James Rooney Shooting

Dear Visitors,

Well I've come to post an article that was in the Orlando Sentinel today. It is in reference to a shooting regarding a Clermont Police Office named James Rooney. If I remember correctly, wasn't Rooney and his wife one of the people protesting about corruption in the Clermont Police Department? Seems as if Mr. Rooney has either issues with his short term memory or issues with not being able to tell the truth. When it comes to a shooting where you "felt the bullet wiz by ", a gun battle,having a gun flush against your head. Oh wait.....the suspect NEVER shot at him. The only shot was the one the suspect put in his brain after Mr. (I have a hard time saying officer because that demands respect) Rooney shot at him, called 55 men for back up, pulled out the helicopters. Seems like none of this is true? Is it? Chief Broadway, I am asking you. Did James Rooney lie (and I assume filed a report) with incorrect information? Is our "town hero" merely have mental issues regarding memory or is he an out and out lying, corrupt, and just one more unbelievable officer on your force? It's not like it's the first time he's been questioned about ethics is it? I read an article in the Sentinel where he was in trouble with things previously but is now back on the force. I truly hope someone comes out of this story a hero. Sad to think it may be otherwise. When can citizens start believing in our officers again? So many good people put their lives on the line and you hear a tangle of lies and it gives all officers a bad name.

auren Ritchie
COMMENTARY
10:26 a.m. EDT, March 31, 2013

First of two parts

Two gunshots crackled through the city park across from Clermont Elementary School just as parents began picking up their children at the end of the day.

Then came yelling and three more blasts, witnesses later told investigators. A skinny guy in black gym shorts high-tailed it over a chain-link fence and raced off between houses.

Witnesses watched the suspect disappear as Clermont Officer James Rooney stood on DeSoto Street screaming into his radio — "He's got a gun!" and "Shots fired, Lake!" — along with a frantic request for emergency traffic only on the radio.

Backup officers swarmed toward him, and minutes later, a breathless Rooney told a lieutenant, "He shot at me!" At various times, Rooney described the suspect firing at him across a picnic table, then crouching and turning after dropping from the top of the fence around William McKinley Park and hitting the ground. Rooney told a detective he felt the "wind" from one of the bullets as it went zinging past his chest just under his raised right arm.

Despite Rooney's detailed descriptions, his account of this running gun battle with the suspect proved completely inaccurate. The only person shooting was Rooney.

Forensic analysis later would determine that suspect Joshua Waldron, 21, fired only one round that day — the one with which he took his own life as 55 law-enforcement officers with a helicopter and K-9 descended on Clermont to hunt him down, according to a report by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The only bullets Rooney could have felt or heard were his own as he pumped round after round from his Glock 23 at the running Waldron, causing bullets to ricochet off trees near homes and leaving one in the driveway of an apartment building.

The purpose of FDLE's inquiry was limited to providing information for the state attorney to decide whether anyone should be charged with a crime in Waldron's death. That was easily settled: No one should. The troubled young man — also the father of a 3-year-old boy — clearly shot himself Dec. 11 as he sat under a tree about three blocks from the park, just minutes after his encounter with the officer.

But the investigation raised far more questions for Clermont than it answered.

What really happened between Rooney and the deceased remains unclear. FDLE agents didn't try to verify contradictory accounts from the officer and statements he made that don't jibe with the evidence, saying it's not their job to do so. They didn't even ask Rooney to explain what made him erroneously conclude he was being fired on, sometimes when the suspect was less than 6 feet away.

FDLE said it's up to Clermont to determine whether the officer told the truth, followed rules and acted properly when he approached Waldron in a public park. Indeed, Clermont must get to the bottom of what happened.

It's important not only because a man's death is directly connected with an officer's actions. It's also critical because the community has a right to evaluate its law enforcement and decide whether the sort of "protection" displayed by Rooney, who declined to be interviewed, is the kind this growing community wants.

Consider that the encounter ending in Waldron's death began when Rooney, according to his own statement, told Waldron he couldn't smoke in a public park. That was harassment of the type residents have complained about for years in Clermont. Rooney, a 12-year veteran of the department, should have known that smoking is perfectly legal in city parks. No placards banning smoking are posted in the pavilion where Waldron was smoking, either.

Does Clermont want officers spending time hassling people about smoking in public? Really?

Rooney said Waldron was "very nice" and extinguished the cigarette with an apology. That's where the encounter should have ended but didn't. Rooney demanded that Waldron provide identification and allow himself to be patted down. Then everything went haywire.

Rooney said Waldron struck him on his forehead with the barrel of a pistol he pulled from his waistband, and a split second later, held it to his head, where Rooney claims he heard a telltale click, nearly always the result of a misfire.

However, none of the officers involved mentioned in their statements any injuries on Rooney's forehead, and Clermont Police Chief Chuck Broadway said he didn't notice any. FDLE's regional counsel, David Margolis, said Rooney was taken to the hospital with an elevated heart rate before agents could photograph him. They also missed a second opportunity the next day, when he gave them a sworn statement.

Margolis said firearms experts in the FDLE lab couldn't find evidence backing Rooney's dramatic tale of being saved by a misfire. None of the bullets showed a strike mark where the hammer of the cheap Saturday night special that Waldron carried should have hit the bullet. A misfire without a mark isn't impossible, but gun experts say it's highly unlikely.

Sorting out the facts and using them to guide law enforcement toward a greater respect for Clermont citizens is the job entrusted to Broadway, the department's new chief and a former FDLE special agent.

So far, Broadway is ducking and shuffling.

He said last week that Rooney, 36, followed all city policies and that he wouldn't be investigating further. Case closed. The department's operational rules, however, call for an internal investigation with a written report to be filed.

On Thursday, Broadway said he hadn't understood the question and would be opening an internal investigation. But his enthusiasm for the task was feeble. He repeatedly explained away Rooney's imaginary gun battle by saying that an officer under stress could "spontaneously utter different things" rather than be able to describe events that actually occurred.

Asked whether Rooney's accounts conflicting with the evidence troubled him, Broadway replied that the officer was under oath. Then, he said reluctantly: "Well, I could ask FDLE about the misfire. I will ask them."

Lame. This situation calls for a thorough investigation, and Broadway must step up and lead it. It is his job and his responsibility to act on behalf of the public, not to invent excuses for his officers. If he cannot do that, he must step aside. Too many questions remain unanswered.

On Wednesday, we'll look at what's known — and unknown — about Waldron's death.


Copyright © 2013, Orlando Sentinel

Lauren Ritchie ALWAYS trying to get ya'll....if you were the Sheriffs Office you could anything you want illegally and she wouldn't raise an eye. All about agendas eh Lauren :wink:

Dear Guest,

Since when is it an agenda to seek and report the truth? A wise person once said "“The truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it.”(Ayn Rand). If there was no one to seek and report the truth how often would the truth be known? "Nothing is more terrible than ignorance in action."(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe). Do not be ignorant. Praise is due to Ms. Ritchie for looking beyond the lies and finding the truth. Guest, is the the agenda you fear or the truth?

