Rankin Inlet (May 17/04) - Five members of the Brandon Police Service are named in a lawsuit filed by the Tootoo family of Rankin Inlet in connection with the death of Terence Tootoo in August 2002.

Tootoo brothers Jordin and Terrence. - NNSL file photo

Terence, 22 at the time of his death, was staying near Brandon with the family who had billeted his brother, Jordin, while he played with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.

Terence was waiting for his work visa to be processed so he could rejoin the Roanoke Express for the 2002-03 season in the East Coast Hockey League.

He was the first Inuk to sign a professional hockey contract when he inked with the Virginia-based team the previous year.

On Aug. 28, 2002, Terence had been dropped off at the billets' home after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

His body was found the next day with a shotgun on the ground beside him.

In the statement of claim, the family says the officers should have left Terence in the care of the billets and not left on his own.

Two Brandon police officers were disciplined after an internal investigation determined they violated procedure by not releasing Terence to a responsible adult.

The family also named the billets in the suit, claiming Terence's shotgun and ammunition were not properly secured.

The driver who towed Terence's truck from where it was stopped by police is also named.

The family claims three Manitoba Junior Hockey League championship rings he earned with the OCN Blizzards of The Pas were stolen from the impounded vehicle.