Four Fort Wayne Police officers are targeted in a lawsuit filed Monday in Allen Superior Court by a city man who alleges they used excessive force and assaulted him during a December interview at police headquarters.
Officers George Nicklow, John Drummer, Marc DeShaies and Jeff Ripley are named as individuals in the suit, filed by William D. Thomas, a convicted possessor of cocaine serving time at Westville Correctional Facility.
The Fort Wayne Police Department is not named in the suit.
Thomas alleges the officers tackled, punched and choked him, kneed him in the head and body, and slammed him face-first onto a table, all while he was ankle-chained to the floor, during a Dec. 3 interview at police headquarters, 1320 E. Creighton Ave.
The suit claims the alleged excessive force was in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Police Chief Rusty York said Tuesday he will reserve comment until he was able to see the suit.
Thomas claims he suffered physical, mental and emotional injuries as a result of the officers' actions, the suit says. He is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs.
