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

Officer Down

2nd person to be executed by firing squad in S.C. killed 25-year veteran officer known for ‘quiet leadership’

“Captain [James] Myers provided ‘service above self’ to the Orangeburg community for over a quarter of a century,” his obituary reads; Myers was killed by Mikal Mahdi in 2004

April 10, 2025 11:20 AM

Joanna Putman

Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)

Texas deputy killed in crash with semitruck

Wood County Deputy Melissa Pollard was fatally injured when she hit the truck from behind in her cruiser

April 10, 2025 10:25 AM

Joanna Putman

Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs

Father, son serve as chiefs of neighboring Vt. PDs

Mike Warfle, the longtime police chief in Pittsford, is preparing to retire after a 40-year career; meanwhile, his son, Jeff Warfle, was recently appointed police chief in Ludlow

April 09, 2025 12:10 PM

Joanna Putman

Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs

Entire Ohio PD resigns, alleging lack of support from village council

“Council has been very vocal about wanting our department to fail and refusing to support any efforts for us to improve,” Craig Beach Police Sgt. Renatta Griffith said

April 09, 2025 11:57 AM

Joanna Putman

Man runs at Mich. deputies with knives in both hands

Officer-Involved Shootings

Sheriff releases video showing man running at Mich. deputies with knives in both hands before fatal OIS

Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth said he was releasing the video in response to “public sentiment” and noted that deputies attempted to de-escalate

April 08, 2025 12:49 PM

Joanna Putman

Pursuit

Video: Man opens fire on Ohio officers, leads multiple agencies on pursuit

An initial pursuit by Wooster PD was abandoned after a cruiser was damaged by the suspect’s gunfire; he was later captured by the Dalton PD and Ohio State Highway Patrol

April 07, 2025 01:38 PM

Joanna Putman

Body Camera

BWC: Suspect vehicle nearly strikes LAPD officer at high speeds, man arrested

An officer fired shots at the vehicle as it sped past, but did not strike the driver; the suspect was caught after crashing into an uninvolved vehicle and fleeing on foot

April 07, 2025 12:18 PM

Joanna Putman

Retirement Planning & Resources

Retired SWAT, bomb squad deputy now serves coffee and baked goods at his Fla. cafe

Chris Smith, 56, served with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and previously in the U.S. Navy before opening Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse in Tallahassee

April 07, 2025 12:05 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer-Involved Shootings

BWC: Man points replica handgun at Denver officer before fatal OIS

After spotting the gun, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation; officers fired shots when the man raised the gun and pointed it at them

April 04, 2025 01:29 PM

Joanna Putman

Officer-Involved Shootings

BWC: Homicide suspect fires shots at National Park Service officer before fatal OIS

The suspect refused to surrender and repeatedly shouted at NPS and Hawaii PD officers to shoot him, appearing to call them “demons” and telling them to leave “in Jesus’ name”

April 04, 2025 12:55 PM

Joanna Putman