Family of Elijah Hadley Files Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Otero County
- Fayerberg Dodd, LLC
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
On behalf of the family of Elijah Hadley, attorneys from Fayerberg Dodd, LLC (formerly Dodd Law Office) and Logan Trial Lawyers, LLC have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking accountability for Hadley’s death at the hands of Otero County Sheriff’s deputies. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico and brings claims under both 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the New Mexico Civil Rights Act (NMCRA).
Elijah Hadley was 27 years old when he was shot and killed by law enforcement in Alamogordo, New Mexico, on November 29, 2022, after calling 911 while experiencing a mental health crisis. Deputies with the Otero County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and, according to the complaint, escalated the situation with aggressive tactics—including the use of a flashbang and conflicting commands—ultimately shooting Hadley, who was holding a screwdriver. He died at the scene.
The suit names Otero County and multiple deputies as defendants and alleges that Hadley’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated, and that the deputies used excessive and unreasonable force despite clear indications that Elijah was in crisis and posed no immediate threat.
Legal Representation and Objectives
The lawsuit was filed by Christopher A. Dodd (now co-founder of Fayerberg Dodd, LLC), along with Tyson E. Logan of Logan Trial Lawyers, LLC. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages and aims to hold the deputies and County liable for Hadley’s death.
“By looking the other way in the death of Elijah, the Otero County Sheriff’s Office sent a terrible message to residents and visitors of the county,” said Dodd.“But the Hadley family will not be intimidated.”
The legal claims rest not only on constitutional violations but also on New Mexico’s post-2021 commitment to state-level civil rights enforcement through the NMCRA, which expressly eliminates qualified immunity as a defense for government employees who violate constitutional rights.
A Broader Pattern of Harm
As reported by Searchlight New Mexico, New Mexico has one of the highest rates of fatal police shootings in the country. Elijah’s story is part of a troubling pattern in which people in crisis call for help—and are met with force.
This case highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and proper training in police responses to mental health emergencies. It also reflects the firm’s broader commitment to justice and public safety reform.
