Excessive force complaint lodged against Centralia police

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A 41-year-old Centralia man who uses a wheelchair has filed a claim against the city saying he was attacked and injured by police officers during an incident in a hallway outside his apartment door.

Trygve Nelson was followed into the building where he lives on the 200 block of West Reynolds Street by an officer who was attempting to talk with him regarding calls he had just rode his wheelchair in the middle of the road up North Pearl Street.

Nelson’s claim for damages notes his injuries, his multiple upcoming medical appointments and claims damages in the amount of $400,000. It doesn’t detail what he claims police did – only saying police wrongly attacked him – but a six-page police report from the Centralia Police Department goes into great detail.

Nelson writes the incident occurred on July 2; the police report states it occurred on June 30.

According to the police report, Officer Patricia Finch called for backup after a drunken, angry and cussing Nelson refused to give his name, and stood up from his wheelchair facing her – he is described as 6-feet 4-inches tall and weighing 230 pounds – prompting her to unsnap her Taser – before riding away from her, going inside and slamming his door.

When Sgt. Carl Buster arrived and knocked on the door four times with his flashlight, Nelson exited fast with his hands in the air and said, “What the f***,” according to police reports.

Buster states in his report that fearing he was about to be assaulted, he spun Nelson around and tried to secure him against the wall.

Finch’s and Buster’s reports tell how they tried to gain control of him and he resisted, until he was on the ground and cuffed with a roughly one inch long cut above his left eye. It left what Finch described as a small amount of blood on the floor.

As they walked outside, Nelson allegedly pulled away and grabbed at Buster’s hand, and Buster “escorted him to the ground” again, Finch wrote.

They put a leg restraint on him because he was flailing. He was yelling he had aids, was terminal and they should just kill him, the officers wrote.

This all occurred at an apartment complex owned and operated by Reliable Enterprises, an organization founded in the 1970s to assist individuals with developmental disabilities.

Nelson was bleeding profusely, and said he was on blood thinners as well as heart medication, according to the report.

At one point, he was apologetic, said he was sorry for being an A-hole and that he drank too much after 18 years of abstinence, the report states.

Nelson vomited, medics sedated him and put a tube down his throat.

He lists in his claim injuries to his head, shoulder and knee and notes he has appointments with specialists for spine, for hands and ankles and for blood, as well as his primary physician.

Nelson also claims he was denied medical care while in jail and denied access to his medications. The Lewis County Jail is run by the sheriff’s office, not the police department.

Nelson was at the emergency room for several hours, where a doctor ordered a chest X-ray and CT scan because he was unconscious, according to police.

He was cited for several misdemeanors: disorderly conduct, obstructing a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. However, by the following morning he had allegedly pushed a hospital staff member who was attempting to discharge him, so he was booked into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree assault.

Centralia Police Department Chief Bob Berg said yesterday the police report was rather self-explanatory.

“Claims like this are routinely denied by our insurance carrier,” Berg stated in a written response. “Any comment beyond that would be inappropriate as potential litigation may arise from the incident.”

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29 Responses to “Excessive force complaint lodged against Centralia police”

  1. Denise says:

    I love brutally honest people who tell it like it is. Thanks Greg.

  2. GregtheCelt says:

    I love how all the sh*t talkers on here focus on the “wheelchair” aspect of this story and ignore the fact that this a**wipe stood up out of his chair when finch approached him and he was 6’4 and weighed 230 lbs. This guy rode around in a wheel chair, but wasn’t “confined” to one, nor was he in the chair when he came out of his apartment. or when any of the confrontation occurred. If all of you geniuses are so well suited to do the job go get yourself hired, if you can pass the myriad of requisite testing, background and psychological testing. Oh, and then theres that silly drug screen….yeah, oops. Oh, and you can’t have had sex with your sister or the family dog… Bottom line is alot of folks on here talk sh*t about CPD and they are entitled to it, it is guaranteed by a Constitution those very officers swore an oath to uphold, but since some of those comments come from folks who no doubt have had their peepee’s whacked by the CPD…I can only assume they’re just bitter assholes and need to vent.

  3. Dominoe says:

    Lol u caught me… I’m not perfect and I never said I was. Dyslexia is really a word that gets used every day (thick sarcasm) While I might have effed that one up because I haven’t spelled it in about a decade, at least I didn’t flunk elementary school spelling. However, I do like how this got turned around on me, and I got ganged up on like we’re still enrolled there. Either that or its one person with two screen names… Happens a lot on here when weak people can’t seem to prove their point.

