East Dundee, IL Cops Sued Over Taser Use on Diabetic Man

October 6, 2008

By the Sun-Times News Group
A man claims he was shot with a Taser device multiple times by East Dundee police without justification after leaving his job at an East Dundee Wal-Mart in 2007.

Johnny E. Ward claims in a seven-count federal lawsuit against the village of East Dundee, an Officer Roe and an unknown officer, he left work early Oct. 17 because of a medical condition when the unknown officer shot him once in the back with the Taser and administered a second shock.

During the arrest, the officers also called Ward a derogatory name, and broke his arm trying to lift him from the ground into an ambulance, the suit claims.

According to the excessive force suit, Ward “suffered mental, emotional, and physical injuries … humiliation, medical and legal expenses, mental distress and anguish.”

Ward was working at Wal-Mart, 620 Dundee Ave., on Oct. 17 when he started to become ill because of his diabetic condition, the suit said. Ward left early to go home for his medication, and an ambulance was dispatched to the store.

As the ambulance arrived, multiple officers in several squad cars pulled up, and “without any provocation,” an unknown officer shot Ward in the upper midback with his Taser, knocking him to the ground. One of the officers made derogatory comment, and the unknown officer pulled the trigger of the Taser a second time.

Ward was taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin to be treated for his broken arm, and other injuries, the suit claims.

A report on the incident was never properly completed, and there is no indication an officer discharged his Taser, according to the suit.

Ward was never charged with the violation of any law or ordinance, the suit claims.

The suit claims excessive force, state assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other violations.

The suit seeks an undisclosed amount in damages.