by Christopher Zoukis

In a pretrial settlement with the city of Hemet and its police department, the family of a man shot and killed after a high-speed chase through Riverside, California, agreed to $92,000 in compensation.

     On February 25, 2008, the Hemet police arrived at the home of 40-year-old Rodney Jackson in response to a call about a domestic dispute. Jackson fled, leading police on a 55-minute car chase through Western Riverside County, which at one point involved driving the wrong way on Interstate 215.

     When Jackson stopped his vehicle, officers set a police dog on him. After struggling with the dog, he got out of his car and was shot once by police. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

     Jackson's three children (Rodney Jr., Seneca and Lorrie Jackson), his mother Florine Nunn and Brandon Anguiano filed a complaint in federal court against the Hemet Police Department and the city of Hemet alleging wrongful death, excessive force, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The family argued that Jackson was unnecessarily shot by police. According to police reports, Jackson had a knife and was heading toward the police. He also had a criminal record with time spent in jail.

     The plaintiffs sought recovery for medical and funeral expenses, loss of income, emotional distress and punitive damages. Prior to trial, the parties agreed to a settlement of $92,000.

See: Jackson Jr., et al., v. City of Hemet, et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:08-cv-06269-GW-FMO

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