Foy v. Pettway et al

On March 11, 2026, a routine traffic stop in Montgomery, Alabama, turned fatal when Officer James Pettway shot and killed John Foy Jr., an unarmed 28-year-old Black man. Body camera footage showed Foy exiting his vehicle with hands partially raised but failing to follow commands promptly, leading Pettway to discharge his weapon. The incident ignited immediate protests. The Foy family filed a federal lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging excessive force, wrongful death, and municipal liability against Pettway and the city. The case became a focal point in the national debate on police accountability, raising critical questions about de-escalation training and the use of deadly force.

Following a high-profile jury trial in late 2026, Officer Pettway was found liable for using excessive force and for wrongful death. The jury awarded $18.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The City of Montgomery reached a separate settlement, agreeing to implement reforms in its police training and body camera policies.

Whether Officer Pettway’s use of lethal force was objectively reasonable under the Fourth Amendment; whether he was protected by qualified immunity; and whether the City of Montgomery exhibited deliberate indifference through inadequate training and supervision.

The verdict amplified demands for nationwide police reform and the elimination or restriction of qualified immunity. It prompted Montgomery to adopt stricter use-of-force guidelines and accelerated the adoption of crisis intervention training in the state. The case became a symbol for advocates of racial justice and influenced legislative proposals at both state and federal levels.