An apology is in order

[Clipper]

I recently received an email from Trooper Dave Olney ( the trooper that arrested Matt Sullivan). I have been remiss in retracting statements that I made and opinions that I expressed during the ongoing saga of Matt's prosecution.

I had said that Olney was arrogant and that was unfounded, and only an opinion gained from the impression of having seen him on duty on only a couple of occasions, and not from having any personal interactions with him. It was also fueled by members of the Matt's family, and some of my friends in the Barneveld area.

I have since found out through friends in the law enforcement field, that Dave Olney is a good trooper, and that I was under a mistaken and prejudiced impression of him.
While we will never know if any thing was personal in stopping Matt, he WAS found guilty of all the charges he was convicted of, and he DID determine his own destiny when he chose to leave the traffic stop and drive home. the whole damn thing was sad and unfortunate for all involved. I would make no allegations of wrong doing, and damn sure would not want to bring that whole shitstorm back to the forum. I hope it remains dead and gone.

I told Trooper Olney, that I am quick to admit when I am wrong, and I would apologize publicly on the same forum on which I vilified him. Matt was guilty of the charges he faced, Dave Olney did his job and the courts and the state police confrmed that fact in the disposition of the case.

Dave, I apologize for my misconception and my uninformed personal remarks against your integrity.

I am always passionate, hard headed and opinionated, and not above stepping out of line. I am also capable of realizing my mistakes and apologizing for them. I guess I would like to tell you it won't happen again, but with my opinionated and outspoken personality, it quite possibly may. It is not the first time I have eaten a sneaker. In the mean time, I am sorry for this incident and my impassioned defense of my former stepson, however misguided it may have been.

May Trooper Olney and all law enforcement officers be watched over and be safe.

[stoney]

I think a whipping is in order, Clip..

[Clipper]

Whoa, will ya talk dirty too!!

Nothing stimulates good circulation like a good flogging with a bullwhip! I think everyone should start their day with a strong cup of coffee, and a sausage biscuit, followed by a good lashing with a leather whip to get their eyes open.

[stoney]

That's right & don't you forget it.

[Clipper]

You know me as well as anyone Stoney. I posted some strong opinionated statements, and they were out of line and undocumented. Unfortunately, once I hit the send button, it was archived in printed history, and his name was tainted by my remarks. I had forgotten that I had even said those things, and when the case was over, I simply forgot all about the whole incident. That is not what Clipper's Corner is all about, and When I do wrong, I hope to rectify my misdeeds.

Hey, I am just glad to see your little avatar and your name pop up with a post attached to it. Have a good day Stoney. Say hi to JT.

[dgriffin]

I don't imagine this has been an enjoyable time for anyone involved, including Trooper Olney. I don't remember vilifying either party, so I don't need to apologize. But I'll be happy to do so, if I'm reminded of something I said that amounted to a personal accusation.

But I still wonder how the Code Of Silence came to be broken. The legalities and moralities of this case are open and shut, in my opinion. Sullivan broke the law, was caught and punished. Beyond that, however, is a vast ocean of speculation and discussion about what troopers get away with, how often it happens, and whether it's a good or bad practice. Yes, there could be some good to it.

In any case, I presume Sullivan expected special treatment on the night of his arrest. That would not be news. Why he didn't get it has always been of more interest to me. While we'll never know the answer to that, two possibilities come to mind. Either a personal grudge was involved ... and not necessarily from Trooper Olney ... or Sullivan's actions were so egregious as to warrant the arrest of a fellow trooper.

[Clipper]

I don't remember you vilifying anyone either Dave. I think that you are equipped with a "pause feature" that allows your brain to engage before you hit the send button, and a thermostat that makes your posts only roll out there when your blood pressure and body temp are in normal range, haha.

[fiona]

That's because Dave went to Catholic School and was blessed by Monsegniour Gallagher!

[Ralph]

At some point you have to understand about that “thin blue line”, it is strong, it is forever……but sometimes one just steps over it without consideration.

Mayhap that is what transpired, we’ll never know. But worse things have happened and that line has bent but not broken, we all know that must and take that into consideration.
So for it to have reached that point…………you can make your own decisions.

One was proved right, and one was proved wrong. Line or not, that is what it is in then end.


Clipper, it has often been said that it takes a real man to admit he is wrong, and a bigger man to offer his apologies for being so.

In this day and age a mans word does not count for what it used to………for some.
For the rest of us, it is all that counts.

Kudos to you my friend.

[dgriffin]

Re: my response to Fiona. Talk about my being off topic! I've moved it to the G.F. thread.

[Clipper]

Well the situation has been even better explained to me in a further communication with Trooper Olney. I REALLY have to make sure that ALL that read the Matt Sullivan thread get a chance to read this follow up.

I was totally wrong in my defense, and simply find that I took the "family line" basically because I was pissed at the way the OD was handling the situation, and also because my french canadian temper got carried away defending my own position more than defending Matt Sullivan.

I have to add a few more facts here that clarify anything that I may have muddied with my assertions.

1. There was no conspiracy to arrest Matt, as Olney was already stopped with another motorist when Matt breezed by at over 70.

2. Olney didn't know what sort of vehicle Matt drove under cover.

3.The angst between Matt and Olney was caused by the fact that Olney had also arrested my Matt's mother for DWI, bringing a notorious habitual DWI offender to justice before she killed someone.

4. Both Olney and Jim Simpson submitted their cell phone records for examination as soon as the conspiracy theory arose.

5. As soon as other troopers arrived at the scene at Matt's house, Olney took himself out of the whole scenario and left the handling to others.

6. Olney didn't see Matt again, or speak with him again from the time that he left the scene that night until the case was adjudicated by plea agreement.

7. It was not the first time that Matt had been stopped by fellow troopers, but was the first time that it was one that was not intimidated by Matt's rank and seniority.

Bottom line.

Matt Sullivan was obviously guilty of all charges, and was properly punished.

My most sincere apology to both Trooper Olney, and to you, the members of the forum. NOW we can let it rest, because NOW we know the "rest of the story".

Clipper

[bobbbiez]

Ok Mr. Harvey, that sounds good.

Moral of the story.........things aren't always what they seem to be, until we hear the "rest of the story."

Geez, I miss Paul.

[Clipper]

Hell, I don't know if I will have room for turkey with the belly full of crow that I have eaten here lately, haha. Ptooey!

I just clicked onto the OD homepage, and Dave Olney has been selected as one of the DA's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year honors.

Congrats Trooper Olney.

He is probably sitting back thinking "there clipper person, stick that in your damned pipe and smoke it!" LOL

[clarencebunsen]

Crow Pie:

1 crow
stuffing of your choice
salt and pepper
shortening
flour
2 Pie crust mixes
2-3 hard-boiled eggs

Stuff the crow. Loosen joints with a knife but do not cut through.
Simmer the crow in a stew-pan, with enough water to cover, until nearly tender, then season with salt and pepper. Remove meat from bones and set aside.
Prepare pie crusts as directed. (Do not bake)
Make a medium thick gravy with flour, shortening, and juices in which the crow has cooked and let cool.
Line a pie plate with pie crust and line with slices of hard-boiled egg. Place crow meat on top. Layer gravy over the crow. Place second pie dough crust over top.
Bake at 450 degrees for 1/2 hour.

Always glad to help a friend in need.

[bobbbiez]

Don't fret Clipper. I've eaten that "crow's pie" enough in my lifetime and after a while it tends to go down rather quickly. ;D