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Parks officer shoots, kills man at Elephant Butte (NM State Park)
El Paso Times ^ | August 25, 2005 | Heath Haussamen

Posted on 08/26/2005 1:17:42 PM PDT by Rio

A state parks officer fatally shot a man Tuesday night at Elephant Butte Lake State Park during a confrontation over the man's refusal to pay camping fees.

It was the first fatal shooting by an officer at one of New Mexico's 32 state parks in at least 30 years -- since the creation of a formal parks law-enforcement program -- Parks Director Dave Simon said. The New Mexico State Police are investigating the shooting.

The slain man was described as an Anglo in his mid-50s whose truck and trailer had Montana license plates. Police would not release other information until his next of kin were notified.

The officer, Clyde Woods, a three-year veteran of the parks force, is on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, Simon said.

A spokeswoman for the parks division, Erica Asmus-Otero, said the shooting was, "as far as we know, in self-defense."

"The officer was doing his job, what he was trained to do," she said.

State police Lt. Jimmy Glascock would not confirm that, saying the investigation continues. When completed, it will be forwarded to the 7th Judicial District Attorney's Office in Socorro for a decision on whether charges are warranted.

The confrontation began just after 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lion's Beach, a busy area near the lake's visitors center, after the man became belligerent with a parks volunteer over a $14 camping fee he refused to pay, Asmus-Otero said.

The volunteer called for an officer, and the man was also belligerent after Woods arrived.

Woods attempted to apprehend the man for trespassing, Asmus-Otero said. The man placed his hands in his pockets and refused to remove them despite Woods' requests. At that point, she said, the man "acted in a manner that our officer is trained to respond to," but would not provide more details, other than to say he was "aggressive" and "verbally abusive."

Glascock said police did not find "a firearm or knife" on or near the man's body after he was shot.

State Parks officers are fully certified law enforcement officers who attend the state police academy for training. Simon said officers are trained to focus on education and interaction with the public, rather than confrontation.

He said the "vast majority" of parks users "comply willingly with parks fees," which generate almost two-thirds of the state parks division's budget.

"Deadly force is always a last resort," Simon said. "The choice to use it is based on the risk the officer sees of imminent injury or death to the officer or to the public. ... Failure to pay fees would not have been a reason for this officer to do what he did."

Sun-News photographer Norm Dettlaff contributed to this report.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: New Mexico
KEYWORDS: banglist; newmexico
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To: Freebird Forever
I'd prefer Caucasian, or even gringo to either of the above..


yeah....I'm a blue eyed Eye-talian myself....don't appreciate the Anglo thing either....Heck didn't that Gringo word come from a song that the Tejas Rangers were singing during a siege...and the Mexicans listened too every night across the Rio Grande? something about "Green Grow the lilacs...." anyway thats what I hear tell......Thats my story and Im sticking too it.
41 posted on 08/26/2005 2:10:59 PM PDT by Vaquero ("an armed society is a polite society" Heinlein)
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To: Vaquero

a GRINGO origin:


http://www.wordorigins.org/wordorg.htm

just scroll down.


42 posted on 08/26/2005 2:14:21 PM PDT by Vaquero ("an armed society is a polite society" Heinlein)
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To: Freebird Forever
I'd prefer Caucasian, or even gringo to either of the above..

I'm a Pink Euro-American Caucasoid.

Which reminds me of a past conversation: "Put a 'white' piece of paper next to my skin, you think I look 'white'? I'm not 'white'! That can only look 'white' to you if you're color blind. Where do you get off calling me 'white'? Anybody that ain't blind or stupid can see that I am not 'white'. Racist!"

Well, it was really not quite that way, but I've made my point.

43 posted on 08/26/2005 2:16:38 PM PDT by Lester Moore (islam's allah is Satan and is NOT the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.)
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To: Rio
In 90, I was pepper sprayed for a five mph over the speed limit.

Around here, they join the Parks force until an opening happens at local police forces. This kid was obviously picked on a lot in high school.

I was in conversation with his partner(a more stable individual) the kid did not like it when I told him to be quite adults are talking. He pulled out his pepper spray and got me real good. I remember it looking like a garden hose on a picture window... Lucky for him I had been drinking. The three beers I had on a buddy's boat made me guilty of a crime(.08).

The bastard was lucky...real lucky. If I was not "Impaired", he would have lost his job. His Partner told me in court, when get this...the kid offered probation if I apologized to him for saying what I said!

I stood up in front of everyone in the room(assistant prosecutor included), and told the little bastard to go get F%^$#%^%!. I ended up with probation for 6 mths...

Most of the time the civilians are in the wrong.Because I have experienced the dark side of LEO wannabees, I raise a brow over this article...

44 posted on 08/26/2005 2:21:45 PM PDT by sit-rep (If you acquire, hit it again to verify...)
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To: Rio

Sounds like Smokey done got rambunctious.


