HOUSTON -- A retired Houston school teacher is suing the Houston Police Department, saying she was the victim of police brutality.
Tillian Thomas, who turned 75 last month, said she's still in pain and must wear a neck brace because of the incident three months ago.
Thomas said she was driving home from church when a police officer stopped her for speeding near Cullen and Orem in South Houston.
The officer allowed Thomas to retrieve her purse from the trunk of her Mercedes so she could show him her driver's license.
That's when things got ugly, according to Thomas.
"He started twisting on my arms and twisting on my arms," she said.
Thomas said the officer handcuffed her, pinned her down, put his knee in her neck and chest, dragged her across the ground and threw her on the floor of his patrol car.
She said the officer ransacked her car while she spent the night and a full day in jail and several hours at the hospital.
"When you're a big person and you've got a 74-year-old woman on the ground with your knees on her neck and on her chest there's issues," said Jason Gibson, Tillian's lawyer."That's excessive force, no doubt about it."
Thomas said the incident has shaken her belief in police officers.
"I know there's good people and bad people in all walk of life. Now I do. But I didn't know that then," Thomas said.
And she is now rethinking what she always told her students.
"I told them to respect the policemen because they were their best friend," Thomas said. "That's what I thought. I thought that all my life."
The 100-pound grandmother was charged with resisting arrest, but the charges were dropped.
The lawsuit filed Friday cites "excessive, unnecessary and unreasonable force."
HPD said they can't comment since they have not seen the lawsuit yet.
threedogs said on November 9, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Its funny we alway hear the story of the complainant, what about the side of the officer. I was in law enforcement a lot of years and there was not one incident that I can recall where a cop used any force that was uncalled for. What did she do be fore hand,thats aways left out of the story.
slypi said on November 10, 2009 at 3:30 AM
If you were really in law enforcement then you should know why you don't and won't hear the officer's side outside of court. "On going investigation, and well and protecting his or her 5th amendment rights." I too was in law enforcement and still am in the Criminal Justice field and sadly have to say that I HAVE witnessed first hand "excessive force by fellow officers." I don't think it would matter the attitude of the 74 yr old there is still NO reason for roughing up the elderly. Law enforcement or not. They are NOT the law, they are NOT above the law, their job is to enforce the law.
jumboshrimp said on November 10, 2009 at 7:39 AM
I think there are bad apples mixed in with the good apples, and that (generally) good cops vastly out number the bad ones. However, I get sick and tired of the alleged victims being allowed to go on TV, give interviews, and stir up the populace against the police however they wish, but the police have to keep their mouths shut and not respond. Where is the fairness in that? Do I think the cop is guilty here? I don't know, I only have her testimony, but it seems it may be a bit excessive. I need to know more than this blurb gives. And, for the record, I hate this new layout, KHOU. What's up with not being allowed to insert paragraph breaks in my text?
hewnhounnd57 said on November 10, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Guess this old lady was a threat to the big bad police man...jumbo...you are right...there are WAY more good cops than bad cops...these are the guys that ruin reputations for all...unfortunately instead of being shunned by fellow cops they close ranks and protect eachother because thay have to depend on one another...and don't want to get hit with "friendly fire" ...and don't get all huffy...it DOES happen...and yes I HAVE been there done that so I know whereof I speak...
2papi said on November 10, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Dang! What did she have in the trunk?
kittenfish said on November 10, 2009 at 8:14 AM
"I told them to respect the policemen because they were their best friend," Thomas said. "That's what I thought. I thought that all my life." HA HA! I tell MY students that you should fear the cops and NOT trust them. All you can do is obey the law, do what they tell you, don't resist, and if they mess with you, complain and get a lawyer! Alas, that's the world today. Cops here are no better than cops in 3rd world countries; they WILL rough you up, they ARE corrupt and you CANNOT trust them.
ohmygosh said on November 10, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Police officers are your friend. I have never had a problem but then again I respect the law and have never had anything to worry about when I have been stopped for traffic violations. Kittenfish, you are sending out the wrong message, I am sad for you if you have had a bad experience. But I have to wonder about your attitude when you were stopped. What was in this ladies trunk that caused her to resist arrest? I would like to hear from the officer.
rivirobo said on November 10, 2009 at 9:24 AM
She must have gotten "smartassed" with the cop. They usually won't do this if you keep your mouth shut. Cops do a great service. However, they have no tolerance for lip or defiance. I was Rodney King many times due to this. I learned to shut my mouth, do what they demand, go to jail, etc., without getting beat to the ground. That is just the way it is. Of course, I think it is wrong for cops to take a traffic stop or domestic call and turn it into resisting arrest, etc. Always remember that you have no rights when it comes to dealing with cops, they are the judge, jury, and executioner at any time. Lucky she is still alive....
