Which U.S. Supreme Court ruling states that a police officer may not seize an unarmed, nondangerous suspect by lethal means?

The ruling in Tennessee v. Garner is foundational in understanding the limits of police use of force in apprehending suspects. The case established that law enforcement officers cannot use deadly force against an unarmed, non-dangerous suspect. The Supreme Court ruled that the use of lethal force is unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment if the suspect does not pose an immediate threat to the officer or others.

This ruling underscores the necessity for law enforcement to evaluate the threat level of a suspect before deciding to employ deadly force. It balances the need for police officers to ensure public safety while also protecting the rights of individuals, emphasizing that the value of human life must be paramount, especially in situations where the person involved poses no immediate danger.

The other cases listed, while significant to different aspects of law enforcement and constitutional rights, do not specifically address the issue of using lethal force against unarmed individuals in the same way.