In Case You Missed It ...
Mar 30, 2009 9:54 pm US/Central
Cop Who Kept NFL Player From Dying Kin Speaks Out
DPD Officer In Controversial Traffic Stop Admits Behavior Was Improper
Powell Wants To Apologize In Person To Moats Family
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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MINNEAPOLIS: Ryan Moats #21 of the Houston Texans returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 2, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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The Dallas Police officer who delayed a family from the bed side of a dying relative is speaking out exclusively to CBS 11 News.
Robert Powell remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
During the one-one-one interview, the officer said he could not defend his actions during a traffic stop involving Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats.
Powell said he has seen the disturbing patrol car video that shows him ignoring Moats' pleas. Powell wishes he could rewind it.
"I made a mistake that night," he said. "I used poor judgment."
The 25-year-old patrolman said he never thought the March 18 traffic stop would change his life or lead to death threats and seclusion for his wife and two daughters.
"I've gotten many emails, not all of them very nice. It has been difficult. We're worried about our two young children," Powell said.
He agrees his treatment of Moats and wife Tamishia was improper when they were pulled over outside a Plano hospital, trying to get to the bedside of a dying relative.
However, Powell disagrees with the Moats' allegation that the officer pointed his gun at them.
"When I found there was not a threat, I did re-holster my weapon immediately," said Powell.
He said he removed the weapon briefly only because the family was exiting the vehicle despite his orders.
Powell's conduct has been called embarrassing by Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle, and he faces the possibility of being fired for detaining the family for running a red light.
"To say I am scared of being fired is an understatement. I am terrified. I have a family. I have two young children," he said. "If I were in that situation again, I would take them inside, let them be with there mother, which is where they needed to be, and if I could take it back I would."
The officer spoke exclusively to CBS 11 in hopes that by telling his story and expressing his regret he can save his job.
"The other officers and anybody else that is going to watch this interview, I want them to understand that it is not me and that is not every officer that is out there on the streets across the country," he said.
"I hope anybody watching this - officer or not - can see my mistake and know that this is not the way to handle this kind of situation," he continued.
Attorneys for Powell say they have contacted Moats' agent and are hoping Powell can personally meet with the family to apologize.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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