n cogneato, no thanks (5/30/2009 3:20:34 AM)

I seen them already...um theres a video out.

Teddy Bear 1975, Eufaula (5/30/2009 6:58:40 AM)

This is big embarrasement for the State Troopers. These guys should to prison for life.

chase, rogers county (5/30/2009 7:06:31 AM)

A few bad apples.

jess, (5/30/2009 7:57:34 AM)

Lots of judgment out there here before all the facts are in.
Why not wait until we know all the facts before jumping on the troopers. If they screwed up, they will be punished.

Graybeard, Tulsa (5/30/2009 7:59:36 AM)

Jess is right. We are getting snippets of info on this at present, so let's not jump to conclusions.

Possum, Owasso (5/30/2009 8:23:59 AM)

It appears that even State Troopers can develope a case of road rage. They're only human. Everyone needs to calm down and stop blowing this incident way out of proportion. Seems like a simple apology might be in order and let all these people get back to work.

redbeard, Stillwater (5/30/2009 8:48:24 AM)

I agree with Possum,Graybeard and Jess. Let the facts come in before making a judgement.Having the video air on YouTube doesn't help any.

H_Harl, (5/30/2009 9:14:06 AM)

anativetulsan...i also believe in respecting the law. IF the law is acting respectably. but law enforcement should also respect the citizens who pay their salary.

billy8, Sand Springs (5/30/2009 9:18:16 AM)

If the troopers were in the process of doing their duty, how could they have the time to scuffle with the paramedics? Did they ever take care of the problem they supposedly were on the way to? Kinda makes you think they were out looking to make some trouble.

wk, (5/30/2009 9:23:42 AM)

I really do think the OHP has been forced to start hiring a bunch of punks. Used to be a fine organization but it seems like they're really full of ego these days. I mean let's face it, these guys don't even know how to investigate a crime. They're traffic ticket guys who do crash investigations. Give us all a break on the high and mighty stuff.

latime, tulsa (5/30/2009 11:10:08 AM)

You can tell these cowards a mile off, tattoos, muscles, steroids and hiding behind a badge. when one of these freaks pull you over, be careful! It is a shame the good people in law enforcement have to hire these cowards.

KJNOKIE, TULSA (5/30/2009 11:24:32 AM)

"unsure whether the troopers wrote incident reports on the encounter"

Wouldn't that be some sort of infraction? Or are they still doctoring the reports?

Graychin, Eucha (5/30/2009 11:28:15 AM)

The other day, a Tulsa police officer beeped his siren at the car in the lane next to me. The other car moved over, and the police car drove on his way. Unlike those Highway Patrol officers, the Tulsa police officer didn't hassle the driver who didn't see his lights.

Perhaps the Tulsa officer really was in a hurry for official business. That doesn't seem to be the case with the Highway Patrol, who seemed not to like the ambulance drivers' attitude.

If this incident really was escalated just because the ambulance drivers flipped off the patrolmen, then the patrolmen should be fired simply for thin-skinned stupidity. If the ambulance didn't flip off the patrolmen, then the patrolmen should be fired for either ignoring their original emergency, or running their emergency lights improperly.

I believe that flipping off Highway Patrol officers is, and should be, protected speech under the First Amendment. It's really dumb speech, but it's protected anyway.

I am justme, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (5/30/2009 1:15:08 PM)

What authority gives the tribes the right to run an ambulance service? Are they taking over all services?


U an half Cherokee but keep wondering if the tribes are getting to big for their britches.


IT APPEARS BOTH THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND THE EMERGENCY SERVICE GUYS WERE ALL ACTING UP. ALSO, WHY WAS THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE PATIENT ALLOWED TO TAKE THESE PHOTOS?


It just makes Oklahoma look stupid. OKLAHOMA is a great state and we need to stop part of this STUPIDTY.

Arbythree, Tulsa (5/30/2009 1:16:19 PM)

A few bad apples is right. My experience has never been anything like this.

Graychin, Eucha (5/30/2009 1:31:40 PM)

Why was the family member allowed to take pictures?

Why not?

Be_Realistic, (5/30/2009 2:03:08 PM)

The OHP Troopers clearly made a mistake. They let their anger get the better of them and totally overreacted to the situation. I do not believe they should be fired over it though. I can guarantee you they have learned a good lesson. I also think it is ridiculous to imply that it was a race issue as some are doing.
OHP was responding to a back up call for another trooper. Im sure they were keyed up and became frustrated when the ambulance didnt yield. They lost their cool when they thought the driver flipped them off. When they pulled him over anger prevented them from thinking clearly about a possible patient on board. They realize they made mistake while trying to cuff him but were in too deep to completely back off. They were trying to take control of the situation with intimidation so they wouldnt have to use outright force.
The paramedic handled himself and the situation perfectly! He is clearly a total professional.
I think the trooper reacted in anger and got in too deep before he realized what he had done. They should be reprimanded and demoted if they hold any rank. They clearly need anger management training also. I do not believe they should lose their jobs. They need to thank the DA for not charging them with a crime and a formal public apology issued.

Bullhead, Nicut (5/30/2009 2:08:47 PM)

justme, you are obviously jealous of the Tribe making their own way. Perhaps you'd like for all Native Americans to live off your tax money on Welfare and grobble for food stamps? I don't know what your problem is but you need to put a sock in your pie hole. We're working, we're professionals, we're trying to take care of our own. We're even providing funds to the roads, water to communities and public schools where white people drive, drink water and take their kids to school. You need to calm down and appreciate what we're trying to do for ourselves and our communities.

R U 4 Real?, BA (5/30/2009 2:20:36 PM)

Hmmm...
If the family member was not filming the actions of this incident it makes me wonder what could have happened.

R U 4 Real?, BA (5/30/2009 2:21:28 PM)

Not too sure about the law, but, common sense tells me that the patient in the back of the ambulance is the priority of the law of the OHP.

R U 4 Real?, BA (5/30/2009 2:22:44 PM)

just me,
did you not engage your brain before writing your remarks?

Woofenburger, Hominy (5/30/2009 2:48:18 PM)

OHP troopers are trained to keep their heads about them in tense situations. This is imperitive in that they are armed and are delegated a great deal of authority over the rest of us. When an individual shows that he is either disregarding that training or has failed to internalize it he should be removed from the organization both as protection for the people of Oklahoma and to reduce liability risk to the OHP and the State.

Woofenburger, Hominy (5/30/2009 2:54:25 PM)

justme,
do you believe that if there were no pictures it didn't really happen? The pictures don't make Oklahoma LOOK stupid, they point out the parts of Oklahoma that ARE stupid and should be fixed. We can make Oklahoma better by identifying and fixing problems, not by burying our heads in the sand and chanting Oklahoma is great.

William42, Broken Arrow (5/30/2009 3:04:47 PM)

This note to "Be Realistic." Now YOU are being very realistic! Logical, even. Not like the guy who said these troopers need to be locked up for life. Lord help us! Even the folks that call for their resignation - that's not realistic. They were wrong - thankfully it WAS filmed! That's probably the ONLY reason the ambulance was released - the HP guys finally realized they were dead wrong - and it was being documented. So sad that this is #2 on YouTube.

Libs-R-Us, (5/30/2009 3:11:14 PM)

String 'em all up! Well, that is, except for the old lady in the back of the ambulance.