Today I read a very interesting and heartening vision statement. Chief Broadway, do you remember the pledge your made to the citizens of Clermont when you became the chief of police. As a reminder, read the Clermont Police Department Vision Statement:

VISION STATEMENT

The vision and mission of the Clermont Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the City of Clermont by working cooperatively with the community to enforce the laws, prevent crime and reduce fear. Our mandate is to do so with incontestable integrity and honor, always conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public trust.

We will be an effective and efficient deterrent to crime in Clermont, united in our effort to make our City a better place to live and work. We will be a Department which carries out its responsibilities in a caring and courteous manner, always mindful of the dignity and human rights of all individuals. We will be a model law enforcement agency, accredited by the State. We are committed to rewarding our employees for creativity, hard work, and being responsive to the needs of our community. We will treat our employees and our citizens with dignity and respect, continually striving to meet their needs. We will operate with fiscal prudence as we effectively manage our resources, while providing the highest level of service and protection to our citizens.

Core Values
Integrity
Honor
Courage
Professionalism
Service Above Self

Chief Broadway, please do not reward your employee, James Rooney, for his "creativity" in regards to the incident with a dead citizen of your city. Show the respect and dignity through proceeding with an investigation into this incident. Remember, your core values. Integrity, honor, courage, professionalism and service above yourself and your employee James Rooney. You wanted the job and now you have it. Chief of Police in this wonderful town of Clermont. Now all the citizens want is for you to act like it and follow through on your promises, nay pledge, that you made when you got the position you wanted. A sign across from your office has said "Will the real chief of police please stand up?". Well I'm waiting for you to make your stand.

Dear Chief Broadway,

It is clear there is a way to find out if certain parts of James Rooney's wild tale is true. Is he the "hero" of the city? Test the DNA. If what Rooney's says is true his DNA is on the barrel of that gun. If not? Well then I guess we will then know the truth. Hero or villain? Is he a good officer or is the the dirtiest cop on your force? Mental defect or character defect? It's your job to find out.

Find below the second part of the article about an incident that occurred involving Clermont Police Officer James Rooney.



Second of two parts.

Joshua Waldron was no angel on earth.

But last fall, thanks to his medication, his mother had been celebrating the return of the cheerful boy she remembered — just before she lost him for good at the age of 21.

Joshua Waldron at his graduation from East Ridge High School in Clermont.
Clermont must get to bottom of shooting by police officer in park

Waldron, the father of a 3-year-old son, took his own life as law-enforcement officers swarmed into Clermont because they thought he had been in a gun battle with an officer there.

He hadn't.

Forensic analysis by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement showed that the only bullet Waldron fired that December day was the one that killed him. The only person shooting in the firefight described by Clermont police Officer James Rooney was Rooney himself.

Sunday's column detailed tests and sworn witness statements that cast more doubt on the wild story that Officer Rooney told. He claimed that Waldron struck him in the forehead with the barrel of a Saturday night special and then held the pistol to the officer's head, where Rooney heard the telltale click of a misfire.

State firearms analysts couldn't find any evidence of a misfire, though, and no agents or other officers mentioned injuries to Rooney's forehead.

Waldron was found shot within minutes of Rooney's approaching him in William McKinley Park, across from Clermont Elementary School, to inform Waldron that he wasn't allowed to smoke — even though smoking in public parks in Clermont is perfectly legal. Waldron's death was later ruled a suicide.

FDLE's inquiry was limited to providing information to determine whether a crime was committed, and the State Attorney's Office ruled there was not.

Now, it's up to Clermont police Chief Chuck Broadway to determine whether Rooney told the truth, followed department rules and acted properly. Broadway is planning to open an internal investigation, but he seems less than enthusiastic about it. Perhaps that's because Rooney and his backers succeeded in running off the previous police chief when he stood up to their unprofessional behavior.

But the public trust should rise above politics. Ensuring that the city's police officers are honest and that they treat people with respect is Broadway's job. If the chief can't or won't do a thorough inquiry, he should ask the Sheriff's Office to handle it.

Clermont needs to investigate because Rooney, who dramatically changed his story about the shooting within 24 hours, has a history of untruthfulness.

Consider that the officer was fired and arrested on charges of petty theft and forgery in 2005 for signing a doctor's note so that he could collect holiday pay. The physician declined to testify in court, so the charges were dropped and Rooney was reinstated.

Now Rooney, who declined to be interviewed, is telling differing stories about the incident in the park. On Dec. 11, Rooney gave specific accounts of Waldron's firing repeatedly at him. He even told one detective he felt "the wind" from one of the bullets. But on Dec. 12, in a sworn statement to an FDLE agent, Rooney variously said he "thought" Waldron fired and that he "believed" the suspect pulled the trigger.

"There's no doubt in my mind he wanted me dead," Rooney said in his sworn statement to FDLE. "He was out to kill me."

Really? With what? Evidence shows it wasn't with the weapon he was carrying.

Is a person who vividly describes a nonexistent gunfight, and then backs off his story, fit to serve as a police officer? Should an officer who cannot hit his target after firing an undetermined number of rounds — by his own account at least two from less than six feet away — be back on the street without additional firearms training?

Among other unanswered questions from the FDLE report:

•Rooney stated that Waldron admitted having a marijuana cigarette, called a blunt, in his pocket. A "green leafy substance" was collected as part of the evidence but was never tested to determine what it was.

•Lab technicians were able to get a small amount of DNA from the gun that killed Waldron. They determined it came from a male — but they ruled out Waldron as that man. So whose DNA was it? Does it indicate that someone else had a role in Waldron's death?

Family members said they were certain immediately that Waldron hadn't fired at the officer. He didn't have it in him, they said.

He had "given up" in high school, but his mother and grandmother fought to keep him in class. At 19, he graduated from East Ridge High School in Clermont — a moment his mother described as one of the two proudest of his life. The other was the birth of his son, Dasan.

Waldron worked when he could get jobs but was unemployed at the time of his death. Shortly before, he had begun taking medication to help with depression and emotional troubles.

"He was back to eating, back to smiling, back to sleeping — back to being Josh," said his mother, Tina Hobson, 49. "He saw his son almost every day. That boy was his world."

She said she didn't know Waldron was carrying a gun when he went to the park to wait for his son to come out of a nearby day care. But she said he told her that a man had been threatening him, and he was afraid. A note in Waldron's handwriting, dated the day he died, advised police to consider the man as "the main suspect" if Waldron were killed.

However, that man was not in McKinley Park the day Waldron died. Rooney was.

And within minutes of their encounter, Waldron was found face up, sprawled underneath a big oak in woods about three blocks from the park, one bullet in his brain. Twelve hours later, his family took him off life support and donated his organs, saving what they were told was four lives, including that of a 7-year-old dying of liver failure.

In Waldron's pocket, police found a disposable camera. His mother said his plan for that afternoon had been to snap family photographs of himself and his son at the park where he, too, had played as a child. No pictures had been taken.

Lritchie@tribune.com. Lauren invites you to send her a friend request on Facebook at facebook.com/laurenonlake.

Lauren

Why never an negative article on the LCSO, nothing on the pizza kid the K-9 guy shot, an article on Borders opponent's code violation during the last election but nothing on the LT from the county who bought his kid a computer on the county credit card and paid it out of sheriff funds then gets to retire with a pension?? I'm not saying the Clermont cop should not be investigated but what's up with the head in the sand sheriff's office agenda?

The incident in Clermont wasn't given a fair investigation. I feel for the family because they have many unanswered questions. Hopefully Broadway will do his job! Rooney is for sure a questionable cop!!! It appears theres a lot of questionable cops in Clermont. Lauren did a great job in her articles but it still didn't get to the bottom of what really happened. Nor will we ever know because the investigation isn't being done. No matter what a young man is dead and a cop told lies and got away with it. May he sleep at night knowing he didn't tell the truth!! Someone in the department should speak up because there are probably a couple that know exactly what happened.

Lauren did a great job in her articles but it still didn't get to the bottom of what really happened. Nor will we ever know because the investigation isn't being done. No matter what a young man is dead and a cop told lies and got away with it.


Ahhh yes he was another, "fine young man who had finally turned his life around and becoming a great family man", because all "FINE YOUNG FAMILY MEN GO TO A PARK AND SMOKE WEED". You're as big a POS as Lauren Richtie and the dirtbag who's dead.

Remember~ what you say about others... actually says a lot more about YOU! Truth be known reports have shown that his toxicology screen was NEGATIVE along with the others that he has had over the last two years. As you read in the article the so called blunt was NEVER tested wonder why that is? Lauren is great at finding out the truth. Her article hits it right on. Theres more to the imaginary gun fight. No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, people can change. Oh thats right your perfect you have never made mistakes in your life. Don't ever use somebody's past against them. We ALL have pasts. Who are you to judge the life they lived...nobody is perfect including you!!There are 3 sides to every story... 1-How one person tells it 2- How the other person tells it 3- How it REALLY happened. People only lie because they cant handle the truth;they lie because they cant face the mistakes they have made. It's crazy how we find the lies so easy to believe, but we can almost never seem to believe the truth.Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. Words can come as quick as lies, and what you see can easily be mistaken for something it's not.Have a great day!I pray for the family who lost this young man no matter what because losing someone is always painful!!!

Lauren it appears that guest has an issue with you investigating and reporting the truth, or trying to get questions that need to be answered.Or is he afraid the truth will come out... Because no one has the balls to stand up and say we want answers. Guest its people like you that hide behind the computer and make comments about what you have read in the newspaper or heard on television without knowing the whole truth.Media isnt always fair to the stories they run. Amazing how you just assume that I am a pos along with lauren, and the young man who is deceased. How do you know that? Just from what you have read or heard? You resort to calling names, how old are we? In my opinion and thats just my opinion the officer should be investigated, the young man did have a past but if I read right he was turning his life around. Everyone makes mistakes. My heart goes out to the little boy that lost his father. OR ARE YOU JUST THAT COLD HEARTED TOO? Or could you be speaking of the young man as a dirt bag because you know him, maybe guest is rooney making posts or a rooney buddy.Either way THANK YOU LAUREN I love reading your articles I look forward to them. Keep up the great job!! Keep asking those questions that need to be asked.

Remember~ what you say about others... actually says a lot more about YOU! Truth be known reports have shown that his toxicology screen was NEGATIVE along with the others that he has had over the last two years. As you read in the article the so called blunt was NEVER tested wonder why that is? Lauren is great at finding out the truth. Her article hits it right on. Theres more to the imaginary gun fight. No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, people can change. Oh thats right your perfect you have never made mistakes in your life. Don't ever use somebody's past against them. We ALL have pasts. Who are you to judge the life they lived...nobody is perfect including you!!There are 3 sides to every story... 1-How one person tells it 2- How the other person tells it 3- How it REALLY happened. People only lie because they cant handle the truth;they lie because they cant face the mistakes they have made. It's crazy how we find the lies so easy to believe, but we can almost never seem to believe the truth.Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. Words can come as quick as lies, and what you see can easily be mistaken for something it's not.Have a great day!I pray for the family who lost this young man no matter what because losing someone is always painful!!!

Toxicology reports..where is your FACTUAL basis for the results?

The so called blunts were blacks and milds no drugs at all. His personal toxicology report negative negative negative. Rooney smelled dope not....he's just a dirty cop. He will get his when the truth comes out about how dirty he is guest is a rooney fan or is guest really rooney.

Why was this kid with a criminal history in a public park by a school carrying a gun in the first place? There's multiple statements of people stating he turned his life around, yet he was in possession of this gun? Also I read statements that he was scared of someone which is why he had the gun? Of every person who was scared of someone carried a gun I think we'd have a lot of gun carrying citizens. Just because you're scared it doesn't give you the right to illegally carry a firearm. Considering he doesn't have a permit he was not trained to use it correctly, what if he was confronted by this so called person who was threatening him that day in the park and a shoot out occurred with kids around? All these people complaining that he shoul have never been confronted would be saying different things if their kid would have accidentally been caught in the crossfire of that wouldn't they. Cops confront suspicious people to try to prevent aituations like that. When officer Rooney confronted him, the whole situation could have been avoided if he would have calmly told the officer he was carrying a firearm. But obviously that didn't happen. Any on duty police officer has the right to confront someone at any time. They also have the right to ask to search. There was nothing wrong with this officer confronting this kid in the park.

People are saying officer Rooney lied about the kid shooting at him, and say that results show only one shot was fired from the kids weapon. Who's to say he didn't fire multiple shots and run out of bullets and reload? Considering the amount of wooded area/yards/streets he ran through those fired bullets would be hard to recover. Then regardless if the kid fired or not he pulled the gun out on a cop, and anyone who's in fear for their life his the right to defend themselves, which the officer did. I don't understand the issue.

If you issue is with the fact that the officer may or may not have changed his story of the events that took place, then you obviously haven't been in a situation like that. You're fearful for your life, you heart is pumping, everything happens so sat when you finally get a chance to stop and retrace the events things may not be so clear. Later on different parts may come back to you.

Regardless, people are so quick to judge and question every little decision cops make. They pick apart every step of every decision. It's not fair for the officer or the kid or family of the kid for anyone of you to judge or jump straight to what you "know" happened. The only people who know for sure what happened are the officer an the kid. half the people in the world have this stupid idea that cops enjoy shooting and killing people and you're all idiots. And most of your "facts" are coming from newspaper articles, or reporter Lauren Ritchie who has a personal vendetta against certain officers in this department including officer Rooney it seems. I'd say her opinion is biased, and can't be considered as fact.

Simple Opinion, you're making too much sense, stop and let the tin foil hats spread their lies and hate as there make believe "facts". I wonder if oldie is Lauren Richie, at the least it's a huge Lauren Richie "mark".

