On September 14, 2014 Officers responded to 229 Naval Air Station Drive in reference to a shooting. Officer D. Jimenez and Senior Officer M. Smotherman responded to the location and began to assist. A video of the incident, captured on the In-Car camera system, showed that the suspect involved in the shootings was under arrest and being detained by other officers. The video showed that Officer Jimenez and Senior Officer Smotherman used excessive force while taking the suspect into custody.
An Internal Affairs investigation was initiated on September 17, 2014 for Excessive Force and Violation of Law on both officers. After an Internal Affairs investigation, that included interviews of seventeen officers and three civilian witnesses, the department concluded that Officer Jimenez and Senior Officer Smotherman used Excessive Force during the incident.
Today I took the following administrative action regarding the officer involved misconduct:
I accepted the resignation of Officer Daniel C. Jimenez #10732 in lieu of termination. He was hired in April 2010 and assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Senior Officer Michael S. Smotherman #6707, was suspended without pay for his actions. He was hired in January 2008 and assigned to the Uniform Division.
While the administrative investigation is complete the criminal investigation, conducted by the Department of Justice, continues. There will be no further information released by the Corpus Christi Police Department or the City of Corpus Christi at this time.
On a personal note, this was one of the toughest decisions that I have had to make during my nearly 30 years as a police officer. In essence, I find myself having to defend the civil rights of a man who, through self-admission, killed three defenseless members of our community and severely injured a child. While this was a difficult decision it’s one that I had to make. This department is charged with delivering exceptional police services that are at all times professional, legitimate and procedurally justified in the eyes of our profession and, most of all, the citizens of our community. As a department we must be accountable to those whom we serve, each and every day.
I commend the other officers at the scene who boldly rushed in, acted bravely in their search, administered aid, took the suspect into custody and secured the crime scene. In their actions they displayed a commitment to excellence and professionalism and maintained a high standard of integrity.
Floyd Simpson
Chief of Police
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