This is why the number of jury trials have gone up in the county. People aren't standing for it anymore and won't be bullied by this County or the States Attorney's office.

i would really like to hear both sides of the story, I find this and most law suite frivolous and believe the couple is looking for easy money from the citizens of Kendal County.

I witnessed this and do not find it at all frivolous. The Deputy fully abused his right to carry a weapon and there should be consequences for his actions.

More and more we read about this Sheriff's department being out of control and reckless.. Sexual Harassment Lawsuits, spending taxpayer money on Beer for boat trips on the Illinois River...irresponsible use of force in a grocery store. Lots of allegations.. There's a election soon...its time for some new ideas and new blood at the top..

There are two side to every story, but I tend to think if the wife is 9 months pregnant, getting into a fight at Walmart with and egodriven cop was the furthest thing on her mind. Frivolous - maybe, but Thurmond was found innocent. Cop was off duty, there was no robbery - only a man protecting his wife from a angry-walmartian.

$400k in damages and emotional distress? I totally agree that the officer acted ridiculously and totally abused his rights to carry (as well as his pledge to protect and serve.... not harass and harm) but seeking $400k as retribution?? I'm sorry, but now you're just proving yourself to be yet another sue-happy American. Congratulations, you're just as much of a tool as Officer French. $400,000.... give me a break.

concerned you can think this is frivolous if you like .but French does have the right to remain silent .so if he would have kept his mouth shut this would not have happened but he has a badge and a gun no balls who goes after a pregnant woman .and Randall thinks this is outrageous he should have been voted out last election just like the states atty

sorry it should say states atty should have been voted out last election

I am so sick and tired of people using the legal system to get money that they are not capable of or willing to work and achieve for themselves. The bottom line is that both parties were at fault at some point. Officer French should have not said what he did, but Mr. Thurmond shouldn't have shoved and done what he did either. I'm sure all of us have had someone say something not so nice to us at some point, but we didn't shove and start a fight and then turn around and sue. Officer French is an off duty officer with the right to carry his gun off duty. He has the right to pull his gun if he feels threatened. For all he knew Mr. Thurmond could have had a knife, a gun or seriously harm him with his hands. Mr. Thurmond needs to think twice before putting his hands on someone else. Emotional distress...My a@@!! He just wants the tax payers to pay out and I'm sick of it. He's not distressed....He just wants his money!! I'm sure he hasn't spent a dime seeking psychological/professional help for his "emotional distress", but he sure has seeked help with trying get his money!!

While I don't know all the facts in this whole case. I also do believe that if it were a civilian who pulled a gun in a Walmart they would be in jail. Also this case should have been moved to a different county because its an unwritten rule that the cops all protect themselves. Kendall county has to be the worst county to live in while there's some decent cops I've had my share of issues with them and them wanting to prove themselves. If I could sell my house now I'd move out of Kendall! While 400k is excessive. It's also no different than the lady that spilled coffee on her and won a million from McDonald's. I don't believe at all the cop was in enough danger to pull a weapon. This is just my opinion.

Here's the thing - we wouldn't even be talking about this had the sheriff's dept. done the right thing, dropped the charges, and reprimanded French. They chose to let this case (misdemeanor) go to a jury trial. 12 people heard this case and decided he was not guilty! How much did the jury trial cost us taxpayers? I doubt these people would have sued but to see French as the spokesman for this department after his actions was sickening! I would've done the same thing the Thurmond's are doing and it wouldn't have been about the money!!!

Why is the sheriff posting and defending himself on Facebook. A proper response would have been they do not comment on pending litigation or no comment. Just another unprofessional move. What is despicable is an off duty officer is an off duty officer saying something about the number if items in a cart and allowing the matter to get escelated to the point of pulling his gun. He was defending the public how?

none of this would have happened if French would have kept his mouth shut the sheriffs deserves what it gets the money should come from French not the tax payers

400K is not excessive in my opinion. If Lt French assaulted my wife and then pulled a gun, and I was arrested and then found not guilty,I'd be suing for a heck of a lot more than $400,000 dollars. A small amount of 40K probably would not curtail the type of behavior on the part of Sherrif Randal and Deputy French, but 400K certainly should send the message to the Sheriff that this type of behavior from his deputies will not be tolerated. Witnesses statements contradicted the arguments set forth by the police and state attorney, and the jury found the man not guilty. No amount of money will replace the dignity lost by this type of arrest and "prosecutorial thuggery" (quoted from Chief Justice of Illinois Otis Harrison in his Tribune interview denouncing illegal and unethical actions taken by police and prosecutors to gain convictions).
The SA and the Sherriffs normally do a bang up job, but in this case they screwed the pooch royally and should be forced to make amends. Besides, asking 400K doesn't mean they'll settle for that, but its a nice spot to work down from. Seriously, how impudent can an organization be to retain Lt French as spokesperson after this incident? That was just stupidity on Randal's part. How could the SA even think they could get a conviction to begin with?

