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November 15, 2011 in News, City
Thompson quits SPD before disciplinary hearing
Convicted Spokane Police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. is resigning from the Spokane Police Department one day before a scheduled interview for an internal investigation.
Thompson, 64, was convicted Nov. 2 of using excessive force and lying to investigators following the fatal beating of 36-year-old Otto Zehm.
In his letter to the city, Thompson simply stated: “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as a Spokane police officer for this city. I hereby submit my resignation effective Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011.”
City spokeswoman Marlene Feist said Thompson had been scheduled to submit to what’s known as a Loudermill interview Friday. Under that interview, officers are bound to answer all questions posed to them.
Those interviews typically come after the completion of criminal investigations because officers cannot be prosecuted for information they reveal in Loudermill interviews.
Thompson was released on a previous $50,000 signature bond - which did not require that he post any money - by U.S. District Judge Fred Van Sickle on Nov. 7. After his release, officers escorted Thompson through the Public Safety Building as fellow officers greeted him.
“We would like the community to understand that Karl retrieved personal items from the building while being escorted by other police officers,” department spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe wrote in an e-mail response to questions. “Karl took a few moments to say goodbye to his co-workers, as well as thank them for their support.”
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Jethro_toll on November 15 at 10:17 a.m.
..escorted by other police officers. None of them were the Famous 50?
I hope he didnt forget his unopened copy of the 497 page SPD Policy and procedures handbook.
wdodd on November 15 at 10:32 a.m.
I wonder if valleyman escorted thompson out?
selkirk on November 15 at 10:49 a.m.
What? He still has 2 more days on the job! Fire his azz TODAY!!!
PlanB on November 15 at 10:49 a.m.
Karl Thompson - Keeping it Klassy. I’m sort of surprised that he turned down the opportunity to fabricate yet another story.
Shelala on November 15 at 11:14 a.m.
Thompson knew he was toast shortly after questions surrounding the death of Zehm began to surface, but stayed on simply to squeeze the last bit of his taxpayer paid salary and to help maintain his image during his subsequent trial. It should not be the least bit surprising that he tendered his resignition prior to being compelled to answer questions during a loudermill hearing. It has already been determined he has problems about being truthful. It would have been a difficult experience. The only difference now that he is officially not a member of the SPD (not even a retired officer) is that his vocal supporters aren’t offering their support and loyalty to a “fellow officer”, but a convicted criminal. How’s that working for ya?
kennyhuston on November 15 at 11:27 a.m.
One has to wonder if Ol’ Klubber isn’t thinking about contacting the feds about a sentence reduction via snitching out those who are higher on the food chain? Oh wait, he’s not a credible witness anyways!!!! Like the Honorable Judge Marilyn Milan would say, “I wouldn’t believe him if his tongue were notarized!”.
REMEMBER OTTO!!!!!
Sadbuttrue on November 15 at 11:32 a.m.
It would be smart for Klubber to sing like a Canary, at least to give the Feds some directions on where to look. Only problem, when he gets out of the Penitentiary, he will need to go into the Witness Protection Program, ala’ Sammy “the Bull” Gravano.
He is, after all, a disgraced ex-member of what can legitimately be called an extremely-violent organized crime syndicate, and a very perjurious one at that. Should he be smart, and save his own skin, no doubt his life will be in danger. Forever.
truthBknown on November 15 at 11:34 a.m.
Uberuaga is next ~ manslaughter and first degree rape. And he is hailed as a hero due to the Intermodel incident. You just never really know how far that power trip of being a “cop” corrupts the mind of evil minded people.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=12094
Lewis on November 15 at 11:42 a.m.
How is he not fired the minute he was found guilty? So a convicted felon can be a police officer? Wasn’t it reported two days after his conviction the personnel department was getting papers ready for his discharge?
Since he was found guilty does that mean he returns the five years of salary he got for masquerading as a police officer?
Remember we got to pay Gay Olsen 258 grand in back pay when he was acquitted. Doesn’t that hold true if a cop who lied 5 years ago and was proved of lied at that time been paid even though it took the feds to do what his own department should have done in the first place?
He never paid a dime out of his own pocket?? Where is all the 505 bracelets cash?
brianrbreen on November 15 at 12:06 p.m.
@Marlene
City spokeswoman Marlene Feist said Thompson had been scheduled to submit to what’s known as a Loudermill interview Friday. Under that interview, officers are bound to answer all questions posed to them.
Those interviews typically come after the completion of criminal investigations because officers cannot be prosecuted for information they reveal in Loudermill interviews.
Let’s be clear here, they are not bound to answer any questions, and can stand on the 5th if they so choose. Loudermill statements can in fact be used in federal criminal investigations and in civil litigations under certain circumstances. Just to try and set the record straight.
@Jennifer
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”
Abraham Lincoln, (attributed)
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
shawn2121 on November 15 at 12:17 p.m.
God bless Karl Tompson! I would like to take a moment and thank him for the many years of honerable service to a thankless community. Karl, these liberal pukes whom have never served anyone but themselves are not speaking for the majority. You are loved and will be missed by many.
kennyhuston on November 15 at 12:23 p.m.
@ shawn2121
Who is Karl Tompson?
kennyhuston on November 15 at 12:27 p.m.
I myself would like to thank Otto Zehm for his excellent guitar skills - God Bless you Otto Zehm R.I.P.
REMEMBER OTTO!!!!!
Sunshinegurl on November 15 at 1:04 p.m.
I knew they would not be firing him but I’m a little surprised they didn’t hold out on his resignation a little longer. I figured that would come closer to the end of the year as his sentencing approached. The pending investigations must have sped things up a bit.
lordstorm on November 15 at 1:29 p.m.
Yep perfect example of the Blue Wall. Think it is time to disband their union and make them accountable to the laws they enforce also.
de3 on November 15 at 1:39 p.m.
Wow. Let’s coddle our convicted felon employees as long as possible. No wonder the City of Spokane is bankrupt. Incompetent management wastes taxpayer money with glee.
Sunshinegurl on November 15 at 1:45 p.m.
I just viewed the letter of resignation, dated November 11th and printed on paper with City of Spokane letterhead.
Does that mean they typed it up for him and he just came down to sign it or did he happen to have City of Spokane paper at home?
brianrbreen on November 15 at 2:40 p.m.
@smittysturn
Take a look down see if you have the balls to go there. Including all the stuff with Hensley. I’m on, you got the jam?
valleyman on November 15 at 3:06 p.m.
@wdodd. I am not a member of the SPD, but thanks for your kind words.
GDodd on November 15 at 3:06 p.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLfYVFamso8
Lewis on November 15 at 3:15 p.m.
smitty you were on my page and never said hello what are you chicken.
I’d rather be anything then a cop with a license to kill. and have losers like you to stand up for me.
misjustice on November 15 at 3:18 p.m.
“..honerable service…”
Guess spellin’ isn’t supporters’ strong suit? Neither is tellin’ the truth, or upholding the law, or serving the citizens instead of their convict buddy.
*sigh*
SpokoJoeSho_1 on November 15 at 3:35 p.m.
To the obviously illiterate people who post that Thompson killed Zehm…neither his conviction or the coroners report indicated that. I’m not looking for a cherry seed spitting competition here, but at least be factual. Zehm died two days later in the hospital, which was not result of any injuries from a baton.
Zehm’s death was unfortunate, but it was not murder.
Also if you want to hold people accountable, how about you start with the two crazy girls that called in the bogus report that led to Zehm’s confrontation with the Police. Zehm’s death should weigh heaviest upon them.
Apparently Mr. Durkin gives the public gets a pass on the misinterpretation of a person’s motive.
Sunshinegurl on November 15 at 3:56 p.m.
SpokoJoeSho - You are splitting hairs here, Zehms death was ruled a homocide, most people use homocide and murder interchangably to mean someone died of un-natural causes at the hands of another. It doesn’t matter either by morals or by law if that death is immediate or took days, it is still homocide/murder depending on your preferred verbiage.
While I think these girls were over reacting the fact of the matter is we all have the right to report suspicious circumstances and possible theft at any time, there is nothing wrong with that if you are doing it in good faith. There is nothing to indicate these ladies were being malicious when they called so stop accusing them, they are not responsible for how the police handled this.
Thayne on November 15 at 4:23 p.m.
shawn 2121, I proudly served 20 years in the Marines and received an Honorable Discharge. I am very proud of my 2 son-in-laws who are police officers in another mid-west city. I think GOOD police officers should be lauded. I don’t think a bully with an ironwood baton that beats an innocent man is a GOOD cop.
Spokjoesho1 - The cascading events that Otto Zehm was subjected to started with an unwarranted beating and tasering by Thompson. If Thompson had started with questions instead of clubbing, none of the other actions would have taken place and Otto would have been able to get his candy bar and be alive today. If Thompson didn’t think he did anything wrong why did he and a host of others in the SPD and city government lie? Why did they try to get rid of the video? I can only hope the good LEOs in the SPD will finally grow spines and pressure the thugs in uniform to leave.
nslopeofw on November 15 at 4:50 p.m.
Shawn2121,
While i’m not a big fan of liberals, i think you are off base. I dont believe it a liberals against the cops thing. Its more of a citizen against corruption in the police force thing. Ask anyone who routinely posts on SR if they think i’m a liberal. I bet you they say i’m not. That said, I’m one of those who after seeing the zip trip video of Karl running in and beating the crap out of Otto, while Otto does nothing but try and get away from the “psychotic pain inflictor” that is attacking him for what reason he didnt know. Seeing Karl wacking away at Otto’s head, then zapping him, and beating him some more, proved to me that A.) Karl used excessive force, and B.) Otto did nothing to provoke this attack.
If Karls job was so stressful that he acted this way because of the violence that he supposedly faced every day, then he should have quit long ago. No one forces a cop to be a cop. They are trained well and paid well. If they cant handle the stress, then they need to find another job. I have nothing but respect for the LEO’s out there who do their job with integrity, but Karl Thompson was not one of them.
