The Career That Comes With An Extended Family

Being part of a police department certainly comes with a myriad of challenges.  For some recruits, they’ve chosen to protect and serve the community they grew up in.  For many others, the adventure begins far from home.  If they are lucky enough to be hired at the Mesa Police Department, they not only benefit from an exhaustive training program, but they become part of something bigger and better. They don’t just have the support of a growing and proud community, they gain an extended family, more than 1200 people strong. 

When one member faces a crisis, the support is unmatched.

Meet Detective Charlie White. Detective White grew up in a small, impoverished town in Kentucky before joining the U.S. Army.  After her military service, she joined Mesa PD as an officer and more recently is working as a detective in the Special Victims Unit. 

A few weeks ago, Detective White’s family and hometown in Kentucky was devastated by unexpected, historic flooding. Detective White lost family and friends in the flooding and others are still missing.

“Most homes have been swept away, the ones that do remain are severely damaged and most roads are gone. Several family members and friends lost their lives attempting to escape their homes and as the days go by, more are being recovered in the debris. The flood death toll is at 38 as of today and will continue to rise as there are many still unaccounted for as of today.” – Det. Charlie White

As time goes by, the help there is also diminishing. Detective White’s family members and loved ones in the community who survived, only have the clothes they left in as they stay in shelters. Others are living in tents where their homes once stood and are likely to be in this situation for months to come. Unfortunately, there isn’t much help being provided to this remote area and most are being told they don’t qualify for any assistance at all. 

While Detective White continues to serve our community, we want to help support her. There are two disaster relief funds that have been set up and are accepting donations.

https://kydistrict6740.org/

(click the red bar under the “About Us” section for the special message from the governor)

https://appalachianky.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2419

We are #togethermesa

Man Arrested After Violently Killing East Mesa Man

Mesa Police Officers arrested 61-year-old John Lagana after he used his vehicle to run over and kill a man in east Mesa. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as 63-year-old Christopher Heimer.

On August 12, 2022, just after 12:30 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to the area of 6400 E. Alder Mesa, AZ for multiple reports of someone intentionally using their vehicle to run over another person. A witness used their own firearm and shot a round into the ground, preventing 61-year-old John Lagana from leaving the area and allowing officers to take him into custody immediately when they arrived. 

After speaking with numerous witnesses and reviewing video surveillance cameras, officers learned that 63-year-old Christopher Heimer was walking westbound on Alder at the same time Lagana was driving eastbound on Alder. Lagana swerved out of the roadway and struck Heimer as he was walking on the north sidewalk, throwing him into the landscaping of a fourplex apartment complex. Lagana continued to travel eastbound on the sidewalk, damaging mailboxes and landscaping before turning around and driving back toward Heimer. Witnesses say Lagana again drove onto the sidewalk, into the landscaping and ran over Heimer, who was already lying injured on the ground. Lagana then got out of his vehicle and proceeded to stomp on Heimer’s head multiple times. This is when one witness used their firearm to put an end to Lagana’s actions.

Witnesses further told officers that Lagana was parked in a vacant lot, just northwest of Heimer’s residence, and that Lagana honked his horn repeatedly, until Heimer came out of his home. Observations on scene showed where Lagana accelerated through the empty lot onto the street. Officers also found skid marks from Lagana’s vehicle in the roadway and on the sidewalk where the incident occurred.

Lagana was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $2,000,000 bond:

ARS 13-1105A1; 1^st Degree Murder, a class 1 felony

John Lagana Mug Shot

Hit and Run Suspect Arrested After Hitting 4-year-old

On August 7, 2022, around 4:00 p.m., a silver four door passenger car struck a four-year-old girl at the intersection of Main and Lesueur and then left the scene. Mesa Police Officers relied on witnesses and video surveillance to identify the vehicle and driver. Witnesses told officers that the vehicle had black rims and was driven by a white female with long hair. Video surveillance revealed that the vehicle displayed a black sticker just below the driver side taillight and a red and white object in the back seat.  

The four-year-old girl was transported to a local hospital and is currently being treated for a brain bleed, broken ribs, a punctured lung, facial lacerations, and facial fractures. She is expected to survive.

Twenty- Four hours later, on August 8, 2022, officers located a silver 2014 Hyundai that matched the description of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located at an apartment complex at 33 S. Ashland Mesa, AZ. The vehicle was parked in a designated parking spot, which led officers to the corresponding apartment, where officers spoke to 48-year-old Veronica Laprada. Laprada was identified as the registered owner of the Hyundai and the driver of the vehicle at the time of collision.

Laprada was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $50,000 bond:

ARS 28-661A2; Failing to Remain on Scene of a Serious Physical Injury Collision, a class 3 felony.

Veronica Laprada Mug Shot

Man Arrested for Killing Passenger in Mesa Crash

On July 31, 2022, just after 3:00 p.m., a Nissan Sentra was traveling south on Gilbert Rd. at a high rate of speed. For an unknown reason, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a short thick metal pole, which was used to protect the power lines just south of Decatur St. The passenger, 35-year-old Kasey Galvan, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and husband of Kasey, 35-year-old Mario Galvan, remained on scene. Mesa Police Officers had Galvan complete Field Sobriety Tests. Impairment was observed and Galvan was taken into custody.

Galvan was booked into jail for the following charge and held on a $250, 000 bond:

ARS 13-1103A1; Manslaughter, a class 2 felony.

Thick metal poles used to protect power lines

Nissan Sentra

Mario Galvan Mug Shot