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Detective Thompson
The week after Culver City police Det. Ryan Thompson may have jeopardized his career when he was arrested on two separate occasions in Tennessee over alleged public intoxication, a Culver City businessman has rushed to Mr. Thompson’s defense.
The gentleman, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said that after an “invader” burst into his business during daylight hours two years ago. “frightened” and “threatened” him, that Mr. Thompson ultimately came to his rescue and played a “heroic” role in shepherding the victim through months of fear and worry.
That is a little-known scene from the upside of the 33-year-old Mr. Thompson’s 10-year career with the Culver City Police Dept.
More recently, the detective and a partner were dispatched to Nashville to return a suspect to Culver City. Nashville police say that one evening at Bailey’s Irish Pub, Mr. Thompson made an intolerable public spectacle of himself in the midst of a drinking bout, not for the first time.
That recalled an earlier run-in, seven years ago, when the detective was arrested for DUI, sources said.
Ultimately, Chief Don Pedersen will determine Mr. Thompson’s fate in Culver City. When remains unclear because an investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the hometown businessman said he was “badly shaken” by the break-in.
He contacted the newspaper, because he wanted the community to know that “Ryan Thompson is a good person.” Many months after the invasion at his place of business, he remains stoutly grateful for the Good Samaritan action by Mr. Thompson
“The day after the incident, in came Ryan, and he made me feel so comfortable,” said the businessman. “I said, ‘Ryan, I don’t want to cause any trouble, but I don’t want any trouble from this guy.’
“Ryan knew the guy’s background. I never had seen him before. Ryan said, ‘I can’t tell you anything other than ‘we have got to put this guy away.’
“Ryan was so amazing through all of this. He made me feel so comfortable. I never have had an experience like this.”
In what ways was the young detective helpful?
“He was just there for me all the way,” said the businessman. “His manner. His words. He made me feel so comfortable.
‘He Was Always There’
“It took months for this case to play out, and Ryan was there all the way, every time.
“He gave me his cell phone number. He told me to call any time. There were times when I would get scared, freak out. I didn’t know if some of (the invader’s) friends would come in and threaten me.”
“When the case finally went to court, Ryan came and got me.
“He drove me and my girlfriend to the courthouse. He stayed with me the whole time. He introduced me to several others in on the case. Ryan never left my side, never did.
“After the judge ruled that there would be a trial, there was a period of a month when I really was freaked out about testifying.”
The gentleman seemed nervous as he spoke to a reporter.
“I swear to God, the night before I had to go to court and testify, the case settled.
“I got a call from Ryan. He said, ‘You don’t have to go tomorrow.’ I was so relieved.
“I am telling you this because I want people to know what a good person Ryan Thompson is.”