EthicsinLE on November 15 at 5:19 p.m.
I think Mr. Thompson did the prudent thing in resigning. Now that the trial is over, I’d like to see people move forward and stop festering on the same issues. Give the federal investigation, new mayor and new police chief time to work their course. It really does no good to beat a dead horse every day, other than promote more division, misinformation and mistrust. If you want change, engage yourself in the city government, don’t just sit at your desk and blog.
misjustice on November 15 at 5:59 p.m.
Lewis asked, “Since he was found guilty does that mean he returns the five years of salary he got for masquerading as a police officer?”
Excellent question. Can the City do a claw back?
Lewis on November 15 at 6:30 p.m.
EthicsinLE one small problem with your post we don’t have a new police chief we still have the half baked hen that has resigned.
MrBoosDad on November 15 at 6:33 p.m.
This crazy baton that someone gave the Klubber permission to keep and use should also be part of the practices inquiry. Other cops use special gloves, fighting gloves, for their special equipment…its makes the nightshift fights they look for go better for the cops. Maybe uniform should go back to meaning uniform.
Lewis on November 15 at 6:33 p.m.
MissJ exactly we had to pay Gay back lets see Karl pay us back.
What is good for the goose…….
i figure it is close to 400 grand, plus benefits.
misjustice on November 15 at 7:02 p.m.
The Koward cuts and runs to avoid his Loudermill interview.
Just like he filed for a deevorce to shield his property assets from a civil penalty. AND his”ex” wife (which he still lives with in “her” 675K house) got 1/2 of his retirement; effectively shielding 1/2 of that money from the civil penalty.
Is there nothing this Koward won’t do?
Traveler on November 15 at 7:09 p.m.
Misj, I gotta disagree with you here.
Not on his Kowardice, though.
And we certainly agree on his punishment. The Klubber will be going to jail for years — which is absolutely right and proper — and his police career is over, ended in disgrace — which is also right and proper.
But I don’t think his wife should be kicked out of her home and left penniless for his evildoing, unless she was at home encouraging him to go out and Klub some more. In which case she should be tried for conspiracy and punished appropriately.
misjustice on November 15 at 7:51 p.m.
She was supposed to sell it but she took it off the market; and allows him to live there rent free…it’s all a sham, and she is benefitting from it.
A sham perpetrated to make US have to pay for his fancy schmancy lawyer. She’s just as bad as he is because she went along with the sham and benefits from it.
If Karl the Klubber had to use his salary to pay for his own defense it would take money from the household; money that his wife would not have access to so she would suffer from having less money coming into the household.
And the reverse is true, here. WE have to pay for his defense because he is “indigent” meaning the “ex” wife gets to have access to the salary that comes into the household; money that could very well go to pay for his own damn defense.
Their deevorce is a sham and she is his co-conspirator; she benefits from the sham cooked up to bilk the taxpayers!
liveinfearoftheSPD on November 15 at 8:05 p.m.
@misjustice
I love your way of thinking. :)
misjustice on November 15 at 8:08 p.m.
@ liveinfear, it gets me into trouble sometimes! But I can’t help it! I calls ‘em likes I sees ‘em!
; )
Jethro_toll on November 15 at 8:33 p.m.
I hope the fine/restitution determined by Van Sickle includes the amount that the tax payers have paid for this indigents legal fees.
Anyone run a PDA/FOIA request on Karls room service/per diem for his hotel stay and if his wife shared the hotel that WE paid for?
Jethro_toll on November 15 at 8:33 p.m.
I hope the fine/restitution determined by Van Sickle includes the amount that the tax payers have paid for this indigents legal fees.
Anyone run a PDA/FOIA request on Karls room service/per diem for his hotel stay and if his wife shared the hotel that WE paid for?
ChiefsFan21 on November 15 at 8:50 p.m.
Yes such an honorable man shawn2121.A “CONVICTED FELON” who violated a mentally-ill challenged innocent persons rights which subsequently lead to his death.A man so honorable he was caught an became a CONVICTED “LIAR”.This man is so honorable he let his community flip the bill for his own crimes and even went as far as to throw a fake divorce party for us all.What a guy!!!!!! You should be so proud of your convicted felon.LOL
truthBknown on November 16 at 3:16 p.m.
I wonder if the accomplice and perpetrator of Otto’s death’s (Uberauga) wife will pull the same shinanigan’s as Karl the Klubber’s wife? And I also wonder if she now realizes how closely knit the SPD State Patrol, Sheriffs Office and City Police really are and that lovely hubby Uberuaga did indeed take photo’s of the Scotty’s tavern rape victim’s breasts right before he nailed her in her own car. I’ll bet she is finally starting to put two and two together after Ubrauga’s termination and subsequent re-hire (after the rape) and that she owes her husband’s income to the oh so corrupt Police Guild….I’ll bet her pretty little brow is becoming furled….