Napa PD gun goes missing | Napa Valley Register

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Napa PD gun goes missing

Sunday, July 01, 2007

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By CARLOS VILLATORO, Register Staff Writer

The Napa Police Department has issued an alert to law enforcement agencies around the state, informing them to be on the lookout for a missing Napa Police Department-issued gun.

Napa Police Chief Rich Melton said Saturday a Napa police officer realized the gun, a black Sig Sauer pistol, was missing Wednesday evening.

Melton said that the officer was on duty Wednesday afternoon, but said that it was unclear if the officer was working at the time the gun went missing.

“We are not sure where it was lost,” he said. “If we knew where it was left, we could determine if they were on duty or off duty.”

Melton said a check for the gun at the officer’s home and vehicle, as well as Starbucks on Redwood Road where the officer had been that day, was unsuccessful.

The gun was in a black nylon fanny pack.

Melton said the department is investigating if the gun was misplaced or stolen, he said. Issuing the bulletin is normal procedure in the case of a missing weapon.

“In a case like this, when a firearm is missing (or) reports of stolen firearms, we enter them to the National Crime Information System,” he said.

Melton said it’s too early to say if any disciplinary action will be taken against the officer.

“We are still looking into the circumstances,” he said.

This latest report of a missing gun comes on the heels of a report that an American Canyon Sheriff’s deputy left his firearm in the bathroom of a Cotati restaurant. The officer was not in uniform at the time, according to reports.

Anyone with information about the missing gun is asked to contact the Napa Police Department at 253-4451.

40 comment(s)

huh... wrote on Jul 1, 2007 4:00 AM:

" wow... that's two of napa's finest who can't seem to keep their deadly weapons in their possesion... you would think that everyone would be extra carefull after the last incident. "

OMG wrote on Jul 1, 2007 6:51 AM:

" This is the secound time in months that this has happened. What's up? This is not like losing you keys or wallet, it is a freaking gun. "

Suzanne wrote on Jul 1, 2007 7:20 AM:

" Well, exCUSE me! For a police office to lose his gun (considered his "right hand") would be for me to lose my child (as in "officer, I just can't remember where I left him"). Again, responsibility in adults is lacking here. Am I in the minority here?? Maybe a better response would be: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?? "

One Phrase... wrote on Jul 1, 2007 8:07 AM:

" To Protect and to Serve.... Need I say anything else? "

Kevin wrote on Jul 1, 2007 9:36 AM:

" Keystone Kops are still in business, I see... "

judgemental people wrote on Jul 1, 2007 10:46 AM:

" I'm constantly amazed by how perfect so many people in Napa are, and by how quickly they are to rush to judgement on someone else's actions. I do not know the officer involved nor the circumstances surrounding the missing gun but he or she IS human, and human beings make mistakes. And I'm sorry but how can you compare losing a gun to losing a child? Yes, it is serious when a police officer loses his or her weapon, but I'm sure no one feels worse about it than the officer. Hopefully, the weapon will be recovered without incident and all you perfect people can move on to judge the next imperfect human. "

So . . . wrote on Jul 1, 2007 11:46 AM:

" we should respect NPD officers? "

Buck wrote on Jul 1, 2007 11:48 AM:

" Before everyone throws stones, lets think logically The gun was stolen off the table at Starbuck's. Better to make it sound lost than in the hand of a felon...got news it is in the hands of one. Any one who has every had the burden or responsiblity of carrying a firearm knows they are not comfortable. Could the officer kept a better eye on it, sure. But this is no different than your wallet or your purse being stolen. Get over it! Give this officer a break. He/she as chosen to protect and risk their life for you! "

George G. wrote on Jul 1, 2007 12:29 PM:

" Have no fear! It can never happen with the Napa State Hospital Police. Those guards can't even carry guns! Maybe administration is too scared they'll shoot themselves! Worse case scenario...they lose their mace! LOL! "

nice! wrote on Jul 1, 2007 12:52 PM:

" I really wish the Napa PD would quit hiring officers out of the Mayberry branch of police academy. Gee Wiz! "

We are human and not perfect wrote on Jul 1, 2007 3:02 PM:

" If there could be sympathy for mother who FORGOT her child in her vehicle, then my sympathy can go to the officer who is unaware where he left his gun! It is not easy for someone to simply say "i forgot". And yes, it's just as easy as saying, "I forgot where i left my keys". Hopefully the gun is recovered and does not end up in the wrong hands. "

Mike wrote on Jul 1, 2007 3:37 PM:

" How about reserving judgement until the facts are known? I can't understand how people just jump all over something when they don't have all of the facts or details. "

sickened.... wrote on Jul 1, 2007 4:38 PM:

" So amazing how everyone is quick to criticize our police officers......good grief.....until you walk in their shoes....cut them some slack ...they are human. Have you never made a mistake on the job? They don't get paid to be flawless....nobody is. Save judgment for a better time than this!!! "

notyet wrote on Jul 1, 2007 7:43 PM:

" rest assured there is a party who definitively knows whether it was lost or stolen. Not an enviable position but is a fact of the daily stress an officer endures throughout a career. Let's hope it clears up and move on, but presently the situation is deplorable especially the insinuation of uncertainty. "

Goldenman wrote on Jul 1, 2007 11:25 PM:

" It would be a good idea if the Police could post a Official message in the Napa Register that who ever found the weopon should turn it into a Lawyer of his/hers choosing, and that no charges would be made against them afterwards. I believe that its human nature to keep something of value like this, not thinking how serious the outcome could be later on! So "Please" turn it in, thank you. "

Concerned wrote on Jul 1, 2007 11:26 PM:

" It is possible that this is a cry for help by these 2 officers. They unconsciously do not want the responsibility of carrying their guns and all that it entails. Their mental conditions needs to be evaluated again by a certified medical psychiatrist who is familiar with these types of incidents in the police force. "

Mrs. J wrote on Jul 2, 2007 12:47 AM:

" "let he who is without sin, cast the first stone" "

WHATEVER! wrote on Jul 2, 2007 8:39 AM:

" Kids & Guns, stolen or lost there is now a nother wepon floating around or town. Kids & Guns or Kids with Guns, now someone is close to jail and someone else is even closer to death. Not cool. It's hanging out with the Meter Maid for you officer! "

To Mrs. J wrote on Jul 2, 2007 11:51 AM:

" I have never lost a gun so I'll cast that stone. Aren't weapons strapped to the officer? Which would mean that said officer would have to unstrap it to leave it on a table at Starbucks? Can you say immediately terminated? "

please... wrote on Jul 2, 2007 12:16 PM:

" To all those touting forgiveness and understanding... how understanding do you think the local prosecutor would be if the average citizen let his or her weapon fall into the hands of a minor, and someone was then injured or killed by that weapon? You would probably be charged with a felony and be looking at a few years in our fine State Prison system. "

Yeah they made a mistake wrote on Jul 2, 2007 3:32 PM:

" But when you work as many hours as these officers do sometimes a lil thing like fatigue sets in. People arent superhuman and working many sleepless hours would wear on any of us. Hopefully the service weapon will turn up with no incident. "

Snobby Napa wrote on Jul 2, 2007 11:44 PM:

" Why is it that police officers are always made out to look like the bad guys??? Yeah what happened should not be taken lightly but things happen. People make mistakes. Im sure that he/she will definitely have to pay for the mistake that they made. What makes it worse is the criminal or future criminal that may get their hands on it! If it wasn't the police officers gun it would be someone elses gun. Criminals will victimize anyone.... not just an officer of the law. By the way those officers you speak badly about will be the first ones you call when you've been a victim of a crime. Just remember that when you speak badly about our protectors. "

get real wrote on Jul 3, 2007 12:33 AM:

" everyone should realize that we are most likely (99.9% certain) talking about a fully loaded weapon, with a round already chambered!!! "

JaneNapa wrote on Jul 3, 2007 7:30 AM:

" Why hasn't anyone addressed the issue of why the weapon was in a fanny pack in the first place? What would happen in the case of an incident? The officer would have to say "Hold still, let my unzip this fanny pack to get my weapon!". That weapon must be accessible at all times if they're carrying it in their possession. My husband is a proud veteran, and he says you never ever turn your back on your weapon. I'm surprised the officers weren't trained like that in police training school. "

mominapa wrote on Jul 3, 2007 8:05 AM:

" Maybe the gun was just plain stolen. Maybe the officer was remiss in his care of his gun, but if that was the case, he would probably not report it missing. That gun is not the only one in Napa that can kill and that officer is not the only one who has made a mistake. Give him a break!!! "

I agree w/ sickened wrote on Jul 3, 2007 9:25 AM:

" Besides who said that the weapon was taken from a table in Starbucks? The article stated that they checked there. Not that it was taken from there. Besides if you can do better...go to the academy and apply to work for PD! "

Mike wrote on Jul 3, 2007 2:22 PM:

" To JaneNapa While I can't say with 100% certainty that the following was the case in this incident, I shall attempt to explain the fanny pak. It's not a true fanny pak to begin with. It's a nylon gun holster that is typically worn on the belt and the flap is secured by velcro. It allows for easy access to the weapon and greater comfort for the officer. The hard holsters are a pain in the side at times. Keep in mind I never saw this particular weapon/fanny pak in question so don't take my word as fact. It's purely an educated guess. "

Odd wrote on Jul 4, 2007 1:06 AM:

" I have been a Napa resident for msny years. It is clear Napa residents have a fair opinion, to one side or the other, of the mistakes these two officers have made in the last couple months. What strikes me as unfair is how the Napa Register editorialized the first incident in a way that appeared to embaress the Sheriff's Deptartment, but simply "Reported" the second incident involving Napa Police. It is curious, compare the two articles and you will see an obvious difference. Does the Register like our police more then our Deputy's, should they be making that decision?. That being said, everyone makes mistakes, and none of us have all the information, which is why it is OK for us to voice our opinions, but not the Register. "

what ? ? ? wrote on Jul 4, 2007 2:35 PM:

" so many people use the term mistake. let me make it clear, i make mistakes. i spilled a cup of coffee on myself yesterday, a few weeks ago i gave a store clerk a 5 dollar bill instead of the 20 dollar bill i thought i had, i made a right turn instead of a left and had to turn around. these are 'mistakes', for an officer to set down a loaded or even an unloaded gun and walk away from it is not accecptable. even if it was stolen, it was out of the officers control, i do not care if it was in a leather holster a nylon 'fanny' pack or a paper bag. these officers should have better gun control. "

Mrs. J wrote on Jul 5, 2007 8:43 AM:

" Guns don't kill people. People Kill People. "

Higher Standard wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:11 PM:

" While I suppose anyone could lose, forget, misplace, or have their gun stolen (if they have one), law enforcement officials should be held to a highr standard. I'm sure their training is more thorough than that of the average lay person. When dealing with something as potentially dangerous as a gun, police should know better and be better trained than any one else. "

No Punishment... wrote on Jul 5, 2007 4:51 PM:

" There was no punishment for the County cop that left his GUN in a bathroom, why would the City not punish this one. In other news...My friend got fined $1,000 bucks for LOUD music at a party. gogo Napa Politics "

Gun Safety Course wrote on Jul 6, 2007 12:17 PM:

" Looks to me like it's time for another gun safety course, specialy designed for Napa's finest. I know that you're embarrased about what's been happening. You need to DO something about it. I'll be tuning into Leno tonight, we can't miss his radar much longer. "

to Mrs. J too wrote on Jul 6, 2007 3:31 PM:

" that's exactly what i am worried about. someone getting the cops gun and killing someone. i have never worried a gun would hunt me down and kill me. i have alot of guns and never have any of them said anything to me. "

NSIB wrote on Jul 8, 2007 8:36 AM:

" Gun in a fannypack holster? Sounds like an undercover NSIB officer to me I say drug test the officer. "

liability wrote on Jul 8, 2007 10:44 AM:

" I think the City of Napa must be holding it's breath over the pending liability issue here. "

IDIOTS wrote on Jul 9, 2007 7:26 AM:

" YOU PEOPLE MUST BE CLUELESS. THERE ARE ENOUGH GUNS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY TO START A INSURRECTION. ONE PISTOL IS NOTHING AND DOESNT MATTER WHO LOST IT. AND NONE OF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRITISIZE THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP YOU SAFE "

To much drama here wrote on Jul 9, 2007 8:54 AM:

" Please stop this bickering!! An officer forgot his or her gun somewhere or someone stole it. Just give up!! Any one can make mistakes!! That the gun can be on the wrong hands. For petes sake please! pretty much anyone can buy a gun here. If you want a gun you can get it anywhere. What if he or she got an emergency call and just left the place and forgot the gun there? Come on Mr perfects-and-I-never-make mistakes! They are other issues to deal with in this county than a lost gun that is now among the many hundreds that are already in the valley. Yes! even guns in the wrong hands too! What they need is a small retractable chain from their pack to their belt. So when they take it off it will still be attach to their belt and wont be misplace. Keep up the good work NPD!! "

Hit them where it hurts wrote on Jul 9, 2007 2:17 PM:

" If they started docking their pay, maybe they might double check to see if their gun is with them. It's funny how "mistake" is mentioned in many of the comments. We all make mistakes but an Officer, paid by the taxpayers and given a gun to protect us, can just forget his most prize possession.... his GUN! Stop with the excuses and dock their pay or fire them. We need responsible officers here in Napa, ones that remember where the gun is at all times. These two officers that have "misplaced" their guns are giving the others and the NPD a bad rap. What a SHAME! "

CJN wrote on Jul 11, 2007 10:04 AM:

" Yes, I agree STOP YOUR CHILDISH BICKERING AND START FIGURING OUT THE SOLUTION NAPA! Why can't we figure out how to put Low-Jack in the guns? We can put them in dogs. I read these daily and that's all they are, bitching posts, lets use them as a community collective on solving our community problems, give creative thoughts to those in charge, this should be a sounding board not your venting post. "

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