Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Police use of Taser on man, 76, roils town in Wyo.
AP ^

Posted on 09/02/2009 8:21:57 PM PDT by Chet 99

GLENROCK, Wyo. — Bud Grose seemed like the last person who should attract the attention of police when the 76-year-old retiree hopped on his antique tractor and rumbled through the annual parade in this small Wyoming town.

But what was supposed to be a day of fun at an end-of-summer festival ended abruptly when police shot Grose with a Taser in a dispute about where to end the parade route.

The incident nearly incited a riot as outraged neighbors rushed to his defense. Now residents of this tight-knit town of 2,400 are seething over what they see as police brutality, and town officials are scrambling to ease the tension.

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: Wyoming
KEYWORDS: banglist; beserkcop; donutwatch; leo; lping; police; taser; tasers
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-60 next last

1 posted on 09/02/2009 8:21:58 PM PDT by Chet 99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: bamahead

Big government ping


2 posted on 09/02/2009 8:25:28 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Liberal sacred cows make great hamburger)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

It is important to know the community you are policing. That or he asked for a jump start and they misunderstood him.


3 posted on 09/02/2009 8:26:25 PM PDT by Steamburg ( Your wallet speaks the only language most politicians understand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Coming to a town near you.


4 posted on 09/02/2009 8:26:38 PM PDT by crazydad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

He is lucky to survive 50 thousand volt shock. I wonder how many people have been electrocuted by taser


5 posted on 09/02/2009 8:34:31 PM PDT by jesseam (Been there, done that)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Waiting for the usual FR badge lickers who always defend the pig no matter what ...


6 posted on 09/02/2009 8:35:01 PM PDT by Slump Tester (What if I'm pregnant Teddy? Errr-ahh -Calm down Mary Jo, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
Sweet, who joined the Glenrock police in February, said communication will be key to settling the town's nerves.

"There's a lot of distrust now, and I'm relatively new here, but I'm going to have to build that trust back up," Sweet said. "At some point in time, people are just going to have to trust that we are going to do the right thing and take it for what it's worth."


No, Mr. Police Chief. People are NOT going to just have to trust you. You work for them and your policemen over-reacted badly. Most of the people at that celebration had roots in the community that go back 100 years. They will be staying. You, Mr. Police Chief, have not been there long, but it sounds like it has been way too long.

Either you are a fool or you employ fools. Either way, you end up smelling more like an outhouse than a rose.
7 posted on 09/02/2009 8:36:03 PM PDT by goldfinch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
I have a simple question. Why didn't he stop for the police like he was supposed to?

From what I read here, the man in question completely ignored the police from start to finish.

Either he feels he's "special" or he's suffering from some kind of dementia.

8 posted on 09/02/2009 8:36:39 PM PDT by Hillarys nightmare (So Proud to be living in "Jesus Land" ! Don't you wish everyone did?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slump Tester

Waiting for the usual FR badge lickers who always defend the pig no matter what ...””

I don’t think the cop was correct with what we know in this story.

Wyoming has a number of communities where everyone knows everyone else.

Was this a new cop in town?

Hard to believe he thought he had to taze a 76 y/o in a parade.

I have traveled some in Wyoming, and had nothing but positive experiences.


9 posted on 09/02/2009 8:37:14 PM PDT by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99; bamahead
The fracas at the annual Deer Creek Days arose from confusion over whether members of the tractor club could deviate from the parade route shortly before it ended.

Grose wanted to head directly to the town park for a tractor pull like in previous years. But the police department had a different plan, which apparently was not communicated to the tractor drivers.

And just whose town is it anyway?

10 posted on 09/02/2009 8:41:56 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldfinch

I wonder how new the rest of the police force is, like the guy who did the tasing.

You don’t mess with small towns when you’re the outsider.

He has a LOT to learn.


11 posted on 09/02/2009 8:44:46 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

While I am no longer in the People’s Republic of the USA,
I did notice a rapid change of police, especially in suburban
and rural areas, even in my home area of west Tennessee.
Cops started morphing from good old boys, out to help you, into jack booted thugs.

I owned an old school building in a town of 350 people.
In the 70s, they had a night watchman. By 2000, they had
a swat team of 6 bullies dressed in combat uniforms, wanting to practice in my building.
None of these guys were natives of the area.


