Deputies Involved in Tasering Incident on Leave; KBI Investigating

Blogs · Liveblogs · Capture Kansas · Widgets · 13 On Your Cell · Desktop Alert · In the Community · My Rewards

Home · Local · U.S. & World · Weather · Sports · Political · Money/Stocks · Blogs · Meet the Team · Jobs ·

Mr. Food Recipes · KS Prep Zone · Shopping Plaza · Classifieds · Coupons · Programming · 13 On Your Cell

WIBW: Home

Local

US & World

Weather

Sports

Blogs

Crime

Entertainment

Gaming

Green

Health Matters

To Your Health

Kansas News

Military

Money

Political

Recipes

Shopping Plaza

Coupons

Classifieds

Calendar

Web Features: Art Talk

CBS Video on Demand

Closings and Cancellations

DTV Switch Information

DTV Converter boxes - where to buy

DQ Birthday Club

Good Kids

Horoscopes

Lottery

My Rewards

Pet Pics

TV Listings

Weather Pictures

Wednesday's Child

Weather: 8-Day Forecast

Current Radar

Weather Pictures

Drew's Braggin' Wall

Desktop Alert

Sports: Prep Zone

On the Mark

Personal Best

Sunflower State Games

Scoreboard

Hunting & Fishing Report

Flint Hills Bass Association

KU - Road to a Championship

On-Air Programs: 13 News This Morning

Midday in Kansas

13 News at 4

13 News at 5

13 News at 6

13 News at 10

13 News Weekend

Kansas Voices

	Capture Kansas Send us your photos
	13 On Your Cell Wherever you go
	Desktop Alert Up to the minute
	WIBW Widgets Put 'em anywhere
	RSS Feeds The latest headlines

Deputies Involved in Tasering Incident on Leave; KBI Investigating

Save

Posted: 9:20 PM Apr 9, 2008
Last Updated: 7:23 AM Apr 10, 2008
Reporter: 13 News

20 comments

A | A | A

The Shawnee County Sheriff's deputies involved in a tasering incident at Topeka's Goodyear plant are now on administrative leave.

Shawnee County Sheriff Dick Barta said Wednesday that the action is in keeping with department policy, while the Kansas Bureau of Investigation looks into what happened. Barta says he requested the KBI's involvement.

Security guards called deputies to Goodyear March 29th because they felt 59-year-old Walter Haake, Jr. couldn't safely drive home. Deputies say he resisted their efforts to get him medical attention and they tased him three times.

A coroner's report released Tuesday said Haake's death was accidental - a combination of heart disease and diabetes, and pressure to his torso while being held face down as deputies handcuffed him.

The KBI's report will be forwarded to the Shawnee County District Attorney's office for review.

Full release from Shawnee Co. Sheriff Dick Barta:
The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office has received several inquiries regarding the Shawnee County Coroners report released April 8, 2008, about the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Haake.

It has always been my practice to be forthcoming with information involving the Sheriff’s Office. However in this case I have requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to conduct a death investigation. All reports will then be forwarded to the Shawnee County District Attorney for his review.

The officers involved have been placed on administration leave as per our agency policy.

Consequently to protect the integrity of this investigation, it would be inappropriate for this agency to release further information regarding this case.

Related Stories
Goodyear Worker Dies after Being Tased

Authorities ID Goodyear Worker Who Died after Being Tased

Sheriff Criticized Over Man Who Died After Being Tasered

Sheriff's Office Speaks Out On Taser Incident

Cause Announced in Goodyear Taser Death

KBI Takes Up Goodyear Worker Death

More Stories
Parade Set for Champion Jayhawks

Crime Decreases in the Capital City

Firefighters Hold Fundraiser to Honor Fallen Comrade

KBI Takes Up Goodyear Worker Death

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

Posted by: tom Location: riley on Jun 4, 2008 at 09:54 AM
with pay?????not hopfully

Posted by: Robert Location: ArkansasCity,KS. on Apr 17, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Now`s there`s no big talk,followed by lame excuses,the truth is out,now The County Attorney needs to do his job,and charge these IDIOTS,FOR THEIR ACTIONS!Right Jack?

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Apr 16, 2008 at 01:49 PM
the reason for the long delay is so people forget.

Posted by: Robert Location: Arkansas City,KS. on Apr 15, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Why is it taking so long for something to be done with this,just like everything else in Kansas,if it involves wrong doing by a state,or county,or city employee,it`s just swept under the rug,with no true feeling of wrong doing,and without consequences! Huh Jack>?

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Apr 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
" to protect and serve" mostly to protect themselves from any possible danger (real or imagined) by using the most force possible without regard to consequenses, since the department and court will always protect them.

Posted by: WSA on Apr 14, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Excessive force for sure, First of all he did nothing wrong by wanting to go home. whether he had taken care of hinself or not, is not the issue here. He didn't want help why should he be made to take help. He wasn't drunk just didn't feel good, I guess it doesn't matter how he was feeling - he won't feel anymore.

Posted by: Wayne Location: Topeka on Apr 14, 2008 at 07:18 AM
A 59 year old man with heart problems could have given the deputies to much of a hassel. Excessive force was used.

Posted by: A Location: Wichita on Apr 13, 2008 at 09:53 AM
What I'd like to know is, if we went back to the time before the police had tazers what would they have done, shot him? Probably not, they would have tackled him down. So, he would probably be alive. I think that those tazers are being use too freely now. I am not against police by any means and I do understand they have to face situations everyday that put their lives in jeopardy. I do wonder how often the tazers are being used as laziness instead of finding some other way to deal with a situation. A lot of people with medical conditions are going to suffer because of this.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 11, 2008 at 04:53 PM
The man had a medical condition and the staff knew this, and so did the police so why would you taze a man that is having issues right in front of them? Bad decision on the police.

Posted by: Robert Location: Arkansas City,KS. on Apr 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Jack,I`ll never let up on situations like this,where my tax dollars are hard at work,employing ignorance!This is my job as a tax PAYER! And since you are putting a lot of people`s character to the test,Everyone who hard a part in this Man`s unfortunate ending,needs to be real MEN,AND STAND UP FOR THEIR LAZY,IGNORANCE!

Posted by: JC Location: Topeka on Apr 11, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Let us not try and shift blame on to the victim. He did not seek help and then deny it. It would appear that he was unable to recognize that he needed help other than he was sick and wanted to go home. When emergency responders are called for a medical emergency I generally do not expect the individual requiring treatment to be tased, thrown to the ground sat upon and handcuffed. As has been pointed out his car was blocked in, the police had his car keys. Family members could not be found, did not his employer have information as to his medical condition, after all it was plant personnel that declared a medical emergency. So I will try one last time to point out that excessive force was used resulting in the death of an individual that was suffering from an unknown medical condition. Now did the taser kill the man, does it really matter, he's dead. He ended up being killed as a result of actions taken by individuals that were there to protect and serve.

Posted by: Brian Location: KS on Apr 11, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Maybe the police should be tazed 3 times and see what that feels like. HUH??

Posted by: Jack Location: Topeka on Apr 11, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Robert from Ark-City...are you still talking on this? Thought I had you straightened out? And for the record, cops are "tazed" in order to get certified and NOBODY suffers. Many times the officer getting "tazed" is handcuffed while laying on his stomach. Tragic incident, and there will be a conclusion. I believe it will be unfortunate for Goodyear, though. Ya, stay tuned, if your "retired" attention span allows you to...it might take several months. I'll be watching for your comments

Posted by: Hmmm on Apr 10, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Lisa-majority of the time that people with Diabetes act weird or have an altered mentation, it is usually related to low blood sugar, not high.Majority of the time that is caused when people take insulin and don't eat afterwards.The sugar then gets low and they have to have EMS come and give them some D50...basically sugar water...through an IV.It takes a couple of minutes and then they are back to normal.Having Diabetes is not what ultimately killed this man.You also have to wonder if he took care of himself.Everyone wants to point fingers at the sheriffs'.Did Mr.Haake take his insulin and heart meds as he was supposed to?There are many what if's.If Mr.Haake died from blood sugar, then that is what they would have ruled his death.You wrote a life and death situation...well you can't blame everyone else if he wasn't properly taking care of himself.It takes time to die from diabetes...it's not just bam...sugar high or sugar low...fall over and go into cardiac arrest.

Posted by: Robert Location: Arkansas City,KS. on Apr 10, 2008 at 02:39 PM
I`ll try this again too,mine did`nt make it last time either,but more or less what I said was if the County Attorney was going to do his job,and charge these idots with the crimes that they committed,and prove that no one is above the law! That`s the main problem here in Kansas,nobody will just do their job to the best of their ability!

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 10, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Give it up untill the KBI are done doing what there going to do then do the judging

Posted by: Extremelyfunny on Apr 10, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Little do you MORONS know, officers are tasered when they are hired on. So shut it. Maybe if people would COOPERATE with the law, things like this wouldnt happen.

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Apr 10, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I'll try this again, didnt get on last time. so the guy wasnt tased to death, just asfixiated with the usual excessive force.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Tase this deputy and make him suffer.

Posted by: Lisa Location: Topeka,Kansas on Apr 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM
WHATEVER THE OUT COME! There should be NO COVER UP!!! The truth is the truth!! Mr.Haake was a man that suffers from being a Diabetic,when a person Blood sugar is really high,they need people to help him,the man didn't know what he needed because his blood sugar was so high!! He probably needed insulin. And with his heart conditon wasn't a helping factor either. The reason I know so much. My daughter is 10 years old,when her blood sugar is 400 or higher,she goes into mood swings and beside herself, I have to shoot her with 4 units of insulin,then she says she is sorry for acting that way. This happens every time the B.S. is awful high.She fights me at times! DIABETES IS NOTHING TO PLAY WITH, A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION IF NOT TAKEN PROPERLY CARE OF! BEING TASED 3 TIME, this man would had lived if not tased,being a Diabetic sent him into electrical shock aimed to his heart,the stress of being tased,sent this man to is grave. there should be classes for all about DIABETES!

