Former Montana Deputy Sues Over Lack of PTSD Treatment

A former Gallatin County, Mont. sheriff’s deputy who faces trial in May on charges that he mistreated a prisoner three years ago is suing the county claiming he did not receive adequate treatment for job-related mental health issues.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Thomas Madsen’s Feb. 27 lawsuit alleges he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and the county failed to offer counseling for mental trauma he suffered while on the job.

County officials declined comment.

The lawsuit says Madsen was among those who responded when a Montana Highway Patrol trooper was shot in December 2010 and that he was at the scene of two deaths and a stabbing on Feb. 5, 2011.

Four days later, Madsen was caught on video grabbing a teenage girl by the throat and pushing her against a wall.