ESPN: Officer delayed Moats as relative died

[Dodger12]

This should be false, he should also have checked with dispatch, and known there were no wants or warrants for the driver of the vehicle, that the vehicle was not reported stolen, and that the vehicle was properly registered.

No it's not false. I read the thread before I viewed the video and it's obvious that many of you are passing judgement without taking the time to watch it. From what I saw, the officer wasn't able to run the tag until well after a minute of chasing the car and not until it pulled into the hospital. The officer was trying to get Moats stopped for well over one full minute; lights sirens and horn were blaring.

If you were an officer for 5 years, you'd know that you can't check for wants and warrants for the driver simply because you don't yet know who's driving the vehicle (until you get it stopped). In this case, the officer could not check the vehicle info through dispatch because he didn't have the tag until they arrived at the hospital. By the time it stopped, people are jumping out and the scene is an emotional one; righfully so for the family but the officer has no way of knowing the circumstances.

2. The suspect vehicle did not change its rate of speed or atttempt to evade once the police officer turned on his lights

Watch the video. It took the officer over a minute to catch up to the car.

4. The suspect vehicle pulled into a hospital er parking lot, at that point specifically the officer should have started having more concern about assisting, then arresting. This is the point that his attitude should have been self checked.

After a minute long chase the officer is somehow supposed to know that he should be in assist mode and to check his attitude? That's not being realistic.

5. Once the crazy women came out and left he was left with a fairly calm and rational man.

Moats was anything but rational. I understand the circumstance and his emotion, but all he did was try to argue with the officer instead of attempting to be rational. The officer tried explaining to Moats that most people would stop when they see flashing red and blue emergency lights and sirens, tell their story and the'd probably be let go. At most, the police would check the registration.

Having said that, when the nurse came out to confirm Moat's story and informed the officer that Moats' family member was going code blue, discretion should have taken over. Here, the officer failed miserably.

It's unfortunate and tragic but both are at fault.

 

[Plumfool]

First let me say that i read all the responeses to this thread because I was really interested to know how people felt. I'm a law officer. I work as a Texas Ranger. And there is not one moment that I can honestly defend Officer Powells actions. People hear have tried to and I applaud the sentiment. Even some have suggested that Moats was in the wrong. I'm sorry thats not even close to being accurate. The reason? Powells has had what I trust extensive training in threat assesment.

Watching the video I notice quite a few things most glaring was the fact that Powell at no time was driving in a manner that suggested anything nefarious. Just because he ran one stop light and 2 private property stop signs does not suggest he was "up to something". He was not driving at a high rate of speed and when approaching each intersection he paused. That tells me there is either an emergency or this person just wants to get to his destination quickly for whatever reason. So follow until suspect gives reason to think otherwise. Secondly when seeing Moats approach the hospital this rasies my alarm further. Is there really an emergency? Or perhaps something else. Taking the type of driving coupled with the fact there was no call for an emergency vehicle I'm gonna think that this is an emergency. Once Moats parked and the officer heard the story if he still feels a threat. Tell Moats I'll walk with you inside and check out your story.

This officer drew his weapon upon seeing people shoot out of the van which suggestes a type of temperment. People will say that officer cant just trust what people say. Thats true but that is no license to take out your weapon. You protect yourself with your vehicle. If passenger had not gotten out of vehicle you approach cautiously with hand on weapon. Since the family did jump out all the officer had to do was calmly ask the family to remain where they were (with hand still on weapon) and ask them why they drove in the manner in which they did. Then follow through with walking with family inside. But I can understand drawing the weapon at first but not the pointing of it.

The video clearly shows there is a problem with this particular officers thinking. And there is more evidence that suggests that this officer has problems. There are reports that he also doctored his reports to suggests his reasoning for chasing Moats. And he is caught on video admitting to the fact. If true be he will be fired.

Having had the displeasure of imvestigating these type of situations I'll say this the smartest thing the chief did was come out right away and express the displeasure of the department. Sometimes to their own demise police officer stand behind one another.

Their is no excuse for what happened. And anyone who tries and defends or dismiss or even gives an excuse for Officer Powell actions should honestly look at themselves. Because this officer was trained to protect and serve. Since there was no threat any good gets canceled out. There is no "well he did not know" there is no "well there is the possibility of." Police are trained to act on such situations. And at no particular time did this officer rely on that training, only on himself.

 

[DallasFanSince86]

First let me say that i read all the responeses to this thread because I was really interested to know how people felt. I'm a law officer. I work as a Texas Ranger. And there is not one moment that I can honestly defend Officer Powells actions. People hear have tried to and I applaud the sentiment. Even some have suggested that Moats was in the wrong. I'm sorry thats not even close to being accurate. The reason? Powells has had what I trust extensive training in threat assesment.

Watching the video I notice quite a few things most glaring was the fact that Powell at no time was driving in a manner that suggested anything nefarious. Just because he ran one stop light and 2 private property stop signs does not suggest he was "up to something". He was not driving at a high rate of speed and when approaching each intersection he paused. That tells me there is either an emergency or this person just wants to get to his destination quickly for whatever reason. So follow until suspect gives reason to think otherwise. Secondly when seeing Moats approach the hospital this rasies my alarm further. Is there really an emergency? Or perhaps something else. Taking the type of driving coupled with the fact there was no call for an emergency vehicle I'm gonna think that this is an emergency. Once Moats parked and the officer heard the story if he still feels a threat. Tell Moats I'll walk with you inside and check out your story.

This officer drew his weapon upon seeing people shoot out of the van which suggestes a type of temperment. People will say that officer cant just trust what people say. Thats true but that is no license to take out your weapon. You protect yourself with your vehicle. If passenger had not gotten out of vehicle you approach cautiously with hand on weapon. Since the family did jump out all the officer had to do was calmly ask the family to remain where they were (with hand still on weapon) and ask them why they drove in the manner in which they did. Then follow through with walking with family inside. But I can understand drawing the weapon at first but not the pointing of it.

The video clearly shows there is a problem with this particular officers thinking. And there is more evidence that suggests that this officer has problems. There are reports that he also doctored his reports to suggests his reasoning for chasing Moats. And he is caught on video admitting to the fact. If true be he will be fired.

Having had the displeasure of imvestigating these type of situations I'll say this the smartest thing the chief did was come out right away and express the displeasure of the department. Sometimes to their own demise police officer stand behind one another.

Their is no excuse for what happened. And anyone who tries and defends or dismiss or even gives an excuse for Officer Powell actions should honestly look at themselves. Because this officer was trained to protect and serve. Since there was no threat any good gets canceled out. There is no "well he did not know" there is no "well there is the possibility of." Police are trained to act on such situations. And at no particular time did this officer rely on that training, only on himself.

Great post.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

First let me say that i read all the responeses to this thread because I was really interested to know how people felt. I'm a law officer. I work as a Texas Ranger. And there is not one moment that I can honestly defend Officer Powells actions. People hear have tried to and I applaud the sentiment. Even some have suggested that Moats was in the wrong. I'm sorry thats not even close to being accurate. The reason? Powells has had what I trust extensive training in threat assesment.

Watching the video I notice quite a few things most glaring was the fact that Powell at no time was driving in a manner that suggested anything nefarious. Just because he ran one stop light and 2 private property stop signs does not suggest he was "up to something". He was not driving at a high rate of speed and when approaching each intersection he paused. That tells me there is either an emergency or this person just wants to get to his destination quickly for whatever reason. So follow until suspect gives reason to think otherwise. Secondly when seeing Moats approach the hospital this rasies my alarm further. Is there really an emergency? Or perhaps something else. Taking the type of driving coupled with the fact there was no call for an emergency vehicle I'm gonna think that this is an emergency. Once Moats parked and the officer heard the story if he still feels a threat. Tell Moats I'll walk with you inside and check out your story.

This officer drew his weapon upon seeing people shoot out of the van which suggestes a type of temperment. People will say that officer cant just trust what people say. Thats true but that is no license to take out your weapon. You protect yourself with your vehicle. If passenger had not gotten out of vehicle you approach cautiously with hand on weapon. Since the family did jump out all the officer had to do was calmly ask the family to remain where they were (with hand still on weapon) and ask them why they drove in the manner in which they did. Then follow through with walking with family inside. But I can understand drawing the weapon at first but not the pointing of it.

The video clearly shows there is a problem with this particular officers thinking. And there is more evidence that suggests that this officer has problems. There are reports that he also doctored his reports to suggests his reasoning for chasing Moats. And he is caught on video admitting to the fact. If true be he will be fired.

Having had the displeasure of imvestigating these type of situations I'll say this the smartest thing the chief did was come out right away and express the displeasure of the department. Sometimes to their own demise police officer stand behind one another.

Their is no excuse for what happened. And anyone who tries and defends or dismiss or even gives an excuse for Officer Powell actions should honestly look at themselves. Because this officer was trained to protect and serve. Since there was no threat any good gets canceled out. There is no "well he did not know" there is no "well there is the possibility of." Police are trained to act on such situations. And at no particular time did this officer rely on that training, only on himself.

I will defer to your experience and your judgment. My point on this matter is that we had a boatload of opinions based on hindsight, rather than first hand experience or training. Being in law enforcement is not easy and you're only one bad day or one bad incident from being in trouble.

 

[Mansta54]

First let me say that i read all the responeses to this thread because I was really interested to know how people felt. I'm a law officer. I work as a Texas Ranger. And there is not one moment that I can honestly defend Officer Powells actions. People hear have tried to and I applaud the sentiment. Even some have suggested that Moats was in the wrong. I'm sorry thats not even close to being accurate. The reason? Powells has had what I trust extensive training in threat assesment.

Watching the video I notice quite a few things most glaring was the fact that Powell at no time was driving in a manner that suggested anything nefarious. Just because he ran one stop light and 2 private property stop signs does not suggest he was "up to something". He was not driving at a high rate of speed and when approaching each intersection he paused. That tells me there is either an emergency or this person just wants to get to his destination quickly for whatever reason. So follow until suspect gives reason to think otherwise. Secondly when seeing Moats approach the hospital this rasies my alarm further. Is there really an emergency? Or perhaps something else. Taking the type of driving coupled with the fact there was no call for an emergency vehicle I'm gonna think that this is an emergency. Once Moats parked and the officer heard the story if he still feels a threat. Tell Moats I'll walk with you inside and check out your story.

This officer drew his weapon upon seeing people shoot out of the van which suggestes a type of temperment. People will say that officer cant just trust what people say. Thats true but that is no license to take out your weapon. You protect yourself with your vehicle. If passenger had not gotten out of vehicle you approach cautiously with hand on weapon. Since the family did jump out all the officer had to do was calmly ask the family to remain where they were (with hand still on weapon) and ask them why they drove in the manner in which they did. Then follow through with walking with family inside. But I can understand drawing the weapon at first but not the pointing of it.

The video clearly shows there is a problem with this particular officers thinking. And there is more evidence that suggests that this officer has problems. There are reports that he also doctored his reports to suggests his reasoning for chasing Moats. And he is caught on video admitting to the fact. If true be he will be fired.

Having had the displeasure of imvestigating these type of situations I'll say this the smartest thing the chief did was come out right away and express the displeasure of the department. Sometimes to their own demise police officer stand behind one another.

Their is no excuse for what happened. And anyone who tries and defends or dismiss or even gives an excuse for Officer Powell actions should honestly look at themselves. Because this officer was trained to protect and serve. Since there was no threat any good gets canceled out. There is no "well he did not know" there is no "well there is the possibility of." Police are trained to act on such situations. And at no particular time did this officer rely on that training, only on himself.

:clap2:

 

[iceberg]

First let me say that i read all the responeses to this thread because I was really interested to know how people felt. I'm a law officer. I work as a Texas Ranger. And there is not one moment that I can honestly defend Officer Powells actions. People hear have tried to and I applaud the sentiment. Even some have suggested that Moats was in the wrong. I'm sorry thats not even close to being accurate. The reason? Powells has had what I trust extensive training in threat assesment.

Watching the video I notice quite a few things most glaring was the fact that Powell at no time was driving in a manner that suggested anything nefarious. Just because he ran one stop light and 2 private property stop signs does not suggest he was "up to something". He was not driving at a high rate of speed and when approaching each intersection he paused. That tells me there is either an emergency or this person just wants to get to his destination quickly for whatever reason. So follow until suspect gives reason to think otherwise. Secondly when seeing Moats approach the hospital this rasies my alarm further. Is there really an emergency? Or perhaps something else. Taking the type of driving coupled with the fact there was no call for an emergency vehicle I'm gonna think that this is an emergency. Once Moats parked and the officer heard the story if he still feels a threat. Tell Moats I'll walk with you inside and check out your story.

This officer drew his weapon upon seeing people shoot out of the van which suggestes a type of temperment. People will say that officer cant just trust what people say. Thats true but that is no license to take out your weapon. You protect yourself with your vehicle. If passenger had not gotten out of vehicle you approach cautiously with hand on weapon. Since the family did jump out all the officer had to do was calmly ask the family to remain where they were (with hand still on weapon) and ask them why they drove in the manner in which they did. Then follow through with walking with family inside. But I can understand drawing the weapon at first but not the pointing of it.

The video clearly shows there is a problem with this particular officers thinking. And there is more evidence that suggests that this officer has problems. There are reports that he also doctored his reports to suggests his reasoning for chasing Moats. And he is caught on video admitting to the fact. If true be he will be fired.

Having had the displeasure of imvestigating these type of situations I'll say this the smartest thing the chief did was come out right away and express the displeasure of the department. Sometimes to their own demise police officer stand behind one another.

Their is no excuse for what happened. And anyone who tries and defends or dismiss or even gives an excuse for Officer Powell actions should honestly look at themselves. Because this officer was trained to protect and serve. Since there was no threat any good gets canceled out. There is no "well he did not know" there is no "well there is the possibility of." Police are trained to act on such situations. And at no particular time did this officer rely on that training, only on himself.

i wanted to see both sides. i can see where getting out may cause a rise in the level of tension.

but i do agree he took it too far. appreciate your views man. thanks.

 

[silverbear]

I would accept an apology from most people, but not that piece of crap.

There you go again, talking the cop down, and yourself up...

ROTFLMAO...

 

[silverbear]

Wow...I'm floored...I agree 100% with your argument and find it well reasoned, are you hijacking SB's account?

Actually, I'm twins, and sometimes the good Silverbear beats the bad Silverbear to the PC...

 

[silverbear]

Don't take Jon's advice.

I promise, I won't...

Ever...

On any subject...

 

[Nav22]

First let me say that i read all the responeses to this thread because I was really interested to know how people felt. I'm a law officer. I work as a Texas Ranger. And there is not one moment that I can honestly defend Officer Powells actions. People hear have tried to and I applaud the sentiment. Even some have suggested that Moats was in the wrong. I'm sorry thats not even close to being accurate. The reason? Powells has had what I trust extensive training in threat assesment.

Watching the video I notice quite a few things most glaring was the fact that Powell at no time was driving in a manner that suggested anything nefarious. Just because he ran one stop light and 2 private property stop signs does not suggest he was "up to something". He was not driving at a high rate of speed and when approaching each intersection he paused. That tells me there is either an emergency or this person just wants to get to his destination quickly for whatever reason. So follow until suspect gives reason to think otherwise. Secondly when seeing Moats approach the hospital this rasies my alarm further. Is there really an emergency? Or perhaps something else. Taking the type of driving coupled with the fact there was no call for an emergency vehicle I'm gonna think that this is an emergency. Once Moats parked and the officer heard the story if he still feels a threat. Tell Moats I'll walk with you inside and check out your story.

This officer drew his weapon upon seeing people shoot out of the van which suggestes a type of temperment. People will say that officer cant just trust what people say. Thats true but that is no license to take out your weapon. You protect yourself with your vehicle. If passenger had not gotten out of vehicle you approach cautiously with hand on weapon. Since the family did jump out all the officer had to do was calmly ask the family to remain where they were (with hand still on weapon) and ask them why they drove in the manner in which they did. Then follow through with walking with family inside. But I can understand drawing the weapon at first but not the pointing of it.

The video clearly shows there is a problem with this particular officers thinking. And there is more evidence that suggests that this officer has problems. There are reports that he also doctored his reports to suggests his reasoning for chasing Moats. And he is caught on video admitting to the fact. If true be he will be fired.

Having had the displeasure of imvestigating these type of situations I'll say this the smartest thing the chief did was come out right away and express the displeasure of the department. Sometimes to their own demise police officer stand behind one another.

Their is no excuse for what happened. And anyone who tries and defends or dismiss or even gives an excuse for Officer Powell actions should honestly look at themselves. Because this officer was trained to protect and serve. Since there was no threat any good gets canceled out. There is no "well he did not know" there is no "well there is the possibility of." Police are trained to act on such situations. And at no particular time did this officer rely on that training, only on himself.

Check... mate.

Shame on the fools trying their damndest to defend the monster's actions. Fire that piece of crap immediately.

 

[Alexander]

In the world most of you apparently live in, all a criminal has to do is pull into a hospital parking lot, act hysterical, and the cops should just move along. I guess it's like reaching base in hide and seek or tag.

What you and everyone else excusing the officer's idiocy is apparently missing is the simple fact the Moats vehicle had its flashers on.

I guess in the world you live in, "criminals" drive vehicles conspiculously with flashers on and break numerous relatively insignificant traffic laws as they plot their next killing spree.

 

[Kaika]

My 2 cents. Before I saw the video I wanted to give the officer the benefit of the doubt. They have a very dangerous job.

But after seeing the video, Man, Some people are just plain dumb and shouldn't be in charge of anything. Definitely a reprimand is in order here.

I mean, Their at the hospital, if he had any doubts about the situation ,just walk in with the family and see for himself if it were bogus or not.

With over 2 million sperm cells going for the egg , this dummy is the one that made it.
Wow.

 

[Hostile]

If you click on the audio file of Moats on the radio you will see a shocking comment from Powell's wife that was posted on their personal web page. Also a nurse and another Officer try to convince him and he doesn't listen. Bad move by this young man.



Police officer who detained Texans RB apologizes

Moats was stopped trying to visit dying mother-in-law

Associated Press

March 28, 2009, 12:32AM

Dallas PD

Dallas police officer Robert Powell is seen in this undated photo provided by the Dallas Police Department via The Dallas Morning News. Powell was placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation.

Resources


Police video

A camera inside the cruiser captured the incident between a Dallas cop and Texans player Ryan Moats.



Moats speaks on case

Texans back talks to the Kevin Scott and Greg Hill Show on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) in Dallas


DALLAS - A Dallas police officer who drew his gun after pulling over an NFL player rushing to see his dying mother-in-law apologized Friday for his actions.

The statement from Officer Robert Powell was released through his attorneys and referred to his traffic stop last week of Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats.

"I wish to publicly and sincerely apologize to the Moats family, my colleagues in the Dallas Police Department, and to all those who have been rightfully angered by my actions on March 18, 2009. After stopping Mr. Moats' vehicle, I showed poor judgment and insensitivity to Mr. Moats and his family by my words and actions,'' Powell's statement reads.

In the statement, Powell said he's attempted to reach Moats but has been unsuccessful.

"Again, I am very sorry for what I did and ask for the forgiveness of all those touched by these unfortunate events,'' Powell said.

No message could be left for the Moats family on Friday evening. Ryan Moats' agent did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press.

Powell, a three-year veteran of the force, was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday pending results of an internal investigation into the incident. His attorney declined to comment beyond the statement.
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkel said he was embarrassed and disappointed after viewing video from a dashboard camera inside the officer's vehicle.

Powell stopped Moats' SUV outside Baylor Regional Medical Center in the Dallas suburb of Plano after the vehicle rolled through a red light. Moats, his wife, Tamishia, and other relatives were also in the car.

The officer ordered Moats to get back in the SUV, but after pausing for a few seconds, she and another woman rushed into the hospital. She was by the side of her mother, 45-year-old Jonetta Collinsworth, when she died a short time later from breast cancer.

"Get in there,'' said Powell, yelling at 27-year-old Tamishia Moats, as she exited the vehicle. "Let me see your hands!''

"Excuse me, my mom is dying,'' Tamishia Moats said. "Do you understand?''
Ryan Moats later said the officer pointed the gun at his wife and then at him.

During the stop, Ryan Moats explained that he waited until there was no traffic before continuing through the red light. When Powell asked for proof of insurance, Moats grew more agitated and told the officer to go find it.

"My mother-in-law is dying! Right now! You're wasting my time!'' Moats yelled. "I don't understand why you can't understand that.''

As they argued, the officer got irritated. "Shut your mouth,'' the officer, 25, said.

Powell also tells Moats he can make things very difficult for him and threatened to impound his car and jail him.

By the time the 26-year-old NFL player received a ticket and a lecture from Powell about attitude, about 13 minutes had passed. When he and Collinsworth's father entered the hospital, they learned Collinsworth was dead.

Moats, a third-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005 out of Louisiana Tech, was cut by the Eagles in August and later signed with the Texans. In three seasons as a backup, he's rushed for 441 yards and scored four touchdowns.

