Court Opinion

ID: 9661069
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 22:28:25.354045+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:25.282255
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion
STORCKMAN, Judge.
I do not consider Parrish v. Herron, 240 Mo.App. 1156, 225 S.W.2d 391, to be adequate authority to support the conclusion reached in this case. The weight of authority seems to be that a peace officer may be held liable for unlawful acts or torts deemed to be willful or intentional, but not for acts of simple negligence. That the petition charges negligence was Confirmed by counsel for the parties in oral argument. The majority opinion states that the cause is not remanded “on the basis that the petitions state a cause of action for negligence”, yet in the immediately preceding paragraph the opinion states that it is the *45duty of the sheriff “in the exercise of ordinary care” to use the means at his command to prevent any of his prisoners from being beaten or abused by others and to secure and furnish medical attention. In my opinion, everything charged in the petition is based on negligence.
Furthermore, all of the matters charged call for the exercise of judgment within the domain of sovereign immunity. If the times demand that this doctrine be changed, then the liability should be imposed on the county or state if the law-abiding citizen is to be protected. Otherwise, no self-respecting person will be found to serve as police officers, jailers and prison physicians. I would affirm the judgment of the trial court.
For these reasons I respectfully dissent.