His coworker died. IPD allegedly ‘took every opportunity’ to deny him support
An Independence police officer filed a lawsuit against the city Jan. 4, claiming the department allegedly failed to accommodate a mental health condition brought on by the 2024 shooting deaths of a Jackson County civil process server and Independence police officer.
Matthew Perdue, a sergeant with the Independence Police Department, filed the lawsuit, alleging disability discrimination, a hostile work environment and illegal retaliation, according to a petition filed in Jackson County court.
Perdue, who joined the department in 2017, claims the department failed to accommodate a PTSD diagnosis brought on by the 2024 shooting deaths of a Jackson County civil process server and Independence police officer, according to the petition.
In response to the lawsuit, City of Independence Public Information Officer Rebecca Gannon said the city and agency prioritize support and treatment for officers, and it is grateful for their dedication.
“The pressures and responsibilities on officers are greater than they have ever been, and we endeavor to create an environment that supports our officers as they continue to protect and serve our residents every day,” Gannon said.
The city declined to comment further on the case “due to pending litigation,” Gannon said.
The lawsuit marks the second filed as a result of the February 2024 shooting incident. Erin Wildman sued the Independence Police Department on Nov. 10, 2025, alleging the department forced her to resign after she faced misogyny from superiors following the incident.
Court filings said Perdue was the fourth responder to arrive at the scene of the shooting at 1111 N. Else Smith Road in northeastern Independence on Feb. 23, 2024. Larry Acree, 69, allegedly shot and killed Independence Police Officer Cody Allen, 35, and Jackson County civil process server Drexel Mack, 41, while the latter attempted to serve an eviction notice.
After he arrived at the residence, Perdue and two injured officers worked to secure the scene as they “waited for the arrival of enough backup to retrieve the body of their deceased colleague,” the petition said.
Allen’s death in particular had a “profound and lasting impact” on Perdue, according to the lawsuit, because Allen was under Perdue’s supervision and the pair had worked together for around seven years.
After the shooting, Perdue began to attend therapy, according to the lawsuit. The police department appointed Perdue a counselor, but the counselor “proved to be inadequate, cursory and ineffective,” the lawsuit said.
Perdue was “forced” to then seek treatment from a personal therapist for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the petition. Additionally, Perdue had to use vacation time and sick days because of the conditions, of which he had informed staff.
The Independence Police Department, through an assigned counselor, allegedly told Perdue he had to “undergo a fit for duty examination” on June 14, 2024, the petition said. Perdue was allegedly never given results from the examination.
On Aug. 28, 2024, then-Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman sent a department-wide email containing the full investigative report surrounding the February shooting, according to the lawsuit.
In the report, statements made by Perdue were “selectively quoted and improperly paraphrased,” according to the petition.
On Dec. 8, 2024, Perdue was notified that an internal affairs investigation would be opened against him related to “his response to the February 2024 shooting,” the petition said.
The investigation was opened six months after the shooting occurred, which, according to court filings, fell “well outside the timeframe” of the police department’s policies.
Perdue notified the Fraternal Order of Police that the investigation violated policy. It in turn informed Dustman, court documents said. However, Dustman allegedly pushed forward with the investigation.
As a result, Perdue said his conditions worsened, leading to inpatient treatment and approved FMLA leave, according to the petition. Additionally, a worker’s compensation coordinator for the city recommended Perdue receive workers compensation pay and continue treatment with his therapist, which the city allegedly denied.
Court filings claim the city took “every opportunity” to deny Perdue support after the incident.
Perdue’s attorney did not respond to The Star’s request for comment.
