Should a Pennsylvania police officer be rehired even if some are accusing him of causing the wrongful death of an inebriated and mentally ill man? That's the question being debated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

A feature story by the Associated Press details what has become a controversial case in this normally quiet section of the state. According to the story, a police officer in Punxsutawney allowed an intoxicated mentally ill man to spend nearly five hours in the back seat of his squad car on a hot summer day. The man eventually died in the back of the squad car.

Both a state police sergeant and Punxsutawney's chief of police had recommended that the police officer be charged with reckless endangerment and, perhaps, involuntary manslaughter. But, the state attorney general's office ruled in 2010 that no charges should be brought against the officer. Now the officer's attorney is hoping to get him back on the police force, something the deceased man's family vows to fight.

The family of the man who died filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both the police officer and the borough of Punxsutawney. The case was settled for $250,000 earlier this year.

The case remains a controversial one, and no one knows for sure if the police officer will ever return to the force. It is certain, though, that the matter will generate plenty of headlines as it plays out.

Source: chron.com, "Kin fights rehiring Pa. officer in cruiser death," Joe Mandak, Sept. 4, 2011