Other officers cover for other officers every day, all day in this country. Sorry, but that is just a fact. And they may not think it is a big deal because he did so much for the department and the money goes to his family. They also didn't go into this assuming it was suicide and are sort of now stuck looking rather foolish if it is suicide and would look pretty bad themselves, so at this point it might be more about saving their own skin.
But you are right he would have needed to assume they would cover or they wouldn't investigate enough to know the difference, which is huge.
Yes, they do! You are right about the bolded above. BUT here's where you went a little astray- Officers cover for fellow officers for very specific reasons:
A) To cover up a situation that would cause said officer to lose their job
B) To cover up a situation that would cause said officer to lose their freedom (criminal charges, jail)
C) To cover up a situation that would cause said officer (and others involved) to illegally reap great reward (money from a drug bust, drugs, assets- property, cars, etc)
What they DON'T do is manufacture a cover up that would immediately place them in jeopardy of losing literally everything: their job, income, career, benefits, ability to provide for their family, integrity, reputation, and even freedom.
My husbands dept has lost three officers in as many years from suicide unfortunately. It's a horrible thing. Overwhelming sadness, anger, disdain at how they could betray their badge and oath to their fellow officers, family, community, and take their own lives selfishly. It's one of the ultimate betrayals - and the exact opposite of being loyal to your "blue family."
TRUST .... no one is making ANY moves to do any favors for an officer that betrays fellow officers, their family, friends by selfishly taking their own life. The family will be okay financially, they will still receive death benefits. They can still receive the money from fundraisers, etc, get lump sum payment, receive health insurance benefits for the rest of their lives, etc.
So my point is- and sorry this got wordy- but no- no one is going to cover up for a suicide. Exactly the opposite. You don't stick up for people who aren't loyal to you or their family.
Ergo, suicide is NOT what happened here.
This is a very important point to illustrate because it just isn't logical or rational to put energy into this theory. And I hope you don't think I am trying to be snarky- I'm just trying to be thorough.
We should be putting focus on key players and motives for murder - but murder that was planned and not a random ambush by civilians that got out of hand. This was a calculated attack. There IS a lot more going on. Something really bad.
Lake county is SO corrupt. I made a couple other posts about Filenko - he's done some dirty stuff before. It's right up his alley. They haven't even released all of the information the coroner needs to finish the examination - they are withholding information.