Homeless Woman Killed by Police Cruiser While Sleeping in Park

by Natalie Wendt · 2010-08-03 11:03:00 UTC
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A Cincinnati woman died last week after she was run over while sleeping in Washington Park. The driver? A respected police officer with a jacket full of recommendations for his work in the park system. Officer Marty Polk was on a routine daytime patrol when he ran over Joann Burton with a police cruiser.

Officer Polk drove off the park service route onto the grass, running over Burton as she slept under blankets between the trees. Officer Polk stopped after he realized he'd hit something and called an ambulance when Burton began screaming, "Someone ran over my legs!" Burton later died at the hospital, leaving behind a husband, five children and several grandchildren.

Burton's husband has asked why a trained police officer would drive on grass in a public park. Others wonder how someone could fail to see a person lying in a pile of blankets at noon. The Cincinnati police department has said it's not standard procedure to drive through grass, though it's "not unusual." Officer Polk underwent standard drug and alcohol testing after the accident but the results have not yet been released and the investigation is ongoing.

Officer Polk had received extensive praise from local business owners over the years. Other than a minor traffic accident (on the road, not on the grass) twenty years ago, his record was excellent and he's never had a disciplinary problem. He's been placed on paid leave during the investigation.

A vigil has already been held in the park by Burton's friends and family. The Cincinnati Homeless Coalition has also hired a lawyer to represent Burton's family's interests.

Adding another layer of tragedy to the story is that park residents have said Officer Polk was nice, friendly and treated them with respect. No one has suggested that Polk intentionally hit Burton or meant to harm anyone. Which makes us ask: how could an officer with a great reputation and a good relationship with the park's homeless community be so fatally unaware?

Photo credit: davidsonscott15

Natalie Wendt is an elementary school teacher and freelance writer. She has volunteered at Hope House, a shelter for homeless women, and with Food Not Bombs.
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