Joe Wright
AP
An epidemic of police brutality and outright crazy behavior from law enforcement was illustrated once again, as an executive officer of the Minneapolis SWAT team “Superman punched” Brian Vander Lee for talking too loud on his cell phone while standing on the patio of a restaurant.
The account given by Brian Vander Lee’s friend in the video below perfectly captures the disbelief when those who are sworn to protect the public become predators. An interesting background note is mentioned about the assailant, Sgt. David Clifford, in the Raw Story article about the incident:
An online biography indicated that Clifford had served with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division as team leader of Personal Security Detachments in Kosovo and Iraq.
While it would be unfair to definitively conclude that Clifford’s training and experience might have desensitized him to acts of extreme violence, it is a footnote that should give pause as police throughout the country continue on a militarized path, with many local law enforcement agencies hiring those who have spent time in dangerous theaters of war.
Brian Vander Lee’s family can receive benefit donations at any TCF Bank location for those who can lend their support to help cover costs for this outrageous and tragic incident that caused this father of four to spend Father’s Day in intensive care.
Update: good news is being reported by MyFox9.com: Brian is responding to commands and can wiggle his fingers and toes. Meanwhile, Sgt. David Clifford has officially been charged with 3rd degree assault. Do you believe this is a fitting charge for the crime? Feel free to comment below.
Some citizen should catch him Off-Duty of course,and beat Him within an inch of his life. Oh and this guy has noooo, business being a cop or even a crossing guard.
I endorse what Archie1954 says . unfortunately what happens in the US of asshole . will enventually reach across the world to all so called democratic countries . if only because we are involved the the rotten wars that the US and Israel promote .It is already showing its ugly face in the UK and it is becoming as rotten as the US and Israel . it is no coincidence that the British Labour party is lead by a Jew and fully committed to Israel . Here in Australia our commitment is solid to any bastardary that the US and Israel commit
But we have not become a police state but one can rest assured that it will not be long incoming !!
3rd degree assault charges are for verbal threats; this is a clear case of felony battery.
Fire his ass & put him in Prison… YOU’d do the same if it was the other way around?..
I fell so blessed that I don’t live in the US. Everytime I read a story about police brutality and wonder about the ability of the victims to live a decent life after being beaten to within an inch of their lives, I say to myself “there but for the grace of God go I”.