I am a firm believer that cops often get the short end of the stick. We never like one until we need one. I believe that police officers are very brave men and women who put their lives on the line everyday they get into their uniform. I believe they deserve respect. My issue is the with cops like Rooney who thing they are untouchable because they have been returned to their position. Yes an officer has the right to "ask" to search a subject just as the subject has a right to say "no". An illegal search is one that occurs without proper cause. Let's find out how many of these "searches" Rooney has demanded since his return to the police force. Rooney is without a doubt a proven liar. He thinks he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants because he was a part of the lynch mob, which included Charlene Forth, that ousted Graham and the City Manager. The only way I can explain it is when you let a bully loose you will eventually have to suffer the consequences. Rooney is a bully. He is a bully to members of the police staff and he is a bully to those in the city who he thinks are not allowed the basic human rights any man, woman or child is given under the constitution. He thinks he is above everyone and any law. Many people have made mistakes in their past. Why does he think it's ok to harass them when they try to reclaim their lives and become a constructive member of society? Because he's the big bad James Rooney? Because the people that he considers "dirt bags" won't be believed or have anyone stand up for them? Both the Chief of Police and the City Manager have created a monster. Who runs the police force? Is it Broadway or is it Rooney? Who runs the city? Is it Darren Gray or is it Charlene Forth? Hey Charlene how does it feel now that all of your backers are backing away from you? Take note Rooney...you can only bully people so long before they start pushing back. Let's see Charlene...your husbands sign once said "Will the real Chief of Police please stand up?" Well Rooney may think he's running things but they day is coming when every illegal search, every illegal stop, every illegal piece of paper you sign and lie one will be exposed. I can't wait to see you get what you deserve. It's going to happen. It's only a matter of time and I will be standing outside the City Council meeting with a sign that says "Investigate Corruption of James Rooney and his flunkies at the Clermont Police Department".

I am a firm believer that cops often get the short end of the stick. We never like one until we need one. I believe that police officers are very brave men and women who put their lives on the line everyday they get into their uniform. I believe they deserve respect. My issue is the with cops like Rooney who thing they are untouchable because they have been returned to their position. Yes an officer has the right to "ask" to search a subject just as the subject has a right to say "no". An illegal search is one that occurs without proper cause. Let's find out how many of these "searches" Rooney has demanded since his return to the police force. Rooney is without a doubt a proven liar. He thinks he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants because he was a part of the lynch mob, which included Charlene Forth, that ousted Graham and the City Manager. The only way I can explain it is when you let a bully loose you will eventually have to suffer the consequences. Rooney is a bully. He is a bully to members of the police staff and he is a bully to those in the city who he thinks are not allowed the basic human rights any man, woman or child is given under the constitution. He thinks he is above everyone and any law. Many people have made mistakes in their past. Why does he think it's ok to harass them when they try to reclaim their lives and become a constructive member of society? Because he's the big bad James Rooney? Because the people that he considers "dirt bags" won't be believed or have anyone stand up for them? Both the Chief of Police and the City Manager have created a monster. Who runs the police force? Is it Broadway or is it Rooney? Who runs the city? Is it Darren Gray or is it Charlene Forth? Hey Charlene how does it feel now that all of your backers are backing away from you? Take note Rooney...you can only bully people so long before they start pushing back. Let's see Charlene...your husbands sign once said "Will the real Chief of Police please stand up?" Well Rooney may think he's running things but they day is coming when every illegal search, every illegal stop, every illegal piece of paper you sign and lie one will be exposed. I can't wait to see you get what you deserve. It's going to happen. It's only a matter of time and I will be standing outside the City Council meeting with a sign that says "Investigate Corruption of James Rooney and his flunkies at the Clermont Police Department".


Classify every member of this agency as, "flunkies", but yet you claim you, "am a firm believer that cops often get the short end of the stick. We never like one until we need one. I believe that police officers are very brave men and women who put their lives on the line everyday they get into their uniform. I believe they deserve respect". You are too damn stupid to even see how you showed your bias for the Clermont Police Department. But yet you expect readers to take you serious??? :lol:

Why does everyone keep referring to the search as an "illegal" search? How do any of you know if the kid agreed to the search or not. I'm having a hard time with this whole situation. I'm trying to go by the actual "facts" and if everything in the actual police report is true then this whole thing is 100% justifiable. My only issue with the "facts" is that anyone who knows officer James Rooney knows that 95% of the things that come out of his mouth and 95% of his stories are all lies. He is the type of person that if your telling a story he's already done it and when he did it he did it better. He will also make up things to make himself seem real "badass" when we all saw how badass he really was having his wide stand up and speak for him and say how he cries at night. With that being said, I hope that sense this situation involved the death of someone he was mature enough to tell the accurate story of what happened that day in the park. He took an oath to serve and protect, it's okay to tell extravagant made up stories about your personal life, but when it comes to the life and death of someone else I hope and pray he had and has enough integrity to be honest and upfront about it. I guess we'll never know. I just know not to base my opinion off the "facts" and opinions of the posts on this website. But then again I really can't base my opinion off the words coming out of James rooney's mouth either. Whatever happened Rooney has to live with it and will answer to it in the end.

Dear Guest,

Perhaps you are unable to understand the English language or are incapable of digesting what I wrote. Maybe you should try reading my post one more time before you include your opinion of what I said. I made it completely clear that I believe that there are good and bad police officers in the city of Clermont. The "flunkie's" to which I was referring are those that are supporters of James Rooney. Read it again. Go on....I'll wait.

Now do you understand the words that are written on the screen? Why shouldn't people take me seriously? Because I admit that there are good and bad cops? Because I believe that James Rooney is a proven liar? Wait, it doesn't matter what I believe...it's in black and white. Pull his file. I do respect police officers who are worthy of respect. I think it's a darn shame that the few whiny cops make all of the cops suspect. I'm one of the citizens who know that police officers are human beings. I know each and every time that an officers walks up to a person who is suspect or walks up to a car not knowing what they will find inside puts their lives on the line. They do so for far less pay than they deserve. They do it not for the glory but for the idea of keeping MY community safe. My issue is that each and every time Rooney lies or another officer lies it's another black eye for my hometown police department. The Clermont Police Department has become a laughingstock. It's horrible that people feel that they can't trust the department because of a few bad cops. I do not advocate for the Clermont Police Department at all. I advocate for all officers who are good, honest, hard working, concerned with their city, and know that their job is to protect and serve the interests of the citizen's of the city for which they WORK. Read that one more time Guest "KNOW THAT THEIR JOB IS TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE INTERSTS OF THE CITIZEN'S OF THE CITY FOR WHICH THEY WORK". It seems as if the only interest Rooney serves is his own. He is not the hero he claims he is. He is not the honest police officer he portrays himself to be. He is the very reason people look at the Clermont Police Department and laugh. I don't think it's funny. I don't think it's in the least bit funny. I think it's a darn shame that his actions make too many people perceive most of the officers are like him and can't be trusted.

Dear Guest,

Perhaps you are unable to understand the English language or are incapable of digesting what I wrote. Maybe you should try reading my post one more time before you include your opinion of what I said. I made it completely clear that I believe that there are good and bad police officers in the city of Clermont. The "flunkie's" to which I was referring are those that are supporters of James Rooney. Read it again. Go on....I'll wait.

