Deputy Unholsters Gun During Routine Traffic Stop
BY Herschel Smith
7 years, 3 months ago
Randall’s GoPro camera on the chin of his motorcycle helmet captured video of the heated interaction with the plain-clothes deputy. Footage shows Deputy Richard Rowe, 53, approaching the motorcyclist at the intersection of 145th and Fifth in Shoreline with his gun drawn, and he yells at Randall demanding his identification.
Randall admitted he was likely speeding on 145th just before the traffic stop, but he insisted he wasn’t going 100 miles per hour, which Rowe accused him of. He estimated 45 to 50 m.p.h.
The plain-clothes deputy was in an unmarked car with flashing lights. Rowe didn’t identify himself as an officer until more than 30 seconds after drawing his weapon on Randall.
“From what I’ve seen, I don’t approve of his actions, so what comes next is an investigation,” said Sheriff John Urquhart.
“All things being equal you don’t pull your gun on a misdemeanor traffic stop. On a misdemeanor traffic stop, it’s against our policy. It’s against federal law,” Urquhart said.
Urquhart said he placed Rowe on leave and as of Tuesday had not spoken with him. The sheriff said Rowe was a hard worker with no disciplinary issues that Urquhart could recall.
Internal investigators have 180 days to review the case.
What we can learn from this case is that County Sheriffs will allow us to stop vehicular traffic and unholster our weapons when we get pissed off, since LEOs have no more rights than we do. I hope I can rely on this Sheriff to come to my defense and demand an internal review rather than prison time for me when I do this.
I’m going to have to work on something though. The last time I practiced with my handguns at the range, I did so presenting from the “low-ready” position to test time to get good sight picture and take the shot. I guess I need to work on presenting from the “snuggle-with-the-belly” position instead.
On August 31, 2017 at 3:13 am, DAN III said:
I say again….
There.
Are.
No.
Good.
Cops.
On August 31, 2017 at 9:05 am, Heywood said:
“Snuggle with the belly position”….that made me laugh out loud!
On August 31, 2017 at 1:26 pm, ExpatNJ said:
“Surrender is no guarantee that an armed police officer will not shoot you.”
(h/t to “Steven Magee”, unk reference).
Gives new thought on how one should really handle encounters with the po-po …
On August 31, 2017 at 1:29 pm, ExpatNJ said:
PS.
>Urquhart said he placed Rowe on leave<
Was that PAID, or UNPAID leave?
On September 2, 2017 at 7:39 pm, Longbow said:
First: This piece of shit deputy should be taken back to the locker room by the “vast majority” and given a vigorous wall to wall counseling, and encouraged to find another line of work.
The “vast majority” are such super duper good guys that they will do the right thing…right?
Second: The piece of shit drew a gun on a motorist without identifying himself FIRST. The motorist would have been justified in using any force necessary, including killing the piece of shit, to protect his own life. He was acting like a common highwayman and should have been dealt with as such.
Third: Kissing the piece of shit’s ass did the motorist no good. Kowtowing, groveling, and overt acts of submission do no good when confronted with an armed thug. It matters not that the thug is carrying police dept. creds in his back pocket. The piece of shit was intent on his thuggery.
On September 2, 2017 at 10:03 pm, Jim Wiseman said:
Just another road pirate. Cops should be in well-marked cars to deter crime, not lying in wait flying a false flag hoping to plunder someone’s treasure.
On September 4, 2017 at 1:59 pm, Ned said:
Appearing with a gun drawn like that could get people killed. No reason for the biker to think anything but a car(bike) jacking was occurring.
“Snuggle with the belly position.” Looks like I’ll have to start eating lots of donuts.