EXONERATED OFFICER FEELS FOR FAMILY

Coroner's Inquest: Young Man Died of Cocaine Overdose, Not Because Of
Tasering

I found myself rejoicing this week, but not for long.

My patrol crew and I were cleared of wrongdoing in the 2004 death of
Roman Andreichikov. A coroner's inquest had run for days. The Taser
deployed on Mr. A. hadn't caused his heart to stop, it was decided.
Cocaine charging through his system -- 11 times the established lethal
dose -- was a more likely factor.

It was a relief to see the truth acknowledged by a jury. Gratifying,
as well, to have those labelling us murderers shown to be wrong. For
all of that, any sense of fulfilment was quickly driven off.

A human being had died, after all. We'd met him because he'd tried to
leap from a high-rise apartment. Hoping to prevent a suicide, we were
forced to tangle with Mr. Andreichikov, and he fought with rare energy.

People awake for days on rock cocaine get like that -- delusional in
the extreme and maniacally strong. To describe his strength that way
is no indulgence. Even after he was Tasered, we never really achieved
control over him.

Some minutes later, his heart stopped, making him the central victim
of a narcotic tragedy. Next in line for suffering were emergency
people on the scene. Mr. A. essentially died in police and paramedics'
arms. We worked together to try to save him, but it just didn't happen.

Family and loved ones were hurt next. It turned out Mr. Andreichikov
wasn't known for week-long coke binges, making news of his passing
doubly hard to receive.

By the time we encountered family at the coroner's inquest it was
apparent they'd become convinced police were to blame. While giving
evidence, police were interrupted by sharp remarks from family seated
in the gallery. Rules of order and decorum are relaxed in coroner's
court, such that weeping and angry heckling were permitted.

Victims vs. victims, of all things. More the shame, as it was
inappropriate to tell them we understood and felt a portion of their
grief. Inappropriate to say a thing, given how quickly their lawyers
worked to spin our words against us.

At one point, I mentioned that every dwelling is, in a sense, an
arsenal. Police have to be on their guard in private residences.
Kitchens always contain knives, and almost anything in a typical
residence can be used as a weapon.

I was queried, sarcastically: "So it's your practice to enter every
home with your gun out?" I did my best to explain reasonably that each
circumstance is unique; that when I'm invited in for coffee or to take
a missing-person report I don't draw.

Firearms played no role in the Andreichikov incident, but it didn't
matter. The family lawyers' only interest was in portraying us as
thoughtless brutes.

It was impossible to know if any of the family's anger was the result
of encouragement or coaching from legal counsel. Only the naive
believe such things never happen.

I prefer to think they were genuinely as upset with us as they seemed.
And though I doubt this will change a single opinion, I hope they'll
accept the fact that our hearts are with them.