Man Sues Cops For Barging In To Confiscate Dead Wife's Prescription Medication

Her body was still cooling in her death bed

A former Vernal resident has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, police officials and two police officers who showed up at his home shortly after his wife died of an illness to count and confiscate her prescription drugs.

Barbara Alice Proud Mahaffey died of colon cancer at the couple's home on May 21, 2012. Ben D. Mahaffey was still by his wife's side in their bedroom, saying goodbye and crying, while waiting for a mortician and hospice workers. When they arrived, two police officers showed up at the home at the same time.