Houston No-Knock Raid where 2 Killed, 4 Police Wounded, Results in 4 Retirements

Opinion

Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were the victims.
Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were the victims.

Arizona – -(Ammoland.com)- There are continued repercussions from the no-knock raid that resulted in the death of a middle-aged couple in Houston, and the wounding of four police officers in the gunfight the raid engendered.  The strike happened on January 28, 2019. Four officers have retired as of 22 March 2019.

Dennis Tuttle was a Navy veteran. His wife, Rhogena Nicholas, was a supporter of President Trump.  They had no criminal records. They were married for 20 years and lived in their modest home in Houston for the same 20 years.

The police broke down their door and shot their dog. That seems to have started the gun battle. Dennis is said to have shot back, wounding the officer that shot his dog. The police claimed he was shooting a .357 magnum revolver, but no revolver was found at the scene.  It seems more likely he was shooting one of the two semi-auto hunting shotguns recovered at his home.

Police claim Rhogena attempted to take a shotgun from a wounded officer. She was shot and killed.  It is not clear if she ever touched the officer’s shotgun.

The early police reports claimed Dennis continued to fight, wounding three more officers.

The exact timing of events is uncertain because no officers wore body cameras. Surveillance video from the house next door was confiscated by the police.

It has been claimed a small amount of marijuana, and a tiny amount of cocaine was recovered at the house. No heroin was found, or any evidence of drug dealing.

As the investigation has continued, it was discovered the evidence used to justify the raid, had been falsified.

Reports from Houston reveal that four officers have retired in conjunction with the ongoing investigation. From chron.com on March 22, 2019:

Officer Gerald Goines retired Friday afternoon while under investigation following the Jan. 28 shooting deaths of two residents during a “no-knock raid” of a Pecan Park residence in south Houston. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing more than 1,400 criminal cases that Goines worked on over the course of his 34-year career.

Goines was relieved of duty as questions mounted about his actions leading up to the drug raid, in which a team of undercover narcotics officers burst into a residence at 7815 Harding St. after obtaining a no-knock search warrant. A gun battle ensued that left homeowners Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas dead. Goines was shot, as were three other officers, one of whom remains hospitalized.

All of the officers who have retired had more than 20 years with the Houston Police Department (HPD) as narcotics officers.

Officer Steven O. Bryant, was listed in the warrant, HPD narcotics investigator Gerald Goines, was the lead investigator in the case, and two other unnamed HPD narcotics officers are reported to have retired as well.

Here is a reminder of how far the idea of innocent officers being ambushed by drug dealers was spread before it was shown to be false. From ktnv.com in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 28, 2019 (the head of the police union is Gamaldi, not Grimaldi or Grammas) :

The Houston Police Union did not hold back after the ambush-style attack.

“We are sick and tired of having targets on our back, we are sick and tired of having dirt bags trying to take our lives,” said Joe Grimaldi, with the Houston Police Officers Union.

“We need to have stiffer penalties on people committing crime, there’s no doubt about it,” said Grammas.

Grammas said he would like to see mandatory death sentences for cop killers and additional officers on the street to begin to deter the violence facing officers.

There was no ambush. The police fired first. It was a no-knock raid based on false evidence.

There are many unanswered questions about who fired when and who hit who. The missing .357 magnum revolver remains a mystery. No handgun of any kind was recovered at the scene.

I have not heard any more statements from Joe Gamaldi, head of the Houston Police Officers Union, about the raid. Initially, he said this:  From abc13.com:

“Enough is enough. If you’re the ones out there spreading the rhetoric that police officers are the enemy, well just know we’ve all got your number now,” Gamaldi said. “We’re going to be keeping track on all of y’all, and we’re going to make sure to hold you accountable every time you stir the pot on our police officers.”

That sounds a lot like a threat to anyone who dares to question the police narrative. Joe Gamaldi has been silent lately.

The FBI is involved in investigating this mess. There is a reasonable chance for reform, even though the FBI reputation has suffered much during the Mueller witch hunt.

The police Chief has drastically reduced no-knock raids. Hundreds of cases done by the narcotics officers involved are being reviewed. Some pending cases have had charges dropped.

