Unsolved cases being featured on cards. Branson Perry case

Unsolved cases being featured on cards

January 10, 2009

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wants some information about 52 cases and has decided to use a deck of playing cards to get that assistance.

Beginning Feb. 1, the Highway Patrol will distribute decks of customized playing cards to inmates in the Missouri Department of Corrections and some in county jails, said Col. James F. Keathley, patrol superintendent.

The customized playing cards feature unsolved homicides, missing persons, wanted fugitive photos and case profiles. One missing person case from Northwest Missouri will be in the deck.

The Branson Perry case has been included in the deck, said Jason Clark, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol. Effective Playing Cards & Publications, a Florida-based company, is producing the deck.

The company’s Web site says it has more than 30 decks in use. It recently distributed a Florida deck to inmates in that state. The profiles may generate new tips related to the cases indicated on each card.

Timothy Thomas Coombs will be the ace of spades in the deck. Mr. Coombs is the patrol’s most wanted individual. The patrol and other law enforcement agencies want to question him about the death of a trooper.

The playing card initiative is the result of grants from the Taney County prosecuting attorney’s office, Bass Pro Shops and other sources, Mr. Clark said.
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Missouri Highway Patrol Press Release.

Patrol Announces Playing Card Initiative

News Release

For further information please contact: Sgt. Jason Clark
(573) 522-0980
DDCC01072009
January 07, 2009

EMPHASIS: Playing Card Initiative

Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces a playing card initiative will begin February 1, 2009. This initiative targets inmates that are currently incarcerated in county jails and the Missouri Department of Corrections facilities. These customized playing cards will be distributed featuring unsolved homicides, missing persons, wanted fugitive photos, and case profiles with the hope they generate new tips related to the cases indicated on each card.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has partnered with the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Bass Pro Shops, and One Missing Link Inc., to provide these cards to inmates who may have crucial information that will assist law enforcement with many cold cases throughout the state. The Missing Persons Unit and Violent Crime Support Unit, within the Division of Drug and Crime Control, developed these cards, which feature cold cases from more than 30 law enforcement agencies and communities from around the state of Missouri.

Initially, 5,000 decks will be distributed to key areas of the state. It is our hope this project will develop new leads and intelligence regarding these crimes, which have affected families, communities, and law enforcement agencies throughout Missouri for many years.

Other agencies from around the country have distributed customized playing cards with effective results. We encourage any agency that would like to have a case featured on possible future decks, or would like to become involved with this endeavor, to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Violent Crime Support Unit.