After midnight on October 4th, the Galveston Police Department stormed a wedding party occuring at the H20 pool bar at the San Luis.  The crowd was pushed, thrown to the ground, beaten, tasered, peper sprayed and arrested.

The father of the bride was tasered.  The brother of the bride was beaten and had to be life-flighted to Memorial Herman hospital.  Astro's pitcher, Brandon Backe was beaten and arrested.

Below is a letter from a local citizen and business owner who witnessed the event.  His letter describes the event and his feelings.

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Elected Officials,
 
On Saturday October 4th – 5th (sometime after midnight) an altercation at H2O Bar at The San Luis Resort occurred.  This altercation lead to police back up being requested and shortly thereafter what I would consider a riot, lead by GPD.  The following will account what I witnessed, was appalled by, and what should result in immediate terminations.  
 
The following incident could have been easily avoided by simply enforcing the current City Ordinance of a Midnight – 5 am curfew.  This curfew is followed by ALL businesses and residents with the EXCEPTION of H2O Bar at The San Luis Resort.  
 
An altercation of some sort began at H2O and ended as total chaos.  Police units arrived in droves, police trampled over furniture, pushed patrons and innocent bystanders to the side, yelled and cursed, forced a crowd in many directions all of which lead to no where resulting in innocent persons being grabbed, pushed, thrown to the ground, handcuffed, kicked, punched, arrested, and one being life flighted to Memorial Herman Hospital.  I witnessed on 2 occasions persons being told what to do, and obeying what they were told; one resulting in a tasing and the other being thrown against a wall then ground, handcuffed, punched in the face and kicked as he lay helpless on the ground.  Bruises show clearly how he was punched directly in the face as I witnessed it done by an On Duty Police Officer.  
 
The Mission of the Galveston Police Department speaks of integrity, fairness and professionalism.  The situation lacked organization, instilled fear and intimidation in people and resulted in numerous arrests that lacked merit.  Had I been so unlucky to be one of the persons in the wrong place at the wrong time this evening and was subjected to what these individuals were subjected to, I ensure you, my legal team would file suit.  
 
This sort of law less-ness is unacceptable.  After what I witnessed this evening, I have lost respect and faith in my Police Department.  As a business owner, I regret the next time the need to dial 911 if there is an incident on my properties for fear of innocent guests being subject to the wrath of an unregulated police department.  A Police Department should be respected, not feared.  This lack of leadership, poor judgment, and intimidation tactics have tarnished the name of GPD and I am humiliated as a citizen to see my tax dollars paying the salaries of persons who act like no more than thugs with a badge to do so.  
 
What began as a beautiful wedding at the Seawall Convention Center ended with the brother of the bride air lifted to the hospital, the father of the bride tased, and numerous members of the wedding party being arrested.  One arrested, then beaten, then issued a warrant for resisting arrest.  Is this the best Galveston can do?  Is this the manner of law in which we live?  With a police department like this, why have one?
 
I look forward to an immediate investigation and explanation.  
 
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If you have an opinion on this matter, you can contact city officials at:

City of Galveston (409) 797-3500

City Manager:  (409) 797-3520

Police:  (409) 765-3702

Email address are:

Mayor

lydaannthomas@aol.com

City Manger

leblancSte@cityofgalveston.org

Council

tarriswoods@cityofgalveston.org

lindacolbert@cityofgalveston.org

elizabethbeeton@cityofgalveston.org

susanfennewald@cityofgalveston.org

karenmahoney@cityofgalveston.org

County Judge

james.yarbrough@co.galveston.tx.us

 It will be interesting to see how Charles Wiley handles this test of his leadership. I'm betting that he does a good job. He's tough.

The account above is as good as any. I was picking up a friend from work at H20 when the chaos ensued. What started as a few patrol officers running to the bathroom area, turned into what can best be described as a riot led by GPD. Innocent bar patrons were pepper sprayed almost randomly. Every officer brandished a baton and used it with no hesitation. As in any chaotic situation, confusion ran rampant within the crowds who were being directed out of the bar area to a holding area just outside of the H20 gates. One by one persons were read their rights and handcuffed, many forcefully even without resistance. I watched numerous handcuffed 'subjects' then tasered for asking questions relating to why they were being arrested.

