SHERWOOD, Ark. — On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Billy Roy Wilson issued an order that dismissed the claims against all the defendants in a case regarding a Sherwood police officer who was accused of causing traumatic brain injury to an Arkansas man.
The judge ruled that Sherwood Officer Matt Harris, Officer Jacqueline Schichtl, and Sergeant Clifford Manek did not violate the constitutional rights of Robert Ward when he was arrested on the night of June 13, 2019.
The victim, Robert Ward, originally filed the lawsuit in 2019, saying a Sherwood officer "violently threw him to the ground, slamming his head into a brick and causing a traumatic brain injury."
Case documents show that Sherwood police were called to Ward's house for a noise complaint. When police arrived, the records say that Ward used profanity, and another officer proceeded to tell him not to use foul language.
Ward said it was his property and would continue, which is not a crime. After a second time of using profanity officers arrested him.
In the lawsuit filed by Mr. Ward in the Eastern District of Arkansas Federal Court against the officers and the City of Sherwood, Ward alleged claims of unlawful search and seizure, excessive force, malicious prosecution, and retaliatory arrest in violation of the First Amendment.
However, per Judge Wilson's order, all claims against the City of Sherwood and the officers involved have now been dismissed.
“Any injury incurred while interacting with a police officer is unfortunate, including Mr. Ward’s. We appreciate Judge Wilson’s order confirming the officers’ actions in this incident were reasonable,” said Mayor Mary Jo Heye-Townsell.
Originally, a trial date was scheduled to begin on November 5, 2024, but it has now been canceled.