UPCOMING EVENTS! PLEASE LOOK INSIDE! LOTS OF NEWS LOTS OF CHANGES! See Page 8 For info on FOAST BANNER Goes Electronic!

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1 Volume 35 N o 2 June 2017 UPCOMING EVENTS! PLEASE LOOK INSIDE! LOTS OF NEWS LOTS OF CHANGES! *********************** Mark your Calendars Contact FOAST with Any questions Check out our website! See Page 8 For info on FOAST BANNER Goes Electronic! >>>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 26, 2017, seven canine teams graduated from the Alaska State Trooper (AST) Canine Detector Academy. For six weeks these teams, both handler and dog, worked together to sharpen their skills in drug detection. AST now has six certified canine teams in drug detection, three detector only dogs and 3 dual-purpose (Detector and Patrol). Department of Corrections (DOC) has one detector dog team. The dogs ranged in age and experience, from brand new, untrained dogs to dogs who have certified in the past. The certification is considered one of the most difficult in the world due to the number of searches and use of distraction (sight, smells, sound and situations) in the search areas. The dogs are trained to indicate on the odor of Methamphetamine, Heroin and Cocaine. The handlers completed a comprehensive final exam to test their knowledge of dog psychology, training philosophy, and detection handling. Inv. Miner and Inv. Dur an also completed their requirements for their instructor certification for AST. These teams are ready to work in the fight against the drug use and distribution in Alaska. Governor Bill Walker attended the graduation ceremony in support of his opiate initiative.

2 AST K9 The K-9 Teams and their locations are: Investigator Joel Miner and K9 MOCHA (Balu) - DEA TF Anchorage Investigator Larry Dur an and K9 Misty - Ketchikan SDEU Investigator Andrew Ballesteros and K9 Mak (DJ) - MatSu SDEU Trooper Daron Cooper and K9 Blazer - MatSu Patrol Trooper Andy Deveaux and K9 Skippy - MatSu Patrol Trooper Christine Joslin and K9 Scout - Fairbanks Patrol Officer Joshua Wood and K9 Koda DOC. These recent academy graduates are already making a difference in Alaska s communities. In just a couple of months out in the field, AST canine teams have already produced seizures of the following: 87.6 grams of Heroin, grams of Cocaine, over 5,000 grams of Methamphetamine, $42,342 in cash, 3 guns, 150 Oxycodone pills, 8 grams of psylicibin mushrooms, and 1 gram of LSD. Canines have been commissioned for use in AST for over 25 years. These dedicated four legged partners have been an integral part of AST s crime fighting tools in support of Alaskan communities. Based on how they are selected and trained, AST canines are used in a variety of situations such as tracking, building searches, apprehensions, drug detection, handler protection, and directed searches over large areas. A single canine can search a building in the same amount of time it would take ten troopers. Their noses are hundreds of times more sensitive and can detect drug odors escaping from vehicles, packages, and other closed/ hidden locations. 2

3 AST K9 While canines are a valuable tool in the fight against crime, they are not free. The average cost for a detector-only canine is approximately $6,500. A dualpurpose canine averages about $11,500. The total cost with training is approximately $25,000. Within the last eight months AST has lost two canines in the line of duty, K9 Helo and K9 Rico. These two heroes undoubtedly saved the life of their handler and other involved officers/troopers in two separate incidents. Their tragic loss was a reminder of the dedication of these four legged partners and dangers of working to serve the citizens of Alaska. The outpouring of community support was remarkable and heartfelt as many citizens and organizations offered donations and words of encouragement in the wake of these losses. The AST Canine Unit would like to thank the following organizations for their support during the academy: All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, Spenard Builders Supply Palmer, Loomis, Central Matanuska Susitna Fire Department Station 51, Christian McCormick Rafter C Ranch, Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home Palmer, Matanuska Towing and Recovery, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Palmer, and Department of Corrections. These organizations provided time and training sites for our teams to train in realistic training scenarios to improve their skills in drug detection. Community support was vital to the success of this year s academy. *FOAST accepts donations dedicated to the AST K9 program. Your donation is tax deductible. 3

