Evan Semon © Rocky Mountain News Helen Childs, center, mother of police shooting victim Paul Childs, walks in a protest in northeast Denver on Friday.

Officer's 10-month penalty is too little, say activists, family

By Javier Erik Olvera, Rocky Mountain News
April 17, 2004

Activists and family members of a developmentally disabled 15-year-old killed by a Denver police officer in July rallied Friday evening to remember his death.

But this time, the rally, followed by a march to a Denver police substation, wasn't to mourn Paul Childs.

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Instead, it was to protest the 10-month suspension meted out Thursday to James Turney, the officer who shot Childs when he wouldn't drop a knife inside his Thrill Place home.

The crowd outside District 2 police headquarters on Colorado Boulevard near 34th Avenue - where Turney was stationed when he shot Childs - included the teen's mother, Helen Childs, who held a sign that read "Stop killing our children."

She said little to those who attended or to passersby who honked their car horns in support.

Nearly 50 people outside the station chanted "No justice, no peace, who's watching killer police?"

More than anything, the hour-long demonstration - which remained peaceful - was organized to draw attention to police procedures.

"Denver would be a better place if we strengthen the police department's policies, procedures and patterns," said Leroy Lemos, a rally organizer and founder of Denver Copwatch.

On July 5, Paul Childs' sister, Ashley Childs, called 911 to report that her brother had threatened their mother with a knife.

Turney arrived a few minutes later. When Paul Childs wouldn't drop the knife, Turney fired his gun four times at the youth, who was standing in the living room.

After Childs' death, celebrity attorney Johnnie Cochran offered his help to the family. Cochran has teamed with Boulder attorney Timothy Rastello in a claim that seeks an overhaul of police procedures and $5 million.

If a settlement isn't reached, a federal civil rights lawsuit will be filed, Rastello said.

Activists had two goals: Turney's termination and an overhaul of police procedures.

A series of procedural changes - the most comprehensive in the police department's history - has swept through the police department the last few months.

While it doesn't appear Turney will be able to patrol the streets if he returns to the force, demonstrators said his punishment was unacceptable.

"Ten months is not enough for a life," said Shareef Aleem, an event organizer and head of a campaign called Operation: Get Turney.

olveraj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5113

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