Case 20 - The Attack

Case 20 - The Attack(jpater) Officer Shawna Lace was off duty and was coming out of the mall. She was approached by three guys. She set her bag down, reached in her purse and pulled out a revolver. "Look boys, she has a gun," joked one of the men, knocking the revolver out of her hand. They overpowered her and shoved her onto the ground and then took her purse and bags.

Inspector Susie Young was going into dispatch to advise Colleen that she was going off duty for the day. Colleen was on 911, she put her hand over the receiver. "We just had a robbery at the mall. Three white males just assaulted a female and took her purse, mall security is on scene," said Colleen. Susie sighed because she was ready to go home for the day. Susie left dispatch and headed to her car. Officer Conner McMasters was pulling in as Susie was getting in. "Got an assault at the mall," said Susie. "I will back you up," said Conner getting back into his car. "Dispatch this is 5-George 36 be advised I will be enroute to 1001 Mall Road along with 1 Adam 121, running Code 1 Priority 1," said Susie. Colleen logged the information and acknowledged Susie’s traffic.

Susie and Conner arrived at the mall. Security had requested an ambulance and they had Shawna in the back. When Susie saw who the victim was, she went back to her car. "Dispatch this is 5-George 36 public service 5-George 31 and advise him to come to this location," said Susie.

Inspector J.P. Bullet and Tina Cassidy were at C.V.’s Restaurant. They had just ordered when J.P.’s cell phone rang. "It’s the Precinct," said J.P. answering the phone. "They had an assault and robbery at the mall. Susie is requesting that I come to the scene," said J.P. "I am right behind you partner," said Tina. They got up to leave. Tina went over to the counter to tell C.V. to cancel the order that they had a call.

J.P. was waiting in the car. "Tina, you can ride with me and then I will bring you back to get your car," said J.P. Tina got in the passenger seat. She loved riding in J.P.’s 1969 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible.

J.P. and Tina arrived out the mall. They got out of the car and met Susie. "What happened?" asked J.P. "There was a robbery, witnesses stated there was three white males in their mid to late twenties, the victim was Officer Shawna Lace, that is why I requested you to come to the scene," said Susie.

Officer Greenwaldt came up to where Susie, J.P. and Tina were talking. "I found something Inspector," said Officer Greenwaldt. He handed them an evidence bag with Shawna's revolver in it. "That is Shawna's pistol," said Tina. "Where did you find it?" asked J.P. Officer Greenwaldt took them to where he found Shawna's weapon.

The next morning Officer Shawna Lace came into the detective’s office. “I am ready to come back to work but Captain Graves said that I had to take the week off and talk to a counselor before I returned to the street. I am ready to come back to work and I was wondering if you would let me work in the Special Investigation Division,” said Shawna. “Shawna, I am not going against Captain Graves’ orders,” said J.P. “I understand but there are three dangerous people on the street,” said Shawna. “We are working on finding them as fast as we can,” said J.P. “You are not working fast enough, they are probably out there looking for their next victim right now and you don’t understand what it is like to be a victim” said Shawna starting to cry.

Susie got out of her seat and went over to console Shawna. Then she turned to J.P. “Can I talk to you in private?” J.P. got up. They went outside the precinct. “Shawna’s nowhere near ready for work and she might do something irrational,” said Susie. “I know,” said J.P. “I would like your permission to work with her. I understand what it is like to be a victim. I was once a victim myself,” said Susie. “Permission Granted,” said J.P. They walked back into the precinct. and went into the detective’s office. “Where is Shawna?” asked J.P. “She just left,” said Inspector Harvey Lucas. “Son-of-a-gun!” shouted J.P. reaching in his pocket taking out his car keys. “Susie, Tina, Harvey, we need to find Shawna quickly. Susie you will ride with Harvey; Tina you will ride with me,” said J.P. They left the precinct to try to find Shawna.

A call came over the radio of a person threatening to jump off the river bridge. J.P. got on his cell phone and called Harvey. “Harvey, you and Susie take the call. Me and Tina will keep looking for Shawna,” said J.P. He hung up from calling Harvey and called the precinct. Inspector Rebella Lucas answered the phone. “Rebella is Oscar or Conner available?” asked J.P. “Officer Mallet is,” said Rebella. “I want you and Oscar to try to help us locate Shawna Lace,” said J.P.


Harvey and Susie arrived at the 36th Street Bridge, where a person was threatening to jump. When they got closer they saw it was Shawna. “I am going to call J.P.” said Harvey. Susie approached the bridge. “Don’t come any closer,” instructed Shawna. Susie took off her badge and holster and set it on one of the patrol cars. “I come here as a friend and not a cop,” said Susie. Shawna let her come a little closer. “You don’t know what it is like,” said Shawna. “You know what you are right, I don’t know what you are feeling but I know what it is like to be a victim of a heinous crime,” said Susie. Shawna let Susie come a little a closer. “I was in college and I went to this party. This boy took me upstairs and started kissing me. I told him to stop, he shoved me onto the bed.” Tears started coming to Susie eyes. “He pulled my pants off and raped me,” cried Susie. Shawna came down from the bridge and they embraced each other.

J.P. and Tina arrived on scene and went up to Susie and Shawna. “Everything is ok” said Susie.

The next morning Susie came into the precinct. Ola stopped her. “Could you relieve me for a few minutes,” said Ola. “I am not real good at dispatching, but I will relieve you,” said Susie. Ola sat her glasses on the desk. Harvey came into dispatch and sat down beside Susie. “Are you okay?” asked Harvey. “I am fine,” said Susie. “I was just making sure,” said Harvey getting up. “Yesterday was a challenge for me. That was the first time since I finished going through counseling that I told what happened to me,” said Susie. “They say time heals all wounds, they just don’t tell how long it takes,” said Harvey.

Officer Shawna Lace took a leave of absence and underwent counseling and she later returned to active duty. The three suspects who robbed her were eventually apprehended. They were convicted on charges of robbery and assault and were sentenced to 12 years in prison.