4 WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the new FOAST President. For those who may not know me I have been a member of DPS since Joining as a Fish and Wildlife Officer and later a Wildlife Trooper in I have been assigned to Bethel, Seward, Soldotna, Juneau, Ketchikan, Cordova, Bethel, and Anchorage HQ and retired in 2014 as an AST Captain. I have been a FOAST life member since I am married and have three daughters and three grandchildren. I have had some time to review the status of the FOAST financial situation, operating procedures, and assisted in assembling a new board that had some unexpected vacancies. We now have a full board with some new members full of new ideas and energy. I want to thank the former President Hans Brinke for his many years of service to the board and as the President; as well as Steve Bear, and Lantz Dahlke for their years of service to the FOAST board. Most recently our long- time accountant Carol Hughes retired, thanks Carol for your years of assistance. I want to welcome our new accountant Robin LaFrenier to the team. I want to welcome CSO- Christina Worland (Secretary), Capt. Andrew Merrill, and Sgt. Luis Nieves who are all newly appointed board members. We assembled for the first time on May 13 in a 2 ½ hr. board meeting on a Saturday to start reviewing the issues and challenges facing FOAST. The meeting was fully attended with only 1 board member absent. The theme of the meeting was to find ways to save in the operating budget and increase revenue. This June s Banner has important information on the future of its distribution. Please read and provide feedback to us and any issues and concerns. Retired Captain Joe DeTemple has offered to assist in the Banner and Distribution saving FOAST staff time and money. I look forward to the next years ahead and anticipate great progress with our new board. We will keep you all posted! Capt. Steve Arlow, Retired 4

5 THE ALASKA CRIME LAB S FIRST DNA CASE By Chris Beheim On May 16, 1992, the body of a young woman was found in her cabin located on the outskirts of Fairbanks. She had been sexually assaulted, stabbed with a kitchen knife, and strangled with an electrical cord that had been cut from her sewing machine. There were no signs of a forced entry, and it was suspected that the victim had freely allowed her assailant into the residence. Investigators from the Alaska State Troopers quickly developed a suspect in the case when it was learned that the victim had just broken off a relationship with a married man with whom she was having an affair. A known saliva sample was collected from the individual and rushed to Criminalist Leanne Strickland at the crime laboratory who was asked to compare it to evidence from a used condom recovered from the victim s bedroom, and other items collected at autopsy. The crime laboratory had just completed validation studies on a new technique for analyzing biological evidence called DQ-alpha typing. This DNA typing method was far superior to previous methods employed at the crime lab for analyzing biological evidence. It used a cloning technique called PCR that made the analysis of very small samples possible, and was much better at eliminating or including individuals as having possibly left a sample at a crime scene. Leanne quickly determined that the suspect s DQ-alpha type matched evidence from the condom. She also determined that the suspect could not have contributed the semen recovered from the victim s panties and autopsy swabs. DNA typing had eliminated the suspect. The suspect s wife, who was unaware of the affair, told investigators that he was with her during the time the victim was murdered. About two weeks after the crime, Trooper Investigators Lantz Dahlke and Tim Hunyor developed a new suspect, Stephen Harmon. Harmon had recently moved into the area after serving eight years in an Arizona prison for two sexual assault convictions. The similarities between the two Arizona sexual assaults and Fairbanks homicide were striking. In all three cases, the victims had previously met Harmon in a social setting and rejected his offers of a romantic relationship. Harmon s prior victims had let him into their homes where he assaulted them. In both assaults, Harmon threatened his victims with a knife and used an electrical cord to bind their hands. A search warrant for Harmon s cabin was obtained and a crime scene team from the Anchorage crime lab was dispatched to Fairbanks to assist with evidence collection. While this was taking place, Harmon was brought in for questioning by Investigator Dahlke. The crime scene team collected known fibers from Harmon s carpet and also recovered a firearm. No blood was found in the residence. No admissions of guilt were made by Harmon and known hairs and saliva were collected for comparison to evidence collected at the crime scene. Investigator Dahlke, recalling how he sometimes got blood on his watch when quartering moose after a successful hunt, seized Harmon s Timex. It had been a bloody crime scene. Continued on page 6 5

