Career Timeline of Derek Chauvin: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 14, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Derek Chauvin made an impact.

Derek Chauvin is a former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd on May 25, 2020. His actions, captured on video, sparked global protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes, leading to Floyd's death. He was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin was sentenced to over 20 years in prison for the murder and also faced federal charges of violating Floyd's civil rights. The case became a pivotal moment in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1996: Service in the United States Army Reserve begins

In 1996, Derek Chauvin began his service in the United States Army Reserve, including a role in the military police, which lasted until 2004.

September 2000: Application to the Minneapolis Police Department

In September 2000, Derek Chauvin applied to the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), beginning his journey toward becoming a police officer.

2000: Service in the military police

Between 1996 and 2000, Derek Chauvin had his first stint in the military police, in Rochester, Minnesota.

2001: Joining the Minneapolis Police Department

In 2001, Derek Chauvin officially joined the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), marking the beginning of his career as a police officer.

2004: End of service in the United States Army Reserve

In 2004, Derek Chauvin's service in the United States Army Reserve concluded, after beginning in 1996 and including two stints in the military police.

October 29, 2006: Involvement in the shooting of Wayne Reyes

On October 29, 2006, Derek Chauvin was among a group of six officers who opened fire on Wayne Reyes, shooting 43 rounds in four seconds, resulting in Reyes's death. The incident occurred after police responded to a report that Reyes had stabbed his girlfriend and a friend before fleeing in his truck.

2006: Graduation with a bachelor's degree

In 2006, Derek Chauvin graduated from Metropolitan State University with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement, marking a significant achievement in his education and career path.

2007: Grand jury decision in the Wayne Reyes shooting

In 2007, a grand jury decided against charging any of the officers involved in the shooting of Wayne Reyes, determining that the police use of force in the case was justified, marking the conclusion of the investigation into the October 29, 2006, incident.

May 24, 2008: Domestic violence call involving Ira Latrell Toles

On May 24, 2008, Derek Chauvin responded to a domestic violence call involving Ira Latrell Toles. Chauvin forced his way into a bathroom where Toles was locked, attempted to hit him with his gun, and then shot Toles twice in the stomach, according to police reports.

August 8, 2011: Involvement in the shooting of Leroy Martinez

On August 8, 2011, Derek Chauvin was involved in the shooting of 23-year-old Leroy Martinez. Fellow officer Terry Nutter shot Martinez in the torso, but eyewitness accounts contradicted the police claim that Martinez was armed, saying that Martinez had dropped his gun before being shot.

September 4, 2017: Incident involving a 14-year-old Black boy

On September 4, 2017, Derek Chauvin was among officers responding to a complaint and was said to have hit a 14-year-old Black boy in the head with a flashlight, requiring stitches, then held him down with his knee for nearly 17 minutes, ignoring the boy's complaints that he could not breathe.

May 29, 2020: Chauvin's arrest and initial charges

On May 29, 2020, Derek Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. This made him the first White police officer in Minnesota to be charged in the death of a Black civilian.

March 8, 2021: Start of Chauvin's trial

On March 8, 2021, Derek Chauvin's trial began at the Hennepin County Government Center. It marked the first time that a judge in Minnesota authorized cameras to show a full criminal trial.

April 20, 2021: Guilty verdict in Chauvin's trial

On April 20, 2021, a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts: unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was the first White Minnesotan police officer to be convicted of murdering a Black person.

2021: Chauvin's Trial and Conviction

In early 2021, Derek Chauvin was tried for unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was convicted on all charges and sentenced to 22+1⁄2 years in prison, marking a significant outcome in the case.

August 24, 2022: Transfer to FCI Tucson

On August 24, 2022, Derek Chauvin was transferred from the state correctional facility at Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, to FCI Tucson, a medium-security federal facility in Arizona, as part of his guilty plea deal in the federal civil rights case against him.