Christopher Manney applied for duty disability retirement prior to being fired from MPD
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Christopher Manney, the Milwaukee police officer who fatally shot Dontre Hamilton, applied for duty disability retirement on Monday, October 13th -- just two days prior to being fired by the department.
"When he's terminated, he is immediately off the payroll," Michael Crivello, president of the Milwaukee Police Association said.
Christopher Manney is no longer employed by the Milwaukee Police Department, but he may qualify to receive checks from the city for years to come.
"I hope that the application is solidly in place. I want to say that it is," Crivello said.
Manney was fired from the Milwaukee Police Department on Wednesday, October 15th for his handling of Dontre Hamilton. 31-year-old Hamilton was shot and killed during a struggle that occurred with Manney at Red Arrow Park on April 30th.
Two days before his firing, FOX6 News has learned Manney applied for duty disability retirement.
In the application for duty disability, Manney said, "I was sent to an assignment as a police officer. I was violently attacked with fists & a weapon to my head & was forced to use deadly force & subject is deceased."
Manney also wrote on the application that this incident has left him with "debilitating mental health issues." He says he has not been "able to sleep for months." Manney says he has not been able to "think straight" and his mind goes blank.
In a letter to Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, Manney says he's been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Crivello says he and the Milwaukee Police Association support Manney's application.
"This officer cares. You can see what's happening to him now. You can only imagine the trauma that an officer has to go through when the necessity of a situation forces him to use deadly force," Crivello said.
A city official tells FOX6 News a panel of doctors will review Manney's request for duty disability. If at least two doctors agree that Manney suffers from an emotional disability, he will receive 75% of his final average salary tax free as a disability pension benefit.
"That is an incredibly traumatic situation that an officer may be forced into. Obviously he was forced into that situation and let`s let time work this out," Crivello said.
FOX6 News is told the duty disability benefit, if approved for Manney, could last until he is eligible for full retirement. Manney would have to come in every year for an examination.
CLICK HERE to view Manney's application for duty disability