Cop Involved In Taser Death Kills Self

NYPD Lieutenant Who Had Been Stripped Of His Badge And Gun Was Found Dead At A Brooklyn Airfield

(CBS/AP)  A New York Police Department lieutenant apparently committed suicide Thursday, days after he ordered another officer to fire a stun gun at a naked, distraught man who then fell to his death, police said.

Lt. Michael W. Pigott was found at a former airfield in Brooklyn, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said.

"On behalf of all the members of the New York Police Department, I extend deepest condolence to the family and friends of Lt. Michael W. Pigott, who served with dedication after 21 years," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said in a statement after the family of the officer was notified of his death.

Pigott had been stripped of his gun and badge after a Sept. 24 incident in which police responding to a report of an emotionally disturbed man fired a Taser at the man, Iman Morales, causing him to fall 10 feet to his death.

After the incident, Kelly ordered refresher training on how to deal with the mentally ill and appointed a new commander of the police Emergency Service Unit, which responds to such incidents.

The body of the lieutenant, a 21-year veteran of the force whose 46th birthday was Thursday, was found at Floyd Bennett Field, where the unit is located and where training was held Monday. On Wednesday, he had apologized for what happened, saying he was "truly sorry."

In the incident last week, witnesses and neighbors said Morales had become distraught and threatened to kill himself. His mother called 911. When police arrived, he fled naked out the window of his third-floor apartment to the fire escape.

He tried unsuccessfully to get into an apartment on the floor above, and then climbed down until he reached a ledge over a shuttered storefront, where he started jabbing at officers with an 8-foot fluorescent light.

The lieutenant ordered Officer Nicholas Marchesona to fire the Taser. The 50,000-volt shock immobilized the 35-year-old Morales, who then toppled from his perch. He plunged headfirst to the ground and suffered fatal injuries.

Officers had radioed for an inflatable bag as the incident unfolded, but it had not yet arrived at the scene when Morales fell.

Morales's mother was standing just a few yards away when her son died, reports CBS station WCBS in New York. According to other family members, she called police because her son had a chemical imbalance and she believed he was suffering from a bad reaction to medication.

"The mother was screaming, 'He's gonna fall, he's gonna fall!' And they said 'Ma'am step back.' They wouldn't allow the mother to talk to him," witness Charlene Gayle-Gordon told WCBS.

The officers have been taken off the street and reassigned, but Morales' loved ones say police took much more away from them.

"My brother, I'll never get him back. Nothing can replace my brother," Danny Morales said.

Almost immediately, police said the use of the stun gun appeared to violate department guidelines, which explicitly bar their use "in situations where the subject may fall from an elevated surface."

An amateur video of the incident was posted on Web sites and replayed frequently on news stations.

Floyd Bennett Field was New York City's first municipal airport. The NYPD has divisions located there.

[credibility2]

Tasers should be banned from use. Two more deaths because of them. Law enforcement has to find better ways to stun or injure people like this in order to subdue them. Maybe using the type of darts used for animal control. Subdues them, but doesn''t kill them. In this instance, the deranged man should have been tasered only after the requested inflatable airbag had arrived so the deranged man would haver fallen into it, breaking some bones at best.

[guysdigdirt]

It is easy to judge when you are not there in the heat of the moment. I admit there are some police that are asss holes and are in it for the power trip but for the most part they are caring and diligent human beings.

I could not do what they do and have a lot of respect for them.

You who would judge then based on what you read in the news should ride with them for a few days and seee what they go through, walk in their shoes so to speak. Then judge them.

[jumkey]

You who would judge then based on what you read in the news should ride with them for a few days and seee what they go through, walk in their shoes so to speak. Then judge them.

Posted by guysdigdirt

No.

We should "judge" them on their actions. If they are unable to exercise the judgment necessary to be police officers they shouldn''t be police officers.

The endless fetishizing of authority figures only ensures this will happen again.

[rillifane]

NYC loses a valuable human who was hounded to his grave over the death of some worthless lunatic who would have been locked in a padded cell but for the ravings of the same bleeding hearts who attacked this police officer.

The left demanded that the insane be allowed to roam free and then assail the police when they are forced to take action to protect the public from them.

[galloglaigh]

***Almost immediately, police said the use of the stun gun appeared to violate department guidelines, which explicitly bar their use "in situations where the subject may fall from an elevated surface."***


Apparently a violation of the "rules" caused a death. If a civilian breaks the law and a death occurs, it''s called murder, or, at the very least, manslaughter. Had the cop lived, he probably would have, or at least should have been tried for murder or manslaughter.

