Second state trooper indicted

BPFROM843 (anonymous) says...

GOOD NOW WE CAN GET THE REAL CRIMINALS OFF THE STREET LOCK EM UP AND DONT LET EM OUT RIGHT COLDBEER SINCE THAT IS ALWAYS YOUR MOTTO

July 18, 2008 at 4:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

watchdog (anonymous) says...

Robert ford is a fool, Give the trooper a break? Nuts...
This state agency needs a new vision, because the good ole boy one doesn't work.

Is the driver suing the state?

July 18, 2008 at 5:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

moonpie (anonymous) says...

I think you should send a strong message that SC DOES condone this type activity and let it be known if you come in our state and the blue lights go up behind you better pull your sorry ass over no matter what color you are OR face a beat down!

July 18, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Dodad (anonymous) says...

The courts will not do anything to the law breakers. If this man had had killed someone with his dumptruck most people would have wanted the Trooper to kick him in the head. Like moonpie said this guy needed a beat down!

July 18, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Tammie (anonymous) says...

High speed chase in a dump truck? I would say that sounded a lil oxymoronic but hell, one was racing me on I-26 one day, those big hogs can GO.

July 18, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

lou9 (anonymous) says...

When I hear of "alleged abuse" by the police I tend to give the officers the benefit of the doubt because you often don't get all the details of the incident. But after seeing the video this morning on the news I have to say this officer was way out of line. The man was on the ground not resisting and this officer ran up to him and just started kicking him. He should be prosecuted.

July 18, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

theronce (anonymous) says...

Can't help but notice this is a fed action. State and local officials are sitting on their hands. (But, dang it, blinking blue lights mean "STOP", dummy.)

July 18, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

I wonder what kind of dump truck that was? Mine only goes 72mph, but I have a governor on it. I have seen some do 85 though. I can't believe he was still driving on 6 tires. What a maniac.

July 18, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Tammie (anonymous) says...

Siri...that might have been you passing me on I-26. You leadfoot. Lol

July 18, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jeff61 (anonymous) says...

Ain't that a kick in the head.

July 18, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

moompie & Dodad--are you kidding?

You believe it is acceptable for law enforcement to break the law as they perform their duties? (which,of course, usually bring them in contact with people who are breaking the law) Clearly some LEO already justify doing that.

If this mentality prevails & is acceptable, then all we will end up with, as far as law, order & justice is concerned is the blind leading the blind & the "pots calling the kettles black".

Unfortunately, too much of this situation already exists in all areas connected to law, order & justice-the judiciary, the bar, the prisons, the various levels of law enforcement, congress & state legislatures, revenue agencies.....

LEO have taken an oath not only to serve & protect but to uphold the constitution. They cannot let their personal anger at the behavior of a "perp" affect whether or not they are going to honor that oath.

If LEO cannot control anger/rage in a situation, regardless of whether it would be considered justified anger by most, then they need to find another profession.

The effectiveness of LEO is somewhat proportional to the respect they have. If they are "allowed" to get down on the level of other law breakers what do you think we are going to end up with?

July 18, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

RedHorse7 (anonymous) says...

I, like George Carlin, am a bad American. I believe the cops have every right to shoot and/or kick your sorry butt if you don't stop when you're told.

July 18, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

tripsa- I know you said you weren't justifying the officer's behavior & I agree, people do have limits.

However, those going into law enforcement surely must know what the job, the PROFESSION, will entail..that they often will be dealing with outrageous behavior & the dregs of humanity.

I have mentioned this before:

Another stress filled profession often dealing w/ the dregs of humanity & outrageous behavior are ER personnel. They often get threatened, screamed at & spit on...w/out benefit of "back up", guns or handcuffs. If an ER doc or nurse allowed their anger & stress to be taken out on a patient, can you imagine the "sympathy" or "nod of approval" they would get?

Professionals must honor their chosen profession and behave as professionals. If they are not up to that, another walk of life needs to be found.

Professionals, all of them, must always be held to the high standards of the profession. After all, thats what distinguishes & separates them from the non-professionals.

July 18, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jcncamscott (anonymous) says...

Gotta go with the Po-Po on this one. I'd have done the same to this jerk.....

July 18, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...

I think the Trooper ought to go with the insanity defense. Just think about it for a moment. Can anyone imagine the adrenaline rush he must have been going through? This Trooper just wasn't involved in a high-speed chase. The driver of the truck had also tried to hit the Trooper with the truck (which is Assault on an Officer with a Deadly Weapon). I'm not excussing what he did, I'm just saying that he might not have been in his right mind at the time. My big question is this: How come none of his police/trooper buddies saw what he was doing and pulled him back?

July 18, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jeff61 (anonymous) says...

While trying to stop him, police blew out six of 12 tires on the truck. A total of 39 rounds of pistol fire and nine rounds of shotgun blasts were aimed at the truck's tires and radiator in an attempt to disable it, according to the records.

Caridi had attempted to strike Sawyer's vehicle.

I think the officer was owed this guy a couple kick's to the head, and then some. The dump truck driver tried to kill the officer.

Let's put some of you in a situation where your chasing this Dump Truck for 30 minutes and the truck makes every attempt to run you off the road and end your life,, I think the guy will end up with more just a couple kicks to the head.... I'm just saying...

July 18, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

Where we are working the speed limit is 70 mph. I can't pass anyone with that governor unless they are doing 60 mph or less. It takes 1 1/2 miles or more to get up to 70 when I'm loaded.

