josh on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Yes! Everyone wants to know what happened! But I agree with Town Girl we are not authorities and are at no position to say we know what happened! Stop passing judgement and let the authorities do their job!
Posted by: just wondering on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I was just wondering if any citizens were listenin to scanners that night?? A female officer called for a jack on 8th and Quincy not 3rd and Jefferson. SO, what happened there?? She was frantic and sayin ASAP NOW!! So, what happened there? Was it another crime or was it this?? Did anyone else hear the scanner that night??
Posted by: WOW on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:03 AM
HOW WOULD MANY OF YOU FEEL IF IT WERE YOUR SON THAT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE TOLD YOU THAT HE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING AND HE DID NOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW IT HAPPENDED, WOULD YOU STAND BY HIS SIDE AND BELIEVE HIM WHOLE HEARTEDLY OR WOULD YOU STAND BY YOURSELF AND LET PEOPLE LIKE THESE CUT HIM DOWN? BUT I BET NONE OF THE ANSWERS COULD REALLY BE JUSTIFIED BECAUSE NONE OF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN THERE HUH? EXCATLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Deb on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:58 AM
TO THE ONE WHO SAID I WOULD HEAR A STICK, NOT ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!I DROVE MY CAR OVER ABOUT 150LB DOE(DEER IF YOU DON'T KNOW)AND I KNEW I DID ABSOULUTLY HEARD NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!AN TO THE STICK I'VE HAD THOSE BEFORE AND HEARD NOTHING UNTIL I GOT OUT AT THE STORE AND MY SON SEEN IT. AND TELL ME HOW ARE YOU A MILLON% SURE, HAVE YOU DONE IT YOURSELF, LIKE I SAID THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS, AND UNLESS YOU WERE THERE EVERTHING EVERYONE IS SAYING IS WHAT YOU WOULD CALL SPECTULATION, AND SOME OF IT IS HEAR SAY, WHICH WOULD NOT HOLD, SO UNTIL YOU WEAR THE SHOES OF EXPERIENCE DON'T GO WALKING INTO SOMETHING YOU DO NOT KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!AND AS FOR THE GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT - YEA ECSPECIALLY BY THE MOST OF THE LOVELY POEPLE ON HERE HAVE ALREADY SHOWN THAT. BUT IT ALSO MUST BE SHOWN WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT. AND UNTIL THEN I WILL NOT CONDEMD OFFC. FOUTS BUT THEN I AM A HEART FELT HUMAN BEING.
Posted by: Joe on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:22 AM
I have a hard time believing this person did this on purpose or did not want to stop after hitting something. I believe it was a horrible tragedy but I dont believe the color of this person's skin had anything to do with this situation...
Posted by: I TOWN GIRL on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:03 AM
I THINK WE HAVE ALL HEARD ENOUGH OF ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS. I THINK ITS TIME TO END ALL OF THIS TRASH THATS BEING SAID ON HERE. ITS NOT HELPING MATTERS.. WSAZ THATS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Is it possible the officer backed over the body while it was on the ground and didn't know it?
Posted by: Steps Ahead on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Mr. In The Know, you should just stick to dispatching and leave the public relations to the people in charge. Also, that childish sarcasm in the posting on March 12 at 5:26 was really unnecessary. You started out with a noble cause and then look what you've allowed yourself to be reduced to. My prayers are with both families involved in this tragedy.
Posted by: SICK AND TIRED on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:30 AM
I AM TIRED OF THESE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT EVERYONE BEING UNEDUCATED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE GUY LIVED AND THEN RIGHT AFTER THAT WANT TO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE BEING JUDGMENTAL. WHAT ARE YOU DOING BY ASSUMING THAT WE ARE UNEDUCATED? SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED TO COME IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND SEE FIRST HAND IF WE ARE SO UNEDUCATED OR ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EVEN COME IN THAT AREA? YOU KNOW THE ONES OF YOU WHO DON'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT 9TH AND MADISON BECAUSE YOU ARE AFRAID THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO YOU, SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHO IS UNEDUCATED HERE. YES, I FEEL THAT IF THE ROLL WAS REVERSED AND IT HAPPENED THE OTHER WAY AROUND WHETHER THE PERSON HIT WAS A POLICE OFFICER BUT IT WAS A BLACK MAN WHO HIT A WHITE MAN THINGS WOULD DEFINITELY BE DIFFERENT AND YOU CAN'T SAY THAT THEY WOULDN'T, I'M SORRY. SO TO GOOD GRAVY AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS TALKED ABOUT UNEDUCATED AND JUDGMENTAL LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE!!!!
Posted by: TM on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:07 AM
Information given to the family indicates that Guy was still alive(after having a seizure)at the time of impact (there had to be impact for him to have been under the vehicle)while there may not have been damage to the outer vehicle there was fabric under the front bumper and Guy was found under the back bumper. I like several of you believe Officer Fouts had to know something, what we may never know. HE did not lose a family member, the Thomas family did, thats where your concern should be. The family does not believe this is a race issue so get over that, why add to an already awful situation? They just want honest answers and peace.
Posted by: Disbelief on Mar 13, 2008 at 02:00 AM
Did anyone see the article in the tribune? It says that the police log is wrong. sheesh...
Posted by: JusticeForAll on Mar 13, 2008 at 01:54 AM
I think the feelings of corruption and coverup are not a rush to judgement but frustration from years and years of watching crimes go unpunished and murders never solved. Yes, the prosecutor is to blame also and I hope that when election day rolls around the citizens of Ironton will stop voting for "friends" or "neighbors" and begin voting for the people who can get the job done. When you can sit on your front porch and watch drug deals happening right out in the open without fear of being caught something is definitly wrong. When you call in and report these deals and no one even drives by, something is definitly wrong. When you can tell business is good because the dealer is driving a brand new car and has no signs of an income, something is definitly wrong. I believe Ironton citizens just dont want this to get swept under the rug like so many things in the past.
Posted by: my opinion on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:58 PM
I've noticed that a lot of people said that the roads were really bad and stuff like that. I was out that night WALKING to a friends's house and I just walked into the house when this was said to happen. Yes the roads were icy and slick but I could see the streets. It wasn't snowing so I don't understand how he couldn't see Guy.. It just doesn't make sense to me at all.
Posted by: kayla on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:56 PM
its pretty sad that they just shrug this off and go on with there lives and put people out on the streets knowing that this happened. Even if this was a accident everyone needs to be completely honest and know that their were more people that saw the incident, and my question is why haven't they been asked questions. Obviously they don't want no one to know about what really happen.
Posted by: Curious on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Did someone say there was blood on the sidewalk??
Posted by: to good gravy on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:46 PM
"(esp. guy's neighborhood) barely have high school educations".. I am from "that" neighborhood and I graduated in the top 20% of my class and I am in college with a 3.5 GPA thank you very much! Sometimes you should watch what you say.. I am not judging the medical examiner but if you hit a cat, a dog or whatever you will know that you hit something. I just pray that this will all turn out the right way.
Posted by: jane on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:34 PM
There are some bad officers we all know that. But there are also some very good ones. The first female is one of the few I trust. She knows how the department is. It is my understanding that she is fair and honest and the one most people ask for when calling police.
Posted by: Levi on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:59 PM
I hate to say this,but it's starting to look like some people are trying to make this a black and white issue? This needs to be looked at one way! A man has died, and why and how he died! That's it!!!!
Posted by: Without Sin? on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Every time I hear or read about this I get physically ill. How awful for both families. Yes it is unlikely the officer didn’t know he had hit something, but maybe he thought it was a pothole? Have you driven on Ironton’s city streets? Yet, regardless when you hit something you definitely feel it. And to realize that you dragged a human being to his death would to me be absolutely horrifying. I cant imagine the grief both families are feeling right now. Whether the man was already dead or not makes no difference in the fact all parties involved have to be devastated. As to all of you who want to bring up race and status-SHAME ON YOU! This man lost his life in what I can only imagine was the most gruesome painful ending. I could care less about race or status. We are all apart of the HUMAN RACE. Everyone is so quick to condemn this officer. How many of you re without sin? Read Mark 3:28-30 and then make your posts. But be careful that you not condemn your own soul as most of you posting have unclean spirits. To the Thomas and Fouts families may God keep you surrounded with his grace and may you both find peace in this world of such sorrow.
Posted by: Madison on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:36 PM
WOW! I have never been so embarrassed to say that I was born and raised in Ironton, Ohio. I never really knew the true meaning behind the name Hooterville until I read the comments made by most of these people. I never thought I would say this, but I am glad I live in West Virginia now. The worst mistake WSAZ has made is letting these uneducated people actually post what they are thinking for the whole world to read. Fouts, you obviously read these comments and I would like to say that not all Irontonians are this ignorant. There are some that don't judge people. To all the others that have no issue with judging someone: JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED. I would certainly hate to be in your shoes on Judgement Day. I commend Jimmy Carey for the professional job he is doing and also Juan for being so understanding. To everyone making ridiculous comments: stop, go out and get an education and then come back and comment. To WSAZ: please screen these comments better than you have been. GOD BLESS!
Posted by: FRED on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:07 PM
IN MY MIND I CAN NOT SEE WHY THIS TRAGIC STORY HASN'T WHEN TO A NATIONAL NEWS LEVEL. MY HEART GO'S OUT TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. A PERSON CAN HIT A SMALL CAT OR RABBIT AND YOU KNOW YOU HIT IT WHILE IN YOU CAR. IT DON'T MATTER WHERE THE GUY HAD A PASS . WHY IS THIS OFFICER NOT UNDER ARREST ANY ONE WOULD BE . UNJUSTICE IN THE POLICE OF IRONTON FOR IT'S PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THE GUYS A COP.
Posted by: WHY on Mar 12, 2008 at 07:50 PM
IF HE WAS DEAD BEFORE,WHY DO THEY KEEP SAYING HIT BY POLICE CAR!!!!!AND DRAGGED TO POLICE STATION???????????? ON THE SIDEWALK OR STREET? (DUH)R WE ALL CRAZY,GOD BLESS THE TOMAS FAMILY.WHITE WOMAN OF 60 YRS. OF AGE BEEN AROUND IRONTON MOST OF MY LIFE I KNOW MORE THAN THE LAW THINKS I NO ON THEM,SHAME ON IPD,THE SHERRIF'S OFFICE NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ALSO !!!!!!!!!
Posted by: just an opinion on Mar 12, 2008 at 07:46 PM
just outta curiosity i just went and drove the exact route they said officer fouts took well guess what!!I for one still think it's impossible to not know! that's just my opinion but it's mine and i'm allowed to state it!!i know there will be people that say the streets were bad but i was in town that night and yes there was some snow and ice but not even half of the streets were covered let alone being deep enough to hide a body!! i was NOT on 9th and jefferson that night but i was out and about and i never saw snow on any street deep enough to hide a body. there were several stops and turns along the way he had to know! maybe not that it was a human but he Knew there was a problem and he made the decision to leave the scene thats a crime and maybe if he would have stopped although injured Mr.Thomas would still be here today! Mr. thomas may very well have been in the street sick,drunk whatever but after the initial crash officer fouts should have stopped and called an e.m.s. not run!!!
Posted by: Christy on Mar 12, 2008 at 07:30 PM
I do not understand how there were no injuries consistent with impact with the police cruiser or evidence of being run over with the tires. How exactly did he get under the cruiser if he wasn't ran over at some point? If he was dead before he was dragged he certainly couldn't have climbed under there himself.
Posted by: Jody on Mar 12, 2008 at 07:29 PM
WHY WAS ALL THE BLOOD ON THE SIDEWALK????I FEEL SO SORRY FOR MR. THOMAS!!!! I'M WHITE AND I NO IPD IS WRONG,AND HAS COVERED UP FOR YEARS,THERE MIGHT BE 3 GOOD OFFICERS,BUT MOST ARE SO DIRTY KNOW ONE WANTS TO BELIEVE HOW DIRTY IPD IS.SO SORRY FOR THE THOMAS FAMILY.YOU NEED TO SEND THE BODY TO CHARLESTON WA. AND HAVE THE FBI TO COME IN AND LOOK INTO THIS MURDER.
Posted by: TO DEB! on Mar 12, 2008 at 06:26 PM
OKAY DEB! WHEN YOU GET A BRANCH STUCK UNDER YOUR CAR YOU CAN HEAR IT DRAGGING YOU CANT TELL ME YOU WOULD NOT FEEL OR DEFINETLY HEAR A HUMAN BODY UNDER YOUR CAR!!!!! DRAGGING IT FOR HOW LONG??? I AM A MILLION % SURE YOU WOULD HEAR A BODY UNDER YOUR CAR! AND EVERYONE SAYING THAT POOR OFFICER GOING THROUGH THIS WHAT ABOUT THE MAN THAT WAS UNDER THE CAR OR THE FAMILY????? JUST BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK AND THE OFFICER IS WHITE DOESNT MEAN IT WILL TURN INTO A RACE ISSUE!! -AND MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY
Posted by: facts.. on Mar 12, 2008 at 06:26 PM
wsaz did not post my comment so I will try again! Police officers at IPD merely do a written report. They send it to the detectives..(lol)...and then to JB Collier, (major lol).Officers do not decide the outcome of any crime..The prosecutor does. Quit blaming the officers,they do all of the work and get NO credit. Prosecutor decides who goes to trial or prison....Not IPD officers.
Posted by: anon on Mar 12, 2008 at 06:22 PM
I worry abot all the negative comments on here. Alot of people here here have already tried and convicted Officer Fouts in a public forum. What if, when the truth comes out its not the TRUTH they wanted? Prayers for all involved.
Posted by: rob on Mar 12, 2008 at 06:15 PM
dear moran, people do die of seizures my sister did. and i did know Guy,peace be with his family, god bless
Posted by: Concerned on Mar 12, 2008 at 06:05 PM
To Deb: Do you honestly beleive if you did this you wouldnt be in jail waiting to be proved innocent. Because I have worked in law for eight years and It is not innocent until proven guilty it is guilty until proven innocent. Think about that.. My prayers go to theThomas family.. God Bless You
Posted by: ipd fan on Mar 12, 2008 at 06:01 PM
to anonymous at 3:24--how dare you assume that the officer was on drugs-who are we to judge anyway-you are an uneducated, ill informed person--learn the facts!!
Posted by: eyesore on Mar 12, 2008 at 05:27 PM
please, if your going to insult me- at least take a typing class or a 3rd grade spelling course. it is obvious that you don't like to hear the truth and that's ok. it is obvious that you don't understand the way things really work in life. but that's ok- those jobs aren't for everyone. but like i said, if you wanted to get involved and know the whole story without someone's speculation- and actually understand things- you would educate yourself instead of relying on town gossip/rumors/ideas/etc.
Posted by: SAN DIEGO on Mar 12, 2008 at 05:27 PM
FIRST TO THE THOMAS FAMLY MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYRS ARE WITH YOU. I HAVE KNOWN GUY "FLEA" THOMAS ALL MY LIFE. HE WAS THOUGHTFUL AND KIND. I WILL MISS HIS SMILE AND LAUGHTER. SOMETHINGS REPORTED BY WSAZ ABOUT HIS DRINKING OR POLICE RECORD HAS NO BEARING. THE BOTTOM LINE, WHY THE OFFICER DID NOT SEE HIM AND WHY THE OFFICER DID NOT STOP. IT SEEMS THAT WSAZ IS TRYING TO PLACE BLAME OF GUY SHAME ON YOU.TO THE IRONTON POLICE DEPT. WHY DID YOU FAIL TO NOTIFY THE FAMILY IN A TIMLY MANNER AND WHY IS THE INVESTIGATOR ASSIGNED HAVE CONNECTION TO THE DEPARTMENT. L
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 12, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Boy do I feel like an idiot now. I just realized Fouts was a billionaire. He and his wife and kids don't need this job. He does it just for fun. My complaint - in this grand coverup - he obviously has already paid off the 4 IFD firemen on duty that night.He paid off the 4 OSP officers that showed up. He paid off the 2 EMS people that came along with the coroner's investigator. He paid off the 2 city workers that brought the floor jack to raise the car. He paid off all the IPD officers - both shifts. All of these people will soon be quitting their old jobs and retiring in the Bahamas. I screwed up by telling a few facts too early in the mistaken hope that with a little knowledge, maybe the public would wait and be patient and let the facts speak for themselves. I missed my place to get in the money line. Guess I am stuck here in Ironton with the rest of the idiots that believe the coverup conspiracy. It is time to stop the accusations. Fouts never knew he had run over the body.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 05:17 PM
In my opinion, I think every single one of you needs to grow up. Why in the world would you come on here, and agrue about something that NONE of you know anything about. The family members of these people are suppose to come on here and read things like "you are in our prays," not agruing about whos right and whos wrong. I think everyone of you should be ashamed of yourselves for using this as a war between each other. No one should agrue over the autopsy or the laws, or even bringing race into this at all. It is a sad event, and that is what you should be thinking about that. So since I am a consider citizen I will say, I am sorry for your loss, and Guy Thomas will be in my prays.
Posted by: good gravy on Mar 12, 2008 at 05:13 PM
you people are judging a medical examiner's report? please- most of the people in ironton (i know because i work here and deal with the public on a daily basis)(esp. guy's neighborhood) barely have high school educations! and since when have ANY of you outside of the people WHO WERE CALLED to the scene have seen his body???!!! how do YOU know what it looks like? you can speculate but YOU DON"T KNOW! you only THINK you would know! plus---- guy was barely 5 foot 3 inches tall and maybe 100 lbs... it's not like he was a FULL grown man!!! get off the couch and go back to school if you want to perform autopsy's or else buy you a good CSI game where you can solve the crimes without actually seeing the dead in real life. good gravy folks of lawrence county! the education around here is pathetic.
Posted by: How do they know on Mar 12, 2008 at 05:05 PM
How do they know he was dragged almost 10 blocks if the officer didn't even know he had hit something? It seems odd that they can say they know where he was hit at, but didn't know it until the officer got to the station. I pray for Guy's family, as well as the officer and his family. I pray that a full investigation is done and no one is done unjust.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I know many blacks would like you to believe the "white devil" did it,the march was not for a remembrance of the departed,but an attention getter,trying to stir up thoughts of racism.No ones yelling"hate crime"etc with the blacks that killed two white college girls....in either case.The family said the march was just to honor his life,they sang "we shall overcome"had signs for justice,hey,who does this kind of garbage?the race card is getting old people,why isn't it played both ways
Posted by: Deb on Mar 12, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Everyone needs to just stop it. And the reason the person who was driving the vehicle is not in jail, is until further evidence shows, this was not malicious, and how does anyone of us know how it would sound or feel to drag something like a body under your car if you haven't done it. I think there would be several factors in knowning why or why not you could tell, for instance, car's rate of speed, condition of the road (i.e snow, ice, speedbumps, potholes ect., size of what is being dragged, loud music, really, there could be several factors. Nothing has been conclusive yet so how and why are most of you judging someone that you yourselves have no facts to base anything on when you open your mouths. Stop being so self rightous.I don't believe Offc. Fouts even knew until he got out of his car in the parking lot. People on here that r judging with such hate, becareful, because there will come a day that it is your turn and what would you like for God to see and know about you!PEACE
Posted by: anon on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I totally agree with you, just wandering. You would haver probably heard about it initially. It would have never been this big of an issue after that. That poor officer is going thru all of this, because he is white and the victim was black. My prayers go out to the victim's family and the officer.
Posted by: Lawrence Countian on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:26 PM
To Moran Dr. Payne did NOT do the autopsy. The autopsy was performed in Franklin County--that's Columbus. Dr. Payne has only received the preliminary autopsy report from the Franklin County Medical Examiner's Office. And why do you think it's not possible for a person's skin to burn after they are dead?
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Adrienne look at your post the last couple of lines...see it? why would he go directly to the station to get help if he didn't know he needed it? I don't think it's a coverup and I support IPD...most of the time!! but not this incident!!at least not the actions of officer fouts he committed a crime when he left the seen of the accident (yes i think it started out as an accident)but he had to know he hit and was dragging something, being a police officer he also knew to stop no matter what he hit!i don't think he knew it was a person until he made it to the station. I do feel sorry for him for that but he is no better or worse than anyone else and yes we would be arrested! what police officer would believe that you didn't know you had dragged a human being under your car for ten blocks? and as for this coroners report B.S. NO truma consistant with impact! the man traveled all the way under the car from bumper to bumper for over a half mile!! go look under your car people will you fit? NO
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:24 PM
It's seems to me they are trying to say that if this man died before he was dragged 10 blocks that it's ok for this to have happened. NO WAY!!!!!!!!!! I don't care if he was dead before he dragged him, that doesn't make what happened ok. This was a human being and he shouldn't have been dragged by that police cruiser at all. This young officer would have known that something or someone was under his car. He was probably on drugs or something and saw the man and got scared so he thought he would just go on and nobody would ever know. No matter what the case, he would have known there was something under his car, anyone in there right mind would have known. My prayers go out to this family and just remember this, if this man that done this is not punished for this here, one of these days he will be punished because GOD knows ALL!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Oh Please People! on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:22 PM
we have determined on here that most of you are uneducated persons with no background in police or medicine. those of you questioning the autopsy and saying it isn't possible- may i suggest higher learning? it's ok that you don't already know physiology, but please, if you don't know what your talking about, don't comment. can't you see that all the details of the dragging haven't been released? you think his body part was caught on the car or he was run over by a wheel or whatever- well guess what! YOUR WRONG! you just don't know it yet! let's just accept that now the race card will be thrown. and to you that have no medical training- YES people can die of seizures! like it was said- go take a course in public safety and attempt to do any job in police, fire and ems and then you can give an opinion- otherwise, it's just uneducated and biased unintellectual gossip! btw Former Resident at 1035am- he was not alive for 30 mins after being found- guarranteed!
