KOMO reports that a Seattle police officer has been terminated from his job after he was caught laughing and making jokes about the tragic death of a graduate student from India. The incident occurred when another officer hit the student while she was crossing the street. The insensitive behavior was deemed unacceptable by the department, resulting in the officer’s termination.
According to a video released by the police, Daniel Auderer was heard saying, “She had limited value, anyway,” referring to a 26-year-old woman.
The footage from the body camera is what ignited a wave of anger across the country.
“Come on, write a check for just $11,000!” Auderer urged.
According to reports, Auderer, a former Seattle police officer, allegedly made fun of the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old woman who was struck by another officer while crossing the street in South Lake Union back in 2023.
Auderer has been terminated by Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr due to his actions that have caused shame on the Seattle Police Department and the entire profession. This has made the job of every police officer more challenging.
In his defense, Auderer clarified that the call was solely intended for union-related matters and that his statements were not meant to ridicule Kandula. Instead, he aimed to mock attorneys who engage in discussions about the worth of life following a police shooting.
Arun Sharma played a crucial role in the fight for justice for Kandula as a respected member and organizer of the community.
According to Sharma, the statement about value is itself devoid of any real worth.
According to Sharma, the termination is just a small step towards achieving the justice that is needed.
Sharma stated that the existence of such language amongst police officers and the police guild, even in private conversations, is indicative of a larger cultural issue.
Kandula was set to complete their graduation by December 2023.
According to her family, she was a cherished daughter and they firmly believe that every human life is priceless. They also emphasize that no life should be diminished, especially during a time of great tragedy and loss.
