LIMA POLICE IDENTIFY SERGEANT WHO SHOT, KILLED WOMAN IN DRUG RAID

LIMA, Ohio -- A veteran Lima police sergeant was identified today as
the officer who shot and killed a local woman during a drug raid at
her home Friday night.

Sgt. Joseph A. Chavalia, 52, who has been with Lima police for 30
years, was placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting
of Tarika Wilson, 26. Her 14-month-old son, Sincere Wilson, who was in
her arms when she was shot, was wounded by the gunfire.

Sergeant Chavalia, a member of the SWAT team since 1986, was one of
two officers who were involved in a 2000 incident at the Lima Rescue
Home in which police shot and killed Michael Hildebrandt, 30, who had
locked himself in a third-floor room, refused to come out, and set his
mattress on fire.

After seeing smoke, Sergeant Chavalia and Officer Kelly Ricker broke
down his door then fired non-lethal bean bags at Mr. Hildebrandt, who
had a knife and a machete in his possession.

When Mr. Hildebrandt still failed to surrender, he was fatally shot,
although at the time police refused to say which officer fired the
shot.

Both officers were cleared of any wrongdoing in that case, which was
presented to an Allen County grand jury.