“We will be here every day of the trial, even though we have to miss work and we live far away, because Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis need to be fired and we want to make sure the Mayor and the NYPD know we are watching. We’re calling on New Yorkers to join us and we won’t rest until both officers are fired for murdering our son.”
Ellen Trawick, mother of Kawaski Trawick
On April 14, 2019, Kawaski locked himself out of his apartment while he was cooking. Hill House, the supportive housing facility where Kawaski lived, refused to help him so Kawaski called the fire department. The fire department let Kawaski back into his apartment and the situation had been resolved. Kawaski was cooking in his home alone when NYPD Officers Brenden Thompson and Herbert Davis arrived and killed him in 112 seconds.
Both officers gloved up, broke the chain holding Kawaski’s door closed, illegally entered Kawaski's home, barked orders and refused to answer Kawaski's questions. Officer body worn camera video shows Officer Thompson tasered Kawaski for no reason and then shot him four times.
Neither officer attempted to render medical aid. Officer Davis closed the door to Kawaski’s apartment and held it shut as he bleed out on the floor.
Kawaski grew up in Georgia with his parents, Ellen and Rickie Trawick, and his three sisters. Like so many other queer and trans people, Kawaski’s vision for his future brought him to NYC to pursue his dreams as a dancer, fitness instructor, and entrepreneur. He was a member of the NYC ballroom scene and taught aerobics.
The Justice Committee is working with Kawaski Trawick's parents and NYC groups to demand Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell fire NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis for killing Kawaski Trawick, without their pensions or a “good guy” letter. Kawaski was killed in his home in 112 seconds for no reason.
After four years of delays, the discipline trial for Thompson and Davis is scheduled to begin on April 24. Help us pack the court! Sign up here to join our campaign.
Kawaski Trawick was just cooking in his apartment.
Officer Brendan Thompson & Herbert Davis illegally entered Kawaski's apartment. Davis used his baton to break the chain holding Kawaski's door.
Thompson & Davis were CIT-trained but refused to answer Kawaski's questions & create a crisis.
There was no emergency to justify Thompson & Davis' illegal entry or escalations.
Thompson tased Kawaski for no reason, then shot 4 times. They killed Kawaski in 112 seconds.
After Kawaski was shot, neither officer rendered aid. Davis shut the door & they let Kawaski bleed out without medical attention.
NYPD refused to release names of cops when Kawaski was killed. They hid the full video for 20 months.
It's been 4 years of delays & obstruction under 2 Mayors & 3 Police Commissioners.
Through two mayoral administrations and three police commissioners, Kawaski Trawick's parents have endured years of cover-ups, delays, and obstruction by the Bronx DA, the NYPD, and Officers Brenden Thompson and Herbert Davis with support from the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).
Bronx DA took a year and a half to investigate and decide not to charge the officers.
The NYPD took two years to close their investigation and decide their was no wrongdoing.
The CCRB took over two years to substantiate charges against both officers and then another year and a half to get the discipline trial scheduled.
The NYPD took 3.5 months to deliver the CCRB's substantiated charges.
The PBA waited 1 year to say there was a conflict of interest and Davis needed a new lawyers - delaying the scheduling of the discipline trial by another 2 months.
In March 2023, the police union lawyers attempted and failed to strike a backroom deal with the NYPD Commissioner to get her to kill the case against Thompson and Davis.
In April 2023, the police union attorneys managed to delay the discipline trial by requesting and being granted a two week adjournment part way through the trial. The police union lawyers claim an NYPD official they want to call as a witness will be on vacation during the trial dates that have been scheduled since last year. The Trawick family is now being forced to rearrange their work schedules and fly into NYC multiple times. The trial will begin on April 24, but will adjourn for two weeks until May 11.
Take Action
Starting on April 24th, 10AM attend the discipline trial for NYPD officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis.
Location: One Police Plaza, 4th Floor
Sign up form: Let us when you are coming.
Please contact Loyda@justicecommittee.org if you or your organization would like to hold an action or event calling for NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis to be fired for killing Kawaski Trawick.
Use your social media accounts to help teach people about what happened to Kawaski and how they can help uplift the demand that Thompson and Davis be fired.
Download graphics and access sample posts here.
Justice Committee (JC) members that are interested in joining the Trawick Team should let Loyda@justicecommittee.org know.
The Trawick Team includes: Anti-Violence Project, Audre Lorde Project (ALP), Housing Works, SURJ NY, VOCAL NY, Communities United for Police Reform, and is coordinated by the Justice Committee.
Organizations interested in supporting the campaign to fire Thompson and Davis should contact Loyda@justicecommittee.org
Step 1: Find NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and ideally a friend that can record the interaction.
STEP 2: (script): Ask the Mayor- "Mayor Adams, will you commit to firing NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis for killing Kawaski Trawick?"
Repeat the question to demand Adams respond.
If he says it's Police Commissioner Sewell's decision, say- "as the police commissioner's boss will you recommend Sewell fire Thompson and Davis for killing Kawaski Trawick?
STEP 3: Email your video to Info@justicecomittee.org
Starting April 24th, the Justice Committee will be posting daily updates regarding the NYPD discipline trial for officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis for the killing of Kawaski Trawick. The trial is being prosecuted by the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB).
If you are unable to join us at One Police Plaza for the trial, you can follow us on Twitter/@WatchTheCops for on-the-ground updates, and tune in to our IG live/@justicecommittee from One Police Plaza at lunchtime.