Posted by: anon on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I totally agree, just wondering. I think you would have heard about it initially, but other than that, it would have never been this big of an issue. Unfortunately, it will always be that way!
Posted by: ME on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:04 PM
The only thing I do not understand, is how would you drag someone that far and not know it! I just hope and PRAY that this doesn't become a race issue, but Im sure it will!
Posted by: Mr. Blue on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:47 PM
The latest report almost sounds as if the driver of the police car is without responsibility. I wonder why there are no news reports on the driver or why he hasn't came forward to apologize and explain what happened in his own words to the family and community. I wouldn't expect much vehicle damage from a slow moving car. The consensus seems to be that after all the evidence of widespread police corruption, physical abuse and brutality, the community wants retribution, or at a minimum, charge the driver with a homocide offense. The last I checked, people who drive like this are thrown in jail, treated like criminals, and thus must prove their innocence against a zealous prosocutor that over-embellishes the facts to their favor. Cops are no different than any other human drivers. If anything, they should have more extensive experience in driving than the general population. This makes his actions almost inexcusible.
Posted by: HOW? on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Lets say the man was on the road already...and he ran over him...you can feel the bump when you run over a rabbit....so what would a man feel like? I don't see how he didn't know. Maybe he thought he had a flat tire or something? I dunno...prayers to both families involved.
Posted by: resident on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:31 PM
this is for a earlier comment posted by just wondering its peoople like you that keep wars going on this has nothing to do with being black or white.and if the roads were icy and there was snow on the ground who knows. here is the funny part think about it if the officer didnt see him he was already down how did the victom stay attached to the car without being thrown off. 10 blocks on a paved road is pretty far he would have been thrown off some where you can only be dragged for so far or was he put there by someone.this will probably be a race thing before its over with its already starting to be.and for just wondering the black community cries more than the white community I fuss with it everyday on a laughing fun level because Im white and my wife is black african decent.and people like you need to shut up like I said its not about being black or white its about a accident.
Posted by: john on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:29 PM
You know I am a little upset that people are crying "racism," It seems everytime an incident happens between a caucasion and a minority, the first thing people say is racism, well these same people didnt cry racism on a daily basis some people might listen. It does injustice for the good people in our community that are minorities. I feel by the IPD getting a state agency involved quickly to do the investigation it shows they knew this would turn into a big publicity thing. I am confident that the investigation will tell the facts and that everyone speculating about what happened needs to be stopped.
Posted by: crystal on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:16 PM
It is possible that the man had burns After death. Meaning the body got hurt Postmortem! This has nothing to do with Race! Life is a life is a life. I am sure that anybody despite age, race, or job position, would be internally devastated that this has happened! I feel sorry for the cop! I have heard of people running over deer and dragging them home WITHOUT knowing that they had something on their bumper! Same goes with this, it is Completely possible that the guy never seen him, and never felt him snag on to his bumper. I pray for Officer Fouts, and for the family of Mr. Thomas.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:14 PM
YOUR IN OUR THOUGHTS PRAYERS GOD BLESS THE THOMAS FAMMLIY
Posted by: robin bradley on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:13 PM
To "Just wondering" for your information I am white and yes I feel that this officer did wrong by striking the victim and dragging him 10 blocks. No body is going to make me believe that this officer didn't know he hit something even if Mr. Thomas was laying on the ground you should still be watching the road. And he had to have known he hit something even if he didn't see him. I drive semi and I know when I hit a dog so there is know way. And for all the other people who are worried about where he worked and his record I have 1 thing to say. He was man enough to serve our country are you!!!!!!
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:59 PM
A few final comments and then I am done. 2 comments made on here were by other persons using 'in the know- Mar 12, 2008 at 08:46 AM, and Mar 10, 2008 at 11:28 PM. Note the different style and use of caps. Not me. Next - Dr. Burton Payne - the county coroner - has been a medical doctor here in Ironton for over 50 years but I guess he is not qualified to know if a body has broken legs from impact with a bumper. He probably never saw a broken leg in 50 years. Also - Fouts must have had an inside track to which pathologist would be examining the body at the Franklin County Medical examiner's Office. He clearly got there in advance and paid them off. To-'Former resident on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:55 AM - re he was alive for 30 minutes. Bring on your reliable source - that is pure fiction (nice way of calling you a liar). You state - 'He was not drunk or stumbling'. I wish you had actually been there to know and prevent this. Keep stirring the coverup theory. Facts are not important to you -
Posted by: MD on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Can't wait for Nancy Grace (CNN) to get ahold of this story! Complete cover up by the IPD! It's sad because a family has suffered a great loss. If it would have been me or any regular Joe on the street, they would have put us under the jail without question! You wonder why police officers have such a bad rep! It goes to say if you are a cop or in politics, you'll get off with a slap on the hand! My prayers go out to the family & friends!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:38 PM
So am I the only person who STILL sees a problem here? Even if he was already dead, how can someone hit & drag a body for blocks & not know it? That alone is disturbing.
Posted by: ???? on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:34 PM
The State of Ohio did the investigation..If they are so crooked why dont they help this broken down city with a grant or something. State will turn evidence over to prosecutor...People IPD has nothing to do with this..results will be a judge and jury..not IPD officers.
Posted by: Convict #10 on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:31 PM
i have had my troubles with the law and i find it hard to believe that an officer would do anything like this on purpose. The roads were icey enough that day that there would be little to no drag with anything under the car. Also with all the pot holes in the city of ironton you would even know you hit anything.i feel bad for the thomas family and mr fouts i cant imagine what you are going through. Please don't be quick to push blame. I respect the ipd and the job they do.
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:25 PM
To 'Cookie on Mar 11, 2008 at 09:56 PM'- As far as I know - the Chief is the only official spokesperson for his department. He releases what he can when it is appropriate. My comments and involvement are as an outsider. I have no desire for media attention. I already stated I am not an IPD officer. Many, many people were trying to put out false information here that only inflamed an already tense situation. I had hoped that if people knew a few accurate details, maybe they would drop some of these insane accusations and let the investigation run its course. Instead, illiterate peoples minds are made up. The facts are not important, there must be a coverup, and finally - even though you ran that stop sign and got caught- it is not fair because somebody else did it also and they did not get caught, therefore all cops are bad. Everyone can go on believing what they want - I am done here. The final report will prove I was accurate in every detail and people still won't believe it or care.
Posted by: joe on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:22 PM
i think that the cheif knows more then he is tell i dont care what anyone says if someone is under your car for 10 blocks u will no it. the car would drive funny but there would not be anything done about it because it was a police officer the family will sue an they wont get anything
Posted by: EYESOREIS IDIT on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Dear Super EYESORE: U R one heck of a pin head! IT IS CLEAR ! That if this offfice had not ran over this man and drug him for 10 blocks--- this man wud be alive! TODAY! HAve u had a frontal labodamy! Your an IGNORANT ARRAGANT person who is proving the mentally of law enformcement in lawrence county. For the sake of your profession - SHUT UP!
Posted by: MARK CLAY on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:08 PM
This sounds fishy, however, people who have seizures can collapse without any prior warning signs. My prayers go out to the family of this innocent man. As far as comments concerning law enforcement, whether conclusive or inclusive, I remain neutral.
Posted by: Just wondering on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Had this been a black police officer I wonder if there would still be so much outcry about a cover-up? Or had the officer been black and the "victim" been white if there would be an outcry from the "white" community of how horrible and unfair the IPD is? I doubt it!
Posted by: waynecowife on Mar 12, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Whether the cop hit him on purpose or not, I think the key question here would be,"How do you not know you are dragging something under your car?" I don't know Mr. Thomas was drinking or if it was a medical reason, but How did the cop not see his body laying in the road?
Posted by: Gullable on Mar 12, 2008 at 12:51 PM
"He says there is some evidence that the burns on Mr. Thomas’ body happened after he was dead" ---------------------------------------- Mr payne : I wud like to see that evidence! U need to brush up on your medical books! LOL Next they will say "they have determined that somebody "planted" the body under the rear bumper of the police car trying to frame mr Fouts.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I am amazed how illiterate some of the posters are and then you wonder why no one takes you seriously. There have been some slanderous comments made about the officer, who I don't know, that some of you should be charged/sued for making. Come on, do you really think an officer is going to run up on a sidewalk, hit someone, and then drag the body to the Police Station? Give me a break. Just keep confirming all the stereotypes that are out there and Lawrence County will never make it to the 21st century. Regardless of whether or not Mr. Thomas was a drunken waste or the best citizen in world, it is a tragedy for everyone involved, including the officer. My father used to drive a semi and had a drunk driver hit him head on. While my father sustained no injuries, the driver of the car died. My father has lived with this for years, even though he was not at fault. This is something Off. Fouts will live with for the rest of his life. My hope is God's grace will be sufficient for all
Posted by: itown girl on Mar 12, 2008 at 12:44 PM
anonymous----are you on city council?? Maybe you should be since you are so smart and know so much about how everything should be handled. You say you work as a police officer--I'm glad I'm not one of your fellow officers who would have to count on your support.
Posted by: eyesore on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:50 AM
all you people that are sitting at home and speculating on this or that and don't have a clue about the investigation because you were not invited to participate---- you need to get up and go take yourself a class in any of the public safety's and then you can participate in these types of accidents, and give an informed fact. it is a shame for the family to not have a reason for their death, however, you just have to accept that this was an accident. you can sit and fiddle all day on what you think should be done, but until you get out there and deal with these head on, you'll continue to do just this--- give your opinion with no fact. also, why don't you take a deeper look into BCI and what they do before you start saying they are covering this up. wake up people- its obvious you are upset but it's obvious that the officer did not kill this man.
Posted by: Adrienne on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:46 AM
First of all, if you have ever been arrested by IPD, recieved a ticket, or had any other run in with an officer, you don't need to be on here running you mouth about how they do their job. You CLEARLY are coming into this with a negative opinion and therefor you are unable to be objective. These officers go to work every day, putting their lives on the line, so that you can feel safe letting your children play outside. I would like to know how all of you fit inside the police cruiser on that night, because last time I checked, none of you were in the vehicle at the time, and can't say for certain what happened. (although I'm sure MANY of you have seen the back of a police cruiser at some point in your lives) I would like you ALL to put yourselves in Officer Fouts' shoes on that night? what you have done? I'm sure many of you would have tried to hide it- clean your car, and make it look like a random hit and run. What did Officer Fouts do? He went staight to the station 2 get help
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:36 AM
OKAY , LIKE WE DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW THIS WAS GOING T O HAPPEN!!!! NEWS FLASH THE MAN WAS STILL DRAGGED AND THE PERSON THAT DRAGGED HIM IS STILL NOT IN JAIL. I FEEL AWFUL FOR THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIM!! I HOPE THEY SEEK JUSTICE CAUSE WE ALL KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
Posted by: Deb on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:30 AM
OK come on people, lets see who is really not using their brains. I do not care who it would have been driving the vehicle, unless they were completly evil, would have knowingly done something like this, and if they were evil enough to do it, do ya think the first place they would go would be the PD's parking lot? This was a tragic accident only. I knowingly ran directly over a deer in my ford t-bird because for one I was going to fast to slam on the breaks and could not move around it into on comming traffic - I did not hear a thing under my car it was of good size too that was with no snow or ice that would possibly make it easier to not hear something sliding under it. So unless you were there and was a witness I would suggest not to bark until you know exactly what your barking for. To the family I am sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you, it was a terrible accident. And to the police officer my prayers are with you as well to cope and for courage in your time of need.
Posted by: donna on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I didnt know Guy Thomas but him and his family are in my prayers. May the truth come out and there be justice for Guy Thomas and his family. God Bless you all
Posted by: Sarah on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:08 AM
What if ---- it really was an accident? What if ---- Guy really had a seizure? What if ---- the officer honeslty did not see him? What if ---- we will never know will we!
Posted by: Moran on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I was waiting for the spin to start. Now they will say he died of a seizure. Thats "BS!" He died from being RAN over by a police car! Plain and simple. I know several people who have seizures. They dont die. But - If i ran over them, drug them 10 blocks under my car.... They just might. But the ignorant quack that does autopsies for IPD wud probable say - they died form a seizure. If i was employed by the city goverment. If i was not employed by the city goverment , the conclusion wud be --- the victom had a seizure. And the defendent (me) killed the victom by running over him and dragging him 10 blocks. And I wud be charged with involuntary manslaughter. WAKE UP PEOPLE! What the hell does it take! an ACCIDENT!!!!! I hope if this ever happens to me (and god forbid i hope it never does) that I will charged with an "accident" , get sent home with pay. Lord, this officer was only employed 2 months! He hasnt even accumulated 1 sick day yet! and he is getting full pay!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Did any of your BRILLIANT people think that perhaps this poor man was on the ground and this officer did not actually HIT him but ran over him because he didn't see him? There are so many potholes in the roads right now that it could be possible that he thought he hit a pothole not a person. Give Ironton a break until you know what happened!
Posted by: Cookie on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:57 AM
To, In the Know, I'm still waiting for you to post a response that addressed my questions for you in my post on March 11 at 9:56 p.m. I'm sure I'm not the only curious about your accurate and factual information.
Posted by: Former resident on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:55 AM
For In The Know, Your Mar 11th 5:59 comment, Come on now! How can you say something so careless?! If you run over anything slow or fast the vehicle is going to move! You can always tell when you hit something!!! This was NOT a small animal, it was a human being who happened to be a very close friend of my family!!! I don't blame all of IPD but as a former officer at another precinct I do know that officers protect officers! Guy may not have had a job, and his lifestyle may have been less than perfect, but he would not hurt a flea. You keep saying that he could have been dead before he was hit. According to a very reliable source, Guy was alive for 30 minutes after he was found! He wasn't drunk, he didn't stumble out of the Legion!!! Get your facts straight! For all of those who have something negative to say about Guy, Know the person on a personal level before you start judging them!!! For the Thomas Family, may God watch over and continuously protect and comfort you!
Posted by: cin on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:26 AM
samm- take that story to Hollywood.
Posted by: Dianna on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:24 AM
First of all I want to extend my condolences to the Thomas family, I know most of them and I am so sorry for the loss of Guy, he was a good guy and always smiling when I would see him. I only hope that justice is served for this irresponsible act by the officer. Regardless if he had a seizure or whatever the circumstances were he should have know he was dragging something and should have stopped immediately, had he did that Guy may be alive today. I just know and don't want to think it but the correct punishment will not be given to this officer as it should be. God Bless the Thomas family.
Posted by: Unbeleivable on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I hear the news on the radio this morning state that the autopsy came back "inconclusive". That there was no sign of IMPACT! Oh my GOD! Who is the quack that conducted this autopsy!!!!! NO SIGN OF IMPACT! GEESH! He was drug 10 blocks! (didnt have a mark on him. Had to be caused by natural causes. Who in GODS name conducted this autopsy? Sounds like IPD did!
Posted by: jonhy mack on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:22 AM
when ironton cops say that they are going to drag you to the police office they really drag you down their
Posted by: A TEEN!! on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:17 AM
i dont care what the officer says..how do have a human draggin underneath ur tire for TEN blocks and not realize it? no come one people think about it! when u run over a dog u can can feel and hear it..now imagine a human..i hope when the officer goes to sleep at night all he can think about is how he ran over an innocent man he didnt even know!
Posted by: Smart Ohioan on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:57 AM
To Mr. Edens: It is NOT madatory (note the correct spelling) for a camera to be in a police car in Ohio. Sorry, it's up to the individual departments. And how do you KNOW the officer drove on the sidewalk? This looks like a terrible accident that should not have resulted in an individual's death.
Posted by: eyesore on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:57 AM
dear ironton resident at 1136pm- you are obviously here commenting to keep the drama. you have obviously dreamed your scenerio- because you were not invited to the crime scene nor know any other information other than gossip. first off- that was not blood on the sidewalk- the route of travel by both the cop and the citizen have been determined and published on the news (i suggest you look at it). and of course he's going to be off with pay until he's been arrested for a crime- there was no crime proven until the autopsy- which shows the cop didn't kill him. and you are so VERY wrong about your placement of the body in the wheel barrel- again, you weren't invited to the crime scene to know this, so keep your dream to yourself. lastly, the car was NOT almost turned on it's top to get him out- you weren't there- you were asleep while all the was going on and the car was gone by the time you awoke. so please, if you don't know what your talking about, don't comment.
Posted by: THETruth on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:53 AM
To eyesore: I mean- Ironton Cop. The autopsy came back inconclusive! The poor guy may have stumbled and fell on the road. But even a moron like me knows that this guy died from the result of being ran over and drug 10 blocks. The COVER UP HAS BEGAN! Keep feeding us your BS!
Posted by: cin on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:43 AM
hummmm. a inconclusive report! and no evidence of impact injury! (didn't see that coming.) sorry about your loss Thomas family, don't let them get by with this.
Posted by: maddi on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Hey eyesore did you not read the part where it says inconclusive and could be? Definition of inconclusive is not conclusive not resolving fully all doubts or questions,inconclusive evidence. And could be doesn't mean that it was a seizure. This needs to be investigated more. How could they tell there was no impact when the guy was dragged 10 blocks. If the guy was laying in the middle of the road how could he have been ran over and dragged 10 blocks if he could have been possible already dead what made him be dragged was his clothes stuck to the tire or the muffler or what? How is it possible to drag someone and not know about it? See all aspect of this investigation is not conclusive and there needs to be a deeper look into this accident. Was there any DNA on any part of the car besides under it? Did they check that? And by the way if it was any body else besides a cop we would be in jail and no one can say that we wouldn't even if it was a accident.
Posted by: EYESORES WRONG on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Eyesore, U must be a police officer. The Report came back "INCONCLUSIVE!" U r part of the cover up!
Posted by: Stacy on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:23 AM
To Officer Fouts; Not everyone assumes you are an evil villan in some soap opera. There are people who support you and believe that this was a horribe accident, and the details when available, will prove so. My prayers go out to you and your family. I'm sure you are extremely bothered and torn up over this accident. You do have people supporting you. Accidents do happen. Hang in there. My sympathy goes out to the members of the Thomas family. Both families will be in my prayers. God Bless.
Posted by: samm on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:54 AM
All you people on the "HIT" bandwagon can get off now that we know he wasnt hit at all but possibly had a seizure. Ok picture this, hes laying on the street covered in snow and perhaps his leg or arm jerked out just as the cruiser was passing him and it snagged on something under the car. With all the internal noise in a crusier theres no way a dragging sound would have been heard on ice and snow. The people hollering blood on the sidewalk apparently dont know what blood looks like when they think residue powder from prints is blood. Do you honestly think the officer would have driven on to the station if he knew there was someone hung under his car. Wake up. Give the officer credit for some sense. Its was an accident pure and simple so stop placing blame. Was the dead guy tested for drugs or alchohol, Im sure the officer was.
Posted by: in the know... on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:46 AM
That is not blood on the sidewalk!...It is chalk residue from the police casting the footprints...People if you do not have the knowledge of police operations, please keep your opinions to yourself.
Posted by: Crystal on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:44 AM
To whoever it is that commented on my post (prob. an Ironton cop.) It is the IPD's fault and everyone knows it. They tasered him so I think they should of at least attempted to help him. But the whole point is the IPD is guilty of a lot of things that they get by with. They should not get by with things like they do just because they are cops. I hope this family gets justice!!
Posted by: TO MARCUS on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:35 AM
What does te victims employment status have to do with anything? I myself am a professional, that doesn't mean I don't like to go out and have a drink from time to time. So lets say maybe your termshe wasn't a very productive member of society, but that doesn't mean his fmily doesn't deserve answers. Just because someone was having a drink possibly doesn't mean he was breaking any laws, he wasn't driving at the time of the accident or causing harm to others. EVERYONE no matter what their status or their past history has a right to be treated as equally as you would say "responsibe law abiding ciizens who never go and have a drink." I hope that you can open your eyes to people in a different economic status than yourself. WE ALL HAVE RIGHTS!
Posted by: gene on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:15 AM
another cover up by the police
Posted by: Joe on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Hey citizen, You might pick up a dictionary at Dollar Store also. You spelled Lawrence County incorrectly. It is not Lawerence.
Posted by: eyesore on Mar 12, 2008 at 08:10 AM
well, see i guess it does pay to wait and be patient for the autopsy report. like many have been saying- this man was already laying in the road- not hit by a car- and most likely died from a medical cause- not because an officer purposely hit him. i bet most of you feel really stupid about right now. now obviously this has nothing to do with the dragging of the body, but it does prove that HE DID NOT kill him.
