Texas Cops Support Taser Strikes on 72-Year Old Great Grandmother (VIDEO)

Tasers are deadly, anything else anyone says about it is a sham. Responsible governments would implement new policies quickly before lawsuits drain away the last of the blood, and they will.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police in Texas are standing behind a deputy's repeated taser attacks on an elderly great grandmother who was reportedly driving fifteen miles an hour over the speed limit in a construction zone.

Kathryn Windfein says she was driving to Austin for a twice weekly shopping trip when she was pulled over for speeding by a Travis County Constable deputy. She admits that she was speeding, but says the deputy's story about her "resisting arrest" and being "violent" is completely untrue.

In fact, while looking at the arrest report, she said, "I was not arguing and I was not combative. Everything in this is a lie."

This is not uncommon at all. The notion that police are honorable simply because they take an oath and wear a badge while supposedly "protecting' citizens is something out of the past, if it is even that. Police are people and people screw up, that is the way life goes.

And once in a while, a pastor or a great-grandmother or somebody more "unusual" is abused by police and the story comes forward.

I think it is obscene and it makes Texas look like a dangerous, aggressive place where official brutality is sanctioned as a part of everyday life and swept under the rug whenever possible, sort of like a lot of other states and regions in the U.S.

Americans are growing increasingly uncomfortable with police taser use. The escalating number of deaths and injuries caused by these devices continue to deflect the responsibility of cops who remain bent on using these deadly devices falsely labeled "non-lethal" and "less-than-lethal".

If anyone needs proof, they only need to look at a Salem Oregon Police training accident that happened a few years ago.

It was taser training and even though two officers were there to spot the others as they were tased and fell onto a foam matt, an experienced police lieutenant received a serious head injury from falling to the ground.

This is serious business, police using tasers as a matter of routine, even on little old ladies. There was a time when people of this nation would never stand for such things. That time needs to come around.

There is a simple answer; police have these devices supposedly to protect themselves, and to restrain suspects who are combative. The responsible answer is to relieve an officer from duty after a taser is used in the line of duty, with pay as they always do, and have an outside agency conduct a review and investigation of the taser use, exactly the same way they do when they draw and fire their standard weapons in the line of duty.

Tasers are deadly, anything else anyone says about it is a sham. Responsible governments would implement new policies quickly before lawsuits drain away the last of the blood, and they will.

If you talk to officers and deputies, you learn that some rarely or never brandish their tasers and only use them in the more dire circumstances. Other officers are cruel bastards and whether anyone admits it or not, they get off on inflicting pain and playing God with people. Stop the madness!

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Tara July 5, 2010 8:31 am (Pacific time)

I can understand what police go through but come on people, they get paid and trained to do what they do. And why do people have so much faith in the police? They are human beings too, just as capable of doing wrong as the rest of the public. I have seen uncut videos of what police leave out of reports. They have been caught many times on camera using tasers like toys. How would u feel if because you didnt comply quickly enough a cop tasers you? I have not been tasered personally but i could imagine what it would be like. Besides all that i thought tasers were supposed to be one of those last resort things.

tom dreager January 29, 2010 8:25 pm (Pacific time)

if you want a police corruption and abuse story please talk to me clearwater@snet.net

TOM January 29, 2010 8:22 pm (Pacific time)

EVERY COP IN THIS COUNTRY IS A CRIMINAL. THEY WILL ALL LIE AND FAKE EVIDENCE AND BACK EACH OTHE UP WITH 'THE BLUE WALL'. CAN THE LOT OF THEM AND START OVER.

O December 31, 2009 9:11 am (Pacific time)

Hey tx-95, if you are going to write in English, use proper grammar and spelling. It is manual, not my friend Manuel. You sound like an idiot.

tx-95 August 24, 2009 2:39 pm (Pacific time)

First of all if you are going to use the "lingo" make sure you are using it correctly it tase her not taser her you sound like an idiot. Second unless you have a copy of that deputy's policy manuel then you are merely making an uneducated guess or assumption. I'm certain he operated well within the guidlines set for by his department in his departments use of force policy. Think about this what if he had gone hands on with her and hurt her? Hmmm but then you would probably be whining about that and asking why didn't he tase her? Most of y'all seem to be arm chair quarterbacks and are just dying to criticize cops but the fact is you weren't there and while the video shows a lot it doesn't show everything.

