WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Shoals man says he was beaten by police
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LEIGHTON, AL (WAFF) A Colbert County man says he was attacked for no reason by two officers from the Leighton Police Department.
The altercation happened on Highway 20 Sunday night, just inside the Leighton town limits. It started with a traffic stop.
Sheila Aycock can not believe her father was beaten up.
"He's almost 80-years-old," she said, "He's a Korean War Veteran. I can't believe these cops have beat him up on the side of the road."
77-year-old Harold Dawson said he was asked by a friend to help some tenants he rented to, who had been pulled over. He said when he got out of his truck one of the officers punched him in the face for no apparent reason.
"After they put the handcuffs from behind," said Dawson, "The other came up there and hit me. Hit me three times on the side of the head."
They also sprayed him with mace.
Dawson feels he was treated unfairly because of a concern he brought up to a town councilman. His grandson had witnessed a police officer taking cash from a Hispanic driver who had no license.
"He got right up in my face and told me," said Dawson, "You said I was the one who took the bribe."
Leighton Police Chief Ray Hayse would not comment on the incident, but said there is an internal investigation into what happened. It is being reviewed by the mayor and police commission.
The chief did say the incident was caught on video tape. Both patrol cars there had cameras mounted on their windshields.
Dawson said the altercation happened behind the patrol cars, so that video will not show exactly what happened.
"I would like to see it brought to justice," added Aycock, "I'm very upset about it."
Dawson was charged with several misdemeanors, including public intoxication, assault, and disorderly conduct.
Dawson said he was not drunk at the time of the incident.
Dawson has already hired a lawyer, and is thinking about filing a lawsuit against the Leighton Police Department.
The police chief said one of his officers was also injured in the altercation, and was treated at a local hospital.
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C'mon, play. You know you want to. The boss will never know.
