Monday, 16 February 2026

Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton In Awe Of Grandma Being Tasered By Constable [A1ETJF TQPU]

A high-speed traffic stop in Bee Cave transforms into a national scandal as law enforcement leaders clash over the tasing of a Texas great-grandmother.

Travis County Greg Hamilton Chris Beasy Catherine Winkfein Taser controversy Police misconduct Bee Cave Texas

By Mike Hanson Archives | 2m listen | 4 chapters

RSS Transcript

Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton In Awe Of Grandma Being Tasered By Constable [A1ETJF TQPU] cover

About this episode

Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton condemned the conduct of Deputy Chris Beasy after dashcam footage revealed the officer tasing 72-year-old Catherine Winkfein during a traffic stop on Highway 71. The incident in Bee Cave, Texas, sparked a public rift between the Sheriff’s Office and Constable Precinct 3 over the appropriate use of force against elderly citizens. Hamilton characterized the footage as shocking and criticized the lack of de-escalation before the deployment of the weapon.

Sergeant Major Gary Griffin defended the deputy, claiming the initial physical contact was a safety measure to move Winkfein away from heavy traffic. Griffin dismissed the Sheriff’s public rebuke as armchair quarterbacking and cited the department’s own policy manual to justify the arrest. Deputy Chris Beasy, who serves as the lead taser instructor for his precinct, remains at the center of the controversy as Winkfein retains legal counsel following her refusal to sign a speeding ticket. The confrontation escalated rapidly after the great-grandmother exited her vehicle, leading to a physical struggle and the subsequent taser deployment.

Sheriff Greg Hamilton remains in awe of the decision-making process that led to a grandmother being incapacitated by a high-voltage device. Sergeant Major Gary Griffin maintains that while the optics are difficult, the deputy followed established training protocols. Catherine Winkfein has opted for silence through her attorney as the national spotlight intensifies on the Travis County law enforcement community.

CHAPTER 01 / 4 Discussion

Travis County Sheriff Criticizes Deputy for Tasing Elderly Woman

Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton issued a formal statement expressing shock after viewing dashcam footage of a deputy constable tasing a 72-year-old woman. The video has gained national attention, leading to a public disagreement between the Sheriff's Office and the Constable's department regarding the use of force during the traffic stop.

travis county· greg hamilton· catherine winkfein· taser· law enforcement

00:00 Harsh words are exchanged tonight between two Travis County law agencies after dash cam video of a deputy constable tasing as 72 year old woman is released. Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton released a statement saying when he watched that video, he quote was in awe of what happened. CBS 42's Catherine Stoltz is here with the story that's all new at 10. Catherine? Well, Judy this video is what everyone is talking about. It's made national headlines and today the sheriff says he wasn't only surprised but disagrees with what unfolded still the deputy superior stand behind what you're about to see

CHAPTER 02 / 4 Discussion

Deputy Chris Beasy Tases Great-Grandmother During Traffic Stop

Deputy Chris Beasy pulled over Catherine Winkfein for speeding on Highway 71 in Bee Cave, Texas. After Winkfein refused to sign the speeding ticket and exited her vehicle near heavy traffic, a physical confrontation ensued. Sergeant Major Gary Griffin defended the deputy's actions, stating the initial push was intended to keep the woman away from the dangerous roadway.

chris beasy· catherine winkfein· bee cave· highway 71· traffic stop

00:37 I need to see a driver's license and for the prevention. Deputy Chris Beasy pulls over Catherine Winkfein for speeding on Highway 71 in Bee Cave, but the great-grandma refuses to sign the ticket. Take me to jail. She gets out of the truck and walks close to the line separating the shoulder from traffic zipping by...and then comes the push! Oh, you're gonna stab me? You're gonna stab a stranger to get away with it! Sergeant Major Gary Griffin says his deputy moved Winkfein to prevent her from stepping out onto the busy and dangerous stretch of highway. He didn't forcibly push down on the bar ditch and send her tumbling like a rock he moved her Then after the deputy repeatedly told Winkfein to step back or get tazed... I've told her nine times

CHAPTER 03 / 4 Discussion

Sheriff Hamilton and Sergeant Major Griffin Dispute Use of Force

Sheriff Greg Hamilton criticized the deputy's failure to de-escalate the situation before deploying a taser on the 72-year-old woman. Sergeant Major Gary Griffin dismissed the Sheriff's critique as "armchair quarterbacking," noting that Hamilton was not present at the scene. Griffin maintained that while the situation could have been handled differently, the deputy's actions were within the scope of departmental training.

greg hamilton· gary griffin· armchair quarterbacking· police policy· travis county

01:29 The 72 year old dared him to do it. I dare you more So he did Sergeant Major Griffin admitted to me his deputy could have handled the situation better You know, talk to her a little bit more We could've tried Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton, who works for a separate agency said the deputy should have tried a different approach. We were first to ask Sergeant Major Griffin about the sheriff's response. I don't get involved in armchair quarterbacking events of officers of those agencies it would be improper

CHAPTER 04 / 4 Discussion

Deputy Chris Beasy Identified as Taser Instructor Amid Legal Action

Deputy Chris Beasy serves as the lead taser instructor for Travis County Constable Precinct 3, responsible for training the entire organization on use-of-force protocols. Sergeant Major Gary Griffin cited the Sheriff’s own policy manual to justify the deputy's conduct during the arrest of Catherine Winkfein. Winkfein has since retained an attorney and has declined to comment publicly on the incident.

chris beasy· taser instructor· precinct 3· catherine winkfein· lawsuit

02:13 because I don't have all the facts. If i remember correctly, I don't believe I saw Sheriff Hamilton out there on that scene." Sergeant Major Griffin then pulled out the policy manual... "...know where I got it?" ...that he says came from this sheriff's office He told us his deputy followed all of the rules outlined in this manual the day he tased Catherine Winkfein And Sergeant Major Griffin tells me he does respect the Sheriff's opinion. In a new piece of information tonight, we found out Deputy Beese is the taser instructor for the Travis County Constable Precinct 3 and trains everyone within the organization on how and when to use a taser. Katherine Winklein has not commented since the video was released. We're told she has hired an attorney. Judy?