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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN 

SOUTHERN DIVISION 

MICHAEL PHELPS and TAMMY PHELPS, 

Plaintiffs, Case No. 09-cv-12311 

 Hon. Nancy G. Edmunds 

vs. 

THE CITY OF ECORSE, a municipal corporation, 

CHIEF JERRY COPELAND, in his official and individual 

capacities; SERGEANT CORNELIUS HERRING, 

CORPORAL TIMOTHY SASSAK, POLICE OFFICERS 

JOHN DOE 1-5, POLICE SUPERVISORS ROE 1-5, 

DOWNRIVER MUTUAL AID, a Michigan entity created 

under the Urban Cooperation Act of 1967, a municipal corporation, 

TEAM LEADER STEVEN McINCHAK and JIM DOE 1-5 

DOWNRIVER SWAT officers, acting in their individual 

and supervisory capacities. 

Defendants. 

________________________________________________________________________/ 

William H. Goodman (P14173) 

Julie H. Hurwitz (P34720) 

Kathryn Bruner James (P71374) 

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Goodman and Hurwitz, P.C. 

1394 E. Jefferson Ave. 

Detroit, MI 48207 

(313) 567-6170/(313) 567-4827 Fax 

Donald J. Gasiorek (P24987) 

Gasiorek, Morgan & Greco, P.C. 

Attorney for Defendant Timothy Sassak

30500 Northwestern Highway, Suite 425 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

(248) 865-0001/ (248) 865-0002 Fax 

Rebecca H. Filiatraut (46443) 

Secrest, Wardle 

Attorneys for Defendants City of Ecorse, 

Copeland and Herring 

30903 Northwestern Highway 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

(248) 851-9500/(248) 851-2158 Fax 

Roger A. Smith (P27722) 

Garan Lucow Miller, P.C. 

Attorney for Defendant McInchak, only

1111 W. Long Lake Road, Suite 300 

Troy, MI 48098 

(248) 641-7600/ (248) 641-0222 Fax 

 Kerry L. Morgan (P 32645) 

Pentiuk Couvreur & Kobiljak, P.C. 

Attorney for Defendant Downriver Mutual Aid

2915 Biddle Ave., Ste 200 

Wyandotte, MI 48192 

(313) 281-7100 Ext. 103/(313) 281-7102 Fax 

_____________________________________________________________________________/ 

Case 2:09-cv-12311-NGE-MAR Document 79 Filed 12/28/10 Page 1 of 3
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CONSENT JUDGMENT

 The parties have expressed their desire to enter into a Consent Judgment in this matter. 

 Accordingly, it is herby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Plaintiffs, Michael and 

Tammy Phelps, shall recover from the Defendants, The City of Ecorse, Chief Jerry Copeland, 

Sergeant Cornelius Herring and Corporal Timothy Sassak, the sum of $215,000.00. 

 As a condition of said Consent Judgment, Plaintiffs will refrain from execution on said 

judgment for a period of six months from the date of entry. 

 It is hereby further ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Defendants shall undertake all steps 

necessary to issue judgment bonds or other bonds to finance and pay the judgment in their required 

frame which funds shall be repaid by one or more judgment millage levies by the Defendants over 

the period of years provided by law in amounts necessary to fully fund payment of said judgment 

bonds pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of MCL 600.6093 and MCL 600.6097, or 

by the issuance of other bonds according to law, and all other applicable statutes and laws of the 

State of Michigan. 

 It is further ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Defendants shall undertake all actions 

necessary to effectuate the terms of this Judgment within a reasonable time period. 

Case 2:09-cv-12311-NGE-MAR Document 79 Filed 12/28/10 Page 2 of 3
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 It is hereby further ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that this Court shall retain jurisdiction of 

this matter. 

 s/ Nancy G. Edmunds

 Nancy G. Edmunds 

 United States District Judge 

Dated: December 28, 2010 

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the parties and/or counsel of 

record on Tuesday, December 28, 2010, electronic and/or ordinary mail. 

 s/ Carol A. Hemeyer

 Case Manager 

 

Approved as to Form: 

_/s/Julie H. Hurwitz (w/consent)_ 

William H. Goodman (P14173) 

Julie H. Hurwitz (P34720) 

Kathryn Bruner James (P71374) 

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Goodman and Hurwitz, P.C. 

(313) 567-6170 

_/s/Paul W. Hines (w/consent)_____ 

Paul W. Hines (P 23194) 

Gasiorek, Morgan & Greco, P.C. 

Attorneys for Defendant Sassak 

 (248) 865-0001 

_/s/Rebecca H. Filiatraut___________ 

Rebecca H. Filiatraut (46443) 

Secrest, Wardle 

Attorneys for Defendants City of Ecorse, 

Copeland and Herring 

 (248) 851-9500 

Case 2:09-cv-12311-NGE-MAR Document 79 Filed 12/28/10 Page 3 of 3