Brentwood Police Officer Receives Purple Heart Medal

On Tuesday, Brentwood Police Chief Mark Evenson presented Officer Christopher Friedmann the Brentwood Police Department Purple Heart Medal.

Chief Evenson read the following:

On May 7, 2013 officer Christopher Friedmann responded to the Khols Department Store for a shoplifting. Upon arrival, officer Friedmann met with the suspect, a 34-year-old resident out of Stockton and learned he had recently been released from prison.

As he began to take custody, the suspect broke free and ran to the store. Officer Freedman gave chase and caught up with the suspect in the parking lot where a physical altercation ensued. While attempting to take the suspect into custody they fell to the ground and officer Friedmann left knee struck the curb sheering his knee cap into two.

Officer Christopher Friedmann being treated by Contra Costa County firefighters and AMR in May 2013

I was there and saw it, it was pretty traumatic. Although in intense pain, officer Friedmann provided a clear and articulate broadcast over the radio so others were aware of the incident. Officer Friedmann relayed immediacy what he knew was the case that his leg was broken and in need of an ambulance.

Officers from Brentwood Police, Antioch Police and CHP responded to assist in an attempt to local the suspect who attempted to carjack a motorist in his attempt to escape.

Upon seeing him, officers gave chase over several fences and through the backyard of several homes. The suspect was subsequently caught in the city of Antioch at which time he fought with police and two other officers were sent to the hospital as a result of their struggle to take this person into custody.

Officer Friedmann was transported to John Muir Hospital via ambulance and underwent surgery and worked hard to rehabilitate his knee. Officer Friedmann was able to return to full duty.

The suspect was sentenced to almost two-years in state prison as a result to his actions. And recently, the suspect has been arrested for a homicide that occurred in San Francisco. Officer Friedmann on the other hand, continues to provide a high level of service to the residence of Brentwood as a valued member of our team and currently serves as a school resource officer for Liberty High School.

As a result of this calm and professional conduct he exhibited after having sustained a serious injury during the performance of his official duties, it is my honor to thank Officer Friedmann for his resolve and is my absolute pleasure to awarded the Brentwood police department Purple Heart ribbon which from this day forward will be authorized to wear as part of his Class A uniform.

Please join me in congratulating Officer Friedmann

Chief Evenson added that the fact he recovered and was able to return to work is miraculous saying there are not a lot of people who had not come back after a lot less of an injury.

“I am very proud of you and I really respect you. You are an outstanding officer for this city,” said Evenson.

The suspect in the Kohls incident was identified as Temu Jabari Curry who was booked with felony battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and petty theft.

According to the Antioch Police Department, on June 2, 2016, traffic officers made a routine traffic stop from a seat belt violation which netted the arrest of Curry wanted on an $8 million warrant.

Police say around 8:30 am they took Temu Curry, 37, into custody during the traffic stop after he was found to be on a warrant out of San Francisco for murder and explosives. He was taken into custody without incident.

According to police, he had been hiding out in Antioch at his girlfriend’s residence. He was booked into county jail.