Authorities ID Goodyear Worker Who Died after Being Tased

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Kansas Voices

Authorities ID Goodyear Worker Who Died after Being Tased

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Posted: 6:57 AM Apr 1, 2008
Last Updated: 7:04 AM Apr 2, 2008

44 comments

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The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office released the name Tuesday of a man who died after being tased outside the Goodyear plant in Topeka Saturday night.

The Sheriff's office says 59-year-old Walter Haake, Junior, of Lawrence, resisted Goodyear security officers who thought he was unable to safely drive home from work Saturday night. They called deputies in to assist. The deputies say they made several attempts to control him before using a taser.

Haake then became medically unresponsive. He died Sunday at a hospital.

The Shawnee County Coroner's office is working to determine a cause of death. The Sheriff's Office is also investigating the incident. They are not releasing the names of the deputies involved in the incident.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: david Location: topeka on Apr 8, 2008 at 02:56 PM
You complain about tasers. You say what should and should not have been done. You point fingers and blame.... wonder what kind of secrets most you have in your closets that are much worse than this.

Posted by: uuuugggghhhh on Apr 4, 2008 at 01:31 PM
WHY should they apologize? How would that apology go? "I am sorry that we were called to help your father/husband/son and I'm sorry that we used the least amount of force possible to get him out of the car to save his life?"

Posted by: ihatestupidpeople on Apr 4, 2008 at 01:29 PM
He was not TASED. He was DRIVE STUNNED! Google it! There is a difference! If you're going to do "cop bashing" then at least get your terms straight! And it wasn't TPD you morons! It seems like people just read headlines and don't bother reading the whole story! If he was actually tased, there might be a cause for complaints because you have electrical current going between two different points in the body...wherever the probes go into the body. He was drive stunned, which means he was shocked (probably) in the thigh, which only affected that muscle, not multiple points of the body. And I read somehwere (it could have been in these lame comments) that he swatted the taser away at one point...it's not like this completely incapacitated him! Tragic, all the way around. If they didn't want emergency responders to do what they needed to do, why did they bother calling them in the first place?!?!?!?!

Posted by: how ridiculous of a statement Location: OVERBROOK,KANSAS on Apr 4, 2008 at 08:18 AM
a (WOMAM COP) trying to save Mr.Haake!??????/omg,then why tase him 3 times? how can this be trying to save him? i don't care how many people were watching , YOU DON'T TASE A ILL MAN 3 TIMES,LET ALONE. sOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE TASER NEEDS TO BE BANNED FROM THE OFFICALS HANDS!!!! OR SCRENN THE OFFICER THAT FRIGHTENED OF THE GOOD HARD WORKING AMERICAN EX VETERAN CITIZEN!!! GOD HELP US,WE NEED PROTECTION FROM THE POLICE????/

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 4, 2008 at 08:05 AM
our thoughts and prayers goes out to the haake family ans the lady officer who done the tasing 3 times. god bless you l!

Posted by: Johnny Boy' Location: Topeka on Apr 4, 2008 at 06:46 AM
The guy started deteriorating in front of them. That's why AMR decided it was time to get him out of the vehicle. They only had two other options to get him to release his arm from the steering wheel. 1. Deliver blows to his arm by an expandable baton, flashlight, or other impact weapons. This could've resulted in broken bones or injuries from blunt trauma. 2. Wait for him to code and pass out in the vehicle. The first responders recognized that this man was dying before them, that's why they asked the Deputies to remove him from his vehicle. The taser didn't kill him, and it appears is was the appropriate level of force. The Deputies plead with him for more than twenty minutes. Had they got him out of the vehicle sooner, the man would probably still be alive.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 3, 2008 at 10:08 PM
"i guess back in the old days before tasers the cops would have been completely out of options and would have to watch him die??" sadly, yes, that or completely manhandle him and rip him out of the car and risk even more injuries, and then still have the imminent death. term limit? do you know how hard it is to get cops now?! if that ridiculous idea ever came to be, there would never be enough cops to help protect our freedoms. are there dirty cops out there? yes. are there dirty priests, dirty religious leaders of all religions, dirty politicians, dirty people posting here, and dirty people in absolutely every single facet of life? yes. and it sucks, i agree, but be smart enough to separate those trying to help, and those being malicious. this cop was trying to SAVE this man's life. SAVE IT! this cop was in no position to be dirty if they wanted to be, there were a ton of people there watching to account for the cops actions. be logical people.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 3, 2008 at 09:14 PM
my thoughts and prayers goes out to the family,this is a very sad tragedy.common sense should had been knowledged.an innocent man died because simply tased three times. why on god green earth didn't this lady officer apologize to the family and public for her stupid mistake. lady,this is wrng!!

Posted by: respectfully yours, Location: someone failed the system on Apr 3, 2008 at 06:14 PM
This is very sad,a man has died,a family has losted their love one,and we all are squabblin over this,in all due respect,i'm so sorry for this man's family. if the man was not right,and out of his regulaar mental,physcial behavior,his pattern was not right,indeed of concern. red flag something is serious wrong, but we are all trained to care for the public as our oath we all took,whether,an officer,to serve and protect,an medical response,1st responders,we know the difference between behavior patterns and a crazy,beligerant person,disobeying an order by the law,either,county,or city,an order is an order.if the man was sick and not comprehending what was being said to him.He interpeted as a harmful attack to him. Then the medical attendant is suppose to step in and take medical proceedure to save the man's life,and the taser was a mistake,3 times,aid that man,medical do what they have to do to save a life.my deepest respect for all.this is a hard call.we werent there,whos to judge amen

Posted by: travis Location: topeka on Apr 3, 2008 at 04:24 PM
so Mr. anonymous i guess back in the old days before tasers the cops would have been completly out of options and would have to watch him die?? and trying to equate nuclear physics with the use of a taser is just plain ridiculous. how about u have an encounter with a dirty cop ( which i have) and you to will have a VERY different perspective on cops. i have a new idea for cops, there should be a term limit for patrol officers. After 3 years or so they need to be moved off the street before the power goes to their head and they becomes complete jerkoffs without themselves even realizing it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 3, 2008 at 03:53 PM
I suggest all of you that think you know how to be a cop sign yourselves up, go to the police academy and (while I laugh) see if you can even come close to passing it. THEN go through the Taser training so that MAYBE you'll have some remote idea what you are talking about. You guys trying to argue tasers, might as well be on here trying to argue nuclear physics with a nuclear physicist, you simply sound ridiculous and don't even know it. You have the right to criticize, it's a free country after all. However, instead of doing the easy thing (sitting here complaining like a child), and SAYING you can do it better, get your self-righteous self up off the chair and do it yourself! You don't like it, then try to change it! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt though, you'd come out with a VERY different perspective. If they had just stood by idly and let that man die in his car, you'd REALLY have it out for the cops/amr/ems then wouldn't you?

Posted by: TASING? DEADLY BUSINESS! Location: MORE EDUCATION on Apr 3, 2008 at 01:47 PM
RECONIZE ILLNESS BEFORE TASING? PHYSCIALLY IMPAIRMENTS? DAH!!!!!! TASING ISNT A TOY @ THE T.P.D. LESURE.LET'S HAVE SOME FUN! WOW! WHAT'S UP T.P.D.? YOUR TRIANED GROWN MEN TO KNOW THIS MAN DIDN'T NEED TASED,HE NEEDED MEDICAL TREATMENT. YOU TREATED HAAKE AS THOUGH HE WAS A DRUG DEALEER ON THE STREETS RESISTING ARREST!! THIS WAS A LAW ABIDING HARD WORKING TAX PAYERS THAT PAYS YOUR WAGES,AND LOOK AT THE APPRECIATION HE GOT. you killed im,tased him to death on top of a brain concussion of brain damage,not enough oxygen to the brain,a combative person suffering had injuries doesn't know what's he doing,especially being tased 3 times! omg!!!!! god help the t.p.d.! you better start paying for forgiveness,blood on your hands!

Posted by: TO THE FAMILY OF HAAKE Location: 2 AND 3 OPINIONS IS A MUST! on Apr 3, 2008 at 01:35 PM
NEVER COUNT ON THE COUNTY WHERE YOUR FAMILY MEMBER IS HAVING AN AUTOPSY DONE,I SUGGEST BEFORE BURIAL,GET A 2 AND 3 CORONER TO DO THE AUTOPSY. THEN ITS BETTER TO BE SAFE AND KNOW THE TRUE FACTS OF THE RESULTS OF DEATH INSTEAD OF COUNTING ON ONLY ONE AUTOPSY,ESPECIALLY DONE IN SHAWNEE COUNTY. THERE IS SO MUCH COVER UP, I WOULD NEVER REALLY TRUST ANYONE.JUST A FRIENDLY GUESTURE,OUT OF SADDNESS FOR THE HAAKE FAMILY MEMEBERS. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL IN THIS TIME OF GRIEF. HAS THE OFFICERS EVEN STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO SAY THEIR SORRY ABOUT THIS DEATH FROM BEING TASED? THIS IS A COVER UP FROM THE BEGANNING. WELL, YOUR FAMILY HAS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY,MAY GOD GUIDE YOU ALL THROUGH THIS,AND GIVE YOU STRENGTH TO BELIEVE THAT NOT ALL OFFICERS ARE CORRUPT DOWN AND DIRTY!!! I WOULD FEEL A LITTLE BETTER FOR YOUR FAMILY,IF THE OFFICERS AT LEAST SAID THEY WERE SORRY IT WAS A SIMPLE MISINTERRUPTED INCIDENT THAT WENT WRONG. MORE UNDERSTANDABLE. NOT A PEEP!

Posted by: anonymous on Apr 3, 2008 at 12:17 PM
What a sad situation-there is no doubt about that. God bless the man who died and his family. But, what if all of those medical and sheriff personnel had just let the man die on the spot. What would the media and public be saying then? What if he had left and killed several people on the highway? It is easy to make decisions in your home after someone else has already made the decision. Who do you call if you need help? The emergency personnel put their lives on the line every hour of every day to keep us safe. From what I hear, there is quite a lot to do to justify using any type of force or weapon, so I think the whole "fun" thing is based on TV shows, or just ignorance. Most forms of public service, especially law enforcement and teaching, are pretty thankless jobs let alone not the best paying. I think that most people who chose these professions believe in what they do, or they wouldn't be there. Thank you to all of you who work so hard for us.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 3, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I don't have extra keys HIDDEN. He was blocked in so he wasn't driving anywhere. He was tased 3 TIMES! It's a documented fact that tasers have killed people. Its electrical shock, HELLO! COMMON SENSE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!TPD are lacking that.

Posted by: I'M NOT SUPPORTING T.P.D. ANYMORE Location: OUTRAGEOUS on Apr 3, 2008 at 11:55 AM
HOW IN THE HELL CAN 3 TASERS NOT KILL A MEDICALY ILL PERSON? OMG!!!!!! FORCE???? I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT PROFESSION A PERSON IS IN,THERE IS SUCH A THING AS TALKING CALMLY TO THE PERSON,NOT USING FORCE,TASING(3TIMES)! OMG!! THIS IS SO SAD,SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR THIS MISHAP!! THE FAMILY SHOULD BE COMPESATED AND PAY FOR THE MN FUNERAL BILL,AND NOT OUT OF TAXPAYERS POCKETS!!! BAN THE CAREER OF THE OFFICER,LOSE HIS AND/OR THEY BADGES,BE BAND FROM ALL US STATES,ANDGO ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS. GOD BROUGHT US ALL IN THIS WORLD,ONLY HE HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE US OUT!!! IF I WERE THE OFFICER, I WOULD RESIGN,AND PAY FOR THE FAMILIES FUNERAL EXPENSES,AND ELL EVERYTHING I OWNED TO MAKE IT RIGHT TO THIS MAN'S FAMILY,NOT AT THE TAXPAyers expense, this is probably how it will go down.. the t.p.d. will buy off the coroner,,saying it wasn't from the teaser,go back to work,get paid and a promotion,and go on living a happy life with his family!! Y THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HAKES FAMILY MEMBERS.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 3, 2008 at 11:55 AM
No common sense was used by anyone involved. Get real people!

Posted by: jim Location: topeka on Apr 3, 2008 at 11:09 AM
hey deputydawg why dont u go tell it to someone who cares. Im tired of seeing posts on here from cops who act like what they do is so hard. Its not and i could do their job just as good. If its such a pain and you cant handle the critism from the public then u shouldnt be cops. deputydawg id prefer to not see or hear anymore from you.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 3, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Here's something else to think about! Yes, the cops did have his keys. But, let's think about all of us who have extra sets to our vehicle's hidden. What would've happened if they assumed he would be ok and left the scene only to have let the man drive away in that condition!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Topeka on Apr 3, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Oh yeah, that's a great idea. Leave him in the car where he can drive off and endanger everyone else's lives who happens to be on the same road. Then the police would be at fault for more than one life wouldn't they? JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED!