RealityCheck August 3, 2009 11:59 pm (Pacific time)

Ok, I just came across this video randomly and started reading about it. What most people might forget is the person regardless of age or gender, was resisting arrest. She was going back to her car from the passenger side and the cop decided to tase her before she was behind her car. Unable to be tasered at that point and partially out of the cops vision. To a cop thats a dangerous situation when you consider it. What if she had a gun in her glove box and was able to retrieve it and fire on the officer? Doesnt that completely eliminate the arguement that "he could have overpowered her" and "shes just a 72 year old woman". A gun is still capable of killing regardless of who uses it. As well as a CAR. The car itself is a weapon and she was obviously hostile towards the cop enough to be considered a threat if she was behind the wheel. Theres alot of scenarios that could have been leading to bad situations. Im not happy about the actual "tasering" of the woman. However, she did resist arrest and was hostile. That in itself gave the cop the right to use it in order to protect himself if he beleived she would do something that may harm him or others. Keep in mind he did warn her several times also. He did not tase her just for the sake of doing it. Oh one other thing, She wasnt following his orders to move behind the vehicle. That is a safer area to be in due to traffic. Im sure youve all seen the cop dash cams of people being hit or cars being rammed. He also already decided that she was a threat on the road when he ordered her out of the car and that she was resisting arrest. The ticket was no longer the only issue when she left the car. Just remember, the cop did his job. She obviously resisted arrest. Case closed.

Ryo August 3, 2009 11:50 am (Pacific time)

yo, stay away from texas man. the people there are meeeeeeeeeeesed up seriously.

Bildeaux July 1, 2009 7:24 pm (Pacific time)

I saw the raw footage (available on the Internet). It begin while she is still in the car. When the cop asks her to sign the ticket, she refuses and answers "take me to jail." the she gets out. Then, she discovers the officer is actually going to oblige her, she says "Just give the @#$% thing and I'll sign it." I see. NOW, she's going to sign it. The she defies the officer and says she's getting back in her car and refuses to cooperate when he attempts to cuff her. Question: why was the portion of the video that shows her swearing at the officer (which she denies) and asking to be taken to jail (which she denies) removed from the video? could it be it doesn't support someones case? Hmmmmm.

Joe June 20, 2009 11:19 pm (Pacific time)

In her own words, "I was not arguing and I was not combative. Everything in this is a lie." Maybe she forgot that Cops had cameras installed in their cruisers for incidents like this.. what a liar. Why don't she just sign the ticket and go ? She was speeding.

Rick June 19, 2009 5:41 pm (Pacific time)

Once again Mr. King, you make my point for me. You make the generic statement that you are "just horrified by the acceptance of taser use in the United States." Taken literally, you are referring to ALL use of tasers. That is what you wrote. I challenge you to ask the "countless" number of police officer friends that you claim to have. Ask them how effective taser use is when applied under the proper situations (and again, taser use with Ms. Windfein WAS NOT NECESSARY). Ask them if they would a taser to deal the 300 pound drunk weight lifter, who just beat his wife, and who is waiting with anticipation for the police to arrive so he can fight them too before going to jail. Police officers who know their business know that the taser can neutralized and safely taken into custody the 300 pound weight lifting, wife beating, drunk man. And frequently without injury to him, but just as important, without injury to police officers. I am sure many of your readers can already testify to the effectiveness of tasers by seeing the many cop shows on TV where a taser is used safely and properly. Without any disrespect to you Mr. King, that you are horrified by the acceptance of taser use in the United States is simply naive. However, if what you really meant to say is that you are horrified by the acceptance of "IMPROPER" or "Unauthorized" use of tasers in America (such as in the Windfein case), then I can accept and agree with that statement. But that is not what you wrote.

Tim King: I don't have that much of a problem with them being used in situations like the one you described.

June 19, 2009 2:11 pm (Pacific time)

The cop is a wimp! big wimp!!

Anonymous June 19, 2009 2:11 pm (Pacific time)

The cop is a wimp! big wimp!!

Rick June 18, 2009 4:38 pm (Pacific time)

Mr. King, you can go ahead and be ashamed if you want. I am sticking up for good, moral law enforcement officers who deal with the repercussions of biased media reporting, such as yours appears to be. I am not sticking up for the officer in this case, and I said that. Maybe you should read again what I wrote. I said he should not have tased her. Your representation of me as sticking up for him is inaccurate, and a slanted response. Who holds you responsible for your actions when you write articles? Did Ms. Windfein do anything wrong in your mind? You hold a lot of power with your pen. That power can get officers hurt. I noticed you made no comment about the officers I mentioned that were killed. That speaks volumes to me sir.

Rick: I have so many friends who are police officers that I could never count them. I'm just horrified by the acceptance of taser use in the United States. I in no way see how my article is going to get officers hurt, that seems ridiculous. I recently profiled the officers who were killed in the Newhall incident, hoping to educate people about officer safety. I have made police look good 99 times for every time I'm critical, and I don't believe it is overly critical to call foul on this. I have been called so many names as a writer that I can not even keep them straight. The only thing that outnumbers those insults however, is the praise that people give me for taking the time and effort to cover really hard stories in really dangerous places, like my work with the Marine MP's in Iraq's Anbar Province last summer.

nazi america? June 18, 2009 1:46 pm (Pacific time)

This guy should be fired and banned from ever working a law enforcement job again. That's the worst punsihment you could inflict on an anal ass hat like that, is deprive him of his legalized power trip. At any rate, if he can't handle an old lady any better than that, he's in the wrong line of work to begin with.

