LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sgt. John Mattingly, one of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor, sent an early-morning email to fellow officers, criticizing city leadership and defending his actions the night of Taylor's death.

The email was released later Tuesday morning on social media and confirmed by Mattingly's lawyer Kent Wicker.

Mattingly specifically called out Mayor Greg Fischer, Public Safety Chief Amy Hess and former LMPD Police Chief Steve Conrad, saying they "failed all of us in epic proportions for their own gain and to cover their a—."

Referring to the night Taylor died, Mattingly said, "Regardless of the outcome today or Wednesday, I know we did the legal, moral and ethical thing that night."

He also told officers they don't deserve to be in a position “that allows thugs to get in your face and yell, curse and degrade you. Throw bricks, bottles and urine on you and expect you to do nothing.”

During a press conference earlier this morning, Interim Police Chief Rob Schroeder said it was too premature to comment on the email. Spectrum News 1 reached out later in the day to LMPD. Spokesman Lamont Washington wrote in an email, "We have seen reports that Sgt. Mattingly's attorney confirmed his client sent it. It still would be premature for us to do this however."

The email went out after LMPD declared a state of emergency Monday in preparation for an announcement on whether or not Mattingly, along with officers Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove, will face criminal charges for the death of Taylor.

Spectrum News 1 has reached out to the River City FOP to get its response to the email, we will report the response when we receive it.  Mayor Greg Fischer didn't have media availability Tuesday.