Officer Michael Hansen Arrested for DWI

A Clearlake police officer who shot and killed a man last year was arrested this week on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and possession of a loaded firearm.

Michael Hansen, 24, who is on leave from the Police Department, also had a small amount of marijuana in his vehicle when he was stopped near Williams but he had a doctor's prescription for its use, CHP spokesman John Waggoner said.

Hansen, who gave an Oroville address when arrested, could not be reached for comment.

Hansen has been on unpaid administrative leave from the Clearlake Police Department for several months, Police Lt. Mike Hermann said.

He said he cannot divulge why but that "it's not related to the shooting."

Hansen shot and killed Clearlake resident David Clinton Vestal, 63, in June while responding with other officers to reports of an altercation at a mobile home park.

Vestal had pointed a .410 shotgun at another officer when Hansen fired four shots. One struck Vestal in the neck, killing him, according the the Lake County district attorney's report on the shooting.

The district attorney's investigation found the shooting to be justified.

Vestal's family claims otherwise. His daughter has filed a civil lawsuit against the city and Police Department in federal court.

Hansen was driving on Highway 20 west of King Road late Monday night when he was stopped by a Colusa County sheriff's deputy because his vehicle was missing a rear license plate, according to the CHP. The deputy observed signs of intoxication and notified the CHP.

CHP officers conducted sobriety tests and determined Hansen was under the influence of alcohol, the CHP said.

The deputy conducted a search of Hansen's vehicle and located "a very small amount" of marijuana and four handguns, one of which was loaded, Waggoner said.

Because Hansen is on administrative leave from the police department, he is not, under CHP regulations, allowed to carry a loaded firearm, he said.

Hansen was booked into the Colusa County jail and later released.

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Former Officer Isaac Thornton Accused of Planning to Shoot a Police Officer

BOSTON

A former Boston police officer has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

Isaac Thornton, 43, of Arlington, was arrested outside a club early Saturday morning, accused of planning to shoot a police officer.

Thornton was at the Dublin House at 7 Stoughton Street in Dorchester when someone overheard him say he was carrying a firearm because he was going to shoot a police officer.

Boston Police were called to the Dublin House and when they arrived, Thornton was hiding in a doorway next door.

Officers approached him, a fight ensued, and he was taken into custody.

Police discovered a firearm, a round of bullets, and a police badge in his possession.

Thornton has a past record of trouble with the law.

Back in July of 1991, he faced charges for shooting a Dorchester teen at The Gallery nightclub in Roxbury.

Thornton was cleared of all charges, but has since been terminated from the Boston Police Department.

He is being held at District B2 in Roxbury and faces several charges including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm