Troy Goode
Widespread Panic fan Troy Goode died after being hog-tied by Southaven Police for an extended period, according to an independent autopsy ordered by Goode’s attorney Tim Edwards.
Edwards made the announcement on Tuesday, but he would not release the full autopsy, citing privacy concerns. The official Mississippi state autopsy report has not yet been released.
Goode, who was from Memphis, had taken LSD in the parking lot outside a Widespread Panic show in Southaven on July 18th. According to reports, he began acting erratically before the show, and his wife decided to drive him home. On the way there, she pulled into a parking lot on Goodman Road, and Goode got out of the car. A witness who observed his behavior called police.
When police arrived, Goode reportedly ran around the parking lot and even released a police dog from a van. Southaven police attempted to restrain Goode by hog-tying him, and Goode passed away at Baptist DeSoto Memorial Hospital, where he was transported by police. Edwards said the independent autopsy showed that the hog-tying position led Goode to struggle with breathing and eventually sent his heart into cardiac arrhythmia, leading to his death.
Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite released the following statement yesterday in response to Edwards’ independent autopsy announcement.
On July 18th, the City of Southaven received a 911 emergency call concerning a Caucasian male (Troy Goode) acting erratically and posing a danger to himself and innocent bystanders along Mississippi Highway 302 (Goodman Road). Southaven Police officers responded to the call immediately. Mr. Goode’s behavior, as noted by several witnesses, included running in and out of traffic, jumping on moving vehicles and opening the door of a Southaven Police K-9 unit.
Based on information provided by these witnesses and Mr. Goode’s behavior, Southaven emergency personnel were also called to the scene. Mr. Goode’s threatening of the responding police officers and emergency medical personnel, along with his resisting arrest and provoking the Southaven Police Department K-9 created concern for the safety of Southaven emergency personnel. Officers were eventually able to restrain Mr. Goode so that he no longer posed a danger to himself or the emergency personnel.
At no time during the arrest or while receiving medical care from Southaven emergency responders did Mr. Goode claim he could not breathe or appear short of breath.
Mr. Goode was placed into an ambulance, where he continued his violent behavior by verbally threatening the responding medical personnel. Because of his continued violent behavior, emergency responders requested that a Southaven police officer ride in the back of the ambulance with Mr. Goode. Mr. Goode was transported to Baptist DeSoto Memorial Hospital where upon arrival his care was transferred from Southaven emergency personnel to hospital staff. Due to Mr. Goode’s agitated combative state, Baptist-DeSoto emergency personnel directed that he remain restrained for his safety and for the safety of the staff providing care. Mr. Goode passed away approximately one hour after his arrival at Baptist-DeSoto Hospital. As has been previously reported by various media outlets, the toxicology report showed the presence of LSD, marijuana and alcohol in Mr. Goode’s body.
This is a tragic situation and we understand the sensitivity of this matter. Also, the City of Southaven is waiting on the official autopsy results; however, given some of the inaccurate assertions that have been circulated, the City of Southaven believed it appropriate to provide a statement on the matter. The men and women of the City of Southaven EMS and Police were faced with a difficult situation and handled Mr. Goode’s arrest in a manner that officers and emergency personnel deemed appropriate and necessary for the safety of Mr. Goode and all persons involved. The City is aware of potential litigation regarding this matter and will put forth a vigorous defense for all its first responders involving all the facts in this matter. In the event of a lawsuit, the City looks forward to this case advancing through the judicial system, not in the media, and the City will not argue this case through media press releases.
The City offers our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Goode.
