Bella Vista (AR) Police Thugs Murder James Patrick Ahern; Trying To Cover It Up
UPDATED 2/15/2010: Brackney's Wife Leaves The Killer
One things is certain about thug killer Brackney...he married a classy, righteous woman. I've never met her, but if rumors are true that she left the killer cop after the murder of Mr. Ahern, that is all the information I need. Who knows if it was all the media and internet attention the story is getting, or just an ethical move. Since she left him, a Bella Vista resident told us that Brackney is enjoying his paid vacation, drinking in several bars across the border in nearby Missouri.
Got to give yet another Op-Nat reader props for digging up more about the Bella Vista Police. "Gulf War Vet" brought to our attention the story of Mr. Joseph Erin Hamley, the young man who as murdered in cold-blood by Arkansas State Police thug Larry Norman on March 7, 2006. Mr. Hamley, who was unarmed and had cerebral palsy, was murdered by thug Norman less than one minute after Norman arrived on the scene, which was already well in control by several other cops. Thug Norman was ultimately indicted, but here's the catch: he was convicted of "negligent homicide," a MISDEMEANOR. He was ultimately sentenced to a mere 90 days in jail. And to add more insult to Mr. Hamley's death is that Norman got a 10-day sabbatical from jail during his sentence to "get his affairs together."
So if - and that's a HUGE "IF" - Brackney is even charged, it will be for a misdemeanor, based on Arkansas precedent. Only in America...and Russia, China, and North Korea.
UPDATED 2/10/2010: Ahern Shot In The Back?
As more information pours into us about this murder, the more disgusting it gets.
Two sources have told us that the ambulance report from when Mr. Ahern's body was removed from his car indicated he was shot in the back. It appears Mr. Ahern was trying to get out of his car via the passenger-side door, maybe to get away from a killer cop (Brackney) with an itchy trigger finger. This is also the reason no coroner report or dash-cam video has been released. Not sure how the "car as a deadly weapon" excuse will fly if this turns out to be the case.
Another emailer pointed out to us that after a housefire in Bella Vista killed five people last week, the fire department released information regarding the investigation almost immediately. The difference is that when you do not have to coordinate lies government bodies can immediately release information.
The longer Chief Farmer draws this thing out, the more people will have to rely on speculation. Own up to your responsibilities, Chief. We realize you are new to the position, but that is no excuse. But you are a COP (Constitutionally-protected), so your behavior thus far is expected.
UPDATED 2/9/2010: Ahern Murder Brings Up Memories Of Kevin Ives and Don Henry
Anybody who believes the State of Arkansas is not corrupt and will not go as far as killing American citizens to cover up something they shouldn't be doing only need to recall the murders of two Bryant, AR teenagers, Mr. Kevin Ives and Mr. Don Henry, back on August 23, 1987. The two young men were murdered after they witnessed drugs being dropped from an airplane in nearby Alexander, AR. The drugs were en route to Mena, Arkansas, about 170 miles south of Bella Vista. Three U.S. presidents, including former Democratic Arkansas governor Bill Clinton, have been indicated as major players in the smuggling operation headquartered at the Mena airport, which is reportedly still a hotbed for cocaine and heroin smuggling (we all know how Bill Clinton liked to party).
But Mr. Henry and Mr. Ives are only two...of at least 30 (and probably more) people who were murdered by Arkansas government officials in the subsequent 12 years, because they had information which could unravel the entire operation.
The Mena Connection is a 6-part video which tells the entire story. Here is Part 1...and I suggest, especially Arkansas residents, watch the entire series on Youtube.
UPDATED 2/9/2010: The Scott Vanatta Factor
A savvy commenter to this story named "Mike" brought to light the fact the Bella Vista Police Dept. hired a lying, cheating cadet named Scott Vanatta in 2008. Vanatta was caught cheating on a police academy exam, and was initially punished with a two year suspension before he could re-apply to the academy. But former Bella Vista Police Chief, Jim Wozniak, went in front of the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training on July 10, 2008, and successfully begged the Commission to reverse the two-year penalty and allow him to hire Vanatta. Read the 13-pages of back-and-forth arguments here.