Now do you understand the words that are written on the screen? Why shouldn't people take me seriously? Because I admit that there are good and bad cops? Because I believe that James Rooney is a proven liar? Wait, it doesn't matter what I believe...it's in black and white. Pull his file. I do respect police officers who are worthy of respect. I think it's a darn shame that the few whiny cops make all of the cops suspect. I'm one of the citizens who know that police officers are human beings. I know each and every time that an officers walks up to a person who is suspect or walks up to a car not knowing what they will find inside puts their lives on the line. They do so for far less pay than they deserve. They do it not for the glory but for the idea of keeping MY community safe. My issue is that each and every time Rooney lies or another officer lies it's another black eye for my hometown police department. The Clermont Police Department has become a laughingstock. It's horrible that people feel that they can't trust the department because of a few bad cops. I do not advocate for the Clermont Police Department at all. I advocate for all officers who are good, honest, hard working, concerned with their city, and know that their job is to protect and serve the interests of the citizen's of the city for which they WORK. Read that one more time Guest "KNOW THAT THEIR JOB IS TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE INTERSTS OF THE CITIZEN'S OF THE CITY FOR WHICH THEY WORK". It seems as if the only interest Rooney serves is his own. He is not the hero he claims he is. He is not the honest police officer he portrays himself to be. He is the very reason people look at the Clermont Police Department and laugh. I don't think it's funny. I don't think it's in the least bit funny. I think it's a darn shame that his actions make too many people perceive most of the officers are like him and can't be trusted.

You have no grasp of reading comprehension or even basic sentence structure. I think anyone with half a brain can get the meaning.

Dear Guest,

I will admit that while typing I was upset and typing rather fast and thus should have used spell check. You can attack my English as much as you care to. I can only assume you are doing so because you can not attack the arguments I made. If you do not have a logical response to the message I can only guess you have no other alternative than to attack the messenger. Instead of being concerned with how I wrote something and commenting on that why don't you why don't you address the issues I raised? If it is possible for you to do so please reread my post and instead of focusing on the misspelled words or sentence structure focus on the questions about the situation and give me your opinion or response. Or are you unable to do so? If you would prefer I can list each point I made in a numbered form and can insure you that the spelling and sentence structure will be correct if that will assist you in your ability to answer. I eagerly await your answer so we can address the issues without the white noise of a spelling error. :roll:

Oogie boogie. I agree with some of your statements, but I also disagree with some as well. Charlene's husband did not post the signs across the street from the police department, those signs were posted by the owner of the automotive garage who's property the signs are posted on. I understand your issues with James Rooney but do not see any proof of the search being an illegal search. I also agree that officer Rooney does lie. It's sad that because we all know he lies, we can't really believe anything he says, even if in fact hes actually tellin the truth. You classify him in group I people who ousted ex chief graham and the city manager, but I overheard a conversation recently where two clermont police officers that were part of that group recently received their jobs back through arbitration, and in the arbitrators findings he reported that one of the cases was "clear" retaliation by the chief. This report is public record and sense everyone loves facts and loves reports of public record I'm sure all of you can find it. Everyone is quick to bash the few cops who lost their jobs, but you really all don't know the truth. And considering that two of those cops have just recievedd their jobs back I'd say they have a point. Some may have been fired for good reason but not all of them.

The kid is the park claimed he was becoming a better person yet he was carrying a loaded gun in a park across from an elementary school and a daycare. Normal kids don't do that. That gun could have easily went off accidentally and injured a kid, and then everyone would have freaked out about him and wouldn't have considered him a good outstanding citizen.

I'm just saying, you make some good points but you also make bad points. No one will never know the truth, you're right a out the fact that the shooting wasn't given a good fair investigation, and it was all swept under the rug. Its also sad that a lying officer like officer Rooney makes a lot of the department look bad. Once it's pointed out that officer Rooney lies so often I don't think he should be left out there patrolling and dealing with cases with you never know if you're getting the honest facts or not.

I'm not sure where all of you are getting your facts or proof that James Rooney is a liar. If you have actual proof then show me, I'd love to see it. If there's proof then ill accept that and move on. But if you're going off rumors and things you've heard then that can't be believed 100%. People make stuff up everyday. If you're a friend of this officer and your stating he tells stories about his personal life that's different as well. Everyone tells stories and lies at some point. I guess what I'm saying is its different to tell lies about your personal life than to tell lies about things that are work related. If everyone based their opinion of people off of one or two petty lies then everyone is a liar and can't be trusted. So where is your proof? I'm waiting.. Prove me wrong, now is your chance.

But But But...I heard from a friend from a friend from a friend..oldie is some pansy ass whiner who is probably related to the dirtbag that was shot. Bottom line is that this idiot thinks they're going to get "justice" from posting on a blog and slurring an officer. I would bet that every time oldie posts he/she has an nutt thinking they "got one by" on CPD.

"Guest" your posts never make any sense. Just stop, you're not making a valid or understandable arguement for either side.

"Guest" your posts never make any sense. Just stop, you're not making a valid or understandable arguement for either side.

How many screen names can you make up guy??? Oh wait, you're not the same person right? :lol:

I heard officer Rooney was involved in an incident off duty recently and that an individual was transported to the hospital. I wonder what happened, we all know we'll never know the truth about this one either, especially sense it involved officer "lie a lot"

Does anyone out there have any information on this? All I know is that there was an altercation involving Rooney and a citizen in the officers apartment complex and the citizen was transported to the hospital.

As a citizen of clermont we have a right to know what our officers are involved in

Talking about a big ole cry baby! Oh poor poor JR always thinking it's all about him and everyone is out to get him. Hummm.....I see a problem with this. You think you are never wrong. Don't you know cops are suppose to be tough, no wonder you are not respected by the residents of Clermont. It's really a shame you bring so much disgrace to a wonderful city and an awesome police department. JR you really should seek professional help. :?: Well, although I don't know what happened with this latest ordeal but one thing is for sure and thank God for this "he didn't shoot at anyone and no one died, again THANK YOU GOD!"

Here we go again. Now there are two more internal investigations involving James Rooney. What the heck is going on in Clermont? It seems as if Rooney is in the news at least once a month in regards to questionable instances. First…it was Steve Graham out to get him in retaliation. Then he and his wife stand outside the Clermont city council spouting “corruption” because he is getting a raw deal. OK…you won Rooney. You got Graham out. You got what you wanted. You and other questionable cops got rid of him and got what you wanted. A new chief. Now Broadway is the chief of police. Now I guess he is retaliating against you. For what reason? What can he gain? I thought he was your knight in shining armor come to right all the slights against you. Well now you’re saying Broadway is out to get you. Isn’t he the final say on your reports of service? I can only guess (now I may be wrong and would appreciate being told if I am) that not only your supervisor but the chief must approve all reviews. Rooney has it ever occurred to you that you just suck at your job? Let’s just go over a few of the things you have been involved in:

1. Providing false and/or altered information in order to get pay you didn’t deserve. You were arrested for that one right? What were the charges? Felony forgery, felony for uttering a forged instrument, felony official mischief and finally felony warrant for petit theft. That was in 2005.

