The family of Douglas Harless has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Laurel Circuit Court against the London Police Department, City of London, Kentucky, and several London police officers in connection to the fatal police raid that killed Harless in his own home late last year.
The Sept. 10 lawsuit also names several London Police officers or now former London Police officers in their individual capacities, including then Chief Jerry Hollon, Lt. Andrew Jackson, then Sgt. Ashley Taylor, Sgt. Elbert Riley, Detective Landry Collett, Detective Wesley Wolfe, Lt. Troy Truett, Sgt. Jonathan Jackson, and Patrolman Josh Morgan and other unknown defendants.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for violations of Harless’ constitutional rights and wrongful death under Kentucky law.
Shortly before 11 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2024, Harless was shot inside of his home, located on Vanzant Road in the Lily community, by London Police while officers were attempting to execute a search warrant. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Laurel County Coroner’s Office.
Kentucky State Police launched an investigation into the incident soon after, but details of that investigation have not yet been made public.
Harless lived at 511 Vanzant Road in Lily.
“Despite the home being clearly and conspicuously marked with its address, officers attempted to execute a search warrant intended for a different residence, 489 Vanzant Road. Just before midnight, officers forced entry into his home and opened fire, striking Harless multiple times and killing him,” his attorneys wrote in a news release.
Harless, a 63-year-old maintenance worker, father, and grandfather, had no criminal record beyond minor traffic infractions and was not a suspect in the underlying investigation. The lawsuit alleges that officers knowingly or recklessly raided the wrong home, ignored obvious signs, that they were at the wrong address, and acted outside their jurisdiction.
“Doug Harless should have been safe in his own home. Instead, he was killed when police raided the wrong address, and months later, his family is still being denied answers,” said Tad Thomas of Thomas Law Offices, representing the Harless family. “While nothing can bring Doug back, his family deserves truth and accountability.”
London Police are believed to have been looking for a stolen weed eater and possibly other lawncare equipment.
“In serving the alleged search warrant on the wrong address, one or more London Police Officers opened fire, killing Mr. Harless,” according to the lawsuit.
“The Defendants’ conduct, individually or in concert of action with another, was deliberately indifferent, wanton, malicious, willful, oppressive, motivated by evil motive or intent, involved the reckless and/or callous indifference to federally protected rights, and/or was grossly negligent or reckless, and represents clear violations of Mr. Harless’ rights under the United States Constitution and the Kentucky Constitution, including his freedom from unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, and freedom from excessive force under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.”
Despite the months that have passed since Harless’ death, the Kentucky State Police continue to withhold critical records, including the original and all known copies of the search warrant and supporting affidavit, citing a still ongoing investigation.
“This was a completely preventable tragedy and has left my family heartbroken. Our dad, Doug, was one of the hardest-working people we knew, always putting his family and friends first. He loved watching NASCAR, listening to music, and cracking jokes that made everyone laugh. We miss him every single day,” said Nicki Lawson and Mona Alsip, daughters of Douglas Harless. “No family should have to endure this kind of loss, and we want to hold the police accountable for their reckless error. As we grieve, we also ask for privacy to mourn and remember Dad.”
Lawson and Alsip filed the lawsuit as co-administratrices of the Harless’ Estate.
In addition to compensatory and punitive damages, the lawsuit also seeks a trial by jury, entry of judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, costs, attorney fees and other relief that the plaintiffs may be entitled.
“Doug Harless was a friend to so many. He should have been safe at midnight in his own home, not killed because police went to the wrong address,” said attorneys Howard O. Mann, Amanda Hill and Jeff Hill who also represents the Harless family. “His death has left a hole in the family and community that cannot be filled, and both the public and his family deserve answers and justice.”
The Harless family is represented by Tad Thomas, Ashley Abaray, and Nick Horne of Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, and Howard O. Mann and Amanda Hill and Jeff Hill of Hill & Hill Law Offices all of Corbin.
