Lewis Kelly Reindl

How they died

Less-than-lethal force

Lewis Kelly Reindl died from an infection more than 8 months after being beaten by officer James Bridges. Bridges had stopped Reindl as he left the Ten Penny Restaurant for driving without headlights. Reindl got out and walked around to the passenger side to get his registration and insurance information from the glove box. His survivors said Reindl was "exceedingly heavy" and thus could not physically reach across the front seat to get the documents. Bridges told Reindl to get back into his car. Reindl started to approach Bridges, who pepper sprayed Reindl and hit him with his baton. Other officers arrived and Reindl said he was having trouble breathing. Reindl was hospitalized. Within a week, Reindl allegedly suffered from an infection in the leg that bore the brunt of the assault and only partially recovered, then suffered a second infection several months later which ultimately caused his death on August 25, 2003.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources