Tennessee Veteran With Alzheimer’s Files Lawsuit Against Kentucky Police Over Violent Arrest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A 62-year-old Army veteran with late-stage Alzheimer’s has filed a nine-count lawsuit against the Guthrie Police Department in Kentucky, alleging excessive force and negligence following a violent arrest last December.
The civil suit, filed by George Henderson and his wife Kimberly, includes accusations of excessive force, malicious prosecution, negligent policy enforcement, and battery.
Arrest at Kentucky Gas Station
George Henderson, a retired Army master sergeant who served 29 years, wandered away from his Clarksville, Tennessee, home last December. After six hours, he was found across the state line at a gas station in Guthrie, Kentucky.
A clerk called police, reporting Henderson had attempted to break into his car. Officer Jacob Pritchett responded, describing Henderson as incoherent and disoriented, even noting he was wearing two different shoes on the wrong feet.
Instead of providing medical assistance, body camera footage showed Pritchett accusing Henderson of using cocaine, then forcefully slamming him to the ground. The video captured the officer striking Henderson in the head, knocking him unconscious before handcuffing him.
Charges Despite Negative Drug Test
Paramedics and Todd County deputies later confirmed Henderson was the subject of a Silver Alert in Tennessee. Despite that discovery, he was still jailed and charged with:
- Public intoxication by a controlled substance
- Drug possession
- Attempted theft
- Resisting arrest
- Assaulting a police officer
Court records show Henderson had no drugs or stolen property, and a jail-administered drug test came back negative. A preliminary hearing dismissed the drug possession charge, but the remaining counts were sent to a grand jury.
In March, the grand jury declined to indict Henderson, clearing him of the charges. Months later, his wife Kimberly filed the lawsuit against the Guthrie Police Department.
Wife: “It Was Obvious He Was in Distress”
Kimberly Henderson said the arrest marked a turning point in her husband’s Alzheimer’s progression.
“It progressed a lot. Seizures came about. He’s lost a lot of his verbal communication since then,” she explained.
Watching the footage brought her to tears. “I still don’t understand where it went wrong because he was in distress. It was clearly obvious that he was in distress.”
Alleged Conflict of Interest
The lawsuit also raises questions about a potential conflict of interest in the case. Todd County Attorney Jeffrey Traughber, who pursued charges against Henderson, is also the city attorney for Guthrie, representing the same police department now being sued.
When pressed by reporters, Traughber refused to comment on the matter, telling investigators only, “I’m not going to comment on pending litigation.”
Family Strain and Ongoing Legal Fight
Kimberly Henderson said the ordeal has devastated their family, draining both emotionally and financially.
“The trauma of the arrest, the legal battles, and the medical bills are taking away from the time I have left with him,” she said.
She added that her new normal is trying to keep George comfortable while cherishing what moments they have left. “George’s old memories are gone. So, I try to create new memories with the person I still have.”
The Guthrie Police Department and city officials have declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation. The Hendersons’ lawsuit seeks accountability and damages related to the violent arrest.
Stay connected with ChicagoMusicGuide.com for updates as the lawsuit moves forward.