Former Minneapolis police officer David Clifford was given a
jail term of 43 months after severely injuring fellow patron Brian Vander Lee
with a punch on June 16, 2012, at a bar in Andover, Minn. Vander Lee, who fell
backwards after being hit, cracked his head on the ground and needed three
brain surgeries within weeks after the incident.
On the night of the assault, Clifford approached Vander Lee
and told him to curb his loud and abusive language. Clifford, who was off-duty
at the time of the incident, stated that Vander Lee, who was drunk, stood up
and cocked his left arm and tried to throw a punch. Clifford then hit Vander
Lee, who ended up in the hospital for weeks.
