I Knew My Sister Wouldn't Get Out of Her Marriage Alive
When Pam Aukerman's husband turned violent at home, his police training and community connections made her fear she had nowhere to turn. What resulted was an unimaginable tragedy.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
As I was going thru all of Pam's papers I ran across these again. I thought that they maybe helpful to some. I don't have dates for these letters but I believe they were probably from earlier on. Pam was smart she was educated. She says she's independent. She tells him she won't be controlled. Little by little she lost those. The home phone goes. The internet is password protected and Pam was only allowed access when Kevin was there. Then Kevin would just take Pam's phone and car keys.
She was a prisoner in her own home.
Here are a few from Kevin.
Pam also had found this paper. It looks like Kevin may have been a sex addict to. Who keeps a journal like this? I can only imagine how Pam felt when she found this. Kevin's autopsy report came with the police report. in the autopsy report it stated Kevin had genital warts. Two weeks prior to the murder Pam had to go to Dr. she was supposed to call after. When she didn't call I called her. I could tell something wasn't right, but she did not share with me what happened. Just that she was fine. I wished she could have shared with me everything that was happening. Just so she didn't have to be so alone in this.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Pam's Obituary November 6, 2007
NOVEMBER 06, 2007: PAM'S OBITUARY
Pamela (Aukerman) Brainard
BRAINARD (AUKERMAN), PamelaOf Otsego Passed away Sunday, November 4, 2007. Pam was born July 2, 1974 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of David and Debra (Hayward) Aukerman and was raised in Mattawan. She had worked for Gentiva for several years as a Registered Nurse, in the Medicaid Programs such as the Mother-Infant Program, Home Health Care and finding resources for funds to help Mothers in difficult medical situations. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Willard and Barbara Aukerman. Pam is survived by her parents, Dave and Deb Aukerman of Mattawan; her children, Kyle Aukerman and Kayla Marie; her sister, Jennifer Drake; her brother, David (Peggy) Aukerman; her maternal grandparents, Robert and Shirley Hayward; several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, including a very special nephew, Chase.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday in the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel 411 E. Centre Ave. with Pastor John Vick and Pastor Mark Minger, officiating.
Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to a Y.W.C.A. Domestic Assault Program. 269-343-1508
http://obits.mlive.com/Kalamazoo/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=97491255
Pamela (Aukerman) Brainard
BRAINARD (AUKERMAN), PamelaOf Otsego Passed away Sunday, November 4, 2007. Pam was born July 2, 1974 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of David and Debra (Hayward) Aukerman and was raised in Mattawan. She had worked for Gentiva for several years as a Registered Nurse, in the Medicaid Programs such as the Mother-Infant Program, Home Health Care and finding resources for funds to help Mothers in difficult medical situations. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Willard and Barbara Aukerman. Pam is survived by her parents, Dave and Deb Aukerman of Mattawan; her children, Kyle Aukerman and Kayla Marie; her sister, Jennifer Drake; her brother, David (Peggy) Aukerman; her maternal grandparents, Robert and Shirley Hayward; several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, including a very special nephew, Chase.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday in the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel 411 E. Centre Ave. with Pastor John Vick and Pastor Mark Minger, officiating.
Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to a Y.W.C.A. Domestic Assault Program. 269-343-1508
http://obits.mlive.com/Kalamazoo/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=97491255
November 05, 2007 mlive plainwell puzzled
Plainwell puzzled by murder-suicide
Posted by mholland November 05, 2007 12:56PM
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2007/11/plainwell_puzzled_by_murdersui.html
OTSEGO -- Plainwell police officers today are struggling to understand what may have prompted a seven-year officer on the force to kill his wife and then shoot himself late Sunday.
"We are at a loss when it comes to that," said Plainwell Public Safety Director Bill Bomar.
"We don't know much about what his marital life was like."
After a relative called Otsego police, officers went to the home of Kevin and Pam Brainard, 707 Brookside Drive, and found Pam Brainard, 33, dead of gunshot wounds. Kevin Brainard also was in the house, critically wounded from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He later died at Borgess-Pipp Hospital.Court records show the Brainards were married Sept. 16, 2006, in Plainwell and bought the Brookside Drive house in 2005.
Bomar described Kevin Brainard as a "very good officer" and said he was active in the community as an assistant soccer coach at Otsego High School."
Soccer and firefighting were his passions," Bomar said.The next-door neighbor of the Brainards said the couple has a 2-year-old daughter. The neighbor, Patricia Finnegan, did not know whether the daughter was home when the shootings occurred.
Finnegan said the Brainards seemed like a normal couple and had made many improvements to their house."They put a lot of work into the house. They put new windows in and added a sunroom," she said, describing them as "very nice."
She was not aware of any domestic problems in the family and wonders what might have prompted the shooting."Everybody is asking that, but nobody has answers," she said.
Meanwhile, the Plainwell Police Department has brought grief counselors to help other officers cope with the deaths.
Posted by mholland November 05, 2007 12:56PM
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2007/11/plainwell_puzzled_by_murdersui.html
OTSEGO -- Plainwell police officers today are struggling to understand what may have prompted a seven-year officer on the force to kill his wife and then shoot himself late Sunday.
"We are at a loss when it comes to that," said Plainwell Public Safety Director Bill Bomar.
"We don't know much about what his marital life was like."
After a relative called Otsego police, officers went to the home of Kevin and Pam Brainard, 707 Brookside Drive, and found Pam Brainard, 33, dead of gunshot wounds. Kevin Brainard also was in the house, critically wounded from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He later died at Borgess-Pipp Hospital.Court records show the Brainards were married Sept. 16, 2006, in Plainwell and bought the Brookside Drive house in 2005.