Among some of the most notable quotes from Wozniak, in support of Vanatta include: "Black balling Scott Vanatta for two years is like giving him the death penalty" (I bet Mr. Ahern would have gladly accepted a two-year probation sentence as opposed to the REAL death penalty he was given).
Wozniak continued, "The fact that he was dismissed and the fact that he will have to start over is enough. He has to live with that every day" (Mr. Ahern cannot LIVE with anything anymore).
The lying, cheating Vanatta has now been on the force since 2008. Wozniak retired from the Bella Vista PD in September 2009, and Ken Farmer took over shortly thereafter. Here is what congressman John Boozman, R-Arkansas, had to say about Wozniak right before he retired.
UPDATED 2/3/2010: Vigil For James Patrick Ahern
Friends and family of the man murdered by a Bella Vista cop two weeks ago will gather at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Bella Vista on Friday, February 12. The church is located at 1 St. Bernard Lane in Bella Vista. For more information (the time), the phone number for the church is 479-855-9069.
As of today, Bella Vista Police have still released no details about the murder, nor pressed any charges against the killer.
UPDATED 1/28/2010: Friends of Mr. Ahern Being Targeted By Bella Vista Police?
Several individuals have informed us that they are now being targeted by local police because they have spoken out about the murder of their friend and brother. This is standard protocol for police departments all across the country, when they are conjuring a story to cover murders under color of law. One resident said Bella Vista Police have been circling their home at night, and they may have to move for the sake of their children.
The police chief still insists the investigation is "ongoing" and has nothing new to report.
UPDATED 1/25/2010: Bella Vista Police Confirm Killer Cop's Name
Killer Cop Coleman Brackney
As first reported by the OP-NAT EYE on Saturday, Bella Vista Police Chief Ken Farmer has now confirmed to a few OTHER Arkansas news sources today that the killer cop's name is in fact Brackney. They are referring to him as, "Cpl. Coleman Brackney." Seems he had no choice but to disclose this information after we already did.
Now if Farmer will only confirm the excuse for the murder which is currently being concocted by his department (see below).
UPDATED 1/25/2010:
Bella Vista Police Will Use The Proverbial "Car As A Deadly Weapon" Excuse
Though Bella Vista Police claim to be new to these sorts of investigations and not accustomed to them [thus the protracted time-frame], they sure know how to use one of the most common excuses police departments across the country use to justify murder of American citizens
Sources have told us that Bella Vista Police will say Mr. Ahern "used his car as a deadly weapon," so was thus "armed," thus police thug Brackney "feared for his life."
The police have yet to publicly confirm (or deny) that Brackney is the officer involved.
UPDATED 1/23/2010: Killer Cop's Name is "Officer Brackney"
This, according to a source close to Mr. Ahern [name redacted]. This information was obtained from another witness who was at the scene, but ordered to leave the scene by police before recognizing the killer cop. We've also now confirmed there is in fact an officer named "Brackney" who works for the Bella Vista Police. [Carol, after seeing a photo of the killer cop, does not believe Brackney is the same cop who once insulted her fiancee....UPDATED 1/25/2010]. We will continue to update the story as more information comes in.
UPDATED 1/23/2010: James Ahern's Fiancee Calls Out The Killer Bella Vista Police
Again, this cold-blooded, pre-meditated murder has been obvious since news first broke of it happening. But now Mr. Ahern's fiancee, who wants her identity protected (don't blame her, considering the blatant thuggery of that "police" department down there), said her fiancee was arrested for DUI earlier in the week, and likely fled police to avoid being arrested again. Last time I check though, a DUI is not an offense punishable by death.
Watch a report from KFSM TV-5 News in Fort Smith, AR
UPDATED 1/22/2010: Mr. Ahern Was Dealing With The Death Of Both His Parents
We have learned that Mr. Ahern's mother and father both passed away within a six month period this past year. We do not know how or any of the circumstances surrounding his parents' deaths. However, it is safe to say Mr. Ahern was likely very distraught, as losing ONE parent is difficult. Of course, the police thugs who murdered him aren't even human, and would have likely laughed before shooting and killing Mr. Ahern if they were aware of the situation he was in.
