By Brad Kellar
Commerce – The family of a slain Commerce Code Enforcement Officer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.
Donavan and Marissa Walker, surviving children of Michael "Pee Wee" Walker, along with their grandfather, Richard A. Walker, filed the suit Friday. The City of Commerce had not responded as of Wednesday afternoon.
Adam Ward received the death penalty following his conviction of capital murder in connection with Walker's shooting death in June 2005. Walker was taking photos of code violations at the Wards residence when he and Adam Ward had an altercation and Walker was shot multiple times.
The lawsuit alleges city officials knew Adam Ward had a gun and used it to threaten neighbors on previous occasions. The suit seeks unspecified amounts of actual and exemplary damages. No hearing dates concerning the suit are currently scheduled.