Eugene police officer resigned prior to termination after punching, tasing handcuffed man
By: -----
Eugene, OR - The former Eugene police officer who punched and used a Taser on a man in handcuffs was facing termination of his employment at the time he resigned last November.
“Stephen Lahm separated in lieu of termination for several sustained allegations of misconduct,” states a form submitted by the Eugene Police Department to the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
The department has the authority to revoke certification from police officers, and has an open case pending against Lahm, who is not currently a police officer. A case under review “is not proof that a public safety professional engaged in misconduct,” according to the department.
An excessive force lawsuit filed last week in Lane County Circuit court names Lahm as a defendant for his alleged actions on Jan. 11, 2025 while detaining a man suspected of trespassing.
Video of the police encounter with Jehoshaphat Commandest that appears to be from the dash camera of a police vehicle shows a handcuffed Commandest being escorted to the vehicle while held by two officers.
When Commandest turns away from the patrol vehicle, Lahm strikes him repeatedly and, moments later, twice uses a Taser to shock Commandest for a total of more than 10 seconds. Derek Larwick, the attorney representing Commandest, provided the video to Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
The lawsuit claims neither Lahm nor the other officer involved in detaining Commandest, Lindsey Collier, issued a warning to Commandest that physical force was going to be used against him, and that the force used by Lahm “was not objectively reasonable.”
Commandest alleges in the lawsuit he sustained injuries including a traumatic brain injury, ruptured blood vessels in his left eye and “significant facial bruising.” The lawsuit seeks damages of up to $1 million.
The city’s Police Auditor found evidence Lahm more likely than not violated the police department’s use-of-force policy and also its conduct policy, according to the lawsuit and a letter from Police Auditor Craig Renetzky to Commandest. Larwick provided the letter to Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
Eugene police, though a spokesperson, previously declined to comment on the lawsuit or Lahm’s resignation from the police department. A spokesperson Tuesday also declined to comment on any discipline Lahm was facing from the department, and also declined to comment on the document submitted to the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.