[kellyhound]

Mar 17, 2010 Video emerged that shows a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy slamming a suspect's head into a wall has triggered a federal lawsuit, and while the sheriff admits the incident shows excessive force, he believes the scuffle was sparked by the suspect's behavior.

John Campagne called police in January 2009 during an altercation with his brother-in-law, but ended up arrested himself and brought to jail.

While Campagne was handcuffed in a holding cell packed with deputies, one of the deputies suddenly took his head and slammed it into the concrete wall.

Surveillance footage showed his legs jerking on impact and his body going limp moments later.

A nurse was brought in to tend to his injuries after he was laid down on the floor.

Still pictures following the incident shows him with a black eye and bruised face, and Campagne said he blacked out and cannot remember what happened after the impact.

"The video has helped me remember this," he said. "I'm telling them, 'I can't hear you, I can't hear you'… and I get slammed. And that's where it goes blank."

Campagne filed an excessive force complaint with the Sheriff's Department, and Sheriff John McGinness agreed.

The deputy who slammed Campagne's head against the wall was disciplined and has since returned to work.

Sheriff McGinness said he doesn't like the way the incident was handled, but says there was no intent to harm the suspect, adding that Campagne provoked the response.

"I see an officer who's been put in a position through the conduct of Mr. Campagne where he has to take control of a combative, argumentative, unpleasant drunk," McGinness said.

Footage from jail surveillance cameras showed authorities wrestling Campagne to the ground while patting him down before the incident, and Campagne said he had been drinking before his detainment.

Campagne's attorney, Jeffrey Kravitz, called the sheriff's assessment of his client incorrect and points to the video as evidence.

"A picture is worth a thousand words. This is very, very, very clear," Kravitz said. "You can see everything, you see Mr. Campagne's hands, legs, his body."

Campagne says the ordeal has left him with migraines that have not gone away.

Campagne was not charged with any crimes.

A federal lawsuit was served to the Sheriff's Department, and the first court date is expected April 2010.

[iceman247]

smart move of the police man ,but even smarter of the one in the cuffs ,court time hehehehe,fucking fucking police think they can do everything ,i hate them wanna know why ?because my wife left me for a cop after 7 years of happiness ,sinds then i hate them even more ,but that does not say that they are untouchable ,my time will come ,payback time .

[andy v001]

Fucking disgusting.

[english evil]

I would sue the mother fucker as well and have him up for assault

[jdankens]

I don't think the cop meant to do that. It wasn't a very forceful push but obviously enough. The cop was probably just fed up with stupid drunks (like all cops are).