6 THE ALASKA CRIME LAB S FIRST DNA CASE Following the search, the troopers notified federal authorities that Harmon had a rifle in his cabin, and a week later he was arrested by the FBI and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. With Harmon safely off the streets and in federal custody, analysts at the crime laboratory began examining the physical evidence. Trace evidence examiner Janeice Fair (Amick) found that a green carpet fiber she isolated from the victim s blue jeans matched the carpet from Harmon s cabin. She also determined that two foreign pubic hairs recovered from the victim s panties were microscopically similar to the known pubic hair sample from Harmon. Additional pubic hairs, body hairs, and a head hair recovered from the victim s body and clothing were also found to be similar to Harmon. The watch was examined under a microscope and traces of blood were observed on the backside. After photographing the evidence, Leanne Strickland utilized the PCR process to clone enough DNA to obtain a DQ-alpha type. The blood on the watch was human in origin and matched the victim s type. The known DNA sample from Harmon was also analyzed and found to have the same DQ-alpha type as the DNA recovered from the panties and autopsy swabs. Leanne Strickland then analyzed tissue from the roots of the foreign pubic hair that Janeice Fair had matched to Harmon. This tissue also had the same DQ-alpha type as Harmon s. After analysts at the crime laboratory completed their analyses, the autopsy swab was forwarded to the FBI Laboratory for additional DNA testing using different methodology. FBI Laboratory results bolstered the Alaska crime laboratory s finding and on September 8, 1992 Stephen Harmon was arraigned for sexual assault and murder. Because this was the first case in Alaska where DNA evidence was processed using PCR, an extensive evidentiary hearing was held prior to trial. Numerous experts from around the country flew to Fairbanks to testify about the validity and scientific acceptance of the methods used to analyze the evidence. The Judge allowed the DNA evidence to be introduced. The evidence presented against Harmon at trial was overwhelming. The jury convicted him of the sexual assault and murder, and Judge Steinkruger sentenced Harmon to maximum consecutive sentences of thirty years for the sexual assault and ninety-nine years for the murder. The judge also ordered that Harmon would not be eligible for parole for ninety-nine years. Harmon remains in jail despite appealing his conviction and, through the years, filing five separate petitions seeking post-conviction relief. PCR has revolutionized the forensic examination of biological evidence. Prior to its implementation, samples such as the bloodstain on the watch would have been too limited to obtain meaningful results. In fact, the crime laboratory would not have even been able to determine that the stain in question was of human origin, let alone match it to an individual. Without such technology, a defense attorney could easily argue that such a stain could have gotten on his client s watch while butchering a moose! Chris Beheim was the first Forensic Chemist hired by the State of Alaska. He retired in 2007 after 27 years as Supervisor in the Crime Lab. 6

7 BANNER HISTORY By Tom Anderson In late 1989 a group of active and retired troopers decided we needed to celebrate the 50- year history of AST, which would occur in A Golden Anniversary organization was formed composed as follows: Chairman of the Board of Directors Pat Wellington (Ret.) Board Members Captain E.L. Mayfield (Ret.), Captain Harkey Tew (Ret.), Lieutenant Glenn Flothe, First Sgt Don Savage, First Sgt Paul Harris, Sergeant Bill Bointnot, Sergeant Steve Heckman and Sergeant Roy Holland. Officers were President Colonel Tom Anderson (Ret.), Vice President Lieutenant John Myers, Secretary Sandy Belcher, and Treasurer Lieutenant Pat Kasnik Committee Chairpersons were Events Trooper Darleen Turner, Fund Raising Major Roger Iverson (Ret.) Membership Major Dean Bivins (Ret.), Publicity Ms. Kathleen Wolgemuth and History Lieutenant Gerald Williams (Ret.) We recognized immediately the need to communicate with both active and retired AST to encourage participation. The Banner was formed. The question was who would be the Editor. At the time I was General manager for Ogden Corporation managing the Sullivan Arena and Egan Center in Anchorage and the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. I had a large administrative staff and agreed to do it. We began publication in 1990 starting with 5 copies per year and in recent years 4 copies per year. Who knew being the Editor would last 27 years. In recent years with all the new technology Laura Caperton our Executive Director and I have been able to produce the Banner with printing and mailing done by a contractor. The contribution by members has been the strength of the publication, even resulting in our book North Country Troopers. We have maintained every copy of the Banner. The copies are a solid record of FOAST activities all these years. Times change and we can no longer afford to publish the Banner on hard copy and send it out via US Mail. Budgets are tight and technology has made it possible to publish electronically at a very low cost. We are fortunate that Captain Joe DeTemple AST retired living in Yuma, Arizona will take on the Editor s duties and publish electronically. It s been a good run. 7

