I agree that he most likely will lose his job, be prosecuted, and serve whatever the appropriate jail sentence is determined to be. I doubt this situation could be swept under the rug. Seems like this is the type of case that would get a lot of press attention, and with the focus on police brutality and corruption issues over the years, I wouldn't think the DA or police department would want to be seen as going soft on Gerard. Also, if Gerard has "stepped on" some of his colleagues and made enemies over the years, he may not have many friends willing to support him now, despite the tragic circumstances.