Regular Traffic Stop Turns Violent But Good Samaritans Came To Help Female Officer

All police officers know that their life is always on the line when they go to work. That is why they must be prepared for any scenario at all times. Many of them know that even a good day might end up badly. They are trained and experienced in defending themselves, but sometimes, they can use a helping hand when the need arises.

Officer Stacee Wright with the Willoughby Police Department was on her routine traffic stop on September 10. What she did not know was that she was about to learn how much support she got from her community.

David Koubeck, 64, drove along Lost Nation Road outside Cleveland, Ohio. He was pulled over by officer Wright after she clocked him going 57 in a 35. And Koubek was not happy about it. Then their interaction quickly turned for the worse. It became clear to Officer Wright that he was not going to cooperate.

Wright informed Koubeck of his infraction and asked for his license. He opened the driver’s side door, hopped out, and got his way out of the back door. Officer Wright asked what he was doing and immediately called for backup. According to Koubeck, he was only getting his license as he appeared to snatch a wallet from the back seat. Then Wright asked him to get out of the car and onto the road to sit on the curb. However, Koubeck refused to cooperate.

He refused to sit as he said, “I’m not sitting.”

He then stared down at her through his shades, jabbed his finger in her face, and repeated in a much stronger tone.

“I’m not sitting!”

During the next few tense minutes, Wright and the driver had a standoff. The officer was trying to calm down the stubborn driver while he stubbornly refused to comply. The two started fighting and Koubeck pinned Wright up against his car. At this point, she was helpless.

Other motorists realized what was happening. Then two people immediately knew that something was not right.

They were on a truck and they pulled over as they saw a man pinning an officer. A man ran from across the street and tackled Koubeck and ended up throwing him to the grass. Soon three more people, including another woman arrived to help Wright subdue the uncooperative man.

One of them could be heard saying: “You don’t do that to a woman. Do you understand me?”

It didn’t take long for another officer to arrive and help Wright cuff and escort Koubeck to her vehicle. Because of what he did, Koubeck is now facing charges of assault on an officer, resisting arrest, and failure to wear a seatbelt. If he only cooperated, he would only be dealing with a speeding ticket.

Willoughby Police Chief Jim Schultz also publicly recognized the help and commended the actions of all four good Samaritans. On a Facebook post, he said:

“I would like to personally thank several great Samaritans and our wonderful community for their quick action and support… On Saturday afternoon around 4:25 pm, several people assisted our Department during an incident on Lost Nation Road. If you stopped and assisted, please give me a call at 440-953-4229.” He adds, “I am so proud of our community and the tremendous support we receive on a day-to-day basis. Saturday was another awesome example. I greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!”

The four people who did not hesitate to stop and help Officer Wright have not all been named, though Stacia Metucci was identified as the woman who helped.