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Resident alleges Gardner patrol truck struck him twice; files federal suit
Summary
Dr. Justin Speece told the Gardner City Council that a Gardner police patrol truck, driven by Officer Kyle Sissom, struck him twice after he began recording the officer; he said he filed a federal lawsuit and urged the council to fire the officer. City officials said the incident was referred to the Johnson County Sheriff and reviewed administratively after the district attorney declined criminal charges.
At a Gardner City Council meeting, Dr. Justin Speece told members he believes a Gardner police patrol truck intentionally struck him twice after he began recording an officer he said had parked in a fire lane outside the Gardner Walmart.
Speece said he asked Officer Kyle Sissom why the patrol truck was parked in a marked red fire lane and in front of a crosswalk, and that Sissom ignored him, entered the vehicle and then turned the wheel toward Speece. “Don’t run me over,” Speece said he told the officer; he said the truck struck him first with the side mirror and then again with the side of the vehicle, injuring his side, chest and arm.
Speece said he went to the Gardner Police Department to report the incident and alleged staff initially refused to take his report. He told the council he filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court (Speece v. Sissom), alleging violations of his First, Fourth and 14th Amendment rights, and that he has served notice of intent to file a state tort claim for assault and battery.
“Why do you hate cops?” Speece quoted the officer as asking him during the encounter, and said the officer later blamed Speece for “getting in my way,” a claim Speece called false.
City officials responded at the meeting. Sarah (transcript name) told the council the department referred Speece’s initial complaint to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office so the department would not investigate its own officer. She said the matter also was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office, which declined to pursue criminal charges, and that the department conducted an administrative investigation into the officer’s conduct; she said the details of the personnel investigation are a personnel matter and would not be discussed publicly.
Speece asked the council to direct the chief to remove Officer Sissom from the department; he told councilors the community cannot tolerate the conduct he described.
The council did not take an immediate disciplinary action at the meeting. Speece’s account, the city’s referral to an outside law‑enforcement agency, the DA’s declination of criminal charges and the existence of an administrative investigation were reported to the council during public comment.