Rick June 17, 2009 10:32 pm (Pacific time)

It appears that the editor wrote this article before Ms. Windfein was proven to be the liar that she is. She behaved badly and deserved to be arrested for her lack of cooperation and refusal to sign the ticket, which is protocol for many police agencies in Texas. Sure, I wish the officer had not tased her, and I don't think he should have. Clearly, his action is shocking to the conscious of society, and brought very bad publicity on police officers everywhere. However, he had no obligation to risk injuring himself, or Ms. Windfein, by going hands on with her, and it is very likely that he followed the policy of his agency regarding taser deployment. However, I would not have considered using the taser in that situation. I would have controled her using physical strength and skills. That would have been riskier for me personally, but that is what I would have done. I hope the editor has something positive to say about the police from time to time. While police are not perfect, editors frequently use their platform to make police officers bigger targets than is necessary by unfair and one sided reporting. It is, after all, the 1 percent of "bad officers" who make the job much harder for the 99 percent of good, moral, committed police officers (not real figures, but I believe good officers far outnumber the bad). I hope you are reporting on the positive police actions with as much enthusiasm and descriptive adjectives (I am referring to your calling officers "cruel bastards") as you have in this article Mr. King. And I hope the public will not forget the police officer killed recently in Oakland, Pennsylvia, and Texas who gave their lives to protect the public from killers. Had Ms. Windfein been cooperative, even while maybe disagreeing, none of this would have happened.

Editor: She clearly says to the deputy, give me the (expletive deleted) ticket at least once. Just look in the mirror later Rick and remember what it is that you are sticking up for here. You make me ashamed to be an American if you represent law enforcement. What do you think of wife beaters? Violence against women IS WRONG AND SUCKS and you can't ever change that, no matter what you get away with

Atrum Angelus June 14, 2009 12:45 pm (Pacific time)

The man is a bully. The punishment did not fit the crime and justice was seen not to be done. The world and his community know him to be a bully now. What other corrucption is he involved in?

Ed June 14, 2009 10:14 am (Pacific time)

Lot of folks have it all wrong. This was not a self-defense situation... it was an arrest situation involving a person resisting arrest. Also, the Taser is not a deadly weapon... no person has ever died or even been seriously injured by the Taser... unlike the impact weapon the Taswer replaced... the nightstick or baton, which easily causes broken bones, internal damage and sutures galore. The arrest was also not a personal situation for the cop, but a legal one. I'm amazed at the people who assume to know every motive of the cop despite having never met him. Lack of knowledge and preconceived bias is an ugly combination. For the record, the Deputy will not be charged. He followed the use-of-force procedure to the letter, correctly applying the Taser to a person resisting arrest instead of grappling with them... which CAN cause injuries. It's for this reason that use-of-force policies place the Taser in line to be used before wrestling and grappling. As for the woman who though her age granted her diplomatic-style immunity from the traffic laws and the laws of arrest, she'll most certainly be found guilty.

THIS COP NEEDS TO BE ARRESTED June 14, 2009 5:18 am (Pacific time)

Unbelievable! The nerve of the bastard to taser this old women. What kind of f***ing moron would use that kind of force against an old grandma. He is going to go straight to hell!. All he had to do grab her keys from the car and then she couldn't have gone anywhere anyway. This is SICK! ITS AN OUTRAGE. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS WOMAN NEEDS JUSTICE. WHY ISN'T ANYTHING HAPPENING?????

MARINE MILITARY POLICE June 12, 2009 5:20 pm (Pacific time)

SP? Are you serious? ---- Cops have wide discretion (and use it often to benefit themselves) to arrest or not. He also had the ability and the responsibility to defuse her anger and get her to cooperate. She wasn't a threat, she was pissed off. BIG DEAL. Why was he so unprofessional? This is his job day in and day out. Why was he unable to defuse the situation, calm her nerves and explain the situation to her in a calm, professional way. Watch the video, he's SCREAMING at her repeatedly.

Freedom or Fascism? June 12, 2009 12:36 pm (Pacific time)

What a S-C-U-M-B-A-G! This "cop" was never in any danger, he just didn't want to hear it. This woman was exercising her rights and the government agent stomped on her for doing so. Want to know why America is falling apart? This is a perfect example. ______ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." --- Thomas Jefferson Bullets or Ballots ? We already know the choice the founders made.

SP June 12, 2009 10:03 am (Pacific time)

MARINE MILITARY POLICE, Like you said, you weren’t there so SHUT UP. You talk a tough game, but I don’t think you would talk all that sh%$ if you were really an officer.

Editor: You need anger management classes and I sure as Hell hope you aren't a uniformed officer. Nobody needs to have been there, the evidence speaks for itself. You could take a lesson from the Marines pal, a thoroughly honest group that weeds out the bad apples and places honor before everything.

