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March 28, 2024

Edgar County Deputy Dee Burgin & Sheriff Jeff Wood Defending Federal Lawsuit –

By Kirk Allen & John Kraft

On September 28, 2016

Edgar Co. (ECWd) –

Once again we see Dee Burgin’s name in a Federal Court docket for alleged violations of a person’s civil rights.  With that, it also brings into it the Sheriff and the County.

“Plaintiff, ROBERT FULLERTON, by and through his attorney, brings this action against Defendants, DEE BURGIN, individually, JEFF D. WOOD, in his official capacity as Sheriff of Edgar County and the COUNTY OF EDGAR seeking to recover damages for violation of his Constitutional Rights and for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Battery and Negligence in the Alternative.”

In a seven-count complaint filed on August 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Fullerton alleges False Arrest, Excessive Force, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Battery, and Negligence against Burgin, names Sheriff Jeff Wood since he employs Burgin, and names Edgar County since they are obligated to pay any judgments entered.

According to the Complaint, this stems from an incident on July 18, 2016 where Fullerton’s son had been involved in a one-vehicle accident, with Fullerton and Burgin arriving on scene. Fullerton demanded a police report be written up so that his insurance company would pay the claim, Burgin refused. On continued insistence of a police report, Burgin handcuffed Fullerton and placed him into the Sheriff’s police vehicle. Fullerton claims injuries and that Burgin intentionally placed the handcuffs on too tight causing those injuries. Fullerton was able to dial 911 from his cell phone and asked for an additional officer to be dispatched. None arrived.

As the tips continue to stream in on this particular deputy, it’s no surprise to see this type of lawsuit brought forward.  For those not familiar with Deputy Dee Burgin and the financial burden he has been to this county you can review that information below.

We have requested copies from the Sheriff’s Department of any audio or video of the incident and will provide an update should we receive them.

You can view the actual court record below or download it.

[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Fullerton-v-Burgin-et-al-Complaint.pdf”]

 

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21 Comments
  • Bozo the clown
    Posted at 15:25h, 28 September

    Nice to see you are supporting a sex offender AGAIN. Lol

    • Kirk Allen
      Posted at 15:42h, 28 September

      How is reporting the lawsuit defending anyone? Does a person lose their civil rights for something in their past?

    • G. Barraclough
      Posted at 08:17h, 29 September

      To claim the Watchdogs are “supporting a sex offender AGAIN” by reporting on the filing of a lawsuit and the highlighting of published background facts of a defendant in that lawsuit is ludicrous.

      It is analogous to claiming the Chicago Tribune is again supporting a murder suspect in their 6am, 9-29-16 story on the recent Champaign shooting (see Suspect in deadly shooting near U. of I. was paroled 2 weeks before).

      Just because Kirk and John are Southern Illinois hayseeds does not mean that the Edgar County Watchdogs is (yes children, “is” is correct and not “are” because ECW’s is being used as a singular noun) a “less legitimate” media reporter than the Chicago Tribune.

      • Robert Fullerton
        Posted at 21:13h, 29 September

        I find the input very confusing. My son was injured in the accident. I was the registered owner of the vehicle involved. When the deputy arrived I told him my injured Son the driver was taken by the ambulance as it drove away. I was instructed to reverse the vehicle about 20 feet or so to the drive area of beanfield. Deputy Dee Bergun. Who began to quickly quote absurd Law.Informing that he wasn’t doing a police report. The Deputy than walked me around my 2004 Chevy Colorado bumper to bumper. Mitigating all damages he could fight. Informed me that there was not enough damage or at least $1500 worth of damage so he was not required by law to do a police report. I told him he was wrong , And that state law required him to do a police report if there was an injured party especially one that left by ambulance. At that point I demanded that he did a police report. Deputy Bergun became angered. And told me that I did not tell him how to do his fucking job. Rude, yes very he then told me to get the fuck in my vehicle and get the hell out of there. Now mind you I’m standing on the public easement, next to my property. He’s telling me to leave? To leave the scene of an accident would have been a crime . Plus it was not a lawful order. So I said no. This upset the deputy more so he grabbed his cuffs grab my hand and cuff to me. I stopped and said what am I under arrest for what did I do. He said for obstructing a criminal investigation. I said for asking for a police report? Or rather demanding one! That’s not against the law. I mediately notified him that the left-hand cup was extremely tight and hurting my wrist. He then grabbed the left hand cuff and squeezed it as tight as he possibly could. I again informed him he was hurting me if vised on to the handcuffs whispered in my ear fuck you and lead me to the plolice car my hand was extremely hurting now swelling profusely. Without padding me down I was tossed into the back of waiting SUV with the door locked. I was left locked in the back of the SUV my hand swelling. Oh the pain was unbearable. It just felt like someone was cutting my my hand off and hurt it hurt real bad. I was able to reach into my rear pocket and pull up my iPhone and dial 911. Dispatch must’ve notified him that I was on the phone with 911 because he came running, it was kind of comical actually gave us forgot he locked the door because he almost fell when he would reach for the knob and pull back and lost his balance. Kind of startled me want to see anyone get hurt. Anyway he remove you from the back the car turned me around begin to remove the ad goes. Stating what you’re not under arrest. With a confused look, I said “but you said I was under arrest for obstructing a criminal investigation”. He said follow me and we went to the front of the car I guess he tried to convince me it was OK , But every time I interjected that he was in the wrong. He was just offered to take me to jail. So I decided to just leave without a police report. Battered and bruised and extremely swollen I went to the hospital . Permanently now I’m injured with permanent nerve damage because of this rogue officer. What did I do wrong? Come to the aid of My Son? Try to get the information I needed for my insurance? demand that the officer did his job and what the state required of him? Did this deserves a permanent injury civil rights violation false imprisonment being locked in the vehicle mental anguish torture fear for my life man with a gun he apparently is emotionally distraught I think not.I gave for my country I give all my health I’m strong and true to this day I would die for my brother-in-law and my sister in high I fought for my country I give my all my heart is strong and true. My honor the red white and blue. I am not perfect but I bare my cross. I Believe in Jesus the son of God. And I believe he forgives does our sins. I believe I am a good man. I believe I have changed I help others I do right I did not deserve my civil rights violated and to be injured for no reason

