After donating to Kyle Rittenhouse’s defense fund, a Virginia cop was arrested.
A Virginia police officer was shot Tuesday after contributing to a legal defense fund for Kenosha gunman Kyle Rittenhouse.
According to The Guardian, Norfolk Police Lt. William Kelly voluntarily donated $25 to a Rittenhouse fundraiser in September, using his city email address.
The donation was reportedly accompanied by a note that read, “God bless.” We appreciate your fortitude. Maintain an upright posture. You have committed no wrong.”
The message added, “Every rank and file police officer stands by you.” “Do not be intimidated by the political class’s actions toward law enforcement leadership.”
Chip Filer, Norfolk’s city manager, said Tuesday that he had reviewed an internal inquiry into the incident and found that Kelly had violated city and department policies, according to local station WAVY-TV.
“His egregious remarks erode credibility between the Norfolk Police Department and the community they are sworn to serve,” Filer said in a statement Tuesday.
“The City of Norfolk has a code of conduct that all workers must follow, and we will keep employees accountable.”
Police Chief Larry Boone said in his own speech that the force does not “want the biases of any particular officer to jeopardize ties between the Norfolk Police Department and the community.”
Chip Filer, Norfolk’s city manager, said that William Kelly’s “egregious remarks erode confidence in the Norfolk Police Department and the community they are sworn to represent.”
Kelly was an 18-year department veteran who had served as executive officer of internal affairs for the previous two months, according to the study.
He has the right to appeal the decision terminating his employment.
Rittenhouse, 18, has been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the shooting deaths of two people and wounding of a third on Aug. 25 during a rally in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Since November, the boy, who has pleaded not guilty, has been free on $2 million bail donated by supporters. His trial is scheduled to begin on November 1.