One retired police officer (not involved with the Houston Police Department), told me if he were in any of those officers shoes, he would have retired if he could. It would make the pension much harder to take.

Texas has a pension forfeiture law.  It only applies to elected officials. It went into effect on 8 January 2019.


About Dean Weingarten:

Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30-year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.

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greg s

all police/sheriffs/leo’s should not have qualified immunity. it is an excuse for them to violate civil rights with protection for knowingly doing wrong. if they do wrong they should face the same prosecution as civilians, they should not be allowed to retire while under investigation, they should be able to be sued in civil court for wrongful deaths. they have special protected status and that needs to stop. many police departments review their own officers after incidents, no f-ing way. independent civilian oversight is needed across America to prevent abusive officers from violating the laws they swore to uphold. funny… Read more »

Kenneth Waggoner

Go ahead break down my door at 2:00 in the morning, if you get through the 2 dogs that are my early warning there’s me and the wife, in the bedroom is 2 9mm’s, 17 rounds a piece, a 12 gauge with #9 buckshot and a 300 Blackout with 2 magazines. With 12 years military, multiple tours to Iraq and more CQC missions than I can count, you better send in every swing dick on the force cus I’m going to make it hurt real bad.

Son_of_Liberty

And if I was a neighbor I’d flank the shit out of them. This is ridiculous. If this raid was in fact a result of falsified evidence, the officers should be facing convictions, not retirement. This is gross misuse of police resources. Not to mention giving good cops a bad name. The lead on the warrant should be getting handed an FDM charge. And the judge who signed the warrant should be disbarred. I’m a huge supporter of our brothers in blue. Especially the ones who actually use their badge as a shield for the law abiding. But Narc divisions… Read more »

PEEWEE HENSON

HMMM, NO-KNOCK RAID TO CONFISCATE GUNS, WHAT A CONUNDRUM. A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE WILL END UP DEAD. COPS SHOULD REMEMBER, THEIR NEIGHBORS KNOW WHAT THEY DO AND WHO THEY DO IT FOR.

roger

Retired hell ? Should be charged with 1st degree MURDER ! And not wearing their body cams ? Another reason to charge them . No justice until these 4 are in prison !

ras

roger, 10 4 to that.

Buddy

No more no knock warrant u bust in my door u die anyone can say police what bad guys gonna run, cover exit points say u going to say get the money owed drug deal, bikers cover window door exit points nobody gets away wat the FUCK it’s not a military action where break in and kill they even have rules they follow u point a gun prepare to die that’s it, NRA teaches us not to point guns

Sean Ebra

Is that English or you mumbling?

MortAZ

When people recklessly and ignorantly talk of repealing the Second Amendment– this incident right here is a perfect illustration to explain why we have and why we need a strong 2A. While many on “both sides” like to theorize about “the security of a free state,” and one side will ponder over civil war, and the other will ridicule gun owners for “thinking guns can fight against jets and nuclear weapons,” the stark reality of state authoritarianism has little to do with citizens battling their own volunteer military. Historically, the real way any strong totalitarian state oppresses its citizens is… Read more »

Kingnut

Well said

Jack Mac

I wonder about the location of the .357 used against a dozen or so armed assailants. Also, would like to know the caliber size, and number of projectiles removed for the wounded and dead. The investigation of Texas police I had believed to be the responsibility of the Texas Rangers. Why the FBI, did not they send 29 agents armed in battle gear and with machineguns to arrest non-violent Roger Stone. Thank goodness that his little dog and invalid wife was out of sight initially. It is curious where are the fearless investigative news reporters. Is discretion a better part… Read more »

TZAZ

Since the police departments have become militarized we have had needless loss of innocent lives, they are not the army and we are not their target practice.

Missouri Born

What gives the right of the police to take the neighbors video recording without a warrant?
Trying to hide evidence of their mistakes?
Feds better do something and any heirs should file suit against Houston PD and the city.

Steve

Anyone shoots my dog I’m going to assume they will shoot me next and behave accordingly.

Boz

Affirmative on that!

Lennon

John Wick…They will be getting a hell of a lot of bullets coming at them if they shot one of our dogs. There isn’t any reason for it. They need to be charged for this crime along with the murders of the two innocent victims. They had no body cameras on any of them, that reeks of a cover up.

