Law enforcement continue to investigate an incident Friday evening in which an elderly man was tased after refusing to pull over during a traffic stop.
Iola Police Chief Jared Warner said a report is being completed and will be sent to the county attorney, who will decide what, if any, charges to file.
The incident began Friday evening near U.S. 54 and South Street, where officers clocked a vehicle driving 34 mph in a 25. Officers turned on their lights, but the vehicle did not stop and instead continued to drive about a mile east to Sigg Motors.
The stop occurred during a saturation patrol, where multiple law enforcement agencies were working in league for enhanced traffic control.
During the stop, an Allen County Sheriff’s office deployed a taser, Warner said.
John J. Sigg, age 80, of Iola told the Register he was the driver, and he was fearful to pull over because of previous interactions with local law enforcement. He said he drove to his business and exited the vehicle.
“I knew I had to get back on this lot. I wanted a safe haven,” Sigg said. “It’s a wonder they didn’t kill me.”
Officers told him to raise his hands and drop to his knees, he said. He said he raised his hands but was physically unable to drop to his knees.
At that point, he said, officers deployed a taser, which struck his abdomen. He said he was then searched multiple times and taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.
Sigg shared copies of documents he sent to city officials, asking for the release of any recordings and reports related to the incident. He also called for the immediate resignation of Warner, Allen County Sheriff Bryan Murphy and all officers involved in the incident.
Both Warner and Murphy said they had no intention of resigning.
