Sacramento to pay $4.3 million settlement to family of a man who died after being restrained by police

After police restrained him, in handcuffs, facedown in what’s known as a prone position, 48-year-old Reginald “Reggie” Payne died of cardiac arrest.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The city of Sacramento has agreed to pay a $4.3 million settlement to the family of a man who died after being restrained by Sacramento police. 

In February 2020, the family of 48-year-old Reggie Payne called 911 for help because Payne was experiencing a medical emergency at their south Sacramento home. 

But after police restrained him, in handcuffs, facedown in what’s known as a prone position, Payne died of cardiac arrest. 

“It was just unreal,” said Payne’s mother, Harriet Jefferson, who said her son was diabetic and needed an IV. 

Initially, Sacramento Firefighters responded. After they determined that they were not able to provide treatment, they called in the police. 

Officers can be seen on body-worn camera video holding Payne down in what would prove to be a deadly position. 

“Unfortunately, I have been training on this very issue for well over a decade,” said Ed Obayashi, a law enforcement advisor for police departments across the state. 

“There is a training gap regarding the appreciation or the understanding of what compressive force, or just sheer body weight can result in, in terms of the serious injuries that result, including death,” Obayashi said. 

For Payne’s family, the multi-million dollar settlement was only half of what they were asking for. They wanted an injunction against what they called “improper restraints,” like putting someone into a prone position.

“Reggie would want some change to happen, and make his life not for naught,” Jefferson said. 

In a statement, Sacramento Communications Manager Tim Swanson said, 

“Every loss of life is tragic, and Reginald Payne’s family has suffered an agonizing loss. While this settlement is not an admission of liability, the City has agreed with the family’s representatives that it is an appropriate resolution of this matter at this time, allowing both parties to avoid the ongoing risk and expense of a trial and to move forward following this heartbreaking event.”

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About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.

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