Fresno Settled Lawsuit Over Custody Death
The city and county agreed to a $10 million settlement regarding the 2017 death of Joseph Perez.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Law Enforcement
The City of Fresno and Fresno County reached a $10 million settlement to resolve a 2019 lawsuit concerning the death of Joseph Perez. Perez died in May 2017 following a physical encounter with local law enforcement at Palm Avenue and Santa Fe Drive.
Why it matters
The settlement addresses allegations of excessive force, as the Fresno County coroner ruled the death a homicide caused by compression asphyxia during restraint. The agreement resolves claims against the city, county, and an ambulance company stemming from the incident.
The $10 million settlement officially resolves a lawsuit filed in 2019 against the City of Fresno, Fresno County, and an ambulance company. The case followed the 2017 incident where the coroner ruled the death a homicide due to compression asphyxia.
The players
Joseph Perez
He was an individual who died during an encounter with law enforcement in Fresno.
Fresno Police Department
This is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Fresno.
Fresno County Sheriff's Office
This is the county-level law enforcement agency providing services to the unincorporated areas of Fresno County.
The details
Officers handcuffed Perez and instructed him to sit on the sidewalk, but later restrained him after claiming he attempted to run into traffic. The coroner determined that the restraint, during which officers allegedly sat on the victim for more than a minute, resulted in compression asphyxia.
Timeline
The police interaction resulting in the death of Joseph Perez occurred on May 10, 2017.
A lawsuit was filed against local agencies in 2019.
The settlement for the Perez family was finalized in October 2026.
Legal Context
This settlement aligns with a broader national trend of municipal entities opting for large financial resolutions to conclude civil litigation regarding police custody deaths. It reflects a shift in how local governments handle claims of excessive force and institutional liability in high-profile cases.
The resolution of this case settles the immediate civil liability for the city and county without further court proceedings. Residents may view this as the conclusion of a significant legal matter that has impacted public trust in local police interactions for years.
The takeaway
Large financial settlements often highlight the high cost of excessive force claims for taxpayers while avoiding the uncertainty of a jury trial. Local agencies may use these outcomes as markers for evaluating their internal training protocols and restraint policies.
Further reading
For more information on regional policy, visit the Law Enforcement section.
