Florida Firefighter Missing in Maine

[joetnymedic 43]

Wish that other than prayers there was another way I could help with this. I hope this guy is OK

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/25/jerry-perdomo-florida-firefighter-missing-maine_n_1301375.html?ref=tw

[joetnymedic 43]

This isn't looking to o good. Now Maine State Police are saying they think there's foul play involved

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/02/26/news/bangor/police-suspect-foul-play-in-disappearance-of-florida-firefighter/

[antiquefirelt 994]

The local news has been following this since early in the week and right from minute one it seemed that there were some issues that might point to foul play. Everyone is hoping for the best, but each day looks grimmer as more details and pieces of this puzzle are turned over.

[antiquefirelt 994]

Local news is now reporting the State Police have made an arrest charging a suspect with murder.

VS NewsLink

New Link

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

1 video shows him walking to a house with a MSP detective, another shows him being lead out by the same detective cuffed.

Sounds like they got him, or at least have reasonable doubt to suspect that a crime was committed. My questions are A. Where is the body?, B. Why? and C. Will they be able to prove a crime was committed even though the body is not present. People V. Scott (1960) states that a body is not required for prosecution and apparently there is a 90% conviction rate for murders where no body is present. However, there is still that 10%....

[engine845 8]

Maybe one of you can help me out. The article is a bit confusing, is the person that was arrested the missing mans brother in law?

[FFFORD 27]

Maybe one of you can help me out. The article is a bit confusing, is the person that was arrested the missing mans brother in law?

No, a different individual.

[engine845 8]

No, a different individual.

Ok, Thank you

[PCC030664 2]

I am in Central Florida in the neighboring county. All the Orlando area TV news stations have been covering this extensively and have sent reporters to Maine. Also some of his colleagues from Seminole County F.D. went up to post flyers and help search. The wife held a news conference outside the home yesterday. You hate to give up hope but it certainly doesn't look good at this point.

The Orlando/Central Florida area has had a slew of these missing persons incidents over the past few years, although the victims have been mostly children or young women. In most cases the body was never found and the person is declared deceased after a period of time. The most well known (and one in which remains were eventually recovered) was the "Caleigh" case.

Phil

[joetnymedic 43]

Phil,

I've been following this story since I learned about it and now with the arrest, it doesn't look good. The reports I read said the cops were in the house with the suspect for about 4 hours prior to bringing him out cuffed. I also saw another report that the game warden came with a snowmobile and a map of the area and that the cops pointed out to an area and were heard saying too shallow doesn't match While I hope things work out, I have to say it really doesn't look like it's going to. If this guy did indeed kill the firefighter, I hope he has at least one shred of decency left in him and gives up where his body is so that the family as well as his brothers and sisters in Florida can get some closure. From other articles I read it looks like the cops located the suspect and his girlfriend here in CT over the weekend and interviewed them here. My guess is that they lead the kid to believe he wasn't a suspect and that the kid returned back to Maine thinking he was good and then the cops pounced. Saved them from extraditing him which was pretty slick and may even speed up finding this firefighter. Overall though it's a pretty sad story and I feel sorry for all involved especially the firefighters wife and kids and his co-workers

PS- I was hoping for a happy ending to this when I posted originally

Edited February 29, 2012 by joetnymedic

[PCC030664 2]

Yes Joe, the arrest was the top story on Orlando TV news tonight with the footage of the suspect being "escorted" out of the home. The sister in law also commented and kind of acknowledged the inevitable. When I read there is a frozen pond and landfill in the vicinity of the home, I imagined the worst. Hopefully, his colleagues will be able to bring him home, but certainly not in the way they wanted.

A very sad story on many levels. The County F.D. that he is on here is one of the most prestigious, progressive, and most competitive to get into. A beautiful wife and two young children. Also, he had apparently survived Iraq. I think there are a lot of "layers" to the case that have yet to be revealed.

Phil

[antiquefirelt 994]

To add to the tragedy of this story, MSP is now calling this a "Drug related homicide". I hope that they find Perdomo wasn't involved on drugs end, but the first few days there was a bit of speculation why he'd made 10 trips to Maine in the past 10 months. The question of trafficking prescription type pills was brought up a few days ago and now this headline. We of course should withhold judging him until the actual facts are released, but we do have to remember that even firefighters are human and as such are fallible.

