MARSHALL – The heirs of a man fatally shot by a Gladewater police officer in 2016 have failed a wrongful death suit.

The estate of Patrick Michael Wise, Ed Wise, Laura Ramsey, et al. filed a complaint on Dec. 26, 2017, in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas against the city of Gladewater and Robert Carlsen alleging excessive use of force and wrongful death.

According to the complaint, on Nov. 5, 2016, Wise was pulled over for a traffic stop on Highway 80 in Gladewater but when he recognized Carlsen, drove away. The suit states a chase ensued, Wise later stopped the vehicle and Carlsen chased him on foot. The suit states a struggle occurred between Wise and Carlsen, Carlsen claimed Wise took his gun but Wise returned it. Carlsen eventually discharged his weapon, killing Wise, the suit states.

The plaintiffs hold the city of Gladewater and Carlsen responsible because the city allegedly failed to provide Carlsen adequate training, Wise allegedly posed no threat to Carlsen, and Carlsen allegedly should have known the amount of force he used was excessive.

The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensatory and exemplary damages, pecuniary losses, and all other legal and equitable relief. They are represented by L. Charles Van Cleef of Van Cleef Law Office in Longview.

Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas case number 2:17-cv-00788