A man who calls himself one of the most strident critics of the police department urged Phoenix leaders to show more support for an officer shot in the line of duty.
During Wednesday’s Phoenix City Council meeting, it appeared members were ready to approve a $2 million settlement to Phillip Grigg, a Maricopa County Sheriff’s posse member who was not on duty at the time of the incident.
In 2013, Grigg was critically hurt when he tried to help Phoenix Police Officer Scott Sefranka stop a robbery suspect.
“Officer Sefranka never asked for help,” J.J. Johnson told the council. “Mr. Grigg never identified himself as a posse member. He caused his own shooting whether he was well-intentioned or not."
Johnson urged the council not to settle, but to take the case to trial. He blamed Grigg for causing the suspect to gain control of Sefranka’s weapon, shooting both Grigg and the officer.
Councilman Sal DiCiccio said he had never heard that argument and asked for time to get more information. The council voted to postpone the settlement vote until April 4.
