MADISON, Alabama — An Indian man was paid $1.75 million in a settlement over a lawsuit stemming from a 2015 excessive force claim against a former Madison police officer.
Sureshbai Patel's lawyer announced on April 8 that the case has been formally dismissed following the settlement.
According to the lawyer, Patel, a citizen of India, was taking a walk while visiting his son and daughter-in-law in Madison when two Madison police officers stopped him.
The lawyer said former Madison police Officer Eric Parker was providing field training to a new officer at the time of this stop. During the stop, the lawyer says Officer Parker placed Patel's hands behind his back, patted him down and took him to the ground headfirst with a leg-sweep.
Patel's lawyer said this incident caused Patel to suffer a serious spinal cord injury. Patel, who now lives at his home in India, requires a walker after surgery and rehabilitation, according to the lawyer.
Officer Parker faced charges for federal civil rights violations but was acquitted by a federal judge in 2016 following two hung juries.
Despite recommendations that Officer Parker be terminated, the City reinstated him after the dismissal of criminal charges. According to Patel's attorney, Parker currently serves as an officer at a Birmingham-area police department.
“Not holding Parker accountable for his excessive use of force and allowing him to continue as a police officer is a fundamental failure of accountability, by both the City of Madison and our criminal justice system,” Patel's lawyer continued. “While we are glad Patel has received compensation for his injuries, no one, and especially not government actors, should be above accountability. Mr. Patel is glad to put this behind him. He appreciates all the support he has received from people all over the world. Mr. Patel credits his Hindu faith for giving him strength and peace throughout this ordeal."
WZDX News has reached out to the Madison Police Department and the city of Madison for a statement. We have not yet received a response.
IN OTHER NEWS: Precautions must still be taken to avoid a COVID surge
