According to a report WFIE 14, Evansville, newly released video sheds light on a law enforcement training exercise linked to the death of Vanderburgh County Deputy Asson Hacker, who died after participating in “The Big Fight,” a mandatory training drill for Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (SWILEA) trainees.

The incident, which occurred on March 2, 2023, is now the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Hacker’s widow.

The lawsuit describes the exercise as a martial arts-style fighting circle, during which Hacker is seen struggling before collapsing at the end of the session. He was later hospitalized and died due to “exertional sickling” linked to his sickle cell trait.

Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers reviewed the case and found no criminal wrongdoing, stating that the training was routine and controlled. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, though the Sheriff’s Office is not named as a defendant.

Sheriff Noah Robinson expressed condolences while disputing certain allegations made in the lawsuit. He noted that the office is closely following the case. The coroner’s findings point to Hacker’s health condition and lifestyle as contributing factors in his death.