Holy Guacamole. This Story Is CRAZY.

Time for Portsmouth to get new police officers!!!!! There was NO reason why this should have happened.... Once again, Portsmouths finest screw up!

Jaclyn – Please tell us how you would have handled this situation?

Just curious how once again they screwed up. Please cite examples? What would you have done? The fire department was there first as was a mailman according to the story. So just the police screwed up or was it everyone? Someone died and it is awful but how can you make such statements that you know nothing about and are contrary to the reported story? Sounds like somebody who has had trouble with the police and they need to blame somebody for the nothing they never did or their child never did.

What sad and what everyone is failing to see is that he was going through a psychological episode. What needs to be done is training in learning how to deal with people with mental disabilities. Having a son with bipolar I can see how one minute being fine the next in CRISIS. It's hard for the police to know who is or is not disabled but I would think that would all be in training. Especially having boys town and Bradley school in the town.

I think EVERYONE should hold off from commenting on this situation until ALL the facts are in. How can anyone state that the police "screwed up" without knowing the COMPLETE story?

Which officer actually fired the taser shot?

Ryan O'Loughlin 34 of Connecticut was dead 16 hours after a struggle, subsequent attempts to restrain, and arrest by the Westerly police. In that case...the cause of death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. A statewide grand jury declined to return an indictment against the officers involved. The manner and cause of death were clear and undisputed. You could not use such force to restrain your animal without rightful prosecution and public outcry. But here and in that case.. someone's son is dead... a pretty hefty price to pay... for what appears to amount to... at best...disorderly conduct. The vast majority of policemen and women serve honorably, but when they don't the consequences of a single act can have a devastating effect on a life,a family and the community they swear to protect. I am anxious to know if it is possible for justice here, whatever that might be.

Not the first time I've heard of the Portsmouth police going overboard. They are known for being very aggressive and arrogant. Perhaps they need more training and should learn to diffuse situations in a humane manner.

Ok timeout!!! NO ONE has the facts on this board, and unless you were there and know the circumstances you shouldn't be passing judgement on the victim/patient, police, or fire personnel. Its amazing everytime something like this happens, these first responders make split second decisions that the public has days and months to critique. This is a sad situation which I'm sure no one was wishing for this outcome. This unfortunately does happen. I don't care who or what you think you know, but sometimes you just cannot "talk down" an emotionally disturbed person. 40 years ago this guy probably would've been shot point blank by police. Today they used "less lethal" interventions to protect themselves and the public, AS THEY ARE TRAINED! Unfortunately the end result was the same. My prayers go out to the family for their loss, and also to the first responders for being placed in this situation. The biggest fallacy in this country is your innocent until proven guilty. Most of you are already willing to send the police and fire to the gallows! Sad

Unless somebody is trying to kill a police officer with a weapon there is no need for someone to end up dead in police custody. This stuff is happeneing to much around here lately.

I agree with those that have posted that we should not assume ANYTHING until all the facts are presented. No matter what happened, a life was lost. Someone lost a son, perhaps a sibling, friend, grandchild, etc, etc. Lets think about the family for a moment and simply what they are going through right about now.

I think the bottom line is that a man is dead after being "rescued" by the Portsmouth Police. I am interested in finding out more about this mysterious event.

This is a terrible situation where a young man died yet people post who shot the taser? Where did that come from? The police "rescued" the man. Do you all read the story. The fire department was there first and called for assistance. The fire personnel were involved, the fire personnel had an ambulance there, but all you hear is the police did this, the police did not administer aid, the police did wrong. Was the fire department perfect and blameless or they haven't arrested you or your kid lately? You may not like or agree with them them as I don't all the time but it seems everyone is passing a lot of judgement with no info or leaving out a lot. A young man dies and hopefully lots will be learned and investigated but stop blaming anyone and saying the police did it all when they are a part of this not all of this. RIP

First of all Police and Rescue are trained in these situations. It sounds like mentally ill male became violent and needed help. People are to quick to judge guilt before knowing all the facts. This guy obviously needed help in which rescue and police were called, I am sure that the intent of all involved were there to help him. I feel awful for the man that passed and for his family. I have had 2 personal experiences with Portsmouth Police and I feel that they were quick to come to my aid and where professional and thoughtful!! Stop JUDGING!!!!!!

It is possible that the young man was already dying when the police arrived. They describe him as having "psychological difficulties" which may mean he was exhibiting NEUROLOGICAL symptoms secondary to stroke, head trauma, chemical overdose, etc.

Before you make negative comments, perhaps it's kinder to think about all the possible reasons this could have happened.

So many folks here, have taken the classic fall back position... Blame The Victim... Who will ultimatley speak for this victim? Most of the commentators here opine... there shouldn't be " negative comments" and " NO ONE has the facts, or are calling on us to "Stop Judging " These are the same folks refering to the victims mental and psychological conditions as if they had particular insight and knowledge, while out of the other side of their mouths... calling on all others to wait for all the facts to come out. Seems to me this situation...what ever it was... when confronted by properly trained personnel... from both the police dept and the fire dept...should not have resulted in a man's death. An eye witness stated on the news that... the victim was left unattended of 15 to 20 minutes after he stopped struggling. Her words. The absence of instant moral outrage on this matter is disturbing.

Read the other story. Do you actually believe that 15-20 minutes went by and nobody did anything? If that is your belief then nothing will change your mind. I have heard almost nobody blame the victim. I have read people bash the police and leave out any fact that doesn't fit their argument. It seems the people who hate the police have no compassion for the victim and the ones who actually want the facts are the ones who have compassion for all involved and are waiting to pass judgement. But hey guilty until proven innocent unless it is the basher.

This is like a Cops worst night mare. I support the officers unless I see proof other wise. We have all seen bad Cops get thrown off departments across the country. If they are bad it will catch up to them . Look at the "Kicking Cop" in Johnston. He got the boot.

Rhode Island police do not have what anyone could consider to be a good track record when dealing with people who have psychological issues.

This man was not under arrest and no where does it state that the police felt he was a danger to himself or others.

The only facts I can see is that a man called for help and a short time later after help arrived he was dead. Hopefully an autopsy will show how he died.

you guys all need to stop because it makes no sence that you have to sit here and argue with what they say on here. if you learned anything in your life the news is wrong they always are and always have been. they never do anything rite there just trying to get a story. if you have bipolar who cares take your meds and you will be fine duhhh why do you think you have them??HMMMMMM!!!! wait for all the details because this is very rediculous that you are all doing this rite now. thank you.

While I am attempting to comment on the content of the article and other commenters, I am finding it incredibly difficult to keep myself from correcting the spelling and grammar of fellow posters. Just a word to the wise – people take your opinion more seriously when it is properly articulated and executed.

This is tragic. The investigation should shed more light. But with the young man unarmed and several police officers on the scene, it is shocking that a death was the result. Heart goes out to the mom and other family and loved ones.

A wonderful person gone way too soon. Rest in peace Craig. Prayers to the family.

Police MUST be held to a higher standard.
Mr Raposa was not being placed under arrest.
Mr Raposa was within his rights as an American citizen to refuse medical treatment.
That is UNLESS HE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A DANGER TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS.
Had he been that danger, guaranteed you would have heard about it.
Portsmouth Police Officers Commited Homicide.