Waller v. Horton

On February 10, 2025, Stephen Waller filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Officer Michael Horton and the Springfield Police Department. The incident occurred during a routine traffic stop when Officer Horton allegedly deployed a taser and physically restrained Waller without provocation. Waller, who is disabled, claimed he was pulled from his vehicle and suffered a fractured shoulder. Body camera footage was partially obscured. The case raised critical questions about police accountability, with Waller seeking damages for medical expenses and emotional distress. The defense argued Horton acted within protocol, fearing Waller was reaching for a weapon. The case became a focal point for local advocacy groups demanding police reform.

The District Court denied Officer Horton's motion for summary judgment on qualified immunity grounds, ruling that a reasonable jury could find the force used was constitutionally excessive. The case is scheduled for trial in late 2026.

Whether Officer Horton used excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and whether he is entitled to qualified immunity.

The denial of qualified immunity sparked public debate, energizing police reform advocates and leading to proposed revisions in the police department's use-of-force training policies.