8 FOAST GOES ELECTRONIC For several years Captain Joe DeTemple AST, retired has been publishing an electronic news link to keep FOAST members and friends current on events involving law enforcement with focus on the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Joe will continue this news link under the name of FOAST NEWS LINK. To sign up let Joe know at The Banner newsletter will be electronically published under the name ELECTRONIC BANNER. It will come out quarterly and continue to be news of interest to FOAST members including obituaries, stories written by members, upcoming events and activities and other law enforcement news centered on the Alaska State Troopers. To sign up for the electronic Banner let Joe know at AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT GOING TO REQUIRE THOSE SIGNING UP FOR THE ELECTRONIC BANNER TO BE FOAST MEMBERS. WE ARE ASKING ALL WHO SIGN UP FOR THE ELECTRONIC BANNER TO ALSO SIGN UP AS A MEMBER OF FOAST (See application in this issue) The s of ELECTRONIC BANNER subscribers will not be shared. We encourage address s to be one that does not change regularly. We have almost 1000 members and keeping the address current is a challenge. Board member Sgt. Louis Nieves and his lovely bride Amie were married at a beautiful wedding on Saturday June 10, The wedding was at the Creekside Cabin Resort near Big Lake and was attended by a large group of friends and family. 8

9 ALASKA STATE TROOPERS MEMORIAM In Memoriam... CHARLES F. REED, AST Investigator slipped on the ice in Anchorage on September and went into Providence Hospital and died October 12, Chuck was a graduate of Academy Class # 8 in October of He served 20 years with AST primarily in the Anchorage area. His wife Emma honored Chuck s request of no obituary or funeral. HAROLD J SYD SYDNAM JR., AST Lt Colonel and Public Safety Deputy Commissioner, age 90, passed away in Bellingham, Washington on March 30, Syd was a graduate of Academy Class 4A in October of Syd left a trail of laughter, generosity, compassion and wisdom. Syd was born July 28, 1927 and raised in Lynden, Washington. At age 17 he joined the Marine Corp during World War ll and was stationed near Tiensen, China. In 1950 at age 23 he was recalled to active duty and sent to Korea as an Infantry Fire Team Leader. He was awarded a Bronze Star for advancing up a bare hill in the face of enemy fire to get within 20 yards of the enemy position then skillfully threw a hand grenade, which completely neutralized the position. By his own admission he was lucky. His backpack was hit with bullets and even his helmet received a bullet hole but he made it through. Syd credited his farm background of hunting and outdoor experiences that saved him in Korea. Promoted to Sgt. He was discharged from active duty in December of From 1952 to 1959 Syd worked for Pacific Northern Airlines. In 1959 he began working with the Alaska Department of Public Safety as a radio dispatcher then after the academy a commissioned trooper. Syd served primarily in Anchorage working through the ranks to Lt Colonel, Deputy Director of AST. He had many special assignment; Director Alaska s Highway Safety Program, Enforcement Commander for Alyeska Pipeline Construction, Alaska Supreme Court s Criminal Rules Revision Committee, Administration of Housing, Research and Development, Communications, supply and communications and Governors Commission on the Administration of Justice Corrections Task Force on Goals and Standards. In April of 1979 promoted to Deputy Commissioner assigned to Juneau and January 1, 1983 retired from state service. From 1953 to 1974 Syd was married to Nancy Elliott Sydnam, MD. The couple had 4 children. In 1988 Sid married Jacqueline Ryan Sydnam. In retirement Syd bought a 39 sloop and sailed, hunted and fished. Syd never met a person he didn t like and the same could be said about him. He was adored by many and will be missed by all. Family and friends gathered at the Lynden Cemetery on April 28, 2017 for inurement of his ashes and on April 29 there was a celebration of life in Bellingham, Washington. 9

