Florida police officer investigated after challenging US veteran over use of disabled parking space

This make me so angry and sick. The nerve of people to think they have a right to determine your disability is just because they cannot see it is disrespectful and stupid. My husband is a wounded combat veteran who also has Parkinson's Disease. If all is working right with the meds he looks and walk "normal" and does not need a cane. However if all is not right he has a really hard time. He has a the right to handicap parking. We have not had anyone out right say anything but we get dirty looks when we park in handicap spaces. Sometimes I think it is because they see him as "too young to be handicap". I don't think most have the nerve to say anything because of the he Army and Navy stickers on our vehicles. What i have found interesting is that when I lived near Walter Reed I saw a lot of young veterans in wheelchairs and what I noticed was the amount of people who would look away because the reality of war and what happens to the Military that so many want to eagerly deploy, was too much for them to handle.

I just recently counseled a fellow colleague who is not prior military and has a brain injury through a similar situation where someone told her "she looks fine" when she was asking for help in managing her job and is stresses. She has a TBI and deserves assistance when she needs it and respect for what she is dealing with. I explained to her that she was not alone and that there are thousands of veterans that have had to go through this and fought to not have to put up with assholes that have no clue when it comes to disabilities. The lack of empathy for your fellow person is what we have here. No one should have to justify their disability.

My biggest problem lies in that after being shut down by the veteran for obviously stepping over the line his authority grants, immediately turned around and tried running his plates and checking the veteran's record digging for any dirt he could sling to get back at him. The officer was not only unprofessional, but also disdainful and malicious simply because of a quarrel he himself created by overstepping his jurisdiction as a peace officer.

I've had handicapped hang tags off and on over the years - several orthopedic issues - bilateral knee replacements in my early 40s, screws in my foot, etc. In every case, my surgeon instructed me to not walk more than x feet at a time or longer than x times per day. However, because I've battled these issues for years, I've also worked very hard to not be the victim and to 99% of the world, you'd never know I'm disabled. There are many times when I only have so many steps a day in me before the pain completely sidelines me. I've been questioned by people for "not looking handicapped enough" - my usual response is something to the effect of how tough it must be to carry around all that judgement or that I've never met anyone with X-ray vision before - oh wait, if you did you could see my prosthetics. Yes, usually it's a smartass response but the condescending judgemental attitudes of idiots wear you out. Just because you can walk, doesn't mean you aren't in pain - most vets I know are too proud and too strong to let anyone else see that pain. I know I am.

Assaulting a disabled veteran on camera. Not only is this officer a disgrace to law enforcement, he is also one arrogant piece of work. Someone needs to charge this loser for assault under color of authority.

This would have been bad enough if had been just Joe or Jane Civilian, but to assault someone disabled in country in the service is beyond the pale. Officer G. Wilson needs to retire and guard the Wal Mart at night or something. What a disrespectful jerk.

I'm sorry, the veteran was acting like a child. Maybe he is on some kind of medication? Blown up how many times? Hmmmmmm

If this happened to me, I would not use foul language. I would say, "Officer if you think that I am not disabled, write me a ticket and I will see you in court."

The rhetoric about this is quite entertaining..opinions are like A** Holes...Everyone has one! I won't bother to voice my opinion because everything that could be stated [good and bad] has been stated..The court will ultimately decide the outcome---hopefully a peaceful and fair outcome plays out.

I'm a disabled veteran also and had a similar situation with an officer a few years ago. Fortunately he had a better head on his shoulders and listened to me and we were able to resolve the issue there. They don't realize that there are more and more young soldiers coming out of combat disabled and not all disabilities are visible.

This is a great example ...it exemplifies the fact that our "public trust" needs a situational awareness check. We have a large; rapidly growing disabled vet population from OEF/OIF. You do not have to see an obvious physical deformity.......the largest exposure/disability now and is increasing is the psychological impact of war...PTSD.

This is unfortunate. Many folks appear abuse (based on what I see) handicapped plates, and placards, and spots... but, I also know, you can't tell by looking what their issues are. Why is parking such a concern? I am 100% disabled.... and I could get plates, a placard, etc... I can walk, and I do. But, that is not the point. It is not the officer's decision. Why doesn't this end up on the news? The comment about the cops gut was funny... and... this is Horse shit and a half...