Exclusive: Fired Buffalo cop tells her side
7:18 PM, Dec 16, 2014
8:51 AM, Dec 17, 2014
erie | buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - Former Buffalo Police officer Cariol Horne in a battle to get her pension. She was fired for trying to stop a fellow officer she says was abusing a suspect.
"November 1, 2006, there was a call of an officer in trouble at 707 Walden," said Cariol Horne.
That officer was Gregory Kwiatkowski, who was responding to a domestic dispute inside that home between Neal Mack and his girlfriend.
When officer Horne went into the house she says Mack had already been placed under arrest.
"He was handcuffed in the front and he was sideways and being punched in the face by Gregory Kwiatkowski," explained Horne.
Horne and about 10 other officers who arrived at the scene helped drag Mack out of the home. But once outside Horne says Officer Kwiatkowski was out of control.
"Gregory Kwiatkowski turned Neal Mack around and started choking him. So then I'm like, 'Greg! You're choking him,' because I thought whatever happened in the house he was still upset about so when he didn't stop choking him I just grabbed his arm from around Neal Mack's neck," said Horne.
If that choke hold of a handcuffed suspect caught Horne off guard, it didn't prepare her for what she says Kwiatkowski did next.
"He comes up and punches me in the face and I had to have my bridge replaced," said Horne.
When Horne tried to defend herself other officers pulled her back and her shoulder was injured.
Following the incident, Horne was fired and charged with obstruction for "jumping on officer Kwiatkowski's back and/or striking him with her hands."
But officer Kiwatkowski's own words seem to conflict with the charges. In a sworn statement he says, "she never got on top of me."
Nonetheless, Horne lost every appeal and with her 19 year career over, she didn't qualify for a pension.
Horne is the mother of five children and is now working as a truck driver to make ends meet.
"My daughter said, 'Mommy, why did you go to work that day?' She never said, 'Why did you do what you did?' or 'I wish you wouldn't have done it.' She just said, 'I wish you wouldn't have gone to work that day.' So I don't regret it."
Officer Kwiatkowski was forced to retire from the police department after he was suspended for choking another officer on the job, and in a separate incident, punching another officer when he was off the clock.
In May 2014, Kwiatowkski and two other officers were indicted on federal civil rights violations against black teen suspects.
Horne is continuing to fight for a pension.
The City of Buffalo Common Council sent her case to the New York State retirement system for review. A determination has not yet been made.
Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Timeline leading up to firing of Buffalo cop
Kendra Eaglin
5:03 PM, Jun 4, 2015
6:57 PM, Jun 4, 2015
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - Cariol Horne began the battle of her life nearly nine years ago and she's not done fighting.
7 Eyewitness News conducted an exclusive interview with Horne in December 2014 and that story received thousands of views and garnered national attention.
Here is the background of the story that led to Horne's dismissal from the Buffalo Police Department after 19 years of service.
November 1, 2006
Horne arrived at the scene of an officer in trouble at 707 Walden Avenue. That officer was Gregory Kwiatkowski, who was responding to a domestic dispute inside of the home between Neal Mack and his girlfriend.
When Officer Horne went into the house she says Mack had already been placed under arrest. Horne told 7 Eyewitness News Mack was handcuffed in the front and was sideways and being punched in the face by Officer Kwiatkowski.
Horne says when she and approximately 10 other officers helped bring Mack outside, Officer Kwiatkowski put the handcuffed suspect in a choke hold.
"Gregory Kwiatkowski turned Neal Mack around and started choking him. So then I'm like, Greg! You're choking him! I though whatever happened in the house he [Kwiatkowski] was still upset about it so when he didn't stop choking him I just grabbed his arm from around Neal Mack's neck," explained Horne.
Horne says Kwiatkowski then physically assaulted her, "He comes up and punches me in the face and I had to have my bridge replaced," explained Horne.
No charges were brought up against Mack or Officer Kwiatkowski, however, Horne was subsequently charged with obstruction.
January 2007
Officer Horne was charged with 13 counts, including obstruction for "jumping on officer Kwiatkowski's back and/or striking him with her hands."
Horne showed Eyewitness News documents of Officer Kwiatkowkski's sworn statements from the incident in which he states, "she never got on top of me."
Horne has numerous arbitration hearings and fights to keep her job but is found guilty of the charges.
May 8, 2008
Officer Cariol Horne is fired from the Buffalo Police Department after 19 years, for obstruction surrounding the the 11/1/2006 arrest of Neal Mack.
Horne does not qualify for pension and works as a truck driver to support her five children.
May 2014
Officer Kwiatkowski and two other officers indicted on federal civil rights violations against black teen suspects. Those charges re-ignite calls from Horne and her supporters to reinstate Horne at the Buffalo Police Department.
December 11, 2014
The Buffalo Common Council holds a special meeting to review Officer Horne's case and sends her employment records to the state retirement board.
June 4, 2015
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown requests a special meeting with Cariol Horne to revisit her case with "fresh eyes."
