LAW OFFICES OF

Tonn D. Trrrnono
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION TELEPHONE IAISJ 907.5769
FACStMTLE (AtA) 907-5793
16133 VENTURA BOULEVARO, SUITE 5AO

Februarv8.2013

VIA FACSIMILE & MAIL

JohnJ. Neu
Chiefof Police
TorrancePoliceDepartment
3300CivicCenterDrive
Torrance,California90503

Re: David andLizzette Perdue

Dear ChiefNeu:

We representDavid andLizzette Perdue. As you know, officers of the TorrancePolice

Departmentattemptedto kill Mr. Perdueyesterday.

Mr. Perdueis a 38-year-oldwhite male. He is 5' 9" and weighs 160 pounds. He lives in
RedondoBeach with his wife and family, and he works at LAX. At daybreakon February7,
he was driving his Honda pickup on his way to pick up a friend to go surfing before work.

He was stoppedby Torrancepolice who were looking for a 6'2" 270-poundblack man
driving a Nissanpickup. The officers interviewedhim and releasedhim at once. The
officers told him to tum around and drive on a particular route. He cooperatedfully with the
officers.

A few secondslater, after Mr. Perduedid as he was told, anotherTorrancePolice officer

crashedher patrol car broadsideinto Mr. Perdue'sblack Honda Ridgeline,spunhim around,
and then openedfire. After being crashedinto and shot at, the police removed the shaken
Mr. Perduefrom his vehicle and forcedhim to lay face-downon the pavement. Even though
it was apparentto all at all relevant times that Mr. Perduewas not the personpolice were
looking for, the police detainedMr. Perduefor an hour. The Torrance Police Department
then took possessionof Mr. Perdue'sbadly-damagedvehicle.

We believe that the Torrance Police Departmentis the sourceof inaccuratenews reports
regardingthis incident, including the statementthat Mr. Perduewas "uninjured." We ask
that the TorrancePolice Departmentstopmisleadingthe public aboutthe incident.
JohnJ. Neu
Chiefof Police
TorrancePoliceDepartment
February8,2013
Page2

In orderto clearup the obviousinaccuraciesin whathasbeenreportedto dateandto inform

thepublic aboutwhat actuallyhappened, we requestthat the TorrancePoliceDepanment
provideus with the following information:

(1) Copiesof any Dash Cam video and/oraudio recordingsmadeat the scene;
(2) Copies of any audio transmissionsor radio traffic immediately before the
shooting;
(3) Data from the SensingDiagnosticModule or "black box" of the patrol car that
broadsidedMr. Perdue;
(4) A copy of any statementthat Mr. Perdueprovided at the scene;
(5) A copy of any statementthat any other witness provided; and
(6) A copy of any incident report.

We also demandthat the TorrancePolice DepartmentpreserveMr. Perdue'svehicleand the

patrol vehiclethat crashedinto him.

The "Messagefrom the Chief'on the TorrancePolice Departmentwebsitestates: "As a

progressive,professionalorganization,we take pride in deliveringthe highestlevel of quality
service. Rooted in sincerecare and concernfor the Torrance community, our dedicated
employeesachieveour mission of ensuringsafetyby servingwith pride, compassion,
excellence,and integrity."

The Torrancepolice officers' violent and recklessactionsyesterdaydisplayed an utter and

completelack of "care and concernfor the Torrancecommunity." In light of the officer's
attemptto kill Mr. Perdueby deliberatelycrashinginto his vehicle and firing severalbullets
at his head,all without any warning or justification, Mr. and Mrs. Perduewould like to know
what, if any, disciplinary action the TorrancePolice Departmentintends to take againstthe
officersinvolved. They would also like to know what the TorrancePolice Department
intendsto do to make sure that their communitv is not endanseredlike this in the future.

Finally, pleaselet us know if the TonancePolice Departmentwill comply with these

requests,or whether it intends to force Mr. and Mrs. Perdueto take formal legal action.
Pleasedirect any further communicationsto this offrce.

Very truly yours,

)-t.t Da*
ToddD. Thibodo

Cc: David andLizzette Perdue

RobertSheahen,
Esq.