Posted on 05/07/2006 12:43:59 PM PDT by seowulf
REDMOND - The Redmond Police Department is facing a $1 million lawsuit after a woman says an officer used his Taser on her during a medical emergency.
Video from the police car camera shows that something was wrong with Leila Fuchs last July when police pulled her out of her car. For nearly 10 minutes when officers first pulled up, they say she remained unresponsive.
"She's just gotten into this collision at Redmond Way and 145th -- small accident," said defense attorney James Egan.
But he says it's the decisions an officer made when Fuchs wouldn't unlock her door that has them suing the department.
Egan says his client was suffering from a diabetic episode when medics tried to get her attention.
"So the medic brings a window hammer here," Egan says, pointing to the video.
Then, Egan says an officer took matters into his own hands.
"He bashed in the passenger side window, opened the door, and immediately ordered her to open her driver side door," Egan said. "Even according to (the officer), she was dazed, catatonic, and non-responsive. At that point, he pulls his Taser out, and says if she doesn't open it, he will shoot her."
Egan says the officer used his gun and hit Fuchs with 50,000 volts of electricity.
"He didn't shoot her for one second," Egan said. "He shot her for the full five seconds… and caused her to stiffen and scream, according to his police report as this happened, and here she was suffering a medical emergency."
Police reports claim officers could initially smell the odor of alcohol in the car, but after they got Fuchs out and did a breath test, they determined there was no trace of alcohol found.
"He jumped the gun... literally," Egan said. "And that's when he tried to electrocute someone he apparently thought was intoxicated."
Calls to the Redmond Police about the video and the lawsuit were not immediately returned Saturday evening. Police records, though, back up the fact that the Taser was used and that Fuchs did not have any traces of alcohol in her system.
The police officer clearly needs to be dispatched to a different line of work, as he lacks the fundamental think-on-your-feet ability that the job requires. However, I'm not willing to let this lady off the hook either. While the officer had no business tasering her, since she wasn't doing anything remotely threatening, SHE had no business driving a car if she wasn't controlling her blood sugar properly. A diabetic should know how to test blood sugar (takes about 30 seconds), self-administer appropriate doses of insulin, recognize the signs of dangerously low blood sugar levels (and pull over immediately if they begin to come on while driving), and carry an emergency glucose supply at all times. The officer did a stupid thing which endangered this woman's life, but the woman also did a stupid thing which endangered the lives of everyone else on the road. She should not get a dime for this.
From what I saw, there was the taser cop on the passenger side and (I think) two others on the drivers side. There were two paramedics there too. The whole thing is on the dash cam. The paramedics and drivers side cops didn't look too worked up. Taser cop just looked ticked off because he was being ignored.
Every time we have training I ask for something beyond basic first aid. I've had CPR training so many times I've named one of my kids Resesca Annie.
We are not allowed to administer anything to anyone having a medical emergency, other than basic first aid.
What you say does sound like a real good idea. But... it would be easier for Gollum to live without the One Ring.
I just HATE it when people don't listen to me. Is it acceptable to taser politicians? Just asking ...
Non illegitimi... I recognize that... that's Latin for "Don't screw the pooch." hahahahaha
An engineer who I used to work with did not know he was diabetic, until he woke up at a stoplight. Drivers were honking their horns, which woke him up. Sweaty, shortness of breath symptoms landed him in the hospital where the diabetes diagnosis was made.
Years ago police were trained to notice any Med-Alert bracelets. If a person appeared to be drunk, and the bracelet said diabetes, paramedics were called in. Question for first responders out there - is giving the victim a couple of packets of sugar still appropriate first aid? This of course does not eliminate the need to call 911 for paramedics - should be called in this case either way.
The officer in this case has problems (expanding hat size type) and should not be in law enforcement.
Okay. She wasn't being abusive or aggressive or beligerent or threatening. So he electrocutes her? Even if he thought she was intoxicated, that's reason to electrocute her?
I hope she wins -- big.
"If you have any diabetic friends, be on the lookout for them seeming like they're drunk or not focusing well or not driving well, etc. and get some carbs or sugar in them."
My boss is diabetic, and I sometime travel with him on business to construction sites. He is always monitoring his blood sugar. He has also told me that if he starts getting a bit goofy when driving, to let him know, I drive the rest of the way or to the nearest medical facility if it is really bad. In his case he is aware of the situation.
Uh. So you expect someone who's having a heart attack or who is unconscious or disoriented to open the door for you? I hope you don't work in the medical field.
My wife is diabetic, and if this had happened to her, I would not have sued the cop. I would have ambushed him at a later date and shot him dead-BUT that is me. I am totally serious about this /NOT SARCASM
I can understand your dept's not liking to take on the liability associated with it. Don't like it, but can understand it
As part of my homeschool curriculum, I encouraged my oldest daughter to get her EMT-Basic certification and volunteer at the local volunteer ambulance corps. I figured the training (about 6 weeks full time summer course) would come in handy some day in her life.
We try to give a well-rounded education to our kids. Besides academics, the wife teaches them to cook, clean, and sew. I handle automotive issues, how to fix things, and weapons training
"They also may charge you with a crime for defended yourself and your family if you don't have lots of money, or if they just don't like you for whatever reason."
That's where living in Texas would be an advantage. The police will show up and do their investigation, but will also look for signs of forced entry, deceased's record, etc. Goes through the Grand Jury as a matter of procedure.
Texas can be a dangerous place for a home invader.
When I was dating my wife many years ago, she lived in a small speed trap town, just outside a major city where I lived. I was stopped 6 straight times late at night and forced to walk the line and recite the alphabet several times and then reluctantly let go (cause I don't drink).
She finally just drove to my place to spare me the trouble.
Same in San Jose, CA. We were told that they were to be used only in a situation where the officer would otherwise be forced to shoot to kill to save his life or the life of others. In practice, it seems to be the first weapon used no matter what the situation or opponent.
I'm not taking the word of the media or some trial lawyer as Gospel.
If the cop was wrong and tasered this woman when he shouldn't have, then shame on him, there should be consequences.
I'm saying that people who have low blood sugar can appear to be intoxicated, can be argumentive and can be combative.
I'm also saying that some police departments tell their officers that if someone does not comply with their verbal instructions the officer can taser that person.
To each his own.
You base your judgment on TV shows???? ROTFLMAO!
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