Walker v. Foxcroft

Mellen C. J. delivered the opinion of the Court, at the ensuing August term in Oxford, as follows. No case, in all respects similar to the present, has been cited on either side; yet we think that the principles which are established in some of those which have been cited, lead to an easy and satisfactory decision of the case at bar. Though the action is against the sheriff, the exceptions show that it was commenced to recover damages for an alleged wrong of Sioett, one of his deputies. In this state, a deputy sheriff is an officer under oath, having rights and being subject to. liabilities, not only to the sheriff, but to third persons who may have employed him in his official-capacity. His character essentially differs from that of a sheriff’s servant or deputy in England. In this particular, therefore, English decisions are not applicable; nor can the course of proceeding which may be proper there, in the adjustment of disputes among the inferior officers of the sheriff, be a rule in the settlement of questions as to attachments, and their priority, made by deputy sheriffs under our laws, and according to our usages. The decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, at the time this State was a part of that Commonwealth, furnish us with valuable commentaries upon our laws, and seem to have established the principles by which this cause must be decided. By our law, if a deputy sheriff has been guilty of misconduct in his office, by neglecting his duty, or violating the rights of a debtor or creditor, the injured party may, at his election, bring his action directly against the deputy, or against the sheriff; and may, in the latter case, charge the wrong generally, as committed by the sheriff, and on trial prove it to have been committed by the deputy, for whose act he is answerable; — or he may, in his action against the sheriff, declare specially, alleging the wrong to have been committed by the deputy. The cases cited by the defendant’s counsel, from 11 and 12 Mass. and also Campbell v. Phillips, 17 Mass. 244, clearly establish this point. [273] Being therefore liable himself, the law furnishes him with a remedy against those who violate his rights, by taking away or injuring property in his custody, or under his control, and for which he stands officially responsible. This is shewn by six or seven cases also cited by the plaintiff’s counsel. The case of Gibbs v. Chase and Baldwin v. Jackson, were actions of replevin, and Train v. Willington was trespass. Each action was by a deputy sheriff against a coroner. The actions Thompson v. Marsh and Denny v. Warren were both trover ; and Gordon v. Jenney was replevin. Each action was by one deputy sheriff against another. The case beforementioned, of Thompson v. Marsh, is in all respects exactly like the one before us, except that the present action is against the sheriff for the deputy’s neglect, instead of being against the deputy himself for his own neglect or wrong; and except also that, in the case mentioned, the action was trover, and in the case at bar the action is trespass vi et armis. If the difference, in neither of the foregoing particulars, is material, the plaintiff’s exception must be sustained. By lavr the sheriff is answerable for the official acts of his deputies, and if the wrong complained of had been committed by the deputy Szvett, against any person, except another deputy of the defendant, it is not contended that the action would not be maintainable. It appears that Walker made the first attachment. Walker was then entitled and bound to hold the property safely; no other deputy could afterwards attach it, because he could have no right to the possession of it. Another creditor, by placing his writ in the hands of the deputy who made the first attachment, might have caused it to be attached by him, subject to the first attachment; and perhaps if such second writ were placed in the hands of the sheriff himself, the goods might be considered as attached by him, subject to the prior attachment made by his deputy. Be this as it may, no act of the sheriff, or any other deputy, can defeat or impair the rights of the first attaching deputy. In the present action, the sheriff is not sued for his own act, but the act of one of his deputies, for which, if wrongful, he is by law liable to the injured party, and the -deputy is liable over to him. [274] But it is contended that according to the cases, of Watson v. Todd, 5 Mass. 271. and Parley v. Foster, 9 Mass. 112. the sheriff’s deputies are to be considered but as one officer; that the possession of the deputy is the possession of the sheriff; and that therefore it is against all principle to maintain the present action, and allow a servant to call his master to account for his alleged misconduct. These cases have been reviewed in Thompson v. Marsh, and Gordon v. Jenney. The language of Parsons C. J. has been restricted, to a certain degree, and though true in a limited sense, the Court, speaking of a sheriff’s deputies, say in Gordon v. Jenney — u although servants of the “ same master, they act independently of each other, and the one' “ who first makes an attachment, acquires a special property, “ which entitles him to an action against any person who inter- “ feres with his possession.” The act of Szoett being, therefore, a wrongful violation of the rights of Walker the plaintiff, and the sheriff, the defendant, being answerable for SweWs wrongful acts, and in this action being sued in the capacity of SweWs principal, for his misfeasance, we are of opinion that the plaintiff is entitled to recover, unless the objection to the form of action be a substantial one; otherwise the plaintiff would be without remedy, in case Smelt were insolvent or deceased. The reason assigned' why trespass vi et armis will not lie, is, that the possession of the plaintiff is the possession of the sheriff; and that both being in possession, trespass will not lie by one against the other. This seems to be an objection more technical than true in fact, and more refined than solid. Neither the special property, nor the possession of the plaintiff is joint or in common with the sheriff, or Smett; and if it were, that circumstance would furnish an objection as fatal to an action of trover, as to an action of trespass. 1 Chittfs Plead. 66, 155. And yet numerous cases of trover and replevin have been sustained in similar circumstances. On review of all the cases we have found upon this subject, we do not perceive any well-grounded objection to the present action; and we arc of opinion that the exception was well taken by the plaintiff’s counsel. Accordingly the nonsuit is set aside, and there must be a trial at the bar of this Court. ¿Y'ote. In this cause Pe.ebi.e J. gave no opinion.