Drunk Driving Judge Who Asked for 'Police Courtesy' Was Not Arrested
A Wisconsin judge who was intoxicated with alcohol over the legal limit asked for “police courtesy” twice and was not arrested in December 2018 after being pulled over, according to police body camera.
Police officers described Eric Lundell, 71, having bloodshot eyes and smelling like alcohol at the time of being pulled over, KSTP reported Thursday. He also failed a one leg stand test.
Records reported by ABC 7 show an officer told Lundell he was a .129, but Hudson, Wisconsin police chief Geoff Willems told The Daily Caller News Foundation in an email the BAC was between a .04 and .06.
“In conversations with officer Radke, after this test, he was estimating a BAC in the neighborhood of .04-.06,” Willems said to TheDCNF.
The test Willems is referring to is one which observes the “involuntary jerkiness” of a person’s eyes when “exposed to an intoxicant.” Willems added those over a .04 BAC are generally not allowed to drive by themselves because that is when impairment begins.
Police footage reported by ABC 7 revealed the following conversation between Sergeant Brad Kusmirek and Lundell:
Lundell: “Here’s what’s going on, Brad. My wife left me. I’m having a really bad time. I decided to retire, I’m retiring Jan. 1. I don’t need this.”
Advertisement - story continues belowKusmirek: “Well, I know what you’re saying your honor, but you have to understand the position we’re in correct?”
Lundell: “Well, where’s the ol’ police courtesy?”
Lundell: “You can tell I’m not bad at all. You can tell that. So, just give me one police courtesy one time in my whole career. If you want to ride with me home, fine. Come on, Brad.”
Kusmirek: “I’m going to handle this like I would for anyone else. I understand you want some police courtesy right now, but if I get caught or it gets released to the media that I didn’t do my job because of who you are, my career is over.”
Lundell was not arrested after taking the necessary tests, according to ABC.
“I won’t drink and drive, OK?” Lundell reportedly said, according to the video footage. “Thank you for your courtesy.”
“No problem,” the officer said. “Have a good day sir.”
“We parked his (Lundell) vehicle and waited with him until a safe ride arrived to pick him up,” Willem told TheDCNF.
Hudson mayor Rich O’Connor believes the case should be reviewed, but also thinks the officers were in the right, according to KSTP.
“It may look like favoritism, but I don’t think it was personally,” O’Connor said, KSTP reported.
Lundell served as a judge for St. Croix County in Wisconsin for nearly 30 years, but resigned suddenly as he was being internally investigated for a sexual harassment case, according to KSTP. Lundell said he stepped down due to health reasons, however.
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A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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