More Fullerton Officers on Leave after Fatal Scuffle

Fullerton - Five Fullerton police officers involved in a fatal scuffle with a 37-year-old homeless man were placed today on paid administrative leave, bringing to six the number of officers taken off the job since the July 5 confrontation.

The five officers were assigned to desk duty following the attempted arrest of Kelly Thomas, but it was decided today that all of the officers should be put on leave, said Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich.

They will remain on leave for the duration of the Orange County District Attorney's investigation, Goodrich said. In a separate investigation, the FBI is looking into whether the officers violated Thomas' civil rights.

If the officers violate any of the rules of the leave then they would stop drawing a salary, Goodrich said.

If FBI agents conclude that Thomas' civil rights were violated then they will forward their findings to the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. It would be up to federal prosecutors to decide if charges should be filed, Eimiller said.

Fullerton police welcome the review, Goodrich said.

Thomas, who had a history of mental illness, struggled with police as they tried to arrest him about 8:30 p.m. July 5 at the Fullerton Transportation Center, 123 S. Pomona Ave.

The six officers were trying to arrest Thomas on suspicion of possessing stolen goods, Goodrich said. They were called to the Metrolink station parking lot to investigate a complaint of a man trying to break into vehicles, Goodrich added.

Thomas matched the description of the suspect and officers started talking to him, Goodrich said. They found evidence that he was in possession of stolen property from a burglary, he said.

However, when they tried to pat him down to arrest him, Thomas spun away and started fighting with the officers, Goodrich said.

Thomas was hospitalized following the confrontation, and his family had him disconnected from life-support machines July 10, Goodrich said.

The autopsy of Thomas was inconclusive, and investigators are waiting he results of toxicology reports, according to the Orange County Sheriff's-Coroner's Office.