Missing Boy Found Overnight
Last Updated: 3:01 PM 07/10/08 - Winfield Police are searching for the man who may be behind a possible child abduction. Click for Full Story

Highway Crash Leaves 12 Hurt
Last Updated: 7:18 PM 07/04/08 - A head-on collision sent 12 people to the hospital early this morning in southwest Sedgwick County. Click for Full Story

KAKE Headlines
Hundreds View Traveling Vietnam Exhibit Last Updated: 6:43 PM 07/19/08 - The yearly American Legion gathering celebrating the brotherhood of veterans from Vietnam welcomes a traveling tribute this year. (Full Story)
Teen Dies In Marion Co. Crash Last Updated: 2:36 PM 07/19/08 - Police say potholes are to blame for a car crash that killed a 16-year-old girl Friday night. (Full Story)
Chapman Schools Start Over After Tornado Last Updated: 11:10 PM 07/18/08 - School starts in one month for town hit by tornado. (Full Story)
Family: Hospital Injected Formaldehyde Into Patient Last Updated: 6:44 PM 07/18/08 - A Wichita family is suing a local medical center for mistakenly injecting their loved one with formaldehyde instead of anesthetic. (Full Story)
Authorities Ram High-Speed Chase Suspect Last Updated: 6:17 AM 07/18/08 - Blown out tires and spin-outs weren't enough for one man to stop as he lead Reno County Sheriff deputies on a high-speed chase last night. (Full Story)
One Dead, Two Hurt in Turnpike Crash Last Updated: 8:07 PM 07/18/08 - Victims in crash at Belle Plaine Service area identified. (Full Story)
More Headlines

Teenage girl killed in rollover crash
LINCOLNVILLE -- A 16-year-old girl from Kansas City, Mo., Kelly Anne Weakley, was killed Friday night when the car she was riding in rolled in a ditch. Another passenger, Keven Joe Lockwood, 24, Herington, was flown by air ambulance to Wesley Medical Center, where he was listed in fair condition Saturday afternoon.
Olson has deadline to clean up from Kipp fire
KIPP — Gary Olson has until July 29 to clean up from a July 7 fire that destroyed the remains of an old bank building he owns in Kipp.A former Southeast of Saline School Board member awaiting trial for making criminal threats, Olson was cited for setting fire to the partially collapsed building.Lt. Brent Melander of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that Olson is due in Saline County District Court at 3 p.m. July 28.“It’s a misdemeanor charge, for not attending a fire, plus he was also burning stuff we was not supposed to be burning,” Melander said. “He had permission to burn stubble, but not the building.”Olson declined comment Friday.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is investigating the fire, spokesman Mike Heideman said.“We’re involved to ensure that any remaining waste is disposed of properly,” he said.Olson is required to supply the state with landfill receipts to show he disposed of solid waste at the site, such as charred boards, bricks, rubble and ash.“We’re still investigating what other materials might have been burned at the site,” Heideman said.He said it wouldn’t be determined if any sampling would be done at the site.“Any sampling that would occur would be environmental sampling. It wouldn’t be a sample of the material,” Heideman said.He declined to explain environmental sampling and what information could be gleaned from it.Olson’s jury trial for two cases of criminal threat is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 24.
Cause of Andeson fire might remain a mystery
Investigators might never determine what caused the May 21 first at Anderson’s Leather Shop, 118 N. Santa Fe, Salina Fire Marshall Roger Williams said Friday.“We’re running of leads, running out of options on this one,” Williams said. “I don’t know that we’ll ever make a determination as to how this thing actually started.”He said he’s still waiting on a final determination on the integrity of the fire wall between Anderson’s and The Groove, a bar next door.The fire, preceded by two explosions, was reported shortly after noon May 21 and quickly collapsed the ceiling over the southern part of the business. Hundreds of people watched firefighters fight the blaze at the longtime downtown business.Local firefighters are working with investigators from Cincinnati Insurance and engineers.“We have exhausted all the means and resources that I have available,” Williams said.
Rock concert canceled because of slow ticket sales
A classic rock ’n’ roll tribute concert scheduled for Friday at the Bicentennial Center has been canceled, according to Bicentennial Center assistant manager Randy Mathews.Poor ticket sales were blamed for the cancellation. As of Friday morning, about 200 tickets had been sold for the concert, which was scheduled to feature musical recreations of legendary rock bands The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.“It would have taken significantly larger ticket sales to break even, based on the show’s expenses, so the promoter chose to cancel the show,” Mathews said. “It’s frustrating, but it’s a business decision.”To receive a ticket refund, call 826-7200 or 1-888-SHOW.
2nd teen arrested in vandalism cases
Salina police have made another arrest of a juvenile in connection with someone using a baseball bat to bash the windows and mirrors of several vehicles around Salina late Tuesday through early Wednesday.Kyler R. Renk, 15, 632 Joanie, was arrested Thursday in connection with seven counts of damage to property, said Deputy Police Chief Carson Mansfield. Renk was in the Saline County Juvenile Detention Center Friday morning, Lt. Scott Simpson said.Zachary J. Ingram, 14, 838 N. Carriage, was arrested Wednesday, and was released to his parents Thursday, Simpson said.