I fear for anybody who happens to run into this sheriff's officer, If he can't keep his gun in his holster in the express line at Walmart. He sounds dangerous, I agree if a civilian pulled a gun in a similar situation, civilian would be charged, but this police officer walks away with his job?? We are marching in the express line right to police run state...

Sometimes the only way to send a message is to go for the pocketbook. It was an over the top reaction to something that most of us would ignore. How many times have you been in an express line and there has been someone in front with more items than posted. Sometimes its an honest mistake and they did not realize they had to many items. Whatever the case, most balanced human beings would just wait it out or either change to a different lane.

Life is full of minor things like this on a daily basis so if those that we trust to protect us can't deal with minor things like too many items in a checkout lane how will they react when they pull us over for a traffic infraction or something more serious.

Pulling a gun out in this situation was way over the top. Will he shoot first in a simple verbal altercation when he is on duty? As a citizen of Kendall County I want a law enforcement leader to take that role seriously and instead of trying to cover up a situation to protect the citizens from officers that may for whatever reason be too willing to use excessive force whether they are on duty or off duty.

Hard to feel safe when those that are paid to protect us turn on us. The sheriff's office either needs a new leader or a public relations officer that can make the right recommendations to the Sheriff to mitigate the damages that their actions will cause in situations like this. Risk management is part of any business whether private or public.

Some cop with an authority complex, who got that bent out if shape over how many items they had in the check out line?!? Sounds like someone could use done sensitivity training and anger management for sure! Have I been irritated because someone decides to take a cart full of items into the 12 items or less line? Of course! But seriously, if you didn't like it, go to another line. It happens everyday. And who cares, and for that matter why is it anyone's business if they are getting public assistance?!? The man was defending his pregnant wife!!! Good for him!!! And is it common practice that an OFF DUTY officer carries his gun around? I have nothing but respect for the dedicated officers that go out everyday and protect us, but cops like this are exactly why I have great disdain for local law enforcement.

The 400k will be paid for by the taxpayers just like anything associated with the cops-what do they care?

Big money! Big money!

This Sheriff has been around long enough, in the last election a lot of stuff was brought out to the public. He brags how he is out in Washington solving national crime problems, he should focus on who is paying him, us Kendall County. Keep your house clean. He said this was his last term, we will see. I bet his Command staff will want him to run again to protect them, to be continued. I am still waiting to see who the "unnamed male supervisors" from the recent sexual harassment lawsuits are, that will be very telling. Overdue change is the headline here.

I read the earlier articles. Supposedly Mrs. Thurmond, at the front of the line, forgot eggs. The Thurmond's decided their time was more valuable than others so held up the line while her husband went to the back of the store to get them. Everyone had to wait for the Thurmond's to complete their shopping while checking out.
Why don't the Thurmond's drag Walmart into their lawsuit if they want big money? Let's see...say there is no clear store regulation about being ready to check out at the front of the line, realizing that you forgot an item and then forcing others in line to wait for you to complete your order while you send a family member to the back of the store to get it. Say that this must be announced to every customer, signs and announcements must be in every language as well as English. Once a customer is at the front of the line, he/she can only purchase what is in their cart or basket; no running through the store for another item. Physical, psychological and emotional distress was caused since store policy is unclear and lax on this issue.
*sigh*
Dep French was off duty with the legal right to carry. He should have been relieved of his weapon, badge, counseled and put through an investigation, then cleared or not cleared. IMO, this is a frivolous lawsuit against Kendall County for 400K. Judge should toss it.The Thurmond's could sue Dep. French in civil court. I don't think that taxpayers should be held accountable.Taxpayers are the losers in this lawsuit.

If this is going to a jury can't they award him more? $400,000 might not be so bad if a jury decides to give him a million. Maybe an attorney who works in this county could way in on this.

Why can't people leave their attitudes and bad behavior at home?

Well taxpayers should demand better police officers, sherrifs, and a state's attorney if they're tired of fronting the bill for misconduct. I hope the couple get every last bit that they're suing for.

woody
I believe that this incident shows the lack of common sense in todays world. Look at this case and try to find one person that has made a decision that makes any sense.
Pulling out a gun in a situation that only requires a little patience is the act of an undertrained officer, retaining that officer is a decision that must have been made on emotion, not public safety. Mr. French needs to be let go, Mr. Randall needs to resign and Mr. Thurmond needs get off public assistance and do whatever it takes to support his family, be a man.