Posted by: T on Mar 12, 2008 at 04:57 AM
Hey Marcus...Do you really know that he "stumbled" out of the American Legion that night? Were you in there? It just isn't a bar, it is a club for people who have served in our country's armed services. Did you know that he has family who loves him regardless of what his occupation was? Do you know that he was a good man who at one point in his life did what he thought was his duty and served our country in the military, which is our ultimate public service? Do you realize that he was a human being who's life was tragically cut short by the error of another? In this day and age we call that manslaughter. People are charged with it everyday because the law in our country is meant to protect everyone, regardless of what others think of them. He had a family, a heart, and a soul. I think that some people may be forgetting those facts. Next time you want to judge someone else try thinking of the things you have done that others may judge you on.
Posted by: gdub on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:21 AM
This just makes no sense. too many questions and no answers at all. i went down to where it happened. how did blood get all over the sidewalk. the cop had to be on the sidewalk. Also the night it happened i saw the police car the back window was covered with snow
Posted by: JJ on Mar 12, 2008 at 03:19 AM
I think everyone should quit talking about the drowning incident last summer.If the police had allowed the brother to go in the river too and he also drowned, guess what, you would still be blaming the police.I guess they should have let the whole crowd of potentially intoxicated persons jump in the water and have the chance of several of them drowning.They could not jeopardize the safety of all of those people.The police would not have been called if the law had not been broken.The tazer would not have been used if the victem had complied with the order of the police officer.People should be responsible for their own actions instead of blaming the police officers for providing safety to innocent by-standers. That incident could have turned into mass chaos with several people drowning as a result.Under the circumstances,I believe that it was handled properly.It is very unfortunate that it had such a tragic ending.
Posted by: JJ on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:55 AM
People are so cruel.I cannot imagine that anyone thinks Officer Fouts,or any human being for that matter would keep driving if they knew they had ran over someone!I drove on those streets Saturday night,and only the main ones were clear.The others were covered in ice and had snoe piled on several street corners.I drove over several ruts that would have made it difficult to tell if you had ran over something.Each time the ice crunched when I hit a rut,I wasn't thinking "did I just run over someone"?It is not something that would run through your mind.Also, it's not like he was driving 55 mph down the highway.At a slow speed on the ice,most things would glide over it.(Have you ever pulled a sled with a 4 wheeler?)You would not be able to see something directly under a car unless it was visible in the mirror.I also think people should realize that protocols have to be followed in any kind of investigation and perhaps that is why Officer Fouts has not made a public statement.
Posted by: Marcus on Mar 12, 2008 at 02:24 AM
Oh, I think how he conducted his life IS relevant. Most successful people that I know really don't spend much of their time at the Legion (or any other bar for that matter). Again, I ask what was his employment status, life status, etc. We know that the officer was a productive citizen who was gainfully employed. To take his career, future, etc. away from him is rediculous if all this turns out to be just a horrible accident. I really don't think a person with a career would jeopardize their future by plowing over some guy stumbling out of the Legion on a snowy night...you know when the rest of us law abiding citizens are home doing what we do because we have RESPONSIBILITIES and gave up the bar scene years ago.
Posted by: CHAD on Mar 12, 2008 at 12:39 AM
I MOVED TO IRONTON WHEN I WAS 7!MET IPD REALLY QUICK!THEY ACT NICE AT FIRST,BUT THEN THEY REALLY SHOW WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE THEY ARE!AND ALL THE PEOPLE THATS PUTTING THERE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS IN,GROW UP THERE!I DID!AND SO DID A BUNCH OF MY FAM!BUT LIVING WITH IPD IS NO JOKE!YOU JUST CANT WAIT TO LEAVE!I DROPPED SCHOOL TO LEAVE,AND IM NO DEALER,OR WHAT EVER SOME IDIOTS WANT TO BLAME IT ON!IF YOU GET A CHANCE ALL YAL PEOPLE,GO GET IN YOUR CAR AND DRIVE OVER A EMPTY POP CAN!TELL ME IF YOU HEAR IT!STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR IPD!RIGHT IS RIGHT,AND WRONG IS WRONG!ITS TIME IPD GETS THEIR PUNISHMENT!TO GUYS FAMILY,MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ,AND YOURS!BUT YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO,IPD,WITH THE HELP OF STATE IS GONNA COVER THIS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!R.I.P.GUY
Posted by: DH on Mar 12, 2008 at 12:38 AM
I AM SORRY I NEVER KNEW THE OFFICER BUT I DO KNOW THIS MUCH IT STINKS THAT EVERYONE IS BLAMING EVERYONE AND PUTTING DOWN THE POLICE FORCE IT SEEMS THAT MOST OF YOU PPL WANT TO JUST BE MEAN BECAUSE HONESTLY I FEEL SORRY FOR THE OFFICER BECAUSE THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ANYONE SO BEFORE YOU START BLAMING SOMEONE YOU DONT KNOW AND JUST WANNA RUN YOUR MOUTH IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANY OF US ESP SINCE IT HAPPENED DURING THE SNOW STORM GET A GRIP PPL BECAUSE I AM SURE THAT THE OFFICER FEELS BAD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED SO WHY CANT EVERYONE JUST LEAVE THINGS ALONE BECAUSE I DONT KNOW THE OFFICER BUT ONE THING I DO KNOW IS YOU CANT BE A OFFICER UNLESS U GO THROUGH THINGS AND IF EVERYONE WANTS TO BLAME THE OFFICER GO AHEAD AND YES HE MAY HAVE DONE THAT BUT THAT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU OR ME SO LEAVE IT TO REST.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Cracks me up...I think the reason so many comments are being placed on here about the police, is not poor little Guy Thomas. I think you have people that have been arrested over and over and they simply have found an avenue to vent their frustrations. We all know that these people would not say these things to an officer in person. Vent away people..it is so very good for you...
Posted by: Don't Understand... on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:43 PM
I hit a chicken one time(no joke) and knew I hit it. I also ran over a limb in the road and it got stuck under my car and I knew I was dragging something. I feel sorry for Guys family to have lost someone this way. But we have to remember that this officer has a family and what they must be going through. I find it hard to believe that this is anyhthing more then a tragic accident. I just can't think that the officer did this on purpose. I just don't understand how he could not have known...hope everyone gets some answers soon.
Posted by: Ironton Resident on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I drove by the area where this man was hit. There is blood on the sidewalk. The roads were messy that night on the back streets that many don't drive on, but you would still know if you ran over something on the street. But why is there blood on the sidewalk next to the accident sight? And can anyone tell me why this officer is on administrative leave with pay? If this had been ANYONE other than an officer, they would have been thrown in jail immediately for vehicular manslaughter. I also know that this man's body was trapped in the wheel well of the crusier. There are skid marks on the street close to the accident sight where the wheel would not turn. I saw where them almost turn the car on it's top to remove the victim's body. How is this an accident and not a cop who was fired from his last job for violence and drinking on the job with a vengence for the people in the projects of Ironton? ...just my opinion...
Posted by: i know the officer. on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:33 PM
I personnaly know the officer. and under NO circumstances would he EVER intentionally hit a pedestrian EVER. Officer Fouts is one of the nicest people i have ever met. and if you ever need anything he is there. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. he was under no influence of ANYTHING at all. People need to stop blaming officer fouts. The guy could have slipped on ice. Passed out because he was drunk, was already hit and fouts just thought he hit ice. there are NUMBERS of reason why this could have happend. So people need to just wait and listen to the facts. I know rich and he is a GREAT guy and UNDER NO REASON would i EVER see rich intentially hit someone.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:05 PM
How could you hit someone and not know? THink about it you hit a hole and you feel it in your car. This police officer is sitting at home being paid for something he should be sitting in jail for. If he wasnt' a police officer do you think he would be free. NO He would be in jail pending the investigation. Just because he has a badge and gun he is free and paid all I can say is the system sucks...
Posted by: 23 on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:03 PM
After reading what was posted by: Mr. Edens on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:50 PM I dropped 2 IQ points, maybe 3.....I'm not sure yet. I'm going through random wikipedia articles as I speak trying to get back some knowledge I just lost. Hopefully it's not to late. Everyone should read that post and then read the post by: JTL on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:31 PM
I work as a police officer and things like this disgust me. I would arrest someone without hesitation if they were involved in dragging someone to their death. This puts a black eye on all law enforcement.
Posted by: ANONYMUS on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:26 PM
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
Posted by: ANONYMUS on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:15 PM
HAS ANYONE ASKED THE QUESTION "WAS THE WINDHIELD OF THE POLICE CRUISER CLEAR OF ICE AND SNOW?" OF ALL THE COMMENTS POSTED ON HERE I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT QUESTION ONCE. WHO IS TO SAY THE OFFICE HOPPED IN THE CAR, ONLY SCRAPED THE WINDHIELD ENOUGH TO SEE OUT THE FRONT AND TOOK OFF DOWN THE ROAD? THAT WOULD NE ONE EXPLANATION OF TO HOW DID HE NOT SEE MR.THOMAS. IF BOTH SIDE WINDOWS WERE NOT CLEAR ITS OBVIOUS HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE OUT. I WOULD ALMOST BET THAT THE CONDITION OF THE WINDHIELD/WINDOWS WAS NOT NOTED ON ANY REPORT. THINK ABOUT IT!!!
Posted by: jay on Mar 11, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Bottom line our rights are you are innocent until proven guilty . But anyone who believes that are full of B.S. because anything that carries jail time you are taking to jail until proven innocent. Although ive never been in jail i've witnessed that a lot in my days. Bottom Line he ought to be arrested until proven innocent! All you people who say he should'nt you go kill someone with your car and see how long YOU have your freedom!We do need to wait on the facts thats true BUT any of us on here if we would have accidentally done this ( and i dont see how this could be a accident but it might) and reported it we would still go to jail . this isnt a opinion THIS is FACT!! Unless you know one of the big names in town . Once again hope the family finds closure to all this.
Posted by: Cookie on Mar 11, 2008 at 09:56 PM
To In the Know, you seem to have a lot of "accurate and factual information," that hasn't even been released by the head of your department. How is it that you who are so "in the know" are allowed to divulge such a detailed account of things and are privileged enough to be allowed to "set the record straight" when your superiors are so closed mouthed. Are you the one that the reporters should really be speaking to about this incident? Are you the designated spokesperson for your department, I mean since you seem to be so "in the know?"
Posted by: Ironton for life!!! on Mar 11, 2008 at 08:32 PM
We seem to be forgetting that we have good police officers in our town..it's sad what has happen..and I pray for both familys.BUT IT'S MAKIN ALL OUR POLICE OFFICERS LOOK BAD HERE AND THERE NOT!!!!some are rly good friends...God blees you all..
Posted by: concerned on Mar 11, 2008 at 08:14 PM
I can't believe some of these pathetic comments. From both points of view. I live in downtown Ironton, and have had to call the police about 40 times, because of a local establishment. And every single time, the IPD was there within 3-4 minutes. There are certain situations where their hands are tied, and I'm sure this is one of them. I know Jimmy Carey personally. He is a wonderful man of God, who I'd trust with my families life. You can rest assured he'll make sure everyone gets their answers. To both families, I express my deepest simpathies. It's truly a tragedy to both families. Also, it doesn't matter where Guy worked, that has nothing to do with it. And his background has nothing to do with it. And to all of you who say that the roads in Ironton weren't bad that night, then you must not live in the same Ironton, Ohio that I do. Check the accident stats for this past weekend. I think that would prove the roads were not clear. Everyone need to abstain from making accusations. Pray.
Posted by: Justice on Mar 11, 2008 at 08:01 PM
I hope the family of this poor man sues the pants off this city of Ironton for such an injustice. the man should be in jail right now ! Goes to show you how our court's Leadership goes, very disappointing.
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 11, 2008 at 07:54 PM
To -'response for "in the know" on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:26 PM' - Answers to your 6 questions - #1- Fouts was coming on duty - never made it that far. He spotted feet sticking out. Alerted supervisor. #2 - already answered - no cameras in cars. #3 - Camera on parking lot does not record #4 - Phillips Funeral home to Columbus. #5 - Fouts immediately offered samples for testing. Takes time to get back from lab.#6 - What specific crime did he commit? Grand jury will decide if he was negligent and charges will be filed accordingly. Finally - if I am friend to police - is that a bad thing? I grew up thinking only bad people were afraid of the police. You don't have to like them - but no reason to hate unless you have had bad experience and in that case - you frequently get what you give. Courtesy and respect goes both ways. Remember - police officers are just people like you and me. Some are more professional than others. All are entitled to a day off and can act like the rest of us then.
Posted by: IRONTONIAN 4 LIFE on Mar 11, 2008 at 07:46 PM
COME ON PEOPLE STOP BLAMING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IT WAS ONE COP NOT THEM ALL. AND WE DO HAVE A GOOD POLICE FORCE NOT ALL COPS ARE THE SAME SO DON'T JUDGE ALL. GOD BLESS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEY ARE DOING IN THIS.
Posted by: ipd fan on Mar 11, 2008 at 07:30 PM
to "profiler"--you've obviously never lived in any other city-they have 1000s of "unsolved mysteries" as you call them.Ask anyone who had anything to do with trying to find out who killed taxi driver Bill Keane and you will probably hear that the person everyone suspected was involved went to prison for killing someone else. Also- the ipd is not responsible for prosecuting crimes. You might want to think about all the crimes we have solved and all the drug dealers and child molesters the department has arrested. Don't be so simple minded--if you do live here-maybe you should move---if you don't---good
Posted by: Ironton Native.. on Mar 11, 2008 at 07:20 PM
May the Lord be with the Thomas in this their time of need.
Posted by: Anthony Edens on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:50 PM
My name is Anthony Edens, and I been raised her most of my life. Guy was my cusion, and that cop ran on the sidewalk and killed my cusion, then drug him over a half a mile to the poliece station. He said he thought he hit a dog, but he aint stop cuz he aint want to scare the kids. But if U hit anything wouldn't U stop, if U didn't want to scare the kids I see U goin up a lil bit then stoppin U don't go a half a mile. It was past 9, and it was snowin and cold, I been livein in the Projectz long enough to know that no kidz R out after the sun goes down whern it is cold. And it is supposed to be manditory in Ohio for a poliece cruiser to have a camara. ALSO, THE COP THAT KILLED MY CUSION DIDN'T EVEN FIND HIM, PAM DID. NOW IF U THOUGHT U HIT A DOG WOULD U NOT LOOK AND SEE, OR WOULD U JUST WALK INTO THE POLIECE STAION LIKE NOTHIN HAPPENED? THE COPZ WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS!!! IF THEY WONT GIVE US JUSTICE, WE WILL FIND IT ARESELVES!!!
Posted by: rich on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:48 PM
juan i am extremely sorry this has happened. none of us deserve it. i would love to sit down with you and answer any questions you have. christ will give us all the strength we need.
Posted by: RUKidding? on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Excuse me, but hasn't anyone thought about the mere fact that this was an accident? How many of you people that know so much about this accident were in the cruiser or on the street that night? How many of you have the spent one minute considering how your ignorant and innane (yes, i spelled that correctly) run ons are affecting the families of both of these human beings that are involved? It really makes no matter where or how the two people involved in this tragedy were coming from or going to, what matters is a tragic accident occured and a little condsideration for all involved it the least supportive people can do. Two families have been affected by this accident, and two families have to live on with the consequences. I have not been directly affected by this tragedy as most of you on here haven't, but, there should be some courtesy for those who have. Hurtful and ignorant postings do not help either family deal with the situation. Pray for them and support them or shut u!
Posted by: Citizen on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Profiler......What the heck is a CAPTON?....people pick up a dictionary at the dollar store while you are there. WSAZ...thanks for showing the intelligence level of lawerence county...Have you ever seen anything like this...
Posted by: what? on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:25 PM
HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU RUN OVER SOMETHING OR EVEN HIT SOMETHING AND NOT FEEL IT OR NOT KNOW IT? THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY. AND FOR THIS POLICEMAN TO BE ON LEAVE WITH PAY......IT SHOULD BE WITHOUT PAY AND SITTING IN JAIL!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Heather on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:05 PM
I wonder if anyone has watched the video tape from the cops dash board cam. surly that would have something on it that would show what happened. I hope the family gets some answers soon. I agree though with what someone else said. I dont dont think he should be on paid leave, he should be suspended with out pay untill the investigation is over. I'm sure he is having a hard time with this. but come on he is basiclly on vacation from work. How could he not know someone was being dragged under his car ? but he knew where he hit them? It just makes no sence at all to me.
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:59 PM
I have tried to give the facts and help people understand this unfortunate situation. Everything I have stated is totally accurate and factual. Race was clearly not a factor. Officer Fouts will have his day in court. That is certain. My opinion - he did not do anything deliberate or intentional to hurt Guy. He did not try and coverup anything after he realized what had happened. Personally - seeing the road conditions that night - I can understand how a slow moving vehicle could pass directly over something laying in the street and not feel a large thump that would have been noticeable if traveling at higher speeds. The evidence will show that Guy was not standing up in the street. I doubt we will ever know why he was laying there. Fouts may be guilty of negligence by not realizing he had struck a human being but he certainly did not intend to harm him. Both families are permanently damaged and we all need to calm down and help them instead of making this situation any worse.
Posted by: Mrs. Degree on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:47 PM
People of Ironton, If you really have concern put all of your money together and make progress, not your mouths! Talk is cheap! Is this your 1st tragedy...or last? All of those people who rallied together, can help the Thomas family! Do not assume the worse! This officer was a rookie, and he very well could have made a involuntary mistake! Which the City is liable for! It's sad to see so many, settle for so less. If the officer is at fault; only him, God, and Guy knew what happen. One thing is true he'll reap what he sows if he "is" or "isn't" innocent! No one can do the judging. What I ask...how many of you did something for Guy while he was alive? Or now that he's gone and does'nt know a thing; you want to move the world because of grief? Shame on you! Distant Cousin!
Posted by: Cookie on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:44 PM
To Marcus(2:08 a.m.), where Guy Thomas may have worked or how he may have lived his life has nothing whatsoever to do with the tragic circumstances of his death, which is the topic at hand. You are just trying to be nosy.
Posted by: response for "in the know" on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:26 PM
My original 6 questions still remain. You brag about being in the know, you apparently are a friend of the Ironton police. This family needs answers and closure.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:25 PM
SUCH A STUPID QUESTION it doesn't matter where he worked but someone said he worked with his brother what does that have to do with anything? and also the streets were not that bad !! and to J.M. if you were truely in Ironton that night you know it was not even close to whiteout conditions yes it was a big storm but not in ironton so quit making excuses for your friend, you mean you wouldn't have known you hit a full grown man? and drug him over 1/2 mile how can anyone believe this? he had to stop, make turns,slow down,speed up!!he knew he hit something even if he didn't know what it was he is a police officer he knew to stop!!and for anyone who thinks he didn't know he hit something open your eyes!!!this cruiser sits maybe 10 inches from the ground!!I support the IPD but not blindly.....and i do not think there is any kind of cover up. O.B.I. is here.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:23 PM
The herald dispatch said today that a former lawrence county detective is one of the state investigators investigating this.
Posted by: DB on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I don't think anyone is saying Guy was at fault here - regardless of what his "job" was, even if there was no "job" so any comments made regarding that should be disregarded. As should comments stating Rich did this on purpose or is trying to "cover it up". WE DO NOT KNOW THAT! If it is found to be true then, yes, he deserves to be punished but even if it does, remember - he has a family (wife, children, brothers, sisters, parents) that will suffer as well. I pray that God will bring closure to this situation in a TRUTHFUL manner & that neither family will suffer any longer than necessary.
Posted by: ironton.cit on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I am good friends with many of the officers at IPD. First up who do u call when u get in a fight or someone does something bad to you? If u live in Ironton u call the police right? Our cops do a dang good job at keeping everyone out of as much trouble as possible. I do not know officer Fouts but come on would he really go to the police station after killing a man? I also know the Thomas family may God be with you. We have prayed each night for you. But the Thomas family is letting OUR so called No good Police Dept. do their job, they are not jumping to conclusions, the community is the people whom need to be together at this time that are not is the ones who need to trust our police. Think next time u pick up the phone to call the police. Are u still gona call those no good people?? If u do.. they must not be so bad after all. Prayers go out to Family, Friends, AND IPD...
Posted by: J.M. on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:09 PM
To "he had to know". What I meant by blame to go around was this, maybe the officer hit something and didnt stop to check it, maybe the victim was to intoxicated and should have gotten a ride home, maybe the city had a lighting problem in that area and didnt fix it, maybe the roads were bad and weren't properly cleared for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, there are a lot of maybe's and no one knows for sure what happened. Maybe this is just an accident, where no one was at fault. Point is, I believe I stated this in my previous posting, I think we should all wait to see what BCI&I has to say, give them time to do their job and figure out what happened before anyone blames anyone else for anything. Im sure guy was a good person. I arrest good people all the time for public intox. Good persons or not, no one knows what happened except rich and guy. Lets just wait and see what BCI&I says before we form oppinions on a persons character and blame someone for any wrong doing.
Posted by: Profiler on Mar 11, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Looking from a profiler's point of view: PROFILE OF IRONTON POLICE OFFICER: Fout hit the man. Panicked and hoped he would loose him before he got to the police station. That way, They (the IPD) could write the report up as an unsolved mystery. There are many many unsolved mysteries in ironton. Remember the poor taxi driver that got his throat cut? Did anyone get charged or go to prison for that? NOPE. I think even the lady that ran over that poor girl over the floodwall and killed her only got probation. Fout will probably get promoted to capton. And the poor guy that drowned in the river? The IPD kept his brother from jumping in and saving his life!. its Pathetic. The OBI will finally come to this determination. I assure you IPD will not help them come to it.
Posted by: eyesore on Mar 11, 2008 at 04:53 PM
crystal- (in relation to your friend dying in the river) i'm sorry that your friend died and you have no closure- but legally, your friend died due to his own choices. and ethically, the public safety did as they should- not risk their own life for another if they are not trained in that type of rescue. again, i'm sorry about your loss... but no one murdered your friend- or else that cop would be in jail- and no it's not a coverup- it's factual. may something or someone help you and yours move on. (ps, i know we shouldn't be arguing about this, but that man's family/friends decided to bring this up and i am reminding the public of the truth)
Posted by: Joe on Mar 11, 2008 at 04:39 PM
I'd just like to say that the officer how had done this should removed from the force with no pay and his job given to someone else,I feel bad for the people in his community who lost a good man father son and husband..
Posted by: kayla on Mar 11, 2008 at 04:20 PM
why is everyone trying to make guy thomas the bad person here. He didnt do anything but become the victom a careless driving from Officer Fout. The ROADS were not bad at all. I live only on a block from guy thomas's home and the roads were very clear and there is much light for someone to see some passing in the street. IF Fout is has panicked then please step forward.
Posted by: Cookie on Mar 11, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Thank you Coach (12:49) for saying what should have been said several comments ago. To all of you out there who are basing your comments solely on the opinions and comments of others and not any true or factual information, quit running your mouths about things you don't know.
Posted by: Amazed on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:58 PM
I was amazed by the question wanting to know if he worked! WHat does that have to do with anything? If he didnt have a job then he is "disposable"? Sheesh.....
Posted by: he had to know on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:55 PM
to j.m. what do you mean a lot of blame to go around did i miss something? do you mean guy should be blamed too? even if he was passed out,already dead or whatever laying in the street fouts should have stopped. I was in town ALOT of streets were mostly clear. sorry but your friend really messed up and committed a crime the minute he left the scene of the accident!!you and i both know that he knew he hit something. also lets all leave the IPD out of this,i'm sure they are following precedure and they want to settle this more than most of us, they are not trying to cover anything up. use your heads people they are not going to cover up something as serious as this, maybe a traffic violation or something small but not this. also for everyone wanting to fire the whole dept."get real" you want to blame everyone for ones mistake for the most part the folks at the IPD do a fine job. you tell me how Chief Carey could have done anything different. He notified "NEXT OF KIN" as soon as possible.
Posted by: NotaDummy on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:42 PM
To Juan, I went to school with you and Guy. I grew up here the same as you did. I respect you and your family and if you had a private page where you were collecting supporters names I would be the first to sign. BUT you know as well as I do that names are taken down and remembered and maybe a distress call comes from my house and it takes EXTRA time to arrive. Come on...using your name in this situaion is not brave..its suicide. OH and I did, as many others did I'm sure, pass this along to CNN, Fox NEWS, and every other available news station. My prayers are with your family.
Posted by: Makes my head explode on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Surely officer fouts did not drive the cruiser home after this occurred! Im sure they kept the car to go over evidence! right? or did they tell him to stop at the car was first? If so... then that smell is more rotten than fish! What IGNORANT MORON WUD ALLOW THIS??? Surely this didnt occur.
Posted by: DB on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I have known Rich Fouts for approx. 8 years. I DO NOT have an explanation as to how you can hit someone & drag them and not know it HOWEVER I am absolutely certain that he & his family are DEVASTATED that this accident occurred. Please let the authorities conduct their investigation & be patient while we wait for the answers. My heart goes out to the Thomas family as they have lost a loved one. My heart also goes out to Rich's family as they are enduring an extremely difficult time in their lives as well. I pray for both families! As far as people asking why Rich hasn't "admitted" what happened maybe he truly didn't know & legal counsel (or the police chief for that matter) may have told him not to make ANY comment to ANYONE. I don't know ANY of this for sure - just "assuming" which maybe I shouldn't do. Just trying to make sense of this terrible tragedy. It is indeed a tragedy to BOTH families.
Posted by: NotaChance on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I was born in Ironton,lived here my entire life, and will die here in Ironton too. I am proud of my town, schools, people, and heritage. I AM NOT proud of the police force here. It doesnt stem back to the 1980's. It goes way farther back than that. What was our nickname back in the day? Little Chicago? I hope that that public intrest stays at the level it is right now and doesnt fall off while waiting for the autopsy reports etc etc. AS LONG AS WE KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS MAYBE WE HAVE A CHANCE OF CHANGING THINGS HERE
Posted by: i-town citizen on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:14 PM
IRONTON POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND LET THE STATE COME IN AND TAKE OVER LIKE THEY WANTED TO 2 YEARS AGO. OFFICER FOUT SHOULD BE IN JAIL....AWAITING TRIAL LIKE THE REST OF US WOULD BE... WE R NOT SAFER WITH THE IRONTON POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKING CARE US...I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND EVERYBODY ELSES IN IRONTON.. THE IRONTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT CAPABLE TO POLICE IRONTON...
Posted by: Donna on Mar 11, 2008 at 03:01 PM
To the comment from Marcus wanting to know more of the victims background and where he worked. First of all what does that have to do with him losing his life, if he was an firefighter would it make him any better than a sanitation worker. I think your comment SUCKS!!!!!!
Posted by: Stacy on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:44 PM
To Justin again, just want to say I'm Sorry. I see what you're saying. Especially after reading what "Drug Dealer aka thief" had to say. This is a terrible thing that happened to this man, and people are saying ignorant things on here. This should only be about the accident at hand, not how ignorant some of these people are. There are 2 families in real agonizing pain right now, who need love and support, and idiots like drug dealer aka thief are righting nonsence on here. I guess I need to rethink my freedom of speech theroy. If the comments here are just to tell people how freakin' ignorant you are, you should be proud. Would you like a lollipop drug dealer for being so cool? What a disgrace to the familes involved here that you would leave such comments. No one should be blamed yet for what happened. Let the investigators do their jobs and decide what happened. And when they are finished we'll all know what happened. God Bless both families, my heart goes out to you both.
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:41 PM
To -'Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:22 PM' - The car involved in this event never left the police station after the body was found. It was jacked up in the air and watched by both IFD and IPD all night until BCI took possession of it late the next morning. Here is what you and others observed. Officer Fouts was taken back to the area where he originally parked - but in another unrelated cruiser. He needed to show the investigators where he was parked when he left to come to work. A cruiser then sat there the rest of the night at the next space behind that space. It was marked with cones and tape to prevent anyone from walking in the area. But to make it clear - the cruiser involved never moved an inch after it was parked at the police station. And I have the entire IFD crew on duty along with the officers assigned to stay with the car to prove it. Once again - people know what they saw - and jump to conclusions - filling in blank areas with supposition - without knowing the facts.
Posted by: No Country on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Why are there no charges against the driver of the vehicle who hit this person? Was there a toxicology test or report done on the driver? I know many cops who drink and drive, smoke dope and do drugs...they are no different than the rest of us...they just don't know it or act like it. They don't think of themselves as representing the law... they feel they ARE the law, or well above it. Hippocrasy at its finest! Thank people for the technology nowadays, that we too can watch big brother. Cell cams, vid cams, Internet, YouTube...we are watching, and we are not liking what we see. How many "bad cop" stories do you have?
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:34 PM
hey "in the know" i was anonymous at 10:45 and all i said was the streets were not "all" snow and ice covered i was in town also. 10 blocks i'm sure the officer had to cross some clear spots. i'm not wanting to pick an argument and i wish this never happened but you are only willing to see one side of things i would like to see some evidence that says this was an accident but i'm just being realistic. (10 blocks) and i'm also hopeing for the best for all involved i'm not bashing the IPD i fully support them i have a couple friends there,so don't take me the wrong way i just see it from a different point than you do. and just stated what i saw! p.s. sorry for presuming you to be a police officer
Posted by: ipd fan on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Let the investigation tell the story.Keep your ignorant comments to yourself.There is a reason for a justice system-let it work. Try-if at all possible to put yourself in the place of the officer or Mr.Thomas' family--just try! Our officers work HARD everyday--our police chief goes above and beyond his duties.Educate yourselves on the workings of Ironton-you'll be impressed to know the efforts put forth.
Posted by: Police-Spanker on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Shame on you. I knew the police were no good. Everybody hates the Ironton police for the lousy job they perform on a daily basis. Most cops opt for the fresh doughnut over paperwork. I can't ever remember a time when a police officer helped me when help was needed, they usually give a lame excuse for not doing what the taxpayers pay them to do. The police would be the first to point their demeaning finger. SO, Let me get this straight...The police around here chase a person into the river and he drowns, and nobody cares, - yet, when a fleeing suspect runs into a river and the pursuing officer drowns, they want to blame the suspect, and charge him on a homicide for the officer's inability to float, swim, or use good judgement. Somebody needs to compile a list of complaints and corruption for ALL police departments so we can all see it in black and white. Nothing but corruption. Do Not trust the police...EVER!
Posted by: Ignorant about the Law on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:23 PM
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2903.04 2903.04 Involuntary manslaughter Anyone else but an Ironton Police Officer would be in jail right now. ---------------------------------------- Why are Lawrence County Law officers immune from the legal system? Is that in the Ohio Revised Code? Someone was KILLED! I asure u if i drank 3 beers , drove up the street, and did not make a complete stop at a stop sign. I WOULD BE IN JAIL! BUT! if im an Ironton Police Officer I can run over someone , drag them 10 blocks, end their life and - then go home. Something is VERY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE AND THIS TOWN!. We need a lot more than NEW SCHOOLS! We need NEW GOVERMENT. --------------------
Posted by: Crystal on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:21 PM
To eyesore. It is the IPD's fault. and yes it is like what is going on here the IPD keeps getting by with MURDER!! There job is to serve and protect not kill people like they are doing.. They should have rescued our friend that night from the water considering they had already tasered him.. Now that is murder! Just like them hitting this guy and dragging him 10 blocks, now how would you not know that you have hit someone.
Posted by: Mert on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Tragic by all means,but the intellect of some of these commentors is the biggest tragedy of all.Every one is innocent until proven guilty even in Lawrence County Ohio.This was a truly a tragic event but even the vigil leader said yesterday that he is not out to seek vengence only the truth.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Ok to the person in the know...yes the police car did leave the police station...and you stated there was one other police car..there were two other police cars behind richard fouts car..one was a white police car and the other was a grey undercover police car sir!!!!! he did drive it home!!!!there were three police cars..thats including officer fouts car sir!!!and yes i can prove it...and about 9 other residents can!!!!and no im not jumping to conclusions here.. it's what we saw with our own eyes..my heart goes out to both family's here..and it's sad all the way around.but it's one of the cases that make you go hmmmmmm. somethings awful fishy here........
Posted by: Average Ironton Joe on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:17 PM
I can tell u first hand that i have reported a car theft, a burglary, and vandelism. All IPD can do is write a report. Then the matter is closed. U cant even get a report back from them to use for insurance purposed. Their reports can be found in the Ironton tribune. No matter what the offense - the report reads - "party advised". No question in mind. Lawrence county is the place to deal , steal, Kill and Chill!
Posted by: Justin on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:15 PM
to Stacy 10:44. I AM from America. I love freedom of speech, however everyone is placing blame here and there. If they wern't there to see what exactly happened then you shouldn't blame one person or the other. Freedom of speech is not blamming people for there wrong doings. I know these post do not reflect the view of wsaz, but they should realize how emotional a tragedy like this is and the way some people are talking can further fuel hatred.
Posted by: tony on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Far to many times the general public jumps to conclusions before knowing all the facts.
Posted by: eyesore on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:07 PM
would you people please stop blaming the IPD for the death of the boy in the river. that fella chose to run into the water intoxicated and chose to taught the people on shore trying to help him. this is NOTHING like what's going on now. IPD, as well as fire and ems all did what they could for someone who didn't want help- and that's why he died in the river.
Posted by: Ohioan on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Ironton Tribune is reporting this evening that, according to preliminary report, Officer Fouts did NOT find the body, but another officer found it! Sheesh!
Posted by: Drug Dealer aka "Theif" on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I have to disagree with the posters who are "dissin" my peeps. aka (ironton pOleece). These guys and gals have went out of their way(not really.) to protected me and my right to pillage this town. They give me plenty of time to destroy or get rid of any evidence that they could use against me in the court of law. I couldnt ask for anymore.! thank u. Thank u for not investigating me. I would b happy to serve in home confinement for u guys any day! I especially want to thank the officer who picks my beer cans up out of the street!. U da man or da WO-MAN (whatever...) Luv and Peice.!
Posted by: Citizen on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Don't punish these young officers that were not working in the 80's.....These officers cannot help what the bullies back then did to the black community. From where I sit, I think these officers here have been very well received in the black comunity. I agree though, that the reputation of IPD stems from the officers in that era...and you know who you are! sleep well....
Posted by: Coach on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:49 PM
For all of you who was certain that it was a female officer....Don't you feel STUPID!...Quit running your mouth about things you don't know.
Posted by: Joyce on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:43 PM
That is a down right shame and there is NO EXCUSE for it! The officer that hit this poor man should have been arrested and charged with something. If the investigation proved it was somehow not the officers fault, then drop the charges. If this had been you or I that had hit and dragged this man, we would have been arrested immediately!
Posted by: IPD Friend on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I have a hard time believing any police officer in Ironton would risk their career on a deliberate vehicular manslaughter charge. Police don't exactly get paid for their services rendered as it is. Taking all conditions (weather, lighting, etc) into consideration, we will find a logical explaination for this tragic event. This isn't a tragedy about race. Officer Fouts lived only two blocks from the corner where Mr. Thomas was supposedly hit. The red footprints you see in the ground is not blood, but rather residue left behind by police from taking prints from his shoe marks. Don't cast blame, but rather show your true Godly selves and pray for everyone involved. Until you know the whole truth, you can't judge anyone. Leave color behind and start looking at people as just that: PEOPLE! God loves us all...Richard Fouts AND Guy Thomas! God Bless!!!
Posted by: Melissa on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:13 PM
PLEASE !!! Why does it matter if he was dead or alive when the officer hit him..The officer should have NOT hit him at all...and if for some unknown reason the officer did not see if then hwen he felt it hit something, which he had to have felt it, he should have STOPPED !!!! I feel for ALL family & friends involved..this is AWFUL!!!!!
Posted by: pam on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
how could someone hit a person and drag them for several blocks, without knowing they were under their car? even when you run over an animal, you know you hit "something"! i just can't understand how the driver didn't know there was something or someone under their car. my heart goes out to the family of the gentleman that passed away. again, i am really sorry for your loss.
Posted by: IPD supporter (not an officer) on Mar 11, 2008 at 11:24 AM
My prayers go out to EVERYONE involved, this is a hard time for all. But if you notice, a lot of the negative comments on here are from people that IPD deal with on a regular basis. As for saying that IPD and law enforcement are a joke, please know what you are talking about before you start that nonsense. Most of the time IPD has 2 officers out to cover the whole city on any given night, try doing that at your job. And all these comments about the officer that supposedly killed the guy that drowned? he did not push the guy in, he did not hold him down, he DID NOT taze him in the water, and there is no department locally that is trained in water rescue, so before you judge and place blame, consider all the FACTS instead of gossip.
Posted by: Andrea Bailey on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I just want to say I feel for this man and his family, and I hope they make it through this okay. My prayers are with them.
Posted by: anon on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I wonder, Police Officers are trained in areas specific to the work they preform. They are not trained to enter a situation they are not prepared. When the guy (choose ) to get into the river that evening the police are not trained to rescue from water. With the incident in Gallipolis fresh in the memory of police everywhere in this area, Remember he died trying to save a guy from the river. The officer did the right thing by not entering the water.
Posted by: Stacy on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:44 AM
To Justin (8:51), do not condemn WSAZ for letting people have freedom of speech. I don't know what country you are from, but here in the USA we have freedom of speech. Just because someone posts an unsavory comment does not mean that WSAZ agrees. Read where it says "Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station". Much grief and sorrow goes out to the Thomas family, may you learn the facts of what really happened, and make peace with it. And to the officer and his family, prayers are with you as well. May this be resolved soon.
Posted by: ALLEN on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I have sat hear and read most comments on this page. First of all I would like to thank WSAZ for allowing the general public to voice there opinion, anger, sympathy, and heart in a public non violent way. But to all on here: Most have had some run in or close contact with someone who has been unfairly treated from the local Maybury cop like atmosphere. So when it comes to a situation this extreme I think all the pent up frustrations come out. And its good we can do it in this civilized manor. The IPD has had a very bad record in the past. My hopes are that this incident will help change to be made in our small town. We have put up with ignorance and the bully type atmosphere for long enough. And to the cops or civilians who are upset about our comments, there is no reason for dogging on someones intelligence for expressing their opinion. This is a country based on free speech no matter who you are. The sooner everyone realizes we all have the same rights the better things will be!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:26 AM
how was there blood on the sidewalk? does anyone need more proof?
Posted by: What have we learned on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:25 AM
A lot of the mistrust between the black community in Ironton and the police department probably stems from the late 1980s when there was a FEDERAL investigation into the IPD and how it routinely violated the civil rights of Black Americans. What has changed since that time, when the police chief and other officers went to federal prison? What has been learned by both communities. By looking into the past, only then do other people see the mistrust of the police.
Posted by: on the outside looking in on Mar 11, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I do have to agree with the one anonymous poster. How exactly ,if the officer did not know he hit someone, did the police department know where he was hit at? Are they specalating that he was in that area. Was there a witness that noone knows about besides the dept.? some things seem not right. I am not here to bash the IPD. I have had a lot of friends in the past that were on the force. It does not so much matter that if the public knows what has went on here, but I pray that IPD will inform the family of everything they know. I have not had much dealings with the IPD over the past few years, but I do know 10 years ago this police dept. would have done everything possible to see justice is served. I do agree it is hard to believe that you would not know someone was under your car. May be a wrong rash decision on the part of the officer. Please folks just pray for these people. Let God sort out what is wrong here. Thomas family may god be with you.
Posted by: J.M. on Mar 11, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I know Officer Fouts personally, he is a good friend of mine, and i can tell you that he would never purposely do anything like this. This is a terrible tragety and my thoughts are with "Rich", his family, and the victims family. Before we jump to any conclusions, we need to consider all the facts. I for one would like to know what the weather was like that night. Ohio just suffered the worst winter storm in 10 years and most places were in white out conditions, i would also like to know what position the body was found in under the car, and if there were any tire marks on the extremedies or torso. I could list hundreds of questions, and I think there is a lot of blame to go around, but i think we should wait for BCI&I to complete their investgation before anyone starts placing that blame.
Posted by: Stacy Lynn on Mar 11, 2008 at 09:53 AM
To the Thomas Family, my prayers are with you. What a terrrible tragedy. And to Officer Fouts and his family, my prayers are with you as well. Only you know what really happened that night, and being honest and truthful with help you with the outcome of this. Not everyone here thinks you are a cold hearted killer. I do not know you, but would like to believe that you did not know you had hit a person. Be honest and God will help with the rest. Keep your family close to help you through this. Prayers to you and your family.
Posted by: I Wonder on Mar 11, 2008 at 09:01 AM
I liked the comment from the Ironton Officer who stated they are the first two run toward bullets. Where was this officer at when they let that poor guy drown in the river? My guess is (writing an excuse to cover their indifference) - Sad.
Posted by: Justin on Mar 11, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Why must everyone hate in a sad situation like this. Judgement should not be given until all facts are out. The Ohio Bureau of Investigations has been brought in and they are a neutral party, a fair judgement will be given. PLEASE just wait for the report to come out before casting anymore judgement. It is a SHAME WSAZ has let all of this HATE get this bad. Please everyone pray for ALL of those involved, we can only imagin what they are going through, both the cop and the victim!!
Posted by: Sherry on Mar 11, 2008 at 08:21 AM
I'm just speechless at some of these comments. Who cares what kind of background this "victim" had...why in the world would that matter? The officer may be a great person...but the fact remains that he hit, ran over, and dragged a human being for 10 blocks...and didn't realize it. How do you do that?
Posted by: Brian on Mar 11, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Let me see if I understand this. If I go out and hit someone with my vehicle and drag them a few blocks down the street and they die. Ironton's finest is not going to arrest me, but may ask my employer to put me on Administrative Leave while they investigate if I have committed a crime? Is my assumptions correct? If they are, then I'm moving to Ironton. I thought Huntington had the finest. I think Brother Al and Malik Shabazz needs to be notified.
Posted by: Jim on Mar 11, 2008 at 07:42 AM
I also don't know how you could drive that far and not know that you'd ran over a human being, but I won't condemn anyone until the autopsy results are in. Then we'll all know more about this unfortunate incident.
Posted by: Lance on Mar 11, 2008 at 07:34 AM
tigerbaby-your caps lock is stuck and you can't spell. The truth will come out sooner or later. I'm sure if this officer is found guilty of any wrongdoing he will be prosecuted. Sounds like you have had a few run ins with law enforcement.
