A former La Center police officer has filed a lawsuit against American Medical Response claiming that a paramedic punched her in the face while she was restrained during an involuntary mental health hold.
Tracy Cook, 44, of Ridgefield seeks an unspecified amount in damages for pain, suffering, disability, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life and payment for attorney’s fees and legal costs.
Officials with AMR did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday seeking comment.
The lawsuit involves a Jan. 2, 2013, confrontation with Clark County sheriff’s deputies for which Cook was initially charged in District Court with obstructing a law enforcement officer. The charge was later dismissed.
Then-acting La Center Police Chief Erin Nolan requested that sheriff’s deputies conduct a welfare check on Cook that day when she learned that Cook had sent several text messages stating that she had consumed a large amount of vodka, wanted to die and had attempted to drown herself, according to a probable cause affidavit by sheriff’s Deputy Fred Neiman Jr.
Cook initially refused to let anyone in, Neiman wrote. She later agreed to allow entry to two officers and a struggle ensued, he said.
Cook reportedly screamed and yelled at the officers to let her go as they restrained her on the floor.
Deputies requested an ambulance to transport Cook for an involuntary mental health evaluation. She was escorted to the hallway of the residence where she began to swing her head violently into the wall, according to the affidavit.
AMR paramedic Scott Thompson and Zachary Allen, an EMT with Clark County Fire & Rescue, arrived with an ambulance and a gurney.
Thompson stated that while he was preparing Cook for transport, she continued to fight to free herself. Thompson told deputies that Cook dug her fingernails into his hand and bit him while he tried to restrain her, according to Neiman.
However, in her lawsuit, Cook alleges that Thompson intentionally punched her in the nose, causing her nose to bleed and swell.
Cook also was charged with drunken driving for allegedly doing a shot of Jägermeister, getting behind the wheel and causing a traffic collision with a motorcyclist in Ridgefield on Feb. 13. She pleaded guilty Sept. 24 in District Court to an amended charge of first-degree negligent driving and was sentenced to a day in jail and nearly $900 in fines and fees.
Amid the criminal charges, Cook agreed to resign July 17 from the La Center Police Department in exchange for about $31,000. The payout included three months’ salary, six months of health coverage and her remaining vacation time.
As part of the deal, Cook agreed not to sue or file any grievances against the city, its elected officers or the La Center Police Officers’ Association.
