By Robert J. Hansen
Sacramento, CA – An Auburn police officer threatened the founder of Police Crime Survivors (PCS), Christopher Kershner, on December 27.
Auburn police officer Joshua Eagan drove his police cruiser dangerously through town and down Kershner’s narrow street so he could corner Kershner in his driveway, according to witnesses.
Marysville resident Darwin Richards, who is visiting his mother, was smoking a cigar on the porch across the street when he saw Eagan speed up to Kershner’s driveway.
“He followed Christopher through and came back around,” Richards said in a video.
Kershner said Eagan followed him from the fairgrounds in town and then to his house and that Eagan never patrols down his residential street.
“I haven’t seen one since I’ve been here, which has been about a week,” Richards said.
“Eagan came back again as I was exiting my car and walking up the driveway, I saw Eagan throw what I thought was a white power hand signal,” Kershner said.
A week later Kershner filed reports with the Auburn PD, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding dangerous and negligent behavior by Eagan and other government employees in the city of Auburn.
He also filed a restraining order against Eagan which a judge has yet to make a ruling on after several days.
The reports are in response to the alleged attack on Kershner in his home driveway by Eagan.
Officer Eagan went on leave from the department shortly after the incident with Kershner.
Eagan is telling people that he is on vacation and it’s to spend time with his family. Eagan’s wife, Kacy, gave birth to a baby boy on Friday, January 13.
“Thank you all so much! We are doing great. It is amazing to be on vacation so I can take care of them. My APD family is so supportive. See you all in a few weeks when I return,” Eagan said via Facebook.
Kacy Eagan said that Kershner doesn’t like Eagan because he is a police officer.
“Christopher is mad at my husband because he is with law enforcement,” she said while at the hospital.
The Auburn Police Department does not disclose the status of its officers as a policy, according to Dispatcher Brittany Glick.
“The only one who could tell you is Eagan,” Glick said.
A reliable source with the Auburn PD has confirmed Eagan is on administrative leave.
Kershner said that he has never felt safe with Eagan and the officers that trained and mentored him working for the Department and always knew that something similar to what happened to former Auburn resident Dalton Dyer Jr., would happen to him.
“I feel safer now knowing he is on leave. I hope and pray that he has worked his last day for the Auburn police department or any department,” Kershner said.
(Correction: the Vanguard removed a portion of the article regarding stickers on the vehicle after viewing photos showing them to be innocuous).
Police Crime Survivors
Kershner founded Police Crime Survivors after Dalton Dyer, Jr., was assaulted and falsely arrested by Officer Eagan in 2018.
Dyer, who is African American, proclaimed his innocence following that 2018 arrest, and so have many in the largely white community of Auburn.
Dyer and his cousin were pulled over for a suspected DUI while he was riding in the car. Dyer told CBS 13 in 2020 that he was given permission to get out of the car and then was tased several times.
The initial arrest report lists a misdemeanor charge of obstruction, but an officer later filed three supplemental felony charges stating Dyer hit him. Neither his cousin nor a second officer reportedly saw the punch.
“How would I be able to throw a punch if you have my hands? And so that’s why I’ve asked for a body camera,” Dyer told CBS 13.
The felony charges were all later dropped by District Attorney, Anna Duffy, representing Auburn police officers Matt Nichols and Eagan.
The three felony charges and two strikes against Dyer for resisting an executive officer, battery with injury to a peace officer, and battery with serious bodily injury were all dismissed, according to Dyer’s lawyer, David Wiksell.
Kershner’s organization, PCS, advocated and supported Dyer throughout the ordeal and that is why Kershner thinks Eagan began harassing him.
Robert J Hansen is an investigative journalist and economist. Focused on holding elected officials, police and the courts accountable to the people throughout the greater Sacramento area.
In my opinion there are many holes in this story and wiggle words used.
A whole week? Wow, that settles it then.
What he “thought”?
The “alleged” attack?
“A reliable source”?
Where are the photos? Why treasonous?
Downright patriotic, right?
VERY ‘right’… would make a boy proud…
Here’s the definition of treasonous:
trea·son·ous
/ˈtrēzənəs/
adjective
1.involving or guilty of the crime of betraying one’s country: “a treasonous act against the State”
So what evidence is there that any treasonous crime has been committed against the country or the State??
“A reliable source”?
Most likely someone with knowledge and access who is not authorized to speak to the press.
” Why treasonous?”
Only thing I can think is it’s a reference to the insurrection. Or possibly poor wood choice.
There was no insurrection, so let’s go with a poor ‘wood’ choice.
I’m speaking of the January 6 insurrection in DC. You can dispute that that’s an insurrection, but not everyone agrees with you.
Au Contraire, not everyone agrees with you either.
That’s true, but since we are discussing what someone else said, understanding where they are coming from probably explains the word choice
Absolutely ‘right’ and correct… Jan 6 2021 was a peaceful, patriotic, ‘right’eous demonstration to protest a ‘treasonous’ stealing of a landslide election in favor of “the Don”… got it…
How can one equate this occurrence in Auburn to the Jan. 6 protest?
