@slarson14
I do appreciate your feedback, however, I do feel you have made many assumptions based on lived experience and without knowing all the facts.
I am a bit offended that you think I have displaced anger and blame. I do not wish to type out all the facts of this case but here are a few key notes that may or may not alter your view.
My son called 911 because he was lost and did not know where he was. He was in distress- highly agitated, paranoid, having delusions and hallucinations as he complained of the group of people yelling things in his windows which is why he left home.
He desperately pleaded for someone to talk to them and get them to stop. His thoughts and speech were disorganized and he was unable to stay focused. (What about the risk he posed to public driving under those conditions??)
All CLEAR signs of someone in psychosis. ON TOP OF THAT, he stated that he was ashamed and embarrassed because he was having psychosis and under influence of methamphetamine and having delusions.
The dispatcher spent several minutes asking questions about the people such as how many were there, did he know them, instead of asking about his welfare or asking for landmarks to help him find out where he was!
You can hear the hope leave him as she indicated to him no officers were on duty then asking did he need her to send an officer. In his mind since they weren't on duty they would be mad and put him in jail. Feeling defeated he hung up. No call back was made. No effort to ping his phone.
Another audio call the dispatcher called another female officer explaining my sons call and asked if she should take any action and making statement of him having his meds messed up. (Son has never been on or did he ever mention meds.) Other female responded "no, he's just on drugs".
My son's first 911 call was routed to wrong county when dispatcher tried transferring it the call was lost.
My son tore the stuffing out of his seats and also used his clothing, desperately trying to get his vehicle free eventually abandoning it and searching for a road on foot. One officer stated in report that he saw evidence of him crawling into a hay bale at some point. He walked in the cold and dark cornfields approximately five miles from his vehicle and collapsed when he finally reached a road. He was found next day by sanitation driver wearing only gym shorts and one shoe.
I also have audio of phone call between my daughter and head sheriff where sheriff states "he's a grown man, why should we go looking for him?"
The department was familiar with my son and was aware of his drug use and psychosis.
One occasion he was arrested for a warrant during psychosis as he was on knees in driveway arguing and yelling at a tree. They took him into custody and placed him in with other inmates. He got a felony assault for assault on a confined person.
They did not prioritize his safety or safety of others. When I was informed of this I called and asked why he was not separated due to his condition, his reply was "where did you want me to put him?"
All statements are based on evidence I have in my possession.
May I ask, are your views and opinions the same? Am I seeking someone to blame? Looking for financial gain?
All I want is accountability! They dismissed him with bias due to mental health and substance use. His safety and well being was not a priority.
My son's life mattered to me as well as his 3 younger siblings.
The only role money has in this is perhaps a nice headstone NOTHING MORE!
The dispatcher is incompetent and should be removed from such a position. Better training, specifically regarding mental health, updates to protocols and procedures, and efforts to bring attention to bias and discrimination in rural communities, as well as legal push to improve and advance towards NG911 and 911 service alternatives.
And I will say that the creation of a "Zachary's Law" would bring a great deal of joy to my
heart.
Sincerely,
Zachary's Mom
@jimz72 I just want to say to you that reading your post makes my heart hurt for you and your family. I am so sorry that sometimes people feel they hold the truth and know what is in our hearts. I hope in time you feel less pain if that’s is possible and surround yourself and your family with support and love. May your son rest in peace close to your heart.