Bizarre, Criminal law

Gas Overwhelms Cook-Off: Texas Police Officer Suspended After Allegedly Throwing Tear Gas Canister Into Competitor’s Booth

Gas is always a concern at any cook-off with Bar-B-Que and beans but one Houston police officer is accused of supplying tear gas of his own. Mike Hamby, 51, has been suspended for allegedly tossing a tear gas canister into the booth of a competitor at the cook-off.

Hamby is not just a senior officer but a member of the board of directors of the Houston Police Officer Union. The gas reportedly sickened dozens of people.

In perhaps the most unnecessary clarification, Mike DeMarco, executive director for the rodeo, told the reporter below that tear gas is not permitted at the rodeo and cook-off events.

There is no word on who won the cook-off.

Source: Chronicle

15 thoughts on “Gas Overwhelms Cook-Off: Texas Police Officer Suspended After Allegedly Throwing Tear Gas Canister Into Competitor’s Booth”

  1. if it was anyone but a cop, dept. of homeland security would be involved.

  2. “Are Police Unions that good at protecting their own? No wonder there is so much dissent.”

    Bdaman,

    I suspect it is less the power of police unions and more the power of who the police report to, that is the deciding factor, plus the possibility of lawsuits by those mistreated if action is taken against the officer. A place where you and I might agree is that when it comes to covering up embarassment, all governments fall far short of ethics.

  3. If the gas sickened dozens of people, should not the P.A. file assault charges?

  4. He’s been on the force 31 years, and undoubtedly will be allowed to retire in lieu of prosecution or discipline.

  5. I suppose he will say “I feared for my life” That is what they say when they shoot a 5 pound dog. It works then. In this case he used restraint that no one was killed.

  7. Hey now real chili has NO Beans….So no need for ass gas jokes. But then again, they are humorous so long as you are not the incipient precipitant.

    What do you get if you eat beans and onions? Tear Gas.

    Why do farts stink? So that deaf people can enjoy them too!

    Why do Irishmen only put 239 beans in their chili? Because one more would make it too faaarty!

    And the best for last……

    Why don’t little girls fart? Because they don’t have assholes until they’re married

  8. OS,

    That was my dilemma as well. Sometimes one has to just give the easy joke a pass.

  9. I have been trying to compose a comment that did not involve a joke about flatulence. I am unsuccessful. My bad.

  10. Guess Hamby knew his BBQ wasn’t as good as he imagined it to be.

  11. “Are Police Unions that good at protecting their own? No wonder there is so much dissent.”

    That assumes that police management is in conflict with any union on the matter, which is dubious. Or are you just in an anti-union mood?

  13. Hamby has had seven previous internal affairs complaints sustained against him including misconduct, improper police procedure and two accidents, according to HPD records.”

    So one must wonder how is it he and so many others like him is allowed to stay on the force.

    Are Police Unions that good at protecting their own? No wonder there is so much dissent.

  14. “‘Astounded’ by incident

    Rodeo officials, who said they were “astounded” by the incident on Friday, confirmed an HPD assistant chief told them Monday that the department was investigating allegations a police officer released tear gas during the cook-off. ”

    REALLY!!

    “Hamby, who joined HPD in December 1980, is assigned to the department’s burglary and theft division. Hamby has had seven previous internal affairs complaints sustained against him including misconduct, improper police procedure and two accidents, according to HPD records.”

    Surprise,Surprise??

  15. He should have used pepper spray – gives food that “tangy, south of the boarder, zing!” OLE’!

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