WARREN (WWJ) — The families of two men killed in a September crash in Macomb County are calling for stiffer charges against a police officer involved.
Last Friday 28-year-old officer James Burke was charged with two counts of manslaughter, one count of moving violation causing serious impairment of body function — a 93-day misdemeanor — and one count of willful neglect of duty, a one-year misdemeanor.
The charges stem from a crash on Sept. 30 on Schoenherr Road near 8 Mile Road that killed 34-year-old Cedric Hayden, Jr. and 33-year-old Dejuan Pettis.
Investigators say Burke was speeding in his patrol car — upwards of 100 mph — without his lights on when he slammed into the SUV Hayden and Pettis were in, causing it to roll over.
Burke’s partner also sustained serious injuries in the crash. He was not charged in the crash and has been cleared to return to duty when he fully recovers.
On Monday family members of the two victims gathered at the offices of Fieger Law, where they discussed their anger and frustration on several levels following the announcement of charges last week.
First and foremost, the families are upset Burke was only charged with manslaughter and given a personal bond.
Secondly, the families are upset over the timing of the arraignment, which came nearly two months after the deadly crash. Family members say they were given no advance notice that the arraignment was coming Friday.
Lastly, family members and attorneys also allege racial bias is at play, saying they believe the white officer responsible for the deaths of two Black men is being given preferential treatment.
Cedric Hayden, Sr. spoke at Monday’s press conference, saying he is “not getting answers” as to why the crash happened or why Burke is being, in his eyes, “undercharged.”
“Because if I personally would’ve done that and killed two officers, you would never see me again but in the penitentiary,” Hayden said. “And I could feel that would’ve happened, I know that’s what would’ve happened. But why is this man at home with his kids?”
Sharise Brown, the mother of Pettis, also voiced her anger.
“My son is gone. My son is not walking through my door today, tomorrow or the next day behind that. I’m hurt right now. I’m very hurt. They know this officer was wrong. They know it. And I’m fighting for justice for my son,” she said.
The families have filed multi-million dollar lawsuits against the Warren Police Department. They’re now calling on Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido to amend the charges against Burke, though it was not immediately clear what harsher penalties they are calling for the prosecutor to file.
The prosecutor's office has not commented on Monday's press conference.
In a press release Friday afternoon, officials with the Warren Police Department responded to the charges, calling it “a tragedy for all involved.”
“Two police officers sustained serious injuries and the lives of two young men were lost. The driver of the police vehicle, Officer James Burke, has been with our department for nearly three years and served honorably at another law enforcement agency for five years prior to joining our Department,” the release said. “He comes from a law enforcement family and has an impeccable record of public service with multiple public service awards and accolades, including a 2024 Medal of Valor for heroism in the line of duty. Officer Burke had no history of problematic driving or any prior incidents of concern before this tragic accident. Still, the seriousness of this accident involving a police officer necessitated an independent review by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.”