Saturday, February 06, 1999
Ex-school official's case baffles neighbors
Retiree charged with firing into van
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ebbie Lee Gadd
|
Neighbors and a former colleague of Ebbie Lee Gadd are baffled by the charges against the retired school administrator.
Mr. Gadd, 58, is suspected of firing a gun into a family's minivan as they sat at a stoplight in Springfield Township Wednesday night.
He will appear in Hamilton County Municipal Court today to face four counts of felonious assault.
He also was charged with drunken driving the same night in Independence, Ky.
He waived an extradition hearing in Kenton County District Court Friday and was turned over to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department.
He remained in the Hamilton County Justice Center Friday night.
Scott Frederick, Mr. Gadd's lawyer, said Mr. Gadd expressed deep concern about the Devlin family Friday morning after he heard what had happened.
“He said he doesn't remember anything,” Mr. Frederick said.
John Lazarus, superintendent of Warren County Schools, was superintendent of Kings Local School District when Mr. Gadd was assistant superintendent from 1993 until he retired in 1996.
“I would never have thought he was capable of doing something like this,” Mr. Lazarus said.
“When he came to work here, I checked with all the other districts where he had worked and found his reputation completely impeccable.”
Mr. Gadd worked in the Lakota School District for 14 years.
He was principal of Lakota High School from 1982-84. He was superintendent of New Mi ami Schools from 1984 to 1991.
Neighbors on Elk Court in Fairfield where Mr. Gadd lives said the charges are out of character for the man they know as friendly and outgoing.
They say he is a giving person who shoveled snow for some of his neighbors and told members of the condominium association to come to him when they had problems.
“I think it is a shame that someone with an excellent reputation as he has can be destroyed in one night,” said neighbor Martha Hemming.
“He is truly an outstanding and helpful person. He came to my house and cleaned out my driveway during the snow last month.”
Even the sight of Mr. Gadd walking his two dogs made him a favorite in the community.
“Everybody knew him because we saw him every day,” said neighbor Imogene Shanks.
“We would get a good laugh because he would take both dogs at the same time and they would really give him a workout.”
She said Mr. Gadd helped people with lawn work and remodeled his own condominium.
“When he first moved in, his reputation as a top school official spread through the community and he let everyone know that he was there to assist with any problems,” Mrs. Shanks said.
But that is in contrast to the man Daniel and Pamela Devlin and their two children saw pull along side their minivan at West Kemper Road and Hamilton Avenue, smile, and fire a gun.
The bullet shattered glass in the minivan, causing minor injuries to Mrs. Devlin.
Mr. Gadd was arrested shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday after he drove his 1994 Pontiac Bonneville off Ky. 17 and crashed into a mailbox in Independence.
He pleaded guilty to the drunken driving charges Thursday.
Over-the-Rhine residents: What about us?
Sentence reversed because judge cited Bible
Woman accused of baby-stealing try
Witness comes forward in 1992 beating death of boy
New inn on Fifth endorsed
Hand transplant raises hope for others
Mardi Gras parade features colorful creations
Mom ordered to stay away from abandoned baby
15-year-old admits role in fire at Wilson Jr. High
Ex-school official's case baffles neighbors
Lead-paint grants: Study, yes; clean up, no
Murder suspect's aunt says he admitted killing uncle
Rumpke permits take years
$13.6 million asked for road, water projects
Boehner gets on board in fight against train whistles
Court hears details of bank heist
Fairfield TV network is group's goal
Home could become stranded
Lebanon trooper tops in the state
Mason annexation still sought
Search fails to recover body from river
Self-defense class booked in Springdale
Settlement offered for chief's resignation
Stadium contracts monitored
Taft picks Democrat for unemployment post
TRISTATE DIGEST