July 18, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

LOL I meant when the truck is loaded, not the driver.

I hit post comment to quickly on that one.

July 18, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Weeeee (anonymous) says...

BigSarge, the other troopers didn't pull him back because I'm sure they saw nothing wrong with it.

I cannot believe some of you people (not really shocked Moonpie thinks this is an acceptable form of law enforcement though). This isn't law enforcement. This is police brutality in its most obvious form. I'm not talking some Rodney King bs either. This is a pure example of "they made fun of me in high school so I'm gonna get 'em now!" People with that attitude shouldn't be allowed into LE. It really does happen though because of that whole "I know someone who knows someone" crap.

I'm one of the most outspoken people on here against LE because I've always felt they could better serve the people by actually serving the people (i.e. SOLVING CRIMES!!!!). Handing out traffic violations to generate revenue ISN'T in the public's best interest...especially when you notice LEOs breaking speed limits by insane amounts as they fly by you on regular roadways (that moron deputy on Dorchester Road who flew by me only to brakecheck me, switch lanes after I flipped him off, then almost hit the car behind me when he was trying to cut in behind me to pull me over while I was veering off into a turn lane). Yeah, that happened. The public would be better served if some LEOs went to f'ing RUSTY'S DRIVING SCHOOL.

Ok. My rant is over. The sad part is I used to respect state troopers a lot more than county/city police. Now, they all fall into the same lot and should be dunked in a vat of poo.

July 18, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Weeeee (anonymous) says...

Siri, does it really take 1.5 miles before getting up to 70 or does it just seem like that because you're loaded? hahahhah

I couldn't resist.

July 18, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Tammie (anonymous) says...

Siri said: "It takes 1 1/2 miles or more to get up to 70 when I'm loaded."

Bwahahahaha! Siri!! That was you on 26 trying to look at my legs in my car, you leadfooted pervert!! Lol

That was funny...

July 18, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nativecharlestongirl (anonymous) says...

Sometimes extreme situations call for extreme measures. Blue lights and thirty nine rounds fired. That drivers own mother would have kicked him in the head for that. Let's not worry about all of our officers that put their own lives in danger to catch up with this IDIOT. Sometimes the good ol boy system is helpful. These people are CRIMINALS...

July 18, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

grainofsalt (anonymous) says...

I hear what some of you are trying to say. I'm not saying it's right, but if I was the trooper and over the course of a chase involving a huge dump truck, rounds being fired, a suspect endangering people and continually refusing to stop... AND he tried to hit my car...

...I'm sorry, but when he finally stopped and I had all that adrenaline pumping through me, thinking of what harm he might have done to me or others... I might have been tempted to deliver a few kicks or punches as well.

Guess it's a good thing I'm not in LE. I don't know how most officers (and I do mean MOST officers - despite what the media would have you believe) keep their cool. It would be tough.

July 18, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...

"BigSarge, the other troopers didn't pull him back because I'm sure they saw nothing wrong with it."

Thank you for making my point.

I went through law enforcement training in Georgia and had to go a few rounds with people bent on killing me. I know, first hand, that you can not train to deal with the adrenaline rush that comes with "life or death" situations. I also know, first hand, that in a "life or death" situation, how difficult it is to maintain one's self in a professional manner. Therefore, IMO, I put some of the blame on the other officers/troopers who failed to pay attention to all that was going on and not watching out for a fellow trooper. I know that you have to take downt the bad guy and make sure he/she is secure. This guy was on the ground and being cuffed.

Don't misunderstand me. The blame for the whole event falls squarely on the truck driver.

July 18, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

This segment of video does not show what happened earlier. The full video that PnC posted with this story earlier shows Caridi trying to ram Trooper Sawyer with a dump truck. He was trying to MURDER Trooper Sawyer. Heck, they had to shoot up the entire truck 49 times to stop Caridi. The only judgment they can make is that Caridi is intent on killing someone, very dangerous, and will not stop until physically stopped. Following the use of force continuum taught to all officers at the the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, A police officer is JUSTIFIED in using DEADLY force in a situation like this. They are not required to used lesser levels of force first.
Police however don't like to kill people. To allow him to get out of the truck was a great risk for the police. It would have been much safer to justifiably fill him full of lead before he got out of the truck. The only smart thing Caridi did was come out with his hands held high. Even unarmed he is still a serious threat. Still, at that point based on Caridi's actions, it would be foolish for the police believe he would continue to be compliant was very likely that he had a gun, knife, explosive device, or a combination of all three hidden in his shorts or close to him in the truck and was ready and willing to use it. There might even be an accomplice hiding in the cab with an AK-47.
Importantly, when Trooper Sawyer approached Caridi on the ground, the threats facing the police had not been eliminated and he had NOT (watch the video Thomas) been restrained. The use of force continuum allows for police to physically hit suspects (that's right all you bleeding hearts, cops are allowed to hit you). The intent of the strikes is to overload the nervous system of the suspect to prevent him from thinking about how he can hurt you. When you are getting hit, all you can think about is getting hit. It makes it very difficult to pull a gun or knife out of your pants when you getting hit. It was only after this was Caridi handcuffed and the area cleared of other possible threats. Even then, the danger is not over until Caridi is THOROUGHLY searched for anything from a grenade to a handcuff key and removed from the scene.

Was Trooper Sawyer angry when he kicked Caridi, no more angry than you would be if someone tried to kill you. For those of you that are a bit skeptical, This does not make what he did criminal. He followed the use of force continuum and arrested a dangerous, deranged individual that was intent on killing someone, anyone that day.

