Gregory Epperson

Name:
Epperson, Gregory Lyle

Date of Booking:
03/04/2023

Reason(s) For Booking:
OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS- FELONY

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

SIMPLE BATTERY AGAINST POLICE OFFICER/LE DOG/CORRECTIONS OR DETENTION OFFICER

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on March 03, 2023]

On 3/3/2023, at approximately 1624 hours, I, OFFICER MERRELL and CAPTAIN TORTOSO was dispatched to Hwy 101 and Holly Street for the report of a male in a red shirt/ jeans walking in the middle of the road and yelling at cars.

Tortoso arrived on scene at approximately 1627 hours and made contact with the arrestee GREGORY EPPERSON. Due to heavy traffic, I arrived on scene at approximately 1628 hours. As I was nearing the scene, Tortoso came over the radio stating Epperson was trying to flee. I activated my emergency lights and went around several vehicles. As I was approaching the scene, I could see Epperson attacking Tortoso and grabbed Tortoso around the head. I immediately called out 10-10 (fight) over the radio and exited my patrol vehicle.

Epperson and Tortoso ended up on the east side of Hwy 101 in the grass. Epperson had Tortoso in a “front head lock” as I ran up on them. As I was making contact with Epperson, I kneed him the right side of his body and immediately placed my forearm across his face in an attempt to pull him off of Tortoso and break his grip.

Once I was able to make Epperson let go of Tortoso, I immediately grabbed his right arm in an attempt to handcuff Epperson. He continued to resist by pulling away from us and trying to get away. Due to the wet grass, it was difficult to maintain a footing and I ended up slipping down into a drainage ditch, the water came up to my knees.

After several attempts to gain control of Epperson, Tortoso grabbed the taser off of my duty vest and advised Epperson he would be tased. I then punched (with a closed fist) Epperson in the left side of his face. I only struck him one time, which seemed to disorient Epperson long enough that I was able to gain control of his right arm and place it behind his back.

After finally getting control over Epperson, Tortoso and I were able to get him handcuffed. I called out over the radio 10-95 (person in custody) and requested EMS at approximately 1630 hours. After several Polk Co Sheriff’s deputies and Rockmart PD officers arrived on scene, we were able to relax and gain our composure. EMS arrived on scene at approximately 1635 hours and Epperson was transported to Polk Medical Center with Tortoso riding in the ambulance with him.

I left the scene and made contact with a witness [WITNESS #1] who was still visibly shaken. [WITNESS #1] stated she watched the entire thing and made her so physically sick, she “threw up in my passenger seat”. She was able to obtain some video of the encounter and will be emailing it to me. She was given a voluntary witness statement and promised to drop it off at the police department on Monday, 3/6.

I then went to the hospital to relieve Tortoso. At approximately 1810 hours, I relinquished custody to OFFICER HEATHINGTON and went back into service.

Warrants were taken out on Epperson for Disorderly conduct X2, simple batterly on law enforcement X2 and felony obstruction of law enforcement X2.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on March 03, 2023]

On 3/3/2023, at approximately 1624 hours, Officer Merrell and I were dispatched to Hwy 101 and Holly Street for the report of a male in a red shirt/ jeans walking in the middle of the road and yelling at cars.

I arrived on scene at approximately 1627 hours and made contact with the arrestee GREGORY EPPERSON. Epperson was in the northbound lane of traffic walking erratically and yelling. I pulled my patrol car around Epperson with my emergency lights activated in an attempt to stop oncoming traffic from striking Epperson.

Upon exiting my vehicle, I told Mr Epperson to get in my patrol car and that I would take him to his car that was parked at a motel behind Ingles in Rockmart (Epperson had given me this information during an earlier interaction.) Epperson then yelled something incoherent at me and began running north on Hwy 101.

I Jogged behind him momentarily at which time he turned around fast to face me with his right hand balled into a fist and drawn back ready to punch. At this time, I drew my taser from its holster and pointed it at Epperson and ordered him to the ground. Epperson once again drew his fist back and charged towards me at which point time, I deployed my taser.

My taser malfunctioned which caused it to be ineffective due to it not getting a proper “spread”. Epperson began striking me at this time as I attempted to drive stun him. Epperson managed to remove the taser probes from himself and threw them back at me causing me to tase myself in the right arm. This caused me to drop my taser at which time Epperson punched me in the mouth drawing blood and dropping me down to my knees.

Epperson attempted to choke me by placing me in a front headlock. Epperson used his forearms wrapping around my throat area, locking his arms with his hands in an attempt to choke me. I was able to place my left arm under his in an attempt to break the choke hold and breath. I was able to grab Epperson’s legs and roll him to the ground with me.

Once on the ground Epperson “Sprawled out so I could no longer control his legs and began trying to choke me again. I was able to put my arm through his grip once again to avoid being choked. Officer Merrell arrived at this time and was able to loosen Epperson’s grip on me.

Once I was able to pull my head from the front headlock, I Immediately began assisting Officer Merrell in attempting to handcuff Epperson. Epperson continued to resist both Officer Merrell and me as I gave him verbal commands to give us his hands. Epperson was resisting by laying on one arm under him and refusing to provide his arms in order for us to handcuff him.

Epperson continued to resist by continuing to pull away from officers trying to remove officers hold. I was able to get Officer Merrell’s taser in an attempt to dry stun Epperson. I did not activate the taser due to the close proximity of Officers and unable to release my hold to remove the cartridges. Epperson was told numerous times to quit resisting and to place his hands behind his back.

I was able to secure his left hand in one cuff as he continued to resist. After several moments Officer Merrell and I were able to secure his right hand as well. At this time Officer Merrell and I stood up and waited for EMS. EMS and I transported Epperson to Polk Medical to be medically cleared with no further issues. Officer Heathington relieved Officer Merrell and I at Polk Medical Center.

Epperson utilized his fist and hands as a weapon against officers.

Warrants were taken out on Epperson for Disorderly conduct X2, simple battery on law enforcement X2 and felony obstruction of law enforcement X2.

[End of Narrative]