Dear Friend,

This one breaks my heart.

While families gather around their tables this Thanksgiving, two innocent officers are sitting in prison for a crime they did NOT commit. 

Officers Josh Taylor and Brandon Dingman are behind bars because a political prosecutor wanted a headline—not because they did anything wrong.

Before I go on, I need to ask you directly: Will you rush a donation today to help these officers appeal their convictions and fight this injustice?

Here’s the truth.

On July 4th, 2019, Officer Josh Taylor encountered a terrifying situation: a 350-pound, naked, erratic man wandering the street — the kind of unpredictable call that can turn deadly in seconds. 

Josh immediately called for backup, and Officer Brandon Dingman arrived. Together, they tried to handcuff Jared Lakey, but he fought them with overwhelming strength. They turned to the safest option they had: non-lethal tasers.

But the first taser deployment failed. Lakey ripped the barbs out. The second failed too. The third and fourth had no effect. The man was simply too big, too strong, and too out of control. 

Josh and Brandon called for more backup. A county deputy arrived, used a neck restraint long enough to allow the officers to handcuff Lakey, and they immediately propped him up and called EMS.

Lakey was taken to the hospital. Two days later, he tragically passed away — but the autopsy revealed an enlarged heart, lung issues, and inconclusive toxicology. No medical finding blamed the officers. And two separate investigations — one by the Chief of Police and one by the City Council — both cleared the officers completely.

Twice cleared. No wrongdoing. Case closed.

Or so it should have been.

A full year later, a political prosecutor — smelling opportunity — charged Josh and Brandon with second-degree murder. Not because of new evidence. Not because of new facts. But because prosecuting cops had become politically fashionable.

Now these two officers, who followed their training every step of the way, are wearing orange jumpsuits while murderers walk free.

Friend, this is not justice. This is a political hit job.

The National Center for Police Defense is helping them appeal, and the defense team is working to remove the biased District Attorney who pushed this case forward — but the legal bills are immense, and their families are suffering.

So I’m asking again, as plainly as I can:

Please donate whatever you can today to help Officers Dingman and Taylor fight back.

Their freedom depends on people like you who refuse to let innocent men take the fall for politics.

They did their jobs.They protected their community. They followed the book.

Now they need us.

Sincerely,
Sheriff Joe Arpaio