July 18, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Weeeee (anonymous) says...

Oh, I understand you completely. It's just that I see more and more cops break the law because their badge makes them "above the law" allowing them to do whatever they want.

This isn't to say I have any sympathy for criminals. But I'll call it like I see it all day every day. In this case, a criminal has been subdued and is being abused. That's not LE. The whole adrenaline argument can be argued easily. This officer kicks the criminal in the head because of adrenaline. Why didn't the other officers (probably under the circumstances) just shoot the criminal? Since it's _ok_ (obviously it isn't) for Sawyer to kick him in the head, why isn't it ok for the other officers to shoot him?

Plus, if officers were so good at "fighting crime", why do we always have something new to read about?

July 18, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

GeecheeBoi84 (anonymous) says...

Robert Ford is a DAMNED fool for that one!!! Applause all around on the 2nd indictment, and I hope there will be more to follow! There's no craftier criminal than those hiding within the law itself.

And to those of you saying the driver deserved a few kicks.... maybe... But that's the same kind of crap they tried to pull in that Philly beating, saying that tensions were high because an officer was just killed a few days before. But as officers of the law, they are entrusted to keep personal reactions seperate from professional. And think about it, if the person who was run over with the squad car in the previous case, got up and beat the hell out the officer who hit him, they'd have been ready to shoot him! I say BAR NONE!!! A badge shouldn't be able to save an a**-hole from a beating they have coming!

The highlight of my life came when a crooked cop got the balls to take off his badge and belt on Nassau St., stepped inside my friend's yard, and got LAID OUT with one blow, then ran to the car yelling for backup! The officer with him asked my friend if HE wanted to press charges... Now THAT'S justice!

July 18, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...

fullmoon, kicking a suspect who is on the ground is hard to justify, especailly when kicking him in the head. Certain strike points are "off limits" to officers unless there is an on-going attempt by the criminal to use deadly force. He might have been resisting, but that does not excuess the Trooper from kicking the criminal in the head. However, I do understand the Trooper's state of mind and can't say as I blame him. I have already "walked this mile in his shoes", so yes, I do understand.

July 18, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

noname (anonymous) says...

The 30-minute chase involving Caridi, who was driving a dump truck to Florida, ended when the vehicle caught fire.

While trying to stop him, police blew out six of 12 tires on the truck. A total of 39 rounds of pistol fire and nine rounds of shotgun blasts were aimed at the truck's tires and radiator in an attempt to disable it, according to the records. Caridi had attempted to strike Sawyer's vehicle.

This idiot deserves exactly what he got! I feel if this trooper is facing charges for this incident, so should he!

July 18, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

fullmoon said "This does not make what he did criminal."

It seems that a federal grand jury thinks otherwise.

That being noted, I must add that the federal grand jury system is flawed flawed flawed.

July 18, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

abitskeptikal posted:
"Professionals must honor their chosen profession and behave as professionals. If they are not up to that, another walk of life needs to be found.

Professionals, all of them, must always be held to the high standards of the profession. After all, thats what distinguishes & separates them from the non-professionals."

That is why I no longer drive a school bus. After the 2nd time I was assaulted by a child {4th grader} it was leave or see me on the 6 o'clock news.

July 18, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

If these troopers seriously were good 'ole boys they should have erased the last half of the tape. Keeping the chase but losing the beat down.

July 18, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...

Noname....is it really you????

All can say is two wrongs don't make a right.

July 18, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

I want to know what was so important that started this fiasco in the 1st place.

July 18, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nativecharlestongirl (anonymous) says...

LE is always getting a bad wrap. There are some bad seeds in LE but there are bad seeds in every group with or without badges. These officers are people and they have to deal with CRIMINALS that put there life in danger everyday. They sign up to protect and serve the people, not criminals. I personally support a little A*@ beating if it calls for it and a dump truck trying to run you off the road, not stopping for blue light or 39 rounds tells me he deserves what he gets. What next the criminals sue the state and cops for hurting them physically or emotionally when THEY (the criminals) are the ones who broke the law and put peoples lives in danger???

I think this world has become so hyper sensitive it is sickening...

I say loose the dash cams and handle business LE!!!!!

July 18, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

burton (anonymous) says...

fullmoon, BS to your post! While Caridi is an idiot for running from the police and trying to ram Sawyer that does not justify what he did. Hell, why not shoot every bad guy that runs from you when you catch up with them? The saddest part about all of this is the 7-10 other troopers that stood around and let him do it repeatedly. Where was the supervisor?

Robert Ford is an idiot and I blame the voters of District 42 that continually keep putting this imbicile in office. I cringe everytime he opens his mouth to make a statement.

July 18, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

majorjohnson (anonymous) says...

I think the driver should be tried for everything they can dig up that would even remotely apply to him, including attempted manslaughter. Per th trooper, I don't understand the civil liberties thing...as far as I'm concerned he lost his temper and it's aggravated assault at the most, and I might have done what he did as well considering what the jerk in the truck did. I'm more concerned that the less caught up in emotion troopers around him didn't restrain the angry trooper somehow.

July 18, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

GeecheeBoi84 (anonymous) says...

Thomas1776, let us not forget Officer Hiers [Charleston, SC], who used to police at West Ashley High, and was accused (and as students, we knew it to be true) of having sex with teenage girls, and in 2003 or 2004, accused of killing his beautiful wife, and STILL has not been found.

nativecharlestongirl: "These officers are people and they have to deal with CRIMINALS that put there life in danger everyday"

This is Charleston... we have to deal with the same criminals everyday as well. And criminals will assault civilians before they assault police, so who's more at risk??? From your statements, it sounds like you'd condone a little vigilante justice.

