'Disorderly' officer back on duty
Steven Luthy originally charged with hitting wife
Updated: Monday, 27 Feb 2012, 7:49 PM EST
Published : Monday, 27 Feb 2012, 5:47 PM EST
By Leon Hendrix
WOOD TV News
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/steven-luthy-back-on-duty-022712
Officer Steven Luthy
Ellen Luthy [Feb. 27, 2012]
Officer Steven Valiant Luthy [July 31, 2011].
Injuries Ellen Luthy suffered in the July 2011 attack.
Injuries Ellen Luthy suffered in the July 2011 attack.
After pleading guilty to charges related to the July 2011 domestic violence attack, Officer Steven Luthy was placed back on duty [Kalamazoo PD] in February 2012.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - A Kalamazoo Public Safety officer charged with domestic violence in 2011 has had the charges against him lowered and is now back on duty.
Sheriff's officials released the case details at the request of 24 Hour News 8 now that the case is closed.
Officer Steven Luthy was arrested in July 2011 after Van Buren County Sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call at his home. The deputies found that Luthy's wife Ellen had visible injuries.
Ellen Luthy said she feared for her life the night of the attack.
"It was a pummeling far beyond anything I have ever experienced in my life," she said.
Luthy claimed that Ellen started the fight by throwing something at him, investigation documents show.
He was originally charged with domestic violence and placed on administrative leave. But in January, prosecutors changed the charge to misdemeanor disorderly persons and Luthy pleaded guilty.
Ellen, who filed for a personal protection order against her husband in August 2011, told 24 Hour News 8 that prosecutors contacted her about lowering the charges.
"I adamantly said that I felt very, very uncomfortable with that," said Ellen. "I felt it was up to the judge to decide what his fate should be."
Had the original charge of domestic violence stuck, Luthy would likely no longer be a police officer. Now, after a five-day suspension and a fine of less than $300, Luthy is back to work.
Ellen said she thinks that Luthy's charge was lowered, in part, because he is a police officer.
"There are certain positions, I believe, that there is a moral and ethical standard that's higher," she said.
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Jeffrey Hadley told 24 Hour News 8 that the discipline from the department was appropriate.
Officer Luthy has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Luthys are now in the process of divorcing.
Kalamazoo Public Safety officer gets 5-day suspension following guilty plea in domestic violence case
Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 5:38 PM
Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 5:52 PM
The Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rex Hall Jr.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/01/kalamazoo_public_safety_office_15.html
Officer Steven Luthy [Kalamazoo PD]
KALAMAZOO — A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in a domestic violence case was given a five-day suspension Tuesday by Chief Jeff Hadley.
Steven V. Luthy, 37, of Bloomingdale, was charged with domestic violence following his arrest July 31 for an incident involving his wife at the couple's home. On Jan. 19, Luthy, a 10-year veteran of KDPS, pleaded guilty in Van Buren County District Court to a lesser charge of disturbing the peace.
After he entered his plea, a judge ordered Luthy to pay fines and costs in the case.
In addition to his suspension, Hadley said Luthy was removed from his assignment with the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and is to be reassigned to the agency's operations division.
Hadley said he expects Luthy to return to duty within a week to 10 days. He said Luthy, who has been on paid administrative leave since July, will lose five days worth of pay with the suspension.
Hadley said he reached the decision on Luthy's suspension after discussions with the city's labor attorney, human resources department and a review of past department practices.
“Looking at the case in its totality ... led us to the conclusion of the discipline that was rendered,” the chief said.
Luthy's wife, Ellen Luthy, told a Van Buren County circuit judge in a petition for a personal-protection order that during the July incident, her husband came home drunk, followed her around their house, hit her in the face and pushed her down some stairs.
The petition also alleged two other previous incidents of domestic violence going back two years.
Kalamazoo Public Safety officer pleads guilty to lesser charge in domestic violence case
Published: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 1:20 PM
Updated: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 6:53 PM
The Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rex Hall Jr.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/01/kalamazoo_public_safety_office_15.html
SOUTH HAVEN — A Kalamazoo Public Safety officer scheduled to stand trial Thursday for misdemeanor domestic violence instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, authorities said.
