Super Dave's death highlights gaps in care for homeless, mentally ill
Knoxville News-SentinelFeb 03, 2017
Martin's last arrest, his 276th, was
Homeless and suffering from severe mental health issues, Martin prompted near-daily run-ins with the law. They involved repeated reports that he was intoxicated, blocking traffic at intersections, accosting customers at restaurant drive-thru windows and begging for money.
Other encounters were more violent. His criminal history includes numerous charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Family members remembered Martin as a kind, but troubled soul who refused loved ones' attempts to help as his psychiatric problems took hold. And they questioned whether authorities could have done something more for him.
"I don't understand why the system couldn't -- I mean, you could look at him and talk to him and tell something was wrong," said
"We tried all kinds of things to help him," Rausch said. "Not every encounter ended in an arrest. ... Almost all those arrests were situations where there were no other options.
"When there's limited resources, you use the resources you have."
'SUPER DAVE'
As a child in Lonsdale, Martin was a natural athlete.
"He was unbelievably fast," said his older cousin,
Martin hit an early growth spurt and could dunk a basketball by the time he reached middle school. He made the varsity football team as a freshman at
"With the proper guidance,
Martin became a father while still a teen, but proved to be a loving dad and a good provider, working for several years at National Linen Services on
"I loved him. I still love him. He was a great person, he was," she said. "He was a darn good father before, you know, before his mental issues happened."
Lane and Martin separated around 2003. In the ensuing years, his troubles with police increased as it became apparent something was wrong, she said.
"He would talk to himself, you know. It just wasn't him," Lane said. "He was not the same. He didn't come around me that much because he knew I used to always get onto him and try to force him to get some help. A lot of times, he would hide from me. He didn't want me to see him like that."
In
Lane said during his incarceration, Martin was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
"He should have agreed to get some help," she said. "Everybody offered to take him -- his family, his daughters, his sisters. We tried to get him some help, but I guess the law here, they told me that if he doesn't want to get treatment himself, there's nothing they can do."
LONG-TERM NEEDS, TEMPORARY OPTIONS
It is a valuable resource for local law enforcement seeking an alternative to jail or the emergency room for a person suffering a psychotic crisis, said
The 15-bed facility, however, is one of the busiest in the
"We're usually full," Allen said.
The nonprofit behavioral health agency also contracts with the
"As always, people have the option to refuse our services," Allen said. "And because of their illness, they don't always know how ill they are. And you can't make them receive services."
In his opinion, Rausch said Martin should have been "institutionalized."
"When he was on his meds, he was fine," the chief said. "But he often refused to take his meds."
It could not be confirmed whether Martin had ever been committed to any facility.
Involuntary psychiatric commitment to a facility such as
Institutionalization, however, hasn't been an option for decades as
"People thrive and do better if they are in their communities, in their homes," Allen said. "Are there gaps in the system? I'm sure."
Allen and Rausch agreed that Martin's situation underscores the need for
"Could it have changed Dave? I don't know," Rausch said. "But it would have been an option."
The city of
A push for state funding for the center failed in 2016. State Rep.
According to the most recent Knoxville Homeless Management Information System annual report, released in 2016, more than 60 percent of the local homeless population have been treated for mental illness. Thirty-seven percent have been hospitalized due to mental illness.
"It's sad," Allen said. "There are other Daves out there."
A funeral service for Martin will be held at noon Saturday at Jarnigan & Son Mortuary. Burial will follow at
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