Investigation of Joliet police after man died in custody in 2020 finds pattern of excessive force

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- A three-year-long investigation of the Joliet Police Department released Thursday found a pattern of excessive force.

The probe was requested following the death of Eric Lurry in police custody in 2020.

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Lurry's widow said video from the back of a police vehicle showed officers suffocating her husband. The medical examiner found Lurry died from a fentanyl overdose. Police said officers were trying to remove drugs from his mouth and were not responsible for his death.

On Thursday, the Illinois Attorney General's report found that, overall, Joliet police have used unreasonable force and discriminated against Black people.

Joliet police responded, saying the report is a picture of the past and not the current state of the department. The police chief says reforms have been implemented.

RELATED | Joliet police release new video showing Eric Lurry's arrest, who died in custody