Opinion ID: 2971941
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Internal Investigation

Text: The Internal Affairs Division of the Chattanooga Police Department, headed by Captain Janet Crumley, conducted an investigation of the shooting. Based upon her review of Sergeant Russell’s investigative report, Crumley determined that the shooting was justified. At the time of the report, Thomas and his wife were unwilling to give Crumley their statements. Crumley noted the relevant facts in the report, but included that officer Abernathy had issued a verbal warning through the closed door. Crumley concluded that “Officer Abernathy fired his weapon to protect Heather Thomas from what he reasonably believed to be an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death,” and that “[h]is actions were in compliance with Department Policy.” Crumley’s determination was reviewed and approved by the Chief of Police. Upon later questioning, Crumley was told that officer Abernathy might not have announced himself or issued a warning prior to shooting Thomas. Crumley maintained that the shooting was justified because the facts still indicated that officer Abernathy perceived Thomas as an immediate threat to his wife. In her deposition, Crumley was asked how she would decide, hypothetically, ten separate cases that were each identical to Thomas’s situation, and Crumley responded that she would decide each case the same way she decided this case. Eric and Heather Thomas did not sue officer Abernathy in any capacity; rather, they chose to sue the Chattanooga Police Department under a municipal liability theory. The City of Chattanooga moved for summary judgment against the Thomases. In response, the Thomases relied on affidavits from their expert witness, Phillip Davidson, who had experience with police operations. The City supported its motion with three affidavits from police officials familiar with the Department’s policies and practices. All of these officials denied the existence of any policy in the Department condoning the use of unlawful excessive force. The district court determined that the plaintiffs had not presented a genuine issue of any material fact and granted the City’s motion for summary judgment.