Sacramento, CA — In December of 2014, 51-year-old John Madison Reyes, was attempting to cross the street when he crossed paths with “hero cop,” Sacramento County sheriff’s Deputy Paul “Scotte” Pfeifer.

Deputy Pfeifer has been hailed by the department for his heroism in the past. He’s received several awards, including the department’s highest honor, the Sheriff’s Gold Medal of Valor.

However, along with this sheriff’s heroism comes a dark history of violence and abuse — specifically using his flashlight as a means of doling out street justice.

Reyes happened to be the most recent person to fall victim to Pfeifer’s wrath. As Reyes attempted to cross the street, he noticed Pfeifer’s patrol unit blocking the road, which made him have to carry his groceries into dangerous traffic. So, according to Reyes, he politely asked the officer to stop blocking the road.

The suit claims Reyes twice asked the officer – politely – to move his car, then when he was ignored, escalated his request by saying, “Move your f—— car,” and extended his middle finger in a sign of disrespect.

Pfeifer reacted by pepper spraying Reyes. He then tasered him, threw him to the ground and began stomping on his head and waylaying him with his flashlight.

Reyes suffered a broken nose, broken ribs, a concussion and a large gash above his left eye, according to the complaint.

Most of the interaction was caught on cellphone video by Michael White, a nearby resident.

“You could hear the thuds,” said White. “He was hitting him pretty hard.”

“I think he should be arrested,” White said of Pfeifer in an interview. “I think he should spend some time in jail.”

But jail would not be anywhere in this violent cop’s future.

Despite Reyes not being charged with any crime and despite Pfeifer being caught on video severely brutalizing an innocent man, he was cleared of wrongdoing. Pfeifer has returned to full duty, and this time he’s been promoted to detective.