American Canyon police shooting, Willie McCoy settlement, supervisor candidates forum

This was a busy week for reporting on the Vallejo Police Department. On Tuesday, the Vallejo City Council approved a $5 million settlement with the family of Willie McCoy, who was shot and killed by six Vallejo police officers in 2019. The shooting upended the police department and led to the exposure of the Vallejo police badge bending practice. Then days later, an American Canyon police officer shot a suspect in North Vallejo. We identified the officer as a former Vallejo officer who had testified during hearings on badge bending.

We also continued our coverage of the upcoming March 5 primary election, covering a forum in the District 2 Board of Supervisors race, which covers Benicia and portions of Vallejo. We'll have more on the Board of Supervisors race next week.

This kind of journalism is time consuming and expensive to produce, so if you value our work, please consider becoming a paid member so that we can keep publishing. We rely on subscribers chipping in to keep going.

American Canyon officer who shot suspect in Vallejo testified in badge bending hearings

An American Canyon police officer who shot a suspect in North Vallejo following a pursuit on Thursday afternoon was a former Vallejo police officer who testified in 2022 that a superior bent his badge after a shooting, the Vallejo Sun has learned.

A source with knowledge of the incident identified the officer as former Vallejo police Officer Josh Coleman, who was involved in four shootings in Vallejo before he was hired as a Napa County Sheriff’s deputy in 2018. American Canyon contracts its policing services with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

Earlier in the day, the police department highlighted Coleman in his role as American Canyon High School’s school resource officer in a Facebook post. A Napa sheriff’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment about Coleman’s involvement in the shooting. Coleman recently interviewed for a position as an investigator with the Solano County District Attorney’s Office.

The shooting happened after an officer attempted to pull over a car for a vehicle code violation in the area of state Highway 29 and American Canyon Road at about 3:15 p.m., according to a statement by American Canyon police.

Police then pursued the tan Lexus into Vallejo’s Country Club Crest neighborhood, where the vehicle continued fleeing onto Mini Drive, Corcoran Avenue and Fairgrounds Drive, according to police scanner audio.

Eventually as the pursuit continued on Souza Way, the car’s tire blew near Gateway Drive. Multiple people ran from the vehicle, according to the scanner audio. The car crashed into a fence.

Officers chased after the fleeing occupants. One officer fired his gun, said “shots fired” on the radio and called for medical attention. The officer said that he was not injured. The officer said that the suspect had a gun in his hand.

Vallejo settles lawsuit over 2019 police killing of Willie McCoy for $5M

The Vallejo City Council on Tuesday approved a $5 million settlement with the family of Willie McCoy, a 20-year-old man who was shot and killed by six Vallejo police officers in 2019 after he was found unresponsive in a Taco Bell drive-thru, ending a nearly five-year legal battle over one of the most controversial incidents involving Vallejo police.

The shooting was a catalyst that brought scrutiny on the practices of the Vallejo Police Department. It made national headlines and led to the police department’s practice of bending the tips of their badges to mark shootings coming to light. The settlement is just short of the largest in the city’s history, below the $5.7 million paid to the family of Ronell Foster after he was shot by a Vallejo police officer in 2018.

But the lawsuit, which was filed in 2019, initially had sought to place the Vallejo Police Department under the oversight of a federal judge to implement long-term reforms, similar to a negotiated settlement agreement that has governed the Oakland Police Department for decades. Ultimately, the settlement in the McCoy case did not include any reforms.

Other attempts to reform the department have emerged in the years after the lawsuit was filed. Most notably, the state Department of Justice filed its own stipulated judgment in state court in October to compel the department to complete a slate of reforms. However, it remains unclear whether that agreement will proceed, as the judge assigned to the case has expressed reluctance to sign it.

Melissa Nold, an attorney for the McCoy family, said in a statement to the Vallejo Sun that she did not believe that the settlement represented justice. "Money is not justice when someone has been murdered," Nold said. "We will continue to work with state and federal agencies to ensure that Willie McCoy's killers are brought to REAL justice and that the Vallejo Police badge bending ritual is criminally investigated."

Solano Supervisor candidates for Vallejo, Benicia spar over committees, California Forever

Candidates for the District 2 seat on the Solano County Board of Supervisors exchanged barbs and trumpeted platform points as they answered questions in a forum moderated by the Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee at the Benicia Veterans Hall Monday night.

Incumbent Monica Brown and challengers Rochelle Sherlock and Nora Dizon responded to individual questions posed for each candidate by the forum moderators, PAC chair Charles Lee and local business owner Tara Beasley-Stansbury. Candidates were allowed short responses to their opponents’ answers. 

Sherlock, a business management consultant who previously ran against Brown in 2020, took her first opportunity to challenge Brown’s record by saying that Brown had voted to dissolve several advisory committees, including the Agricultural Advisory Board, the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Committee and the Solano County Historical Records Commission.

The issue came up a second time when moderators read questions collected from an audience of about 40 people. One attendee asked if candidates would work to reinstate the commissions.

Brown said that the board had valid reasons to dissolve the committees. She said that the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board was folded into the Behavioral Health Department to fit the statewide model and the board felt that Farm Bureau was a better fit to represent agricultural interests.

Dizon, a real estate broker in Fairfield, argued that the committees do not always represent the whole of the community.

“I go to these meetings and a few people are dominating, so it becomes their opinions, not really the opinions or the feelings of the residents.” Dizon said. She said that the political process in the county has become antagonistic and many people are afraid to speak their minds because of intimidation tactics. She committed to working to change that culture so a broader spectrum of voices can be heard.

In other news

• Vallejo police arrest woman threatening others with an axe, the Vallejo Times-Herald reports.
• Solano Volunteers raise funds at 49ers games, the Vallejo Times-Herald reports.
• Car culture exhibit motors into Vallejo, The Vallejo Times-Herald reports.
• Bay Area man pleads guilty to bribing Vallejo city official, according to the U.S. Justice Department. (Read our previous coverage.)
• Solano County ready to sue state over Delta tunnel EIR, the Daily Republic reports.

Upcoming events

Friday, January 12

• The Makery: Open Use Hours & Make it Fridays! The Makery’s equipment includes a 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, and much more! Drop-in and discover what we have, or make an appointment to use specific equipment. Fri, 2 to 4:45 p.m., John F. Kennedy Library, 505 Santa Clara St.
• Everything Nowadays: Live deliciously and support post-punk, Rasta, funk, ska and alt-folk-flavored goodness in Vallejo. Original and slightly unusual music that is 100% good for your soul! Free show with dinner. Fri, 6 to 10 p.m., Bambino’s, 301 Georgia St. #122
• David El 3-Oh and Air Lift Underground: Even though it's officially been canceled, we're doing Art Walk anyway at IntegriTea. David El's Trio will play original compositions and dance-inducing jams. Air Lift Underground will play psychoactive, stream of consciousness word jazz. DJ Ennui Goa will bend traditional trance with interspersed thought-bombs and synth jams. We welcome any artists who want to set up for Art Walk. Fri, 7 to 10 p.m., IntegriTea Art + Event Space, 717 Marin St.
• STAR STUNNAS Open Rap Cyphers & DJ music: Slide thru this Friday for another live cypher — this time with the legend SydeQuest! Open Rap Cyphers start at 8 p.m., then we’ll have another Mainey line up of some of this areas hottest DJs starting at 9 p.m. Fri, 8 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Carnalito’s Customs, 905 Tennessee St.
• 80's Night with DJ Zero Effs: DJ Zero Effs takes you back to the 80s every second Friday. Fri, 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Townhouse Cocktail Lounge, 401A Georgia St.

Saturday, January 13

• Farmers' Market: Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits and other goodies. Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Downtown Vallejo, Georgia and Marin.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Grove Ceremony: Tree-planting ceremony to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.-Leave your Legacy! Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring your own water bottle. Snacks will be provided. Sat, 9 a.m. to noon, open space behind Vallejo City Hall, 555 Santa Clara St.
• Rose Pruning Workshop: Bring gloves and clippers and the North Bay Rose Society will teach all you need to know to grow beautiful roses. Sat, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grant Mahoney Park, 818 Mariposa St.
• Vallejo Project's Unity Garden Tree Workshop: Learn about tree replanting and drip irrigation and help the Vallejo Project prepare their garden space for the new season. Sat, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Unity Garden, 2160 Sacramento St.
• Poetry in Notion: Join Vallejo’s Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann for Poetry in Notion. Bring some poetry to share or just come and listen. Meets in the Program Room on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Sat, noon to 2 p.m., John F. Kennedy Library, 505 Santa Clara St.
• Save Los Amigos Taqueria - car show: Free Music Collective and local car clubs will be feasting and jammin'. Bring the whole family out for this one and let’s show Los Amigos our love! Sat, noon to 5 p.m., Los Amigos Taqueria, 5184 Sonoma Blvd., #310B
• Betty White's Birthday celebration with the Humane Society: The Humane Society of the North Bay celebrates beloved Betty White’s birthday. Her love of animals has inspired millions to support animal shelters. This fundraiser will include a delicious Italian-themed buffet dinner, dessert dash and raffle. Sat, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., V-Town Provisions, 300 Virginia St.
• Live Music with the Git With It Band: Git With It is a Bay Area cover band that ranges from rock, R&B, oldies, and pop. Free show with dinner. Arrive early to get a seat near the stage. Sat, 6 to 9 p.m., Bambino’s, 301 Georgia St. #122.
• Live Music Saturday with Yolo Hot Club: This violin, guitar, and bass trio specializes in old swing tunes and “gypsy jazz” music of the 30’s and 40’s. Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mare Island Brewing Co. Taproom, 289 Mare Island Way.
• Vallejo Symphony - An American in Paris: George Gershwin,’s “An American in Paris”. Aaron Copland’s “Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, and Harp,” and George Bizet’s “Symphony in C.” Featuring three-time Grammy nominee Clarinetist Todd Palmer. Sat, 8 to 9:45 p.m., Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St.
• Townhouse Divas Drag Show: Come join Vicodonia Knightingale, Charity Kase and Holotta Tymes every 2nd and 4th Saturday night at the Townhouse Cocktail Lounge! These are the Divas you want to see! Sat, 10:30 p.m. to midnight, Townhouse Cocktail Lounge, 401A Georgia St.

Sunday, January 14

• Bryan Girard Jazz Quartet: Saxophonist Bryan Girard will be joined by Greg Sankovich on keyboard, Dave MacNab on guitar and Kendrick Freeman on drums. Buy lunch and get listen to a live jazz show free! Sun, noon to 3 p.m., Bambino’s, 301 Georgia St. #122.
• The Arc-Solano - Bunco Fundraiser! The Arc-Solano is hosting a Bunco party! Tickets are $35 and include the game, appetizers, drinks, and prizes. Sun, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Arc-Solano, 3272 Sonoma Blvd. Suite 4.
• We walk with Martin: Profiles in Unity: Benicia Public Library invites you to an exploration of how King’s work and message stay current and relevant in the words and labors of those who strive to keep his dream alive. Participants will have an opportunity to share this message with others in a peaceful march through downtown Benicia. Sun, 2 to 4 p.m., Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St.
• Vallejo Symphony - An American in Paris: George Gershwin,’s “An American in Paris”. Aaron Copland’s “Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, and Harp,” and George Bizet’s “Symphony in C.” Featuring three-time Grammy nominee Clarinetist Todd Palmer. Sun, 3 to 4:45 p.m., Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St.

Monday, January 15

• Martin Luther King Jr. march and ceremony: The march will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Georgia Street and Marin Streets and proceed west to Martin Luther King Jr Park. The ceremony will begin at at 11 a.m. in the Vallejo Room, below the John F. Kennedy Library. Mon, 9 a.m. to noon, Downtown Vallejo.
• District 1 Board of Supervisors Candidates Forum: Hear from the candidates Cassandra James and Michael Wilson about their plans for Vallejo and Solano County. Mon, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Sir Winston Business Center, 515 Broadway, Vallejo.

As always keep up on VallejoSun.com for the latest news.

Again, if you appreciate the work we're doing please consider making a contribution to help us continue!

And if you aren't already a subscriber, sign up for our email list here.