Chief fires lieutenant again after his 15th suspension

Lt. Lee Rakun has been suspended 15 times in his 19-year career. In his latest breach, he allegedly spewed racial slurs at an off-duty constable and used his position to threaten the man's job. Lt. Lee Rakun has been suspended 15 times in his 19-year career. In his latest breach, he allegedly spewed racial slurs at an off-duty constable and used his position to threaten the man's job. Photo: DOUG SEHRES, DS 1 WRECK 11 Photo: DOUG SEHRES, DS 1 WRECK 11 Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Chief fires lieutenant again after his 15th suspension 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Last year, when San Antonio Police Department Lt. Lee Rakun was reinstated after his 14th suspension, he declared: “This is my last debacle.”

But on July 10, the beleaguered veteran received the department's harshest punishment, tantamount to being fired, for the third time.

Chief William McManus indefinitely suspended him following an Internal Affairs investigation into allegations Rakun, 43, spewed racial slurs at an off-duty constable working security at an Alamo Heights bar and restaurant.

He's also accused of using his position to threaten the man's job, according to the letter notifying him of the suspension.

Of Rakun's 15 suspensions spanning his 19-year career, this is the second time McManus has in effect fired him; the one in 2010 was reversed.

Information wasn't available on how many officers might match Rakun's record of disciplinary actions, but union president Mike Helle said, anecdotally, Rakun could be among the top five.

Ten of the disciplinary actions against Rakun stem from his personal life and often involve his relationships with women. They have included allegations of domestic violence, leaving harassing messages for his ex-wife's divorce attorney and threatening a male acquaintance.

In 2006, the city agreed to a settlement that cleared out five suspensions from that year and 2005. Rakun got his job back and in return agreed to drop all appeals and a federal employment lawsuit he filed against the city.

McManus also struck a bargain with Rakun on suspension 14 after he fired him Sept. 9, 2010, for initially lying during an internal investigation into claims by his then-girlfriend that he hit her in the face. Rakun said the story wasn't as it seemed. He said she attacked him and that he was defending himself.

And like before, he fought it. By May 26, 2011, Rakun got reinstated with back pay for all but 125 days. He did have to sacrifice his top spot on the list for promotion to captain. Lieutenants, which number about 50, are at the lowest level of the command staff.

Upon reinstatement, Rakun told the San Antonio Express-News that he just wanted to live quietly and get to work.

“I'm getting old; I've got too many battle scars,” he said.

He was back on patrol June 7, 2011.

All was quiet until the mid-January night when he and a group of friends pulled up in a limo to Silo Bar and Restaurant.

As outlined in the suspension letter, Rakun was drunk and carrying a bottle of liquor when he got out of the car. Because of that, off-duty Deputy Constable Christopher Ahumada, who was working parking lot security, stopped him from going farther.

In response, Rakun, “launched a barrage of obscenities” at the guard, including four racial slurs, according to the suspension letter.

He yelled at the guard: “I'm coming back Mother (expletive)” and “I'm a captain with SAPD, and I'll have your career tomorrow.”

Rakun's behavior violated department rules governing truthfulness, conduct and use of intoxicants, the letter states. Off-duty officers aren't supposed to get so drunk that they are unfit to report to work.

Even Rakun saying he was a captain, instead of a lieutenant, is mentioned in the document, citing that as one of his untruths.

Rakun was unavailable for comment. His lawyer, Karl Brehm, said the summary of events wasn't as clear as it might seem.

“Our position is that the investigation has more facts than are borne out in the letter,” he said.

Rakun told Helle that he didn't say any of the things attributed to him. Additional witness statements from the investigation support Rakun's version of events, Brehm and Helle said.

Rakun and his friends joined a bar crawl scavenger hunt hosted by Silo, Helle said. The event included the limousine, and Silo was the end destination. The bottle Rakun tried to take in the restaurant was part of the hunt, Helle said witnesses told investigators.

The owner of Silo declined to comment.

Statements also contradicted Ahumada's claims of racial slurs, Helle said.

Brehm hopes to meet with McManus to share Rakun's side of the story. Rakun decided not to meet with the chief before his final decision.

Because McManus said he considered the 2010 suspension when deciding Rakun's current punishment, Helle said he wants to make sure the lieutenant gets his due process.

“Each case has to be taken on individual merit, and on this one, there should be a second look,” Helle said.

In an emailed statement Friday, McManus defended the suspension, a decision he said was aided by recommendations from the advisory boards of civilian and sworn personnel. He declined to comment on the discrepancies brought up by Helle and Brehm.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific facts of this case while the officer's case remains under appeal,” McManus said.

On Thursday, Ahumada stood by his statement and said Rakun was the person who hurled racial slurs that night. He didn't know Rakun was a cop or anything about his history. Ahumada, a six-year veteran of law enforcement, called Rakun's disciplinary record “upsetting.”

“Police officers are supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard,” he said. “We're entrusted by the public to carry a badge and a gun.”

mmondo@express-news.net