Whitechurch et al v. Mulkey et al

On July 5, 2023, plaintiffs John Whitechurch and his wife Jane Whitechurch filed a federal lawsuit in the United States against Officer Michael Mulkey and the City of Springfield. The case stems from a traffic stop on March 12, 2023, where Officer Mulkey allegedly used excessive force, slamming John Whitechurch to the ground and causing a shoulder fracture. The plaintiffs claimed violations of the Fourth Amendment, assault, and loss of consortium. Body camera footage partially captured the incident. The complaint sought compensatory and punitive damages, alleging the city failed to train officers properly. The case drew attention to police accountability.

The case settled out of court in April 2024, with the city agreeing to pay $750,000 in damages and implement additional de-escalation training for officers.

Whether Officer Mulkey used objectively unreasonable force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and whether he was entitled to qualified immunity.

The settlement prompted local policy changes requiring mandatory body-worn camera activation during all investigative stops and renewed public debate on qualified immunity reform.