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Retired Officer Loses Excessive Force Case After Rabbit Shooting Arrest

16 Comments

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.

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Anonymous

over 3 years ago

HUH????? Lawsuit???
darsavmo

over 3 years ago

11356 Comments

Can't believe time was wasted considering this lawsuit and my commenting on it...
rhood

over 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

over 3 years ago

11194 Comments

LMAO @ DALLASCRANE ....
DALLASCRANE

over 3 years ago

19382 Comments

Poor Elmer Fudd. He was only hunting Wabbits.................
KRG123

over 3 years ago

1550 Comments

Should have used the lawsuit money for new hearing aids !
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

poor old guy is a bit senile
Jonas

over 3 years ago

42238 Comments

You'd think an 89 year old would know better. Guess not. Lucky he didn't get himself shot.
HEYSARGE

over 3 years ago

16726 Comments

Good decision!
Devil_Dawg

over 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

over 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

over 3 years ago

354 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

over 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

over 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

over 3 years ago

50490 Comments

Thumbs up to the 2nd District Court of Appeals.