EPD Officer Resigns After Battery Charges
By: Drew Gardner
Updated: February 11, 2011
An Evansville Police Officer has resigned after being charged with battery. Jason Henry is accused of beating up a former sheriff's deputy during an altercation last fall at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge.
Henry pleaded guilty in court to the Class A Misdemeanor and he resigned from the police department immediately after.
The altercation happened on November 13th. Henry got into an argument with Kent Todisco. The argument turned physical when Henry allegedly punched Todisco in the face knocking him to the ground. He then kneed Todisco in the head. Todisco suffered rib and jaw injuries.
Evansville Police Chief says, "We investigated. We collected all of the evidence. We collect all statements from everybody that was involved that was a witness and sent it over to the prosecutor's office."
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann formerly filed the charges of misdemeanor battery.
"I had multiple meetings with the victim. We talked it through and the different possibilities and he felt that this was the best resolution of the case," said Hermann.
Henry has served on the police department since 2006. This is not the first time he has been in trouble.
"It was a situation where an individual had been placed in handcuffs and Officer Henry did hit him at least one time that I recall while he was in handcuffs," said Hill.
Chief Brad Hill says despite Henry's record he's also had many successes while on the force including an award of merit.
Hill says, "I can say some positive things about him. So you hate to see an experienced officer resign that has contributed to this department and has contributed to this community."
We attempted to speak to Henry after he resigned, but he had no comment. His attorney told us Henry pleaded guilty to the charge and received a six month suspended sentence.
Hill says there were no plans to fire Henry, but if he didn't resign an internal review would have taken place.
Henry pleaded guilty in court to the Class A Misdemeanor and he resigned from the police department immediately after.
The altercation happened on November 13th. Henry got into an argument with Kent Todisco. The argument turned physical when Henry allegedly punched Todisco in the face knocking him to the ground. He then kneed Todisco in the head. Todisco suffered rib and jaw injuries.
Evansville Police Chief says, "We investigated. We collected all of the evidence. We collect all statements from everybody that was involved that was a witness and sent it over to the prosecutor's office."
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann formerly filed the charges of misdemeanor battery.
"I had multiple meetings with the victim. We talked it through and the different possibilities and he felt that this was the best resolution of the case," said Hermann.
Henry has served on the police department since 2006. This is not the first time he has been in trouble.
"It was a situation where an individual had been placed in handcuffs and Officer Henry did hit him at least one time that I recall while he was in handcuffs," said Hill.
Chief Brad Hill says despite Henry's record he's also had many successes while on the force including an award of merit.
Hill says, "I can say some positive things about him. So you hate to see an experienced officer resign that has contributed to this department and has contributed to this community."
We attempted to speak to Henry after he resigned, but he had no comment. His attorney told us Henry pleaded guilty to the charge and received a six month suspended sentence.
Hill says there were no plans to fire Henry, but if he didn't resign an internal review would have taken place.
