Why Does Nashville Police Officer Michael Pyle Hate Babies?

An 8-day-old infant was inadvertently locked in a car on the way out of the pediatrician’s office. The firefighters couldn’t get the door unlocked, so the doctor, Stacey Williams, got a hammer from her office to break the car window and free the baby, even though this wasn’t quite the way the firefighters preferred to deal with the situation.  Enter Metro cop and brave hero, Michael Pyle.

PyleOfficer Michael Pyle was dispatched to the call after firefighters said an unruly person was interfering with their rescue attempts.

Unruly?

The suit alleged the firefighters who responded to the emergency call refused to break the car window and instead called a locksmith.

The temperature on that May 2012 afternoon was more than 80 degrees.

Williams went into her office and came out with a hammer, then started tapping on the car’s front passenger window.

The infant’s mother begged for the firefighters to break the car window, to save her baby’s life.  Maybe the firefighters had rules, because they didn’t want to be responsible for the cost of repairing a window?  The value of an infant’s life didn’t concern them too much.

Officer Pyle pulled Dr. Williams away from the vehicle and down the sidewalk in a forcible and excessive manner as employees at the scene tried to explain that Dr. Williams was the baby’s physician.

“Plaintiff Williams was physically slammed to the pavement by defendant Pyle, causing and or aggravating injuries to her head, left hip and shoulder, left hand and wrist and left knee,” the lawsuit states. “Defendant Pyle also placed handcuffs on plaintiff Williams that were too tight and in such a manner that caused additional physical injury, including a separated right shoulder. “

But Pyle, after realizing that he was the biggest asshole in all of Nashville, recognized the error his ways?  Not quite.

She was held in a police car at the scene for more than an hour then cited and released. The charges were later dropped.

Firefighters eventually broke the car window, because not doing so and waiting until a locksmith arrived was totally idiotic and likely to kill the infant.  The baby survived. Dr. Williams sued Pyle and settled for $99,000.  And Pyle doesn’t have to spend the rest of his life thinking about the fact that his mind-boggling stupidity, self-importance and arrogance cost an 8-day-old infant’s life.

H/T Mike Paar

 

32 thoughts on “Why Does Nashville Police Officer Michael Pyle Hate Babies?

  1. Wheeze The People™

    There you go, another teachable moment!! Savor the moment. I love whores and water . . . In that order . . .

      1. Wheeze The People™

        You mean this Gomer Pyle??

        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Do you think I’m cute, Private Pyle? Do you think I’m funny?
        Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, no, sir!
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Then wipe that disgusting grin off your face.
        Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, yes, sir.
        [tries to stop smiling]
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Well, any fucking time, sweetheart!
        Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, I’m trying, sir.
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Private Pyle I’m gonna give you three seconds; exactly three-fucking-seconds to wipe that stupid looking grin off your face or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skull-fuck you! ONE! TWO! THREE!
        Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, I can’t help it, sir.
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Bullshit! Get on your knees scumbag!
        [Pyle drops down to his knees]
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Now choke yourself.
        [Pyle wraps his own hands around his throat]
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Goddamn it, with MY hand, numb-nuts!
        [Pyle reaches for Hartman’s hand]
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Don’t pull my fucking hand over there! I said choke yourself; now lean forward and choke yourself!
        [Pyle does so]
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Are you through grinning?
        Private Gomer Pyle: [gagging] Sir, yes, sir.
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Bullshit, I can’t hear you!
        Private Gomer Pyle: [louder] Sir, yes, sir.
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Bullshit, I STILL can’t hear you! Sound off like you’ve got a pair!
        Private Gomer Pyle: SIR, YES, SIR!
        Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: That’s enough! Get on your feet. Private Pyle you had best square your ass away and start shitting me Tiffany cufflinks or I will definitely fuck you up!
        Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, yes, sir.

    1. J. Eric Andreasen

      Actually, the hair is on a seven-inch spool mounted between the officer’s ears.

  2. Donny G.

    This reeks of an “I’ll show you” mentality on the part of the officer. This is the kind of behavior that comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of “command presence”, and an eagerness to use force on somebody.

    Also
    That photo is really disturbing. These pictures are meant for public distribution, they had this guy get dressed up and sit in front of a staged background, and this is the photo they took? What does that say about how the department presents itself? Now I’m sure they did a ton of guys in a short space of time, but it’s strange to me that nobody spoke up and said “Hey Mike, any chance we can get one where you don’t look like a serial rapist? Maybe smile a bit? Try to put a little human warmth into those soulless eyes?”

    1. SHG Post author

      It was those “soulless eyes” that made me post his pic. They spoke to me. It wasn’t pleasant.

