APD Firing Officer Kimbrough Tasing Death Hollman Settlement

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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The tragic death of Deacon Johnny Hollman after a minor traffic stop in Atlanta sent shockwaves through our community. An encounter that began over a traffic ticket ended with a Taser deployment and a life lost. Recently, the Atlanta Civil Service Board made a significant decision. They upheld the firing of Officer Kiran Kimbrough, the officer involved.

This ruling confirms the Atlanta Police Department’s initial finding that Kimbrough violated standard operating procedures (SOPs). The board’s investigation focused on Kimbrough’s actions during the August 10, 2023, incident. Subsequently, the details emerging paint a troubling picture of escalation and missed opportunities for de-escalation.

Board Upholds Police Officer Firing Decision

The Atlanta Civil Service Board delivered a clear message by upholding Officer Kiran Kimbrough’s termination. They determined his violation of department rules was serious. The board specifically pointed to Kimbrough’s choice to arrest Deacon Hollman for refusing to sign a traffic citation. Critically, he did this without waiting for a supervisor as required by APD policy in such situations (Officer firing upheld in Deacon Johnny Hollman police tasing death). This failure to follow procedure was deemed “willful and deliberate.”

Furthermore, the board found no evidence that Deacon Hollman posed an immediate threat. Reports indicate Hollman initially complied by providing ID and moving away from the accident scene (Atlanta board denies appeal of officer fired over deadly traffic stop). Kimbrough himself noted Hollman was “completely avoiding contact.” Given Hollman’s age (62) and known health issues like heart disease and obesity, the board concluded the physical struggle was foreseeably dangerous (Atlanta board upholds firing of officer after Taser use contributed to Deacon Johnny Hollman’s death). Therefore, reinstating Kimbrough was considered “too lenient” (Atlanta city board upholds firing of officer over tasing death of church …).

Understanding the Civil Service Board Ruling Role

Civil Service Boards, like the one in Atlanta that reviewed Kimbrough’s case, play a vital role in police personnel matters. Their purpose extends beyond just individual cases. Generally, these boards are established to ensure fairness and adherence to standards in public safety departments. For instance, Louisiana’s municipal fire and police civil service boards are five-member panels tasked with administering personnel standards (2476. Municipal fire and police civil service boards).

These boards typically advise governing bodies and enforce civil service laws. Their authority often includes creating classification plans and investigating employee conduct (OPERATION OF A MUNICIPAL FIRE AND POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD). They represent the public interest in personnel administration (Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Board). In the Atlanta case, the board exercised its authority by reviewing the facts and upholding the termination based on violations of departmental SOPs, effectively enforcing APD’s own rules.

Tragic Outcome of Traffic Stop Death

The final moments of Deacon Johnny Hollman’s life are profoundly disturbing. Body camera footage revealed a struggle during the attempted arrest. Hollman repeatedly pleaded, “I can’t breathe,” a phrase chillingly familiar in encounters involving police force (Atlanta board upholds firing of officer after Taser use contributed to Deacon Johnny Hollman’s death). Shortly after Officer Kimbrough deployed his Taser, Hollman became unresponsive.

Subsequently, the Fulton County Medical Examiner ruled Hollman’s death a homicide. The primary cause listed was cardiac dysrhythmia resulting from the Taser deployment. However, his pre-existing conditions, including hypertensive cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes mellitus, were cited as significant contributing factors (Officer firing upheld in Deacon Johnny Hollman police tasing death). This highlights the immense risk involved when force is used against individuals with known health vulnerabilities, especially our elders.

Officer Termination Appeal Denied Amid Scrutiny

Officer Kimbrough’s background was also examined during the appeal process. He was relatively inexperienced, having joined the Atlanta Police Department in March 2021 with no prior experience in law enforcement. His record wasn’t clean either. It included a one-day suspension for a vehicle crash and official reprimands related to three different citizen complaints (Atlanta board upholds firing of officer after Taser use contributed to Deacon Johnny Hollman’s death). This history raised questions about his judgment and adherence to protocol even before the fatal encounter with Deacon Hollman.

During the appeal, Kimbrough’s attorney argued he was legally obligated to arrest Hollman for refusing to sign the citation. However, this justification clashes with the board’s findings about SOP violations. Furthermore, the Atlanta Police Department itself later changed its policy. The department now directs officers not to arrest individuals solely for refusing to sign a traffic ticket (Atlanta board upholds firing of officer after Taser use contributed to Deacon Johnny Hollman’s death). Although this policy change came after Hollman’s death, it underscores the questionable necessity of the arrest that led to the fatal confrontation.

Police Misconduct Settlement & Ongoing Investigations

The consequences of Deacon Hollman’s death extend beyond Officer Kimbrough’s employment. Recognizing the gravity of the situation and likely civil liability, the Atlanta City Council took action. In May 2024, they approved a significant $3.8 million settlement with the Hollman family (Atlanta board upholds firing of officer after Taser use contributed to Deacon Johnny Hollman’s death). This settlement resolves the civil claims brought by the family against the city, acknowledging the profound loss and the circumstances surrounding it.

However, the financial settlement does not mark the end of potential legal proceedings for Kimbrough. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) conducted its own inquiry into the incident. They have since submitted their findings to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (Atlanta board denies appeal of officer fired over deadly traffic stop). Consequently, Kimbrough could still face criminal charges related to Deacon Hollman’s death. The decision on whether to pursue prosecution rests with the DA’s office, and that determination is still pending.

The death of Deacon Johnny Hollman serves as a painful reminder of the potential dangers inherent in police encounters, particularly for Black citizens and those with health vulnerabilities. The Civil Service Board’s decision to uphold Officer Kimbrough’s firing reaffirms that procedural violations, especially those resulting in tragedy, have consequences. Still, the community awaits the District Attorney’s decision regarding potential criminal charges, seeking full accountability.

Ultimately, this case underscores the crucial importance of adhering to de-escalation policies, accurately assessing risk factors such as age and health, and strictly following departmental procedures. The subsequent policy change regarding arrests for citation refusal is a step. Still, the loss of Deacon Hollman underscores the high stakes involved in every interaction and the imperative for ongoing reform and oversight in policing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.