MPD Response to June 15 Report from Interim Independent Police Monitor
The death of Richard Johnson in December of 2024 was incredibly unfortunate. Our sincere sympathies remain with Mr. Johnson's family and friends as they continue to grieve his passing.
The incident involving Madison Police Officers and Mr. Johnson on December 30, 2024, was investigated by the State of Wisconsin's Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) pursuant to SS 175.47 and was later sent by DCI investigators to the Dane County District Attorney's Office for review. On November 4, 2025, the Dane County District Attorney notified the MPD that he found no criminal culpability in the death of Mr. Johnson for the arresting officers.
The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office determined on September 10, 2025, that Mr. Johnson's cause of death was ruled complications of cocaine toxicity. In the State of Wisconsin, the role of the Medical Examiner is to determine cause and manner of death – no other position either at the state or local level (including the Interim Independent Police Monitor) can determine cause or manner of death. The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office is staffed by qualified medical doctors and functions as a neutral arbiter providing independent and unbiased medicolegal death investigations.
A review at the end of 2025 by the MPD's Professional Standards and Internal Affairs Office (PSIA) determined that the officers involved in this arrest acted within MPD policy and procedures, and current training and standards. All three officers were returned to full duty status. I support this decision.
I also support the officers involved who did everything that we train them to do and expect them to do in a situation like this one involving Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson was suspected of stealing a car that had an unsecured firearm inside of it and fled from officers on foot. He was physically restrained and was in a prone position for a short period of time while being handcuffed. Prior to transporting Mr. Johnson to the Dane County Jail, officers called EMS to have him evaluated when Mr. Johnson began having labored breathing. Mr. Johnson was evaluated by EMS. He declined additional testing to further evaluate his condition and declined transport to the hospital. Mr. Johnson was later found to be in medical distress upon arrival at the Dane County Jail. Emergency aid was provided by officers and EMS was called. EMS transported Mr. Johnson to the hospital where he remained until his passing a day later.
On June 9, 2026, the Interim Independent Police Monitor informed me that she had sought and obtained a second medical opinion in the death of Mr. Johnson. This opinion suggested that Mr. Johnson suffered from “Restraint Cardiac Arrest/Metabolic Acidosis," a theory he cited as contributing to Mr. Johnson's death. The opinion also noted other contributing factors. Upon learning this information, it was promptly shared with the Dane County District Attorney's Office and the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office.
The Interim Independent Police Monitor also identified a single use of profanity by one officer during the arrest that was identified but was not raised by our PSIA staff in their final review. This has since been addressed with the officer.
A portion of the video showing officers' physical arrest of Mr. Johnson is being released. This video begins after Mr. Johnson was tackled after running away from officers on foot. Two officers are seen holding Mr. Johnson until a third officer arrives to assist them with handcuffing. It was unknown to officers at this time whether Mr. Johnson was armed with the firearm that was reported to be in the stolen vehicle, or another weapon. Prone positioning and controlling a subject's head during handcuffing is a trained technique in the State of Wisconsin known as multiple officer ground handcuffing in the Defense and Arrest Tactics Manual.
Every police officer must train and be certified in training standards determined by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board. The Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) is a policy-making body attached to the Wisconsin Department of Justice under § 15.255, Wis. Stats. We have not seen any evidence suggesting that a knee was placed on Mr. Johnson's neck as was suggested today by the Interim Independent Police Monitor in her public comments. Her written report and that from the contracted medical doctor both state that the officer's knee was on Mr. Johnson's shoulder blades. We believe this trained technique with a knee briefly on Mr. Johnson's shoulder blades is seen in this video. Mr. Johnson can speak and move his head during this time. After he is helped to his feet and walking, he can also speak with officers.
Under § 165.85, Wis. Stats., the LESB is authorized to establish and enforce standards for professional employment, education, and training of law enforcement, tribal law enforcement, jail, and juvenile detention officers in Wisconsin. The Administrative Rules of the LESB are Chapters LES 1 - 9, Wis. Admin. Code.
The MPD must conform to LESB standards but is always open to new training developments, and new suggestions on policy, procedures and practices. Other videos will not be released due to medical privacy reasons.
Statement from Madison Police Department Chief John Patterson