New York driver reportedly arrested for honking at cop at green light sues police

A New York man is suing the Troy Police Department and the City of Troy, alleging he was unlawfully arrested after giving “a brief toot on his vehicle horn” when a patrol car failed to proceed through a green light.

Driver allegedly arrested for Honking

According to a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, 42-year-old Matthew N. Edwards says Officer Taylor Gamache retaliated against him following the minor traffic cue—resulting in an arrest Edwards calls unconstitutional and excessive.

The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on July 19, 2024, as Edwards was driving home from work. At the intersection of Third and Madison Streets in South Troy, he honked lightly after Gamache remained stationary through a green light. According to the complaint, Gamache then made an unsignaled left turn, seemingly in response to Edwards’s own left turn signal. Edwards canceled his signal to avoid conflict and continued straight.

Upon arriving at his residence, Edwards briefly parked about 12 inches from the curb, stepped out, and moved garbage bins off the sidewalk to fully park his car. Moments later, Gamache—who Edwards’s attorney says had followed him in a marked patrol vehicle—initiated a traffic stop.

Driver allegedly arrested for Honking: Bodycam Footage Released

Body camera footage shows Gamache accusing Edwards of illegally using his horn and parking improperly. Edwards, a professional welder, repeatedly asserts that he has committed no crime and requests a supervisor. Backup officers from Troy PD and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office soon arrive. The footage captures Edwards being forcibly detained and arrested while saying: “You’re on my pelvis, bro… You’re violating my rights.”

Lawsuit Details and Systemic Concerns

The lawsuit, filed July 3 with a jury demand, alleges multiple constitutional violations, including false arrest, excessive force, and malicious prosecution. It also faults the department and city for failing to train or supervise officers adequately, and for lacking proper policies around use of force and citizen interactions. Edwards is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent similar incidents.

All criminal charges against Edwards were later dismissed.