Peru police tase Alzheimer patient

PERU, Ind. (WISH) - A 64-year-old nursing home resident with advanced-stage Alzheimer’s was tased by police Sunday in Peru.

According to police, at least one Peru Police Officer is on
administrative leave after they tased James Howard three times at Miller's Merry Manor Nursing Home.

Three officers and a Dukes EMS unit arrived at the home after staff reported resident James Howard was combative and struck several employees.

According to police reports, two officers entered Howard's room in the locked-down Alzheimer's unit and told him to enter the ambulance.

Howard did not respond to their commands and become uncooperative, according to police.

One of the officers grabbed his taser and told Howard he would have to use it if the man did not comply.

The officer attempted to gain control of Howard's arms to restrain him, a struggle began, and the man was tased.

Howard dropped to the floor and was tased two more times while on the ground due to resisting police and attempting to fight with them.

The officer then handcuffed Howard, which left a large, bloody gash on his wrist and escorted him to Duke's Memorial Hospital.

Howard's wife said she plans to press charges against the officers.

Police announced Monday they have launched an internal investigation, but would not comment about the incident or the investigation.