Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson
ATHENS–Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said a man died several days after being tased and restrained by police. The Chief released this statement today, Monday, February 15:
“On Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, the Athens Police Department received a call around 9 a.m. from Athens-Limestone Hospital to assist the medical staff with a patient who was becoming out of control at the emergency room. Sergeants Dusty Meadows and Greg Lott responded and were told by medical staff that the patient was physically struggling with them during attempts to conduct an evaluation relating to mental health. The officers calmly talked to the patient, but the patient became irate and physically struggled with officers. The medical staff and patient’s mother left the room, and officers talked to the patient from the doorway. The patient remained very agitated and threw his hospital gown and glass vials at officers.
The officers saw that the patient was in danger of hurting himself and others, and believed that, under the circumstances, the use of a Taser would be appropriate. The officers told the staff and patient’s mother that it would be necessary to use a Taser to subdue the patient, and the mother responded, “OK.”
After further attempts to calm the patient were unsuccessful, one officer used the Taser device on the patient, while the other struggled to restrain and handcuff the patient. Medical staff assisted the officers, and the patient was secured, enabling the medical staff to administer medication.
It later became apparent the patient was having trouble breathing, and the staff moved the patient to a trauma room. The patient was later transported to Huntsville Hospital. The patient died on Monday, Feb. 8. A preliminary autopsy report is pending.
I have briefly met with the patient’s family to address their questions. Our officers responded in accordance with our policies, and to ensure transparency, I have asked the Alabama Bureau of Investigations to conduct its own investigation.
We do have video from an officer’s body camera that I will share with the media once the family has had an opportunity to review it. The family initially planned to meet with me today but because they still are grieving, asked to reschedule in two to three days. It is the family’s request that they get the opportunity to see the video prior to the department releasing it to the media, and I am going to honor their request. Once the family has seen the video, I will schedule another media briefing, and the video will be provided to you.”
