Cop Who Put Choke Hold On Staten Island Man Stripped Of Badge [VIDEO]

The death of a Staten Island father of six, filmed on a cellphone, has sparked an outcry  leading to an investigation of those involved. According to reports, Officer Daniel Pantaleo has been stripped of his badge and placed on modified assignment pending further investigation by the district attorney and internal affairs. Another officer,  four year veteran Justin Damico has been pulled off the street but hasn't been asked to turn in his gun or badge. 43 year old Eric Garner died in police custody last week, after Pantaleo allegedly placed Garner in a choke hold during an arrest. The asthmatic Garner (who weighed over 350 lbs) can be heard pleaded with police that he couldn't breath. Garner later suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Garner was allegedly selling illegal cigarettes, and when he was approached by police he resisted arrest. He was put in the choke hold by Pantaleo, a maneuver that is prohibited by NYPD policy, and collapsed to the ground.

Policeman's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch had this to say concerning Pantaleo's punishment...

At times, when officers are required to make an arrest, they must employ the use of force in order to get compliance from an individual who NYPD policy requires must be rear-cuffed for transport to a precinct. Force, by its very nature, is an ugly thing to witness. Taken out of the context of what is happening, necessary force can be misinterpreted to be excessive by those who are not trained in law enforcement procedures.

New video shows that officers failed to provide medical help to the unconscious Garner, and instead just emptied his pockets. Once EMT's arrived four minutes later, he was simply placed on a stretcher and wheeled away.

Rallies have been held in support of Garner's family, as community leaders and activists demand answers.