Guard arrested in altercation with blind woman

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Public Safety Archives
Wednesday, September 21. 2011
Comments (27)
A security guard for the Winder office of the Social Security Administration turned himself in to Winder Police on assault charges Wednesday after he had an altercation with a blind woman at the agency’s office.

Guard LeRoy Huff, Athens, admitted grabbing the arm of Winder resident Melissa McMann to force her out of the SS building because she had a seeing-eye dog.

McMann, 38, said in a phone interview Wednesday she was led by her dog, Hurbie, into the Social Security office in Winder Thursday, Sept. 15, along with her husband.

Hurbie wears a harness that goes over his shoulders and under his chin, and a sign that reads: “Ignore me, I’m a working guide dog.”

“Everything from his collar to his harness to even his leash is special working equipment,” said McMann.

Nevertheless, Huff demanded to see paperwork verifying its use as a guide dog.

McMann said her husband spoke up and said, “It’s my wife’s guide dog. She’s blind.”

The McManns attempted to explain the law, even as going so far as to try to show the guard the state of Georgia access code on service dogs on their personal iPhones, but Huff apparently refused to reason.

But the officer said he wasn’t going to be “fooled” by “any old dog” and we were told we had to leave, said McMann.

Huff, believing she was disobeying his order to leave, then “grabbed her by her arm and pulled her up by the chair she was sitting in and pretty much pushed her out the door,” said WPD officer Chris Cooper.

The woman’s husband, Chris McMann, then called the police for help.

For the full story, see the Sept. 21 issue of the Barrow Journal in print or online.
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#1 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 11:43 AM
(Comment removed)
#2 janice on 09/21/11 at 12:09 PM [Reply]
What kind of Security guard is working in the Social Security ?That he does not have knowledge of the laws when it comes to "Guide Dog".And why didn't some one who works in Barrow Social Security office stood up for the blind lady?
#2.1 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 12:16 PM [Reply]
Apparently, he did have knowledge of the law; he just didn't believe that this was, in fact, a guide dog for the blind. Obviously, he was in error and should be severely chastised, fired and made to answer for his physical assault & battery. As to your second question, good point. Apparently, they just stood by and let this goon beat up a blind woman. Also, he should be charged with "impersonating a federal officer," which is what he told WPD he was. When, in fact, he's just a contract security guard, a job often filled by failed cop wannabes.
#3 Tina on 09/21/11 at 12:30 PM [Reply]
Why would a grown,blind woman lie about a dog to hang out in the must boring place on earth 'Social Security department"...Really amazed he did not accuse her of pretending to be blind .
#4 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 12:44 PM [Reply]
Obvious the security officer messed up and he did turn himself in.But where was the office staff and management team to fix this lack of communication issue? The security guard messed up ,I agree but why is the office manager not being question or taking some kind of responsibility ?
#5 rob on 09/21/11 at 12:49 PM [Reply]
Good question! Who's in charge of Barrow County Social Security Office and why didn't any staff step in ? and why did the husband called the police not the Staff .? Maybe a journalist should pass by and ask some of these question?
#5.1 Saw it on 09/21/11 at 01:32 PM [Reply]
A Social Security staff member (I suppose he was the office manager or supervisor) only peeked out from behind a door and told the couple that they had to obey the security guard. The staff member simply stayed hidden behind a door and left the 'heavy lifting' of obstructing a blind lady to an ignorant security guard.
#6 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 01:46 PM [Reply]
Shame on them in the SS-office.Poor security guy did not know what he was doing,they should have taken care of this problem ,if I see a security officer lifting a "blind person" in my office ,I would at least investigate!May be instead of letting this poor officer go down maybe some one in charge should also .
#7 Jack Legg on 09/21/11 at 02:04 PM [Reply]
I suppose this article will start a torrent of blogs from these people who hate the police, so let me get one in here first.A. fire the security guard and prosecute him to the fullest extent,B. fire the SS office manager who let it happen, C. This is just one more example of how our individual rights and liberties are trammpled on every day by an out of control federal govt. This guy worked as a security guard but in other aricles in other newspapers it is told that this is all under the same employement umbrella as the TSA agents that regularly strip search the elderlyu and children in airports.Americans dont need this kind of security from our government , we dont want it and wont tolerate it for long.
#8 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 02:17 PM [Reply]
I do not hate the police or have issues with authority and I do not buy into government conspiracy , not here to offend anyone ,.Still trying to process WHY and Why would a blind person lie about having a Seeing Eye Dog,just to get in the SS office.Why would this guard would assume this ? I do not think he should get fired,maybe take some kind of courses to show him the laws and how to handle this,but they should do something for the head staff in SS office that did nothing. Staff should have at least find out why is a guard having an issue with a blind person,whats next they going to kick out a handicap out of his wheel chair,because he is faking it?!
#8.1 Jack Legg on 09/21/11 at 03:14 PM [Reply]
Here is the problem with these kinds of security guards:They have been trained at a federal level to treat anyone who questions them or their actions as a terrorist.They are just not smart enough to use common sense.
I was recently at a federal building where they had metal detectors and ques set uip to funnel a large number of people through.And they all just had this attitude about them, in the way they spoke to people and they themselves waked around with their chests poked out. It was kind of like being back in high school around certain upperclassmen.
Well enough of that, they work for the people , they need to treat others the way they would want to be treated.Americans are not cattle or sheep just to be herded around and told what to do by someone who obviously has less intelligence and sense.
#8.2 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 03:53 PM [Reply]
You don't some washed-up "cop" should be fired for beating up a blind woman? He dislocated her shoulder. Not only should he be terminated with extreme prejudice, the state should prosecute him for battery.
#8.2.1 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 04:02 PM [Reply]
Did not know he dislocated her shoulder.That's so wrong in so many level.maybe he should be fired.I think the entire SS office should be reviewed.
#9 wow on 09/21/11 at 04:17 PM [Reply]
good luck, unfortunatly probably just be moved to unemployment office.
Where Govt employees look down on the people there for making them do work.
NOT all unemployment office people but certainly some, so dont go saying I am against Dept of Labor people but some cant even read what job requires or understand the difference between requirment and prefenence
#10 Lisa on 09/21/11 at 07:28 PM [Reply]
I've been in this office several times. I don't even understand why they have Security there. These so called Security Officers think there God. They sit behind that desk and play games on there cell phones and do nothing.
#11 J.B. Moore on 09/21/11 at 08:26 PM [Reply]
In regards to some of the above comments does anyone know if this was a contractor security guard or an actual govt. Employee?
#11.1 P on 09/21/11 at 08:41 PM [Reply]
JB I think I am going to agree where you are going with this. Rent-a-cop's do not get the training they should get for a position like this one. You get what you pay for. But I also agree the supervisor holds a great responsibility in this. I believe I almost say the supervisor is probably more responsible than the rent-a-cop. It is his office, his employees and his responsibility. The buck stops with the boss.
#12 2011 on 09/21/11 at 09:58 PM [Reply]
I thought everybody knew by know that seeing eye dogs were welcomed everywhere ,The Guard gets what he deserves and here is your sign : You know your a REDNECK when you harass the blind woman with the trained seeing eye dog , apparently the dog was smarter than the guard!
#13 TickedOff on 09/21/11 at 11:06 PM [Reply]
Pretty interesting that the news clip shows her playing fetch with the dor bad arm and all.
I think the security guard was wrong for ever touching her, he should have called the police himself if the lady was non compliant, but then he'd be facing a harassment suit. Curious to know why the lady didnt have papers and her husband was right there and allowed anyone to grab his wife. Only in Winder.
#13.1 Anonymous on 09/22/11 at 01:16 AM [Reply]
the guard told the cops that he was a 'federal officer' and did not have to call the police. yes, it's beautiful to blame the citizens for not having 'papers' to prove the dog was legally justified. as to why the husband 'allowed' the guard to grab nis wife, well, the goon has a badge and a Gun. He might have gone postal and shot the man, dog, woman and whoever. Oh, yeah, blame the victims, like the elitist jerk you are.
#14 Joy Carey on 09/22/11 at 01:28 AM [Reply]
Wow, I'm still amazed, but not surprised at this story. Our county still needs more help concerning disabilities and rights. To the above comment, this incident happened last week and no Ms. McMann did not have to have papers for her service dog. Mr. McMann was handling the situation in a calm manner and not provoking the security guard since he was another male. I am disappointed in our local Social Security office and how no one stood up to defend her rights. The service dogs have access to public buildings and also service dogs help others with other disabilities too(example: people that have seizures, autism, deaf and several others. Here is the Americans with Disabilities Act concerning service animals-
Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public, including restaurants, hotels, taxis and shuttles, grocery and department stores, hospitals and medical offices, theaters, health clubs, parks, and zoos.

