3 Chicago Officers Fired for Roles in Fatal Shooting

Three police officers were fired and one was suspended Friday for their roles in the shooting death of an unarmed motorist last summer.

Among those fired by the city’s Police Board for violating police procedures was officer Serena Daniels, who fatally shot LaTanya Haggerty during a traffic stop following a police chase. Daniels has said she mistook a shiny object in Haggerty’s hand for a weapon. Haggerty, 26, was a passenger in the car and was holding a cellular phone.

Also fired were officers Michael Williams and Stafford Wilson. Officer Carl Carter was suspended until July 12. Carter was not dismissed because he did not fire his gun during the traffic stop and ensuing chase, Police Board President Demetrius Carney said.

All four officers have been on unpaid suspension since July.

Carney said there was no evidence that the officers or anyone else intended to shoot Haggerty on June 4, and he said the driver of the car was also responsible because he fled police. But he said police work is a profession, and “not everyone can do the work of an officer, as it is difficult and dangerous.”

Chicago Police Supt. Terry Hillard had recommended that all four officers be fired after concluding they had ignored a supervisor’s order calling off the chase, fired at the vehicle without justification and failed to promptly notify a supervisor that they had used deadly force.

The officers’ attorney, Joseph V. Roddy, called the decision “1,000% political” because he said Hillard and Mayor Richard M. Daley wanted the officers fired. He said the decision will be appealed in Cook County Circuit Court.

“The field has never been level and they proved that tonight--it’s a disgrace,” Roddy said.

He criticized board members for not attending the Police Board hearing last month and for announcing their decision--reached late Tuesday--on St. Patrick’s Day night.

“What are they afraid of? . . . Why don’t they face the public?” he asked.

The officers were not surprised by the decisions, Roddy said.