Quogue top cop treated, released from hospital

A rally at Southampton Town Hall in protest of bitter and offensive political rancor ended abruptly Friday morning when the Quogue chief of police collapsed.

Chief Robert Coughlan, 58, who had been ill with the flu for several days, was able to sit up and answer questions after a few minutes, Quogue Mayor Peter Sartorius said. Coughlan was taken to nearby Southampton Hospital, where he was treated and released.

About 60 attended the half-hour rally, including village, town and state officials, U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton), volunteer firefighters and activists from the Republican and Democratic parties. The rally was held in the wake of deadly shootings in Tucson, Ariz., last weekend that also gravely injured a congresswoman.

Those who spoke called for toning down heated political rhetoric and cited the shootings in Tucson - and several struggled to define the fine line between advocating for a position while lowering the temperature of the political dialogue.

"What is important is that everyone remain respectful, so that all the ideas can be presented," said Assemb. Fred W. Thiele Jr. of Sag Harbor, a former Republican who switched his registration to Independent. "Ultimately, the best ideas will come to fruition."

Town Councilwoman Nancy Graboski, a Republican, said that even in small things, people should be respectful. She said that a town resident whose street is not plowed quickly might be frustrated, but that "being civil can go a long way."

Town Councilwoman Bridget Fleming, a Democrat, has found herself on the losing end of several party line votes since a Republican majority took control of the board.

But, she said, the killing of so many people made it clear that anger and outrage are not acceptable political dialogue.

"You're not more right because you're loud," she said. "You should be passionate in your views, but you shouldn't incite to violence."

The rally broke up after Coughlan's collapse. Emergency responders placed him in a wheelchair and carried him up the front steps of town hall and into the town clerk's office.

A crowd waited in the hall as volunteers inside gave first aid. After about 10 minutes, the word went out: "He's fine. He has the flu. He's been bedridden for several days," an official said.

Coughlan has been head of the department for 10 years.