My Observation is Better Than Yours June 12, 2009 1:23 am (Pacific time)

The woman was truly obnoxious, but that is not sufficient reason to taser her. This officer was in the wrong for tasering this woman. He should (and probably will be) face an excessive use charge because of the publicity. As biligerant as she was, he could have still overpowered her without the taser, and his superiors will recognize that. The taser should only be used if the officer or a member of the public is in danger. We can all understand the temptation to use the taser when she dared him, but police officers are trained to remain calm and objective when being verbally provoked. Unfortunately, it is part of the difficult job they have to do. She never represented a danger to him; he tasered her for being obnoxious, and that is not acceptable. I think most posters are missing at least a part of the absurdity of this situation. This woman is not a body builder, on strength inducing drugs, nor can she outrun the officer. Her attitude, though not respectful, was not putting the officer in harms way, nor was he in fear of his life. So, why taser her? The police do have a tough job. But they are still just like you and I, they put their pants on one legs at a time, and they are not superheros, but most of them do consider themselves above the law, unfortunately. I feel his actions are an all too common show of strength that we all see with officers that are just too full of themselves and feel they deserve for the public to bow down to them just because they wear a uniform. The officer was twice her size and because she was not intimidated by him it pissed him off and he got out of control. I would hate to see him in a real crime situation this video just proved his inability to handle even a minor situation and shouldn't be wearing a badge or carrying an type of arms. This cop needs some serious retraining!

MARINE MILITARY POLICE June 11, 2009 10:39 pm (Pacific time)

I am a former MP for the US Marine Corp. And I will tell you myself this guy should have his @$$ handed to him. I know I dont have all information. But this guy is trained how to detain people, and he could have handled this situation very differently. without causing harm to the lady. And If i were to run across this low life sorry piece of SHYT S.O.B. I would show him what it feels like to have his @$$ handed to him. And once i had his tail beat to the ground i would take his freaking taser and tase him in his freaking testicles over and over again. Once i was done I would say "So there buddy now screw with a helpless elderly lady."

Cop Lover, But This was Wrong! June 11, 2009 10:22 pm (Pacific time)

The woman was truly obnoxious, but that is not sufficient reason to taser her. The taser should only be used if the officer or a member of the public is in danger. We can all understand the temptation to use the taser when she dared him, but police officers are trained to remain calm and objective when being verbally provoked. Unfortunately, it is part of the difficult job they have to do. She never represented a danger to him; he tasered her for being obnoxious, and that is not acceptable.

Jimbo June 11, 2009 9:25 pm (Pacific time)

I cannot believe you people. If the cop had grabbed her and broke something you'd be screaming, if he let her go and she ran out into traffic, you'd be screaming, if he maced her, you'd be screaming, if he didn't do anything and let her speed through a work zone, you'd be screaming. The cop took the least harmful way to control an uncooperative detainee on the side of a busy highway. I dare ANY of you to do better.

Editor: Sorry Jimbo, they're just angry about the taser. Why don't you read what that Marine MP just wrote and think about it again.

Pappy June 11, 2009 6:28 pm (Pacific time)

I find it absolutely appaling that this gorilla of a cop couldn't find a non violent way to solve this rather than tasing a woman of that age that could of subsequently killed her....that cop not only was extremely verbally threatening but should be a poster child of "HOW NOT TO TREAT TRAFFIC STOPS"...he should be put on administrative leave and his police chief also should be getting some counseling....after watching his supervisors response trying to absolve the offending officer during HIS interview with taking his nightstick and hitting his desk with such anger was extremely disturbing... the chief also needs counseling ....his chiefs very actions show WHY the offending police officer acted so inappropriately....make a note to myself, DO NOT DRIVE ANYWHERE NEAR AUSTIN, the police are mental cases ...

Mexican Hillbilly June 11, 2009 6:24 pm (Pacific time)

why did he pull her away, she is standing there with her arms crossed and even if she was cursing like a sailor, (i can't listen at work) what does it matter, he takes her by her wrist and leads her to the further passenger side at the rear of the truck then manhandles her...as she is trying to move away from him, it didn't look like she was headed into traffic but where she was originally standing, i don't think he had any right whatsoever to manhandle her or to tase her...who the hell is he...god because he has a badge, these cops are using their tasers with impunity...for sure. what if she had a pace maker, what would have happened with a charge from a taser if the person has a pacemaker, and it's not like the cop would ask "oh btw do you have a pacemaker" i mean come on..

Daniel June 11, 2009 6:12 pm (Pacific time)

Is not the cop the same guy in the movie deliverance , squeal like a pig . He attacked her like she was going after his donuts . I can see why old lard o used the taser , he spent most of his life using a remote control . If he came across someone really tough he would be so scared he would be totally worthless ! In texas the police exercise by bending over and touching their knees . After there stretching they waddle over to the coffie and sweets . Serve and protect , the donuts that is .

