Naman Shrestha
In the episode titled ‘I’m The Monster’s Mother’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Evil Lives Here: My Child the Killer,’ the primary focus is on the horrific killing of a Cleveland police officer named Jason West in Cleveland Heights in May 2007. The tragedy sent shockwaves across the entire community and the police department. The perpetrator responsible for the murder was caught quickly as officers at the scene received a crucial tip.
Jason West Was Killed on a Cleveland Heights Residential Street in the Line of Duty
Born on February 26, 1976, Jason Daniel West was the beloved son of Thomas E. West and Georgine Winner West. Although he was born in Cleveland, Ohio, he and his sister Ann Rehark spent most of their formative years in Avon. In 1994, Jason graduated from Avon High School, where he was an integral part of the football team. His passion for doing good for society led him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University. After graduating with flying colors in 1999, he went to the Cleveland Heights Police Academy before landing a job at the Cleveland Heights Police Department.
After serving in patrol and motorcycle units for a few years, Jason was promoted to investigator in early 2007. He had been living in Cleveland Heights, where he purchased a house. His bright future in the police department came to an abrupt end after he responded to a fight that started over a girl during a party on the residential street at 3411 Altamont Avenue in Cleveland Heights around 10 pm on May 25, 2007. Jason pulled his cruiser onto the driveway, blocking another vehicle from leaving the scene. While two more units were arriving at the scene, he got out of the car to break up a large crowd gathered near the scene, and was shot in the face and leg. The injured 31-year-old officer was then rushed to Huron Hospital, where he succumbed to the gunshot wounds with his family at his side.
Jason West’s Killer Tried Hiding in a Nearby House to Avoid Getting Caught
As the other two police officers arrived at the scene, they witnessed the suspect shooting his handgun at Jason West from his SUV before exiting the car and firing at least four more shots at close range. Although the other officers opened fire at the shooter, the bullets missed him, and he fled the scene on foot towards Beechwood Avenue. Before breaking into a home in the 3900 block of Beechwood Avenue, the suspect disposed of his 9mm semiautomatic gun in a neighboring driveway. The owner of the house reported the break-in to the police and fled the house unharmed.
When the officers arrived at the house, they found the suspect hiding on the second floor. They identified him as Timothy U. Halton Jr. and took him into custody. Upon collecting the murder weapon from the nearby driveway, the authorities determined that it had been reported stolen in a burglary in Indiana Township, Pennsylvania, the previous year. While Timothy was held at the Cuyahoga County Jail, the detectives dug deeper into the accused’s past and learned that he had told his family about his desire to kill a police officer about four years prior to the shooting incident.
Timothy was also arrested for throwing a brick at a police cruiser and assaulting a police officer, for which he was later convicted and sentenced to probation. He was reportedly receiving medication in Cleveland for psychotic behavior, but had skipped a few of his monthly treatments before shooting Jason. During his indictment, Timothy shouted profanities and claimed that Jason had pulled a gun on him, after which he acted in self-defense. In the end, he was indicted on multiple charges, including aggravated murder, evidence tampering, and burglary.
Timothy Halton Jr. is Currently Incarcerated at an Ohio Prison Facility
Initially, Timothy Halton Jr. pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with Jason West’s homicide. However, on October 30, 2009, he decided to drop his not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Ultimately, Timothy was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for shooting Jason to death in May 2007. As of today, the 46-year-old killer is serving his sentence at Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima, Ohio.
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