I am aware it is passed the deadline to file a tort claim, but can I sue an individual.

I worked for a state agency as a traffic officer. in 2013 I was terminated for dishonesty after finding drug paraphernalia in my vehicle on my way to work. I, instead of turning it over kept it and was determined to find out who owned it. As my shift went on i got busy and while doing paperwork at my office I walked across the street to get coffee. while I was gone a coworker made up a story about trying to save my work and accidentally knocked my bag off desk and thinking he broke my glasses because he heard glass crunching opened my bag and found a glass pipe(this was determined not to be mine through DNA)he closed me bag and called a supervisor, which of course launched an investigation and subsequently I was fired, charges were filed and dropped although I wanted a court trial it was not allowed but dismissed after DNA results were back. I have not been able to find comparable employment since then, and essentially lost everything. can I sue the employee personally for going thru my bag
details
sent home jan 2013
terminated may 2013 had been on admin leave
was not allowed to speak with anyone regarding this but was voluntarily informed by my former car partner he had been filled in on what happened by the officer who searched my bag
the DNA test was not done until months later after i insisted on going to trial.
the officer who searched my bag was a union rep so i never fully got the support from my union, they stopped correspondence after the state board decision , i asked for their help on the tort claim but got no assistance.
i am now a 47 y/o female I have been unemployed since then and unable to find suitable work with this behind me.