A Tennessee sheriff’s comment that he would rather have deputies shoot a fleeing suspect than damage patrol cars has fueled a lawsuit claiming officers used excessive force in a deadly highway shooting.
White County Sheriff Oddie Shoupe made the comment after a chase last April ended with deputies fatally shooting Michael Dial in the head after he failed to stop.
‘They said: ‘We’re ramming (the suspect)’, ‘ Shoupe told a deputy in body-cam footage, obtained by CNN.
‘I said: “Don’t ram him. Shoot him.” F**k that s**t. You’re gonna tear my cars up.’
Shoupe later says of the chase: ‘I love this s**t. God, I tell you what, I thrive on it.’
White County Sheriff Oddie Shoupe’s (pictured) comment that he would rather have deputies shoot a fleeing suspect than damage patrol cars has fueled a lawsuit claiming officers used excessive force in a deadly highway shooting
A chase last April ended with deputies fatally shooting Michael Dial, 33 (left and right), of Clarksville, Tennessee, in the head after he failed to stop
Both the reserve deputy and the Sparta police officer shot Dial, with one of them shooting Dial in the head, the lawsuit says. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead
Attorney David Weissman, who represents Spainhoward in the lawsuit, told WTVF that Dial did not have a weapon and that the shooting was unjustified
Dial’s widow, Robyn Spainhoward, alleges that White County Reserve Deputy Adam West and Sparta police Officer Charlie Simms used excessive force to kill Dial, 33, of Clarksville, Tennessee.
West and Simms are both named in the lawsuit as is Shoupe.
The lawsuit, which seeks up to $10 million, alleges that the sheriff ordered the shooting ‘solely to prevent damage to patrol cars.’
‘I feel with every part of me, that’s exactly what they wanted to do, was kill him,’ Spainhoward told WTVF.
On April 13, officers tried to pull Dial over on suspicion of driving with a suspended license
Dial, who was driving a trailer, after attending a flea market, according to his wife, kept driving
Despite being forced into the median at one point, Dial kept driving at about approximately 50mph. Deputies can be heard telling dispatchers that at least one officer’s vehicle had been disabled
On April 13, officers tried to pull Dial 33, of Clarksville, Tennessee, over on suspicion of driving with a suspended license.
Dial, who was driving a trailer, after attending a flea market, according to his wife, kept driving.
Despite being forced into the median at one point, Dial kept driving at about approximately 50mph.
Deputies can be heard telling dispatchers that at least one officer’s vehicle had been disabled.
A dispatcher eventually relays new instructions from the sheriff, which according to the reserve deputy’s body camera were: ‘Per 59 (the sheriff), take him out by any means necessary, including deadly force.’
Around this time, a squad car hits the truck in the rear passenger side, turning it sideways.
A body camera shows a reserve deputy exiting his vehicle and firing a gun.
Both the reserve deputy and the Sparta police officer shot Dial, with one of them shooting him in the head, the lawsuit says. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A dispatcher eventually relays new instructions from the sheriff to take Dial out. After a squad car hits the truck, a body camera shows a reserve deputy exiting his vehicle and firing a gun
After the shooting, Shoupe arrives on the scene. Eventually he gets back into a vehicle with a deputy. Body-cam footage caught Shoup’e comments of: ‘I said: “Don’t ram him, shoot him.” F**k that s**t, they’re going to tear my cars up’
Shoupe then appears to engage in several phone calls. During one phone call, in the body-cam footage he’s heard saying: ‘I’m telling you…this is a hell of a pursuit. I mean, he meant to kill some people. I love this s**t. God, I tell you what, I thrive on it.’
After the shooting, Shoupe arrives on the scene. Eventually he gets back into a vehicle with a deputy.
Body-cam footage caught Shoup’e comments of: ‘I said: ‘Don’t ram him, shoot him.’ F**k that s**t, they’re going to tear my cars up.
‘And I’ve already got two cars torn up again.’
Shoupe then appears to engage in several phone calls. During one phone call, in the body-cam footage he’s heard saying: ‘I gave the order to take [Dial] out because he was going to kill somebody if we hadn’t.’
‘I feel with every part of me, that’s exactly what they wanted to do, was kill him,’ Spainhoward told WTVF
Dial’s widow, Robyn Spainhoward (left, with Dial), alleges that White County Reserve Deputy Adam West and Sparta police Officer Charlie Simms used excessive force to kill Dial
The lawsuit, which seeks up to $10 million, alleges that the sheriff ordered the shooting ‘solely to prevent damage to patrol cars’ (Pictured, Dial and Spainhoward)
‘I’m telling you…this is a hell of a pursuit. I mean, he meant to kill some people.’
‘I love this s**t. God, I tell you what, I thrive on it.’
Attorney David Weissman, who represents Spainhoward in the lawsuit, told WTVF that Dial did not have a weapon and that the shooting was unjustified.
In an interview with TV station, he referred to Shoupe’s ‘thrive’ comment.
‘I don’t know how you can thrive on taking a human life,’ Weissman said. ‘That’s not law enforcement.’