Steve Foley

Steve Foley a former linebacker in the NFL who played for the San Diego Chargers was shot outside his house by off-duty San Diego Police Officer Aaron Mansker on September 3 2006, after Mansker observed Foley driving at speeds ranging from 30 mph to 90 mph on a San Diego freeway. Mansker, wearing Civilian Clothes, followed Foley onto a local side street and identified himself as a police officer (but later testified he did not show him his badge) Foley got out of the car to confront Mansker, then returned to his vehicle and continued driving. When Foley reached his home street he noticed the officer had followed him, again exited his car and advanced on Mansker. The Officer fired two shots into the vehicle’s hood in what he claims was self-defense. Mansker claimed he saw Foley reach into his waistband and reacted by shooting Foley in the knee. The officer fired three more times. Foley was taken to a local hospital where the wounds were found to be non-life-threatening. He was placed on the non-football injury list and did not play during the 2006 NFL Season, Causing him to forfeit his $775,000 salary for the season.

On May 3, 2007, Foley pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, a misdemeanor, and was given 5 years of informal probation.

In accordance with the policy of the Coronado police department, Mansker was placed on administrative leave and was reinstated to full duty in January 2007. On December 14, 2007, the San Diego District Attorney declared the shooting legal.

In February 2007, the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to the California Attorney General’s office on behalf of 25 local community, religious, and civil rights groups criticizing a pattern of questionable police shootings in the San Diego area, asking the state to intervene due to the San Diego District Attorney’s problematic handling of these cases, including the Steve Foley incident.

Lawsuit against the city of Coronado

On January 31, 2007, Foley announced that he was suing the city of Coronado and Aaron Mansker in a civil negligence claim. The complaint was seeking to reclaim medical expenses and “the loss of past and future earnings.”

Steve Foley

Two weeks into the civil trial, a conditional settlement was announced . Although settlement terms were not at first disclosed, it was reported a few days later that Foley received a $5.5 million settlement from the City of Coronado.