June 16, 2009 6:00 AM

Caught On Tape: Trooper Chokes Medic

By
Edecio Martinez
Topics
Caught on Tape
Report Courtesy of CBS Affiliate KWTV Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY (CBS/AP) In Oklahoma, a trip to the hospital turned into a fight between a police officer and an ambulance paramedic as a sick woman waited in the ambulance. Now two new videos, one released by the son of the sick woman, and another taken from the officer's dashboard cam have brought new focus on what really took place.

The original event occurred May 24, when Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Daniel Martin pulled over the ambulance after it failed to get out of his way quickly enough. Martin then cussed at the driver "I ain't going to put up with that (expletive)."

Paramedic Maurice White Jr., who was tending to the patient, jumped out of the back of the ambulance. White tried to explain there was a sick woman in the ambulance and suggested that they settle the dispute at the hospital.

In a video released by Kenyada Davis, the son of the sick woman in the ambulance, Martin then appeared to choke White. White pushed at Martin and ran back into the ambulance.

Once the fight broke up, Martin spoke to the driver privately at the front of the ambulance and then returned to the rear of the vehicle and poked his head inside to tell the patient she would be taken to the hospital soon.

Another altercation broke out on the opposite side of the ambulance after Martin walked to the passenger-side window and told the driver: "You're going to jail, you understand me? You are under arrest."

Martin eventually let both paramedics continue to the hospital and later issued a written warning to the ambulance driver for failure to yield. The local district attorney reviewed the case and declined to file charges against either man.

After initially refusing to do so, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol released their own dashboard camera video showing the altercation.

OHP Capt. Chris West said in a statement the highway patrol decided to release the video because it had "drawn enormous attention" and a department investigation wouldn't be affected.


Add a Comment See all 21 Comments
by santos1466 July 10, 2009 12:04 PM EDT
The police are above the LAW! Its a paramedic for Gods sake. We as American look at other countries in shame, on how thy treat there people(their police). But look whats happening in are own back yards. We knead to pass a law that all police cars have to have cameras, there's probably a lot more of this going on that we don't hear about or gets covered up. Thy cameras will protect the police and the people that way.
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by slowmoshn July 8, 2009 12:34 AM EDT
It is just maddening. The arrogance that law enforcement displays today. Attacking people for trying to speak to them as if they were just normal citizens. Resistance is not assault. What I saw on the video was an officer trying to gain a physical advantage over someone while giving the impression of actually having a conversation. Then to say the officer was assaulted is ridiculous. I'm am sick of officers who abuse their authority and nothing is done to discipline them. Assault is against the law. The officer assaulted the paramedic.
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by iamnews June 18, 2009 10:54 PM EDT
I was raised in Oklahoma and have always thought that someday I wanted to return there. But after watching the video I think I'll stay here in Philadelphia.
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by iamnews June 18, 2009 10:47 PM EDT
I was raised in Oklahoma and have always thought that someday I wanted to return there. But after watching the video I think I'll stay here in Philadelphia.
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by uisignorant June 17, 2009 12:16 PM EDT
The cop should be arrested for assault.
White did not start it, the cop grabbed him.
Reply to this comment
by daveschrom June 16, 2009 8:37 PM EDT
Officer Martin committed the crime of assault, when he manhandled this paramedic by placing him in a choke hold. There is no evidence of resisting arrest or assault against Martin..

Let?s take this one step further. The only person that was legally "in charge" here was the paramedic. He would have been well within safety protocol to have subdued Officer Martin with a couple punches to the head, since HIS medical authority in this situation would legally SUPERCEDE a hotheaded, out of control highway patrolman. But until now, our country hasn?t yet found a need for Emergency Medical Personnel to carry tasers?

I suppose Officer Daniel Martin can attempt to "arrest" anyone - but that does not make it legal or reasonable in the eyes of the law.. His obnoxious, barking demands to Paramedic Maurice White Jr. are about as valid as an officer demanding a fireman to throw a baby into a burning building?

Stupid, stupid, stupid.. Shame on you Daniel Martin! Your gun and badge please.. Your days of impersonating a peace officer are over?
Reply to this comment
by ergotdez June 16, 2009 8:53 PM EDT
"Your days of impersonating a peace officer are over?" Brilliant verbage that pretty well sums it all up!
by paradigmbiz June 16, 2009 7:41 PM EDT
This is horrible! The officer should have offered to escort the ambulance . . . . If the driver & paramedic (and patient's family) had been white, do you think this would have happened at all??

Doubtful. He should be fired & never allowed to be a law enforcement officer again. No guns either . . . .he's dangerous.
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by viagrafalls June 16, 2009 6:36 PM EDT
Maryanngoldsmith---Love your post. Bullseye, Bingo, Blackjack, and Check Mate!
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by Maryanngoldsmith June 16, 2009 6:01 PM EDT
This is another, less than subliminal, symptom of how the USA is evolving into a Mussolini type fascist state. The cop was wrong. What happened to keeping calm in an 'emergency'. This police officer does not have the mental requirements for the job. And, his supervisor's support says a lot about his 'fitness for purpose'.But, then again, it was Oklahoma. Maybe the police recruiters should make their applicants take of their shoes in order to count their toes and make sure that they are not webbed. Evolution and all that.
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by johntate777 June 16, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
The cop obviously had no emergency elsewhere or he wouldn't have wasted his time pulling the ambulance over. Had he been doing his job he would have given the ambulance an escort to the hospital. Instead he was too worked up over missing fresh donuts. For all he knew the patient was in a deadly situation or great pain. Just what was his great emergency that he wanted to pass the ambulance but then had time to harrass the paramedics?
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by az19901 June 16, 2009 6:09 PM EDT
This is absolutely sickening! I'm a police officer and I'm ashamed of that officer. His behavior is saddening and it's cops like him that give us all a bad rap. He abused his power and showed terrible judgement. It's officers like him that have no business on the streets. I really think he needs an evaluation and counseling. He's out of control and I personally believe coming back from Iraq could have something to do with his behavior. I really feel sorry for his wife and who ever else has to deal with him daily. Someone get him help!
by dove314 June 17, 2009 7:51 AM EDT
That was my thought as well. If it was so important for him to provide back-up that he was angry with the ambulance driver, then why did he have time to stop the ambulance and spend 20-30 minutes trying to arrest an ambulance driver transporting a patient? And what happened to the officer who didn't get any back up while this jerk had his temper tantrum?
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