Local News
Medical examiner rules Waterloo police-involved shooting a homicide
Posted on Sep 14, 2009 by Admin.
Eric Rule
UPDATE: Two Waterloo police officers involved in the shooting death of a suspect while responding to a domestic dispute have been placed on paid administrative leave.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety on Sunday identified the man shot by police as 31-year-old Eric Rule of Waterloo. The Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy and ruled the death a homicide and the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. According to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, DCI officials said the classification means Rule died at the hands of another person, and does not place any criminal intent for the act.
Police say an officer shot Rule after police were called to a Waterloo home Saturday on a report of a dispute between a man and a woman. Soon afterward, the man struggled with two officers. When he began to overpower one of the officers, the officer drew his gun and shot the man in the chest.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will investigate the shooting.
It is sad because he has children, but the WCFCourier reported that he had other run-ins with police and resisting arrest before. The police did what they had to to keep themselves safe.
Also sad in that it appears the alcohol was doing the talking when he attacked the officer.
It was a justifiable shooting. Mr. Rule had an officer in a choke hold and the officer's partner tasered him twice and used his fist to stop Mr. Rule. The officers did there job to stop this person. This all happened because Mr. Rule's wife locked him out of the house because he was too drunk and she didn't want to deal with him.
You know more than us.
I was in Waterloo this weekend for a tournie and I heard a different story from a guy that lives on the same street and witnessed this happen. What I was told is that 1 office responded to a domestice and when he got there the victim took the office to the ground and was pummeling him and when the 2nd office arrived they tazed him and when he got off of the 1st officer the 2nd office shot him. This could have been prevented. How do you shoot to kill an unarmed man? Shoot him in the leg or arm he'll get the point.
they only shoot to wound on television, or in the movies…it's not that easy to hit a moving target with a handgun, let alone a waving appendage…
I wish they would mention the"choke hold" and fists being used… and that fact that they tasered him twice in the TV broadcasts! TV makes it sound like the officers responded with a knee-jerk reaction – shoot and then think! I know that they are not taught that way. It just puts police in a bad light when it is perhaps the media that are not giving full details!!!
If they ruled this a homicide, does that mean they are saying the police weren't justified? Confused on the ruling of homicide. I would think justifiable shooting.
There's only four choices to choose from on the autopsy report: accident, suicide, natural, or homicide. It sure as hell wasn't any of the first three.
I think you're correct. Anytime someone is killed by someone else, it is a homocide and doesn't really indicate justification. The Gazette appears to have done a poor job choosing words for the headline.
Hey Daisy I am 6'1" 250lbs, I was trained in winter warfare and have a high pain thresh hold (so high that I have broken bones and torn tendons yet still worked for 6 months before seeing a doctor). How long do you think you would live if I put you in a choke hold? Or better yet, how long do you think you would allow me to choke you before you used deadly force?
Thank you Daisy you have proved out my point. When in an aggressive-combat situation the only way for self preservation is to use all necessities in an attempt subdue your subject. If you cannot do so physically then you must progress to a more violent means.
LMAO! Daisy didn't mom show you any attention growing up? Time to get over yourself and "your man". Thanks for the chuckle though.
Again, we have a system of justice in this country, let it do its thing. The court of public opinion closed shop some years ago. As a result it ended all the people dangling from the end of a rope who may or may not have done something. It also let people with much higher opinions of themselves than they deserved to murder many people because of their racist and bigoted attitudes. Guilt or innocence is for the court to decide not the people on this board.
Cops used to carry saps and night sticks which could take the best of men down with out killing them.
Now days cops are trigger happy and get away with it, even if the reason for the shooting is BS.
I agree with you. If the subject has a gun then yeah shoot him. If he doesnt use some other type of technique. No one should have to lose there life because of a power happy cop.
what other type of technique ? magic ? pray ? what a silly statement.
we all have seen what can happen to an officer (tim davis) i say it about time we stand up for the officers we hire to protect us.
they risk their lives so that we can have a better society, stop blaming them every time some idiot puts an officer to the test.
"During the struggle the officers used a number of control techniques that were ineffective
How much clearer can it be made?
This was a last resort, but necessary to save the officer's life.
<a href="http://SupportOfficerDavis.com” target=”_blank”>http://SupportOfficerDavis.com
It goes to show that the cops now days do not know self defense against unarmed people.
It proves that the cops now days do not know self defense against unarmed people.
It proves you do not know self defense against anything other than computer viruses
You admire her so much you copy her name now.
They are trained self defensive tactics, pressure points,etc.. But since you know sooo much about cops I will let you sit here and bash them without any facts behind yourself and see you look like a fool once again.
Do not try to choke a cop and you will not need to worry about it. Pretty simple advice to follow.
