Madison Police Officer Eric Parker Charged For Partially Paralyzing Man From India

Police officer in Alabama was investigating a suspicious man walking in a neighborhood.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 13, 2015

Madison, Alabama - On Thursday, Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey announced that Field Training Police Officer Eric Parker was served with disciplinary papers after an internal investigation concerning the use of force, found that he did not follow standard procedure when he confronted Sureshbhai Patel, 57, on February 6 while walking near his son's new home. Chief Muncey confirmed that he is recommending for Officer Parker to be fired. Parker was arrested and charged for assault in the third degree and was booked at the Limestone County Jail. Bail for Parker was set at $1,000.

According to police, neighbors noticed Patel walking in the sidewalk admiring the homes and they got suspicious because he had dark skin, was slender and had not been seen in the area before. A resident called police notifying them that he had seen Patel one day earlier in the neighborhood and that he was walking around looking at homes and garages.

When three police officers arrived to question Patel, he couldn't speak English, but only a few words, which drove Officer Patel to search him after he threw him to the ground. Patel suffered severe injuries and was partially paralyzed. 

He had cervical surgery the next day and is beginning to have some movement on his feet and hands. It will take Patel a long recovery process to regain his body movement or walk again.

His family says, that Patel had recently arrived in the country to help take care of his son's 17-month-old child. Chirag Patel says, his father told him that three officers had stopped him and when he was questioned that he pointed at his son's home. He even gave them their house number. When he pointed at his son's house, Officer Parker grabbed his arm and forced it to his back and threw him on the ground. Patel couldn't stop the fall, hit his face and injured his neck causing him partial paralysis.

Muncey says, that the FBI is also investigating the case to determine, if any federal laws were violated and deprived Patel of his civil rights.

The Patel family has hired an attorney and filed a lawsuit against the Madison Police Department.

Parker's confrontation with Patel was video recorded by a police squad dash camera.

● A Gofundme has been set up for Sureshbhai Patel for medical expenses and in one day has raised more than $32,466 from $100,000 being asked to donate. http://www.gofundme.com/m757pw