Cop Forced Into Retirement for Exposing Brutality Cover-Up

In a case of police brutality, of road rage and an orchestrated cover-up, it would be satisfying to know that at least one officer involved lost his job over the incident, right? Well, one did -- Kansas City Police Detective Max Seifert was forced into retirement early, lost his health insurance and a portion of his pension.

But Seifert wasn’t the one who beat the innocent citizen. On the contrary, he is the one who exposed the cover-up.

In July 2003, cement worker Barron Bowling was driving down a one lane street in Kansas City, Kansas, when someone tried to pass him illegally on the right. Bowling sped up, like many people would’ve done in the same situation, blocking the other car. The two cars collided -- and then things took a turn for the worse.

Three DEA agents were in the other vehicle. While they testified that they announced themselves as law enforcement, witnesses state the men said nothing as they approached Bowling’s car -- at least one of them, DEA Agent Timothy McCue, with his gun drawn.

Bowling was yanked from his vehicle and thrown onto the hot asphalt. Agent McCue, the driver of the other car, then began punching, kicking, and even possibly hitting Bowling with his gun, calling him names and cursing at him the entire time. Some even state they heard the agent threaten to kill Bowling.

McCue’s anger was so obvious and the scene so out of hand that other law enforcement walked him away from Bowling more than once to cool him off.

Because he couldn’t be released after an incident like that, the DEA agents arrested Bowling and handed him over to Kansas City police. Initially accused of assaulting the federal agents by causing the accident, Bowling would only be convicted of possessing a marijuana pipe.

Details that have since come out about the case reveal the cover-up began at the scene of the accident. Evidence of the beating and witness statements were left out of the official police reports -- it was like the whole thing never happened. (Read more after the jump.)

One officer, a judge later said, would tell Bowling that he was going to jail because the federal agents “do pretty much whatever they want.” The same officer, Robert Lane, would tell the detective investigating Bowling’s charges that witness reports were missing because it would only “look bad” for the DEA.

That investigating detective, Max Seifert, was a department veteran who had worked many highly publicized cases over the years. Known for his dedication, he was seen as one of the “good guys,” the type of police officer kids want to grow up to be. He was a year shy of retirement when he was given the Bowling case.

Though his investigation was supposed to be on the charges against Bowling, and even the deputy chief told him to keep his mouth shut about the beating, he would unabashedly report exactly what happened that July day -- risking his job and his camaraderie with others in blue  by doing what was right.

The prosecution saw Seifert’s report and decided not to file charges against Bowling. Deputy Chief Steven Culp, however, no doubt upset by Seifert’s direct opposition to his orders of silence, pressured the prosecutor who eventually changed his mind.

Bowling would eventually be acquitted on felony criminal damage charges.

Officer Seifert, despite being the subject of shunning and even verbal abuse by his colleagues, would go on to testify for the defense in Bowling’s criminal trial and in Bowling’s civil case against the federal government. He would stick to his guns, acting with integrity and speaking with open honesty -- as a true figure of justice should.

He testified to the judge about the witness statements that were hidden, the out of the ordinary involvement of his superiors, and ultimately stated that the department allowed and even orchestrated a major cover-up.

In return for his commitment to the truth, Seifert was forced into early retirement. Perhaps due to a humble nature, the retired detective didn’t go to the press and hasn’t sued anyone. His story may not have even been heard if it wasn’t for the federal civil court judge mentioning him in his final ruling -- a ruling which awarded Barron Bowling $830,000.

To date, Seifert is the only official to suffer any disciplinary action. A man who should have been commended for his honorable actions instead suffered condemnation for breaking down the blue wall of silence.

Both the DEA and the Kansas City Police Department deny any misconduct.

Photo Credit: Scott Davidson