Posted by: terry on Mar 11, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Law enforcement in Lawrence County is the biggest joke! From city police officers to the sheriff's dept. These people are supposedly there to protect citizens. It has been my experience, as a victim of years of harassment and violence toward my family, that these people like the badge, but do not intend on enforcing the law. Law enforcement officers in Lawrence County believe they are above the law themselves and are very biased against those they choose not to like. You have to have a buddy in law enforcement to get anything done. I do not understand how any person can hit a full grown man with a vehicle and not be aware of it. The fact that Guy was drug underneath of the car for 10 blocks just adds fuel to the fire. It certainly is a shame that this man had to loose his life because of someone else's stupidity. I hope the family gets the answers they so truly deserve. Guy should be allowed to rest in peace. God be with the family during their time of need.
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 11, 2008 at 05:39 AM
To 'Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:45 PM' - I was out walking the streets immediately after this happened. Don't tell me what I saw. I know for a fact that Washington Street was snow and ice covered. I can't speak for other streets condition but Washington had not been treated and was a mess. And I am not an officer - but I have many years experience in crime scenes for other agencies. Next -to 'kayla on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:52 PM' - What you saw was another cruiser sitting right behind where his car was originally parked. It was preserving the space in case any evidence was available there. His car was parked at the station all night - actually jacked up in the air by the Fire Department so they could get him out and look for evidence. That cruiser never left the parking lot until a wrecker took it for BCI to further examine. I can understand what you thought you saw - you just jumped to the wrong conclusion. Once again - don't state something as fact unless you can prove it. I can.
Posted by: Brickey on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:39 AM
This is a sad state of affairs. Unfortunately, not uncommon now-a-days. Imagine you are on the jobs for two months when you inadvertantly kill someone. Imagine you are on the way home from a bar, walking, you are hit, or slip and fall and find yourself trapped beneath a moving vehicle. Now imagine yourself as the friend, family or coworker of one of these two men. How do you handle it? Fortunately we have two brave men leading in this troubled time. Chief Carey and Juan Thomas, Guy's brother. The Chief avoided an opportunity to demonize Guy and Juan avoided a similar opportunity to demonize the police. At least we have that. Guy and I were born 6 months apart. We are 1st cousins. I don't want to demonize any either but last night and today I kept thinking of Guy struggling to get free while being dragged to death, when I am scared like that I always wish I was home safe. I know he was scared and alone down there while he was being pulled apart. I want people to think on that.
Posted by: Jay on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:27 AM
This is very sad . I hope for the family some closure happens soon as to why they had to loose a loved one . ( which is important in the moving on step.) I'll be praying for them. I noticed as well on here a lot of people are mad at the way people feel about the ipd. And saying they are criminals or not law abiding people .there ARE some good cops on the force . However When you see an off duty cop going to a drug dealers house , or to a bar after work and then drive home plastered and , or you see this guy going past you on the highway at 75 mph. and yet you get the ticket for going 60? it makes people fed up. like honest cop said those bad make the good look bad . period . i've got a friend who works on the department he used to get outta his car and pick up beer bottles even and throw them away that were in the middle of the road so people wouldnt get a flat tire. how many other cops would get off their rear end to do that? some would! AND WE APPRECIATTE THEM! but most would'nt
Posted by: Whittney on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:13 AM
I knew Guy Thomas, not exactly on a personal level but enough to know that he was a really good guy & he would've never brought harm on anyone. I don't know how in the world you hit someone or anything for that matter & not realize that you've hit it. I know from driving experience that even hitting as much as a pop can you realize you hit it, so how would you hit a person & not know it? For the family's sake they better come up with some logical reasoning, but it happened in Ironton so i doubt justice will ever be served. They are saying that he left the Legion so i know where they are going with this. When they do the autopsy they will say alcohol was found in his body & say that he staggered out in front of the cop car so they cop did it unintentionally. Which if that's what they do, just to get the cop out of prison time, thats completely ridiculous, but this is Ironton. I just want the family to get the justice they deserve. The Tomas family, you all are in my prayers. R.I.P Guy.
Posted by: Marcus on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:08 AM
Has anyone mentioned where this upstanding citizen worked? I, for one, would like to know a little more about the background of this "victim".
Posted by: cop on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:59 AM
Just to clarify my comment about not calling the police, I was making a point about how people don't like us until we're needed. Juan Thomas I applaud you for being level headed, and waiting for the truth. You are a credit to mankind, and I would like to shake your hand. I only ask that before people hate us stop and think that we are the people who WILL work countless hours of overtime, should your child be lost (god forbid). We are the people who run towards a gunman while others run away. Unfortunately I have been forced to take a life in the line of duty. It wasn't a pleasant thing. I still suffer from that incident that happened many years ago. I can only hope and pray that the truth will bring peace for the Thomas family, Officer Fouts, The City Of Ironton, and the hearts of all the angry people who post negative comments about both the police and Mr. Thomas. I have decided to no longer read these comments, and wait for the press release from OBCI. MAY GOD BLESS ALL!!!!!!!
Posted by: 10yr Resident of Ironton on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:33 AM
So many times you hear of the "Brotherhood" shared among police oficers within a precinct... Think of it like this, If you were Mr.Fouts, a "rookie" officer, and you had just ran over a human being... where would be the first place you would run to for help out of fear of loosing you "lively-hood"? Think about it... You would run to your "family" or the safest, most loyal place of "brotherhood" for help. Being familiar with that it makes sense that the officer didn't stop until he got to a place where that kind of protection could be offered and delivered to him. Naturally, the officer was scared and panic sticken, so he headed straight for "HOME". As far as a "cover-up"...I pray that BCI will deliver the Truth on behalf of Mr. Thomas' family members and friends and the residents of Ironton, Ohio. Then and only then, will Ironton Polce maybe have a chance of regaining the trust of this community and in return the support of the residents that they so feel they deserve.
Posted by: Angelrose on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:29 AM
My prayers are with the family of Mr. Thomas, the Officer and his family. A terrible tragedy has occurred. Mr. Juan Thomas has stated that he is waiting for the outcome of the investigation. So lets not jump to conclusions. Why are there so many people ready to start a riot and bad mouth the police department. These Officers put their lives on the line every single day for you the citizens of Ironton. I don't believe that any of them would purposely hurt anyone. They are good honest people working hard to make life better for you. It is terrible what happened. Why would an Officer do something like this on purpose? Can you think of one reason? I sure can't! This was just a freak incident, and it's terrible that it happened. The Family was notified and proper protocol is being followed. BCI is not biased and will determine if any charges should be filed and I truly believe that there will be no charges. You all are in my prayers. May the good Lord watch over all involved.
Posted by: 10yr Ironton Resident on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:18 AM
We, as a community, need to search out and gather information on the proper people to contact in order to get this town "cleaned up". If you, as a resident, feel as though your tax dollars are supporting shadey or unlawful incidents through the hands of those we've chosen to protect us, as a community gather together and unite in a way to resolve the problem. As far as the fatal incident involving Mr. Thomas, there is absolutely no excuse for the law officials to not have contacted Mr. Thomas' "next of kin" immediately upon discovery. He was someone's son, brother, possibly father, and/or friend. What we have to remember as civilized people is that everyone belongs to someone and every human on the face of the earth is of value. Mr. Thomas could have easily been your son, brother, father, or friend that YOU loved dearly. YOUR LOVED-ONE. My prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Thomas. God be with us All...
Posted by: sherry bop on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:16 AM
my heart goes out to other family members, it's my family too!!! i love and miss guy all the same, and hope that justice prevails. My only question is, if he was accidentally it and drug unnoticed how would wo puddles of blood end up on the sidewalk?????
Posted by: i-town citizen on Mar 11, 2008 at 01:10 AM
ironton cops are a JOKE. fire them ALL. if i woulda hit somebody i would be in jail right now why isnt officer fout? where is the people standing up for guy? the community should be protesting outside the police station demanding answers. this is the second death in ironton commited by an ironton police officer, remember the officer that tazered a guy and then let him run into the river & drown the officer never tried to even save him? we would be safer without the ironton cops they are killing off the good citizens of ironton one by one dont be next. the officer that killed the man a few months back is still so called protecting us they shoved that right under the rug just like they will do this. god bless us ironton citizens and pray we or are children arent not next to die from the hands of the police officers. are hard earned tax dollars is paying killers!!!! god bless us ironton citizens.
Posted by: ticked off on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:49 AM
i cannot believe how many people are making excuses for the cop who "did not know" he was dragging a MAN under his car. how many of you naive people truly believe he could not have known? and how crazy does that sound? "oh, it was bc he was on ice"... PLEASE!! he knew he hit that man and was hoping he would fall out the back. im sure that if the body had not have stuck he would have never confessed to hitting him in the first place. and this wont be the first time an officer gets away with taking a life, ask the officers who were involved in beating a man to death in the county jail and claimed he fell.
Posted by: citizen on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:49 AM
If anyone watched the video from Chief Carey....You should be ashamed of your comments. You can see, hear and feel his compassion for both Thomas and Fouts. Why anyone of you doubted this after you have seen the changes he has made as the police chief, well I have no idea.
Posted by: B.A. on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:46 AM
I know Officer Fouts as "Rich" I call him Rich because he is a friend of mine from up here in a city up north. Rich would have never done anything deliberate to hurt anyone. I know I will get some negative comments about this posting because pretty much whatever is said will be shot down with negativity. I know he is a family man, loves his children and wife dearly. Very dedicated to his job. He never cared about the money he made, but only to put food on the table for his family and keep clothes on their backs. He always treats people fair and keeps a smile on his face and strives to keep a community safe. We hear on the news all the time of things that happen that we would never think could be a possiblity, but there is for everything. Theres possibilities that we could be put in the same situation someday. Wouldn't it stink if you did something you knew in your heart you didnt do on purpose, but yet hundreds blamed you anyhows. What a bad feeling to have. Prayers are with all.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:39 AM
so sad how could you hit someone and then drag them 10blocks come on your gonna know you hit something..no matter what you should get out of your car and check but no you think just cuz your a cop you can run any red light you want and do anything you want and not get in trouble for it
Posted by: Cedric P on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Last summer it was the taser guns that led to a drowning death, this year it's the ole cruiser. I'm staying out of Ironton! I'm convinced that the police force is tough and in charge.
Posted by: carrie farley on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:49 PM
I feel sorry for the officer involved and also for the family that lost there loved one,but why is the family saying they haven't been contacted? The police statement says they contacted the victims wife..does the police have to contact ALL family members?
Posted by: COP on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Not very many "Hoodlums" make it through the police academy. Those of you can talk about police like they are terrible people, but how many of you are willing to do our job? Be proud, those of you that are honest officers. Those officers that do wrong know it in their hearts and that is their hell.
Posted by: coach on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:31 PM
To Drug Dealer: Caps is on. Vandelize..Geez!..Oprah comes on at 4:00pm..tWO ?.. Oh! we love the cRIMINAL.....2 FUNNY....
Posted by: Anonymus on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I am so happy I moved away from that place. Looks like I got out just in time.
Posted by: in the know on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:28 PM
the officer was on his way to work. he did not know he ran over the subject laying in the street. he came into the station and told his supervisor he had a body under is cruiser. they called 911 for the ems and fire dept. the officer was not high/drunk. in fact, he was very very upset. ipd backtracked to find what evidence they could. the highway patrol came to look at the cruiser. no damage or disturbance to the front of the cruiser was found. an autopsy will tell how guy died. he may have been gone before the cruiser ran over him. the backstreets of ironton are poorly lit. the ice and snow was clumped up along the street - casting shadows everywhere. guy had dark clothing on. IPD is having an independent investigation done. The closest next of kin was notified as soon as practical. There is no cover up. There is no conspiracy. This is a horrible ACCIDENT. FINAL. PERIOD. Some people in this world need to grow up and get a CLUE.
Posted by: Shellie on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Im so sorry for your loss.God Bless This Family and Friends.
Posted by: JTL on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM
The combined intelligence in most of the comments posted below is startling. Its like these people just stumbled onto the internet and the English language at the same time. A perfect symphony of uneducated, unemployed, and low mentality. Did they set up a computer at center court on 9th st and have everyone in the neighborhood take turns posting the same thing or something? "IPD is terrizble, they made me babey go to jail for something he nevers did" -- "I knows they didz this IPD r all drunks i seenz then drankin on d job!!!!"--IPD drugg a body for 10 blocks and didnt know it? Pleze they did thet on purpise Balize me." Well then my goodness. I guess the investigation is over. The court of public opinion has spoken. Case closed. And they had a march?? Are you kidding me? For what? They had a march in the Duke Lacrosse case too. Remember that? Howd that turn out for ya? Hmmm. Jump to conclusions much? How about waiting for all the evidence and all the facts in the case to be released.
Posted by: sam on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:14 PM
what do you want to bet that the police will be found not at fault after running over a man and dragging him 10 blocks. if it was someone else, they would be in jail
Posted by: teacher on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:13 PM
HOOKED ON PHONICS.......Your point is made when you can complete a full sentence!
Posted by: keri hall on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:11 PM
how does a person not know they hit and were draging someone. that is a horrable crime that needs to be treated like every other crime. does the police acadamy teach you that if you hit someone to keep going? what is wrong with people today? That officer needs to have his licens taken and to be thrown in jail like all the other criminls.
Posted by: Melanie on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Does anyone know for a fact this man was walking home? Does anyone know for a fact that this man was not already deceased? Does anyone know for a fact that their are witness'. I was always told...DON'T THROW STONES IF YOU LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES!!! God Bless ALL of those involved. You are in my thoughts and prayers. IPD...Keep doing the wonderful job that you do! And to All of the LEO's(Law Enforcement Officers) Thank you for putting your lives on the line each day! God Bless you also...Will wait to pass judgement till I have complete facts on the whole case. It is so much easier to judge the unknown, then to judge facts!
Posted by: You Know on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:00 PM
If you cross the train tracks, you may be hit by a train. The same goes for the street. I am sorry for the loss of the Thomas family. It is an unnecessary tragedy. But let's turn it around. A black man strikes an off duty police officer and drags him 6 blocks. He's innocent until proven guilty. Period. Let the process play out you bunch of hypocrites! If the officer is guilty, hammer him. If not, he still owes the Thomas family a huge apology.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:48 PM
If you got to Irontontribune.com, there is an article on this tragic event. Jim Carey told the tribune that the incident occurred on 9th and Jefferson. . it gave details that the man was walking on 9th northbound, and crossed the street to Madison and then came out into the road. If the cop didn't know he hit someone, than how do they know where the "Incident" occurred??? ..in that matter..what "incident" I thought the cop didnt know he hit someone. They know obviously that the man was initally walking, so why is everyone saying he was lying in the road???? ...the facts are right there!!! So its apparent that the cop knew and Jim Carey knows that he hit someone, because the exact location is given. If the cop didn't know, than how do they know he was drug 10 blocks?? wouldn't that have been a mystery like everything else they are trying to hide!?? It doesnt take a genious to figure this out. There are too many details given for a body to have just shown up under the rear bumper!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:45 PM
hey to " in the know" i was in ironton at the time and the streets were NOT all covered in snow and ice there was a lot of clear street so quit covering for your fellow officer(thats a guess but probley true)i'm not saying he did it on purpose but he did do it and he had to know he hit something even if he didn't know what it was! the initial crash may have been accidental but the events following were nothing more than criminal!! stop acting like we had a foot of snow, i understand you want to defend him but there is no reasonable defence here!
Posted by: Anon on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:45 PM
I T K You are right, let this play out with the people who actually know the facts of this case. Most people who have dealt with the IPD on here were not calling for help I would presume, no wonder they have the attitude they have. And Sharon you dont have a clue. Why on earth would he drive back to the station hoping the body would come free. I know most of these guys and not a one would intentionally run someone down. I too dont understand how he could not know, but that is not for me to say, I was'nt there nor was anyone on here. Some people here just want to stir this up without any or purpose for doing so. Chief Carey is a good man and an honest man. if you think he would cover this up you are just wrong.
Posted by: justice 4 all means cops 2 on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:35 PM
no matter who was driving that car --no one would be in "prison" now---there is an investigation then a trial if a crime was commited --by a jury to be found innocent or guilty---and no one who have been fired from their job either. Let the proper department do their job and see what the report is and then there will be plenty of time left to call Al or Jesse to sue and march. It is hard for me to believe he ran over this man and drove to the station to have it "covered up" If the cop is found to be guilty of a crime THEN he will be charged and fired---even if you are a cop you are innocent until proven guilty
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:33 PM
The news said that the officer was very traumatized by the incident. . Jim Carey also said that they don't know if the victim was lying down or standing up. Either way, how could you not know that you hit/ran over someone and drug them 10 blocks. In that case, how did the officer see the body when he arrived at the station. They said he discovered it when he got to the station, and the body was under the rear bumper? Who gets out of their car and looks under their bumper? I sure don't...so why did this officer if he didn't suspect something? He knew he ran over something, and he was just checking the cruiser out for bumps and dents, and saw the man under there. How tragic. It makes sense people...why ...why would he look back there...WEIRD!!!
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:24 PM
The officer was just coming on duty. I don't know of any officers that drink or take drugs on their way to work. He drove from his residence to the station - in the shortest and most direct route from home to work. If he knew he had hit someone and was dragging them - don't you think he could have just as easily driven out St. Rt. 93 or Lawrence St. a few miles and tried to dislodge him and then come to work. If you were trying to hide the accident - wouldn't that make more sense? He didn't do that. He came straight to work. Keep in mind - any profession can have one bad character and that one person can ruin the reputation of the entire group. That doesn't mean it is deserved. If one bad Marine did something - would you then state that all Marines were bad. Same applies here - let's quit sterotyping all cops everywhere. We all know there are a few bad apples somewhere - and I am not trying to include Officer Fouts in that lot. Please think before you type something here -
Posted by: THERE WILL NEVER BE JUSTICE IN IRONTON!!! on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Everyone thinks that just because BCI is investigating this situation, they will get truth. I am here to tell you all, that will not happen. Many have said Jim Carey is the most ethical person alive. BCI and Jim Carey know Jason Mooney did not kill is grandmother. They have 3 sets of DNA proving otherwise, and are still yet trying to stick Jason Mooney with the murder because he gave a false confession. For anyone who wants to judge, try sitting in the IPD station for 13 hours continuously being interrogated, deprived of food, water and bathroom privelages...with the officers telling you that you will burn! I don't know what I would have done. The fact is that everyone thinks they are going to get justice out of this, and I know from other crimes that have taken place, they won't. A murderer is walking the streets bc IPD just wanted publicity with getting this trial over with. Now we have an officer that has practically committed a murder. Crimes are going up in the small twn of irnton
Posted by: amazed on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Yes this is a horrible tragedy but people please you have no idea what happened yet. Start bashing the IPD if nothing is solved in a few weeks. The test and autopsy has not even been done. Stop wasting energy on GOSSIP and say a little prayer for the family. Yeah some cops may be bad but there is bad in every group......probably even yours!!!
Posted by: Sue on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I hit a 3 pound dog once, and immediately knew that I had ran over something, how could you hit a person and not know it? My heart goes out to all involved.
Posted by: drunks on patrol on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I have personally witnessed ON DUTY IPD officers purchasing ALCOHOL in their cruisers. This type of action SHOULD NEVER be tolerated. Now, I cant say for sure if they were drinking on duty, or if it was purchased for off duty time, but either way: this is UNTOLERABLE! Personally, I have no respect for the IPD because when I was victimized by a crime, all they told me they would do is "make a note of it" A NOTE?!? How about you do your job, that I PAY YOU TO DO! Its a travesty. Plain and simple.
Posted by: kayla on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:52 PM
hmm why would the officer Fouts return home after he hit Guy Thomas. I live close to where Officer Fouts was staying and his cop car was parked on 9th street clearly after the incident. If they found the body at the police station under Fouts squad car isn't that evidence of the hit and run, and shouldn't they of made him parked his car where it was at instead of letting him drive it all the way back home??? Then around 2 in the morning they mark off streets and block off his squad car with tape making it look like it was a break in?? I think The police needs to tell the complete truth instead keeping things hidden. There are too many witnesses seeing Fouts enter his apartment after hitting Guy Thomas, .. one last question please? Why would you hide in the dark if it was just a accident Fouts? Step up and speak if your innocent.
Posted by: Debbie on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Wow.... Prayers goes out to both families.. It is so hard to lose a loved one in such a tragic way. We have lost a family member several years ago, tragically and there is nothing out there that hurts more... Not only has one family lost someone tragically, but the officer has lost as well. I don't know either families, but my prayers goes out to both. So don't punish either family verbally or mentally they each have enough on their plates to deal with... God Bless Thomas Family, God Bless Fouts Family.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:47 PM
To anonymous at 3:14 pm would YOU not want a person to stop even if it was "JUST A DOG OR SOMETHING" to check to see if they could help the animal or "something" ???? Animals and "something" need a little thought from all of us also. Why not stop to check at the very least ??
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:46 PM
As a resident living in the same location as Richard Fouts.my question is how come the IPD after removing the body at the police department let the officer drive the vechicle to his resident. and then the IPD decided to come to his resident and tape off his car and block the street off.and in the hours of 4-5am towed it away..and why is it that he's still not being arrested??? just because he has a badge should not be a difference..