2. Filed false complaints to FDLE in regards to Steve Graham. 2009
3. Claiming retaliation by Steve Graham. 2010

4. Involved in outright lies in regards to a shooting of a Clermont citizen. December 2012.

5. Involved in a physical altercation with a Clermont citizen where the citizen was injured to the point of requiring transfer to hospital for his injury. July 2013

6. Claiming retaliation by your supervisor and I can only assume Chief Broadway in July 2013.

Ok I will admit that he seems to slink out of every situation. All I think about when I hear Rooney’s name is an old saying my mom used to say “Where there is smoke there is fire!” I don’t think anyone would say that Rooney hasn’t been shrouded in smoke for many years. I have never seen one police officer involved in so many issues. Rooney you always want to blame someone else. You always point the finger at anyone but you. It is always someone “out to get you”. The truth is you did provide false information for financial gain at work. The truth is you were found to have filed false complaints to FDLE. The truth is you did lie about the incident at the park where the “suspect” was found dead. Now I can’t say what is going to happen with the assault you committed this month. I can’t wait to find out whose fault that was. And all I can say in regards to your new complaints of retaliation is, watch out Broadway. Whiney Rooney is coming after you now. The whole world is out to get Rooney. You know what James? May I suggest that you bring all your issues on yourself? It’s nobody’s fault except yours. You are a below average cop who is only still employed because police department employees and the City Council of Clermont is scared of you and your attorney. One day I hope they grow a pair and put you where you belong which is on the unemployment line with the other below par officers. It might not even have to be the city council or the police department who hands you the justice you deserve. From what the news and papers are reporting it might just be the District Attorney who takes you off the force. Oh that’s right he District Attorney is now out to get you. Poor whiney baby. Go home and climb into your wife’s arms and cry some more. That is the only thing you seem to be any good at.

I sat here reading all these I noticed that most have realized rooney likes to lie. Here's a couple facts for you....the kid that was smoking a blunt....nothing more than a black and mild. Toxicology screen negative. This kid commits suicide according to reports....with 52 officers in the area he takes his socks off placing them to the lower right leg area but in evidence they have one sock......hmmmmm yup let me take my socks off before I kill myself. Where is the other sock? Did the police department ever release the information that they had a letter thatbhe wrote before he left for the park that if anything happens to him look at a certain male subject. He was in fear that something was going to happen. I'm going to take a disposable camera with me so I can take pictures of this....no pictures were ever taken. I wish there was one decent honest cop, investigator that would look into this case the way it needs to be. No matter what people think about the person they portrayed on tv he still was a human being with a family and a son who loved him unconditionially.everyone makes mistakes in life it doesn't mean he should be treated like he doesn't matter. Maybe one of you in your spare time could help get to the truth speak for the one who can't speak because he's dead.

I sat here reading all these I noticed that most have realized rooney likes to lie. Here's a couple facts for you....the kid that was smoking a blunt....nothing more than a black and mild. Toxicology screen negative. This kid commits suicide according to reports....with 52 officers in the area he takes his socks off placing them to the lower right leg area but in evidence they have one sock......hmmmmm yup let me take my socks off before I kill myself. Where is the other sock? Did the police department ever release the information that they had a letter thatbhe wrote before he left for the park that if anything happens to him look at a certain male subject. He was in fear that something was going to happen. I'm going to take a disposable camera with me so I can take pictures of this....no pictures were ever taken. I wish there was one decent honest cop, investigator that would look into this case the way it needs to be. No matter what people think about the person they portrayed on tv he still was a human being with a family and a son who loved him unconditionially.everyone makes mistakes in life it doesn't mean he should be treated like he doesn't matter. Maybe one of you in your spare time could help get to the truth speak for the one who can't speak because he's dead.

Considering James Rooney has been apart of multiple internal investigations and is now a well know liar I think that a lot of his arrests need to be looked into. Who knows how many of those reports he lied or made stuff up. Not to mention he worked for the lake county sherrifs office drug unit for a few years, I wonder what kind of shady things he did then. Something needs to be done, theres no reason for an "officer" (if you can even call him that anymore) like him to be working for any police department anymore.

well I must say lauren Ritchie is correct in her findings about rooney....the young man in the park that day DID NOT SHOOT HIMSELF!!!!!! Rooney has lied about the events that went down that day in the park and he still sticks to his story and that's what it is a STORY OF LIES. Rooney never should of been let back on the force at all. He says he was traumatized on that dreadful day,but does anybody know how traumatized that young mans family is,and what they are going thru with the loss of the young man that they loved so much. I feel for his mother she has to deal with the loss of her son everyday of her life,imagine what she goes through on the holidays and his birthday. I don't know how Rooney can go thru life knowing how many lies he told about the events of that day. Apparently he does not feel no guilt or shame.

What a mess.

Clermont wastes $30,000 on evaluation of police department

The long-awaited $30,000 evaluation of the Clermont Police Department arrived a couple of weeks ago.

And just as quickly, the document created by the International Association of Chiefs of Police disappeared into the annals of city bureaucracy like a rock into quicksand. Gulp! It's gone.


Of course, it revealed none of the rampant "corruption" in upper management claimed by a group of whining officers who all had been disciplined or fired for misbehavior.

Most of the conclusions were twaddle that could be said of any police department in America. For example, it said there are cliques within the department. Oh, for heaven's sake. Anyone who has worked in or around any law-enforcement agency could state that with authority.

Asked if they learned anything from it, both Clermont's city manager and police chief bumbled a bit and then acknowledged that they really hadn't. The chief said he'd be looking it over to see what suggestions could be implemented.

There's another $30,000 in taxpayer money wasted, thanks to Clermont council members who certainly had better and cheaper choices if they felt their police department needed an evaluation after the departure of former Chief Steve Graham, whom they ran out of town without any valid reason.

The report did make one useful suggestion, however. It said the department should concentrate on "fair and consistent practices" with discipline.

It certainly should.

Consider that Capt. Jon Johnson, a 35-year law-enforcement veteran, was suspended with pay last year for nearly four months while Clermont investigated, well, something. Nobody was ever sure exactly what. The city never told Johnson what he was accused of, and it never cleared him. Darren Gray, the new city manager, simply put Johnson back to work.

Meanwhile, an officer remains on the job even though he is the subject of two inquiries by the State Attorney's Office and is under two additional internal investigations by his own department. Three of the four probes stem from two separate incidents — one in which Officer James Rooney is accused of punching a citizen in the stomach and a second in which he got into a dispute with his sergeant.

The fourth is a review by the State Attorney's Office of Rooney's overall history to determine whether to prosecute cases the officer makes. Prosecutors could find themselves embarrassed if a smart defense lawyer brought the officer's past into the courtroom.

This week, prosecutors are interviewing witnesses as they decide whether to charge Rooney after a Clermont resident complained that the officer slugged him in the stomach for taking pictures of Rooney's department-owned motorcycle illegally parked in a handicapped spot at Osprey Ridge Apartments. What was it doing there in the first place? Rooney, who isn't handicapped, didn't respond to a request for an explanation.

