Trooper’s Encounter with Protestor Clarified Through Dashcam Footage
In a tense moment captured on dashcam video in Memphis, Tennessee, what initially appeared on social media to be a confrontation between a Highway Patrol trooper and a protestor has been debunked by official footage released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The incident, which went viral with claims that a protestor had been struck by a patrol vehicle, shows a different reality when viewed in its entirety. The video depicts a trooper attempting to navigate through a group of protestors when a man wearing a bright orange construction vest deliberately positioned himself in front of the patrol car. Despite the trooper’s repeated verbal commands to “Move! Get out of my way!” the man refused to comply, instead raising his index finger in a “hold on” gesture that escalated the standoff.
What happened next has become the center of controversy and misinformation online. The dashcam footage clearly shows the protestor grabbing the patrol vehicle’s push bars before deliberately falling backward onto the ground, creating the appearance of being struck by the vehicle. This theatrical display—essentially playing possum in the middle of an active roadway—was captured fully on camera, revealing that no actual collision or injury occurred. After lying on the ground momentarily, the man simply stood back up under his own power, gestured once more at the trooper, and calmly walked away from the scene. This performance, likely designed to create a false narrative about police conduct, demonstrates the challenging environment law enforcement officers navigate when handling public demonstrations.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol quickly addressed the misleading claims circulating on social media platforms. In a statement responding to the incident, the agency emphasized, “We respect and protect the right of people to protest peacefully. That right, however, does not include entering active roadways or placing themselves in danger.” The Highway Patrol further clarified the video evidence: “In this case, video clearly shows the individual holding onto the front of the trooper’s vehicle, lying down, then standing back up afterward and leaving the scene under his own power. At no point does the video show the individual being run over or injured, despite the narratives circulating on social media.” This official response highlights the growing challenge of combating misinformation, particularly when it comes to emotionally charged interactions between law enforcement and protestors.
This incident illustrates a concerning trend where theatrical confrontations with law enforcement are staged with the apparent goal of creating viral content that portrays officers in a negative light. The protestor’s actions—wearing high-visibility clothing, deliberately blocking a patrol vehicle, and then simulating being struck—suggest premeditation rather than a genuine accident or misconduct by the trooper. Such staged incidents can have serious consequences, potentially inflaming community tensions, undermining public trust in law enforcement, and diverting attention and resources from legitimate concerns about police conduct. They also place both protestors and officers in unnecessarily dangerous situations, as blocking roadways creates hazards for all involved.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol emphasized in their statement that their priority remains ensuring public safety for everyone—protestors, motorists, and troopers alike. “When someone enters the roadway, it creates a serious and immediate risk, and troopers are trained to respond to prevent injuries or worse outcomes,” the agency noted. This highlights the difficult balancing act law enforcement must perform: respecting the constitutional right to peaceful protest while simultaneously maintaining public safety and order. In this particular case, the trooper was attempting to navigate through an area where protestors had gathered, potentially responding to another call or working to keep roadways clear for emergency vehicles and regular traffic—essential functions that can be impeded by roadway blockages.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of increasingly confrontational protest tactics across the country. Similar incidents have been reported in Los Angeles, where protestors swarmed a U-Haul truck that drove through an anti-Iranian regime gathering, and elsewhere, where vehicles of conservative figures have been surrounded by demonstrators. The Memphis incident serves as a reminder of the importance of context and complete evidence when evaluating claims of misconduct. It also demonstrates how dashcam technology has become an essential tool for law enforcement agencies to protect their officers from false accusations while maintaining accountability. As protests continue to be a vital expression of democratic values, both demonstrators and law enforcement face the ongoing challenge of ensuring that the right to protest is exercised safely, responsibly, and honestly, without staged incidents that undermine legitimate dialogue about policing and civil liberties.
