Lexington’s police and fire pension board has denied disability for a former officer involved in an altercation with a teenage referee.
Former Lexington police officer Keith Spears resigned in June, avoiding a disciplinary hearing in front of the Urban County Council. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to harassment with no physical contact in a case involving a 13-year-old youth soccer referee.
Wednesday, the pension board voted 8 to 2 against granting Spears disability. While it’s not clear what kind of disability he was seeking, the Lexington Herald-leader reports that Spears’ attorney said the claim is not related to the altercation.
Income earned under disability retirement is not taxed, and children of disabled officers are allowed to attend any state college or university for free until they turn 23.