Lawsuit: City cops caused woman’s injuries

By BERNIE HORNICK
The Tribune-Democrat

July 11, 2009 11:56 pm

— A South Fork woman claims her shoulder was broken by city police responding to a 2008 New Year’s fight at the Walnut Grove Hunting and Fishing Club.
Paulette Walker is seeking an unspecified money payment from the Johnstown Police Department in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.
Walker said she was at the club, 111 Statler Place, about 2 a.m. Jan. 1, 2008, when a fight broke out. Bottles and glasses were broken and the spilled liquids mixed with glass shards on the floor.
Walker said she was not involved in the disturbance, though, when she asked one of the individuals to leave, she was slapped in the face.
Several club members stepped in to stop the fracas. When those who began the disturbance did not immediately leave when asked, Walker said she asked her son – a club officer – to call the police.
The lawsuit claims employees and patrons then broke up the disturbance and kicked out the brawlers before officers arrived.
One responding policeman reportedly drew his gun and ordered everyone at the club to “get on the floor.’’
The president of the establishment supposedly continued cleaning up and was charged by the officer when he turned to get a mop and broom. The lawsuit said the officer “rammed into plaintiff, knocking her onto a chair and eventually to the ground that was covered by liquid and glass.’’
As a result of the incident, the suit said, Walker’s shoulder was broken in two places and her hip was cut by the glass on the floor.
The suit said Walker’s civil rights were violated and that the police were negligent and inflicted emotional distress upon her.
Defendants in the suit include the city, the police department and the police chief.
City Manager Curt Davis said he could not comment on an active legal case.