Athens police have asked the state Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own investigation into the death of an out-of-control patient who was subdued by a Taser stun gun Feb. 3 at Athens-Limestone Hospital.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, died Feb. 8, Police Chief Floyd Johnson said during a press conference called Monday to report the incident.

“Our officers responded in accordance with our policies, and to ensure transparency, I have asked the Alabama Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own investigation,” Johnson said.

The chief declined to say what caused the patient to become out of control. Results of a preliminary autopsy on the man are pending. He took no other questions following the press conference.  

The incident

Johnson said sergeants Dusty Meadows and Greg Lott had responded to a 9 a.m. call from the hospital on Feb. 3 to assist hospital staff with an emergency room patient. The officers were told by medical staff the patient was struggling with them during attempts to conduct an evaluation relating to mental health. The officers calmly talked to the patient, but he became irate and struggled with the officers. The medical staff and patient’s mother left the room, and officers talked to the man from the doorway. The patient remained very agitated and threw his hospital gown and glass vials at the officers.

The officers saw the patient was in danger of hurting himself and others and believe that, under the circumstances, the use of a Taser would be appropriate. The officers told the staff and the patient’s mother it would be necessary to use a Taser to subdue him, and the mother responded, “OK,” Johnson said.

After further attempts to calm the patient were unsuccessful, one officer used the Taser device on the patient while the other struggled to restrain and handcuff him. Medical staff assisted the officers, and the patient was secured, enabling the medical staff to administer medication.

“It later became apparent the patient was having trouble breathing, and the staff moved the patient to a trauma room,” Johnson said.

The man was later transferred to Huntsville Hospital, where he died Feb. 8.

“I have briefly met with the patient’s family to address their questions,” Johnson said.

The officers will not be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, he said.

Body camera footage

Footage taken from an officer’s body camera depicting the interaction between the officers and the patient will be publicly released as soon as the family has viewed it.

“The family initially planned to meet with me today but because they are still grieving, asked to reschedule in two to three days,” Johnson said. “It is the family’s request that they get the opportunity to see the video prior to the department releasing it to the media, and I am going to honor their request.”

He extended the press conference by extending his condolences to the victim’s family.

“I want to also extend to the family our thoughts and prayers during this hard time,” Johnson said. “And, hopefully, through investigation we will find out exactly what really occurred.”