Copperas Cove man files civil suit against Coryell County, Sheriff’s Office

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The office of Coryell County Judge Roger Miller announced on Tuesday that on April 27, around 3 p.m., his office was served notice of a lawsuit filed against Coryell County and the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office.

The lawsuit was filed by Samuel Ramirez in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas.

Ramirez alleges civil rights violations during an between himself and a deputy of the sheriff’s department on April 30, 2019.

According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred when a Coryell County deputy showed up at Ramirez’ residence in Copperas Cove, and that the deputy was attempting to locate someone other than Ramirez and had no warrant for either Ramirez or for his property.  

Ramirez contended that when he turned his back on the deputy, the deputy attacked him and tackled him to the ground.

The civil suit cites unreasonable seizure and excessive force in the matter.

The suit also says that Ramirez “suffered significant personal injuries and damages to include, but not limited to back and finger injury,” and that he also suffers anxiety as a result of the incident and was caused to lose his job.

Among the damages requested are past and future medical expenses, damages attributed to “Plaintiff’s disfigurement caused by the injuries sustained as a result of the occurrence in question,” along with monetary damages for public humiliation and damage to his reputation, and damages for his “illegal and unjust incarceration.”

The petition states that Ramirez provided notice of his state law claims to Coryell County, and the Coryell County Sheriff's Department in accordance with the Texas Tort Claims Act on Oct. 28, 2020.