In a contentious aftermath of the 2020 police custody death of Manny Ellis, former Tacoma police officer Timothy Rankine is seeking $47 million in damages from city and state officials, alleging that false accusations of criminal and racist misconduct have irreparably damaged his reputation and career. This legal move marks a significant turn in a case that has already seen its share of trials and public outcry.
Manny Ellis died in March 2020 after an encounter with Tacoma police officers that resulted in his being shocked, beaten, and restrained on the sidewalk. Despite Ellis’ pleas that he could not breathe, the engagement escalated to a physical altercation that ended tragically. The Pierce County Medical Examiner later classified Ellis’ death as a homicide, attributing it to hypoxia—lack of oxygen—caused by physical restraint.
Rankine, an Asian American, was one of the three officers involved in the incident. During his trial, he testified that he restrained Ellis by pressing down on his back, even as Ellis voiced his inability to breathe. Although Rankine was acquitted of manslaughter charges in December, the allegations and the trial have had lasting effects on his personal and professional life.
The lawsuit asserts that Rankine’s prosecution was unwarranted and politically motivated. The complaint highlights the intense media scrutiny and public judgment that swirled around the case, contributing to what Rankine describes as a defamation of character that led to threats against him and his family.
In detailing the encounter, the lawsuit points to surveillance footage that showed Ellis raising his hands in a surrender gesture while being tased and restrained by officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank, who were the first on the scene. Despite their forceful approach, which witnesses described as aggressive, Collins and Burbank were also acquitted of their respective charges of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
The defense during the trial argued that Ellis’ death was influenced not by the actions of the police but by a lethal combination of methamphetamine and pre-existing heart conditions. This claim was contested by the findings of the medical examiner and has been a point of contention in assessing the responsibility for Ellis’ death.
Rankine’s decision to file a defamation suit follows a controversial settlement in January, where he and the other officers resigned from the Tacoma Police Department in exchange for $500,000 each. This settlement, which Rankine’s legal team argued barely covered his losses, was part of a broader departmental overhaul announced by Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore, who acknowledged that previous policies had not adequately served the community or the police force.
The ongoing fallout from the Ellis case has been further complicated by a parallel federal lawsuit filed by Ellis’ family against the city and the officers, which remains unresolved. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice continues to review the case for potential civil rights violations, and state officials are considering revoking the certifications of the officers acquitted in the trial.
Rankine’s lawsuit underscores a growing debate over the accountability and reform of law enforcement practices, particularly in cases involving the use of force and racial dynamics. The Tacoma incident has not only reignited discussions about police conduct and systemic racism. Still, it has also raised questions about the mechanisms of legal redress and compensation in alleged law enforcement misconduct cases.
As the city of Tacoma refrains from commenting on ongoing litigation, and with no immediate response from the office of the Attorney General, the community and the nation watch closely. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications not just for the individuals involved but for the broader discourse on justice, race, and reform in America’s policing.
Meanwhile, Ellis’ family continues to seek justice and accountability, having already secured a $4 million settlement from Pierce County, which conducted the initial investigation into Ellis’ death. Their ongoing federal lawsuit and the results of the DOJ review will likely add further layers to a case that has become emblematic of the complexities and challenges of addressing fatal police encounters in the United States.
