Washington State Officer Tasers Drunk Driver

When a police officer says to stop, it’s a good idea to stop whatever you’re doing. In the case of Richard Steven Radisich, it was Officer Mark McClain who told him to stop.

Radisich chose to lead officers on a wild goose chase. Rather than follow directions, Radisich, who had been ordered to pull over, tried in vain to out-drive the chase-trained law enforcement official.

The 57-year-old resident of Ellensburg was going about 10 miles an hour over the speed limit shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Monday. He was first pulled over for speeding on First Street. Fortunately, he didn’t have far to go. Home is on Hemingston Road, a scant 1.2 miles away.

Kittitas Police Department Chief Mike Studer said, “He was all over the road and almost crashed a couple of times over Hemingston.”
Upon arriving at his home, Officer McClain parked parallel to the driver’s side of the vehicle.

“He couldn’t open his car door. Mark went around to get him out.”

According to the arresting officer, Radisich started hollering and telling the officer to shoot him. McClain told the man to get on the ground.

Rather than following directions, Radisich left via the passenger door and tried to escape on foot. At that point McClain used the Taser.

“He already committed a felony, told me to shoot him; I was pretty sure he’s going to be a violent person,” the officer reported.