Former Officer Reunites With Family After Years in Prison
Former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao has experienced an emotional reunion with his wife and children following his release from federal prison in Kentucky last week. Heartwarming photographs captured the moment Thao embraced his three children for the first time in years, marking the end of his incarceration period.
The Emotional Decision to Protect His Children
In a previous interview with Alpha News, Thao revealed that he made the difficult decision to prevent his children from visiting him during his prison term. He explained he didn't want them "having that image … that type of trauma" associated with seeing their father behind bars. This protective measure meant the recent reunion represented their first physical contact since his imprisonment began.
Legal Background and Fundraising Efforts
Thao's legal troubles stem from the May 25, 2020 incident involving George Floyd, where he was convicted for preventing bystanders from intervening while fellow officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. In 2023, a state court found Thao guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and sentenced him to 57 months in prison.
He also faced federal civil rights violation charges, resulting in a three-and-a-half-year sentence that ran concurrently with his state sentence. Meanwhile, Derek Chauvin received a 21-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to violating Floyd's civil rights in 2022, in addition to his state conviction for second-degree murder.
A fundraising campaign has been launched on GiveSendGo to support Thao as he works to rebuild his life after what supporters describe as his "political imprisonment." The fundraiser statement notes: "After Tou's release from his political imprisonment, many have asked for a way to donate and show their support. This GiveSendGo was created in response to those heartfelt offers of support. Tou also is thankful for all the letters of encouragement both from home and abroad."
The campaign aims to provide financial assistance during Thao's transition back to civilian life, highlighting the ongoing support he continues to receive from various quarters despite the controversies surrounding his case.
