Motorist sues off-duty officer in road dispute

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A motorist who called 911 to report an angry encounter with a driver who turned out to be an off-duty Portland police sergeant is suing the sergeant — and the city of Portland.

In a lawsuit filed Friday, 34-year-old Neil Ruffin accuses Sgt. Kyle Nice of menacing and threatening him with a loaded gun.

Portland attorney Greg Kafoury is attempting to hold the city responsible for Nice’s off-duty behavior.

Ruffin is seeking $145,000 in damages.

The Oregonian says the 42-year-old Nice is on family leave. The Portland city attorney’s office did not comment on the lawsuit.

The encounter took place April 3 in Washington County, near Portland. A sheriff’s deputy responded and wrote a report but no one was cited. Washington County Sgt. Dave Thompson says his deputy did not feel anyone’s conduct rose to the level of a crime. Portland police reportedly are conducting an internal inquiry.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com