11242015 - News Article - Chief: Review of conduct leads to Hammond cop's firing

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11182015 - Tiara Thomas OIDV Murder, Portage Indiana - Gary/Hammond Indiana Police Officer Kevin Campbell Charged With Murder

Chief: Review of conduct leads to Hammond cop's firing

Post-Tribune

November 24, 2015 - 6:19PM

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-hammond-cop-fired-st-1125-20151124-story.html

A Hammond police probationary officer who authorities said is a "person of interest" in the shooting death of a Portage woman last week was fired Tuesday after an internal review by the department, according to Hammond Police Chief John Doughty.

Portage police, in a press release this week, identified Kevin A. Campbell, 31, of Hobart, as a "person of interest" in the Nov. 18 shooting death of Tiara T. Thomas, the mother of his children. Campbell has not been identified as a suspect or charged in her death.

"His lack of cooperation in the death of his children's mother is a concern to us," Portage Police Chief Troy Williams said in the press release. "Our detectives are working feverishly to bring a resolution to this case."

Portage police said their investigation into Thomas' death is ongoing and no one has been ruled out yet.

The 30-year-old Thomas died Nov. 18 from gunshot wounds she suffered at her ground floor apartment, authorities said. The Lake County Coroner's office ruled her death a homicide.

Williams said last week that Thomas' fiance arrived home from work and found Thomas in their bedroom, bleeding from the head and chest.

In a Tuesday email, Doughty said that Campbell, a former Gary police officer, was hired Jan. 12 and was on probationary status.

After Portage police contacted Doughty on Nov. 18 about Campbell being a person of interest, "he was put on administrative leave and stripped of police powers," Doughty said in the email.

"During an internal review of recent conduct by Officer Campbell, I have determined he is no longer a suitable candidate for our department. He has been terminated from employment as of today," Doughty said in the email.

Campbell did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The day after Thomas' shooting death, police released a picture of a 2003 black Ford pickup truck with gray trim they said may have been in the Park Place apartment complex, in the 5900 block of Old Porter Road, where Thomas lived, or in the surrounding area.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call Detective Capt. Joe Reynolds and Detective Lt. Dennis Meyers at 219-762-3122.