Nationwide — Donovan Beard, an 18-year-old African American man from Connecticut, was left paralyzed from the neck down after a 2024 encounter with Waterford police. His family has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $50 million, accusing the officers of using excessive force and failing to provide proper medical care. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month by Beard’s mother, Erin Beard, says the teenager suffered a severe spinal injury during the September 8, 2024, encounter. His attorneys allege that officers worsened the injury by dragging him across the ground and moving him without properly protecting his head and neck.
According to Atlanta Black Star, the encounter began when Beard rode his dirt bike past officers who were handling an unrelated traffic stop. Officer Stephen J. Rogers followed him for about a quarter mile before ending the pursuit. Rogers later went to a home where Beard’s friend lived, and another officer, Nicholas Genung, arrived with a police dog. Beard was talking with his friend when police arrived with their lights flashing. He then got back on his dirt bike and tried to leave.
The lawsuit claims Rogers pointed a .45-caliber gun at Beard and ordered him to stop. Genung allegedly warned that the police dog would bite him, while Rogers pulled out a Taser and threatened to use it. The complaint says Genung then stepped into the dirt bike’s path with the K-9 and shoved Beard off the bike, causing him to crash headfirst into a police cruiser.
Beard was left face down and bleeding heavily after the crash. The lawsuit alleges that Rogers then used his Taser on Beard’s back even though he was lying motionless. Rogers also allegedly pulled Beard’s arm behind his back while demanding that he give him his hand. Beard repeatedly told the officers he could not move and said, “I’m dying.” Officers then handcuffed him and allegedly dragged him across the driveway instead of stabilizing his head and neck or immediately getting medical help.
The lawsuit says other officers arrived but failed to provide the medical assistance Beard needed. They allegedly laughed and made jokes while he remained injured on the ground. His attorneys also say officers knew about his mental health issues and that he had the “mental age of a 12-year-old child.”
Beard now uses a wheelchair and needs assistance with daily activities, catheter management, bowel care, and medication. He also has ongoing complications, including muscle stiffness, autonomic dysfunction, pressure injuries and recurring infections. The lawsuit names seven Waterford officers and the town, accusing them of excessive force, denial of medical care, negligence, assault, battery, and other wrongdoing. The family is seeking $50 million to help cover Beard’s lifelong care. His mother also has a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $2,500.