A Seattle police officer who hit and killed a graduate student from India with his vehicle while responding to an overdose call in January 2023 has been fired, Seattle’s interim police chief announced Monday.

Interim police chief Sue Rahr wrote in an email to employees that she fired Kevin Dave after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability determined he had violated four department policies, including one requiring officers to be responsible for safely operating a patrol vehicle, in connection with the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, according to The Seattle Times.

“I believe the officer did not intend to hurt anyone that night and that he was trying to get to a possible overdose victim as quickly as possible,” Rahr wrote.

2 DEAD AFTER SEARCH FOR SASQUATCH IN WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

“However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving,” she continued. “His positive intent does not mitigate the poor decision that caused the loss of a human life and brought discredit to the Seattle Police Department.”

Rahr’s announcement comes nearly a year after King County prosecutors announced they had declined to file felony charges against Dave due to insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dave was consciously disregarding safety when he struck and killed Kandula.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office later issued Dave a $5,000 citation for negligent driving.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office issued Dave a $5,000 citation for negligent driving. (iStock)

City prosecutors said Dave was driving as fast as 74 mph on a street with a 25-mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. Dave initially contested the ticket before recently agreeing to pay the fine, complete an eight-hour traffic safety course within a year and perform 40 hours of community service by Sept. 30.

Kandula’s death sparked outrage in the U.S. and India, particularly after another officer’s body-worn camera footage was made public. In the recording, that officer, Daniel Auderer, laughed and suggested Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check.”

Diplomats from India called for an investigation and Seattle’s civilian watchdog found the comments by Auderer, who was a union leader, damaged the police department’s reputation and undermined public trust.

WASHINGTON STATE TEENS CHARGED AS ADULTS IN GANG-LINKED STABBING OF BOY, 14, WHO WAS TIED TO TREE, CUT OPEN

City prosecutors said Dave was driving as fast as 74 mph on a street with a 25-mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. (Seattle Police Department / File)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Auderer was eventually fired over the comments.

Kandula’s family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Dave and the city, alleging that Kandula experienced severe emotional distress, pain and suffering before dying from her injuries. The family said it was asking for $110 million in damages, plus $11,000. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in September.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell shared some positive news for Seattle law enforcement.

According to a news release from Harrell on Tuesday, the Seattle Police Department received the highest number of applications in 10 years — more than 4,300 in 2024.

The city hired 84 cops last year and for the first time since 2020, the number of officers hired outpaced the number leaving. In 2024, 83 officers left the department but 84 were hired. The year before, 97 officers left the department and only 61 were hired. SPD reported 4,115 entry-level and 216 lateral applications in 2024, with the average total number of applications per day more than doubling.

More on MyNW: Seattle Police Department fires officer who hit and killed Jaahnavi Kandula

Harrell credited new recruiting approaches and higher pay for the boost in officers. According to the release, the department introduced electronic pre-employment background testing to keep applications moving. It also hired additional examination support staff, allowed candidates to take the agility test from home and improved candidate tracking and outreach.

The department noted there are seven steps for entry-level candidates to apply including submitting an application, completing a written test, taking a physical agility test, passing a background investigation, completing a medical evaluation and completing a polygraph assessment.

“We continue making strides towards creating the best police department to work for period,” Interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr stated. “With those improvements, we are just starting to see the results, with more than 20 new officers waiting to go to the academy and hundreds more just beginning the process.”

In April, MyNorthwest investigated what officers had to say as they were leaving the department. Of the more than a dozen SPD exit interviews in 2023 acquired by MyNorthwest, 100% were of officers who served more than five years with the department, 82% were from officers who served 11-15 years, 73% from officers who served more than 15 years and 64% came from officers who reached 20 or more years of service.

Four years after CHOP (Capitol Hill Organized Protest) usurped Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, officers were still reeling from the repercussions.

‘SPD is dying’: What Seattle police officers are saying during exit interviews

When presented with the question: What factors had a negative effect on morale in the department, Seattle police officers were nearly united in their responses.

“SPD’s political posture and city management in all categories,” one departing officer, a detective who’s been with Seattle for more than 10 years, said in response. “The morale and retention will never be achieved in the political climate of Seattle. SPD is dying and the command staff is along for the ride — watching it die.”

In total, 73% of obtained exit interviews cited city leadership as a reason for leaving. More than 80% cited staffing issues.

Now that SPD was able to hire more officers will it be able to keep them? Harrell is hopeful, stating in the release, “Since day one of my administration, officer recruitment and retention has been a major priority, and 2024’s net positive staffing — for the first time since 2019 — is a sign of progress, even as we recognize there is much more work to do.”

Contributing: Heather Bosch, KIRO Newsradio and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest

Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X here and email her here.

With about six weeks to go until position players report for spring training, Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez was back in the Dominican Republic this week, continuing to give back to his hometown of Loma de Cabrera.

Spanish paper “Diario Libre” had the news on his trip, and through the use of Google translate, we have provided some of their information.

“Seattle Mariners standout center fielder Julio Rodríguez, 24, returned to his hometown this Sunday to inaugurate the renovated cultural center and officially present his foundations: Green Hope and No Limits Foundation….

“I want to thank all of you, and this is very special because I know that we are going to impact many lives. I have experienced the need of this town and this is just the beginning. Thank you again, because this is something that, as a child growing here, I never imagined. With the help of God, we will continue to develop the town sportingly, educationally and in everything that can be improved,” Rodríguez expressed in his speech.

Rodriguez also held a baseball and basketball clinic for the kids in town as he continues to do good work throgh his No Limits Foundation.

Back in 2023, Rodriguez donated a new ambulance to his hometown.

You can see pictures from this event here, courtesy of veteran reporter Hector Gomez.

Rodriguez, who just turned 24 years old, is one of the best young players in baseball. Though he had a down year in 2024 by his own lofty standards, he still hit .273 with 20 homers and 68 RBI. He also played excellent defense in center field and stole 24 bases.

The Mariners went 85-77.

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE.