Cop beats elderly man after he reports a car accident

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Published time: May 19, 2011 16:48
Edited time: May 19, 2011 21:29

An Alabama police officer beat an 84-year-old man after he called 911 to report a car accident outside of him home that involved an intoxicated driver.

Dorsey Henderson called 911 to report the accident after he noticed that the driver was severely drunk. Henderson told the driver that he was under citizen’s arrest and told him to remain near the vehicle until the police arrived.

Minutes later Fairhope Police Officer Trent Scott arrived. Henderson explained the driver appeared to be very intoxicated and had been acting belligerent, and that he placed him under a citizen’s arrest. The officer however scolded Henderson and told him there is "no such thing as citizen's arrest in Alabama," and to "get out of the way, old man," according to the Courthouse News Service.

The man said he was merely trying to help. But, the officer did not care. He responded to Henderson’s aid by grabbing him and throwing him to the ground breaking both his nose and glasses, all while Henderson’s wife watched helplessly from her wheelchair inside the home.

His wife, on the phone with 911, told the dispatcher that the cop was "beating the hell out of my husband."

Following the beating the officer cuffed Henderson and put him in the back seat of his patrol car. He was never placed under arrest.

When an ambulance arrived the officer sent it away, telling the medics that the “old man” had no need for medical assistance.

Sometime later a superior officer arrived at the scene and ordered the ambulance to return. After Henderson was taken to the hospital he was found to have a broken nose, multiple contusions and a torn rotator cuff.

The police officer remains on duty without reprimand from the department.