Hey Just Sayin,
So you think the sheriff is bad because he didn't overlook you running a stop sign when there was ice on the road? How can you justify that? You admit you rolled through the stop sign then complain you got a ticket? He's doin his job. Just because you don't think it was a big deal doesn't mean he's a bad sheriff. You seem to think the fact it was Ivey gives you the right to blow the stop sign. I think that is all the more reason to stop. If there's another car at the intersection you are going to cause them to slam on the brakes and possibly lose control. Regardless, there's a sign, you stop. It doesn't mean "stop only if you think you need to", that's what a yield sign means. I see people like you every day, yes, even in my subdivision! Why does it matter where you are? Would you prefer to hit a neighbor? Too many people come to a stop sign and have no intention of stopping UNTIL they see a car coming, then stop halfway into the intersection. Your attitude and those like you just kill me. Then you blame the sheriff.

I think it will be settled out of court for any amount up to $400K.
Attorney wouldn't have taken the case (usually on a contingency basis) unless he/she thought they would get paid decent money.
After attorney takes their 18-30% fee off the top of the settlement, Thurmond's get the rest of the money. It could be anywhere up to the $400K minus attorney fees. Might even be more, depending on the settlement and Judge.
Since emotional distress can cause physical symptoms the Thurmond's will not have to pay the IRS any taxes on their settlement $$ either.
Thurmond's can still use their EBT for food stamps and continue other welfare they receive (Medicaid etc) since the lump sum they will get, no matter how much, is not considered to be monthly income. Their lump sum settlement $$ won't count as income.
Win-win for Thurmonds. Win-Win attorneys. Lose-lose taxpayers.
Nice payout for the Mrs. who forgot eggs and her take a swing husband! Taxpayers paid for their food that day and will for a long time.

Seriously, there were more victims that just this one lawsuit. Bringing out a gun and shouting "everyone to the ground" on a busy shopping day is insane. The officer should have lost his right to carry at that point. End of story. I knew this store very well at the time and every employee and every customer were on edge for at least a week after this incident. Anytime someone raised their voice or they heard a loud noise, people reacted in a startled way.

I was not in the building but a person called me WHILE this was all going down and they called me out of sheer panic trying to find an exit door. Try being on the receiving end of that phone call (like I was) and I am sure some opinions would change.....

I am deeply concerned for how women are treated by "unnamed male supervisors" at the Kendall County Sheriffs department, 2 recent lawsuits. Now a deputy approaches a women and argues about eggs in a walmart line. Why did the deputy wait and say something to the women when the man walked away? What about saying something to the man? Seems to me there is a pattern of treatment here...

Serious question, I would think the attorneys looked at the oswego police department and how they arrested mr. thurmond and if the oswego officers did something wrong they would have sued oswego. Does not make sense if this lawsuit is about grabbing money they just name kendall county sheriff. I thought Baird to another job?

@Renee I agree!!!! Seems women are treated differently by the Sheriff department. Did I read something about some alcohol in the jail?

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Bet this isn't how Mr. Baird anticipated his campaign for Sheriff to start .........right in the gutter!!

@Daisy Doe -
If the Thurmond's were, or are, on Medicaid, they can continue it as well as their EBT SNAP, etc. since any settlement $$ received will not be considered monthly income. No one is going to take away their SNAP or other assistance, Dais, plus settlement $$ Judge awards won't be taxed. They can continue to buy, or forget to buy, lots of stuff.
As far as the Sheriff's Dept, my earlier post said: "Dep French was off duty with the legal right to carry. He should have been relieved of his weapon, badge, counseled and put through an investigation, then cleared or not cleared." This is my opinion. Maybe in the future, the particulars of this case and the costs incurred will change up dept. protocol. Maybe not.
My point: Any settlement $$ the Thurmond's receive will be at taxpayer expense. Attorneys get paid (at taxpayer expense.) Thurmond's win at taxpayer's expense. Taxpayers lose.

@Katt we lost when this misdemeanor case went to jury trial. It should have never gone that far. The states attorney lost this case and we the taxpayers paid for it. Could Katt stand for Kendall attorney like the ones who work at the court house?

the kendall co sheriff,s dept is out of control,and it starts at the top,sheriff randall needs to go,the citizens of kendall county do not deserve a police department that operates like this.i am 58 years old,and am a retired fireman,so i worked hand and hand with police during my career,i have never seen this type of power abuse in a police dept in my life,until i moved into kendall county.i only hope the citizens wake up before the next election.

Oh please $400,000? That is a little too much you think!? I would understand $10,000... I think they are going over the top with $400,000... I was wondering would this effect the county? $400,000 out of the budgets? Would that mean there will be cuts?