12 posted on 09/02/2009 8:46:56 PM PDT by AlexW (Now in the Philippines . Happy not to be back in the USA for now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys nightmare
Either he feels he's "special" or he's suffering from some kind of dementia.

It could possibly be the latter, however, I'll bet that it never was an issue before, that even though someone had to technically get a permit for something, that it was ever binding.

I'd guess that the folks there just are used to pretty much doing what they wanted and nobody got in a snit about it before.

They're probably used to exercising a great deal more freedom than this (possibly new) police force was willing to let them have.

I sure couldn't see some old timer on the force doing it.

13 posted on 09/02/2009 8:49:10 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Bookmark


14 posted on 09/02/2009 8:50:06 PM PDT by dragnet2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
At some point in time, people are just going to have to trust that we are going to do the right thing and take it for what it's worth.

Famous last words?

15 posted on 09/02/2009 8:53:24 PM PDT by muddler
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys nightmare

I read nowhere in that article that he was supposed to stop. The officer wanted him to go one way, the driver’s prior understanding was for another route.

I’ve seen cops from big cities join small town departments. They either get their heads straight fast or they end up leaving town, because pretty soon, word gets around and their wife and their kids start taking the heat for their husband/father.


16 posted on 09/02/2009 8:58:10 PM PDT by NVDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Slump Tester

The Jackboot lickers are as predictable as the pit bull defenders. Neither can ever do any wrong.


17 posted on 09/02/2009 9:00:31 PM PDT by Chet 99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

The Police were just doing their job, following standard procedure. There is no record of any policeman violating a citizen.

/s


18 posted on 09/02/2009 9:01:01 PM PDT by Gigantor (Socialists always claim to be doing something for you while they're actually doing something to you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: muddler

police seem taser happy these days. Thinking since its just a taser so no harm done just a bit of pain, they use it alot more than necessary


19 posted on 09/02/2009 9:02:10 PM PDT by 4rcane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys nightmare
Either he feels he's "special" or he's suffering from some kind of dementia

Possibly. It is more likely he is hard of hearing. Those old tractors were loud and many old farmers, who spent countless hours on the old machines, suffered some hearing damage. He probably did not hear/understand what the police were saying when they first ordered him to stop. After that, with the police acting like idiots and his grandchild on the tractor with him, he probably made a poor decision in attempting to steer around the police SUV instead of stopping.

The way the town rallied around the old farmer makes me think the police were out of line.

I am usually one of those 'badge lickers' that think one should not make a cop's tough job any tougher. But there is no indication this old farmer was endangering anyone except for the Keystone cops...and he certainly was not going to evade them for long so there was no reason for them to react so strongly.
20 posted on 09/02/2009 9:03:27 PM PDT by goldfinch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: 4rcane

Taser should be like a baton, but from some police clips I’ve seen, its not how the Police seem to see it. They use it even when ppl aren’t even resisting or fighting back. The Police seem to use it, as a quick fix measure, freeze the person and we talk later. Thats like beating someone over the head when he’s not resisting then talk later


21 posted on 09/02/2009 9:08:20 PM PDT by 4rcane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: goldfinch
The way the town rallied around the old farmer makes me think the police were out of line.

Oh, they rallied around him alright, and seems the pissed off citizens probably outnumbered the LEOs 30 to 1...Notice there was no arrest? lol...

This was a small town parade for God sakes....What is with these cops that seem to be so damn confrontational?

22 posted on 09/02/2009 9:08:35 PM PDT by dragnet2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: ridesthemiles
Hard to believe he thought he had to taze a 76 y/o in a parade.

In Wyoming, and FIVE times.

23 posted on 09/02/2009 9:09:24 PM PDT by MarMema (Chains we can believe in)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys nightmare

Here’s more information:

http://www.glenrockind.com/atf.php?sid=2134&current_edition=2009-08-27

Here’s a little clue for those of you who have never driven a tractor, antique or otherwise: They don’t stop on a dime, especially if they’re up over 10MPH.

Pulling in front of the tractor with the stupid SUV shows just how stupid the cop is. We’re talking “dumb as a load of stump holes” stupid.

Would you pull out in front of an 18-wheeler with a car and demand the 18 wheeler stop? Sure you would — if you were stupid enough to think that your authority could somehow trump the laws of physics.


24 posted on 09/02/2009 9:09:35 PM PDT by NVDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Can’t say from the evidence presented.

I will say that when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.


