Kenneth “Ken” Hamilton
Less-than-lethal force
Ken Hamilton reportedly suffered a massive head injury on March 20 after officer Andrew Thomas Ringeisen pushed him down a flight of stairs. At about 10:45 p.m., police had responded to a road rage incident in which a motorist used flashing lights and a siren on a Jeep. The officers knew Hamilton had a similar other and went to his home. A verbal confrontation ensued and Ringeisen pushed Hamilton down the stairs. The officers then left the scene. Hamilton's brother found him and Hamilton died at a hospital March 25. Ringeisen pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison. According to St. Louis County DA Robert P. McCulloch, Ringeisen's actions were reckless but not intentional. The city settled a lawsuit with the family for $1.1. million in 2011.