Approximately 200 people rallied outside the City-County Building Jan. 12 to protest the Madison Police Department investigation into the death of Madison resident Paul Heenan who was shot by Madison police Nov. 9.
The November incident occurred when Officer Stephen Heimsness responded to a 911 call of a possible burglary in progress on the 500 block of South Baldwin where he saw Heenan and a neighbor grappling.
Heenan, who was a new resident to the neighborhood, was perceived as a robber after entering the wrong house. The officer eventually shot Heenan after he reached for the officer’s gun, according to a press release from Police Chief Noble Wray.
Those who rallied that Saturday made demands to the MPD for an independent internal investigation process, revisions to the “antiquated” statutes regarding lethal force situations and the removal of Officer Heimsness from the department, said rally organizer Sam Stevenson.
Following an MPD internal investigation, Wray exonerated Heimsness, according to an MPD press release. In situations involving the discharge of a firearm, the police department conducts an internal investigation to judge if lethal force was warranted.
Stevenson said he takes issue with the way the MPD handled the incident, stating it “has been inherently biased and an insult to justice and transparency.”
According to Stevenson, big problems were the discrepancies and the omission of eyewitness testimony in the report given to the district attorney for review.
“The police didn’t really talk much about witness accounts, particularly [Heenan’s neighbor] Kevin O’Mally’s account of events,” Stevenson said. “...It’s evident that [the district attorney] wasn’t privy to all the relevant information that was available...[before making a decision on Heimsness].”
But according to Wray, Heimsness’ handling of the situation with the use of deadly force was consistent with MPD training because the officer was in fear of his life. His opinion was verified by the Training and Standards Bureau who conducted the investigation.
Stevenson said he expects similar rallies to occur until the protesters’ demands are met.
“I think that some people are upset about this incident, some are looking for a more substantial response from the MPD...but [we’re] enthusiastic about the demands that were being made,” Stevenson said.
