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Retired Officer Loses Excessive Force Case After Rabbit Shooting Arrest
Associated Press
November 17, 2010
MADISON, Wis. — An 89-year-old retired police officer who was arrested after sticking a pellet gun out his car window to shoot rabbits has lost an appeal arguing that excessive force was used to apprehend him.
Raymond Bednarek of Oshkosh sued the city after he was arrested, arguing that police used excessive force. The 2nd District Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed a lower court’s ruling rejecting Bednarek’s lawsuit, saying police responded appropriately.
Bednarek volunteered to help his condominium’s problem with rabbits by shooting them with his pellet gun. He was arrested after someone called police when they saw Bednarek sticking his gun out his car window trying to get in a good shooting position.
Bednarek says he didn’t hear police tell him to exit the car. He was pulled out and put down on the grass and handcuffed.
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
HUH????? Lawsuit???
darsavmo
about 3 years ago
11164 Comments
Can't believe time was wasted considering this lawsuit and my commenting on it...
rhood
about 3 years ago
23592 Comments
The officers were justified in their actions, the court made the correct decision. I don't think that the game laws would alow hunting from a vehicle. Darn those wabbits, it's all their fault.
Whalewatcher
about 3 years ago
10488 Comments
LMAO @ DALLASCRANE ....
DALLASCRANE
about 3 years ago
19384 Comments
Poor Elmer Fudd. He was only hunting Wabbits.................
KRG123
about 3 years ago
1546 Comments
Should have used the lawsuit money for new hearing aids !
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
poor old guy is a bit senile
Jonas
about 3 years ago
39638 Comments
You'd think an 89 year old would know better. Guess not. Lucky he didn't get himself shot.
HEYSARGE
about 3 years ago
16792 Comments
Good decision!
Devil_Dawg
about 3 years ago
58 Comments
Glad to hear they rejected his lawsuit. You have to listen to the police officers, then they wont have to drag you out of the car and put you on the ground.
cmoody
about 3 years ago
84 Comments
I think he should be thankful that he didnt get shot. If they get called out on that type of call what did he expect.
pdyer
about 3 years ago
352 Comments
I am both surprised and happy that the suit was dismissed. I hope more courts begin dismissing these types of frivilous law suits and also stop accepting them in the first place. The US has 66% of the worlds lawyers. You know what is black and brown and looks good on a lawyer? A German Shepard!
Retleo
about 3 years ago
5524 Comments
Man with a gun call, LEOs are going to treat it as a potential deadly force situation until the gunman is fully under their control. If Pops didn't hear them then that is his problem, not theirs. Even an 89 year old with a gun can kill (the LEOs responding don't have the luxury of knowing ahead of time the gunman's age, former job, caliber of weapon, intent, etc). Good to hear that this case was tossed, it sounds like a BS suit to begin with.
bluelinefarms
about 3 years ago
310 Comments
major difference between old school days and modern policing, retired or not im sure the cops didnt sneak up from behind him, lights are usually a good indication emergency services are present.
Irishcop1961
about 3 years ago
37930 Comments
Thumbs up to the 2nd District Court of Appeals.