Bomar described Kevin Brainard as a "very good officer" and said he was active in the community as an assistant soccer coach at Otsego High School."
Soccer and firefighting were his passions," Bomar said.The next-door neighbor of the Brainards said the couple has a 2-year-old daughter. The neighbor, Patricia Finnegan, did not know whether the daughter was home when the shootings occurred.
Finnegan said the Brainards seemed like a normal couple and had made many improvements to their house."They put a lot of work into the house. They put new windows in and added a sunroom," she said, describing them as "very nice."
She was not aware of any domestic problems in the family and wonders what might have prompted the shooting."Everybody is asking that, but nobody has answers," she said.
Meanwhile, the Plainwell Police Department has brought grief counselors to help other officers cope with the deaths.
November 5, 2007 mlive presumed murder/suicide
NOVEMBER 05, 2007: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Presumed murder-suicide involved Plainwell police officer
Posted by efinnert
November 05, 2007 11:55AM http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2007/11/presumed_murdersuicide_involve.html
OTSEGO -- Autopsies were to be performed Monday on a Plainwell public-safety officer and his wife found shot in an apparent murder-suicide Sunday night.
A family member called police after discovering the bodies of Kevin and Pam Brainard in their home in the 700 block of Brookside Drive at 10 p.m., police said. It appeared that Kevin Brainard, 31, shot his wife, who was dead when police arrived, and then turned the gun on himself, according to the Otsego Police Department.
Kevin Brainard was pronounced dead a short time after reaching the Borgess-Pipp Hospital emergency room, said Otsego Police Chief Gordon Konkle.Konkle said Monday morning that it wasn't clear what led to the presumed murder-suicide.
"Obviously, it appears to be a domestic situation," he said. "We are trying to backtrack with friends and relatives."
Autopsies were to be performed Monday at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Konkle said Kevin Brainard was with the Plainwell Department of Public Safety for about seven years and was a volunteer firefighter in Otsego for perhaps 10 years. He grew up in Otsego.
"It's a small town. He's well-known ... with his job in the fire department and Plainwell," Konkle said. "This was a shock and a tragedy."
*****
Presumed murder-suicide involved Plainwell police officer
Posted by efinnert
November 05, 2007 11:55AM http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2007/11/presumed_murdersuicide_involve.html
OTSEGO -- Autopsies were to be performed Monday on a Plainwell public-safety officer and his wife found shot in an apparent murder-suicide Sunday night.
A family member called police after discovering the bodies of Kevin and Pam Brainard in their home in the 700 block of Brookside Drive at 10 p.m., police said. It appeared that Kevin Brainard, 31, shot his wife, who was dead when police arrived, and then turned the gun on himself, according to the Otsego Police Department.
Kevin Brainard was pronounced dead a short time after reaching the Borgess-Pipp Hospital emergency room, said Otsego Police Chief Gordon Konkle.Konkle said Monday morning that it wasn't clear what led to the presumed murder-suicide.
"Obviously, it appears to be a domestic situation," he said. "We are trying to backtrack with friends and relatives."
Autopsies were to be performed Monday at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Konkle said Kevin Brainard was with the Plainwell Department of Public Safety for about seven years and was a volunteer firefighter in Otsego for perhaps 10 years. He grew up in Otsego.
"It's a small town. He's well-known ... with his job in the fire department and Plainwell," Konkle said. "This was a shock and a tragedy."
*****
Novemeber 5, 2007 wood tv
Nov 5, 2007 08:10 PM CST
http://www.woodtv.com/global/story.asp?s=7311294&ClientType=Printable
By JOE LaFURGEYOTSEGO -- Jennifer Drake remembers the last calls from and to the home on Brookeside Drive in Otsego Sunday Night.
One, a voice mail message from her brother-in-law, Kevin Brainard, followed by a call she made."I told her, I said, 'Pam, you've got to get out of the house. He's calling, leaving us messages. He doesn't sound good,'" Drake told 24 Hour News 8. "'Get out of the house!'
"Within that same hour, Pam Brainard, a nurse and mother of two, was dead. Police believe Kevin Brainard, a Plainwell police officer and firefighter, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.
The couple's 2-year-old daughter was in the home, but not injured."I knew how bad things are getting for her, but I really thought she was going to get out of there," Drake said.
Drake said her sister had just told Brainard she was filing for divorce. The two had been married about a year. But it was a tough year for Pam, according to her sister."He played mind games with her," Drake said. "I mean, her phone would be filled with 100 calls a day by him. Her receipts were checked. I mean, every little thing of hers was under a microscope with him."
But Pam Brainard never contacted police. Her sister said she knew it could ruin his career, and she wasn't convinced she'd get anywhere with a complaint.
Drake said, "She didn't feel comfortable because of him being a police officer in that town."But Otsego's police chief said police officers are held to higher standards.
"I think there's a lot of pain now. There's a lot of pain. She's upset," said Chief Gordon Konkle.
"Hopefully she doesn't really believe that."Kevin Brainard's boss, Plainwell Director of Public Safety Bill Bomar, said Brainard was a good officer who received commendations for traffic enforcement including drunk driving.
Brainard, like other officers in the department, went through a psychiatric evaluation before being hired.
November 5, 2007 mlive klemmer
NOVEMBER 05, 2007: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Update: Abuse allegations in murder-suicide
Posted by llupo
November 05, 2007 22:33PM
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2007/11/abuse_allegations_in_plainwell.html
OTSEGO -- A 31-year-old woman slain by her husband, a Plainwell police officer, told him she planned to leave him before he allegedly shot her and then himself in a murder-suicide, friends of the woman say."He tried to control everything she did," said Rich Klemmer, a friend of Pam Brainard. "When he thought he was going to lose her, he offed her."
