'Suicide By Cop' Averted In Williamson County Through Non-Lethal Use Of Force

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — In an age when cell-phone videos of police using lethal force to end standoffs have become all too common, the Williamson County sheriff is touting a recent case during which his deputies defused a tense situation with a suicidal woman through non-lethal means.

On May 19, 2017 deputies with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in Coupland, Texas, after reports of a suicidal female with a gun and was threatening to commit suicide by cop. Upon arrival, deputies began to talk to the individual to convince her to come out of the residence, Sherifff Robert Chody said.

When the female finally exited the residence she began to walk away from the house with a suicide note in one hand and a gun in the other, according to the sheriff. The individual was given several loud verbal commands to drop the gun,but their requests were ignored. Deputies were forced to put themselves. in danger and use non-lethal force on the woman, Chody said. She subsequently was rushed to Round Rock Medical for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

“As the Sheriff of Williamson County it is important for me to release a small part of this video to
demonstrate what our deputies deal with on a regular basis and are rarely commended for a job well
done," the sheriff said. "In this particular case, the subject, who we have no interest in identifying, intended on committing suicide yet chose not to do this herself but chose to have my deputies do the deed for her.”

The woman's suicide note made clear she wanted to die by suicide by cop, the sheriff suggested. The note read, “Please forgive me, all of you. Especially the police officer who shot me, it wasn’t your fault, it was what I planned and wanted. You are innocent and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ,” according to Chody's account.

The sheriff noted WilCo deputies displayed considerable restraint and professionalism in dealing with the woman, particularly as they were forced to approach her from a long distance away. Following police protocol, they opted for less-than-lethal options to defuse the tense situation even as lethal force likely would have been justified, Chody said.

“In reality, they could have used lethal force and been justified in their actions," the sheriff said. "I am very proud of our organization and hope you the public see the importance of properly equipping our deputies not only with equipment but with training."

He offered a preemptive strike to those who would still question the officers' actions, inviting them to a ride-along to witness situations with which police are confronted before making a judgment call. Chody made a video of the confrontation available to those wishing to view it.

"There will still be those even after seeing the video who will Monday-morning quarterback the actions of the deputies involved," Chody said. "To you I say, come for a ride out with our shifts and make qualified statements after you gain some first-hand knowledge. We wish the person who was involved gets the necessary help and will do well in the future,” said Chody.

>>> Image via Shutterstock