The Big Bend Department of Public Works superintendent, Eric Pedersen, has been charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct after he was accused of striking a man over a parking space dispute, as per multiple sources. An incident, which took place in New Big Bend Park near the DPW garage on a Wednesday, escalated when Pedersen allegedly punched the individual three times in an altercation concerning a handicapped parking spot usage, according to a FOX6 News report.
The situation rapidly deteriorated when Pedersen, who is 62, confronted the victim about their right to park in a disability spot. The victim, purportedly in the act of showing Pedersen a valid parking placard, was then reportedly hit by Pedersen. According to officers on the scene, even the presence of the Big Bend Police Chief, who witnessed the incident, was not enough to immediately quell the assault. Pedersen has stated that he felt threatened and resorted to defending himself, as noted in court documents obtained by CBS58.
Following the incident, Pedersen has been placed on administrative leave and made his initial court appearance where the presiding Waukesha County Court Commissioner, David Herring, imposed a signature bond coupled with conditions prohibiting contact with the victim and barring possession of any dangerous weapons. Pedersen objected especially to the latter, due to his secondary employment as a firearms specialist at a local Fleet Farm. "Well, I work at a place where I'm a firearms specialist also," Pedersen told the court, yet Herring held firm, questioning the appropriateness of Pedersen holding firearms after such an incident, as reported by WISN 12 News.
This is not the first time Pedersen has faced disciplinary action; according to a WISN 12 News report, in 2019 he was suspended for 10 days following a violation of village policy on sexual harassment. Details of that prior incident have recently come into light again as WISN 12 News has filed open records requests for related documents.
