VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. — We're taking a closer look at a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of a Vanderburgh County deputy sheriff.
She claims a training exercise called "the big fight" ultimately led to Deputy Asson Hacker's death.
Our NBC affiliate in Evansville, WFIE-TV, obtained video of the exercise.
(WARNING: Some of the video in the player above may be hard to watch.)
According to WFIE, the big fight exercise is mandatory for all law enforcement trainees in southwest Indiana. It is supposed to test their ability to hold their own if they get into a fight on the job.
In March 2023, Hacker was one of 60 trainees to step into the ring at the Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
The video shows Hacker fighting with another officer. It ends with Hacker lying on his back.
The lawsuit claims there were obvious signs Hacker needed immediate medical assistance, but that it wasn't provided for a significant period of time.
Hacker's cause of death was determined to be a complication from a sickle cell trait.
The suit is asking for monetary damages and a jury trial. The prosecutor said she found no reason to file criminal charges.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson's office isn't named in the lawsuit, but Robinson said he believes many of the allegations in the complaint are either inaccurate or misleading.
The sheriff issued the following statement:
"The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office continues to mourn the tragic and untimely passing of Deputy Asson Hacker. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him, and our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and colleagues.
While the Sheriff’s Office is not a named party in the lawsuit filed by Deputy Hacker’s estate, we are closely monitoring the developments in this case. We believe many of the allegations contained within the complaint are either inaccurate or misleading. We anticipate that the defendants in this case will present a robust defense to ensure that the facts are fully and fairly represented in court."
Vanderburgh County is approximately 160 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis.