Two Officers Involved in Kelly Thomas Beating No Longer Work for City: Police

In one week, the Fullerton Police Department announced that two of the six officers involved in the fatal beating of Kelly Thomas are no longer employed by the city.

Officer Joe Wolfe – who began his career with the Fullerton Police Department in 1999 – no longer works for the city as of Monday, July 16, Cpl. Tim Kandler said in a statement released Tuesday.

Acting Police Chief Dan Hughes has refrained from discussing the case further citing State employment laws that bar him from expounding on personnel issues, according to the statement.

Kelly Thomas Case: Timeline, Photos

The news comes one week after Fullerton police officials announced the termination of Manuel Ramos.

Ramos -- a 10-year veteran of the force -- was charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Kelly Thomas, a 37-year-old schizophrenic man who died days after being beaten by six police officers last year.

The status of the other officers involved in the beating remains the same, Kandler said. Three officers are on paid administrative leave, and Cpl. Jay Cicinelli remains on unpaid leave.

Cicinelli was charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force in connection with the 2011 beating.

If convicted on the murder charge, Ramos faces 15 years to life. Both officers face up to four years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

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