Steven V. Luthy, 37, of Bloomingdale, appeared in Van Buren County District Court in South Haven and entered a guilty plea to one count of disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a court official said.
A judge ordered Luthy to pay fines and costs in the case after he entered his plea. Luthy, a 10-year veteran of KDPS, was originally charged with domestic violence, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, in connection with a July 31 incident involving his wife at their home.
Luthy's wife, Ellen Luthy, petitioned a Van Buren County circuit judge for a personal-protection order following the incident in July. She wrote to the judge that during the incident her husband had come home drunk, followed her around their house, hit her in the face and pushed her down some stairs.
The petition also alleged two other previous incidents of domestic violence going back two years.
Luthy has been on paid administrative leave at KDPS since his arrest in July.
“We will, in short fashion, complete the internal investigation and have a decision relative to discipline in the near future,” KDPS Chief Jeff Hadley said Thursday of Luthy's status with the department.
Trial date scheduled for Kalamazoo public safety officer accused of domestic violence; court filing details allegations
Published: Monday, August 08, 2011, 6:09 PM
Updated: Monday, August 08, 2011, 6:12 PM
Kalamazoo Gazette The Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rex Hall Jr.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/01/kalamazoo_public_safety_office_15.html
Officer Steven Luthy [Kalmazoo PD]
PAW PAW — A Kalamazoo Public Safety officer is scheduled to stand trial in October on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in connection with an incident involving his wife last month at their Van Buren County home.
Attorneys in the case of Steven V. Luthy, 37, met behind closed doors Monday during a pretrial hearing in Van Buren County District Court in South Haven. Luthy is scheduled to appear for a second pretrial hearing Sept. 28 and is to stand trial Oct. 6, a district court official said.
He was arrested July 31 at his home in Bloomingdale and later released on a personal-recognizance bond following his arraignment in district court last week.
Luthy's wife, Ellen Luthy, petitioned Van Buren Circuit Judge Paul E. Hamre for a personal-protection order against her husband on Aug. 1, a day after the incident at their home. Hamre authorized the request the same day. The filing alleges two other incidents of domestic violence going back two years. Court documents indicate the couple has been together five years and that there are three children in the home.
In the filing, Ellen Luthy wrote that her husband has punched her in the face, spat on her and, in one incident several months ago, he told her: "Everyone in our family would be better off if you were dead, I get excited thinking of coming home and seeing your brains splattered everywhere."
Luthy, a 10-year veteran of KDPS, is currently on paid administrative leave with the agency.
In the July 31 incident, Ellen Luthy wrote that "he came home drunk, I asked if he had fun, he started following me, I called my sister. He hit the phone out of my hand, smashed the side of my face, pushed me down the stairs then we fought — he punched me in the face — my sister called the police — he smashed my phone which was actually his."
"Your honor, I am requesting a PPO against my husband, Steve," she wrote to Hamre.
"He was arrested yesterday for physically assaulting me. I am truly in fear for my life with the severity of this situation and numerous prior assaults and threats on my life.
"I am even more so concerned, considering his position and knowledge and access to firearms and weapons. I feel that if his job is in jeopardy that it will displease him to a point of an emotional breakdown. He has shown many times his inability to control his emotions and my family and myself have a great concern of what he is capable of doing."
Included with the PPO petition were photos taken by authorities that show injuries to Ellen Luthy's forehead, knee, chin, leg, arm, ankle, elbow, foot, eye, and back. It's unclear when the photos were taken.
The Gazette was unable to reach Steven Luthy's attorney, David Butler, of Parchment, for this report.
Personal protection order issued against Kalamazoo public safety officer facing domestic violence charge
Published: Friday, August 05, 2011, 5:39 PM
Updated: Friday, August 05, 2011, 5:42 PM
Kalamazoo Gazette The Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rosemary Parker
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/01/kalamazoo_public_safety_office_15.html
Officer Steven Luthy [Kalamazoo PD]
PAW PAW — A personal protection order has been authorized against a Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer at the request of his wife.