Hope this helps and clears things up, just in case you needed to know. Everyone should help our local disabled population even if you may stand alone.
#15 Lucy on 09/22/11 at 10:59 AM [Reply]
This is shameful & outrageous. How could someone so ignorant be charged with protecting a federal office. Oh that's right...it's Winder...and the government. Guess it's not all that surprising.
#15.1 Anonymous on 09/22/11 at 11:21 AM [Reply]
Has nothing to do with Winder or even "government." People who work contract security are, for the most part, the dregs.
#15.1.1 Lucy on 09/22/11 at 04:12 PM [Reply]
Winder = DREGS.
#16 lol on 09/22/11 at 11:55 AM [Reply]
ARRESTED?

LOL!!

What a JOKE this county is.
#16.1 Anonymous on 09/23/11 at 06:04 AM [Reply]
Sounds like you are a joke. Maybe the county is a joke but not the city. The city did a great job in handling this ignorant individual.
#17 just wondering ??? on 09/22/11 at 02:20 PM [Reply]
Where is the supervisor to do some "Damage Control"..? why is he/she not expressing some concern or even apologizing for this lack of communication ?..and assure us that it will try to handle matters better in the Social Security Office.
#18 Anonymous on 09/22/11 at 02:29 PM [Reply]
The dog had his SERVICE VEST on ,Only service Dog wears that vest.In his collar they usually have a ID that only services dog wears.If the guard just took his time to look at the vest ,maybe he would not be the biggest town fool.Plus,really? pick on a blind woman.!
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