19-Count Federal Lawsuit Alleges Reckless Force Caused Veteran’s Heart Attack
In Brief:
Who: Darryl White; Officers Patrick Mooney, Austin Howard, Ritchie Rivera, Michael Cook Jr.; City of Fort Walton Beach
When: July 20, 2024, incident; lawsuit filed February 4, 2026
Where: Fort Walton Beach, Florida; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division
What: 19-count federal civil rights lawsuit alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force, and negligence
Why: White alleges officer conduct during a traffic stop and detention caused a heart attack and violated his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights
A 79-year-old Fort Walton Beach veteran has filed a sweeping 19-count federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that a July 2024 traffic stop escalated into excessive force, wrongful arrest, and a heart attack while he was in police custody.
Darryl White filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division, naming the City of Fort Walton Beach and four officers with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department: Patrick Mooney, Austin Howard, Ritchie Rivera, and Michael Cook Jr.
The lawsuit alleges violations of White’s constitutional rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, as well as multiple state-law claims, including false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, negligence, and negligent supervision.
The Traffic Stop and Arrest
According to the complaint, White was pulled over on July 20, 2024, near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Eglin Parkway.
After issuing a citation, the lawsuit alleges that Corporal Patrick Mooney failed to return White’s insurance card before leaving the scene. White later drove to the parking lot of The Block nightclub after spotting what he believed was Mooney’s patrol vehicle there, intending to retrieve the missing document.
The complaint alleges that when White parked near the patrol car, Mooney exited his vehicle, forcibly grabbed White, slammed him against his truck, and handcuffed him. Officer Austin Howard is accused of assisting in the arrest.
White alleges the force used was severe and that he suffered bruising and aggravation of a pre-existing knee injury.
Officers Ritchie Rivera and Michael Cook Jr. later arrived at the scene. The lawsuit claims they failed to intervene.
Medical Emergency in Custody
The complaint states that White had a known heart condition and an upcoming surgery scheduled less than two weeks after the incident. He allegedly informed officers he was experiencing chest pain and needed his nitroglycerin medication.
The lawsuit claims those requests were dismissed.
White was later transported to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction, a heart attack, that the complaint alleges was triggered by trauma and a spike in blood pressure during the arrest and detention.
The filing states White later underwent additional cardiac treatment at Mayo Clinic, including placement of a heart stent.
The 19 Counts Explained
The lawsuit outlines 19 separate counts against the officers and the City of Fort Walton Beach.
Federal Civil Rights Claims
Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, White alleges:
- False Arrest against Mooney, Howard, Rivera, and Cook individually (Counts I–IV)
- Malicious Prosecution against those same four officers individually (Counts X–XIII)
These claims allege violations of White’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, including unlawful seizure and prosecution without probable cause.
State Law Claims
The complaint also includes supplemental state law claims:
- Common Law False Imprisonment/Arrest against each of the four officers (Counts V–VIII)
- Common Law False Imprisonment/Arrest against the City of Fort Walton Beach (Count IX)
- Common Law Malicious Prosecution against each of the four officers (Counts XIV–XVII)
- Negligence against the City (Count XVIII)
- Negligent Supervision and Retention against the City (Count XIX)
The negligent supervision claim alleges the City failed to properly monitor or retain Officer Mooney despite what the complaint describes as prior documented incidents involving the use of force and misconduct.
Alleged Lasting Impact
White claims the incident caused lasting physical, emotional, and financial harm. The lawsuit states he has experienced reduced mobility, anxiety around law enforcement, sleep disturbances, and significant stress.
He is seeking monetary damages, declaratory relief, and injunctive relief, and has formally requested a jury trial on all eligible issues.
The case was filed on February 4, 2026.
As of publication, the City of Fort Walton Beach has declined to comment.
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