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

Skip to comments.

Man dies after stunned with Taser
The Pulse Journal ^ | December 14, 2009 | Denise Callahan

Posted on 12/14/2009 10:54:14 AM PST by StolarStorm

A man died after being shot with a Taser during a confrontation Sunday night with Mason police officers, according to police.

Police said Douglas Boucher, 39, of Mason died at a local hospital after he was shot by the Taser following a disturbance around 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Speedway gas station, 711 Reading Road.

Two Mason police officers stopped at the Speedway at the corner of Tylersville and Reading Road for a drink when a clerk asked them to talk to Boucher, who was causing some kind of trouble, according to a report.

The two officers approached Boucher and asked him to go outside. Police say the officers used a Taser after the confrontation got physical, and one of the officers sustained a head injury.

Boucher stopped breathing after he was stunned, police said.

He was taken to West Chester Medical Center where he died. The police officer with the head injury was treated and released from Bethesda North Hospital.

Mason police have been using Tasers since 2007.

Boucher’s ex-wife Sheryl Olszewski described him as a good father.

The couple was married in 2001 just before their 8-year-old daughter was born. Olszewski said their 2005 divorce was amicable and her daughter will miss her dad terribly.

“Our daughter was his light and inspiration and they enjoyed their visits tremendously,” she said. “Today is a sad day for her.”

Boucher was a bass player and a member of the local band “Hellcat Alley.”

“He was a very passionate person — passionate about his daughter, his music, and living life fully,” she said.

Doyle Burke, the chief investigator for the Warren County Coroner’s Office, said Butler County will perform the autopsy because he died there. He said they likely won’t find the Taser actually killed him, rather a heart condition or possibly drugs, combined with the Taser shock will likely be the cause of death.

“If it is a result of a Taser, it’ll be the first one in history,” he said.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption
KEYWORDS: lawssuits; lawyers; moneyfornothing; taser
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last
To: J. Semper Paratus
I would rather get tasered than pepper sprayed any day of the week. Pepper is way worse in my experience.

I was exposed to CS gas once. It was one of the worst experiences of my life.

41 posted on 12/14/2009 12:27:54 PM PST by Mark17
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd; al baby
> Well I got stuned by a beeber once. But I didn’t die.

Are you sure it was an Official FreeRepublic Beeber Stuner and not a "beeber-like device"? Accept no substitutes...

42 posted on 12/14/2009 12:28:50 PM PST by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

In legalese, it’s known as “intervening cause,” as opposed to “proximate cause,” and it’s a defense against a charge of homicide. But it’s worth considering.

This is a good argument for socialized health care; one of its features will be the government ownership of all our health records. Police would be able to access a suspect’s health care records for evidence of pre-existing health conditions (intervening cause) so that they can tailor their use of force to avoid just this sort of incident.

Of course, suspects will have to be patient with the police while they do their search, but it could ultimately save their lives, so it’s in a good cause.

Or the cops can just shoot the dirtbag and avoid all the speculation.


43 posted on 12/14/2009 12:30:45 PM PST by DPMD (~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: dayglored

COOOOL.
 
I want a pair of these....
 
 
Beeber Stuner Boxer Shorts
Beeber Stuner Boxer Shorts

$15.99

 
 
For reasons of which I wish to keep to myself!
 


44 posted on 12/14/2009 12:33:47 PM PST by Responsibility2nd (Ack, is that the site with "Responsibility2nd"? Some weirdo. ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: dblshot

“Take away Tasers and what is a cop under assult going to do?”

Oh, I don’t know, get their uniforms dirty, break a nail, stub their widdle toes?

How about doing what officers did before these citizen-torture devices were allowed?

They took the job, THEY should bear the burden of these confrontations not every citizen sap that dares to offend their new found fluffiness.

Between this and sound cannons law enforcement is starting to appear like a bunch of pantywaists.

I lose a little more respect for them with every new story of some old person, sick person, young person, or crippled person that these shock therapists abuse.


45 posted on 12/14/2009 12:35:23 PM PST by Boucheau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: StolarStorm

If you’ve ever tried cuffing someone resisting arrest, you’d know how naive your statement sounds. It’s like saying, “why don’t they shoot to wound him,” or “why didn’t the officer kick the gun out of his hand like they do on television.” I’m sorry the guy died, but a little understanding of police tactics and the real world sometimes puts things in perspective.

The offhand, almost cavalier mention of an officer lying in a hospital with a brain injury is evidence that cops and their work are valued little more than that of houseflies.