Da Pig Sux June 11, 2009 5:35 pm (Pacific time)

He could have easily apprehended her by cuffing her. What if the taser triggered a heart attack. The elderly are sometimes combative and irritated and you see the same attitude displayed in nursing homes. Does that give anyone the right to beat them down or tase them in order to make them comply to their demands? These cops need to take classes in geriatrics. Just add the 72 year old lady to the list containing the 12 year old girl, the 6 year old boy, the 54-year-old mentally retarded man and the nearly 150 people who have been killed by the non lethal taser weapon.

ENGLAND June 11, 2009 2:58 pm (Pacific time)

American cops must be getting softer. A couple of years ago they would have sprayed her first then kicked the sh*t out of her.

American p*ssies!

Mexican Hillbilly June 11, 2009 4:31 pm (Pacific time)

For all the thousands of years people were appended, there were no tasers... This is a new toy for already loaded down cops, with all sorts of guns, cuffs, lubs,pepper spray, GPS, radios... Cops ... who by the way have been doing their jobs well... but not always... The cop here was twice the size of this old feisty,some may say obnoxous.... He could have shoved her in any manner he chose....but no!..a chance,under the law, to inflect pain!.. I would feel sorry for a person pulled over for erratic driving lets say, cannot respond to instructions, and gets Zapped.... only to find out the guy is in a diabetic coma or something!..... No in this case, its outrageous! like no contest, no guns, no bombs, no baseball bats.. just a new toy in the hands a of an ill trained cop.... what was next, beat her with a Billy club??? For a long time police also had to use their brains, their common sense and a little psychology to deal with out of control people. Now they simply whip out some kind of weapon and fire. No thought involved, just "take that!" I've watched enough episodes of Cops to know that most police officers seem to quite capable of grabbing a 250 pound man and taking him to the ground and slapping cuffs on him in seconds. What was wrong with this p*ssy cop that he had to use a weapon on nothing more than a mouthy old granny?

My Observation is Better Than Yours June 11, 2009 2:20 pm (Pacific time)

I'm sorry I must be a dinosaur. In my generation you never lay a hand on a female, kick, or bite. you would be labeled for life as a sissy girly boy.

Mexican Hillbilly June 11, 2009 1:52 pm (Pacific time)

I think a resposible cop can make good use to save life with taser when needed in critical situations.... but I see so much of unstable cops going overboard and abusing these tools/weapons.... A few bad cops hurt image of so many good cops.... They gotta root out these types of guys who over react to fast... This situation went way beyond using this in this situation..this large size cop could of handled her....it is a joke... I hope all police stations around the world learn from this..rid themselves of cops who overreact in situations ....

My Observation is Better Than Yours June 11, 2009 1:10 pm (Pacific time)

The first contact was the cop pushing her backwards with his belly. This guy is an embarrassment to all Police. Professionals remain calm at all times. Screaming at citizens only makes you believe you are dealing with an empowered crazed idiot. Tazers aren't toys. I hope she wins a BIG lawsuit. I wonder how he would feel if someone treated his mother like this. What a puss.

Totalitarianism Sucks June 11, 2009 12:29 pm (Pacific time)

The cop tasered a 72 year old woman because he was unable or too scared to subdue her without doing so. You really think people will buy your assertion that that is the sort of person who would die to protect the public? He did the exact opposite. He seriously risked a member of the public's life in order to protect his own ego. The fact that guy has a badge is an embarrassment to the whole state of Texas. The fact other police defend his actions in an embarrassment to the entire nation. How could a police officer that cowardly be anything other than an encouragement to commit crime?

Daniel June 11, 2009 5:09 am (Pacific time)

The police uphold the law and interests of those in power who create a controlled and orderly society where people do what they are supposed to and believe as they told. The state and the ruling classes come first, people's rights are not important. If this woman had bothered to obey the law, this would have not happened, so by any logic it is entirley her own fault for getting tasered. She should have been more careful. And don't even think of whining about abuse of power or innocent people. That's just how it works in communist, totalitarian states...and in the USA as well these days by the looks of it. No offence, but yet again, I thank God I wasn't born in your country!

YeOldFurt June 11, 2009 2:05 am (Pacific time)

I'm quite familiar with Travis County and their LEOs. They are ALL cheats, liars and bullies and no I'm not an ex-con or even gotten a speeding ticket in Travis County. I know these guys. They like to sit around after duty and tell "war stories" of how they "F+++ up" citizens. They laugh and get off on it. Down here we say "there ain't no justice in Travis County, just A***holes".

Mike H. June 10, 2009 10:50 pm (Pacific time)

You believe in God yet you think the tazing of an elderly woman is acceptable...not only acceptable but justified...nice. It's a wonder I quit going to church. You say your hail marys and every bad thing you did or said is good with you all of a sudden just because a pastor said so. How well peace of mind is acquired doing that. I agree with Krobin68. Very good point he made. Kinda funny too. AceCagle, you're from Texas huh? Weird...isn't that where Bush is from? ^^

Gamma June 10, 2009 7:28 pm (Pacific time)

Listen she's 72 yrs old and set in her way if you watch the tape after the shove by the officer to remove her from harm's way she is standing by the rear of her own vehicle and there is a nice amount of space between them So what was the reason for tasering her? Oh I know he must have felt disrespected so he was forced to use EXCESSIVE MEANS to get her to comply......Freakin idiot what if she would have had an major heart attack due to the tasing at her age? No he wasn't thinking of anyone but himself after being stood up to by a 72yr old great-grandmother. Freakin coward!

Scott June 10, 2009 10:18 am (Pacific time)

Morons, especially the editor. What the hell. 10-80 yrs old, she should not have made the taser an option. She should have done what she was told. Just because he signed an oath of office doesn't mean he should have to fight with anyone. Do a study on officer injuries and you will find that more officers are seriously injured arresting children, women and elderly because of complacent arrest techniques (aww, this little old lady can't hurt me.) Bottom line. Old lady decided she wanted to be a big bad ass and a criminal. Just like I teach my children, being a criminal has several inherant risks, getting your ass stunned by the cops is one of them.

Tim King: Good Lord Scott, why don't you calm down before you blow a valve man. If you could keep your disrespectful behavior in check you might actually be able to make a point that people would listen to but instead you start out calling us "morons". Well same to you man, same to you. Nobody gives a crap about people who stick up for the tasing of old ladies. You're being creepy on this one and so are all the others who write their anger over that deputy's stupid decision. Why didn't he give her the ticket when she asked him to? Was it the use of profanity by her? I know, she wasn't giving him enough respect, and he believed that teaching her a lesson was the most important option - I can't believe cops behave like friggin' monsters: once again are calling them out on it. The profanity BS is the biggest double standard in the world when it comes to foul mouthed cops. "Do as I say not as I do" needs to be the new motto for some of these agencies. I've got news for you pal, we're just getting started and YouTube is your real enemy. Spend your life defending ANYTHING cops do. You have zero credibility when you have no objectivity whatsoever. You would stick up for anything they do or will do and so what? You wish to see this become a totalitarian society, is that it? I know so many cops who are disgusted by this kind of crap. They know right from wrong, you might want to think about that. Pardon me while I get out the Kleenex and mop my tears over all the cops getting their asses kicked by great grandmothers and little kids. You're right, I didn't know about those figures. Maybe they need better physical fitness training programs, and by the looks of plenty of cops that is the case. Your weapon, this taser, is an inhuman piece of crap. I hope the coverage this story is getting brings about change and establishes responsible policies for police agencies, since they obviously can't do it themselves.

By the way, I seriously don't like your other comment - "Don't worry tim. If you edit/fail to post I will post it somewhere else with your picture so that everyone knows what a biased idiot you are," You're the one sending me your IP Scott and I talk to Salem PD about unusual emails relating to things sometimes. In fact people send tips on murders to us and we relate that to the cops because the people want indirect contact. Don't you ever threaten me again like that or you will be so blacklisted here that your friend's comments won't show up. I hope you are stupid enough to promote our site by smearing BS around. I like numbers, that is the game, but don't think that wouldn't find its way back to you. Because of your BS comment I will spend a few hours tonight looking around for the latest police brutality clips on YouTube. Stick that where the truth doesn't shine.

Bubbq June 10, 2009 8:23 am (Pacific time)

Typical of our reactionary nation who can't think with any sort of logic...the woman was resisting arrest...I don't care if you 2 or 92...if your resisting arrest and you have the capability of hurting yourself and others in the process then you deserve the treatment you receive...the officer was more than patient...protected her (and drivers and him) from the road way...she was treated as she should have been...it is HER responsibility to behave responsibly and taking a health risk for acting as such...it isn't HIS to do a physical beforehand...he did his job...he did it well...he did it within reasonable bounds...stop excusing older people and youths simply due to age...enough is enough.

AceCagle June 10, 2009 7:06 am (Pacific time)

Thankfully "Whaddaya Think" I'm not from Portland. I do NOT hug trees. I DO believe in God. And, I believe in law and order. Com'on down to Texas sometime little girl.

Capricorn13 June 10, 2009 6:57 am (Pacific time)

I am appalled that a police officer who outweighs a 72 year old woman by over 100 pounds and stands head and shoulders over her would take such a drastic step as to tase her because she was being verbal. If we are stopped does that mean we are not allowed to speak? If she had had a pace maker, she could very well have been killed by him. Then what, I didn't know the tase was loaded? BS. Would he be charged with manslaughter??? I am surprised he didn't call for back up so 6 cars of officers could arrive throw her to the ground handcuff her, kick her around a little and then tase her. Makes for a good movie. Am glad I don't live in Texas, Detroit police are bad enough but, Texas carries their authority to extremes. At 72 did he give a thought to perhaps she has a slight case dementia and felt threatened and was protecting herself???? Big ass bully. Hope he is no re-elected. Who needs a vicious person like this on their force. And the chief, quoting, "we are all responsible for our actions." Was he talking about his officer or the senior citizen? I love her moxey for standing up for herself. Too bad he had to be such a jerk. I always taught my children that police officers are their friends, not true in Texas.

