Federal court tosses lawsuit against Sherwood for violating civil rights of deputy-arrestee

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A lawsuit stemming from a 2019 arrest in Sherwood was dismissed in federal court on Monday.

The suit had been filed on behalf of Robert Ward, who was arrested at his home on June 13, 2019, by three Sherwood Police Department officers responding to a noise complaint. He faced charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to court records, after a heated and escalating exchange with the SPD officers responding to the complaint.

During the arrest officers wrestled with Ward as they took him to the ground. He said later he suffered a concussion and nerve damage as a result of the take-down.

At the time Ward was a deputy with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. According to internal investigation documents, the PCSO ultimately fired him for violating three codes of conduct, which led to his arrest.

Following his arrest, Mr. Ward filed suit against the officers and the city of Sherwood in the Eastern District of Arkansas federal court, alleging claims of malicious prosecution, unlawful search and seizure, excessive force and retaliatory arrest in violation of the First Amendment. These charges were all dismissed by District Judge Billy Roy Wilson, who said, in his opinion, the officers acted reasonably.

Sherwood Mayor Mary Jo Heye-Townsell was pleased with the suit being dismissed.

“Any injury incurred while interacting with a police officer is unfortunate, including Mr. Ward’s,” Heye-Townsell said. “We appreciate Judge Wilson’s order confirming the officers’ actions in this incident were reasonable,”

The now-cancelled trial was due to start Nov. 5.

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