Posted by: Evangelist Marian Gardner on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:34 PM
To my family in Ironton Ohio I am in prayer with you for the death of my cousin Guy Thomas and pray that the truth of his death will be revealed. Love Marian
Posted by: tigerbaby on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:33 PM
WELL I THINK THAT PRETTY DARN GOOD. NO ONE KNOWES WHAT HAPPEN BUT BY GEROGE IF THAT WAS ME THE POLICE WOULD LOCK ME UP EVEN THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN. I THINK THE BARNY AND ANDY CREW SHOULD GE FIRED AND PUT SOME ONE THERE THAT KNOWS WHAT THERE DOING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jody on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:23 PM
This is Ironton for you!! they put people in jail for driving without lincence"s,But let the drug and thieft's go!!!!!!! No wonder Ironton is broke,they are probabley buying the dugs off of there informents!!! Wich are still on the Street.This i no for a fact shame on the IPD.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:22 PM
I have no clue what really happened that night. The family doesn't have any answers yet, hopefully tomorrow, the autopsy will shed some light. However, I do know that on that night I went to the Ironton play in Raceland. I was able to make it from where I live (Kitts Hill) to my mothers house (12th street, Ironton) and then all the way across the river and back home that night with no incidents. The roads were not bad. They had been icy earlier in the day, but by the time the play was over (at 11:00 ish), I was able to drive all the way home going the speed limit. I even hit up Wendy's and Taco Bell before leaving town. Accident or not, conspiracy or not, was the man drunk or not, I don't know any of this, BUT I do know, b/c I was out that night, that ice and snow was not a factor when the officer hit or ran over Guy. There just wasn't enough on the ground at that time to substantiate this at all.
Posted by: Robin Bradley on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:17 PM
well I guess my first comment was not appropriate or something so I will try again. I would like to know why this mans police record would have anything to do with what happened to him? Why if he was layin in the street standin in the street or rollin in the street did this officer not see him? Why would he be paid for hittin and killin a man and draggin him 10 block? Are they going to pay this mans wife? I just don't comprehend how you hit anything in the road let alone a person and you don't know it. But Im sure they will find excuses for the officer like they did when they stood and watched my nephew drown and made his twin brother watch while he yelled for help after tazzin him several times and yes he was tazzed 3 times. So I guess the law in Ironton are above the law. My heart and prayers are with Guy Thomas' family. Rack it up as another life taken at the hands of the good ole Ironton police department.
Posted by: Frank Murphy on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:10 PM
As I sit here & read many of the comments on this web site, my heart saddens to think we have so many callous people living in Ironton that would use such a tragedy suffered by the Thomas Family for their own agenda. All these comments should be heartfelt sympathy for the Thomas' & their loss. It is easy to doubt things we do not understand or things we can't see. That is why so many doubt the existance of God. The place we all should be turning to for support & comfort for the Thomas Family. As for bashing of the IPD, I was taught not to judge until I have walked in that person's shoes. I myself do not understand how this could have happened, but will wait for the OBI to explain it to us. As for the IPD I have full confidence in them as they do a hard job with no thanks, little pay, & limited resources. On a personal note to the Thomas Family, my door is always open as a friend who grew up with you as well as Guy. We as a community need to direct our energy to prayer and sympathy.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:58 PM
You know it was one cops mistake not the whole police force. They have always been there when i have had to call them. God Bless all the families.
Posted by: CONCERNED CITIZEN on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I THINK THAT IPD SHOULD DRUG TEST ALL ITS OFFICERS AND EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT DUI LAWS APPLY TO THEM ALSO, I DO NOT KNOW THE COP INVOLVED BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD HE IS A STAND UP GUY AND I DO HOPE SO, I DID KNOW GUY AND HE WOULD NEVER HURT ANYONE, HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN OUT AT LOCAL NIGHT CLUBS AND ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HAVE SEEN 3 DIFFERENT IPD OFFICERS IN THE CLUBS SO DRUNK THEY CAN HARDLY STAND UP AND THEY WALK RIGHT OUT THE DOORS AND GET IN THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLES AND DRIVE OFF. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS. BUT THESE SAME COPS ARE ON PATROL THE NEXT DAY GIVING DUI TICKETS WHERE IS THE ETHICS. I HAVE HAD TO CALL IPD IN THE PAST AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS HELPED ME BUT THIS IS A SMALL COMMUNITY SO KNOW THAT PEOPLE TO WATCH WHAT YOU DO OFF DUTY MORE THAN THEY DO WHEN THEY ARE ON DUTY. I PRAY FOR GUYS FAMILY AND ALSO THE OFFICERS FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE
Posted by: SHARON on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:44 PM
THE OFFICER PROBABLY KNEW HE HAD HIT SOMEONE AND KEPT GOING, HOPING IT WOULD COME OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR BEFORE HE GOT BACK TO THE POLICE STATION. IPD WOULD NEVER THINK TO INVESTIGATE A POLICE OFFICER IF SOMEONE HAD FOUND THE BODY BACK A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE POLICE STATION. SO SAD THAT THE MAN HAD TO SUFFER. (IF HE WASN'T ALREADY DECEASED).MY MOTHER TOLD ME BEFORE (SEVERAL TIMES) THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A HOODLUM TO BE A COP AND THESE LAST FEW YEARS (COPS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES) HAVE PROVED IT. GOD BLESS YOU GUY.
Posted by: Former Irontonian on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:29 PM
My heart goes out to the family for their loss. This is tragic. It's a tragedy for the while city of Ironton. My heart also goes out to the police officers and the whole city of Ironton. I pray for a completed investigation. And healing for all. Conclusions really can't be made until the investigation is completed and all reports are in.
Posted by: Laura on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Well considering it's a young cop only on the job 2 months, unless his family is some major bucks in Ironton, I say they prosecute him just to make themselves look good. And to the officer that thinks making 14.00 an hr is not enough for putting his life on the line, move or get a new job. Plain and simple, you took an oath, like Honest Cop said, either live by it or get a new career!
Posted by: Still Waiting on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Thank God that OBI is investigating this. Ia there anyway we can get OBI to investigate ALL the other crimes in town that go UNSOLVED.? AND! UN-PROSECUTED?
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Finally - not a single person has come forward and stated that they saw anything. No witness to him being hit - no witness to him being drug. Don't you think if anybody saw anything like that - wouldn't they have called in or contacted the media by now? With a lot of luck - hopefully the independent investigation can give us all some answers and everyone involved can start to get some closure. It appears that this was a tragic accident - with no malice or intent to hide anything. I ask everyone to be patient and see the final results and meanwhile quit condemming when you know so little. Everyone should be putting more effort into praying for both the victim and the officer. Neither one of them intentionally did this or deserved this to happen.
Posted by: South Point Citizen on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:14 PM
I have read the comments and am amazed. Everyone should read what Juan said. He is a family member suffering a horrible loss. Until the facts, not rumors, are posted for the publich we should be thinking of those that are suffering the most. The family of Mr. Thomas and the family of Officer Fouts. Pointing fingers and making accusations on either side doesn't make matters better. I am sure that the families of both parties read these comments. Yes, it is a tragedy and I am sure that the office of the OBI will get to the truth, whatever it may be. I don't know either of the gentleman but I pray that God will be with their families at this time.
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Continued - # 5 If you knew Guy personally - then acknowledge that he was not a physically large person. He was 5 foot 4 inches and if he was laying down in the street - a driver would not necessarily be able to see him and could conceivably drive right over him without a large thump. If he had been run over by a tire - then you would expect the driver to realize it then. But not if went right down the middle of the car. #6 The streets (especially the sidestreets) were not treated and were nothing but snow and ice. If you had been out that time of night - tell the rest of these people that I am correct. Nobody could drive at a normal rate of speed. If you hit a dead deer in the road at under 20 miles per hour - it might thump a little at first - but then it would slide on the ice for the rest of the way until it became dislodged. 1 block or 10 - ice has very little resistance to break it free. He could easily have been drug for miles in those road conditions.
Posted by: In the Know on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:59 PM
First - just to save the uninformed out there from wasting time and space - # 1 - Ironton Police cruisers are not equipped with video cameras. None of them have them. There is no tape to replay or destroy. # 2- All officers are issued a cruiser. They drive it home and back and forth to work daily. You take better care of a car if it is yours and they last longer. # 3 - When you have a victim whose identity is unknown or questionable - you ask family members to ID the body. The police knew who it was as soon as they pulled him out from under the car. No need to have a family member ID the body. # 4 - The closest family member in town was Juan (Guy's brother). Juan was out of town. Lori (Juan's wife) spoke to the police within the first few hours after this happened so quit saying the family was not contacted. Every cousin or relative down the line was not contacted but his closest immediate family member was informed.
Posted by: jim on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:40 PM
to the honest cop you make a lot of sense. some of the arrogance of a lot of cops when they put on the gun and badge do not need a job in law enforcement. the cop that made this statement needs to go!
Posted by: unbelievable on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:39 PM
wow this is an unbelievable story.this is actually the first time ive heard about it. i am so sorry to the family for their loss. any loss is devasting. and i believe that people are taking it a little more because it did involve a cop. look at the family on interstate 64 like four years ago. it was a family of four. a barboursville cop crossed over the interstate and killed all of them. they found marjuana in his system but didnt really get anything for it. so believe it or not, people get away with stuff. i have had my car stolen by a drunk person without a license and got off scott free. i always say its who you know, not what u know. i always pay my respects to the law enforcement because they do their job for the most part. there are some bad and some good. this could have been a complete accident and this man is having to deal with this. right now, i do think thats a hard enuf punishment until all the facts are given. god bless the family! and let the facts come out!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:34 PM
questions- #1 what did the officer do immediately after parking his car- did it he clock out, do paperwork, etc. #2 are there recording cameras in ironton cruisers? #3 are there cameras in the front of the police station or in the route that the victim was dragged? #4 who removed the body from the scene, was it properly recorded and investigated? #5 was drug testing completed on the officer? #6 why is this officer not in jail? please channel 3- camp out in ironton until this family has all of its questions answered
Posted by: Clark on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:34 PM
I believe that the truth will come out and that our Police Chief will do what is right. I don't know how someone can run over a person and not know it. I feel so sorry for the family, my prayers are with them and the police officer (especially if he is innocent).
Posted by: citizen on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:27 PM
I would like to know who witnessed IPD officers throw the male in the river and dunk him until he drowned!...No one told him to jump in the water...This is just another example of the intelligence we are dealing with on here..Whoever is screening these comments must be having a ball....
Posted by: jim on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:26 PM
for the officer wo said dont call us would you please get another job.you are the kind that give the good officer's a bad name . you are a sick person!!!!!!!
Posted by: teacher on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:24 PM
I agree with you Lynn...I would think it be fair to say all of the negative comments are coming from people that wear orange frequently....are you people blind to that fact?
Posted by: LORI on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:10 PM
I HAVE TO WONDER IF THE POLICE OFFICER WHO HIT MR. THOMAS PANICED WHEN HE REALIZED WHAT HE HAD DONE. SOMEONE MADE THE COMMENT ABOUT NOT GIVING THE OFFICER A FAIR TRIAL. WOULD ANY COP GIVE A NORMAL JOE OFF THE STREET A FAIR TRAIL IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT. PROBABLY NOT.
Posted by: me on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:07 PM
I totally agree with honest cop! sounds like the little drug user's and welfare people that have no idea what it is like to have a real job comming out to put blaim on the officer. YOU do their job and YOU will change you mind on how things are handled and investigated. So keep putting your comments on here but untill you goto the academy and learn what the Police, Fire, and EMS workers go through on a daily basis then leave your comments to yourself. Unless you are a judge or was sitting on the side of the road and watched the accident happen you have no right to comment on anything on here SHUT UP!!!!!
Posted by: Patty on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:21 PM
My heart goes out to the Thomas family. I hope with investigations of course from Higher Authorities that they may one day find comfort in the findings of this tragedy. I do not know the Officer involved and will not make personal judgment against him. My prayers go out to both families. But my personal experience with the Ironton Police Department and their knowledge of OHIO Laws, has been very disappointing.So I feel more confident knowing this incident will be investigated by STATE Officials. Again, My prayers are with both families and my hometown community. It's time to comfort one another and wait for official results of this tragedy.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Yes people know's to put anonymous if the name get's out and then get stoped by the cop's,what would happen to you ?I would'nt want to find out.They can get by with anything .
Posted by: What? on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:07 PM
To "Ohio" Your remarks are uncalled for - if this happened in Huntington, the police chief and the mayor would have made statements within the hour. Sorry you are mistaken!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:05 PM
It does not matter if he was in the road ,standing setting crawing .No one could hit someone and not know it ,Well unless there is a reason .I can hit a bump in the road and know it .Most cop's not all ,think's they can get by with anything and they do .I hope the family find s out the truth ,good luck .My prayer's are with the family .
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Why would a person, especially a cop, hit a man on purpose & then drag him to the door of the police department? Really, think about it. There is definitely a reason for this accident. The public may not like the reason, but the evidence will hopefully lead to a reasonable explanation. The weather, snow over the road, and night time conditions probably play a part. I seriously do not think that anyone would purposely hit,or accidently hit, a person and drag them to the police department knowingly. I pray for God to be in this situation, for the officer involved, and especially for the loss the family is going through.
Posted by: tammie j. b. on Mar 10, 2008 at 05:56 PM
I read the comment about the scanner I to listen to my scanner never did the cop say a thing about hitting someone and then all of a sudden the female cop called for fire department first responders then called for the city to bring a floor jack to the department asap! then they started with the cell phones and the police chief not letting any officers go home never once did the officer say that something was wrong or did he say a word.The police talked back and fourth about blocking this street and that street off.This is horrible and the officer should pay for this crime he was unmistakingly wrong in this situation and he should be in jail awaiting a court date with the rest of the people who have done wrong not sitting at his home with pay.If nothing else he should be at the home of this mother and father explaining how sorry he is.STOP BEING A COWARD AND GET OUT FROM BEHIND THE CHIEFS SKIRT AND SAY I AM SO SORRY AND THIS WHAT HAPPENED BE A MAN FOR PETE SAKES!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tom on Mar 10, 2008 at 05:50 PM
TO COP who said something to the fact,"If you don't like the police don't call them when you are in trouble"Well already way ahead of you on that on-My house is protected by Smith&Wesson,and me and my spouse don't beat each other up.The cops here in Ashland are a joke!!!Wrecked three cars and sent two people to the hospital last week.It is a true fact,The police have a license to kill(and use it)
Posted by: saddened by events on Mar 10, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I pray for Guy's family. We are all innocent until proven guilty, but still arrested, arraigned, and bailed pending trial. Officier Fouts should have been also, not just put on administrative leave. The initial hit may have been accidental, but he had damage beneath his car that would have been obvious to any driver because it effected the operation of the vehicle. One wheel was locked and dragging, leaving a skid mark from the scene all the way to the police station. Even if he didn't know he was dragging a person, he know he had hit something that damaged his car and any normal person would have stopped and got out to see what the problem was. I think he did and panicked and went to station to get help. It is a sad day for every person in this town. Complaining about water fees in conjunction with this event is ridiculous. I am sure the Thomas family does not want this tragedy to escalate into something that hurts this entire city. In a town this size, there are no secrets.
Posted by: Angie on Mar 10, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Now another one gets away..At least put this one behind bars while they are investigating..Ironton Cops get by with everything, just as one did for driving drunk..REMEMBER THAT..These cops are supposed to serve, protect everyone, but here, its just themselves..We have called several times for them for breaking car windows, stealing items and yet have not seen the cops to this day..That's been at least 2 months ago..Must be having coffee and donuts..Get rid of them all..
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 05:13 PM
was the officer in question given a drug and alcohol screen like any person off the street would have been if so i challenge wsaz to get the results through the freedom of information act and to honest cop sir you speak the truth
Posted by: Michelle on Mar 10, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I would like to let the family of Mr. Thomas know that I will be praying for peace to come to them quickly. Losing a family member is always hard, no matter the circumstances. To Patrolman Fouts, I will also be praying for you and your family. Whether or not this was an accident is still yet to be determined but either way I am sure that you are just sick about what happened. May God Bless all of you, now and in the future.
Posted by: BIRDEYE on Mar 10, 2008 at 04:50 PM
RICHARD FOUT, SHOULD NOT BE ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE.THIS IS OUR TAX DOLLARS .HE SHOULD BE IN JAIL.EVERY BODY I KNOW THAT BREAKS THE LAW GO STRAIGHT TOO JAIL.HE KILLED A MAN WAKE UP IRONTON SMELL THE ROSES.
Posted by: bobcat on Mar 10, 2008 at 04:37 PM
unless you walk in a cops shoes, please don't judge.
Posted by: Honest Cop on Mar 10, 2008 at 04:13 PM
To the so-called cop who posted at 12:26 and said, "if you don't like police don't call us when your spouse is beating you up, or when someone is breaking in your house," SHAME ON YOU! I too am in law enforcement and we take an oath to protect ALL citizens, not just those we like. For you to judge someone and threaten to not respond to a call just because you don't like their opinion is the EXACT reason so many of these folks are anti-cops. You and officers like you have created this situation where we aren't trusted by good citizens because of the arrogance of most cops. Having a gun and badge doesn't give cops an excuse to treat folks like dirt, but most cops seem to think so. As a cop, if a driver tried to tell me he didn't know he was dragging a body for 10 blocks, I would arrest him on the spot. Cops should be treated no different. If any cops want to know why good people don't like or trust us, situations like this and comments like the cop's at 12:26 should make it clear!
Posted by: Joanne on Mar 10, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Amen, Juan D. Thomas. I am sorry for your loss. I too will give the respective departments time to gather all facts before drawing a conclusion. I think that our community should stand together and allow the police to do their jobs without animosity. The main focus right now should be with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thomas, and ensuring that the truth is allowed to come out, whatever it might be. It can then be dealt with appropriately. I'm not an armchair detective, but I am an intelligent citizen that requires answers for this tragedy.
Posted by: michelle on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I hit a BRANCH in the Road and i knew it IMMMEDIATLEY, HOW, TELL ME HOWW!!, Could he not know he had hit someone, The police think they are above the law. If this way my family, and i pray for this family, I would take this to the Highest court possible. Im so very sorry for your loss, Dont let the Ironton police dept get by with please
Posted by: Amazed on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Come on people, What is the real picture here? Guy Thomas was walking home and got hit by a city policeman of Ironton, and was drug for almost a mile! this isnt just a vehicle and a pedestrian accident!Why isnt the police officer in jail until we find out all of the details? If it was me or you that hit this man we would be in jail!!! Why should the officer be any different? Next we will be hearing that the man was already laying down on the ground and the police officer didn't see him and thought he was snow. Administrative leave with pay that's reassuring that Ironton will uphold their police officers even when it's vehicular manslaughter, I'm moving from Ironton!!!!!!!!!!!!Nice tax dollars at work!!
Posted by: Linda on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Wait and see what really happened before we condemn anyone? Yes, one would think that you would know if you hit/ran over a human, but let's wait to see what IPD has to say after they "investigate" the situation. Yes, the guy may have been drinking, but how on earth could you drag a man for blocks under your car, and not know it? Did anyone do a DUI check on the officer? If not, then that's a sad thing. Obviously he was oblivious to everything around him to not see/feel himself hit another human being.
Posted by: Eddie on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Amen to Juan D. Thomas, Jr., relative of the deceased, for his sensible comments. Right now, he seems like the only one with sense on this comment board. His words are very true. Don't jump to conclusions. Let the investigation agencies do their jobs and see the results before casting any idiotic opinions.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:42 PM
After reading most of the comments on this page I have to say I am embarrassed to be an Irontonian. So many of you are so quick to judge. I know the family of the victim and I know the police officer. Do you really think that if he knew he hit the victim he would leave him under the bumper and continue driving to work? How cold hearted you must think he is! That just goes to show you what we all think of each other here in this so called "Close Nit Small Community". Put yourself in the police officers shoes and imagine what he will have to live with the rest of his life. If he had done this on purpose or wanted to cover something up, why would he drive to the police department? The family of the victim has enough to deal with! Leave them in peace and stop all of the "Man Hunting". Come together as a community and let the authorities investigate and stop investigating yourselves. My heart goes out to both families. In my book we have two victims here!
Posted by: Ohio on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Well, if this had happened in Huntington, the HPD would still be looking for a body!
Posted by: Melanie on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:39 PM
God bless all those involved! All the police in our community do their jobs to the best of their abilities! I feel bad for the ramifications this is going to have in our community! Police officers are just like everyone else, they put their pants one leg at a time. The rapport in this county is going up in flames...HOW SAD!!!
Posted by: JML on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I will be praying for Mr. Thomas and Officer Fouts.
Posted by: Abolishthe IPD on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:35 PM
For all those on here defending the IPD and saying dont call them if we need them. DONT WORRY! I quit calling for their help along time ago. I watch drug tafficking, and theives in plain sight and they do nothing. They are all just meter maides. And since there are no meters in town - they just speed around, turn their lights on and write trafic tickets. They are only used to write as many trafic tickets as possible. This is what we get for the extortion fees we pay on the water bill. Dont defend these useless milkers. I have no use for them at all. their only friends are the drug dealers and the theives. there all in bed! The IPD will just go on milking all of us us tax and fee payers as long as we allow it. I would throw the city council under he bus also.!
