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Last week, Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats and his wife were rushing to the hospital to be with Moats mother-in-law as she was passing away in a Baylor Regional Medical Center hospital bed in Plano, Texas. On his way there, Moats rolled through a red light and was pulled over by Officer Robert Powell of the Dallas Police Department in the hospital parking lot. Moats' wife, Tamishia, and a relative exited the car to rush into the hospital, but Powell drew his weapon on the women as well as Moats as they tried to enter the hospital."He was pointing a gun at me as soon as I got out of the car," Tamishia Moats told the Dallas Morning News.
According to CBS News, Moats told KRLD-FM in Dallas in a phone interview Thursday that after the officer pointed the gun at his wife, he pointed it at him. "I just tried to stay as still as possible to not scare him or do anything to make him react," he said.
Powell ordered Tamishia and the other woman to get back in the car, but they quickly ran into the hospital while Moats was kept outside for nearly 20 minutes as his mother-in-law died of breast cancer.
The Dallas Police Department apologized and said that after Powell knew the situation, he should have escorted the family into the hospital, instead of holding them up in the parking lot. The department has put Powell on paid leave pending an internal investigation, but he has released an official apology. ...
"I wish to publicly and sincerely apologize to the Moats family, my colleagues in the Dallas Police Department and to all those who have been rightfully angered by my actions on March 18, 2009. After stopping Mr. Moats' vehicle, I showed poor judgment and insensitivity to Mr. Moats and his family by my words and actions. With great remorse, I accept my responsibility for adding to their grief in an already difficult time.
Again, I am very sorry for what I did and ask for the forgiveness of all those touched by these unfortunate events."
Moats has accepted the officer's apology.
Check out the video of the altercation below:
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Comments: (61)
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By: africa on 3/30/2009 10:14AM
This officer should be fired.It's one thing to misunderstand but after knowing what was going on he should have done the right thing.If the family wants him to keep his job than so be it but I think he should be fired.The fact that he has paid leave is disturbing in itself.
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By: TMBK2 on 3/30/2009 10:24PM
MY RESPECT AND SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO MOAT FAMILY. I ALSO BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES BUT THAT OFFICER SHOULD NOT HAVE PAY FOR NOT USING HIS COMMON GOOD SENSE, UNLIKE HOW QUICKLY THAT MICHAEL PHELPS LOSES HIS ENDORSEMENTS, ALSO, ESPECIALLY, BLACK, PRO FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL PLAYERS AND RAPPERS ARE EITHER THROW IN JAIL AND ARE PUBLICLY SHAMED, FOR NOT USING THEIR COMMON GOOD SENSE. I TRULY FEEL THAT IF THE MOATS WERE WHITE THE OFFICER WOULD HAVE SHOWN MORE SENSITIVITY, BUT THAT BADGE AND GUN CLEARLY TRIGGERED HIM TO EGO TRIP. THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD LEARN FROM THE THAI POLICE DEPARTMENT. IF THE OFFICER WHILE ON LEAVE RECEIVES PAY THEN HE ALSO SHOULD WEAR A PINK HELLO KITTY ARM BAND LIKE IN BANGKOK, THAILAND TO HELP THE OFFICER IMPROVE USE OF HIS COMMON GOOD SENSE, PARTICULARLY, IN PUBLIC, TO ME, THAT THE THAILAND POLICE DEPARTMENT USE OF THE PINK HELLO KITTY ARM BAND IN BANGKOK SHOWS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE GREAT LOVE FOR THEIR PUBLIC.
AN APOLOGY CAN'T REPLACE, ONLY, ONE MOMENT IN TIME THE MOATS HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO A SPECIAL LOVED ONE.
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By: angie on 3/31/2009 1:13AM
When u have professional people acting out instead of acting to a situation it is very scary. Understood a policemans duty is to protect and serve. But when u have officers that have a one track mind when they see color and do not have enough professionalism or compassion where there job is concerned they are in a dangerous position with a dangerous weapon. No excuse for what he has done. It was racially motivated point blank. He is not sorry he is just trying to save face for the police department. My condolences go out to the Moat family for both tragedies.
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By: Mia Powell on 3/30/2009 10:28AM
I think the officer should take some classes, he made a mistake but he should not lose his job. I believe they are so afraid of Black men that his first rection was to draw his gun before he asked question, hopefully he will learn for his mistake and not let it happen again.
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By: Jen on 3/30/2009 5:50PM
That wasn't fear he exhibited, that was hate. He was getting a trip over being in control. He is a racist jerk. Ryan was at no point intimidating or rude. He was incredibly polite to this jerk.
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By: gwen on 3/31/2009 3:18AM
If you dare believe that those cops are scared of Black men. That is the most biggest sack of ---- Ive ever heard of. This is a case of prejudice and he is a lowdown racist. He has no heart to do what he did. He should be fired and never to work on the force again. Had they not been at the hospital, this officer would have took them all to jail and Mrs. Moats would not have been there with her mother. Racism will never end and U think u can get into heaven with a dirty heart. You need to sit down and just dont speak because you show your filthy heart too.
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By: Stephanie on 3/30/2009 10:25AM
Extremely disturbing!
A badge and gun made him feel like he had all the power in the world!
He needs to be fired! How many other officers act like him? Plenty I'm sure. And they wonder why people can't stand them and criminals don't think twice about shooting them.
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By: Black Moses on 3/30/2009 10:48AM
Where is a Lovelle Mixon when you need one? Blacks are so quick to forgive whites but not each other. This soft spot a lot of Black's have in their hearts for white and others is disgusting. "If you don't understand the system of white supremancy and racism, everything you think you understand will only confuse you," Dr. Frances Cress-Welsing.
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By: T-Bird on 3/30/2009 3:00PM
Your comment was way out of line.. The officer was and is still wrong and he will be handled by his superiors. He is on paid leave due to union guidelines.
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By: Gwen on 3/31/2009 3:17AM
You are all out in the water. Even if Blacks dont forgive each other doesnt give this jerk a right to do what he did. You have a problem with something about Mr. Moats. Have you forgiven everyone that has been unfair to you, whatever your color is. Do you even have someone that u care enough about? Probably too much hardness in your lump(not a heart there) to care for them. U are full of criticism. Would it be ok to happen to u the same way? You NEED prayer!!!!!!
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