Mother awarded custody in police shooting case

By Jean Reid Norman (contact), Jeremy Twitchell (contact)

Published Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 | 4:16 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 | 8:08 p.m.

Dec. 30 -- Man charged with attempted murder in police shooting

Three children removed from a Henderson home where three police officers were shot while serving a search warrant Sunday night were ordered returned to their mother after a hearing in Family Court on Wednesday morning.

Their mother, Belinda Saavedra, was awarded custody pending her passing a drug test and the home on Panorama Ridge being certified as safe, her attorney Vicki Greco said.

The children were to remain at Child Haven after the shooting until the drug test and inspection could be done, said Jennifer Knight, spokeswoman for the Clark County Child Protective Service.

In addition, Metro Police released the names of the officers who were wounded. They were Sgt. Charles Collingwood, officer James Causey and officer Patrick Ledbetter. All had been released from University Medical Center by Tuesday, police said. No further information about the officers was released.

Meanwhile, court documents revealed further details surrounding shooting of the officers as they were serving a search warrant in Seven Hills on Sunday night.

Police say they obtained the warrant to search the home of Emmanuel Dozier on Dec. 23, after an undercover Metro narcotics officer purchased cocaine from Dozier at the home on three separate occasions in December.

Because of Dozier's alleged arrest history in California, Metro classified the search warrant as high risk and dispatched the SWAT team to serve it on Sunday night about 10 p.m.

According to an arrest declaration filed in court, officers said the SWAT team members who approached the home repeatedly yelled, "Police! Search warrant!"

When there was no response, the officers began to forcefully open the door. Shots were fired from within the home and hit three officers.

The SWAT team retreated from the door and surrounded the home. Dozier surrendered a short time later, leaving the home with Saavedra and two of the children. Police say that Dozier confessed to being the man who fired from within the home.

The woman who was in the house has said police did not identify themselves and that Dozier believed the home was being broken into and that he was acting in self-defense.

According the court document, Dozier called an officer over a short time after his arrest, before he was taken from the scene.

"I want you to know something in your heart — I did not mean to shoot any cops," the officer said Dozier told him. "I wasn't sure they were cops. I thought my house was being home invaded. I just want you to know this in your heart."

Dozier is being held in the Clark County Detention Center on suspicion of three counts of attempted murder of a police officer and three counts of selling cocaine. His bail has been set at more than $3 million.

He made his first appearance in Henderson Justice Court via video on Tuesday morning, and his arraignment was scheduled for Monday.

Greco said no one inside the house heard police announce themselves. She noted that, according to media reports, no drugs were found in the home and Dozier was not charged with possession of illegal drugs.

"What intent would there be of a shootout with police if there were nothing to hide?" she said.

Saavedra called 911 during the incident, Greco said, and when those tapes are released, it will be clear whether Henderson dispatchers informed her that police were at their door.

Metro Police spokesman officer Jacinto Rivera said Henderson police were aware of the raid and told Saavedra of it when she called.

In addition, Greco noted that the police statements say that children were present in the home when some of the alleged drug buys were made. She questioned why police did not make the arrest then if they felt the situation was dangerous for the children.

"Why did they leave three times?" she said. "This is a tragic case where police did not announce."

Both Collingswood and Ledbetter have both been previously under investigation by Metro’s use-of-force board.

Ledbetter was cleared in June 2001 of any wrong doing of when he fired two shots at 27-year-old wanted fugitive, Chad Smith. In July 2007, Ledbetter was under investigation again for the killing of Kyone Johnson and wounding Rayvon Wilkerson after Metro SWAT officer stormed the house on a narcotics tip.

In December 2005, Collingswood was under investigation by internal affairs for punching a handcuffed fugitive. In May 2006, Collingswood and other Metro Police officer was under investigation for the shooting of Christopher Scott Hawkins after Hawkins had engaged police in a five-hour standoff. The actions Collingswood and other law enforcement officers were ruled as justified by a jury.

Sun reporter Amanda Finnegan contributed to this report.

Discussion: 13 comments so far…

By starrynite7

1/1/09 at 1:37 a.m.

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I feel sorry for the kids in this situation. What a horrible way to grow up! The mother should give the kids up for adoption so they have half a chance to have a descent life! Three cops were hurt because this family is involved with drugs. He was probably high when he shot the cops. They should not have given her back the kids. They were better off in Safe Haven.
By jleefraley

1/1/09 at 4:59 a.m.

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It's unfortunate how people pass judgement on sensitive situations like these. It's a very terrible situation for the kids indeed but who's not to say he wasn't trying to protect his family, if that is the case..PROTECTING HIS FAMILY I know many of us would do the same for their own family. Three cops were hurt but that is the nature of their job, and nothing ever stated he was a drug addict or he was high during the incident but people like you add their own opinions to make a situation worst. If you feel sorry for the kids continue to pray for them and their family and not pass judgement, for in their (kids) healing they have so far to go to recovery!!
By getalife

1/1/09 at 7:04 a.m.

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The more I read about this incident the angrier I get.

This Dozier clown and his wife are GUILTY. There I said it, and now three officers are wounded by this thug.

The "hide your head in the sand crowd" are all berating metro, but let me ask you this......Who else is out there protecting us from idiots like this.

Oh I know its just a little drug use, it's really nobodies business. Bull crap!! It errodes our society and then the "do-gooders" are the first to blame the police.

This whole story is a tragedy, especially the end where they list these officers "use-of-force" incidents. Hello, they are SWAT officers, not girl scouts.

When things go bump in the night, remember the drug dealers are not there to help you, metro is.
By lvsunreader

1/1/09 at noon

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Yes, the kids are the victims. And people wonder why it is so hard to teach children from homes like this in a school setting.
By ViDa_Loca

1/1/09 at 2:37 p.m.

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I've read a lot of the comments posted about Manuel,Belinda, & the kids. We're all from the same city, Seaside,Ca. Things like this don't go down out here. No knock warrants will continue to get people shot. Why wait until 10 pm to serve a warrant if Manuel was so "high risk"? The most important matter in this case is that Belinda got her 3 kids back. HOPEFULLY the dispatch call will justify Manuels action. Metro needs to re-evaluate the ways they choose to go after people in the privacy of their own homes.
By starrynite7

1/1/09 at 6:39 p.m.

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If Manuel was not a criminal that needed to be served a warrant in the first place the officers would not have been wounded. I believe very strongly that the officers did knock and announce they were coming in and that Manuel grabbed his gun and started firing. Why else would he have a weapon ready to fire when they came in the door. If they were not involved in drugs then the police would not been there in the first place. The police protect our city from scum like this and I am glad they work as hard as they do to keep us safe. If you don't want the police serving you a warrant..hey., don't break the law. Belinda did get her kids back and hopefully she will take parenting classes and get off drugs so she can do right by her children. Raising children around criminals and drugs is not being a good mother. I know we will find the Police innocent of any wrong-doing in this matter.
By family1

1/1/09 at 9:34 p.m.

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Are you people serious? Let me ask you this who would not do whatever it takes to protect there family? lets look at the facts here:

1. No drugs were found on the property
2. Manuel recieved facial injuries after he was in police custody
3.Suspects girlfriend did not test positive for any narcotics
4.Why was suspect not arrested during ALLEGED drug transactions?
5. MODERN INVENTION TRY THE DOOR BELL!

This alone is enough to cause a reasonable doubt in any parents mind if the safety of his or her family is in danger..All you people look in the mirror before you post crap attacking peoples integrity when you have not walked a mile in there shoes..

PS: Lets look at the people involved and there history & not just the suspect who was protecting his FAMILY
By starrynite7

1/2/09 at 3:46 a.m.

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1. Drugs were sold on the property three other times, with children present.
2. Manuel shot THREE Policemen! I think he got the better end of the deal.
3. Wow! She deserves a medal..no drugs in her system..today that is..
4. Suspect was not arrested during drug transactions because they were trying to obtain an arrest warrant.
5. They yelled, "Police, open up!"
6. Why did this man (ex-felon) have a gun in the first place? They don't let felons have guns for a reason.
7. The girlfriend will get custody of the kids PENDING a positive drug test.
8. What kind of sick environment is she raising her kids in at that house? What kind of person actually believes they were wronged by the police department, when THEY are the criminals? Amazing!
9. Why are we supposed to feel sorry for a man that has wounded three of our officers that put their lives on the line everyday for our safety?
10. Manuel is very lucky the police did not open fire on him when he started shooting them.
As far as walking a mile in their shoes...I am glad I am not a drug dealer with an arrest warrant out for me with a drug dealing girlfriend that sells drugs with her kids in the house.
The SUSPECT did not have a legal right to have a gun! He could do a lot more for his family if he was off drugs in the first place.
By johnevegas

1/2/09 at 7:01 a.m.

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"As far as walking a mile in their shoes...I am glad I am not a drug dealer with an arrest warrant out for me with a drug dealing girlfriend that sells drugs with her kids in the house."

FYI, that's not how you walk a mile in another man's shoes. That's refusing to do it and then giving the reasons why you refuse.

Walking a mile in another mans shoes would have you try to identify with the part of yourself that is like this person.

Also, it's not a selective process. It's best practiced all the time. Especially when we are sure that "we are not like that person".
By freedozier

1/6/09 at 11:29 a.m.

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SOME OF YOU PEOPLE CAN BE VERY RUDE.....

