No Good Deed Goes Unpunished In Chicago

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In November of 2002 in downtown Chicago, a car raced through a stop sign at high-speed and crashed into the side of a CPD squad car. The crash trapped two police officers in their vehicle and the cars began to burn.

Horrified Chicagoans, unlike the stereotypical Southsiders, immediately began pulling the injured to safety before the vehicles could explode. Among the bystanders trying to save the officers lives was 41-year-old nurse Rachelle Jackson. Jackson was credited with saving the life of Officer Kelly Brogan who sustained injuries from the crash. Brogans partner, also injured, was knocked unconscious during the crash.

Soon after the rescue it was discovered that Officer Brogan's partner's side arm was missing. Mrs. Jackson, staying on the scene until medical personnel arrived was accused of the robbery and theft. The weapon was not found in Jackson's possession nor has it ever been recovered.

Jackson, wanting to clear her name, went to the local police station as a witness to the crime and not as a suspect. After walking into the Chicago police station Rachelle Jackson would remain in police custody for nearly a full year on suspicion of battery, robbery, theft and false informing - all as a result of attempting to save the lives of two injured police officer.

Days after the incident, in perhaps an attempt to save public face for the CPD, Officer Brogan accused Ms. Jackson of trying to steal her badge and gun during the rescue attempt. Consequentially, Jackson was given an extremely high bond during her arraignment. For the next 10 months she waited in the dark dungeon known as the Cook County jail for her trial.

When Jackson went to trial, the criminal case was thrown out. This came due to lack of evidence, no prior criminal record on her part and the fact that Ms. Jackson had spent 20 years as a positive member of the community as a medical professional.

In 2008, Rachelle Jackson won her law suit against the City of Chicago due to her wrongful arrest and imprisonment. The jury awarded originally her $7.9 million dollars in damages. This amount would be modified by the ruling judge, Judge Castillo, in 2009, to $1.9 million.

“This was an innocent woman who saved a police officer from a burning car,” said Jackson's lawyer, Chris Smith, who tried the civil case. “There were many heroes out there who helped the police, but they all turned into suspects because some guy ran away with the gun.”

References:
Chicago Tribune, Federal Jury Verdict
Reuters, Chicago Woman Wins $7.9 Million in Suit
Police America Blog, Chicago Woman Was Falsely Accused

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