Bronson went to work for the MPD and two years in, he was recognized with the Life Saving Award, a commendation "for acts that contribute to the saving of a life."

Nobody knew that the hero would turn out to be a sadist, and his unchecked aggression would cost Minneapolis taxpayers more than $500,000.

One case relates to events on June 18, 2012, when a man named Zachary King crossed paths with Bronson and several other police officers.

Early that morning, King, who was walking to his car, had a handgun in a holster underneath his shirt.

“Hey you! What’s that bulge under your shirt?” one officer said.

King stopped, slowly raised both his hands, and answered, “I have a conceal and carry permit. That’s my gun,” court records say.

Officer Joshua Stewart pushed King hard against a wall. King reiterated the fact that he had a permit to carry. It was in his wallet, he told them.

Stewart proceeded to confiscate King's weapon, shouting, “Gun! Gun! Gun!”

Bronson and two other officers forced him to the ground and continued to beat him up, despite King's pleas.

Finally, the pummeling stopped and officers fished out the promised gun permit.

King wound up in the hospital, as did officers Stewart and Bronson. When medical personnel began snapping photographs of King's injuries, Bronson tried to stop them.

From there, King was hauled off to the Hennepin County Jail, where he was booked for obstruction of justice.

All charges against him were ultimately dismissed, but six months later, King filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and four police officers. He named Stewart and Bronson as instigators.

The case didn't go to trial; last week, the city agreed to shell out $122,000 to King as a part of a settlement agreement.

It's not the first time the city has paid out on Bronson's behalf. Over the last couple years, the city has settled six brutality lawsuits involving Bronson, racking up nearly $521,000 in legal fees, while another case is still pending.

What is Bronson's side of the story? The former MPD officer — he quit the force last year — didn't return phone calls to his Blaine home.

Meanwhile, his money woes are back: According to Anoka County property records, his house was foreclosed upon earlier this year.