Posted by: The Wire on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Um eyesore, Guy Thomas was loved by ALL of his family granted some didn't keep in touch with him as much as others. My question to you is how do you know that his family that was on the news had nothing to do with him? Did you know him/his family personaly? Were YOU at any of the family gatherings? From the way you sound I take that as a NO. So my advise to you is don't speak on it if you know nothing about it. Because I know for FACT that there are family members that DON'T even live Irnoton that loved him DEARLY & UNCONDITIONALLY that made it a POINT to visit him whenever they came into town or would just call to see how he was doing. In short you need to get some FACTS STRAIGHT before you go downing his family.
Posted by: THEBEACH65 on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:31 PM
KEEP UP WITH IT, NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR IT WENT UNDER THE RUG
Posted by: Lynn on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I would like to know why all of a sudden the whole Ironton Police Dept. comes under fire for 1 officers actions. Come on people how many of you anonymous people have had to call the police for help and expected them there just as soon as you called? Now you get on here and make your comments and hide behind anonymous. I think we have a great police force and why does what they do on their time off from work have anything to do with this? Don't let the ignorance of the comments on here get you guys down...hold your heads high and continue doing your jobs. Most of the comments made on here after all are probably not being made by the most law abiding citizens!!!
Posted by: KeepYourHeadsUpIronton... on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Everyone has so many questions regarding this incident but no one is willing to wait for the correct information on what actually happened. So now everyone makes up their own conclusions and this is what causes people to become angry. There is so much gossip and so many stories concerning this, I think everyone needs to let this mans family grieve in peace for their loss and not be so quick to condemn the officer involved until the truth comes out. No matter who the victim is or where they came from death is always a great loss to all. I pray the truth comes out quickly for the family of Guy and the officer and his family. May God bless and watch over them all through these hard times!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:14 PM
some of these comments are unreal! while i'm sure there is some bad cops on the ipd, to think the whole department is corrupt is plain STUPIDITY! i know some of the ironton cops and you can't find better folks. we can't speak so soon until the investigation is over but i look at it as a horrific accident. for some of you people to think this was intentional is idiotic. put yourself in the situation. i'd say the officer probably heard some type of sound but seriously, who is going to think, i need to stop the car, i'm dragging a human. nobody would expect that to happen. visibility wasn't very good so i'm sure the officer didn't see the man, who was more than likely unconscious laying in the street. the officer probably thought he hit a dog or something and didn't think about stopping. may God bless and comfort the Thomas family. my thoughts and prayers go out to you. words can't describe how horrible this is, i just don't think we can judge the officer so fast.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:09 PM
you had said you hit the person, then why was officers parking spot in front of the residents being investigated? How is it now your saying he tried to steal the converter off the cruiser? Why is it your trying to cover up for a careless mistake. Make it clear come out with the truth. Family needs closure.
Posted by: Melanie on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:03 PM
1st of I would like to send my heart felt condolences to the family of the victim. Bless you all you will be in my prayers. I would like to say this...IPD will not be able to cover this up. Did you read, that OBI will be doing this investigation? Everyone loves to bash the Officers. But, OBI will get to the truth of things. And then it will be public record. The road conditions were HORRIBLE that night. But I will not sit here and make up excuses for this tragedy. Bless those Officers for keeping our streets safe, and thank you for doing such a thankless job.
Posted by: TINIA SPENCER on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Protest walk tonight at 6..Everyone welcomed to join. Starts on 9th street. Walking the distance he was dragged. This isn't the first time Ironton Police has been in a whoo whoo..Remember when they tazzed the white guy in the river and he died..How can they keep getting by with little careless mistakes? Justice needs to be served in this city and it needs to start now. How can you serve and protect the citizens when your the one hurting them? Stop with the cover-ups and start Cleaning up your station..Mr...Chief..Sir..I loved ya, but your station is messing up..BIG TIME..
Posted by: unknown on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Many know that we have a large drug problem in this county. I wonder was drugs a factor and has the law officer been drug tested?? Really how could you drive that far dragged a human body and not know it??
Posted by: Stacy on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:34 PM
I hate to judge harshley, before knowing the facts, but how could you hit and drag another fellow human 10 blocks without realizing something was wrong. I don't understand. I'm sure what we're all asking here is exactly what this mans' family is asking. How did this happen. Even if the man had something to drink, the officer should have realized he hit something or something was under the car. I hope the family gets justice. What a terrible and gruesome crime on humanity. I hope that the family learns the truth. And is able to make peace with this tragedy. Maybe they should seek some type of counseling to deal with this. And if the officer has any type of conscience they too will need some type of counseling. My prayers go out to the gentlemans family. May God be with you.
Posted by: j on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Actually, no, its only vehicular manslaughter after you are charged and given a fair trial no one seems to want to give this officer. Has it ever occured to any of you that you may not have all the facts?
Posted by: eyesore on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:15 PM
its funny that many of you say the streets were clear because 'they looked clear on the videos'. obviously you don't live or work in ironton- so quit saying that- they WEREN"T clear. secondly, we don't know if he was STRUCK/HIT by the car- or already laying down due to alcohol or a medical cause- plus people, take a class where you learn about vehicles vs adult pedestrians- then you can speak, after you learn. third- he didn't know he was dragging the body until they recreated the crime scene- for which they then found the blood trail. fourth- its funny that this family that is all over the news/papers wanted nothing to do with this man until his death- and his PRIMARY family was notified when he died- since when do aunts/uncles/2nd cousins get called by police. if you people would use common sense and not be so quick to judge when you ARE CLUELESS on this accident aside from the NEWS people- then you would realize it is POSSIBLE and an ACCIDENT! good day!
Posted by: amber on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Dear wsaz I love to wach and listen to the news because you guys and girls are so great.At school we always like to look at the weather report.
Posted by: Sigmamom1 on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:12 PM
I cannot believe this has happen. How can you hit a person and not know it. Was this officer on drugs? I was a fellow classmates of Guy and cannot image how he felt or what he was thinking when this happened. This officer needs to held accountable for his actions. There needs to be a through investigation into what really happened. Let's hope the IPD doesn't try to spin this and place blame on Guy. As suggested it shouldn't matter if he was or was not drinking. The facts are he was hit my a police officer, he was found underneath a police car and drugged for many blocks to his death.
Posted by: Concerned #102 on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:55 PM
First, please check the officers body mic( if its not too late ) . Second, the in car cam was rolling, check it . Third, quickly get a subpoena for the cell records and all communication coming in and out of the station during that one hour period. Does these things , and everyone will be in a for a huge surprise.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:52 PM
maybe the cops need to slow down...i've been past by cops with no lights on the roads like i was sitting still..cops think they don't have to follow the driving laws..something needs to be done
Posted by: a momma on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Ironton got < 3 inches of snow. I'm pretty sure that had very little to do with the accident. Ironton does have a reputation for covering up stuff but hopefully the entire truth will come out. Lets let the people called in to investigate this do their jobs before we hang the entire department. The victims family needs people to rally around them and help them and not point fingers just yet.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:22 PM
to former law officer u can find our understaffed overworked police at ur local bar getting drunk on there off days.THATS NOT AN EXCUSE!!!!
Posted by: jamie on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Since everyone hates the police now I guess you guys can handle everything at home without bothering them...what kind of attitude do you think they will have coming to work today with all of this love and support for taking the time to investigate this incident to make sure the TRUTH prevails....Just handle your problems on your own....lol...yea right!
Posted by: Juan D. Thomas, Jr. on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:05 PM
If you want your voice to be heard don't hide behind anonymous. At this point no one KNOWS exactly what happened. Only that something tragic happened, we lost a family member. The investigating agencies are doing their jobs and we the family are waiting for the results.
Posted by: unknown on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Come on People male or female which ever that hit Guy must had been blind or couldn`t hear....no matter what u hit your gonna know it.......and i guess it was a Female well she should be punished.............and even if he was drunk,,they doesn`t gave another human the rights to drag him like a rag doll..............
Posted by: Angi on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:35 PM
How stupid can a person be you can hit someone with your car and not know it until you are 10 blocks away. Sounds to me like somebody needs to be given a drug and alchol test. I know me as a normal citizen would have already been booked and sittin in a cell . Not at my house sittin on a comfy couch gettin paid. Come one wake up !!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:35 PM
WOW! are we really surprised? I mean honeslty it's Ironton.. The cops there cant seem to do anything right! I think that all the officers at the Ironton Police Department need to all resign!
Posted by: officer on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I think it is a shame that the community is turning on the police. This was an accident and there will be some regrets after the truth comes out...I support Jim Carey and his officers..Cannot blame entire dept. on this accident...
Posted by: unreal! on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:30 PM
if you are a police officer it's an accident huh? how can anyone defend this "officer" (if you want to call him that) after he dragged this guy 1/2 mile. hey it isn't like he had an accident and stopped he kept going. I was in town that night there was some snow and ice on some streets but not everywhere there were a lot of clear spots even "if" he didn't know he was dragging someone he still would have known he hit something!!so for anyone who wants to defend him i hope you can explain this to me. I truely wish this could be called an accident but it just can't! remember a 1/2 mile under or behind a car that sits maybe 10 inches off the ground,you would know.I know this officer has family and friends that will defend him till the end but i'm sorry ya'll he is in the wrong here.
Posted by: cop on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:26 PM
All I can say is if you don't like police don't call us when your spouse is beating you up, or when someone is breaking in your house. There is a reason an outside agency is handling this situation, that is so there can be no cover up. I haven't dealt with IPD much, but I do know for a fact their chief is the most ethical person I have ever met. He stands behind his officers 100% when they're right, but he's the first to admonish them when they're wrong. So for those of you who think there's a cover up get a life. Believe it or not but this is as hard for other officers to handle as it is for the public, and the family. That officer has to live with this for the rest of his life. So for those of you who want to point fingers and blame someone, go through the police academy and investigate these things, instead you want to be safe on the sidelines and criticize everyone. This is an issue for the police and the family!!! God Bless everyone involved!!!!!!!
Posted by: scott&glenna on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:19 PM
there is something wrong with this picture!!!!!! If u hit a dog u know it even if u hit a speed bump in the road u know it and for the officer to say he didnt know he hit the man is a lie!!!!!!and if that was one of our family members they would be in jail and their name would be drug through the dirt!!!!!!i would get all the answers and NOT let the IRONTON POLICE DEPARTMENT get away with this like some have got away in the PAST!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:06 PM
how do you not know that you have hit a person? how do you not know that you are dragging that same person? i hit a squirrel and i knew it. hello....what is the deal here???
Posted by: DRUG DEALER on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:44 AM
IN DEFENSE OF THE iRONTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. wHAT I LIKE ABOUT iRONTON IS YOU CAN SELL DRUGS ,ROB PEOPLE, STEAL AND VANDELIZE PROPERTY, RUN OVER AND KILL PEOPLE WITH CARS - AND GO HOME AND WATCH OPRAH, AND WRITE A CHECK TO THE CITY WATER WORKS! THE POLICE WILL NEVER BOTHER YOU. I LOVE THIS TOWN! tWO BEST PRFOESSIONS IN LAWRENCE COUNTY: 1. iRONTON POLICE OFFICER 2. cRIMINAL.
Posted by: me on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I see everyone's comments about a "cover up." I wish everyone would wait until the investigation is over before you run your mouth. It may very well be that the officer will be charged and convicted. How you people can specualte things when you are not even directly involved is beyond me. This is a terrible situation for ALL involved. I pray for the victim's family. But please people just wait until BCI is finished with the investigation and ALL the facts are known before you start pointing fingers. The IPD chief is a good honest man and will not "cover this up" He will do what is right.
Posted by: IWANTA BE A - ipd on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:37 AM
The Ironton Police department stands for (IMMUNE from PUNISHMENT and DETENTION) If this was me that was involved in this.. I wud not be being paid to stay at home! I wud be in an orange jump suite and would have already lost my job. What a cowardly police department this is. I hope the new mayor weighs in on this. He needs to do some serious HOUSE CLEANING! ------------ i BET THE IRONTON TRIBUNE IS IN ON THE COVER UP ALSO. -------------- i PRAY THIS FAMILY GETS THE JUSTICE THEY DESERVE.
Posted by: Dean on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Just bacause he had left the legion, does not mean he was drunk. Alot of people go to these places to be with friends, and they do make N/A beer.And about the only way that if you hit somebody and drag them with your vehicle and not know it is if you are in a semi truck.Police cars do not sit that high off the ground.I use to drive one every day.
Posted by: average joe on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:35 AM
ok i feel the police is doing all they can do,, if they were tring to cover up the incident they would have left it a inside police investigation the state in getting involved they are from columbus they dont care about little ironton, plus the city put the cop on leave it is manditory to do that and they are not giving any iformation out because they dont want the wrong information out,,,and finally if it the cop ment to hit the individual he wouldnt drive strait to the police station i beleave he would have drop the body off somewhere,, so i beleave he didnt know the man was under or stuck on his car!!!!everyone needs to just wait and see what comes from this before getting mad!!!i do feel sorry for the mans faimly,,
Posted by: Lawrence Countian on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I find it very hard to believe that a police officer dragged someone for so long and did not reaize it. It is safe to say this is NOT a hate crime, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous. We have all seen officers driving quickly in their vehicles; running lights at intersections just to go through a stop sign; and other examples of unsafe driving. I must wonder if this officer were participating in such destructive behaviors the time of this accident. It would be interesting to know if this cruiser were equipped wtih a camera or other recording device.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Ok, let's see, you hit someone with your vehicle, drag them several blocks, it's vehicular manslaughter correct? If your an officer of the law however, you only get suspended with pay for your actions? Where can I sign up for being an Ironton police officer?
Posted by: Bryan on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:03 AM
The Ironton police department are as crooked as a curvy road. There undeniable that changes need to be made.
Posted by: Concerned on Mar 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM
WSAZ, What are you doing? Some of these comments appear to be posted by functional illiterates. Possibly children. I understand that you have your rights to your opinions but where do you draw the line? The person who goes by the name Yeah We've had our Run Ins...Who posted on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:47 AM writes: I know exactly who killed the poor pedestrian in Ironton, Hopefully she loses her job over this. Suffers from pure idiocy! Obviously this person has had their "run ins" with one of the three women in the department and cannot get over it! They don't know this for a "fact" If you SEE one of these 3 women in uniform and working then you KNOW it was NOT them! The officer involved was placed on administrative leave. Most people here, I must say, are guilty of second degree lynching!
Posted by: ANNA on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
THANK GOD IT WAS NOT ME THAT DID THIS,,,I WOULD BE STRIPPED SEARCHED AND WEARING THE ORANGE SUIT BY NOW.AND HAVE THE BOOK THROWN AT ME..I REPORTED A SUSPECTED DRUG HOUSE TO THEM, AND WITHIN A FEW HRS, THE DEALER CLEANED OUT AND WAS GONE,,HOW DID HE KNOW ,I THINK THE COP WAS IN ON IT..YES WE HAVE GOOD ONES,AND BAD ONES..
Posted by: Ironton Citizen on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM
This makes me sick at my stomach. The IPD Drives thru stop signs speeds up the streets constently and they write ticket after ticket for stupid things like bulbs being out over license plates, etc etc Yet They can run over a poor guy drag him 10 blocks and just go home and watch tv. The whole force needs replaced if u ask me They are a wiste of tax payers dollars and provide no help to the community at all. They just milk the citizens for all they can get! AND they want new police CARS! Perhaps we can get cars that have brakes! This officer should be behind bars...!! Anybody else would be!. The whole IPD should be behind bars. Most of them are at home getting paid right now!
Posted by: Buck on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:48 AM
After reading comments that try to use multiple radios as an excuse for officers not paying attention while driving. I really have to wonder are we citizens safe from officers with cell phones and multiple radios? Just curios check cell phone records for this officer.
Posted by: teacher on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM
IT WAS NOT A FEMALE OFFICER...PEOPLE THE OFFICER IS ON ADMIN. LEAVE...SO IDIOT! IF YOU SEE A COP WORKING.....IT WAS NOT THEM.
Posted by: An Insider on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:22 AM
THe OBI needs to investigate the ENTIRE IPD (intoxicated police department). The whole department needs to fired!. They have already covered this up. ---------------------------------- This is what IRONTON residents get for all the fees they have to pay.!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:22 AM
sammy why in the world would this be treated as a hate crime? get real!
Posted by: M on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Excactly, use your brain. It is unbelievable that people ask if the cop was drunk, when the guy was laying in the road after being at the Legion. I think citizens of Ironton should plan a march in SUPPORT of the police.
Posted by: James on Mar 10, 2008 at 10:19 AM
As a former police officer, I feel something is strange about this whole situation. The fact is, the police officer is responsible for the operation of the cruiser. Something is a-miss with this picture.
Posted by: Use you brain on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Had the Ironton Police Department wanted to "cover this up" as many of you have suggested, then why would they have let it be known that an officer had hit a pedestrian and dragged him for several blocks? It seems to me that if they had wanted to "cover this up" then the body would have been "discovered" far from the police station. I understand the family being upset, but it amazes me how fast everyone wants to point fingers and assume what happened. Everyone hates the police until they need them. I know several police officers and when it comes to their job they do it to the best of their ability.
Posted by: Kendall on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:44 AM
I would like to see the police cruiser to see if there was any dents in it . Was this cop drunk ?
Posted by: Sammy on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I was wondering....is this going to be treated as a "hate" crime? Or, did the police officer just have an accident. This whole thing doesn't make any sense. Something certainly appears to be fishy.
Posted by: j on Mar 10, 2008 at 09:11 AM
So lets think logically for once. If he knew he had hit him, why would he keep driving to the station when he knew it would be found out once he got there. He obviousley did not know. How do we know he was already on the ground? If he walking home from the Legion, its a good bet the man was intoxicated and could have passed out. I'm just saying all options should be considered before condeming this officer.
Posted by: brittany on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Many of us have hit stray cats and dogs on accident and thats a big enough bump to realize that you have hit something, how did this officer not know that he hit a PERSON,something should be done. Its ridiculous, if it was anyone else besides an officer the police chief would be on the news saying "well im not sure how you can hit someone and not realize it" but since its an officer then he casually says well it appears to be JUST an accident. i see it as more than an accident
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:45 AM
First of all, i thought the officer was driving TO work. if that was the case he would be in his own vehicle, not a cruiser so he would not be distracted by lights, sounds, etc. Second, regardless of what the investigators are doing the family should be notified BEFORE the press got ahold of the story. How would you feel if you heard of a loved ones death thru the media? I pray for Guy's family and friends thru the tragic unfolding of this event. God Bless You all.
Posted by: Susan on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Here's something to think about. If the police know he was drug 10 blocks, then how can they say that the officer didnt know he hit anyone or was dragging him. To me, if the officer didnt know, then how can he say he was drug 10 blocks. If you didnt know you were dragging anything, then how can you say how far you drug it? That doesnt make sense to me. Come on Ironton PD, something doesnt make sense here, and I'm no detective.
Posted by: reader on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:24 AM
after watching the raw video of the "crime", I noticed that there was not very much snow on the ground or road, so please do NOT say that it was weather related. P...L...E...A...S...E...
Posted by: janet on Mar 10, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Hit and run. Even if it started as an accident he should have stopped and reported it then. He sould not be "above the Law".
Posted by: Cross the creek on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:58 AM
There is a cover up here like has been said. The streets were mostly clear from the videos. The news didn't state that there were no witnesses, yet, who would come forward if there was. The Ironton police would cause anyone so much grief if they did come forward. He knew there was somthing under his cruiser. Otherwise, why did his last shoe end up at the police station? He or another officer found it and got rid of it. Please, someone come forward for the family. Dont let Ironton Police keep you from doing the right thing. I also agree the officer should be behind bars just like anyone of us that could have done this would be.Vehichular manslaughter I think is the term whether is was an accident or not, he IS at fault here.Come on Ironto police, you better do the right thing here. The ball is in your court.
Posted by: wow on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:53 AM
dragged that man from 9th to 3rd? you can't tell me he didn't know he hit someone. if the tables was turned and that man hit a cop he would be on trial for murder, that cop can't say he didn't here a bump or something when he ran over him.
Posted by: Shame.. on Mar 10, 2008 at 07:46 AM
It does not matter if Guy was drinking, It does not matter if he was done on the ground. What matters is that this man was dragged for 10 blocks. The police have not even bothered to show the family the smallest amount of recpect to the family. Nothing will bring back their loved one but an explanation and apology goes along way. It can't be swept under the rug and forgotten.
Posted by: me on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:55 AM
the person that said he hit a dog and did knot know it had to be drunk! this will be one for the national news. why would a officer call for a jack to raise the car and then say call back on the cell phone the body had to be traped up under the car the person that did this should be in JAIL. if the streets were that bad why was the officer driving over 10 mph anyway if the man was down in the street why didnt he see him.it will be a cover up i hope the mans family gets some answers .
Posted by: Yeah We've had our Run Ins... on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:47 AM
I know exactly who killed the poor pedestrian in Ironton, Hopefully she loses her job over this.
