The Perils of Process Serving: A Cautionary Tale from Tulsa
On July 24, 2019, a process server in Tulsa, Oklahoma, arrived at the residence of Christopher Barnett, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate who had run in the 2018 election, finishing eighth out of ten contenders. As the process server approached the door with eviction papers, Barnett’s security cameras recorded the moment when the routine task took a dangerous turn. While attempting to serve the documents, the process server was shot in the elbow, sustaining non-fatal injuries. This alarming incident underscores the inherent risks faced by process servers, highlighting how quickly a seemingly routine duty can escalate into a life-threatening situation.
Tragic Eviction Ends in Deadly Shooting
During an eviction in Independence, Missouri, a violent incident unfolded, resulting in the deaths of a police officer and a civil process server. The 16th Judicial District Circuit Court reported that the shooting occurred while multiple civil process servers were delivering an eviction notice at a residence located near East Bundschu Road and North Elsea Smith Road, roughly 10 miles east of Kansas City. As the eviction was being enforced, an occupant of the home opened fire, fatally wounding Drexel Mack, one of the process servers, and Officer Cody Allen, who responded to the scene. Despite the quick actions of a nearby neighbor and a court employee who called 911, the situation escalated tragically. Two other officers who were also involved in the shooting are expected to survive their injuries.
Prescott Man Arrested for Attempted Murder of Process Server
On Saturday, Prescott police arrested 57-year-old Larry Stewart on multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder, after a process server was shot while posting legal documents at Stewart’s residence. According to Bob Palmer of Palmer Investigations, the server had made several unsuccessful attempts to serve Stewart with a civil summons, as Stewart repeatedly refused to answer the door. Due to these refusals, the court authorized the papers to be posted on Stewart’s front gate. As the server taped the paperwork to the locked gate and returned to his vehicle, Stewart emerged from his home and shot the server in the back with a handgun. The victim, who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his lower abdomen, managed to reach his vehicle and call 911 before being transported to Yavapai Regional Medical Center. Stewart was subsequently booked into Yavapai County Jail on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and multiple counts of discharging a firearm within city limits.
Tragic Dog Attack Claims the Life of Texas Process Server
The process server community in Texas is grappling with the tragic death of 36-year-old Erin McCleskey, a registered Texas Supreme Court-certified process server, who was fatally attacked by dogs in June. McCleskey, who worked as an independent contractor for EZ Messenger, a civil process service company owned by her father in Austin, had arrived at a rural location in the late afternoon to serve legal documents. Evidence suggests that she successfully attempted, as her card was found on the door along with a photo taken using a mobile app. However, as she walked back to her car parked on the road, she was attacked by several dogs. The exact number of dogs involved remains uncertain. Her body was discovered hours later by the property’s caretaker, who immediately alerted the police. It was later revealed that McCleskey had made previous visits to the same residence without incident. Unfortunately, she had a broken arm in a shoulder-to-wrist cast, which may have hindered her ability to defend herself or escape from the attack.
Process Server Threatened with Gun, Leads to Standoff
A tense standoff at a Pacific Beach apartment on Thursday morning resulted in the arrest of a man accused of threatening a process server with a gun. Greg Cole, a process server, recounted the incident that began around 8 a.m. when he arrived at an apartment on Ingraham Street to deliver legal paperwork. The man at the address denied being the intended recipient, growing increasingly agitated and demanding Cole leave immediately. When Cole asked for the man’s name to avoid future disturbances, the man brandished a firearm, forcing Cole to retreat. Fearing for his life, Cole contacted the police, who responded to the scene. The man barricaded himself in the apartment, refusing to surrender. After an hour-long standoff, he finally emerged and was taken into custody. Authorities have not released further details, identifying the suspect only as a man in his 20s.
Conclusion
These real-life cases demonstrate the inherent dangers that process servers face daily. While their role is crucial to the functioning of the legal system, it is not without significant risk. The tragic outcomes in these situations serve as reminders of the need for enhanced safety measures and awareness in the profession, ensuring that process servers can carry out their duties with greater security.
Here At Keefe Private Investigations and Process Serving in Oklahoma, our process servers will help you with their skills and expertise and ensure that your process is served as when due. So, for more insights or our services, visit us at www.privateinvestigatorokc.com you can email us at Makayla@ojpslegal.com.
