Article published January 09, 2008
Lima police identify sergeant who shot, killed woman in drug raid
BLADE STAFF
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.
Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com
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