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Husband of woman killed in shooting seeks compensation

By Sanne Godfrey

The Gresham Outlook, Jul 30, 2010 (4 Reader comments)

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The husband of a woman who was killed during the Feb. 12 shooting at M&M Lounge & Restaurant in Gresham by an off-duty sheriff's sergeant will seek compensation.

Jay Hoffmeister, husband of Kathleen Hoffmeister, said the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office “was negligent in failing to act upon or adequately investigate instances of anger, abusive behavior and domestic violence” involving former Sgt. Jeffrey Grahn.

Hoffmeister’s claim, filed Friday, July 16, alleges Clackamas County “failed to allow full and complete investigation of Sgt. Grahn's conduct, including review of Sgt. Grahn’s conduct by prosecuting authorities.”

Kathleen Hoffmeister went out with her two friends Charlotte Grahn and Victoria Schulmerich on Feb. 12 to the restaurant in Gresham, where Grahn’s husband arrived and confronted the women.

He took his wife outside and shot her in the head, then went back into the club and shot Schulmerich and Hoffmeister, then killed himself.

More than a year earlier, in May 2009, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office asked the Portland Police Bureau to investigate accusations that Grahn physically abused his wife.

The investigation revealed that nine months before the shooting Charlotte Grahn’s sister and several friends expressed concern for Charlotte Grahn’s safety.

Portland police learned that Jeffrey Grahn was depressed, angry, drinking heavily and occasionally suicidal. They concluded the evidence did not support criminal charges.

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Reader comments

Re: Husband of woman killed in shooting seeks compensation

Wow Good luck with that! Although I agree they were totally negligent, and cant get why he was still in possession of his service weapon AND employed as a cop after accusations of domestic violence...but then Im pretty naive. Hope you get tons of money. But I wouldnt be surprised if you get nothing...Sorry to say that

"Klaatu"

(email verified)

Mon, Aug 02, 2010 at 07:08 AM

Re: Husband of woman killed in shooting seeks compensation

klaatu - in case you didn't notice, he is suing the tax payers of clackamas county. somehow they were supposed to prevent this from happening, or the sheriff's department was - it's the jackpot mentality - someone get's harmed and its got to be somebody elses fault! the deeper the pockets, the better, so they can ring the register big time. its the sign of sickness in our society - he knows darn well his actions will do nothing to change the situation at hand. despite any new rules or constraints - sheriffs will still occasionally blow their spouses away. but, him and his lawyer will be unjustly enriched, and that's the main thing! and, the tax-payers get the shaft, once again.

"atlas barfed"

(email verified)

Mon, Aug 02, 2010 at 04:59 PM

Re: Husband of woman killed in shooting seeks compensation

atlas-

"somehow [the taxpayers] were supposed to prevent this from happening"... cmon. that is a stretch. the taxpayers might pay for these types of things, but relating the role of taxpayers with the lack of proper psychological evaluations (and discipline) by the police department... is far off base. if people like this guy dont sue the police department when issues like this arise, then they will continue with their improper training and conduct evaluations. the officer should have been stripped of his badge and weapon months ago. and if he had then he might not have done what he did. and even if he did, then the police department couldnt be held accountable because they would have acted properly and removed him from service. but since they allowed him to stay in a position of power, even though they knew he was an issue, shows the problems that exist with the police department.

good luck to this guy with his lawsuit. i hope he wins.

"Shank"

(email verified)

Tue, Aug 03, 2010 at 01:03 AM

To "atlas barfed"

Are you suggesting that since tax consuming public servants actions are backed by even more tax dollars, supporting insurance bills & claims, that we the people should ignore their wrong-doings? How logical is that?

Leave them alone to do stupid (and deadly) things simply because if we sue, they will be backed by even more tax dollars? If so, then drugged up, angry, drunk & suicidal cops can literally get away with murder in your skewed opinion.

Since every disclaimer/information sheet that comes with anti-depressant drugs clearly warns of anger & thoughts of suicide, the investigation should have demanded that Grahn be relieved of not just his duty weapon, but any gun & denied access to his wife and the public in general. Far too many acts of extreme violence, anger & murders ocurr by the distorted thought processes of those on antidepressants.

City County Insurance Services should cover their backsides by demanding drug tests on cops. Just because the FDA says something should be allowed on the market, doesn't mean it's safe. Not by a long shot... or close range as the M&M case was.