Posted by: ISAAC on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:36 AM
Some of these people kill me, talking about looking bad because of comments being viewed by out of towners who will end up thinking we are a bunch of hill-jacks!? Them people should just move if they don't like it! However this Ironton cop needs to be in jail, I could careless about road conditions. Some idiot was commenting about how easy it could have been to be someone else, Sir I assure you most people know when they hit an object as big as a human being!! This guy had to be on some good drugs not to realize he had hit a man! What exactly happened he felt something hit his car and decieded it was to cold to get out and see what it was? I will never believe he did'nt feel something that heavy. So all you cop lovers and the police officers family just give it up because he needs to be treated like everybody else who breaks the law!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 06:06 AM
To comment on the incident and for the person (FOR THE TRUTH), who commented at 351. you stated he was not hit but dragged. is that really an excusable arguement. by your statement you are either an IPD officer or have some inside info. either way, you stated there was no sign of impact on the front of the vehicle. well that being said the only feasible option would be that he still ran a man over in the street. ice huh? so you are saying the man could have fallen in the ice and snow covered street?! either way a man was hit by a vehicle and drug! there is a man dead due to the negligence of one of IPD'S officers. all i can due is think what if it had been one of my boys. maybe they had slipped and fell and had the same result that as that poor man. and the fact that this was a police car is the only reason someone isnt in jail for this crime as we speak. my heart goes out to the victims family. and for the officer...hmmm...i hope he gets what any of general public would recieve!!!!!!!!
Posted by: steve on Mar 10, 2008 at 05:37 AM
I have sat hear and read comment after comment. Still yet those infamous words that we have all heard at least once in our life have been ignored. IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE!! Isnt this what we the general public are told time and time again. If this was an incident in which i would have been involved in i would have been thrown in jail in a heart beat til the answers became clear. I would not have just been sent home on administrative leave. Thats a joke. I have been wrote tickets for my plates being stolen off of my vehicle. I was told that i should have searched my vehicle before driving. You know this person knew he hit something. And if he would have followed that procedure and searched around his, maybe this poor gentleman would still be alive. If anything i think this person should be made an example of to show the general public that the law applies to everyone equally. My heart goes out to the family from the deceased. You are in my prayers!
Posted by: Lee on Mar 10, 2008 at 04:55 AM
A mistake is hitting someone in bad weather. A crime is dragging them a half mile through town not stopping to get them out til you get to work. Pray for this family!!
Posted by: Jeni on Mar 10, 2008 at 04:46 AM
I have been reading the comments and don't understand how an officer of law can hit someone & drag them to the station & not realize it. Uh this will probably be a cover up job like the tazer incident that noone heard about again. And reading down from anonymous 3/9 @ 8:10p.m. well lets see, the comment section is for opinions as well as yours. And this was an adult so if it was a child waiting on a bus in the morning or getting off in the evening & this happened nothing is still not to be said? I think not this is in & around the public housing & everyone is supposed to feel safe bc they have ipd living in public housing. Yea ok. I am sorry but if it was a civilian that done this ipd would have someone in jail & in court and prison before u could blink an eye. And everyone in ironton knows that. IPD needs to be investigated and something done. I don't understand how this happened just praying the family gets answers and justice and the blame put somewhere else, like always.
Posted by: For the truth on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:51 AM
Everyone. It is great that everybody can express their opinion. In this case, please look at the facts: The victim was not hit. He was already on the ground (street). How did he get to the ground? We may never know. He may have been laying on the ground for some time. The streets in Ironton that night were snow and ice covered. Thats why there was no "dragging" sound. There was no evidence of impact on the front of the car. When something hits the front of a car, even at the slowest of speeds, there will be evidence of an imapact. Dirt/Snow/Salt will be "wiped" from the impact area. This is a very sad situation for all. The officer is probably beside himself. Put yourself in his shoes before you criticize. This is a horrible accident that just happened to involve a police car. It could have been YOU driving to the corner store to get milk and eggs!!! Would that still be corrupt?
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 03:32 AM
All I can say is keep trying Jimmy Carey. We know that you are the best thing that has happened to Ironton PD and it is going to take you awhile to make the Department. My prayers are with the Thomas Family and the officer and his family. This is a tragic situation that would be difficult for both families involved to deal with.
Posted by: Chad on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:33 AM
I can't believe WSAZ would publish such ignorance and hate on their website without any facts coming out on this case. Let's wait and see what the OBI comes out with. If someone submits a post in all caps or a giant run on sentence which makes no sense, do no publish it. Only publish intelligent thought, for glorifying the village idiots makes the rest of the nation, who will be tuning into your webchannel when this story breaks nationally, look like a bunch of bare foot hilljacks.
Posted by: Jon J Hill on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:27 AM
Are there any real people in this sick world? Who would even attempt to justify this act demonic chaos. This is sick, there was a BODY!! A HUMAN BODY drug through your streets by your protector and u people r really trying to vindicate him for this sadistic, inhumane, diabolical act of barbaric carnage. There is no rationalization for this hideous act of violence (THE DEVIL)!! This officer needs to be away for a long time. I do have sympathy for the officer; although how much can u truly have?? Here's the vivid picture for u: A garbage bag or a box trapped under your car!! Has that ever happened to you? Now can you imagine?Grotesque! This officer had something other than himself controling him at the time. God be with US. I pray for this officer he needs God! That is my sympanthy. Please save his soul. Guy Thomas is my cousin, my family, a good man we need reconcile.
Posted by: very concerned citizen on Mar 10, 2008 at 02:16 AM
this sounds like just another cover up i mean really how could you hit someone and not know that you were dragging something for that long..and why didn't the officer stop to see if what was going on after he hit something ironton police just don't do there job the way they should...
Posted by: citizen on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:57 AM
If this was the average joe he would already be in jail. I cannot believe the police would hold back just because he is a policeman. Ok lets say he did hit the guy by accident. How does a person explain dragging said guy that far? Wouldn't that be a crime? I would think so. That means someone would be locked up. So why is this officer not in jail? There is a such thing as protctive custody the officer could be put on for his own safety and the jails to. It just is not possible for a person to hit an drag another human being by car and not know it. I hit a deer once and the noise is very loud. I got out to move the deer but it was stuck under my car. So I drove with the deer stuck under my car to dislodge the deer. The noise from dragging the deer was extremely loud and impossible to miss. Sounds like a cover up to me but I sure hope not. I would have thought a human life in a police officers eyes meant something. Maybe I'm wrong I hope not.
Posted by: Concerned on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:42 AM
I am in awe after reading many of these comments. "Corrupted police" "Dragging a bodie" "Tase him first then drag" "several witnesses" Get a grip folks! Were there witnesses? I believe it was stated there were NO witnesses. Police logs will show this. Have any of you noticed how low to the ground these cruisers are? With the conditions of the roads it would be VERY EASY to drag something and not know. I'm still thinking "did they tase him first then drag?" Is this person suggesting that the police officer immobilized the victim with their stun gun then proceeded to take the time to hook him to the undercarriage of the cruiser? That's highly improbable! Can any of you comprehend why the victims family would not be notified right away? Think for a minute folks, I know this might be a difficult thing for most but think. There's an investigation going on. Family members embarking on the scene would not be wise if this is to be solved. I'm betting the officer involved is devastated. How sad.
Posted by: Tee on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:11 AM
This officer had to have known he was dragging something. I've never heard a body being dragged, but i'm sure there is a big sound difference between a body and debris. Why is this officer being treated different than a normal citizen. He should have already been arrested. Figure out the facts afterwards. I really hate seeing the law being treated better than the citizens...but it happens everywhere. Wrong...just wrong.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:04 AM
get $harpton.....hurry
Posted by: Anon on Mar 10, 2008 at 01:02 AM
This is so sad. It is so shocking, it is impossible to understand. Hopefully the police department will come forward with some sort of explanation. I am so glad I moved out of Ironton!
Posted by: Laura on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:36 AM
They ice on streets being bad doesn't fit. Looks like in the video the streets are fairly clear to me. I don't see ice ruts. Was the cop just too lazy to get out of his cruiser to see what he was draggin? Afraid of getting too cold?
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 at 12:20 AM
all i can say is how do you not know thatyou HIT,RANOVER OR DRAGGED SOMEONE WITH YOUR CAR. I HAVE RAN OVER ROCKS BEFORE AN FELT THEM AND SINCE THE ICE STORM YOU WOULD ALSO FEEL THE SAME EFFECTS. THE OFFICER, WHO EVER DID THIS WOULD HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS SOMETHING UNDER his CAR. FESS UP AND GIVE THIS FAMILY SOME CLOSURE......... TO THE FAMILY OF GUY, YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Posted by: Walter on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:57 PM
I work with a cousin of the victim, Mr. Thomas. I had to go to WSAZ.COM to see for myself. I've lived in Rhode Island all my life and we deal with snow,ice and bad roads but I find it inconceivable that someone could hit or run over a person without realizing it. My question is, was this or will this officer be given a drug screening??? If this tragedy is found to be due because of "BAD ROADS", Ironton should be listed as the #1 Worst places in America! BLESSING and JUSTICE to Guy and his family.
Posted by: jo on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I will not speculate on how or why, and I am glad someone else is handling the investigation, however, this family needs to be properly informed of all circumstances surrounding the death of their loved one. I would be circling the wagons around the station if it were one of mine.
Posted by: hello on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Ironton police dept guilty of something! Officer is guilty of Manslaughter!How in this world could the officer not know he hit someone and then drag him 10 blocks! unreal if I was this family I'd get an Attorney. Because something aint right here. May God bless and give you strengh for your loss.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:41 PM
This is simply ridiculous!! If it was anyone else, Ironton police would have put them in jail without a chance to voice their opinion of what happened. Just like the murder of Thelma Mooney. The real murderers are walking the street right now due to the fact that Ironton police are shaddy. . they interrogated until they got a false confession out of someone innocent. .they have evidence, but not evidence of the person they have put in jail for this murder!!! Ironton police let a man drown and got away with that..now the police officer himself drags someone 10 blocks, and it is an accident. I will tell you what happened...he has hit the man, and thought he could get away with it, and didn't know he was dragging him until the station. I feel for the family and this horrible situation...I know what it is like for the ironton police to not have sympathy in terrible times like this. They are selfish and extremely shaddy. May God bless you all!!
Posted by: mom of 2 on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:33 PM
If it were a Citizen that did this, they wold already have them in jail!!!! I hope the family gets the justice they deserve for him. My heart goes out to the family.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:26 PM
i have hit a dog before and i knew right then and there i hit something and a human body is alot bigger than what a dog's is, so how couldnt someone know something was under the car,,i just hope to god this was a freek accident but its hard to beleave that
Posted by: not a chance on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I went to school with Guy and although I havent seen him in many years I still considered him a friend. The mere thought of how he must have suffered is agonizing. I can only pray that he died on impact. I can only hope that family and friends will be able to remember Guy with loving memories and not memories of injustice, cruelty, coverup, and scandal. PLEASE IPD DO THE RIGHT THING !!
Posted by: paul on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:25 PM
God please bless and protect Mr. Thomass family thur the next few days and guide them with the help they need to lay clousure for their lost loved one. Thank You Further more I would love to march in attest to what is being done to the Thomas family there is no evidence to excuse not informing a victums family before it is put on the newsstation.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:21 PM
ive got two words.police state
Posted by: Katrina on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:18 PM
That doesn't suprise me at all. I have a very special uncle that was murdered in Ironton and they never bothered telling the family. A friend that was nearby recoginzed him and told us. The corner even bolmed him before the family even knew. Until this day we still don't know what happened. His body was found on the sidewalk on the Ironton Post Office facing where the old Taco Bell was located. God Bless the family our hearts go out to you. I hope he/she gets life.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Oh so many ignorant people! Many seem to have the answers but none have the information that would actually lead a person to those answers. From what I gather the Chief of Police is following the correct procedure in calling in another agency to investigate this incident. I wasn't there when this happened and I am fairly sure that none of the authors of these typical "mob mentality" comments weren't there either. Too many armchair detectives in this world.
Posted by: 0000 on Mar 9, 2008 at 11:13 PM
what say you get a gun and serve this city for 14 dollars an hour..Risk your life for the price of a pizza and then see what its like...it was a terrible accident...thats it!
Posted by: what the? on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:59 PM
anyone who thinks the officer may not have known that he hit someone and dragged their body over a half mile is just plain gullable and if i'm ever in trouble with the law i want you guys on the jury!!!wake the heck up people if it hadn't been an officer then the driver would have been in jail!!no if ands or buts about it!!! i drove down forth street that night trust me i would have known if i had a body under my car!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Okay an accident huh? Well you don't hit someone then drag them a half mile clock out them drive home like nothing happened but it is an accident hum? makes you wonder about are irontons finest. Covering up like always.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:56 PM
This is really too much to ask a person to believe! I got a garbage can lid stuck under my vehicle and knew it was there. Its just too hard to believe that you wouldn't feel a human body under your vehicle. Snow or no snow!
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:51 PM
DON'T the police cars have cameras in them. Maybe they should take a look at the film to see if this officer knew that he had hit this man. Because it sounds like a cover up to me. Giving them time to delete the video of what happened. my heart goes out to the family of this man may they find the truth in all of this, and may god bless them. Even the officer that hit him I hope that he tells the truth instead of trying to cover it up. GOD BLESS ALL OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS.
Posted by: buddy on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:51 PM
You people are a prime example ...that some of us have too much time on our hands...maybe getting a job would help..The police are not hiding anything and where was the family when he was alive and needed their help....
Posted by: Ironton Resident on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Maybe all of you people who are so quick to judge should step back and realize you can't believe everything you hear! They called in an outside agency to do the investigation on this, so how exactly are they going to be "covering" anything up? I pray for all involved.. including the officer and family! This is a tragedy for all involved, so why make it worse with all the gossip?
Posted by: Tamara on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:34 PM
being drugged 4 blocks and onone esle saw the person being drugged? don't make since to me look how many houses and cars that runs ironton i'm sure someone would of had to seen something
Posted by: snoopysmaster on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:15 PM
sounds like wreckless negligence...they are probably covering up as much as they can in preparation for the inevitable lawsuit that is appraoaching
Posted by: Jim on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:11 PM
The police haven't notified the family because they probaly need time to come up with a good story.
Posted by: Angelrose on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I truly don't believe an Ironton Officer intentionally hit Mr. Thomas. I have very deep sympathy for all involved. Accidents do happen however the family needs to be notified that it was in fact Mr. Thomas. I'm sure an autopsy is being performed to see what the cause of death actually was. There could be many possibilities. Could he have been dead before being hit? Had he slipped and fallen before the officer hit him? What was he wearing would he have been visible? In a regular vehicle it would be hard to say that I either didnt see, hear, feel the accident, however in a police unit there are many different things going on that can cause an officers attention to be distracted long enough to not see, hear, or feel the accident especially with the snow and ice. I hope and pray that Mr. Thomas did not suffer. The police department needs to notify the family of the deceased and let them know exactly what is going on with the investigation and what they should expect next. Prayers
Posted by: Former Law Officer on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:06 PM
One must understand due to the road conditions, and the noise from the ice and snow could have prevented the officer from knowing he had ran over a person. The man was coming from the American legion and could have been drinking, and passed out in the street, "we were not there". Also Our police here in Ironton are over worked and exhausted due to understaffing because of lack of funding. This is not excusing what happened however I am trying to allow people who have never worked this type of job see other side of it.
Posted by: RV on Mar 9, 2008 at 10:05 PM
the police are just as crooked as the people they look to arrest!
Posted by: Kathy on Mar 9, 2008 at 09:56 PM
I think that is wrong to do the family like that...They should at least let them know something.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 09:50 PM
This is so sad! I never imagined anything like this happening in Ironton. I think the family needs an explanation! I can't believe no one has come to the family to notify them! It's really sad. My thoughts and prayers are with this mans family! God bless!!!!
Posted by: noone special on Mar 9, 2008 at 09:37 PM
To the family and officer involved, my prayers go out to you. This is a tragic story. Answers are need to understand how this could have happenend. The family deserves at least that.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 09:32 PM
police have to do a thorough investigation before they release facts. I would rather wait for the facts instead of quick falsehood.
Posted by: who? on Mar 9, 2008 at 09:31 PM
if this was not a police officer would so many of you be out for blood. how people drive down the highway and not know they are dragging their muffler or exhaust. i mean that is metal and makes alot of noise and those people have at most one stereo making noise. police cars have numerous radios monitoring local police, sheriff, osp,forestry,fire,ems,odot,county highway dept,and many more. so if you think they have a nice quiet drive to work think again.and if i had to guess i would say all those channels were going crazy that night. my prayers go to both families because this is a tragedy. but lay off the officer until we know what happened.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 09:29 PM
My family & I have known Guy for years & our thoughts & prayers are with his family. I think that the lack of communication between the IPD & the family is unacceptable. I applaud WSAZ for the coverage & attention they've given to this horrific story.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:58 PM
i know there are alot of corrupted police officers in this town. Either this officer was under the influence or either on drugs to have not know he was dragging a bodie half a mile though ironton. I say we get rid of all the officers and make with some new officers.. maybe we will have better justice in the little city of Ironton.
Posted by: AVG CITIZEN on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:57 PM
ANY CITIZEN THAT DID THIS WUD BE CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER. I HOPE THIS FAMILY GETS THE JUSTICE THEY DESERVE.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:54 PM
what the heck come on people wake up ironton police know what happened , yes you would know you were dragging something how sad for the family wsaz please investigate ironton police department is very shaddy and liars
Posted by: D on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:39 PM
This is BIZARRE..Something is just not right here.
Posted by: concerned citizen on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:34 PM
someone needs to inform a national news organization like fox. THIS IS A DISGRACE AND IPD WILL COVER IT UP.
Posted by: CLOSE FRIEND on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:24 PM
seem like some evidence was tamperd with before the investegation begin like one of the police officer talk over the radio and then said call me on cell phone and by the way don't blame the weather bs may GOD BLESS THE FAMILY
Posted by: Ironton native on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:23 PM
On the side of caution we should not be guessing about this tragic event. It would be much wiser of us all to wait until the investigation is completed before we form an opinion. May God comfort his family and may he rest in peace.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:17 PM
I AM CURIOUS HOW DID HE NOT HEAR HIS VEHICLE DRAGGING A BODY. AND I THINK THIS IS AWFUL, IF THIS WAS ANYONE ELSE THEY WOULD BE IN JAIL. ACCIDENT OR NO ACCIDENT HE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR TAKING THIS MANS LIFE. AND OF COURSE THEY HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE FAMILY , WHAT CAN THEY SAY A DEPUTY DRAGGED YOUR FAMILY MEMBER AND KILLED HIM. SORRY! I MEAN THEY HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE FAMILY CAUSE THERE IN TROUBLE.
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I wish everyone would realize that the Bureau of criminal investigation is handling this. That is a State Office and has nothing to do with Ironton. If you don't know the facts keep your comments to yourself. Until you've been under the spotlight, you have no idea how it feels. I pray for all involved
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 08:01 PM
I agree with Karen how could you not know you hit someone, what was he lying down in the road? Did they tase him first then drag? If had this been a citizen they would have arrested them and then found out the truth.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Let's see...we have a very factual account of what happened thus far from one reporter but then we have another report that is very emotional from another. What's wrong, WSAZ? Do you have to include your emotional ladened, "the cops are a bunch of liars/covering it up/being so mean" report or it just isn't news? I would rather have the facts. Put Micheal Wooton back on this and we might just get that...the facts. Oh, and investigations take time. And would it not be embarrassing if it turned out to be someone else?
Posted by: S.A.B.L.E on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Well at least they called in someone to investigate it rather than doing it theirselves maybe the real facts will come out and as for anonymous at 214 pm u are part right maybe the officer should of thought of the road conditions could be he hit this person as an accident but then panicked and kept driving thinking this nightmare never happened or maybe no one saw it or would find out no matter what something criminal has happened and i dont by the idea he was already lying there or was already dead even if this were the case the officer still should have seen him unless he was not paying attention which brings us back to the road conditions and if he was not paying attention with the roads so bad he shouldnt be someone who is to serve and protect and as for osp's repot that was for the entire state and the snow amounts in the northern part of the state reached up to 20 inches not the small amount we had around here Just hope the truth is found an god bless this mans family
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:48 PM
the victim was not laying in the street, the footage shows all the blood on the sidewalk. The victim was seen just minutes before the CRIME!!!
Posted by: justice on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:41 PM
police are not what they use to be.to protect and serve,in the la riots they said they had no obligation to protect anyone.
Posted by: Joe on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:40 PM
If I hit someone and drug them for several blocks the first question the police would ask me was, are you kiddin, you didn't know that he was under your car. I smell a cover up.
Posted by: IRONTON on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:39 PM
WATCH OUT IN IRONTON NEVER NO WHERE YOU WILL END UP AT?
Posted by: Chewy on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:31 PM
If there wasn't so many witnesses they probably would have totally lied about it ever happening. The Ironton police got away with drowning someone a few months ago. I hope this one isnt just brushed under the rug with lies again.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 07:11 PM
I can't believe they will release a name of the person hit but won't go to the family, this is bizarre! And then they won't say what officer it was, trying to cover their butts I guess. Thanks WSAZ, you are the only ones to let anyone know. This is vehicular homicide and the officer should have to be treated like everyone else. I knew Guy and he was a good person, would never say a bad word to anyone, God bless his family. I will be praying for all of you!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 06:57 PM
the victims name was Guy Thomas ,the family found his beat up wallet about 4 blocks away.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2008 at 06:55 PM<