I'm guessing that the people that are calling the police shady don't have someone in their family that leaves the house every night to protect your family. Yes there are bad cops but there are also bad people in general. Let's get our facts straight people before we start pointing fingers.

Today is a sad day. Craig was a member of our freshman football team and someone I spent a great deal of time working with through out his high school days. I don't know the facts, but I do know that twenty five is way too young. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

This is a very sad situation for all, I am sure the facts will come out after a full investigation. I have nothing but the utmost respect and know how professional the women and men of P.P.D. are..

Rip Craig you're loved by many! We will miss you! I hope you are at peace!

RIP Craig. Gone but NEVER forgotten

Before everyone makes judgement and blames the police has anyone read the stories? The police were called there and the paramedics were already there. WLNE said three firemen and a mailman were helping one police officer. Yet of course the police did everything wrong and the police did not render aid. Could we please pray for a young man who was obviously troubled. If we are going to make comments about the police and others there.

Brandon could you explain in detail what was "shady" about the police officer who was in an accident. Anya the police are "always in shady going ons" please explain them all. Jon please explain a day of an officer and all they do not do. Just curious. sad day for a lot of people.

Let the facts come out and say a prayer. Then feel free to pass judgement.

I want to know why out of all the police depts in RI why do Portsmouth police scramble their radio communications so you cant listen to them on a scanner. What is so critical that they need to scramble even the State police do not scramble their communications. What does Portsmouth need to hide from the citizens thy work for?

I would hope that the Portsmouth police have gotten better since the Madison Bailey, Dennis Cordero era.

but now I'm not so sure!

I guess my comment was deleted, its called freedom of speech, people can speak out against their local police department. There have been many cases, including ones with my close friends, in which they have shown outright corruption, and many examples of this is always published in the local newspaper. They go as far as not releasing videotapes from the case to the court and getting charges dropped just to not release the evidence of their fellow police officers acting out of line.

I just want to clarify, this doesn't include all the officers... but for the most part, that department is extremely unprofessional...

Wow! How did Portsmouth all of a sudden turn into Salem Mass???? Realy now, pass judgement before all the facts are in. My heart goes out to the family first for such a sad tragic event...
What needs to be done now is a complete investigation to make sure this can be prevented from happening ever again.

Police need better training and tools to deal with the very difficult job of handling people who may be having mental or substance abuse issues. I'm afraid needed perspective and compassion may be superceded by macho...does Portsmouth have special training in this area? Do we have women officers?

Passing judgment before all the facts are in? As someone that knows what its like to struggle with bipolar disorder, I am appalled that such excessive force was used in the first place!! Nevermind what they haven't released to the public yet!!

Excessive force? Anya, you are not familiar with the the use of force proceedure. What should they have done first? shoot him in the leg? Pepper spray is the first followed by the expandable baton which is basically an iron bar, then it goes up from there. Pepper spray is proven to cause the least amount of harm. Its effects are temporary. I can only guess that there was an underlying physical conditon that caused this unfortunate tragedy.

Anya so it was excessive force that he died from? You have the autopsy? Not medication? not a heart ailment? has to be excessive force?. Yes that was what the statement about all the facts being in was about but thank you for helping to prove that point. We know you have had by your own account multiple run ins with the law as have your friends, and sorry the state police are not doing the investigation as quick as you would like. You will never be satisfied.

Craig always had a smile for everyone. We will miss him a lot. Rest in peace. Uncle Freddy and Rosemarie

Fred and Rosemarie. So sorry for your loss. We get so caught up in all our comments that we seem to lose sight of the bottom line. May you and your family find comfort and peace as well. I'm sure God has special plans for him in his world for him to have been taken so soon. God Bless.

It's easy to sit at home and pass judgement on the actions of the police and fire depts. I just hope the investigation is complete and thorough and all the facts come out. The statements by bystanders stating no medical care was given for 10 to 15 minutes is very disturbing. My prayers are with the family, and be thankful the state police and attorney generals office are involved so hopefully the investigation will be thorough.

ALL I CAN SAY IS SHAME ON PORTSMOUTH POLICE AND FIRE FOR NOT HELPING A KID IN NEED (AFTER HE PASSED OUT) SHAME ON YOU ALL INVOLVED.

I know someone who is allergic to pepper although Im not sure if its death threatening..just a thought....my prayers to his family and friends. twenty five is too young not matter what the reason. And also my prayers to you Jeff as he was a friend of yours.

Why so long for a report?

To make people FORGET, those bastards!