An all around sad story regardless of the facts. A man apparently has lost his life, a wife widowed and children left fatherless, no matter what the circumstances, we need to figure out the how/why of these people ending up in situation where this is the end result.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

To add to the tragedy of this story, MSP is now calling this a "Drug related homicide". I hope that they find Perdomo wasn't involved on drugs end, but the first few days there was a bit of speculation why he'd made 10 trips to Maine in the past 10 months. The question of trafficking prescription type pills was brought up a few days ago and now this headline. We of course should withhold judging him until the actual facts are released, but we do have to remember that even firefighters are human and as such are fallible.

An all around sad story regardless of the facts. A man apparently has lost his life, a wife widowed and children left fatherless, no matter what the circumstances, we need to figure out the how/why of these people ending up in situation where this is the end result.

How are you Chief,

You may remember I've mentioned in the past, I own a home in Whitefield. Brothers from the Bangor FD, have been instrumental in doing important electrical work, pellet-stove installation, window replacement, it goes on.

My house has been rented to the same woman for many years. Until 2011, the house didn't have locks. In Whitefield you didn't need ever need them in the past. Then the house was broken into late last year. They took my Honda generator, and some of the tenant's possessions. A smart cop searched the immediate woods around the house and located the generator, I guess it was too big for the burglars to fit in the car. Maybe they were going to come back with a pick-up truck later on. Turns out, the new door I had installed (with a lock, not because we needed a lock, because we needed a door) was left unlocked by the tenant; that's how they gained entry.

As hard as it was to imagine that this had occurred in Whitefield, I find it harder to comprehend that this apparent murder has taken place. The mug-shot of the alleged murderer looks more like a preppie to me than a murderer.

The Florida firefighter; 10 trips to Maine in 10 months? Unless he had a "gumade" up there, that's a bit questionable, the amount of trips in a rental. Most rental cars in Florida, you can't take them out of state.

Since the enactment of the new Prescription Drug Monitoring Program here in Florida, the "pill mills" that operated up in Broward and Miami-Dade counties have done two things. First, many simply relocated to Georgia, one of two states left without a PDMP. So the "hillbilly heroin" pipeline continues into Kentucky and that area of the country.

Oxycodone prescriptions issued in Florida are reported to have dropped by 98 percent since the enactment of the PDMP.

As we saw with the recently busted Westchester County cop who was helping to mule pills and drug money through Westchester airport, it wouldn't be surprising to see anybody being involved in muling pills out of state, now that the pill mills can't just push them onto the streets down here anymore.

IF this is the case (I'm certainly withholding judgement on this firefighter until ALL the facts are known), it resulted because of greed, or actual need to support a family. Either way, obviously if this were the case, it was an extremely bad decision on his part, as now he is dead and his family will be in dire need.

I always ask myself, when I see a guy from a job go down because of a stupid decision to break the law; was it worth it? You lost your pension. You lost your career. You lost your benefits. You lost your reputation. For how much? Ten grand? One hundred grand? Was it worth it?

There is a lesson for all brothers and sisters out there if it turns out this fireman was involved in muling drugs. Think twice before you go putting everything you've worked your entire career for at risk for some more money. Greed will kill you, one way or the other. And if it's out of need; consider a B job that doesn't involve anything stupid.

[antiquefirelt 994]

How are you Chief,

You may remember I've mentioned in the past, I own a home in Whitefield. Brothers from the Bangor FD, have been instrumental in doing important electrical work, pellet-stove installation, window replacement, it goes on.

My house has been rented to the same woman for many years. Until 2011, the house didn't have locks. In Whitefield you didn't need ever need them in the past. Then the house was broken into late last year. They took my Honda generator, and some of the tenant's possessions. A smart cop searched the immediate woods around the house and located the generator, I guess it was too big for the burglars to fit in the car. Maybe they were going to come back with a pick-up truck later on. Turns out, the new door I had installed (with a lock, not because we needed a lock, because we needed a door) was left unlocked by the tenant; that's how they gained entry.

As hard as it was to imagine that this had occurred in Whitefield, I find it harder to comprehend that this apparent murder has taken place. The mug-shot of the alleged murderer looks more like a preppie to me than a murderer.

I'm well Brother. Sorry to hear of your home being broken into, these types of crimes are becoming very prevalent around here. As an aside, one of our newest hire's wife is from Whitefield and my longtime GF's cousin is a Detective with Lincoln Co. SO and his brother works for our PD, but is currently assigned as the MDEA supervisor for this part of the state. So we seem to be quite current on our crime issue up this way. We have seen what appears to be a sharp increase in violent crime in Maine in hte last two years, shootings, home invasions and murder are now at the top of the news like most of the country, in years passed we used to be into the weather and sport by 6:03 pm, now crime takes us tot he first commercial of the evening news.

