Police officer resigns months after handcuffed woman died

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A Florida police office has resigned months after handcuffing a woman at a hospital where she died less than two hours later.

Blountstown Officer John Tadlock’s resignation is mentioned in a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report on the arrest of 57-year-old Barbara Dawson. The report says Tadlock’s actions were appropriate under the circumstances.

Tadlock confirmed in a phone call Wednesday that he had resigned but declined to comment further.

Dawson was treated Dec. 21 in a hospital emergency room. She was discharged, but refused to leave because she didn’t feel well. Tadlock handcuffed her and she collapsed when he tried to put her in a patrol car. She died about 90 minutes later.

Police chief Mark Mallory did not respond to phone or email messages about Tadlock’s resignation.