July 18, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

Caridi made this a deadly force situation by trying to ram people with a dump truck. In a deadly force situation there are no strike points that are "off limits." The deadly force situation was not over when he was kicked. He had not been "subdued" yet like some want to claim. He was free as could be to pull a gun and start shooting or otherwise continue to attack the police as he had with the dump truck. Just because the dump truck was disabled does not mean he was disarmed.

In a situation where one officer shoots a criminal and others on the scene do not shoot doesn't make the use of force unjustified.

Please do not comment on this subject unless you have at least viewed the entire portion of video that was released or otherwise informed yourself of the incident.

July 18, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

Like any citizen, police officers should have the right to shoot anyone that tries to KILL them!

July 18, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

omarro1974 (anonymous) says...

I hope they get a lot of jail time.

July 18, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

noname (anonymous) says...

Yes, prosperous_hb it's me:.

I do agree somewhat with what you're saying, two wrongs does not make a right is true, but is it o.k. for this criminal to disobey the orders of the trooper to stop when told to do so NO! To lead them on a 30 minute chase with 6 flat tires and 39 rounds fired? Again, I say No!

Let's face it; he intentionally ignored their every attempt to stop his vehicle until it caught fire.

On the other hand, yes, the LE officers are here to serve and protect; they are also professionals, who should uphold the law to the highest standards. Yet, I feel those guys put their life on the line every time they put on that uniform, yes; there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but we must not group them all together.

In all due respect, he was lucky he only suffered a kick to the head, because once this idiot attempt to strike the trooper with his vehicle, it became a personal attack, and I feel the trooper just reacted to the situation.

Now, the question I have for you is how would you have reacted to the same situation?

July 18, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

GeecheeBoi84 (anonymous) says...

fullmoon: "The deadly force situation was not over when he was kicked. He had not been "subdued" yet like some want to claim. He was free as could be to pull a gun and start shooting or otherwise continue to attack the police as he had with the dump truck."

Yeah, I could see that in the video... you know, when he got out the truck, had his hands in the air, appearing to comply as he stretched out on the ground... mmhm, I see EXACTLY what you're saying. Or maybe he could have pulled a gun while not having his hands stretched out in front of him??? What the hell was HE thinking, using his hands to cover his head from being kicked... that's crazy! Also, when it was confirmed "He's subdued" and the others begin to walk away, I DO see how he could have still pulled a gun while his hands were cuffed, thus justifying the final kick to the face. Your points are SO much more valid when I watch the video, thanks for clarifying that...

July 18, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

srd408 (anonymous) says...

It would be hard to restrain yourself from compromising your integrity in this instance, however, this is why SC shouldn't hire ignorant individuals. Try making the hiring process mirror that of the PA State Police. It took me 6 years enter the academy because of the rigorous selection process. This elite organization doesn't even consider people without a college education. The "military boot camp" they require is 6 months in house. No going home on the weekends. It is a shame, SC is paying for what they left fall through the cracks. Also, the pay is ridiculous. No wonder good quality people pass up the position, left for the young, ignorant, integrity lacking, sub standard individual.

July 18, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

grainofsalt said "I don't know how most officers ...keep their cool".

One problem is-LEO who do not have a "cool"(=even keeled)temperament/ mentality to begin with. I've witnessed outrageous behavior on many occasions.

July 18, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Once I was stopped on a long nonresidential road at the back of IOP. No other cars except a LEO going in opposite direction.

He did an unbelievable U-turn & pulled me over. As I rolled down my window he began screaming. Terrified, I asked what was going on. (I wasn't supposed to do that.)

He screamed more-said I was speeding. I might have been going over the limit, I don't know. I did not recall seeing a sign.

At any rate, I certainly wasn't doing anything to warrant a break neck speed u-turn & high speed chase up to the back of my car, not to mention verbal abuse.

When I returned home I called my nephew a LEO & asked if he knew the guy. He did. I told him what happened. My nephew later called & apologized for his fellow officer, stating the officer told him he was having a bad day & he'd drop the ticket he had written me.

July 18, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

On another occasion:

I was following my son after taking him to get a car he'd been working on at the Navy Base. It was dusk. Apparently a light was out & he was stopped by the No. Chas police.

I pulled up to ask if papers were in the car after it'd been sitting for so long. I identified myself as the mother. One officer looked at me, cocked his head & w/ a fake smile said sarcastically, "That's niiice. Now pull up there".

My son who was driving was 22 & his 14 yr old brother was in the passenger seat.

I waited 10 min as the officers talked w/ my son. I (50, med. build, in shorts, a T-shirt & hands free, no purse) got out & began walking toward them. The same officer began SCREAMING at me to get back in the car, that he'd told me to stay in the car (he had not).

I stopped in my tracks, but he kept screaming. I quickly touched my hand to my forehead in the gesture of "I got it", turned around & got in my car.

Later he came to my car, forcefully saying he'd told me to stay in the car & he could arrest me for interfering with police.

I said I was sorry, I never heard him say to stay in the car(he let me know he did not believe me) &my intent was to help in the event of any question of insurance, etc.

He began talking over me repeatedly angrily asking how old my son was..didn't give me a chance to answer before saying he was of legal age & didn't need me.

I said, "My 14 yr old who is in that car is not of legal age & I am his legal guardian, not his brother".

