Grand jury decides not to indict New Rochelle officer Stephen Geertgens in death of Samuel Cruz
Published: December 10, 2013 6:30 PM
WHITE PLAINS - A grand jury has decided not to indict New Rochelle officer Stephen Geertgens in the deadly shooting of an emotionally disturbed man.
New Rochelle police say Samuel Cruz, 48, was acting irrationally and came after police with a knife when officers entered his apartment in May, forcing them to open fire. Police were responding to a 911 call at Cruz's Hickory Street apartment.
Family members of Cruz are disappointed by the decision to not indict Geertgens.
"They're clearly not happy about this; they lost a loved one through no fault of their own. Now they have to bear this burden yet again, so its like a double injury," says the Cruz family's attorney, Randolph McLaughlin.
Relatives say they're fighting for justice because they believe Cruz was wrongfully killed. Cruz's family alleges proper procedures were not followed. They say he was off his bipolar medication, and lethal action was not necessary.
Geertgens, 36, is a 12-year veteran of the force. Police officials say he’s a highly decorated member of the critical incident unit and that it was the first time he fired his weapon on duty. The New Rochelle police commissioner said he was gratified by the decision, as he felt from the beginning that the shooting was justified. Geertgens is now back on full duty.
The Cruz family has filed a $21 million federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of New Rochelle. That case moves forward Dec. 19.