Virginia County Settles with Victim's Family for $2M

OFF THE WIRE
January 24, 2011


Fairfax County, Virginia has reached a $2 million settlement with the family of a 37-year-old optometrist who was shot and killed by police as part of a gambling investigation in 2006.

County police sent a SWAT team to arrest Salvatore Culosi, a suspected bookmaker. Officer Deval Bullock had his weapon drawn and accidentally shot and killed Culosi.

A subsequent police investigation determined that police had no reason to use a SWAT team to arrest Culosi. Bullock was disciplined for failing to control his weapon.

Bullock was the defendant in the Culosi family's lawsuit, but the county paid the settlement, which was finalized Tuesday, and Bullock's legal fees.

Fairfax County Police say they are now more selective in deploying SWAT teams.