EPD Intervention Prevents Suicide

News Release
12-2
Type of Incident: Suicide Intervention
Date of Incident: 010412
Location of Incident: Southeast Side

SUMMARY

Officers from the Evansville Police Department used a TASER to disarm a suicidal subject on Evansville’s southeast side.

The officers responded to the 911 call for help from the subject who had stabbed himself in the stomach with a 10” knife. When officers arrived, they found the subject had set up barriers around himself using overturned furniture. The subject was uncooperative and refused to obey officers’ commands to move away from the knife. The subject demanded time to smoke a cigarette while officers tried to convince him to cooperate.

When the subject finished his cigarette, he picked the knife up and told the officers “Let’s get this done”. After several attempts to get the subject to drop the knife, an officer used his TASER to subdue him. The subject was taken into custody without injury to himself or the officers. He was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment and a mental evaluation.

This incident is another example of the immeasurable value of the TASER as a less lethal option. The Evansville Police Department is currently working to ensure every patrol officer is issued a TASER.