Sadly, unlike days of old, remote areas and quiet rural spots are no longer the crime free havens they once were. Drugs have always been a problem on coastal fishing communities as the fishermen had more money (maybe less brains, too) and were constantly travelling between larger ports and here. Now, drugs of all types are in every community, the larger ones see more mainstream sales, while remote areas have become ripe for meth labs and prescription pills of course none were ever free of marijuana which is practically a nothing issue in smaller quantities.

The burglary and home invasion crimes are concerning, as both are becoming far more common. There is a large population of the state that is hurting financially and aid and other help is being cut to the point that some of the people committing burglaries are far from who we'd anticipate. The home invasions on the other hand seem to reveal a far more brazen youth with a real disregard for human life or any shred of decency at all. Interestingly at least two separate home invasion ended with perps being shot (neither fatally) in the past 8 months or less. We never used to lock are cars at night at home or at the FD, now we lock the doors behind us when we enter our home (a few more seconds to place my hands on the grips) and have had vehicle broken into in the FD parking lot. These things many folks in NY or FL would think obvious, but we took for granted in "rural America" until this past decade.

In all our country is in tough shape financially, which is no excuse for crime, but it is clearly a decent barometer. Hopefully things will turn around and we'll be able to reverse the trend of violent crime.

On a positive note, glad the brothers up North have been able to help you out, we have some good friends at BFD, many of whom are from this area. If you're up this way drop me a note or stop by the station if you have a chance. even when I'm off duty I'm rarely further than my house which is less than 5 miles out.

Edited February 29, 2012 by antiquefirelt

[pasobuff 38]

http://www.wgme.com/news/top-stories/stories/wgme_vid_11036.shtml?wap=0&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

BREAKING NEWS: Body found in search for missing Florida firefighter

Breaking news in the search for a Florida firefighter, who drove to Maine and then disappeared.

State Police say a body has been discovered in woods off the Dahlia Farm Road in Newburg. The State Medical Examiner's Office has just arrived at the scene. Officials say the discovery came shortly after a search began this morning in the continuing investigation into the disappearance and homicide of Jerry Perdomo. An affidavit released in the case shows that Perdomo traveled to Maine to collect a debt, and his alleged killer threatened him with a machine gun. The prime suspect in Perdomo's death, 24-year-old Daniel Porter, is scheduled to make his first appearance before a judge on Thursday. Perdomo, who lived in Florida with his wife, Tonya, was reported missing February 16. A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon in the town of Monroe. We will continue to update the story as new information becomes available.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

RIP

[x4093k 654]

R.I.P.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

R.I.P.

Why would we automatically say that? Wouldn't you want to wait until the facts are known about this case? So far we have a firefighter apparently killed in a dispute over collecting a debt.

A debt for what?

He's dealing with people with "machine guns"? Would these same people use those same machine guns if confronted by law enforcement? Would they try and kill a cop?

Apparently there has been discussion in Maine about a prescription drug running connection.

10 trips in 10 months in a rental car that isn't supposed to be taken out of state (in most cases).

I'm sorry this smells to high heaven, and if this guy was involved in pushing drugs on a population of younger people who could get their hands on it, and die from it; pushing a deadly poison if abused by younger people, this is a possibly extremely dishonorable act.

Just as if I would not wish a "Rest In Peace" on anybody else involved in pushing drugs on the kids out there today, I would not wish one for this firefighter, until I know from the facts, that his actions were above and not below the law.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Why would we automatically say that? Wouldn't you want to wait until the facts are known about this case? So far we have a firefighter apparently killed in a dispute over collecting a debt.

A debt for what?

He's dealing with people with "machine guns"? Would these same people use those same machine guns if confronted by law enforcement? Would they try and kill a cop?

Apparently there has been discussion in Maine about a prescription drug running connection.

10 trips in 10 months in a rental car that isn't supposed to be taken out of state (in most cases).

I'm sorry this smells to high heaven, and if this guy was involved in pushing drugs on a population of younger people who could get their hands on it, and die from it; pushing a deadly poison if abused by younger people, this is a possibly extremely dishonorable act.

Just as if I would not wish a "Rest In Peace" on anybody else involved in pushing drugs on the kids out there today, I would not wish one for this firefighter, until I know from the facts, that his actions were above and not below the law.

Captain, while I normally agree with you, I do not think I can agree with you in this case. We believe that we have convicted this firefighter just like we have convicted the suspect...in the court of public opinion and no where else yet. FF Perdomo has not been charged or convicted with any crime to date. Based on speculation and rumors of the media, many of us have jumped to the conclusion that some degree of malfeasance has been committed on the part of the victim. Many of us listen to and embrace these media rumors, yet we are also so quick to dismiss, put down and ignore other rumors the media promotes on any number of various causes.

