Deputies in Taser Incident Return to Duty

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Posted: 4:15 PM Apr 17, 2008
Last Updated: 5:06 PM Apr 17, 2008
Reporter: 13 News

12 comments

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Two Shawnee County Sheriff's deputies involved in a tasering incident at the Topeka Goodyear plant are back on the job.

Lt. Martha Lutz confirmed the two returned to regular duty.

Deputies were called to Goodyear March 29th. Security officers said Walter Haake, Jr. was being uncooperative, refusing medical attention and not getting out of his vehicle. The deputies ended up tasering Haake three times. He later died of what the coroner deemed an accident, brought on by a combination of existing medical conditions while being handcuffed, face down on the ground.

A KBI investigation continues. It's not known how much longer it will take.

Lutz says the deputies returned to work per the department's personnel policy, but she declined to elaborate.

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Posted by: robo on Apr 21, 2008 at 07:48 PM
They protected Goodyear management while we walked the picket line the couldn't use their weapons there or they might have done some time they decided to wait until they had an opportune moment the perfect chance they attacked with force an injured man and showed him he didn't have a chance now we will investigate and show you that we were really just we'll even use the Highway patrol, a name that you can trust but they have theres to, who'll get drunk and try to show their force until you stand up to them and an officer covers the source so Haake's dead by the hand of the blue not suprising to any of us they protected goodyear for three months and showed, nofairness, no trust so now the plant might be for sale and the sherrif will get their wish so all the contractors and scabs and worms can work while we retire and fish robo

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Apr 21, 2008 at 07:48 AM
since this didnt show up last week--- if thats their way of saving lives, tasers, sitting on someone till they are dead and such, dont ever try to save my life.

Posted by: Robert Location: Arkansas City,KS. on Apr 19, 2008 at 09:35 PM
As for your comment Mr. Anonymous,alot of of desent,tax-paying people don`t appreciate your reaction,to our comments,first off down here,the lazy deputies,would have been at least fired,and they,for sure are a lot more professional,than to pull the sick stunt that costed a good,working man his life,it takes alot of different talents to be a real officer of the law,and we do have alot of that kind of talent down here in Arkansas City,and not much of this kind of Laziness,Ignorance!

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 18, 2008 at 09:16 PM
"OH MY GOD PEOPLE,GET REAL~~!!The man was ALIVE BEFORE HE WAS TASED 3 TIMES!!" yeah, and some people were alive before sex, but died during or afterwards. some people were alive before lightning, but dead afterwards. some people were alive before eating steak, but choked and died afterwards. we'd better outlaw that, well, except for the fact that we can actually directly attribute those things to someone's death. sadly enough though, try as you may, argue as you might, and sound as stupid as you do, you can't actually convince anyone except yourself that the taser killed this man. if it did, the kbi would be on it, if not them, then the fbi, etc. you peopleand your conspiracy theories/cop hating can only lead to 1 logical conclusion. you're all drug addicts who HAVE a reason to fear the cops b/c you belong in jail yourselves.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 18, 2008 at 09:12 PM
"don't trust no more", then simply don't call the police when you are being robbed, etc. seriously, don't. as for no compassion, you ignorant ignorant fools, unlike you idiots, i actually KNEW mr. Haake. as already stated time and time and time again, confirmed by coroners office and supported by Mr. Haake's own family, the TASER did NOT kill him, the TASER did not contribute to his death, and the fact that he was tased has NOTHING WHATSOEVER, and i mean NOTHING to do with his death. are you people HONESTLY that blind as to have missed that over and over again? don't believe it? call the haake family yourselves then. for all you cop haters, this is simple enough, don't call the cops when you need them. just don't. i wouldn't want to be a cop and protecting your sorry butts if you hated on me like this. btw, i'm a goodyear employee and worked with and enjoyed walter's company. he is dearly missed. we all wanted him to be safe.

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I wouldnt want them to try to save my life by tasering me, sitting on my back so I cant breathe till I die. a little common sense and actual help would have much better. too bad they arent trained in that, just maximum force.