Dustin Carter, 25, told officers on July 14 that Rooney hit him when he reached into his pocket to get his cell phone to show the officer the photos of his motorcycle parked where it shouldn't have been.


Rooney told investigating officers the next day that he "felt threatened" because Carter was in his "personal space," and he thought he might be going for a gun. The police report states that Carter was not wearing a shirt at the time, raising questions about how Carter could have hidden it in a pants pocket or waistband. Carter was taken by ambulance to South Lake Hospital after he began urinating blood.

Rooney, 37, is under internal investigation for his role in that incident and for another in which he is accused of threatening his sergeant over a poor performance review.

My, oh, my. Remember that Rooney is the same officer who hysterically described a running gun battle with a dangerous "suspect" he confronted for legally smoking a cigarette in a city park in December. Forensics later showed that the only person shooting was Rooney, who fired multiple times. The man he confronted took his own life minutes after the encounter by firing a single slug into his head.

In 2005, Rooney was fired and arrested on charges of petty theft and forgery for signing a doctor's note so that he could collect holiday pay. The physician declined to testify in court, so the charges were dropped and Rooney was reinstated.

Somehow, Rooney continues to "protect" the citizens of Clermont, but a captain with a near-spotless record still isn't vindicated. Police Chief Chuck Broadway said the circumstances don't warrant a suspension.

It appears that Clermont has a ways to go to meet that $30,000 goal of being "fair and consistent."

considering that I keep reading on james rooney and how corrupt that man really is why the hell is he still on the police force? now the incident in the park when rooney confronted this young man,that young man DID NOT TAKE HIS OWN LIFE HIS DNA WAS NOT ON THE GUN ANOTHER MALE DNA WAS ON THE GUN..HMMMMMMM WHO COULD THAT DNA BELONG TO..CAN ANYBODY "COVER UP" BY THE CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT. THERE IS SOMEBODY OUT THERE THAT KNOWS MORE ABOUT THIS THAN MEETS THE EYE..IF YOU DO PLEASE CONTACT THE STATES ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS

No matter what people think about the person they portrayed on tv he still was a human being with a family and a son who loved him unconditionially.everyone makes mistakes in life it doesn't mean he should be treated like he doesn't matter. Maybe one of you in your spare time could help get to the truth speak....because he's dead.

Yep dead and he was a dirtbag, SAO already looked into it. No charges filed, let it go sir/ma'am, your family member killed himself! I do agree with you that this Rooney fellow is about on the same level as your dead family member..both were/are scumbags.

lets see do you have children??? yes that young man is dead and HE DIDNT SHOOT HIMSELF THE DAMN TRUTH WILL COME OUT...YOU BELIEVE WHAT PEOPLE SAY.DID YOU KNOW THIS YOUNG MAN? YOU CANNOT JUDGE BY WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY,OH BUT CERTIAN PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CLERMONT HAVE SMALL MINDS..YOU CALL HIM A SCUM BAG WELL YOU KNOW SOMETHING IT TAKES A SCUM BAG TO KNOW A SCUMBAG AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING A SCUMBAG THAT YOUNG WAS NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

SORRY USED THE WRONG WORD I MEANT DIRTBAG TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE..AND ROONEY IS A DIRT BAG ALSO.HE ISNT NOTHING BUT ONE HELL OF A LIAR WHO GOT AWAY IT THIS TIME

Rooney's a scumbag/dirtbag but so WAS your crazy family member who chose to shoot himself in the head. State Attorney's Office is done with it, evidently you can't handle the truth but keep telling yourself it's a big cover-up and click your heels Dorothy, you might end up in your fantasyland of OZ. Oh by the way, how many times did your "fine outstanding" family member get arrested, oh wait I just did a Google search...wow, yeah he was a great productive member of society, wait wait ...I bet he had, "just turned his life around", too right???! :lol:

[Unregistered]

i would like to take a minute and ask anybody out there "what did rooney do this time to get his lying ass fired" best thing that the chief has done

[Unregistered]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-clermont-police-james-rooney-settlement-20141210-story.html

Clermont police officer surrenders city badge in settlement


By Stephen Hudak Orlando Sentinel
December 10, 2014, 5:54 PM



A Clermont police officer who once sued the chief has agreed to give up his city badge and job in a settlement that will pay him $100,000..

Officer James Rooney's 14 years with the Clermont Police Department were marked with controversy, including a 2012 shooting in a park that ended with the suicide of a young father. But Rooney will leave the city with his law-enforcement credentials intact, allowing him to seek employment with another agency.


The agreement, approved Tuesday night by City Council, was struck "in the best interest of the city to avoid future litigation and arbitration proceedings," City Manager Darren Gray said in an email when asked why the city paid Rooney to stop working as a police officer for Lake County's largest city.

Rooney could not be reached for comment after repeated attempts.


First hired by the Clermont police in 2000, Rooney was fired five years later after he was accused of altering a doctor's excuse to cover a work absence over the Labor Day holiday. Prosecutors ultimately dismissed the felony charge, partly because the doctor refused to testify, and the city reinstated Rooney.

He later filed a civil-rights lawsuit in federal court against the city, then-Clermont Police Chief Stephen Graham and others, alleging the altered doctor's note could have been explained, and the resulting "malicious prosecution" caused him public humiliation and expenses for a lawyer and medical and psychological care.

The lawsuit was tossed out of federal court.

In December 2012 while on traffic duty, Rooney spotted 21-year-old Joshua Waldron sitting on a park bench near Clermont Elementary School, smoking a cigarette and waiting on his child. Smoking was prohibited in the park and Rooney approached Waldron, asked for ID and permission to search him.

The officer said Waldron drew a gun, hit him in the forehead with the weapon, then pulled the trigger but it did not fire. Waldron ran off, jumping over a picnic table and climbing over a chain-link fence. Rooney initially said he exchanged gunfire with Waldron during an ensuing chase. But firearm tests conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement showed that Waldron actually fired his gun just once that day – when he shot himself in the head.

Rooney returned to police duty after he was cleared by the State Attorney's Office and an FDLE investigation.

But he was again placed on paid administrative leave June 15 because of abusive comments attributed to him, according to a city document detailing the allegations. The document alleged that Rooney became irate over a grievance hearing and declared that he wanted to knock out the teeth of two supervisors.

As part of the settlement agreement, the allegations were deemed to have been "not sustained."

The city agreed to notify FDLE that Rooney's employment was a "voluntary separation not involving misconduct" and to inform any future prospective employers that he left the city in "good standing."

Now from the desk of Lauren Ritchie...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-lk-lauren-ritchie-clermont-police-officer-rooney-20141219-column.html

Clermont should have fired officer instead of agreeing to settlement

Lauren Ritchie
Orlando Sentinel
lritchie​@orlandosentinel.com

et's hope Clermont learned a lesson during the recent process of getting rid of a police officer — after all, it certainly was an expensive exercise for taxpayers..

