Opinion ID: 1752570
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Tennell's Evidence

Text: In order to controvert Officer Telthorster's proof, Tennell had to show that no reasonable officer in Telthorster's position could have believed that the circumstances justified his conduct. Tennell failed to meet this burden. Tennell offered deposition testimony from Officer Telthorster's daytime supervisor, Officer Craig Wiesepape, and from Lieutenant Craig Lys of the Navasota Police Department. Lieutenant Lys testified that it is reasonable for an officer to draw a gun only when the officer has reason to fear for his or her own personal safety or the safety of someone else, or when the offender is suspected of possessing a deadly weapon. In response to the question whether it is reasonable for an officer to handcuff a suspect while holding a firearm, Officer Wiesepape testified that it depends on the situation and what's happening. Tennell's witnesses merely stated general conclusions without considering the particular facts of this case. See Clark, 38 S.W.3d at 578, 585-88 (summary judgment proof must discuss actual circumstances of the case). Although Lys stated that an officer should draw his weapon only when there is a safety concern, he did not establish that no reasonable officer could have held such a concern under the circumstances confronting Telthorster. See Chambers, 883 S.W.2d at 657. Nor did Tennell offer evidence establishing that no reasonable officer could have believed, under the circumstances, that it was reasonable for Telthorster to assist in handcuffing Tennell. See id. In fact, the summary judgment record contains subsequent affidavits from Lys and Wiesepape in which they acknowledge the particular facts confronting Officer Telthorster and conclude that he acted reasonably on the evening that Tennell was arrested when [he] had his gun drawn during the apprehension of the suspect/Plaintiff. At most, Tennell raised a fact issue regarding Telthorster's negligence which, as we have said, is not enough to controvert Telthorster's good faith. See id.