Brian Vander Lee Benefit Fund

A benefit fund has been created to help with Brian Vander Lee's medical bills. The father of four from Ramsey was on the receiving end of a knockout punch, allegedly thrown by a Minneapolis police officer.

BRIAN VANDER LEE BENEFIT
DONATIONS ACCEPTED AT ANY TCF BANK LOCATION

Vander Lee has sold advertising at the Star Tribune since 2007. One of his friends at the newspaper says he's the best coworker he's ever had.

As for Brian, there's good news to report: he's responding to commands and wiggling his toes and fingers.

Brian's wife Kourtney says what happened Saturday night just doesn't make sense. Kourtney and Brian were at Tanners on the patio when Kourtney says a guy asked Brian to quiet down while on the phone.

Less than two minutes later, the Minneapolis police officer now charged with assault jumped on top him and started throwing punches.

"He basically jumped directly on Brian as he was punching him just like Superman," Kourtney said. "Ran right up to him, socked him in the eye. He was still in his chair, hadn't gotten up, didn't even know this guy was coming toward him."

When Kourtney learned the attacker was a Minneapolis police officer, she was "floored."

"You are there to protect us and serve us and I don't -- it doesn't make any sense," she said.