Norfolk Police Officer Fired After Donation To Kyle Rittenhouse

NORFOLK, VA — A police officer for the city of Norfolk, who served as an executive officer in the department’s internal affairs division, was fired Tuesday after city officials said he violated department policies.

Lieutenant William Kelly violated policies by donating money to Kyle Rittenhouse's defense fund, according to city officials.

The donation by Kelly was reportedly attached to his official Norfolk Police Department email address, raising questions about the use of public resources in supporting such campaigns, The Guardian reported last Friday.

According to The Guardian, Kelly included a comment as part of his donation to Rittenhouse that read, "God bless. Thank you for your courage. Keep your head up. You've done nothing wrong."

Rittenhouse is the teenager from Illinois who is accused of killing two people and injuring another person at a protest against police brutality in Wisconsin in August 2020.

Norfolk City Manager Chip Filer said he was advised by Police Chief Larry Boone to relieve Kelly of duty.

“I have reviewed the results of the internal investigation involving Lt. William Kelly. Chief Larry Boone and I have concluded Lt. Kelly’s actions are in violation of City and departmental policies,” Filer said in a statement. “His egregious comments erode the trust between the Norfolk Police Department and those they are sworn to serve. The City of Norfolk has a standard of behavior for all employees, and we will hold staff accountable.”

Kelly was initially put on administrative duty, following reports about his donation and support for Rittenhouse.

Boone said in a statement that a police department “cannot do its job when the public loses trust with those whose duty is to serve and protect them.”

“We do not want perceptions of any individual officer to undermine the relations between the Norfolk Police Department and the community,” Boone said. “I ask the community to continue to support the officers of the Norfolk Police Department as in the past knowing that right now, at this moment, they are continuing to serve and protect them.”

Kelly has the right to appeal the decision in accordance with the city's grievance policies.

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