Posted by: Wow Location: Topeka on Apr 3, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I can't believe the ignorance and stupidity in some of the comments that have been posted.Medical personnel..EMS cannot just let someone refuse that can't make rational decisions.EMS have laws that they are governed by.A patient has to be alert and oriented x 3 which means they have to be able to answer 3 questions...usually the date, place, and time.If they are able to answer the 3 correctly, then they have the right to refuse medical treatment.There are protocols that have to be followed on the EMS, fire, and police side of things.The amount of training, continuing education, testing, etc that EMS, fire, and police have to do annually is just as much as having another full-time job.AMR determined that this man was having a medical problem and needed help ASAP, so they then asked for help.EMS is not allowed to try to force anyone to go..that is where the police must step in.I have only seen the taser used when all other efforts have been exhausted.Wait for the facts!

Posted by: Amazing on Apr 3, 2008 at 08:10 AM
So were they all supposed to watch him die in the car, and then be judged and blamed for that, or leave the scene and him die in the car and be judged and blamed for that and in either instance be sued in the end? They, the deputies, AMR, and fire personnel had a duty to act to get the man medical treatment. They were not trying to hurt the man, cmon people.

Posted by: DeputyDawg Location: Topeka on Apr 3, 2008 at 06:46 AM
John Mcnown, you don't have all of the facts or information of this case. Your protest is a little premature, seeings how the coroner hasn't released the cause of death yet. If their report in any way implicates the taser, picket your heart out. Until then I'd prefer to not see or hear any more from you. I remember a time when I supported the Steel Workers during your strike. The next time I get that call I might just have to listen to what coorporate has to say........

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 2, 2008 at 10:27 PM
The point here is that they had his keys! He was not going to drive anywhere! Since when is it illegal to refuse medical treatment? He should of been left alone in his car. Either way sad ending. I am sure the tazer did not cause his death, but why make him suffer when he was already suffering?

Posted by: Sickofcopbashing on Apr 2, 2008 at 09:48 PM
"cynic" tasing is sure fun for cops. that way they can sit around and do hours of paper work on why the taser was used (yes, that is required), then they can go under an internal investigation as to whether the use of force was justified (being under investigation is ALWAYS a dream and NEVER stressful for a cop),then the cop gets to have everyone in public who is ignorant of the law demand their name,THEN the cop (if/when their name is leaked) gets to have some of that same ignorant general public sit around and bad mouth them in ways unimaginable(which is a lot of fun for the copy on the receiving end). To top it all off, the cop in actuality was doing nothing more than trying to SAVE a dying man's life, who didn't even realize at the moment he was dying. It's a shame (but no fault of the cops due to protocol) that this man was not tased sooner! had he been, there is a slim chance they may have been able to save his life. May God be with HIS family & the cop unfairly judged.

Posted by: Amazing on Apr 2, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Were any of you people there? You have no idea what the officers tried to do before they tased the man, what if they did attempt to contact family members, the son who was working in the facility at the time, or calmly try to convince him to come out on his own to receive treatment from medical personnel on scene, do any of you know? What if tasing him was the only way to get him to out of the vehicle so he could receive the much needed medical treatment? Don't get me wrong I feel for the man and his family, but i guarantee the tasing did not cause his unfortunate death. He was only drive stunned, which means the volts of electicity did not travel throughout his body it effected only the area that was touched by the taser. Since the introduction of tasers to Law Enforcement the amount of citizen and officer injuries and deaths have decreased immensely. And if you are wondering, I am not even a cop, or fam member, I have just done some simple research and have common sense.

Posted by: Santiago Location: Lawrence on Apr 2, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Sheriff Barta says "in my heart I don't think the Tazing killed him". Sheriff, you need a Public Information Officer to do your speaking, that was a bad choice of words for this situation!

