An Arizona city has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the mother of a man who drowned while police officers watched and allegedly did not attempt to rescue him.
City Reaches Settlement In Drowning Case
Court records show the city of Tempe agreed to pay $150,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit connected to the 2022 drowning of 34-year-old Sean Bickings.
The lawsuit accused officers with the Tempe Police Department of ignoring Bickings’ pleas for help while he struggled in Tempe Town Lake.
Lawsuit Claims Officers Did Not Help
According to the complaint, Bickings repeatedly shouted that he was drowning while officers stood nearby.
The lawsuit also alleged officers restrained and handcuffed Bickings’ girlfriend when she attempted to help rescue him.
Body camera footage and police transcripts cited in the lawsuit reportedly showed officers telling the woman to “chill out” as she begged them to save him.
Family Filed Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed by Bickings’ mother in 2023. It claimed officers never attempted any form of rescue before Bickings went underwater and drowned.
The complaint also pointed to an earlier incident in which officers reportedly helped rescue a dog from water days before Bickings’ death.
City Responds
Following the drowning, local officials said changes would be made to improve water rescue responses.
In a statement, the city said it hopes the settlement brings comfort to Bickings’ family.