Talk about a stretch. I’m still going with the poor “wood” choice.
Maybe the author or Kershner himself can further explain what they meant by that comment?
What is your real objection here? That you disagree that what happened on January 6 was an insurrection or that the connection between that and a cop driving around Auburn with white supremacy stickers on his car is a bit weak? I wouldn’t have used the term treasonous, I would have gone with racist. But it’s not exactly a huge mystery as to why it was used.
I wouldn’t have gone with either one, based upon what’s reported on the Vanguard. I never believe what’s reported on here in the first place, without more objective/verifiable evidence.
I watched the referenced CBS video, and found it difficult to believe that the officer would have given “permission” for a passenger in the car to exit the vehicle. For what purpose? Normally, they tell passengers to remain in vehicles.
Is he still facing “resisting arrest” charges, as discussed in the video?
What stickers are being referred to, where’s the photos? If no photos why not? What’s considered to be symbol of white supremacy to someone might just be a Blue Line American flag which others see as supporting the police? We don’t know until we know the facts, do we?
David, do you know what the actual stickers are? If you do please share then we can all make our own determinations.
I’d simply like to point out that you like to point out small details of the article seemingly to dismiss the pattern of harassment and abuse of power by this officer. The treason won’t hold up I agree, but he is on administrative leave and not for the reasons he claims.
Ultimately I don’t see anyone really trying to dispute that the Auburn PD has an abuse of power issue.
Nonetheless, I have more to come on the APD so by all means don’t jump to any conclusions until I have done more reporting.
I hope it is focused on individual jerks (and unfit to wear uniform, etc.) within, rather than broad-brushing all… unless, of course, all are jerks… hard to imagine the latter would be the case…
David, I’m still waiting for your response as to what the stickers were? What did the stickers say, what symbols were on them?
You’ll have to ask Robert, I didn’t write the article.
You posted it. It’s your blog.
Robert said he would send me the photos of the stickers
Thank you, that will help your readers make their own judgements.
Treason was used because that was the charge that Kershner filed in his report.
The reliable source was another Auburn police officer.
And yet, you’re ready to jump to conclusions – without any verification:
To what end? What symbol? To whom?
Treasonous? What? How? I’m befuddled.
Do we get to make the judgement as readers, or are we taking the judgement of the writer/victim as to what a ‘white nationalist’ symbol is? I don’t think I’d know one if I saw one, but in these crazy times some would consider a Larry Elder bumper sticker a white nationalist symbol, so can we just have the facts presented as to what these symbols were and decided for ourselves?
The White power hand signal was used according to Kershner and another witness who didnt want to be mentioned.
This officer was one of two who assaulted a Black resident in 2018 who currently has a civil lawsuit filed against the Auburn PD.
Treason may be a bit of a stretch i agree but its the words thw subject used.
Now racist, I believe they certainly are.
Where are the photos of the stickers and white nationalist symbols visible on his home and vehicle so the Vanguard readers can judge for themselves?
After reviewing the photos, Robert and I both agree that there is nothing that is white supremacy oriented on his car.
In addition, while Kershner states he should be charged with treason, that’s definitely an overstaement.
However, Robert has confirmed that the officer is on administrative leave and the neighbors corroborated other parts of the story.
You know, why should we now believe anything from this story? We’re talking about a man’s reputation here and when false stuff like this is put out there without checking into the facts is just wrong. I feel an apology should be issued to Joshua Eagan.
Still waiting, when is the Vanguard going to issue a public apology to officer Joshua Eagan for some of the accusations put forward in this article that the Vanguard has now admitted were false?
What a colossal screw-up, on the part of the reporter (and the Vanguard itself).
Why would we believe anything written, on here? Other than the fact that he’s apparently on administrative leave?
Mistakes happen. I own up to one and can admit when I’m wrong or made a mistake. It sorry if you can’t appreciate that.
I don’t see how you can, especially when you didn’t believe me to begin with.
His reputation had already gotten him put on administrative leave, before I wrote one word. Nothing I wrote is libelous.
And so I’m clear, disclosing my biases, this is how I feel about racism, white power, in any form or under any guise — no quarter for racism.
If you can’t believe me, then by all means go to Auburn and see for yourself.
Suggestions, Mr Hansen:
Measure twice, cut once, before reacting with your aversion to racism, etc… the aversion is good, but make sure you get your “ducks in a row” before you react, particularly in an article… which leads to the second suggestion…
You feed the ‘trolls’ if you ignore suggestion #1…
Just suggestions… kudos for acknowledging that you over-reacted, “stretched” things, to an extent, in the original piece… that shows honesty and integrity. There is likely truth in much of what you wrote, but that truth got obscured to an extent, and made your “truth”, ‘suspect’….
Best…
Who are you referring to?
There was no “stretch”, here. Just inaccurate reporting and conclusions.
We don’t know if there’s any truth to what’s been written on here. Though it seems safe to assume that the officer is on administrative leave, for reasons that can’t be verified.
I would also “conclude” that the officer did not likely give “permission” for the passenger to exit the vehicle.
Which, by the way – wouldn’t have been uncovered had they not been questioned.
For that matter, David immediately jumped on the “racist bandwagon”, as well:
And yet, you had no concerns regarding that.
One might think that David would have an interest in uncovering the truth, before “joining in”.
This type of thing demonstrates a broader concern – beyond this individual reporter and the Vanguard itself. It is, in fact, dangerous and indicates a form or basis of racism, itself. But not in the manner in which the reporter and David likely understand or acknowledge.
Thank you Bill. Yes I use more diligence in the future when vetting statements.
That “mistake” (along with the “white power” gesture, which also probably did not occur) is essentially the basis of your article. It’s also a personal attack, intended to damage someone’s reputation.
Why do you suppose that I doubted it in the first place? How many cars have you seen with “white supremacy” stickers on them?
I also don’t believe that the officer gave “permission” for the passenger to exit the vehicle.
Nor did I (fully) believe your other article regarding widespread racism at a school (in West Sacramento?). Nor do I necessarily assume that whatever did occur was the result of “white” racists.
is essentially the basis of your article. It’s also a personal attack, intended to damage someone’s reputation.
The basis of my article is the incident that happened and that the officer is on administrative leave following said incident. You’re also inferring that I have intentions to damage someone’s reputation. Both are incorrect. Enough so that I care for your opinion as much as you do my articles. You’re quick to defend racism as if you don’t believe it is alive and well. Good day sir.
I assume that you’re referring to this incident:
I didn’t say anything about this.
You added information that was incorrect.
Even if the incident you’re referring to did occur, I would not necessarily attribute it to racism. Nor would I make a blanket statement regarding whether or not racism is “alive and well”, in general.
One could just as easily theorize that the incident had to do with the nature of the “founder’s” mission – which wouldn’t make such alleged action “right”. (The founder of Police Crime Survivors (PCS), Christopher Kershner, per your article.) That is, if it occurred at all.
Or, the reason for the administrative leave could also be due to the complaint filed with the police department, the attorney general, and the FBI (per your article), for all we know. Maybe it’s automatic, if/when that occurs.
Again, you have no idea what occurred. You’re just repeating what someone else claimed.
By the way, why/how would an officer (who I assume to be “white” threaten another white person with a “white power” hand signal)? Wouldn’t such a threat logically be made against someone who isn’t white, instead?
And by the way, he “cornered Kershner in his driveway” so that he could then make a “white power symbol” (and that nothing else occurred)?
Really? That’s the claim?
By the way, your article claims that complaints were made against “other government officials” (regarding “dangerous and negligent behavior”), as well. What were the nature of those complaints, and were they also submitted to the police department, FBI and attorney general?
Are you sure that you actually want to break this down, to examine each and every one of the claims made in your article?
Nor do I automatically believe this.
Ron, I don’t automatically believe it either. I also don’t automatically believe this statement:
What, did he give him the ‘okay’ sign? Or some other sign? Notice the wiggle words used:
“I thought”
And why should we believe it anyway when the white supremacy oriented stickers being on his car was debunked by David and you?
It’s a good thing that a few of the Vanguard readers asked for proof/photos or we may have never know the facts regarding that.
I’ve been to Auburn, it’s a cute little town. Love playing Turkey Creek Golf Course close by. What am I supposed to be looking for?
Good to know you reject the bolded part as “wiggle words”… much like, “I wonder…”, and the use of ‘questions’, to make a ‘statement’.
May more posters learn from your words… this site would be a better place…
Don’t you agree? [pun egregiously intended…]
If you ever read stock market news releases and they use wiggle words like our company “should” or we “could” or we “think” they’re going to achieve something the use of those words are purposeful in order to cover their arse.
And as far as framing things in the form of a question you’ll find that the Vanguard often does that. In fact Robert Hansen wrote an article that’s posted today in the Vanguard that’s presented as a question:
Well if you’re going to seriously contest the racism that exists in Auburn then my time is wasted communicating with you.
So I’ll leave you with this.
You clearly have low Media literacy to not understand that words like alleged are not wiggle words as you call them but acknowledgement that a claim was made but has not been proven.
Also questions are used in headlines by literally every newspaper and most commonly in opinion articles
To not understand this is either low media literacy or deliberate obnoxiousness. Either way, thanks for reading and I’m glad it struck a nerve. Duces. ✌?
That very well might be true, I’m sure there are forms of racism everywhere. But some of the accusations in this article were false, as you and David have admitted.
This is true as written. But if one writes Jack hit John in the face as opposed to Jack “allegedly” hit John in the face there’s a huge difference. Don’t you agree?
Yes, I realize that. My reply was directed at Bill Marshall, not you. I just happened to use that article with a question in the title as an example.
Actually I feel I have high media literacy. For example, when reading this article I felt something wasn’t right. So I and others questioned parts of it and asked for proof/photos and guess what? It turned out that we were right to question it. If that’s considered deliberate obnoxiousness then so be it.