Instead of simply firing former Officer James Rooney for misconduct, the city instead could end up paying him roughly $163,000 to go away, and that doesn't include the cost of the time of staffers and the city attorney to get it done.

Unfortunately, the city brought this pricey problem on itself by trying to placate Rooney, who has complained for years that he is targeted and mistreated by department officials.

The most recent flare-up in June is rooted in an incident two years ago when Rooney described a running gun battle that never happened involving a suspect who supposedly tried to shoot him.

A second incident in which Rooney was unable to discern accurately when someone pulled a gun on him eventually led to his departure last week. Just before he was placed on leave June 15, Rooney claimed that a captain in the department pulled a gun on him — a fact disputed by the three people in the room at the time.

The monetary cost of this fiasco was bad enough, but the real tragedy is the agreement that Clermont made with Rooney to relay a false account of how he left the department to state authorities. That could result in other departments hiring Rooney without a full understanding of his performance in Clermont. It's simply wrong. It's how bad cops keep getting passed from department to department across Florida. Clermont had a moral obligation to be truthful.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a database of those who hold certificates to be police officers in the state. When an officer leaves an agency, the head of the department is required to tell the state how the officer left. One of the choices is to say the officer resigned while being investigated for misconduct. That's what Clermont should have declared. Instead, city officials agreed to say that it was a "voluntary separation not involving misconduct."

The truth is, Rooney was the subject of three internal investigations when he was placed on leave in June so he could be examined for psychological fitness for duty. Those investigations weren't closed until the separation agreement was signed by the parties last week.

Internal investigation documents show that Rooney, a 14-year veteran of the department, was reprimanded for repeatedly failing to stay in the area he was assigned to patrol. Sometimes, Rooney was working outside the boundaries. Once, he didn't respond to a call, and officers found him working out in a gym.

Rooney was angry about that reprimand and threatened to knock out his sergeant's and lieutenant's teeth, the internals say. Those threats prompted the opening of the second internal investigation.

Police Chief Chuck Broadway started the third on June 11 after he told Rooney that he was being placed on leave for the evaluation. During that encounter, Rooney accused Capt. Charles Vitale of drawing a weapon on him. Vitale, Broadway and an officer who is Rooney's union representative all gave sworn statements saying they never saw Vitale even touch his gun, let alone unholster it.

This was the second time Rooney was mistaken about being threatened with a weapon. In December 2012, Rooney claimed that Clermont resident Joshua Waldron hit him on the forehead with a gun and then aimed at his head and pulled the trigger. Later, Rooney would tell a dramatic story of his life being saved when Waldron's gun misfired at the start of the gun battle in which he could feel the "wind" from the bullets whizzing by.

No injuries to Rooney's head were documented, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement determined Waldron carried no drugs and had never shot at Rooney.

Since that incident, Rooney has been the subject of several complaints from the public, including one that he unnecessarily drove over and damaged the lawn of a home owned by an elderly woman and another in which he punched a resident of his apartment complex who was taking pictures of his city-owned motorcycle improperly parked in a handicapped spot.

Still, the city took no significant action against the officer — perhaps to simply keep peace? — and that was wrong tactic.

The result was that the officer's behavior got worse. He should have been fired. That way, at least, the city wouldn't be in the awkward position of closing the three recent internals as "not sustained."

In the first of the internals, someone even had to do a little rewriting of history. A check mark in the box noting that the officer received a reprimand was scratched out and in its place was a hand-lettered notation that the allegations weren't sustained "pursuant to a voluntary separation agreement and general release." How embarrassing. Now the chief and the captain, who ordered the investigations, look like liars.

Of course, the city will not release the results of the psychological evaluation Rooney underwent, and the officer did not reply to a request asking for psychiatrist's conclusions. But that's irrelevant, isn't it? Rooney could have — and should have — been dismissed based on his behavior.

Let's hope city officials learned from this expensive and shameful lesson that everyone employed in a public position should be held to the same high standards or dismissed — not paid off to go away. It's not worth the embarrassment.

[Unregistered]

I just read through the James Rooney and Josh Waldron story again, and again and who really cares what josh waldron was or wasnt, who cares he had a blunt, but i care that a dirty cop gets away with murder, the fact that james rooney said he felt a bullet whizzing by from waldrons gun is a lie because the only shot from the gun was taken by waldrons head, forensics showed the 22 hand gun only had one dead, shot shell and thats the one recovered from waldrons head, second is that forensics show thay waldrons dna was not on the gun that killed waldron, the only dna on the gun was from another male, and where is the missing sock from waldrons foot i may as you Rooney? Did you use the sock to wipe down the gun after you killed waldron? Why Rooney did you fire your own gun feet away from waldron and miss, as you said in the reports, it all happened so fast and you cant remember however you remember a bullet from waldrons gun almost hitting you, you remember the blunt
But just why cant you remember the truth, forensics dont lie, but rooney cops do

[Unregistered]

So Waldron had a past problem with the law and drugs, so do many citizens of clermont, so are you going to just kill them all and lie about it, big bad cop shoots a man because he had a blunt that was never tested for pot. Waldron's dna was not on the gun, Waldron had gunshot residue on his hands because he was trying to push the gun away from him as it was fired, Waldron is classified as a thug, druggie, and etc because his past, big bad cop is protected by his badge, but big bad cop has a memory problem and can't hit a target just feet in front of him but big bad cop shoots his gun over and over hitting everything but his target? Lauren Ritchie speaks the truth as shown by forensics and is on to something!
Bad cop lies and changes his story to keep himself out of trouble, the same bad cop also lied to get more money and the court system has proof he has lied.
Wake up Clermont Citizens, stand your ground and believe me when i say that Waldron was far from a perfect citizen, but he did not fire the bullet that killed him, something else happened as forensics showed, bad cop statements were changed after the bad cop had time to revise his story of lies.
Don't smoke a cigar in a park, you could be labeled as a pothead, or may even be shot to death. If you have had any past criminal history, don't drive through Clermont Florida cause the big bad cop will pull his gun upon you and fire a few shots.

[Unregistered]

Maybe I should get a badge and squad car, drive around Clermont and just shoot everyone who looks like a dope smoking person, what the hell? Use my badge as a license to shoot and kill, kind of like hunting humans instead of hunting deer, bear,turkeys or other animals

[Unregistered]

Maybe I should get a badge and squad car, drive around Clermont and just shoot everyone who looks like a dope smoking person, what the hell? Use my badge as a license to shoot and kill, kind of like hunting humans instead of hunting deer, bear,turkeys or other animals

Your problem is your chief is a clown. Looks good in uniform, but he has NO CLUE what he's doing. It's a shame he backed into the Chiefs spot. He's fully responsible for Rooney not being charged. The shell of a Chief, could have met with the state attorney's office after conducting the agency's internal investigation. He could have easily presented evidence to show Rooney had lied during the investigation, and used deadly force when NOT justified.

But nope, he does nothing. Why? Because he has no idea what he's doing. The city council of Clermont and the city manager are ultimately responsible for the Chiefs position. They hired a guy who is clearly in over his head.