Cops who fatally shot 6-year-old previously sued for excessive force

Pallbearers carry the casket of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis in Mississippi. (Eli Baylis\Hattiesburg American/AP)

Two Louisiana police officers arrested for killing a young boy have had several complaints of excessive force over the past four years.

Derrick Stafford, 32, and Norris Greenhouse Jr, 23, are currently facing charges of second-degree murder for fatally shooting 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis while pursuing his father Chris Few on November 3.

Norris J Greenhouse Jr, left, and Derrick W Stafford, right, appear in their mugshots. Louisiana State Police Department (Louisiana State Police Department.)

Mr Few was severely wounded in the shooting but is expected to recover. His son was laid to rest on Monday.

Back in 2012, Officer Stafford was sued for allegedly using his stun gun on a woman in handcuffs. Another suit, during the same year, accused the officer of breaking a young girl’s arm while breaking up a fight on a school bus.

In 2013, both Officer Stafford and Greenhouse are were named in excessive force lawsuits as they allegedly stood by and watched another officer assault a teenager.

In 2014, a jury awarded $50,000 to a man who claimed Officer Stafford only arrested him after submitting complaints about him. Both officers were named in a separate suit accusing them of assault at a festival.

In 2011, Officer Stafford was indicted after allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl when he was 21-year-old. The charges were dismissed although court documents do not explain why.

Both Officer Stafford and Greenhouse are currently held on $1 million bonds on second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder charges.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.