A heartbreaking video has gone viral on social media, showcasing the appalling treatment of a 60-year-old wheelchair-bound woman by the Knoxville police officers. Lisa Edwards had been arrested for refusing to leave the hospital, and the footage shows her pleading with the officers that she could not breathe. In a matter of moments, she collapsed and passed away due to a stroke in the back of the police cruiser. The incident occurred on February 6, at the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Tennessee, after the officers received a 911 call about a woman who was refusing to leave the hospital.
Upon their arrival, Edwards was seen begging and pleading with the officers to “stop” and even told them that they were going to kill her. Despite her desperate pleas, the Knoxville officers refused to listen to her and continued to handle the situation in a callous and negligent manner. As a result, since her passing, the officers involved in the incident have been suspended on paid leave. However, no charges have been filed against them.
The distressing incident has sparked fury online, with many people condemning the actions of the Knoxville police officers. It is deeply concerning to see the lack of empathy and disregard for human life demonstrated by those who are supposed to protect and serve their community. It is a reminder of the urgent need for police reform and training, particularly in cases where individuals with disabilities are involved. It is crucial that law enforcement officers receive proper education and training to ensure they are equipped to handle such sensitive situations with care and professionalism. Only then can we hope to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future?
The disturbing video footage of a wheelchair-bound elderly woman, Lisa Edwards, being arrested by Knoxville police officers has sparked outrage online. The footage shows Edwards pleading with the officers that she is unable to breathe after she was arrested for refusing to leave Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center on February 6. She later collapsed and died of a stroke in the back of the police cruiser.
The incident began after the police responded to a 911 call about a woman who refused to leave the hospital. When the officers arrived, Edwards was seen begging and pleading with them to “stop,” saying “I’m going to pass out” and at one point even telling the officers, “you’re going to kill me.” Despite her desperate pleas, the Knoxville officers refused to listen to her and continued to handle the situation in a callous and negligent manner.
In the recently released hour-long video by the Knoxville Police Department, Lisa Edwards could be heard requesting to sit down before being escorted to the police cruiser. One officer responds by urging her to “help them help her.” Meanwhile, another officer notes that she had been medically cleared, adding that she had not displayed any breathing difficulties when she was smoking a cigarette outside.
In the video, the officers are seen attempting to forcefully push Edwards into the police cruiser while warning her of additional charges and expressing frustration with her resistance. Despite her plea for assistance in getting up, the officers instead threaten to shut the car door on her foot. Tragically, in her last moments, Edwards can be heard telling the officers that they are responsible for her death.
When Edwards and the officers finally set off on the road to transport her to Roger Wilson Detention Facility, the cops pull over another car for reckless driving. However, when they attempt to wake Edwards up after the stop, they discover that she is unresponsive. The officers call for an ambulance for further assistance, but unfortunately, Edwards remained unresponsive.
Upon the release of the video, the family of Lisa Edwards expressed their dismay and shock at the treatment she received. August Boylan, Edwards’s daughter-in-law, who works as a nurse, stated that the officers were not considerate of basic human needs and were negligent in their duties. However, despite the family’s protests, the Knox County District Attorney’s Office has stated that no charges will be filed against the officers. According to the DA’s office, Edwards died of natural causes, and the police interaction did not contribute to her death. Nonetheless, the Knoxville Police Department has launched an internal investigation into the matter, and the officers implicated are on paid leave. The department has expressed their sincere condolences to the family of Lisa Edwards.