Yep. You rarely see the choke hold applied correctly in the movies and I'm grateful for that (about the only thing I am grateful to Hollywood for). It's not to be messed with. I learned it and one of its variants in Jiu Jitsu and I would NEVER put it on anyone unless it were a matter of life or death because death can occur within seconds.
A deputy’s husband has been charged in Harris County, Texas for choking a drunk guy to death. Witnesses and videos show he choked the guy for 15 minutes. The altercation started because the drunk was pissing in public. Last I heard the female deputy may be charged as well.