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Subscribe to RSSDash cam video shows a police officer dragging a 77-year-old woman out of her vehicle after she refused to show a driver's license during a routine traffic stop in Keene, Texas. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.
A local Texas police department is standing by an officer who dragged a 77-year-old grandmother out of her car for speeding after she repeatedly refused to provide her driver's license.
The entire arrest was caught on video by the Keene Police Department.
The woman, Lynn Bedford, of nearby Cleburne, was stopped on Aug. 19 for driving 66 mph in a 50-mph zone.
Bedford told Sgt. Gene Geheb that she had a bladder infection and had to go to the bathroom, but the situation quickly escalated when the officer asked several times for her identification and she refused.
"Just hurry up; I have to go to the bathroom," she said.
"Let me see your driver's license and insurance, please," the officer asked.
She declined several times.
"No, I want to see your driver's license and insurance, please, and then I'll listen to you," the officer said.
"I'll give it to you in a minute," she replied.
"No, you give it to me now, or I'm going to take you to jail," he said.
"Well, go ahead," she said.
The officer then pulled her out of her car and handcuffed her.
Bedford's attorney, Clay Graham, of Fort Worth, said the officer overreacted.
"The officer is not very interested in listening to what she has to say," Graham said. "She gets a little frustrated. And then he just overwhelms her. That's what I see. And then it goes from routine stop to ridiculous stop."
Graham said Bedford was injured during the arrest.
He said Bedford is not interested in filing a lawsuit right now but isn't ruling it out in the future.
The lawyer said the woman was returning home from playing the piano at church when the incident occurred.
In a statement, Keene Police Chief Rocky Alberti stood by the officer's actions.
"This incident has been reviewed thoroughly by the Keene Police Department and the City of Keene Administration," Alberti said in a written statement. "All parties have concluded that Sgt. Geheb did not violate any state laws or department policies, and in fact was following department policy in regards to violators not providing identification."
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Dude is the Law enforcement on here such Fktards????? ,must be to say such sh8t as She couldve killed a bunch of folks and fled the scene .C'mon why ya'll so Scared fear monger media bliizt terror got you so spooked your common senses and common courtesy are all but Gone ??? LOL Most all people you come across aren't packing a gun we aren't afraid whats your excuse??? Must be alot like Drew Peterson out there . I saw back in 94 a detective Kills his wife for cheating and then on live TV he blew his brains out. That was a trip it was so close you could see smoke coming out his nose . So what if your wife or G.F. Is F'n the neighbor or Local drug dealer don't take your @!$%# out on the Good people. Amen ;)
He didn't try very hard to defuse the situation. Although well within his rights the officer could have been smarter than an emotional woman. I would expect more from a seasoned vet on patrol. I bet he wishes he would have used more tact. And any admission of wrong doing by the police dept. would surely bring a lawsuit , so that comment is a mute point. The whole story is nothing more than ad bait. Sorry Scott, no offense, I know you had to write something !
Agreed Justin, and as the 'arbiter of common sense' (I was appointed that by Jeff, so I've got that going for me) I dub thee worthy of acknowledgement.
I suspect that both Jeff and Jo-An are law enforcement, not just because of their attitudes, but also because they've had all day to troll and post on here while the rest of us were working. It's the only justification I can find for there compassionless position of 'Eff the old lady' instead of looking at it from a more neutral point of view and acknowledging the officer could have handled it more professionally. It's really a shame how people can get caught up in being 'right' instead of taking a breath and finding a way to defuse the situation.
Well, you're wrong, jackass, I got home from my job to find your 20 posts on here, so who appears to be the troll, here? I just got annoyed by your arrogant, condescending attitude toward anybody who doesn't agree with you. And I can see you haven't learned a damn thing in the last 24 hours, probably not in the last 24 years.....
And I did not appoint you arbiter, you appointed yourself, that's why it's so funny. Odd that you didn't reply directly to my post, but instead waited a couple of hours, 'till I was offline, then decided to talk bad about me to someone else...pretty gutsy...guess you just don't have much confidence in your position.
Seem to have hit a nerve, ol' Jeffy is name calling now.
I can say I have learn something in the last 24 hours: That Jeff believes he is right and I am wrong; that he doesn't understand the nuanced point I've been trying to make for the last 24 hours; and that he has little to no ability to understand the most basic and obvious humor.
In the course of learning that Jeff believes he is right, he has made a rather poignant example of the term 'self-righteous'. And before you try to flip that back on me- be careful to note that I've not once said that she was in the right. Which means on the point of who was 'in the right' we've not disagreed, yet you have continued to push that and attempt to shout down someone that you perceived that you disagreed with and that you considered 'insecure' and 'immature'.
Self awareness is something that comes with maturity. The awareness that right and wrong is often a matter of perspective, and therefore no mature person bothers to argue that they are right and someone else is wrong.
'...waited a couple of hours, 'till I was offline...' Cause you know, with that crystal ball of mine I can see who is online and who is not. Or, I didn't bother to argue with someone who is self-righteous. See above.
So you think on that for 24 hours if you like and let me know who the mature party is here. Or just put the stick down and walk away.
Geez biker, get out a mirror....and put your stick down! You look foolish...
PS...I am NOT law enforcement, and I am NO fan of law enforcement.
And yet there you are, still waiving your stick around. Not really hitting anything, but still waiving it.
You might want to give your buddy that same advice, and take some of your own while you are at it.
@tricycle4life:
Sorry, I didn't realize I was talking to an internet troll. I've not seen any humor, basic or otherwise, in your comments, just sarcasm and insults. I didn't call you jackass just to call names, I called you jackass because you've shown yourself to be one. We stopped discussing the woman in the video a few posts back, and I don't much care whether I'm wrong or right,we're talking now about your arrogance and the way you talk down to people. It didn't bother me until you started to insult Jo-An (who, by the way, I don't even know) because she had the AUDACITY to disagree with one of your points, probably as a result of your insecurity.....I never could stand a bully, on the 'net or in person.
I don't have to think 24 hours to figure you out.....you're pretty simple, I see trolls like you every time I follow a thread. I don't think you have a crystal ball to see when I'm on line, I think you just avoided engaging me because you recognize your limited ability to engage in civilised discourse. You might want to think about moving out of your parent's basement, and socialising with other people, then maybe you could learn to overcome your social handicaps. I wish you luck with that....
I see you decided to post back here again for everyone to see that you still aren't getting it.
Oh well sport, I wish you well.
Well said Jeff...
I'm sure trike4life will be back to take one more swipe...
he seems to need the final word.
:)
Respect My Author- Tie or else i keel you LOL so funny eeeeeeeeLOL
The officer is a freaking idiot. If the woman was having a medical problem, which she said she was, he should have called for medical assistance (not just back-up, which he did and then did NOT wait for). Instead, he gets angrier and angrier and throws the woman onto the ground. This is the main problem with police in the US. They think they are all-powerful - they think they are the law. Where would this discussion be going now if the woman had hit her head on the concrete and gone into convulsions and died - don't you see how close that was? This is not a 21 year old kid. What if the lady started to pull out her cell phone - would he have shot her 46 times? You can bet that if he did, he would have gotten away with it. I hope this does happen to your grandparents - then will you call THEM "bitches"?
Take your lithium. Nobody shot anybody 46 times.
I believe the cop acted in the way he was suppose to act, if this woman hit and killed a child everyone would of been where the hell were the cops, or her family.
Yes bladder infections makes you feel like you need to pee all the time, so with having this condition why was she out to start with? I understand she was practicing the piano for her church but still she wouldnt of gotten much practice done with a bladder infection.
I don't care who or how old a person is or their color if your stopped and your asked for id and registration hand it over while he/she is looking at it explain your situation or excuse for breaking the law.
The people posting here make me sad. Self-righteous for the most part... I saw that video too and there was no excuse for the cop manhandling her that way. NONE. So what is it, open season on the elderly now? FYI when people are older they often want to give an explanation about something. HE was rude to her. And, yes, I know how to be polite to police but have had experiences where police were in the wrong about something ( as well as experiences where they were helpful ). In this case, the issue, for me, was he grabbed her by the neck and threw her onto the ground. NO excuse for that kind of behavior. NONE.
At what age do the crimes of a criminal become something other than criminal?
SHE was rude to him.
NO excuse for that kind of behavior. NONE.
Well you're right Vern SHE was rude and there is no excuse for that kind of behavior. Clearly deserved to be yanked from her car and arrested. The rude criminal element must be rounded up at all costs.
#whysomanymissingthepoint
Please post her mug shot and arrest record. Something she can be "proud" of...just sayin'
The family says that she would have shown her ID but the officer didn't have patience. . . but the officer DID say he would listen to her story after she showed her ID - - everyone knows that when you are stopped you must show your license and registration!! NO ONE is above the law and we should show more respect for officers who put their lives on the line everyday! Everyone who is stopped has a story and if Cops start listening to all of them before getting ID then we would have a problem. I think the woman is the one who should apologize to the officer NOT the other way around!!
There was NO reason to man handle this women.The officer could have call for back up(a women ) office .This women is 77, and common sense tell you he could have gravely her her by slamming her to the ground.Would he do that to his Mother,I don't think so.
There was NO reason for her to defy the lawful direction of the peace officer. She could have obeyed the law, and common sense tells you she could have been gravely injured by choosing to defy the peace officer. Would his Mother do this, I don't think so.
I stand behind the cop 100%. He was polite and she thought she was above the law. She got what she had coming.
Yup. He would have been completely justified to Tase her.
Every policy is meant to be enforced by a trained officer with a brain that can evaluate the situation and apply the proper amount of force necessary to do the job. Anything above that could be viewed as brutality. That cranky ole gal was wrong in every single way possible! She deserved to be arrested. No question about it.
Here is the real issue. The amount of force NECESSARY to do the job. Bottom line.
Consider that we have a highly trained, seasoned, veteran law enforcement officer vs. Sassy senior citizen. There were a dozen options available to the officer to handle this situation. He was coming from the position of authority 100%. He was always in control and the situation was always going to go his way regardless of granny's rantings or desires. The officer willingly WENT to that ridiculously emotional place with her. He surrendered control of the situation by stooping to her level. IT TAKES TWO TO ARGUE.
Who cares what the motorist said? It makes no difference unless they convey bodily harm. Her unrefined mannerisms and crude attitude should have had zero impact and no affect on the officer. One quick radio request by the officer and a pick up for a non-compliant, verbally abusive motorist would have been dispatched and on its way. The end of story. No arguments! She'd be in jail with absolutely no defense for her classless demeanor. This officer was obviously stressed or bothered by something external to this traffic stop. He lost his temper and argued with a motorist. It doesn't make him a bad officer, but he didn't have to put his hands on her. In retrospect, if any motorist is having a verbal tantrum, a quick call for back up is probably a good idea. The only thing his physical take down has done is cause trouble for himself and other officers. So, why do it. She's not going to learn from it. If anything, she probably feels justified in her behavior now!
Well said Tia, and admittedly better than I tried to put it. Sensible people aren't calling her right and him wrong, it's about the level of force. He's in control of this situation, not her. So his actions determine the outcome, not hers.
This thread felt a little hijacked for a while, I'm glad to see many responding with an understanding of the nuance that this situation required.
No, SHE was in controlof the situation. Obey the legal direction of the officer, or go to jail for refusing to obey the legal direction of the officer.
She was advised of this, as well as the consequences, and she made her choice.
She got exactly what she wanted.
Vern- try to see the nuanced point here- He was in control because no matter what she was getting a ticket or she was going to jail. That wasn't in question. He knows that, so he can choose to defuse the tension with a little polite conversation or he can choose to 'put his boot on her neck and twist it' <warning to the illiterates: this is figurative language> because he is in control and has to make a point of showing it.
If she had a gun and they were in a fire fight the control is in question until that is resolved. If they were in a high speed chase the control is in question until that is resolved.
An officer with a gun and a badge standing next to the shut off car of an unarmed old lady is not an unresolved situation where control is in question. She has yielded control when she pulled over.
It sounds like you're saying that she was in control of producing her license or going to jail. That's not usually a choice people would expect to have 19 seconds to comply with. I know I would, but I also understand that the general public is made up of many different types and ages and as a trained, experienced professional that is something that he should understand as well.
77 Yeats of age. probably a grama,Church Member, She had an urgent need, I do not think She was a denger to the officer . Officer has a Gun, a Radio, a Car and plenty of back up waiting for Him.
I belive He could given this lady time fo to use the restroom and then continue to take Her to Jail, giver a ticket and any other way to resolve this matter.
Was the officer afraid of this woman? Many other situations where there is real cause for danger with guns are present the bad individuals are provided with Gentler behavior to protect the Officers
At what age does a criminal become something other than a criminal?
Yes, the officer has a gun. What's your point? Are you recommending that he shoot her, or are you just being melodramatic.
Every criminal has excuses- have to go potty, these aren't my pants, whatever.
I understand that she needs to comply, but seriously, it takes me more than 19 seconds most times and no cop has ever treated me such as this woman was treated, she did say she would get it, she was just trying to explain herself in the meantime. If you notice she did reach over as if to grab her purse and get the ID out. younge or older it doesnt matter. patience is a key. As for all of you down mouthing her about the bladder infection and her attitude etc. If you have a bladder infection and have to relieve yourself, if becomes painful and hard to hold and you will become a bit anxious and possibly a tad beligerant when speaking to someone who is holding you up from doing what you so desperately need to do.
On a lighter note, if it had been me in that situation I might just have handed him my purse and told him to find it himself while i got out and relieved myself right there ^_^ Then he could have hauled me to jail of urinating in public or what ever!
She was probably a democrat on her way to vote. No ID. Ok back to the story. If you are speeding and unless you have committed another crime then take a picture of the license plate and mail the ticket. I was hoping this was NYC but Texas has come crazy speed limits especially when it comes to day and night driving. Deer do less damage when you hit them in the day time and you are going 80 vs nightime and you hit them at 65.
She did commit another crime. She refused to produce her identification when legally required to.
And to whom do you recommend the ticket be sent? If she's not the registered owner of the car you are screwed. And what good does that do anyway? Granny will still speed, still break the traffic laws.
I agree with you JOE( ;) ) . If that officer had been using Logic instead of Emotion he wouldn't have been acting so cowardly and abusive to Lil old Ladies wouldn't you agree?? When you guys stop backing up this behavior and stand for what it really is that you took that oath for ya'll will get the respect that you deserve for taking on this job. No Justice No Peace and if there is no Peace there is no Law.
The officer used logic. The driver didn't.
The officer was not cowardly. You're out of line.
The officer was not abusive- he was quite patient.
She was not little. She appeared to weigh more than he did.
Your respect is not required. Your compliance is. You may not even know what the word "respect" means.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
I would have pissed in his car...
That's okay, there's more cars back at the station after he drops you off.
...and you'd have to piss all over yourself to do it.
To "stew in your own juices" so to speak, then get to hang out in a cell with all of your new "friends" all soaked in your own pee, and then either go see the judge the next morning after sleeping in your own pee-soaked clothing, or have to walk out of jail to thank whoever bailed you out, all soaked in your own pee.
The fiberglass tub in the back will be hosed out long before you are back on the streets, just like it was right before you got put in it.
Knock yourself out.
So...? and your point?
I'm outa line LOL ^ FU He was Quite patient . And she out weighed him Please go preach that @!$%# to the people you work . You surely will never gain respect or deserve it. Compliance your the one that should read the definition of respect . That's your excuse for acting and condoning the act of Cowardice, Complicit to the act of being a bully and a coward.
That officer was an ass. The situation escalated to begin with because the woman thought it was unreasonable that he wouldn't even let her finish her sentence explaining her urgency before demanding license and registration. If she was in extreme discomfort due to her bladder infection, he could easily have tried to accommodate her. Sure, he didn't technically break any laws, but where is his empathy? It was downright stupid for him to yank her onto the ground like that. She's old enough to be seriously injured by that, and he had other options to handle her since she did not show any signs of posing a physical threat. Would they have paid her medical bills if she had broken bones due to the fall? Such injuries can be fatal to a woman in her late 70s. Even though he technically followed procedure, his force was excessive and much more dangerous to the woman than she was to him. It is not unreasonable to make allowances in procedure to protect those with physical limitations.
What a @!$%#ing BADASS! He should be proud. I'm sure that woman was on a crime spree and was a threat to society. I think tax payers should give him a monetary award for "serving and protecting" the people...LMFAO. Hopefully she pissed in his car!
How do you know what sort of person she was? Do you have access to her criminal record? The cop certainly didn't, he didn't even know who she was because she refused to provide him with a few slips of identification. The police are taught to be suspicious of anyone who fails to comply with a simple request. As has been stated numerous times already this woman could have been anything from an innocent church going grandmother to a modern day version of Ma Barker. The cop didn't know and sure as hell you have no idea either.
If the cop is 'guilty' of anything it's erring on the side of protecting himself from an unknown threat. He made sure that he would return to his family alive after yet another day of protecting the citizens of his area.