Monmouth Prosecutor, Sheriff: Floyd's Death 'Indefensible'

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The death of George Floyd is drawing criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike in New Jersey, and from the top law enforcement officers in Monmouth County:

Late in the day on Sunday, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni and Middletown Police Chief Craig Weber, president of the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association, released a statement where they called Floyd's death "indefensible."

The three men are the highest-ranking law enforcement in the county. On Sunday, they said they "will be meeting with community stakeholders to further discuss how law enforcement can be part of the solution." That meeting will take place this week, said Gramiccioni.

"We expect that the officers involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as the video capturing his death is indefensible," said Golden, Weber and Gramiccioni.

It's worth noting that Monmouth County Sheriff Golden is not just a Republican, but he's also leader of the county Republican party and said to be eyeing a run for New Jersey governor. In the past, Golden has sparred with Gov. Murphy over enforcement of President Trump's immigration policies, choosing to hold suspected undocumented immigrants in the county jail for ICE, which Murphy told him not to do.

Gramiccioni has a reputation as a tough-on-crime prosecutor and was appointed by former Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

They will be meeting with a number of faith-based leaders in Monmouth County, such as the reverends of churches and other houses of worship. Gramiccioni did not specify who exactly they will meet with.

They released the statement as protests turned into riots across the United States, and cities such as Philadelphia burned. There is a protest planned for Monday in Asbury Park; organizers have asked people to go to the Asbury Park Post Office at 806 Bangs Ave. at 5 p.m. The U.S. Postal Service suspended mail delivery in the area in anticipating of the protest.

Meanwhile, Monmouth County's top prosecutor, sheriff and leading police chief all called Floyd's death "a stain" all law enforcement must now wear.

“I can’t breathe.' The words of George Floyd’s unheeded pleas for help with a police officer’s knee on his neck and his subsequent death are seared into the consciousness of the world," read their statement.

Read: Asbury Park Protest For George Floyd Planned For Monday

“For the members of our law enforcement community, the horror of this tragedy is magnified by the stain we all wear because of the sins of those officers who do not reflect our morals and values," the statement said. “While we work tirelessly to earn the trust of the citizens we serve, we recognize these efforts are clouded by the horrible image of Mr. Floyd’s pleas for help — pleas made to those who take an oath to help, not harm citizens. We wholly denounce the senseless murder of citizens we are sworn to protect and the trampling of the inalienable human rights we are charged to uphold."

"The entire Monmouth County law enforcement community continues our public outreach efforts to keep building the foundation of trust necessary for law enforcement to maintain the confidence of who we work for — the citizens of Monmouth County," said Gramiccioni. "Our mission is to protect and serve you. A cornerstone of this mission is listening to our community partners and engaging in proactive dialogue."

Related: Monmouth County Sheriff Defies Murphy's Order On ICE Cooperation (July 2019)