In a troubling incident, Lieutenant Michael Thompson, a member of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, has initiated legal action against two Virginia police officers for holding him at gunpoint, subjecting him to pepper spray, and infringing upon his constitutional rights. The encounter occurred in December while Thompson, who is Black and Latino, was in full military uniform.
According to a lawsuit filed recently, Thompson was stopped by police during a “felony traffic stop” while driving back to Petersburg after a drill weekend. He pulled over at a brightly lit gas station in Windsor, Virginia, but was immediately met with aggressive commands from the officers. “Get out of the car!” one officer shouted, while another pointed their weapon at him. In video footage of the incident, Thompson expressed his fear, stating, “I’m honestly afraid to get out of the car.” One of the officers, named Alex Martinez, replied, “You should be.”
As the incident escalated, Thompson, who recorded the encounter on his dashboard camera, questioned the treatment he received: “I’m serving this country, and this is how I’m treated?” Shortly thereafter, Martinez approached Thompson’s vehicle and pepper-sprayed him. When Thompson exited the SUV, he was met with further aggression, as the officer struck him behind the knees and threatened to use a taser if he did not comply. While being handcuffed, Thompson was heard saying, “This is messed up, this is messed up.”
The officers allegedly warned Thompson that if he filed a complaint, they could charge him with obstruction, eluding, and assault on a law enforcement officer—charges that could jeopardize his military career.
The officers claimed they stopped Thompson because his SUV lacked license plates. However, Thompson had recently purchased the vehicle, and temporary plates were visibly displayed in the rear window. The officers accused him of “willfully and wantonly disregarding” police signals and having tinted windows, which led them to treat the stop as a felony situation.
On April 2, Thompson filed a lawsuit against the two officers, Martinez and David Brooks, for violating his rights under the Fourth Amendment. He is seeking damages of at least $1 million, asserting that excessive force was used against him based on racial profiling. “He’s a sworn member of the United States Army,” said his attorney, Sarah Johnson. “His oath demands respect and protection, which is not what he received from these officers.”
Thompson’s attorney noted that the incident left him “very shaken up” and concerned about potential retaliation.
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In summary, this incident involving Lieutenant Thompson and the Virginia police officers highlights serious concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of individuals in uniform. The legal action taken signifies a demand for accountability and justice, raising important questions about police conduct and civil rights.