Ex-Pitt Police officer Rosfeld sues University, chief and Humphrey

By DONOVAN HARRELL

Former Pitt Police officer Michael Rosfeld, the officer who fatally shot Antwon Rose Jr. in June 2018, filed a civil complaint on Jan. 16. against Pitt, Pitt Police Chief James Loftus and Senior Vice Chancellor for Engagement Kathy Humphrey. 

The complaint alleges that the defendants violated his due process and the 14th Amendment when Pitt Police fired him on Jan. 18, 2018.

In the complaint, Rosfeld argued he was fired without just cause and in retaliation for an incident on Dec. 9, 2017, where he arrested Timothy Riley, Jacob Schilling and Daniel Humphrey, Kathy Humphrey’s son, in front of Garage Door Saloon.

Rosfeld, according to the complaint, is seeking lost wages and benefits dating back to Jan. 18, 2018 to the present. He’s also asking for reinstatement as a police officer.

Rosfeld was part of the now-disbanded East Pittsburgh Police Department when he fatally shot Rose after he fled a traffic stop on June 19, 2018. Rose was unarmed. Rosfeld was found not guilty in March 2019 of charges related to the shooting.

Timeline of key events:

Oct. 15, 2012: Rosfeld begins working as a Pitt Police officer.

Dec. 9, 2017: Rosfeld arrests Timothy Riley, Jacob Schilling and Daniel Humphrey, Senior Vice Chancellor for Engagement Kathy Humphrey’s son, in front of Garage Door Saloon.

Dec. 11, 2017: Rosfeld is placed on administrative leave.

Jan. 18, 2017: Pitt Police Chief James Loftus fires Rosfeld after an internal investigation.

June 19, 2018: Now an East Pittsburgh officer, Rosfeld fatally shoots unarmed Rose after Rose flees from a traffic stop.

June 26, 2018: Rosfeld is arrested and charged with criminal homicide.

July 2018: Schilling and Riley file a lawsuit claiming Rosfeld infringed on their civil rights and unjustly detained them in the incident outside the Garage Door Saloon the previous year. The lawsuit also names Pitt, Chief James Loftus and the Garage Door Saloon.

August 2018: The parents of Antwon Rose II file a federal wrongful death suit against Rosfeld, the borough of East Pittsburgh, its chief of police and its mayor.

Dec. 9, 2018: Federal court drops lawsuit from Schilling and Riley against Garage Door Saloon, its owner and parent company, the University of Pittsburgh, Rosfeld and Loftus.

Dec. 11, 2018: Michelle Kenny and Antwon Rose Sr., Rose’s parents, filed a lawsuit against Pitt last December, according to the Tribune-Review, alleging Pitt failed to disclose blemishes on Rosfeld’s employment record. Pitt denies the allegation.

March 23, 2019: Rosfeld is acquitted of all criminal charges after a four-day trial.

October 2019: A federal civil rights lawsuit brought by Rose’s family against East Pittsburgh and Rosfeld is settled for $2 million.

Jan. 16, 2020: Rosfeld files a civil complaint against Pitt, Loftus and Kathy Humphrey. 

Donovan Harrell is a writer for the University Times. Reach him at dharrell@pitt.edu or 412-383-9905.  

 

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