  4. Mesayst says:

    Very well said . Those without sin ,be the first to cast the stone.

  5. Oh for heaven's sake says:

    I think the object of communication is to share our thoughts with one another. Poor spelling is a pet peeve of mine too but I think it’s pretty rude and very petty to correct someone in conversation. That said, if you are going to be the Spelling Police, you had better make darn sure you aren’t also an offender.

    I am pretty sure your son overcame “hurdles”, not “hurtles”, and you also misspelled “Dyslexia.”. So, the next time you want to accuse someone of being “one of those idiots who can’t spell”, maybe just count to ten and realize we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

  6. Mesayst says:

    Oh, I have a wonderful life. I don’t let an overinflated ego get in my way. It should make you happy to know your comments will never be read by me again.

    Sharon, from now on I will stay on topic on this site.

  7. Dominoe says:

    No I don’t think it’s teachers… I know the difference so, 20 years ago they were doing their job. My son knows the difference, so they’re doing their job now. Then again, I practiced spelling the words he got assigned, with him repeatedly, and made sure he wasn’t one of those idiots who can’t spell. PS He is ADHD so he has his hurtles, and does just fine. Dislexia… My sister battled that and she can spell.
    Why is it every time I post on here there is a rebuttal from you? Obsess much? I’m going to ignore you now because I have a life. You should try it.

  8. Larry Butler Fan says:

    “Maybe it could be teachers & schools that are lacking in teaching our children the correct skills?”

    Well when the educational bottom-line has been to toe-the-lie of the military, prison, industrial, and rehabilitational complex agenda, what else could you possibly expect from a PUBLIC SCHOOL but a bunch of toned-down, non-confrontational, conformist, neer-do-well nincompoops?

  9. Mesayst says:

    Omg. Here’s a new conjecture. Maybe it could be teachers & schools that are lacking in teaching our children the correct skills? I have 2 children w/dyslexia . Try that on for awhile an see how good your spelling is , Domino. You don’t like the spelling, don’t read the message. Come down off of your high horse, quit looking down your nose at the rest of us. Tell me, how does it feel to be perfect.

  10. Dominoe says:

    I like how Sam called soaper an idiot and then spells the contraction for “you are an idiot” y-o-u-r… If you mean “you are an idiot” it’s Y-O-U-‘-R-E.. you’re. Your is possessive, like “your dog is more educated than you are”. I love when those who can’t get grade school grammar correct have the nerve to call people idiots.

    While I’m at it, here’s a free lesson.. .. If you mean “I am going there” it’s spelled t-h-e-r-e, if you mean “they are stupid” it’s spelled t-h-e-y-‘-r-e, if you mean the possessive form as in “they want their children to be more educated than they are” it’s t-h-e-i-r. If you can hear something it’s h-e-a-r, if you want someone to come here it’s h-e-r-e. I might be forgetting some but for chrissakes people, if you can’t spell please don’t bash others… Spell correct can’t fix this one for you so maybe print my comment and tape it to your computer. Your computer y-o-u-r. You’re welcome y-o-u-r-‘-e

  11. Dominoe says:

    @Soaper… I think I just feel in love with you! Best rant ever!

  12. Dominoe says:

    Wow… Yea I always fear for my life when a cripple comes at me too fast in his wheelchair… Fu*king va*inas

  13. sam says:

    Larry…..lol……………… Another village idiot….

  14. Larry Butler Fan says:

    And Sam, I hope you are single. I can’t see how any loving wife could support a husband cavorting with sunshine girl online.

  15. Larry Butler Fan says:

    Sam, you’re an idiot. And that goes for your little ‘sunshine girl’ back-patter too.

  16. sam says:

    Typo: our should be are…….officers our putting their

  17. sam says:

    Thank’s Sunshinegirl! Our officers our putting their lives on the line everyday to deal with the ill rational people that make up this world. These are the people who think that they are entitled to everything. I learned to work for what you have, don’t steal,cheat or lie….

  18. sunshinegirl says:

    Sam, you are my Hero.

  19. sam says:

    Soaper……….Your an idiot. Your talking out of your a**. As a disabled man I agree with what the Centralia PD did in this case. Carl Buster has always been a very compassionate person. If you read the report ( if you can read that is) you will see the guy was combative and told the officers that he had aids and threatened them. People like you are going to be the destruction of this earth. I bet as a taxpayer I’m paying for your fat welfare butt. You don’t know the facts so just do us all a favor and jump off a bridge!

