Family sues police after dog died as officers held them at gunpoint during traffic stop
BERNALILLO, N.M. (KRQE) – Last year, a family rushing to save their dog’s life was stopped by the cops and held at gunpoint. KRQE Investigates first reported on the intense traffic stop where at the time, the Albrecht family caught in the crosshairs of police guns, knew officers should not act the way they did. Today, that family has filed a civil rights lawsuit that aims to drive that point home.
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“There’s hurt, there’s hurt,” William Albrecht told KRQE News 13 during a September interview. Since he and his family were stopped for speeding along 550 in the Town of Bernalillo last year trying to save their dog Stella’s life, they’ve wanted to share their story and make a change.
“I just could not believe the treatment that I was getting,” Albrecht recalled.
“The message is, you cannot afford to hire people that abuse the people that are supposed to be protected and served,” Civil Rights Attorney Shannon Kennedy told KRQE News 13. “It’s untenable. It’s unsustainable. It must stop,” she added.
It’s a message Kennedy is sending to the Town of Bernalillo and its police department in a civil rights lawsuit for that traffic stop KRQE Investigates first exposed. Lapel video shows former Bernalillo Police Officer Jeramie Nevarez immediately pointing his gun at Albrecht, ordering him out of the car.
“Step back! Step f**** back!” Nevarez shouted. The officer directed Albrecht into traffic and ignored pleas from the family trying to explain their dog needed to get to the vet.
Backup arrived and officers continued with a felony stop. Albrecht’s wife and 16-year-old son were also held at gunpoint.
Albrecht was handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car without explanation. “Sir, my dog’s bleeding out of its mouth! Albrecht pleaded. “I don’t give a f***!” Officer Nevarez replied.
“This is inexplicable, immediate escalation of confrontation,” explained Kennedy. The Kennedy law firm is no stranger to seeking justice from those who abuse their power. “I’ve been practicing for 30 years,” said Shannon. “Mr. Kennedy, a little longer.”
Their lawsuit against Bernalillo claims that Albrecht’s constitutional rights were violated. The lawsuit claims the Town of Bernalillo is liable for officers and public employees’ acts, which amounted in this case to claims of “assault, battery, false arrest, and false imprisonment of the Albrecht family.”
“I mean, every day people are pulled over for speeding and they’re not drawn down on,” said Kennedy. “So I don’t know what’s in the water in the Town of Bernalillo. We’re going to find out and we’re going to make sure that people driving through that town are safe.”
Nevarez has since been fired. He was later arrested on a domestic violence charge. That battery case against him is still pending.
“Sadly, it’s not surprising,” said Kennedy. She explained psychological screenings are required in New Mexico when officers are hired and should flag people like Nevarez.
“Sometimes there’s pressures to get more officers on the street, so the standards are lowered and then there’s no accountability,” said Kennedy. “It’s disappointing.”
The Albrechts weren’t cited for speeding that day. They were eventually let go without explanation, even cursed by the officer as they drove off.
“F*** d*** h***,” Nevarez cursed as Albrecht drove away. “F*** him! F**** b****!”
“The individuals that are caught on camera acting in such a disparaging, disgraceful way should be terminated and they shouldn’t be rehired by other departments,” Kennedy said. “I just think there should be zero tolerance for this kind of abuse of power.”
Shanon Kennedy, Civil Rights Attorney
The Albrecht’s dog Stella didn’t make it. “What if this dog was a grandmother? What if this dog was a baby?” Kennedy said the lack of consideration from the officers involved gave her pause. “What if someone is speeding to get emergency medical care for a beloved family member and they’re drawn down on? I just wonder – where is the leadership?”
KRQE News 13 reached out to Bernalillo Police and the Mayor to see if other officers involved in the stop were disciplined. We did not hear back by air time.
Kennedy and the Albrechts want administrators to take note. “We’re also going to let the townspeople know, for whatever reason, you are employing as a community people in uniform and with guns that are acting in an abusive, dangerous manner,” said Kennedy. “And it’s something that needs to be changed.”
While the civil rights lawsuit plays out in Sandoval County’s District Court, Jeramie Nevarez has a plea hearing in his battery case scheduled for next week.
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