Akron, Ohio

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer of August 17, 2006

Charges dropped in death of officer shot by relative

Charges were dropped Wednesday against a New Franklin man who fatally shot his brother-in-law, an off-duty Akron police officer, during an argument.

A Summit County grand jury declined to indict Jacob Carlson, 32, who was charged with murder after shooting Michael Beitko, of Akron, on July 26. Carlson claimed self-defense.

Beitko and his wife, Suzanne, were visiting Carlson and his family at Carlson's New Franklin home when Beitko began arguing with his wife, officials said.

Carlson's wife, Jenny - Beitko's sister - called police at 9:29 p.m., saying her brother was drunk and fighting with his wife.

Beitko's four children were present, too.

The fight escalated and Carlson, wearing a neck brace because of a swimming injury, shot Beitko.

Beitko was a 14-year veteran of the force who had worked the night shift in the detective bureau since 2001.

Police had been called to his home twice, in 2000 and 2005 for incidents between him and his wife. No charges were filed.

Beitko's police disciplinary rec- ord includes a 10-day suspension in 1993 following a DUI conviction in Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court and a 90-day suspension in 1993 for choking and hitting a handcuffed suspect.

At that time, then-Police Chief Larry Givens recommended he be dismissed.

Beitko was also suspended for 30 days in 2000 for drinking alcohol to the extent that his conduct was unbecoming an officer.