I pored over the details of her account, talked with the TSD’s executive editor, concluded that her story warranted immediate action and then reached out to the Southaven Police Department. A voice recording indicated office hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., except for dispatch. Dr. Bowden said she actually talked with the wife of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr., attorney Ruby Wharton, during the traffic stop, so I reached out for her too. No contact had been made by the print deadline.
The TSD is following up with the Southaven Police Department. Meanwhile, here is Dr. Bowden’s account of the encounter, which she says started around 4 p.m. on Southaven’s Church Rd.
“My husband and I were in his Jaguar with his fraternity (Kappa Alpha Psi) tags. He was speeding and was pulled over by a motorcycle police officer. He asked for my husband’s driver’s license. My husband gave the officer his registration and started looking for his driver’s license. My husband gave the officer my business card. He asked, ‘What is this for?’ My husband said this is my wife’s business card, we were heading to her office for a patient’s emergency. The officer said he didn’t care about that. The officer asked my husband for his name and address. He ran his license. The officer had called for backup and Officer Delany approached. He immediately started asking questions. “My husband asked if he could look in the trunk for his license, the officer said yes. Officer Delany immediately talked about arresting my husband. My husband was allowed to look in the trunk. The officers at no time asked if they could search the car, but proceeded to look in the trunk and search the car.
“Officer Delany asked who I was to ‘that man?’ I said he is my husband. Officer Delany said, ‘You are lying, y’all don’t even have the same last name.’ I said, officer I had a business 9-10 years before we got married and I didn’t change my name, My business is in my name “Bowden Internal Medicine” He (asked) where is that, I said Memphis. Officer Delany said you are lying, y’all don’t have the same address. I said we are married.
“I gave him my full name, Social Security number and date of birth and they ran my information. The other officer came over to confirm, ‘You live on Madewood Drive?’ I said, ‘Yes sir.’ I gave him (my) business name and address….
“My husband asked if he could look in the glove box to see if he had his license. The officer said, ‘Yes.’ I swung my legs out of the car. Officer Delany started yelling at me (saying) don’t get out of the car. I said, ‘Officer, I am not getting out of the car, I am giving him room to look for his license.’
“My husband leaned in the car over me with one hand on the seat for support. I looked out of the door (and) Officer Delany had his hand on the trigger of his revolver and had it lifted in the holster on his right hip. I was terrified that he would shoot my husband in the back. ‘I said officers don’t shoot us, we are law abiding citizens. I support the police and donate to all police causes, I know how hard the job is, but we are not criminals. PLEASE, you do not have to take your gun out, I am afraid.’
“Officer Delany said, ‘shut up maam and get out of the car and let me see your license.’ My husband said to me, ‘Honey, be quiet, these people are red neck, they will hurt you. They don’t care who you are or what you have done for the community.
“I stood and immediately started looking for my license. Officer Delany screamed over and over: ‘I told you to give me your license.’ I said, ‘I am afraid and I am looking for my license. My purse is always a mess and I will need to time to look for it.’
“I held (the) purse over for him to see the mess. I offered to let Officer Delany take a look in my purse. Officer Delany took the purse from me roughly, walked away with it and riffled through it. Officer Delany kept hollering, “Where is your license?” I said officer you have my purse.
“Officer Delany threatened, ‘I will throw all your mess on the ground and I will tow that car. Officer Delany asked, ‘Is your name on the car?’ I said I don’t know. Officer Delany said, ‘I thought you said y’all were married?’
“I said officer, my father’s house is around the corner, I can go and get the license. Officer Delany said, ‘I am not about to wait for you to do nothing. I will have this car towed and throw you in jail too; that man is going to jail today.’
“I said, I can call the mayor’s wife, she can vouch for us. Officer Delany yelled, ‘I don’t care who you call.’
“I was in the process of explaining to Mrs. Wharton (Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s wife) the situation. I was so frightened I couldn’t tell Mrs. Wharton the whole story and she asked to speak to the officer so that she could vouch for us. I gave the phone to Officer Delany. He told Mrs. Wharton, ‘I don’t care who you are’ and hung up on her. I tried to explain to Officer Delany that Mrs. Wharton could vouch for me and Officer Delany said, ‘I don’t care who you know, you are going to jail if you don’t show me your license.
UPDATE: After several attempts on Thursday to reach the public relations office at Southaven Police Department, the TSD received a call back from Lt. Gerald Wheeler, a public relations officer who referred us to his superior officers. The TSD reached out to three Southaven Police Department officials Thursday evening via email. We will keep you informed as new details come in.
Bernal Smith is publisher of the Tri-State Defender.
https://tsdmemphis.com/news/2015/sep/10/letter-publisher-i-said-officers-dont-shoot-us-we-/?page=2
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