Chandler police Sgt. Tom Lovejoy, acquitted last week of animal cruelty in the death of his police dog, has hired a high-powered Phoenix attorney to consider suing the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office because of his arrest.
Lovejoy (pictured left) confirmed late Wednesday he recently hired Michael Manning, an attorney with a history of filing — and often winning — high-profile lawsuits against the sheriff’s office and other agencies. Manning is currently representing two executives of the Phoenix New Times newspaper in a wrongful arrest lawsuit against the sheriff and county attorney. He is also representing the family of Carol Gotbaum, a woman who died in Phoenix police custody at Sky Harbor International Airport last year.
Manning could not be reached for comment Thursday, but his retention by Lovejoy signals that the Chandler sergeant is serious about the possibility of suing the county for his arrest and prosecution. In an exclusive interview earlier this week, Lovejoy said he still believes he was arrested to draw international media attention to Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The sheriff and his spokesmen have strongly denied the allegation.
UPDATE (5:02 p.m.): In a phone call this afternoon, Mike Manning said he and Lovejoy have not yet decided whether to bring a suit. There are a lot of elements at play that his firm must look at before he recommends anything to the sergeant, he said.
“Certainly what happened to him is inconsistent with the way the sheriff’s department has handled other similar deaths of dogs in their care,” Manning said. “It’s pretty clear that Sheriff Arpaio was treating this as an opportunity for press splash.”
He is rolling the dice that Risk Management will decide to pay him off.
Actually, wouldn’t it be more efficient if we put up a separate window in the courthouse to sue MCSO or Joe? Kind of an express line? Actually he has a pretty good case. Joe’s news conference for a case like this was unconscionable. The shame of it is that it’ll cost us and not Joe, so he’ll just do it again, and again. 43 mil and counting.
let this be over
Let me get this straight, you left your police dog in a car for like 12 hours in Arizona and you think that because you are a police officer you think it’s not animal cruelty? And because you got acquitted saying you were negligent not cruel you think you think that charges were brought on your for media attention?? Just because he is a cop doesn’t change the fact that he was responsible for the animal. If you leave a baby in the car do you think you should get off easy? The Dog was considered part of the department and this guy is a cop killer in my eyes and the fact that he is looking for someone to blame other then himself for the charges being filed is childish.
Lovejoy your are a traitor!!! You left that dog to die in your car!! And now to try and feel better you will listen to these political haters who have convinced you that you are a victim and should sue Joe.
You left your partner in your car to die!!!
The Sheriff had a news conference because your story was all over the news. Sheriff Joe is not your scapegoat.
If your dog had left you to die in your car, your honarable dog would not have turned your death into a political farce just so he could feel better and make some money, he would have mourned you and attempted to make oositive changes so it would not happen again.
Be man and accept responsibility for your actions Lovejoy you killed your partner because you were to busy to think about him. Didn’t the dog die in your custody??? in your car??? Quit trying to sue the county for arresting you for committing a crime. Your acting like you are innocent and didn’t do anything wrong your partner depended and you failed him.
People need to wake up and get rid of this guy in November. He has done more to reduce human dignity than anyone in this country in a long time. The old time sheriff’s like Carl Hayden and Cal Boise are, I’m sure, turning over in their graves.
Lovejoy is nothing but a lying animal killer.
No one’s faule but YOURS.
YOU & ONLY YOU killed that police officer…….
I hope they take your job from you.
Your NOT fit to be an officer………
Lovejoy has some gall seeking a lawsuit against the MCSD. That turd wants
some money, period.
Had I been the mayor of Chandler, I would have fired Lovejoy.
Chandler should fire you with no benefits for killing a fellow officer, then sue you for the cost of the dog, its training, etc. Resign and move away.
Seriously people? I can not believe the ignorance being written here. You’ve got to be MCSO and the lying monkeys that reside within. Lovejoy stated very clear that he was negligent, he took full blame and responsibility. HE WAS CHARGED WITH A CRIME HE DIDN’T COMMIT. Why can’t you people get that through your thick skulls. Why arent’ you screaming about the “officers” that Arpaio’s deputies killed????? Because you’re one of them that’s why.
No matter how you try and twist this, it was an accident. He is no longer a handler, so what’s your problem? Get a grip and start focusing on something that is important, like drowning children, children left in cars, Sheriff’s who cover things up in their department and then crucify someone who does something the same in a national media venue. You are all hypocrites!
Lovejoy belongs to an organization that is rife with corruption, period.
I have pets and never would a pet of mine be forgotten for 13 hrs.
He should have been terminated.
Susan,
While the posts are a bit one dimensional and MCSO as well as Joe acted like total scumbuckets, think. Do you really want someone who left a dog in a car on a hot day for 13 hours walking around your town with a badge, authority and a high powered weapon on his hip? Blame here is easy to pass out, and the situation exposes massive cracks in the system. Lovejoy shouldn’t be a cop, his judgement makes him dangerous to the rest of us. But then Joe shouldn’t be sheriff, his judgement makes him dangerous to the rest of us. Best we can do is what’s right and forget the law, because the law obviously isn’t right.
