ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 3, 1997 TAG: 9701030093
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown has asked state police to investigate a claim that his second-in-command, Lt. John McCane, used excessive force against a county man.
"We'll let the state police handle it," said Brown, who requested the investigation two weeks ago. "I have the utmost confidence in the Virginia State Police. We will not push anything under the rug. It will be handled by an outside agency."
The complaint, which was made to the county commonwealth's attorney by Bedford County resident David Fielder, stems from a June 30 incident at a nightclub on Smith Mountain Lake.
Because of complaints from neighbors of noise and rowdiness, McCane and several officers went to the Bridge Club and made 38 arrests on charges ranging from urinating in public to possession of marijuana, Brown said.
While at the club, the sheriff said, McCane observed a vehicle in the parking lot moving dangerously close to pedestrians. He stopped it and discovered the vehicle was being driven by a 14-year-old.
McCane asked the occupants of the vehicle to get out, but they refused, Brown said, and McCane pulled Fielder, a passenger, out of the vehicle. Both McCane and Fielder fell, and Fielder hit his head on the pavement, Brown said.
Fielder, who could not be reached for comment Thursday, was given a summons for disorderly behavior. He was not taken to jail.
Brown would not comment about whether he thought McCane had used excessive force against Fielder, but the sheriff did say Fielder was given first aid at the scene by volunteer rescuers and was transported to the hospital at McCane's request.
Brown said he was unaware of any lawsuits or other action that was being taken against the Sheriff's Office in connection with the incident. No charges have been filed against McCane.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB