Families call for Contra Costa County Sheriff to resign

MARTINEZ, Calif. - Families of at least four men who died after interactions with police held a small protest calling on the Contra Costa County Sheriff to resign.

The families of Laudemer Arboleda, Tyrell Wilson, Miles Hall and Angelo Quinto rallied outside the sheriff's office on Tuesday.

The call for Sheriff David Livingston to resign comes after he sent a letter of support for former Deputy Andrew Hall who was recently sentenced to six years in prison for shooting Arboleda in 2018.

In the letter to staff, as first obtained by KTVU, Livingston called the sentencing "unusually long" and said the sentencing marked a "sad day." 

But the families say Livingston's remarks show disregard for victims of police violence and their communities.

Jennifer Leong, the sister of Arboleda, said it wasn't a sad day when Hall got sentenced for fatally shooting her brother, who was driving away at 6 mph. It was a sad day when her brother died. 

"It's disgusting," Leong said. "He can't lead this community." 

A request for comment to the sheriff was not immediately returned. 

Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond police union, is running for sheriff against Livingston.

"The letter's completely tone-deaf," said Therriault, who has the backing of Arboleda's family. "As a law-enforcement leader, I think it's important to look at how we can better our profession, and that letter was inappropriate."

Therriault added, "I would commit myself as sheriff to examine the policies and procedures that actually create those situations in the first place."

MORE: Contra Costa County Sheriff shows disdain for judge's 6-year sentence of ex-deputy

SEE ALSO: Progressive prosecutors lambast Contra Costa County Sheriff after deputy kills man