By Jeremy Gorner and Patrick SvitekTribune reporters
8:20 p.m. CST, December 21, 2013
A Chicago police officer has been relieved of his police powers after being
accused of breaking a senior citizen's hip when the officer shoved the man
during an argument earlier this month.
David Barrett, a 20-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was
ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bond on Saturday on a charged of aggravated
battery.
The incident happened while Barrett was off-duty Dec. 12 at a Shell gas
station, 10601 S. Cicero Ave. in south suburban Oak Lawn, according to court
records and prosecutors.
Frustrated with a gas pump, Barrett went into the station and began
screaming at the attendant, according to prosecutors. The 89-year-old man, who
was standing in line with Barrett, told him to calm down, at which point
Barrett pushed the senior citizen to the ground, prosecutors said.
The 89-year-old man broke his right hip and had to undergo surgery,
according to court records. He also tore his right rotator cuff, a group of
tendons and muscles in the shoulder.
Stuart Goldberg, Barrett's attorney, disputed that account in a bond
hearing, arguing the 89-year-old man attacked Barrett first. Goldberg has asked
that recorded tape of the incident be preserved.
Barrett, 58, who is assigned to the
Chicago Public Safety Headquarters, turned himself in to Oak Lawn police
Thursday, authorities said.
Barrett has been relieved of his police powers, and his further status with
the department is pending conditions of his bond, police spokesman Adam Collins
said in an email.
Barrett's family declined to comment Saturday.
He is due back in court Tuesday.