Four Dead in Milwaukee: Lawmakers Call for Removal of David Clarke from Sheriff's Post

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Citing four deaths in the Milwaukee County Jail, intimidation via fiery rhetoric, State Sen. Chris Larson, State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff, and State Rep. Christine Sinicki are publicly calling for the removal of Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke from his post.

While it is highly unlikely that the longtime Sheriff simply steps aside, the Democratic lawmakers' call for Gov. Scott Walker to remove Sheriff Clarke appears a political long-shot as well.

“It is our duty and moral obligation to echo the sentiments of our constituents and fellow representatives by calling for the immediate resignation of Sheriff David Clarke," the Democratic lawmakers said in a statement. "Under Clarke’s watch, the downtown jail facility has experienced a dangerous lack of supervision leading to improper intake screening for substance abuse and mental illness, which has contributed to these recent, tragic deaths."

According to a release from State Sen. Larson's office, these are the following individuals:

• Shadé Swayzer, 30, gave birth while in custody. Corrections officers ignored Swayzer’s plea for help after her water broke. She went into labor on July 14, giving birth at 4 a.m. Her baby was pronounced dead later that morning, due to the lack of proper response by staff.
• Terrill Thomas, 38, was found dead in his cell on April 24. His death was ruled a homicide caused by dehydration. Thomas suffered from bipolar disorder and was awaiting a psychiatric examination at the time of his death. He was, according to family members, in the throes of a mental breakdown at the time of his arrest. His death occurred nine days after corrections officers reportedly shut off the water from his cell and ignored pleas by Terrill and other inmates for water.
• Kristina A. Fiebrink, 38, was found dead in her cell on August 28. A call from family members for an independent investigation into her death is still unfulfilled.
• Michael Madden, 29, died October 27. The Milwaukee Medical Examiner report alleged he died from hitting his head. His injury may have been treatable if corrections and medical staff properly screened Madden for substance abuse and monitored him more closely.

“Moreover, inquiries to discover the truth behind these tragic deaths have resulted in resistance and hostility from Sheriff Clarke. When our county’s chief medical examiner, Brian Peterson, released basic information about an inmate’s death, Sheriff Clarke responded by threatening him," the statement said.

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