TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A white Florida police officer has resigned months after handcuffing a black woman at a hospital where she died less than two hours later.
Blountstown Officer John Tadlock’s resignation is mentioned in a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report on the arrest of 57-year-old Barbara Dawson. The report says Tadlock’s actions were appropriate under the circumstances.
Tadlock confirmed in a phone call June 1 that he had resigned but declined to comment further. Police chief Mark Mallory did not respond to phone or email messages about Tadlock’s resignation.
Mallory did say in an email that he was pleased authorities had cleared Tadlock. Mallory asked the state law enforcement department to investigate immediately following Dawson’s death.
“The loss of anybody’s loved one is still a tragedy. I just don’t believe that there was any action by the police that led to any of Ms. Dawson’s conditions,” Mallory said.
Dawson was treated Dec. 21 in the emergency room at Calhoun Liberty Hospital. She was discharged, but refused to leave because she said she didn’t feel well. Tadlock handcuffed her in the emergency room, and she was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. She collapsed when Tadlock tried to put her in a patrol car.
It was nearly 18 minutes from when Dawson collapsed until she was taken back to the emergency room for a second time after a doctor reassessed her. Dawson died about 90 minutes later.
