The widow of a Vanderburgh County sheriff's deputy is suing the City of Evansville, the EPD, and the Southwestern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:
Kourtney Hacker alleges training at the police academy put Deputy Asson Hacker in danger and led to his death.
The 33-year-old Hacker died in March 2023 after what the EPD called "routine physical tactics" training at the academy.
Kourtney Hacker says her husband died after taking part in what’s called the “big fight” – where trainees fight officers.
In her suit, Hacker calls the fight training “state-sponsored hazing.”
The city of Evansville says it does not comment on pending litigation.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office ruled that Hacker's death was natural, caused by “exertional sickling and sickle cell trait.”
Hacker’s death prompted the Sheriff's Office to begin new screening protocols to identify cadets who could be at risk of developing the condition.