  3. Charlesmorrison

    It’s totally reasonable to call EMS in that situation. But when responders are unable/unwilling to do what the most qualified individual on the scene believes necessary (ya know, the treating physician), under exigent circumstances no less, why the hell did they care whether a private citizen was willing to harm her own property?

    I’m sure there’s a statute specifically proscribing interference with EMS duties in TN (admittedly only speculation) but base-level intelligence ought to win the day. If you allow the action recommended by the Dr. and accepted by the mother, you are not being interfered with, period. No need to call the boys in blue. While the officer deserves the ridicule and notoriety, the EMS crew does as well.

    And mom’s lucky she wasn’t charged with some form of child endangerment. Accidents aren’t allowed to happen anymore. Was she reckless? Or super negligent (i.e, criminally negligent)? She might just thank the good doc for causing a bunch of paperwork along with trying to save her infant.

    1. SHG Post author

      You’re right that the firefighters have nothing to be proud about, but in this instance, my special praise is saved for the brave Officer Pyle. Just my choice.

  4. lawrence kaplan

    What is really scary– but, alas, not surprising– is the fact that, as stated in the article, ” Metro Police did not take disciplinary action against Officer Pyle as a result of this incident.”

  5. Smurfette

    First off they are not supposed to smile in their official photo just like in the military when we have our official photos taken. (Yes I know both of these for a fact). Second of all the article is just what she claimed happen but not what necessarily what actually happened. There are things such as false claims and exaggerations. People love to just jump on police and say how aweful they are though most do not know any. But if someone breaks into your house with a gun who is the first person you are going to call?

    1. SHG Post author

      Sigh. They don’t have to smile. They also don’t have to look vicious. Cops aren’t “warriors,” but public servants. Their public image shouldn’t be disturbing.

      As to the story, no, it’s not “just a story.” The City paid. I know a whole lot of cops. ExCop knows even more. Don’t try to play that game when you’re the asshole in the room. When cops do awful things, they get called on it. If they don’t like it, don’t do awful things.

      And finally, your “if someone breaks into your house with a gun who is the first person you are going to call” point is outrageously ignorant. They have jobs because they’re supposed to protect and serve, not beat, harm, kill or lie. And if when they come to your house, the homeowner shouldn’t have to wonder whether it’s more likely that he’ll be killed than the burglar.

      It’s because of the stupidity of badge-licking apologists like you that bad cops remain on the force. Would you be proud of your badge-licking bullshit if a baby had died? Or would you have been happy as long as no cop was hurt in the killing of the baby?

      Edit: Apparently, Smurfette is a shill, posting this same stupidity elsewhere as well.

      1. MJM

        Smurfette should have included some entertaining things to do while waiting for the cops to show up… in her mythical scenario.
        For the record, many agencies keep two photos on file… a smiling or pleasant one for when good things happen and a serious or bland expression for when bad things happen. Few require a threatening one, as you pointed out.
        Could the failure to discipline be part of a defense to the suit, a denial of any wrong doing? This cop is not fit to be washing the cars in the motor pool.

    2. Eddie Harrington

      That’s funny, because I just took my official photo for my official bio and, contrary to what you claim, we were allowed to smile. But what do I know, I’m only a Major. Given you are so certain, why don’t you point to the official Army Reg, Air Force Instruction or whatever the hell the Navy and Marines use to set the standard for official photos. The only ones I have never seen smile are Marines but that’s because they want the world to think they are super tough and ready to kill at a moments notice which is what they, as warriors, are paid to do. As Scott notes in his reply, Cops aren’t warriors and their continuous efforts to play the part of warriors is part of the problem. Read Radley Balko’s book if you need proof of that.

  6. hocuslocus

    Well may I be struck down by lightning, but from the way it is described it sounds like a swooning hysteria festival. This is NOT one of those “abandoned baby/pet discovered in a hot car having already been there for who knows how long” situations that rightfully deserve swift action and extreme measures. The mother called EMTs instead of a locksmith, the doctor grabs a hammer instead of calling a locksmith.

    Meanwhile the baby is in a warm, safe environment with plenty of oxygen (and shade, if any of these people had any brains) and everyone can calm the hell down and wait for the locksmith.

    This baby was a long ways away from exposure. But the poor baby will suffer as it grows up by being surrounded by hysterical people who seem unable to accurately assess risk properly and take timely PROPER action.

    1. SHG Post author

      If you’re going to run around the internets shilling for this mutt cop’s reputation, you’re going to have to come up with a story that isn’t pathologically stupid. Granted, yours isn’t nearly as asinine as Smurfette, and it might even have some small merit, but for the fact that the firefighters ultimately had to break the car window anyway, and nobody with half a brain would think an 8-day-old infant inside a locked car in the 80 degree summer weather in Nashville was nothing to be concerned about. Facts can really screw things up, you know.

      But good try. You definitely did a better job than Smurfette, even if it was still pathetic.

      1. skullcowboy

        Methinks he is a locksmith. He mentions Pyle not at all but goes on and on about just waiting for the locksmith to save the day…

          1. hocuslocus

            If that’s how you treat posts with “some merit” I am so grateful for that teeny weeny crumb of merit. I’ll bet my bottom dollar there are several locksmiths in range who would have responded to this emergency far sooner than this firefighter-then-police circus. And as the Good Doctor proved, it;s nice to have a hammer. If no one had shown up I am confident the mother could and would have broken in herself.

            But she chose not to. I refuse to let the mother “off the hook” here. Do I think she called 911 because she herself could not find or lift a heavy object? Nah. Could she have reasonably assumed that all emergency responders are window-saving lock pickers? Perhaps she called 911 because she thought it was a “free-for-her” service that would save her a couple hundred bucks (window) or eighty bucks (locksmith) — while costing everyone thousands.

            There is an emerging phenomenon here, where people seem eager to call for help and wait for help even when there is a clear and immediate course of action available to them. Something reasonable, such as calling a locksmith and getting ready to break the window themselves after a reasonable time. It does not bode well for the species.

            But I’m sorry I wandered into the wrong room. This seems to be the Cathedral of Hate for Officer Pyle. You gotta realize that this is grotesquely cliche — cartoonish even. Untuned upright piano music, a baby tied to the railroad tracks with a helpless mother shrieking and waving her arms, Officer Pyle with mustache chortling with evil laughter, a ladyhammer come to save the day.

            On the face of it, wasteful and stupid. I take my reality straight up, no chaser.

            1. SHG Post author

              It appears I’ve misjudged you. I assumed you to be another of the shills seeking to salvage Pyle’s reputation after his disgraceful conduct, but it appears you’re on the payroll of Locksmith’s-Я-Us. No doubt you’re taken with the brilliance of your call-the-locksmith first assertion, even though it appears that your genius is grossly underappreciated here. However, calling 911 in an emergency isn’t generally considered a ridiculous thing to do, your view notwithstanding.

              Aside from your theory failing to make much sense (as first responders are routinely capable of opening a locked car door, and as it takes locksmiths far longer than first responders to get to the scene of an emergency for obvious reasons, as well as pragmatic reasons), some day-tripping pseudonymous commenters bottom-dollar bet that there are several locksmiths in range really isn’t persuasive or meaningful. In other words, you have most assuredly wandered into the wrong room, as this isn’t a room that takes kindly to dumbasses.

            2. SPO

              I know I should take my own advice and not even rise to the bait, but ugh. So, hocus, you’re improving. You’ve established that the mom’s actions were a but-for cause of the hammer pediatrician getting body-slammed. So you’re not letting the mom off the hook. Great. I must have missed that day in law school where they taught us that if someone who calls for emergency responders really shouldn’t have called, then cops who show up at the scene have free rein to body-slam people into the ground. After all, we’re not letting the mom off the hook so that absolves the “cartoonish” Officer Pyle.

              I don’t know about the species as a whole–but I do know that this story says a lot about the members of the species that constitute the Nashville PD—in any normal organization, Pyle would be a laughingstock.

              But hey man, you take your reality straight-up.

    2. SPO

      SHG, why even rise to the bait? A mother doesn’t want her baby in the hot car and is going to do something about it. And some firefighters flip out and call the cops, and some cop shows up and slams a pediatrician into the ground, and he’s telling people to take the proverbial chill pill.

  7. azlibrabbit

    Something similar happened to my daughter at my house. She had just placed her twins in their car seats and shut the door when she realized her keys were on the front seat. Daddy was three miles away with the other key.
    Still, my husband had retrieved a two-pound sledge and we were just deciding which window to smash when Daddy raced up with the key. Glad we hadn’t called any public servants to help us out!

  8. jim

    This is all too typical of the police (and gvt in general) mindset today. The OWNER of the car is fully entitled to break the dang window if she wants regardless of why she wants to do it. Preventing her, or in this case her agent the Doctor, from breaking the window is pure arrogance on the part of the police/EMS. They have a mindset that NO ONE, and certainly not a mere “civilian”, dare do ANYTHING they do not authorize once they have arrived “on the scene”. This is why so many people hate both the cops and gvt in general. Both have earned the public’s disdain.

    1. SHG Post author

      Well. Okay then. Did anyone explain to you that this is a law blog. You know, a blog with and for a bunch of criminal defense lawyers?

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