Nov 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 11

GUEST COMENTARY police

GUEST COMENTARY police law news Daniel Carr Officer Involved: Leonard Cure. No cure for a deadly threat! Leonard Cure was shot and killed by a Camden County Georgia deputy during a traffic stop on October 16, 2023. To save the suspense - this is an example of a justified officer-involved-shooting (OIS). In fact, this one is not close. Anyone who is remotely honest can watch the unbiased body and dash camera footage and come to the quick conclusion that the deputy faced an immediate deadly threat at the exact moment that deadly force was utilized. The point of highlighting this case is to examine and document the dishonest narrative being pushed by lying attorneys and the mainstream media as well as the vicious effort to demonize the deputy who acted within the law and responded with measured self-defense as a violent manic tried to kill him. LEONARD CURE Up until this traffic stop Leonard Cure was a person that we should all feel sympathy for. Mr. Cure was someone who we should all want to succeed. This is because Mr. Cure was released from prison in 2020 after serving 16 years for a crime that he did not commit. He was exonerated and had been spending a lot of time speaking to community and 16 The BLUES student groups about his experience. WHAT HAPPENED On October 16, 2023 Deputy Buck Aldridge was traveling in the right lane on Interstate 95. A pickup truck driven by Mr. Cure passed the deputy in the left lane traveling in excess of 100 mph. In many jurisdictions traveling that much above the speed limit is considered “reckless driving” and is accompanied by an arrest. Deputy Aldridge initiated a traffic stop with the intent to arrest the driver. INITIAL CONTACT It would be dishonest to ignore how Deputy Aldridge initiated the contact with Mr. Cure. Deputy Aldridge started by yelling at Mr. Cure as he approached. He yelled, “Step out! Get out! Step out!” The deputy did not introduce himself or announce the agency that he worked for. He did not explain the reason for the traffic stop or explain why Mr. Cure was being arrested (at least initially, he did later). So, this is not my style. In my opinion an officer should start with a “normal” traffic stop introduction or conduct a felony stop. Perhaps, the manner in which the deputy made initial contact was abrasive, rude, and possibly even a minor policy violation. However, the actions by the deputy were not illegal and I should also acknowledge the possibility the deputy had a valid reason for this approach/introduction that we are unaware of. Mr. Cure did exit the vehicle and Deputy Aldridge continued with, “Put your hands back here!” and Mr. Cure then said, “I ain’t doing shit!”. As you can predict - the interaction went to shit from there. USE OF FORCE The actual use of force by Deputy Aldridge was reasonable and measured. Deputy Aldridge gave verbal commands and then verbal warnings that force would be utilized to Mr. Cure. Deputy Aldridge initially started with empty hand tactics as he tried to move Mr. Cure’s hands behind his back. He then warned that Mr. Cure would be tased. These efforts were successful in gaining the compliance of Mr. Cure. Eventually Deputy Aldridge did deploy the Taser - which did not have the desired effect of neuromuscular incapacitation. Mr. Cure swung and swatted his arms to combat the Taser probes and quickly advanced towards Deputy Aldridge. Even-

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