UPDATE: A former Joliet police sergeant has filed a federal lawsuit alleging he faced severe retaliation for leaking shocking video footage of a man’s death in police custody. Javier Esqueda claims he was “maliciously prosecuted” for exposing police misconduct related to the 2020 death of Eric Lurry.
In January 2020, Lurry, aged 37, died in the back of a Joliet police car after being arrested at a suspected drug deal. The Will County Coroner’s Office later ruled his death an accidental overdose from heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. According to the lawsuit, Lurry was not searched properly, and during transport, he was left handcuffed while officers failed to provide immediate medical assistance as he lost consciousness.
Esqueda, deeply troubled by the video depicting Lurry’s final moments, sought to alert his superiors but was allegedly met with hostility. A police captain reportedly told him to “shut the f*** up” when he attempted to report the incident, instructing him instead to write a brief memorandum.
In June 2020, after learning that the video was not being internally investigated, Esqueda took the drastic step of leaking it to a local news outlet. Just days after the video aired, he was removed from active duty and reassigned to administrative tasks, marking the beginning of his reported retaliation.
By October 2020, Esqueda faced four felony counts of official misconduct, which he claims were unfounded. He resigned from the Joliet Police Department in 2022, with the charges against him eventually dismissed in late 2024.
The lawsuit not only sheds light on the alleged cover-up of Lurry’s death but also highlights the risks faced by whistleblowers in law enforcement. Esqueda’s legal team is pushing for accountability, claiming that the Joliet Police Department’s actions reflect a broader culture of silence around police misconduct.
The City of Joliet has not provided a comment on the lawsuit, directing inquiries to the police department, which has yet to respond.
This developing story raises critical questions about police practices and the treatment of whistleblowers within law enforcement. As the case unfolds, it may have significant implications for transparency and accountability in policing across the United States.
Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge in this urgent situation.
