The lawsuit is well and good, but what should also go forward is a recall campaign against the sheriff (the two named in the suit are simply deputies), or to defeat him/her at the next election. The sheriff has the responsibility as to see that his deputies PROPERLY understand and execute the law.
And to add to your point, the sheriff should lose his sovereign immunity in the lawsuit against him for depriving a man of his rights.
There is no reason why taxpayers should foot the legal bills of people who abuse the authority of their elective office. People who exceed their authority and deprive people of their rights should be forced to bear their own legal expenses - and the penalties.