The Butler Township Police Department (BTPD) told The Pennsylvania Daily Star on Monday it has no records of written communications between the U.S. Secret Service and Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump on July 13.
The department confirmed it had no records of written communications between the Secret Service and its officer on Monday, just under one month after he encountered Crooks while being hoisted onto the roof of the AGR International building the would-be assassin used to gain his vantage point on the rally.
Video released by BTPD last week showed the officer back off after seeing Crooks’ weapon, then return to his vehicle for a rifle before searching for a ladder. Moments later, the 22-year-old opened fire, piercing Trump in the ear, injuring two rally attendees, and claiming the life of former fire chief Corey Comperatore.
A spokesman for the department told The Star, “We do not have any records pertaining to any written communication between the officer that attempted to access the roof and the US Secret Service.”
The lack of communications between this police officer and the Secret Service come despite the New York Times reporting last month that the federal agency and local law enforcement communicated extensively in text messages while planning security for Trump’s rally.
The Star has additionally requested written communications or memos between the Secret Service and the BTPD officer who expressed his frustration with the federal agency in a viral clip of body cam video.
“I f—ing told them that they needed to post guys f—ing over here,” said the officer, adding that the conversation took place the prior Tuesday. “I talked to the Secret Service guys. They’re like, ‘Yeah, no problem. We’re going to post guys over here.’”
A BTPD spokesman previously told The Star the department would not name the officers involved or comment on the attempted assassination due to ongoing federal investigations.
In the hours after the shooting, a Secret Service spokesman appeared to shift blame for the shooting to the local police agency, claiming the responsibility for securing the AGR International building the shooter fell to local police and not the agency tasked with protecting the president.
The BTPD boasts just 21 full-time officers who protect and serve the approximately 17,000 who that live in Butler Township, which is located directly west of the City of Butler.
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
