Garrett Rolfe, the fired officer who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta last year, has been reinstated to the police force with back pay.
Rolfe was reinstated by the Atlanta Civil Service Board, 11 Alive News reported. The board released its decision Wednesday stating:
“Due to the City’s failure to comply with several provisions of the Code and the information received during witnesses’ testimony, the Board concludes the Appellant was not afforded his right to due process. Therefore, the Board GRANTS the Appeal of Garrett Rolfe and revokes his dismissal as an employee of the APD.”
Brooks was gunned down by Rolfe in a Wendy’s parking lot while fleeing from police on the night of June 12, 2020.
Brooks wrestled a taser away from Rolfe during the ensuing scuffle. Surveillance video shows Brooks turning and pointing the taser at Rolfe who then fired three shots, killing Brooks.
Brooks, 27, died from 3 gunshot wounds to the back. His death was ruled a homicide by the Fulton County Coroner’s Office. Rolfe was fired after officials determined the use of deadly force was not justifiable.
The shooting sparked riots and civil unrest in Atlanta and prompted calls by local Black Lives Matter activists to defund the police.
When Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined the protests to defund the police, APD officers called out sick and refused to respond to non-violent calls.
Mayor Bottoms further heightened tensions between city hall and the police union by attending Brooks’ star-studded funeral. She is pictured embracing Tomika Miller, mother of 3 of Brooks’ children.
Rolfe appealed his termination last year. He received donations from a fund created by conservative activist Candace Owens.
