ACCESSING CLASSIFIED FILES
Decrypting documents...
Your connection is being monitored
Back to Individuals
critical risk
Derek Chauvin
Convicted Murderer / Former Minneapolis Police Officer
Former police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd
Overview
Derek Chauvin is a former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd on May 25, 2020. He knelt on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while Floyd pleaded that he couldn't breathe. The murder, captured on video by bystander Darnella Frazier, sparked the largest protests in U.S. history. Chauvin had 18 prior complaints against him and was never disciplined.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
THE MURDER: On May 25, 2020, Chauvin responded to a call about an alleged counterfeit $20 bill. He knelt on George Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face-down. Floyd said"I can't breathe"over 20 times before dying.
VIDEO EVIDENCE: Bystander Darnella Frazier, then 17, recorded the murder on her phone. The video showed Chauvin's callous disregard as Floyd died and bystanders pleaded with him to stop. Frazier received a special Pulitzer Prize.
PATTERN OF VIOLENCE: Chauvin had 18 prior complaints filed against him during his 19-year career. He was disciplined for only one. In 2017, he knelt on a 14-year-old for 17 minutes, ignoring calls to stop.
CONVICTION: In April 2021, Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison.
FEDERAL CONVICTION: In 2022, Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges and was sentenced to an additional 21 years. He admitted he willfully deprived Floyd of his constitutional rights.
SYSTEMIC PROTECTION: Despite 18 complaints, Chauvin remained on the force. The Minneapolis Police Department's culture of protecting abusive officers enabled his violence.
GLOBAL IMPACT: Floyd's murder sparked protests in all 50 states and over 60 countries. It became a defining moment for the Black Lives Matter movement and triggered nationwide debates about policing.
PRISON ATTACK: In November 2023, Chauvin was stabbed 22 times by another inmate at a federal prison in Arizona. He survived.
Related Investigations (5)
Murder of George FloydPolice Violence
Tier 1
criticalGeorge Floyd Murder & Racial Justice UprisingPolice Violence
Tier 1
criticalPolice Brutality & Qualified ImmunityCriminal Justice
Tier 1
criticalQualified Immunity Police Accountability GapCivil Rights
Tier 1
criticalWar on Black AmericaMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 1
criticalCriminal Charges & Violations
6 documented violations
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(a)Murder: Killed George Floyd through sustained neck compression(International Criminal Law)
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(f)Torture: Inflicted severe suffering over 9+ minutes while victim pleaded for his life(International Criminal Law)
Minn. Stat. § 609.19Murder in the Second Degree: Convicted; 22.5 years(State Criminal Law)
Minn. Stat. § 609.195Murder in the Third Degree: Convicted(State Criminal Law)
Minn. Stat. § 609.205Manslaughter in the Second Degree: Convicted(State Criminal Law)
18 U.S.C. § 242Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law: Federal conviction; 21 years(Federal Civil Rights)
Known Associates & Connections
George Floyd
Murder victim
Tou Thao
Fellow officer at scene, convicted
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
Education
Key Timeline
March 19, 1976
Born in Oakdale, Minnesota
2001
Joins Minneapolis Police Department
2001-2020
Accumulates 18 complaints, one discipline
2017
Kneels on 14-year-old for 17 minutes
May 25, 2020
Murders George Floyd by kneeling on his neck
May 26, 2020
Video goes viral, protests begin
May 29, 2020
Arrested and charged with murder
April 20, 2021
Convicted of murder on all counts
June 25, 2021
Sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison
July 2022
Pleads guilty to federal civil rights charges
July 7, 2022
Sentenced to 21 years federal prison
November 2023
Stabbed 22 times in prison, survives