Then he angrily asked what that "stunt" was w/ the "salute" . I said I was letting him know I heard what he said.

He continued to berate me. Somewhere in there I realized he was trying to goad me into reacting.

I think he was really disappointed my son was respectful & polite & that he could not make me do anything to give him an excuse to haul me off in hand cuffs.

Later at home, both of my sons told me that the officer never told me to stay in the car & that after he left me & headed back toward them he was mockingly opening & shutting his mouth & bobbing his head from side to side.

Both of my sons said that the other officer in that stop was professional.

I do not have to rely on the media for my observations of how some police behave.

There are other incidents I could relate, but alas I have other work to do.

July 18, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jeff61 (anonymous) says...

Ok,, I watched the video.. Maybe the guy deserved the first kick to the head and a punch..after that.....well, I would want to see the video with attempts by the truck drive to run the trooper off the road.

July 18, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nativecharlestongirl (anonymous) says...

Oh I thought that was clear, didn't mean to confuse you GeecheeBoi84.

The officers are at more risk because they are the ones that confront the problem... when is the last time you tried to stop a "bad guy"? Didn't think so....

July 18, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

burton (anonymous) says...

Thomas1776,
See my earlier post. Ford is an idiot and again I blame the voters of District 42 that keep electing this imbicile to the State house. They just had a chance to get a young, progressive person in office and said no! Typical voter apathy when it comes to local elections. Ford knows he only has to appease a few thousand people in his district because that's all who votes. Sad!

July 18, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

VMI1990 (anonymous) says...

Holy freaking cow! That is the first time that I've seen that video- No excuse whatsoever for that. I just hope he gets some serious jailtime next to bubba. Wow...that is all that I can say.

...and people wonder why so many people distrust the police...

July 18, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

Of course handcuffing a suspect renders him harmless, everybody knows that.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/st...
A handcuffed suspect managed to reach for a gun hidden in his pants and open fire Monday, wounding a police officer before being shot dead by other officers

http://forums.officer.com/forums/show...
Officer fatally shot by suspect in patrol car. Man taken into police custody

http://edition.cnn.com/US/9805/19/tam...
Two Tampa homicide detectives were shot to death about 2 p.m. EDT as they drove the handcuffed suspect to police headquarters for questioning in the killing earlier Tuesday of his son, 4-year-old Joseph Bennett.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?sec...
Officer Brian Steven Gregg, 46, was killed Thursday night after he and officer James Joseph Warunek, 31, scuffled with a drunken-driving suspect they had taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Bucks County, for routine blood and urine tests.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2...
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A vagrant wanted for questioning in a rape overpowered a police officer who was trying to handcuff him, then shot her to death with her own weapon Monday, police said.

http://www.officer.com/web/online/Off...
A man who was handcuffed by police during an early morning arrest Monday in the Westlake district of Los Angeles managed to reach for a gun hidden in his pants and opened fire, seriously wounding a veteran officer, according to several LAPD sources familiar with the investigation.

July 18, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

Okay Thomas1776 I would like to ask how many articles you can come up with that the headlines says something about LEO injured by fleeing suspect or LEO killed in the line of duty or LEO attacked by family of suspect while trying to cuff them or many other possible scenarios.

While none of those would have anything to do with this article, neither do any of the ones you have posted here today.

I'm not trying to be antgonistic or anything, I just think that there are more LEO of the stand up sort than there are LEO acting like this ONE did on this one day.

July 18, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

Well crap! I guess fullmoon had the same idea while I was typing. LOL

July 18, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Siri, although I think Thomas often rages off point(sorry Thomas) I imagine that this time what he is doing is providing evidence which, at least somewhat, contradicts those who continue to believe & state that incidents such as reported in this article are isolated & that it is only ONE LEO on that ONE day.

July 18, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Siri (anonymous) says...

I don't think that things like this have never happened before. I suspect things like this may happen again. I just think that there are MORE good LEO than there are bad.

I think that this perp needs to be arrested, tried and convicted for every single infraction of the law that he broke that day. I also think that he should pay restitution for the highway he tore up while running on the rims and pay for the response of the Fire Dept. having to respond to the fire.

There will be plenty of people calling for this LEO's badge and for jail time. But lets not forget WHO really started this whole mess.

July 18, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

So fullmoon, are you meaning to say that because some other officers did not properly restrain &/or disarm a suspect & consequently were killed or injured, that others are justified in kicking a handcuffed suspect in the head?

Perhaps, instead of kicking a restrained suspect in the head, an officer could better spend his/her time finishing a pat down to ensure the safety of him/herself & others.

July 18, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

These articles are pertinent to the incident. They show that handcuffing/ handcuffed criminals are very dangerous, especially ones that just tried to KILL you already. Trooper Sawyer knows this and was not going to let something like that happen to him or anyone else there that day. He knows that just because someone puts their hands up does not mean they are not a deadly threat. His kicks produced the intended effect of distracting Caridi and allowed the other officers to detain him. Its not pretty but it is effective.

July 18, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

I'm saying Trooper Sawyer did do it right and that is why Caridi was not able to harm anyone while being handcuffed.

July 18, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jeff61 (anonymous) says...

Posted by Siri on July 18, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There will be plenty of people calling for this LEO's badge

Read the article.. He is former officer,,, No badge to be had..

and I see fullmoons point.. and Thomas bring on the DOJ. Maybe you should be the first they look at... You seem to be here 24/7 and know everything about everyone.. Maybe you have information that you can pass to them since you appear to have the inside scoop on everything.

July 18, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

Thomas, what crimes have my posts committed?

July 18, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

stumbull (anonymous) says...

If most of the people making comments on this officer only knew the entire story. Trooper Sawyer has been in trouble repeatedly for aggressive and harmful behavior while acting under the color of law, and the guy resigned after this, he knew what he did was wrong. Plus there were 8-10 officers that gave statements again him in from of the grand jury about his actions on that day. Cops have to be held accountable for what they do to ALL people while wearing the badge that they have been entrusted. As for the man, he happened to have a mental disorder that he is now being treated for so if Sawyer was trying to save the general public, or his fellow officers from someone he felt was a danger running to him and kicking him in the head was not the best move, he could have been armed or anything. He just has a severe anger problem and should not be a cop!

July 18, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

GeecheeBoi84 (anonymous) says...

nativecharlestongirl: I'm a young black male, with dreads and gold teeth... I don't have to go to the rescue of those in "trouble", because I have my OWN problems that steadily comes from whites AND blacks who think they already have me figured out by my appearance alone. So while standing outside of Purple Tree in the market on your average Saturday night (with the rest of the immense club crowd), I'm going to get harrassed by the police, your average thugs of ANY ethnicity looking for a challenge or simple reason to start shooting, and whites influenced by liquid courage to expose their racist ways. So I have to defend myself against these "bad guys", and try to avoid being arrested at the same time, even though I'm standing there trying to mind my own business. Also, since I own a CWP, I'm ALWAYS strapped, and if someone pulls a gun on me, I'm pulling mine on them. So I gotta make sure the police don't shoot ME down, while trying to LAWFULLY defend MYSELF!

"didn't think so".... lol, you don't know me sweetie....

abitskeptical: Sorry to hear about that... Please belive I know how ya feel. I've more than my fair share of those run-ins with CPD!

July 18, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

burton (anonymous) says...

fullmoon, are you serious? Instead of immediately securing the suspect and putting handcuffs on him, you are saying that it is common police practice to first kick the suspect in the head 3-4 times before putting the handcuffs on them? LOL. I guess the federal grand jury didn't agree with you on that one and I would venture to say none of the police chiefs around the nation either. Wow!

Again, the sad part is the other 7-8 troopers that stood around and let him kick the guy in the head repeatedely--even when he had already been handcuffed. I'm sure he continued to get beat down on the way to the station. Yes, the guy was an idiot for running and ramming Sawyer's vehicle but Sawyer can't be above the law. What would happen if we let every trooper do this? If he pulled out his gun and shot the guy while he was laying on the ground would you be ok with that too?

July 18, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

Caridi had a mental disorder? I didn't know that. Well, that changes everything. In sure the police knew that as well at the time. I forgot that mentally deranged criminals are harmless and have bumper stickers on their dump trucks warning everyone so they can be treated nicely.

As for the Trooper Sawyer, if he had a mental disorder that prevented him from controlling his anger and it affected his duties, why are they charging him criminally instead of "treating him" like Caridi?

July 18, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nativecharlestongirl (anonymous) says...

Issues??? I am sure you think the whole world is out to get you. Yeah for you and your appearance. I don't care what you look like, what color you are, what religion you practice (if you do), or where you come from "sweetie" but if you run from blue lights and then proceed to keep running as they shoot 39 rounds at you then you deserve more than just a punt to the head in my opinion. Glad you have a CWP I think it is most important to have when you are "ALWAYS strapped".

I also think that in your writing you let your own prejudices seep through; "whites influenced by liquid courage to expose their racist ways". In my experience we blacks are just as capable to have liquid courage creep up on us...

Keep up with that club scene though and keep packing just in case you do need to "LAWFULLY defend YOURSELF!"

July 18, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

GeecheeBoi84-I am a white middle aged(UGH!), law abiding, even keeled woman with 2 BS degrees & post-graduate education, & without dreads(!) :)

I have more stories of similar situations that have happened to others, including a dear friend who is one of the most gentle soft spoken people you could ever meet.

I later found out through my nephew that the officer in the case of my friend was known to be a loose cannon & that his bullying & law breaking finally caught up with him.(He'd suggested to another woman he'd stopped that she could get out of a ticket by doing certain things. She reported that. The officer's superior went to the woman's house & asked her to call the officer & say she wanted to get out of the ticket....well of course he showed up & was fired.)

This happened several years ago in Charleston county.

I do not know if he was charged with anything or if he was able to get a job in LE elsewhere.

July 18, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jeff61 (anonymous) says...

Thomas, you should change your screen name to Deep Throat. I imagine you hanging out in a dark corner of a Charleston City Parking Garage with a Laptop and whispering to P&C reporters to follow the money...

July 18, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mrsmomofthree (anonymous) says...

I do not condone the behavior of the trooper. But when someone causes this much havoc on the road and continues to run from the police and endanger those around. Can you imagine being that trooper that has tried and tried to get this person to pull over having to shoot out tires and in fear for his own life but the time you got your hands on that idiot.....you would lose it.

I am unsure what the best way to handle this is but the person that does not stop should have the book thrown at them...not necessarily a few kicks to the head.

July 18, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

GeecheeBoi84 (anonymous) says...

nativechasgal: :-) You're probably right... I'd obviously have to be making this type of stuff up, because it just doesn't exist to the extent that YOU could openly notice. Maybe I should come live in your perfect, stereotype-free world where my appearance won't be a factor, and where common-people never have to deal with "criminals" or "bad guys". Please, message me and lemme know where YOU live, because I need to sign a lease, mortgage or SOMETHING! LEAVE DA GATE OPEN! Just make sure they got cable, because I have to be sure to catch that CNN special next week on "Black in America", because apparently there's a LOT of other people who share in my imagination, and I'd like to see how these problems that don't exist, happened to make it into a 2-day special...

And as for liquid courage, that was in reference to undercover racists. Sorry, "I thought that was clear... didn't meant to confuse you". My 8 hours are up, I'm out!

July 18, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

DontSpamMeBro (anonymous) says...

"Caridi had attempted to strike Sawyer's vehicle." Hmmm....tried to run over him with a dump truck? Doesn't make the Trooper's actions right or justify them in any way. His anger is, however, understandable, since the suspect DID try to murder him.

July 18, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

DontSpamMeBro (anonymous) says...

srd408: Here are a couple of links about your precious PA State Police -

Let's talk about racism in their hiring at:
http://www.ctemploymentlawblog.com/20...

Let's talk about sexual misconduct and cover-ups at:
http://www.lilnet.org/Shield_and_Squa...

Let's talk about hindering an investigation of a Trooper for murder at:
http://kdka.com/local/Blairsville.den...

And this one sounds eerily similar to the subject at hand:
http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles...

Shall I go on? As you can see, despite the pay, the college education, etc. etc., the PA State Police still manages to hire it's fair share of unstable screw-ups. Now shut up and support your local law enforcement. You don't have to support 'em to a fault, but you should support them.

July 18, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

DontSpamMeBro (anonymous) says...

Sorry about that first one, wrong agency.

July 18, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TheClick (anonymous) says...

I read the article and then the comments before watching the video and all I can say is... "That's it?" I was expecting something much more brutal. Considering what Caridi had done, I'd say he received less than what he deserved.

July 18, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

moonpie (anonymous) says...

SHOOT THEM! DEAD PERPS DON'T TALK!
DANG I DIDN'T SEE HE TRIED TO RAM HIM.

July 18, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Where is the video showing that the truck tried to ram police?

From what I have seen & read so far, I'd say there is a 50-50 chance that this actually occurred.

ColdBeer noted earlier that in any group there are good as well as bad representatives of the group.

I am well aware that there still are decent & good & true folks in law enforcement. However, I am no longer confident that there are just a couple of isolated rotten apples in the barrel.

Report after report of unprofessional behavior in various LE departments, ranging from merely inappropriate behavior to various criminal acts, continue to emerge.

Couple that with some folks' personal experiences (which never hit the media).

Couple that with other evidence, as revealed through the Innocence Project, that much wrong doing-lies, manipulation of evidence, coercion of pleas, etc. has occurred on many levels within our system of justice & it becomes clear that something is very wrong.

All who are defending, for whatever well intended reason(I assume you are well intended), the behavior of the LEO in this video are not doing anything to help support this profession or bolster its reputation.

It seems that one wise officer sees this. Although he understands the trooper's state of mind, BigSargeofSC said "...kicking a suspect who is on the ground is hard to justify, especailly when kicking him in the head. Certain strike points are "off limits" to officers unless there is an on-going attempt by the criminal to use deadly force. He might have been resisting, but that does not excuess the Trooper from kicking the criminal in the head. "

I do not like this feeling of mistrust. I want to be able to say that I support our police officers. But they need to start supporting themselves, not by keeping the code of the "thin blue line", but by policing their own.

I commend the officers who told the truth about what happened in this situation, but I do wonder why they did not intervene & support their comrade by stopping him from an action that ultimately has harmed them all.

July 18, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

abitskeptical, whoops, my mistake. Here I am telling people to watch the entire video when its not even on the PnC website. I do recall seeing a much longer version when this first was came out in April but I can't find it now. Here is a news report from somewhere that does show some of the pursuit:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a55_12...

By the way, carefully watch Caridi get down on the ground. He does not completely prone out. In fact he is in a ridgid push-up position with his hands next to his waistband. This is very dangerous. Before the other officers obscure the view of Caridi, you can clearly see the first kicks that Sawyer delivers strike Caridi's arm not his head. I would be willing to bet that they are telling him to get his hands out and he is not complying.

July 18, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

srd408 (anonymous) says...

Don't spam me bro,

Is that all you can drudge up? It is almost impossible to weed out everyone. Although, there isn't a statewide consipiracy where troopers are kicking the crap out of people they pull over. In fact the academy is developed to weed out the weak. I never said I didn't support local police. I just stated a fact, SC employs less then favorable people to be on patrol. One of the main reasons.....no one wants to pay for top quality individuals and spend the time and money to train them properly. Don't get insulted by FACTS!

July 18, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

srd408 (anonymous) says...

on another note,

I will take a guess that you are a police officer yourself, especially since you were offended over my comment. And, that scares me! To be that uneducated or too young to look at the bigger picture. To know that there is better training and a better selection process out there for our public safety organizations to take advantage of. Also, you are underpaid. Most LE officers around here need another job just to pay the bills.

July 18, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fullmoon (anonymous) says...

