“He was later escorted out by police officers because we called out for them,” she said. When the first speaker began talking, Heron began to talk loudly over him, said Morris.Īfter demonstrators threatened to have him removed, they decided to give him another chance – to which he continued to speak over the speaker and was “belligerent,” she said.
While most were lying face down on the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in honor of Floyd, others kneeled, said Williams. He owes the community AN APOLOGY."Ī video of Heron could not be published because the owner of the video did not respond to having their video used for this story. It’s almost like he wanted something to happen. Williams was one of the first people to sign the petition, writing, "I am pretty proud that this event remained peaceful - all until this man showed up DRUNK. Sawyer did not immediately return a request for comment. All police officers swear under oath 'I will keep my personal life unsullied as an example to all.' and Jim Heron clearly shows in this video he is incapable of this." The description in part reads, "This man is a disgrace to our community and needs to be removed from the police force. Milford’s protest march: ‘We have the ability to change’.
As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, more than 1,060 people have signed the petition, which is requesting 1,500 signatures. There is already a petition on created to strip Heron of his badge based on his actions that Sunday. If the department attempts to restrain Heron’s First Amendment rights - namely the freedom to assembly - Horn said they will fight against it.
Police Chief Michael Pighetti issued a statement on Tuesday in which he suggested disciplinary action may be taken. Still, because Heron was off-duty, Horn said he’s allowed to engage in any lawful activity, and said he doesn’t see an employment issue resulting from the incident. I think we’re missing the most important point, which was that he there to support that rally."Īfter seeing the videos of himself, Heron does regret his actions, said Horn. “He has the exact same rights as everyone else to enjoy his day off as he sees fit. Heron was off-duty and was not acting as a police officer,” he said. But he was off-duty at the time of the incident, which means Heron was allowed to be on the property just as much as anyone else, said Horn. “I’ve seen some of the videos – does he look like he’s had too much to drink? Yes,” said Horn, of Horn & O’Loughlin Attorneys at Law. But his attorney Ernest Horn says Heron is remorseful over the incident. The Daily News was unsuccessful in its efforts to reach Heron. After she loses her balance, a red-faced Heron attempts to hold her up and help her raise both her arms up again while struggling himself. The video, posted on Facebook by another user, shows Heron kneeling with his fist raised, leaning on a woman – with both her arms raised - as he struggles to find his balance.
They were stumbling and almost fell over a few times.” “They couldn’t stand up straight or sit down properly. “He was very clearly intoxicated and his girlfriend was too,” said Victoria Williams, who attended the vigil on Sunday. Jim Heron, who was demoted from his past position as deputy chief of the Milford Police Department, was recorded by a person attending the vigil on Sunday afternoon in Milford. MILFORD – A video is spreading on social media of an off-duty Milford Police officer who witnesses allege was drunk at a vigil honoring the life of George Floyd on Sunday afternoon in Milford.