SPD officer under investigation for tactics used in man's arrest
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SEATTLE -- A Seattle police officer is under investigation for the way he arrested a hit-and-run suspect. The suspect was badly beaten after police say he spit on them.
Leo Etherly is in a lot of trouble for allegedly assaulting three officers, but the 34-year-old says Seattle police are the ones who jumped him.
"I just want to you know; say that what happened to me shouldn't happen to no one else," Etherly said.
Officers confronted Etherly last Saturday at the corner of 23rd and Union. He matched the description of a hit and run suspect who had just struck a bicyclist a few blocks away.
Police say they tried to question him. Etherly says he was attacked.
"The officer hit me numerous times in my face," he said. "I have fracture... I have to have surgery after the swelling goes down."
Police spotted Etherly leaving a van that also matched the suspect vehicle, but say Etherly wouldn't cooperate.
"This person is resisting and uncooperative from the start," said Seattle Police spokesman Sean Whitcomb. "And that resistance escalates to the point where he refuses to be put in cuffs."
Police say at that point, Etherly assaulted the officers.
"He spat at the officers and struck one officer directly," Whitcomb said. "And the other two had spit on them as well."
Etherly's attorney James Egan says his client was then punched in the face, and now the Office of Professional Accountability is investigating that officer for any possible wrong-doing.
"What we're looking at is a particular tactic that was employed by one of the three officers," Whitcomb said.
Etherly said no one deserves this.
"I didn't want my son to see me, because look at me, I look like a monster," he said.
Court records show Kent Police arrested Etherly in march for an unrelated hit-and-run, but he was ultimately convicted of negligent driving.
The Seattle officer being investigated is a veteran with the department, and remains in the patrol division.
Leo Etherly is in a lot of trouble for allegedly assaulting three officers, but the 34-year-old says Seattle police are the ones who jumped him.
"I just want to you know; say that what happened to me shouldn't happen to no one else," Etherly said.
Officers confronted Etherly last Saturday at the corner of 23rd and Union. He matched the description of a hit and run suspect who had just struck a bicyclist a few blocks away.
Police say they tried to question him. Etherly says he was attacked.
"The officer hit me numerous times in my face," he said. "I have fracture... I have to have surgery after the swelling goes down."
Police spotted Etherly leaving a van that also matched the suspect vehicle, but say Etherly wouldn't cooperate.
"This person is resisting and uncooperative from the start," said Seattle Police spokesman Sean Whitcomb. "And that resistance escalates to the point where he refuses to be put in cuffs."
Police say at that point, Etherly assaulted the officers.
"He spat at the officers and struck one officer directly," Whitcomb said. "And the other two had spit on them as well."
Etherly's attorney James Egan says his client was then punched in the face, and now the Office of Professional Accountability is investigating that officer for any possible wrong-doing.
"What we're looking at is a particular tactic that was employed by one of the three officers," Whitcomb said.
Etherly said no one deserves this.
"I didn't want my son to see me, because look at me, I look like a monster," he said.
Court records show Kent Police arrested Etherly in march for an unrelated hit-and-run, but he was ultimately convicted of negligent driving.
The Seattle officer being investigated is a veteran with the department, and remains in the patrol division.
I know exactly where 23rd & Union is and 9 out of 10 times there is a group of thugs standing on the corner. I used to live in the Central District and I know for a fact they are not standing out there filling out job applications. Of course he has an attorney and his hand is probably as far out as he can reach. For gods sake get a job!! if you treat people with respect you will get it in return. I guarantee you if he would have been cooperative and didn't spit in the officers face none of this would have ever happened. It's not a secret that SPD is under scrutiny but there are waaay too many people taking advantage of it.   Â
Why in the world would any Seattle Police Officer arrest anyone? Â Let them get away with what they want, shoot up the town, break out windows. Â You'll still get paid and go home at night with less stress and no false accusations.
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Seattle is never going to stand behind their police officers. Â The city is going to hell because of its citizens, not the police.
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Everyday it is becoming more like Los Angeles and Chicago. Â Wonderful.
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For the rest of the 500,000 people who encounter our police, when you react peacefully and politely - and do what they ask, you just don't seem to have these problems do you?  Funny, the police don't either.
 @sentryone  right... its the citizens fault that the police department defrauded the entire city our of a system of accountability that wasn't there costing the tax payers Millions.
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Its the citizens responsible for these abusive cops who don't even understand our rights resulting in millions and millions in settlements.
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All those examples of officers lying on reports is the citizens fault too.... Yeppers. Â
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Seattle police are like a violent gang and are now proven to be the most organized criminals in the northwest. Â
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Don't worry though, 95% of all Seattle police officers do not even live in Seattle so their children's futures aren't effected by their wrongdoing and outright lawlessness.... only your children are. Â
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All budgets are effected by the most corrupt police department in the United States.