Steven Valient Luthy, 37, a 10-year veteran of the public safety department, is currently on paid administrative leave following an alleged altercation with his wife last Sunday at their home in Bloomingdale.
The couple has been together five years; they have three children.
Van Buren County Circuit Judge Paul Hamre authorized the personal protection order against Luthy, who was arraigned Monday on one count of misdemeanor domestic violence and released on a personal recognizance bond, court records indicated.
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Monday in Van Buren County District Court.
The Gazette was unable to reach Luthy's attorney, David Butler of Parchment, for comment.
Wife files PPO against arrested cop
Steven Luthy accused of domestic violence
Updated: Friday, 05 Aug 2011, 12:44 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 05 Aug 2011, 12:10 PM EDT
By Ryan Takeo
WOOD TV News
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/Wife-files-PPO-against-arrested-cop
Ellen Luthy's Personal Protective Order Request.
Ellen Luthy's Personal Protective Order Request.
Ellen Luthy's Personal Protective Order Request.
PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) - After a Kalamazoo public safety officer was arrested for allegedly beating his wife, she filed for a personal protection order that details what happened.
Steven Luthy was arrested Sunday when police responded to his home on 40th Street in Bloomingdale, and Van Buren County sheriff's deputies found Luthy's wife had visible injuries.
He was taken to the Van Buren County Jail and later charged with domestic violence -- a misdemeanor -- Monday, police records show.
In the PPO, signed by Judge Paul Hamre Monday, Luthy's wife explains what happened.
He came home drunk, she wrote. "I asked if he had fun, he started following me, I called my sister. He hit the phone out of my hand, smashed the side of my face, pushed me down the stairs and we fought. He punched me in the face."
When asked if Luthy had ever threatened her specifically, and what his exact words were, she wrote: "Everyone in our family would be better off if you were dead. I get excited thinking of coming home and seeing your brains splattered anywhere."
And when asked how she would describe her emotions, she wrote, "Thank God they took the guns because if he loses his job because he was arrested, he'll hunt me down and kill me."
Luthy was released from custody and placed on administrative leave, as a KDPS internal investigation continues.
From the comments: KPS officer's arrest prompts discussion of everything from equal treatment to violence
Published: Friday, August 05, 2011, 8:33 AM
Updated: Friday, August 05, 2011, 8:33 AM
The Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rosemary Parker
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/08/from_the_comments_kps_officers.htm
Stories yesterday about the arrest of Kalamazoo Public Safety officer Steve Luthy over the weekend after his wife called 911 to report domestic violence spurred plenty of comments, on a range of topics, including:
Are police treated differently, by law enforcement and in the media?
landingteam2 said:
Follow this should be watched to see he gets the same treatment the average citizen gets,
To which nwallen responded:
Its already gone beyond what the average citizen gets with him being placed on leave. But yeah as far as the criminal charges portion of it goes, I agree.
And landow said:
The average person does not have a photo and news article written about him/her prior to charges from the Prosecutor's office. Few people are a news item when a misdemeanor is involved.
Is paid administrative leave the proper response by the city?
landingteam2 again said:
how is paid leave different then a vacation?
Other readers worry about domestic violence, in general and among police officers.
voyeur asks:
If this fool can beat his unarmed wife. What does that say about his ablitly to protect and serve other citizen sheep?? Can you say lack of anger managment skills boys and girls !!
DISAMBIGUATION says:
This is a great big problem within our police departments that is rarely brought to light, cops are drunks,they beat their wifes, and they are suicide prone....and they are armed and dangerous.
What do you think?
Kalamazoo officer's pretrial set for Monday in alleged domestic assault matter
Published: Thursday, August 04, 2011, 3:10 PM
Updated: Friday, August 05, 2011, 7:41 AM
Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rosemary Parker
http://www.blogger.com/www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/01/kalamazoo_public_safety_office_15.html
Officer Steven Luthy [Kalamazoo PD]
A 37-year-old Kalamazoo police officer arrested in Van Buren County after his wife placed a 911 call shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, is scheduled to be back in court Monday.
