ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man is suing after he was shot in the head by New Mexico sheriff after a chase in a front-end loader.

An attorney for James McFarlin filed a lawsuit last week in U.S. District Court against Roosevelt County over claims Sheriff Malin Parker used excessive force.

According to the lawsuit, the then 48-year-old McFarlin led authorities on a slow-speed chase through Portales, New Mexico, after he rammed the tractor into his wife’s car. The lawsuit said McFarlin went into a field and drove in circles while refusing commands to stop.

Court documents said Parker aimed his shotgun out of his patrol car and shot McFarlin in the head.

McFarlin, who now lives in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton declined the comment about the lawsuit.