A former Kansas police officer, Conner Thompson, received two prestigious valor awards for his actions during the fatal shooting of Brandon Lynch, a 27-year-old man with a documented history of mental health crises. The commendations from law enforcement groups occurred amidst a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by Lynch’s family, which alleges that Thompson unnecessarily escalated the situation and used excessive force during the encounter on New Year’s Eve 2022.
One award, a “Gold Award for Uncommon Valor,” was presented by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police just two days before the lawsuit was filed. The circumstances around the shooting were described in the award narratives, emphasizing Thompson and his partner’s response to a disturbance call from Lynch’s sister, who reported assault and expressed concerns about her brother’s mental state. The narratives noted that Lynch was armed with a knife and a Taser and allegedly advanced towards the officers, prompting Thompson to fire his weapon.
However, the narratives omitted crucial details such as Lynch’s mental health crisis and previous interactions with law enforcement, raising concerns about the appropriateness of the officers’ response. While the district attorney concluded that Thompson acted within his rights during the encounter, the family’s legal representation has refrained from commenting on the suit or the awards.
Awards granted to Thompson in incidents involving fatal shootings have drawn criticism, as seen in other cases of officer-involved fatalities. The situation highlights a broader debate about law enforcement responses to mental health crises and the appropriateness of commendations in such circumstances.
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