"Michael Dietrick, the former Sonoma County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed burglary suspect David Pelaez-Chavez in 2022, will receive $5,226 per month as part of lifetime retirement benefits approved earlier this year through the county's pension system, The Press Democrat has learned. The fatal shooting sparked recurring protests and calls by Pelaez-Chavez's family members and activists for greater accountability, and, years later, is now at the center of a heated debate over the authority and reach of Sonoma County's civilian law enforcement oversight office."
"Dietrick, 38, who worked for the sheriff's office seven years, was granted service-connected disability retirement in February by the Sonoma County Employees' Retirement Association board. That status, which comes with a higher payout threshold, is granted to county employees who are deemed permanently physically or mentally unable to work because of an injury or illness sustained on the job. His first request for service-connected disability retirement came about nine months before he retired from the department."
"Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez ultimately declined to file charges and an internal affairs investigation by the Sheriff's Office, finalized in July 2024 after almost two years, found no policy violations. Attempts to reach Dietrick directly, by phone and email, went unanswered, and his attorney declined to comment. The Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff's Association, which represents patrol members, also did not respond to a request for comment. Sonoma County settled a federal civil rights lawsuit with the family of Pelaez-Chavez in May for $612,500."
Michael Dietrick, a former Sonoma County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed burglary suspect David Pelaez-Chavez in 2022, was granted service-connected disability retirement in February and will receive $5,226 per month through the county pension system. Service-connected status allows higher payouts for employees deemed permanently unable to work due to job-related injury or illness. The first disability request came nine months before his retirement and 14 months after the shooting, while investigations were ongoing. Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez declined to file charges, an internal affairs probe found no violations, and the county settled a federal civil rights lawsuit for $612,500.
#use-of-force #service-connected-disability-retirement #civil-rights-settlement #law-enforcement-oversight
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