In March 2024, Justin Savage was violently arrested by Maine State Police troopers outside his home in Limerick. Though handcuffed and restrained on the ground, he was repeatedly punched in the face by Trooper Jamie Fenderson—leaving him with a broken nose, extensive bruising, and ongoing trauma.

Dashcam video confirms what Maine officials have since tried to deny: Savage was not resisting when the blows were delivered. And yet, not only were no officers disciplined—Fenderson was promoted.

The Maine State Police conducted an internal review that dismissed clear evidence of excessive force. Worse, they mischaracterized the arrest in public statements and assigned the complaint to the officers' own supervisor rather than the Internal Affairs division. Only when they anticipated a lawsuit did a second internal review begin—and it too cleared the officers, despite video footage that shows otherwise.

This is a failure of accountability at every level.

We are calling on Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey to immediately appoint an independent investigator with full authority to review the actions of Troopers Jamie Fenderson, Anna Ritland, and Sgt. Adam Schmidt, as well as the Maine State Police's internal handling of the case.

We also call on Maine lawmakers to:

• Ban closed-fist head strikes against any individual who is handcuffed or otherwise physically restrained.
• Reverse the promotion of Jamie Fenderson and launch a disciplinary investigation into his conduct.

No one is above the law. When police brutality is met with silence, promotions, and sealed investigations, public trust collapses. Justice for Justin Savage isn’t just about one man—it’s about making sure this never happens again in Maine.

We urge you to act now. Hold these officers accountable. Protect the public you serve.

Photo: Garrick Hoffman/Portland Press Herald