
© Mark HoffmanMilwaukee Police Detective Rodolfo Gomez Jr., being interviewed for a case during a 2011 hearing in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, is accused of beating an inmate during interrogation. The victim has taken steps toward suing the City of Milwaukee.
The victim of an in-custody beating that led to the firing of Milwaukee Police Detective Rodolfo Gomez Jr. has taken the first step toward filing a civil suit, records show.
Deron Love, who was handcuffed to a wall when
Gomez beat him in an interrogation room, is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, according to a notice of claim filed with the city. The document lists the city, the department and Gomez as potential defendants.
Love was taken to the hospital
after being punched by Gomez on Aug. 14, according to court records. Love is charged with two felonies in connection with the death of his 7-month-old son. He has pleaded not guilty.
Gomez, who was not involved in the arrest of Love, was called in to interrogate him. Earlier, the detective had questioned at least three witnesses in the case.
Gomez, 47, punched Love in the face and upper body, then struck him with a knee, according to the notice of claim. Another officer then rushed into the interrogation room "and pulled Detective Gomez off Love," the notice says. A short time later, Gomez re-entered the room,
forcibly pulled Love's head back and kicked him again, the notice says.
As a result of the beating, Gomez has been charged with felony misconduct in public office. A scheduled Thursday court appearance in the case was postponed until January.
Comment: Officer Gomez has a history of violence and misconduct. He was arrested on allegations of sexual assault and domestic-violence-related disorderly conduct and lied on a search warrant affidavit resulting in a Franklin man being shot by police.