Klemmer, who knew Brainard as a caring nurse who worked in Kalamazoo, left a bouquet of flowers on the Brainards' front porch this afternoon and briefly prayed.
Police believe Kevin Brainard, a seven-year officer with the Plainwell Public Safety Department and an Otsego firefighter, first shot his wife and then himself sometime Sunday night. She was discovered dead at their Brookside Drive home, while Kevin Brainard died later at the hospital.
The couple's 2-year-old daughter, Kayla, was in the home during the shootings but was not harmed.
Family and friends of Pam Brainard said she was in an emotionally abusive relationship, but was hesitant to go to police because her husband was an officer.
But Otsego Police Chief Gordon Konkle said police would have taken any complaint seriously."Nothing was ever reported," he said. "(Domestic violence) is just not tolerated any more. We would not cover it up."
Update: Abuse allegations in murder-suicide
Posted by llupo
November 05, 2007 22:33PM
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2007/11/abuse_allegations_in_plainwell.html
OTSEGO -- A 31-year-old woman slain by her husband, a Plainwell police officer, told him she planned to leave him before he allegedly shot her and then himself in a murder-suicide, friends of the woman say."He tried to control everything she did," said Rich Klemmer, a friend of Pam Brainard. "When he thought he was going to lose her, he offed her."
Klemmer, who knew Brainard as a caring nurse who worked in Kalamazoo, left a bouquet of flowers on the Brainards' front porch this afternoon and briefly prayed.
Police believe Kevin Brainard, a seven-year officer with the Plainwell Public Safety Department and an Otsego firefighter, first shot his wife and then himself sometime Sunday night. She was discovered dead at their Brookside Drive home, while Kevin Brainard died later at the hospital.
The couple's 2-year-old daughter, Kayla, was in the home during the shootings but was not harmed.
Family and friends of Pam Brainard said she was in an emotionally abusive relationship, but was hesitant to go to police because her husband was an officer.
But Otsego Police Chief Gordon Konkle said police would have taken any complaint seriously."Nothing was ever reported," he said. "(Domestic violence) is just not tolerated any more. We would not cover it up."
November 6, 2007 911 call
NOVEMBER 06, 2007: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Urgency in officer murder-suicide 911 call
http://www.woodtv.com/global/story.asp?s=7320714&ClientType=Printable
Posted: Nov 6, 2007 03:43 PM CST
Updated: Nov 7, 2007 08:20 AM CST
By PATRICK CENTEROTSEGO -- The 911 call from a family member who discovered the bodies of Kevin Brainard and his wife, Pam, in their home Sunday night were released to the public.Police are still trying to piece together what prompted the officer to kill his wife then himself.Kevin father, Roger Brainard, went to the house after Kevin apparently called his mother. In the call, Roger Brainard, is heard telling dispatchers what he saw:
--Roger Brainard: "Kevin Brainard.
--"Dispatcher: "Okay."
-- Roger Brainard: "All right.
--"Dispatcher: "The Officer Brainard?"
-- Roger Brainard: "Yes, Sir. It's him. Correct. Could you get the (deleted) over here."
--Dispatcher: "Sir, listen to me. We've got (inaudible) on the way already."
-- Roger Brainard: "Ah, man. I appreciate the (deleted) out of that."
--Dispatcher: "OK."
-- Roger Brainard: "It doesn't look like they're breathing. So, I'm shaking like a son-of-a-bitch."
--Dispatcher: "Who found him?"
-- Roger Brainard: "I did, sir. I found him and his wife."
--Dispatcher: "Where is his wife?"
-- Roger Brainard: "Upstairs with him God ---- it, we need."
--Dispatcher: (Inaudible)
-- Roger Brainard: "She's laying there. It looks like she's dead."
Both Pam and Kevin Brainard were dead.
Jennifer Drake, Pam's sister, said Pam was concerned for her safety when she decided to leave Kevin Brainard. But she didn't think police would take her concerns seriously."
She knew once she made a report on him that he would lose, he could lose his job," Drake told 24 Hour News 8. "His whole career could be over with."
But Chief Bill Bomar said if a report had been filed, his department would follow the law and investigate. If the claim was substantiated, the case would be turned over to another jurisdiction, in most cases the Michigan State Police.
If an officer is found guilty, the department could suspend him and require counseling, plus whatever the court ruled.
A police psychologist told 24 Hour News 8 that under Title 18, an officer found guilty of domestic violence must turn over their sidearm.
In other words, no gun, no job.
Urgency in officer murder-suicide 911 call
http://www.woodtv.com/global/story.asp?s=7320714&ClientType=Printable
Posted: Nov 6, 2007 03:43 PM CST
Updated: Nov 7, 2007 08:20 AM CST
By PATRICK CENTEROTSEGO -- The 911 call from a family member who discovered the bodies of Kevin Brainard and his wife, Pam, in their home Sunday night were released to the public.Police are still trying to piece together what prompted the officer to kill his wife then himself.Kevin father, Roger Brainard, went to the house after Kevin apparently called his mother. In the call, Roger Brainard, is heard telling dispatchers what he saw:
--Roger Brainard: "Kevin Brainard.
--"Dispatcher: "Okay."
-- Roger Brainard: "All right.
--"Dispatcher: "The Officer Brainard?"
-- Roger Brainard: "Yes, Sir. It's him. Correct. Could you get the (deleted) over here."
--Dispatcher: "Sir, listen to me. We've got (inaudible) on the way already."
-- Roger Brainard: "Ah, man. I appreciate the (deleted) out of that."
--Dispatcher: "OK."
-- Roger Brainard: "It doesn't look like they're breathing. So, I'm shaking like a son-of-a-bitch."