Daisy
I sure hope whatever it is that has made you so bitter (kidney stone, maybe?) will pass. That said I have to respectfully disagree with you. First and most importantly, every time an Officer goes out on a call they are putting themselves at risk for “us” meaning any one of the good folks within their jurisdiction and it’s not to get rich by any means. Second, many Officers will tell you they approach domestic calls with the utmost caution since the level of danger can vary so much. How disturbed are they? Are they on something that limits their ability for reason? Are they armed? Which one will attack first? Or will both attack? Lastly, I would like to see your data that supports 90% of domestic calls are from women leveraging a custody battle. Why is it so many down-play the efforts of our city’s finest… until they need them?
Daisy, sweet Daisy,
First of all Cops are not given anything by Big Brother. Those fine individuals that aspire to become Peace Officers have to earn their badge by fully demonstrating they have the discipline and control mentally, physically, emotionally, morally, and legally long before they put on that uniform and take to the streets. Third, most all couples will argue, some get loud enough so a concerned neighbor may call the station, however once a squad car arrives rational adults retreat to their respective corners and the peace is preserved. On the other hand, should the individuals choose to escalate the argument to where observed acts, including results of acts, or threats of violence occur then those acting irrationally can be subject to intervention according to the level of threat. Again, actions of the individual determine the level of intervention they will face. Lastly, I suspect from your views that you have a history of run-ins with the law where the intervention you received was likely proportionate to your offense. Instead of blaming everyone else, learn from your experience. It is what becoming a mature adult is all about.
I see your still smoking wacky tobaccy. You seem to be hallucinating again. To serve and protect went out the window with horses and buggies. Now it is ego trips and a paycheck.
Hugs
show me facts that support your claim that ego trips and paychecks are more common than protect and serve. I'm here to learn, if you can show me you are correct I will be grateful.
Asking me to prove it is like asking me to prove there is a God. Some will swear there is and some will swear there isnt, but it is something you just cant really prove one way or the other. You just know it cause you believe or you know it isnt cause you believe not.
I dont care about these other people. I agree with you. Good point and good job +1 from me.
If you have ever seen Waterloo cops they are not that big of guys. Since this man was about 250 lbs I think the cops were doing what they could to stop him but being drunk he just kept going at them. Waterloo has little men for cops!
All cities have little men for cops. The ones coming up who got picked on at school.and got sand kicked in their face at the beach. They grow up to be cops where they give pay backs to everyone.
I think you are watching too many movies. Harold and kumar anyone?
THERE you are Hugs….whenever you have an opportunity to bash law enforcement you are right on it! If you ever are a crime victim, please don't call the cops, since they are all such terrible people in your mind.
I didn't bother to call them, thank you. It would of been a waste of my time. I just wrote it off as a loss and that the person who stole from me, needed what they swiped more then I did.
Hugs
Typically those that bash the cops the most are the ones that have the longest records. Did you spend a little time in the County Resort?
I think someone didn't get in the police academy like he wanted too when he was younger, and now is a bitter old fat man.
Actually when i was at that age, you didnt have to go to an academy to be a cop, a town would just hire some fool to drive around in his car with a magnetic red light stuck to the fender.
And no i never wanted to be a cop. I seen Chicago finest and it left a bad taste in my mouth. I seen them at their worse and have obeyed the laws so I don't have to deal with them. Just observing them from the sideline is close as I wanta get to em.
Actually when i was at that age, you didnt have to go to an academy to be a cop, a town would just hire some fool to drive around in his car with a magnetic red light stuck to the fender.
And no i never wanted to be a cop. I seen Chicago finest and it left a bad taste in my mouth. I seen them at their worse and have obeyed the laws so I don't have to deal with them. Just observing them from the sideline is as close as I wanta get to em.
I agree with Iowarch in that guilt or innocence should be reserved for the court of law. However, the one sentence that does disturb me the most in the article is, "the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds." I thought police officers were supposed to shoot to disarm not shoot to kill especially when the subject does not have a weapon at their disposal.
When police use a gun, it is always to kill. They are not supposed to take the time to take careful aim, they're just supposed to aim at the biggest target which is the torso.
That said, they are also supposed to be trained in self defense tactics and it surprises me that they couldn't subdue one man between the two of them because the training also includes getting out of choke holds.
Just the type of nonsense I have come to expect from people around here. I am guessing from all that hate towards the government and "the system" you're a hardcore bemocrat. Funny thing is that is exactly the problem…..do you realize they are thinking about letting officers be able to draw your blood to test for booze? Literally hold or strap you down and take blood. You lose rights under liberals, then have people like you on welfare whining about rights. Give me a break.
One of the techniques is called Personal Intervention Actions and there is MAT training as well as other techniques.
I had to take them and they also teach how to get out of a choke hold.
You had to take nothing of the sort. I am growing tired of your constant need to fabricate first-hand experiences to lend some credibility to your ignorant comments. I would be happy to test out your techniques if you would like to back up your lies for once.
I see thenewsman is using a new name now days. ctiger1
I see thenewsman is using a new name now days. ctiger1
Name is changed but the smell is the same.
LMAO. So it has reached the point where you are confusing real life with your fake internet life. Maybe someone needs to put down the ice cream and mouse and hit the gym. All that extra baggage is obviously causing some issues with your senses.
Not that it matters, but I can as-sure you with 100% certainty it's not newsman. Not only is he banned (by IP addy) but that's not even how he writes. Believe me, it's not newsman… for whatever it's worth to you…
Yeah, that obsessive behavior is pretty creepy. It seems that intelligence may be finite, but idiocy knows no bounds.
Gotta love the big talk! Coming from someone who has shown limited spelling ability, I can appreciate your effort.
I agree with you on that one. You would not want me to get that close, I can promise you that.
Anyone notice how cigger has a first hand experience for almost every situation? And when called out, there is never an attempt to refute anything. No evidence, just empty words from an empty shell of a human being. When you find something better to do than make up stories to prove your point, let us know.
I've noticed….ohh, how I've noticed! Until I realized you were not the original Ctiger I thought Ctiger turned over a new leaf….the posts were becoming sensible…and i thought Hugs and Ctiger were on the outs….but no, they are still two peas in a pod and can keep on "thumbs upping" each other…its about the only thumbs up they get…. lol. +1 >> ctiger1
all people like that do is create extra profiles just to thumbs up their comments. Pathetic if you ask me.
As to that, it was interesting to see who's getting the thumbs up from multiple email addresses. Did you know that you can be traced to your IP address?
That would be awesome! There is nothing someone like you could ever do to pose a threat to someone like me. If you disagree, I would be happy to simply give you all of my info and wait. You don't have the stones.
Oh yeah, and as to that, you have just proved how full of s*&# people like you are. I don't play that game like you, but nice try…..gotta love liberal fools who prove my point.
When you find something better to do than stalk ctiger, let us know.
Bottom line, cops are taught to preserve themselves and then immediately after the general public. I don't know what happend, but if he was over powering 2 cops he must have been a threat!
Great avitar!
I figured some people would enjoy it!
Daisy Mae, you don't know the facts do ya ?
This death can be attributed to George W. Bush and his legions of NRA loving, trigger- happy cops. Things will change once President Obama does not have to devote all of his energy to health care. Police will not need to carry weapons. They will be able to diffuse situations and capture criminals with silver tongued oratories.
HAHAH, this is great! Funny stuff!
"Soon afterward, the man struggled with two officers. When he began to overpower one of the officers, the officer drew his gun and shot the man in the chest."
WHAT ?
Well there are good cops out there, I know a lot of them and see what they go through on a daily basis. It's sad that a few bad cops left a bad taste in your mouth, and make you think all of them are.
I admire myself, my friends, and my family so much that I am willing to fight against people with views similar to yours. The difference between me and people like you is that there is nothing I would not do.
We noticed that you're too dumb to stop while you're ahead.
I will never stop, and there is nothing you can do about it. Don't you realize you are the weak? You can stand up to someone on the internet, but in real life you are pathetic. HA HA
The amount of posts on here by them pretty much indicates a pathetic life.
ct1
actually the liberals don't seem to be standing up to anyone on the internet either. As soon as you ask them to produce some evidence to support their kooky claims they disappear like vapor and go attack someone else on a different topic.
Or no life at all……I read gazetteonline everyday and was disgusted by these people commenting all day long! What they are trying to do is make it seem like their views represent everyone. Now people are signing up just to fight these people, and its obvious that they have already lost the war. Bring on the '10 election!!!!
So TraciP (oops I mean ctiger1), did your other account get deactivated or are you just using 2 accounts like you accuse everyone else of? And, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – ctiger must be really pleased with that…thanks for posting the picture just to confirm to us all that it is you…wondered with that last post about you challenging people to meet you in person and of course all of the personal attacks.
Where else can you go and get free mental exams by ctiger? I wonder how many liberals have been banned from this forum.
" I voted for Clinton, Gore, Kerry"
The above quote was in a posting by TraciP/ctiger1 (same person)
I was going to say that, but you're welcome. I am quite flattered as I didn't realize I had such significance.
It's using two computers, but has been banned from one IP address.
You have delusions of grandeur, like any typical sociopath.
I think he was somones Mama at one time.
The original Ctiger just started to follow me on ID. I wonder if she will change her name to one like mine?
I would say you are being generous with 10 seconds…I was a bouncer back in the 80's and many a drunk went down that way. You don't have to be 6'+ and 250 pounds to administer one either. It's a bad ending to a bad situation that the deceased brought on himself.
Uh oh, new stalker? I hope she doesn't replace me as being your favorite on-line girlfriend!!! You know what I'm talkin bout… lol
and btw, she called me a pervert for talking to you.
How does that make sense? Why would that make you a pervert? I'm confused I guess… whateva!
Case of jealousy maybe? We like to play around, I guess I just don't think that's a bad thing… I mean after all, you have given me the best 60 seconds of my life.. yes? lol
Besides, if she hates you guys and wants you to go away, why is she following you on her profile? So she can keep track of your statements right? That's just silly! Go away, but I want to know what you say? Sheesh, seems kinda crazy…