Indiana State Police trooper Brian Hamilton pulled over Wendy Pyle in January, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this week. He told Pyle that she had been speeding, went back to his patrol car and returned with a warning ticket.
Then, the lawsuit alleges, Hamilton asked Pyle where she attended church and whether she had been “saved.”
“Ms. Pyle was extremely uncomfortable with these questions,” the complaint for damages states. “In order to hopefully end these inquiries Ms. Pyle indicated that she did attend a church and that she was saved.”
But Hamilton kept going. He invited Pyle to his church and gave her directions, the lawsuit alleges. Later, it states, “Ms. Pyle was approached by someone who attended church with Trooper Hamilton who informed her that Trooper Hamilton had placed her on a prayer list.”
“Ms. Pyle believes that everyone has a First Amendment right to believe and worship as they wish,” the suit states. “However, she found it very intimidating to be blocked in by Trooper Hamilton while he asked her extremely personal and inappropriate questions.”
Pyle, who filed a formal complaint after the alleged incident, is claiming Hamilton’s actions violated her First and Fourth Amendment rights. She has requested a jury trial and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, court documents indicate.
This isn’t the first time Hamilton has been sued for on-the-job displays of faith. In 2014, another driver, Ellen Bogan, filed suit after Hamilton gave her a warning ticket during a traffic stop — and a pamphlet for a church.
The material from the First Baptist Church in Cambridge City, Indiana, referred to a radio broadcast, called “Policing for Jesus Ministries,” among other items.
“The pamphlet also outlines ‘God’s Plan of Salvation’ that requires the reader to acknowledge that she is a sinner and to realize that ‘Salvation is a gift and is received by faith in Jesus Christ’ and that ‘the Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins,’ “ the 2014 complaint stated. “Ms. Bogan said thank you to the Trooper and the Trooper said ‘God Bless You,’ and returned to his car.”
On the plaintiffs’ side, both lawsuits were handled by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. A settlement was eventually reached in the Bogan case, court records indicate.
An Indiana State Police spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment on Thursday. However, the Star reported:
“ISP Capt. Dave Bursten said Hamilton is no longer on patrol and was moved to an administrative desk job Jan. 15 after a complaint was filed against him.”
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