HOUGHTON – A lawsuit regarding the death of Michigan Tech student Benjamin Walby filed in U.S. District Court in Marquette on Monday names the cities of Houghton and Hancock, Houghton County and 11 individual law enforcement officers. The suit, filed by the Southfield, Mich firm, Fieger Law, does not specifically name any law enforcement agency.

However, officials from three law enforcement agencies responded to inquiries from the Daily Mining Gazette regarding the lawsuit. On Tuesday morning, Hancock Police Chief Tami Sleeman said she was not aware that a lawsuit had been filed in Federal Court, and could not comment other than to say neither she nor her office had received any papers or documents from the U.S. District Court in Marquette as of Tuesday. Sleeman did say that Scott Wuebben, one of the officers named in the suit, was no longer with Hancock Police.

Houghton County Sheriff Joshua Saaranen, like Sleeman, said his office had not received any documentation regarding the suit when the Daily Mining Gazette spoke with him.

“I support all of the law enforcement officers that were on scene that evening,” Saaranen said. The Sheriff said he was not fully prepared to offer a statement regarding the situation as of Tuesday morning. “It’s not that I’m not making a comment,” he said. “it’s just that I’m not prepared to make a statement at this time.”

Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sleeman issued a statement on behalf of the Hancock Police Dept, saying the department was aware of the lawsuit filed by legal counsel representing the family of Benjamin Walby. In the release, Sleeman said she has reviewed the announcement and stated “The City of Hancock Police Department treats allegations of officer misconduct with utmost seriousness. We are committed to the highest standards of our profession and the safety of our community.”

The release goes on to say the Police Department is legally restricted from discussing matters in active litigation and therefore cannot provide details at this time.

“However, we express support for our officers who faced a dangerous and high-pressure situation,” she states in the release. “Our department continues its cooperation with the legal process, just as we have since this incident occurred. We appreciate the patience of the community as we allow all the facts to be established in court.”

Sleeman concluded the release by saying her Department is dedicated to serving our community with professionalism and integrity.

“We are mindful of the public trust that has been placed in us,” she stated, “and are dedicated to a fair legal process in this case.”

A release from the Houghton Police Dept, dated Jan. 13, likewise said because the matter is in active litigation, the dept. is legally restricted from discussing details of the encounter.

Houghton City Police Chief John Donnelly stated: “The City of Houghton Police Department is committed to the highest standards of professional conduct and the safety of all our community members. We take seriously every allegation of excessive force when an incident involves our officers.”