Burbank Police Department

FBI officials confirmed Wednesday that they are investigating possible civil rights violations alleged by officers at the Burbank Police Department. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller would not comment on specifics of the probe by the agency's civil rights division or how long the probe would last. At least seven lawsuits alleging a pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation, as well as unlawful demotions or firings, have been filed by officers against the department. Burbank Mayor Gary Bric said he was confident that the investigations into the department, which also includes an independent probe by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, would be thorough and complete.

The Burbank Police Department and Los Angeles County district attorney's office launched investigations Tuesday into the actions of officers who tried to stop a high-speed pursuit by firing at the suspect while he was stopped in rush-hour traffic. Officials said they are looking at the tactics used Monday afternoon by the Burbank officers, who fired at the suspect on two occasions during the wild chase. Of biggest concern is one officer's decision to fire into the suspect's stolen sport utility vehicle while he was in the middle of traffic on Barham Boulevard near the 101 Freeway.

Neil Thomas Gunn Sr. wheeled his pickup truck to the curb in a quiet hillside neighborhood in Burbank, about a mile from the police department where he'd worked for 22 years. He got out toting a 12-gauge shotgun, walked to a grassy area and turned the weapon on himself. Knowing that officers from his department would be dispatched to the scene, Gunn had left two notes in the truck. One asked that the vehicle not be impounded, but instead released to his family. The other said "this is absolutely work related."

Neil Thomas Gunn Sr. wheeled his pickup truck to the curb in a quiet hillside neighborhood in Burbank, about a mile from the police department where he'd worked for 22 years. He got out toting a 12-gauge shotgun, walked to a grassy area and turned the weapon on himself. Knowing that officers from his department would be dispatched to the scene, Gunn had left two notes in the truck. One asked that the vehicle not be impounded, but instead released to his family. The other said "this is absolutely work related."

A decorated Burbank Police Department sergeant who was named in an FBI probe shot and killed himself on a residential street corner Thursday, authorities said. Burbank police responding to a "shots fired" call about 11:40 a.m. near North Sunset Canyon Drive at East Harvard Road found Neil Thomas Gunn, 50, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police officials called the death of the 22-year veteran "a devastating tragedy" and said the investigation into what led to the suicide would be handled by the neighboring Glendale Police Department.

The chief of the Burbank Police Department announced Monday that he is stepping down, a month after the FBI revealed it was investigating several current and former officers at the agency. Tim Stehr, 51, who became chief in 2007, made his announcement in a statement released by the city. He did not give a reason for his resignation. "It has been my absolute privilege to serve as chief in the city of Burbank," Stehr said in the statement. "Our department is facing challenging times.

One suspect was dead and two Burbank police officers were in surgery late Saturday night with serious injuries after a gunfight erupted during a routine traffic stop, authorities said. The incident occurred after two officers stopped two men in a sport utility vehicle in front of the Ramada Inn on San Fernando Road, north of Buena Vista Street, about 6:30 p.m., said Sgt. William Berry of the Burbank Police Department.

Burbank Police Department officials said they will not ask the district attorney's office to file criminal charges against 13 Burbank youths arrested last month after a 40-student confrontation at a city park. "The matter has been adjudicated within the Police Department," Detective Richard Kowatch said. He said the youths have good reputations at their schools and have not been arrested before.

Seven checks totaling $107,602.56 have been presented to Burbank, representing the city's share of assets seized as a result of drug prosecutions. "This goes in the bank," said Police Chief David Newsham. "As we go along and identify needs we have, we'll use it." With this most recent deposit, the Burbank Police Department has received more than $7 million in seized drug assets since it joined the Drug Asset Forfeiture program in 1986.

Ernest James Vandergrift, who worked for the Burbank Police Department for 30 years and retired as a captain, has died at his Burbank home. He was 78. Vandergrift died Friday of a heart attack, said his son-in-law, Sandy Perkins. Born in Camden, N.J., Vandergrift came to California as a child and graduated from Franklin High School in Highland Park. He joined the Burbank Police Department as an officer in 1943, working as a narcotics investigator and a homicide detective.