Lovejoy, you got with serious animal abuse. Are you going to sue Hostess
Twinkies, too. You poor, poor thing. Boo hoo, hoo.
SUSAN = Chandler cop wife…
You can always tell the “blue wall” cops blogging. They have this “bunker mentality”…lol…NO…not Archie Bunker…I wouldn’t shame Archie by lumping these “APOLOGIST” cops in with good ole Archie. Archie Bunker loved America and the rule of law. He would never leave his canine partner to suffer for 13 HOURS….13 HOURS…13 HOURS in 120+ degree Chandler K-9 car with all the window rolled up while LOVEJOY took a cool shower, had lots of COLD WATER and sodas to drink, while LOVEJOY took a NAP in AIR-CONDITIONED comfort. LOVEJOY even took his wife to a nice AIR-CONDITIONED restaurant for DINNER……all the while BANDIT was going into CONVULSIONS while his BRAIN ROASTED and BANDIT’S tongue SWELLED to DOUBLE IN SIZE to CHOKE him to death. Now this LOVEJOY wants to sue the MCSO for doing it’s JOB…….SHAME ON LOVEJOY FOR NOT DOING HIS JOB AND TAKING CARE OF BANDIT….
RickRussell,
Have you never had a really BAD day? Worked lots of overtime? If he took his dog and fed him at 4AM (his normal feeding time), put him in a yard equipped with an air conditioned kennel, that opens up into a large grassy yard, 50 gallons of water available to him and other dogs to play with, is it really that unreasonable to not check on him for 13 hours. Someone lives in Queen Creek, works in Phx. One hour min. to work, 9 hrs. at work, Stop at the grocery store on the way home, One hour home. It happens every day, thousands of people don’t check on their pets for 13 hours. He forgot he took the dog with him the second time. Crud happens to all of us and because we are fortunate it doesn’t end in tragedy doesn’t make our negligence and less negligent! He served his community for 17 YEARS without the slightest blemish, awards, letters of accomodation, Yes, I think he is totally capable of wearing a gun on his hip and protecting my children and yours! I think he has probably learned hugely not to let himself get that sleep deprived again. Better watch it before you judge someone so harshly- it may just BITE you in return. Karma can be a bad thing! Maybe God will show you EXACTLY how this can happen to YOU!
The others:
Just because you change your name 5 times and repost, doesn’t make it more people posting. You posted the same thing on the other blog you idiot under a different name! Toddy! Gunsgawdngutz, AZMesa, Letsallgetalong etc. etc.
Did you read this from Leaveitalone?
Whatever guns, it was an accident. Get over it! You better read again how they die, nothing like you described. Also, where does it say he took a shower? Where does it say he had a snack? Where does it say he drank lots of cold drinks? Where does it say he watched TV? Where does it say he took his wife out for a nice steak dinner? Report says it was a burger at Fuddruckers. Report says they were gone for just over an hour. Report says he never went back with the insurance information. Bandit died within the first hour and a half. He didn’t suffer all 13 hours like you try to make it out. Don’t even think of speaking for the people of Arizona! The logical ones don’t think that way. Only the nutjobs! Your post mimics someone elses with the same accusations. Nice try buttwipe! So Toddy, is this yet another of your alias? Your son is right, you are so pathetic and an embarrassement.
letsall, maybe I am, maybe I’m not. You tell me who you are and I’ll tell you who I am. Why do you have such heartburn over me mentioning Toddys son Tyler. Oh, that’s probably because you are Toddy and I hit home! Unlike you Toddy, we aren’t idiots, it’s very easy to figure it out. Get a life, go sell some helmets!
Oh and Cisco, toddy whoever you are, was MCSO doing their job when the KILLED their THREE dogs and covered them up???? Then arrested Lovejoy for his accident and called National Media. GIVE ME A F’N BREAK!
susan=leave it alone, same posts, same writing traits
SUSAN…..are you related to Lovejoy in some way…WOW…you sure know lots of information. Keep trying to ‘WHITE-WASH” this…us EVT bloggers are rolling on the floor laughing ………and this vendetta you have against these other bloggers is getting pretty scary…you know like maybe the MCSO should take a look-see……..but knowing you…you will keep digging your hole deeper and deeper until one day ……………………LET’S HOPE YOU LIKE THE COLOR …PINK…………….LOL
yep, susan is leaveitalone. I don’t deny it!
Toddy- Ciscokid, yep, know lots about it. The truth. Unlike you who comes on here under 10 different alias and has conversations with your alter egos. Making up lies and spewing garbage to try and justify your stupidity. Let MCSO take a looksy!!!!! I welcome them to! They are as big of losers as you dear Todd Mitness. Have a nice pathetic life. Poor, poor Tyler!! How sad to have you as a father. Bet he prays it doesn’t run in the genes!
You’re a punk that killed your loyal friend and partner, and now you intend to perpetuate your selfish behavior by trying to make blood money. Unbelievable.
Hey Tom, do you ever wonder what Bandit’s last conscious thoughts were before his brain cooked and he took his last breath. Think about that when you’re cashing your lawsuit winnings.