Beach cops did not violate couple's rights, judge rules

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Beach couple who alleged police officers violated their constitutional rights during an incident, in which one of their dogs was shot two years ago.

U.S. District Court Judge Jerome Friedman ruled on Friday that the actions of police were reasonable in July 2006 when they responded to Jonathan and Ginger Fletcher’s home to investigate a 911 call of a man threatening “suicide by cop.”

The Fletchers sued the Police Department, Chief Jake Jacocks Jr. and four police officers, saying they were negligent in raiding their home near Oceana Naval Air Station and wrongfully detaining Jonathan Fletcher and a friend. The couple sought $100,000 each in damages.