Joanna Putman

Associate Editor

Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, Joanna holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she brings a personal perspective to their work, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at jkeen@lexipol.com.

LATEST ARTICLES

Legal

Va. governor commutes cop’s 3-year sentence for firearm charge in fatal OIS

Former Fairfax County police sergeant Wesley Shifflett was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting but found guilty of reckless firearm use

March 03, 2025 11:58 AM

Joanna Putman

‘A disgraceful betrayal of public trust’: Judge allows suspect in deputy’s murder out on bond

Police Union

Texas union calls judge setting bond for men accused of killing deputy ‘disgraceful’ as 1 posts bail

After granting bond to one suspect in Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda’s murder, Judge Hilary Unger set a $3 million bond for the second suspect

February 28, 2025 01:34 PM

Joanna Putman

Police Grant Center

Conn. launches $2M grant program to boost rural traffic enforcement

The grant will fund overtime pay and new equipment to help state and local police curb excessive speeding

February 27, 2025 05:20 PM

Joanna Putman

‘Give me your f***ing gun’: Man waves knife through D.C. PD cruiser window, tries to carjack woman before fatal OIS

Officer-Involved Shootings

‘Give me your f***ing gun’: Man waves knife in D.C. PD cruiser window, climbs into another cruiser before OIS

The man crashed his car into a D.C. cruiser and threatened an officer through the window before being wounded; he then stabbed himself and threatened others before being fatally shot

February 27, 2025 12:49 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer-Involved Shootings

BWC: Man whacks empty cruiser at LASD substation with machete, approaches deputy before fatal OIS

The man repeatedly struck a cruiser parked outside a sheriff’s department substation with a 16-inch machete before being confronted by a deputy

February 27, 2025 11:23 AM

Joanna Putman

Vehicle Incidents and Issues

Video: Rookie Texas deputy, FTO crash into wrong-way driver

“I was ready for the worst-case scenario: to take the hit. And that’s exactly what I did,” said Harris County Deputy Louie Ayala, who had been on patrol for 32 days

February 26, 2025 01:05 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer-Involved Shootings

‘If they come at me, I’m coming at them’: BWC video shows ambush shooting that wounded 7 Texas officers

A Navy veteran called 911 threatening violence before opening fire on responding San Antonio Police officers, stating he had “high-power rifles and everything”

February 26, 2025 12:50 PM

Joanna Putman

Search and Rescue

BWC: Fla. officer locates man ‘ready to give up’ after falling from sailboat

The 55-year-old man struggled to stay afloat for at least 20 minutes before Port St. Lucie Officer Ryan Lodwick found him and deployed a life preserver

February 26, 2025 12:26 PM

Joanna Putman

Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs

Del. PD’s ex-chief, deputy chief plead guilty to stealing OT pay for shifts never worked

“It’s no different than if they had reached into the town [treasury] and walked away with the funds, plain and simple.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wallace stated

February 25, 2025 11:39 AM

Joanna Putman

Suspect arrested for allegedly planning 'mass casualty attack’ on Texas officers similar to 2016 Dallas ambush

Arrests and Sentencing

Suspect accused of planning ‘mass casualty attack’ on Texas officers similar to 2016 Dallas ambush

The suspect was taken into custody on a warrant for terroristic threats against the Corpus Christi Police Department following an FBI investigation

February 25, 2025 11:26 AM

Joanna Putman