By Lucas Kihmm
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MADISON, Wisconsin (WKOW) — It’s a case that the Madison Police Department closed nearly seven months ago, but the city’s Office of the Independent Police Monitor (OIPM) says it wants the police department and the Dane County District Attorney’s Office to take another look.
MPD released new video of the arrest of Richard Johnson from Dec. 30, 2024. Johnson died in police custody on Dec. 31.
In a 43-page report, the OIPM says it believes excessive force used by police contributed to his death.
According to the report, police were called to the Best Western on Madison’s East Side after reports that Johnson had stolen a car.
When officers confronted Johnson about the theft, he ran, and two officers tackled him.
The OIPM reports that when officers arrived, one of the officers applied pressure with his knee to Johnson’s shoulders while detaining him.
During the encounter, Johnson told officers he “couldn’t breathe,” but that information was not communicated to Dane County EMS personnel when they arrived.
Throughout the arrest, the report claims Johnson was moaning and groaning as he entered a police vehicle to be transported to the Dane County Jail.
He also told officers he had ingested drugs, which was later determined to be cocaine.
Aeiramique Glass, the interim independent police monitor, held a news conference in Madison to discuss the findings. She said excessive force was used during the arrest rather than the amount of force necessary to effect the arrest.
“Mr. Johnson was already on the ground. His hands were already behind his back. There was no need to shove his head into the ground. There was no need,” Glass said.
While transporting Johnson to the jail, the OIPM claims he complained of shortness of breath. Officers pulled over to check on him before continuing to the jail.
Johnson then became quiet before officers discovered he had suffered a medical emergency.
He died the next day and the Dane County Medical Examiner determined that the death was caused by cocaine toxicity.
However, the police monitor’s own medical examiner disputes that conclusion, claiming toxicology results showed Johnson died from cardiac arrest caused by the officers’ actions.
Greg Gelembiuk spoke on behalf of the medical examiner, who was unable to attend Monday’s news conference.
“There was severe acidosis, extremely low blood pH, and hypercapnia, elevated carbon dioxide levels in his blood. These are all typical of prone-restraint cardiac arrest,” Gelembiuk said.
The OIPM claims the officers could face homicide charges and should be held accountable for their actions.
Johnson’s mother, Gloria Johnson, attended the news conference and said she wants the officers held accountable.
“I will not stop speaking his name. I will not stop demanding answers. I will not stop fighting until the truth comes to light,” Johnson said.
After Johnson’s death, the three officers involved were placed on restrictive duty until they were cleared by the Dane County District Attorney’s Office.
Madison Police Chief John Patterson responded to the OIPM’s findings and defended the officers’ use of force, saying it was appropriate to effect the arrest, according to the department’s Professional Standards and Internal Affairs Office.
In a statement, Patterson said:
“I also support the officers involved who did everything that we train them to do and expect them to do in a situation like this one involving Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson was suspected of stealing a car that had an unsecured firearm inside of it and fled from officers on foot. He was physically restrained and was in a prone position for a short period of time while being handcuffed. Prior to transporting Mr. Johnson to the Dane County Jail, officers called EMS to have him evaluated when Mr. Johnson began having labored breathing. Mr. Johnson was evaluated by EMS. He declined additional testing to further evaluate his condition and declined transport to the hospital. Mr. Johnson was later found to be in medical distress upon arrival at the Dane County Jail. Emergency aid was provided by officers and EMS was called. EMS transported Mr. Johnson to the hospital, where he remained until his passing a day later.”
The Wisconsin Professional Police Association also backed Madison police’s position, saying in a statement:
“Unfortunately, the report repeatedly presents disputed interpretations of evidence as settled fact while dismissing the conclusions reached by investigators, prosecutors, medical professionals and other officials who reviewed the same evidence. Serious allegations require more than disagreement with prior conclusions; they require clear and convincing support grounded in the record.”
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