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County Owes Police Detective Hundreds of Thousands in Back Pay

Federal court strikes down county appeal.

Baltimore County will have to pay a police detective $225,000 in back pay plus interest and will likely owe thousands more in legal fees after a federal court denied the county's appeal last month.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit threw out a portion of the County's appeal of liability because the County failed to renew a motion post-verdict.

The court did review the county's appeal that the award by the federal jury was excessive.

"Our review of the record leads us to conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion," according to the opinion issued by the three judge panel.

The resolution means the county will have to pay Det. William Blake $225,000 plus interest for the April 2010 jury decision. The county and Kathleen Cahill, Blake's attorney, will negotiate legal fees, which the county must now pay.

Blake sued after he was ordered to undergo medical tests after he testified on behalf of another officer who had a seizure.

Blake said he had also suffered from a single seizure in 1996. The county required Blake to undergo medical exams to establish his fitness for duty following his testimony on behalf of the other officer.

Blake lost no wages in his original lawsuit. A jury awarded him damages for emotional distress and the county appealed.

Mike Lurz August 2, 2011 at 03:12 pm
Do you know me???
Mike Lurz August 2, 2011 at 03:15 pm
I've done so with both of you, and might want to let you know the same things have been said about you. Sorry if my punctuation offends you ( at least enough to mention) but the important thing is the message, and generally the messenger is attacked when there is insufficient cause to attack the message.
Mike Lurz August 2, 2011 at 03:19 pm
please note period
Buzz Beeler August 2, 2011 at 03:33 pm
Eastsider, according to the publication "Maryland Lawyer," the attorney for Officer Willam Blake, Ms. Kathleen Cahill, there are 14 other cases she is representing.
What they are doing is penalizing anyone who files for workers compensation by forcing that particular person to retire regardless of length of service. Blake's case was set up after he testified on behalf of Officer Philip Crumbacher who had a similar medical issue and was forced to retire. Blake was ordered to undergo testing and to provide his medical records one day after taking the stand on behalf of Crumbacher. As I remember I was told when I came back to work after my incident not to file for workers comp because I would wind up like a lieutenant who was forced to retire after his issue. I was advised by the FOP to retire or the county would attempt to force me to take a medical pension. With 39 years I choose to retire because of the pressure they were putting on me with other issues. Cole Weston called me and said the county was trying to secretly vote on forcing me to take a medical pension. In Cole's office we were on the speaker phone with one of Homan's secretaries who would not provide us with why the county had not processed my request regarding my retirement. She stated that she was afraid to comment due to the nature of my case. Once I was aware of what they were trying to steal from me I took action to block it and took my full retirement.
Mike Lurz August 2, 2011 at 03:33 pm
@ Beeler. re-read my statement, it supports you and does not support Armstrong...really unbelievable you people
Mike Lurz August 2, 2011 at 03:36 pm
They pulled a similar thing with other employees a few years back. They forced my father into early retirement, then hired him back ( at a much higher rate) as a consultant.
Buzz Beeler August 2, 2011 at 03:42 pm
Mike, I sincerely apologize. I took the comment out of context because I thought it meant -- they should have fired me.
That is my error. I do know you, but sometimes I jump the gun and make mistakes like I just did. I am accountable for those mistakes. Pleas except my apology.
Josiah Henson August 2, 2011 at 03:55 pm
Seems like Cahill is making a living from the stupidity of the county, or the stubbornness of government. I see the same type of things in Howard County, they would rather fight in court then admit they are wrong.
Mike Lurz August 2, 2011 at 04:12 pm
Don't worry about it, I appreciate your response.
Buzz Beeler August 2, 2011 at 04:14 pm
Mike, I feel bad for not taking the time to comprehend the context of your comment.
As soon as I saw Mr. Arsmtrong and his caustic remarks I went into the wrong mode regarding your comment. It's like making a traffic stop and letting the motorist get to you after reading RA's comment I lost it for a moment. The funny part was I thought I know this person but you can never be sure. I'm a target and have to slow down my draw.
Buzz Beeler August 2, 2011 at 04:30 pm
Mike, after going through the issues I had, you are never the same. You lose a little of that edge.
I have friends my age who had similar medical events and they will come to me and ask what is happening to them. I tell them it has to do with the trauma to the body and often times the medication you have to stay on. Years ago I would have never acted like I did. Now you have to really focus or you lose it and I don't mean physically like anger. I see changes in others and they tell me it frightens them. Then you see changes in a parent and can only hope you can handle it. I guess that issues like this remind us all that we are no longer immortal and are subject to one of life's issues as the saying goes "shit happens," (use of word is to describe a well known saying.) You just never figure it will happen to you. I guess you might have heard about some issues over at MSP?
Mike Lurz August 2, 2011 at 05:00 pm
I believe you are confusing me with another Mike Lurz, there are a few of us in the area. My father worked in the County Budget Office and retired in the 90's. I myself am not a county employee, although I have relatives that still are.
Buzz Beeler August 2, 2011 at 06:12 pm
That is why I alluded to my issue regarding names and my first comment.
I'm sure your relatives know that Homan is back to work.
Robert Armstrong August 2, 2011 at 06:54 pm
The county ought to have a mandatory retirement age. These old farts are just taking up space. I mean c'mon how productive can they really be?
Lorna D. Rudnikas August 2, 2011 at 08:29 pm
And so the great Angst-Monger has spoken!! Always challenging - never settling for mediocre. Constantly building a huge array of negative descriptive words.