James Russell Bailey

Were I a blood relative of the two INNOCENT people MURDERED, which I am not, I would hunt down the 4 ‘retired’ “police officers”, and serve them some justice: slowly, painfully, and over a couple of weeks time. Happily, for both the four “officers” as well as myself, I am not a blood relative, but the sentiment remains: there is currently, NO JUSTICE for law abiding people, either at local levels (this case and the Jussie Smollett case), or at the Federal level (Ruby Ridge, Waco, Elian Gonzalez, IRS Non-Profit Political Targeting Case, Steele Dossier, Strockz and Page, Comey, McCabe,… Read more »

Edward A Ross

The biggest issue..is where is the Handgun.or handguns….it said not one Hand gun….did those Narc cops not carry any…if not how did someone get shot by a 357…yea..they been doin too much ovwr the years….bad cops……plus to who would it matter that this couples.political stance…this Writer should be ashamed to even bring that up….they were murdered……that will stop alot from reading further articles from this writer..stick too facts of the crime..

Roy D.

I am confused as to why the Parkland school deputy is still sucking air.

Kenneth Tennant

BLACK ROBED PREDATORS & Prosecutorial Misconduct EVIDENCED: Iowa Corrupt Judges Courts Police https://www.youtube.com/user/kornkobiowa FBI & USDOJ COMPLICITY
CALL SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS for ACCOUNTABILITY of case NTA0264450
[email protected]
: Kenneth

jug

Maybe not the officers who should go to jail, but their supervisors who sent them out on such a SNAFU!

Crash Jones

Who LIED and have false info? That person should be charged with the 2 deaths, no matter how many years they had served.

alex

i’m usually on the cops side but in this case it’s too bad the husband didn’t kill them all!! they retire with their pensions,talk about having big balls,they should be in prison for this shit.

circle8

I assume the officer who lied on the affidavit for the search warrant is being investigated for “actions that caused the death of innocent citizens” also known as murder or at least manslaughter.

Brick

Seems a lot like a red flag policy in effect. Keeps claiming victims and isn’t Mary Jane on the low end of the problem scale now. The warrant needs to be public information as well as the evidences needed to get the warrant. Bust down a door amd fire shots in a man’s home while he sleeps, you will most certainly get a return fire. The policemen that fired on the animal and the couple seems to have found their justice with dying. Then to plant false evidence either by incenuation or physical means is contamination of a crime scene… Read more »

Lennon

I bet if they look into the officers involved there might be a connection some how. Maybe someone on the raid was trying to settle a score with the couple and decided to use a no knock warrant as their entry. I wouldn’t put it past them. The fact that the evidence was slim to none and the statements about the guns don’t match what was found. Something smells very fishy.

In Fear Of My Life

No police officers died. Only the two unsuspecting residents whose names have been released the cops have not.
No, they only retired ahead of being fired. They’ll enjoy their pension funded by money stolen from the Houston Firefighter’s pension.

Matt

There will no doubt be a hefty fine against the Houston Police for ANOTHER RUBY RIDGE MASSACRE. It sounds oh so familiar with the shooting of a dog as the tripwire.
One would think that lessons were learned but it doesn’t appear so.

Firewagon

Is it just me, or does this “wrong address” crapola pop up way too often? Getting the address wrong when delivering pizza or an Amazon package certainly doesn’t have the same impact that delivering potentially LEATAL force does. These PDs need to ‘study’ how the military does fly-overs, regularly, without doing the fly-over over an empty park, or wrong park. Every place, mine, yours, everybody’s(?), has a Lat/Long coordinate, street address not required – CAVEAT still, some numb-nut has to input the CORRECT numbers into that GPS rig! Some well known NFL dude probably says it best – DISCOUNT DOUBLE… Read more »

Charles Moore

I knew/worked with a “cop” early in my career that admitted to me that he sometimes would plant drug evidence at a scene of some low-level drug dealer(s) to ensure their arrest in order to protect (and increase business) for his drug-dealing son.

tomcat

The break down the door approach to getting someone is wrong, wrong ,wrong. There can be a more reasonable approach and there needs to be. The more people are killed in these raids means there are that many more people who are going to be ready for them. Besides, they are not going to sneak up if there is a dog in the house. The dog will sense the presences of someone outside no matter how quite they try to be and the owner will be waiting for the door to come off the hinges. Someone will die. As far… Read more »

Jack Mac

The Hardy street fortifications probably scared the police, it would take bravery combined with stupidly to assault that place.

