The family of a former University of Tennessee baseball player and the City of Bristol have reached a settlement, ending a lawsuit.
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Brian Bibee died in 2023 while in police custody. His family filed a lawsuit alleging that officers failed to respond appropriately to a life-threatening opioid overdose. The lawsuit also alleged that officers mocked Bibee.
According to News 5, the incident occurred on Oct. 29, 2023. The lawsuit alleged that officers responded to reports of a disoriented man stumbling through a grocery store parking lot. The body cam footage allegedly showed symptoms consistent with opioid toxicity.
The lawsuit alleged that officers handcuffed Bibee and put him in the back a patrol vehicle instead of calling for emergency medical assistance or administering naloxone (Narcan). The former Tennessee student ultimately went into cardiac arrest and was later pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
The settlement between the family and the City of Bristol included $1.1 million and guarantees of reform within the police department. The list included retraining officers regarding the use of naloxone, medical review of each naloxone use, sensitivity training in the area of substance abuse, monitoring of body-cam footage, and "consulting on best practices for calling EMS in medical emergencies."
"Although many cities across the country do not equip their officers with naloxone, the Bristol Tennessee Police Department has equipped its police officers with naloxone since 2017 in recognition of the opioid crisis facing our community," the City said in a statement. "Officers are trained to administer naloxone according to an adopted protocol.
"At the time of his encounter with police officers, Mr. Bibee was able to walk and speak, contraindicating the use of naloxone. However, a post-mortem toxicology screen revealed that Mr. Bibee had lethal levels of Fentanyl, manufactured Fentanyl, and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death.
"To avoid the uncertainty of litigation, it was deemed to be in the City's best interests for the suit to be settled within the limits of the City's liability insurance. The three patrol officers and Chief Austin were dismissed with prejudice from the lawsuit prior to settlement, and there was no judgment or finding of liability against the City. The lawsuit was dismissed on January 27, 2026.
"This tragedy underscores the dangers of illicit drug use and Fentanyl misuse, and reminds us that addiction can touch any family. The City and Chief Austin extend their sympathy to Mr. Bibee's family, who have lost a beloved son, brother and uncle. The City's police officers continue to carry naloxone and administer it according to medically approved protocol."
