One of the most tragic events that occurred in 2020 was the passing of George Floyd, an occurrence that nearly shook the US to its core.
This event garnered enormous attention both nationally and internationally, trending for days on social media; it would catalyze the rise of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests across the US.
One individual who became notorious as a result of this unfortunate event is Derek Chauvin, the police officer responsible for Floyd’s death.
For those unfamiliar with Derek Chauvin, he is an American ex-police officer who was convicted for the murder of Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
To discover more about Derek Chauvin, please keep reading this article.
Profile Overview
Full name
Derek Michael Chauvin
Gender
Male
Date of birth
March 19, 1976
Age
45
Place of birth
Oakdale, Minnesota, United States of America
Nationality
American
Known for
The murder of George Floyd
Incarcerated at
MCF Oak Park Heights
Marital status
Divorced
Spouse
K. Thao (m. 2010; div. 2021)
Education
Dakota County Technical College
Alma Mater
Metropolitan State University
Profession
Former Police officer
Derek Chauvin’s biography
His complete name is Derek Michael Chauvin, born on March 19, 1976, with no available details regarding his parents.
Records indicate that Derek Chauvin’s mother was a homemaker while his father worked as a Certified Public Accountant; however, his parents divorced when he was just seven years old.
Derek Chauvin is a native-born American, celebrating his 45th birthday in March 2021.
Education
Derek Chauvin attended Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, but left before completing his studies, later obtaining a GED certificate.
After acquiring his GED, Derek Chauvin earned another credential in quantity food preparation from Dakota County Technical College and worked as a prep cook at McDonald’s and a buffet establishment.
The records also show that Derek Chauvin served in the United States Army Reserve from 1996 to 2004, which included two terms in the military police.
While serving in the military, Derek Chauvin continued his education at Inver Hills Community College and subsequently attended Metropolitan State University where he obtained a degree in law enforcement in 2006.
Occupation
Derek Chauvin became a member of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in 2001 and was recognized as a noteworthy officer, receiving a medal for valor in 2006 for being among the officers who confronted a suspect wielding a shotgun, and another commendation in 2008 upon breaking down a door to subdue a suspect attempting to grab his firearm.
However, the murder of George Floyd significantly impacted his career, with reports indicating that Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for approximately nine minutes while the deceased was handcuffed and pleading for assistance.
The incident resulted in Derek’s termination from the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) on May 26, and he was arrested on May 29.
Derek Chauvin later pleaded guilty to federal charges of infringing upon Floyd’s civil rights in December 2021 and is currently imprisoned at MCF Oak Park Heights.
Private Life
Derek Chauvin was wed to K. Thao from 2012 until 2021, but they are no longer together.
