Springfield, Mass. Member Cleared of Wrongdoing in Accidental Death of Teen
March 8, 2010
The police commissioner in Springfield, Massachusetts has cleared a patrol officer of any misconduct charges in the case of a teen who was struck and killed by a car during a confrontation with local police.
“The death of a young person is always tragic,” said Paul Birks, IBPO national vice president. “As saddened as I am that a young man lost his life, I am relieved that this officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing.”
Commissioner William Fitchet released the decision following an internal investigation and formal hearing into the July 2009 death of 15-year-old Delano Walker, Jr. Walker was struck and killed by a car after he backed into traffic during a confrontation with Officer Sean Sullivan and another officer, who had approached Walker and two other teens in a car dealership’s parking lot one evening. According to police reports, the officer repeatedly ordered Walker to get off his cell phone, but the teen did not comply. Walker then reportedly backed away from Officer Sullivan and was reaching for his pants pocket. Officer Sullivan said he reached for Walker twice, but Walker pulled away and assumed a posture suggesting he was preparing to fight. Before Officer Sullivan could warn the teen about an oncoming vehicle, Walker backed into the path of the car.