H20 for the last few weeks has been a gathering spot for many of the police officers, contractors and FEMA/Red Cross officials. I witnessed one such FEMA official manhandled and tasered. Later he was taken from the vehicle and issued a citation and sent back to his hotel room at the San Luis. Here we have hotel guests enjoying the evening at H20, being drug out the bar area, punched, kicked, pepper sprayed, and handcuffed all before being issued a citation for curfew violation. This logic makes no sense to me what so ever.

I counted as many as 20 persons arrested last night, and many of which I am sure will have bruises from the affair. There was no altercation, and as far as I know (relying on the bar manager's word) no police were called to H20.Over 30 officers responded, trampling women and shoving people for no apparent reason and with no clear objective. The most disturbing, however, was watching a pregnant women in a dress be dragged in handcuffs from the bar area and slammed against the side of the cruiser, all the while pleading for help and proclaiming that she was pregnant. In all I can account for 3 women being arrested, none of which was administered in a professional manor. Galveston Police Department has been a ticking time bomb since the curfew was extended, and this event may just be the tip of the iceberg.

Iphone's being what they are, I quickly took pictures of the blood trails before hotel staff was rushed to make it disappear as well as a few of the police vehicles blocking the path from H20. Unfortunately there are light streaks in many. I also attempted to take pictures of the medivac helicopter airlifting the bride's brother to Memorial Herman. Cheetah has those pictures and should posting them here shortly.

Here are a few of the photos that PostOfficeJunky sent me:

All thirty police officers should be fired today.  Cheif Willey must not wait.

I'd like to clarify one thing...

The police were not called because of a curfew violation.  The on duty police officer at the San Luis called for back up after an altercation took place.

If H20 was required to obey the curfew as other businesses are, the altercation would never have occurecd.

I have personally witnessed GPDs selective enforcement.  When the curfew was 8 pm, I sat in a packed Landry's restaurant past 8:30 with no mention of curfew.  The next night, I was harrassed by an officer while sitting at The Spot as a guest of the owner at 8:10 after the restaurant was closed and the lights were off.

 Are these cops having PTSD and losing what minds they have left?   What is the deal with this?  Why didnt they just whoop on the ones who were causing the fight? 

I would like to hear GPD's side on this...what kind of reason they are going to cook up for this? 

We all have bad nights, but this sounds like the dam broke and everything turned to total chaos.

Houston Astros pitcher arrested in brawl

The brawl started before the group entered the bar.  

Galveston’s City Manager Steve LeBlanc said one of the men had an open container of liquor.  When told by an on-duty officer outside of H20 that he could not enter the bar with the alcohol, the wedding guest allegedly shoved the officer.

LeBlanc said the officer called for back up, and when the group resisted arrest, a brawl broke out.

Two people were tasered during the altercation and pepper spray was also used. One of the tasered men was also injured during the fight, and taken by life-flight to a Houston hospital as there are no hospitals in Galveston due to hurricane damage.

LeBlanc said the officers used what force was necessary to get control of the situation.

Charges range from public intoxication, to assaulting an officer, to resisting arrest.  LeBlanc did not say what Backe was charged with, but did say that only those individuals who were combative with the officers were arrested.

Police will have an initial report on Monday.

The wedding reception was first event at the Island Convention Center since Hurricane Ike struck on September 13. It was also the first night that the Galveston curfew was pushed back from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Oh yeah, I mean that's exactly what I saw happen.

Where is the Daily News on this?

Oh Galveston.

gee if this is how they handle a wedding what are they gonna do when thousands of bikers show up.  i think it is not the right time to have the bike rally obviously the cops are not gonna be ready to handle the crowds. 

PostOfficeJunky:

City Manager Steve LeBlanc said one of the men had an open container of liquor.  When told by an on-duty officer outside of H20 that he could not enter the bar with the alcohol, the wedding guest allegedly shoved the officer.

LeBlanc said the officer called for back up, and when the group resisted arrest, a brawl broke out.

 Ok, if ONE of the men had an open container and resisted arrest, how did it end up to be a group?  sounds like the GPD went a little nuts...

Witnesses / Evidence needed: ASAP

 To anyone that was at the wedding at the convention center or the San Louis Hotel H20 Bar Oct 4th / 5th, 2008.  If you were a witness or have any photographic evidence and or were injured, please contact, Blue Moon Investigations, Security and Protection (281) 332-1622,  (800) 488-2336.or call Bobbi at (713) 829-1532.  email is fine Bobbi@pibluemoon.com 

Thanks Bobbi Bacha, Vice President

Blue Moon Investigations, Security and Protection. 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6041637.html

Backe among 8 held after scuffle with police at isle hotel
By ANITA HASSAN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Oct. 6, 2008, 1:20AM


GALVESTON -- Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was among 10 people arrested early Sunday morning during a riot at the San Luis Resort, police said.

FEMA coordinator Jaime Forero was also placed in custody during the incident, which occurred just after midnight at the hotel's bar.

Backe and several others went to the bar after attending a wedding at the nearby convention center.

The trouble started when a Galveston police officer approached 19-year-old Daniel Cole O'Balle about entering the pool bar area with an open container of alcohol. O'Balle took a ``fighting stance'' toward the officer, the report stated.

The officer attempted to arrest O'Balle, who then struck him in the upper chest with his fist and then hit another officer in the face.

While police attempted to handcuff O'Balle, others at the bar were also refusing commands from officers, escalating into a scene that police described as a riot, according to the report.

During the brawl, Backe was told by police to back away. He refused, and police attempted to handcuff him, the report said.

Backe struggled with officers. One officer stated in the report that he hit Backe twice in the face before handcuffing him. The officer also reported that Backe smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes.

Both the officer and Backe sustained minor injuries during the fight, according to the police report.

Backe, a 30-year-old Galveston native, was charged with resisting arrest, search and transportation by using force against an officer. He was released on $1,500 bond and wasn't immediately available for comment.

Forero, the FEMA coordinator, who was in front of the hotel, was taken into custody after he repeatedly refused orders from police to go back inside, the report stated. It didn't state whether Forero was charged.

Police used a Taser on O'Balle and his 46-year-old father Gilbert O'Balle. They also shot pepper spray at the pair and the surrounding crowd, documents stated.

Daniel Cole O'Balle was taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he is listed in fair condition. He was charged with three counts of assault on a public servant and two counts of retaliation. His bond totals $115,000.

\Nine others were also arrested on charges ranging from public intoxication to resisting arrest.

This may not be the first time I have disagreed with GPD, but I will be the first to admit I owe my own lack of involvement to a few officer's discretions.

While I agree that the events that evening may not have been as organized as we all had wished, I cannot live with the aftermath. A bystander myself (mind you I was picking up a roommate who happened to work at H20) it took hours before the stinging of pepper spray administered unnecessarily receded.

As far as Backe's involvement, I can only say that I witnessed a public figure sacrifice himself to the mercy of Galveston Police Department's chaotic reaction in defense of young man. No person deserves to be beaten to death and I truly believe if the persons arrested had not intervened, the officers involved may have taken the altercation to that level. Backe truly sacrificed himself to safe this boy.

I can only imagine the floury of reports relayed to the responding officers that night and hope they responded the way they did after officer Caldwell's report of a full scale riot.

As a first hand witness, I can attest that no such riot took place. If anything, such a "riot or brawl" was ensued by GPD officers themselves rushing H20. The supposed 200 persons at H20 was in actuality between 60-70 persons when officers arrived.

Also another question to be addressed is to why certain Galveston Police Officers were so apt to direct San Luis pool bar attendants in cleaning up the blood from the altercation. If Mr. Backe's injuries were photographed, I would only expect the pool of blood from the other subject to be photographed as well as part of evidence. I witnessed no such thing, yet watched pool attendants mop pools of blood under police and San Luis supervision.

I know only a few of the wedding party members and this is the first time I have ever interacted with Mr. Backe, but I will be the first to support and applaud his efforts. Mr. Backe and Mr. Ferero acted truly as public figures should in standing up for persons who were subjected to brutality at the hands of police flurried by an isolated altercation.

I expect a full investigation to reveal many discrepancies from Officer Sanderson's and Officer Caldwell's accounts.

Fortunately, video and photographic evidence was taken from many bystanders and witnesses.

I am ashamed that the Galveston Police Department I have respeceted for so long has been subjected to such negative publicity. I pray this will not influence their discretion from here on out.

Galveston needs it's police, Galveston needs it people.

There is an equal balance and it needs to be found.

Being there are so many apparent witnesses to this I am wondering are any of you going to make your self available to say that investigation firm above and then be subpenoed to tesify in what ever form this comes to (be it criminal or civil trial) before a jury?

Absolutely. I have already forwarded my contact information to the above firm.

 Does anyone know where I can find the video that they are showing on KHOU (channel 11) news? 

maggiemae57:

gee if this is how they handle a wedding what are they gonna do when thousands of bikers show up.  i think it is not the right time to have the bike rally obviously the cops are not gonna be ready to handle the crowds. 

While I agree 100% that Galveston needs the Bike Rally to help things get back to normal - Maggiemae makes a very interesting point. In the past few years GPD has been aggressive towards the Bikers. I can only imagine what chaos will insue this year!

A video can be found on YouTube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq0v50vT7bQ

From a Witness:  "Brides father tasered for no reason.  He had moved 10 ft back as requested until he ran into a wall.  Another innocent bystander on ground then maced."

>This sort of law less-ness is unacceptable. ...A Police Department should be respected, not feared.  This lack of leadership, poor judgment, and intimidation tactics have tarnished the name of GPD and I am humiliated as a citizen to see my tax dollars paying the salaries of persons who act like no more than thugs with a badge to do so.

>...Is this the manner of law in which we live?  With a police department like this, why have one?

This is my first post to this forum, but in light of the negative comments and lies about the police, I want to respond and tell a different version. I am dating one of the officers that responded and wanted to get his side of the story out. According to him, the people at the pool bar had it coming.

The police dept is tired of playing parents, social worker, and not being able to deliver a good beating to the deserving- usually the minority element of Galveston. These people were lucky they were not shot, since they were disrespectful and did not immediately do what they were told to by the police on scene. The officers showed amazing restraint since they used only non-lethal methods such as the taser and the pepper spray. The batons were only used on those who resisted by trying to wipe the spray out of their eyes, or who attempted to confuse the outnumbered officers by asking pointless questions in the middle of the melee. "Why am I being arrested?" "Here's why- because you are questioning the police!" They should have followed instructions and simply took their beatings, sprayings, and taserings like the criminals they were. Then it could be sorted out later by the courts and lawyers.

The police are there to enforce the law (however brutally they deem necessary at the time or how it looks to bystanders), not to serve the public or protect those who used poor judgement in drinking and partying late and are caught in the wrong place when a riot erupts. I applaud the quick and efficient response of the police and how they quickly beat the entire crowd into submission. A little blood, some teeth, and a few bruises is a small price to pay to teach residents to fear and obey the police. Most of these people should have been home asleep by then, getting ready for church the next day. If they had not been out partying and doing who knows what in public, then maybe they wouldn't all be sitting in jails or hospitals today. I wish I could use my real name, but since the police officer I am seeing is still married for now, I don't want to cause any problems for him or his family. He is already under enough job related stress from dealing with the destruction caused by Ike and the lawlessness that has gripped Galveston in the weeks following.

I know the judge and courts will side with the police and they will back each other up on testimony since they are already getting their stories straight for the media and lawyers. So my advice to anybody who was there is to take the lessons learned, and DO NOT try to cause trouble or bother talking to a lawyer. They will laugh at you and it will be your word against the Galveston Police Dept. Texas police are among the best in the nation, and the Galveston police are among the best in Texas! Please excuse any typos as I am very upset that people are blaming our police for doing their job. 

VG 

Valerie:

>This sort of law less-ness is unacceptable. ...A Police Department should be respected, not feared.  This lack of leadership, poor judgment, and intimidation tactics have tarnished the name of GPD and I am humiliated as a citizen to see my tax dollars paying the salaries of persons who act like no more than thugs with a badge to do so.

>...Is this the manner of law in which we live?  With a police department like this, why have one?

This is my first post to this forum, but in light of the negative comments and lies about the police, I want to respond and tell a different version. I am dating one of the officers that responded and wanted to get his side of the story out. According to him, the people at the pool bar had it coming.

The police dept is tired of playing parents, social worker, and not being able to deliver a good beating to the deserving- usually the minority element of Galveston. These people were lucky they were not shot, since they were disrespectful and did not immediately do what they were told to by the police on scene. The officers showed amazing restraint since they used only non-lethal methods such as the taser and the pepper spray. The batons were only used on those who resisted by trying to wipe the spray out of their eyes, or who attempted to confuse the outnumbered officers by asking pointless questions in the middle of the melee. "Why am I being arrested?" "Here's why- because you are questioning the police!" They should have followed instructions and simply took their beatings, sprayings, and taserings like the criminals they were. Then it could be sorted out later by the courts and lawyers.

