Justice for Karen Garner

Karen Garner is a mother of three and a grandmother ("Nana") of nine. She also has dementia. On June 26, 2020, the Loveland Police Department brutally assaulted and arrested her while she was walking home picking wildflowers. They dislocated her shoulder, broke her arm, and hog-tied her. They never got her medical care. 

Then they went back to the station, put her in a cell, and began rewatching the bodycam video of her shoulder dislocating. Making jokes like "ready for the pop?" laughing, and fist-bumping one another. 

Previously fiercely independent, happy, carefree and a great lover of the outdoors, after this event, Karen became fearful, distrusting, and reclusive. Sad. The very few things she had left in her life that she enjoyed as an elderly woman with dementia, the Loveland Police took it all away from her. 

On April 14, 2021, Karen and her family filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Loveland Police Department for what they did to her. Rather than take accountability or apologize to Karen, Loveland took over two weeks just to have three officers resign. Chief Ticer, the leader of this agency, refuses to resign. The City of Loveland and their insurer (CIRSA) have hired lawyers. The City Manager, Steve Adams, responsible for the hiring and firing of LPD employees, has not resigned but instead is staying and defending the Department.

Hundreds of people have reached out to the Garner family over the past two weeks looking for ways they can donate or provide help. This fund has been set up for anyone who wants to make monetary contributions to do that. 100% of the proceeds of this fundraiser go to Karen Garner.  

Karen Garner and her family thank all of you for your love and support during this difficult time.

Sarah Schielke is Karen Garner and her family's attorney.