CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in the death last year of the former mayor of Cottageville.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages in the death of Bert Reeves. Reeves was shot in the chest with a service revolver belonging to Officer Randall Price in May, 2011.

Price was placed on leave following the shooting. Authorities have said Reeves had objected after Price arrested an employee of his construction business.

The lawsuit by the Reeves family names as defendants the town, the police department and Price. It says Price should not have been hired by the town after being fired by several other police departments.

The Associated Press left a message at town hall seeking comment. No working telephone number for Price could be found.