I feel sorry for both families. Too many of those in law enforcement place themselves above the very laws they are charged with enforcing.

[torocaca]

NYC loses a valuable human who was hounded to his grave over the death of some worthless lunatic who would have been locked in a padded cell but for the ravings of the same bleeding hearts who attacked this police officer.
Posted by Rillifane at 01:27 PM : Oct 02, 2008


I doubt that the cop was hounded by anyone or anythinig other than the "demons" in his mind. He broke the law and he knew it.

Who are you to assert that one human being is "more valuable" than another?

This "worthless lunatic," as you call him, had family who loved him. That''s probably a lot more than you have.

[dburfears]

An eye for an eye.

[dburfears]

Since our state outlawed Cell Phone use while driving, I''ve seen TWO cops in their cars talking on their phone while driving.

There is a mentality among police in this country that they are ABOVE THE LAW. Until that stops, police will be little more than thugs with badges and guns. When it comes to protecting myself and my family, THAT is why I am armed.

[random_radar]

"You who would judge then based on what you read in the news should ride with them for a few days and seee what they go through, walk in their shoes so to speak. Then judge them.

Posted by guysdigdirt"

No, you should be on the receiving end of police behavior before you give them a blank check for violence and killing under color of authority.

The police are employees of the government and protect and serve the government. If they happen to benefit the public, it is only because the government deems it worthwhile.

The purpose of the police is to control the public and maintain government power. That is why the police have an abysmal rate of solving crimes, but are really good at giving tickets, levying fines, and seizing property for alleged drug crimes.

Government is all about money and power.

[sassalin]

torocaca,

The officer did not break the "law" just a department guideline.

It is sad that people cannot make mistakes in this world. The officer was truly sorry for his actions. He took his own life and deprived his family of his love.

I would like to see your response considering officers MUST make split second decisions. It is easy for you to pass judgement since you will never be faced with such a situation.

Look at yourself beofre you place blame on someone else.

[down-ndirty]

NYC loses a valuable human who was hounded to his grave ... but for the ravings of the same bleeding hearts who attacked this police officer.

The left demanded that the insane be allowed to roam free and then assail the police when they are forced to take action to protect the public from them.

Posted by Rillifane at 01:27 PM : Oct 02, 2008
---------------------------------


This bigotted post is "flaming" at its best.

There''s nothing in the article that suggests the cop was "hounded;", in fact, he killed himself within a "few days" after the incident. And there''s nothing in the article that suggests the "left" demands that the insane be allowed to roam free.

Cops represent the society from which they are recruited. Most respect the laws they enforce, but some don''t. Most copy never step over the line, but too many do and most who do get away with it. Pigott was obviously one of those who didn''t respect the law, and he didn''t get away with it. But it was his choice that it cost him his life.

I, too, feel sorry for the Pigott and Morales families.

[torocaca]

The officer did not break the "law" just a department guideline. ... It is sad that people cannot make mistakes in this world. ...Look at yourself beofre you place blame on someone else.
Posted by sassalin at 01:49 PM : Oct 02, 2008
---------------------------------------

Read it again, sassalin: Almost immediately, police said the use of the stun gun appeared to violate department guidelines, which explicitly bar their use "in situations where the subject may fall from an elevated surface."

A man died because a cop violated "explicit" department "guidelines." And it wasn''t a "split second" decision, as you say. In fact, the cops radioed for an inflatible bag. Why didn''t they wait for it?

It must have been a serious violation for the department to take his badge and gun, instead of simply putting him on "leave."

Whatever the outcome of the investigation would have been, Pigott made a "wrong" decision he (obviously) could not live with, and it was his own decision to pay the ultimate penalty.

Also, look up the difference between "rules" and "laws." You may be surprised at what you find.

[antoniof123]

Prove me wrong. Make me look like a judgemental, overly cynical and uncaring A$$HOLE.

Posted by prometheus41 at 01:46 PM : Oct 02, 2008

Prove yourself right instead of giving us words prove it. People like you want to try to talk logic but your logic is lost in the fact that you talk down to others.

Both lost could have been avoided one the office could have waited he could have stepped back and waited. But he did not a mistake was made with a mentaly insane. They are people too and they are not in control of their minds. To they just want to do away with these people.

[torocaca]

The officer did not break the "law" just a department guideline.
Posted by sassalin at 01:49 PM : Oct 02, 2008
------------------------

Guideline - official advice; an official recommendation indicating how something shold be done or what sort of action should be taken in a particular circumstance.


...just a department guideline...

Hmmmmmm... Violating a "guideline" may not have been a big deal if the man had not fallen to his death after being hit with a stun gun.

[galloglaigh]

galloglaigh, Your outrage over the killing of Iraqi citizens, families and children, particularly the wanton killing and airstrikes, must be immeasurable and uncontainable. And you better not even be thinking of the word "mistake" or "accidental", yet alone ignoring international law and crimes against peace.

Do you really think "rules" make killing wrong and right?

It really constantly amazes me how one person can be considered a monster or murderer and another a hero, based strictly on public perception, and nothing to do with the act or even motives of the people involved. It''''s like co many claim to believe in God, but usurp His judgement and sensibilities at every beckon call.
Posted by prometheus41 at 02:02 PM : Oct 02, 2008
______________________


Wow!!! All I did was post my opinion regarding the incident in the above article.

It constantly amazes me when people (like prometheus) make outrageous assumptions...

Do you really live up to the mythological image of the Greek Titan?

[boydmathis]

My mentally-ill son''s chest was filled w/ bullets from a new policeman who had only been a gun-carrying policeman for 6 days. My son had a knife, but this police force had seen him put down a knife a few times before (when he was threatening to hurt himself). There were 4 cops within a few feet of my son. But it was justifiable because that cops was afraid for his life!!! Its been years & I still cry as I write this. This mother saw this horrible death of her son. She will draw her last breath w/ that image before her. I ache for her.

[missingamerica]

The left demanded that the insane be allowed to roam free and then assail the police when they are forced to take action to protect the public from them.

Posted by Rillifane at 01:27 PM : Oct 02, 2008

Kind of a mistatement...institutions cost money to run, and with Republican tax cuts hitting everywhere...

[dirtydog55]

Prove me wrong. Make me look like a judgemental, overly cynical and uncaring A$$HOLE.
Posted by prometheus41 at 01:46 PM : Oct 02, 2008


You proved it all by yourself.

People make mistakes. But when a cop makes a mistake, all too often, people die. And all too often, it''s an unjustifiable death. Such is the case with Morales.

Is Pigott''s death unjustifiable? Probably. But we''ll never know because he TOOK HIS OWN LIFE rather than wait for the judicial system to determine if he was innocent or guilty.

You are no Greek Titan, not even close.

[boydmathis]

And BTW this cop whon killed my son could have stepped back & waited, too, if he was scared. There was a door 2 ft. away or a dining table he could have stepped behind. Instead, he carried a gun now!!

[torocaca]

That the police officers immediately waived away considerations for an inflatable bag and immediately the Lieutenant ordered the firing of the taser upon entering the room and having sight of the suspect, despite the fact that this person was standing in a completely non-offensive manner perched and praying on the brink of a precipice -- the Lieutenant at all times cooly knowing full well he was seriously violating department guidelines -- is that your claim?
Posted by prometheus41 at 02:36 PM : Oct 02, 2008
----------------------

Well, first, the man (Morales) was outside, not in a room.

Second, the article says Morales was "jabbing at" officers... It doesn''t say he hit them.

Third, all of us are responsible for knowing the laws, rules, and guidelines that apply to us. Police are no exception.

If you speed down the highway while drunk, and are involved in an accident, you will probably be found guilty of drunken driving, even if you don''t speak English and don''t know the laws.

Are you saying cops don''t have to know the laws, rules, and guidelines that apply to them?

My only claim is that Pigott VIOLATED the department guidelines, caused a man''s death, and took his own life. Claims which are substantiated by the story above.

[swwils]

Thatmust have weighed allful heavy on the Lieutenants mind.It was an accident.I feel sorry for all involved.I know how it feel''s to give an order that involves people to die,from being in the war,and combat missions.Hopefully the officer that did the actual tasing will get over it.

[boydmathis]

Regardless of menal ilness or not, the answer should not be, automatically, deadly force when other options are obvious.

[torocaca]

You would really need to prove that the officer was intentionally overlooking the safety factor and not being careless. I think if the officer who actually did the tasering, said something like "This looks like it might endanger him from falling" or something like that, and the Lietenant explicity ignored the saftey factor and decided the risk was acceptable, then you might have something.
Posted by prometheus41 at 02:52 PM : Oct 02, 2008
----------------------------


Pigott took his own life, so there must be a LOT more to the story than what you are assuming or what is in the article above.

