The family of Michael E. Bell will receive $1.75 million in a settlement with the city after Bell was shot to death by Kenosha Police officers in 2004.

Bell’s father, Michael M. Bell, announced the settlement at a press conference at the Radisson Hotel in Pleasant Prairie on Wednesday — which would have been Michael E. Bell’s 27th birthday.

Michael E. Bell’s estate and family — his father, his mother Kim Bell and sister Shantae Bell — will receive the money.

Michael E. Bell was 21 when he was pulled over for a traffic stop by Kenosha Police officers on Nov. 9, 2004. Bell allegedly ran from officers and resisted arrest. He was shot and killed by Kenosha Police officers during the incident.

An internal investigation by the Kenosha Police Department and reviews from the city’s Joint Services Committee and then-Kenosha District Attorney Robert Jambois concluded that the officers’ actions were justified.

‘Death was unjustified’

At the press conference, Michael M. Bell fought back tears at mentions of his son.

“This settlement is proof in our mind that Michael’s death was unjustified,” Michael M. Bell said.

Bell’s family expressed some relief in seeing this issue reach an end.

“This event has been painful for everyone in the community,” Michael M. Bell said. “The police chief, the officers involved and their families all feel a lot of pain. This is about looking forward and making changes.”

Sondra Parra, an older sister of Michael E. Bell, said the federal civil lawsuit settlement was a “victory” for the family.

“This is what we have been working for the last five years and three months,” Parra said.

‘Investing in community’

Michael M. Bell said he planned on putting his portion of the settlement toward “investing in goodwill in the community.”

Last year, Bell started Project SOARR (Supporting Opportunities for Advancing Renewable Resources), a non-profit organization that involves at-risk youths in sustainable building projects.

Lengthy process

Bell’s family filed a $200,000 claim against the Kenosha Police Department in February 2005. The city did not respond to the claim. The state has a $50,000-per-person limit on seeking damages. There is no such limit in federal lawsuits.

On Nov. 9, 2005, one year after Bell’s death, his family filed the federal civil rights lawsuit against Kenosha Police officers Erich R. Strausbaugh, Erich S. Weidner and Albert B. Gonzalez, Police Lt. David H. Kreuger, the Kenosha Police Department and the city of Kenosha. The Kenosha Police Department was dropped from the suit last November.

Mediation began Feb. 5, and Michael M. Bell said he had conversations with Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey 10 days later regarding how use of force by police is reviewed.

Changes sought

The Bell family has sought changes to the review process for officer-involved shootings since Michael E. Bell’s death. Michael M. Bell said he was encouraged by the selection of Morrissey as Kenosha police chief in 2008 and the start of an online citizen complaint system regarding police interactions.

Michael M. Bell said his recent discussions with Morrissey have focused on a commitment to have any future fatal police shootings reviewed by the state’s Division of Criminal Investigations or outside law agencies.

Michael M. Bell said he did not plan on settling the lawsuit unless the family was compensated and changes were made in reviews of police shootings. He said he felt those qualifications had been met.

Police spokesman Sgt. Hugh Rafferty said Wednesday the department had no plans to change its policies regarding use of force.

Chief disappointed

Morrissey said in a statement Tuesday that he was disappointed with the settlement, saying it was spurred by the city’s insurance company to “mitigate ongoing expenses and minimize potential exposure to an adverse judgment.”

Morrissey also said he was confident a jury would have ruled the use of force as justified.

Birthday celebration

Bell’s family held a birthday celebration for Michael E. Bell after Wednesday’s press conference.

“I take everything day by day with him in my heart,” Shantae Bell said.

Kim Bell said Wednesday was a bittersweet day.

“It’s good that we’re here on Michael’s birthday, but it’s really sad that he’s not here to celebrate,” she said. “My son is actually my hero. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to have him here with me right now.

“If I could give back the money to have him walk through that door, I would do it in a heartbeat. Life is not the same with him gone.”