Tag Archive for gary calhoun

Movie Shoot In Madison

April 8, 2013 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Submitted by Madison Police Chief Gary Calhoun


About a month ago I received an email from Carl Graddy, a friend of mine who worked with me in Central Florida. Carl had been hired as a consultant on a movie and needed a location to shoot some police related scenes. He asked if they could use my office here n Madison. When I agreed he and the director came up to check it out. The director loved the location and scheduled a time to come back to film.

The cast and crew of about 8 people arrived Friday at noon and shot until about 10:00 pm. They shot mostly in my office on Friday. Most of Saturday was spent outside, shooting a crime scene in the alley outside the police department. Several of our officers were in cameo roles and background scenes. Tim Dunn from our local Rural Area Theater Troupe was asked to play the part of a drunken homeless man who discovers the dead body in the alley.

Although Madison will be thanked in the credits of the movie, nothing specifically identifying Madison PD will be in the film. The film is actually supposed to be taking place in Miami.

The movie is called Hidden Agenda. It is being produced and directed by Aaron Warren. The characters include: Hans Hernke from Los Angeles as the lead character Detective Matthews, Adam Barnett from New York as Captain Howard and Cameron Bigelow of Orlando as Detective Davis.

Below is a quote from Carl Graddy regarding the film:
Filming started on April 3rd in Orlando, Florida. Location shooting this last weekend was in Madison, Fl., next week in Oviedo, Fl. The film is about a legendary Miami Detective named Matthews (played by Hans Hernke) who gained his reputation by solving cases from his office, but when an aggressive serial killer threatens his city, he is forced to leave the confines of his precinct to find a helpless kidnapped victim. His world begins to unravel and crumble around him in this crime/thriller story that tests the very limits of the human psyche.

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Chief Calhoun Gives Summary Of Health Department Homicide

October 12, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Submitted by Madison Police Chief Gary Calhoun

Homicide Summary

On the morning of August 25, 2011, the entire Madison community experienced a terrible tragedy when an innocent man was brutally murdered in our quiet little town. Thankfully, our community of citizens rarely suffers such a heinous crime, and the community’s response was overwhelming. Our people showed their character that day, and in the days following, when they quickly rendered aid, prayers, food, and support for the grieving family and those involved in the aftermath. In an effort to bring some understanding, if that is even possible, I want to give some insight in to the events of that day and acknowledge the efforts of those who worked to bring healing and justice.

As we put the pieces together, it appears that this entire tragic incident took less than 20 seconds. No one had time to react to stop the attack. The Health Department staff acted heroically when they rushed to render aid to Mr. Logan. When they realized that aid was to no avail, they preserved his dignity by covering him with a sheet and even a small tent.

Within three minutes of his arrival, Officer Marsh was able to broadcast the name of the suspect over the radio. Credit is due to the witnesses who quickly came forward and gave information to law enforcement about what they saw and the identity of the suspect. If the witnesses had not involved themselves, this case may still be unsolved, or at the least, the suspect still at large.

Less than twelve minutes after the 911 phone rang, the suspect was in custody. Although we use the latest technology in crime scene processing, the suspect was apprehended quickly because of good old fashioned police work. Our officers know this community and the residents. When Captain McGhee heard the name of the suspect, he didn’t have to plug the information into a computer; he and Officer Marsh drove straight to the suspect’s house and apprehended him. This is indicative of the type of officers we have here in Madison. Their teamwork and dedication is outstanding!

The assistance we received from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office was amazing. I have been in law enforcement for over 27 years and I have never witnessed better multi-agency cooperation.

Our community is healing after this tragedy. But we can look back and be proud of all of those involved who answered the call on that day. Heroes include the Health Department staff, the witnesses, and all of the law enforcement officers and agencies who worked to apprehend the suspect and gather evidence to gain a conviction when the case goes to trial. I ask that you pray for the families touched by this event and for our local law enforcement officers who continue each day to put their lives on the line to protect us all.

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Video: Kristin Finney Interviews MPD Chief Gary Calhoun

September 13, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

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PDF: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

August 12, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Submitted by Madison Police Chief Gary Calhoun
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

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DOT To Revise Dangerous Intersection

July 15, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Madison County drivers have a tough assignment ahead — that is, breaking a habit long ingrained by frequent usage. Police Chief Gary Calhoun advised the Madison City Commissioners of the coming change at their regular meeting on July 12.

Calhoun informed the commissioners that the Florida Department of Transportation will revise the lines and signage at the intersection of North Florida Community College and the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center on Hwy. 90W. He said that he and City Manager Harold Emrich have worked with the DOT since repair and repaving was completed on that section of the highway, detailing the dangers of the “suicide lane” at the intersection.

Calhoun explained that many drivers heading west from town pull into the turn lane (designed for drivers heading east) to turn left into the shopping center, while other drivers are trying to turn into the college entrance. Both he and Emrich cited the resultant many accidents and near misses, presenting a safety issue for the county. Both praised the DOT for its rapid response to the complaint.

Calhoun showed the commissioners a sketch of the DOT plan for correcting the problem. It includes additional signs, including “no left turn” and “do not enter,” yellow-striped guidance lines, and raised pavement markers. The design will prohibit left turns into and out of the shopping center at that site. “It will be a right-out, right-in” place,” he said. “Drivers wanting to turn left will have to use the street (Lawson Circle between Ken’s and El Carrisal) or the entrance at Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

Emrich added, “If this does not work, they will put up a cement blockade at that spot.”

In other business, the commissioners voted to ask Emrich to talk with the owners/managers of Madison Heights Apartments to explain that the city will no longer send city employees to work on plumbing problems on the private property of the housing project.  Commissioner Judy Townsend voted against the plan because she feels concern for low-income residents who might not be able to afford a private plumber.

The commissioners also held a public hearing on preliminary plans for a $2.9-million USDA grant for upgrading sewage lines, retrofitting some lift stations and removing others, and adding some lines to the system. Jim Parrish of Parrish and Associates will prepare the grant and present it to the USDA for review; then the commissioners will decide whether to continue with the application. Mayor Jim Catron commented, “This is a way to get some help on it instead of having our residents and businesses paying for it all.”

On a motion to approve by Commissioners Myra Valentine and Jim Stanley, the board passed it unanimously.

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Meeting To Be Held For Potential Explorers

January 20, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Madison Police Chief Gary Calhoun announces that the new Madison Police Explorer Post is having an Open House on Thursday, January 27 at 7 p.m. in the Criminal Justice Building (Building 35) at North Florida Community College.
This will be an informational meeting for potential Explorers (people from 14-20 who are interested in law enforcement). Parents are welcome to attend.
An explanation of the program and the requirement will be discussed along with an informational video. For more information, call the Madison Police Department at (850) 973-5077.

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