In a shocking and unfortunate turn of events, bodycam footage has emerged showing Arizona police officers allegedly standing by while a man pleaded for help before tragically drowning in Tempe Town Lake.
On May 28th, officers were called to the Elmore Pedestrian Bridge in Tempe early in the morning to respond to a reported disturbance between a couple. Sean Bickings, 34, and his wife, who remains unnamed, informed the officers that there had been no physical fight.
As the officers ran their names through a database to check for warrants, Mr. Bickings, seemingly in a whimsical mood, informed the police that he was going for a swim. “I’m gonna go for a swim. I’m free to go, right?” he asked. With that, he climbed over a metal fence, sat by the water’s edge, and jumped into the lake.
Rather than intervening or attempting a rescue, the officers stood on the shore, advising him that swimming in the lake was not allowed. While they debated how far he might swim, Mr. Bickings began to struggle in the water, pleading for help. One officer callously dismissed his concerns, saying, “No, you’re not.”
Despite his pleas, the officers did not offer assistance or get into the water to help him. Instead, they urged him to grab hold of a nearby pylon for safety, but Mr. Bickings continued to struggle. Even as he cried, “I can’t. I can’t,” the officer refused to jump in after him.
Heartbreakingly, Mr. Bickings’ wife also begged the officers to save him, but they seemingly remained unmoved. It is unclear how long he struggled before he tragically drowned.
After six hours, Mr. Bickings’ lifeless body was recovered from the lake. The incident sparked nationwide attention, leading to the suspension of the three officers involved while an investigation unfolds.
The police union defended their actions, arguing that attempting a high-risk rescue without proper training and equipment could have led to more casualties. Instead, they maintain that their standard procedure is to call the Fire Department or use the Tempe Police boat for such emergencies.
While the union insists on their adherence to protocols, the grief over this incident reverberates through the community. It is a somber reminder that even in moments of oddity, a duty to help and protect should not be overlooked.