Copyright 2015 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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7:18 PM, Dec 16, 2014
8:51 AM, Dec 17, 2014
erie | buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - Former Buffalo Police officer Cariol Horne in a battle to get her pension. She was fired for trying to stop a fellow officer she says was abusing a suspect.
"November 1, 2006, there was a call of an officer in trouble at 707 Walden," said Cariol Horne.
That officer was Gregory Kwiatkowski, who was responding to a domestic dispute inside that home between Neal Mack and his girlfriend.
When officer Horne went into the house she says Mack had already been placed under arrest.
"He was handcuffed in the front and he was sideways and being punched in the face by Gregory Kwiatkowski," explained Horne.
Horne and about 10 other officers who arrived at the scene helped drag Mack out of the home. But once outside Horne says Officer Kwiatkowski was out of control.
"Gregory Kwiatkowski turned Neal Mack around and started choking him. So then I'm like, 'Greg! You're choking him,' because I thought whatever happened in the house he was still upset about so when he didn't stop choking him I just grabbed his arm from around Neal Mack's neck," said Horne.
If that choke hold of a handcuffed suspect caught Horne off guard, it didn't prepare her for what she says Kwiatkowski did next.
"He comes up and punches me in the face and I had to have my bridge replaced," said Horne.
When Horne tried to defend herself other officers pulled her back and her shoulder was injured.
Following the incident, Horne was fired and charged with obstruction for "jumping on officer Kwiatkowski's back and/or striking him with her hands."
But officer Kiwatkowski's own words seem to conflict with the charges. In a sworn statement he says, "she never got on top of me."
Nonetheless, Horne lost every appeal and with her 19 year career over, she didn't qualify for a pension.
Horne is the mother of five children and is now working as a truck driver to make ends meet.
"My daughter said, 'Mommy, why did you go to work that day?' She never said, 'Why did you do what you did?' or 'I wish you wouldn't have done it.' She just said, 'I wish you wouldn't have gone to work that day.' So I don't regret it."
Officer Kwiatkowski was forced to retire from the police department after he was suspended for choking another officer on the job, and in a separate incident, punching another officer when he was off the clock.
In May 2014, Kwiatowkski and two other officers were indicted on federal civil rights violations against black teen suspects.
Horne is continuing to fight for a pension.
The City of Buffalo Common Council sent her case to the New York State retirement system for review. A determination has not yet been made.
Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Timeline leading up to firing of Buffalo cop
Kendra Eaglin
5:03 PM, Jun 4, 2015
6:57 PM, Jun 4, 2015
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - Cariol Horne began the battle of her life nearly nine years ago and she's not done fighting.
7 Eyewitness News conducted an exclusive interview with Horne in December 2014 and that story received thousands of views and garnered national attention.
Here is the background of the story that led to Horne's dismissal from the Buffalo Police Department after 19 years of service.
November 1, 2006
Horne arrived at the scene of an officer in trouble at 707 Walden Avenue. That officer was Gregory Kwiatkowski, who was responding to a domestic dispute inside of the home between Neal Mack and his girlfriend.
When Officer Horne went into the house she says Mack had already been placed under arrest. Horne told 7 Eyewitness News Mack was handcuffed in the front and was sideways and being punched in the face by Officer Kwiatkowski.
Horne says when she and approximately 10 other officers helped bring Mack outside, Officer Kwiatkowski put the handcuffed suspect in a choke hold.
"Gregory Kwiatkowski turned Neal Mack around and started choking him. So then I'm like, Greg! You're choking him! I though whatever happened in the house he [Kwiatkowski] was still upset about it so when he didn't stop choking him I just grabbed his arm from around Neal Mack's neck," explained Horne.
Horne says Kwiatkowski then physically assaulted her, "He comes up and punches me in the face and I had to have my bridge replaced," explained Horne.
No charges were brought up against Mack or Officer Kwiatkowski, however, Horne was subsequently charged with obstruction.
January 2007
Officer Horne was charged with 13 counts, including obstruction for "jumping on officer Kwiatkowski's back and/or striking him with her hands."
Horne showed Eyewitness News documents of Officer Kwiatkowkski's sworn statements from the incident in which he states, "she never got on top of me."
Horne has numerous arbitration hearings and fights to keep her job but is found guilty of the charges.
May 8, 2008
Officer Cariol Horne is fired from the Buffalo Police Department after 19 years, for obstruction surrounding the the 11/1/2006 arrest of Neal Mack.
Horne does not qualify for pension and works as a truck driver to support her five children.
May 2014
Officer Kwiatkowski and two other officers indicted on federal civil rights violations against black teen suspects. Those charges re-ignite calls from Horne and her supporters to reinstate Horne at the Buffalo Police Department.
December 11, 2014
The Buffalo Common Council holds a special meeting to review Officer Horne's case and sends her employment records to the state retirement board.
June 4, 2015
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown requests a special meeting with Cariol Horne to revisit her case with "fresh eyes."
Copyright 2015 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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