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 @Andrew Bush  @sentryone Police officers are encouraged to live outside their patrol districts for good reason......can you think of one? Maybe the city doesn't want them arresting and stopping their neighbors.Â
 Second. Is one bad outcome on a patrol stop really as important as the 800,000 plus calls they responded to last year that went well?
 Get facts before you offer up a ridiculous assumption........people!Â
 @Andrew Bush   Andrew Bush Seattle cops live out of the city because they have families and living outside of Seattle is safer for their families and more affordable. Of course when you fervent hatred of EVERY SEATTLE COP you over look those reasons. Really think an officer who wants to take his or her family out for dinner want to look over their shoulders for the people they arrest sitting next to them at some restaurant. The bad guys would then know what their family looks like, what type of car they drive and possibly their address. Are you really so out of touch you think that would be a good idea???????     Of course you are because you do not think straight and hate ALL COPS and you spew your hatred every chance you get.
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Do us all a favor some day and show all the information on these so called SPD assault cases from original 911 call to final judgement. I am asking you because KOMO only tells their attorneys side and they like you have a total one sided all cops are bad theory. Come on on show me how this outstanding pillar of the community with a nice rap sheet, was wronged?Â
 @lakeunion The corruption will never end throughout the Seattle Police Department.
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Parents need to arm their own teenage children with body cams for their own protection. Entire families have been destroyed by crooked Seattle cops.
 @Andrew Bush Do you ever get tired of posting the same drivel over and over?
 @Andrew Bush Andrew if youre such an expert on dealing with crime and violent criminals why dont YOU sign up for SPD and help clean up the joint? Oh thats right. You'd pee your pants the second that anyone remotely resembling Leo Etherly came within 10-feet of you. SPD has their problems. A LOT of them. But you paint them all with such a broad brush its ridiculous.
 @DarkParty Yeah I can tell I am having no effect by your tantrums with each comment I type. Â
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All I can do is offer you a tissue and suggest you move on to the next comment since mine seem to always get your panties in a bunch.Â
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 @Andrew Bush Again your false facts don't scare me and trying to teach the world about your corrupt cop bs on a KOMO news forum is as effective as standing on a street corner holding a sign.
 @DarkParty  Nope.... Never.  You shouldn't fear facts. Â
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Besides I am not posting for Your benefit. Â There are many out there who have no idea how corrupt the entire Seattle police department is and how it is effecting all budgets. Â
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YOU can always move on to the next comment. Â
hey, bro, know this... spitting = assault    supposedly if you spat at my face and try to do that again, i have a right to defend myself. and believe me, it won't be just a few punches to your face.Â
riiight. because you are an assassin!
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lots of tough guy comments on this thread. "if anyone spit on me, well let me tell ya..." yawn.
i know you envy me.... so be quiet and stay with the topic...
This is why we need cameras on every cop. It would show what happened, who did what and when.
 @OrcasThunder Gee... never heard that before... How perceptive of you.... Have you ever heard of a budget? Are you aware there are less officers on the street because of the budget(s)?
 @Funky-Munky We can afford $200M for a PRIVATE SPORTS VENUE, and yet we can't fund cameras to show the people what and how our police officers are doing when they represent US?
Didn't Detective Sean Whitcomb just come on the news slamming the black cop for shoving some black thugs in Rainier Valley for spitting on him??? NOW you gonna defend some cops ( Presumably not black) for beating the crap out of a guy for the same thing?? SPD is not only racist from the outside but also from the inside too! Â DOJ needs to come back to Seattle for the Black Police Officers this time !
Just what do you expect when you spit on people?
well, if its a cop, i expect he does his job professionally and not let emotion get the best of him, as per training...
Treat cops respectfully, obey their orders, and if you disagree with something don't escalate at the scene. Take it "offline". If you have a rap sheet, their level of being alarmed is higher too. Rightfully so. I hope, eventually cops will wear video & audio 24/7. BTW, if you spit on me, I will punch you 2, just saying ...
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looks like the police are putting themselves in the bad light.
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just cuff 'em like a professional and *poof* you won't have to worry about brutality incidents.
i bet every1 left a comment in this story are all bunch a crackers if this dude was white i bet they all felt sorry for hes ass.. sadÂ
 @rj Could not agree with you more !
 @rj WOW, Bet your not racist. To be honest, I DO feel sorry for the guy.Â
A "Cracker" as you put it.
