Federal Appeals Court upholds dismissal of lawsuit against the City of Bellevue

A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a civil lawsuit against the City of Bellevue and several of its police officers.

The case stemmed from the murder of Bellevue resident Angela Marie Prichard by her ex-husband, who was later convicted for her death. Prichard’s family had alleged that law enforcement’s failure to act on multiple restraining order violations contributed to her murder.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that neither federal nor Iowa state law required officers to protect individuals from private violence under the circumstances that were presented.

The city says it respects the ruling, while recognizing the decision does not lessen what it calls a profound human tragedy, and remains committed to improving its policies and training around domestic violence and protective order enforcement.

The full court ruling can be found here.

Below is the city’s full unedited statement:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bellevue, Iowa — Statement Regarding Eighth Circuit Decision in Close v. City of Bellevue
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of the civil claims brought against the City of Bellevue and several of its officers. The Court concluded that neither federal constitutional law nor Iowa statutes provide a legal basis for municipal liability under the circumstances presented. As the opinion explains, “Courts cannot remedy every wrong,” and the panel determined that the legal standards governing municipal and officer liability did not permit the claims to proceed. Plaintiffs have requested that the decision be reviewed by the full court.
Although the City respects the Court’s ruling, we recognize that legal conclusions do not lessen the profound human tragedy at the center of this case. Angela Marie Prichard’s death was the result of horrific violence perpetrated by her ex‑husband, who was later convicted of murder. Her loss continues to be felt deeply throughout Bellevue. The City remains sincerely saddened by the events that occurred and extends its continued sympathy to Angela’s family.
The City of Bellevue is committed to ongoing evaluation and improvement of its policies, training, and community‑safety practices. Domestic violence, stalking, and protective‑order enforcement present complex challenges for law enforcement agencies across the country. Bellevue will continue working with regional partners, victim‑advocacy organizations, and state authorities to strengthen protective‑order enforcement, victim support, and officer training.
We remain dedicated to fostering a safer community for all residents. Angela’s death was a devastating loss, and while the Court’s decision resolves the legal claims, it does not diminish the City’s commitment to learning from tragedy and improving public safety wherever possible.
Bellevue Police Department – City of Bellevue