Eastsider August 2, 2011 at 08:42 pm
First, what age should that be Einstein? Is it 40, 50 years old, I know people at this age that can work circles around 20 year old employees. With age comes wisdom and you work smarter and get more accomplished. Did you ever hear the story of the 2 bulls on the hill? The young bull wanted to rush down the hill but the old bull said walk down and do them all. Some departments after a certain age you must go for a fitness for duty test.
Robert Armstrong August 2, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Maybe you should look up the definition of "angst monger".
Lorna D. Rudnikas August 3, 2011 at 02:54 am
Why should I? - it is my very own invention after many interchanges with very negative responding, name call folks, putting negative spins on a myriad of citizen concerns. I kinda like it - not too hurtful, but sends the message! Let me know if actually find it in the dictionary honey child. :)
Robert Armstrong August 3, 2011 at 04:22 am
It's not your invention. It's been around a while.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=angst-monger
Buzz Beeler August 3, 2011 at 04:42 am
Yep, an urban dictionary. That is about his speed.
A kid in an empty room with a keyboard is dangerous.
Lorna D. Rudnikas August 3, 2011 at 05:47 am
Angst Monger breakdown as per Lorna:
Angst: An acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety Monger: A person who promotes a specified activity, situation, or feeling, HENCE: Angst-Monger person who promotes an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety as interpreted by Lorna and I stick by it. :) And as per my blog - I adore :"Angst Monger University" from whence Angst-Mongers possibly graduate. It is all in the interpretation/perception, of course.
Freddy September 29, 2011 at 05:47 pm
Here comes the more truth.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-disability-20110818,0,6029341.story
Tim September 29, 2011 at 06:11 pm
that's awesome. What an ass backwards county.
In a nation where so many people illegally/immorally bilk 'disability pay' for thousands and thousands of dollars, one guy actually wants to go back to work after getting clearance to do so is villified.
Buzz Beeler September 29, 2011 at 07:40 pm
People thought I was a loon because I've been writing about this since the beginning. The good ole boys club keeps rolling right along. They tried everything to shut me up. Ms. Cahill is just getting started. I would vote for her any day she decides to make a career change.
What the Sun left out was who was responsible for these decisions and who told them they were wrong. In my case the FOB said take your pension and have a nice day. I told them if you like it so much, why don't you guys retire. No answer. Clint Eastwood said it best with his line of "There's more that gnaws on a man other than dying." Maybe I'll file a FOIA and find out how much Homan has cost the county in legal fees. I wonder if he had to take a physical after returning to work from his injury? Now there is a man who should retire or be forced out. You'll never see it under the Kamenetz regime. Just another bad decision among many.
Dkennylee December 17, 2011 at 03:25 am
hey buzz wow i did not know you where a police officer. hope you didnt take offience with the mace thing a the school .. I dont have a problem with "cops" hope you dont mind that, I mean no desrespect. I just have a problem with over steping there oath to protect and serve. sorry this happenend to you. i wish no one loseing there job, or there passion. well hope you can enjoy your retirement. have a merry christmas!
Buzz Beeler December 17, 2011 at 05:49 am
Dkennylee, in my book you are a good man and I hope that you continue your path. For me each year that passed was another badge of self respect I earned.
I have a lot of problems with cops and I was one. It all starts at the top. Politics and police work don't mix well. In the old days you used a night stick and people really got hurt. When you get surrounded and you're the only one wearing a uniform you got a problem. Domestics are very similar. When you arrive to separate the combatants who are trying to kill each other, they will turn on you. The spray is the most effective and least harmful way of crowd control. These things can get out of hand pretty quick and when they do, a whole lotta people can get hurt. This is a city school but the county schools have had similar ones. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyslYXjOLJs Hope Santa brings you some good stuff. I asked for my golf game back but even Santa can't help me there.
Karen Hayes Thier December 18, 2011 at 07:03 am
Chesapeake, where pepper spray was used, is in Baltimore County not City. Doesn't make a difference where school is located, the police officer handled the situation appropriately. All need to remember if the fighters had respected police officer & staff, pepper spray wouldn't have been needed. Two warnings given and the fight kept going. Then after fighter pepper sprayed, he took off running. That is why the pepper spray fumes spread. Fighter is responsible for injurying others, as he still couldn't follow warngings, directions from police officer or staff. Yeah, I've mixed an orange in with the apple & took comment elsewhere. Thanks for reading anyway.
Buzz Beeler December 18, 2011 at 07:16 am
Karen, school violence has no boundaries. The clip was meant to show how quickly these issues can get out of hand and people get hurt. I also showed another clip of a shooting in a county high school.
My earlier comments were very clear on both the issues of the officer and the use of the spray. He acted within the proper protocol. The spray did what is was designed to do and that is break up crowds or subdue unruly people without causing serious injuries. We basically had the same viewpoint.
Buck Harmon December 18, 2011 at 03:34 pm
I believe that a more passive, tolerant approach is as effective with no violence.
A rehearsed and practiced "presence" could solve problems rather than add insult to injury. The only REAL excuse for the use of these dangerous chemicals is lack of education and proper training.... the easy way out if you will...
Lorna D. Rudnikas December 19, 2011 at 02:36 am
Proper training might be use of "karate" but that would mean the unthinkable....your passive tolerant approach is wonderful in a perfect world. Having a school desk cracked over your head is the kind of "insult" that could be avoided, possibly, if you can passively talk fast enough.

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