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However, when will SPD learn to cool it? The guy's a spitter and takes a swing at officers? Put a spit hood on him and then add additional assault charges (yes, spitting can be regarded as assault) to the list - then let those stand in court. Does the guy probably deserve a punch or two? I think so - but in all reality, delivering that punch costs SPD more in the way of credibility, when that is what they are already sorely lacking. This creep is looking for his 15 minutes of fame, but in the end he'll get time in the pokey. And if he's so concerned about what his kid thinks about him, maybe he should stay out of trouble...just sayin'. From the looks of his court history, a bruised face is the least of his issues.
seriously. to simply ask that cops behave professionally is not defending this dudes' actions. throwing punches isn't needed.
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also, they are getting to the point that after so many incidents its really hard to give the police the benefit of the doubt.
When human filth gets a badge Everyone pays. Â Â
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Seattle Police are now proven to be the most corrupt police department in the country being the only department having a federal judge assigned to babysit them. Â
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They emasculate themselves. Â
 @Andrew Bush That's a bold statement, ever actually read the DOJ report on New Orleans? You are in for a mind expansion and a reality check if you take the time. How about Camden New Jersey?Â
 @Citizen#3457899654  NOPE!!!  The Seattle Police Department is the ONLY police department IN THE COUNTRY assigned a full time federal judge to babysit them at the tax payers expense. Â
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Seattle Police.... Organized Crime Perfected.... ALMOST!
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 @Andrew Bush you sound like a broken record
From the SPD blotter:
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Officers responding to the call spotted a similar van with a closely matching license plate in a parking lot less than a mile away from the scene of the collision. As officers pulled into the lot, they saw a man hurrying away from the van. Officers stopped him, believing him to be the suspect from the hit and run.
The 34-year-old man refused to answer officersâ questions or follow their directions.
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As I have stated REPEATEDLY heretofore, police officers need to be tested regularly and WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING for steroid use. Non-medical use of steroids by officers needs to be STRICTLY PROHIBITED, and violators of that rule need to be "Armstronged" right off the force FOR LIFE.
JLS1950; Steroids had nothing to do with this scumbags beatings, only common sense by the officers. You must be this dirtbags brother. Tell your brother to do society a favor and jump off the nearest bridge.
@Sam Maley More likely the thug cop is your brother. Mine's dead several years now.
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Nice to know there's no arrogance in your family: you've got it ALL!
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 @Wickedwitch Oh, so you're okay with police officers acting as judge, jury and executioner. Here's hoping that YOU get stopped for jaywalking soon - just like Donald Fuller. Good luck then.
@JLS1950  Wrong. The cop didnt "punish" this guy, the cop reacted to an ASSAULT upon his person in a legal manner. If you dont want to get hit, dont spit on people (cops included).
This hit and run idiot coulda killed somebody. I think a little SPD stick time is just what the doctor ordered
 @thatsjarrod Where does the article say that this man has EVER been convicted of hit-and-run? Eh? Got and answer? Okay then... go jaywalk and we'll hope you "learn something"!
This hit and run idiot coulda killes somebody. I think a little SPD stick time is just what the doctor ordered
He deserves what he got. I hope they throw away the key. 2 hit and runs, assaulting police. What a jerk. Now that one should of been shot.
@DeeDee In case you don't know, justice is not to be served by the fist of a police officer, but by the justice system. You don't want to be a citizen in a country where this is not true, believe me.
 @Damian Damian; the justice system has failed the law abiding citizens time and time again. Notice this is the second recent offense for this dirtbag. It is the cops jobs to kick ass, it makes up for lack of discipline by the parents of this dirtbag. If a cop gets spat upon and assaulted, then cops have the rights to punch back. Hugs and kisses don't work for these animals.
 @Sam Maley  @BuffaloBull I hear velvet bracelets, fairy dust and some incantations does wonders.. Ha!
 @BuffaloBull And how does a police officer arrest a full grown man who is resisting "professionally", do they pinch his nipples and give him a nice kiss on the cheek? You obviously wouldn't make a good cop.Â
@BuffaloBull  I disagree. If a person (cop included) is being assaulted, they have the right to defend themselves. Dont spit on people if you dont want them to fight back.Â
WTF r u thinkin'? cops DO NOT have the right to punch back. They are paid professionals & should act like it. Subdue the perp, cuff him & transport him to jail. IF they did that, the DOJ wouln't be all up in their bizness.
@Damian  He brought this one on himself. If you SPIT on anyone, expect to be in a fight. After the fight, he was arrested.
Thats what you get you dumb fvck. You pit in the laws face, the law will punch you in the face.
I bet this savage has a lengthy arrest record, and alleged hit-and-run is probably not even at the top of the list.