Be careful who you consider wise. How many danger signs can you safely ignore with this suspect and still pretend you are not in a deadly force situation. First of all, he's driving a DUMP TRUCK and trying to RAM people/ police! He doesn't stop for the police over 30 minutes even after they fire 40 some rounds at the truck. I bet the police tried to talk to him with the PA which he ignored. You have no idea how many subjects are in the truck or what weapons they have. By his actions, you do know the driver is motivated to kill or maim someone. He finally stops, not because he wanted to but because the truck, now smoldering is undriveable. Now he hops out of the truck wearing only shorts. This is troubling because deranged subjects are known to remove their clothing before attacking police. He does go to the ground but his body is rigid, his head is up and his hands are right next to his waistband. This is very bad! Officers are yelling commands for the suspect to get his hands out but he refuses. Trooper Sawyer recognizes this a danger and attempts to kick the suspects arm to prevent him from: 1 getting back up, 2 reaching for a weapon hidden in his shorts, 3 disarming another officer.

Now here comes BigSarge. Remember, this suspect has not been handcuffed yet or thoroughly searched and removed from the area nor has the truck been cleared for other suspects, weapons etc. BigSarge would rush in there and try and stop Trooper Sawyer. What's he going to say "Hold up Sawyer, I don't believe how you are kicking the suspect conforms to proper use of force protocols."

During the arrest, this incident could have gone horribly wrong. At that point, would you be willing to bet your life and the lives of the other officers there that Caridi did not have a weapon on him, would not jump back in the truck and retrieve a weapon or he would not disarm an officer and use the gun against them. BigSarge and others talk like they would take that bet. They might have gotten away unharmed in this incident but if you ignore danger signs like this too many times it will catch up with you with tragic results.

Trooper Sawyer's justified actions helped to prevent something like that from happening and now he is being crucified.

July 18, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

DontSpamMeBro (anonymous) says...

srd408 - Me angry and uneducated?? I don't think so. Why does everyone from the North assume everyone from the South is an idiot? (rhetorical question - we really don't care what Northerners think or why they think it)

LEO's in the South are underpaid in general. On that point we agree. Probably something to do with the government's refusal to recognize unions and collective bargaining in the largely "right to work" states. "Right to work" simply means you have the right to work until your employer decides to give you something we called "the big green weenie" when I was in the Army. We all choose where we live and work. Sometimes that involves a compromise, e.g. nicer climate vs. lower pay for your profession.

Now we come to the bone of contention: your holier than thou attitude. I made my point - for every incident of malfeasance or misconduct involving a poorly selected, poorly trained and uneducated (your words) SC State Trooper, I can dredge up a similar incident involving a wonderfully selected, superbly trained, college degreed PA State Trooper. The only defense you put forth when confronted with the FACTS is the standard fall-back position of "it's impossible to weed out everyone." Gee...ya think? I just proved that to you and everyone else reading these comments. You probably shouldn't take the "statewide conspiracy" route, either. Yeah, some brass in the SCHP failed to take the appropriate disciplinary actions in a few highly publicized cases and it finally caught up with them. It always does, eventually. Same thing happened in your vaunted PASP. I have relatives lving in PA that can tell you horror stories, too.

In light of the above I think we can agree on the following:

Law enforcement is a tough (but rewarding) job.
You should support your local law enforcement.
LEO's are underpaid everywhere - bet ya even a PA Trooper would agree with me :)
There are bad apples in every profession.
Leaders that fail to lead should be replaced.
Bad apples can be found no matter the agency, or profession for that matter.
It's impossible to weed out every bad apple.

Have a great day.

July 19, 2008 at 12:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Wow, fullmoon you must have a strong vested interest in justifying the LEO conduct.

I watched the tape you cited.

Not to nit pick, but I did not see that the man's arms were waist level, but at about shoulder level which is the natural place for them to be when lowering oneself to the ground from a standing position.

Your analysis that "he is in a ridid push-up position w/ his hands next to his waistband." which is "very dangerous" seems to be one of your seeing what you want to see in order to support your stance.

First of all I do not know anyone who does push ups with their hands at waist level.

Secondly unless he was drunk, he probably would be somewhat stiff while lowering to the ground. It is a natural guarding.

Thirdly from what I can see, he came out of the cab with his hands up & immediately started to lower himself to the ground in a prone position. Part of that maneuver entails a brief moment in the same position as a push up..try it.

You also state that "He does not completely prone out". From what I can see, he was not given the chance, before the kicks started. It also appears that Caridi is wrapping his arm around his head, which might explain why you saw that the "the first kicks...strike Caridi's arm not his head".

Interesting that you observed "Before the other officers obscure the view of Caridi,".

Let me be clear, I am not meaning to "defend" Caridi. I do not even know for what initial reason he was stopped &/or apprehended. If the reason was valid,"the book", not kicks, needs to be thrown at Caridi.

July 19, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Forgot to comment on the "ramming".

Clearly Caridi was driving recklessly & should be charged with that.

However it is impossible to determine that he was trying to MURDER Sawyer. It could be that he was having a difficult time controlling the truck..& certainly if that is so he should not have been driving in a way where he could not control his vehicle.

Again, I am not intending to defend Caridi.

It just seems, with the information available, that some folks are trying to defend the indefensible.

Sawyer had plenty of back up..so much, in fact, that they obscured the video.

Continuing to justify his actions with the information currently available tends to decrease the credibility that any defense of Sawyer is valid.

July 19, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

willie08 (anonymous) says...

In my humble opinion, police officers should be higher educated, and then higher paid.
Putting this sort of authority and hand guns in the hands of the ignorant, and then paying them poorly is a bad combination. Same goes with the military.

July 19, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

GeecheeBoi84 (anonymous) says...

If anyone still reads this, I thought it amusing that "The Dark Knight" basically revolved around this entire issue; corruption within the justice system.

July 19, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )