Taser Death: Douglas Boucher (Mason OH)

Douglas Boucher, 39, was killed by tasers in suburban Cincinnati after a struggle that occurred less than a mile from his home. Mason police officers Daniel Fry and Sean McCormick jolted 50,000 volts of electricity from their taser guns into Boucher after he was involved in a crash at a local gas station. The man died just minutes later. [SOURCE]

Mason officers Fry and McCormick, who stopped at the station for drinks just after 11 p.m., say Boucher started harassing the store clerk. She asked officers for help after he allegedly made several profane sexual requests. She told officers Boucher made the same advances Saturday night.

The patrol officers, Daniel Fry and Sean McCormick, ordered Boucher outside.

Once outside, police said, he became combative. When they tried to handcuff Boucher, officers said he wrestled away, hitting Fry over the head with his cuffed hand and chasing after the station attendant. Fry was treated and released for his injury.

After one unsuccessful try, McCormick stunned Boucher with his gun. He hit the pavement "hard" and stopped breathing.

Officers performed CPR before a Mason EMS squad rushed him to West Chester Medical Center. Emergency crews were unable to revive him.

Butler County Coroner Richard Burkhardt said the autopsy has not been completed. He did not issue a preliminary cause of death.

Both Fry and McCormick have been placed on paid administrative leave. They’ve been with the department three years.

The department has no plans to change its Taser policy, and the Mason police chief says that it does not appear McCormick violated department rules. Mason officers, who all have carried X26 Tasers since Spring 2007, have never had any problems or deaths after using the devices, officials said.

Boucher was a musician who played bass for a couple of local bands including Hellcat Alley. Reached at their home in Marion, Ind., Boucher’s parents declined comment, saying they were still trying to learn all the details.

"I don’t even know what happened yet,” said Ernest Boucher, 68. "I know what they say, but I don’t know what happened."

Douglas Boucher has an 8-year-old daughter, Kathryn, who lives in Mason with his former wife and her husband. The couple gently broke the news of her father’s death to the girl on Monday morning.

"Our daughter was his light and inspiration and they enjoyed their visits tremendously. Today is a sad day for her," said Sheryl Olszewski, Boucher’s former wife. He was a very passionate person – passionate about his daughter, his music and living life fully," she said.

Boucher’s ex-wife did not address the incident at the gas station but did add: "I know of no drug abuse."

Villagers, this time is different. Mr. Boucher was not a criminal. He was not on drugs. He was not in an excited state of delirium. He was just a bloke who made an inappropriate pass at the wrong time and in the wrong place. The penalty for inappropriate sexual comments (WORDS) should never be death.

Something is horribly wrong with the way that tasers are being used around the nation. Too many people are dying.

What say u?