News >> Cruel San Marcos Police Officer - Watch Video & Cringe
Cruel San Marcos Police Officer - Watch Video & Cringe - 78666.com - San Marcos, Texas Guide

Cruel San Marcos Police Officer - Watch Video & Cringe

08/21/2008

By: Friends of Missy
Add A Picture
Report A Problem

San Marcos is looking pretty terrible in the eyes of the world and the attention isn't going to go away fast, believe me.





http://blog.seattle-duiattorney.com/

San Marcos, Texas. This story is very alarming, and will shock the average citizen to the core. Krystal Hernandez owned a sweet teacup poodle named Missy. Unfortunately, Missy was very ill and required immediate emergency care. Krystal and her boyfriend Michael Gonzalez jumped in the car and raced off to a veterinary hospital to save Missy.

Gonzalez navigated his vehicle onto Interstate 35 and reached speeds at high as 95 mph. Driving 95 mph on a public highway is extremely dangerous and should be reserved for a raceway in a secure and safe environment. Other drivers rely upon the fact that their fellow drivers will abide by the traffic regulations. This consistency and predictability creates the foundation that prevents accidents and mayhem on the roadway. Gonzalez clearly tossed out that predictability by careening down an interstate at 95 mph. However, there are situations that require an individual to break a rule because following the law might be more dangerous. For example, most drivers are given a “get out of jail free” card when racing to the hospital to preserve life or to transport a woman in labor. This does not preclude them from being issued a ticket for their actions, but you never hear of a police officer delaying such citizens on the side of the road.

It is too bad Gonzalez and Hernandez were not racing to save a human life. They were desperately trying to save Missy the teacup poodle. Unfortunately, San Marcos Police Officer Paul Stephens was on patrol that night. Stephens stopped Gonzalez and immediately launched into an investigation asking what Gonzalez was “on.” They explained their predicament, but it was clear that Stephens was going to detain them. Hernandez begged and pleaded for Missy’s life.

Stephens chillingly retorted, “Chill out, it’s just a dog, you can buy another one.” Stephens then took his sweet time in issuing a traffic citation. He even chatted with other officers that arrived on the scene. All the while Missy’s condition was declining. Instead of assisting the couple and helping to get Missy to a veterinary hospital he slowly enforced the law. He presented his traffic ticket to the couple 20 minutes later, but Missy had already died in her Hernandez’s lap.

I am distressed that a police officer has such a callous disposition toward life. That a police officer, sworn to serve and protect, can watch an animal die in the arms of their owner. An owner that is begging for help to save her cherished pet. Stephens soaked in the fear, the sadness and the helplessness of Hernandez and reveled in his position of authority. He knew a dog’s life was being extinguished and that he could have helped save that life. Instead he chooses to watch that life slip away.

Stephens could have driven the party or could have escorted Gonzalez and Hernandez to the animal hospital. While Missy was receiving treatment Stephens could have issued a speeding ticket to Gonzalez. However, having the power over citizens can be such a thrill, and being able to decide whether an animal lives or dies is quite powerful. “Chill out, it’s just a dog, you can buy another one.”

I wrote Police Chief Howard Williams explaining my concern about Stephens’ disregard for life. Howie responded with:

I appreciate your concerns. We, too, were disappointed in our officer’s behavior. He has been reprimanded, and he has been counseled on his behavior.

Howard E. Williams [Paul Stephens]
Chief of Police
San Marcos Police Department
2300 IH-35 S
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 753-2100

I wonder what class Stephens attended to learn how to respect life? I wonder how that class miraculously taught Stephens to respect life in just a few hours or days? There is a reason police officers receive a psyche and behavioral evaluation during the hiring process. Many are washed out after this evaluation because they cannot manage the power and responsibility lawfully. Some get through the process like Stephens.

I wonder what the San Marcos K9 unit thinks about Stephens. I sure would not want my trusty german shepard working the same call as Stephens. If the K9 is shot or dies while taking down a suspect the handler can fall back on these comforting words, “Chill out, it’s just a dog, you can buy another one.”

Stephens should have been fired because this will not be the last blemish on Stephens’ glorious law enforcement career. You cannot teach someone to respect life in a class. The citizens of San Marcos should demand Stephens’ badge and gun are turned in permanently. Otherwise they should just chill out the next time he stumbles while on the job.
Add A Comment

Name
Review
Please type 3337 in the box to continue:




COMMENTS

Name: chrisdanger

As the son of a now-retired DPD officer, one of the core points of being a peace officer is compassion, no matter the species. Ive known quite a few cops who've made the extra effort to help out someone when it comes to issues of this nature, even providing a escort to an vet or animal hospital. What this jerk did was take the low road to show off his "badge" and be a big man. I have no respect for this "pig" as a real police officer always goes above and beyond in their duties.

Name: Chris

Stephens has lost the respect of San Marcos and keeping him on the payroll is a huge mistake. Police serve the community, the community does not serve them. When the majority of the community wants an Officer gone then it should be so. It's obvious that anyone who watches the video wants him gone. Why hasen't it been done?

Name: Jeff

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again. Who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause. Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
- Theodore Roosevelt

Hang in there Officer Stephens

Name: Friends of Missy

The fight hasn't even STARTED. A pity that the City of San Marcos felt it necessary to support the unsupportable--it's going to cost them dearly in every way and ALL of it could have been prevented if Williams had merely suspended Stephens without pay for a couple weeks--it was doing NOTHING that precipitated getting out the big guns.

Someone on one of the countless forums covering this event wished the Mother of all lawsuits on San Marcos. I am happy to report that this is looming on the horizon. Stephens, Williams, Narvaiz, and the whole City of San Marcos are going to suffer--differently than Missy, but suffer nonetheless.

In addition, we are hoping that someone steps forward tomorrow (August 26 is the last day) to file as a candidate for the office of Mayor of San Marcos so he/she can run against Narvaiz in November. If no one does, then we are going to mount a write-in campaign if someone wants to be the candidate.

If anyone wants to know more about this, please use the contact links on the petitions to write to the Friends of Missy. We will help with the paperwork, provide donations, donate a website and maintain it, and do everything else necessary to guarantee a victory for a qualified and (what we deem) electable and clean candidate.

There's always the possibility of a recall election, too, should Narvaiz run unopposed. So many options, so much time.

Missy is happy and carefree now, playing with other faithful doggies on the Rainbow Bridge--she is no longer suffering while her precious little life is held in the dirty hands of an ugly, cowardly bully. We can take all the time in the world to avenge her needless death.

Name: Jeepster

Jeff - I agree that Stephens came up short and failed greatly, and I don't care to see how many more times he might do that as a police officer and a public servant.
Friends - Take a deep breath, relax, have a pickle. I'm sorry Missy died, but act, don't overreact. Being too strident will turn off otherwise kindred spirits.

Name: TX ST

a dog... san marcos / the rest of the u.s. need a healthy dose of perspective..... i'll say it again..... a dog .... how about something serious to talk about

Name: Tim

Sadly, we were all right....and now he's taken his disdain for living creatures another 20 steps further...bashing innocent and defenseless women with his nightstick. If that's not class, I don't know what is... Shame on you San Marcos Police Dept. Shame. You have had plenty of opportunies to see what kind of 'man' you hired. Make it right and send this scoundrel packing. No doubt he'll end up BEHIND bars before long. Hopefully before he kills someone. Maybe he should go back to IRAQ.



Disclaimer: All content on 78666.com (News, concerts, events, reviews, businesses, forum entries, ratings) is submitted by visitors unless noted that it was submitted by 78666.com Staff. All content on 78666.com is not verified and not confirmed. No content should be regarded as fact or true.