--Dispatcher: "Who found him?"
-- Roger Brainard: "I did, sir. I found him and his wife."
--Dispatcher: "Where is his wife?"
-- Roger Brainard: "Upstairs with him God ---- it, we need."
--Dispatcher: (Inaudible)
-- Roger Brainard: "She's laying there. It looks like she's dead."
Both Pam and Kevin Brainard were dead.
Jennifer Drake, Pam's sister, said Pam was concerned for her safety when she decided to leave Kevin Brainard. But she didn't think police would take her concerns seriously."
She knew once she made a report on him that he would lose, he could lose his job," Drake told 24 Hour News 8. "His whole career could be over with."
But Chief Bill Bomar said if a report had been filed, his department would follow the law and investigate. If the claim was substantiated, the case would be turned over to another jurisdiction, in most cases the Michigan State Police.
If an officer is found guilty, the department could suspend him and require counseling, plus whatever the court ruled.
A police psychologist told 24 Hour News 8 that under Title 18, an officer found guilty of domestic violence must turn over their sidearm.
In other words, no gun, no job.
November 6, 2007 wwmt Bomar
NOVEMBER 06, 2007: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Ex-husband tells of warning in murder-suicide
http://www.wwmt.com/news/police_1344621___article.html/pam_straub.html
November 6, 2007 - 5:23PM
OTSEGO (NEWSCHANNEL 3)
Sunday night Pam Brainard was shot to death in her Otsego home. It appears her husband Kevin, a Plainwell Public Safety officer, shot her and then turned the gun on himself.
Tuesday we have new information about the final days of Pam Brainard's life.
"She called me on her cell phone," said Ed Straub. It was only the second time Straub had heard from his ex-wife since their divorce. "I was a little bit surprised." That surprise quickly turned to fear. In a voicemail Pam said she was leaving her current husband, Kevin Brainard.
"I called her back and stated she shouldn't be calling me, she should fear for her life because he's going to find out about that phone call," said Straub.
Then last Friday Ed was so scared for his safety and Pam's, he decided to tell police in Plainwell.
He met with the chief before Kevin arrived for his night shift. "The Chief of Police stated he wouldn't want anyone on his force that could act like this and he was going to check into it with what he could," said Straub. But Ed didn't have formal evidence of a threat or a police report. He knew the police didn't have much to go on.
Then Sunday night the 911 calls started coming in. It was already too late.
Those deaths stunned Kevin Brainard's boss. The Police Chief told us he had no idea this was possible.
"We're all in that, wondering what happened, what we missed, where could we help," said Chief Bill Bomar.
Tuesday we asked him about that meeting with Pam's ex-husband. He told us off-camera it was a private conversation, not a police report.
Even Ed Straub seemed to know he'd have trouble getting anyone to believe him. "You got an ex-husband coming and blaming a police officer for these type of things and accusing him and saying he's going to do this kind of thing, me coming in off the street, that's a tough thing to believe," said Straub.
Otsego Police should know more about the exact sequence of events inside the home in the next few days. That's when they'll get autopsy results for Kevin and Pam.
Ex-husband tells of warning in murder-suicide
http://www.wwmt.com/news/police_1344621___article.html/pam_straub.html
November 6, 2007 - 5:23PM
OTSEGO (NEWSCHANNEL 3)
Sunday night Pam Brainard was shot to death in her Otsego home. It appears her husband Kevin, a Plainwell Public Safety officer, shot her and then turned the gun on himself.
Tuesday we have new information about the final days of Pam Brainard's life.
"She called me on her cell phone," said Ed Straub. It was only the second time Straub had heard from his ex-wife since their divorce. "I was a little bit surprised." That surprise quickly turned to fear. In a voicemail Pam said she was leaving her current husband, Kevin Brainard.
"I called her back and stated she shouldn't be calling me, she should fear for her life because he's going to find out about that phone call," said Straub.
Then last Friday Ed was so scared for his safety and Pam's, he decided to tell police in Plainwell.
He met with the chief before Kevin arrived for his night shift. "The Chief of Police stated he wouldn't want anyone on his force that could act like this and he was going to check into it with what he could," said Straub. But Ed didn't have formal evidence of a threat or a police report. He knew the police didn't have much to go on.
Then Sunday night the 911 calls started coming in. It was already too late.
Those deaths stunned Kevin Brainard's boss. The Police Chief told us he had no idea this was possible.
"We're all in that, wondering what happened, what we missed, where could we help," said Chief Bill Bomar.
Tuesday we asked him about that meeting with Pam's ex-husband. He told us off-camera it was a private conversation, not a police report.
Even Ed Straub seemed to know he'd have trouble getting anyone to believe him. "You got an ex-husband coming and blaming a police officer for these type of things and accusing him and saying he's going to do this kind of thing, me coming in off the street, that's a tough thing to believe," said Straub.
Otsego Police should know more about the exact sequence of events inside the home in the next few days. That's when they'll get autopsy results for Kevin and Pam.
NOVEMBER 07, 2007: Allegan news
NOVEMBER 07, 2007: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Plainwell officer kills wife, self
By Daniel PepperStaff Writer
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 5:02 PM EST
http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2007/11/09/ue_news/1.txt
Police suspect a Plainwell Public Safety officer shot his wife and then himself late Sunday, Nov. 4.
The bodies of Kevin and Pam Brainard were found inside the couple’s home by Otsego police and Allegan County sheriff deputies about 10 p.m. Sunday after a family member called 9-1-1. Kevin Brainard was taken to Borgess Pipp Health Center, but was pronounced dead there.
