Police Taser Use Warrants Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in October against officers from the Gallatin Police Department, and the city of Gallatin, from the family of a man that succumbed to injuries that included the use of a Taser, as reported by The Tennessean.

A recent internal police investigation was completed - at nearly 200 pages -and is said to provide additional information needed in the case, per the Gallatin News Examiner. 

The report fills in many of the details that surround how an altercation with police officers ended with Jeffry Woodward's death outside of his mother's home on Trousdale Avenue.

Woodward's lawsuit calls the defendants "John Does 1-10" because "their true identities have yet to be ascertained."   At the time of the filing the label was chosen so that any officers involved in the incident could be named afterwards.

The internal police report identifies Gallatin Police Department Officers Mark Hill, Kris Ford and James Perry.  Also involved in the incident was Sergeant Chris Shockley.

Officers claimed that Woodward, 33, proved to have "superhuman" strength - so much so that his behavior was attributed to that of a methamphetamine addict. 

The report stated that Woodward had to be restrained with shackles, handcuffs, a K-9 dog and Tasers - the last method was still required to control him when all of the preceding methods failed - because he was combative with the officers.

Joe Bednarz Jr., attorney for Sandra Rutter, the victim's mother, requested all of the reports, videos and pictures relevant to the incident to get as much information as possible about what happened the night her son died.

Almost one year after Woodward's death, his family filed its suit on October 26 in Sumner County Circuit Court.  The suit was moved on November 9 to the U.S. District Court for Middle Tennessee.

Along with Sandra Rutter, Woodward also leaves behind his wife, Andrea Woodward.   Together the two are seeking $21 million from both the city and Taser International for compensatory and punitive damages.

The conclusion of the internal report reads, "…that no departmental policy has been violated and that the actions of the officers involved in this unfortunate incident acted properly and thoughtfully."

The lawsuit contends that Woodward - after he was handcuffed in an arrest for filing a false police report - was the target of unnecessary force and multiple Tasers.

Woodward died before he could reach the Sumner Regional Medical Center.  The state medical examiner ruled that his death was accidental - a result of excited delirium syndrome due to acute methamphetamine intoxication.

To date, Bednarz has only made an informal request for records and has not filled out the official form required.

City Attorney Joe Thompson said, "Once we have received the form, we will process it according to the applicable guidelines."

If you have lost a loved one in what might have been a wrongful death, click here to contact a personal injury attorney in our directory to discuss your case.