Milwaukee Police Officers Facing Charges After 2022 In-Custody Death

MILWAUKEE, WI — Two Milwaukee police officers are now facing felony charges related to abuse and misconduct after a 20-year-old died in custody at Police District No. 5 in 2022, according to court records and police.

Keishon Thomas, of Milwaukee, was found dead in a police district cell on February 23, 2022, police told reporters at the time. Soon after the death, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman told reporters the involved officers were suspended, noting "concerns."

Just over a year after the death now, a criminal complaint accused two officers of abuse of a resident of a penal facility and misconduct in office.

Related: 3 Milwaukee Police Officers Suspended After Man's Death

One complaint concluded that Officer Donald Krueger "neglected" the person who was confined at the station by failing to get medical attention despite seeing the inmate dry heave multiple times and despite being informed that the inmate recently ingested controlled substances.

The complaint also accused Officer Marco Lopez of making false entries on the official booking sheet of inmate checks and counts that never happened.

Lopez is currently on permanent suspension, police said in a release Friday. Krueger was also suspended after the incident, but he retired in 2022 with 25 years of service, police said.

"The Milwaukee Police Department holds all members to the highest degree of integrity and if any member violates the code of conduct they will be held accountable," said a statement from the department. "Our members must not discredit what this department stands for, particularly when taking an oath to preserve and protect life. The Milwaukee Police Department extends its deepest sympathies to the Thomas family on the loss of their loved one."

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