Police said he and his wife both had gun shot wounds to the head.Brainard had been a public safety officer in Plainwell for about seven years and a volunteer fireman in Otsego for about 12 years.
Otsego police Chief Gordon Konkle said the case was shocking.“No one that I know of had any idea this was coming,” Konkle said. “It was out of the blue. We’d never been there on a domestic abuse call, or anything that I am aware of and I think I’d be aware of it if it had happened.”
No other indications of impending violence had been seen, as far as police know, he said.“You never know what is going on in somebody’s house,” Konkle said. “People are private, sometimes, and never air their dirty laundry in public. But this is the epidemic that’s running through everywhere, as far as domestic assault. This was a domestic assault that escalated. It’s unfortunate it came to this and that they didn’t get help.”
Konkle said that investigation suggested the couple were having marital problems.
The crime was the first murder Otsego police could remember taking place in the city in anyone’s memory, Konkle said.“This was a shock to us, both of the families are good people and our condolences go out to them,” he said.
Plainwell Director of Public Safety Bill Bomar said that Brainard had been an exemplary officer.“He was one of our hardest working officers,” Bomar said. “An officer who absolutely loved his job.”
Bomar said his department had sat down with a grief counselor.“Our deposition counsel said last night that you can’t see that stuff, these people hide that stuff,” he said.
His department never received an indication anything like this was coming, Bomar said.“He was a good employee, we never had any issues,” he said. “I wish everyone had worked as hard as he did.”
Konkle said Pam Brainard wasn’t an Otsego native like her husband and that she worked as a nurse.
He said Kevin Brainard was known in Otsego and Plainwell for volunteering. He ran a mock drunk driving accident at Plainwell High School several years ago, meant to illustrate the perils of drunk driving. He’d been an assistant soccer coach and worked on charitable programs for the fire department.
“I’ve know him since I’ve been here and longer, since he went through the police academy in Kalamazoo that I taught at,” he said. “It seems like he shouldn’t be known just as a murderer when he did all the volunteering and things, but that’s what happened.”
Otsego police are awaiting autopsy results.
The regular meeting of the Otsego City Commission began Monday, Nov. 5, with a moment of silence for the families.
“They both served the community for a number of years,” said Otsego Mayor Joel Thompson. “It’s a horrific and tragic loss.”
The commission asked for prayers to the families.
Intern Elizabeth LaDuke contributed to this story.
Dan Pepper can be reached at dpepper@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534 or (269) 685-5985.
Plainwell officer kills wife, self
By Daniel PepperStaff Writer
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 5:02 PM EST
http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2007/11/09/ue_news/1.txt
Police suspect a Plainwell Public Safety officer shot his wife and then himself late Sunday, Nov. 4.
The bodies of Kevin and Pam Brainard were found inside the couple’s home by Otsego police and Allegan County sheriff deputies about 10 p.m. Sunday after a family member called 9-1-1. Kevin Brainard was taken to Borgess Pipp Health Center, but was pronounced dead there.
Police said he and his wife both had gun shot wounds to the head.Brainard had been a public safety officer in Plainwell for about seven years and a volunteer fireman in Otsego for about 12 years.
Otsego police Chief Gordon Konkle said the case was shocking.“No one that I know of had any idea this was coming,” Konkle said. “It was out of the blue. We’d never been there on a domestic abuse call, or anything that I am aware of and I think I’d be aware of it if it had happened.”
No other indications of impending violence had been seen, as far as police know, he said.“You never know what is going on in somebody’s house,” Konkle said. “People are private, sometimes, and never air their dirty laundry in public. But this is the epidemic that’s running through everywhere, as far as domestic assault. This was a domestic assault that escalated. It’s unfortunate it came to this and that they didn’t get help.”
Konkle said that investigation suggested the couple were having marital problems.
The crime was the first murder Otsego police could remember taking place in the city in anyone’s memory, Konkle said.“This was a shock to us, both of the families are good people and our condolences go out to them,” he said.
Plainwell Director of Public Safety Bill Bomar said that Brainard had been an exemplary officer.“He was one of our hardest working officers,” Bomar said. “An officer who absolutely loved his job.”
Bomar said his department had sat down with a grief counselor.“Our deposition counsel said last night that you can’t see that stuff, these people hide that stuff,” he said.
His department never received an indication anything like this was coming, Bomar said.“He was a good employee, we never had any issues,” he said. “I wish everyone had worked as hard as he did.”
Konkle said Pam Brainard wasn’t an Otsego native like her husband and that she worked as a nurse.
He said Kevin Brainard was known in Otsego and Plainwell for volunteering. He ran a mock drunk driving accident at Plainwell High School several years ago, meant to illustrate the perils of drunk driving. He’d been an assistant soccer coach and worked on charitable programs for the fire department.
“I’ve know him since I’ve been here and longer, since he went through the police academy in Kalamazoo that I taught at,” he said. “It seems like he shouldn’t be known just as a murderer when he did all the volunteering and things, but that’s what happened.”
Otsego police are awaiting autopsy results.
The regular meeting of the Otsego City Commission began Monday, Nov. 5, with a moment of silence for the families.
“They both served the community for a number of years,” said Otsego Mayor Joel Thompson. “It’s a horrific and tragic loss.”
The commission asked for prayers to the families.
Intern Elizabeth LaDuke contributed to this story.
Dan Pepper can be reached at dpepper@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534 or (269) 685-5985.
NOVEMBER 16, 2007: Allegan news
NOVEMBER 16, 2007: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Murder victim ‘loved to teach’
November 16, 2007, 10:48 AM EST
By Daniel Pepper, Staff Writer
Allegan News
http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2007/11/16/local_news/1.prt
Co-workers remember Pam Brainard as being perfectly suited to be a nurse.
“Her job was perfect for her because she was everything a nurse should be,” said Jennifer Dentler, who worked with her at Allegan General Hospital.
Brainard was found murdered Nov. 4, according to police, by her husband, Kevin, a Plainwell Public Safety Officer, at the couple’s home in Otsego.
Co-workers from the hospital remembered her working to bring new people into the world at the hospital’s birth center. She’d worked at the birth center about a year, while previously working in home health care.
Dentler, a fellow nurse, said Brainard’s best skill was working with patients.
“She loved to teach, she was really great with the moms and babies with getting out parenting info or anything they needed,” Dentler said.
She knew how to ask the right questions of patients, Dentler said, to get the answers nurses needed.
“She was great at just counseling and helping the moms and babies, beyond just providing care,” she said.
Brainard took it upon herself to become certified in putting in car seats and would go out to the car with mothers and babies leaving the birth center to make sure their car seats were put in correctly.That was just one example, Dentler said, of her going above and beyond.
“Always after somebody delivered, she’d call and check back in even when she wasn’t working to check on them,” she said. “She’d go above and beyond. When she was off-duty she’d call and check on her patients.”
The nurses at the birth center work 12-hour shifts, but Brainard was always busy.
“She was always, always, always working,” Dentler said. “She was never one to just sit back and read when we were down, she’d always have something we were doing.”
She was survived by her two children, Kyle, 14, and Kayla Marie, 2.
“She talked a lot about her children,” Dentler said. “That’s what we talked about a lot.”
That seemed very in line with her personality at work, Dentler said.“Pam just exuded a very motherly nature about her. She was very much a caretaker. She was very intuitive with the patients and with us. She’d see if you were sick or sad and she’d want to take care of you.”
Brainard was born July 2, 1974, Kalamazoo to David and Debra Aukerman. She grew up in Mattawan and was buried Saturday, Nov. 10, in Kalamazoo.
According to their funeral home’s Web site, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Y.W.C.A. Domestic Assault Program.
Dentler said she’d be missed.“Deeply, deeply missed,” she said. “It’s a very hard thing to understand, but she’ll just be missed.”
Murder victim ‘loved to teach’
November 16, 2007, 10:48 AM EST
By Daniel Pepper, Staff Writer
Allegan News
http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2007/11/16/local_news/1.prt
Co-workers remember Pam Brainard as being perfectly suited to be a nurse.
“Her job was perfect for her because she was everything a nurse should be,” said Jennifer Dentler, who worked with her at Allegan General Hospital.
Brainard was found murdered Nov. 4, according to police, by her husband, Kevin, a Plainwell Public Safety Officer, at the couple’s home in Otsego.
Co-workers from the hospital remembered her working to bring new people into the world at the hospital’s birth center. She’d worked at the birth center about a year, while previously working in home health care.
Dentler, a fellow nurse, said Brainard’s best skill was working with patients.
“She loved to teach, she was really great with the moms and babies with getting out parenting info or anything they needed,” Dentler said.
She knew how to ask the right questions of patients, Dentler said, to get the answers nurses needed.
“She was great at just counseling and helping the moms and babies, beyond just providing care,” she said.
Brainard took it upon herself to become certified in putting in car seats and would go out to the car with mothers and babies leaving the birth center to make sure their car seats were put in correctly.That was just one example, Dentler said, of her going above and beyond.
“Always after somebody delivered, she’d call and check back in even when she wasn’t working to check on them,” she said. “She’d go above and beyond. When she was off-duty she’d call and check on her patients.”
The nurses at the birth center work 12-hour shifts, but Brainard was always busy.
“She was always, always, always working,” Dentler said. “She was never one to just sit back and read when we were down, she’d always have something we were doing.”
She was survived by her two children, Kyle, 14, and Kayla Marie, 2.
“She talked a lot about her children,” Dentler said. “That’s what we talked about a lot.”
That seemed very in line with her personality at work, Dentler said.“Pam just exuded a very motherly nature about her. She was very much a caretaker. She was very intuitive with the patients and with us. She’d see if you were sick or sad and she’d want to take care of you.”
Brainard was born July 2, 1974, Kalamazoo to David and Debra Aukerman. She grew up in Mattawan and was buried Saturday, Nov. 10, in Kalamazoo.
According to their funeral home’s Web site, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Y.W.C.A. Domestic Assault Program.
Dentler said she’d be missed.“Deeply, deeply missed,” she said. “It’s a very hard thing to understand, but she’ll just be missed.”
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Four years ago
Four years ago today you were brutally taken from us. A day that forever changed so many lives. All because Kevins world was crumbling around him. His lies were exposed and he couldn't be the man to stand up and face it. So he shot his wife the mother of his child in the face three times. Now we all live with this every day! We have had to "adjust" our lives to this. And every morning when we open our eyes we remember the horror and violence of that night.
So today Pam, we will send you dozens of balloons, we will cry and laugh. We will share stories of you like always. And we will hold your children tighter today, for you. We will tell them how much you loved them.
You may have been only my sister but you were my hero, my everything and I miss you so terribly much. Til we meet again!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What If...
I wonder that so many times a day still. Bomar had a choice that day Nov.2, 2007 when Ed walked in to his office. He could have listened and used his detective brain and remembered all those complaints made on Kevin. His excessive phone calls to Pam. His disturbing stories. If he only investigated Ed's claims instead of calling Kevin maybe my sister would be ALIVE today.
So today I will think about what if. As I wish I could pick that phone up and call her.
