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September 12, 2012

Okay trustees delay vote on police chief

One wants him fired after taser incident, arrest

By Wendy Burton and Dylan Goforth Phoenix Staff Writers

— OKAY – Although an Okay trustee asked for the termination of the town’s police chief Tuesday, the board decided to table a decision for now.

Okay’s Board of Trustees voted to ask for an investigation by the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Department before deciding on the fate of Police Chief Fred Winters.

Trustee Paco Frye asked for the chief’s resignation after Winters tased Frye during a confrontation between the two Sept. 4.

Frye was arrested Sunday on complaints of resisting an officer, assault on an officer and disturbing the peace, according to court records.

“I was being loud, I was intoxicated and being loud, in my backyard talking to my horse,” Frye said. “(They’re) trumped-up charges. Only thing I’m guilty of is being loud after hours. The assault is not real.”

Winters said Tuesday that he could not speak about the incident.

“I can’t say nothing. It’s still under investigation,” he said. “I have another unit looking into it now.”

Frye said Winters is trying to unseat him from the board.

“I’m a council man — I’ve always wanted to get rid of Fred,” Frye said. “I’m his opposition.”

Frye said Winters came to his house with Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service personnel the night of Sept. 4.

“I told him I don’t want him on my property,” Frye said. “He pushed through the gate when I told him.”

Frye said he suffers seizures because of a medical condition caused by a head injury 10 years ago and that Winters was aware of his condition.

“He tased me anyway,” Frye said. “He said let’s just let them check your pulse, so I did put my hands over the fence, then he tases me.”

Frye said he came out of a seizure to find himself being dragged across the yard.

Frye was then was taken to the “psych ward,” he said, but not arrested.

A warrant was issued for Frye’s arrest in Wagoner County two days later. He was booked and released on $2,000 bond.

Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.

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