Police Board Fires Cop Accused Of Pulling Gun On Cabbie
(CBS) – A veteran Chicago cop has been fired, after a run-in with a cab driver five years ago.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports.
Karl Clermont recalls the booze-fueled encounter he had with an off-duty Chicago police detective in April 2009. He drove the man he says was obviously drunk to Armitage and Damen.
The passenger left the cab and refused to pay the eight dollar fare.
"So he goes like he's going in his pocket and I think now he's going to pay me," Clermont says. "He pulls out a weapon and draws it at me directly and says to me, 'You choose. Either I don't owe you (expletive) or you get out of the car and see what happens."
He says he had this thought: "This is the way I'm going to die. I'm going to get killed for eight bucks."
As the passenger walked off into a nearby alley, Clermont called 911. Police arrived, located the man in the alley and found the gun and a badge in his pocket.
Later, Chicago Police Det. John Killackey was convicted of misdemeanors -- aggravated assault and theft of services. He was sentenced to 18 months' probation.
Thursday was the final act. The Chicago Police Board voted to fire Killackey.
Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy looked on.
"He shouldn't be a cop. He's not fit," Clermont said.
