Martin Figueroa

Deadly force

Police responded to a call about a man high on drugs acting erratically and found Figueroa hiding in the family home. After negotiations failed, a K-9 unit was sent in and bit Figuerosa on both hands. Two officers followed and alleged Figuerosa armed himself with a steak knife, refused to put it down, and brandished the weapon at them. They shot Figuerosa four times, he died later at the hospital. In a civil suit, Figuerosa's family disputed that he was armed with a steak knife--there were no fingerprints on it--and were awarded a $25,000 settlement.