Why Is Officer Hymon Wrong

Elton Hymon a Memphis, TN police officer was chasing after Edward Garner who allegedly burglarized someone's home. The chase ended after officer Hymon shot Garner in the back of his head to prevent him from jumping over a fence. Officer Hymon stated that he saw no evidence that Garner was armed. Edward Garner was not a threat to officer Hymon at the time he shot him in the back of the head and that’s why there is an issue within this case. Edward father argued that since his son did not pose as a threat did why did the officer shoot. Edward father argued that his son’s fourth Amendment was violated. However, Tennessee law authorized Hymon’s actions.
R= Rule
The initial rule by the Federal district court stated that Hymon action were justified. At that time Tennessee police department authorized the use of deadly force of a fleeing suspect. Officer Hymon used his discretion in a way maybe he thought would have been beneficial to other. Officer Hymon could have suspected that Garner posed as a serious threat to the community if he escaped. If a person is brave enough to break into someone's house then it’s possible they could carjack …show more content…
The reason I don’t believe officer Hymon was wrong is because of Tennessee police department policies at that time. Tennessee police department authorized the actions he used. At that time he was using his discretion in the way he thought was a appropriate. I personally put more blame on the police department and state of Tennessee for authorizing police officer to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect. Although, officer Hymon police department authorized his actions I believe he still violated the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment and his police department policies were contradicting each other. Officer Hymon was in a tough predicament and he decide to use his discretion to follow his police department policies and abandon the Fourth