Ryan Piper is being sued by the Town of Pierceton for $20,000 in liquidated damages after a breach of contract. InkFreeNews file photo.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — The town of Pierceton’s legal counsel has filed a civil suit against a former police officer employed by the town for a breach of contract.

In July, Pierceton Town Council approved pursuing legal action against former Pierceton Police officer Ryan Piper after he resigned one year and eight months before his contract with the town was set to expire.

Piper left the job in December 2021 to work for the Warsaw Police Department.

A civil plenary was filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court by Tammy M. Keirn, Pierceton’s town attorney, on Aug. 8.

The plenary states “that on or about July 18, 2019, the Town and (Piper) entered into a contract entitled “Officer Training Reimbursement Agreement.”

Through the agreement, Piper agreed to pay the Town of Pierceton $20,000 in liquidated damages if he terminated his employment within four years after taking the oath of office as a full-time police officer.

Piper took his oath of office as a full-time officer for Pierceton on Aug. 12, 2019. He voluntarily terminated his employment on or about Dec. 4, 2021.

The civil plenary states that Piper has breached the agreement with the town by refusing to pay the liquidated damages.

“The Town has demanded payment from (Piper) but (Piper) has failed and refused to satisfy his debt owed to the Town in compliance with the agreement,” reads the plenary.

The “Officer Training Reimbursement Agreement” also states that “in the event the Town is required to enforce any part of this Agreement, the Town shall be entitled to recover its attorney fees in addition to the other liquidated damages provided herein.”

The Town is requesting judgment against Piper in the amount of $20,000, with interest thereon at the legal judgment rate of 8% per annum, reasonable attorney fees, and other costs for legal action.