Journal memfree's Journal: guy loses wallet; cops shoot his dog. 8
There's a lot more too it than the Subject line. A relative (who follows stories of vicious dogs) has sent me a pile of links on this case, so I'm posting them.
- A video of Dixie's fine law enforcement professionals can be found here.
- this is probably the best (though not as graphic) video
- Even our fellow gun nuts sound pissed
Here's a summary for those who don't want to mess with the links:
Cops get call from concerned citizen that a wallet was thrown from a car as it sped away. Money went everywhere. Probably a robbery. So, cops find car and follow it. When backup cruisers arrive, they pull car over. Suspects are a mom, dad, and teen son. Suspects ordered on their knees, hands behind their backs. Mom sats there are dogs in the car, and to close the car doors. Cops leave doors open, and dog escapes. Dog runs out, makes a loop, and then approaches Officer. Offier shoots shotgun in dogs face. Family cries. Cops learn then learn that the Dad is the person whose wallet was retrieved. Dad had left his wallet on car roof after buying gas, and it fell off as he drove away. Suspects let go.
Apparently, the Cookeville police website has shut down, but here's its address for when they reopen.
This is even better:
Bob Terry
Cookeville Chief of Police
P.O. Box 849
Cookeville, TN 37501
rterry@ci.cookeville.tn.us
voice 931-520-5266
fax 931-528-9368
I didn't even want ot tell my wife... (Score:2)
Apparently, I DID have a shred of hope that I didn't even know about. However after hearing that a wallet flying off of a car is grounds for felonious stop and routine shooting (despite forwarning by the family!) I discovered said shred of hope as it shriveled up and died. Too late, I guess.
Needless to say, I told the wife this morning at breakfast. But when you hear something that is so pathetic and low that you want to protect your loved one from it... what is that saying about our society?
I tell you what- its saying that it suxxors. It is most definitely teh suck!
That is just (Score:2)
And here's what gets me... (Score:4, Interesting)
And regarding the shooting of the dog. A couple of things come to mind. First, police need to be trained to deal with animals. Second, we have a serious problem when the gut-level response to everything is to pull out your gun. Not everything that moves it out to get you. If the dog actually was coming after you, you can use less deadly means of force, such as a leg, nightstick, or your hands.
And here is what I believe needs to be drilled into the minds of these people before they are even employed by a police department: You are public servants. That means that you take this job with the understanding that your sole purpose is to protect the citizenry, not yourself. By becoming a police officer, you are donating your life to the public good. It's just like being a soldier. Sure, you'd like to live through this. But when it comes down to a grenade that will go off and kill the people around you, you jump on top of that grenade. And that should be instinctual.
all for the loss of a horseshoe nail (Score:2)
The thing that pisses me off is the busybody who called 911 with the suggestion that a robbery occurred. She said the car passed her and, "was probably going about 110 miles per hour". She said, "and then, not too far in front of me, there was money flying all over the interstate". No one questioned how unlikely it was that a robber would throw money out the window. At least, it seems that the 911 dispatcher did not seem to question it. How did the dispatcher phrase the report to police? Did the dispatcher leave room to question that there was no certainty a crime had been committed? With the further information that the wallet was the driver's, and that it was on the hood, how likely is it that the wallet *remained* on the hood at any significant speed?
To me it seems FAR more likely that the "Suspect" was driving at a much slower speed, and probably passed the caller because she was a road hazard. Achieving passing speed blew the wallet off the roof, but I'd expect that speed to be under 60pmh. I could be wrong. Regardless, the caller seemed to be calling 911 for spurious reasons. I hope she realizes the harm she's done.
On a happier note, their state senator, Steve Cohen (sp.?), is looking for ways to reimburse the family.
Re:all for the loss of a horseshoe nail (Score:2, Insightful)
Wonder if the video will make it to Cops?
The only way the state senator could make me happy is to serve up both cops' balls on a plate. Literally.
b-b-b-but wait, it gets worse! (Score:2)
apparently, this cookeville precinct has a history of recklesness! [putnampit.com]
apparently they also tried to "hack the website" of the putnam pit?
Wierd shit.
remind me to avoid the south at all costs.
another journal (Score:2)
Re:another journal (Score:2)
So, what is the best thing one can do if one were in the same situation? Close the door when you get out, for one thing -- but that's blaming the victims (it is not their fault these podunk cops are playing Rambo). How can we attack the root cause?
Seems to me that bringing suit solves nothing ("dirty money") and they are free to do it next time. One thing I'd like to see is zero tolerance for a police officer who discharges his weapon when there is no clear and imminent danger; in this case, the dog would have to be in the act of biting someone and they couldn't get free. Otherwise, if the officer uses his weapon, that's the last thing he'll do as a free man for many, many years. Like others said, he could have used his nightstick, mace, his foot, etc. if he felt that the dog was coming after him.
I like the thought of forcing the police to go through situational training as a method of prevention, rather than punishment. Whatever you do to punish the guilty, the dog's not coming back and your 17-year-old (and probably you) will need some serious therapy to get over it. Perhaps some good could come over this.