UPDATE: Oklahoma troopers officially identified. Medic seen being choked tells more in a comment posted on a website. Read Maurice White's response.

I am quite sure that if the EMTs were white,they would have been treated in a much different manner. It so just how racist the Southern United States still is. Very little progress has been made in the last forty years.

To Defying Gravity and anonymous.
Why are ya'll trying to call this "racist"? I'm a "racist", so what? I don't support multiculturalism or "progress" aka institutional anti-whitism, but I'd take the side of the EMT over these two cops, because they are not doing anything pro-white, esp by harassing an EMT and holding up transport of an injured civilian. Did they call him "n'r" or something? Why do you say this is "racist"?

I watched the Video many times. To see what the troopers did blow me away. I have grown up around the EMS; my father is a supervisor now. I would say the medics kept there cool.

The medic that was out front, you couldn’t be much nicer to the officer. I really cannot even wonder why these troopers did what they did. A life is more important then any traffic ticket. The medic in the back, you only did what you thought was right. The ethics with the troopers are questionable. They should have waited for you to walk back out the doors at the ER or Trauma Center.

I know most of the state troopers in this area. They all seem to be nice. There are a few that I cannot stand, but there is a time and place for things. That was not the time, nor the place to pull an ambulance over. I do say to them, think about what your doing, treat them as you would want to be treated. You have to wonder if these medics come to your aid one day. Do you want them to do there best, or do you want them to do it by the book ”hint hint”. The troopers here are friendly with most of the medics here and hang out with one another. You need to take a lesson.

The trooper should have never laid a finger on the medic in my mind. No matter what was going on, the medic was not posturing to hit the trooper nor was he in any danger of being hit. I do not agree with a choke, nor say do it to any one. There are ways to restrain someone with out hurting them or choking them. To force the medic against the truck I am blown away too. These troopers seem that the where on a pursuit high. They need to be sent to a therapist to learn to deal with the anger and rush of adrenalin.

To hear they broke away form a back up call, make me wonder why the ambulance was so important. I was training earlier this year to dispatch for Fire, EMS, and Sheriffs before budget cuts. These guys take the cake, not only stopped an ambulance, but also did not back up a sheriff. I don’t know what could be worse. I have no knowledge of what they where going to, but if it required lights and siren for the troopers. You know it was something that could not wait. Just think the sheriff could be laying on the ground dieing, while you two are haven an ego trip. Not only did you leave a brother sheriff on covered but you where stopping a brother medic. You are a family.

I know in some cases the medic crews do need to be corrected. I know the SOG for my area. I have had some close calls with some of the units here, not only medic but fire too. The person in the back comes first. I do feel like there is a need to report these mess ups to the correct person, but don’t chase them down and tell them right then. The troopers should have followed them and contacted them at the ER or Trauma Center, and called for their supervisor.

As a fellow Georgia State Patrol officer, I am embarrased by the behavior of the OHP. It is officer conduct like their's who give our professiona black eye! The EMT was calm and professional and they serve a vital role just as Lae Enforcement and Firefighters. I hope this works out well for the EMT. And on behalf of the Law Enforcement community, I apoligize for the unjust actions of the OHP.

The Tropper was way over the line and should be fired ….You cannot just grap someone throat,,,besides that the medic could have crushed the head if he wanted.

Everyone makes mistakes. I hope these officers have learned what they did was wrong. Adrenaline makes people just react and not think things through these officers are probably inexperienced and full of adrenaline overreacted to the situation. Most people have no idea how difficult it is to make decisions like this, but they did make the right choice of letting the ambulance go and eventually it seems reason got the better of their adrenaline.

As far as this being racist. Give me a break. It's never about race it's about hate. Hate can be based on many things race is one of those things.

Let's forgive the officers and be thankful everyone is ok. I'm sure the officers have learned their lesson. As have the EMTs. No one's perfect so let go. I do think an apology is in order from the officers.

The fact that these troopers even had the balls to pull over a "fellow emergency vehicle" is beyond belief. its a blatant abuse of power. weather your Police, Fire, or EMS, we all fall under the umbrella of public safety, and in case some of you out there forgot, this means were all on the "SAME" team. (or at least i thought that was the case).

As I read the posted comments, I am amazed that anyone can find justification to actually defend the OHP on this. Yes, the EMT stepped out of the ambulance. If you're trying to get someone medical care and something is hindering that such as an over-zealous Buzz Lightyear cop trying to size up his you-know-whats, wouldn't you try to figure out what is keeping you from getting your patient the care he/she needs? Yes, the EMT swung his arm back at the cop. The officers aren't going to take care of the patient. Why would you let them stop you from doing your duty to help someone under your care? Yes, the ambulance didn't pull over when the driver saw the lights. It's an ambulance! I would think someone's life is a lot more important than responding to a call without a minimal delay to assist the county who was already on the scene. No one but the EMT's were there to help that lady. Furthermore, if time was of the essence, why did they feel they had the time to stop an ambulance of all vehicles to administer a scolding? That isn't rectifying anything; that is a mere matter of ego. There was absolutely NO EXCUSE for using that kind of tone and that kind of force. Save that for actual crooks and leave life saving EMT's alone. I used to be a soldier and understand the need to maintain bearing and professionalism in the uniform. The behavior by the OHP was disgraceful to themselves and the outfit they represented with that uniform.

