Salem resident Jody Elliott first encountered Officer Johnson of the Salem Police Department when she went to the station with her daughter to file a harassment complaint against Christopher Patzke, one of the unit owners. Click here for the complaint Elliott filed against him.
The police officer was nice enough to give Elliott and her daughter a ride home that day because it was raining and the two had had to walk to the station, no thanks to Patzke blocking their path to Elliott’s vehicle.
This would be the first and last time Johnson would ever be civil to Elliott. The next time, they would meet under very different circumstances.
Below is an abridged version of the Salem Police Department officer’s physical assault on Jody Elliott.
A Lifesaving Act of Kindness
On August 27th, 2019, just two days before the assault, Elliott's daughter returned home from work to a terrifying sight: Her mother was unconscious on the floor. Her blood sugar had plummeted dangerously low, prompting a frantic call to 911.
Fortunately, medics arrived swiftly and administered lifesaving medication, bringing her back from the brink of unconsciousness. It was a moment that forged a profound connection with one of the EMTs who played a pivotal role in her rescue.
The Unsettling Misunderstanding
The following incident brought a stark contrast to the kindness Jody Elliott had experienced that day.
A seemingly trivial misunderstanding led to Officer Johnson's presence in her home. Elliott’s daughter had called 911 once again due to her mother's low blood sugar. The situation seemed routine, and Elliot assured the attending medics that she was fine. The protocol for such events so close together was to see your doctor instead of visiting the already filled-to-capacity ERs in our country.
But Officer Johnson had different plans. Despite the medics' reassurance and her insistence that her condition was manageable, Johnson demanded they test her blood. It was a decision that would lead to a distressing turn of events.
Escalation and Trauma
Elliott found herself in a nightmarish scenario, with Officer Johnson forcibly attempting to take her to the hospital.
Refusing to clarify if she was under arrest, he physically restrained her and escalated the situation. In a chaotic turn of events, her cry for answers led to an unwarranted assault that went as follows:
- She was dragged down the stairs.
- Her arm was twisted.
- Her face was slammed against the steps.
- Her pleas remained unanswered.
The ordeal continued as Officer Johnson claimed that Elliott had assaulted a police officer, compounding her fear and confusion. Eventually, she found herself in an ambulance en route to the hospital, her arm aching and her spirit broken.
Discharged and Dismissed
At the hospital, the truth of her situation emerged. Jody was coherent and able to make her own medical decisions. The doctor swiftly discharged her, recognizing the misjudgment that had led to this traumatic incident.
Despite her efforts to seek justice through legal avenues, Elliott's complaint was ultimately dismissed by Judge James F. Lang. The officer's belief that she was mentally ill, based on false statements from others, was deemed sufficient justification for his actions.
Lingering Scars and Unanswered Questions
The assault at the hands of a police officer left Elliott with deep scars, both physical and emotional. She lost her faith in justice and the Salem Police Department and grappled with PTSD symptoms that haunted her daily life.
It was a stark reminder of the profound impact that unwarranted use of force by law enforcement can have on an individual.
A New Neighbor and Fresh Challenges
The story doesn't end here. The introduction of Sara Coffey as a new neighbor in Unit 1 added another layer to Elliott's journey, further immersing her in a web of complex interactions and challenges that she would face in the days to come.
Coffey seemed to dislike Elliott from the moment she moved into the condominium because of what was written about her on Salem News based on the ridiculous criminal complaint filed by Judge Honor Segal, another unit owner.
While Segal failed to show proof for any of her accusations, Elliott has plenty to show for her side. Browse through the documents and articles she has been storing since the day this began, almost a decade ago.
Her story is one of several illustrating the shortcomings and negligence within the law enforcement and judicial systems of Massachusetts.
Share your story with Elliott because she knows she’s not alone in this.
About the Author
Killian Ross is a full-time contractor who has been following Jody Elliott’s interactions with the powers that be since day 1. Elliott’s isn’t the only story he’s followed. He started rooting for the underdog at a very young age and knows enough cases that he could start a YouTube channel discussing them. He also enjoys collecting pretty stones and engaging in healthy debates about the ethical implications of ghostwriting.
