Police department justifies shooting by Osceola detective Save Email Print
Posted: 10:59 PM Oct 9, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:07 AM Oct 10, 2008
32 comments
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An update now on a story we brought you back in August.

The Mishawaka Police Department "shooting board" has determined that the police officer who shot and killed a would-be thief in August, was acting within his bounds as an officer.

Detective Jeremy Tyler killed Eugene Nusbaum August 24th when Nusbaum tried to steal a catalytic converter from a car.

The Mishawaka detective tried to stop Nusbaum as he drove away.

Tyler got caught in the suspect's truck and was dragged down Lincolnway East in Osceola.

He fired his gun and broke free before the truck crashed into a tree.

Tyler has been on administrative leave ever since.
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Posted by: mike Location: OSCEOLA on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Regardless of the situation the hell if i care to see my neighborhood turn into crap like most of central south bend. I am more than appreciative for someone who goes out of their way to stop illegal activity in my neighborhood. If more officers were that way things would be better in other cities. I think what happened was "heat of the moment" there was no time for "calling backup". The officer got caught up in the situation and came out on top. I applaud his brave actions. I wish he was my next door neighbor. God bless. Don't mess with Osceola!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Hey that's why... As a woman who thinks logically and with reason, I find it rude that you'd never vote for a woman. Donna is one of those "know it alls" who think that police work is simple. it's not simple. it's a stressful job. i mean seriously folks, cops put their lives on the line and it's stressful then they have to put up with ignorant folks on a news board who think that cops get away with murder. fyi: mishawaka cops aren't trigger happy. I bet if you ask a cop if wants to shoot someone, he or she will tell you no. and yeah, go to Germany... if you think SB cops are bad (which they're not), German cops will bust you six ways to Sunday if you don't respect them.
Posted by: Proud SBPD on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:20 AM
to anonymous 1036, Yep, I am a police officer and have been for over 15 years. Didn't know I wasn't entitled to have an opinion like you are.
Posted by: That's Why on Oct 11, 2008 at 05:46 AM
Donna is an excellent example of why I will never vote for a woman...ever. The majority don't think with reason, they think with emotion.
Posted by: Jessica Location: Elkhart on Oct 10, 2008 at 10:51 PM
To Donna what are you thinking? He did his job well. The guy was STEALING! The cop was being dragged of course he is going to do whatever it takes to stop him. Isn't that his job? The guy shouldn't of been stealing in the first place and he would still be here. Thou shall NOT steal!
Posted by: Laurie Location: NIles on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:36 PM
He should resign and move. There are too many people who feel he used excessive force. If stopped by him for jaywalking, I would stop and lay on the ground with my hands behind my back for my own safety.
Posted by: Average Joe Location: Mishawaka on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:29 PM
A criminal made his choices, he paid the price. In the past few months officers confronted with criminals escalating the force continuum have reacted responsibly with the unfortunate result for the wrong doers. The reality is that those weapons given to officers are given for a reason. Once a situation has reached a certain level- deadly force is/ and will be used by law enforcement. For "Donna" do some research on it before you judge. Not every situation can be handled with a hug. The use of deadly force ends when the threat is nuetralized. END STORY.
Posted by: Jeff Location: Mishawaka on Oct 10, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Lets see Gene was dragging an officer with his truck and the officer should take the license # and call back up. Come on, think abt it ppl. You sew what you reap. Thx Jeremy
Posted by: Mike Location: Elkhart on Oct 10, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Did anyone expect the police department to say the cop was wrong? The police are nothing more than a legal gang. They are going to protect each other.
Posted by: Anon on Oct 10, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Hey, the title is wrong, this wasn't an Osceola detective, but a Mishawaka one
Posted by: Pete Location: Mishawaka on Oct 10, 2008 at 05:40 PM
"Donna" think before you post. Police have a job. Police use deadly force when called for. If you dont like it, well too bad- there are Police Officers everywhere in this world- AND THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT! Go hug a tree idiot.
Posted by: John Doe on Oct 10, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Mishawaka cops are trigger happy, its unfortunate that 2 of them paid for there trigger happiness a few years ago, if someone was pointing a gun at me, I would do whatever it takes to get out of that line of sight.
Posted by: Hmm Location: OC on Oct 10, 2008 at 02:53 PM
All I can say is WOW to Donna. You do realize that if they sue that is your money that is lost. It is all the taxpayers money that is lost to the greed of a criminal's family. He was caught committing a crime. Why would he run? It is his stupidity that got him killed.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 10, 2008 at 02:17 PM
I hope they sue, so the judge can throw it out.
Posted by: Steve Location: South Bend on Oct 10, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Donna, It amazes me that you were at this scene in Osceola as well as the scene in South Bend. You seem to know how both incidents should have been handled. I am sorry that these 2 individuals lost their lives, however they chose their destiny. Donna, you sit and make statements about what the detective should have done. That is real easy to do when your rear has not been on the line . As far as your ignorant statement that you hope this criminal's action gives his relatives big $$ is stupid. Who do you think pays that money? Tax payers, and I prefer not to pay my tax money to a criminal.
Posted by: Jake on Oct 10, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I heard about this on them yoot tubes. If them boys want to go riding a whipped ghost that's their business. Pity they got killed but that's the risk you take. Don't try riding no cars on the outside, you'll just fall off and shoot someone!
Posted by: Kay Location: South Bend on Oct 10, 2008 at 12:23 PM
To Donna: You have obviously no understanding of what an officer does daily and until you do, don't judge about what is justified and what isn't. The CRIMINAL was shot during the commission of a crime and if you ask me, he deserved it. Hey, if you don't want to risk getting injured or killed by the police, DON'T BREAK THE LAW! And the worst part is, if the criminals family sues, now our city has to pay out thousands if not millions to some low life scum who think they deserve a pay out. This officer will have to live with this the rest of his life. To the officer involved - God Bless you for putting your life on the line daily to protect all citizens, even the worthless ones!
Posted by: to Donna Location: South Bend on Oct 10, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Donna, are you as ignorant as you sound?
Posted by: Dave Location: Mishawaka on Oct 10, 2008 at 12:11 PM
The only lawsuit should be the City taking the criminals family to court for the cost of the bullets. Welcome back Detective Tyler, from a citizen who appreciates what their public servants do to protect them on a daily basis, and without the benefit of hindsight.
Posted by: Proud SBPD on Oct 10, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Donna, I am outraged, outraged that someone like you with no clue of reality voices such an idiotic opinion. Until you've walked in his shoes, you really have no clue.
Posted by: John Location: Mishawaka on Oct 10, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Donna and Craig...you are morons. Donna: Det. Tyler puts himself in danger everyday because THAT IS HIS JOB. I hope to god you never need the assistance of an officer in the near future. If so, I hope he just drives by and ignores you. Craig: You probably would have been charged with murder because you ARE NOT a police officer and have NO RIGHT to shoot someone, unless it is in self defense or to save someone else's life. God Bles the Mishawaka Police Department and all of their brothers/sisters in blue.
Posted by: Hey, Donna? on Oct 10, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Cop haters. I am not outraged, I am delighted. I won't even go through your post point by point and show the obvious wrongs. If you knew anything about law enforcement, which you aparently don't, you would know that he didn't have time to take down a plate, call, much less wait for back up, and besides, he was off duty. You ignorant idiots just kill me.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 10, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Hey Idiot Donna, because it's his JOB to stop crime! A j-o-b! You should try one some time.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 10, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Proud SBPD/You have something to say about everything and I bet you are not even a cop
Posted by: Donna Location: South Bend on Oct 10, 2008 at 10:23 AM
He should have called and waited for back- up. I hope the victims family does sue and I hope they win big against the "detective" and the city. The detective put himself in danger- he is NO hero- just another officer who thinks they can do whatever he wants and get away with it. Every one should be outraged!! Why didn't he take the license plate number and wait for back-up?? Instead a man- yes I know, who was committing a crime, is dead. We just had police shoot someone 16 times and that was deemed "justified".
Posted by: Craig Location: Bremen on Oct 10, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I totally agree that the officers actions were justified. I wonder though, as a civilian, if I were to try and apprehend someone stealing in the same way, would I be found guilty of something? Somehow I can imagine the authorities charging me with murder, stating that I should have just gotten a plate number.
Posted by: Mike Location: South Bend on Oct 10, 2008 at 08:43 AM
The family thinks they see dollar signs, that's all. All they will do is waste time and money. It's greed nothing more. Stop running from the police and you will never have to worry about being shot. He made his choice and paid for it.
Posted by: Proud SBPD on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:53 AM
I know the pain involved in using deadly force for the officer. He did NO wrong however this "caring" family will now sue and try to screw the officer and the city.
Posted by: Bill on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:31 AM
yah but now the family is filing a suit against the city and the detective this is going to be a long drawn out battle,, I think the legal stuff is just starting
Posted by: JIM Location: ELKHART on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:12 AM
GOOD FOR THE OFFICER,AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.GOOD JOB GUYS
Posted by: Excellent!! Location: Plymouth on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Good deal. I have been worried about this. He was just doing his job. Welcome back, Detective.
Posted by: Byron Location: Nappanee on Oct 10, 2008 at 05:32 AM
I wouldn't call this a "pardon," since he was "acting within his bounds." This would instead be a "reinstatement."
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