A wrongful-death claim has been filed against the City of Tempe over the drowning of an unsheltered man in Tempe Town Lake in May.
The case received national attention after bodycam video showed police failing to act as Sean Bickings struggled and cried for help for several minutes in the water.
Bickings’ mother filed the action and is seeking a settlement of $3 million.
Following Bickings’ death, city officials announced new water safety measures that include installing rescue rings connected to 100-foot ropes around Tempe Town Lake and Kiwanis Lake. Officers will also be issued a water rescue “throw bag.”
