http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2013/04/17/12352641/12389-Mial_Street_Five_Day_Report.pdf
In the early morning hours of April 10, 2013, police were dispatched to investigate multiple calls
of a disturbance near the 500 block of Mial Street. Callers described a naked man, running
around screaming profanity at the top of his lungs and pounding on the top of his car. There was
also a report of a woman screaming.
Officer M.A. Ford was dispatched to investigate. When Officer Ford arrived, he observed an
individual, later identified as Thomas Jeffrey Sadler, 45, naked in front of his house. Mr. Sadler
was approximately six feet two inches tall and weighed between 250 and 300 pounds. Although
he initially complied with instructions to sit down, Mr. Sadler had difficulty expressing himself
when talking to Officer Ford. As Officer Ford was asking Mr. Sadler if he needed any
assistance, Officer S.M. Archambault arrived on the scene.
As both officers were speaking to Mr. Sadler, his demeanor suddenly changed. He began to utter
profanity and said either, “I’m going to kill you,” or, “You’re going to have to kill me.” Mr.
Sadler leapt to his feet as he spoke and began to charge toward Officer Ford with his fists
clenched and held out in front of his face.
Officer Ford began to run backwards away from Mr. Sadler. Believing that his safety was in
danger, Officer Ford drew his TASER® as he ran and discharged it at Mr. Sadler, who then fell
to the ground. Officer Archambault attempted to secure Mr. Sadler’s arm behind his back but
was bucked off of Mr. Sadler, who was still actively resisting, despite repeated verbal commands
to place his hands behind his back. Officer Archambault tried again to gain control of Mr. Sadler
but was having difficulty because of his size and strength. Additionally, the fact that Mr. Sadler
was sweating profusely made it difficult for Officer Archambault to maintain a grip of Mr.
Sadler’s arm. Officer Ford reactivated his TASER® and Officer Archambault again attempted to
handcuff Mr. Sadler, who again resisted. This sequence continued several times until Officer
Archambault was able to handcuff Mr. Sadler. Once Mr. Sadler was secured, Officer Ford
requested EMS to respond in reference to the TASER® deployment.
Although handcuffed, Mr. Sadler continued to resist by thrashing around and growling while he
was on the ground. Mr. Sadler suddenly stopped thrashing and grew quiet. Officers
immediately checked him and determined that he had stopped breathing and did not have a pulse.
One officer began chest compressions and another informed Emergency Communications that
the suspect was no longer conscious and breathing and requested an emergency response for
medical assistance.
EMS arrived on the scene and provided medical assistance but was unable to revive Mr. Sadler,
who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
At around the time of the 911 calls that initiated the initial encounter with Mr. Sadler, he had
violently assaulted a minor who lived in Mr. Sadler’s household. The minor was able to flee the
house and seek assistance from the resident at a nearby house who called 911 to report the
assault. The juvenile was later transported for treatment of the injuries he received as a result of
Mr. Sadler’s assault.