25 posted on 09/02/2009 9:10:56 PM PDT by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NVDave
Would you pull out in front of an 18-wheeler with a car and demand the 18 wheeler stop? Sure you would — if you were stupid enough to think that your authority could somehow trump the laws of physics.

LOL. That pretty much sums up the situation. Nothing more needs to be said.
26 posted on 09/02/2009 9:12:14 PM PDT by microgood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

The cop in these story is just the kind Obama likes as he will follow orders and never consider using common sense. When Obama’s thugs tell him to go round-up people he will click his heels together and gladly and gleefully do it.


27 posted on 09/02/2009 9:21:08 PM PDT by Kartographer (".. we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

“Police fired the Taser five times, according to a state review.”
Wonderful....fired 5 times....from right up close, when the tractor driver was stopped. Accuracy, who needs it? It sure sounds to me that the tractor was stopped with the police cruiser blocking its way when the OSSIFER decided that he needed to defend the town from all terrorists, domestic and foreign, by firing his laser weapon 5 times at this terroristic 76 year old man. As someone has already posted, a mature officer would have handled the situation to the satisfaction of all.
Seems to me this boot cop let his emotions completely overwhelm his training.
After the review, if the cop is found to have acted in a manner not representing current policy, the judgment should be that the 76 year old man taser the cop 5 times. After that, they both shake hands, and that is the end of the matter. Townspeople can go back to normal.
Mahalo


28 posted on 09/02/2009 9:21:36 PM PDT by Islander2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Maybe he brandished a can of Ensure at them...


29 posted on 09/02/2009 9:23:22 PM PDT by BigCinBigD ('Evil white devil since 1960')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NVDave
The report states that Brown pulled in front of the tractor, which then struck Brown's vehicle, according to Sweet. He also said that the report included several different witness estimates of the stopping distance allowed by Brown's vehicle, ranging from three to eight feet.M/i>

When I was a kid, I raked a lot of hay using a tractor about that age of one that old farmer was driving. No way would have my tractor stopped in three to eight feet...and that was driving in a field, not on a city street.

30 posted on 09/02/2009 9:26:26 PM PDT by goldfinch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: goldfinch
Since I live in Wyoming, and I've been through Glenrock, I believe I might be able to shed a little light on the situation.

Things are a little different in Wyoming. Folks in Wyoming are going to do what they want, when they want, and if you ain't into that, too bad. They won't ask your permission and sure ain't gonna ask for forgiveness. The “Wild West” is still very much alive and well in Wyoming. And frankly I love it.

Police here are at best tolerated, because they keep the tourists in line, and at worst ignored because they don't know what they are talking about. It sounds to me like they got a “Big City” cop who wanted to show off his fancy new Taser, and he found out it don't work for crap on an old cowpoke.

I know lots of men like Mr. Grose, and I call them all “Sir” because they have earned that bit of respect. Just living in Wyoming for 76 years is enough.

Besides, everybody knows you are supposed to tip your hat to the man up on the John Deere tractor.

31 posted on 09/02/2009 9:32:14 PM PDT by stumpjumper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

this is nothing ..my wife tazes the kids all the time

“Don’t taze me mom!”


32 posted on 09/02/2009 9:33:37 PM PDT by wardaddy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
The new police chief is the one who should go.

Common sense tells the cop that you don't tase a 76yo guy riding a tractor just because you were pissed he missed a turn and didn't stop.

33 posted on 09/02/2009 9:35:10 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Democrat - The new Party of National Socialism. Pelosi and Kosmas - founding members.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Using a Taser on a 76 year old man for any excuse is cowardly, disrespectful and not behavior befitting any worthy American.


34 posted on 09/02/2009 9:51:41 PM PDT by familyop (cbt. engr. (cbt), NG, '89-' 96)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stumpjumper

RESPECT MY AUTHORITY is what it seems like.


35 posted on 09/02/2009 9:57:36 PM PDT by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys nightmare

You didn’t read the original story. This is an old story, it didn’t just happen. The guy is deaf for one thing. For another he was moving at less than 5 miles per and he was heading in the correct direction of travel. The cop totally lost it for no reason. If you wish to kiss the butts of cops, pick another story to do it on, this cop deserves to be fired along with the police chief.


36 posted on 09/02/2009 10:01:53 PM PDT by calex59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Slump Tester

I live in rural MT and the cops are 90% local flunkies who want a real paycheck and love their petty power. City, state or Federal job is really all they are.

