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Ohio Valley officials confident in court security

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Local court and law enforcement officials reacted to the Monday morning shooting of Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese, which occurred in Court Alley in Steubenville, by expressing faith in existing security measures but wondering if more can be done to keep everyone who uses such public buildings safe.

Bruzzese underwent surgery and was “doing fine” at UPMC in Pittsburgh, according to Steubenville City Manager Jim Mavromatis. Bruzzese was shot in an ambush-style attack outside the Jefferson County Courthouse on his way into his office Monday morning. The courthouse was closed Monday as the incident was investigated, and it remained closed Tuesday.

“I have great confidence in the security provided here upon entering and working at the courthouse, but obviously that’s not the issue. This incident happened before Judge Bruzzese could get into the courthouse,” Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra said. “I guess it’s something we all have to face or at least be aware of — a terrible sign of the times. My thoughts and prayers and my family’s are with him and his family, hoping that he’s going to have a full recovery and be able to get back on to the bench. … We’re just happy for the reports we’re hearing that he’s going be OK.”

Vavra reflected on the concerns some officials who deal with aspects of law enforcement must take into account in fulfilling their duties.

“I’ve thought about that, but what can you do? Sit in your house all day and never leave? Think about it for a moment. You could be out cutting grass and if somebody wants to come after you, they’re coming after you, regardless of what you’re doing. It’s something you have to be aware of, but I hope it’s an isolated incident and not something that’s going to recur,” Vavra added.

He commended law enforcement and first responders.

“Our first providers are at the frontline of defense for all of us and I appreciate so much the job they do and the risks they’re faced with. I thank them for their service in that regard,” he said. “That certainly is a comfort and a source of confidence on my part, but again you just don’t know nowadays.”

Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato agreed that judges and others working in the legal system face risks every day.

“Commons pleas judges deal with extremely dangerous cases every single day, which does put us all at serious risk. The general public doesn’t realize the magnitude of the cases we handle daily. We are at very much risk in the public, especially those of us who are extremely active in community affairs,” he said. “It’s a dangerous world out there, with a lot of bad guys and gals. My best wishes to Judge Bruzzese and his entire family.”

Belmont County Western Court Judge Eric Costine said law enforcement officials must be prepared to deal with such incidents at all times.

“We are all shocked that something like this, of this magnitude, could actually happen,” he said. “I guess we’re fooling ourselves if we think this is never going to happen, and we need to be vigilant and aware that things like this can happen, and we need to properly prepare for it, because it is shocking and devastating.”

Harrison County Common Pleas Judge Shawn Hervey said he heard of the shooting before leaving for work Monday morning. He was notified by several co-workers and friends who were concerned about him and said “we took some precautions” to help ensure he would make it safely into the courthouse. Hervey said he and Judge Matthew Puskarich previously have spoken to the Harrison commissioners about upgrading security at the courthouse in Cadiz.

“It’s a tragic event that happened,” Hervey said. “It’s a reminder that public officials are at risk, by the simple fact of completing their jobs. You have to take a little extra precaution to protect not only the officials but the people in the courthouse.”

Ohio County Magistrate Harry Radcliffe said Monday’s shooting of Bruzzese outside the Jefferson County Courthouse gives all law enforcement and judges cause for concern.

“Once we’re in the courthouse, we’re pretty secure. There are armed guards at the door and lot of law enforcement in the courtrooms and throughout the building,” Radcliffe said.

Radcliffe — like his fellow magistrates Joe Roxby and Charlie Murphy — is a former law enforcement officer. He said they are all familiar with the use of weapons, and West Virginia law allows magistrates and judges in the state to carry concealed weapons. He said many of them often do carry a weapon for a number of reasons.

“Magistrates’ hours are public information, and we are out in the public like everyone else,” he said. “We go to Kroger’s and Riesbeck’s and the 19th Hole to pick up wings. You just never know …”

While Radcliffe believes Bruzzese was targeted, he said public officials often are “open game.”

He noted there are cameras outside the City-County Building and the adjacent Magistrate Court facility in Wheeling that monitor when magistrates and the public travel to and from their vehicles, but cameras aren’t a deterrent if someone wants to harm them.

“It would be nice to have more armed guards around the courthouse, but it’s pretty tough to deter someone when you’re out in public,” Radcliffe added.

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