Spring June 10, 2009 6:37 am (Pacific time)

If the editor would have paid attention, the cop was trying to put cuffs on her, but she is being very physical with him. Thus the tasering. She deserved it.

Spring June 10, 2009 6:36 am (Pacific time)

She is being belligerent and ran at the cop more than once to get past him where she would have been in danger. All to avoid signing a ticket and paying a fine! If she was acting so "irrationally" and "dangerously" then maybe a tasering saved her from being hit by a car and having worse done to her. I guess that means he should have let her go into traffic, thus getting hit and killed by a car, so the family can cry and sue the officer for letting her get away with it. Sorry but 72 year olds who are foul mouthed and being belligerent like that do not get to do what they want when they want. They should not look at age to determine if they should let them get away or not, considering there are some very spunky old people around, like this criminal.

Jeff June 10, 2009 6:25 am (Pacific time)

Watch the Dash cam video she is being biligerent and would you rather he slammed her to the ground and broke bones rather then use a tazer on her?

Editor: Oh give it up man! Just know in your heart that you are advocating for the abuse of an old lady. All he needed to do was cuff her.

Krobin68 June 10, 2009 6:06 am (Pacific time)

Seriously. Tasers should not be allowed. If these idiots aren't capable of determining when the taser should be used, and if this guy was intimidated by a grandmother, I don't want him protecting me. He would probably curl up and cry if he were ever confronted with someone who was a real threat, like a murderer.

calbaier June 10, 2009 4:47 am (Pacific time)

I really hope that some of you posting comments never have to deal with what officers have to deal with everyday. The fact that you are old is not a license to do whatever you want. You were speeding, sign the ticket. That's all. If you run at me, slap my hand away and refuse to follow my commands, darn right I'm tazing you. I don't care who you are. Most people are able to stay out of trouble by OBEYING THE LAW.

just passing through June 9, 2009 8:21 pm (Pacific time)

I think it is very telling that the Salem-News didn't link to the video. The grandmother is being belligerent and ran at the cop more than once to get past him where she would have been in danger. All to avoid signing a ticket and paying a fine! If she was acting so "irrationally" and "dangerously" then maybe a tasering saved her from being hit by a car and having worse done to her. She was clearly not thinking rightly, and to say the "dirty pig" should be thrown to the dogs is short-sighted. I live in Travis County and that road IS dangerous. Speeding endangers everyone--if you are too old to read, understand, and follow the laws of the road, maybe it's time to turn in your driver's license.

Editor: We will publish that, and it does indeed show the woman being very belligerent and difficult. I don't think that has anything to do with using a taser on the woman. I know for a fact that officers like him will handcuff a person they are going to arrest and the taser should never have been deployed.

Whaddaya Think?! June 9, 2009 3:11 pm (Pacific time)

That last sentence should've read "Mr. Authority"

Whaddaya Think?! June 9, 2009 3:01 pm (Pacific time)

AceCagle, UR an idiot. No, wait, that's giving idiots too little credit. This story is about a big bad cop (HUGE, in comparison,) who didn't like some old, unimposing lady getting angry. Rather than using tact and professionalism, he uses a device known to cause cardiac arrest, on a person whose age is known to be frail, for a DRIVING INFRACTION. This is not about a threatening criminal. I am guessing you are a lieutenant at the Salem Police... You are moronic if you don't see the unreasonable use of force when a simple arm grab would've worked just fine. Please don't shoot me for voicing my opinion, my authority!

AceCagle June 9, 2009 12:45 pm (Pacific time)

Since none of you have travelled on the highway in question, you are not able to say what was/wasn't excessive. The posted speed limit is 45 mph, with twists and turns, AND there is construction going on in the area. There have been a dozen deaths on this stretch of road in the past 18 months. If you look at the video, the lady keeps inching toward the road. When the officer finally states step back or I'll taze you...she says I dare you! The officer warned her, but she still refused to comply. She got what she asked for.

Mary June 9, 2009 12:36 pm (Pacific time)

Granny. Stop abusing your age. If an athority figure ask you to comlpy for your own good DO IT. That could have been my son or daughter in that construction zone.

Anonymous June 9, 2009 12:27 pm (Pacific time)

AceCagle, You podunk pigs shove little old ladies and wonder why they get angry. pig had no right to bully her in the first place. He NEVER indicated that she was going to be placed under arrest and bullied her. Look at his size compared to her! The use of force was unjustified.

