Officer Detail: Mitchell R. Thomas

General Information

Name Mitchell R. Thomas
OpenOversight ID 84538
Department [NY] Buffalo Police Department
Race Black
Gender Male
Birth Year (Age) Data Missing
First Employment Date 2016-11-04
Number of known incidents 1
Currently on the force No

Assignment History

Job Title Badge No. Unit Start Date End Date
Police Officer Suspended E District Unknown
Police Officer Terminated E District 2023-10-09 2023-10-09
Police Officer P3469 E District 2016-11-01

Descriptions

  • Jul 25, 2024

    Mitchell R. Thomas, began his career with the Buffalo Police Department in November 2016 and left the force in October 2023.

    In his first four years on the job, Internal Affairs investigated 14 misconduct complaints lodged against Thomas. Two of those investigations, including one harassment charge, resulted in reprimands. Four more — harassment, absent without leave, rudeness on duty, misconduct off duty — led to disciplinary conferences with his supervisors.

    At least three charges were ruled “not sustained,” meaning there wasn’t enough evidence to determine if the charges were true or false.

    He was exonerated three times, including in a December 2019 incident in which he and his brother — also a Buffalo cop, also named Mitchell — shot a man running from the scene of a traffic stop.

    Source: Investigative Post

Incidents

Incident 268

Date Dec 29, 2019
Time 10:25 PM
Department Buffalo Police Department
Officers Mitchell J. Thomas Ii , Mitchell R. Thomas
Description

On the night of December 29, 2019 Buffalo Police Officers Mitchell J. Thomas II and Mitchell R. Thomas initiated a traffic stop. William Fugate was a passenger in the backseat of the vehicle. According to prosecutors, Fugate tried to flee from the vehicle. They also claim that while Fugate was running away, he pointed a gun at the officers.

The officers fired their guns at Fugate and struck him four times. Fugate was found a short time later hiding in a backyard. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center for treatment of the gunshot wounds to the side of his body.

Prosecutors claim a "loaded, illegal pistol" was found in Fugate's "flight path." However, Fugate disputeed the police version of events.

Outcome

No charges were filed against the officers.

While media reports said that Fugate pled guilty to a weapons possession charge, there are no court records that confirm this. Fugate did plead guilty to a possession with intent to distribute charge in 2021 after prosecutors claim a warrant was executed at a residence that Fugate was present at and 13 ounces of methamphetamine were found in a locked safe.
Address Buffalo, NY

Links

  • Buffalo police officer charged with leaving loaded gun in car while off-duty
    ABuffalo police officer was charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly leaving his personal pistol in plain view inside a car parked on Franklin Street last year, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday. Mitchell R. Thomas, 28, of Buffalo was arraigned Friday afternoon before City Court Judge Shannon Heneghan on a single count of first-degree failure to safely store a firearm. Authorities said Thomas, the alleged owner of the weapon, was off-duty at the time of the incident. He was arrested and suspended from his job. - Maki Becker
  • Executive Law § 75(5)(b) Referral of Police Officer Mitchell R. Thomas OAG Matter No. 1-793388547
    OAG closing Officer Thomas’ referral on an administrative basis, without making a determination as to whether he engaged in a pattern or practice of misconduct, use of excessive force, or acts of dishonesty pursuant to § 75(5)(b), based on the understanding that he is no longer employed by BPD. A police department spokesperson told Investigative Post via that Thomas was granted a state-approved duty disability retirement on Aug. 27 of 2023. The spokesperson didn’t say what the disability was. - New York State Office of Attorney General
  • Internal affair and employee discipline files of Mitchell R. Thomas
    All Internal affairs and employee discipline files of Mitchell R. Thomas. - Muckrock | Claire Johns
  • A questionable city contract
    Buffalo gave an ex-cop with a dubious disciplinary record a deal to provide security for the Broadway Market. Elite Protection & Investigation, with offices in Williamsville, won the contract to provide security at the Broadway Market with a bid of $267,150. Two other bidders bid about $20,000 higher. It’s a one-year contract with the option to extend the deal annually up to four times. Elite’s CEO, Mitchell R. Thomas has no security guard or private investigator licenses. - Investigative Post | Geoff Kelly
  • Brother of Mitchell J Thomas II
  • Internal Affairs Investigations
    NYCLU