March 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 3

Ludwig’s arrest after

Ludwig’s arrest after her boyfriend’s overdose death stems from a new state law that became effective in September, which makes the circumstances qualify for murder, the New York Post reported. “They found evidence that she sought out the pills,” Amanda McNew, with the Grapevine Police Department, told KDFW. “She bought them and brought them back to the victim. He took them, and he died.” The investigation revealed that Ludwig obtained the narcotics from dealers in the nearby city of Fort Worth and a location in Louisiana. Ludwig, who called 911 on Nov. 20, 2023, said she awoke before dawn to find Nolen unresponsive next to her and ran to a neighbor’s home for help. When officers arrived, they found the 47-year-old man dead in his bedroom from a drug overdose. At the time of death he had “bluish-purple” skin and white foam around his nose and mouth, Law&Crime reported, citing a police affidavit. During the subsequent death investigation, several pills marked “M-30” were found scattered nearby. Detectives also seized 40 blue fentanyl-laced pills, cocaine, oxycodone and Xanax from Ludwig’s purse, according to the affidavit. The woman was arrested in November for narcotics violations, and later released from jail. During the ongoing investigation, detectives believe Ludwig purchased the narcotics from drug dealers identified as “Blue” and “T.” Ludwig allegedly purchased the controlled substances from “T” in Fort Worth on Nov. 19, according to the affidavit. She also reportedly received a package shipped from Louisiana in an Apple iPhone box that contained Xanax pills. An autopsy revealed that Nolen died from a combination of fentanyl and the antidepressant Trazodone. Once Grapevine police obtained an arrest warrant charging Ludwig with murder, she surrendered on Monday and subsequently posted bond. COLO. PD EXTENDS 32-HOUR WORK WEEK PROGRAM AF- TER SUCCESSFUL START By Joanna Putman, Police1 GOLDEN, CO. — After a successful pilot program, the Golden Police Department will extend its 32-hour work week experiment, CBS News reported. The pilot program was launched to keep the department fully staffed in the face of a shortage of officer applications, according to the report. The officers and civilian workers of the department did not have benefits cut and were still paid their 40- hour workweek salaries. But they only work four, eight-hour days per week. “We are still seeing response times that are typically less than the response times under the previous schedule. We are seeing more calls for service activity under that previous model, and we have a level of morale and engagement with the staff that is in the 90-plus percentile,” Golden City Manager Scott Vargos said. Several officers reported positive impacts on their personal lives away from work, according to the report. “I’m able to make more of my kids’ outings at school and be present with their academies... I’m less stressed,” Crime Scene Investigator Latar Durand said. Delivered to your inbox every month. click here for your FREE Subscription. 66 The Blues - March ‘24 The Blues - March ‘24 67