Pigott is dead and no one will ever know what he was thinking when he made the decision to use the stun gun that ultimately killed a man.

In addition, most cops are NOT involved in a decision that leads to the death of another person.

Most cops never fire their guns in the line of duty.

More criminals are killed by civilians in self defense than are killed by cops.

[yohnvilson]

What ever happened to good old-fashioned STANDOFFs? If someone with obvious hardware faults is standing on a ledge waving a stick around, what''s the hurry? It seems like a lot of these situations happen just because the cops get impatient and want to punish (i.e. hurt or kill) anyone who doesn''t obey them immediately. If the guy were in a clock tower with an AK47 I could totally understand, but they could have just waited this one out, knowing perfectly well that they''d win in the end and the guy would eventually have to kiss cop butt which seems to be all a lot of cops care about in the first place.

[boydmathis]

YOHNVILSON: I must agree w/ u. Cops should be called to a higher standard - not a lower one- just because they pack power. But I am afraid - so goes the ways of our world these days

[blackyowe]

If Lt. Michael Pigott was any kind of man he would have dedicated the rest of his life to stamping out the use of tasers except in the most extreme citation instead he chose to "cop" out and take his own life and thus compound the tragedy.

[voidmaster-2009]

One down...

[idnnsg]

YohnVilson said, "It seems like a lot of these situations happen just because the cops get impatient and want to punish (i.e. hurt or kill) anyone who doesn''t obey them immediately".

That''s EXACTLY right! For some cra.zy reason, ever since cops became part of "homeland security", they expect everyone to obey them immediately, exactly as they command, with no questions asked! It is absolutely IN.SANE!

Don''t they know that that is what the Gestapo was like? Don''t they understand what they have become?

It''s NOT a good situation. The people of this country are NOT the enemy. Cops should "protect and serve" the people; we do NOT serve them!

[voidmaster-2009]

The mentality of cops like this guy is psychologically the same -- exactly the same -- as that of a rapist.

[nolalou]

NYC loses a valuable human who was hounded to his grave over the death of some worthless lunatic who would have been locked in a padded cell but for the ravings of the same bleeding hearts who attacked this police officer.

The left demanded that the insane be allowed to roam free and then assail the police when they are forced to take action to protect the public from them.

Posted by Rillifane

Sorry Rillifane, but you are even more nuts than that poor man to was tasered! Mental illness is NOT a crime, and because someone suffers from mental illness, it doesn''t make them worthless! The man was on a ledge, armed with a florescent bulb, not a gun! As long as the officers stayed a safe distance, he couldn''t hurt them! The officer made a tragic mistake, and violated department rules! It''s a shame he felt he had to take his life, and cause another family to be hurt!

Just be glad some officer doesn''t read your insensitive rant, and assume your nuts and need to good blast with his taser, jerk!!

[longtree-2009]

Always thought anyone becoming a LEO would have to pass not only Medical physical, but Psychological examination as well. If this Lt. passed his Psychological exam, assuming one was administered, then the exam or the examiner might be flawed. The facts will never be known for sure as there will be a cover-up and can''t say I blame the powers that be within LO for covering it up.

[myopinion381]

one cop down,amen, need more to go as well. Posted by niceface69 at 03:24 PM: Oct 02, 2008

One down...Posted by VoidMaster at 03:16 PM

I hope neither of you have a family member or friend that risks their life to help other people. You are both cruel!

[obamaslame]

These men and women risk their lives every day so that we may live safe.

[rudy654-2009]

If someone is suffering from mental illness don''t call the police, because the thugs don''t know how to do anything more than shoot and kill. Whoever is defending the killing of this mentally ill person who was of no threat to anyone, needs to be kicked out of our country. Preferribly, they should have a large stone tied around their necks and tossed into the ocean. The officer committed suicide. Too bad. He needed to face the consequences of his actions.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by Obamaslame at 03:52 PM

This officer only risked the life of an innocent man. I really hope it happens to you someday.

[rudy654-2009]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by xentpro at 03:53 PM

May what you wish on others happen to you, you piece of dog krap.

[obamaslame]

Rudi, You truly are an idiot... This is an isolated case of which I agree was bad judgement. You act as if all cops are out there to kill innocent people...

[myopinion381]

The officer committed suicide. Too bad. He needed to face the consequences of his actions. Posted by rudy654 at 03:53 PM

I''m sure the officer''s family would love to read your comment. Hope you never have to deal with someone committing suicide. You couldn''t handle it!!