The police are there to enforce the law (however brutally they deem necessary at the time or how it looks to bystanders), not to serve the public or protect those who used poor judgement in drinking and partying late and are caught in the wrong place when a riot erupts. I applaud the quick and efficient response of the police and how they quickly beat the entire crowd into submission. A little blood, some teeth, and a few bruises is a small price to pay to teach residents to fear and obey the police. Most of these people should have been home asleep by then, getting ready for church the next day. If they had not been out partying and doing who knows what in public, then maybe they wouldn't all be sitting in jails or hospitals today. I wish I could use my real name, but since the police officer I am seeing is still married for now, I don't want to cause any problems for him or his family. He is already under enough job related stress from dealing with the destruction caused by Ike and the lawlessness that has gripped Galveston in the weeks following.

I know the judge and courts will side with the police and they will back each other up on testimony since they are already getting their stories straight for the media and lawyers. So my advice to anybody who was there is to take the lessons learned, and DO NOT try to cause trouble or bother talking to a lawyer. They will laugh at you and it will be your word against the Galveston Police Dept. Texas police are among the best in the nation, and the Galveston police are among the best in Texas! Please excuse any typos as I am very upset that people are blaming our police for doing their job. 

VG 

 You may be happy with the brutality. But this is not yet a police state, and everyone does have the right to ask why they were being arrested, detained or even questioned. Cops need to understand that. The cops actions were excessive and highly unprofessional. 

I understand the stress they're under, but they have to suck it up and not take it out on people at the first opportunity. There needs to be an independent investigation of this incident.

" I know the judge and courts will side with the police and they will back each other up on testimony since they are already getting their stories straight for the media and lawyers. So my advice to anybody who was there is to take the lessons learned, and DO NOT try to cause trouble or bother talking to a lawyer. They will laugh at you and it will be your word against the Galveston Police Dept."

This is good to know that the cops are "getting their stories straight." That sounds like they're going to lie and back up each other's lies. That worked back in the 50s and 60s, but it doesn't work any more.

 If I didn't know any better I'd think you are one of the GPD with a huge chip on your shoulder trying to justify your own stupidity. You've got an ego big enough to brag about your own indescetion and think you'll get away with it in court because you have your stories straight for the media and laywers.  With threats like "DO NOT try to cause trouble or bother talking to a lawyer. They will laugh at you and it will be your word against the Galveston Police Dept. Texas police are among the best in the nation, and the Galveston police are among the best in Texas! " I'm convinced of it!   

 This is apparently from a married police officer's girl friend. Obviously, the cop has about as much respect for his oath of office as he does for his wedding vows.

Valerie, your post scares me, tragic that this incident occurred, obvioulsy I think PTSD is running rampant through the islands, but to try to make it right by supporting this barbaric behavior....

There is always two sides to a story.  This guy strikes a GPD, what did you think was going to happen?  I gotta stand up for the GPD, you guys are doing a great job.

I am guessing Valerie’s post was a joke.

69 Chevy:

I am guessing Valerie’s post was a joke.

Oh, it's definitely a joke, I'm just not certain it was inten ded to be

 Sounds like the stress of the current living situation has taken its toll. I’m not defending anyone or justifying anybody’s actions, I just hope that what’s right and just will happen in this situation of course neither side is 100% at fault nor are they 100% innocent there’s some blame for both parties and there’s some things that happened that should of never happened no matter what was said example bullying a pregnant woman and using force on her and risking damage to her child and possibly risking long term damage on her body and possibly her ability to reproduce in the future if something were to happen to her unborn child.

It’s sad that the stress peaked to this level; the worse thing to happen to this would be if the national media shows like Nancy Grace got a hold of it and not because it’s a "scandal" or what have you. I honestly don’t care about protecting the image of anybody is that a common Joe or the president, but I feel that shows like that on the national media tend to sensationalize, and that’s got to do more harm than good. I feel like if that were to happen it would be great outlet to get a victims story out but then the panels and the hour long debates and the he said she said BS will blow into massive chaos and frankly become annoying and people would lose interest and some even might say god this is on again I DONT CARE and change the station.

If the media and the discussion shows such as Nancy Grace* can control their feeding frenzy and just get the story out nationally and raise awareness and get people interested and actually help that would be great.  

*I used her for my example because every time I flip by her show she’s always on the same topics for weeks at a time with 20 or 30 people in 20 or 30 discussions and the people on the panels are annoying with their quips and smirks and their somewhat narcissistic and it kills a story. She makes me literally not care about other people when they overkill a story.