Brett Hankison is a former police officer best known for his involvement in the 2020 police raid that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. Hankison began his law enforcement career at the Lexington Police Department, where he served from 1999 to 2002. He then joined the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) in 2003, rising through the ranks to become a detective. From 2016 onward, he was assigned to LMPD’s narcotics squad. Hankison gained national attention following the March 2020 raid on Taylor’s apartment, which was conducted as part of a narcotics investigation. During the raid, Hankison fired 10 shots, none of which struck Taylor, but his gunfire penetrated the walls of her apartment and entered a neighboring unit. The incident sparked widespread protests and became a focal point in the national conversation about police accountability and racial injustice. In 2020, Hankison was indicted and later charged with wanton endangerment for his actions during the raid. He was the only officer at the scene to face criminal charges related to Taylor’s death. In 2025, Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison and three years of supervised probation after being convicted of violating Taylor’s civil rights. The sentencing drew criticism from some civil rights advocates, who felt the punishment was too lenient, especially after the U.S. Department of Justice recommended no prison time. Hankison’s case remains relevant as it continues to be cited in discussions about police reform, accountability, and the broader movement for racial justice in the United States. His conviction and sentencing have contributed to ongoing scrutiny of law enforcement practices and the legal system’s response to incidents involving police use of force.