Heaven sent~1974 ~ Heaven bound~2007
Friday, July 2, 2010
Happy Birthday Pam
Heaven sent July 2, 1974 Heaven Bound November 4, 2007
Pam,
It is 7:30 am and 36 years ago you were born. Oh the happiness your dad and I felt I feel now. I wish you were here so I could say Happy Birthday to you instead of going to the cemetery to send you balloons. In everything we do you’re here in our thoughts, our minds and our souls. You are never far. I love you baby girl.
There are no real words that describe how much dad and I miss you! We love you and hang on to god’s promise we will be together again someday. Happy Birthday.
Now and Forever
Mom and Dad
Pam,
It is 7:30 am and 36 years ago you were born. Oh the happiness your dad and I felt I feel now. I wish you were here so I could say Happy Birthday to you instead of going to the cemetery to send you balloons. In everything we do you’re here in our thoughts, our minds and our souls. You are never far. I love you baby girl.
There are no real words that describe how much dad and I miss you! We love you and hang on to god’s promise we will be together again someday. Happy Birthday.
Now and Forever
Mom and Dad
Saturday, April 10, 2010
First Letter of John
First Letter of John
First letter of John 2: 9-11 Whoever says, “I am the light, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person, there is no cause for stumbling. But, whoever hates another believer is in darkness, walks in darkness and does not know the way to go because the darkness has brought on blindness.
Matthew 26: 14-16 Then one of the twelve who was called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray Him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began looking for an opportunity to betray Him.
First letter of John 2: 9-11 Whoever says, “I am the light, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person, there is no cause for stumbling. But, whoever hates another believer is in darkness, walks in darkness and does not know the way to go because the darkness has brought on blindness.
Matthew 26: 14-16 Then one of the twelve who was called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray Him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began looking for an opportunity to betray Him.
Post from MiOIDV
Post from MIOIDV
This is yesterday's post on MIOIDV blog spot. I was in total rage when I read it. I took a long walk on the beach (which was wonderful) and worked in the garden. Took a long deep breath and told myself not to loose focus. I have a wonderful network of people that are there to help and give Pam's memory the respect it deserves. Which we are working on and I'll keep you posted. Thank you for your thoughtful comments and prayers. They really mean a lot. Peace
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
MARCH 23, 2010 :
Please bookmark the new MIOIDV Pam Aukerman pages:
http://pamelaaukermanbrainard.blogspot.com/
http://pamelaaukerman.blogspot.com/
I secured these two websites for Laura Spars/ MIOIDV Corp. [Pam Aukerman's best friend]. The decision of which one Laura will use, is still up in the air. A couple of days ago, the two individuals who hijacked the original Pam Aukerman website deleted all of my posts. But what really cut to the core, was the act of them deleting Laura's beautiful 'from the heart' writings to her friend Pam, from that website. Laura's wonderful insightful letters detailed the first two years of hers and others close to Pam, as they came to grips with the devistating aftermath of the officer involved domestic violence murder of Pam.
What did they leave on the original website? My MIOIDV legislation which they are now claiming is their legislation. Hmmm....
MARCH 13, 2010 :
As most of you are aware, the MIOIDV website that I created in Pamela Aukerman Brainard's name was hi-jacked. All but three posts on that website were mine and my material on that website was used for the 'Jenni Justice Fund'. This fund was attempting to solicite a quarter of a million dollars from individuals. People going to that site, saw all my work / posts on the site, and thought I was part of Jenni Justice Foundation. NOT!
The other OIDV site is now claiming copyright of the MIOIDV legislation and the MIOIDV Awareness bill that I authored. This has of course devistated me and I am very raw right now. I put my heart into my work. I do not do it for profit. I do it to raise awareness and to bring voice to MIOIDV victims.
For those of you doing research papers, etc., just cite: cite the website...cite the newspaper...cite the reporter.
Thank you,
Renee' Harrington
MIOIDV. Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence.
I've been told by our new DV advocate to stay off these sites until Renee' 'cools' off and I have. Renee' has done no such thing!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how disgusted and angry I AM! The only reason Renee' Harrington had contacted me was for her own agenda. She could have cared less for PAM, HER FAMILY OR FRIENDS!!!!!!!! This website that I supposedly high jacked from Renee' was given to ME BY RENEE'.
sur5er1998 to you, bousse_2000, drakefamily03 - Jun 29 2009
Regarding Pam's Blogspot: Jen, you know that Deon and I created that website for you and your family...and that the website was given to you. Now why would you need to ask me if you can use the postings on your site? As for all of Laura's post I have them saved for her.
My sister would be disgusted by you Renee'. Just like I had to do she would have done-CUT YOU OFF!
Oh and your legislation you signed over copy rights to my family.
In May of 2007, Representative Kimberly Meltzer (Macomb County, MI), requested that Renee' Harrington and Cheryl Rozman write a draft for an officer involved domestic violence law.
On June 26, 2007, Renee' and Cheryl submitted to Representative Meltzer the 'Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Legislation'.
Following the officer involved domestic violence murder of Pamela Aukerman, Renee' and Cheryl signed over all rights of the Michigan OIDV legislation to the Aukerman family, on November 05, 2007. After receiving copyright to the legislation, the Aukerman's renamed the legislation: "The Pamela Aukerman Michigan Officer Domestic Violence Law."
As of February 15, 2008 the Aukerman family has shared copyright of the Pamela Aukerman Officer Involved Domestic Violence Legislation with the Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Corporation.
Renee' you changed the name of the legislation and the awareness day. I know how you work. You also changed the websites "mission" statement. I have left those on Pam's site because it shows your character. The reason you say you started MIOIDV was for PAM! Now you want to defend her on facebook and to set up another page. FORGET IT! It's to late to change now Renee' you've shown your true colors! You've done nothing but bring shame on Pam and us. I'm not trying to steal anything from you Renee' you gave it to us.
As for everything else Renee' Harrington of MIOIDV has to say I will not even comment on. I just wanted to let you all know this. And with everything our family has to deal with we have this to keep dealing with. I'm sorry to my Dad and Mom. to Kyle and Kayla to my brother David to Chase and Chelsie to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. To Pam's friends and co workers. I'm so sorry Pam. I did not mean for this to happen. When others wanted to turn there back on a victim I couldn't. I believed her and I still do. I never knew that we would be in the middle of someone else fight. One step forward twenty back seems to be how it works. One day I know as a family we will be able to look in the sky and not cry but, be happy because Pam is with all her babies in heaven. Watching and waiting for us to join her and what a great day that will be. Any questions you can email me or give me a call.
Please say a extra prayer for my parents they'll need it in the coming month.
Posted by Pam's sister at 10:39 PM
This is yesterday's post on MIOIDV blog spot. I was in total rage when I read it. I took a long walk on the beach (which was wonderful) and worked in the garden. Took a long deep breath and told myself not to loose focus. I have a wonderful network of people that are there to help and give Pam's memory the respect it deserves. Which we are working on and I'll keep you posted. Thank you for your thoughtful comments and prayers. They really mean a lot. Peace
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
MARCH 23, 2010 :
Please bookmark the new MIOIDV Pam Aukerman pages:
http://pamelaaukermanbrainard.blogspot.com/
http://pamelaaukerman.blogspot.com/
I secured these two websites for Laura Spars/ MIOIDV Corp. [Pam Aukerman's best friend]. The decision of which one Laura will use, is still up in the air. A couple of days ago, the two individuals who hijacked the original Pam Aukerman website deleted all of my posts. But what really cut to the core, was the act of them deleting Laura's beautiful 'from the heart' writings to her friend Pam, from that website. Laura's wonderful insightful letters detailed the first two years of hers and others close to Pam, as they came to grips with the devistating aftermath of the officer involved domestic violence murder of Pam.
What did they leave on the original website? My MIOIDV legislation which they are now claiming is their legislation. Hmmm....
MARCH 13, 2010 :
As most of you are aware, the MIOIDV website that I created in Pamela Aukerman Brainard's name was hi-jacked. All but three posts on that website were mine and my material on that website was used for the 'Jenni Justice Fund'. This fund was attempting to solicite a quarter of a million dollars from individuals. People going to that site, saw all my work / posts on the site, and thought I was part of Jenni Justice Foundation. NOT!
The other OIDV site is now claiming copyright of the MIOIDV legislation and the MIOIDV Awareness bill that I authored. This has of course devistated me and I am very raw right now. I put my heart into my work. I do not do it for profit. I do it to raise awareness and to bring voice to MIOIDV victims.
For those of you doing research papers, etc., just cite: cite the website...cite the newspaper...cite the reporter.
Thank you,
Renee' Harrington
MIOIDV. Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence.
I've been told by our new DV advocate to stay off these sites until Renee' 'cools' off and I have. Renee' has done no such thing!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how disgusted and angry I AM! The only reason Renee' Harrington had contacted me was for her own agenda. She could have cared less for PAM, HER FAMILY OR FRIENDS!!!!!!!! This website that I supposedly high jacked from Renee' was given to ME BY RENEE'.
sur5er1998 to you, bousse_2000, drakefamily03 - Jun 29 2009
Regarding Pam's Blogspot: Jen, you know that Deon and I created that website for you and your family...and that the website was given to you. Now why would you need to ask me if you can use the postings on your site? As for all of Laura's post I have them saved for her.
My sister would be disgusted by you Renee'. Just like I had to do she would have done-CUT YOU OFF!
Oh and your legislation you signed over copy rights to my family.
In May of 2007, Representative Kimberly Meltzer (Macomb County, MI), requested that Renee' Harrington and Cheryl Rozman write a draft for an officer involved domestic violence law.
On June 26, 2007, Renee' and Cheryl submitted to Representative Meltzer the 'Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Legislation'.
Following the officer involved domestic violence murder of Pamela Aukerman, Renee' and Cheryl signed over all rights of the Michigan OIDV legislation to the Aukerman family, on November 05, 2007. After receiving copyright to the legislation, the Aukerman's renamed the legislation: "The Pamela Aukerman Michigan Officer Domestic Violence Law."
As of February 15, 2008 the Aukerman family has shared copyright of the Pamela Aukerman Officer Involved Domestic Violence Legislation with the Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Corporation.
Renee' you changed the name of the legislation and the awareness day. I know how you work. You also changed the websites "mission" statement. I have left those on Pam's site because it shows your character. The reason you say you started MIOIDV was for PAM! Now you want to defend her on facebook and to set up another page. FORGET IT! It's to late to change now Renee' you've shown your true colors! You've done nothing but bring shame on Pam and us. I'm not trying to steal anything from you Renee' you gave it to us.
As for everything else Renee' Harrington of MIOIDV has to say I will not even comment on. I just wanted to let you all know this. And with everything our family has to deal with we have this to keep dealing with. I'm sorry to my Dad and Mom. to Kyle and Kayla to my brother David to Chase and Chelsie to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. To Pam's friends and co workers. I'm so sorry Pam. I did not mean for this to happen. When others wanted to turn there back on a victim I couldn't. I believed her and I still do. I never knew that we would be in the middle of someone else fight. One step forward twenty back seems to be how it works. One day I know as a family we will be able to look in the sky and not cry but, be happy because Pam is with all her babies in heaven. Watching and waiting for us to join her and what a great day that will be. Any questions you can email me or give me a call.
Please say a extra prayer for my parents they'll need it in the coming month.
Posted by Pam's sister at 10:39 PM
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