46 posted on 12/14/2009 12:36:15 PM PST by DPMD (~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mark17

I was exposed to CS gas once. It was one of the worst experiences of my life.


yup CS ain´t fun btw. it was my own stupidy which “brought” me this experience in younger years. but lesson learned don´t drink and use CS gas cartridges because you ran out of blanks to shoot signal flares from a CS Pistol to celebrate new year ;-)


47 posted on 12/14/2009 12:38:52 PM PST by darkside321
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: DoughtyOne
Yeah, I'm torn about this. Obviously, he is at fault for starting all this... and I don't know any of the specifics yet. I suspect that there is a mental issue involved. He wasn't a criminal or a "tough" guy.

But no matter what, the statement that the taser had nothing to do with his death is absurd. Of course it did. We'll find out in the next few days what the autopsy shows, but death by taser is a real deal. Most won't be affected... but when you involve electricity you can hardly predict how it will affect a given individual or what path it will take through the body.

Hopefully I'll find out more in the coming days... and yes he really was a great dad. And will be sorely missed.
48 posted on 12/14/2009 12:40:14 PM PST by StolarStorm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: DPMD

My reaction is to be expected since I have a personal connection to the guy. We’ll find out more about what happened as the days go by. But I do know that this man was not a criminal.


49 posted on 12/14/2009 12:43:43 PM PST by StolarStorm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

Comment #50 Removed by Moderator

To: darkside321
it was my own stupidy which “brought” me this experience in younger years.

Yep. Mine was a training exercise, so we would know what it feels like in case we ever had to use it. I felt as though I would have gone through a brick wall to get away from it.

51 posted on 12/14/2009 12:46:11 PM PST by Mark17
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Boucheau
I suppose your model policeman would be what? English Bobbies who'll smack you down with their hard hats? How about people showing some common sense and refraining from being unruly and threatening? I'll wait until we see the video before making judgment, seems like there is always a video these days. I'm sure the cops didn't just run back to the guy the store clerk pointed out as causing trouble and Taser him. Yes sir and yes mam are the best way to address an officer. An no I'm not giving up any of my freeping god given rights by being sober and reasonable. I bet you wouldn't even give officers a clothing allowance to replace all the rips, body fluid contamination, etc they get in doing their daily job. BTW to carry a TASER you have to be tazed. Want one?
52 posted on 12/14/2009 12:46:53 PM PST by dblshot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: StolarStorm
Here is what is going to happen one day soon. A police officer will begin to tase an elderly person, child, handicapped person, etc. and a family member will draw down or shoot the cop. They will claim a right to use deadly force because they feared for the life of that family member. I support the use of tasers when called for, but this stuff is just plain out of control. I don't claim to know what happened in this specific case or if it was justified.
53 posted on 12/14/2009 12:50:12 PM PST by klute
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mark17

Yep. Mine was a training exercise, so we would know what it feels like in case we ever had to use it. I felt as though I would have gone through a brick wall to get away from it.


lol. this brings back memories of my youth ;-) there is nothing like running away with your eyes and faces burning like hell while every breathe you take feels like someone sticks a knife into your lung :-)
greetings


54 posted on 12/14/2009 12:53:04 PM PST by darkside321
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

Comment #55 Removed by Moderator

To: DoughtyOne

I agree with your post and your tagline.


56 posted on 12/14/2009 12:59:37 PM PST by carton253 (Ask me about Throw Away the Scabbard - a Civil War alternate history.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

Comment #57 Removed by Moderator

To: dblshot

The problem, and I don’t see that it was working here, is that many cops use the taser for any and no reason, just because they are allowed to use it. Getting tased because you question the reason for the ticket you are getting is a bit much. but it has happened. Its like shooting the dog when you go to a citizen’s door. It is regarded as a perk.


58 posted on 12/14/2009 1:05:54 PM PST by arthurus ("If you don't believe in shooting abortionists, don't shoot an abortionist." -Ann C.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd
I stand by my statement and your response confirms my view. Your "joke" would not have been appropriate even if no one here had any connection to this person.

You should have apologized, but you threatened me instead???? With a one minute warning???

I think you might be surprised by the actions of the moderators. They know what is appropriate and what is not.
59 posted on 12/14/2009 1:06:00 PM PST by StolarStorm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Just wow. Your the type of poster that gives fodder to the FR haters. You make us look like loons and sociopaths.


60 posted on 12/14/2009 1:07:40 PM PST by StolarStorm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 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