A Letter to Attorney General Bob Ferguson From the Tacoma City Council
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Today, March 3rd, is a date of deep significance in Tacoma and across the region, as it marks the one year anniversary of Manuel Ellis' death. As this case has passed from the Pierce County Sheriff, to the Pierce County Prosecutor, to the Washington State Patrol, and finally – in mid-November – to the Attorney General's Office, Mr. Ellis' family and loved ones have waited for the conclusion of an independent investigation. Indeed, the tension and weight of a full year with so many questions yet to be answered can be felt throughout our community.

Last week, we heard the Ellis family's call for closure, and we heard them implore you to move forward in your review of the Manuel Ellis case. We believe every one of us can empathize with the family's frustration and heartbreak on the anniversary of the loss of their loved one.

The City of Tacoma appreciates the diligent work of the Attorney General's Office as you conduct your review of the Manuel Ellis case, as well as the recent update your office provided on this work.

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As Tacoma's elected leaders, we write today to advocate that the Manuel Ellis case continues to be prioritized. We trust that the Attorney General's Office has heard the requests of the Ellis family and this Council. We hope you will continue to place immediate emphasis on a thorough and independent review and move with urgency toward the release of the final investigative report and charging decisions in this case.

On this solemn date, as we and the Tacoma community continue to await the outcomes of this case, we express our sorrow for the family of Manuel Ellis.

Going forward, we must take every step we can to restore trust in the investigation of deaths in police custody – and that applies not just in Tacoma, but for every family in Washington state. We will continue to advocate for a statewide office to do just that, and we hope you will reach out to us if there are ways we can work in partnership to move this goal forward.

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A PDF copy of this letter, with the signatures of all Tacoma City Council Members, is available here.

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