A Keene, Texas police officer yanked on a 77-year-old grandmother's arm, pulled her from her vehicle and threw her to the ground after a routine traffic stop back on August 19, 2012. She was pulled over for speeding (66 in a 50 mph zone).
The woman asked the officer to hurry because she needed to go to the bathroom. She attempted to explain that she had a bladder infection to no avail because the officer began to yell and usurp his authority over her -- demanding her drivers license. Immediately.
She didn't take too kindly to his strong tone of voice after his demands. (I wouldn't either). Then he used force. She told the officer that she was in pain because he twisted her arm and she moaned in obvious pain and all the officer could do was scream "You're under arrest" at her and drag her out of the car -- to the ground -- like a ragdoll. And an antique one at that.
NBC5 reported the story tonight and showed this raw video of the incident, released by the Keene police, that was taken from both the dashboard camera and another attached to the officer. She was taken in but apparently released and cited for speeding and not showing identification (fast enough).
NBC5 reported that the city of Keene is standing by their officer. The city manager released a statement saying that the officer didn't violate any state laws or department policies and he was following protocol for people who do not provide identification.
Seriously? I doubt that a city official is going to say, "Yep, that guy was a jacka - -. You should totally sue us for roughing up somebody's granny."
Keene is located near Cleburne in Johnson County.
Why don't you all play judge and jury and give me your verdict. How does this arrest make you feel? I support the 77-year-old grandmother 100%. I would have used some choice words if that officer treated me that way and I probably would have ended up in jail too. Bless her heart. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go.
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Comments
The author obviously did not watch the videos. The officer was polite and courteous until she refused to show her identification. Then she told him to arrest her so he did! she refused to get out of the car even when he gave her several opportunities to get out without him dragging her. she broke the law by speeding and refused to comply with his lawful demands. she was a jackass.
This article is incorrect. This entire situation could have been avoided had this “grandmother” complied and showed her I’d. She would have received her ticket or warning and been on her way. Her age, gender or her having to pee is not an excuse to disobey an officers orders! She has no one to blame but herself!
C’mon now, are we 3 years old? “Pottty?” Seems like the suspect was using an excuse to get out of not having her id on her or else just plain thought she was above the law. I am surprised she didn’t get worse and maybe she should had with her piss poor attitude! Isn’t she supposedly from the era that teaches folks to respect authority? If she really had to go she woulod had peed herself, I know what its like to have a bladder infection! She was trying to take the piss out of the officer, clearly.
If the lady really did have an bladder infection, she should have been smart enough to wear some Depends, and kept her health issues to herself. She got caught speeding, and the officer had all authority to remain firm when asking for her ID. If she wasn’t prepared to get arrested, she shouldn’t have dared him to do it!
For all of you who are saying this woman was in the wrong and didn’t understand why she wanted a few minutes have NEVER had a bladder infection or a UTI. It is by far one of THE worst miseries a person can have. It’s MISERABLE, painful, pure agony. In fact, I spent 15 years reviewing medical records and often saw people in the hospital on top of all their other problems suffer with this and prayed to God that when he has to take me one day PLEASE don’t let me have to have a UTI at the same time. I have had more of these than I EVER care to have. I’ve known a few men who thought the women in their lives were big babies and over-exaggerating this condition, then,when they got one they acted like they were dying. I’ve known a few to actually apologize to their wives. So…..before you pass judgement put yourself in someone else’s shoes and be suffering as badly as this elderly woman before you say she was wrong. If this is the humanity they practice in Texas, I think I’ll skip the state and stay on the east coast.
The article states that she didn’t show her ID “fast enough”?! She never even attempted to show her ID!
SHE NEVER EVEN ATTEMPTED TO SHOW HER ID!! Urinary Tract Infection, or not, she should have given him her ID and insurance when he asked. Who does she think she it?? She was ridiculous and got what she deserved!
Wow Angela Patterson…did you watch this video?!?! How can you stand behind this lady? Being 77, a grandma, and a woman does not give you the right to disobey a smile request from an officer. Show your ID, your insurance, take your ticket and be on your way. She broke the law, plain and simple. Now pay the price. Shame on her for getting a lawyer and dragging out a situation SHE created. If this was a 21 year old kid I bet you would be writing about what an idiot he/she was. Shame on you.
You think because a little old lady who couldn’t hurt a fly deserved to be yanked out of a car? Just about everyone at 77 has a bad hip. Gee. She was trying to finish her sentence. What if the officer had let her finish her sentence instead of being all Today-show-like and interrupting her, and then barking orders at her. She was obviously in shock that she was being treated in such a way.
Oops. I didn’t mean to press send. What if the officer had said, “I’m so sorry to hear about your discomfort, maam. Why don’t you hand me your license and proof of insurance and I’ll make sure you get out of here ASAP.”
Or, “I’m sorry for your illness. Hand me your license and proof of insurance and I’ll let you get on your way. Have a nice day. I’m just trying to keep you safe maam.”
Yeah, screaming goes a long ways………You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, I always say.
I think I’m siding with the policeman here. Just because she is old doesn’t mean she shouldn’t obey the law. Handing him her DL would have had her on her way in a few minutes. And yes I’ve had a bladder infection and yes I am not that far off her age. If that was me I would have handed him the license and said, I am in a lot of pain and need to get to a bathroom as i did it. Bet he would have been quick about it.
When a cop stops you, you have plenty of time to get out your license, registration, and proof of insurance BEFORE THEY EVEN GET TO YOUR CAR! Had she given the police officer her ID at that time, I’m sure things would have turned out differently.
Well, it’s like this. I’ve never been pulled over by a police officer who didn’t walk up to my car with an attitude, demand license and proof of insurance, cite my violation and NEVER give you a chance to say “Hey, I had an incidence.” They just don’t give a flying rat’s @ss. They want their city to score some EASY cash from taxpayers – despite the fact that you need to pee or deliver a baby. I think I would fake a pregnancy to get out of my next ticket.
And dudes, look at Granny’s face. She was so shocked at that cop’s behavior. Man, I was taught to respect the elderly. Cops are cops. But take care of granny. You rock grandma. I’ll pay your bill.
Having a bladder infection (if true) is no excuse for doing 66 in a 50 zone. She could have, and should have, pulled over somewhere to go to the john before it got to be so “urgent” that she felt entitled to break the law. She also should have gotten her driver’s license out the first time she was asked (DUHH!!!). Read the story again, substituting in “17-year-old girl” for “77-year-old grandmother”, and I’ll bet you’ll react differently. She wants an apology? Well, people in hell want ice water — it doesn’t mean they get it. If she’s looking for sympathy, it’s in the dictionary — somewhere between “s**t” and “syphilis”.
to bahaha,
you sound so obamaesque.
let’s go to iran and say please boys, play nice and stop with this nuclear bomb stuff – please, please, pretty please.
an officer on a traffic stop needs to stern and authoritative.
the public needs to know better than to question a request for id – ever.
don’t worry, jus give away the farm lady!!
Cop should have let her explain. She was in pain. I wonder if he has a soul or a grandmother?
There use to be a difference between cops of today and cops of yesterday. In the past, police were here to serve and protect the peace. They would find a way to resolve a problem (by thinking) and using peaceful means to accomplish it. Today’s police force is only interested in finding problems and imposing a fine. I have heard countless stories of cops that do not protect and serve. In this situation I would have allowed her to go to the bathroom, got another officer (female) to come and calm her down and handle the situation. I would have not thrown her on the ground and arrested her. I think part of the problem stems in that the police force only requires a high school level education. We have all these high-school graduates joining the force and getting an authority complex. In order to join the force, they should require a minimum of a associates degree, with some coursework in psychological understanding. Just my two cents.
While the author supports Granny 100%, they’re both wrong. Questions that remain unanswered in any media report (or statement by Granny’s attorney): (1) How far was she from her departure point, and why didn’t she use the restroom there? (2) If she had to go to the bathroom, why did she not stop at a gas station or convenience store? (3) If she was in such a hurry (as she stated to the officer), why didn’t she just show the license & registration promptly when asked? But here’s the kicker: (4) since she was detained onsite for at least another 35 minutes while in the squad car, why didn’t she wet her pants if the “medical condition” was so critical that she should want to argue with the police officer? Answer: she didn’t, and it wasn’t. She was just cranky and did not want to follow the protocol that she agreed to when she got her driver’s license in the fist place. And the bottom line is that she broke the law and potentially endangered the lives of others in doing so (speed limits are determined by the municipality as to what is a reasonable & prudent in that specific area in order to ensure the safety of both the driver and the general public). Get a clue: simply obey the law and there’s never any trouble.
What I’d like to know and haven’t heard anyone mention, is what was her reason for telling the officer she give him her license “in a minute.” If she really was in a hurry, wouldn’t the logical thing be to hurry up and give him your license/registration so that you could be on your way?
I’m close to this woman’s age and I have had more urinary tract infections than I can count, but I still would have complied with the LAW when asked. It wasn’t an unreasonable request. It was a standard request when you are stopped by a police officer. She came across as a rude, beligerent, nasty old woman used to getting what she wants, when she wants it! How much do you want to bet that the granddaughter that sent in the video for the whole world wide web to see has a character very similar to her grammy’s?
Pay the fine, lady, and obey the law! Pee before you leave home or wear diapers. You are responsible for your own behavior, which in this case was not very becoming.
The fact that the old bat mouthed off to the cop is irrelevant. No cop should be dragging a defenseless 77 year old lady out of her car and land on her back. Pig should be kicked off the force. He should have listened, understand her feelings, but tell her in A CALM voice that she shouldn’t be driving at 66 in 50 mil an hour . He could have waited until backup.
He could have broke her back, or pulled a muscle when he yanked her arm.
Sounds like all who sided with that stupid cop have been thoroughly brainwashed by the “Cops” tv show which is why it was produced;too condition the sheeple to love the cop and his police state. That fat pig cop escalated the situation by his abusive attitude and tone of voice. If that bastard had pulled my gramma out of the car like that,he would,if he’s lucky,wake up staring at the sun,flat on his back.There’s no excuse for treating anybody like that,especially an old lady with a bladder infection!
He’s a fat brute who ought to be placed on unpaid leave or fired.I guess that’s how pigs in Texass act,because I’ve heard similar stories before. I hope all you pig sympathizers someday encounter a “helpful” public servant like this A-hole cop,then we will see how much you all like them!
The whole thing went bad because the impatient Officer refused to be understanding. HE JUST DIDN’T WANT THE OLD WOMAN TO TALK. That’s so sad!! He had no sympathy for an old woman who was presently having medical issues (bladder infection). THE OLD WOMAN TOLD THE IDIOT THAT SHE HAS BLADDER INFECTION AND WAS RUSHING TO THE TOILET. SHE ALSO TOLD HIM THAT SHE WILL PRESENT HER I.D. IN A MINUTE, but the officer responded with: “If you don’t give me your I.D. NOW, i will take you to jail”. Incredible!!
That senseless attitude and talk caused the old woman to say: “okay, take me to jail”.
And beyond astonishment, the idiot began dragging the old woman out of her SUV and physically abusing the frail/weak.
The incident happened in Keene, Texas. The head of Police Dept. said the officer followed Policy and did nothing wrong. I’m horrified that the people of Keene, and surrounding cities of Cleburne, and Fort Worth have Not began protests against the Police Dept. who cover such SENSELESS OFFICERS.
Isaiah 5:20 “WOE TO THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD, AND GOOD EVIL …”
I know wht tht lady felt like i live in ft worth, and just went thru something like tht i had a windsheild cracked by someone who was living with me cops came out would not ask her to leave but acuse me of being drunk and sd i had interfere with my sons arest I HAVE MUSCLAR DYSTROPHY I WAS TACKLE DOWN TO THE GROUND HANDCUFFED AND HE HURT MY ARM IN GETTIN ME UP IT DOES NOT END THERE HE CONTINUES AS AM PUT IN JAIL TAKEN TO JPS AND THEN TRANFER TO MANSFIELD JAIL. I AM LOOKING FOR ATTY TO REPRESENT ME I CLD UUSE THE HELP IF ANYONE HAS ANY IINPUT. THANK YOU