Volunteer officer shot in Newton
Patrolman not injuredBy BILL RODGERS Tribune Chronicle
NEWTON TOWNSHIP - Patrolman Tom Colosimo, a volunteer officer who has been involved in two cruiser crashes in the last two months, was hit by a bullet Monday afternoon near a cell phone tower off of Miller Graber Road.
Trumbull County Sheriff Thomas Altiere said the bullet struck Colosimo's bulletproof vest, and he was not injured.
The shooting occurred near the train tracks where Colosimo's police cruiser was hit by a train in May. Township police have been investigating copper thefts in the area for months.
According to staff at the Newton Falls Joint Fire District, an ambulance took Colosimo to St. Joseph Health Center in Warren at about 3:50 p.m. Monday. Colosimo was released from the hospital and sheriff's detectives will interview him today, Altiere said.
"We have a vague description of the (suspect). We'll just follow up tomorrow like any case," the sheriff said. "We have sketchy stuff now at the most.''
Colosimo did not return a message. He is retired from the military and began volunteering with Newton Township in December under a new job title of part-time, no pay.
Newton Falls Police Chief Robert Carlson said Monday afternoon that he heard a report that shots were exchanged between a police officer and a shooter. He has not released the emergency call tape.
Township police would not comment on the investigation, now that it is being handled by the Sheriff's Office. But township officers and volunteer officers from Newton Falls appeared to be assisting detectives. A township officer rode an ATV on a dirt road in the direction of the cell phone tower, where barking dogs could be heard.
Local resident Chip Stork said he was not used to the commotion around his home. He was outside Monday afternoon and heard a gunshot, though at first he thought it came from the turnpike behind his home.
Stork is new to the area but said he was aware of May's cruiser wreck and the township's search for scrap metal thieves.
"They seem determined to catch the people on the tracks," Stork said.
Colosimo bolted from his cruiser May 12 while it was parked on CSX tracks to chase suspects in copper thefts. He called Newton Falls dispatch to tell him he was involved in a chase, but the train company was not called. He did not catch the two suspects, and the cruiser was smashed by a train. The dispatcher was suspended for two weeks.
On June 14, Colosimo, who also is an officer with West Farmington, was involved in another cruiser wreck there. He was on patrol early in the morning when he saw another vehicle with its high-beams on traveling in his lane. To avoid a head-on collision, Colosimo said he swerved sharply into another lane, where he lost control of the cruiser and hit a guardrail. The cruiser was totaled.
In both instances, Colosimo was uninjured. He was not cited in either crash.
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BDubya
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07-09-08 12:08 AM
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Hey Curly, I don't recall claiming to have investigated this incident, or to being privy (sorry, that means knowing something private) to anything other than the article in the paper to which we responded. So why all the bitterness? Can't we all just get along? And you know what else? Despite the self-esteem problem you reveal in your attacks, you have a point. Maybe he WAS busy working. But I did learn one thing in my years on the job-it was about 21 years ago-and that's don't park the car on the freakin' railroad tracks! I think that was on day 3 of the academy, but it could have been day 4... Anyway, yeah, he might be a highly pro-active cop, and if so, good for the township. On the other hand, you might want to keep an eye on the story. Maybe, just maybe, there's more to be revealed in the coming weeks. By the way, you sound a lot like a guy I ticketed the other day. Next time don't run the light by the donut shop. I was out of the car for that one, wasn't I? Heh heh heh...
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TomSmith
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07-08-08 3:54 PM
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This guy doesn't work for Newton Falls, he works for the township. NFPD is an excellent police department and if this guy did shoot himself for attention, it will come out. It is very difficult to hide the fact that his vest was hit by a hand gun and not a rifle. Then he will have to explain how someone got off a shot at close range with a handgun and got away. Until then, lets give him the benefit of saying that maybe he is a good cop and actually goes out to do his job.
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oldgreenb
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07-08-08 1:26 PM
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CURLYQ---I DID MY research on the 'officer' and found MANY intresting facts that obviously you are unaware of. I find it hard to believe that OPTA would teach one to leave a crusier on a train track to chase "a criminial"... hhmmm was that person(s) found?? NOPE. I find it very funny that this 'officer' could have that much 'bad luck'.... if you could comprehend what you read and i am assuming that you cant, my reference to "unintelligent" was to the carelessness of his actions involving the two crashes. MAYBE you should get your HISTORY of this 'officer' straight before you start bashing vet's of the police force. As it appears SOMEONE is living a LIE to the public. I wonder if a 'helmet' was involved...... CurlyQ- I think you get that point.
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Vallee
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07-08-08 1:12 PM
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The Newton Falls Police Department is an embarrassment to law enforcement. Residents would be much better served by Barney Fife or recruits from the elementary school. KUDOS Guys!!!!
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curlyQ
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07-08-08 1:12 PM
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Oldgreenb you should take a look in the mirror before referring to anyone else as "unintelligent". Suggesting that any officer would intentionally get shot in the chest for pity makes you the most "unintelligent" person on this forum. BDubya, I would think that being a cop for 21 years, you would know to get your facts straight before making public comments. Or maybe your investigative skills only go as far as sitting on your ass in your police cruiser. Maybe this officer has had "more inccidents" in a short period of time than other officers because he has bad luck or maybe its because he actually gets out of his car and does his job.
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oldgreenb
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07-08-08 12:16 PM
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lets just say he is a disaster for both towns. with both 'accidental' crashes now a bullet?? I think he just wants a little pity party to come his way, for being unintelligent with his actions...........and to think- he 'protects' the towns! I'd rather have Barney Fife.
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TomSmith
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07-08-08 11:52 AM
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Bd, I am also suspect of this guy, but Newton Falls does have a sniper running around and has had several random shots fired lately from a high powered rifle right in town. It's only a matter of time before someone is killed.
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BDubya
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07-08-08 11:08 AM
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I'd like to know the rest of the story. Anyone else see the car w/hi beams in wreck #1? Were there any witnesses to the metal thieves he was chasing in wreck #2? And why leave his car ON THE TRACKS? Any corroborating evidence AT ALL in this shooting? A lot has happened to this guy in a very short period of time, apparently without witnesses. Very atypical for law enforcement around here. I've been a cop 21 years, and when too much happens to 1 guy without corroboration or witnesses, its time to take a closer look.
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stefaniak
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07-08-08 9:47 AM
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This guy has a job title of part time- no pay, seems to me he is the most expensive officer on the force, already trashed 2 police cars !!! gimmie a break, this guy is a total screw up, but thats par for the course in newton falls.
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pahootaman
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07-08-08 9:17 AM
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lol, are you sure he didn't run into the bullet?
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Judyann
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07-08-08 7:44 AM
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Colosimo seems like a ride 'em kind of cowboy cop. That's refreshing. At least he isn't afraid of his shadow but maybe should be a little more careful, those bullets can kill.
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