Deputies Mistake Walking Stick for Gun, Arrest Legally Blind Man After Jury Duty

Deputies in Columbia County, Florida arrested 61-year-old James Hodges on October 31. According to body camera video of the incident, responding deputies believed the walking stick in his back pocket was a weapon. Hodges, who is legally blind, was taken into custody for resisting an officer and obstruction.

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[accelmemory]

If she thinks that looks like a firearm, maybe she's the one that's legally blind

[jenniferhersey]

I never realized that you could be arrested for embarrassing a cop.

[stephenmartinez]

She absolutely knew it was not a gun by time they were speaking. Had she genuinely believed it to be a gun, she would have lost it and attacked him when he reached back to pull it out. This is textbook false arrest. It’s horrible to think how things like this turned out before cameras.

[surenopr]

These aren’t cops… these are high school bullies !!!

[Sweetyhide]

Is assaulting a cop’s ego a felony or misdemeanor? 🤔

[jeffsers]

The way the supervisor said "put him in jail for resisting". The tone basically says that he has no respect and did it just because he could. I'm glad we make these people wear body cameras.

[yalkn]

Imagine being so full of yourself that you still arrest someone eben after being proven wrong

[markstice]

These “cops” are an embarrassment. If he was my grandpa, I would make that lady legally blind.

[Thurston.Howell.the.rd]

Poor bullies got their feelings hurt. Stand strong Mr. Hodges

[ChasetheLights]

The fact that he could have easily got a disability pass for jury duty but still went, walking, to his public service says a lot about him.

[getinthespace]

Both these officers need to be fired. Hope the guy sues.

[sdacejm]

I'm glad this gentleman knew his rights. Not a lot of people do.

[lucasimmons]

"Name and badge number"
"You know what, let's bring him in"
That alone should have had the supervisor fired and in court.

[craZbeauTful]

He's a law abiding amazing citizen and they completely mocked and violated him. I hope he gets justice!

[EdirtySicks]

They thought he was armed, found out quickly he wasn’t, then went full Gestapo.

Fire those cops.

[Freethecommons]

Look how gleefully the officers arrest this guy for simply giving them attitude they don’t like. Both of these sociopaths need to be stripped of their powers.

[Vaderify]

Did anyone else notice that when he was asked what it was in his back pocket (keep in mind the lady officer claim's she thought it was a gun) and he reached and grabbed it to show them but they did not act like they thought he was reaching for a gun? She clearly knew it wasn't a gun after getting out of her car!

[Zakster]

I’m so glad these cops are here to protect us from all these dangerous, blind people walking around with sticks in their pockets, God forbid…

[neos.]

"Hey, you have a nuclear weapon with you"

"Sir, that is my car"


"F you. You are under arrest"

[grapesodabanked]

Who raises these people into adults who think this is acceptable conduct?