I feel that it will be a long time before anyone can look at an OHP trooper with any kind of respect after this. I know I won't.

None of you must realize that the ambulance was from a private company, right? and a cop being a state/government job is higher on the chain of command. A private company has no right not yeilding to a state offical vechile even if the do have a patient the cop can be an ass and they have to move over, I took an EMT-B class because I had too, and that is one thing I learned. Sorry I don't know much about the EMS side I was going to be a Combat Medic in the military but I decided shooting people was more fun and now I am in a Police Program…..watch out!!

unbelievable! immediate termination. if the patient died because of this moron's ego trip, would he still feel good because "no one is above the law." "All pigs are equal, except some pigs are more equal than others." George Orwell. I bet he has intimidated/harassed citizens before and has gotten away with it. being a cop does not give you the right to abuse the public because you think you can. Rot in hell. Wouldn't it be a shame if a family member was on the way to the hospital and died because another cop pulled the same stunt off?

@Tom – You are misinformed. Municipal or private, it doesn't matter. The bus should have yielded because the officer was traveling at a higher rate of speed, not because it ranked lower on the hierarchy of importance.
Some areas contract their emergency services to private companies and don't forget most Volunteer systems could be considered private enterprises. They are usually independent corporations chartered to provide service to municipalities. Does that mean they shouldn't be afforded the same respect – they have the same responsibilities. And it should be noted that lights and sirens don't give anyone the right to break laws and that includes driving at an excessive rate of speed – which has been demonstrated in criminal proceedings against fire, police and ems numerous time. I'm sure the bus was moving at a good clip – I can imagine how fast the officer must have been moving….

People can say what they want but there is no excuse for the patrol man to pull the ambulance over to begin with, as was stated, this is ILLEGAL. How can this be defended in any way? Indeed, I feel that the few who could stomache trying to defend these patrol men are either butthurt cops themselves or are related to law enforcement. I just don't see anyone using common sense defending these officers. This was wrong from the start.

Paramedic White,

Im sure that you look at these posts to get an idea of what peoples view are on the incident. People like cowboy xxx obviously did not read the reports or look at the video to make a stupid argument like patient abandonment. As a paramedic it is our responsibility to make sure that everything is taken care of pertaining to patient care, that includes responsibility over the transport. If your a paramedic in an ambulance and your are pulled over by the police, Im sure everyone will agree that you will inquire as to what is going on because it is not something that happens everyday. I have researched this incident and found that the officer in this video is even getting bashed by his peers. Remember that what that video represents is police officers, he is a discrase to the profession and Im sure that he will be ousted from the force! You should be proud that you were able to keep your composure, you look like a big guy and things got of really got out of hand if you would have served him the a$$ whippin he needed!

It is unfortunate that so many people jump to conclusions with only seeing a small portion of what happened at the incident and then grossly overstate what they see.

First, CHOKING. The EMT was not be choked, if he had been, he would have needed medical care.

The EMT came out of the back of the ambulance and confronted the officer. The officer requested several times for him to return to the back of the ambulance.

Here's a thought, the EMT failed to follow a reasonable request of a police officer. Law Violation #1. Pulled away from the officer when the officer was actively trying to restrain him and take him into custody, Resisting Arrest, Law Violation #2.

Here's another one for you, officer safety. Have you ever been surrounded by multiple people in an antagonistic way? I am sure the officer was concerned for his own safety.

All that should have happened is that the EMT should have stayed in the ambulance WITH HIS PATIENT and not confront the officer and this never would have escalated. People always want to blame the police for their own actions that cause the escalation of the incident.

Why do we not hold the EMT to a standard of following the law.

A civilized society requires the institution of laws and as an EMT, if he were running CODE 3, Lights and Siren to a call or to the hospital, he would want this same officer to stop and cite anyone who did not yeild to them.

If this patient had a serious condition that needed immediate treatment, why is he coming out of the back of the ambulance. Patient Care, first and foremost. The patient's family should be frustrated, angry and upset with the EMT that left their loved one in a time of need. TOTALLY ALONE.

When is someone going to ask that the EMT be put on leave while the investigation continues and then being terminated for his actions.

Please, until you have walked a second in the shoes of a police officer, do not, I REPEAT, do not judge his actions. He dealt with the situation accordingly, one step of force above what the suspect, (Person violating the law) EMT, was using to resist arrest. Controlling the suspect with minimum amount of force needed.

I say FIRE this EMT. He does not deserve to be employed if he acts this way. With 30 years of experience, he should have shown some restraint. Hold him accountable for his actions.

Shame on the DA, this EMT was in clear violation of the law. The officer did not hinder the treatment of the patient, the EMT did by getting out of the ambulance and confronting the officer. There was another EMT on scene who could have treated the patient.

