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June 16 update: Paramedic White says Trooper Martin should have badge and gun taken away
More STATter911.com coverage: Trooper’s lawyer says medic is danger to the community; Dash cam video released; Fox News interviews EMS crew & Trooper Martin; Trooper on administrative leave; No charges filed by DA; EMT-B Paul Franks speaks out; Read statements from Toopers Martin & Iker; Troopers identified; Statements from witnesses and the patient; Reaction from police officers; Statements from EMS crew.
Tulsa World’s Manny Gamallo, like other reporters, has been making requests of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol though the state’s Open Records Act. Originally OHP refused to divulge the names of the troopers involved in last Sunday’s incident claiming confidentiality while internal affairs investigators reviewed the case. On Friday OHP Capt. Chris West responded to Gamallo’s request and officially identified the troopers as Daniel Martin and Bryan Iker.
Here are excerpts from Gamallo’s latest story:
Still unresolved is the release of incident reports the troopers may have written after their encounter with Creek Nation paramedics at Paden, located east of Prague, in Okfuskee County.
West said he was unsure whether the troopers wrote incident reports on the encounter, but noted he would check and then consult with the OHP’s lawyers to determine if they can be released.
The OHP has turned over details of the incident to the prosecutor in Okfuskee County to determine if charges will be filed in the case.
Assistant District Attorney Maxey Reilly said Friday it may be next week before she decides what charges, if any, will be filed. She did note, though, that the interference with paramedics in the performance of their duties is against the law in Oklahoma.
But Reilly would not say if the troopers would be charged with that violation.
Meanwhile, news accounts about the scuffle have generated headlines around the world. In fact, Reilly noted, video film shot during the scuffle is now the No. 2 most-watched video on YouTube. (Note: As of 5:30 AM EDT on Saturday the video above, posted by sustainablehome, had more than 600,000 views and almost 6,000 comments.)
Maurice White Jr. is the 30-year EMS veteran whose face has been seen around the world in the video with Trooper Martin’s hand around White’s neck. The paramedic was part of a two-person ambulance crew from Creek Nation stopped by the trooper on Sunday.
Paramedic White and his partner, EMT-B Paul Franks, provided detailed written statements about the incident. Now White has given a few additional thoughts in a comment posted to a forum on KTUL-TV’s website. The station verified the comments are from White.
The medic was responding to the comment below posted on Thursday evening:
CowboyXXX wrote: 1st off what respectable Paramedic would get abandon his patient in the back of the ambulance to argue with an officer that was gonna ticket this partner. One key thing is if you have a bad patient in the back of your truck you will run lights and sirens. 2nd if an officer is gonna ticket you take the ticket and argue it in a court of law.
Here is Critical Care Paramedic Maurice White Jr’s response to CowboyXXX submitted early Friday morning:
Hi,
I do not plan to respond to any comments other that this one. Healthy skepticism is a good thing. My employer has released the statements produced by me and my partner. Our statements may be false, but please at least read them since this station was so kind as to post them in their entirety. Next, I know that it is difficult to remain objective when dealing with emotionally charged issues. I assure you that time and the trooper’s dash cam will clarify everything.
To the person quoted above, if you will read the statement you will note that it was the fact that the trooper was approached at such a high rate of speed, and driving so erratically, I assumed that the woman in the front seat of the cruiser dressed in civilian clothing needed immediate help. That is why I initially stepped from the rear of the unit.
Also please note that in most cases, only the most critical patients are transported with lights and sirens. In addition, I do not have the option to run lights only. Please do a little research on the affects of running code one with a cardiac patient. Btw, if you read the report, you will find that the patient had an episode of syncope followed by chest pain with hypertension. This was not heat related as has been stated elsewhere.
I assure you, the last thing I could ever be convicted, or accused of is poor or negligent patient care. EVEN MY MOST ARDENT DETRACTORS WOULD NEVER ACUSE ME OF THAT SIN. I am well known for the quality of patient care that I render!
Please forgive if this comes off as bragging. I can remain calm while being chocked; I do not tolerate aspersions cased upon the quality care I give on a daily basis. I have served as an active, field medic for thirty-one years; twenty-six years at the paramedic level. I have never had a patient complaint! Can you match that sir?
Thank you,
Grace and Peace
Maurice White, Jr.
Critical Care Paramedic
Comments
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Well said sir. I hope everything turns out fine for you.
Mr. White is a outstanding Paramedic & a exceptional man. I am a medic as well, and I would love to have the talent & skills that Mr. White possess. Please do not judge his work ethic's nor his patient care. He is a wonderful Paramedic & man. I applaud his ability to handle himself as he did. As for the troopers involved, I wonder what they would have done if they witnessed the same situation with the role reversed & their mother was in the back of the ambulance. I adore both departments & the services that they provide us, but I think that it is time that we all suck up pride ( to a point) and remember why we are in this line of work.
I know why you were so calm and collected when you were being choked by the trooper because through it all you had your mind solely on the care and well being of the patient. It shows how much of a professional you are and did not let emotions get in the way.
I hope these State Troopers see how embarrassing their actions were. As a fellow CA Paramedic, we do know the importance of pulling to the right with sirens & lights. What's really sad, there were no winners. These Troopers, who were responding to another call, were angry that the EMT hadn't pulled over, which hindered them from doing their job. So they in turn, pulled the ambulance over and prevented a lady from getting medical care by a Physician and hindered Paramedic White from doing his job! WOW! If my ambulance had been pulled over, I would have been just as fustrated. Maurice White's reaction spoke volumes of his passion for patient care. Personally, I feel Paramedic White never compromised patient care when he stepped out of the ambulance. Any caring EMS worker, who might wonder what's the hold up, would have stepped out, spoke up & be a voice for the patient.
From California, I send you a tequila shot Maurice.
Mr. White.. I thank you for your service and good character. I wish there were more people like you in the world who can stand up for whats right. My own experiences with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma Law Enforcement in General, over a number of years, only tells me that they are still out of control and running wild with there methodic abuses.
By watching the video and seeing your written account and this response, not only can I tell that you are a really good medic, I can tell you are a true gentleman. I know you understand what a high compliment that is. Keep the faith. Accept the support of all of us up at Station 60. PA EMT
After watching this, it is hard not to hate these cops shown in the video.
I am a Captain/Paramedic that has worked in this area for years, I also know that once the dash cam and the audio recorded by both the Troopers wireless microphones will cause everyone to question Mr. White. Further more I would have suspended any of my medics who would have got out of the back of the ambulance and left a patient alone. I would have never done that and I think the medics that think it is ok for the medic to get out of the back of unit to engage a trooper was absoluetly crazy and should question what they think is good patient care. I can't wait to hear how this ends.
Joe
Captain/Paramedic
Kansas
I sure hope that after all is said and done and God prevails and everything can be resolved to the point that everyone is happy with the outcome. We ALL try to do our jobs to the best of our ability and when that is disrupted we get frustrated. I do believe God will prevail and this WILL be put to rest.
I have read his statement several times, so am I the only reads what he said, where he states "Our statements may be false," is he then not admitting that he made a false statement in his report? Seems a bit of guilty coming out on behalf of the paramedic and EMT on the unit.
Why does everyone miss the part where White shoved his beefy elbow into the officer's throat?? I'm surprised they didn't (rightfully) arrest him.
Those cops were just being bullys… but thats typical cop behaviour. Sorry for the EMTs — no wonder cops have a bad name. I hope they lose their jobs.
Good luck Mr. White. The troopers in question should have never stopped an ambulance to begin with (unless it was stolen, which I have seen before). Their lack of professionalism is obvious from the video recording. I wonder what part of their training included "choke-holds on non-combative EMS workers who are administering patient care"? Thank you, Mr. White, for all of your years of service.
E. Byrd
Shift Supervisor/Firefighter/EMT
North Carolina
I am a little curious as to why the trooper stopped at all if he was in "hot pursuit" to back-up the sheriff???? The one time I did not pull to the right for a police officer…(radio was too loud) he got on his loud speaker as he zoomed past me and told me to read my driver's manual. Obviously, he was in hot pursuit, (not of me), and probably realized I was just an idiot not paying attention and the emergency he was headed to was more important than pointing out my mistake. Things have changed quite a bit and we are all worried about being "politically correct". Thanks to cameras on cell phones, GPS systems, etc., the whole world can be sure we are politically correct and can call us out on each and every mistake. God bless to both parties.
This story has made me so angry. As a fellow paramedic in Tx, I hope everything turns out for you. A situation like this happened in La Porte Tx a few years ago and the medic was cleared. Again, I hope everything works out for you.
I just saw the video today, read the reports, and as well visited the board where Mr. White makes that reply to that one individual. Karma will come catch up to the OHP that pulled over the EMT. Hopefully, Mr. White will be in the area to respond and just let the OHP suffer agonizing minutes the way the patient in the ambulance had to. Nothing like that ever happens here in the state of VA…sad to see a OHP abuse his power.
I give Mr. White the utmost respect and I feel that-at least based on the statements i have read- he is dealing with this situation in a very professional way. Consider also the way he restrained himself from attacking the officers even after being treated like sh*t.
To Joe
Captain/Paramedic
Kansas
Did you not understand that the Paramedic was essentially ordered out when the officer told him he was under arrest?
God help the folks where ever it is you claim to be a Capt/Paramedic….your observation skills are highly questionable….
DeAnna, AZ ER RN
I hope people see how some Police Officers treat others when they are at work. Many people (ignorant folk) think all cops are good. That is NOT true. Many are crooked or ego-maniacs or just plain dumb as hell. Hopefully, these pigs from Oklahoma will be FIRED or forced to desk work. We can't have stupid men and women working as cops in America. There need to be more stringent intelligence tests given to cops before they start and while they are on the force. The job is too important for the average dumb ass to have; and our country is too diverse for non-thinkers to have power (hence Sarah Palin losing her lil' light, thank GOD). Be smart America, speak out when you see B.S. YOU COULD BE THE NEXT VICTIM.
Two things,
What does EMTP White mean by "Our statements may be false"?
Secondly, I have seen several comments about the day when the trooper may need EMS. It is stated or implied that these medics should ignore the call for help. NO WAY, you can bet these very same medics would do everything possible to help these very same Troopers if the time arrises. That's why we are in EMS. We help our fellow man no matter what.
I've just seen this coverage on you tube and I am totally disgusted with the treatment Mr White suffered at the hands of the cops. The whole thing was totally unnecessary and put the cops in a really bad light, no wonder people hate cops so much if this is how they choose to behave, whatever happened to protecting the innocents? Good luck to you Mr White, I'm behind you all the way!
I wroked a few years with Mr White and I know him. I'm fairly frustrated with the treatment that Mr White got aat the hands of the OHP officer. Shameless behaviour arresting a Paramedic whilst in the course of his duty… Where will this abuse end??? I was at an accident scene in OK, when I worked there, and cars were passing by on the Interstate doing 70 mph plus and an OHP officer moved my ambulance to clear his precious lane and one of our first responders got hit by a car. Needless to say I think that these officers need to be educated in how to treat others.
Andrew Simpson
NREMTP TCAD EMS
It was a sad situation. The crew was doing their job and some hyper trooper decided to mess with them. This case it was showed to the world what we face almost every day. Law enforcement allways get the high praise regardless the poor decisions they make every day, but in the law enforcement world they never do wrong, the public is allways at fault. I to came to face with similar situations with law enforcement while I was doing my job as a EMS professional was not as bad as it happen to this crew. We in the EMS world do face same danger as the law enforcement, we allways are the ones that risk our lifes for the people in need. But who gets all the medals and front page? COPS..
We are in this professional field because we care for people not for the glory, Law enforcement is just for the power.
Mr. White handle himself as a true profesional regardless the situation he was facing, and is a true partner protecting him from the thugs. Mr White I will ride with you any time. You are a better man than that trooper.
Mr White I applaude you
SIncerely
EMT Batista/NJ
Lee House,
I can't tell if you are really making a post, or of it is all a joke.
But my favorite line in your post has to be;
"The job is too important for the average dumb ass to have" – Lee House
I couldn't agree more, only the above average (and here I mean top 10%) of dumb asses should be allowed to wear the badge. Lee, I can only hope that you are in charge of administering said intelligence test.
I've been told that I am a perfect a$$hole on numerous occasions, so I eagerly await the location I should post my resume to.
You know this just shows what happens when cops think they are all knowing and godlike. They are not above the law nor should they be able to get away with this. I have friends who are cops and they were even disgusted by what they seen. If the emergency the cops were in was so big why did they stop the ambulance in the first place. Like my friends here said they had way to much ego especially choking someone let alone a ems worker who was just doin his job in the first place. My friends here said if someone looked in their file you would probably find more of this in these officers backgrounds. But even Here we have had situations like that where a cop decides he can be god and we have to bow down to them and do what they say. We have one here in kansas now that is being charged with forcing a woman to have sex with him to get out of aarrest. Thats is pathetic. Like i said i do have a couple of friends who are cops who say the same thing and it just disgusts them how many times cops like this get away with it. except now we have you tube in cases like these i am glad we do. Cops like this give good ones a bad name they really need to be stopped and stronger evaluations taken for new officers wanting to join.
Apparently where ever the Trooper was headed speeding, with lights and sirens was not that important after all. I find it a crazy that the Trooper had time to turn around and pull you over. The Troopers both should be ashamed of their behavior.
The whole world is watching this video right now. Regardless of what some claim will exonerate the Highway Patrol Officer from the dash cam footage, the video speaks for itself.
There is absolutely no way to justify the way the officer chokes the paramedic. Its unarguably obvious the police officer completely loses his temper, becoming irrational and violent.
Whatever part of Oklahoma this happened in is now under a very small microscope of world public opinion. Sad to know this happens in America. Even sadder to know that its probably very common, abuse by law enforcement officials.
This cop probably got picked on in high school. Give him a gun, a badge and some authority and lookout! I hate to speculate, but level the playing field (ditch the gun and badge) see how much of a tough-guy this trooper really is!
Mr. White could have taken all three of the officers down himself. Personally if I were him I probably would have. In my slightly twisted opinion all of the officers need to be beaten on sight.
I was very sad and shocked to watch the incident that took place between the EMS and troopers. Both of these jobs provide essential services to our society and a great dishonor was being displayed on video. What is done in the dark can now be brought to the like. I just hope that all the Oklahoma officialstruly comprehend the need to swiftly repair the grave damage done by these heartless law enforcement officials.
What that COP did WAS WRONG, i just found a online site that has up a petition against that COP
SO FAR it has 762 people that signed up for the PETITION
view http://alturl.com/h7dx
this is to the person that claims the paramedic elbowed the officer..
more like a nudge, not a elbow, it just happen he nudged the officer WITH the elbow, AFTER the the officer originally put his hands ON the paramedic, and the paramedic was trying to get the officers hands off him, the officer did not let go, so he NUDGED HIM (nudge because the elbow was already in contact with the body before force was applied)… their for it was not a elbow, it was a nudge, and it was a nudge after the officers wrongfully put the hands on him, and would not let go.
These Officers rule!!!!
well where im from the cops treat our medical field with upright respect does these cops think there invincable or somthing because you never kno when mr White will be holding one of there lives in his hands because a cops job is dangerous sometime or another they will need his assistance im sure…
The "our statements may be false" quote is obviously a poor use of ellipsis. Showing the implied words in brackets, "[You may believe that] our statements may be false". The context makes this reading obvious, where Mr. White says skepticism is good but encourages the viewer to read the statements. He uses ellipsis again in the statement "please forgive if this comes off as bragging" with the omitted word being "me". You may critique Mr. White's writing style, but not of claiming his statement is false.
Now from what I now ain't these departments in it for the same reason to serve and protect the people? I know that cops are under alot of stress with recent shootings in various parts of the county ,but they should also remeber that medics are under stress also they don't want someone to pass on their watch. If these officers were smart and used good judgement they would have assessed the situation and determined the best possible outcome. Now as other officers know let the ambulance proceeded to the hospital and deal with the emt driver there. Another thing aren't emergency vehicles equipped with radios couldn't the ambulance communicate with the police or 911 dispatch. Remeber now one is above the law not even police. My prayers to the patients family.
Mr. White you deserve a great deal of respect for doing what you had to do to protect your rights and the patient's in the back of the ambulance. I hope those cops get what's coming to them. It is people like you that show the rest of us that there are still good people out there that are willing to do the right thing in any situation. My thoughts are with you, the patient and her family.
Mr. White… another supporter here. Steroidal Crazed Idiots should never be given guns and power!
I do not trust police officers.
I think that the situation could have been handled better than the way the officers handled it. But with being in the military I've learned if someone has the power to tell you they are doing something * hence * Your under arrest * . Then you don't Argue, you don't fight. You listen to them and follow they're orders. Let it get worked out after you've been arrested. Besides there was a injured patient who was in the ambulance who needed to get to the hospital, personally with living with a EMT I know that the patients come first. Better off listening to the officer and working it out later and getting the patient to the hospital than to set and argue and fight about it.
Still is a shame the way it was handled by the Trooper. I'm very ashamed to see that type of behavior.
These cops give steroid crazed idiots a bad name.
I've read through many comments, most are posted by outraged citezens and sympathetic EMTs. I am, by no means condoning the actions of the State Troppers; I do believe, in many ways, that they acted unproffessionally and with more force than required, but I am curious to hear what fellow State Troopers have to say on this topic. Not one of these posts has been from an officer, and I wonder if they feel as negatively towards the actions of the two, seemingly poor examples, of the Oklahoma Police force.
I, on the other hand, wish to extend my gratiude and respect to, both, the police who try to keep our streets safe, and the EMTs who assist us in our most dire times of need.
this same incident has happened numerous times in MD where state troopers have become over-zealous and arrest command officers because they believed traffic should be opened back up.
Face is POLICE, if there is not immediate life threat from crime, STAND DOWN, FIRE owns the scene. Case law has shown this over and over!
