Colorado Springs Police officer involved in 3 use-of-force incidents since 2019, latest ends in death

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- 13 Investigates learned that a Colorado Springs Police officer involved in a deadly car chase in April has been at the center of two other use-of-force investigations since 2019.

The actions of CSPD Patrol Officer Matthew Anderson, who has been with the department for eight years, have resulted in two different lawsuits. One is still ongoing, the other led to the City of Colorado Springs paying for a settlement. Anderson was clear of any wrongdoing in both cases.

The most recent incident involving Anderson was when he performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver at a high rate of speed on two carjacking suspects on April 13. The TVI, commonly referred to as a pit maneuver, ended in the death of 20-year-old Henry Jackson.

According to body-camera video released by CSPD, Jackson and D'Angelo Flynn were wanted for stealing a woman's car at gunpoint in the early morning hours of April 13. Multiple CSPD officers then found the stolen car, with Flynn and Jackson inside, and a chase was initiated.

After several minutes into a high-speed chase, which included speeds ranging from 60-80 miles per hour, Anderson chose to use the pit maneuver to stop the vehicle. The suspect vehicle hit a pole and suffered severe damage. Despite rendering medical aid to Jackson, he was pronounced dead on the scene.

13 Investigates reviewed CSPD's policy on using TVIs.

According to CSPD, the factors that their officers should examine before attempting to use force include:

• The danger presented to the community and the officers.
• The seriousness of the offense.
• Whether identification of the offender makes apprehension at a later time likely.
• The location of the pursuit and the nature of the area; residential, commercial, school zone, open highway, etc., as it relates to the volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
• The type of terrain.
• Traffic conditions include volume, type, speed, and direction of vehicular traffic and direction of pursuit.
• Weather conditions such as rain, fog, snow, wind, etc.
• Road conditions such as ice, construction, poor repair, weather, visibility, etc.
• The performance capabilities of the vehicle being pursued.
• The ability of the pursuing officer(s) to keep the patrol vehicle under control, including the condition and capability of involved police vehicles.
• The mental and physical condition of the pursuing officer(s).
• The speed of the pursuing officer(s) patrol vehicles and that of the suspect vehicle.
• Whether the officer(s) have visual contact with the suspect vehicle.
• The occupants of a vehicle (children, hostages, etc.)
• If radio communication is lost.

CSPD's current policy does include specific speeds at which a TVI should not be used. Their policy emphasizes that it is up to the officer, and a supervisor, discretion to determine what speed is too fast to engage in a pit maneuver.

Other incidents involving Ofc. Anderson

Anderson first made headlines when he issued a ticket to Michael Sexton in 2019 for jay-walking. Anderson detained Sexton for several minutes after Sexton flipped him off.

Sexton then sued Anderson in federal court. Months later, the suit was dismissed, but a federal judge said that Anderson did not have probable cause to place Sexton in handcuffs at the time.

"Matthew Anderson, unfortunately, does not have the temperament to be a police officer," Sexton's attorney Andy McNulty told 13 Investigates. "He decided to arrest my client and rough him up because he simply flipped him off and in doing so, he violated the rights of my client under the United States Constitution, the First Amendment."

In 2021, Sexton and the City of Colorado Springs settled for $37,500. As a result, Anderson nor the City had to admit wrongdoing.

"The federal judge found that he didn't have probable cause to arrest Michael and that the arrest was really problematic and illegal," McNulty said. "That case ended up settling for a significant amount of money for something, you know, it should have been nothing."

Anderson is currently being sued for his actions tied to arresting and using force against Dalvin Gadson, a veteran in Colorado Springs.

In bodycam footage obtained by 13 Investigates, two officers are seen punching and kicking Gadson while he was refusing the exit the car. One of those officers was Anderson.

However, CSPD claims Gadson "physically fought with officers and on more than one instance re-entered the vehicle in the area of the knife."

According to the department, on Oct. 14, 2022, Internal Affairs received an online complaint regarding the arrest. As of December 2022, CSPD stated the investigation was still open.

Additionally, CSPD said an administrative review of the officer's use of force was also conducted by the chain of command, but it was found to be within policy.

After the incident, Anderson was pictured smiling as investigators took pictures of his potential injuries sustained in the incident with Gadson.

Gadson's attorney, Harry Daniels, said Anderson's past should be of concern to CSPD and the Colorado Springs community.

"Anderson, this is not his first rodeo. We know this. He's been in trouble before. He's been sued before for these types of acts and he's back at it again," Daniels said.

Now, McNulty said the department needs to take a closer look at Anderson's conduct on the job.

"He just doesn't meet the standards that we would expect from law enforcement officers. He isn't someone who has the appropriate judgment when using the awesome power that we give to police officers," McNulty said.

13 Investigates reached out to Colorado Springs Police for comment on the amount of use-of-force incidents Anderson has been involved in. They issued this statement:

"We do not comment on cases with pending litigation and open investigations."

Robert Tornabene, CSPD Public Information Officer

In line with Colorado law, the El Paso County Sheriff's office began an investigation into Anderson's action on April 13.

Once completed, they will turn over findings to the 4th Judicial District Attorney's office. They will determine if the use of force complied with Colorado law.

Do you have a tip you want 13 investigates to look into? Email us at 13investigates@krdo.com