Robert Bergeson

Deadly force

Firefighters and police arrived at Robert Bergeson's home, which was burning. Bergeson was upset about a recent divorce and reportedly set fire to his own home, then stood by to watch it burn. Bergeson shouted obscenities at police, then advanced toward them carrying a large stick. When Bergeson refused commands to drop the stick, one officer shot and killed him. Although the officer was cleared of criminal wrongdoing, Bergeson's family was paid $950,000 in a federal wrongful death lawsuit, because Bergeson was running away from the officer when the fatal shot was fired.