Daniel Pantaleo, the New York City police officer who killed Eric Garner on July 17, 2014, was fired on Monday.
New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill made the announcement saying, "It is clear that Daniel Pantaleo can no longer serve as a police officer.”
The NYPD ruled that Pantaleo broke department policy by putting Garner in a prohibited chokehold. This is the first time the ex-officer has faced any sort of punishment for Garner's death.
Last month, the Justice Department declined to charge him with violating Garner's civil rights. In 2014, a Staten Island grand jury also decided not to indict.
Garner's death occurred when he was confronted by NYPD officers for selling single cigarettes on the street, which is illegal. A friend took video of the incident, which clearly shows Pantaleo put Garner in a chokehold and hold it in place even after Garner is on the ground.
Garner last words were "I can't breathe."
