Okla. paramedic speaks out on trooper scuffle

By Shannon Eliot
EMS1 Junior Editor

OKMULGEE, Okla. — A paramedic involved in a scuffle with a highway trooper has revealed the moments that lead up to the confrontation.

Maurice White Jr., a critical care paramedic with the Creek Nation, Okla., EMS, said he was physically assaulted by a trooper who prevented him from maintaining patient care.

White was nearly arrested during the Sunday incident, which was captured on a cell phone camera. It happened after White and a colleague were transporting a patient to the hospital when their ambulance was forced to pull over by a trooper.

When they came to a stop, White said he noticed a woman in the front seat of the cruiser and believed she was in need of immediate medical attention "based on the officer's erratic driving behavior."

In a written statement to the Creek Nation EMS director, White said as he and Franks exited the rear of the ambulance to assess the situation, the trooper left his own car in a "state of rage."

White added, "He approached my partner and yelled, 'Get your ass back here. I am giving you a ticket for failure to yield.'"

White said he explained to the trooper that they were transporting a woman, who reports say had heat exhaustion, to the hospital.

Related Resource:  White Jr.'s Statement (PDF)

The paramedic said he told the trooper they were transporting a patient and that they could continue the dispute at the hospital.

Moments later, White said the trooper shouted, "You are under arrest for obstructing a police officer," and grabbed his right arm. White said the trooper tried to maneuver his arm behind his back on order to cuff him, but wasn't able to and a brief struggle ensued.

White said when he returned to the patient compartment, another trooper appeared on the scene, began knocking on the door and tried to arrest him.

He added that when the officer was again unable to maneuver his arm behind his back, he "engaged my trachea in a claw-like grip, digging his nail into my neck while partially shutting off my air supply.

"After 10 to 15 seconds, he released his grip and told me we could continue with the transport, but as soon as I transferred patient care to the hospital I would be placed under arrest."

White was later informed he would not be arrested, and the episode is being investigated by the Highway Patrol's internal affairs unit and a county prosecutor.

The incident began, according to White, when a patrol car with emergency lights on but no siren came close behind their ambulance. As it overtook, they received a transmission on their radio from the driver, who was quoted as telling them, "You should consider checking your rear-view mirrors."

A few blocks later, White said he saw a trooper's car, with its lights and siren on, pull out of a side street and again raced up to the ambulance, ordering them to pull over.