I hadn't heard about this incident until just now. I've, unfortunately, had run-ins with power mad officers but I wasn't operating an ambulance at the time. Unbelievable! I'll try not to pass further judgment until all the facts are known but the evidence from the video is pretty damning to the OHP and will be nearly impossible to justify.
To "Lee House": your post was badly written but understandable and matched the feeling of most posters here. So why did you suddenly feel it necessary link Sarah Palin to this incident??? What does the governor of Alaska have to do with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol??? You are obviously one of the people, (like these officers) who mixes two unrelated incidents and that you warn we need to keep from getting a badge.
Unfortunately this is just another clue to our eventual and inevitable socialist government. The problem is in management. And lack of discipline. One day Americans will realize that this country was founded on the idea that a weapon and a badge shouldn't constitute authority. With that said, you are one of the lucky ones. Many times these events go widely unnoticed.
I am a 37 year old white South African, I have come through the past of our country wondering if we will ever get past our color differences…after videos like this I fear that we will not…the reason for this is two fold. Yes, you will get racist pigs that still live in their own minds messing it up for everyone. The other reason is far worse to me, it is a devious and wicked plot to keep the fires of racism burning. In my opinion this video was staged and has baited the officers into incorrect action. This while the all-to-ready gentleman with his video recorder/phone is waiting to film it…My question to all you gullable dumb yanks is this…why was the man at the begining of the clip already saying they wanted to arrest MR white…when Mr white only got involved later on? (supposedly) wake up…these black people in this video are baiting you all to more hate and violence…In our country we are experiencing a huge amount of crime (20000 murders a year), why? because there is no respect for the rule of law…videos like this are aimed at undermining the rule of law…In our country it has now gotten so bad that if you tell a black man to correct his behaviour then you must automatically be a racist…This means that people do what they want because they can play the race card at any stage to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions and behavior…This video is no different, watch what will come from this when the whole story is heard…Although the Police man holding his hand around the guy's throat should not be tollerated, I say that these guys were looking for a fight…
When the end comes for our democracy here in America, it wont be a commie soldier or a bug eyed terrorist that takes it away, it will be the thin blue line…and we are handing our freedoms over to them a little each day. THIS and the other incidents like it, are excellent examples of whats to come.
Those of us in the media see it and deal with it each day, sometimes we even get locked up for opposing it but the public just wont heed the warning.
All Oklahoma law enforcement officials should be ashamed including the Governor. These officers are representatives of the state whether they like it or not. They obviously lack good judgement and should be removed from duty immediately. The paramedics held this situation together considering the unfortunate situation the officers posed. God bless the gentleman that had the courage to record this incident.
Dear Defying Gravity,
I love the Spring Boks, and have been a fan even when they were banned fro international competition, but I would have expected someone with the national history you had to be more thoughtful about the issues of race, not just in the USA (and this incident), but the entire world.
The vast majority of murders in South Africa have little to do with race, and more to do with economically motivated crime. Although I am sure that the Truth and Reconciliation Process allowed a lot of individuals to confront those that denied their basic human rights, that won't remove the stigma of 60 odd years of Apartheid rule.
I can't vouch for Mr. White's age, and although I can't explain all of his behavior at the time (that's why we wait for the complete story and investigation), I feel confident that given the color of Mr. White's skin, he has been the subject of intentional and unintentional racism in his life.
I unfortunately bring a tremendous amount of personal baggage in my views people of different colors, religions, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds from me. I don't like to consider myself a racist, but I would be lying if I said I was completely color blind.
I've lived long enough and in enough places (and I'm guessing you have as well), to know that people will always seek ways to differentiate themselves from other groups, from the: caste system in India (which officially no longer exists, but it does), to the tribal allegiances in African nations (Hutus and Tutsis jump to mind), the Aboriginal issue in Australia (and the recent national apology by the PM), the Japanese and their hate of the ethnic Koreans and the Ainu, the Roma people in Europe. You name it, someone hates and despises you, and feels the world would be a better place without you.
The fires of racism continue to burn, and will continue to burn, for many years, even without this video. What I find reassuring is that the majority of posters on this site have looked past the obvious color of Mr. White's skin, and only saw that he was employed in a similar profession as them. Having lived and served overseas, I'll tell you that it always fascinates me how much Americans flagellate themselves over the issue of race, and how often they are able to look past it, as in this case.
I tend to believe this is a situation that speaks more to the difference in uniforms than skin color.
Oh, and congratulations on the rugby Cup.
Quite convenient how the cameraman has the camera pointed at the ground prior to the State Trooper announcing Mr White is under arrest. Would certainly be nice to see what happened to provoke to Trooper.
Fire the police and hold them accountable for there actions. I cannot believe that the policeman had the nerve to pull over a ambulance..
V1