Long-Time Police Officer Fired After Donating $25 To Kyle Rittenhouse Defense Fund
A police officer in Virginia — who has served on the force for 18 years — was reportedly fired recently for anonymously donating $25 for the legal defense of teenager Kyle Rittenhouse, accused of fatally shooting two people during a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin last August.
The police officer, Lt. William Kelly has been relieved of duty according to a statement from the city of Norfolk issued on Tuesday saying his donation “eroded public trust.”
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“City Manager Chip Filer has accepted the recommendation of Norfolk Police Chief Larry D. Boone and Lieutenant William Kelly has been relieved of duty,” it said.
“Chief Larry Boone and I have concluded Lt. Kelly’s actions are in violation of City and departmental policies. His egregious comments erode the trust between the Norfolk Police Department and those they are sworn to serve,” the city manager added.
A Norfolk, Va., police officer has been “relieved of duty” after he expressed support for Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse and donated to his defense fund.https://t.co/ucoro9U3qo
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 20, 2021
Boone said in response that the police force doesn’t “want perceptions of any individual officer to undermine the relations between the Norfolk Police Department and the community.”
The statement noted that on April 16, Kelly was initially placed on administrative duty after reports were made that he donated and expressed support for the actions of the then 17-year old Rittenhouse, who is charged with multiple felonies, including homicide.
Rittenhouse is accused of fatally shooting two anti-racism protesters and injuring a third after he opened fire at a riot last year against the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The teen is, however, facing potential life imprisonment.
In November last year, bail was set at $2 million but after conservative-fueled fundraising efforts, the group collected $2 million to cover his bail, he was released from jail in November.
The prosecutors, however, asked a judge for a new arrest warrant after he allegedly violated his bail conditions.
News of Kelly’s firing comes just days after The Guardian published a story listing public employees “who donated to various funds on a Christian crowdfunding website called GiveSendGo, which has been the target of a data breach.”
A report from The Guardian based on a data breach shows donations from some government employees to support Kyle Rittenhouse. https://t.co/wDhHnrusef
— Kenosha News (@Kenosha_News) April 16, 2021
Kelley was among four public employees who have donated to Rittenhouse’s legal defense through a Christian crowdfunding website.
In his donation, Kelly reportedly wrote: “God bless. Thank you for your courage. Keep your head up. You’ve done nothing wrong. Every rank and file police officer supports you. Don’t be discouraged by actions of the political class of law enforcement leadership.”
“Kelly’s anonymous donation via a city email address was made public by The Guardian. As highlighted by Daily Wire investigative reporter … The left-wing outlet used data breached from charity website GiveSendGo to dox numerous low-level police officers and paramedics who made small donations to help colleagues targeted by Black Lives Matter,” the left-wing publication wrote.
Chip noted that a review of the internal investigation of the donation found that Kelly violated city and departmental policies, according to The New York Post.
Various reports noted that Rittenhouse has become a “rallying symbol” for conservatives upset by the destruction of property during protests this year over police brutality.
Kelly — who served as the executive officer of NPD’s internal affairs division, could however appeal the decision.The