How about the officer that pulls over a gang member with loaded weapons in his car, or the first officer on the scene who revives an infant who has stopped breathing? The cop that pulls over some idiot driving 75 mph drunk down Route 71, or the cop that stands in front of the high school directing traffic every morning in all types of weather? Let's show some respect people.

I've gone my whole life never getting arrested or rarely getting pulled over for traffic violations. I'm far from perfect, but I've never put myself around people or things that would get me arrested. I can't fatham ever saying anything bad about our police, fire department and veterans. They do things daily to help us lead a good/safe life. If you truly don't like or respect them, then don't call them when you need help.They all handle dangerous and horrific situtations that I'm sure few of us are capable of or would ever want to do for their pay. Was this Walmart situation bad, yes, but not just because of Officer French. Mr. Thurmond was also at fault and he needs to learn to accept his role in this mess. He should get NOTHING!! If you don't like the Sheriff, then vote for someone else. If you want "better" officers, then pay more for them so they can hire the best of the best and be able to pay for continued training. If you don't like the police, then I'm sure you are not doing something good. Move into the lovely city of Chicago and let me know how that works for ya!!

tina I will give respect when it is due kendall co sheriffs deserves none sexual harassment twice would you like to work there how about next time you put to many items in your cart some one sticks a gun in your face respect no

while it may seem litigious, I feel the thurmonds have been wrongly harrassed for long enough by the Kendall County Court system. Nearly a year of their life has been bogged down by this. The deputy was clearly wrong for pulling a gun. The amount they're seeking? Really? They have to live with this whole matter the rest of their lives. And it sends a message to off-duty cops whose egos might get out of control: you can't get away with this behavior. You are not the law, you uphold the law. I have a tremendous amount of respect for law enforcement officials - what they do and deal with most of us don't have a clue. But when you cross the line - and this *one* did, there ought to be a penalty. And this penalty will send a message to other law *enforcement* agents that they are not, in fact, above the law they uphold. Serve and protect. Not bully and belittle.

@win/lose some. I do not recall that Baird is running for Sheriff, unless I missed a news article. I read about a Plano person running.

The sad fact is that the migration of people who inhabited Chicago's torn down CHA high rise projects has also brought a migration of crime, rude and ignorant behavior and frivolous lawsuits brought by people who are experts at "playing the system". Their lawyers have followed. The people commenting on the officers actions have no idea what transpired or what type of threat the officer perceived. If Mr. Thurmond stated or implied in any manner that he was armed, "I'll kill you, ______!", while placing his hand near his waistband or small of back, for example, justifies the officers response. Law enforcement officers are justified in a situation such as this when they reasonably perceived the person could possibly be armed, or fear great bodily harm to theirselves or others. The people here, including myself, were not there and we can only speculate what occurred but people's lack of understanding of the actual issues here and their emotional responses to a gun being pointed at someone in a grocery store they frequent seem to further cloud people's snap judgements.

Taxpayers have been on the hook for many outrageous lawsuits and it has to end now. Frankly, the State of IL and it's taxpayers simply don't have the money to pay for suits such as this one.
Illinois is broke. We all know it. The 67% tax increase that was supposed to be "temporary" is now in discussion as a permanent 'fix' which, as we all know,won't really fix anything. It still isn't enough.
Scroll through and read some of this information if you want to see how bad it really is:
http://illinoispolicy.org/search/index.asp?searchfield=Budget&Taxes&Submit=Submit

IMO if the Thurmond's feel the overwhelming need to sue it should be in civil court against Dep French only. If the Judge awards a settlement, Dep French would be the one making the lump sum payment or monthly payments to them through a court order. The courts need to be part of the solution, not the problem. Frivolous lawsuits need to end.

I was there. I told the investigator (Joe Janosz) my take. I do not believe Thurmond is suffering. His wife probably is. French was clearly agitated, while Thurmond was in control of himself, however Thurmond's wife was weeping. I do not see this as a $400,000 item, but it's not a money grab either.

Stephen, You are obviously a naïve babe-in-the-woods when it comes to this type of scam. You sound like the PERFECT Cook County juror.

The current sheriff is old and arrogant. He needs to call it quits before the voters do it for him.

And John Brown, I do not care for your not-so-thinly veiled racist assumptions.

Seems like typical law enforcement abuse. He had no business pulling a gun or even starting an altercation for that matter. I see people in 20 items or less checkout all the time with too many items, but I don't start altercations over it. If anyone else pulled a gun on someone for such a stupid reason (being pushed) they'd be in jail. Ridiculous. I want the name of their attorney. APD threatened to kill me last August for comitting no crime and the APD insists on ignoring it.