Suspect in Independence police officer’s death had long criminal history
Cody Harrison, 33, most recently wanted for failing to appear in court on a burglary charge
Cody Harrison, 33, most recently wanted for failing to appear in court on a burglary charge
Cody Harrison, 33, most recently wanted for failing to appear in court on a burglary charge
The suspect investigators say shot and killed 22-year-old Independence police Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans on Wednesday had a long criminal history and several trips to jail and prison.
Cody Levi Harrison, 33, of Gladstone was most recently wanted on a warrant in Jackson County for a failure to appear in court in late August. That warrant was related to a 2020 burglary charge from Grain Valley, according to the Jackson County prosecutor's office.
After Wednesday's shooting, several community members contacted KMBC 9 Investigates wanting to know why Harrison was not in custody at the time of the shooting considering his criminal history.
"Contrary to early reporting, the Jackson County prosecutor's office had not declined to prosecute or file a case against Cody Harrison who was out of jail when he shot an Independence Police officer this week," said Mike Mansur, spokesman for Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. "In fact, a warrant for Cody Harrison's arrest was issued on Sept. 13, 2021, after he failed to appear for a hearing in late August in a criminal case initiated in February 2021. We requested that arrest warrant."
Jackson County prosecutors had charged Harrison with burglary and stealing from a Grain Valley incident on Nov. 14, 2020. Court documents say Harrison broke into his former employer, Moving Pros in Grain Valley, and stole a safe containing $300, two sets of keys for moving trucks, approximately $1,000 cash and a steel dolly.
"At the time we filed that case, our office's original request was for a bond of $10,000/10 percent, which is within the state Supreme Court's bond guidelines. The court, however, issued the $6,000/10% bond and it was later reduced by the court to an ROR bond (release on his own recognizance)," Mansur said.
"In addition, Kansas City police submitted to us on Sept. 7 (received by our office on Sept. 9) a new case on Harrison for earlier that month (Sept. 2) carrying a firearm which he was prohibited to carry because he was a convicted felon. That case was under review for charging in our office. Though arrested on Sept.2, we did not receive the case until Sept. 9, when Harrison had been out of custody for days,” Mansur said.
The Kansas City Police Department released a statement on Harrison's arrest:
"On 09-02-2021, Cody Harrison was taken into custody in Kansas City, Missouri on an investigative arrest for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. During the course of the arrest, a handgun was recovered by officers. Harrison was transported and booked into a detention unit. It was determined by KCPD to release him pending further investigation. On 09-07-2021, the case was submitted to Jackson County Prosecutor's Office for their review and consideration of charges.
"Yesterday was a tragic and violent act committed by Cody Harrison. We along with our community wish that he had not made this heinous choice. This loss is felt throughout our entire community as there is one less hero who will be serving and protecting the City Of Independence. Our thoughts and condolences continue to be with the family of Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans, the Independence Police Department and with the entire community."
Harrison's trips to prison began in 2011 after a felony charge in Clay County for shooting at a motor vehicle. A Clay County judge sentenced Harrison in 2011 to 15 years in prison. Harrison served less than seven years on that charge, getting released from prison in 2018, according to a Missouri Department of Corrections spokeswoman.
After his arrest for the incident in Grain Valley in November 2020, he went back to prison on a parole violation from the 2011 Clay County charge. He served prison time from Nov. 18 2020 to May 24, 2021, eventually getting released on parole.
Decisions by the Missouri parole board are not public record, according to a Missouri Department of Corrections spokeswoman.
A friend of Harrison's told KMBC 9 Investigates on Thursday that Harrison was trying to put his life together while staying at the house where investigators say Harrison shot Independence police Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans. Madrid-Evans' partner returned fire on Wednesday, killing Harrison.
"It was a hard day," Lindsay Worden said. "It was sad."
Worden said Harrison was just recently kicked out of another home and was staying with friends in the 2300 block of South Northern Boulevard.
"It was a bad time in his life and he was using alcohol, alcohol and depression was getting the best of this point in time," she said.
When asked why Harrison had a gun, Worden said she did not know.
"I don't know how he got a gun because I know the last time I talked to him, which was the night before he didn't have a gun, and in his possession that he owns himself," she said.
KMBC 9 Investigates continues to look into the situation. If you have any tips, email investigates@kmbc.com