The chief of the Burbank Police Department announced Monday that he is stepping down, a month after the FBI revealed it was investigating several current and former officers at the agency. Tim Stehr, 51, who became chief in 2007, made his announcement in a statement released by the city. He did not give a reason for his resignation. "It has been my absolute privilege to serve as chief in the city of Burbank," Stehr said in the statement. "Our department is facing challenging times.

The family of a Burbank police sergeant who took his own life last week blamed the police chief and other city officials for his death, saying he was the victim of retaliation for defending fellow officers. Neil Thomas Gunn Sr., 50, was one of a dozen current or former Burbank officers who had their records subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in connection with an FBI investigation into excessive force at the department. But Tina Gunn described her husband as a hard-working officer who cared deeply for the department and said the police brass and the union failed to support him against unfounded use-of-force allegations, effectively ruining his career and leaving him "brokenhearted."

A decorated Burbank Police Department sergeant who was named in an FBI probe shot and killed himself on a residential street corner Thursday, authorities said. Burbank police responding to a "shots fired" call about 11:40 a.m. near North Sunset Canyon Drive at East Harvard Road found Neil Thomas Gunn, 50, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police officials called the death of the 22-year veteran "a devastating tragedy" and said the investigation into what led to the suicide would be handled by the neighboring Glendale Police Department.

FBI officials confirmed Wednesday that they are investigating possible civil rights violations alleged by officers at the Burbank Police Department. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller would not comment on specifics of the probe by the agency's civil rights division or how long the probe would last. At least seven lawsuits alleging a pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation, as well as unlawful demotions or firings, have been filed by officers against the department. Burbank Mayor Gary Bric said he was confident that the investigations into the department, which also includes an independent probe by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, would be thorough and complete.

Two roadside signs honoring a Burbank police officer believed killed by a member of a street gang were taken down this week after they were defaced by gang graffiti, officials said. The signs on the Golden State Freeway, which read "Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka Memorial Freeway," were tagged with "187" -- apparently referring to the California Penal Code section on murder -- as well as other markings, said Burbank Police Sgt. Jay Jette.

Burbank police detectives shot and killed a 25-year-old man after he struck one of them with his car, authorities said Saturday. The two detectives tried to talk to the man, a suspect in a drug investigation, about 10:30 p.m. Friday in an alley near Oxnard Street and Coldwater Canyon Avenue, police said.

A Burbank junior high school teacher who is the son of a local school board member was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of trafficking in cocaine, authorities said. William D. Hubbell, 32, was taken into custody a week after detectives from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Burbank Police Department observed him shipping a box of cocaine to Hawaii, according to Burbank police Lt. Ed Skvarna.

Women and minorities in Burbank's police and fire departments are without question overwhelmingly outnumbered by white males. But whether this should be called segregation is open for debate. A recently completed report by the American Civil Liberties Union concluded that Burbank, as well as three other cities, have the "most segregated" police and firefighting forces in Southern California.

A man accused of killing a Burbank police officer last year pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a murder indictment. David Garcia, 20, could face the death penalty in the slaying of Officer Matthew Pavelka on Nov. 15. Garcia, a suspected street gang member who had been accused of dealing drugs, allegedly shot and killed Pavelka near Bob Hope Airport and wounded veteran Officer Greg Campbell. After the shooting, Garcia fled to Mexico.

In two separate confrontations over the weekend, police officers in Burbank and South Los Angeles fired at suspects who were allegedly brandishing weapons, authorities said. No law enforcement personnel were injured, and both men were arrested. On Friday evening, a Burbank officer shot a man who allegedly threatened him with a butcher knife. The officer, whose name was not released, had responded to a call of a man threatening his family in the 500 block of North Griffith Park Drive.