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Who was Eric Thurmond?
Eric Thurmond was a former Rockford police officer who became known for his work with youth and his viral videos as the “dancing cop”. He was part of the ROCK House program, which placed officers in homes within the neighborhoods they patrolled. He lived rent and utility free in a ROCK house at 1007 15th Street, sponsored by the Winnebago County Housing Authority.
What happened to Eric Thurmond?
Thurmond’s career ended in October 2019, when he was charged with criminal sexual assault for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman while off duty. A year later, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges and resigned from the Rockford Police Department. He was also fined $439 and prohibited from working in law enforcement in Illinois for one year.
Thurmond moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he died on October 13, 2022, at the age of 29. The Davidson County coroner confirmed his death, but the cause of his death has not been confirmed by the coroner. According to a friend, he suffered a head injury after a fall.
How did the community react to Eric Thurmond’s death?
Thurmond’s death sparked mixed reactions from the community. Some of his friends and former colleagues remembered him as a genuine, selfless, caring, and kind-hearted person who wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives and be a positive influence. They urged the public to reserve judgment and wait for the facts to come out. Others said his good deeds in the community did not excuse his misconduct and that he should have faced justice for his actions.
