Police response will be reviewed

The committee will report any findings with recommendations to township officials.

LIBERTY — Township trustees have commissioned an independent review of the police department’s response to and investigation of a 911 call before the discovery of deceased township resident Mary Rush.

The review will be conducted by the Kent State University Trumbull Campus’ Public Safety Training and Research Center, which runs the campus’ state-certified Police Training Academy.

A statement issued by trustees said a committee of trained law enforcement professionals and victims’ advocates, along with a “lay citizen” of the township, will review the circumstances around the 911 call to determine the adequacy of the police department’s response.

The review will be based on police department policy, operating procedures and generally accepted law enforcement standards of response and investigation, the statement said.

The committee will provide the township with a written report of findings along with any recommendations.

Rush, 87, of Mansell Drive, was found on her front porch, unconscious with severe cuts, just after 7 a.m. April 28. The porch area was covered in blood, and a large rock was found by a nearby broken window.

Fire Chief Michael Durkin said Rush’s leg was broken and caught in the railing leading to the porch. Her body has been taken to Cuyahoga County for an autopsy.

Police have since determined that Rush, who suffered from a form of dementia, locked herself out and was cut trying to gain entry to the house.

Police checked the area by car twice in the early hours when Rush likely would have been outside, after a neighbor complained of someone crying out outside — but they did not find the woman.