‘Shocking and unexpected’: Recently recognized Officer of the Year let go days later by Quincy Police Department

QUINCY — Gabriel VanderMaiden, whose quick actions helped save the lives of a police officer and a civilian 15 months ago, was named the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year on April 4 during the Quincy Service Club luncheon.

He learned four days later his services were no longer needed by the Quincy Police Department (QPD).

“It was pretty shocking and unexpected to us,” said Gregory Booth, an attorney with Theriault and Booth of St. Charles, Ill., which represents hundreds of injured policeman and firefighters throughout the state. He represents Vandermaiden in his workers’ compensation claim for mental health injuries he is suffering through as a result of a shooting incident on Jan. 11, 2024.

VanderMaiden was less than 10 days into his field training — a standard activity for newly hired officers — when he and 25-year QPD Officer Matt Hermsmeier responded to a situation of domestic violence involving an armed suspect who had barricaded himself in a residence with his ex-girlfriend. 

After Hermsmeier struck the suspect with his taser in a failed attempt to de-escalate the situation, the suspect shot him in the arm, and a struggle ensued between the two over the weapon. That’s when VanderMaiden drew his weapon and fired two shots, killing the subject — later found to have been under the influence of cocaine, morphine and THC — and protecting the lives of Hermsmeier and the woman being held by the suspect.

“He’s done more in the first year of being a police officer than most people do in their entire careers,” Booth said.

Booth said Vandermaiden was taken off work on April 2 by a doctor for treatment of injuries that he claims were directly related to the January 2024 shooting incident. Booth said VanderMaiden then filed his application claim on April 3 with the Workers Compensation Commission, which provided notice to the Quincy Police Department. VanderMaiden received his Law Officer of the Year award the next day.

“It’s certainly a very surprising change of events, and we don’t really know the full details. We’re trying to figure out what happened,” Booth said. 

Hermsmeier was presented with the Purple Heart, and VanderMaiden received the Medal of Honor and Combat Cross during a May 15, 2024, ceremony in honor of National Police Week.  VanderMaiden and Hermsmeier recently were invited to attend the 32nd annual Top Cops Awards on May 12 during National Police Week in Washington, D.C. — two of only 19 officers selected to be recognized. 

“There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered,” Booth said. “Our focus is certainly on Gabriel, our client, and making sure that he gets the best treatment that he needs for his own well-being, but we’re still investigating the reasons for the termination.”

Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates said his department does not discuss personnel matters.  Patrick Hollensteiner, an investigator with the Quincy Police Department and president of the Police Benevolent and Protective Association Labor Unit 12, said he could not talk about employment issues with officers.

Muddy River News asked Booth to help facilitate an interview with VanderMaiden, but he declined.

VanderMaiden addressed the shooting incident in a March 2024 Facebook post and thanked people who supported him.

“One of my first days on patrol, I asked (Hermsmeier) what the scariest moment of his career was. His response was that there wasn’t a scariest moment because in this line of work, there’s no time to be scared,” he wrote. “I’m definitely not going to say that I wasn’t absolutely terrified, but I now understand what he meant. In law enforcement, you have to be the shield, and you have to be there to protect. It doesn’t matter how scared you are. You have to be the one to jump in the fire so others can walk away.

“At the end of the day, I want everyone to be/feel safe. I would hope that anyone in need of help or in fear could come to me. I’m always glad to help people. That’s why I made it my dream to be a police officer. With all of the stigma around this job, just know that we all want to help, and we are willing to put ourselves in front of danger to do so. If you see any cops out, give them a wave, a smile, tell them have a good day because it goes a lot farther than you would think.”

Once they graduate from the police academy, newly hired officers begin their employment with an 18-month probationary period that can be extended for six more months. Employees can be released “at will” while they are on probation.

Booth said the “limited and very vague” reason VanderMaiden was given for his dismissal was that he didn’t “have what was necessary” to move on from field training. 

“His skills as a police officer were put to test right away, and he’s been recommended as doing a great job and being a hero, saving lives,” Booth said. “That’s what he signed up for.”

Booth referred to a letter to the editor written by QPD officer Robert Megee, then the president of the PB&PA Unit 12, that appeared March 23, 2024, on Muddy River News. Megee wrote about the Jan. 11 shooting incident, saying, “That decision will undoubtedly haunt Gabe for the rest of his life.”

“Quite honestly, it has,” Booth said.

Booth said his office continues to investigate the details and events surrounding that shooting. 

“The timing of what happened last week certainly has the appearance of something retaliatory in nature for an individual seeking medical care,” he said.

Booth said he can’t talk about VanderMaiden’s medical care or treatment. He claimed the Quincy Police Department did not offer outside medical care with a doctor after the incident — which he called “shocking.”

“He has injuries and treatment directly related to this incident that he’s seeking medical care for and has been placed off of work for,” he said. “Within a week of that happening, he’s terminated. That’s quite a change of events in a short period of time.”

Booth did not know if VanderMaiden plans to pursue litigation against the Quincy Police Department. He only represents VanderMaiden for his workers compensation claim and the injuries he has from his work incident. 

He said that, for now, the end goal is for VanderMaiden to get the treatment he needs. 

“Most police officers are never involved in an officer shooting in their entire career, let alone one that involves a fatality,” Booth said. “This is one of the hardest jobs in the country, for sure. I don’t know that anyone would disagree with that. It’s a dangerous job. Departments throughout the country are looking for good quality police officers, and Gabriel VanderMaiden is one of those. 

“While we may not be able to control every issue, certainly we can help make sure that he gets the benefits and the treatment he needs and all the benefits under the Workers Compensation Act that are afforded to him.”