One of the officers involved in the Breonna Taylor case sent a strongly worded email to more than 1,000 of his colleagues early Tuesday morning (September 22), defending his actions during the March 13 raid that resulted in the death of Taylor.
Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, one of three officers, along with detectives Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison, who fired their weapons while executing a "no-knock" search warrant on Taylor’s apartment, additionally criticized Mayor Greg Fischer, as well as other city officials, for failing "all [Louisville Metro police officers] in epic proportions for their own gain and to cover their a**es.”
“You DO NOT DESERVE to be in this position,” he wrote in the six-paragraph email, which was first reported by Vice News correspondent Roberto Aram Ferdman. “The position that allows thugs to get in your face and yell, curse and degrade you. Throw bricks bottles and urine on you and expect you to do nothing.” Mattingly added, "It goes against EVERYTHING we were all taught in the academy. The position that if you make a mistake during one of the most stressful times in your career, the department and FBI (who aren’t cops and would piss their pants if they had to hold the line) go after you for civil rights violations. Your civil rights mean nothing, but the criminal has total autonomy."
Mattingly, who remains on administrative leave, also wrote that "this is not an us against society, but it is good versus evil."
He concluded the email by defending his actions on March 13, writing, "Regardless of the outcome today or Wednesday, I know we did the legal, moral and ethical thing that night. It’s sad how the good guys are demonized, and criminals are canonized. Put that aside for a while, keep your focus and do your jobs that you are trained and capable of doing. Don’t put up with their sh*t, and go home to those lovely families and relationships."
Mattingly attorney's Kent Wicker, confirmed the authenticity of the email in a statement, saying, "Sgt. Mattingly sent an email to his colleagues last evening, expressing his support for them and their work in these difficult times. As you know, Sgt. Mattingly was shot and severely wounded while serving this warrant. Like our entire community, he is hopeful that this process moves forward quickly, and that his fellow officers and the people of Louisville remain safe."
The email was sent ahead of a decision from Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in regards to the Taylor case. On Monday (September 21), Mayor Fischer issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of a decision. According to a statement from his office, the order was put in place "due to the potential for civil unrest, which allows him to exercise any of his emergency powers, including those to hire or contract for services, and implementing curfews and other restrictions."
Read the full text of Mattingly's email below, per Wave 3 News:
LMPD Family,
I’m not here to give you a Rah Rah you got this speech. I’m not here to tell you that you signed up to help this community and to keep your head up. I’m here to tell you I’m sorry you have to go through this. I’m sorry your families have to go through this. I’m sorry the Mayor, Amy Hess and Chief Conrad failed all of us in epic proportions for their own gain and to cover their asses.
You DO NOT DESERVE to be in this position. The position that allows thugs to get in your face and yell, curse and degrade you. Throw bricks, bottles and urine on you and expect you to do nothing. It goes against EVERYTHING we were all taught in the academy. The position that if you make a mistake during one of the most stressful times in your career, the department and FBI (who aren’t cops and would piss their pants if they had to hold the line) go after you for civil rights violations. Your civil rights mean nothing, but the criminal has total autonomy.
We all signed up to be police officers. We knew the risks and were willing to take them, but we always assumed the city had your back. We wanted To do the right thing in the midst of an evil world to protect those who cannot protect themselves. To enforce laws that make it possible to live in a peaceful society. We as police DO NOT CARE if you are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, what you identify as … this week. We aren’t better than anyone. This is not an us against society, but it is good versus evil. We are sons, daughters, husbands, wives, parters (sic), brothers, sisters, dads and moms. We are human beings with flaws, feelings and emotions.
Now I’m just rambling, but I want you to know that I’m still proud to be a cop. To be an LMPD cop. No matter the ineptitude in upper command or the mayors office, this is one of the greatest jobs on earth. With that being said these next few days are going to be tough. They are going to be long, they are going to be frustrating. They will put a tremendous amount of stress on your families. Do not let your ego get you in a trick bag. Have your partners 6. De escalate if possible. DO NOT give the pencil pushers at the top, you know the ones who are too scared to hold the line, a reason to open investigations on you. The same ones that couldn’t make decisions to save their lives. We need leaders that lead from the front and not in a room under a desk. Do what you need to do to go home you (sic) your family. Just do it with dignity and make sure you can justify your actions because everything down there is recorded.
I don’t know a lot of you guys/gals but I’ve felt the love. Regardless of the outcome today or Wednesday, I know we did the legal, moral and ethical thing that night. It’s sad how the good guys are demonized, and criminals are canonized. Put that aside for a while, keep your focus and do your jobs that you are trained and capable of doing. Don’t put up with their shit, and go home to those lovely families and relationships.
I wish I were there with you leading the charge. I’ll be praying for your safety. Remember you are just a pawn in the Mayors political game. I’m proof they do not care about you or your family, and you are replaceable. Stay safe and do the right thing. YOU ARE LOVED AND SUPPORTED by most of the community. Now go be the Warriors you are, but please be safe! None of these “peaceful” protesters are worth your career or freedom. God speed boys and girls.
Sgt. John Mattingly
Photo: Louisville Metro Police Department