Watch CBS News

Judge Upholds Firing Of Cop In Offensive "Hunting" Photo

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Cook County judge refused to give a former Chicago police officer his job back on Wednesday, after he was fired more than 10 years after posing for an offensive photo that made it look like he and another officer had just hunted and killed an African-American man.

Circuit Court Judge Thomas Allen upheld the Chicago Police Board's decision last year to fire Officer Timothy McDermott, who years ago – along with a second officer – had posed for a picture while holding hunting rifles, and crouching over a black man who was lying on the floor while wearing antlers on his head, his tongue .

The Chicago Sun-Times, which first published the photo, said it was taken some time between 1999 and 2003. The city apparently has had possession of the photograph since 2013.

McDermott vows to continue the fight.

"I spent 17 years serving and protecting the citizens of Chicago in every neighborhood. I loved every minute of it. I am fully prepared to continue this fight for my job and everything else," McDermott said.

Podcast

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has defended the decision to fire McDermott, though he did not explain why it took so long.

"As far as I'm concerned, to that officer: Good riddance. You don't belong in the police department," he said.

The other officer in the photo, Jerome Finnigan, was fired after his 2006 arrest for leading a crew of corrupt cops who carried out robberies and home invasions – mostly targeting drug dealers – and is serving a 12-year prison sentence for his crimes. He also admitted to plotting to kill another officer who he feared was cooperating with federal investigators. That murder was never committed.

The FBI uncovered the photo during its investigation of Finnigan, and turned it over to the city in 2013.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.