Officer acquitted in fracas with detectives

Sunday, July 11, 1999 | 9:09 a.m.

Attorney Andrew Leavitt, who represented officer Michael Thomas, said Friday he believes the detectives set up the officer because of his vocal criticism of the North Las Vegas police union.

Thomas said he is one of three North Las Vegas police officers - out of about 260 - who do not belong to the union.

Special prosecutor Steven Wolfson filed the charges against Thomas, 38, who has been on paid administrative leave since the Dec. 22 incident.

Municipal Judge James Kelly cleared Thomas Friday after hearing testimony from the two detectives and a secretary, who said she saw no physical contact between Thomas and the other men.

The incident began while Detective William Brooks was taking a statement from Thomas regarding a criminal complaint he had filed about a month earlier. The complaint accused fellow officer Dave Galyen, president of the union, of attempting to run over him with a police vehicle at department headquarters.

Brooks testified that Thomas pushed him from behind. Another detective, Michael Bodnar, said he came to the interview room after Brooks called out to him.

Bodnar told the judge Thomas charged at him and butted him in the side with his head and/or shoulders.

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