Page 323 - 2023 PPIAC RMIC BOOK

Case #3:

Police Training Accidental Death - Conclusions

• Criminal

• Former Officer Lee Cole accepted a plead deal including 10 years of
probation and no prison time.
• He can never seek employment as a police officer again.

• If he breaks the terms of his deal he will face 15 years in prison.

Case #3:

Police Training Accidental Death - Conclusions

• Civil

• Police Chief Tom Lewis was fired for his role in the 2016 death of retiree
Mary Knowlton

• Punta Gorda city council members approved a $2.06 million settlement
with the Knowlton family only three months after the incident and prior to
the conclusion of the criminal investigation or proceedings.

• The city admits no liability for Knowlton's death and it is exempted from
further action by her family.