Posted by: irritated Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 08:51 PM
None of you were there. How do you know what went on. The police do an excellent job, especially the Sheriff's Deputies. They've all been tased and know first hand how it feels, wouldn't you rather them tase than shoot? They are trained and know what they are doing. People just think they know they could do better until the shoe is on the other foot. Why don't you all just wait for the autopsy report instead of pointing fingers. Remember when you point a finger at someone else there are 3 pointing back at yourself!!!

Posted by: JohhnyBoy` Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 08:33 PM
The question isn't whether the taser caused this man to die. The coroner's report will show that it didn't. The question is whether or not the deputies had the right and the obligation to sieze this person and use any force on him. What does it mean when they say, "To protect life and liberty"?

Posted by: JohnnyBoy` Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 08:27 PM
The deputies gave him options.....call a family member to drive him, ride in the ambulance, have a co-worker give him a ride. They intervened when AMR asked them to, after AMR recognized the man's condition was taking a turn for the worse. They tried talking him out, they tried using light touch by pulling on his shirt, they tried hard touch by pulling on his arm. The man wrapped his arm through the steering wheel and they couldn't get it free. Then they turned to the taser to gain his compliance. And that was after giving him several warnings they were going to use it on him. He needed medical attention, he refused to get out of the vehicle, he didn't appear to be able to make rational decisions for himself. The deputies and paramedics acted in his best interest after recognizing that he needed medical attention.

Posted by: Summer Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 07:13 PM
A person can certainly refuse medical attention. He wasn't a danger to anyone else if the police had his car keys. He was sitting in his vehicle refusing medical attention. What a horrible mistake the deputy made in this situation. Even if the tazing (3 times!) didn't contribute to his death, it was still wrong.

Posted by: justme on Apr 2, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Why does everyone assume that they tased him so that he couldn't drive? To me, it sounds like they were trying to get him out of the vehicle so that he could be treated, and he became combative/resistive...what did you want them to do? Let him sit there and die in the car? If that were the case, you guys would be complaining that nobody acted soon enough! My condolences to both families involved!

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 2, 2008 at 06:18 PM
From what I understand, the police already had the man's keys so why not just get a hold of a family member or somebody to drive him home. The police are out of control and caused this death. Tasers kill and he was already sick so step back and use some common sense. The police seem to be lacking a lot of common sense these days.

Posted by: out of control Location: topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Sense when is use of force justified in a medical emergancy.

Posted by: UPSET Location: TOPEKA on Apr 2, 2008 at 03:15 PM
WHATS WRONG WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HOW MANY IS THAT THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED OR PLACED INTO THE HOSPITAL IN THREE MONTHS?? TO MANY. WHEN WILL THEY LEARN, LET ME GUESS WHEN IT IS ONE OF THERE OWN FAMILY MEMBERS THAT IS KILLED, THEN THEY WILL TAKE A STEP BACK AND THINK, NOT THEY WILL JUST KEEP ON KILLING.

Posted by: travis Location: topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 02:44 PM
ive posted this about 4 times already in the last few months and im saddened to have to say it again but i have to. This is yet another example of out of control cops, please lets get them under control.

Posted by: hmmmm Location: ks on Apr 2, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Shawnee county law enforcement are brutal on the general public

Posted by: Jimmy Location: topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 02:10 PM
His family was called. Nobody could be reached.

Posted by: cynic Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Yes, handcuffs would have been far more appropriate, so would have taking the time to understand that this was a medical condition. But its easier (and more FUN) for the cops to fire their TASERS. These things are being used entirely too often and usually for the wrong reasons.

Posted by: shocked and outraged Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 12:28 PM
what did this man do so wrong to deserve to die. The law enforcement officers need to be held accountable for this death.

Posted by: Ron Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I think the citizens of this community are quick to judge! You weren't there! As a healthcare worker I know that the sick or confused can be the strongest and hardest to control pt's. You cant cuff/restrain some one in all cases, unfortunately! My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 11:10 AM
I thought Law Enforcement agencies are trained to deal with some one who is mentally unstable or ill and combative without the use of tasing or shooting? If not, they should be. Another "do as I say" mentality. His family should have been called!

Posted by: M Location: Topeka on Apr 2, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Man cops are killing everybody!

Posted by: Why on Apr 2, 2008 at 09:33 AM
If the man was hurt and was not in a fit condition to drive, why would you tase him? From what I understand from employees, he was hurt and out of his mind! Terrible thing I pray for this mans family! What happened to handcuffs? They work dont they?

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