Oklahoma woman sues Highway Patrol, DPS over trooper’s alleged excessive force
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Shawnee, OK - An Oklahoma woman is suing the state Department of Public Safety, alleging an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper used excessive force during a 2024 traffic stop in Shawnee that left her with a broken arm and other serious injuries.
Newly released dash camera video shows the encounter involving Denise Beck, who was 69 at the time. Beck alleges the trooper illegally arrested her and used excessive force while taking her into custody.
The lawsuit names the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the trooper. News 9 is not identifying the trooper because no charges were filed.
According to court documents, Beck was pulled over after making what the department described as an illegal U-turn. The trooper also told her that her taillight was not working.
Dash camera footage captures the trooper mentioning a warrant out of Oklahoma County. Beck repeatedly tells the trooper she has no warrants and that she is being arrested illegally.
Later in the video, the trooper can be heard acknowledging that the warrant was not Beck’s.
“Help me. I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m being arrested illegally,” Beck says in the footage.
The department says Beck was forcibly removed from her vehicle after failing to comply with the trooper’s orders.
After Beck was removed from the vehicle, the video shows the trooper attempting to handcuff her.
Beck’s attorney, Steven Terrill, said the trooper pulled her from the car and forced her arms behind her back before throwing her to the ground.
“This is something that should have never happened,” Terrill said.
Terrill disputes the department’s claim that Beck resisted arrest, saying she was not combative or attempting to flee.
He said Beck struck her face on the concrete and sustained several injuries during the encounter.
According to the lawsuit, Beck suffered a broken arm, damage to her eye socket and a torn rotator cuff. Her attorney also said the incident has caused psychological harm.
In its response to the lawsuit, the Department of Public Safety argues Beck resisted arrest and fell to the ground.
The department maintains that the trooper had to use force to remove her from the vehicle because she did not comply with his orders.
Beck is seeking at least $75,000 in damages.