  20. Soaper says:

    Ya, good job Centralia PD. You beat up a guy in a wheelchair. You can be sure that the police report is full of exaggerations and half truths (lies). Centralia PD lie on all kinds of stuff and cover for each other. Even using their own words from the reports you can see their story most likely isn’t what happened exactly.

    First of all the man didn’t have to identify himself which seems to be what the original issue was. Then there is an example of CPD’s bravery and how they think. When the man stood up Finch considered tasing him. Because the guy stood up? Then he tried to do what is really the right thing and walk (wheel) away, but the Finch wasn’t about to let the situation end peacefully so she calls backup because a guy in a wheel chair isn’t obeying her commands like a dog. You’re a cop. If you need backup for a situation like this you don’t belong out there.

    Then comes Buster banging on the door with his flashlight which I am sure was obnoxiously loud. Why couldn’t he use his hands? I would come out saying “What the fu*k” too. So the guy comes out with his hands in the air. Isn’t that what the cops would like is your hands in plain view? In fact if you even put your hands in your pocket they will immediately tell you to take them out. In this case Buster would prefer the guys hands were hidden I guess so he starts beating the guy up. I would be furious if I were this guy too.

    Anyways, as Buster is escorting the guy to his car the guy pulls away, but yet at the same time goes for Buster’s hand? What kind of motion would that even be? Try and picture it. Anyways, good enough reason for Buster to rough him up some more. Why not? Then there is Finch thinking it is a joke and words it “escorted him to the ground again.” Real clever. I’d still like to know why he was escorted to the ground the first time.

    Anyways, Tabitha is correct. They need to clean house in Centralia and get competent people on the job instead of that circus they currently have. There is dirt on the majority of that whole department.

    You all enjoy the holiday weekend!

  21. FACTS says:

    bahlsdeep… Hospital staff actually deal with this stuff all time!! It is in our job to handle CRAZY patients

  22. Guilty Bystander says:

    What would YOU have done with this guy, Tabitha?

  23. bahlsdeep says:

    This report is lacking the facts printed by The Olympia. This dude shit on the floor at the ER out of disrespect. He was also restrained by 4-6 medical staff because of his antics. Thats not in their job description.

    Tabitha once again your lack of chromisomes are showing. U need bleach in your gene pool.

  24. SW-Mom says:

    You rule Sunshine girl! Thumbs up and tooooooshay!!

  25. SW-Mom says:

    Good for Buster! So sick of these con artists taunting the officers thinking they are in for a big reward. Good job Chief Berg for standing by your men. Nobody ever stops to think that when our officers respond to a call, they have NO IDEA what they may be walking into. I rule on the side of caution. All the drugs, alchohal involved in some of these disputes?????? Hell ya! You go Centralia PD!

  26. Tabitha says:

    Again centralia’s “finest” pieces of crap. They need to fire all of these people and get some new officers. Time to clean the pig pen.

  27. sumthin2say says:

    PEASANT UPRISING!!!! OH WAIT THEN OUR WELFARE GETS CUT OFF. *SIGHS

  28. sunshinegirl says:

    These people crack me up , they tell you right off the bat everything that is wrong with them , personality disorders , ptsd , 57 medications , bad heart , bad liver, etc. , etc., then forever more you are supposed to put up with all their bad behavior . They do all of this on a regular basis but expect the cops to put up with them because they are special . Most of it is self inflicted and should not enable them to ignore the law and then sue whenever it suits them. Whenever one of these guys tells me he’s ptsd I want to smack them. It is a insult to the brave men and women who actually serve there country who deserve our sympathies not a bunch of lazy druggies who made a choice to live these lives. I don’t want to hear a bunch of replies about how horrible addiction are , get the fuck over it and move on. Everyone on this earth has a story and a problem but we don’t all act like the world owes us a living. I hear it every day in my job and it’s all I can do not to spit in their face. When you come back from Iraq with one leg or arm or worse , then talk to me. When you fight fires or patrol the highways and mop that up , then talk to me . When you work the E.R. talk to me , otherwise shut up, and stop blaming the Police for every god-damned thing that happens to you , you sound like an idiot and no one cares. Rant over .

  29. anonymous says:

    “escorted him to the ground” again. I have been escorted before. And never has it involved a cut to the eye. Not saying he didn’t deserve it. But still. The police, both locally and not, use brute force tactics on anyone they deem necessary. Even if the person is complying with their demands. The police don’t “request” all that much any more, they demand. And when a person doesn’t comply, this is the end result.