Posted on 12/08/2009 3:31:18 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
A woman has filed suit against the Washington Park police officer who she says accidentally shot her in the leg.
Linda Hicks claims she called police to her house at 5731 Portland on Dec. 1, 2008, to request that her son be removed due to his disruptive behavior.
Responding to Hicks' request, defendant Washington Park police officer Donald Williams arrived at Hicks' residence where he arrested Hicks' son for an outstanding warrant, according to the complaint filed Nov. 30 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
"As the officers were taking the plaintiff's son to the squad car, plaintiff's dog barked at Officer Williams," the suit states. "Apparently startled, Williams discharged his official firearm twice in the direction of the dog. The bullet or the ricochet of the bullet struck plaintiff in the leg."
Because of the incident, Hicks sustained temporary and permanent injuries, incurred medical costs and has been prevented from attending to her usual duties, the complaint says.
Hicks blames Williams for discharging his firearm contrary to policy, for discharging his firearm when he knew it would result in injury and for discharging his firearm in the absence of a threat to him.
The village of Washington Park is also named as a defendant because it is allegedly liable for Williams' actions.
In the two-count suit, Hicks seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.
She will be represented by Philip B. Afeld and Lanny Darr of Schrempf, Kelly, Napp and Darr in Alton.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-639.
“scumbag lawyers”
Thats redundant
You really an idiot or just like to play one for our benefit?
No. My only point was that since a lot more people have dogs as pets as opposed to, say, a deer or a monkey, dogs are more likely to be shot by police than deer or monkeys.
“We all know ricochets can go in pretty much any direction.”
Only if the gun is discharged.
Where the ricochet went might have been bad, but that shouldn't preclude the officer protecting himself against an attacking dog.
That would be a “hare trigger.”
:)
“If the cop thought the dog was about to attack, it was a lawful discharge.”
That is an extremely low threshhold and is abused.
“Where the ricochet went might have been bad, but that shouldn’t preclude the officer protecting himself against an attacking dog.”
So its ok for a cop to shoot a dog even if there’s a woman standing behind it and in the line of fire?
I wish our troops in Afghanistan had those loosened rules of engagement.
Well the dog must not have really been a threat because it didn’t end up “needin’ shootin’”.
For all we know Barney missed both times because the chihuahua ducked.
One thing not in dispute is that it is a typically poorly researched and written article.
Shooting at my dog would be the same as shooting at any member of my family, resulting in a not so pretty ending.
‘Nuff said....
It was only a ricochet. Had the bullet hit the lady straight away without bouncing off of something first, then ya, more serious punishment.
you da idiot, boy.
Then you must have a big problem with yourself. Your remarks are about as stupid as they get. The dog barked, it didn't attack, it didn't run at the cop, it BARKED. Cops have been on dog shooting sprees for the last several years. I think they are being trained to shoot dogs for whatever reason(probably due to drug dealers having attack dogs), but they are shooting people's pets for almost no reason. To blame this dog owner/law abiding citizen for having her dog shot at and herself wounded shows a brain that is in sore need of a transplant(that would be yours).
negligent discharge
yeah, cause we all know there is no such thing as corruption at the local level. just ask Mayor Daley
Then you must have a big problem with yourself. Your remarks are about as stupid as they get. The dog barked, it didn't attack, it didn't run at the cop, it BARKED. Cops have been on dog shooting sprees for the last several years. I think they are being trained to shoot dogs for whatever reason(probably due to drug dealers having attack dogs), but they are shooting people's pets for almost no reason. To blame this dog owner/law abiding citizen for having her dog shot at and herself wounded shows a brain that is in sore need of a transplant(that would be yours).
BS!
He just missed. If you jailed a cop everytime a bullet didn’t hit the bad guy, there’d be a whole lotta cops in jail.
I’m still trying to come up with one
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