Four Chicago officers fired over shooting
CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Board on Thursday fired four police officers for allegedly covering up a white officer’s 2014 fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan Mcdonald.
The nine-member board found the officers exaggerated the threat posed by the 17-year-old Mcdonald to justify his shooting by Jason Van Dyke. The board voted unanimously to dismiss Sgt. Stephen Franko and officers Janet Mondragon and Ricardo Viramontes. All but one voted to fire Daphne Sebastian because of violations of department rules. She was not found to have made false reports.
The Fraternal Order of Police slammed the police board for its decision, contending the officers did nothing wrong.
“It is obvious that this police board has out-served its usefulness,” said Patrick Murray, the organization’s vice president.
Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson accused the officers in 2016 of giving or approving knowingly false statements. They were not charged criminally, but they were stripped of police powers and assigned to desk duty as their case proceeded.
The firings can be appealed.
A Cook County judge acquitted three other officers in January of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and official misconduct charges in the case.
Mcdonald was allegedly high on PCP and carrying a small knife in 2014 when Van Dyke exited his squad car and almost immediately opened fire. Police video released in 2015 showed Van Dyke firing 16 bullets into Mcdonald, many after the teen had crumpled to the ground.
Franko was accused of approving false police reports that Mcdonald attempted to stab Van Dyke and another officer and injured Van Dyke.
Mondragon was accused of falsely reporting that she did not see the shooting of Mcdonald because she was shifting the gear of her squad car.
Viramontes was accused of reporting Mcdonald continued to move after he was shot and that he tried to get up with the knife still in his hand.
Jurors convicted Van Dyke of murder in October. He’s serving a prison term of more than six years.