Abuzive Police? Hard to Believe... June 9, 2009 12:20 pm (Pacific time)

http://www.590klbj.com/MorningShow/Story.aspx?id=1101110

Abuzive Police? Hard to Believe... June 9, 2009 11:33 am (Pacific time)

AceCagle, the taser is a use of force that is unwarranted in this case. If you think otherwise, you should turn your badge in and serve burgers at McDonalds.

AceCagle June 9, 2009 8:28 am (Pacific time)

If you haven't seen the dashboard camera video, you cannot judge. The officer just needed the lady to sign the speeding ticket. She refused and became beligerant. Since she wouldn't sign, he (by law) had to arrest her. If the lady had signed the ticket, nothing would have happened. Instead, she CHOSE to risk her life and the officers life on the side of the road. She wouldn't listen. We're supposed to respect our elders, but shouldn't we respect the police too? The video is on KLBJ AM.

jimmy June 9, 2009 7:53 am (Pacific time)

YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!

Middle Ground June 9, 2009 5:43 am (Pacific time)

“That idiot George W. Bush empowered you guys and put false grand delusions in your brains about what the roles and limitations of police officers are.”
That’s right it’s all George W. Bush’s fault. It’s amazing how you left wing liberal nuts can fault everything to George W. Bush, even a tasing incident in Texas.
Mr. King, you weren’t there so you don’t know what happened. I’m tired of left wing Looney’s like you saying that law enforcement is out of control and everything is GW’s fault. Why don’t you just put GW’s name in all your articles and blame it on him?

EDITOR: Thanks for the suggestion, we'll take it under advisement.

Abuzive Police? Hard to Believe... June 8, 2009 11:25 pm (Pacific time)

Sam J needs to have his badge removed if he supports the abuse of the elderly and disabled!

Sam J June 8, 2009 10:31 pm (Pacific time)

The article doesn't mention what she did to get tasered. It would ahve you believe the officer just tasered her for absolutely no reason. Does that make sense? At what age should people be exempt from the law? The article is a one-sided biased editorial, not a news story.

Editor: Pay attention Sam, it states in the first paragraph that the woman denies the deputy's story about her "resisting arrest" and being "violent" You see the woman in the video, I'm so sick of you guys bullying people and getting away with it. The day is coming when this crap will grind to a halt. That idiot George W. Bush empowered you guys and put false grand delusions in your brains about what the roles and limitations of police officers are. By the way, this is a Political Perspective and I realize you need this explained to you, but that means it is an opinion piece. There aren't two sides to the story of tasering a great-grandmother. Sick, disgusting police tactics like this are making people lose faith in law enforcement fast and your rallying in support of abusing little old ladies doesn't help your cause one bit.

Abuzive Police? Hard to Believe... June 8, 2009 8:19 pm (Pacific time)

Salem-News reporters--- Ask the Salem Police for copies of complaints. You will find that they are CONFIDENTIAL to protect the DIRTY PIGS. The good cops keep quiet and let their filthy brothers violate their OATH OF OFFICE and the U.S. CONSTITUTION.

Excited-Delirium.com June 8, 2009 6:14 pm (Pacific time)

Commenter "Bobby" is a well-known pro-taser spokespuppet named David E. Zuskin. Based on the information I've seen, he has severe financial ties to the Taser stock (poor slob). Contrary to his 'short seller' accusation, I have ZERO financial interest in the taser debate. It's very simply pure outrage at the deception and unethical scams pulled by some pro-taser folks like Mr. Zuskin.

Daniel June 8, 2009 6:00 pm (Pacific time)

looks like Homer Simpson got a job as police spokesman !

Bobby June 8, 2009 3:54 pm (Pacific time)

Taser Saves Lives Everyday and work very well on delirious, excited short sellers

Excited-Delirium.com June 8, 2009 2:52 pm (Pacific time)

My blog has tons of info about tasers and the evil back-stories. Lots of info that might be useful to those that oppose tasers and their all too frequent abuse, misuse and overuse. www.Excited-Delirium.com (do not forget the dash)

Abuzive Police? Hard to Believe... June 8, 2009 2:27 pm (Pacific time)

Tim, Good story here. I think an overlooked component of this story, and many others, is the fact that the police LIED to cover up their abuse. They FABRICATED a report to make innocent citizens appear to be aggressive, etc. in order to protect themselves from misconduct. How many INNOCENT citizens are convicted each year because police LIE in order to gain the advantage of arguing that their abuse was warranted. It is not as uncommon as people might think. There are many such instances of cops creating a false story after inflicting BRUTALITY. The know that the average citizens WANTS TO believe that the police would never lie. BUT THEY DO!

EazyMoney June 8, 2009 2:16 pm (Pacific time)

I think we need to follow Canadas lead, and start removing these things from officers hands. While I appreciate a less lethal alternative to a firearm, One has to wonder if police did not have these "cattle prods" would they have drawn firearms on the 72 year old grandma, did they really feel threatened by her? Obviously tazers are being used (just like cattle prods) to force compliance. I'd prefer we go back to the days of the baton, Would these officers have used batons on the grandma?

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