The former University of California, Davis campus police officer who infamously pepper-sprayed students participating in an Occupy protest in 2011, received over $38,000 in workers' compensation last week.
John Pike, 40, reached a workers' compensation settlement with the university system that awarded him $38,056, the Associated Press reports. His lawyers argued that he suffered depression and anxiety brought on by death threats he and his family received after the Nov. 18, 2011 confrontation at UC Davis. The state's Disability Evaluation Unit determines permanent disability ratings based on doctors' reports.
Administrative Law Judge Harter approved the settlement agreement between Pike and the University of California on Oct. 16.
"This case has been resolved in accordance with state law and processes on workers' compensation," UC Davis spokesman Andy Fell said in an email message to Davis Enterprise.
Bernie Goldsmith, a Davis lawyer supportive of the protesters, said that the settlement "sends a clear message to the next officer nervously facing off with a group of passive, unarmed students: Go on ahead. Brutalize them. Trample their rights. You will be well taken care of."
Now, Pike will be paid more money than those he pepper-sprayed. According to Slate, Pike's $38,000 payout is roughly $8,000 more than each of the 21 students were awarded last year as part of a $1 million settlement with the university since the rest of the money was divvied up among a few other plaintiffs, along with their lawyers.
Below is the video of Pike pepper-spraying a group of peaceful students protesting a tuition hike. The shocking video quickly went viral, and, eventually, Pike lost his job.
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