Letters uncovered in Manney's personnel file reveal he performed "at a high level of bravery"



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Christopher Manney is at the center of the Dontre Hamilton investigation, and today we are getting a new perspective on him.

Manney has been fired from his job, but FOX6 News is learning his boss wrote glowing reviews about him -- and he's not the only one.

FOX6 News asked Milwaukee police for Officer Christopher Manney's personnel files, and Thursday we got them. A day of digging through these files reveals a lot of praise for the embattled officer.

In downtown Milwaukee, there is anticipation of the upcoming holiday, and the arrival of something else. A charging decision is expected any day for the Milwaukee police officer who shot and killed Dontre Hamilton at Red Arrow Park in April.

Protesters are demanding Officer Christopher Manney face criminal charges.

New personnel files are giving a different perspective of the officer at the center of the investigation.

Following the shooting, letter upon letter of gratitude were placed inside Manney's personnel files -- mostly written by downtown workers, who say the officer is missed.

"He's just one of the finest people I've ever met, and a very good cop. People should know that. He could problem solve quickly on his feet, and yet not lose his cool" said one woman who asked to not be identified, but felt compelled to write to MPD.

Officer Manney was fired for the events that led up to the shooting death in Red Arrow Park, however in the documents, there are glowing letters from the man who terminated him.

"Congratulations on a job well done" wrote Chief Ed Flynn after Officer Manney helped nab 6 suspected armed robbers in 2010. "Keep up the good work", Flynn wrote again after nabbing 3 more later that year.

In total, 6 letters from Milwaukee Police Chief, Ed Flynn, are on file thanking Manney for arrests, to helping save a life.

Another file noted Manney performed "at a high level of bravery, courage and expertise" after he helped evacuate a neighborhood following a gas explosion.

In 13 years, Manney has received 6 citizen complaints, but been commended many more times. Those who support him are asking the public to put his entire career into perspective.

"He's a human being, he has a family, and he cares deeply about this community and it is very sad what is being done to him," said the anonymous woman.

It's not his past, but what happened on April 30th, the day of the shooting, investigators are looking closely at.

The decision is in the hands of the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.