Dennis C. Sandras

Less-than-lethal force

Dennis C. Sandras died after being shocked twice with a Taser by arresting officers. Police attempted to arrest Sandras after getting a call that a man was jumping off of roofs at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral and school. One officer was called out to Verret Street around 11:20 a.m. Sandras allegedly fought with that officer and hit her. Two more officers arrived to help get Sandras under control. Police said Sandras was Tased after acting combative. Sandras was later pronounced dead at Terrebonne General Medical Center. Gary Alford, senior investigator at the coroner's office, said the cause of Sandras' death was not due to the Taser, but rather an accidental overdose.