GaryGary

The so called “no knock ” raids need to stop unless there is hard evidence that armed suspects are dealing or manufacturing hard drugs. In this case this is just another in a long line of bungled police raids resulting in innocent people getting killed ! This needs to stop and those responsible in this case need to be indicted for criminal wrong doing !!

Jack Mac

There are too many people in law enforcement that do not believe in innocent.

Ransom

When you’re a Hammer….. ….EVERYTHING indeed Looks Like a nail.

Jack

The level of corruption at this dept. is here on display.
As for the “red flag” “Laws”….the takers best get right with Jesus.
Cause some folks are preparing for this.
Shtuff is gonna get crazy.
The Propaganda will be THICK!
As a potential juror, i know how i will think.

goatmoag

At least Dean Weingarten has some sense most the time.

joefoam

Expect lots of news stories such as this one when ‘red flag laws’ are acted out. Many will die and the LEOs will cover for each other or claim ‘see, I told you they shouldn’t have guns’

Charles Moore

Kristallnacht over and over . . . . !

ras

joefoam, you are right. I bet that will make GWD happy.

John Galt

Outrageous!!!!!

Felony murder! period.

Cody

But, but, but muh Puh-leese uber alles!

Austin

They break-in and murder two peaceful people in the middle of the night and instead of the death penalty like anyone else who does this in Texas, they get to go on permanent vacation. There’s no white privilege in this country. No male privilege. There is only police privilege. This country began by expelling the Redcoats from our homes and communities with our rifles, and Blue is the new Red. Until these police learn that they work for the individuals of their communities, they are the enemy, an occupying military force under the influence of powers foreign to our communities… Read more »

Steven

Some of the police knew exactly what the plan was and accomplished their mission. Others were included to try to make the activity appear to be ‘legal’. The lies before, during and after the event are all a part of the cover up. Hopefully, the legal system will accurately sort that out without preferential treatment to a ‘dirty’ cop. I think it is time to turn the situation around, if a lie told gives police ‘permission’ to enter a private dwelling in order to commit violence on those (dog included) inside, what is to keep citizens from doing the same… Read more »

Docduracoat

Why do they always shoot the dog?
Are Tasers/pepper spray/tear gas not effective on dogs?

Scott Kinsella

Live by the sword , die by the sword.

Jack Mac

Live in tyranny, die by tyranny.

Macofjack

This is what the Red Flag laws will bring. How long before the police realize this it madness? I’ve given up on the politicians, there stupidity is legendary!

Beowulfxxx

Just look at NYC voting in AOC, that is definitive proof the people in that area and the politicians are a sham, agreed.

David

There are many of us old Viet Nam veterans who are very law abiding, but also very prepared to permanently stop anyone who forcibly enters our home. No knock warrants depend on speed and over whelming force to subdue the targets and prevent loss of the officers’ lives. All the targets know is that someone is crashing into their home and yelling ‘Police’, which anyone can yell. There have been very many bad warrants and very many wrong addresses attacked. Many of us are very capable and would defend our homes and loved ones with every ounce of skill and… Read more »

Wild Bill

@David, Ok, but remember the case of the old Nam vet that shot and killed a naked, drugged up, “intruder by force” that was attacking his grandson inside the home? The police shot, from distance, through the picture window, without knowing the circumstances and killed the vet. So do be careful. The PDs learned the principles of surprise, speed, and violence of action by training with our military. There is no place for application of military techniques in civilian law enforcement because the desired ends are different. The military’s ends are to kill people and break things. The polices’ ends… Read more »

John

I wonder what other citizens would do if the police kicked their door in and shot their dog? Twenty years in Law Enforcement, numerous successful drug raids, never killed a dog, even through confronted – quick shot of mace and dog retreats. Any paper service person, cop or not, knows this to be true. Just do not understand why these cops thought it okay to shoot the dog, which escalated an already tense situation. Yes, if an investigation shows these cops acted inappropriately, violated departmental policy, failed to follow the force continuum and instead excercised excessive force from the get… Read more »

Vanns40

1. I agree with you on handling a dog.
2. I disagree with with any LEO who says “no-knock” warrants are an effective part of the job, they are not. The risk vs return is overwhelmingly weighted toward risk of injury to all parties AND weighted toward deadly mistakes being made (wrong address etc).
3. Most are carried out in conjunction with information regarding drugs and NEVER produce substantial results. We have been losing this war for decades because we’re taking the wrong approach.

Jack Mac

These police people did not even bother to look up who lived in the house before hand. People willing to take such actions should not be in authority.

LB

Has anyone noticed that people keep dying when these “red flag” laws are being executed? Is it right to Launch “Liberal ordained” commando raids on people instead of just talking to them first about the concerns “someone has voiced? I would say everyone involved here, including police, are victims of pathetic “law”. This is what happens when “do-gooders” pass laws that someone else has to execute….think about it.

Duane Arbanas

They managed to use the #2A for it’s intended purpose. But they needed body armor and rifles though to go up against #BlueISIS…The world and history itself would be best if there were.more cop killers, because the only good law enforcement scumbag is a dead one. After all, in the real world more injustice, theft, and outright murder has been committed in the name of law enforcement than has been committed in spite if it.

Dave C

While I do not think the police acted wisely here, and charges, not retirement should be in the offing, I also believe you need to look at some serious issues you may have….

justsayno

Here is the part that is not being reported. The neighbors claim the man and woman cried our for help for several minutes after the police burst through the door and shot them down like dogs. After several minutes and some claim longer, the police came through a side area and fired into the man until he was silenced. It is believe the woman had bleed out just before that action took place. This information was being reported by neighbors and people in Houston. Bottom line ; The couple survived the initial assault but were allowed to die with a… Read more »

Jack Mac

The Houston major news outlets are part of the mass media. They want people to ignore it by not presenting it. Besides, what is expected form a city that hired an anti-gun rights police chief.

MikeRoss

OMG, that’s horrible if true. Some enterprising reporter should investigate that story and include the autopsy results. If Tuttle has several bullet wounds from the side or back…..

Charles Moore

Then they would dispatch the Clinton suicide-supervision squad on them.

William Flatt

There should have been arrests and prosecutions of everyone on this DEATH SQUAD, and especially the planners. I once used to proudly wear a badge and uphold the public safety in my state, but I am glad to be done with it; when I look and see what police have become over the last 30 years, I realize that far too many of them in far too many places are all just jackbooted thugs!! Yes, some good cops are still out there, desperately trying to serve the public, uphold their oath to the Constitution, and keep the criminal element in… Read more »

Nanashi

Felony murder for the perjury.

Goldfinger

Those “officers” should forfeit their pensions- thugs with badges.

Gary Henton

Great article this is the kind of truth that needs to be seen
Thank you

Thomas J

They need to be retiring to pound you in the ass prison

Green Mtn. Boy

To Protect Ad Serve,the question is who and what.

m.

but not an involuntary acevedo retirement

m.

clear message from gub-ment: we can be wrong & kill you, no one can touch us

m.

i support Constitutional/legal police work

Cody

How much do you want to bet the AG will thank ’em for a job well done. Just like at Twin Peaks in Waco.

m.

waco was the work of the clinton carpet-muncher reno (now deceased?) & the legendary, contempt-of-congress, when-was-america-ever-great dick-holder. tough s**t if you don’t like the terminology. corrections welcome.

Steven

That was a different incident. Twin Creeks was not the same as the Branch Davidian massacre.

ras

m, good terminology.

Jocko

Any stellar citizen I know of doesn’t possess cocaine.

Ted Seay

So fucking what, asshole?

Tony

Then ask Einstein why he used it and entire towns used it in the late1800s the cops should be hung by the neck until dead….they killed two innocent people

Anonymous In Fear Of My Life

We in Houston suffer this kind of crime regularly. Police acting above the law, against the law and the rest close ranks and protect them. They are abusive and arrogant. I’m sure there are good cops but I never encountered any as a 36-year Houston Firefighter. They were worthless for assistance and we often had to stand in the sidelines while they took advantage of citizens. The threats Gamaldi made were terroristic yet no charges have been filed and he still has his job. You try getting on media and threatening all the police in the city because the rest… Read more »

Son_of_Liberty

Hmm interesting that a NARCOTICS raid, stemming from faulty evidence, that resulted in the deaths of 2 citizens somehow produces illegal NARCOTICS on scene. But, you know, not enough for intent to distribute. Maybe enough to fit in your pocket before you go to kick someone’s door down.

Roga

Yep.

m.

true, but even the non-stellar citizens usually don’t get the death penalty for having it in the us

Derk

I bet most of our government and courts use cocaine so what’s your point? Another stupid ass boot licker.

Justista

Dennis is said to have shot back in response to the officer shooting the dog.
It was a bad deal all around but one shouldn’t shoot at police over a dog.
If he engaged the police you can’t hold it against them to shoot back.
Coke and pot? Stellar citizens I say.

Wild Bill

@Justista, I agree with you! Allegation is not conviction. Up to the moment of conviction the accused citizens have Constitutional Rights that must be respected by government. Until the moment of conviction we are all stellar citizens. Government is our servant, not our masters.
In the present case, I think that it is reasonable to conclude that anyone acting this way were not really police; that this was some sort of home invasion; and that they were going to kill me next.

Ben

Dogs are family members. No knock warrants ness to be outlawed. Anyone can tell police. A little pot and cocaine don’t require a death sentence although I don’t condone the use of either.

Jack Mac

Justista. Do you shoutout “Sieg Hail” for all such victories of the police.

TZAZ

You don’t murder citizens for a small amount of drugs, and if the cops were acting true to form they probably did not announce a search warrant as they broke down the door, and they have a thing for shooting peoples dogs. Cops were wrong, remember they lied for the search warrant or did that get by you.

dat

Justista, I don’t believe there was a Pause between the shooting of the dog and the victim returning fire. I know nothing about this specific raid and what I read here it sounds like some underhanded stuff going on. Having participated in this type of activity (Warrant searches) although we never used No Knock Warrants. I suspect the raid was early in the morning and split seconds were involved. I have to say if a no knock warrant was served on my home, unless it was made very clear BEFORE entry (That is not how a no knock works.) there… Read more »

rocketride

The presumption that should be that anyone entering one’s home shooting is an intruder. Police need to understand this and knock that ‘no-knock’ warrant s–t off

Cody

Any stranger shooting inside anyone’s home for any reason, ought to be shot. How many times do they have to be shown as liars before you stop believing them?

Charles Moore

Being awakened from a deep sleep in the dark of night by someone firing shots in your home SHOULD result in your returning fire! People being served a warrant are supposed to be informed of the existence of a warrant and allowed to see it before entry. There really aren’t that many scenarios in which this cannot be done. If you don’t have control of the situation with half a dozen officers with weapons carried at “low ready,” then just what are YOU doing there?!!?

MikeRoss

Homeowners, taxpayers, no criminal records; yes they were stellar citizens. Shooting a dog is absolutely a reason to shoot back. They broke into his home and shot his dog, what clearer evidence of hostile intent do you need? In my state the law says, if you believe your life, or members of your family, are in danger you can use lethal force, including against police officers acting illegally. The cops had an illegal warrant, they didn’t announce themselves, they broke into his home and opened fire, killing his dog. Those cops that retired should have lost their pensions at least,… Read more »

Charles Moore

You expect someone awakened from a deep sleep at “dark thirty” on a winter night to instantly identify police officers? Officers who had not identified themselves and had just (quite loudly) shot their dog? He probably could not have even known that quickly in his semi-foggy state of mind that his dog had been shot, just that a very loud shot HAD been fired and there were multiple dark figures in his home with weapons. Given that the average number of intruders in a home invasion situation is three, things would have looked about right for him to conclude that… Read more »

Matt(TX)

The cops were not wearing uniforms.