[rudy654-2009]

I''''m sure the officer''''s family would love to read your comment. Hope you never have to deal with someone committing suicide. You couldn''''t handle it!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by MyOpinion381 at 03:57 PM

I only hope they DO!! I have no pity for the jerk.

[voidmaster-2009]

One down...Posted by VoidMaster at 03:16 PM

I hope neither of you have a family member or friend that risks their life to help other people. You are both cruel!

Posted by MyOpinion381
***
If you are referring to my having a cop in the family; there are none that I know of. However, I would disown them if there were.

[voidmaster-2009]

All right, in all fairness, no I do not believe that all cops are bad people. Logically, I rather suspect that most of them are just trying to do some good. But I have seen far to many who wanted to play Marshall Dillon. And we are talking about a job description that potentially involves the use of deadly force. There IS no room for error.

[jfkj1]

Previous posts make me think this is not the place to make calm and rational statements, but since I cannot contact Lt. Pigot''s family directly, I would like to say this publicly. I am a Registered Nurse and I work in the ER of a large urban hospital. We deal with the mentally ill and the police who bring them to us every day. I have great empathy for the mentally ill, I have Bipolar disorder myself. I too have great respect and sympathy for the police who deal with people who are mentally ill and out of control. I have taken care of patients who are at the hospital because they tried killing a family member. I have frequently taken care of patients who are totally out of control and are intent on hurting hospital staff. It is never easy to decide how to best handle people who are out of control. Even in the ER we have had the police Taser people. Too many times to count, we''ve had to put people in restraints, for their safety and the safety of those around them(this is an ugly and violent process). I feel very badly for the families of both men who were lost. Both losses were tragedies, and as long as the mentally ill and the police are human beings, mistakes and tragedies will happen.

[boydmathis]

IDNNSG: This attitude of cops,esp. needlessly killing, started before "Homeland" but some of the attitudes may have gotten worse. And, in honesty, these demanding attitudes may have worsened in response to the public''s rebellionto any authority-or maybe it was vise-versa. Either way I don''t see it getting better. In fact, we will eventually become some type of socialist-police state.

[voidmaster-2009]

Both losses were tragedies, and as long as the mentally ill and the police are human beings, mistakes and tragedies will happen.

Posted by jfkj1
***
Then they need to lose the weapons. I repeat -- there IS no room for error.

[magoo2u1]

"I hope neither of you have a family member or friend that risks their life to help other people. You are both cruel!"

Risking your life to help others does not exonerate you for bad actions. It''s sad he killed himself and even sadder that his actions caused the death of a mentally ill man. This country refuses to accept that mental illness is real and wants to blame the sufferers for the illness. Tom Cruise is one of the most vocal advocates of the belief that the mentally ill need only change behavior or take vitamins to deal with their affliction. The entire affair would have a better result had he been more patient and waited for the air bag.

[voidmaster-2009]

A couple of years back I called 911 because of a guy across the street with a back seat full of subwoofer who wouldn%u2019t turn it down. I had called the non-emergency number many times before. But by the time anyone showed up, the jackass had finished his party and left. So that time I dialed 911.

The cops came to MY door and threatened to take ME to jail for reporting a false emergency. So now, someone pulls that sort of BS on me, I confront them myself. The get nasty, I returned, armed and then they DO turn it down.

[boydmathis]

RUDY654: Peopl, take Rudy''s warning seriously! DO NOT call the police on anyone who has a mental imbalance unless you don''t care if they are killed. The person who called them on my son said she knew that & she was on crack & angry because he wouldn''t do what she wanted. Instead, she locked him out of their house & when he broke in & went to bed she called the police. Cops came in & woke him up. He came out of his room w/ a fishing knife, yellin, "Shoot me. Shoot me. Go ahead shoot me" And they did!

[chicagorail6]

THERE is JUSTICE IN THE WORLD AFTER ALL !


AN EYE FOR AN EYE !




















ONE DEAD PIG(GOT)WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM !

[chicagorail6]

THERE is JUSTICE IN THE WORLD AFTER ALL !


AN EYE FOR AN EYE !




















ONE DEAD PIG(GOT)WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM !

[chicagorail6]

THERE is JUSTICE IN THE WORLD AFTER ALL !


AN EYE FOR AN EYE !




















ONE DEAD PIG(GOT)WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM !