Wayne Boocher ordeal not over yet, but close
Wayne Boocher ordeal not over yet, but close Save Email Print
Posted: 5:34 PM Dec 30, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:06 PM Dec 30, 2008
 Reporter: Ryan Famuliner
Email Address: ryan.famuliner@wndu.com
19 comments
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A South Bend cop who once faced domestic battery charges will soon hear if he'll recoup lost pay.

Wayne Boocher is a 16-year veteran of the police force.

After charges were filed, he was suspended without pay for a year and a half.

Boocher was arrested in a Target parking lot almost two years ago.

At the time, his wife said he hit her in the face in front of their kids.

But the charges were later dropped, after she said that wasn't true.

She told a judge earlier this year that she was hurt reaching for her cell phone in her car.

Boocher’s family accompanied him to a Board of Public Safety hearing Tuesday morning, where he attempted to recoup his lost wages from the city.

Attorneys planned to call almost two dozen witnesses, and resolve the matter today.

In fact, it looked like it would be such a large ordeal, the hearing was moved to council chambers.

But after nearly an hour recess, the two sides announced they would try to resolve the matter privately.

"We've discussed the issues and we want to do what's fair under these circumstances. I think it's in everybody's best interest, the city's and the Boocher family, to try to resolve the case amicably and move forward," said Spencer Walton, Boocher’s attorney.

Both sides left the meeting, saying they hoped to have a decision by the end of day. But Tuesday afternoon the city said that wasn't likely.

Now, an answer is expected in a matter of days

This ordeal started when Boocher was arrested in January 2007 and the charges weren't dropped until this past June.

The board of public safety held a hearing earlier this month that was continued until Tuesday's hearing, which was continued indefinitely.

If the matter isn’t resolved privately, it could go back to the Board of Public Safety.
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Posted by: Brad Location: Niles on Jan 2, 2009 at 07:56 PM
No the wife RECANTED her statement, he was not exonerated BIG DIFFERENCE. There are alot of unanswered questions that both the prosecutor and lawyer do not wish to become public knowledge, therefore they decided to resolve the matter privately. If you have to hide it, there's something wrong with it!
Posted by: Southbender on Jan 1, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Boocher was exonerated and deserves back the back pay.
Posted by: parent Location: laville district on Dec 31, 2008 at 11:49 PM
She admitted (in public) that SHE is the one who rammed her own car in the driveway, AND her school bus, out of anger, and blamed him. This was said while she was under the influence of pain meds, to which she admitted (again, in public), for numerous people to hear. She used to drive the bus for my daughter, and did some strange things, to which I complained about a few times. Wayne filled in for her once in a while, and my daughter came home with nothing but good things to say about him (exact word was "awesome"). As far as their personal lives go, who is anyone to judge without being there, but the way she conducted herself both on the bus and in public left some suspicions with me.
Posted by: TO: Anon 8:16 am on Dec 31, 2008 at 03:11 PM
She already stated that she didn't either, "NUT CASE". Did you have a comment on the article or do you just want to lash out at others like a fool. There are too many unanswered questions but based on the information at hand the whole incident is suspect. Why isn't his wife being charged? What happened to the video footage?
Posted by: Annon Location: SB on Dec 31, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Annon 12:43 It was not the city that dragged the case out. The County Prosecutor has sole discretion over that. Know of what you speak. As far as Wayne showing up to help, I doubt it he is and has been a mediocre cop at best his entire career.
Posted by: Andrea Boocher Location: South Bend on Dec 31, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Taxpayer - if you profess to know the Boocher family (not Booker) why can't you spell the name correctly - I definitely know that we would never associate with a moron like you, especially one that cannot spell! Are you too afraid to put your name and where you live? I love how all of these people cast stones and profess to be so perfect. My brother has done nothing but support Lisa through her mental illness and take care of his children and his family have done nothing but support all of them as family should do. Nothing anyone says will change the minds of busy bodies who have to throw in their two cents about things they know nothing about. I pray that you never have to deal with the problems that my brother has had to face. I doubt any of you would have survived it. I realize writing this is pointless - but I will not allow "Taxpayer" to bad mouth my mother - she is the kindest woman who has done nothing to deserve his nasty comments!
Posted by: Robin Location: South Bend on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Sure there will never be prove provided if he in guilty or not. She however should be fined and punsished for abusing the system. Furthermore, why are they suspended with pay? Isn't that like a vacation? I wish I could be off work and get paid for it :)
Posted by: Jeff on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:13 AM
He deserves no back pay he'll get his job and benefits back we can't prevent that. Be happy for that kids.
Posted by: Anon on Dec 31, 2008 at 08:16 AM
to Michiana Woman, It's funny that you tell anon that there is no way he can know what really goes on behind closed doors because he is not there 24/7, but you feel free to make a comment when you don't even know them AT ALL! You are a nutcase yourself
Posted by: Julie on Dec 31, 2008 at 07:27 AM
I agree Laville High School parent! She STILL drives for LV?! She is a nut and they know it but then LV has a record of hiring and employing lunatics. As for anon at 12:43. Wayne is a "great man, and a wonderful father"?? Are you nuts? His kids are a mess, it's truly sad how screwed up his family is.
Posted by: Miksh Location: Mish on Dec 31, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Anon I dont believe he didnt hit her. I do believe he might have hit her in self defense. But why was there a confrontation in the parking lot? Was it because she was caught doing someonething with someone else she shouldnt have done? These 2 are like oil and water and will continue this stupid behavior as long as they are together, as long as she continues to abuse meds and alcohol, as long as she continues to lie, and as long as he is stupid enough to put up with it all. The girl is crazy. I mean really crazy. He should get his pay but he did have fault in it regardless. maybe give him a percentage of the pay.
Posted by: Michiana Woman Location: Galien on Dec 31, 2008 at 05:41 AM
So anon., what are the reasons she accused him? Sorry you see this too many times where everyone, including friends and family, don't see what goes on behind closed doors and they ASSUME everything is fine. And unless you are with both of them 24/7 you don't know what's going on all of the time. I don't know either of them but with the information the media gives, it's easy to make your own conclusion. So anon., unless you are with them 24 hours a day you can't possible know EVERYTHING that is going on. Granted you might be right, but you could also be very wrong. Trust me, I know.
Posted by: Taking Notes on Dec 31, 2008 at 05:06 AM
How about the time, that he ramed her vehicle in their own driveway? Police were called but did nothing.....taking care of their own is not always the best thing to do, espically when they were both serving the public......
Posted by: former co-worker Location: South Bend on Dec 31, 2008 at 01:38 AM
It's been years since I've been at SBPD, but I remember Wayne as an open and friendly sort. My daughter was in an accident and Wayne picked her up, got her a special piece for her car and fixed it to the point you'd not even know some idiot T-boned her. We'd chat on occasion and I met his wife several times as other co-workers used his garage or bought cars from him. I never saw an angry side of Wayne and I hope this is over soon. Good luck Wayne.
Posted by: anon on Dec 31, 2008 at 12:43 AM
To tax payer below and steve. I hope that one day you have th pleasure of meeting my friend wayne. You assume you know what is going on, and I can assure you Wayne never Hit lisa or for that matter anyone to keep their motuhs shut. He is a great man, and a wonderful father. Works very hard to provide for his family and be the best he can be. You obviously think that since he is a cop he automaticly getting away with it. You know nothing of what led to the accusation, or for that mattter what caused her to change her mind. I DO! Wanye did not touch her, she did this on her own. If our city wouldn't play games we wouonly be loking at maybe 30,000 back pay, but since they wanted to string it out, now here we sit 75,000 in the hole. Meanwhile, we let cops who drink and drive their partol cars off with a slap on the hand, when they endanger the lives they are sworn to protect. Grow up and get over yourselves. What will you say when you are in trouble and Wayne shows up to help you?
Posted by: laville high school parent on Dec 30, 2008 at 11:01 PM
What's bad about this is that she admitted to abusing pain medication while employed as a bus driver for Laville schools. To me, this reduces her credibility, along with her admitting that she lied about this. Maybe someone should look into some of the other stunts she has pulled and blamed him for. You'll find that she's not so innocent herself.
Posted by: The real SBPD on Dec 30, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Folks, like it or not, Wayne is NOT GUILTY in the eyes of the law and that is all there is to it. He is entitled to the lost wages for a crime he was not convicted of
Posted by: Shoppy Location: Osceola on Dec 30, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Go after them both! Lock her up for lying and extoration and him as a acomplice Sue for 75,000 dollars case closed. Fire the idiot
Posted by: Julie on Dec 30, 2008 at 09:53 PM
He's a moron and she's a nutcase. I know this for a fact.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Granger on Dec 30, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Here's a solution, give him the back pay he's apparently owed ($75K) but sue HER for false accusation (wink wink) for $75K and call is a "wash".
Posted by: Tax Payer Location: In a city where we are showing how to commit assult and get away with it... on Dec 30, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Here is the booker philisophy, Beat her, Beat everyone, than scare them half to death and get them to change their story a year later and get your job back and get your pay back... Dirty family all around, like mother like son.
Posted by: steve Location: SB on Dec 30, 2008 at 07:15 PM
This guy clearly assaulted his wife. Being faced with no income for months or years she obviously agreed to lie. After all, making a false statment is a misdemeanor and HER wages wont be touched, I hope this dirtball doesnt get off. Hold your ground SBPD, if you dont you'll lose what shred of credibility you have left.
Posted by: Proud SBPD on Dec 30, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Ha Ha Ha!

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