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Samantha Ramsey lawsuit settled; family gets $3.5 million, sheriff’s department agrees to policy changes


NKyTribune staff report

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Samantha Ramsey has been settled for $3.5 million.

samantha-ramseyAs reported exclusively in the Tribune Tuesday, the Boone County Fiscal Court agreed to pay up to $800,000 to resolve the litigation, setting the stage for the settlemnt.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department has also agreed to review and implement new policies as a term of the settlement.

Ramsey was 19 years old when she was shot and killed by Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Brockman as the deputy was attempting to stop the vehicle she was driving while leaving a field party in Boone County on April 26, 2014.

Ramsey’s mother, Brandi Stewart, filed the civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit, naming Boone County, Sheriff Michael Helmig and Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Brockman as defendants in April, 2015.

Attorneys for all parties issued the following statement on the settlement:

On December 6, 2016, the civil lawsuit brought by the family of Samantha Ramsey against Boone County relating to her death on April 26, 2014 was settled by an agreement between the parties. The terms of the settlement include a payment of $3.5 million to cover all damage claims, attorney fees and expenses. Additionally, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department has agreed to review and implement new policies including, but not limited to: providing body cams to its patrol deputies, revising use of force and other internal policies, and additional training.

“We believe the agreement reached by the parties is a fair resolution in this matter,” stated Al Gerhardstein, attorney for the plaintiffs, “we commend Sheriff Helmig for agreeing to review and revise his policies ti help ensure something like this never happens again.”

“I have known Sheriff Helmig for many years,” said Jeff Mando, attorney for Boone County, “he is always willing to examine new policies or practices to ensure that his department is operating safely and efficiently.” He continued, “I appreciate the hard work done on all sides to resolve this matter.”

The family and passengers were represented by attorneys Al Gerhardstein, Adam Gerhardstein, Gary Franke, Mike O’Neill, Ryan Reed, and Colleen Hegge. The County and Tyler Brockman were represented by attorneys Jeff Mando, Louis Kelly, and Robin Neace.


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One Comment

  1. Jean says:

    Never mentioned her passengers had marijuana in them which they jumped out and hid in ditch.That they all were drinking and possibly over limit to be intoxicated She had received a DUI just a few weeks earlier.So the claims if innocence was not all there.

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