Displaying items by tag: Donald Watson, Jr

The Akron man who went on a wild bumper car spree and made threats against Cuyahoga Falls police -- leaving one patrolman fighting to recover to return to the job after a crash trapped him in his crusier -- is now indicted.

46-year old Donald Watson of Cutler Parkway faces multiple charges including attempted murder, assault and arson for the July 23rd attack on cars parked in the Falls police lot, then ramming into a cruiser driven by Patrolman Ted Davis. Davis spent a week in the hospital; both men needed medical treatment.

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(Summit Prosecutor) Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced today that a Summit County Grand Jury has indicted Donald Watson, 46, of Cutler Parkway in Akron, for an incident which resulted in a Cuyahoga Falls police officer being severely injured.

Watson was indicted on the following charges:

Attempted Murder – a felony of the 1st degree
Two counts of Felonious Assault – felonies of the 1st degree
Aggravated Arson – a felony of the 2nd degree
Failure to Comply with Order of a Police Officer – a felony of the 3rd degree
Vandalism – a felony of the 4th degree
Criminal Damaging or Endangering – a misdemeanor of the 1st degree

Mr. Watson is accused of driving into several vehicles, as well as a number of Cuyahoga Falls police cruisers parked police department's parking lot in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 23, 2016. Cuyahoga Falls police officers pursued the suspect through city streets. The suspect vehicle, travelling at high speeds east on Broad Boulevard, crossed over into the westbound lanes and slammed into a Cuyahoga Falls police cruiser driven by Officer Theodore Davis. The driver of the suspect vehicle, Donald Watson, was arrested.

Officer Davis was trapped inside his police cruiser and suffered significant injuries. The 11-year veteran of the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department also spent nearly a week in the hospital.

Watson is also accused of starting a fire at his Akron home.

Donald Watson is scheduled to be arraigned in Summit County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 8am.

Patrolman Ted Davis is thanking his extended Cuyahoga Falls family -- and beyond -- for their love and support as he recovers from serious injuries suffered in a July 23rd crash involving a man who threatened to kill police.

Davis required surgery for internal injuries, and faces a long road to recovery but issues the thank-you via the Cuyahoga Falls PD Facebook page.

I think I have caught my breath and finally have my emotions in order. There are so many people to thank and talk about please forgive me if I forget anyone.

I have either lived or worked in Cuyahoga Falls my entire life. I can't think of a better city to be a part of. The reaction of the residents of this city has been absolutely overwhelming. I truly appreciate all the letters, cards, and phone calls. My wife and I read every single card and treasured everyone of them. I am proud to be a police officer in this great city. I would also like to thank you for supporting the police department in general. I know my fellow officers and I appreciate the blue lights, the police banners, and the letters that are sent to us daily. Thank you!!

I would like to thank Mayor Don Walters. Mayor Walters made several trips to the hospital not only to check on me but my family as well. Mayor Walters thank you not only for the support you have shown me, but the support you show everyday to the police officers of this city.

Thanks to city council and the letters sent to me. Your prayers and get well wishes mean the world.

To Chief Jack Davis and his wife, I don't think I can ever thank you enough for everything you have done for me and more importantly for my family. On behalf of my family a million thank-you's will never be enough but again thank you.

This is where it gets hard because I don't want to forget anyone, my fellow officers working that night: Tom, Pat, Joey, Joe, Keith, Kayla, Dominic, Brett, John. Thank you for being there for me. I am proud to work with all of you.

To all my fellow officers who took time to come and see me and just say hi and sit there if only for five minutes, thank you. I can't forget all our dispatchers as well. Thank you for your Saturday morning visit. Thanks for just being there for me and my family. A very special thank you to Tom Savage, Rueben Miller, Trevor Ford, the FOP and the OPBA.

And yes even though they did cut 2 Under Armour shirts, thank you to the CFFD. Your response that night and your visits to the hospital mean a lot. Chief Moledor thanks for all your support.

Thanks to all the police officers of other agencies that wrote, stopped by or called.

To the doctors, nurses, and staff of Akron City Hospital and The Rehab Center, there is no way to list all of you. I will forever be thankful for not only the care given me but the support showed to my family and the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department.

To Fr. Jared and St. Joseph School, Northminster Preschool, Dewitt School, the YMCA, WQMX, WONE, WAKR Radio Stations, Giant Eagle, The Mancave, Falls Catholic Credit Union, The Greater Akron Basketball Officials Association, Chik-Fil-A, Immaculate Heart of Mary, a very special thank you to Zach Myers and all the gift certificates from local businesses. I know I'm forgetting people and I'm truly sorry but my family and I will forever be in your debt. I really wish I could remember and name you all.

To all of my (our) friends that stopped by. There is no way to list all of you. If you took the boys for us, just sat there and watched me sleep, brought food, talked, prayed, laughed, cried, thank you. I really would like to list all of you but it would be impossible. Just know that Chrissy and I have the best friends in the world, thank you and we love all of you.

To my parents, thank you not only for all you have done since the accident but thank you for EVERYTHING. You have always been there not only for me but for Chrissy and the boys as well. We will never be able to repay all the love and support. Thank you for setting the example of how to be great parents. Chrissy, the boys, and I love you!

To my brother and sisters. I can't think of a time you guys weren't there for me. All of you spent countless hours at my bedside not only looking over me but helping out Chrissy and taking care of the boys.

Thank you to my nieces and nephews for sneaking in polar pops and other good food and helping the time go faster. 

To my in laws, thank you for everything that you do for us. Chrissy and I truly appreciate everything you do for us and everything you do for the boys.

To my wife, I don't even know where to start. The strength, courage and love you have shown the past 2 weeks have blown me away. I know being a police officers wife is not the easiest thing to be but I thank you for your love, strength, and support. I wouldn't make it through this without you. I love you!

To my boys, you are my inspiration to get better. I know it has been a really tough two weeks for both of you and this isn't how we planned the end of summer but we will get through this. Mom and I are proud of both of you and love you very much.

Again on behalf of my wife and my two boys, thank you all for your prayers, love and support. I look forward to coming back to work as soon as possible.

Ptl. T. Davis #4713