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The family and friends of a 24-year-old man shot to death by a rookie Fort Wayne police officer in December filed paperwork to begin a wrongful-death lawsuit.
Jose Lemus-Rodriguez was shot to death Dec. 23 by Fort Wayne police officer James Arnold after what began as a routine traffic stop. When he disregarded a stop sign, Lemus-Rodriguez drew the attention of an off-duty detective. Lemus-Rodriguez stopped briefly, then led police to Oxford Street and Warsaw Avenue, where he crashed into a sign. Arnold, sworn in as an officer in October, fired multiple shots into Lemus-Rodriguez’s car, believing officers were in danger, police have said.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday afternoon in Allen Superior Court. Family friend Jaime Palma asked a judge to appoint him as the personal representative for the purpose of a wrongful-death estate.
According to court documents, Lemus-Rodriguez’s 4-year-old daughter lives with her mother in Guatemala. The girl would be the beneficiary of the wrongful-death estate. The girl’s mother gave Palma consent to represent Lemus-Rodriguez’s estate, and the local law firm Haller & Colvin has been hired, court documents said.
Indiana State Police Detective Mark Heffelfinger investigated the shooting. The case remains under review, Chief Deputy Allen County Prosecutor Michael McAlexander said.
Placed on leave for three weeks after the shooting, Arnold has returned to desk duty, police spokesman Michael Joyner said.
rgreen@jg.net
