Thursday, June 17, 1999
4 police officers honored
Car stop helped solve murder
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BLUE ASH — Four police officers here have been recognized by city council and the Hamilton County Police Association for an investigation that solved a June 1998 murder in Miami Township.
Officers Ed Charron, Dave Hoffman, Joe Boyatt and Joseph Schlie received police association achievement awards and commendations from the city.
Officials said their work contributed to the arrest of Melissa Vanover, 27, in the shooting death of her boyfriend, Michael Nieman, 49, of Miami Township in western Hamilton County.
Ms. Vanover has been convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to 28 years to life in prison.
Bruce Henry, deputy city manager and safety director, said Officer Charron stopped a car carrying two men and two women for traffic offenses on Reed Hartman Highway the day of the homicide. A rear-seat passenger — later identified as Ms. Vanover — acted suspiciously. Officers Hoffman and Boyatt came to the scene.
Because there was a strong odor of marijuana in the car, police obtained a search warrant and a vinyl bag containing Mr. Nieman's money and jewelry was discovered, Mr. Henry said.
An interrogation by officers Hoffman and Schlie resulted in their learning of Mr. Nieman's death.
“With little information and evidence on hand at the time of the first contact with the suspects, these officers were able to piece together the case facts ... and preserve vital evidence,” Mr. Henry said.
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