Erie Police Officer Parts Ways With Department After Libs of TikTok Screenshot Circulates

 ERIE, CO — An officer with the Erie Police Department is no longer with the agency following an internal investigation into a social media comment that was widely interpreted as advocating violence against federal immigration agents.

The probe began on January 25, 2026, after a resident filed a complaint about what was described as “inappropriate rhetoric for an officer,” according to Deputy Chief Heather Carmosino, speaking to Axios Boulder. The complaint stemmed from a screenshot of a Facebook post shared by the conservative account Libs of TikTok, which appeared to show a comment from an account linked to Officer Haili Shimko. The comment read: “they wear armor so headshots work better,” a statement interpreted as suggesting headshots for ICE agents wearing body armor.

On Tuesday, Erie police confirmed that Shimko had separated from the department after the review found “multiple violations of department directives.” Officials declined to specify whether she was fired or resigned, citing personnel privacy rules. They also did not confirm whether the post was explicitly directed at ICE.

The department emphasized its commitment to “lawful, ethical and professional policing,” stressing that officers are expected to uphold standards of conduct both on and off duty. The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, where public discourse around ICE has often been polarizing.

While the screenshot circulated widely online, Axios noted it could not independently verify the authenticity of the post. The case highlights the growing challenges law enforcement agencies face in addressing officers’ social media activity, particularly when comments are perceived as threatening or politically charged.

Community reaction has been mixed, with some residents expressing concern about the implications of an officer making such remarks, while others questioned the reliability of the screenshot and the role of partisan accounts in amplifying the controversy.

For Erie Police, the departure underscores the importance of maintaining public trust. Officials reiterated that the department’s mission is rooted in professionalism and accountability, and that violations of conduct standards will be addressed swiftly.

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