Newton Falls safety forces honored for hostage rescue

The chief said writing traffic citations shows people that the city ‘doesn’t mess around.’

NEWTON FALLS — At a recognition luncheon Friday, Ruth Jenkins personally thanked the three officers who responded to her Ridge Road apartment last June to rescue her from her 29-year-old granddaughter.

“My doctor said if you hadn’t responded to the 911 call right away, I would have been dead,” Jenkins told Police Chief John Kuivila and patrolmen Mike Laswell and Jim Zimomra.

Jenkins’ granddaughter, Crystal Good-rich, went to Jenkins’ home around 6:30 a.m. June 22 and took Jenkins hostage, police said. Around noon, Goodrich’s mother, Cathy Lane of Braceville, arrived at the home. Goodrich told Lane she wanted Lane to watch as she killed Jenkins, Kuivila said.

Lane got in between Goodrich and Jenkins and tried to call 911, but Goodrich prevented her from making the call, Kuivila said.

Neighbors heard Lane crying out for help and called 911, Kuivila said.

Laswell was the first to arrive. He found the door locked.

When Lane unlocked it, Goodrich stabbed her grandmother twice in the chest and once in the arm before Laswell was able to pull Goodrich off Jenkins, Kuivila said.

Jenkins suffered a collapsed lung but is doing well now.

Goodrich has been in Trumbull County Jail since the incident, charged with felonious assault, attempted murder and kidnapping. She could spend up to 28 years in jail if convicted.

Goodrich pleaded innocent by reason of insanity, and psychiatric evaluations have been conducted to determine whether she is competent to stand trial. She returns to court Monday morning.

Kuivila, chief in Newton Falls for 15 months, organized Friday’s luncheon to recognize police officers, dispatchers and others for their contributions to the department.

Several officers were recognized for their extra effort to track down rumors and find three Newton Falls teens who were reportedly planning to retaliate against Warren teens over a “turf battle” that had resulted in gunfire in Newton Falls in September.

Three Newton Falls boys were charged with stealing guns from one of their fathers, and the guns were taken away before they had a chance to use them, Kuivila said. “A lot of you guys came in on your own time,” Kuivila said. “We all worked until we got the guns off the street.”

City Manager Jack Haney commended Kuivila for his leadership.

“The department has faced real challenges this year, and you have responded in a professional manner. The true test is when I get my hair cut, I hear all good things,” he said.

Sgt. Brian Foor said the department is “proactive in the community and one we can be proud of.”

Kuivila noted that officers wrote a sizable number of traffic citations and kept a lid on overtime and sick time.

“It’s statistically proven that high levels of traffic enforcement stop crime. People know that you’re a community that doesn’t mess around,” Kuivila said.

runyan@vindy.com