DATE: Saturday, October 4, 1997             TAG: 9710040374

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   61 lines

BEACH NAMES OFFICER FROM FATAL SHOOTING

The city has identified the officers who fired more than 60 shots at an unarmed motorist in March, killing him. Eight of the 20 officers involved in the incident fired their guns, the city said.

This is the first time the city has given the number of officers involved in the incident and released their names. The city finally released the names in response to a request under the state Freedom of Information Act.

The officers involved in Bruce V. Quagliato's shooting range in experience from rookie to sergeant. At least 18 of the 20 involved have been notified they will receive disciplinary actions that can range from reprimands to termination. The various punishments should be handed down in the coming weeks, authorities said.

Quagliato was unarmed when he was shot several times. He had refused to stop for police during the low-speed chase along Independence Boulevard. Police said they fired because they believed he was trying to run them over.

The case is unusual for the Beach for three reasons:

Never have so many officers been involved in a shooting.

Never have so many officers faced discipline for a shooting.

Never have the city and the Police Department been so secretive about the names of officers involved in such an incident.

This apparently is the first time the Police Department and the city have withheld the names of officers involved in a shooting.

A letter from the City Attorney's office identified the officers who fired at Quagliato as:

Sgt. Michael A. Zito and officers Shawn P. Walther, James R. Mockenhaupt, Anthony L. Whitmore and Robert L. Keihm, all of the Third Precinct; and officers Russell S. Renner, David A. Duty and G.W. Garrett, all of Special Operations. Investigators said Walther fired the first shots at Quagliato's car.

These officers were involved in the incident, but did not shoot:

Sgt. Brian Robertson and officers Henry J. Alvarez, Mark A. Roulley, Steven W. Renz, Dathan C. Ashe, Mark R. Miller, G.R. Crane, Pam J. Stewart, Rickie D. Deems and Edward F. Ambrose, all of the Third Precinct; Scott E. Wichtendahl of the Second Precinct; and Susan M. McCoy of the Fourth Precinct.

Officers Miller and Alvarez are the two who have not been disciplined, law enforcement authorities said. Both had minor roles and were following orders, said the authorities.

One of the officers who fired was in his probationary period.

The Police Department has the authority to terminate probationary officers without cause. Other officers can appeal punishments to the Personnel Board. The board has the authority to accept, modify or overturn the punishments.

Police Chief Charles R. Wall declined through a spokesman to discuss the matter Friday. State law forbids Wall from discussing personnel matters.

The city and the Navy may face a lawsuit by the Quagliato family. The family's attorney has put the city and Navy on notice that a suit is being considered.

The Navy is included because the events that led to Quagliato's death began on the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Bruce V. Quagliato.. KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION

SHOOTING FATALITY

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