CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Nearly five months have passed since a Silver Alert for George Henderson − a U.S. Army veteran with Alzheimer’s − culminated in his violent arrest, and now a lawsuit has been filed against the Guthrie Police Department and the responding officer.

On Dec. 6, 2024, at around 2 p.m., 61-year-old retired Master Sgt. Henderson, diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer’s, disappeared from his Clarksville Home. Clarksville Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched a Silver Alert.

At about 10:16 p.m., a confused George wandered into an Exxon gas station in Guthrie. According to previous reports, the gas station clerk saw Henderson getting in the clerk’s car and called police. Officer Jacob Pritchett with Guthrie Police Department arrived.

In the body camera footage, after a few questions, Pritchett tries to arrest Henderson, who resists. The two wrestle, and the officer takes Henderson to the ground. Apparently, Henderson bites Pritchett’s hand. Officer Pritchett frees his arm, holds Henderson’s head against the floor and punches him on the right side of his head. The blow renders Henderson unconscious for about 30 seconds as Pritchett continues the arrest.

Since the incident, George has had three seizures, something that Kimberly says has never happened to her husband before.

On March 12, the Todd County Grand Jury returned a “no true bill” for George’s case, meaning he was not indicted on any charges.

Civil suit filed

Although Henderson’s health has declined, his family’s desire for justice has only increased. On April 24, Jeremy Stochaj, the Hendersons’ civil attorney, filed a lawsuit with the Todd County Circuit Court against Pritchett and Guthrie PD Chief Dean Blumel.

The complaint details that upon EMS arrival, Pritchett learned Henderson’s identify, mental health condition and Silver Alert status. EMS advised Pritchett that Henderson required additional medical evaluation at a hospital ER. Instead, Henderson was taken to Todd County Detention Center and charged, despite no items being taken during the alleged burglary and no drugs being found at the scene or on Henderson.

The complaint alleges nine counts:

  1. Excessive force — Pritchett used much more physical force than necessary, even though there was no reason to arrest Henderson in the first place. This caused Henderson serious injuries.
  2. Defamation per se — Pritchett wrote false statements, including claims that Henderson was in possession of drugs and other crimes, and “were defamatory because they would subject the plaintiff to public scorn, ridicule and contempt in the minds of reasonable people.”
  3. Battery — Pritchett intentionally harmed Henderson when he slung Henderson to the ground, and again when he struck Henderson on the back of the head.
  4. Negligence — Pritchett failed in his duty to get medical help for Henderson, who was clearly in need, leading to unnecessary harm.
  5. Gross negligence — Pritchett showed reckless disregard for Henderson’s health and safety by ignoring his need for medical care and acting in a way that was “outrageous, willful, and malicious.”
  6. Malicious prosecution — Pritchett knowingly filed false criminal charges, even though there was no evidence or probable cause, and those charges were eventually disposed in Henderson’s favor.
  7. Negligent policy — Blumel failed to make sure his officers, including Pritchett, followed proper policies and procedures.
  8. Negligent policy — Blumel didn’t properly train or supervise Pritchett.
  9. Loss of consortium (brought by Kimberly Henderson) — Because of the injuries and trauma George Henderson suffered, his wife Kimberly has lost services, assistance, aid, society, companionship and/or conjugal relationship and is seeking damages for that loss.

Clarksville Now has reached out to the Guthrie Police Department for comment.

The Hendersons are seeking unspecified compensation for past and future medical bills, physical and mental pain and suffering, emotional distress and punitive damages. They are also requesting a jury trial, that the defendants pay for all legal fees and court costs and any additional relief that the court deems fair.

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