Two Milwaukee cops charged in police holding cell death of drug suspect Keishawn Thomas

Two Milwaukee police officers were charged Friday in the holding cell death of Kishawn Thomas last year.

Thomas, 20, was The body was found inside the police station number 5 of the city In February 2022. Officer Donald Kruger was charged with aggravated abuse of a person in custody, while his colleague Marco Lopez was charged with misconduct in office.

On the morning of February 23, 2022, police picked up Thomas on a warrant and took him to the District 5 station. Thomas told Krueger that he had consumed cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy, according to prosecutors. He was visibly sick, parched and sweating.

Kruger promised Thomas he would call an ambulance, but he never did, prosecutors said. Instead, Thomas remained in a holding cell for several hours — during which time Lopez took over for Krueger on booking duties.

Shortly after Thomas’ death, Milwaukee police said Kruger and Lopez conducted “multiple cell checks.” But prosecutors say Lopez missed 10 checks on Thomas’ cell.

At 6:00 p.m. that day, police found Thomas sick and near death. Twenty minutes later he was pronounced dead in his cell. An autopsy listed his cause of death as acute mixed drug intoxication.

Both Kruger and Lopez were suspended following the incident. Krueger later retired, while Lopez remained suspended.

Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney hired by Thomas’ family, said, “Casion’s death could have been prevented if the officers responsible for his arrest had followed protocol. “The role of police officers is to help people, but when Kishon needed help the most, he was ignored and died.”

With News Wire Service