45 posted on 08/26/2005 2:33:01 PM PDT by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done needs to be done by the government.)
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To: newgeezer
Must be a NM thing. I think we call 'em "Caucasian" where I'm from.

Nope, only Anglo and Honkie are accepted now and Anglo is discouraged.

46 posted on 08/26/2005 2:34:52 PM PDT by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done needs to be done by the government.)
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To: Mind-numbed Robot

Cracker, Man. You forgot Cracker!


47 posted on 08/26/2005 2:36:55 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary. You have the right to be wrong.)
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To: Rio

Way too many folks are getting guns and badges. Way too many! It is reaching the point that every local, state and federal employee is now a "commissioned law enforcement officer"
If I read this right, the shooter was selling park passes. A gate keeper. An armed gatekeeper. An armed gate keeper with an itchy trigger finger.


48 posted on 08/26/2005 2:38:43 PM PDT by Bar-Face
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To: sit-rep
In 90, I was pepper sprayed for a five mph over the speed limit.

Out of curiousity, what reason did he give? I'm guessing he had to have cited more than just your impairment.

49 posted on 08/26/2005 2:41:44 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary. You have the right to be wrong.)
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To: newgeezer

I was "belligerent".


50 posted on 08/26/2005 2:43:56 PM PDT by sit-rep (If you acquire, hit it again to verify...)
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To: Shawndell Green
Nice job.

And, I will bet the proverbial dollars to donuts that the shot dude had priors.

51 posted on 08/26/2005 2:44:46 PM PDT by Pharmboy (There is no positive correlation between the ability to write, act, sing or dance and being right)
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To: newgeezer
Cracker, Man. You forgot Cracker!

You may be a Redneck if you forget about Cracker. :-)

52 posted on 08/26/2005 2:45:15 PM PDT by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done needs to be done by the government.)
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To: Rio

Later news item (today)

http://www.borderlandnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050826/NEWS/508260336/1001

LAS CRUCES -- Investigators have identified a man shot to death Tuesday by a state parks officer at Elephant Butte State Park, and court records reveal the man had been in trouble with the law several times in the months before his death.

The man was identified as Bruce Teschner, 58, said New Mexico State Police Lt. Jimmy Glascock. Teschner has ties to Colorado, but court records indicate he had been in Sierra County since at least December.

His shooting was the first fatal shooting by an officer at one of New Mexico's 32 state parks in at least 30 years. State police are investigating, and the officer involved, Clyde Woods, is on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, said Dave Simon, New Mexico state parks director.

The confrontation began just after 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lion's Beach, a busy area near the visitor's center, after Teschner became belligerent with a park volunteer over a $14 camping fee he refused to pay, officials say.

According to court records, Teschner had an outstanding bench warrant in Sierra County for failing to appear in court on a harassment charge. He was also awaiting trial on charges of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct stemming from a June incident, and failure to carry automobile insurance and wear a safety belt stemming from a December incident.


53 posted on 08/26/2005 2:46:06 PM PDT by Rio (Don't make me come over there....)
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To: sit-rep
If I was not "Impaired", he would have lost his job.

If you were not impaired, would you have said what you did? What had he done to cause you to say it?

54 posted on 08/26/2005 2:48:15 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary. You have the right to be wrong.)
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To: Rio
(Looooong Whistle....)

Yes, Indeed he needed to be put down!!

Especially the no seat belt part...

55 posted on 08/26/2005 2:49:08 PM PDT by sit-rep (If you acquire, hit it again to verify...)
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To: newgeezer

Gotta go... I'll bore you with the whole story when I return from the concert with the bride...


56 posted on 08/26/2005 2:50:33 PM PDT by sit-rep (If you acquire, hit it again to verify...)
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To: newgeezer
Many Latinos are "Caucasian" especially in Miami where I once lived.

BTW: The only true "caucasians" are Armenians and Georgians.

57 posted on 08/26/2005 2:54:14 PM PDT by Clemenza (Proud "Free Traitor" & Capitalist Pig)
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To: Vaquero
I HATE the word "caucasian." I aint from the Caucases! Besides, it sounds like a shoe style.

I have no problem with being called white (my race) or Anglo (my predominant language). I'd prefer it, however, if you simply called me by my given name.

58 posted on 08/26/2005 2:56:11 PM PDT by Clemenza (Proud "Free Traitor" & Capitalist Pig)
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To: Rio

It's okay. You can keep your hands in your pockets now.


59 posted on 08/26/2005 3:01:07 PM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: Rio

The guy should've claimed to be an illegal. He probably would've gotten a free campsite and water.


60 posted on 08/26/2005 3:07:38 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (When a Jihadist dies, an angel gets its wings)
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