The landmark case of Tennessee v. Garner resulted when Memphis police officer Elton Hymon killed 15-year-old Edward Eugene Garner, after responding to a prowler call, and shot Garner as he was crossing a fence (Tennessee v. Garner, n.d.). Garner's father filed a lawsuit that claimed Hymon deprived Garner of his constitutional rights and the lawsuit was overturned by the U.S Court of Appeals. The U.S Court of Appeals ruled the 4th Amendment does not support the use of deadly force on a fleeing felon, unless the fleeing felon poses a threat to police or society, and must be articulated by the officer (Hicks, 2004). Furthermore, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that a police officer must have probable cause to believe a fleeing felon poses a threat …show more content…
Graham was observed exiting the vehicle and stumbling into it twice before being taken into protective custody by Officer Connor. When Graham was revived, he quickly reached for his wallet to provide Officer Connor documentation regarding his diabetic status and was considered to be struggling with officers as they restrained him. Graham suffered injuries as a result of the confrontation and Officer Connor established that Graham had not committed a crime at the convenience store, as Officer Connor had suspected, and Graham was released. However, Graham filed a lawsuit against Officer Connor and others that were involved in excessive force, unlawful assault, false imprisonment, and violating the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The U.S. Court of Appeals Justice Rehnquist ruled in favor of Officer Connor, as the objective of reasonableness is based on the perception of the officer, totality of circumstances regarding the crime or factors indicating a crime, and any actions that appear the individual is attempting to resist or evade the officer should be taken into consideration as officers have to make a split-second decision in these scenarios. The ruling was supported by Justices Blackmun,