South Bend police officer placed on paid leave after battery, OWI charges

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South Bend Police Sgt. Eric Downey has been charged with domestic battery and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 28, 2009 at 11:44 AM EST

Story Updated: May 28, 2009 at 11:46 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — A South Bend police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after being charged with domestic battery and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

The South Bend Board of Public Safety also removed all of Sgt. Eric Downey’s police powers. He will work in the chief's office until the investigation is complete.

Officers arrested Sgt. Downey, a 21-year veteran of the force, outside his South Bend home around 2 a.m. May 20 after his wife filed a battery complaint.

Downey's wife called police around midnight. An officer was at the house around 2 a.m. investigating when Downey pulled up. Another officer smelled alcohol on his breath and arrested him.

A breath test showed Downey's blood alcohol content was at 0.09. The legal limit is 0.08.

This wasn't the first time police were called to the officer's home.

On Sunday May 17, Downey's wife told police her husband threatened to hurt her animals. She called right back and told them to disregard the call.

In December, Downey's wife told police her husband assaulted her. Police sent that case to the Family Violence Unit.

In April, 2008, a third-party caller told police Downey's wife was having problems with the off-duty officer.

The probable cause documents in this latest incident say Downey grabbed his wife’s wrists so hard he caused injury and pain.

Downey has filed a formal complaint against all officers on the call for excessive force and false arrest. He says he filed an additional complaint against one of the officers for intimidation and provocation.

Stay with WSBT.com for updates.

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