Joliet Police Treated Sgt. Esqueda 'Like Garbage' He Reveals

JOLIET, IL — For two years, the Joliet Police Department has received substantial negative news media attention from Chicago's CBS Channel 2 and from one of the nation's largest news organizations — USA Today—because of Joliet Police Sgt. Javier Esqueda's role in releasing the video of Joliet police detainee Eric Lurry dying in the backseat of a squad car.

Now, Esqueda is stepping away from his career at the Joliet Police Department. He announced on his Facebook page this week that his retirement will become official July 20. Esqueda said he will be leaving Joliet police after 28 years and 10 months on the job.

"Most of you know that I have been on administrative leave since July 6, 2020, then arrested by my own department for blowing the whistle on the cover-up of the death of Eric Lurry at the hands of several fellow officers. I have been assigned to City Hall in business services since May of 2021 with the most God-loving people that have treated me like family from day one."

Esqueda released the video of Lurry dying in Joliet police custody during the tenure of Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner. Joliet police Sgt. Doug May, Lt. Jeremy Harrison, former cop Andrew McCue and Officer Jose Tellez remain defendants in the federal police misconduct lawsuit brought against them by Nicole Lurry, whose husband died Jan. 29, 2020.

He was only 37 years old.

"I will miss my 'sisters' in business services and will cherish the good times we have had there. I went from being treated like garbage by fellow Joliet PD officers to being treated like family," Esqueda posted on his Facebook page this week.

"Out of 280 officers, only about 12 talk to me," Esqueda wrote. "I decided to retire because my wife and son are important to me and since life is short. Also, I can't fight for justice for myself and Eric Lurry while still employed by the city of Joliet. My freedom of speech is hindered."

In closing, Esqueda informed everyone that "I will not be having a retirement party or celebration of any kind until I am either vindicated or found not guilty in court for crimes I did not commit."

On July 30, 2021, Esqueda was named the recipient of the 2021 Lamplighter Award for Moral Courage in Law Enforcement. "The Lamplighter Project commends Sergeant Esqueda for his courage. The world would be a darker place without lamplighters like Sergeant Esqueda. Lamplighters not only shed light on corruption, injustice, and misconduct, but serve as shining examples to other enforcement officers around the country who bear witness to violations of their oath."

As for Esqueda's criminal case, his jury trial in Yorkville at the Kendall County Courthouse has been set to begin in November. He faces four felony charges of official misconduct.

When the trial begins, several of Esqueda's fellow Joliet police officers, supervisors and detectives will be expected to testify against him, in hopes that he becomes convicted of the felony crimes related to his role in exposing the circumstances of Eric Lurry's untimely death.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

7-Day Suspension: Joliet Police Sgt. Doug May Slapped, Demeaned Eric Lurry

Joliet Officer Jose Tellez Turned Off Car's Video System As Eric Lurry Died

Joliet Police Supervisors: Sgt. Esqueda Faces Expulsion