Family, attorneys disappointed in exoneration of Tacoma police officers

Two Tacoma police officers involved in the death of Manuel Ellis were exonerated on Tuesday and welcomed back to active duty.

2 Tacoma officers involved in death of Manuel Ellis exonerated following investigation

Manny Ellis’ family and the family’s attorneys are disappointed in the outcome of the Tacoma Police Department’s internal investigation.

“To watch someone die on the street, handcuffed, hogtied, with a mask over his head — to the point where they’re no longer breathing — and you offer no medical assistance whatsoever, how was that not a policy violation?” asked the family’s attorney, Matthew A. Ericksen Sr. “The police are supposed to serve and protect.”

Manny Ellis, 33, repeatedly told officers he couldn’t breathe as he was restrained. He died in the street on March 3, 2020, just weeks before the death of George Floyd triggered a nationwide response.

The Pierce County medical examiner called Ellis’ death a homicide because of a lack of oxygen caused by restraint, with an enlarged heart and methamphetamine intoxication as contributing factors.

TPD reported that Officer Ford took hold of Ellis’ legs so that he could be detained in a restraint. Later, Ford helped roll Ellis into a recovery position when he stated that he couldn’t breathe. He was also the first officer to let medical personnel that Ellis’ condition was deteriorating.

Farinas had placed a spit hood over Ellis’ face, but was said to have had “no other contact” with him.

“At the time of the application, officers on scene, including Officer Farinas, were concerned about a possible biohazard exposure due to Mr. Ellis spitting near officers,” a statement from TPD reads. “Officer Farinas was familiar with how a spit hood worked and volunteered to retrieve one and apply it.”

Cop on I-940 passing: Officers will be served on a platter for prosecution

Ellis’ final words — “I can’t breathe, sir!” — were captured on a home security camera, as was the response from one of the officers that night: “Shut the (expletive) up, man.”

“They were supposed to de-escalate the situation,” said Jamika Scott, with Tacoma Action Collective. “I’m confused on what policies they’re saying weren’t violated because that’s a very clear law that was passed in Washington state. Apparently, the Tacoma Police Department is above Washington state law.”

Scott is referring to Initiative 940, which requires police to receive de-escalation and mental health training, and requires that officers must provide first aid at the scene. Voters passed I-940 in November 2018.

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