Of course not. When you really need one, the gamble is worth the risk. You know, damned if you do, damned if you don't.

And to the guy who said that the officer was surrounded and probably felt threatened: are you serious??? I think i see a lot more tan and brown than anything else.

Look, I can understand if you are a part of a brotherhood and you want to defend that organization to a certain extent, but don't blindly defend them to the point where you try to defy logic. When you do, you sound like one of the old members of the Third Reich at Nuremberg trying to "loyally" defend Hitler. In the end, you simply sound like a jackass and you're still wrong.

Several legal issues I'd be interested in to start with.
1. Why is any law enforcement vehicle participating in an emergency call with a civilian in the car?
2. Is transporting a family member while on duty even allowed? If so, why?
3. It's apparent the official police report was less than factual and omitted pertinent information pertaining to the incident as verified by the camera in the patrolman's car. Since this is an official legal document, why are no charges being filed for falsifying such a document? To be sure this is a crime in itself.

It's a known and widely publicized fact that personnel returning from duty in Iraq have suffered mentally and physically as have all soldiers returning from previous wars. In light of this and the stress involved in being in law enforcement with today's challenges, it would appear even greater oversight would be used in the hiring of officers from the military pool. I am retired military and have served with individuals exposed to combat zones and in one way or another, ALL of them have psychological scars of varying degrees. Some handle it better than others and some will truly never be the same.

It's unconscionable to think that ALL law enforcement agencies aren't scrutinizing such applicants more closely to weed out personnel that have anger and authority issues such as this officer exhibited. Might it be that he considers it acceptable to approach instances such as this the same way they did in Iraq at checkpoints, during their free for all, no warrant needed, acceptable in time of war type confrontations? Who knows, maybe he was a supply clerk or admin troop that never got to get down and dirty and feels a need to prove himself worthy in his own mind.

This individual has severe issues and it's a shame his lack of any level of good judgment, failure to follow policy, inability to represent the OHP by their own standards of service and conduct, and contempt for the law by lying on his report shames the great officers honestly trying to perform their jobs in a professional and courteous manner. Until there is someone of authority with the guts to mandate thorough, unbiased, third party psych testing for this individual, he should not be assigned a badge, a gun or a car and unleashed on the public again.

I love how you can tell who the cops are " until you've walked a mile in a troopers shoes, don't judge him " … IMO most cops are good yes, but most of them are also egotistical people who got picked on in school and who want to give it back to people, and they think once they get that badge pinned to their shirt that they are invinciable….

This guy told Mr Whites partner he was considering deadly force? over a traffic citation? I'd consider his sanity…. and if that would have been my mom in the back of that ambulance, someone would be giving my answers from OHP and quick…. a trooper willing to draw his service weapon over a failure to yeild citation?

On the flip side of the coin sir, you and the rest of your law enforcement people need to put yourselves in our shoes…. Mr White did everything I would have done, even as a basic…. he thought he seen someone who was in need of medical care (because of how erratically the trooper was driving) so he got out and tried to render aide… I would have done the same.

To the moron whos going to be a state trooper/cop and took a EMT Basic class and thinks that the private servies are lower then the police and FDs, your wrong sir…. I work for both and at any given time I can charge ANYONE, With impeding my patient care…. no one who is a Firefighter, EMT, Paramedic, Law Enforcement officer or any type of public servent is lower then anyone else, just because you work for a private agency, we all do the same job. But I do firmly believe that this trooper should be charged with impeding with this patients care and be charged with assault, cops cant just go around putting people in choke holds just because…. and they cant go around putting their hands on people for no reason…. if he had reason yes, IMO he had no reason….

I watched the entire dash cam video from the officers cruiser before he even got up to your vehicle. I also saw the camera phone [i think it was a phone anyway] video that one of the people riding in the ambulance took of the officers and how unprofessional they were. They drove recklessly and endangered a patient that obviously needed medical attention. If I were the patient and I survived that I would take the officers to court to have them striped of there badges. There was no call for any of that. If the officers were heading to call then they could have gone around the ambulance as soon as they had pulled over instead of creating even more of a hazard for a person in need. I thought the police saying was to protect and serve. But lately I think it's more like to punish and be a pain.

All you Idiots just see a badge and a gun and you automatically think the cop is wrong.
The trooper lost his hat when White shoved him. that's more than a nudge!
We all know the driver of the ambulance flipped off the cop yes they use the term "hand gesture"
you are not stupid,….or are you?
That EMT (White) came out all puffed up and got the response he wanted then acted all surprised about it.
White is a candy ass hiding behind his profession.

As soon as the medic came out he should have told the officer that there was a patient in the back. As soon as the officer knew there was a patient in the back, he should have let them go and followed them to the hospital to pursue any tickets. The medic shouldn't have thrown the elbow, and the officer definitely shouldn't have choked him, acted as if he was going to arrest him, but then let him go. You can't charge the medic since he wasn't arrested, but the trooper definitely needs to be fired. You don't choke a citizen in that manner.