MAYBE BECAUSE IT WAS COPS WHO WERE SHOT AND NOT A BURGLAR.... WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE HE WAS PROTECTING HIS FAMILY, I BELIEVE THATS SOMETHING WE ALL HAVE INSTINCTS OF DOING.... SO FOR THOSE WHO ACT LIKE THEY ARE SO BETTER AND THINK THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO YOU OR SOMEONE AND YOUR FAMILY YOU ARE DEAD WRONG..BECAUSE IT HAS TO SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY EMMAUEL DOZIER IS MY UNCLE.... HE'S NOT A BAD GUY AT ALL, HE ACTUALLY A VERY POSITIVE PERSON, I CONSIDER HIM AS A WING BECAUSE I CAN CALL MY UNCLE NO MATTER WHAT TIME IT IS AND ASK HIM ANYTHING OR FOR ANYTHING...AND THEN HE WILL LIFT ME UP.... I GUESS ITS JUST ALOT OF HATERS WHO'S GOING TO ACT LIKE "GOD" AND JUDGE HIM.... PERSONALLY I FEEL LIKE IF YOU DON'T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY DON'T JUDGE HIM.... OH YEAH AND HOW COULD WE GO OFF SOMEONE PAST TO DETERMINE IF THIER A HIGH RISK CRIMNAL GET OUT OF HERE WITH THAT...SEE THATS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU WRONGFULLY JUDGE SOMEONE. MISTAKES HAPPEN.....NOW IF THEY WOULD HAVE SERVED HIM REGULAR WITH A KNOCK AT THE DOOR DO YOU, THINK ANY OF THIS WOULD OF HAPPEN? ASK YOUR SELF THAT QUESTION FIRST.... I LOVE MY UNCLE BECAUSE HE'S A GOOD ROLE MODEL SOMEONE WHO HAS TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND....AND WAS GOING ON A STRAIGHT PATH...I BELIEVE NOT GUILTY....

PORSCHEA T.
LOS ANGELES,CA
NEICE
By tdkarabatsos

1/6/09 at 11:50 a.m.

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Why are people in Las Vegas so sympathetic to an alleged drug dealer? Was the honorable Mr. Dozier employed? Did he have a day job to augment his residential business?
By freedozier

1/6/09 at noon

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STARRYNITE7

YOU ARE SO SICK YOURSELF WHAT EMMAUEL DOING DRUGS..... ARE YOU SERIOUS.... YOU ARE A BAD PROSECUTOR TO DETERMINE THAT WHAT PROOF DO YOU HAVE...HOW HOLY ARE YOU? SO YOU NEVER MADE A MISTAKE? IF YOU SAY NO YOU ARE LYING. MAYBE YOU JUST NEVER GOT CAUGHT... AND ASK FAR AS THEM KIDS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU ARE WRONG ONCE AGAIN.... YOU ARE CONFUSING THEM KIDS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CONFUSED THEM ON THERE PARENTS BEING BAD PEOPLE.. YOU ARE SO LUCKY I CAN'T CUSS CAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT BAD BY THESE WORDS... BECAUSE YOU ARE THE DEVIL.... I HONESTLY DO NOT LIKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO THINK THEY ARE TELLING THE TRUTH AND WHO DON'T KNOW NOTHING WHERE YOU HIS BROTHER KEEPER DID YOU LIVE IN HIS BACK POCKET..CAUSE IF YOU WEREN'T WERE ARE YOU GETTING THESE WANT TO BE FACTS: I NEED YOU TO STOP PLEASE....LETS MAKE SENSE BEFORE WE OPEN ARE MOUTHS. HE WAS PROTECTING HIS FAMILY YOU POLICE BUT LICKER.. I CAN TELL YOU DON'T HAVE NO FAMILY OR HAVE A LITTLE AND YOU DON'T GIVE 2 PENNIES ABOUT THEM CAUSE YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND.... YOU PUPPET ON A STRING...DOZIER IS NOT GUILTY... AND YOU DON'T NEED A JUGDE TO SAY IT...NO DRUGS... NO ANNOUCEMENT...NO EVIDENCE BUT POLICE'S WOUNDED....
By spartacusproject

2/7/09 at 4:27 p.m.

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HEY ALL YOU HATERS:

I'm finding some of you guys all over the place. Same vile comments. Don't you guys have a life.
Starrynite: You are disgusting and have a filthy mind--does it go with your body, too? Wrong again. Both children are honor students. Learn to read your paper better--it tells you those little things. Where is it said in any paperwork that Mr. Dozier is a felon? Wrong again? You are even more stupid that I first thought. Are you inventing charges to make your miserable life more meaningful? How sad...

Getalife, here you are again. Still stupid and claiming a verdict of guilty before trial. You told me you would never do that! Liar...

rdkarabatsos: Apparently you can't read either or you would have known Mr. Dozier has full time employment. Where do you guys come from? What part of town and what holes?

Family 1. You are correct. "Why didn't the headline making foolish and stupid cops ring the damned doorbell?" For God's sake, that doesn't take any intelligence. Does it?

Cops kill many citizens in Nevada. Did they shoot themselves this time, or were they trying to provoke a killing. "WITH CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE?" That type judicial behavior is beyond stupid or professional. I think it is just normal stupid professional police doing their normal job.

It is scary, but true. And, look at the citizen writers/haters agreeing that this is normal and OK. You know what's coming now don't you? Be careful, next time...(I'll spell it out: "It may be you.")

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