From the Aberdeen Police Department:
Aberdeen, MD – Video has just been released by the Aberdeen Police Department showing the in-custody fall of a man who later died.
Barry Lee Berkenkemper, 59, of no fixed address, was arrested by Ofc J. Neidig of the Aberdeen Police Department on April 2, 2015 at around 2:40 p.m. Berkenkemper was arrested for public intoxication and failure to obey a lawful order after officers were called about a man refusing to get out of a cab in the area of Ice House Liquors, 1014 Beards Hill Rd, Aberdeen.
(Story continues after video)
After his arrest Berkenkemper was transported to the booking area of the Aberdeen Police Department. Once there his handcuffs were removed and he was asked to walk to a holding cell. While being escorted to the cell Berkenkemper lost his balance and fell backwards, striking the back of his head on the floor.
Ofc. Neidig immediately assessed Berkenkemper and found that he was not bleeding and had no other outward signs of injury. An ambulance was called and paramedics with the Aberdeen Fire Department responded. Berkenkemper was conscious and spoke with officers until the ambulance’s arrival 5 minutes later.
Berkenkemper was taken to Harford Memorial Hospital. Shortly after, the Aberdeen Police Department was advised that Berkenkemper had a pre-existing medical condition that was re-aggravated by the fall and that he had been transferred to University of Maryland Shock Trauma. Berkenkemper died the following day at around 4:00 p.m.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy. Their preliminary investigation did reveal the presence of opioids/cocaine in Berkenkemper’s system, as well as evidence of a prior brain injury and prior falls. Their final ruling is pending toxicology & pathology reports.
The Aberdeen Police Department is conducting an Internal Investigation into the incident. Ofc. Neidig remains on active duty at this time.
SoulCrusher says
Just my opinion, but absolutely NO misconduct in this incident.
SoulCrusher says
Since there are two of you out there that don’t agree with my opinion on this incident, Please identify the misconduct you see in the video of this incident…….
Kharn says
Jump to 3:29 for the fall.
Barb Herndon says
Where’s all the media fuss? Where’s Al and Jesse and the DOJ? Why hasn’t this been all over the major networks with marches and chants and planned protests in the streets? White lives matter!
Harford's Brightest says
An inebriated person falling and hitting their head isn’t quite the same as a “mysteriously” crushed larynx and severed spinal cord… I’m not sure why this needs to be pointed out, but I suppose some people can’t see past the white sheet in front of their face…
Gooter says
People like you are the problem. Go down and march with the rest of them.
Pamela says
He was inebriated. Why didn’t the officer continue to hold his arm while he escorted him to the cell?
word on the street says
Tragic accident, the only thing I see here is there should have been another officer present seeing the condition of the person. The officer was clearly shaking by this.
Not Realistic says
@word,
Let the mayor of Aberdeen know you are willing to fund another officer for each shift to be on hand in the booking area to help walk the intoxicated people they arrest around the police station. Of course we also need one officer to do the same in every police station in the country. We could also add padding to all the floors in every police department while we are busy spending your extra contributions to make all this happen. I am sure you meant no harm, but your statement demonstrates just how uninformed you and most everyone is one what it takes to do a police officers job.
word on the street says
@ not realistic
It would prevent something like this happen again and a lot of potential law suit. there were other officers in the station at that time. It simple it call public saftey and prevention.
LOL says
It is unrealistic, but perhaps policy will change for SOME things.
What about a lone officer detaining a sole DUI suspect on the side of the road? What about bumping their head on the frame of the car door?
Utterly ridiculous train of logic in a billion hypothetical situations.
DirtySanchez says
The proto call goes something like this; The cuffs don’t come off until you reach the cell or let the suspect go. The walk to the cell is a very dangerous walk. Many suspects act out when they realize they going to be locked in a cell. During the walk to the cell an office holds the suspect under one arm unless the suspect is under some mind altering substance ; then two officers hold the suspect. Also taking a cell phone picture of the man is curious at best.
Guess is says
Looks like a habitual heavy drinker. They took him into the ER. Willing to bet the detox from alcohol killed him. This is more common than you think .
derick miles says
I noticed, that some comments , that pertains to any African American, whether the plaintiff or defendant, someone either brings up Al Sharpton’s name and or something about a march, well does anyone know when the next march will be because i lived in harford county all my life, and has yet to see a march… Nor Al Sharpton..