A Comal County couple has filed a federal lawsuit against two sheriff’s deputies and the county itself, alleging excessive force was used against them while they were grieving the death of their son. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, details what the family describes as a traumatic and violent encounter with law enforcement on the day they learned their son had taken his own life.

According to the complaint, the events began on January 11, 2024, when Jonathan and Cathy Pearson received a phone call informing them that their son, Dakota Pearson, had died by suicide at a home in Canyon Lake. They immediately drove to the residence, located on York Town Drive, accompanied by another son.

Family Says Deputies Escalated Grief Into Violence

Upon arriving, the couple saw two patrol vehicles from the Comal County Sheriff’s Office parked at the location, but initially no uniformed officers were in sight. Outside the home, a woman named Rebecca Wilkerson Finlay—who had made the initial call to the Pearsons—and her family members reportedly confirmed the death and appeared visibly distressed.

Driven by shock and concern, Cathy Pearson approached the front door of the home. The lawsuit alleges that as she did so, she was forcefully seized by a sheriff’s deputy identified as JD Aguilar. Without warning or explanation, Aguilar allegedly lifted her off the ground and slammed her into the trunk of a patrol vehicle. The family contends that Cathy posed no threat, was unarmed, and was simply trying to reach her deceased son.

Witnessing the scene, Jonathan Pearson moved closer and pleaded for officers to stop. According to the suit, a second deputy, identified as Victor Lomeli, tackled Jonathan to the ground. During the struggle, Lomeli allegedly broke one of Jonathan’s fingers and aggravated a shoulder that had recently undergone surgery. The family states that Jonathan suffered a seizure shortly afterward and experienced memory loss that required him to be told again that his son had died.

Physical and Emotional Injuries Detailed

The lawsuit accuses both deputies of using unnecessary and excessive force on individuals who were unarmed, non-threatening, and in a state of grief. “There was no warrant for their arrest, no probable cause to believe they had committed any crime, and no justification for the violent use of force employed against them,” the complaint states.

The Pearsons claim they suffered lasting physical and emotional injuries from the encounter. Cathy is said to have sustained bruises and abrasions, along with continued emotional distress. Jonathan’s injuries reportedly included a fractured finger and renewed damage to his shoulder. He is also described as having suffered neurological symptoms from the seizure.

Broader Claims Against the County and Sheriff’s Office

Beyond the individual deputies, the lawsuit also places blame on the broader practices and policies of the Comal County Sheriff’s Office and Comal County government. The complaint alleges a failure to properly train or supervise deputies, and it argues that such shortcomings contributed directly to what happened on January 11.

The suit claims these failures reflect a systemic issue: “Even if CCSO and Comal County’s practice of overlooking constitutional torts was not authorized by an officially adopted policy, the practice may be so common and well-settled that it fairly represents official policy.”

According to the court filing, the county and sheriff’s office are alleged to have permitted or tolerated the use of excessive force in routine interactions, failed to implement adequate officer training, and showed “deliberate indifference” to constitutional rights.

Deputies’ TCOLE Records Show History with Multiple Agencies

Legal Claims and Requested Damages

The lawsuit brings two primary claims under federal civil rights law: excessive use of force and municipal liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The complaint argues that the physical and psychological injuries suffered by the Pearsons were the foreseeable result of both individual and systemic misconduct within the sheriff’s office.

In support of their claims, the family cites the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which protect individuals against unreasonable seizures and the use of excessive force by law enforcement.

The couple is seeking a jury trial and requests compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Physical disfigurement and impairment
• Punitive damages
• Attorney’s fees under the Civil Rights Attorney’s Fees Award Act

County Officials Yet to Comment

The lawsuit was filed on July 17, 2025. As of this publication, neither Comal County nor the deputies named in the complaint have filed a response in court.

The case is docketed as 5:25-CV-00838 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division.

Raising Questions on Crisis Response by Law Enforcement

The case adds to ongoing national conversations about how law enforcement handles scenes involving grief, trauma, or mental health crises. Advocates for reform argue that situations involving emotionally vulnerable civilians require specialized training in de-escalation and crisis response—something the lawsuit argues was clearly lacking.

Whether the federal court ultimately sides with the family or not, the allegations are expected to draw public attention. A federal lawsuit accuses law enforcement of violently detaining a couple moments after learning of their son’s death. One deputy remains employed by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office.

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