He was a standout at Bishop Lynch High School, a private school in Dallas, rushing for more than 2,600 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior.

 

[AbeBeta]

Wife's comment is awesomely ignorant. Is it "the media" at fault here? Not unless you consider police dashboard cameras an arm of the evil media.

This is actually a case where everyone can see with their own eyes what happened. That 16 minutes of video has nothing to do with the media. Folks have had the opportunity to judge the actual events. And most think her husband was way way way out of line.

 

[jobberone]

Oh, for God's sake. The guy screwed up in an emotionally charged situation. Just the type of stuff that goes on in every family at times. People do and say things that don't really mean then once the emotional energy is discharged reason returns.

He made a mistake and apologized for it.

Time to move on. That is of course unless any of you have never screwed up.

 

[trueblue1687]

thats pitiful, but thats the way some police officers are;

i was in dallas along time ago, and was waiting on the red light to turn green, soon as it turned green, this bus that was on the right hand side, pulled straight out in front of me, i followed the bus underneath the light, by the time i got to the light, which i couldnt see when bus pulled out in front of me

it turned red, a police officer that was standing on sidewalk whom i didnt see at the time, pulled me over and gave me a ticket, i tried to mention to him that the bus pulled out in front of me, cutting me off, he wouldnt hear any of it, just was making his quota, and in fact now that i look back on it, looked like a trap that the police officer was waiting on to give someone a ticket

some police officers are nice, but some are not nice, but cruel and mean

Bet he had a time lining up those buses for people to follow under the light to facilitate his "trap"

 

[ComicBookGuy]

Oh, for God's sake. The guy screwed up in an emotionally charged situation. Just the type of stuff that goes on in every family at times. People do and say things that don't really mean then once the emotional energy is discharged reason returns.

He made a mistake and apologized for it.

Time to move on. That is of course unless any of you have never screwed up.

The problem is that he does not have the skills to be an effective police officer. He could not recognize the situation for what it was, did not want to check the story and escort them, and he caused the situation to get worse by his actions and words. He should not be in a position of power. He has no idea what to do with it.

 

[trueblue1687]

What you and everyone else excusing the officer's idiocy is apparently missing is the simple fact the Moats vehicle had its flashers on.

I guess in the world you live in, "criminals" drive vehicles conspiculously with flashers on and break numerous relatively insignificant traffic laws as they plot their next killing spree.

I suppose by your line of thinking, the flashers should obviously mean the driver is the pillar of the church?? This example should have had a simple outcome...walk into the hospital and check the story, especially since you (as the officer) is already there too. The chick jumping out and running is pure stupidity, no matter what the reason. No problem with the scolding of the officers conduct, but you can't fix stupid with the wife, either. Take a look at the outcome of "ordinary traffic stops" with the recent Oakland P.D. incident...YOU may take things for granted (innocent motorists), but there are two police officers who were writing a traffic ticket that are dead because they lost control of the stop and let a turd walk back to them from his car. The real world doesn't survive your line of thinking, but I totally agree the officer should have probably chosen another line of work with his lack of common sense....maybe an attorney or quarterback for the Titans.

 

[Bleu Star]

There is the letter of the law and then there is the spirit of the law. I understand pulling someone over but then to not have any compassion is ridiculous.

Good for the wife just leaving to be with her mother!

Exactly... Man.. That's just plain crazy. Dude really has no common sense. Then to think he passed the battery of tests they put you through to become a cop with the void left in the common sense area of his brain... pretty scary.

 

[trueblue1687]

I guess the most comical thing about this whole ordeal is that, aside from APPEARING insensitive and obviously not sizing up the situation quicker (something a veteran cop would ...or should have been able to do)...the officer really didn't do anything WRONG. He witnessed an offense and stopped the car... a woman jumped out and he ordered her back in. He had nothing to do with the fact that the woman in the hospital was dying, and a safe assumption would be that the occupants couldn't have saved her...but his actions, in retrospect, were not as bad as the story makes it. If the woman would have been alive when the football player went in...or if this had not been a pro athlete, you would have never heard about this because it is EXACTLY like a hundred thousand stops made every day. My only critique is that the officer should have at least explored the possibility of hteir story after contact them. It's only a story because of the star points and the woman expired before they made it inside.