The tale of the tape

Buffalo Police Chief Lance Pavelka made available a chance to view the tape of the incident at the Buffalo Livestock Sale last Friday, October 23rd that resulted in the arrest of Russell De Cordova and his son, Ty De Cordova for interfering with a police officer. That viewing was attended by Chief Pavelka, Lt. Craig Jefferson and Buffalo Press Publisher, Mac Shadix.

Trucks with empty cattle trailers could be seen exiting the grounds throughout the video. Someone could be heard shouting on the video audio track which was somewhat impaired and difficult to understand because of the noise of the truck engine idling in the background. De Cordova first approached Jefferson about seven minutes into the stop, and just as Lt. Jefferson was finishing writing a warning to the truck driver. De Cordova’s approach forced Lt. Jefferson to turn his back on the subject of the traffic stop, a potentially dangerous action.

Lt. Jefferson was polite and professional towards both the truck driver and De Cordova throughout the incident. Jefferson was disrespected, cursed and challenged by voices off camera during the incident. He gave repeated warnings to stop interfering before making the arrest when De Cordova approached again.

Russell De Cordova and Lt. Jefferson were both polite to each other during the actual arrest, with Lt. Jefferson removing De Cordova’s watch upon request, because it was binding with the handcuffs.

Repeated warnings to “Back off!” could be heard, and Lt. Jefferson said that they occurred as he was trying to get Russell De Cordova into the patrol car. The warnings were directed to the two sons of De Cordova who were approaching Lt. Jefferson in what he perceived to be a threatening manner. When they refused to respond to those orders the officer drew his Taser. When they backed away the Taser was holstered, Lt Jefferson reported.

The tape then showed Ty De Cordova moving to block the way of Lt. Jefferson’s patrol car. When Lt. Jefferson tried to go a different direction Ty De Cordova moved to block the progress of the car again. He was then arrested by Lt. Jefferson.

The De Cordovas were taken to Centerville where Justice of the Peace Jack Keeling found probable cause for the arrest and then released the two men on their own recognizance.