Rocky Hill, Conn. — A bizarre roadside encounter in Rocky Hill led to an investigation after a civilian accused an off-duty police officer of assaulting him in broad daylight on December 8, 2023.
Shortly after noon, a man called 911 to report being attacked by a police officer following a traffic incident.
“I was just assaulted by a police officer,” the caller, identified as Thomas Coogler, told dispatchers. “He punched me in the face, threw me toward my window. He was off duty but showed me his badge. Then he came up to me with an attitude and hit me right in the face.”
Coogler described the assailant as a Hispanic male who drove off into a nearby parking lot. The dispatcher advised Coogler to stay in his vehicle and wait for responding officers.
While waiting, Coogler called a colleague to describe what had happened. That call was captured on his dashcam, which also recorded video of his K-9 passenger sitting in the vehicle.
“Some guy was sitting at a red light in front of me,” Coogler said on the recording. “I honked my horn lightly because the light turned green. He jumped out, flashed a badge, said he was an off-duty cop, and took a picture of my license plate. Then he came back, raging, and punched me in the face.”
Rocky Hill police later met Coogler at a nearby shopping center to take his full statement. He explained that the altercation began at a traffic light near a Dunkin’ Donuts on Cromwell Avenue.
“He was sitting there at the light,” Coogler said. “I gave a little horn tap because it turned green. He got out, flashed his badge, came over, said something about seeing me in court, then came back and hit me.”
Police advised Coogler to document any injuries and provide photos as evidence. The investigation into the alleged off-duty officer’s actions remains ongoing.
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