Court records show that Steve Luthy is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Aug 8.
He was was arraigned Aug. 1 in Van Buren County District Court on one count of misdemeanor domestic violence in front of District Judge Robert T. Hentchel.
Hentchel released Luthy on a personal-recognizance bond, the records show.
Van Buren County Undersheriff Gabrielle Rought said this morning that "probable cause existed, so an arrest was made" by sheriff's deputies upon their arrival at the Bloomingdale home of Luthy, a 10-year veteran of Kalamazoo Public Safety.
Rought said she would not release further details about the case, which is at the Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office for review.
Luthy's wife declined to seek medical treatment, which "was offered," Rought said.
Luthy was placed on administrative leave, according to the statement issued by the public safety department.
That statement reads, in part:
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety was notified immediately of the incident.
Upon his release from the Van Buren County Jail, PSO Luthy was placed on administrative leave by the Office of Professional Standards and they then began an internal investigation into the incident.
PSO Luthy is a 10-year veteran of Public Safety currently assigned to KVET as an investigator. Until such time that this investigation is complete, no further information will be released.
Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer arrested, placed on leave pending probe of domestic violence allegation
Published: Thursday, August 04, 2011, 8:46 AM
Updated: Thursday, August 04, 2011, 1:26 PM
Kalamazoo Gazette
By Rosemary Parker
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/01/kalamazoo_public_safety_office_15.html
KALAMAZOO — A Kalamazoo police officer was arrested in Van Buren County after his wife placed a 911 call shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety confirmed today.
Van Buren County Undersheriff Gabrielle Rought said "probable cause existed, so an arrest was made" by sheriff's deputies upon their arrival at the home of Officer Steve Luthy, a 10-year veteran of Kalamazoo Public Safety.
Rought said she would not release further details about the case, which is at the Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office for review. Luthy's wife declined to seek medical treatment, which "was offered," Rought said.
Luthy was taken to the Van Buren County Jail and, following his release, was placed on administrative leave, according to the statement issued by the public safety department.
That statement reads, in part:
"The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety was notified immediately of the incident. Upon his release from the Van Buren County Jail, PSO Luthy was placed on administrative leave by the Office of Professional Standards and they then began an internal investigation into the incident.
PSO Luthy is a 10-year veteran of Public Safety currently assigned to KVET as an investigator. Until such time that this investigation is complete, no further information will be released. "
Luthy was awarded the department's Professional Excellence Award in 2003 for his work on a hit-and-run accident in which a pedestrian was critically injured.
Kalamazoo officer arrested, suspended
Steven V. Luthy accused of domestic violence
Updated: Thursday, 04 Aug 2011, 7:34 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 03 Aug 2011, 10:52 PM EDT
By Leon Hendrix
WOOD TV News
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kalamazoo_and_battle_creek/kzoo-officer-arrested-suspended
BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer is on administrative leave after police said he got into a fight with his spouse and assaulted her.
Steven V. Luthy was arrested July 31 when police responded to his home on 40th Street in Bloomingdale after receiving a 911 call. Van Buren County sheriff's deputies found that Luthy's spouse had visible injuries. Luthy was then taken to the Van Buren County Jail.
Luthy was charged with domestic violence -- a misdemeanor -- the next day, police records show. He was released from custody and placed on administrative leave, as a KDPS internal investigation continues.
"It's certainly troubling for all parties," KDPS Chief Jeff Hadley said. "It's an unfortunate incident, not only for Mr. Luthy, but for his wife and family and for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety."
Hadley told 24 Hour News 8 that Luthy has been with the department for 10 years and worked as an investigator on the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team.
Luthy was recognized in 2003 by the department with a Professional Excellence Award, according to the department's website. He recieved the award after working diligently to track down a suspect after a car hit a pedestrian and the driver fled the scene
Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence
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