kittenfish said on November 10, 2009 at 9:30 AM
well ohmygosh~ it's not so much MY experience as the experiences of the people in the low-income, high minority neighborhood where I teach. Too many cops around here are too willing to lump good people of minority status along with thugs and gang-bangers. They are NOT the same. The media doesn't help, either. The very vast majority of people I meet are law-abiding and mind their own business. yes, there are thugs around here. But hey; there are thugs in "nicer" neighborhoods as well. It's ridiculous to foster a feeling of security from the police who too often do racial profiling and warrantless searches JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN. To avoid getting killed (ala Pedro Oregon), just keep your head down, follow the law, don't resist and ALWAYS know where you can get a good lawyer. I would be doing a great disservice to allow my students to become doormats for cops or shooting practice targets just because they don't know what to do when faced with the situation.
ohmygosh said on November 10, 2009 at 9:40 AM
This all makes me sad. But it is because of the thugs the cops must be on the defensive. They never know what they are walking into. Wish I was a fly on the wall or a frog in the grass, I have a feeling some Ms. Thomas has left out some key points of this stop.
rustx65 said on November 10, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Hopefully the truth will prevail. 3 months is a long time to still be in pain - that's not just excessive force, that's a beat down. Did she go to the hospital after she was released? I'd be interested to see what injuries she sustained during this traffic stop. That alone could be the evidence needed to charge the officer, if there was wrong doing.
kellydown said on November 10, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Always with the lawsuits. Don't file lawsuits asking for large payouts and you might be believed.
marge55 said on November 10, 2009 at 11:07 AM
I used to always take the side of the police officer until about 10 years ago. I was at a light at the I-10 feeder road near Campbell when I accidently bumped into a Hedwig Village cop car. It was only a scratch but the cop went insane. All of his cop friends came and they had to hold him back from attacking me. They told the cop to stop or he would regret it. I was in shock because I am not a criminal. The Metro policeman had to come to write up the report (he was nice) and I asked him why this cop was so insane. Fortunately , he did not give me a ticket as I hid behind him. He had me leave before him. All I could think about was that this happened in broad daylight, at a busy intersection, I was in my forties and white and what would this guy do to someone in the dark that wasn't white? I still regret not pursuing this. Now, I see cops tasering old ladies, beating up this old lady, shooting the kid in Bellaire and I wonder about their judgement in deciding who is dangerous.
justice said on November 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
This woman is very well known thru out communities and money is no issue because she's financially well off and one thing I can say for sure is that the law suit is about justice. Regardless of what was said there is no reason for a cop or any man to treat any woman like that. I guess he does not have a mother or sister.
raymon said on November 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Show nuff need muny to pay for mys benz and rented neckbrace!
designer23 said on November 10, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Oh my gosh, her purse was in the trunk just as the article states. Being smart with the cops is not illegal. It just bruises their egos, then they bruise you physically (which is illegal). I've been smart to plenty of cops and thanks to God, nothing bad has happened, not even a ticket. And victims of police brutality should always bring the expensive lawsuits. Injury the man in the pocketbook, and he'll straighten up in a hurry. Oh and don't worry about trying to gain the acceptance of "real" Texans. They are a dying population.
luisa1948 said on November 10, 2009 at 12:50 PM
That's what I would like to know. WHAT DID SHE HAVE IN THE TRUNK?
missprissy said on November 10, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Well I don't think that a 100 lb. woman could be a threat to anyone, and I do not know what she did, but at 74 she could be one of those older people that tend to want to try and "talk" their way out of things. Went thru this with my mom, she thought over explaining things would solve the problem. But physical force with this woman was IMO too much.
ohmygosh said on November 10, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Designer23, I read the article and understand that her purse was in the trunk. I am just being devil's advocate because so many posters are assuming the cop was a brute. I am wondering what else was in the trunk, period. I am not taking either side but I am not going to hang the cop on Ms. Thomas' word. I would like to hear the whole story.
ohmygosh said on November 10, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Besides that Designer23 I love sparring. But explain to me about gaining acceptance of real Texans because you are right, they are a dying breed. : ( Thanks!
designer23 said on November 10, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Oh my gosh, earlier you asked "What was in this ladies trunk that caused her to resist arrest?" or "I have a feeling some Ms. Thomas has left out some key points of this stop." No disrespect, but it reads as though you're defending the officer. I'm just trying to be God's advocate, because using logic, you have a (Elderly 74 year old, 100 lb woman coming from church) man-handled by a (Street-stricken, jaded male police officer). God bless!
designer23 said on November 10, 2009 at 2:44 PM
And by the way, Cullen at Orem is not South Houston, it's south Houston. South Houston. Completely different.
ohmygosh said on November 10, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Somebody has to keep an open mind for the officer. No one else is.
designer23 said on November 10, 2009 at 3:03 PM
"What was in this ladies trunk that caused her to resist arrest?" or "I have a feeling some Ms. Thomas has left out some key points of this stop." No disrespect, but it does not read as an open mind. I'm just trying to be God's advocate, if you support the officer, no harm is just saying so. God bless!
ohmygosh said on November 10, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Awe geez, by the same token you have tried and convicted the officer. Witnesses leave key points out all the time, intentional or not, whether it benefits them or not. It is just the way it is. I don't mean to offend you but the media also dramatizes the stories and puts their own spin on it. I just cannot imagine any officer doing this: "the officer handcuffed her, pinned her down, put his knee in her neck and chest, dragged her across the ground and threw her on the floor of his patrol car" to someone her age. Just sounds blown out of proportion to me. If she was only 100 pounds why would he have to drag her on the ground. Does not make sense to me at all. If he is guilty his MDT will have recorded it, both audio and video. That I know we don't agree but I understand your view! :~)
designer23 said on November 10, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Oh my gosh, no need for the long-winded explanation. I've stood by my words in defending the elderly lady. I just asked for clarification based on your previous comments which clearly took the side of the officer. Unprovoked police brutality happens everyday, all over the world. So why acted surprised? But listen, no big deal if we disagree ok.
designer23 said on November 10, 2009 at 3:56 PM
correction: So why act surprised?
ohmygosh said on November 10, 2009 at 4:11 PM
We agree to disagree, that is what keeps the postings interesting. Have a beautiful evening. My grandsons are coming so I am off to play for a while!
designer23 said on November 10, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Very true. Have fun!
rukidden said on November 10, 2009 at 4:43 PM
As soon as the reporter and camera man showed up it was time to hurry up and put on the neckbrace, looks suspicious (deceptive) to me.
beachgrl3226 said on November 11, 2009 at 7:50 AM
Well, it's great to see all the "what ifs" and "maybes" and of course, the obligatory racist comment (Black people with JOBS do own BENZes) continue on ths site. I was not dissapointed, the intellect level still amazes. Since charges were dropped, it's clear that 1) the woman posed no threat to the officer 2) the woman had no weapon 3) the officer was not in imminent danger. ANY of these and HPD would not have dropped charges and would have vigorously pursued charges if they felt they were in the right and a law was broken. I'm not going to armchair guess what this incident was about - I'll leave that to the process. But on no planet is an unarmed, 100lb, 74 year old women a threat to a trained law enforcement official. Period.
texmex007 said on November 11, 2009 at 8:56 AM
"These type of stories seem to become a trend more and more. I remember the story of that cop here in Texas that tazered that elderly lady and she was later awarded something like 30,000 dollars. I will never agree with Police when they used excessive, and a times even deadly force ,simply because they feel threaten. Police must walk that thin line and find that balance of enforcing the law, and respecting peoples constitutional rights. I see it more and more often when Police jump in front of a moving car to try to prevent and escape and shoot the driver,only later to claim that he felt his life was threatend. In Dallas we had several racist cops ticketing people for not speaking English,what a crock!. Well i hope the lady recovers, and the Police Dept is made an Example Off very soon.."
skyflyer8 said on November 11, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Wow. Some cops have lost it.This is BS. So WRONG.Like people in all professions,some people a re cool,calm and collected and then there are the total out of control,unstable,quick to anger, egotistical, self-important, self-appointed , (in their own mind : high and mighty). Some law enforcement personnel think they're hot caca and DO abuse their power. That's when victims need to call the media,the lawyers, file complaints . That is the only way to stop such illegal ,inappropriate behavior. The various law enforcement agencies are understaffed,they will and DO keep the bad apples on the force. Only when the plaintiffs obtain a settlement ,then the officer is "reassigned" and/or hopefully quits. And for some law enforcement officers their jobs ARE the only thing they have going for them.Law enforcement personnel have some of the highest alcohol/substance abuse,drug addiction,divorce,depression,suicide rates .