The family of a Georgia man who died after being tased numerous times in 2017 are outraged that one of the accused deputies continues as a volunteer firefighter.
Michael Howell, a former Washington County Sheriff’s deputy, has been with the Sandersville Volunteer Fire Company since 2008, according to 13WMAZ.
He and two other former deputies were charged with murder and other offenses.
The victim’s also family want him to be terminated from the fire department. Video of the incident shows Eurie Martin being tased, and then, lying motionless on the ground, the station reported.
Recent court records say he was tased 15 times in five minutes. Howell did not have a taser.
The family and friends are livid that although trained, Howell didn’t try to assist him.
“He stood there as they tased Mr. Martin. He stood there and watched him die. He failed upon the duty of acting,” said Leonard Jordan, Martin’s friend.
Jordan presented a petition with 500 signatures to city officials demanding Howell not be permitted to be a firefighter, the station said.
All firefighters are certified through the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and the director told the station there is no reason to decertify him.
People are prohibited from being volunteer firefighters if they are convicted or plead guilty to a felony in the past 10 years. Howell pleaded not guilty, and a recent trial ended in a hung jury.
