In a distressing legal development, the widow of a deputy sheriff who tragically died during a training exercise has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Evansville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. The lawsuit, lodged in Vanderburgh Superior Court on September 3, alleges that the “hazing-styled exercise” known as “The Big Fight” exposed new recruits, including Asson Hacker, to unnecessary and dangerous conditions that ultimately led to his death.
Asson Hacker, a 33-year-old deputy with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, passed away on March 2, 2023, following a grueling training session held at Club Bushido, a martial arts center. The exercise, described as a mandatory part of basic training, involved cadet recruits fighting veteran officers in an intense, five-minute combat scenario. Hacker was pitted against Maj. Michael Fisher of the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, who had a significant advantage in both weight and fighting experience.
According to the complaint, Fisher’s tactics during the fight were excessive and potentially lethal, including choking, punching, and body slamming Hacker. The lawsuit contends that Evansville Police officer Garrett Vanfleet, who oversaw the fight, failed to halt the match after the prescribed five minutes and encouraged both participants to continue despite Hacker’s visible exhaustion. The fight, which lasted seven minutes, ended with Hacker lying motionless, and the lawsuit claims that medical assistance was severely delayed.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office attributed Hacker’s death to “natural causes” linked to exertional sickling and sickle cell trait, prompting the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office to revise its screening protocols. However, the lawsuit does not cite these conditions but rather accuses Fisher and Vanfleet of negligent and reckless conduct, alongside criticizing the overall training policies of the involved departments. Kourtney Hacker seeks a jury trial for compensatory and punitive damages, encompassing medical expenses, funeral costs, and compensation for the loss of her husband’s earnings and affection.
Recent Comments