Jesus Gillard

How they died

Less-than-lethal force

Bloomfield Township officers Scott Monkkonen, April Switala, James Gallagher and James Shoemaker responded to reports of a van ramming other vehicles and knocking over construction cones at around 5:45 p.m. When officers tried to stop the driver, Jesus Gillard, he allegedly struck a police car and drove off. The officers, joined by BTPD officer Sean Kelley, pursued the van into Troy where Gillard hit another other, got out and allegedly began assaulting police. Shoemaker tasered Gillard, but police said it had no effect. Shoemaker and Monkkonen hit Gillard with their batons, but said he kept coming at them. Troy officers Sean Morse, Michael Giordano, Christina Giovanni and Michael Meinzinger arrived. Morse tasered Gillard 10 times, Monkkonen tasered him twice and Meinzinger Tased him three times. Morse kneeled on Gillard's back as officers restrained him. About three minutes later, Troy Sgt. Frank Nastasi arrived and tried to communicate with Gillard, who did not respond.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Jesus Gillard, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources