The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death Wednesday of a Gulf War veteran after a confrontation with deputies.

Donald Degraw, 58, said he was taking PTSD medication

Wife had called for help after Degraw suffered seizure-like symptoms

Deputies say Degraw 'actively resisted' efforts to 'Baker Act' him

Donald Degraw, 58, died Wednesday after shot with a Taser by deputies with an electronic control device.

Emergency crews responded to Degraw’s home in Oldsmar twice after receiving 911 calls from his wife, Julie.

During the first call, at about 5:15 a.m. Wednesday, Julie told authorities he was screaming in bed for no reason. But when deputies arrived, Degraw refused medical treatment. He told deputies he simply had been having a bad dream and was on medicaiton for post-traumatic stress disorder.

When deputies and Oldsmar Fire Rescue personnel returned after the second 911 call at about 3:45 p.m., they reported seeing Degraw screaming and "in emotional distress." When they tried to take him into protective custody for the purposes of a Baker Act proceeding, he “actively resisted.”

Upon being electronically stunned by deputies in order to handcuff him, Degraw passed out. Paramedics treated him and took him to Tampa Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Deputies said their actions were in part because they were worried about a loaded weapon within Degraw's immediate reach. But Degraw’s friends still don’t understand why he was stunned.

“We were heartbroken,” said Alecia Janczak, a family friend. “We were in shock.”

Friends said his wife just called for help after Degraw suffered seizure-like symptoms.

“He was disoriented and confused and had trouble following directions,” Janczak said.

Degraw leaves behind a wife and two children. Friends said they are heartbroken.



“He was friendly, he was nice, he was joking with us all the time,” Janczak said. “His kids loved him. His wife loved him very much.”

