Sgt. Wayne Boocher

[scd]

SOUTH BEND — A 40-year-old South Bend Police officer has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of battering a woman outside a local Target store.

Sgt. Wayne Boocher, a 15-year veteran of the force, was arrested Saturday after allegedly assaulting the female outside of Target, 1400 E. Ireland Road.

Officers responded to the domestic disturbance about 5:50 p.m. and were told by the 37-year-old female that Boocher had physically assaulted her, according to a news release sent Sunday.

A superior grade officer was then called to the scene to assist, as is standard policy.

After a short investigation, Boocher was taken into custody and later placed on administrative leave from the department.

The officer remained at the St. Joseph County jail Sunday evening, according to booking records. His bond had not yet been set.

The administrative leave is currently with pay, but that could be modified if Boocher is charged, spokesman Capt. Phil Trent said Sunday.

The female party declined medical treatment at the scene.

The case has been turned over to the St. Joseph County Family Violence Unit for further investigation.

www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070128/News01/70128058

[WaTcHeR]

SOUTH BEND -- A South Bend police officer accused of hitting his wife in front of their children outside a Target store received permission this week to see his wife again.

Wayne Boocher, charged with felony domestic battery, was prohibited on Jan. 30 from having contact with Lisa Boocher.

Boocher asked the courts to allow him to see his wife in part "to deal with issues relating to their children," according to court documents. Also, "financial issues relating to payment of their household bills" is mentioned in the request.

Lisa Boocher agreed to see her husband again, stating among other things that she had at no time requested that he be prohibited from having contact with her, according to court documents.

Wayne Boocher, who has denied striking his wife, has been placed on administrative leave without pay from the Police Department.

Wayne Boocher will appear in court May 9 to enter a plea.

According to St. Joseph County police reports, the Jan. 27 incident was not the first time officers had been called regarding domestic violence between the Boochers.

Police were called to the Boochers' Miller Road home three times in 2005.

In the first incident, Dec. 17 of that year, Wayne Boocher was reportedly the victim and told police that his wife hit him in the face during an argument and knocked over their Christmas tree.

Later that day, police were called back to the home, where Lisa Boocher told them her husband had pinned her underneath the steering wheel of their truck after another fight.

Body marks were photographed by police during both incidents, but neither party wanted to press charges, according to reports.

On Dec. 18, 2005, police again were called to the home after Lisa Boocher told them her husband had pushed her into a garage door and taken their 9-year-old son to his parents, reports said.

When police caught up with Boocher, he reportedly denied pushing his wife. When officers asked the boy whether his parents had hit each other, the child allegedly replied, "Not today."

No charges were pressed in that incident.

www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/News01/703010390/-1/NEWS01