Man dies after being Tasered at L.A. subway station
August 27th, 2009 . by TexasFredLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says a man has died after a deputy shocked him three times with an electric stun gun at a subway station.
Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore says the man, who was not immediately identified, was at the North Hollywood Red Line station Wednesday night when a deputy repeatedly asked if he had a ticket.
The man didn’t answer, so the deputy took hold of his hands to stop and question him.
Whitmore says the man broke free, raised clenched fists and charged the deputy several times. He was Tasered, then shocked twice more when he got up and charged again.
Whitmore says a pipe used to smoke drugs fell to the ground during the scuffle.
Full Story Here:
Man dies after being Tasered at L.A. subway station
This is one of the comments I made on the USA Today post.
I simply can’t believe the lack of comprehension of a few of the comment makers on this post. The guy attacked a Deputy, a Deputy that had asked a legitimate question, it doesn’t matter if the guy spoke English or not, he was in the USA, he *should* have been able to converse in the language of the land.
The guy charged the Deputy, 3 times, and was Tased 3 times, all well within the parameters of lawful action, the Deputy used *necessary force*, not EXCESSIVE force, and he subdued the attacker.
The overall health and well being of this guy was NOT the #1 concern of the Deputy. If the guy was stoned on crack, or whatever, if he had other health issues and he died as a result of the Taser, too bad, seriously, too bad, he apparently made some really BAD life choices, one being attacking an armed Deputy, and the end result was, he lost his life.
But some of you see it differently. The cop was NOT supposed to use a Taser on this guy. OK, what was he supposed to do? Take him on in a fist fight? Take him down with his defensive baton? Or, would you have been more happy if the Deputy had just shot the guy?
It’s always the cops fault where some people are concerned. That is a sad testament to YOUR lifestyle I am guessing. Somewhere along the way, a cop did you some *wrong* I suppose. And it IS possible, I know that not all cops are angels, but here’s something a few of you need to get through your thick heads, the Taser, under NORMAL conditions, when used properly, is the least dangerous weapon in the police arsenal.
Take the Taser away and then you place officers in a position of having to fire their sidearm a lot more often. I can just hear the outcry when that happens.
I have NO use for these people that automatically blame the police when things like this happen. Yes, it IS a regrettable situation, but it’s the price you pay for the life choices you make, I just hope this Deputy has a department that will stand beside him and not throw him to the wolves.
We don’t need The Thin Blue Line getting any thinner!
I’ll comment on this Fred, I wouldn’t want their job at ANY price and I abhor anybody that badmouths them for doing what they have to do……. and with only a split second to decide. They got my respect and they should get these blabber mouthed bleeding hearts respect as well. All the LEO’S that I have ever met were proffesionals and all they ask is some respectful cooperation.
Two things to be noted. First, no matter what country I have been in, one thing that is recognizable is a man or woman in law enforcement. Something about that badge they wear on their uniform kind of gives one a clue. Secondly, this man was in this country, and obviously disobeying our drug laws, and attacks a member of law enforcement. I would say he was lucky he used a taser, and if he had been smart and stayed down would still be alive. I have no sympathy for an idiot, regardless of what language he speaks.
“Or, would you have been more happy if the Deputy had just shot the guy?”
Yes.
When the penalties for bad behaviour are removed, should we be surprised to see an increase in bad behaiour, no!
Show me one place where this is not the rule???
When a police officer approaches you, be polite, try to answer their questions, and don’t make sudden moves.
I’ve traveled all over the world, and the above was and is the rule Iaaaaaammmmmmm’:”AM
I us when I travel, whether I speak the language or not.
Sorry broken keyboard on laptop.
Most of these super critics of the police would never make it as a policeman. They would end up dead - or some innocent bystanders would get hurt. The criminal would excape capture or arrest. The officers must be allowed to use the needful force to keep some situations under control, or we will have a total breakdown in law and order.
Well…I was a police officer back in 1978,79 & 80 and I wish we had a taser to use back then. Things get pretty scary when you have to try to phyically control a subject. I had been in many fights….the one thing you always feared back then was… what would happen if the guy disarmed you? More than likely the police officer would be dead if this happens. We had two choices….hand to hand combat ( which it was at times ) or pull our weapon and use deadly force.
This officer’s choice to use less than deadly force was just that. he wanted to spare his life. It’s unfortunate that the man died anyway….but better the bad guy, than the good guy.
You are right about one thing….they don’t get paid enough to put their life on the line each day & night. Back then I got paid $999 a month….the only other low paying job I had was military duty. I still have my 1968 Tax Return paperwork…..I made $1,533.oo that first year of duty…now $300 of that was extra for overseas duty and combat pay.
At least Fred is leading the “thumbs up” count there. Here’s what I wrote;
“Lets see… We hire and pay people to enforce the law. Now some of you are complaining when they do that?
Guess you people are mad because you are also smoking crack? Or do you just hate cops based on principle?
http://patricksperry.wordpress.com/”
That fool is lucky he didn’t pull that he didn’t pull some crap like that on me when I was a Deputy. He would, at minimum got his ass whooped up on with my baton, and if I was in a particularly foul mood a taste of Super-Vel…
Amen Fred! I get so tired of hearing people blaming police officers when they are forced to take action, because of some idiot. Sure there are a few officers who abuse their power, but when will people realize they are few and far between? I would love to know what the people critizing this officer would prefer that he did. Even more so I’d love for them to realize they’d have most likely done the same thing in his shoes.
You couldn’t pay me enough to be a police officer. Not only do they have to defend themselves from the criminals, but they have to defend themselves against people who believe the criminals should have more rights than the officers.
I can’t believe those idiots commenting over at USA Today. They’re saying the cop planted the crack pipe and that they look forward to using their tasers. What is wrong with these people; the cop was attacked.
Before taser, cops had two choices, gun or billy club. One put holes in you and the other cracked heads and broke bones. After a few minutes, the effects of that taser are gone. The smart is to not argue with a cop. I’ve found that if you treat them with respect, they’ll treat you with the same.
I have to backtrack on my post above Fred, and apologize to ALL the good LEO’S for the actions of this MEATHEAD, who we can just about bet with certainty who he voted for.
THIS guy, should be prosecuted for impersonating an officer of the law.
Like Lee says, there are some that abuse their power………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIKPKjl0-pg
That SOB will be a Camp Commander in the Obama Corps… What a MORON!
Vigilante, there are always exceptions. I spend my life in the military and I can assure you that not everyone who wears the uniform of the Armed Forces of the United States is an honorable person. The redeeming factor is that the good vastly outweigh the bad.
Bob F
Yep you are right. I spent 4 years in the military and saw many who didn’t deserve ANY of the respect that was given to all.
Well… They guy should have had a ticket.
Tasers have and will continue to save lives, but some will always oppose any action taken by the police—these people see the Police as part of the problem and a threat to the Utopian make believe world in which they live. Just arresting someone is an act of violence to some on the far left.