  • Jack Webb
    Posted at 10:08h, 29 September

    I hope that those cuffs were:
    1. Double locked
    2. Checked for fit

    And…if a complaint of pain was voiced at time of restraint – the officer double-checked for proper fit.

    If not, he, ECSD, and the County of Edgar have a problem.

    Let the games begin.

  • Perry Mason
    Posted at 10:17h, 29 September

    PS – a crash involving personal injury is required by ILCS to be reported and documented on the IL SR 10-50 crash report form. IF the officer refused to ultimately complete a report – or voiced that he intended NOT to ultimately complete a report – that appears to be a problem. Of course, this does not address the question of the officer’s allegation that the plaintiff was obstructing the officer’s alleged investigation. Was the officer actually attempting to investigate?
    Did the plaintiff interfere / obstruct that investigation?

    As an FYI – Improper handcuffing is a frequent catalyst for (successful) civil suits vs law enforcement.

  • One Fourteen's Editor
    Posted at 12:34h, 29 September

    No report no problem. Former Sheriff Crippes crashed his Expedition and sustained way over $500 one night on 1800th St at US Rt 150 east of Paris. Failure to stop at a stop sign, crossed 150 and came to a stop in ditch. I suppose the repair bill was paid by the county with no questions asked. No report made as required by law.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 14:53h, 29 September

      I suspect it was repaired at his own shop and billed to the taxpayer…that way he could have gotten paid for wrecking it and fixing it

      • G.Barraclough
        Posted at 19:14h, 29 September

        So, you are saying that with ex-Sheriff Crippes, (like the insurance ad) you’re in goods hands?

  • John Q. Public
    Posted at 12:34h, 30 September

    One fourteen and others:

    You would (maybe not) be surprised what was alleged of that administration.

  • noname
    Posted at 08:41h, 01 October

    I’m really tired of Dee Burgin running the streets. Quit defending the man for being incompetent

  • Edgar County Watchdogs getting .........
    Posted at 15:22h, 02 October

    “DELETED BY MODERATOR”. Do not forget who you are.

    Protecting “DELETED BY MODERATOR”. You make up news. Such “DELETED BY MODERATOR”.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 17:23h, 02 October

      Please figure out how to use better language.
      Please explain how we wrote anything that wasn’t in the lawsuit.
      Please explain what we made up.

      • Edgar County Watchdogs getting ......
        Posted at 18:00h, 02 October

        Dear “EDITED BY MODERATOR”,

        Post my posts I wrote on Thursday. It is all there.

        The fact you “EDITED BY MODERATOR” backs.

        Just admit it so I can shut your ass down.

        • jmkraft
          Posted at 19:50h, 02 October

          Like I said, learn how to use better language or this will be last post of yours on here.
          Nothing was in your vulgar posts from Thursday.
          You will shut nothing down.

          • Edgar County Watchdogs getting ...
            Posted at 17:22h, 04 October

            Don’t see much posting going over on the NIU page. No comments. Nothing for two months.

            I’d say I am shutting you down quite well.

          • jmkraft
            Posted at 21:32h, 04 October

            I don’t know what NIU page you are talking about.

          • Edgar County Watchdogs getting ....?
            Posted at 18:14h, 08 October

            “I don’t now what NIU page you are talking about.”

            LOL!!!! Are you serious????

          • jmkraft
            Posted at 20:06h, 08 October

            Yes, I was serious, or I wouldn’t have said it.

          • Edgar County Watchdogs getting ...?
            Posted at 18:23h, 08 October

            I am coming for you.

          • jmkraft
            Posted at 08:22h, 13 October

            LOL

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