As of today, Bella Vista Police are still trying to get their lies straight.
by Brian A. Wilkins
1/21/2010
Mr. James Patrick Ahern was known as "The Wild Man" and "Diesel" to his Arkansas Warcats
semi-pro football teammates. He was also a soccer player (photo on right added on Jan. 25).
All you need to know is this: dash-cam video caught the entire incident on tape, yet Bella Vista Police refused to release it to the public. And as you know, when dash-cam video is favorable to police thugs, they release it immediately so cop-suckers can stroke them as heroes.
Instead, Bella Vista Police chief Ken Farmer says that what happened was, "an officer -involved shooting...that resulted in the death of an individual" and continued, "we're not going to sacrifice quality [in the investigation] for speed."
In other words, they need more time to get their lies straight.
The murder happened Wednesday in Bella Vista - a small town of about 17,000 in northwest Arkansas - when 41-year-old Mr. James Patrick Ahern apparently crashed his car into a ditch, following an alleged "police chase." Moments later, a Bella Vista police thug, whose name is being protected by the city, jumped out of his car, started yelling at Mr. Ahern for a few seconds and kicking his car windows, before opening fire through Mr. Ahern's windows; killing him instantly. The police thug was rewarded with a paid vacation (aka "paid administrative leave").
Watch a report from 40/29 News in Fort Smith/Rogers AR:
The witness in the video, Mr. David Whitney, went even further, telling another news source that the cop, "may have overrreacted," and that, "I would like to know what [the victim] did wrong to be shot and killed." Another witness, Donna Martinez, said she all of a sudden just heard a bunch of gunshots, and said she thought she lived in an area which this kind of stuff does not happen.
There are apparently kangaroo investigations being conducted by the Arkansas State Police and the Bella Vista Police. However, we all know these investigations will last 10-16 weeks, with a conclusion that the police thug was "justified in his actions."
Mr. Ahern had no family in Arkansas, but its being reported that family members in Omaha, NE have been contacted. It is pretty obvious Mr. Ahern was unarmed, as the police would have made this public in the very minutes after the murder to "justify" the killing.
We will keep updating this story as we learn more and/or if we can contact any family of Mr. Ahern. Our thoughts are with the Ahern family.
Categories: U.S. and World News
Tags: Bella Vista Police Shooting
James played for our local semi-pro football team. He was tough as nails and had the heart of a lion. Our team will miss him. He will always remain on our roster and you can see some photos of him at the website www.warcatsfootball.com
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We knew jimmy very well.He was an everyday part of our lives. To us he was Diesel, our buddy our friend our brother We loved him very much and nothing could be more terrible than having him murderd like this.We love you buddy and miss you very much . Until we meet on the other side you will be forever in our hearts.
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Ahern is one of the greatest guys I have ever gotten a chance to play football with. He is a fun loving guy. He made me a better person and helped me out a lot. Great guy! I wish I was half the man he was. He will be dearly missed and truely loved. I will never step on a football field again without thoughts of him in my head and him in my heart!
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Jim Ahern was my fiance, we had been engaged for 7 months. Yes we had our problems but what couple does not. Jim was a generous, funny a deeply spiritual man. Yes he went into a deep depression after his mother died. This depression sent him back to drinking almost daily. He was ready to do somthing about his drinking and had planned to go to Omaha for a few months to coach soccer. He of course planned to come home on the weekends to me. If this solution did not work he was ready to go into rehab to stop drinking. He was a loving man and my best friend in addition to being my fiances. We loved each other as only soul mates can love each other. I have let Barney Fife (the sheriff of Bella Vista) know that I have sent letters to The Governor, The Attorney Generals office and the ACCLU. The eye witness said the gun happy cop went up to the window of Jim's car and fired five shots. The cop then told Jim to get out of the car and show his hands. Of course by then Jim was dead and was not able to obey the cops orders. I am not going to let these keystone cops get away with this. The cops have treated me very badly. I called that morning and asked if I could spend some time with Jim before he was transported to Little Rock for the autopsy. They told me I could see him after the autopsy. I don't know if you have ever seen anyone after an autopty but it is nothing you ever want to experience. I asked for his cell phone so I could contact his friends and again I was refused. I will be going to the police station with Jim's brother tomorrow to get his personal effects. I am not afraid of these idiot cops and if they try to pull anything on me I will own the Village of Bella Vista. I have never broken any laws and have no intention of doing so. They will have NO reason to bother me other than the fact that I will not let them get away with this horrible act. I have lost the love of my life for no good reason. So get ready I am coming for you Barney Fife. I will use every legal means at my disposal to make sure these people pay. One more thing at no time did Jim ever carry a firearm or other weapon. When we got together I had a 22 semi-automatic. Jim asked me to get rid of this firearm and I got rid of it immediately. He did not like firearms of any kind. He WAS NOT armed when he was shot down. He may have been drunk but he was not armed. I too want to see the camera in the cops car and I want to know why he did what he did. I know Jim would have gone quietly and peacefully with this cop when asked. He was not a violent man. He was the best man I have ever known and he will be missed by me and all of his friends and family. I find it interesting the police came to my home to tell me Jim was dead, but then negelected to mention he and I were engaged in their media release. Sounds like more of a cover up to me.
Jim I miss you every minute.
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Carol - I am sorry for your loss. My name is Aaron Nolan and I work at KNWA in Fayetteville, with the name of the officer being released, would you mind sitting down with me for an interview? anolan@knwa.com
Aaron
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My uncle was a good man!!!! He taught me to never give up never back down and never give in, And always told me i was his winner he also told me i was the best and i was his favorite nephew. i was known as bobby to him only my family called me that name. He will be greatly miss. To my uncle aka the disel aka the wildman and the name i give him aka the freight train I promise you i will never give up as god as my witness and you WE WILL FIGHT TO THE END TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION! call me jr aka disel,the wildman, the freight train!!
I Love You and i know i will see you again!
Your nephew
Robert Salnicky
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Thank you so much for your kind words about Jim. I would have replied to your note earlier but this has been the darkest time in my life. Jim and I had been engaged for 7 months. He called me his 'wife' and meant it. We had spoken recently about having a committment service this summer because I did not want to marry again. Jim understood and respected my reasons for this and told me all he wanted was to be with me. Jim called us soul mates and now I know what he meant then he said that. There has been such an outpouring of support and grief from his friends and the guys he played football with. I used to laugh at him when it was time to go to football practice, he would be ready to go 2 or 3 hours before he had to leave. He loved football and the deep friendships the game brought him. Jim was the best man I have ever known. He had his demons but was ready to do whatever he had to do to fix his drinking problem. In fact his truck was packed and waiting for him to leave for Omaha the next morning. He never had a chance to go to Omaha, he wanted to coach soccer. He told me if he failed at that he would come home and go into rehab for 90 days. His drinking had become a daily event since his blessed mother passed away. Jim and his mom had such a deep and spiritual connection that he just could not face losing her. Did you know he called her every day after the family moved her to Omaha? When Pat passed away Jim started calling his brother Tom almost every day. Jim was looking for a family member to help him with his grief and I know Tom was a great help in his own way.
The police are not releasing any information yet and Jim is still at the crime lab in Little Rock waiting for an autopsy. I wish I had something to report but nothing yet on the investigation.I miss Jim every minute of every day, I am not able to eat or sleep. I think I have slept maybe 10 hours since this happened. I just keep saying to myself over and over again 'what if I had done this or what if I had done that'. I wish I had been able to help him more than I did. Maybe someday I will accept I did everything I could to help him. He told me many times my love made him want to be a better man. I know his love made me a better person. Now everything is darkness and sorrow. If you ever want to talk about Jim or anything at all please call me. Jim's family is all I have left of him. Please know he was loved as he had never been loved before. I know he is with his beloved mother and dad now. He will be waiting in heaven for me.
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Will thank you for just beening with not all my family gave him a time of the day because of some off his actions But am glad he had you to lean on. i loved him so. I love to talk about jim with if you can send me your phone number to my email i would be glad to talk to you my email is robertsalnicky@gmail.com
Until then I talk to you later!
P.S. I hope this helps I love consider you as Aunt your still family no matter what! Love your nephew Robert Salnicky
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None of this is true but i'am trying to make myself look good. And not put my uncle down for the things he has done to everyone in his past. Thank you Bobby
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Bob,
I guess I don't understand your message. What does none of this is true and you are trying to make yourself look good? Jim was a good and very spiritual man who was loved and respected by many people. He loved all of his family even those who treated him badly. Have you ever heard if you tell someone they are bad long enough it comes true. If what your message means what I think it means I feel very sorry for you.
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I am his fiance's niece and I had the honor of meeting Jim over the Summer. I called him Uncle Jim. The short time I know Jim he was a breath of fresh air and very loving man. He loved my Aunt and my Aunt loved him. Such a senseless death! I hope that justice will be served in this case. A message needs to be sent to these over zealous police officers that they are not above the law and cannot do whatever they want! Police officers are not God they are just human beings like the rest of us and do not have the right to take a life. I believe that there should be an outside resource handling this investigation other than just the Bella Vista Police or Arkansas State Police. I believe that the States Attorney Generals Office should be overseeing this investigation. I know my Aunt will never give up the fight until REAL JUSTICE is served in this matter. Rest in Peace Jim. We all love you.
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I live in Bella Vista, and make my living here. I am not at all surprised by this uncalled for deadly excessive force used by the Bella Vista gestapo. I have had a few run ins with them. One night my girlfriend and I were heading home from a night out. We had an argument and she wanted out of the vehicle, I pulled over let her out,and got out myself. I proceeded to walk home. I got more than a mile down the road when an officer pulled up put his lights on got out of the car and told me to get down on my face, as there are no sidewalks I refused. He promptly threatened to taise me if I did not comply. I asked him what was the problem and why i should get on the ground in 2 foot tall, wet from dew grass? He again said on your knees or I'll taise you. I was wearing shorts, sandals and had left my shirt in the vehicle. I was just walking down the street... Nice going BV gestapo!!!!!!!!!
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Ahren I will miss you buddy, you were a good man, a man of strenght,love,kindness. I will always remember you for the rest of my life. You had the biggest heart, and a endless passion not just for football or soccer but for life. Seeing you everyday at practice and see you play every play, every down with a smile on your face, you reminded me every day how lucky I am to play this game. You brought a child like love to every situation you came across, I'm the luckiest man alive to have shared the football field with you, to have sweated and bled by your side. Most importantly I'm the luckiest man in the world to have called you my friend.You did not deserve this, and you will be miss greatly.I want to give my sorrow and apologies to the family and loved ones of the wonderful man.
Rest in peace James, You are now in paradise,and you will live in the hearts and minds of everyone in whom you touched including mine, goodbye brother.
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I have to correct something. After I saw a picture of the cop who killed my fiancee I realized he was not the cop who called Jim a loser. I was mistaken and have never seen this man before. I also spoke to the person who owned the bar where Jim was hanging out that night and she stated he had only had 3 beers that night. He left the club at 7:30 PM and called me at 7:46 PM, he was killed around 8 PM. I want to know what happened in that 30 minutes. I went to the location where Jim was killed and realized he was on his way home when this happened. I told him if he was drunk not to come here, but he was on his way home because he was not drunk. If he had made it home I would have realized he was sober. The man was 6'1" tall and weighted 270 pounds, so 3 beers in a few hours would not make him drunk. I miss you Jimmy and I love you and will love you forever.
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Bella Vista has made some poor hiring decisions for their police dept. They currently have an active patrolman Scott Vanatta, who was expelled from the police academy for cheating (he possessed an illegal copy of test answers, and gave the info to another cadet..) This officer has shown from his past actions that he has no credibility and is not to be trusted.. Not sure if he was at the scene of this shooting, but this is an example of the type of officer that is patrolling the city..
God help us...
Please see page 12 of the Arkansas Law Enforcement meeting minutes for some background on this. It is public knowledge and was widely reported by the local news as well... http://www.clest.org/July%2010,%202008%20Commission%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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