My point is this, while it may smell fishy, neither you nor I should be rushing to judgement. He was a brother, a firefighter that men risked their lives for and who probably risked his life for them. He did his job and by all accounts never let his personally life interfere with his work. On the job, he was my brother just like he was yours. I would not be so quick to judgement of another brother, regardless of the situation they were found in. We protect our own, if we don't no one will, by selling him down the river without any real proof we further weaken the bonds that you yourself are proclaiming to be failing. We sell him down the river by letting the rumors promoted by the media get in the way of fact.

I say RIP because at this point a man was murdered, no matter the reason, no matter the man, a life was taken, end of story. You may have all the suspicion in the world, but that does not matter one when it comes to facts. For now, I wish this firefighter to rest in peace just like I would any other fallen firefighter, it is only after all the facts are out on the table will I decide whether my statement was premature or not.

Edited February 29, 2012 by SRS131EMTFF

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Captain, while I normally agree with you, I do not think I can agree with you in this case. We believe that we have convicted this firefighter just like we have convicted the suspect...in the court of public opinion and no where else yet. FF Perdomo has not been charged or convicted with any crime to date. Based on speculation and rumors of the media, many of us have jumped to the conclusion that some degree of malfeasance has been committed on the part of the victim. Many of us listen to and embrace these media rumors, yet we are also so quick to dismiss, put down and ignore other rumors the media promotes on any number of various causes.

My point is this, while it may smell fishy, neither you nor I should be rushing to judgement. He was a brother, a firefighter that men risked their lives for and who probably risked his life for them. He did his job and by all accounts never let his personally life interfere with his work. On the job, he was my brother just like he was yours. I would not be so quick to judgement of another brother, regardless of the situation they were found in. We protect our own, if we don't no one will, by selling him down the river without any real proof we further weaken the bonds that you yourself are proclaiming to be failing. We sell him down the river by letting the rumors promoted by the media get in the way of fact.

I say RIP because at this point a man was murdered, no matter the reason, no matter the man, a life was taken, end of story. You may have all the suspicion in the world, but that does not matter one when it comes to facts. For now, I wish this firefighter to rest in peace just like I would any other fallen firefighter, it is only after all the facts are out on the table will I decide whether my statement was premature or not.

Fair enough Bro, you know I respect your opinion. And it's a good point that we shouldn't judge this firefighter, at this point. I think or I tried to emphasize that point, while saying things like "IF" and "apparently." I was trying to stay away from a conviction, but at this point I'm withholding any final respect or thoughts until we know what really happened.

Yours is a well written post. Thanks for that.

Stay well.

Edit: I honestly hope my hypothesis based on prior posts and links to articles is proven totally wrong.

Edited February 29, 2012 by efdcapt115

[INIT915 1,119]

Why would we automatically say that? Wouldn't you want to wait until the facts are known about this case? So far we have a firefighter apparently killed in a dispute over collecting a debt.

A debt for what?

He's dealing with people with "machine guns"? Would these same people use those same machine guns if confronted by law enforcement? Would they try and kill a cop?

Apparently there has been discussion in Maine about a prescription drug running connection.

10 trips in 10 months in a rental car that isn't supposed to be taken out of state (in most cases).

I'm sorry this smells to high heaven, and if this guy was involved in pushing drugs on a population of younger people who could get their hands on it, and die from it; pushing a deadly poison if abused by younger people, this is a possibly extremely dishonorable act.

Just as if I would not wish a "Rest In Peace" on anybody else involved in pushing drugs on the kids out there today, I would not wish one for this firefighter, until I know from the facts, that his actions were above and not below the law.

I would tend to agree with you. One can read between the lines in this story and see it for what it is. Was this not the same forum that recently went crazy over Whitney Houston? This forum had little trouble jumping to conclusions in that case. But, many are hesitant when it's a fellow FF/LEO/Medic, etc. Civil service is just like any other line of work. We have winners and losers, and some who made it onto the job who never should have.

[fire 1 asst chief 49]

I would tend to agree with you. One can read between the lines in this story and see it for what it is. Was this not the same forum that recently went crazy over Whitney Houston? This forum had little trouble jumping to conclusions in that case. But, many are hesitant when it's a fellow FF/LEO/Medic, etc. Civil service is just like any other line of work. We have winners and losers, and some who made it onto the job who never should have.

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