I tell my kids if you are ever arrested by these goombas for anything, don’t say a word and I will have an attorney there in a heartbeat.

However, there are those who choose to be cops and serve to the best of their ability and many are true heroes. To this minority of all police forces, My Family and I salute you.


37 posted on 09/02/2009 10:05:04 PM PDT by liberty or death
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Slump Tester

I always try to treat officers with respect and comply with their instructions. It’s just safer that way.

Unfortunately there are many people that view the Police as the Blue and Silver Gang.


38 posted on 09/02/2009 10:10:17 PM PDT by SwedeBoy2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
LOL.

Just had to make a pit bull reference.

39 posted on 09/02/2009 10:29:38 PM PDT by SIDENET ("If that's your best, your best won't do." -Dee Snider)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Islander2
Your idea on how to handle this is brilliant.....see how officer X liked being tased...
40 posted on 09/02/2009 10:38:52 PM PDT by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

I think it’s time to put the tasers away. I support the police, don’t get me wrong. But tasers were supposed to be used instead of using deadly force, when deadly force wasn’t called for.

Instead, they are using them in all kinds of minor situations. And people are dying from being tased. In some cases, tasers are just as deadly as the officers gun.


41 posted on 09/02/2009 11:00:34 PM PDT by GloriaJane (http://www.last.fm/user/GloriaJane)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys nightmare

Or MAYBE he felt the police officer didn’t realize about the long tradition or didn’t mean him.

Of course we have police officers and serfs that think LEOs can say and do anything they feel like and it’s a pronouncement from God.


42 posted on 09/02/2009 11:22:51 PM PDT by Shimmer1 (Navy blue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: SwedeBoy2

and these days, too many police are members of the Blue and Silver Gang


43 posted on 09/02/2009 11:28:15 PM PDT by Shimmer1 (Navy blue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys nightmare

My grandfather suffered from dementia for the last 5 years of his life along with alzhiemers. Don’t know just what I’d have done had any cop had taered him. But I can assure you it would not have been pretty.


44 posted on 09/03/2009 12:24:57 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (google; operation garden spot and REX84)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: GloriaJane
"I think it’s time to put the tasers away. "

I think it is time for each and every officer who has a taser be tazed. My be if they personal know what it can do and who they are about to use it on they may think twice. It is simular to a night stick used properly it can bring someone into submission or it can break every bone on your body,

45 posted on 09/03/2009 1:55:40 AM PDT by guitarplayer1953 (Warning: Some words may be misspelled/ You will get over it / Klingon is my 1st language)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Joe Boucher
Southwestern Missouri, the Springfield - Branson area.

Ozark, Missouri police officers tazer youth 19 times.

After jumping or falling from a highway over pass, a youth was tazered 19 times as he lay on the ground.

After an investigation the Missouri Highway Patrol cleared to officers of any wrongdoing.

46 posted on 09/03/2009 3:04:15 AM PDT by TYVets (Let’s Roll!!! The leadership of the GOP has no spine and no guts, but we conservatives do)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: GloriaJane
I think it’s time to put the tasers away.

You got that right, Cops Tasing a 9 yr old student for "non compliance", Cops Tasing people in wheelchairs for "resisting", Cops Tasing 80 year old grandmothers for getting "mouthy", Cops Tasing people already on the ground... yeah its time for the Tasers to be pulled from their hands.

47 posted on 09/03/2009 3:53:44 AM PDT by AvOrdVet ("Put the wagons in a circle for all the good it'll do")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: TYVets

I just do not feel comfortable around cop’s,
i know what they can do and get away with.


48 posted on 09/03/2009 5:54:28 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (google; operation garden spot and REX84)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued; Abathar; Abcdefg; Abram; Abundy; akatel; albertp; AlexandriaDuke; ...
Police fired the Taser five times, according to a state review.



Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!
(View past Libertarian pings here)
49 posted on 09/03/2009 6:00:10 AM PDT by bamahead (Avoid self-righteousness like the devil- nothing is so self-blinding. -- B.H. Liddell Hart)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AvOrdVet

I agree. The stupid things have become a Cartman-like device, as in:

“Respect my authoratah!”

And then the cop tases you.


50 posted on 09/03/2009 6:41:00 AM PDT by NVDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-60 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson