Occupy pepper-spraying cop gets $38K

The notorious campus cop who pepper-sprayed Occupy protesters at the University of California Davis has been awarded more than $38,000 in workers’ compensation in a settlement with the university system.

Administrative Law Judge Harter approved the settlement totaling $38,059 on Oct. 16 between John Pike, former UC Davis law enforcement lieutenant, and the University of California.
Pike was videotaped assaulting peaceful protesters with the Occupy Wall Street movement in November 2011.
The video of Pike pepper-spraying the protesters went viral online and angered many activists and protestors, becoming one of the icons of US police’s violent and suppressive practices against the peaceful exercise of freedom of speech.
Pike’s address and other personal information were posted online afterward, and he received scores of death threats.
The 40-year-old former officer said he suffered depression and anxiety after death threats were sent to him and his family over the Nov. 18, 2011 pepper spraying event.
Pike enjoyed eight months of paid administrative leave before being fired in July 2012. According to the Enterprise, Pike was making $121,680 annually when he was fired from the department.