McClain, 23, was pronounced dead Aug. 27, 2019 – a few days after he went into cardiac arrest following a struggle with Aurora Police officers.
AURORA, Colo. — The Aurora Police Department has fired two of the three officers who took photographs depicting a choke hold in front of the memorial for Elijah McClain, who died after a confrontation with officers in August 2019.
A third officer was fired for his response to the photos that he received in a text message, and another officer involved resigned Thursday, before his punishment could be handed down.
“I speak for all men and women of the Aurora Police Department to say we are ashamed, we are sickened and we are angry about what we have to share with you,” Interim APD Chief Vanessa Wilson said at a news conference Friday, where she shared the process of the investigation and the news of the terminations.
“While the allegations of this internal affairs case are not criminal, it is a crime against humanity and decency. To even think about doing such a thing is beyond comprehension,” she said. “It shows a lack of morals, values and integrity, and judgment. I can no longer trust to allow them to wear this badge.”
Wilson offered an apology to McClain’s family, friends and the community over the incident.
According to documents released by the Aurora Police Department (APD) on Friday, the photos were texted to Officer Jason Rosenblatt, who responded with “HaHa.” Rosenblatt was one of the three officers who responded the night of McClain’s death. Wilson said he was fired for his “utter inability to do the right thing” when he was involved in the incident with McClain.
The officers depicted in the photos were identified by APD as Erica Marrero, Kyle Dittrich and Jaron Jones. Jones resigned from the department Thursday. Wilson said Jones’ file shows he was to be terminated.
Marrero and Dittrich both responded to the scene the night of McClain’s death, documents show, but arrived after his deadly confrontation with officers.
According to APD, the photos were taken Oct. 20, 2019, in the 1700 block of Billings Street. The three officers were on-duty and had just completed a call in the area when they took the photos near McClain’s memorial. Wilson said when questioned, the officers said they took photos to “cheer up a friend.”
