An appeals court has ordered Pittsburgh police to reinstate the officer involved in the tasing death of Jim Rogers. 

Keith Edmonds was fired in 2022 but was reinstated two years later. The city filed an appeal, and in September of last year, a judge ruled that Edmonds could not get his job back. But now an appeals court ruled that Edmonds must be reinstated with full back pay. 

"This is saying that he comes back on the job. As far as the Commonwealth Court goes, they're upholding the arbitrator's decision," Beth Pittinger, executive director of the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board, said on Friday.

The Black Political Empowerment Project called the court's ruling an alarmingly misguided decision, saying there's overwhelming evidence of his violations, adding, "Edmond's reinstatement represents an egregious failure of justice and a grievous betrayal of the public trust."

The group pointed out how Edmonds admitted to violating policies. Mayor Ed Gainey's administration told KDKA in a statement that it intends to appeal the ruling.

"We have received a decision from the Commonwealth Court, which overturned the ruling of the Court of Common Pleas," the statement said. "We intend to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court.  We are still examining our legal position and the decision on the reinstatement of Mr. Edmonds will be made at a later time."  

Police tased Rogers, who was experiencing homelessness, after he was accused of stealing a bike in October 2021. Rogers told officers he couldn't breathe and needed to go to a hospital, but officers delayed leaving until EMS arrived to treat some of their injuries. And even though West Penn Hospital was two blocks away from where the tasing happened, police took Rogers to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where he arrived unconscious and was later pronounced dead. 

Police bodycam video showed Edmonds tussling with Rogers over the surrender of his wallet. The takedown is followed by a stream of demands that Rogers put his hands behind his back. Rogers repeatedly says, "I didn't do anything." Then when he springs up and runs, Edmonds tases him. 

The city settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Rogers' family for $8 million. Five officers were fired after Rogers' death.  

Pittinger said because Rogers' death was ruled accidental, "You can't point to someone and say you caused this."

KDKA-TV reached out to the police union for a statement but did not hear back on Friday night.