BPD chief: Officer disciplined for racial statement revealed at trial

Posted on January 9, 2015

Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner said the department does not condone the types of comments that were revealed at a battery trial in Bloomington. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Bloomington Police Department)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner said the officer who said he hoped a blacking stabbing victim quote "bleeds to death" has been disciplined, though he didn't specify what disciplinary action was taken.

The comments came out in the aggravated battery trial of 19-year-old Gabriella Calhoun. Police say Calhoun was involved in a large fight at the Denny's Restaurant on Eldorado Road in June of 2013.

In an audio recording played for the judge, Bloomington Sgt. Ed Schumaker told another officer – referring to the stabbing victim, "I hope he (expletive) bleeds to death."  Judge Casey Costigan ruled the jury would not hear the tape.

Chief Heffner said the department does not condone these types of comments and they do not reflect the department as a whole.

"We are deeply disturbed and saddened that one of our offices made such comments," Heffner said.

A group of local organizations and law enforcement agencies are hosting a community and police dialogue they are calling 'Breaking Barriers.' It will be on Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at City of Refuge Church in Bloomington.

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