Erlanger hospital is reviewing all aspects of what occurred Nov. 27 when a patient being released was shocked with a Taser and later died, a Thursday statement said.
In the statement, President and CEO Jim Brexler said the hospital is cooperating fully with all ongoing investigations related to the death of Edward Buckner.
"This is a tragic situation and one that Erlanger is taking very seriously," Mr. Brexler said in the statement. "Our hearts go out to all the families involved. ... Once all the information about this incident is known, appropriate action will be taken."
Mr. Buckner, 54, a patient at Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute, was released from Erlanger on Nov. 27 after being treated for dehydration. He became combative with Erlanger security officers upon his release from the hospital and then was shocked with a Taser, Chattanooga police said. Mr. Buckner was returned to Moccasin Bend via van, found to be unresponsive and taken back to Erlanger, where he later was pronounced dead.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began looking into the incident Monday at the request of the Hamilton County District Attorney's Office. The TBI is investigating the role of Officer Shane Webb, who used the Taser on Mr. Buckner.
Officer Webb was fired from the Chattanooga Police Department in 2005 for using a Taser on a handcuffed suspect. Then-Chief Steve Parks fired him for undue force, treating a prisoner improperly and untruthfulness during an internal affairs investigation, records show.
Erlanger hospital confirmed that Officer Webb used the Taser and provided certification showing he had been approved for TaserX26 use in September. Erlanger has not provided its policies regarding the hiring of officers, what background checks are conducted on them and what could exclude officers from employment.
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