Thomas John Sova

Killed by Police April 21, l994

Graduated Alma College--April 23, l994

Bachelor of Arts -- Music-- Classical Guitar

Tommy was killed by Sgt. Doug LaLone minutes after we called 911 for an ambulance. Tommy was cutting himself. He had committed no crime--he did not have a gun.
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan at Bay City granted immunity to Sgt. Doug LaLone and Officer Jeffrey Shell. The UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT reversed the lower court's decision and remanded LaLone and Shell back to Bay City for trial.
Tommy's case is an important case for all victims of police abuse. After the shooting the city refused to take responsibility for the tragedy, and also refused to take any corrective action to counsel or instruct its officers to minimize the possibility of a further senseless shooting. Therefore, we filed a civil suit.
The lawsuit was dismissed by the trial judge in Bay City, who failed to properly apply the federal decisions of both the United States Court of Appeals and The United States Supreme Court. The dismissal was appealed, and the 6th Circuit Court issued a strongly worded reversal. The 6th Circuit Court noted "The situation escalated immediately after Sgt. LaLone arrived on the scene at 9:36 p.m.; he shot Thomas dead within ten minutes of his arrival."
Tommy's decision clarified a complex area of constitutional law, critical to the protection of citizens from the use of deadly force by police officers. Those who condone the use of excessive force and attempt to escape responsibility for such brutality will be forever confronted by the Sova decision, standing quietly but firmly as a vigilant guardian of our families. The decision in Sova vs. Mt. Pleasant has been recommended for full-text publication. Please read it at:
law.emory.edu/6circuit,
Vicki Sova

updated by Vicki SovaVsova@edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu,
February 28, 1999