A Bradley County resident who said two deputies manhandled and abused him in 2017 is suing them and the county for $1.5 million, alleging excessive force, malicious prosecution and civil rights violations.
Legal claims are par for the course in law enforcement, but this one has a twist.
Plaintiff Gary Lee Parker claims the county government’s failure to take action against Sheriff Eric Watson on multiple allegations of wrongdoing essentially means its “official policy” is to ignore misconduct.
His lawsuit claims that this “deliberate indifference” led to his being hurt and suffering pain, anguish and humiliation. Parker is asking for $500,000 in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
Bradley County Attorney Crystal Freiberg said Wednesday afternoon she had not seen the complaint.