Posted by: DONT TRUST NO MORE! Location: VOTE 4 BUGS BUNNY on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:29 AM
POOR SAP. YOU HAVE DISRESPECT FOR THE PUBLIC,YOU SHOULD BE BANNED FROM YOUR JOB. AND JUST STAND THERE ,HE WOULD ALIVE TODAY! YOU HAVE NO COMPASSION FOR THE DEAD,LET ALONE THE LIVING. I DONT TRUST THE SHERRIFF,POLICE,HIWAY PATROL EVER AGAIN! THEY ALL ARE ABOVE THE LAW~! THEY RUN THE SHOW,UY EVERYONE FOR THE FAMILYS COVER UP! I WILL NEVER CALL THEM, I;LL MIND MY OWN BUSINESS,AND STAY OUT OF THEIR PATHS,I WILL NOT SUPPORT THEM EVER AGAIN,O DONT EVER CALL ME AGAIN FOR DONATIONS FOR THE SHERRIFFS DEPARTMENT DONATION FUNDS,BECAUSE YOU LOST A MAJOR SUPPORTER IN ALL DEPARTMENTS! I'LL GIVE MY MONEY TO THE HAAKE FAMILY MEMORIAL FUND,

Posted by: LOST FAITH IN THE SYSTEM Location: cover it up,slap da hand,it ok on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM
OH MY GOD PEOPLE,GET REAL~~!!The man was ALIVE BEFORE HE WAS TASED 3 TIMES!! IF YOU HAD A HEART PROBLEM ON THE JOB PREMISES,AND YOU REFUSED HELP,THIS WOULD BE YOUR PERROGGITIVE!! AN EXSTINT OF TASED ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A TASER 3 TIMES WILL AUTOMATICALLY SEND THE SHOCK TO THE MAN'S HEART, IF THE MAN WAS ALSO A DIABETIC,THIS WAS ADDITIONAL SHOCK TO THE BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL,WHICH PUT THE MAN IN DOUBLE SHOCK,AND HE WAS SIMPLE KILLED BY THE TASEMENT TO HIS NERVOUS SYSTEM. GET REAL PEOPLE, THESE SO CALLED UNIDENTIFIABLE OFFICERS SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO WORK!!!! IT WILL BE JUST ANOTHER COVER UP LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THIS CITY!!! I THINK THIS IS THE MOST AWFUL THING I HAVE HAD TO LISTEN TOO!MR.HAAKE CAN'T GO BACK TO WORK AT GOODYEAR BECAUSE HE WAS KILLED BY THE TASER 3 TIMES!! THERE IS NO EXCUSE! I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN THE WHOLE SYSTEM,NEVER AGAIN WILL I VOTE! I WOULD VOTE FOR MICKEY MOUSE AND DONALD DUCK BEFORE I WOULD EVER VOTE FOR ANY ELECTED OFFICALS.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 17, 2008 at 08:28 PM
goes to show, do NOT try to save someone's life, b/c if you do, and it doesn't work, YOU are the one that will be blamed. just stand there and let the poor sap die. it's what the public wants

Posted by: Robert Location: Arkansas City,KS on Apr 17, 2008 at 07:38 PM
This is ridiculous,I can not believe that the Shawnee County Sheriffs Office is going to be so irresponsible,as to turn these so-called,public servants lose with their weapons,and a badge again, to endanger the public once again,I just hope and pray,that none of my family up there refuses medical attention while these Deputies-(on a power trip)-are on duty! Ole` Lady Justice must be on vacation,in Shawnee County this week!

Posted by: ditto Location: topeka on Apr 17, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Just goes to show you the sheriffs department is above the law. Anyone else would be in Jail. I think Barta won't seek re-election because he's out we do have a vote and the excuse of the sheriffs department relying on a rent a cops authority, it is getting deep

Posted by: Pleased on Apr 17, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Good to hear! Sorry for the Haake family's loss...this was a tragedy all around. However I am glad to hear that these deputies didn't lose their jobs over an accident!