10 27 th All Alaska Law Enforcement Reunion When: May 1-2-3,2018 Where: North Las Vegas, Nevada -Aliante Hotel and Casino We would like to invite you and your staff to attend the 27 th Annual All Alaska Law Enforcement Reunion. Retired and current employees. Aliante Hotel and Casino will the host hotel. We were able to get a room rate of $ tax and resort fee for Monday, April 30 thru Friday, May 4 th so those that want to spend a couple more days will be able to. For reservations, call and let them know you're with the "Alaska Law Enforcement" Group. Aliante Address is 7300 Aliante Parkway, North Las Vegas NV, We again have the $79.00 hotel rate and is guaranteed until April 10, Reservations after that will pay the going rate. ***Please wait until Oct 1st to start making reservations*** Clark County Nevada Shooting Complex will host RV'ers in their 80 space full hook up, 50amp RV Park. The shooting complex has a rate of $20.00 per night. For reservations at the RV park, call ask for Betty-Jane tell her you are with the Alaska Law Enforcement group. RV Park Address is North Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas NV, Cost for registration is $60.00 per person in cash. $40.00 will go to pay for the two catered meals at the Clark County Shooting Complex and $20.00 will go to pay for the meal at the Aliante. No monies are due until day of the event, just your hotel deposit. We will provide a full agenda after January 18, If you plan on attending please Juanita (Nita) Hensley (208) , nitahensley.id@gmail or Joe DeTemple (360) , captastjoe@aol.com. 10

11 ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR FOAST S 2017 CSI CAMP Under the direction of FOAST s president, Steve Arlow, the 2017 CSI Forensic Science Camp for Kids finished with full classes and happy students. Two camps were held this year at the Alaska State Crime Laboratory. The first class totaled 29 youths, ages 11 to 14. The second class enrolled 18 students, ages 15 to 18. Both classes participated in several days of crime scene investigations conducted with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers, Ms. Heck investigating a crime scene. Anchorage Police Department, Village Public Safety Officer Program, and State Crime Lab. Additional training in gun safety and hunting came from the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game Hunter Education Program at Rabbit Creek Shooting Range. The weather was great and parents seemed as intrigued as their children. Many thanks to all of the staff who volunteered and supported the curriculum. Our goal remains inspiring young Alaskans to pursue forensic science and law enforcement career opportunities based on exposure to the fields. To learn more about this remarkable annual summer camp, please go to the FOAST website and view the videos we ve uploaded of the activities captured in both sessions. JOIN FOAST Membership in FOAST provides benefits including invitation to member-only events; and 10% discount on gift shop purchases. Membership subject to approval. There are several membership categories from which to choose. Active Membership Shall be opened to current, active and retired commissioned members of the Department of Public Safety and former employees in good standing who annually pay membership dues. Active members are entitled to vote. Associate Membership Shall be open to all non-commissioned members of the Department of Public Safety and individuals who; in the opinion of the membership committee and the board of directors, represent the type of individual who would represent the association at the highest level and annually pay membership dues. An active member in good standing must sponsor associate members. Associate members are not entitled to vote. Visit our website to renew or request membership:

12 Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Anchorage, AK Permit #453 #537 FRATERNAL ORDER OF ALASKA STATE TROOPERS 245 W 5 th AVE STE 113 ANCHORAGE, AK foast@gci.net May 12, 2017 DPS PR # Brinke Appointed to Head Division of Alaska State Troopers (ANCHORAGE, Alaska) Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan is pleased to announce Colonel Hans Brinke as the new director of the Division of Alaska State Troopers. Brinke s appointment is effective Tuesday May 16, Col. Brinke started his career with DPS in 1991 when he attended the 41 st Recruit Class at the Public Safety Academy in Sitka. He rose through the ranks working in patrol in both rural and urban settings. Through the years he has served as a K9 handler and a drug investigator before being promoted to Captain at Headquarters in Anchorage. As a Captain, Col. Brinke was integral in developing the Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol and has served as the B Detachment Commander in Palmer since Please join us in congratulating Col. Brinke on his appointment. BOARD Anthony April Michele Logan Andrew Merrill Lloyd Nakano Luis Nieves Barry Wilson OFFICERS President - Capt. Steve Arlow Ret. Vice President Col Tom Anderson Ret. Treasurer Major Doug Norris Ret. Secretary Christina Worland, JS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS KP Maurice Hughes SE Charles A. Smith NR Ron Wall STAFF Executive Director, Laura Caperton Contacting FOAST Phone: (907) or (800) in Alaska Fax: (907) foast@gci.net The Banner Editor: Col. Tom Anderson, Retired 245 W 5 th Ave., Suite 113 Anchorage, Alaska Phone (907) or (907) Fax: The Fraternal Order of the Alaska State Troop ers Charity Corporation is rec og nized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c)(3) corporation, ID