Burbank cop in FBI probe commits suicide

Associated Press
Thursday, October 29, 2009

BURBANK, Calif. — A police sergeant who was being investigated as part of an FBI probe into police misconduct shot and killed himself on the corner of a residential street Thursday, authorities said.

Neil T. Gunn, 50, was found dead around 11:40 a.m. after he committed suicide as he stood at the junction of North Sunset Canyon Drive and East Harvard Road, the Burbank Police Department said in a statement.

Witnesses reported seeing the 22-year veteran turn the gun on himself, police said.

The FBI has confirmed it is looking into possible civil rights violations by Burbank officers and the U.S. attorney’s office has issued a grand jury subpoena for personnel records involving 12 members of the department, including Gunn, the Burbank Leader reported.

The subpoena sought records on “use of force, defensive tactics, Tasers, pepper spray, or the rules and ramifications pertaining to the use of excessive force or a violation of civil/constitutional rights.”

Several of the officers listed in the probe filed lawsuits against the Police Department alleging racial discrimination, harassment and on-the-job retaliation.

The Glendale Police Department is handling the investigation into Gunn’s death. A call to the agency’s spokesman was not immediately returned.

Burbank police said Gunn had received numerous commendations for his work during his time with the department.

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