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White Officer Cleared in Hospital Death of Black Woman

Officers Cleared in Killing of Man Who Ambushed Deputies
Posted at 4:40 PM, May 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-27 16:40:00-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The white police officer who handcuffed a black woman outside a Florida hospital where she died less than two hours later won't face charges.

Glenn Hess, state attorney for Florida's 14th District, says in a letter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that Blountstown police Officer John Tadlock's actions in the arrest of 57-year-old Barbara Dawson were "appropriate under the circumstances and there was no criminal law violation."

Dawson was treated Dec. 21 in the emergency room at Calhoun-Liberty Hospital. She refused to leave when she was discharged because she didn't feel well. Tadlock handcuffed her and she collapsed when he tried to put her in a patrol car. She died about 90 minutes later.

Police Chief Mark Mallory then asked FDLE to investigate the incident.

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